Stevens, Amanda "The Restorer" Start Date: June 8th, 2013 - "revisiting this one"

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This topic is open for discussion of The Restorer. Be prepared for SPOILERS.

Synopsis:
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's brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I've been hired to restore. The clues to the killer--and to his other victims--lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I've vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

CHAPTER BREAKDOWN - This works out to be about 17% a day.

Date		Chapters	PPDQ’s
June 8		01 – 06		Lisa Kay
June 9		07 – 12		Lisa Kay	
June 10		13 – 20		Sonia	
June 11		21 – 27		Lisa Kay	
June 12		28 – 34		Lisa Kay
June 13		35 – Epilogue	Lisa Kay

EXPECT SPOILERS.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

June 8, 2013, some members are revisiting this BOM from February.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Reserved.

[Rebecca NJ]

I am interested in going a buddy read but my library book is due back in 2 weeks. I'm not sure if it can be renewed yet.

[Rebecca NJ]

I'll check my exact due date and will let you know. Thanks!

[Hina]

Can I still join if this is my first time reading the book?

[Lára]

Hina wrote: "Can I still join if this is my first time reading the book?"

OF COURSE! This thread is freestyle.

[Rebecca NJ]

I just started this and I can't put it down. I'll be sure to stop back in when you guys get started.

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

I have my book from the libray & I am ready to start....

[Lisa Kay]

Yay! I hope you enjoy it, Sallie.

[Rebecca NJ]

I forget.Are we to answer the previous buddy read questions or create new ones?

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Rebecca wrote: "I forget.Are we to answer the previous buddy read questions or create new ones?"

Yes, you may answer the previous "buddy read" DQs, Rebecca.

[Parvathy]

I am in for this one. I am experimenting :)

[Hina]

I am going to hopefully start the book this evening!!

[Rebecca NJ]

Hoping I've done this right. If not, please let me know!

Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 1 – 6

1. Eeep! At age nine, Amelia Gray stared seeing ghosts pretty early. Does this make it more ‘conceivable’ to you that she can see them? Icy fingers trailing through her hair? Brrrrrhhh. Do you think she’ll heed her father’s advice? Or that her life will remain “dull”? Do you think her biological mother had any special abilities?

(view spoiler)[I think there's a point where she will not heed her father's advice because then there wouldn't be a story, LOL! I am sure her mother had some sort of special abilities, especially since her father didn't want to talk about it early on. (hide spoiler)]

2. Whether you’ve been to the American South or not, do you get a sense of place? How do you like this author’s “voice”? Do you like the graveyard settings? The “luxuriant landscape of lost dreams”? Or does it creep you out?

I am a great fan of graveyards and have taken a lot of photographs over the years of many graveyards. I have had the opportunity to visit some famous ones, including the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris and the St. Louis Cemetery in New Orleans. The stories and tales that can be discovered in these graveyards are fascinating!

3. Whoever are the ghosts following John Devlin, the police detective to the Charleston P.D.? Does he know they are there? Ghosts aside, what is the sense of foreboding that Amelia feels around Devlin? That she seems hyper-aware of his presence?

(view spoiler)[I think that emotionally and mentally he knows that they are there as I am sure they are people who were close to him. I think Amelia just recognizes that he's a man with a dark past. (hide spoiler)]

4. Why ever would anyone want pictures of the graveyard Amelia is restoring? Do you have any theories yet?

(view spoiler)[The logical answer would be that they might show something that the killer forgot. But sometimes that seems too easy! (hide spoiler)]

5. So, Amelia’s word – or promise made – is sacred to her. Think this will come into play later?

Yes. I think she was raise to keep promises and if she doesn't she will have regrets later.

6. What were you thinking when (view spoiler)[Devlin’s ghost child “penetrated” her defenses and showed up at Amelia’s house? How is this possible? And what about the garnet ring? A warning or a message? (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I think Amelia let her guard down and is opening her mind to suggestions of others. I feel that the ring is a message for her to connect with Devlin in order for him to have some closure. (hide spoiler)]

7. Who is the stranger with café au lait complexion? What vibe is Amelia picking up about him? Why is he following her? (view spoiler)[Is he the one who broke into her car and took the photos? Or maybe he’s the killer? (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I think he has something to do with Devlin's past. I have a feeling he'll be back. (hide spoiler)]

8. Scene of the Crime: What is it about that particular gravestone? Is it that the inscription is facing away from the body? The epitaph? The morning glory vine, or feather?

(view spoiler)[I think these all hold clues. (hide spoiler)]

9. What is your impression of Amelia’s double exposure photos? Is there a hidden message there?

I think this defines Amelia as who she is. It's the side of her that people can see through her photography.

[Lisa Kay]

@ Rebecca

#1 – LMBO! Very true.

#2 – I took a tour of several in New Orleans.

#7 – Interesting!

#9 – I think you’re right.

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

1. Eeep! At age nine, Amelia Gray stared seeing ghosts pretty early. Does this make it more ‘conceivable’ to you that she can see them? Icy fingers trailing through her hair? Brrrrrhhh. Do you think she’ll heed her father’s advice? Or that her life will remain “dull”? Do you think her biological mother had any special abilities?
(view spoiler)[Apparently there are secrets to be told regarding Amelia's life which have not been brought to light. When Ch 6 finished things were being to unfold especially her relationship with Devlin. Im not sure what to think about this for now. I know something is brewing underneath but just havent figured out what yet. I know Amelia's father is able to see the ghosts but up until now nothing has been revealed about her mother other than her father has told Amelia that she is not mention her ability to her Mother (hide spoiler)]

2. Whether you’ve been to the American South or not, do you get a sense of place? How do you like this author’s “voice”? Do you like the graveyard settings? The “luxuriant landscape of lost dreams”? Or does it creep you out?

(view spoiler)[Im loving this book so far. My Daddy is from the mountains of Western North Carolina & our family had a very old cemetary on our property near our tobacco barn. So when I was a little girl I would walk on the hillside amongst the trees with the kudzu vine & look at all of the gravestones. I remember some of them were dated late 1700s-early 1800s. AS has done a wonderful job of telling the story like you are sitting on the front porch with a tall glass of the South's table wine (iced tea) listening to your Grandparents tell stories (hide spoiler)]

3. Whoever are the ghosts following John Devlin, the police detective to the Charleston P.D.? Does he know they are there? Ghosts aside, what is the sense of foreboding that Amelia feels around Devlin? That she seems hyper-aware of his presence?

(view spoiler)[Who the ghosts have not been revealed to the reader at this point. My guess is that maybe they are his family that have died under tragic circumstances...I think at this point Amelia ha just as questions as she does answers especially when she gets near enough to him that he takes her breath away. At first I thought he was vampire but he cant be walking around in daylight but maybe that is where the medallion comes in to play. Amelia keeps repeating her Father's warnings over & over but she sure isnt heading any of them - at least not that I can see (hide spoiler)]

4. Why ever would anyone want pictures of the graveyard Amelia is restoring? Do you have any theories yet?

(view spoiler)[The only thing I can think of is that the killer was there but Amelia was unaware of it & the killer wants the photos because he is afraid of being identified (hide spoiler)]

5. So, Amelia’s word – or promise made – is sacred to her. Think this will come into play later?

(view spoiler)[Definitely. In the South a man/woman enters into a contract not with a signature but with a handshake. That was the way things were done a long time ago - not so much now. A man/woman is taken for their word to mean something when a promise is given then you do not under any circumstances go back on your word... (hide spoiler)]

6. What were you thinking when (view spoiler)

(view spoiler)[I don't the ghost child is seeking to do harm. I think she is trying to enlist Amelia's help - dont know what help that is at this point. The ring is a message but again what message I havent figured out yet (hide spoiler)]

7. Who is the stranger with café au lait complexion? What vibe is Amelia picking up about him? Why is he following her? (view spoiler)

(view spoiler)[I did not read the spoiler as I didnt want to influenece my thoughts on the book so far or spoil any happenings coming up but my thought is that he could have ties to the killer maybe (hide spoiler)]

8. Scene of the Crime: What is it about that particular gravestone? Is it that the inscription is facing away from the body? The epitaph? The morning glory vine, or feather?

(view spoiler)[I think that there is a combination of things going on here. That grave has special meaning to the killer almost like he was presenting an offering to the grave...creepy I know (hide spoiler)]

9. What is your impression of Amelia’s double exposure photos? Is there a hidden message there?

(view spoiler)[I really hadnt thought about it in that way but now that you mention it, yes. Amelia has the picture of what you see is the main focus of the pic but that she has another exposure underneath is the side that can see the ghosts the side that most people do not see (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa Kay]

@ Sallie

#2 – Agree with you completely. Love the way AS has done this. So neat about your old cemetery on your family’s property. Yes, I always made sure my husband’s iced tea was just the way he liked it – with reach. LOL!

#3 – LOL! Nope, she’s not heading any of them.

#8 – An offering? Oh. Interesting.

#9 – I like that explanation.

[Rebecca NJ]

@Sallie

#2 - That's so cool about your family's property!

[Rebecca NJ]

Updated - when I posted I hadn't read the right chapters :)

Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 7 – 12

10. Is there any significance in Devlin being able to sleep in Amelia’s place? Do you like Amelia so far? Do you like the way she interacts with Devlin? What’s with Devlin’s silver medallion he wears? It knocks the wind out of her?

(view spoiler)[Since her house is built on sacred ground Devlin can enter and finally have a chance to relax without the ghosts/pasts haunting him. It's almost as if a weight is lifted. I think the medallion is a protection one and since she has a special "gift" she is probably affected more by it. (hide spoiler)]

11. Any thoughts on the angles Amelia’s father is restoring: “all fifty-seven with nothing more than patience and a set of vintage masonry tools”? Why is Amelia suddenly seeing the first ghost she ever saw “after all these years”? Is he really only a messenger? If so, is her father right about the ring?

(view spoiler)[Her father needs to use extreme care when restoring. Even with his process, he is paying attention to details to preserve the angels. I think Amelia is seeing the first ghost again because her guard is down. I don't think her father is right about the ring. (hide spoiler)]

12. Do you think Afton Delacourt’s murder 15 years ago is connected to the current crime spree? Is the Order of the Coffin and the Claw definitely involved? Who could be a member of this secret society? Any suspicions? Or are you like me, and suspect everyone. LOL!

(view spoiler)[I completely suspect everyone, all the time! I do think the crimes are related but I do not think the Order of the Coffin and the Claw is involved. (hide spoiler)]

13. Book Quote: (view spoiler)[" A skeletal hand rising out of the dead leaves like an early spring crocus." (hide spoiler)] Eep! What a visual! Or was it too cliché for you? Comments.

Definitely a good visual.

14. Another character is introduced: Charleston County coroner, Regina Sparks. Comments on her personality? I totally think there is something to the symbols on the gravestones. Are you with me on this?

(view spoiler)[She's someone I want to work with - snarky and smart! The bodies are going to correlate with the symbols. I think there will be more symbol chatter as we go. I really liked the rose explanation. (hide spoiler)]

15. Devlin’s wife was a student of Dr. Rupert Shaw? Interesting. Comments?

(view spoiler)[Really interesting connection. I hope we hear more about what really happened. (hide spoiler)]

16. Book Quote: (view spoiler)["The air went very still and I sensed hesitation, like an animal sizing up its prey. Then the weeds parted violently, as though an invisible scythe cut a path straight toward me. Whatever it was, it came at me like a freight train, preceded by an unnatural chill the like of which I’d never felt before. I stood there breathless and immobile, bound by a nightmarish paralysis." (hide spoiler)] Eep! What was this shadowy creature?

