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The Restorer

(Graveyard Queen #1)

Amanda Stevens (Goodreads Author)

3.90 · Rating details · 16,201 ratings · 1,992 reviews

My name is Amelia Gray. I'm a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I've always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.

It started with the discovery of a young woman' ...more

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Paperback, 376 pages

Published April 19th 2011 by Mira

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Best ADULT Urban Fantasy, Fantasy and Paranormal Romance

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Oct 09, 2020 Lori rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, reviewed

"I was nine when I saw my first ghost." So begins "The Restorer," book one in the seven-book Graveyard Queen series. They're a mixture of paranormal (ghosts, and they're not all friendly), mystery and a bit of romance. It's not a book I'd ever have found or picked up but for a few great reviews from GR friends. I'm not keen on mystery or romance. Ghosts are another story -- and old cemeteries.

I'm, I now know, somewhat of a taphophile. I've always been drawn to old cemeteries for the artistry of "I was nine when I saw my first ghost." So begins "The Restorer," book one in the seven-book Graveyard Queen series. They're a mixture of paranormal (ghosts, and they're not all friendly), mystery and a bit of romance. It's not a book I'd ever have found or picked up but for a few great reviews from GR friends. I'm not keen on mystery or romance. Ghosts are another story -- and old cemeteries.

I'm, I now know, somewhat of a taphophile. I've always been drawn to old cemeteries for the artistry of the graves, the beautiful and profound sculptures, mausoleums and tombs and the inexplicably weird ones. The protagonist of this series, Amelia Gray, is a professional restorer of old cemeteries in the southern United States. Her father was caretaker of an old cemetery in South Carolina and she grew up helping him. Each has the unusual ability to see ghosts.

Amanda Stevens had me at that first sentence, Amelia is a terrific narrator, Stevens a great writer, and it all makes for a great book. From nine on Amelia's father taught her rules about the ghosts -- but not all of them. That's when I realized I was reading a series, something I don't often do and I hope they're all as good or nearly as good as this one.

In "The Restorer" her commission is to restore an old cemetery in Charleston, South Carolina connected to a college attended by many of the city's elite. Stevens's descriptions of Charleston alone would have made the book worth it for me. She often uses fragrant flowers to set the tone and she's so adept at describing them I felt like they were under my nose and the ones I've not encountered I rued missing out on. Integral to the story and seamlessly integrated in it are the meanings of different flowers and symbols on gravestones, which I found fascinating. There are some compelling epitaphs too.

Before long a dead body is discovered. And another and another, old ones and fresh ones, killed in what may be ritualistic ways. Because she's an expert the police consult Amelia, whose expertise is useful. There's a handsome detective who is followed by the ghosts of his beautiful wife and their five-year old; Amelia can see them but he can't. There's an attraction complicated for him because he's still actively mourning them and for Amelia because getting nasty and mocking looks from the ghost of a man's dead wife is a major mood-killer.

The mysteries are compelling, the secondary characters well done, each carrying their weight in the book. Amanda Stevens doesn't waste words but she sometimes does lovely things with them. The creepy parts are not scary, they're atmospheric and chilling. The tension steadily mounts, the suspense and the stakes too. At a certain point I, who never guesses the killer, worked it out but I wonder if at that point the reader was meant to.

Throughout I was engaged, invested and entertained. The graves, the tombs, the cobwebs, the mounting mysteries and complicated attraction, the suspense and danger, Amelia herself, who is a great narrator, and the city of Charleston all make for a book that's not one I ever would have reached for had I not seen those reviews -- and Goodreads friends for the win again, because I loved it. I'm already reading the second, which features Amelia restoring a very intriguing cemetery in an eerie rural South Carolina setting. Oh, there's an election going on? I'd forgotten ;) ...more

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Mar 23, 2011 Rane rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Rane by: Michelle, the Bookshelf Stalker Queen of the Undead

Shelves: first-reads-arcs-netgallery, keeper, cozies-mystery-suspense, urban-fantasy, true-gem-keepers

Like the sultry afternoon, the jasmine gently floating on the breeze, the cool sweat dripping from a glass. Just when sun bids farewell and the moon says hello, between day and night- twilight- a veil is lifted, the unrest sprits rise to roam the land of the living once more…

