Grave Consequences

In Debra Dupree Williams's book,  Grave Consequences, 26 yr old Charlotte Graves is digging up the past.<br /><br />After moving back to Loblolly, the town she grew up in, Charlotte hopes to slip into a quiet life. She looks forward to her new role as the newly appointed genealogical and historical society director. But for Charlotte, things have never been simple or quiet. Her childhood rival, Boopsie Sweets, doesn't believe she's qualified. Boopsie wastes no time in letting everyone in town know just how unqualified she believes Charlotte is. Not able to hold her tongue, Charlotte gives her the what for. Later, while out on a late-night errand, she regrets her outburst. Charlotte goes to Boopsies’ house, hoping to patch things up. When Boopsie doesn’t answer the door, Charlotte discovers the door is ajar.  Something doesn't feel right to Charlotte and cautiously she goes into the house to investigate.<br /><br />It doesn’t take but a minute or two when Charlotte realizes she made a grave mistake.<br /><br />She sees Boopsie lying in the middle of the kitchen in a pool of blood. To make matters all that much worse, her ex-boyfriend turned deputy sheriff is the one that has to book her on the murder charge.<br /><br />Not about to let a little old murder charge hold her back, Charlotte takes matters into her own hands. It's up to her to clear her name and find the actual killer. With almost no leads, things seem impossible. She quickly employs the help of her long-time best friend and cousin, Fiona. Charlotte and Fee soon discover digging up the past is the only way to solve this mystery. Doing so, though, will mean uncovering family secrets with deep roots. Not only that, there is something else much deeper going on that could put not only Charlotte in danger but also her family.<br /><br /> As Charlotte confronts her present, the more aware she is of how much she has tried to bury her past.<br /><br />Forcing herself to deal with the present and putting away the past may be the key to unlocking the door that leads to her future; that is if she can find her way out of the mess she’s made.<br /><br />Set in the sixties and in the charming southern state of Alabama, Loblolly reminds me of a town close to where I spent my teenage years.  When Boopsie and Charlotte have their spat, I envisioned them outside the very library my mother worked in for over twenty years. Loblolly became more than just a cozy hometown; it became my hometown.<br /><br />Charlotte and Fiona, or Fee, as Charlotte affectionately calls her, are fun and adventurous. The pair left me feeling as though I was with my best childhood friend. If I didn't move, I believe we would have been much like Charlotte and Fee; always into something and never backing out of anything. Through thick and thin, they are there for each other. Fee balances Charlotte with her sensibility. Charlotte’s impetuousness gives her a vulnerability that keeps you turning the page to see what she will do next. She also makes you want to yell don’t go there as loud as you can.<br /><br />The genealogical twists and turns that Miss Debbie wove throughout this charming southern cozy keep the reader on her (or his) toes. From a huge southern front porch to a hidden room that holds secrets of the past, we discover some paths in life aren't straight lines. In fact, they may not even lead in the direction you thought you were going. But that’s okay because it’s what you learn along the way, that holds the key to unlocking the real treasure; family, friends, and fellowship with the Creator.<br /><br />This is the perfect book for a summer afternoon on the porch. So grab a glass of ice tea, put your feet up, and let Charlotte drive you around Loblolly for a bit.<br /><br />P.S.  After reading this charming southern novel, I am convinced that Charlotte’s mom makes the best chicken and dumplings in the south.<br /><br /> I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the author. However, I was not required to write a review. Writing one has been my choice, and these are my own words.

I love the authentic Southern voice of Charlotte who could pass for Lucille Ball's Southern cousin, but instead of Vivian as a sidekick, Charlotte has her cousin Fee. It's the 1960's in Alabama and Charlotte tries to be the perfect lady as the new director of the Genealogy and Historical Society. But then, she stumbles upon a body and is arrested by her old beau who is the current sheriff. You know there's going to be more than one laugh with a character named Bootsie Sweets (the murder victim). The author knows smalltown life as you can't escape your history or your enemies in a place like Loblolly, AL. This book is fun, easy to read, and entertaining.

I absolutely loved this book. It was an easy read, has a great mystery, and fun characters. What's not to love? Delightful debut novel and I'm looking forward to the next book!

"Grave Consequences" highlights Debra DuPree Williams’s ability to intertwine elements of humor, heartbreak, suspense, and romance into a great story that leaves you wanting to read more from her.