(view spoiler)[An "other". Bad reference for anyone who ever watched lost. I really have no idea. Not quite sure where we are going here. (hide spoiler)]

17. What do you think about Tom Gerrity? His “gift”? Why did Devlin’s wife back away from that strange – or rather, creepy – ménage à trios immediately when Tom Gerrity’s name was mentioned?

(view spoiler)[I really don't know. I think the wife knows something. Are we sure it's his wife? (hide spoiler)]

18. Now that you’ve heard Temple Lee’s story (Chapter 12) of Dr. Camille Ashby (who originally recommended Amelia’s services to Devlin), what is your impression of her? To backtrack to the end of Chapter 8, how do you think eavesdropping on Camille’s conversation with Devlin was a “turning point” in Amelia’s relationship with Devlin: by its content or her decision to do so? Or something else?

(view spoiler)[Back to Chapter 8? I have no idea... (hide spoiler)]

19. What did you think of Ethan Shaw and Daniel Meakin? Did either of these two stand out to you? One more than the other?

(view spoiler)[Neither one stood out - I do want to learn more about them. (hide spoiler)]

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

10. Is there any significance in Devlin being able to sleep in Amelia’s place? Do you like Amelia so far? Do you like the way she interacts with Devlin? What’s with Devlin’s silver medallion he wears? It knocks the wind out of her?

(view spoiler)[Definitely. Amelia reveals that it is a scared/hallowed ground. The one place she feels safe so why not Devlin also. We know that he is a troubled soul with a pair of ghosts following him around. I do like Amelia. She is very smart but I dont think she understands her gift at all. Her Father never seems to explains things just keeps telling her what she's not suppose to do. As for the medallion, no explanations to that as of yet (hide spoiler)]

11. Any thoughts on the angles Amelia’s father is restoring: “all fifty-seven with nothing more than patience and a set of vintage masonry tools”? Why is Amelia suddenly seeing the first ghost she ever saw “after all these years”? Is he really only a messenger? If so, is her father right about the ring?

(view spoiler)[57 Angels for the 57 children killed in the orphanage fire...if you have ever been around old gravestones you know that the concrete crumbles at the slightest touch. I think the masonry tools are used because the old gravestones were craved by hand not by machine. Amelia is growing as "seer" hence the creepy shadowy people (hide spoiler)]

12. Do you think Afton Delacourt’s murder 15 years ago is connected to the current crime spree? Is the Order of the Coffin and the Claw definitely involved? Who could be a member of this secret society? Any suspicions? Or are you like me, and suspect everyone. LOL!

(view spoiler)[I think so, I think they are definitely connected. As for the secret society, the South is full of secrets... (hide spoiler)]

13. Book Quote: (view spoiler) Eep! What a visual! Or was it too cliché for you? Comments.

(view spoiler)[in this case it works. AS does an amazing job of putting you right there in the cemetery with the humidity & the bugs (yuck) my least fav thing about growing up in the South. (hide spoiler)]

14. Another character is introduced: Charleston County coroner, Regina Sparks. Comments on her personality? I totally think there is something to the symbols on the gravestones. Are you with me on this?

(view spoiler)[Well - I liked her but then again "red-heads always stick together"...I loved her humor because I probably would have said the same thing or something pretty close to it. As for the gravestone symbols yes I think there could be something to that theory (hide spoiler)]

15. Devlin’s wife was a student of Dr. Rupert Shaw? Interesting. Comments?

(view spoiler)[Definitely didnt see that play then again I dont remember any mention of Devlin's in previous chapters so that makes things very interesting (hide spoiler)]

16. Book Quote: (view spoiler) Eep! What was this shadowy creature?

(view spoiler)[Amelia was braver than I would have been - I would have in the car & out of there so fast the tires would be slinging gravel to Texas lol shadowy creature definitely an evil something - yikes gives me hoochie cootchie just thinking about it (hide spoiler)]

17. What do you think about Tom Gerrity? His “gift”? Why did Devlin’s wife back away from that strange – or rather, creepy – ménage à trios immediately when Tom Gerrity’s name was mentioned?

(view spoiler)[Well is rather creepy - maybe the ghosts know something about his character (evil) that they are afraid of being around..negative energy maybe (hide spoiler)]

18. Now that you’ve heard Temple Lee’s story (Chapter 12) of Dr. Camille Ashby (who originally recommended Amelia’s services to Devlin), what is your impression of her? To backtrack to the end of Chapter 8, how do you think eavesdropping on Camille’s conversation with Devlin was a “turning point” in Amelia’s relationship with Devlin: by its content or her decision to do so? Or something else?

(view spoiler)[As for Dr Camille, I really didnt care for her attitude at the cemetery. I think that Amelia is interested at first I thought that Devlin & Cammille had something going but then after the conversation between her & Amelia I decided not. Amelia was assess the situation to see where things stood between Camille & Devlin (hide spoiler)]

19. What did you think of Ethan Shaw and Daniel Meakin? Did either of these two stand out to you? One more than the other?

(view spoiler)[both of the men did but Im not sure what to make of them just yet, Ethan perhaps is "playboy" & Im not sure what Daniel's role is just yet (hide spoiler)]

[Parvathy]

Oh!!! I am way behind but trying to catch up

[Hina]

1. Eeep! At age nine, Amelia Gray stared seeing ghosts pretty early. Does this make it more ‘conceivable’ to you that she can see them? Icy fingers trailing through her hair? Brrrrrhhh. Do you think she’ll heed her father’s advice? Or that her life will remain “dull”? Do you think her biological mother had any special abilities?

(view spoiler)[I think at a young age, I do find it more conceivable that she can see them because as kids she probably has more of an open mind than an adult in that situation who will logically reason it out. Children’s best attribute are that they believe and are open minded. I don’t think she will heed her father’s advice, and I mean not on purpose, but she can’t control all of her environment and so we know it is bound to happen at some point whether she means to or not. I think her life will remain dull for a bit, because if she follows the rules the ghosts will leave her be, but eventually she is bound to make a mistake or come across a ghost that does not want to be ignored and that will be anything but dull. So far we know so little about the biological mother and Amelia’s father refusal to talk about her leads me to think that there is a something very interesting there. (hide spoiler)]

2. Whether you’ve been to the American South or not, do you get a sense of place? How do you like this author’s “voice”? Do you like the graveyard settings? The “luxuriant landscape of lost dreams”? Or does it creep you out?

(view spoiler)[I do get a sense of the place, I have been to cemeteries in New Orleans, maybe the ones I went to were a lot older but it has a different feel than the cemetery I went to in Chicago. Does that even make sense? But there is definitely something different, but I get the feeling the author is trying to convey with her voice. The graveyard setting is kind of eerie, because the cemetery I went to New Orleans felt eerie, and I did not feel as comfortable, but I did not have that problem in Chicago. And that difference creeps me out more than anything. (hide spoiler)]

3. Whoever are the ghosts following John Devlin, the police detective to the Charleston P.D.? Does he know they are there? Ghosts aside, what is the sense of foreboding that Amelia feels around Devlin? That she seems hyper-aware of his presence?

(view spoiler)[I have two theories are on who the ghosts are that are following Devlin. One theory is that it is his wife and child who died under tragic circumstances and he feels responsible, feeling guilty. Secondly they are victims that he was unable to protect and feels guilty about not doing so. I think at a subconscious level, he might be aware, but not really on a conscious level because we as adults tend to believe in the logical explanations. I think Amelia feels foreboding around Devlin because she knows that being around him she is breaking rule # 3, never associate with people that are haunted but she really doesn’t know why she should avoid him. And she doesn’t know what can happen if she keeps being around him, but she thinks it’s not going to be good. Also, another way to look at it, Devlin might be tethering the ghosts to himself because he can’t move on from the guilt and is not letting go, hence the ghosts can’t move on either. (hide spoiler)]

4.Why ever would anyone want pictures of the graveyard Amelia is restoring? Do you have any theories yet?

(view spoiler)[The logical explanation would be that there is something in the picture that will give a clue as to who is the murderer or the answer is more paranormal and it has something to do with the original grave and now having someone bury in this particular grave have a connection. (hide spoiler)]

5.So, Amelia’s word – or promise made – is sacred to her. Think this will come into play later?

(view spoiler)[Amelia’s upbringing has made promises sacred to her and she will not break them and I think mentioning it early on is foreshadowing that it will play an important part later in the book. (hide spoiler)]

6.What were you thinking when (view spoiler)[[Devlin’s ghost child “penetrated” her defenses and showed up at Amelia’s house? How is this possible? And what about the garnet ring? A warning or a message? (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I think Devlin’s ghost child penetrated Amelia’s defenses because of Amelia’s connection to Devlin. She is drawn to Devlin when she shouldn’t be and she already has broken the third rule so the ghost child can “break” her defenses as well. I think Amelia is opening herself to Devlin and in turn to the ghosts that cling to him. I think the garnet ring was a message, something the ghost child wants Amelia to know about herself and in connection with Devlin. Maybe she thinks Amelia can help them. If it was going to be a warning, I would have thought the item left behind would be more sinister. (hide spoiler)]

7. Who is the stranger with (view spoiler)[café au lait complexion? What vibe is Amelia picking up about him? Why is he following her? Is he the one who broke into her car and took the photos? Or maybe he’s the killer? (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[So far in the book we don’t know. He had similar height and build to the detective, but he reminded Amelia not of Devlin but Devlin’s ghosts and I think that’s going to be an important observation and probably the stranger will relate back to either Devlin and/or Devlins’ ghosts. Its possible he is the murderer or the one who broke into the car, but its too soon to speculate. (hide spoiler)]

8.Scene of the Crime: What is it about that particular gravestone? Is it that the inscription is facing away from the body? The epitaph? The morning glory vine, or feather?

(view spoiler)[I think all of them holds a meaning that is important for the book’s plot, and I feel like this particular gravestone has particular meaning and was used. They started roughly going into meanings of all this clues, and what the symbology might mean. Like the book said, “Like gravestone art, message is in the eye of the beholder.” Now we just have to read on to figure out the message. (hide spoiler)]

9. What is your impression of Amelia’s double exposure photos? Is there a hidden message there?

(view spoiler)[My impression of Amelia’s double exposure photos are that she is expressing something, a message that she might not even realize it and Devlin is picking up on it. Devlin points out that he finds the photos lonely, which in a way Amelia is because she has to be on guard always and the ability to see ghosts makes her nervous around people because she does not know what or who she might come across. And I think Devlin relates very well to the picture and understands what Amelia’s pictures are trying to say better than she might. (hide spoiler)]

[Hina]

Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 7 – 12

10. Is there any significance in Devlin being able to sleep in Amelia’s place? Do you like Amelia so far? Do you like the way she interacts with Devlin? What’s with Devlin’s silver medallion he wears? It knocks the wind out of her?

(view spoiler)[It is significant that Devlin is able to sleep in Amelia’s place because it is a place Amelia considers her sanctuary and I think it applies to Devlin that his ghosts can’t follow him there and without that burden he is able to sleep peacefully. I do like Amelia so far but I feel like she is too ignorant about her abilities. How can you know so little and why didn’t she push her father for more information. I think its interested the way they interact. She is fighting her attraction to him and he is so mysterious, how can Amelia not be curious about him. I think Devlin’s medallion could be for protection. It could be deriving energy from her to help him. Or she feels the power of the medallion since she gets close to it. (hide spoiler)]

11. Any thoughts on the angles Amelia’s father is restoring: “all fifty-seven with nothing more than patience and a set of vintage masonry tools”? Why is Amelia suddenly seeing the first ghost she ever saw “after all these years”? Is he really only a messenger? If so, is her father right about the ring?