Amanda Stevens writes poetic and downright spooky novel in The Restorer, set in the old south city in Charleston. Amelia Gray is a cemetery restorer, and can see ghosts, but unlike the ghost whisperer, Amelia has been rais ...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies rated it it was amazing

I abandon most paranormal series because they're rather annoying. Most of the ones I've tried to read have contained vampires, werewolves, etc., and a variation of otherworldly politics and conspiracies, one would have to use a great deal of suspension of disbelief to really get into those stories. This series is believable, it's not too out there as far as paranormal activities go. One can be induced to believe that ghosts do exist, and aren't visible to everyone. This book sticks to ghosts, th ...more

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May 18, 2012 Maja (The Nocturnal Library) rated it really liked it

Shelves: own-a-dtb, just-another-book-crush, open-ending, urban-fantasy, creepy-love-triangle, role-models, reviewed-in-2012, favorites, i-see-dead-people, all-the-right-choices

So beautiful and chilling.
The Restorer was recommended to me by someone I trust implicitly when it comes to books (that someone being my favorite author, Ann Aguirre) so it’s no wonder I didn’t hesitate to pick it up as soon as I found it in my mailbox. My intention was to read a chapter or two to get a feel of the story and then leave it for the night, but I ended up reading it all in one sitting. Let me tell you, reading this book at night, in a dark and silent house wasn’t the smartest move So beautiful and chilling.
The Restorer was recommended to me by someone I trust implicitly when it comes to books (that someone being my favorite author, Ann Aguirre) so it’s no wonder I didn’t hesitate to pick it up as soon as I found it in my mailbox. My intention was to read a chapter or two to get a feel of the story and then leave it for the night, but I ended up reading it all in one sitting. Let me tell you, reading this book at night, in a dark and silent house wasn’t the smartest move I ever made… but it was definitely exciting.

First and foremost, I need to point out that Amanda Stevens is an excellent writer. She has a tremendous talent for creating the right atmosphere, a very good sense of pacing, and a way to evoke very strong emotions at exactly the right time. Her detailed descriptions never failed to send chills down my spine. Even though The Restorer is marketed as paranormal romance, it is, in fact, urban fantasy in all its glory. For one, it is written in first person and told from a single point of view, whereas paranormal romance is usually told in third person, from alternating POVs. Romance (or lack thereof) makes a big part of the story, but it’s certainly not the main motivator as it always is with PNR. Besides, as someone who gets a strong allergic reaction whenever I come within a hundred yards of a paranormal romance novel, I can tell you with absolute certainty that this is not it. From what I understand, detective John Devlin is not even present in book two, The Kingdom, which I suppose proves my point.

The worldbuilding is fairly simplistic: the presence of ghosts is all that is unusual. Amelia Gray can see them, but she’s learned through life-long instructions by her father, not to acknowledge them in any way. She restores graveyards for a living and is very good at hiding her reactions and emotions from the occasional spirit. One of her father’s rules is never to get involved with someone who is haunted, which is why Amelia is less than thrilled when an obviously haunted (and devastatingly handsome) police detective comes asking for her help.

Amelia is the type of delicate, quiet and restrained heroine that you grow attached to in time. She’s spent her entire life on cemeteries, following strict rules imposed by her father. She has a very lonely way of life and very few personal connections.
John Devlin… *fans self* Amanda Stevens knows how to write a gorgeous and wounded romantic interest that makes you want to murder the heroine and take her place... except, in this case, it would be pretty pointless. The one Devlin wants is already dead.
He said my name then. Just that. Amelia. But in the slow, proper drawl of the Charleston aristocrat, stringing out the syllables with an elegant, imperious cadence that was tinged with decadence, indulgence and the kind of secrets that can only fester in the deepest shadows of the South.

I absolutely adored the Southern setting. Not many urban fantasy books take place in Charleston, and I relished the opportunity to learn about the city through Amelia’s eyes. Amanda Stevens and I share a fascination with Southern accents and the fact that she kept mentioning the famous Southern drawl never failed to make me smile.

I didn’t even wait to finish this book before I ordered book two, The Kingdom, from The Book Depository. I’ll make sure to find a sunny and bright place to read it, though. I bet it will be just as creepy as the first one.

