The Prophet by Amanda Stevens (Graveyard Queen # 3)

Amelia Gray returns home to Charleston, South Carolina after her close brush with death in Asher Falls. She now understands that by breaking all of her father’s 4 rules, a huge price and consequences have been unleashed for which she now has no control.

Somehow she has opened a door which has allowed the others to come through and now she can no longer hide the truth about what she is, or what she is capable of doing, or even her own birth.

Robert Fremont, the deceased police officer who people called the Prophet, comes to Amelia and tells her it is time for her to help find out who killed him. Fremont, who was shot in the back by an unknown assailant, knows that Amelia isn’t fully human.


“It’s time to make things right. As cliché as it sounds, I need you to help find my killer. All the pieces have moved into place. The time is now to find out who is responsible.”


Amelia, calling it Synchronicity, really doesn’t have any choice in the matter since Fremont can haunt her anytime of the day or night without any restrictions like other ghosts. Amelia is also being stalked by the ghost of John Devlin’s dead daughter Shani who has somehow found a way to contact Amelia through her protection.

Devlin, meanwhile, is still being haunted by his dead wife Mariama who refuses to allow him peace of mind and to move on with someone else. Stevens really goes to the carpet in explaining how topsy turvy Devlin’s relationship was with Mariama, and how controlling she really was before they died in a mysterious car accident.
  
There is an introduction of Darius Goodwine, Mariama’s cousin, who is about as creepy a character you will find in this series. His own interaction with Amelia is both scary and well written and you can’t help wanting to know more about him and his actions at the end of the book.


In many ways, The Prophet (Graveyard Queen # 3) could be considered the sequel to The Restorer. Many, if not all the storylines from that book, are put into a big ole basket and wrapped up nicely. 


I'm really hoping that this isn't the last book in the Graveyard Queen series. I’m hoping that the publishers and Ms. Stevens work out another contract extension so that we can find out more about Amelia's abilities and whether or not this includes a life with Devlin who has finally come to the realization that he has been haunted by his dead wife and child for the past 2 years.


This book has a number of twisted, yet interesting storylines. There were so many different characters written into the story, all of whom played important parts to the overall conclusion, that when the villain(s) are finally identified to Amelia, so many lives have been ruined because of their actions.


Devlin’s daughter Shani was the one character I found myself caring what happens to. Even though she died, her story was heart wrenching to the core. I'm glad that Amelia puts her rules behind to help find out the truth behind her death so that she could move on.


The mystery of who actually was responsible for Fremont's death and why drove this story. Yet, Stevens doesn't come right out and introduce the real killer until near the very end. A major plus in my opinion. Funny how this person was hiding in plain sight and nobody even suspected him of being a killer.


Quotes:


“Never acknowledge the Dead. Never stray from hallowed ground. Never associate with the haunted. Never tempt fate.” – Amelia Gray’s fathers 4 rules of dealing with ghosts.


“Little Dicky Dilver. Had a wife of silver. He took a stick and broke her back, and sold her to a miller. The miller wouldn’t have her so he threw her in the river.”


"What you are, I once was," she said. "What I am, you will someday become."


*ARC via Netgalley.com* Expected publication: April 24th 2012 by Mira

Title	The Prophet The Graveyard Queen Series
Author	Amanda Stevens
Publisher	MIRA, 2012
ISBN	0778313395, 9780778313397
Length	352 pages
Subjects	Fiction  ›  Romance  ›  Paranormal