(view spoiler)[The 57 angels are being restored by her father by using masonry tools, meaning by hand rather than machine and Amelia’s father seems to be taking the time and care to restore all of the angels. Odd that he does not seem to be that patient with Amelia and care to give her the knowledge she needs. Amelia knows that he is keeping things from her, he warns her to avoid Devlin and there are worse things out there, but without any real background. I think the first ghost she saw at the age of 9 and seeing him again, means that she must be developing more of her gift, the first time she saw him she learned she could see ghost, and now that she sees him again, she is delving into more of her gift. He could be a messenger, but is it good or bad? The father wants that ring returned to where it came from, but wouldn’t it be in order to return it she would have to delve more into Devlin’s life and find out more about the ghost. If she does that she is breaking rules, when he is telling her to ignore ghosted and the haunted man and not to tempt fate. (hide spoiler)]

12. Do you think Afton Delacourt’s murder 15 years ago is connected to the current crime spree? Is the Order of the Coffin and the Claw definitely involved? Who could be a member of this secret society? Any suspicions? Or are you like me, and suspect everyone. LOL!

(view spoiler)[Like Amelia contemplated, it his highly coincidental to have two, but 3 bodies at the same location is suspicious. And I think Afton Delacourt’s murder 15 years ago is connected to the current murders and if the old murder is connected to the new ones, I think the order of the coffin and the claw is definitely involved. I think there are a lot of suspects that can belong to the secret society, right now it makes me think Amelia’s boss belong to the society, but other people so far seem to know something and are not sharing with Amelia and for that reason I suspect everyone till I find out more. (hide spoiler)]

13. Book Quote: (view spoiler)[[ A skeletal hand rising out of the dead leaves like an early spring crocus.” (hide spoiler)] Eep! What a visual! Or was it too cliché for you? Comments.

(view spoiler)[No, even though a skeletal hand rising out of a grave might seems cliché and if read without context, it might sound cliché, but I was so caught up in reading the details and finding out more that I didn’t think about it being cliché. (hide spoiler)]

14. Another character is introduced: Charleston County coroner, Regina Sparks. Comments on her personality? I totally think there is something to the symbols on the gravestones. Are you with me on this?

(view spoiler)[Regina Sparks like her name is very energetic and has a sense of humor even in the current circumstances. There is definitely something to the symbols on the gravestones, they have been mentioned a couple of times and I think they will play a significant role. (hide spoiler)]

15. Devlin’s wife was a student of Dr. Rupert Shaw? Interesting. Comments?

(view spoiler)[That is very interesting and is making me wonder about a lot of things, like Devlin’s wife accident. I want to know more!! (hide spoiler)]

16. Book Quote:(view spoiler)[[The air went very still and I sensed hesitation, like an animal sizing up its prey. Then the weeds parted violently, as though an invisible scythe cut a path straight toward me. Whatever it was, it came at me like a freight train, preceded by an unnatural chill the like of which I’d never felt before. I stood there breathless and immobile, bound by a nightmarish paralysis. (hide spoiler)] Eep! What was this shadowy creature?

(view spoiler)[Something scary! It could be the things her father warned her about that are really bad, worse than ghosts. Or the theory that Devlin told Amelia that the doorway that is opened as the victim lay dying, the slower the death the longer the door is left open. If that is true, who knows what is crossing over. (hide spoiler)]

17. What do you think about Tom Gerrity? His “gift”? Why did Devlin’s wife back away from that strange – or rather, creepy – ménage à trios immediately when Tom Gerrity’s name was mentioned?

(view spoiler)[Right now, I am wary of him because we do not know enough about him. Tom Gerrity is also known as the prophet, which I think also could mean an oracle. So he knows things that other character doesn’t. He definitely talks to Amelia like an oracle with a lot of hints and how she has to figure some of the things out for herself. I think Tom either knows something about Devlin’s wife that scares Devlin’s wife. (hide spoiler)]

18. Now that you’ve heard Temple Lee’s story (Chapter 12) of Dr. Camille Ashby (who originally recommended Amelia’s services to Devlin), what is your impression of her? To backtrack to the end of Chapter 8, how do you think eavesdropping on Camille’s conversation with Devlin was a “turning point” in Amelia’s relationship with Devlin: by its content or her decision to do so? Or something else?

(view spoiler)[Well, I have not liked her since her conversation with Amelia in the cemetery, so Temple Lee story just reinforces that there is something wrong with Dr. Ashby. I think it was a turning point for Amelia and Devlin’s relationship because I think Amelia admitted she has feelings for Devlin since she felt a little jealousy. Also, I think Amelia admitting her feelings, is essential because she is not breaking off ties with the haunted man but rather making it stronger. But I would also point out that Amelia knows that Temple Lee is known to exaggerate, so I don’t know how much weight I should put in her story. But I am going with my feelings from the cemetery scene. (hide spoiler)]

19. What did you think of Ethan Shaw and Daniel Meakin? Did either of these two stand out to you? One more than the other?

(view spoiler)[Daniel Meakin seems like a nervous sort, and Ethan Shaw seems to be a happy go lucky kind of a guy who is happy drinking and gossiping with his friend. Right now, neither stick out much, except that both of them attended the same school and the number of people who were in Emerson together seem to be increasing and it is making me suspicious. Do they all know something that Amelia doesn’t? (hide spoiler)]

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

20. The sizzling attraction between Amelia and Devlin is so great that even Temple noticed. Do you think it is fueled by the ghosts? First the child, then the wife, they seemed to search for her only after her interactions with Devlin.

(view spoiler)[I dont think so..I think that there is a genuine attraction between her & Devlin but the ghosts precipitated it to manifest quickly..Amelia's drawn to him..he's quiet secretive a tortured soul (hide spoiler)]

21. I didn't like Temple's reaction when Amelia mentioned Afton Delacourt’s murder. It is only the idea of a murderer around a small town? Or do you think she belongs or is connected somehow to the Order of the Coffin and the Claw?

(view spoiler)[Oh she is definitely connected. She backpedaled to quickly for her not to be involved. At the very least, she knows more than she is telling (hide spoiler)]

22. The ring weared by Dr. Shaw and the incoherence of it's origin caught my attention. I'm wondering what the ornate symbol is or means. Do you agree with me that it may mean something, or is it just a little tidbit like Amelia dismissed it?

(view spoiler)[Definitely means something..we have had 3 plausable excuses as to where the ring came from the last one was a flea market (hide spoiler)]

23. OK, the whole nightmare just freaked me out! But it also made think that maybe Amelia is right and the door opened with Afton Delacourt’s murder caused some dark entity to enter to this side of the veil. Could all of them (Camille, Ethan and Ruper Shaw, Temple, Tom Gerrity and Daniel Meakin) involved some how in the ritual? Or was the weird behaviors, the attack with the scissors and Meakin's attempt on suicide be influenced by this dark entity?

(view spoiler)[Wow - so did not see that scene being played out the way it did...Temple is definitely knowing more than she is letting on she does & as for the others they may be directly involved but I think they were maybe witnesses to whatever it was that went down to cause the murder of Delacourt. Im thinking that maybe it has something to do with Devlin, Mariama & Temple or even Camille (menage et trois? (hide spoiler)]

24.A mouse in a box in a basement with rows and rows of packed shelving...right... I'd be scrambling out there kicking and screaming, but I have a problem with closed spaces. So, we get to know Daniel Meakin. What did you think about him? Is his suspicious reaction to the reference Afton's murder just a way to tricks us, or there is something there?

(view spoiler)[Mouse in the box wouldnt have cared I wouldnt be down there in the basement by myself to start with as for Daniel Meakin, there is something about his character that is off putting. Cant put my finger on it but given time I will (hide spoiler)]

25. Shani means "my heart" and she draw a heart on Amelia's window, but before that Amelia made a heart from the shells on top of the girl's ring. Didn't that mean that she was the one making the bond before? And what (view spoiler) could possible mean?

(view spoiler)[Im not sure how Amelia knew about the heart but she definitely has a connection to Anyika now. Essi tells her that she will never be free of the child. You get the impression that Amelia is truly genuine soul. Maybe Anyika knows that her father is in need of someone to love. He comes to the grave to visit his daughter for what would have been her birthday bringing her a gift but doesnt bring any flowers etc for his wife's. That to me speaks volumes. (hide spoiler)]

26. Amelia crossed the veil and back. What? How? When? She started to see ghost with 9 years old? How can she crossed the veil? Was it before the adoption? If so, how did she only start seeing the ghosts at 9? And how can her father saw them? Does that mean that he's the one that took her there? And what about the (view spoiler) part?

(view spoiler)[Up until now the reader can only guess as to what has happened to Amelia's life before she turned 9 because that is where the book starts as for the dark soul that is coming for her - that part just happened in the backcountry on the back from the cemetery...yikes that alone would have me scared to death (hide spoiler)]

27.A car without lights and speeding in Amelia's direction...oh my... who do you think was? The killer? Camille? Her eavesdropping and leaving the basement without talking to Amelia was suspect. But all the reactions of the people she talked about the Order were too. I'm starting to think she stepped someone's toes and the need for secrecy will try to get her. Don't you agree?

(view spoiler)[Amelia keeps asking questions like she is without careful consideration of what she is asking & who she is asking is only going to lead to trouble. Someone is watching her every move & it would not surprise me at all if it turns out to be Ethan or even Camille. (hide spoiler)]

28.Wait, a big paranormal expert is saying that the dark entity is a optical illusion? Isn't that suspicious? I didn't like Dr Shaw. What do you think of him?

(view spoiler)[Dr Shaw pretty much just brushed off everything Amelia had to say almost to the point where you think she is losing her mind to her wild imagination. I was thinking the whole time if you this super great "expert" wouldnt you be just a wee bit curious as to what the heck was going on? I thought so (hide spoiler)]

29.Aha! There's the ring incoherence again. What is this guy hiding? Do you think it was wise of Amalia telling him that she saw the symbol on a grave? Isn't that the reason the killer is after her?

(view spoiler)[Definitely. Like I said before - she needs to be a little more careful as to who she is talking to & asking questions of...at this point I dont know that Devlin can be trusted (hide spoiler)]

[Hina]

Sonia’s Questions for Chapters 13 – 20

20. The sizzling attraction between Amelia and Devlin is so great that even Temple noticed. Do you think it is fueled by the ghosts? First the child, then the wife, they seemed to search for her only after her interactions with Devlin.

(view spoiler)[I think Amelia and Devlin have a genuine attraction to one another, and the ghosts, because he is haunted by them and she can see them only connects them together even more. I think the ghosts realize that she could play an important role, like setting them free which I don’t think the wife wants or help Devlin with the guilt which the child would probably want for her father. (hide spoiler)]

21. I didn't like Temple's reaction when Amelia mentioned Afton Delacourt’s murder. It is only the idea of a murderer around a small town? Or do you think she belongs or is connected somehow to the Order of the Coffin and the Claw?

(view spoiler)[Temple’s reaction is very suspicious, where she is willing to gossip about everyone and anything, she gets very defensive when Amelia mentions Delacourt’s murder. But I thought Temple would be too obvious of a choice for a murderer, but I wouldn’t be surprised that she knows something and scared of something/someone and that is why wants to avoid talking about it. I don’t think she belongs to the Order of the Coffin and the Claw because like the book said they were people from affluent families and she did not qualify but I think she is connected somehow and she knows whatever knowledge she has could cause problems for her. (hide spoiler)]

22. The ring weared by Dr. Shaw and the incoherence of it's origin caught my attention. I'm wondering what the ornate symbol is or means. Do you agree with me that it may mean something, or is it just a little tidbit like Amelia dismissed it?