Also posted at The Nocturnal Library ...more

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Jun 09, 2012 ♥Rachel♥ rated it it was ok

Shelves: paranormal-romance, audio-book, urban-fantasy

2.5 Stars
The Restorer was a mixed bag for me. Let’s start with what I enjoyed:

The creepy vibe. I do love the thrill of wondering what darkness lurks in the shadows. I can’t think of a place I’d feel more tension and an undercurrent of fear than an old cemetery in the South. Ms. Stevens made the setting sound beautiful, but haunting, just the way I love a spooky story! The ghosts were a believable presence upping the scare factor big time.

The mystery unfolding, although it’s one of my complaints ...more

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Nov 10, 2017 Phrynne rated it really liked it

Repeat to myself - I do not need another series, I do not need another series.......oh well, I guess I have found another series. I read The Restorer for a challenge (read a book with a grave on the cover - for Hallowe'en). Damn these challenges:)

Anyhow it was a great book. Nice and creepy without being too scary, lovely Southern atmosphere and two very attractive main characters. Amelia can see dead people, which is always good for a start, and Devlin is like a sexy vampire without actually bei ...more

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Mar 22, 2013 Jonetta rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, paranormal-romance

Amelia Gray restores graveyards, having spent her whole life in cemeteries as her father is a caretaker of them. And, she sees ghosts and has since she was nine-years old. Her father sees them, too, and he's taught her the rules to follow to protect herself, one of them being to never let ghosts know she can see them. Amelia has also never told anyone else about her gift.

Amelia is on an assignment in Charleston, restoring an old cemetery associated with a university and gets embroiled in a murd ...more

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Nov 17, 2010 Michelle, the Bookshelf Stalker Queen of the Undead rated it really liked it

Can you say creepy?

Can you say wonderful?

If you love spooky, creepy, darn right oh-my-god-I-just-saw-something-in-the-corner-of-my-room scary type books, this is your book. If you want to be frustrated by a blossoming relationship between two main characters, this is also your book. Let me explain.

I love to be scared. While this book IS scary, it is not the blatant in your face, gory, axe murdering serial killer type of scary.

Instead, it is the hair rising, I cannot see him, but I knew he is be Can you say creepy?

Can you say wonderful?

If you love spooky, creepy, darn right oh-my-god-I-just-saw-something-in-the-corner-of-my-room scary type books, this is your book. If you want to be frustrated by a blossoming relationship between two main characters, this is also your book. Let me explain.

I love to be scared. While this book IS scary, it is not the blatant in your face, gory, axe murdering serial killer type of scary.

Instead, it is the hair rising, I cannot see him, but I knew he is behind me type of scary. I loved it. The author is a master at making you “feel” her descriptions. There are scenes where ghosts touch people and the way the author described the touch, made me think someone was brushing their hand along my neck (and the hubby was nowhere in sight).

Now onto the relationship. There is a "non-relationship" relationship in this book. Amelia, the main character, is seriously lusting after John Devlin. Throughout the book, the reader is unsure how Devlin feels about Amelia but on the contrary, Amelia’s feelings are pretty darn clear. Too clear! Over and over again, we get Amelia’s internal dialogue on how she lusts for Devlin but she is unsure of how he feels and how she doesn’t want to break the unwritten rules regarding messing with people who are clearly haunted. This internal dialogue goes on and on and becomes tedious at times. I kept wanting Amelia to jump Devlin’s bones and get on with it. It NEVER happens. Why am I telling you this? Because there is so much good about this book, if you get caught up in the relationship or lack thereof, you will be disappointed in the story. However, if you move on from the relationship, you will enjoy the story.

The story-

It is complex, and full of mystery. I really had to pay attention because there was a lot of story and side story here. However, once you get the logistics down, the story flowed. Oh and the last few chapters seriously stumped me. I did not expect it and frankly, it saved the book from a 3 star rating (I hated how the non-relationship was going throughout the book between Devlin and Amelia).

Overall-

I seriously enjoyed the book. Take out the disappointment regarding Amelia’s lusting after Devlin and receiving no satisfaction in that department, you then have a very good book.
...more

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Jan 04, 2014 Robin (Bridge Four) rated it liked it

Recommends it for: Fans of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Recommended to Robin by: Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies

Shelves: uf-pnr, fantastic-fantasy, ghosts

Sale Alert: 14Mar18 not sure how long it will hold but right now this is $0.99 on Amazon

3.5 Stars

Forbidden love stories always hook me hard. Add ghosts, murder and a creepy cemetery into the mix and you have my attention.

