Happy publication day to ‘Grave Suspicions’ by Alice James. This is the third in the series to feature Lavington Windsor, everyone’s favourite estate agent by day and necromancer when the sun goes down!
I was incredibly lucky to be gifted a copy of this book by the author after I raved about the previous books in the series – you can read my reviews here. Anyway, you know the deal – opinions are still entirely my own, no matter how I got the book.
In this third instalment of the series, Lavington (Toni) Windsor is up to her usual tricks – getting (dangerously, recklessly, often unwillingly) involved with vampires, raising the dead to help her policeman brother solve murders and trying to fend off the ever-increasing list of people who want to kill her. In particular, she spends this book trying to solve a locked-room murder, unravelling some demonic contracts that have a hold over her past and getting too involved with a vampire and his consorts.
It’s all well-plotted and kept me turning the pages but – and I say this with the highest praise in mind – I’d want to keep following Toni Windsor regardless of what she was doing. She’s funny and often surprising, tough and straight-talking, plus she gets in some random scrapes! She also has the most interesting friends and acquaintances – including a whole host of sexy vampires, a buddy from beyond the grave and a sweet housemate.
Although this is obviously part of a series, James very helpfully gives us a series recap at the start of the book as a separate chapter. This is great for anyone pitching in later in the series or for forgetful readers (like me!) who need a reminder on the characters and relationships. It’s fair to say Toni has covered a lot of ground in the previous two books! Just don’t start with Book 3 if you plan on reading the rest of the series because there would be spoilers.
This book is a lovely development on what has gone before as Toni grapples with secrets from her own past – and the extent of her powers. I really liked the fact that the character keeps moving forward and learning more about her unique skills and situation. However, there’s also a fair few mysteries along the way for Toni to solve, so there is never a dull moment.
Coming back to this series feels like returning to old friends, so long may it last!
I’m hoping Book 4 is on the way soon as there are some intriguing possibilities for the continuation of Toni’s story – especially with regards to her (already spicy) love life!
I’d recommend this to anyone who would enjoy a book with a strong (and funny) female lead, lots of sexy vampires, quite a lot of peril, supernatural craziness and a Staffordshire setting that is quite unlike how you might have experienced Staffordshire up to now!
If you’d like to buy a copy of this book, please use my affiliate link below. Thanks for supporting my blog with any purchases.
Header photo by Niranjan _ Photographs on Unsplash