(view spoiler)[I think it definitely means something, it was mentioned a few times in the book so far, and my first suspicion is that is that ring signifies that he is part of the Order of the Coffin and the Claw. But if he is wouldn’t he have a better story for his ring, instead of multiple lies that would make people suspicious like Amelia, who now has three different accounts regarding how Dr. Shaw got the ring. I think it means something and I am sure Amelia would realize it eventually. (hide spoiler)]

23. OK, the whole nightmare just freaked me out! But it also made think that maybe Amelia is right and the door opened with Afton Delacourt’s murder caused some dark entity to enter to this side of the veil. Could all of them (Camille, Ethan and Ruper Shaw, Temple, Tom Gerrity and Daniel Meakin) involved some how in the ritual? Or was the weird behaviors, the attack with the scissors and Meakin's attempt on suicide be influenced by this dark entity?

(view spoiler)[I could think all of them are involved, except Tom Gerrity, just because we don’t know enough about him so far and I think the others are more major players. I think Temple might not be directly involved in the ritual, but she knows a lot more than she lets on. The weird behavior could be caused by the dark entity. Meakin’s attempt to kill himself could either be to see the open doorway or it’s caused by guilt of Afton Delacourt’s murder that he has attempted to take his own life unsuccessfully. (hide spoiler)]

24.A mouse in a box in a basement with rows and rows of packed shelving...right... I'd be scrambling out there kicking and screaming, but I have a problem with closed spaces. So, we get to know Daniel Meakin. What did you think about him? Is his suspicious reaction to the reference Afton's murder just a way to tricks us, or there is something there?

(view spoiler)[I would go in and out really quickly for what I need, but I don’t think I can willingly spend hours down there. Meakin’s reaction to the Afton’s murder seems like he knows something. Right now, I think he might have participated in the murder to see other side, but reality was a lot more than he can handle and in his guilt, he has tried to kill himself. But he seems very nervous sort, so he is afraid of something or someone. (hide spoiler)]

25. Shani means "my heart" and she draw a heart on Amelia's window, but before that Amelia made a heart from the shells on top of the girl's ring. Didn't that mean that she was the one making the bond before? And what (view spoiler) could possible mean?

(view spoiler)[I think Amelia has a bond with the child ghost, even before finding out that her basket name meant my heart. I think it just supports the child ghost claims that Amelia can help her to reach Devlin. I think Essie meant that Shani has figured out that Amelia is important to Devlin and since she can see the ghosts as well that there is a way she can help Shani and Devlin find closure and until that time she won’t leave Amelia alone. (hide spoiler)]

26. Amelia crossed the veil and back. What? How? When? She started to see ghost with 9 years old? How can she crossed the veil? Was it before the adoption? If so, how did she only start seeing the ghosts at 9? And how can her father saw them? Does that mean that he's the one that took her there? And what about the (view spoiler) part?

(view spoiler)[We only know what happened to her from the age of 9, there are not a lot of her memory that goes further back than that. What if she did have a near death experience, where she did cross the veil to the other side, and come back through because she lived. What if it’s because of that near death experience she can see ghosts. Maybe she can see the ghosts at 9 because her body has forgotten the trauma. Maybe the father was involved in that experience and saw what she saw, or maybe the father or her biological mother brought her back to the living in a nefarious way and she wasn’t suppose to live, and that is why someone who walks with the dead is coming after her, because she has broken the rules her father told her to always follow. And maybe that is why Amelia’s father was so adamant about following those rules, because he knew that if Amelia ever broke the rules that something was going to come after her. (hide spoiler)]

27.A car without lights and speeding in Amelia's direction...oh my... who do you think was? The killer? Camille? Her eavesdropping and leaving the basement without talking to Amelia was suspect. But all the reactions of the people she talked about the Order were too. I'm starting to think she stepped someone's toes and the need for secrecy will try to get her. Don't you agree?

(view spoiler)[I think it was the killer, because it seems like the same dark sedan that tried to run her over, when her briefcase was stolen. I don’t think it was Camille, she might be spying on Amelia but I think it has more to do with the information she is trying to get out of the secret society that anything. It is suspicious, but I think Camille thought that Amelia hadn’t seen her. I think definitely she questions about the Order to too many and all of them are evading answering directly, and I am sure that the Order was to keep it a secret, but the thing is does Amelia know enough that the Order will try to silence her or just keep watch that she will let it go when she doesn’t find out enough. I think at this point she doesn’t know enough to be a threat to the Order, but I think her questioning has brought her to the spot light and in the Order’s attention. (hide spoiler)]

28.Wait, a big paranormal expert is saying that the dark entity is a optical illusion? Isn't that suspicious? I didn't like Dr Shaw. What do you think of him?

(view spoiler)[It is highly suspicious that a paranormal expert spends so much time making the dark entity Amelia saw into an optical illusion and logically reasons it away. Why would he do that? Wouldn’t be something he would be interested in knowing more about or pursuing, not unless he already knows something and doesn’t want Amelia to dig for more information. I don’t like him, but I don’t dislike him either. He knows something, but what exactly. He is acting suspiciously for sure, but is it because of fear or because he is the murderer. Definitely need to find out more about him. (hide spoiler)]

29.Aha! There's the ring incoherence again. What is this guy hiding? Do you think it was wise of Amalia telling him that she saw the symbol on a grave? Isn't that the reason the killer is after her?

(view spoiler)[I think he is definitely hiding something, but why not have a consistent lie rather than several different ones, which he already used two with Amelia. Is it because his mind is having a breakdown and he can’t keep up. He is definitely hiding something. Personally, I don’t think Amelia should be telling him that she has seen the symbol on the grave, because we do not know how important the symbol can be but I think we also are seeing Amelia’s naivety in this because her lack of interaction with people where we see all this other characters hold secrets and evade answering directly. She forthright answers everything and admits and without censure. Is it because she has spend so much time by herself that she doesn’t realize that her telling other people exactly what’s on her mind trigger something the killer is after. (hide spoiler)]

[Hina]

Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 21 – 27

30. So, the “Prophet” is NOT Gerrity’s nickname! Then whose is it?

(view spoiler)[I think if its not Gerrity, then it has to be Devlin since it was part of the message he asked Amelia to convey to him. (hide spoiler)]

31. Uh oh. Devlin isn’t happy about Amelia going down to Beaufort County. Can you blame him? Or should he have been more understanding about it. Do you think it was Essie or Rhapsody who told him, or someone else entirely?

(view spoiler)[I can’t really blame him, it is a hard topic for him, and to have Amelia pry into his business must be upsetting. I don’t know why Essie or Rhapsody would tell him, but between the two of them I would think Rhapsody would tell him since she is a child and wouldn’t think it would matter, but for some reason I think it was someone else entirely, or what if it’s because he known as the prophet and he just knew. Hmm…my imagination is leaping everywhere. (hide spoiler)]

32. There goes Temple again, implying that Amelia doesn’t need to be at the exhumation, and not to research Afton Delacourt’s murder. Do you think she is lying about being a Claw? Do you think, as Temple assumed, that Daniel Meakin really did try to commit suicide, or was it something else that caused that mark? Was she just laying the groundwork, so to speak? Comments.

(view spoiler)[I think Temple knows something very important, why else would she avoid discussing it with Amelia and wanting her to keep her distance from the exhumation and the whole case. I don’t think she is a claw, but she definitely knows more about them that she leads us to believe. So far I have two theories that I listed before, where he tried to commit suicide because of his guilt in Delacourt’s murder or because he was slowly trying to kill himself to see into the other side like how the other victims died, by bleeding to death. Is he running away from something? For that reason, I think the second theory probably holds more weight. (hide spoiler)]

33. If you were Amelia and had that weird spell happen at Essie’s house, would you be more suspicious of the tea served you? Would you wear the amulet she gave you after that?

(view spoiler)[I would be suspicious of the tea served to me. I would not wear the amulet just because of the weird spell, but Amelia on the other hand is more open to these things and since she wasn’t hurt or anything she wouldn’t think that the amulet would bring danger to her. It might not protect her but she is superstitious, so she would wear it for that reason. (hide spoiler)]

34. What do you think about the epitaphs being posted on Amelia’s blog? Are they warning her, taunting her, or helping her?

(view spoiler)[So far it’s helping her because she is interpreting the messages. But why the killer would be posting it on her blog. I think someone is trying to help her solve the murders without having the cops and Amelia find out the identity. (hide spoiler)]

35. Who was the woman with Devlin when he called Amelia back? A colleague? A relative? A date? If so, do you think Regina right? Is Devlin always watching Amelia?

(view spoiler)[I think it could be date or a colleague, who else would he be with that late at night or early morning. But I think Regina is right as well, Devlin is always watching Amelia and they both feel things for each other and they both don’t want to feel anything for each other. It is a pull that they keep trying to fight for their own reasons. Regardless of everything, they keep coming back to each other. (hide spoiler)]

36. Exsanguination. Ugh. Not a pretty way to die. Looks like the killer(s) really do want the person to die slowly. Is Devlin right? Is the killer a hunter? Is Devlin right about Amelia not having to be involved in this? Could she walk away? Or is she too far into the thick of it?

(view spoiler)[I don’t know if the killer is a hunter and if Devlin is right. In a sense, he is if he tracked his victim and didn’t choose at random. I think its kind of late for Devlin to think not having Amelia involved in, she can’t walk away now that she knows so much and wants to know more. She is too far into this case. (hide spoiler)]

37. Eep! I’m glad we didn’t stop at end of Chapter 25. (Bad enough it was at #27!) Would you have followed the flies? There were a lot of creepy things in that dank cellar (view spoiler) What did you think was the creepiest?

(view spoiler)[I would not have followed the flies, mostly because I would know it would lead to a very bad place. I think it was the chair that was creepy, because it implied that there was more than one person involved and the second one watched the victim dying is just too awful. (hide spoiler)]

38. So, Devlin commented that his wife wore an amulet to bring her good luck. And he doesn’t carry his father’s lighter for good luck. Then why does he wear the medallion? Is it just another keepsake to him?

(view spoiler)[I think the medallion holds special meaning to him, but we will find out more about it later. I am wondering if he got it from his wife/child and wears it as a keepsake or something else that is equally important. (hide spoiler)]

39. What could be the significance of the skeleton (beginning of Chapter 27) being bound at the wrists and not strung up by the ankles?

(view spoiler)[The only thing I can think of that the skeleton was bound at the wrist is that the killer was still developing his method of killing and that is why she is not strung up by the ankles because the killer hasn’t figured out how to prolong the victim’s death. (hide spoiler)]

40. Would you have waited for back-up to explore the tunnel further? If your partner wanted to go ahead on the chance there was another victim, would you go with them, or stay behind? Or would it depend on the person you were with?

(view spoiler)[Definitely would not explore the tunnel alone. I might go with my partner if there was a chance that there is another victim out there, but by the amount of flies, I am going to have to say there are at least one more victim there, if not more. (hide spoiler)]

41. What did you think of Amelia’s childhood nightmare about tunnels and outreaching hands? Could it have been a NDE, as Devlin suggested?

(view spoiler)[I think it could be an NDE as Devlin suggested, something that happened in her childhood but she has suppressed it or it could be foreshadowing to what’s to come. (hide spoiler)]

[Hina]

I think I am going to finish this book sometime today. I can't stop reading it. I am stopping to do the questions and then go back reading. LOL.

[Lisa Kay]

@ Rebecca

#12 – A woman after my own heart. I suspect everyone, too! LOL!

#14 – Yes, I hope we see more of her in later books.

#16 – I used to watch Lost. Didn’t even think of that, but yeah, you’re right.

#17 – Are we?

[Lisa Kay]

@ Sallie
#10 – I agree; her father needs to tell her more.

#11 – I hadn’t really thought about it before, other than he liked using the vintage masonry (maybe he learn his craft with those tools). However, now you make me think he knows it is best to work on old with old. Interesting.

#13 – Yes, I really liked AS’s ability to do that for me. And, yes, “yuck!”

#14 – LOL! My mother – who was my best friend – was a red-head.

#16 – **gigglesnort**

#18 – Yeah, I remember trying to figure out Camille and Devlin’s relationship. I thought maybe she had the hots for him.