Amelie sees dead people, she always has as long as she can remember. Rule #1 don’t let them know you see them, Rule #2 never stray to far from hallowed ground and Rule #3 avoid people who have ghosts attached to them never invite them into your life. Rules are made to be broken ...more

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Sep 20, 2014 Mary Beth rated it it was amazing

I gave this book 5 stars because some day I would love to reread it.
Amelia saw ghosts from the age of Nine. Her father have her rules to follow and she was never to acknowledge a haunted man and to stay far away from one. There were Three rules that she needed to live by and she had broken every rule!

This is a great spooky Gothic mystery. There are several Murders, where keeps you guessing till the end on who was doing it. I love this Game. Ghosts were everywhere. If you love to read paranormal ...more

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May 25, 2018 Mada Linx rated it it was amazing

It’s 1:35AM, I’m going to sleep...

*****

Okay, it’s 8:30AM.

This book has everything I ever wanted.

Mystery.
Romance.
Ghosts.

Since I picked this book up, I ignored everything else around me and I couldn’t put it down. I was looking at the time and knew I have to go to work the next day, but still I read one more chapter....one more....one more....till I finished it.

Devlin and Amelia are both great and can’t wait to read more about them.

I’m continuing with the series.

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Jan 13, 2012 Lisa Kay rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommended to Lisa Kay by: Carolyn F.

Shelves: genre-mystery, genre-paranormal, character-ghosts, authors-a, all-time-favorites, 2012-in-2012-group-challenge, m-audible-dot-com, authors-s, setting-usa-south-carolina, xyzcover-graveyard

Pictures of Oak Grove Cemetary, from Amanda Stevens’s website: www.thegraveyardqueen.com

Book Quote:

An old live oak guarded the darkest corner of the garden, and a swing hung like a childhood memory from one of the gnarled branches.

★★★★½ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Oh, this one is excellent! The first thrilling mystery in the Graveyard Queen series is narrated by the wonderful Khristine Hvam , who is perfect for this first person POV telling of a Southern gothic. She doesn’t miss ...more

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Apr 04, 2011 Fani *loves angst* rated it it was amazing

Shelves: heroine-i-loved, agent-cop-sheriff-detective, tortured-hero, arc-netgalley, 6-stars, romantic-suspense, paranormal, keepers-non-romance, mystery-suspense, not-for-the-faint-of-heart

6 stars

Well, I'm dazzled, stunned, shocked and yes haunted. This is an amazing book, the best I've read so far in 2011. I don't feel like picking another book right now, my mind's stuck there with Amelia, Devlin and their ghosts. And for a book that does not belong in the romance genre, the attraction between them was a very powerful and vivid thing.

Many people have described the plot, but I find it difficult to explain to someone who hasn't read the book. In short, there are some gruesome murde 6 stars

Well, I'm dazzled, stunned, shocked and yes haunted. This is an amazing book, the best I've read so far in 2011. I don't feel like picking another book right now, my mind's stuck there with Amelia, Devlin and their ghosts. And for a book that does not belong in the romance genre, the attraction between them was a very powerful and vivid thing.

Many people have described the plot, but I find it difficult to explain to someone who hasn't read the book. In short, there are some gruesome murders, John Devlin is the detective in the case and Amelia is the restorer of the graveyard where the bodies are turning up. It would be a typical mystery book if Amelia wasn't able to see ghosts but tried to ignore them following her father's advice, Devlin didn't have two of his own following him around and an old fraternity who likes to delve in the occult wasn't involved. As it is, this is one complicated and highly addictive mystery that I couldn't put down until the final page. The fact that it's spiced with a lot of PNR elements and some romance doesn't hurt at all!

The writing was superb. There is no other way to put it. I've never been to Charleston or anywhere near the South, but I felt I was there, smelled the jasmines, the honeysuckle, the shrimps and even the dampness in the hot air. I just loved the way Ms Stevens pulled me in her world. And I loved how she had me sitting in the edge of my seat the whole time while Amelia went looking for clues in the graveyard and met with people who I couldn't tell if they were friends or psychopaths. Finally, I loved the palpable attraction between her and Devlin, the sizzle of electricity between them and also her fear whenever he came too near; I just couldn't get enough of their scenes together. These are two lonely and haunted people that definitely belong together, if only Devlin could escape his past.

