Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Review: These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly

Title: These Shallow Graves
Author: Jennifer Donnelly
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Random House (October 27, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Historical Mystery/Thriller
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Book Description:
Set in gilded age New York, These Shallow Graves follows the story of Josephine Montfort, an American aristocrat. Jo lives a life of old-money ease. Not much is expected of her other than to look good and marry well. But when her father dies due to an accidental gunshot, the gilding on Jo’s world starts to tarnish. With the help of a handsome and brash reporter, and a young medical student who moonlights in the city morgue, Jo uncovers the truth behind her father’s death and learns that if you’re going to bury the past, you’d better bury it deep.







If there is one thing you can count on with me, is that I love to read about the 19th century. I have said it many times before but there is just something to be said about a strong minded, strong willed feisty girl living in a time when she wasn't suppose to be anything but quiet, well bread, and demure. 

Throw in a irresistible murder mystery, a handsome rogue and it was a story that was doubly hard for me to say no to. 

I'm so glad I read this. I really did enjoy every single thing about it but especially Jo herself. She was everything I was hoping she would be from the synopsis, strong, fierce, brave, feisty, determined, and a woman that wasn't to be shunted and locked away.

And while this wasn't quite the creepy read I was seriously hoping it would be based on the cover, it did have it's suspenseful moments and I did thoroughly enjoy it. 

This was well written, easy paced, character and mystery driven and just enough romance to keep you interested. I do wish the ending hadn't been quite so open ended with a few things left to the imagination but it also left it open to a possible sequel, which I truly would love to see and read.




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
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53 comments:

  1. Grace @ RebelMommyBookBlogSeptember 22, 2015 at 3:45 AM

    I love that cover so much!! Glad you enjoyed this one even if it didn't have the creepy factor - Gret review!

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  2. Angel Erin's Book ObsessionSeptember 22, 2015 at 6:06 AM

    I love books in the 19th century too! This one sounds pretty good. :)

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  3. JazmenSeptember 22, 2015 at 7:20 AM

    This review is kind of promising especially since I've been wanting to read it. It sounds like I will enjoy it. Thanks for this! :)

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    1. KindlemomSeptember 22, 2015 at 9:36 AM

      If you aren't expecting creepy like I was, then you really will I think.

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  4. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2015 at 7:41 AM

    Handsome rogue you say? I'm in! :)
    This sounds like a fun read and I like the sound of Jo quite a bit. I'll have to check out this book. I'll keep in mind what you said about it not being as creepy.

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  5. JennySeptember 22, 2015 at 7:45 AM

    Too bad about the open ending Ali! Those always drive me a little crazy, I'm a girl that likes answers and a sort of concrete look at what's in store for the characters when I close the back cover. Other than that though, this book sounds amazing! Maybe we'll get that sequel:)

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  6. BlogorattiSeptember 22, 2015 at 8:02 AM

    Sounds fair enough, a great review indeed. Thanks!

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  7. EileenSeptember 22, 2015 at 9:39 AM

    I love the time period and also the murder mystery and handsome rogue parts :D This is on my TBR and I hope I'll enjoy it as much as you did when I get to it~

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  8. UnknownSeptember 22, 2015 at 10:16 AM

    I'm with you, Ali, I like forward thinking women/girls in period settings. The contrast never fails to entertain me!

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    1. KindlemomSeptember 22, 2015 at 1:05 PM

      *high fives you* There is just something fun about them!

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  9. UnknownSeptember 22, 2015 at 10:26 AM

    I saw this one and almost requested it, but I wasn't sure if it was something I would appreciate, but I'm so glad you enjoyed it though :)

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  10. Nerdy ProcrastinatorSeptember 22, 2015 at 10:52 AM

    I am SO glad you liked this. I am in love with this cover! Ahhhhh!

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  11. Piecraft BucharestSeptember 22, 2015 at 11:18 AM

    Jo sounds like quite the unforgettable heroine. And, oh, who can resist the handsome rogue - or a good mystery, for that matter? I hope to find time to read this one, Ali, it sounds absolutely wonderful.

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    1. KindlemomSeptember 22, 2015 at 1:06 PM

      It was a fun read even though it really wasn't scary at all. ;)

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  12. Heidi@Rainy Day RamblingsSeptember 22, 2015 at 11:57 AM

    I have a copy of this one, and I am looking forward to giving it a whirl as I haven't read a good historical in awhile. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  13. Rummanah AasiSeptember 22, 2015 at 12:03 PM

    Yay, I'm all for this story though I'm a bit worried about that open ending. Hopefully, it's the threads that are loose are not major.

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    1. KindlemomSeptember 22, 2015 at 1:07 PM

      Nothing too major but I would love to see a sequel!

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  14. TopOfTheBookShelfSeptember 22, 2015 at 12:48 PM

    I love 19th century novels. The past fascinates me more than the future :)

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    1. KindlemomSeptember 22, 2015 at 1:07 PM

      Me too. I think we can learn so much from it. ;)

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  15. CandaceSeptember 22, 2015 at 2:16 PM

    I've been told a million times that she's an amazing author. I also love this time period so I look forward to reading it one day!

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    1. KindlemomSeptember 22, 2015 at 3:47 PM

      I've liked everything I have read from her so far!

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  16. The Reading FrenzySeptember 22, 2015 at 3:01 PM

    Great review Ali, I love the fact that it wasn't super scary like you thought which brings it down to my level, but wow I kind of like a tale with a definite THE END. Is there a sequel coming out maybe?

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  17. Shooting Stars MagSeptember 22, 2015 at 8:19 PM

    Aw, I wish it were creepier. I'm still excited about this one though. I haven't read anything by the author, but I read an excerpt of this earlier in the summer and it sounds great.

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    1. KindlemomSeptember 23, 2015 at 7:30 AM

      I wish it would have been too but it was still really good so that helped. ;)

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  18. MellianeSeptember 22, 2015 at 10:59 PM

    too bad for the open ending but like you I love to have a story set during this period. maybe.

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  19. UnknownSeptember 22, 2015 at 11:18 PM

    I really love that cover!!!!

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  20. LoveOfBooksSeptember 22, 2015 at 11:38 PM

    I love characters like that too, not matter what century. lol. I seriously love that cover too.

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    1. KindlemomSeptember 23, 2015 at 7:54 AM

      That is very true Christy, I love a feisty heroine all the time. ;)

      Delete
  21. BlessieSeptember 22, 2015 at 11:41 PM

    Well, damn, that cover is gorgeous! :O

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  22. Jennifer @ Bad Bird ReadsSeptember 23, 2015 at 6:33 AM

    Everyone is loving this one! The characters sound great! So excited to try it out.

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  23. Book SwoonSeptember 23, 2015 at 10:48 AM

    I love the creepy sound of this, so I am definitely going to keep this on my tbr list. I hope to grab up a copy from the library for some October reading :)

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  24. Kimberly @ Caffeinated ReviewerSeptember 23, 2015 at 1:04 PM

    Despite not having the creep factor you were hoping for, this does sound like a good mystery.

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  25. Joy September 23, 2015 at 9:34 PM

    I enjoyed her books in the past, but sad to say I know next to nothing about this one. Sounds like another great one, though!

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  26. Lisa @ Lost in LiteratureSeptember 23, 2015 at 9:35 PM

    This cover gets me every time. It's just SO GORGEOUS!!!

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  27. Lorna @Mollykatie112September 26, 2015 at 12:13 PM

    That is a pretty creepy cover-too bad the book wasn't creepy as you wanted it to be! :)

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