#25 – Good observation.

[Lisa Kay]

@ Hina

#11 – Good or bad messanger? Yes, that is the question.

#13 – Me, either. I loved it. LOL!

#15 – Really! Too many things going on to just be coincidence!

#20 – I agree; the ghosts also know Amelia could help them.

#23 – So hard for me to respond, when I’ve read the book… but I remember being with you on this.

#28 & #29 – Yeah, Dr. Shaw was a big mystery to me. Were his actions and stories about his ring due to deviousness (not very good at sticking to his story) or from senility?

Okay, Hina! I'll get back to the rest later. I'm glad you are enjoying the book!

[Hina]

Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 28 – 34

42. Were you surprised that Devlin gave Amelia his gun? Can cops do that (surrender their weapon)?

(view spoiler)[I wasn’t surprised because this is so out of jurisdiction as a cop, he should have waited for back up but to protect Amelia he jumped down to be with her and since he can’t protect her while he is climbing the ladder, he left her his gun that can protect her. I don’t think cops can do that, but this scenario is not really something a cop comes across and I think his instinct to protect Amelia is higher than following police procedure. (hide spoiler)]

43. Unlike the others, Afton Delacourt’s body was not buried. Did anything else about her death stand out as different from the others?

(view spoiler)[It almost made me think that it was a different person that killed her versus the killer putting the victims in graves. Apart from that, I can’t think of anything different. I would have to go back and read about her death. But all I can think of is that the killer killed her similar to the recent victims. (hide spoiler)]

44. Devlin went to Emerson! He doesn’t call his wife by name! And why did Amelia tell him, “It’s not this place. It’s you…” when he fell asleep? He is leaving her physically weak when he sleeps at her house, but not elsewhere? Comments.

(view spoiler)[I think Devlin does not admit going to Emerson is because of his broken ties with his affluent family who wanted something different from him and Emerson is a reminder of that. I think he doesn’t call his wife by name, either because he feels more guilty saying in the presence of Amelia since he finds her attractive or because he feels her loss more when acknowledging her by her name. I think Amelia tells him that it’s him because he is taking energy from her that revitalize him and keeps the ghosts away so he can sleep without dreaming about his wife and child. I think he is leaving Amelia weak because her house protects her from everything by keeping it out, and since Devlin is in the house, there is no way to protect herself from him since she is so drawn to him. (hide spoiler)]

45. What do you think about what Dr. Shaw said about a psychic vampire? And who stole his notes – and why? Is it, as he suspects, the killer?

(view spoiler)[I think Dr. Shaw makes an interesting theory about the psychic vampire and it kind of fits with Devlin and Amelia. I don’t know who stole his notes, since we don’t know what exactly was there and I think it could be the killer who stole it, since both Dr Shaw and the killer has a fascination with death. (hide spoiler)]

46. BOOK QUOTE: “If one has enough money or influence, one can make anything disappear,” he said softly. True or false? Do you think someone has finagled the county land records?

(view spoiler)[The quote is so true. It is possible that someone finagled with the records. It could be the killer who may have knowledge of it and wanted to get rid of it so no one can find out or maybe it’s the Order since they are all part of rich and influential high society set. (hide spoiler)]

47. Eep! What do you think about the emblem of the snake coiled around a talon being on Devlin’s medallion? Does this mean he is a member of the Coffin and the Claw? Is there another explanation? Do you think he was personally involved in Afton Delacourt’s murder?

(view spoiler)[He wears it so closely, that makes me think that he is part of Coffin and the Claw, but the other explanation is that the medallion has sentimental values to him relating to his wife/child or his estranged family and he wears it as a keepsake and has no idea what the emblem stand for. I don’t think he is personally involved in Delacourt’s murder, first because he would be too young and secondly I don’t see any logical reason for him to be involved. And for that reason I don’t think he knows what his medallion stands for. (hide spoiler)]

48. What about his guilt over his fight with his wife, ignoring Shani, and over not taking Mariama’s last phone call? Is this something over which he can ever recover?

(view spoiler)[It is a hard burden to bear for anyone being in Devlin’s situation, the guilt of knowing that his wife was trying to reach him and he didn’t answer his phone, ignoring Shani and fighting with his wife. It is a very tall hurdle to cross over but I think given enough time that he can recover because Amelia lets him forget the guilt, to be a normal man for a change, but he needs to come to grips with his guilt and accept that bad things happen and he did not have a hand in his wife and child’s death. He needs to finish grieving for his family before he can really move on and stop being guilty. The grief will always be there, but it shouldn’t consume him like it has been doing. (hide spoiler)]

49. Did Amelia’s conversation with Macon Dawes trigger anything for you? We find out later that Jane Rice (remains of the second grave) was an emergency room nurse; does this make you suspicious of him?

(view spoiler)[I am not suspicious of him only because the death of the ER nurse was way before his time, if I am getting the age thing right. But I think him mentioning he was on the 72 hour shift and that he is going to be gone for a bit is an important detail. I just don’t know why it’s important at this point. Did Amelia hear something in his apartment while he was out, because she never sees him around, but she can hear someone moving upstairs. Or Macon asking Amelia to keep an eye on his place while his gone a hint for something bad coming. (hide spoiler)]

50. Camille Ashby! Whoa. BOOK QUOTES: “He is setting them free.” and “A quite life, a quiet death. Sleep now, Beloved. Our secret is safe.” Do you think Amelia really has figured out the symbols? If so, what does the last epitaph mean with regards to this latest victim? Is the secret just about her sexual orientation? Why wasn’t Camille strung up like the others?

(view spoiler)[I think Amelia has figured out the symbols that the killer is setting his victims free from the tortured lives they were leading since most of them were involved in abusive relationship. I think in Camille Ashby’s case, the last epitaph means that he is setting her free, because she had her own secrets, like she was a lesbian but did not want anyone to know. She led a quiet life and her death was quiet too, since no one realized that she was missing. I think the killer knew her since he calls her beloved, maybe a lover. I think our secret is safe to me seems like is more than about her sexual orientation, while she may not have announced it to the world, many people already knew or had a very good hunch so I am going to go with that the secret was that Camille knew who the killer was or she had a very good suspicion of it and her death leads me to think she definitely figured out who the killer was and that is why she is not strung up like the others because the killer never planned on making her one of his victims, but he had to kill her quickly to protect his identity. (hide spoiler)]

51. Okay, I can understand a little delay, but why hasn’t Amelia confronted Devlin by now? Why were his ghosts gone when he told her to go home at the end of Chapter 32?

(view spoiler)[I think the reason Amelia hasn’t confronted Devlin is because she doesn’t want the answers to her questions. I think his ghosts were gone because he wasn’t thinking about them so they weren’t with him. Usually they are clinging to him and I think it’s because they are always on his mind, but more and more he is drawn to Amelia and the more he thinks about her, and thinking of her safety is probably pushing away thoughts of his dead wife and child. (hide spoiler)]

52. Finally! Amelia and Devlin kiss. Why did the dead tree limb smash through her window? Comments.

(view spoiler)[Finally, I thought they would never kiss!! I think it was the wife who caused the dead tree limb to smash through the window. The book mentioned how the dead wife believed in witchcraft and maybe practiced it too, and being dead does not necessarily mean she is without power. This makes me think that the wife does not want Amelia around because she wants to hold on to Devlin even in death, while the child wants him to say goodbye and move on. I think the dead wife as angry at the kiss because it meant that Devlin might be moving on without her. (hide spoiler)]

53. Okay, I almost don’t even know where to begin – or end – with Amelia’s encounter with Gerrity in Chapter 34, so I just let you make any observations or pose questions you want.

(view spoiler)[It is weird, why is it he shows up with the right questions and clues that Amelia needs to further her investigations, but no one except Amelia has seen him or talked to him. Why is it that everyone has a bad opinion of Gerrity but in all of Amelia’s interaction we have found nothing to think he is a bad person, but rather the opposite since he wants to help Devlin and help solve the murders. What are we missing about him? How does he always finds her and disappears without a sound? Creepy. (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa Kay]

Oh, Hina, you are making me relive this book! I've already read it twice; now I want to read it again. LOL! Great answers.

[Hina]

Oh my god, I am like dying to finish, I am reading it with every free chance I am getting. Its my goal in life right now to finish the book, I have to know what's going to happen in the end, but I know somethings are going to be left as cliffhangers since there are more books in the series. But this book is addictive.

[Hina]

Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 35 – Epilogue

54. Could you understand Amelia’s mother not telling her she had cancer? Do you think her mother knows about her father’s ability?

(view spoiler)[I think Amelia’s parents are so used to protecting Amelia that they reason it away that she does not need to know that she had cancer. It’s another one of the secrets they keep from her. I think the only reason Amelia’s mother told her now that she wasn’t sure she would live through the procedure and survive. Personally, I think it’s wrong for them to keep Amelia in this bubble because I think it will cause more harm than good when she is kept ignorant of so many things. Amelia’s mother knows about her father’s ability, how can you be married for this long and not know, if she does not know then she definitely has her suspicions. (hide spoiler)]

55. Stunning news that Devlin was Dr. Shaw’s protégé, right?! Does this make you (even more) suspicious of him? Why did Ethan give Amelia Devlin’s address? Why was Devlin coming out the palmist’s house?

(view spoiler)[It is very surprising to hear that Devlin was Dr. Shaw’s protégé but it also make sense as to why he does not believe in all of this stuff because he was unable to help his wife and child with the knowledge he possessed. I don’t suspect Devlin more because in all of it he is a victim, and for a minute I did wonder if he is the killer, trying to go on the other side to see his wife and child. But I am disregarding that since it is hard to imagine a killer with the sense of justice he feels for the victim, so he can’t be the killer. After the scene with Dr. Shaw, I don’t think he is a suspect, just because I am leaning more toward senility than killer. I think Ethan gave Amelia Devlin’s address because he knows/feels that Amelia can help him, especially since it is getting close to the anniversary of the wife and child’s death. I don’t know why Devlin was coming out of the palmist’s house, maybe he was trying to get his future read as to what will happen between Amelia and him or will the ghost always haunt him. (hide spoiler)]

56. Okay, what in the world was going on with Amelia when she went to Devlin’s house? Was she “possessed” by Mariama? I didn’t think this the first time I read this book; however, on this second time, I’m really wondering what Essie’s “Life Everlasting” does to someone! That whole encounter was pretty creepy. Comments.

(view spoiler)[I think they finally had enough of keeping their distance from each other and all of it just culminated finally. I don’t think she was possessed by Mariana, it sounds like an excuse using Mariana to do what she wanted to do all along. It could have something to do with Life Everlasting but Dr. Shaw said there wasn’t much in there so did it really do something to Amelia, maybe it helped drop her inhibitions so instead of keeping away from Devlin, she is jumping right in and that is what has “possessed” her. It is creepy, finding ghosts watching you at such an intimate point. Totally creepy. Although I kind of felt bad that she wouldn’t talk to Devlin especially since he doesn’t know what scared her off to begin with but I also see Amelia’s point of view, the ghosts will remain with Devlin until he does something about it. If she lets him in, she has to let the ghosts in too, which would be a bad thing. (hide spoiler)]

57. What in the world?! So the “café au lait complexion” guy (see DQ #7) calling himself Tom Gerrity wasn’t Tom Gerrity?! Do you feel sure that he is really the ghost of Robert Fremont? Why didn’t Amelia know he was a ghost? Does all this change your opinion of how Devlin responded when he asked her if she’d been talking with Gerrity? What did you think of the real Gerrity?