I feel like I'm rambling instead of writing a review, so I'll just wrap it up. I loved the book (obviously) and can't wait to read the next one to find out more about Amelia, her father, Tom Garrick and of course Devlin and his ghosts. Not everything is answered by the end of the book, but at least the who-dunnit is fully explained and resolved. If you like mystery & suspense stories, this is a book you absolutely must read!

ARC Provided by NetGalley ...more

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Jan 19, 2012 Susana rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2012, tstlc, amanda-stevens, graveyard-queen-series, paranormal-romance, series-i-ve-given-up

2,5 stars

THIS REVIEW HAS BEEN EDITED:(30/04/13)

Having already read the second one, I can definitely say that I won't be reading any other books of this series.
I've also removed a star, since on further consideration I've decided that this was just an okay reading.
Yes, there were some aspects that I liked, but in the end, the negative parts surpassed the positives.

Former Review:

It's impossible for me to say that I didn't "like" the book.

I did, it was completely different from what I've been rea ...more

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Feb 23, 2011 Alisha rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Urban Fantasy fans who like a good ghost story

Shelves: ac-g, favorites

Rating: 4.5 (After some more thought: A five, really.)
Quick Take: Loved it. Loved. It. Steven's writing style is so easy to get into. To say that I look forward to more of this series is a serious understatement. Highly recommended to all of my ghost-story-friendly urban fantasy peeps. It might give you a fright, but it's well worth the thrill.

Review:
Freaking A, man. What an awesome book this is!
I must confess that, as a scaredy cat and ghost-story wimp, I was hesitant at first to read Amanda St Rating: 4.5 (After some more thought: A five, really.)
Quick Take: Loved it. Loved. It. Steven's writing style is so easy to get into. To say that I look forward to more of this series is a serious understatement. Highly recommended to all of my ghost-story-friendly urban fantasy peeps. It might give you a fright, but it's well worth the thrill.

Review:
Freaking A, man. What an awesome book this is!
I must confess that, as a scaredy cat and ghost-story wimp, I was hesitant at first to read Amanda Stevens's trilogy opener. The book description sounded very intriguing, but it was obviously meant to give the potential reader a taste of the eerie setting and chilling theme of the full novel. Boy, am I glad I got past that hesitancy. I was thoroughly creeped out whilst reading this tale, but more importantly, I was exhilarated.

So let's start with that emotion. Yes, this book is creepy; the author is quite skilled at creating atmosphere. Stevens's writing style is resonant, engaging, and very easy to fall into. The language is crisp and easily accessible--not simplistic--and yet descriptions are vivid, crafting a clear visual and understanding of both the characters and the settings. I'd imagine that's precisely what one would want when attempting to scare the pants off of someone. ^_^

It's perhaps good that the mechanics of the language used does not confound, because this is indeed a dense book. There are numerous details that are integral to the storyline, and the main mystery is quite multilayered. In fact, there are elements in play that suggest the author is focused on the bigger, series-wide picture at all times. In that regard, this story's events solve mysteries, but titillate even more. The narrative barely scratches the surface of the main characters' struggles and inner scars. Protagonist Amelia Gray is one complex individual; amiable as far as protagonists go, but clearly haunted (literally and figuratively). That she finds herself drawn to an equally haunted man will provide a lot of arresting emotional material in upcoming installments.

If you can manage a highly atmospheric, spooky and complex book that absolutely must be read as part of a series arc, you need to pick up The Restorer. This will be a standout series, just you wait n see! ^_^ ...more

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Aug 07, 2019 Montzalee Wittmann rated it it was amazing

The Restorer
The Graveyard Queen, Book 1
By: Amanda Stevens
Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
Series: Graveyard Queen, Book 1
This is my kind of ghost story! It is creepy, slightly dark, a few mysteries, a couple of men to one woman and she doesn't know who to trust, she can see ghosts, there is something darker out there, and I love this! Amelia restored cemeteries, she started with her dad at a young age. Her and her dad also share another talent, they both can see ghosts. He gives her rules to live by b ...more

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Oct 10, 2014 Paula rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal, suspense, amanda-stevens

This book seemed to drag on and on for me. The main problem was that I didn’t care for the main characters, Amelia and Devlin. Amelia spent most of the book dwelling on her attraction to Devlin to the point of obsession. It didn’t help that Devlin was a dull character without much of a personality. I’d have liked to have learned more about the secondary characters in the book, since I thought they were much more interesting than Amelia and Devlin. There were some good creepy scenes in the book, ...more

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Sep 16, 2012 Anzu The Great Destroyer rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: creepy crawlers

Shelves: buddy-or-group-read, something-different, reviewed-2012, to-the-mystery-machine, a-bit-of-mush, must-reads, ghests, suburban-fantasy, im-a-crepe-im-a-weirdo

Keep your distance from those who are haunted.

