An Unsettled Grave – Bernard Schaffer | A Book Review

Title: An Unsettled Grave

Author: Bernard Schaffer

Genre: Thriller

About the book: It’s the second in a series following a young cop in Carrie Santero who investigates a cold case. Thirty years ago, a girl went missing, which led to one police officer being killed and another committing suicide.

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

First impressions: Not long ago, I read the first book, The Thief of All Light, so I was curious as to what would happen next. The title and cover also piqued my interest.

Characters: Carrie is easy to root for and relate to. Jacob Rein, a former police officer who mentors Carrie, is an interesting individual as well.

Quote:

“Do something you love and be the best you can be at it.”

Writing: It’s written in the third person. The chapters are short and suspenseful. Some events take place in the present while others transpired in the past. I appreciate the contrast between serious moments and lighter ones.

The themes and language are mature. Bernard delves into issues like sexual assault, and he does a good job handling them. The writing is easy to follow, but the subject matter is more difficult.

Final thoughts: I didn’t expect the story to be so sad. That said, I liked the ending. I enjoyed the second book more than The Thief of All Light, but it’s best to read the former novel first.

I recommend An Unsettled Grave to fans of thrillers with a strong female detective as the protagonist.

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