Take it from someone who reads for action and tries to solve the mystery from the first word. The best mystery is the one I can’t figure out until it is revealed – and this book delivers.<br />The hook drew me in and the action unfolded around every impeccably described small-town Southern corner - from the dime store to the library to the country mansion where more than one mystery haunts its rooms and forest. <br />The characters are richly-crafted and the mixture of layers and subplots kept me reading way too late to feel good at work the next day! Who doesn’t love Southern ladies who are as sweet as the sugar in the tea, intelligent enough to find a killer, and smart enough to let the man kill the spiders? <br />And if you grew up in the 60’s South, you know the pie crust ain’t flaky, the biscuits ain’t fluffy, and the fried chicken ain’t crispy without Crisco.<br />Williams’ intricate and skillful crafting of family connections proves that the greatest mystery can lie in our own genealogical trees. <br />Note: I received an advanced digital copy of this book with no expectation in return. My review is my own opinion. And I did order a hardcopy for my permanent library. Look forward to reading this over and over.<br />

Grave Consequences<br />By Debra DuPree Williams<br />When genealogist Charlotte Graves goes home to Loblolly, Alabama after an eight-year stay in Savannah, she finds herself in the middle of a deadly ancestral mystery.<br />Charlotte is hired to oversee the Woodville County Historical Society much to the dismay of her old rival, Boopsie Sweets. When Boopsie is later found dead, Charlotte is accused of her murder. Having no evidence to keep Charlotte locked up, she sets out to prove her innocence. But she finds much more than she bargained for as it looks like Boopsie was killed because she knew too many secrets, secrets that must be kept hidden. <br />Charlotte treks through old cemeteries, researches ancient documents and photographs, and gathers family history to get to the bottom of Boopsie’s death. And to prove her own innocence.<br />Set in 1968, this book is full of pure southern charm, colloquialisms, mystery and even a few recipes. Throw in an old boyfriend or two and Grave Consequences has it all. I found this book very hard to put down because I had to know what came next!<br />I enjoyed this book very much. Debra Williams proves herself to be a wonderfully talented novelist with many stories to tell. I am anxiously awaiting her next Charlotte Graves mystery.

Author, Debra DuPree Williams, knocks it out of the park with her debut novel, Grave Consequences. Set in the deep south, this story ticks all the boxes for this southern gal with front porch rockers, sweet tea, realistic dialogue with just the right accents, and likable characters. <br /><br />After being arrested for murder, main character, Charlotte Graves, gets caught up in finding the real killer. When she and her cousin, Fee, join forces, Charlotte gets more than she bargained for as the family tree gets shaken. Truth that had been hidden for generations is brought to light and threatens to change Charlotte’s family more than anyone was comfortable with. <br /><br />I recommend this cozy mystery to anyone who enjoys suspense with a bit of humor and a spiritual thread running throughout. I look forward to more from this new author!<br /><br />*I received an advance copy of this book but was not required to give a review. My review is completely my own opinion.

This book was so enjoyable, I read it in a day. I poured myself a big glass of Sweet Tea (Had to, it's a southern thing for a southern book!) and just kept reading. I couldn't help myself. <br /><br />The characters were so rich that you might just think this was not fiction, but a retelling of true events. The scenes were very detailed and I felt I was watching a movie rather than reading a book. You grew to love Charlotte and your feelings for Boopsie weren't so nice! For Charlotte's sake, of course. <br /><br />The story pulled me in right at the beginning and kept at that pace the entire book. For me, that's hard to find a book that well done. But this one did just that. <br /><br />Grab this book, a big ole glass of Sweet Tea and find yourself a comfy spot on the porch and read away! It will be worth your reading time!<br /><br />Disclaimer: I did receive a digital copy of the this from the publisher with no expectation in return. My thoughts and comments above are my own.

A killer hook, an authentic author first-person voice, characters that rise from the pages with finesse and fire, and a plot intriguing as the metaphors of southern life poured through the pages. I was drawn into the story from the first paragraph and the story immersed this reader with anticipation for the characters’ journeys. I adore Charlotte and identified with her and rooted for her throughout the book. Immersive sensory-filled writing, with clever sounds and smells, rounded the experience. Wow, what a fabulous mystery! I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did. I can’t wait for the next installment in the Charlotte Graves Mystery series! And written by a debut author! Bravo! Well done, Debra Dupree Williams! Pen the next book in the series quickly!

What a great debut novel! I loved the unique story line in this book and how genealogy is key to solving a multitude of mysteries. I laughed out loud at several of the snarky southern phrases and I was left wanting more! I’m looking forward to another book in this series.