Long story short
Amelia Gray, a cemetery restorer who can see ghosts, is forced into a police investigation when a body is found in the cemetery she is restoring.

My thoughts
The first thing that made me check out The Restorer was the cover. I absolutely love that sad angel statue. It makes me think of an extremely gloomy story. Which is exactly what The Restorer is. Amanda Stevens nailed the cover, it's perfect for the story. The second thi ...more

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May 03, 2016 C. rated it it was amazing

Shelves: riedel-titles-2016

On the quest for adult ghost novels, I have become an Amanda Stevens fan! Despite a skewed portrayal of spirituality, I enjoyed her story immensely. The whole atmosphere of “The Restorer” was exciting and suspenseful. It transferred the riveting, taut exhilaration of a movie; captivating our attention in a way that authors accomplish rarely. I genuinely felt reeled into the momentum and emotions of this mystery and could visualize it like a film. It is unfinished and dependent upon this series. ...more

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May 13, 2011 MISS VAIN rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Spooky Ghost Story Lovers with Romance

Recommended to MISS VAIN by: Cat Russell (Addicted2Heroines)

There was no mistaking her intent.
She knew I was there.
She knew I could see her.
And she was letting me know that she knew.

Lock your doors, check your windows, plug in your night lights, and prepare to be frightened!

This book chilled me to the bone, and I adored every minute of it. I stayed up all night to finish this not just because it was sooooo good (it was) but I was too much of a scardy cat to sleep. Amanda Stevens has made spooky graveyard stories my newest obsession. A woman's body ...more

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Mar 07, 2011 AH rated it really liked it

Recommended to AH by: Michelle r

Shelves: babr-reviews, zzread-august-2011, paranormal, own, ghosts

4.5 stars

Eerie, haunting, and definitely spooky, The Restorer is unlike any ghost story I’ve read before. The Restorer is part ghost story, part murder mystery. There’s a touch of voodoo and witchcraft in it along with a mysterious secret order. Add in a pretty eccentric cast of characters and there you have it – a compelling read.

Amelia Gray sees dead people. She’s seen them for most of her life. Amelia follows a strict set of rules to help her cope with her ability so that no ghost will attach ...more

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Mar 03, 2011 Yodamom rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite

4.5
Finally, a great ghost story ! I had good old fashioned goose bumps while reading this wonderful tale. It was scary with a subtle touch, slowly unraveling. I was enchanted, by the characters, the mystery, and the hint of a romance.
The Amelia Grey, a cemetery restorer, loves her job, repairing the forgotten treasures of our ancestors. She is a southern girl, her father a cemetery grounds keeper. She see’s her first ghost at nine years old. Her father warns her and gives her a set or rules sh ...more

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May 29, 2018 Jeanny rated it did not like it · review of another edition

This book counts towards CG Book Challange June: Read a scary (horror, psychological thriller, ghost story) Book
Audible version.

Just not for me prepare for my rant...

An excruciatingly slow read. The verbose prose was tiresome. The dialogue & its southern formality isn’t to my taste. I wasn’t a fan of the h or the H & felt the author forced the “chemistry” between them. It was very much one-sided for a good portion of the book & when he finally shows interest it doesn’t feel genuine. What little ...more

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Jul 20, 2012 Sunny rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: a-1-favorite-series, reviews

Amelia Gray
John Devlin

Several years ago I visited Charleston, South Carolina in the middle of summer. The weather was hot, the humidity was oppressive and the pace, well, people took their time. I signed up for a graveyard ghost tour, not my normal vacation time activity. But it was Charleston, and being a Southern history fan, I couldn’t resist. This was the center of antebellum South, where the cruelty of slavery and the genteel manners of Southern folks co-existed. I loved my tour and I loved ...more

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Jan 11, 2018 Theresa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library-books-2018, 2018-books, 5-star-reads-of-2018, amanda-stevens-books