(view spoiler)[OMG that was an awesome revelation. I did not see that coming. I do feel sure that he is the ghost of Robert Fremont because of the picture she found in the real Gerrity’s office. I don’t know why Amelia didn’t know he was a ghost, maybe he is not a ghost but like an angel that is why he is missing the characteristic of a ghost that would have let her know that the fake Gerrity is not who he seems. This revelation definitely explains Devlin’s response when she talked of Gerrity because I thought the real Gerrity was a jerk and that explains why no one likes the real Gerrity and the real Gerrity might have had something to do with his partner’s death. It explains a whole lot of Devlin’s feeling toward the real Gerrity. (hide spoiler)]

58. What did you think of Clayton Masterson’s history? And there were two killers! Were you pretty sure of that? When did you realize the other killer was that “quiet, scrawny little thing,” AKA Daniel Meakin? When Tuly Mackey said so, or later?

(view spoiler)[Clayton’s history definitely is of a killer and if was alive, he definitely would have been the prime suspect. Yes two killers, what the author has been hinting for a while. I think I realized it would be Daniel Meakin when Tuly Mackey was talking about him, no one else fits the description like he did, especially it makes us think about all the scars on his wrist. (hide spoiler)]

59. So Daniel Meakin was posting the epitaphs for all three reasons (warning her, taunting her, and helping her), don’t you think?

(view spoiler)[I think Daniel Meakin truly felt guilty of his part in all the murders, and I think he was helping her find the victims so they can have closure. The reason he was burying them under the epitaphs is that he tried choosing victims that were already troubled and to give them peace. I think he was trying to redeem himself for his part in the killings. (hide spoiler)]

60. Did you like how Amelia got away from Daniel, with the help of Shani and Robert Fremont…and the flies? We got the answers as to why Amelia’s home was “hallowed ground.” And I’m assuming, when Daniel said he “finished” his last book, that he was the one who took Dr. Shaw’s research papers. We know that – even if Daniel committed the murders against his will, and killed Clayton in “self-defense” – he was still guilty of killing Camille because she was on to him. We know why the shadow men were there. Comments.

(view spoiler)[Yes that was a totally unexpected turn of events, but it kind of makes sense that the ghosts she has been so afraid to interact with are the ones who lead her to safety. She probably feels she now owes them for their help. I think following the flies were an interesting way to look at it; I know I would never have thought of that. I don’t know if he is the one who took Dr. Shaw’s research paper, why would he need it? He is still guilty of killing Camille because she was on to him and he was just doing it to protect himself, not for any other reason. The shadow men were there for Daniel. Poor guy, bound to Clayton for a lifetime and beyond as well. I do feel sorry for him. (hide spoiler)]

62. Nevertheless, there are many more questions to be answered. What will happen with Devlin & Amelia’s relationship? Are you still suspicious of Temple’s behavior? Of Dr. Shaw’s? Who is a Claw and what exactly does that entail? What of the ghost of Robert Fremont; did he help Devlin find Amelia at the end? Will he get justice? What of Amelia’s father’s secrets? How about exactly when Amelia crossed over into the veil? Or is there another question to which you really want the answer?

(view spoiler)[I don’t know what will happen to Devlin and Amelia’s relationship and they left is open to interpretation and Amelia does say its not their time yet. So maybe in next book or the one after that. I hope they have a future. Yes I am still suspicious of Temple’s behavior and so far we have not had a good reason for it. What is she hiding? Was it just lucky that Daniel shown up as a killer has diverted the attention from the Order and will we seem them in later books. I am wondering what exactly was stolen from Dr. Shaw that has him in such a state, but I want to know more. There is still something fishy. I am still suspicious of people involved with the Order, just because it was too big of a part in the book to be left hanging. I hope the next book will address it. I think Robert Fremont did help Devlin find Amelia at the end, because there was no logical explanation and the one Devlin gave to Amelia was so weak and how did he even know that Amelia has gone missing and was in danger. I think Amelia feels like she owes Fremont and probably will help him to find justice. I hope in the coming books, she finds out about her father’s secrets. I think there are many things that are left open and I think the coming books will probably address them. I really want to know when and why Amelia has crossed over into the veil and about her past. (hide spoiler)]

63. Do you think you’ll go on with the series?

(view spoiler)[Definitely. (hide spoiler)]

64. How did you rate the book over all? Did it help to have it as a “buddy read” with others?

(view spoiler)[I gave it 5 stars! I think I would love to discuss this book with others and I think it was a great choice for a buddy read. I found that stopping to answer questions made me really think about the smaller details and nuances that I probably would have glossed over in trying to finish the book without answering the questions. A great read, and I am glad to find another author that I would love to read. (hide spoiler)]

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

30. So, the “Prophet” is NOT Gerrity’s nickname! Then whose is it?

(view spoiler)[Considering Devlin's reaction when Amelia mentions this to him I would say its a pretty indication that he is (hide spoiler)]

31. Uh oh. Devlin isn’t happy about Amelia going down to Beaufort County. Can you blame him? Or should he have been more understanding about it. Do you think it was Essie or Rhapsody who told him, or someone else entirely?

(view spoiler)[I think Devlin is a very private person so I think he became rather defensive when he learned that Amelia had pried into his personal life. As for who told him, I was under the impression that Essie may not have cared for him at all so I think that it was Rhapsody (hide spoiler)]

32. There goes Temple again, implying that Amelia doesn’t need to be at the exhumation, and not to research Afton Delacourt’s murder. Do you think she is lying about being a Claw? Do you think, as Temple assumed, that Daniel Meakin really did try to commit suicide, or was it something else that caused that mark? Was she just laying the groundwork, so to speak? Comments.

(view spoiler)[Temple is hiding something. I know it because she is just too snide to be a friend of Amelia's. As for a Claw, I definitely think so. As for Daniel, maybe he tried to commit suicide but I think there was more to that story. I think maybe he was involved in something like a "ritual" that went wrong that involved ropes or shackles around his wrists that left those ugly scars...either that or I have been watching too many NCIS shows (hide spoiler)]

33. If you were Amelia and had that weird spell happen at Essie’s house, would you be more suspicious of the tea served you? Would you wear the amulet she gave you after that?

(view spoiler)[I would be more careful about anything being offered to me to eat or drink unless I absolutely knew for certain where it came from. As for the amulet I dont know - after the cookie & tea ordeal I would probably think twice about it (hide spoiler)]

34. What do you think about the epitaphs being posted on Amelia’s blog? Are they warning her, taunting her, or helping her?

(view spoiler)[I believe the killer is doing it just to see how Amelia reacts. He/she is thinking she knows something & they are watching her to see if she will reveal what is she does/doesnt know (hide spoiler)]

35. Who was the woman with Devlin when he called Amelia back? A colleague? A relative? A date? If so, do you think Regina right? Is Devlin always watching Amelia?

(view spoiler)[At this point we dont know who the woman with Devil was..but I do believe that Devlin is watching Amelia..he's attracted to her (hide spoiler)]

36. Exsanguination. Ugh. Not a pretty way to die. Looks like the killer(s) really do want the person to die slowly. Is Devlin right? Is the killer a hunter? Is Devlin right about Amelia not having to be involved in this? Could she walk away? Or is she too far into the thick of it?

(view spoiler)[I think that the killer is a hunter because he is doing to his victims what a hunter does to field dress a kill. Amelia is in the middle of this not sure why but she is...maybe something to do with her past & the fact that she was adopted (hide spoiler)]

37. Eep! I’m glad we didn’t stop at end of Chapter 25. (Bad enough it was at #27!) Would you have followed the flies? There were a lot of creepy things in that dank cellar (view spoiler) What did you think was the creepiest?

(view spoiler)[You would have been hard pressed to get me inside that mausoleum to start with not to mention the minute that I saw a snake, rat & definitely the big spider they would have heard me screaming clear to Atlanta no question (hide spoiler)]

38. So, Devlin commented that his wife wore an amulet to bring her good luck. And he doesn’t carry his father’s lighter for good luck. Then why does he wear the medallion? Is it just another keepsake to him?

(view spoiler)[Devlin is a man of many secrets. He is very off putting. He has a reason for somethings & then he will do a 180 degree turn when it comes to something else. His relationship between him & his wife is a strange situation. Not sure what to make of it yet (hide spoiler)]

39. What could be the significance of the skeleton (beginning of Chapter 27) being bound at the wrists and not strung up by the ankles?

(view spoiler)[good point but Im thinking it had something to do with "watching" the person may have upset the apple cart with the killer, done something to piss him off (hide spoiler)]

40. Would you have waited for back-up to explore the tunnel further? If your partner wanted to go ahead on the chance there was another victim, would you go with them, or stay behind? Or would it depend on the person you were with?

(view spoiler)[Once again I wouldnt be crawling around a mausoleum to begin with...no way-not enough money...I am happy to let someone else take all the credit for the rescue if there was a rescue to be had (hide spoiler)]

41. What did you think of Amelia’s childhood nightmare about tunnels and outreaching hands? Could it have been a NDE, as Devlin suggested?

(view spoiler)[I say not, dreams have a way of coming true - something of preview of things to come (hide spoiler)]

[Hina]

I just saw that the next book is up for a buddy read this month too. I think I am going to jump in early for that one, just need an excuse to read the book.

[Lisa Kay]

Yes, and I selected the third one for my September Takeover. **hee hee**

[Rebecca NJ]

Hina wrote: "I just saw that the next book is up for a buddy read this month too. I think I am going to jump in early for that one, just need an excuse to read the book."

I think they are probably waiting on me to finish which I'm just about there. You are more than welcome to join us Hina!

[Hina]

I will try to start it this weekend, if not early next week hopefully.

[Rebecca NJ]

I am about halfway so next week would work better.

[Rebecca NJ]

Sonia’s Questions for Chapters 13 – 20

20. The sizzling attraction between Amelia and Devlin is so great that even Temple noticed. Do you think it is fueled by the ghosts? First the child, then the wife, they seemed to search for her only after her interactions with Devlin.

(view spoiler)[I think it's more about the bad boy concept. She is drawn to him knowing that based on everything her father has told her from day 1 she should avoid. (hide spoiler)]

21. I didn't like Temple's reaction when Amelia mentioned Afton Delacourt’s murder. It is only the idea of a murderer around a small town? Or do you think she belongs or is connected somehow to the Order of the Coffin and the Claw?

(view spoiler)[I just think Temple doesn't want to go there. I don't think she's connect, I just think she knows something that she doesn't want to talk about or remember. (hide spoiler)]

22. The ring weared by Dr. Shaw and the incoherence of it's origin caught my attention. I'm wondering what the ornate symbol is or means. Do you agree with me that it may mean something, or is it just a little tidbit like Amelia dismissed it?

(view spoiler)[There is probably something behind the ring. But as I said earlier, I suspect everyone! (hide spoiler)]

23. OK, the whole nightmare just freaked me out! But it also made think that maybe Amelia is right and the door opened with Afton Delacourt’s murder caused some dark entity to enter to this side of the veil. Could all of them (Camille, Ethan and Ruper Shaw, Temple, Tom Gerrity and Daniel Meakin) involved some how in the ritual? Or was the weird behaviors, the attack with the scissors and Meakin's attempt on suicide be influenced by this dark entity?

(view spoiler)[I'll admit - that dream left me thinking! The more I think about it, maybe Temple knows more than she is letting on. Unless they were all tied together as you adults and realized it probably wasn't the smartest thing they could have done. (hide spoiler)]

24.A mouse in a box in a basement with rows and rows of packed shelving...right... I'd be scrambling out there kicking and screaming, but I have a problem with closed spaces. So, we get to know Daniel Meakin. What did you think about him? Is his suspicious reaction to the reference Afton's murder just a way to tricks us, or there is something there?

(view spoiler)[I think he's just a person caught in this web. Again, like Temple - maybe he knows something. (hide spoiler)]

25. Shani means "my heart" and she draw a heart on Amelia's window, but before that Amelia made a heart from the shells on top of the girl's ring. Didn't that mean that she was the one making the bond before? And what (view spoiler)[Granny says without her help, Shani won’t ever leave you
alone (hide spoiler)] could possible mean?

