Messages from the Dead

Gravekeeper #2.5

by Darcy Coates

While Messages from the Dead is a companion to the Gravekeeper series it can still be read on its own. It canonically takes place after the end of the second book, The Ravenous Dead, and contains minimal spoilers. You should be able to enjoy it even if you haven't started the Gravekeeper series yet.

Genres: Horror, Mystery, Fantasy, Adult Fiction

29 pages, Newsletter

Published March 28, 2022

About the author

Darcy Coates is the USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen horror and suspense novels.

She lives in the Central Coast of Australia with her family, cat, and a collection of chickens. Her home is surrounded by rolling wilderness on all sides, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

You can hear about her next book by joining her newsletter: www.darcycoates.com/updates

Reviews

[S. ≽^•⩊•^≼ I'm not here yet · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://darcycoates.com/messages-from...

[Kat (Katlovesbooks) Dietrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Messages from the Dead by Darcy Coates is a paranormal mystery, and a short story in the Gravekeeper series. 

First, let me thank the author, for sending me a copy of her short story.  Apologies that it slipped through the cracks for 2 years.


Series Background:   (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Keira knows little about her past, but she has discovered she has a talent.  She can talk to ghosts -- and if she discovers why they are still on this plane, she is determined to help them move on.  She has new friends...Adage who is a clergyman,  Zoe who is a conspiracy  theory nut, and Mason, who is supposed to be studying to become a doctor.  She has recently been hired by Adage to be the new groundskeeper at Blighty Graveyard.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Keira returns to the Old Mill, where a fire had taken place many years ago.  Although abandoned, there are still many spirits inside that have not yet been able to move on.

There, she meets Adela, who died of smoke inhalation, but longs for news of her daughter, who she feels she has abandoned.  Keira will try to help her.


My Opinions:
This can be read as a stand-alone short story, but without knowing Keira's background, I think the average reader would be lost.

This story dealt with a mother's loss and fear for her daughter, and in that way, it was a little sad.   But it was still a feel-good story, and the characters continue to enthrall me.

Even though this was just a short story, it had all the elements of a great book.  A quick and entertaining addition to the series!


For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

[Chris Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice little short story. It's been a couple of years since I read the books in this series. I remember a mill story very similar to this being in the books. I'm not sure whether it was a rewrite of this short story, or if this short story is just an extra story meant to be another ghost in the mill. I expect it's probably the latter. Either way, it's a nice little addition to the series. You can find it for free online.

4 out of 5

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but short.

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short story companion to the Grave keeper series which I plan on reading asap. This follows Keira, a woman that can see and speak with ghosts. Finding many trapped spirits in the Old Mill that was burnt down decades ago, Keira sets out to help as many as she can. Since this was a short story, No Spoilers! I highly recommend it!

[Jess - The Hexed Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this short bonus story from the Gravekeeper world! This was a quick read and a wonderful view into the world of Keira and Zoe that I really enjoyed. We also got to meet a new character who trades in secrets and she was super fun. I hope we see more of her in the series!

[Rebecca Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does Darcy manage to make me cry in a short story? I love this world and want more of it!!

[Canadian_902 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope there will be more stories like this about the Mill

[brii | brii (three months behind...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic little addition to this series. I loved this one so much, and although it didn’t add to the overall plot, it brought me joy and tugged on all my heart strings.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was beautiful and sad at the same time. Loved it.

[Amber S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really short read with only 29 pages but was really good. I love this series and own all the physical copies but I'm glad I was able to find and read this one.

[The_Books_Music_Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 stars

April 3rd 2022
This was so heartbreaking and moving and just wholesome to read. I think the thing with reading ghost stories or watching ghost shows on tv, is that, whether you believe in ghosts or not, you can't help but feel for the people in said shows and stories. Even though Adela was a fictional character; I was heartbroken for her.

Darcy Coates is an amazing writer and they way she makes you feel for her characters, even in such a short story as this one is a gift very few have. I'm slowly making my way though her catalog but I will most definitely read everything and anything by her.


March 9th, 2025
Rating 4 Stars.
Reading this short story after I've read the first two books makes this story so much better since I have the details.

[MC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did! It was very heartwarming! I absolutely loved it! This would make a good book! So glad the mother and daughter got closure!