5 Superbly Creepy Stars... Fantastic writing, unique premise, strong historical context, captivating characters, and a terrifying but fascinating supernatural element all dominate this phenomenal read... I was enthralled from the very first page and could not be pulled away until the final page turned; if you love a psychological thriller wrapped in a supernatural blanket that keeps you guessing and your heart racing until the end then you need to pick up this book up, take a deep breath, and ho ...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Masako Lin rated it it was ok

Touted as a fresh new entry into the paranormal romance, The Restorer is am ambitious work at trying to break stereotypes within the genre. However despite it's awesome paranormal component, interesting back stories for it's characters; the restorer really fell flat in the character department and the almost unrealistic romantic portion which kind of ruined the reading experience for me. Fans of paranormal will enjoy this if you can get through the cringe worth romantic parts.

The romance portion Touted as a fresh new entry into the paranormal romance, The Restorer is am ambitious work at trying to break stereotypes within the genre. However despite it's awesome paranormal component, interesting back stories for it's characters; the restorer really fell flat in the character department and the almost unrealistic romantic portion which kind of ruined the reading experience for me. Fans of paranormal will enjoy this if you can get through the cringe worth romantic parts.

The romance portion of this book really really bugged me. First of all, I am not a huge fan of insta-romance. I don't need to read how sensual, luscious (insert any sexy adjective) the main love interest is and how she feels a 'connection' with him in their first meeting. Attraction is ok, but falling head over heels doesn't make any sense. Sorry I don't subscribe to the love at first site club and these things make me cringe. I need a reason for my romance to happen and instant attraction that came out of nowhere doesn't cut it for me.

So after the inst-love part, Amelia does some really silly things because she seems to think that she's so in love with a dark brooding sexy character. It's a bit disappointing because she seems like a pretty grounded character. She than proceeds to exhibit stalker almost creepy like tendencies when it comes to Devlin almost to the point that it makes her look silly (yes visiting graves of XXXXX doesn't make any sense, that's just creepy stalkery). Visiting Estie (which to me is a HUGE violation of Devlin's personal life) also contributes to the whole stalkery thing and so is camping outside his house and letting herself in. Yes putting effort into chasing a man is sweet, being a stalker really isn't. I'm surprised that she hadn't chased Devlin away yet because any sane guy I know would run away from a woman like Amelia ages ago.

The Paranormal aspect is pretty awesome I have to admit. I love murder mysteries and the ghost portion is kinda fresh and new in the genre (please no more vampires or werewolves thanks very much...). The writing is pretty rock solid for the paranormal case and the atmosphere is an A+.

I also love the backstory of Devlin. He has some awesome baggage that would make some great fodder for future books if the stalkery romance doesn't continue -_-.

I think I would have probably rate this a lot higher if there wasn't any romance, or some very very subtle romance insinuations rather than this ridiculous stalkery behaviour. But hey I heard Devlin's hardly in the 2nd book so I may continue on.

...more

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Mar 26, 2013 Veronica rated it really liked it

Shelves: gothic

Amelia Gray sees dead people, which is all well and good since she makes her living restoring old and neglected cemetaries. Seeing the dearly departed however comes with a cost, one that was imparted to her at the tender age of nine by her father, who also shares her odd ability. It seems there are certain hard and fast rules about the dead but it mainly boils down to pretending they're not there. Abiding by the rules makes for a somewhat lonely and isolated life but, like any true southern bell Amelia Gray sees dead people, which is all well and good since she makes her living restoring old and neglected cemetaries. Seeing the dearly departed however comes with a cost, one that was imparted to her at the tender age of nine by her father, who also shares her odd ability. It seems there are certain hard and fast rules about the dead but it mainly boils down to pretending they're not there. Abiding by the rules makes for a somewhat lonely and isolated life but, like any true southern belle, Amelia hasn't let that stop her from living her life with a certain amount of grace and decorum. That is, until the night a dark and handsome stranger literally steps out of the shadows to ask for her help. Enter John Devlin, a local detective on the police force and a man with a mysterious past of his own. From that moment on, all the rules Amelia has lived by pretty much go out the window as she is pulled more and more into the equally compelling mysteries surrounding a newly murdered body as well as John Devlin himself.