(view spoiler)[I think she was trying to make the bond. I also feel that there is more to Granny than meets the eye. I hope we see more of her. She seems to "know" things. (hide spoiler)]

26. Amelia crossed the veil and back. What? How? When? She started to see ghost with 9 years old? How can she crossed the veil? Was it before the adoption? If so, how did she only start seeing the ghosts at 9? And how can her father saw them? Does that mean that he's the one that took her there? And what about the (view spoiler)[Somebody uh-comin’ for dis gal. Somebody with a soul black as midnight. Somebody dat walk with the dead. (hide spoiler)] part?

(view spoiler)[Something happened to Amelia as a child. I truly believe that Granny knows something and senses that Amelia has more history than she realizes. (hide spoiler)]

27.A car without lights and speeding in Amelia's direction...oh my... who do you think was? The killer? Camille? Her eavesdropping and leaving the basement without talking to Amelia was suspect. But all the reactions of the people she talked about the Order were too. I'm starting to think she stepped someone's toes and the need for secrecy will try to get her. Don't you agree?

(view spoiler)[It is definitely someone we don't want to trust!! It is probably the same person that seems to show up and eavesdrop any place where they can. (hide spoiler)]

28.Wait, a big paranormal expert is saying that the dark entity is a optical illusion? Isn't that suspicious? I didn't like Dr Shaw. What do you think of him?

(view spoiler)[I think Dr. Shaw is a non-believer living in a "believing" world.(view spoiler)[

29.Aha! There's the ring incoherence again. What is this guy hiding? Do you think it was wise of Amalia telling him that she saw the symbol on a grave? Isn't that the reason the killer is after her?

(view spoiler)[I would not have mentioned anything about the symbol. See above, suspect everyone, trust no one. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Hina]

Rebecca wrote: "I am about halfway so next week would work better."

Then I will wait till next week.

[Rebecca NJ]

Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 21 – 27

30. So, the “Prophet” is NOT Gerrity’s nickname! Then whose is it?

(view spoiler)[I'm probably over-analyzing things but I am wonderng if the Prophet isn't Mariama. I actually went back to when Gerrity said that to Amelia and he also said "grandmother." (hide spoiler)]

31. Uh oh. Devlin isn’t happy about Amelia going down to Beaufort County. Can you blame him? Or should he have been more understanding about it. Do you think it was Essie or Rhapsody who told him, or someone else entirely?

(view spoiler)[I think someone else. I believe that Essie has broken away from Devin. I'm just not sure who - Temple maybe? (hide spoiler)]

32. There goes Temple again, implying that Amelia doesn’t need to be at the exhumation, and not to research Afton Delacourt’s murder. Do you think she is lying about being a Claw? Do you think, as Temple assumed, that Daniel Meakin really did try to commit suicide, or was it something else that caused that mark? Was she just laying the groundwork, so to speak? Comments.

(view spoiler)[If Temple wasn't part of the Claw then she knows something. I think she wants Amelia to be removed from this situation entirely and back away from her turf so to speak. I think Daniel did try to commit suicide in order to get away from/forget something. Unless maybe he was a victim in thinking about what they found in that room. I'm beginning to not trust anything Temple says... (hide spoiler)]

33. If you were Amelia and had that weird spell happen at Essie’s house, would you be more suspicious of the tea served you? Would you wear the amulet she gave you after that?

(view spoiler)[I don't know... There are some communities where amulets and talismans are such a big part of the culture. I don't want to think that Essie would have done something to the tea. I think she is a helper in all of this. (hide spoiler)]

34. What do you think about the epitaphs being posted on Amelia’s blog? Are they warning her, taunting her, or helping her?

(view spoiler)[I see it more as a taunt. The whole "I am watching and I am knowing. (hide spoiler)]

35.Who was the woman with Devlin when he called Amelia back? A colleague? A relative? A date? If so, do you think Regina right? Is Devlin always watching Amelia?

(view spoiler)[First instinct was Temple (again). I think she is really hiding something. I do think that Regina is right by saying that Devlin is always watching Amelia. I think Devlin is intrigued by her and wants to know more. The best way to really observe someone is to make sure they don't know that you are watching. (hide spoiler)]

36. Exsanguination. Ugh. Not a pretty way to die. Looks like the killer(s) really do want the person to die slowly. Is Devlin right? Is the killer a hunter? Is Devlin right about Amelia not having to be involved in this? Could she walk away? Or is she too far into the thick of it?

(view spoiler)[She is too far involved and the killer(s) believe that she knows something. I don't think it's a hunter - I think it's someone who wants the victims to die slowly to think about their actions. (hide spoiler)]

37. Eep! I’m glad we didn’t stop at end of Chapter 25. (Bad enough it was at #27!) Would you have followed the flies? There were a lot of creepy things in that dank cellar (view spoiler) What did you think was the creepiest?

(view spoiler)[I have to go with the spiders! (hide spoiler)]

38. So, Devlin commented that his wife wore an amulet to bring her good luck. And he doesn’t carry his father’s lighter for good luck. Then why does he wear the medallion? Is it just another keepsake to him?

(view spoiler)[I think we all have a bit of superstition in us. We all do something for a reason subconsciously. You do something because you have a connect to it or a memory tied to these objects. (hide spoiler)]

39. What could be the significance of the skeleton (beginning of Chapter 27) being bound at the wrists and not strung up by the ankles?

(view spoiler)[I think this person was most likely a male and was forced to observe. If they survived, they had to live with the guilt. If not, they died there. (hide spoiler)]

40. Would you have waited for back-up to explore the tunnel further? If your partner wanted to go ahead on the chance there was another victim, would you go with them, or stay behind? Or would it depend on the person you were with?

This would really depend on the person I was with. I'm not really a curious person by nature but if someone egged me on, I'm so there, LOL!

41. What did you think of Amelia’s childhood nightmare about tunnels and outreaching hands? Could it have been a NDE, as Devlin suggested?

(view spoiler)[I think something did happen to hear as a child. A NDE would be again, something that the conscious would pick up and not really ever let go. (hide spoiler)]

I want to know why no one asked about the (view spoiler)[... eyes that gleamed with madness peering in through mu bedroom window as I slept. at the end of Chapter 19! That creeped me out! (hide spoiler)] :)

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 28 – 34

42. Were you surprised that Devlin gave Amelia his gun? Can cops do that (surrender their weapon)?

(view spoiler)[No-not really. I was thinking he was investigating & she was suppose to watch his back/their backs just in case something sinster came lurking behind corners (hide spoiler)]

43. Unlike the others, Afton Delacourt’s body was not buried. Did anything else about her death stand out as different from the others?

(view spoiler)[not sure what to make of this at the moment (hide spoiler)]

44. Devlin went to Emerson! He doesn’t call his wife by name! And why did Amelia tell him, “It’s not this place. It’s you…” when he fell asleep? He is leaving her physically weak when he sleeps at her house, but not elsewhere? Comments.

(view spoiler)[Well the whole deal here has me pretty stunned. I knew that he was hiding secrets. To discover that he went to Emerson & wears a medallion around his neck that could very well possibly mean he is a member of the Order of the Coffin & Claw is definitely the proverbial monkey wrench in the spokes of the wheel. (hide spoiler)]

45. What do you think about what Dr. Shaw said about a psychic vampire? And who stole his notes – and why? Is it, as he suspects, the killer?

(view spoiler)[never heard of a psychic vampire they just seem to know things(lol) as for the missing notes, could be the killer but I think its possibly someone else.Have a thought to that... (hide spoiler)]

46. BOOK QUOTE: “If one has enough money or influence, one can make anything disappear,” he said softly. True or false? Do you think someone has finagled the county land records?

(view spoiler)[oh definitely...the South is famous for being the good ole boy club. (hide spoiler)]

47. Eep! What do you think about the emblem of the snake coiled around a talon being on Devlin’s medallion? Does this mean he is a member of the Coffin and the Claw? Is there another explanation? Do you think he was personally involved in Afton Delacourt’s murder?

(view spoiler)[I think so. As for being involved in Afton's murder -NO- but I do believe he knows something about what happened just not enough to make a connection to the killer(s). I would like to believe that being a police detective would be enough to think otherwise but then again could be one of those curves the author throws at us just to surprise us later (hide spoiler)]

48. What about his guilt over his fight with his wife, ignoring Shani, and over not taking Mariama’s last phone call? Is this something over which he can ever recover?

(view spoiler)[As a compassionate person I want to say yes but who knows how a person handles something like that. I know it plays heavenly on your mind. My best friend committed suicide & for years still do I ask myself was there something the last time I saw him or spoke with him that gave me the slightest indication that he was planning to take his own life.It has been 13 years & I still think about our last conversation...no matter how many times I replay it in my mind the end result is the same. (hide spoiler)]

49. Did Amelia’s conversation with Macon Dawes trigger anything for you? We find out later that Jane Rice (remains of the second grave) was an emergency room nurse; does this make you suspicious of him?

(view spoiler)[I picked up on that right away...makes me wonder about him (hide spoiler)]


50. Camille Ashby! Whoa. BOOK QUOTES: “He is setting them free.” and “A quite life, a quiet death. Sleep now, Beloved. Our secret is safe.” Do you think Amelia really has figured out the symbols? If so, what does the last epitaph mean with regards to this latest victim? Is the secret just about her sexual orientation? Why wasn’t Camille strung up like the others?

(view spoiler)[I think Camille's death was by someone trying to make it look like the others but they left that one important detail..shackles...the fact that she was not trussed up like a Christmas good should be a dead give away (hide spoiler)]

51. Okay, I can understand a little delay, but why hasn’t Amelia confronted Devlin by now? Why were his ghosts gone when he told her to go home at the end of Chapter 32?

(view spoiler)[that is something that has me puzzled also. I think Amelia was raised rather old fashioned. When I was growing a young lady would certainly not be calling a boy on the phone let alone making the first move...Southern upbringing. The fact that the ghosts were gone bothered me too - not sure why they just do (hide spoiler)]

52. Finally! Amelia and Devlin kiss. Why did the dead tree limb smash through her window? Comments.

(view spoiler)[well would you want the man you love moving on to some other woman & you couldnt do any thing about it? tree branch I can see- glass breaking can see that also (hide spoiler)]

53. Okay, I almost don’t even know where to begin – or end – with Amelia’s encounter with Gerrity in Chapter 34, so I just let you make any observations or pose questions you want.

(view spoiler)[yes well he certainly is rather mysterious not to mention rather creepy (hide spoiler)]

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 35 – Epilogue

54. Could you understand Amelia’s mother not telling her she had cancer? Do you think her mother knows about her father’s ability?

(view spoiler)[I could - my Mother is somewhat a private person she will discuss my Daddy's illnesses but very seldom does she elaborate on hers. As Ive grown older she confides in me more & more. As for knowing about Amelia's Dad Im sure what to think about that relationship - definitely not normal. Amelia's mother seems to rely on her sister more than on her husband. Odd (hide spoiler)]

55. Stunning news that Devlin was Dr. Shaw’s protégé, right?! Does this make you (even more) suspicious of him? Why did Ethan give Amelia Devlin’s address? Why was Devlin coming out the palmist’s house?

(view spoiler)[There are it seems a great many things that Devlin is keeping to himself. As for Ethan I think he sees the attraction between Devlin & Amelia maybe he is thinking that its time for Devlin to put the past behind him & move on maybe have a relationship with Amelia. I believe he is haunted by the past - who wouldnt be. (hide spoiler)]

56. Okay, what in the world was going on with Amelia when she went to Devlin’s house? Was she “possessed” by Mariama? I didn’t think this the first time I read this book; however, on this second time, I’m really wondering what Essie’s “Life Everlasting” does to someone! That whole encounter was pretty creepy. Comments.

(view spoiler)[Im thinking that there is a lot of voodoo undertones with Essie's Everlasting. (hide spoiler)]

57. What in the world?! So the “café au lait complexion” guy (see DQ #7) calling himself Tom Gerrity wasn’t Tom Gerrity?! Do you feel sure that he is really the ghost of Robert Fremont? Why didn’t Amelia know he was a ghost? Does all this change your opinion of how Devlin responded when he asked her if she’d been talking with Gerrity? What did you think of the real Gerrity?

(view spoiler)[Im thinking that the whole door thing hs some truth her..I think Amelia's perception about ghosts is changing & maybe not for the better. I didnt like the real Tom Gerrity at all (hide spoiler)]

58. What did you think of Clayton Masterson’s history? And there were two killers! Were you pretty sure of that? When did you realize the other killer was that “quiet, scrawny little thing,” AKA Daniel Meakin? When Tuly Mackey said so, or later?

(view spoiler)[it was hard to formulate an idea of who the killer could be but I knew that it had to be someone that was close to the group. (hide spoiler)]

59. So Daniel Meakin was posting the epitaphs for all three reasons (warning her, taunting her, and helping her), don’t you think?

(view spoiler)[Daniel wanted to be caught & he needed Amelia to stop him. (hide spoiler)]

60. Did you like how Amelia got away from Daniel, with the help of Shani and Robert Fremont…and the flies?

(view spoiler)[the flies were just eeeeew the whole time Im reading about the flies going in thru the mortar cracks Im thinking don't follow the trail but they were showing her a way out & if she had of gotten out when she did who knows what would have happened with Daniel.More than likely Amelia would have been in some trouble w/death hanging very near (hide spoiler)]

We got the answers as to why Amelia’s home was “hallowed ground.” And I’m assuming, when Daniel said he “finished” his last book, that he was the one who took Dr. Shaw’s research papers. We know that – even if Daniel committed the murders against his will, and killed Clayton in “self-defense” – he was still guilty of killing Camille because she was on to him. We know why the shadow men were there. Comments.

(view spoiler)[well as I said before I knew that it had to be someone close to the group. Daniel was a "strange bird" to start with so I wasnt surprised to find that it was him (hide spoiler)]

62. Nevertheless, there are many more questions to be answered. What will happen with Devlin & Amelia’s relationship? Are you still suspicious of Temple’s behavior? Of Dr. Shaw’s? Who is a Claw and what exactly does that entail? What of the ghost of Robert Fremont; did he help Devlin find Amelia at the end? Will he get justice? What of Amelia’s father’s secrets? How about exactly when Amelia crossed over into the veil? Or is there another question to which you really want the answer?

(view spoiler)[well the tone of the book changed at the end. I felt we had this climactic ending w/Daniel & Clayton but then the story just sort of ended. There wasnt any closure to this tale. I felt the author left us many more than questions than answers & maybe that is the author's way of keeping us interested enough to read the next book or not (hide spoiler)]

63. Do you think you’ll go on with the series?

(view spoiler)[I think so - I became pretty interested after the 1st chapter of this one to keep reading. I have to see how this relationship w/Devlin & Amelia plays out not to mention getting some answers to the questions that were left unanswered in this bool (hide spoiler)]

64. How did you rate the book over all? Did it help to have it as a “buddy read” with others?

(view spoiler)[Im giving it a 4*s...I would have gone for 5 if the ending had not of been so shabby. But I did enjoy the book. I dont usually do buddy reads because life sometimes gets in the way of me being able to read every night but I made a point of sticking with this one & I really had fun reading it & then answering questions - it was like school again lol (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca NJ]

Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 28 – 34

42. Were you surprised that Devlin gave Amelia his gun? Can cops do that (surrender their weapon)?

(view spoiler)[I wasn't really surprised he handed over his gun. Someone needed to watch the entrance and someone needed to try to get out. I don't know if cops and really do it but if it's a matter of life or death, they darn well better trust someone else :) (hide spoiler)]

43. Unlike the others, Afton Delacourt’s body was not buried. Did anything else about her death stand out as different from the others?

Hmmm. Not remembering much about that.

44. Devlin went to Emerson! He doesn’t call his wife by name! And why did Amelia tell him, “It’s not this place. It’s you…” when he fell asleep? He is leaving her physically weak when he sleeps at her house, but not elsewhere? Comments.

(view spoiler)[I am not really all that surprised that Devlin went to Emerson. I think by not calling his wife by her name he's not recognizing her or what happened. I think Amelia is drained because she's the physical connection to the house. While he sleeps and is "re-energized" he needs to pull the energy from some place. (hide spoiler)]

45. What do you think about what Dr. Shaw said about a psychic vampire? And who stole his notes – and why? Is it, as he suspects, the killer?

(view spoiler)[Not completely buying into a psychic vampire theory. I think the killer stole the notes looking for answers. (hide spoiler)]

46. BOOK QUOTE: “If one has enough money or influence, one can make anything disappear,” he said softly. True or false? Do you think someone has finagled the county land records?

(view spoiler)[True!! It's shame to say it but this happens everywhere. A little extra money here and there and the right person can make things happen in your favor. (hide spoiler)]

47. Eep! What do you think about the emblem of the snake coiled around a talon being on Devlin’s medallion? Does this mean he is a member of the Coffin and the Claw? Is there another explanation? Do you think he was personally involved in Afton Delacourt’s murder?

(view spoiler)[It either means that he was or Mariama was a member of the Claw. I do not think that he was personally involved in the murder but now think that his wife was and she's the tie between everything. (hide spoiler)]

48. What about his guilt over his fight with his wife, ignoring Shani, and over not taking Mariama’s last phone call? Is this something over which he can ever recover?

(view spoiler)[I think that anytime someone who is close to us dies (and even when they die suddenly) you spend a lot of time going over the last conversation you had with them. Did you say something you regret, did you tell them everything you wanted to, etc. I don't think that feeling ever really goes away. (hide spoiler)]

49. Did Amelia’s conversation with Macon Dawes trigger anything for you? We find out later that Jane Rice (remains of the second grave) was an emergency room nurse; does this make you suspicious of him?

(view spoiler)[I'm not sure what his character represents. He's not in the story enough for me to care but I have a sneaking suspicion I should be paying more attention. I do think it is strange he's suddenly going on vacation (hide spoiler)]

50. Camille Ashby! Whoa. BOOK QUOTES: “He is setting them free.” and “A quite life, a quiet death. Sleep now, Beloved. Our secret is safe.” Do you think Amelia really has figured out the symbols? If so, what does the last epitaph mean with regards to this latest victim? Is the secret just about her sexual orientation? Why wasn’t Camille strung up like the others?

(view spoiler)[I think this might have been a fast killing. Again, I think everyone is tied together somehow and it will all come out in the end. (hide spoiler)]

51. Okay, I can understand a little delay, but why hasn’t Amelia confronted Devlin by now? Why were his ghosts gone when he told her to go home at the end of Chapter 32?

(view spoiler)[I think sometimes we all sit on things when there is an issue we want to avoid. I'm not sure where his ghosts went. (hide spoiler)]

52. Finally! Amelia and Devlin kiss. Why did the dead tree limb smash through her window? Comments.

(view spoiler)[Wouldn't you be upset if you saw your husband/father moving on when it should be you he's with? (hide spoiler)]

53. Okay, I almost don’t even know where to begin – or end – with Amelia’s encounter with Gerrity in Chapter 34, so I just let you make any observations or pose questions you want.

(view spoiler)[I almost think he might be part of the black sedan and maybe not really even there (maybe a ghost?) Is he an other? (hide spoiler)]

[Hina]

congrats on finishing salllie!

[Rebecca NJ]

Last and final post for this book.

Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 35 – Epilogue

54. Could you understand Amelia’s mother not telling her she had cancer? Do you think her mother knows about her father’s ability?

(view spoiler)[Sometimes people don't want to handle those situations and especially parents who never want their children to worry. I think her mother does know more than anyone can imagine. (hide spoiler)]

55. Stunning news that Devlin was Dr. Shaw’s protégé, right?! Does this make you (even more) suspicious of him? Why did Ethan give Amelia Devlin’s address? Why was Devlin coming out the palmist’s house?

(view spoiler)[Devlin just had too many secrets but still not suspicious of him other than he might no more than he's been letting on. Ethan gave the address to Amelia because I think he's trying to help. Devlin is just looking for closure on everything which is why he was coming out of the palmist's house. (hide spoiler)]

56. Okay, what in the world was going on with Amelia when she went to Devlin’s house? Was she “possessed” by Mariama? I didn’t think this the first time I read this book; however, on this second time, I’m really wondering what Essie’s “Life Everlasting” does to someone! That whole encounter was pretty creepy. Comments.

(view spoiler)[I hadn't thought that until you put it in my head, LOL. The "Life Everlasting" could really be something that Essie was hoping to bring her daughter back. Hmmm... (hide spoiler)]

57. What in the world?! So the “café au lait complexion” guy (see DQ #7) calling himself Tom Gerrity wasn’t Tom Gerrity?! Do you feel sure that he is really the ghost of Robert Fremont? Why didn’t Amelia know he was a ghost? Does all this change your opinion of how Devlin responded when he asked her if she’d been talking with Gerrity? What did you think of the real Gerrity?

(view spoiler)[I think the fake Gerrity was one of those others which has more unfinished business than others to address before he moves on. It makes more sense about the "protector" conversation. I thought the real Gerrity was a jerk! (hide spoiler)]

58. What did you think of Clayton Masterson’s history? And there were two killers! Were you pretty sure of that? When did you realize the other killer was that “quiet, scrawny little thing,” AKA Daniel Meakin? When Tuly Mackey said so, or later?

(view spoiler)[I think deep down I suspected that someone else was involved but not those two. (hide spoiler)]

59. So Daniel Meakin was posting the epitaphs for all three reasons (warning her, taunting her, and helping her), don’t you think?

(view spoiler)[I do think that Daniel was doing it as a big game but part of him wanted her to be the hero and part wanted her to be afraid. (hide spoiler)]

60. Did you like how Amelia got away from Daniel, with the help of Shani and Robert Fremont…and the flies?

(view spoiler)[I think that's the only way it could have been done. She needs to accept the ghosts for what they are. (hide spoiler)]

61. We got the answers as to why Amelia’s home was “hallowed ground.” And I’m assuming, when Daniel said he “finished” his last book, that he was the one who took Dr. Shaw’s research papers. We know that – even if Daniel committed the murders against his will, and killed Clayton in “self-defense” – he was still guilty of killing Camille because she was on to him. We know why the shadow men were there. Comments.

62. Nevertheless, there are many more questions to be answered. What will happen with Devlin & Amelia’s relationship? Are you still suspicious of Temple’s behavior? Of Dr. Shaw’s? Who is a Claw and what exactly does that entail? What of the ghost of Robert Fremont; did he help Devlin find Amelia at the end? Will he get justice? What of Amelia’s father’s secrets? How about exactly when Amelia crossed over into the veil? Or is there another question to which you really want the answer?

(view spoiler)[I am completely still suspicious of Temple. I hope that we learn more about the Claw and that whole group. More please! (hide spoiler)]

63. Do you think you’ll go on with the series?

(view spoiler)[I do want to see how things develop between the characters. I hope I can learn more about Temple and maybe not be so suspicious of her. (hide spoiler)]

64. How did you rate the book over all? Did it help to have it as a “buddy read” with others?

I gave this 4 stars - and enjoyed having it as a buddy read. I will say, it made me realize how many little details I gloss over because I had to look back a few times!

[Hina]

Congrats Rebecca. When are you starting the next one in the series?