I really liked both Amelia and Devlin as characters and I feel like this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as getting to know them. They each felt like real people with real issues and I'm anxious to know more. Amelia is smart, practical, and even though she's often afraid - though with good reason, I must say - she never lets it paralyze her or keep her from doing what she needs to do. As for Devlin, even though we find out quite a bit about him in this book I still feel like there is so much more to know. He's brooding - though like Amelia he also has good reasons - and extremely sexy and if the phrase "still waters run deep" wasn't written just for him then I'm at a loss.

I thought the book was well paced, with information and answers doled out in just the right amounts to keep me turning pages. I loved the descriptions of Charleston as well. It made the city into another character all on its own and the overall southern gothic feel lent the story just the right amount of foreboding intensity. I will definitely be moving on to the next book. ...more

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Apr 23, 2011 Jen Davis rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arcs

It's always a treat when you end up liking a book more than you expect to. And this was definitely the case here for me...

Amelia can see ghosts. But she has known from a young age that she should never acknowledge them. She must live on holy ground and avoid people who are haunted. Her father's rules have served her well. But now, she finds herself in circumstances where the rules have gone out the window.

Amelia restores old cemeteries for a living. She is working on one in Charleston, when the It's always a treat when you end up liking a book more than you expect to. And this was definitely the case here for me...

Amelia can see ghosts. But she has known from a young age that she should never acknowledge them. She must live on holy ground and avoid people who are haunted. Her father's rules have served her well. But now, she finds herself in circumstances where the rules have gone out the window.

Amelia restores old cemeteries for a living. She is working on one in Charleston, when the body of a murder victim is found there. She gets drawn into the investigation, at first because of the detailed pictures she had of the site, but later, her knowledge of cemeteries and their symbolism becomes relevant as well.

The cop in charge of the investigation, John Devlin, strikes a major chord with Amelia. He's charismatic, dark and sexy. She fights her attraction to him because he is haunted by the ghosts of his wife and child. But her feelings for him grow faster than she can push them down. Devlin is a man broken by the loss of his family, but that is changing with Amelia in his life. I loved watching their relationship develop. There is great sexual tension between these two! Devlin's past and present are all tied in with the murder mystery... which grows more complicated as more bodies are found.

I became completely immersed in the murder case. I am a romance fan at heart, so usually I find myself wading through most stories just to get to the big relationship developments. But not here. I was just as wrapped up in the murders and the ghosts plaguing Amelia as I was in her pseudo-relationship with Devlin. There was intrigue, mystery, horror, and strong characters.

We do get a resolution to the murder arc, but many threads are left hanging as the book draws to a close... plenty of material to kick off the sequel. I can't wait to learn more about her family history and her future with Devlin. I just wish I didn't have to wait to find out what happens next! 5 stars.

*ARC Provided by Net Galley ...more

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Jun 09, 2017 D.G. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, reviewed, audiobook, paranormal

The Restorer has the worst interrupted love scene I've ever seen in a book. YIKES!

But I'm getting ahead of myself. This book was simply marvelous, specially if you are more into Gothic books than Horror (as I am.) The atmosphere was magnificent - I simply love Charleston - the language was luscious and very Southern, the love interest and sexual tension were hot as hell, the narration was perfect, and the plot/pacing were extremely well done. If it weren't for Amelia's tendency to shiver every ...more

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Jun 03, 2011 Ann Aguirre rated it it was amazing

This is absolutely amazing. The writing is evocative, lyrical, the epitome of elegant restraint. Ms. Stevens' grasp of setting as character is nothing short of sublime. Her Charleston is a fascinating place, every bit as vivid and enthralling as her lead characters, Amelia Grey and John Devlin. This book is a must-read for those who enjoy Gothic-touched mystery threaded through diamond-bright with sexual tension and forbidden longing. Why are you still here? Go get this book, and then read it im ...more

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About Amanda Stevens

Amanda Stevens

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Amanda Stevens is the award-winning author of over fifty novels, including the modern gothic series, The Graveyard Queen. Her books have been described as eerie and atmospheric, “a new take on the classic ghost story.” Born and raised in the rural south, she now resides in Houston, Texas, where she enjoys binge-watching, bike riding and the occasional Horror Night with friends.

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“There are a lot of things in this world to be afraid of, but a dead body isn't one of them.” — 31 likes

“There was something so primal and hungry about the way he stared down at her..the way their bodies unconsciously strained toward one another as if nothing - not even time, not distance, not even death- could ever keep them apart.” — 25 likes

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