Grave Wax

By: Kelli Owen

Narrated by: Steve White

George Morey would do anything to save his wife from certain death and has tried every treatment known, from chemical to homeopathic to prayer - all to no avail.

So when the local witch requests unique ingredients from the town's gravedigger, George complies without question - willing to sacrifice his own past to secure a future with the woman he loves...more than life itself.

©2013, 2014 Kelli Owen (P)2017 Kelli Owen

A real Skeleton Key feel

This was not what I expected. To be honest, when I heard the name of the book, and saw the cover I thought it was going to be a book of short stories by Kelli Owen. It's not, instead, it is a full story that centers on a grave digger, who has lost his wife, and is grieving for her terribly. He tries to live his life without her, but they were so intermingled that it is sort of like him losing half of his body.

As a funeral director I see this all the time, and can tell you that I have literally seen people will themselves to death when their significant other dies. What the protagonist goes through in this tale is real, and very genuine. I really applaud Owen's ability to give some gravitas to the character, and make you feel empathy towrds him.

I like both the Title of the book, and the cover. The title carries a double significance; one because the grave wax is actually used in the story, and two because it lets you know that this is not he quite and happy elf tale from Lemony Snicket (sorry, I have kids). The cover is important because the majority of the story takes place in a cemetery, and that is ot a standard cemetery picture. It lets you know that you are looking at a story about death, and is most morbid, but still carries a quiet beauty too. So, good choices there!

The writing is most excellent, and is done with a deft hand wrapped in a velvet glove. The characters are genuine, the emotions are real, and the ending is not telegraphed in the slightest. I am not sure if this is Owen's first stab at writing, but it certainly should not be her last. I look for bigger and bette things to come from her in the future.

Steve White helms the ship whe it comes to the narration and he is fantastic. A lot of the emotion that I talked about comes from him. His voices, both male and female, are realistic and believable, but I think it is the utter sincerity carried in his voice that brings this story to such vibrant life and is so deeply emotional. I will list him on my narrators to look for list. Even though I did receive a promo code for this review it in no way influenced my considerations of the material, and in fact, inspired me to be more honest. In fact, getting a code generally makes me harsher as a reviewer as I am more often concerned what someone like Me will decide based on my review.

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A great short read

A great novella with a excellent narrative descriptions, clear characters and a nice subtle twist. Nicely somewhere between sci-fi and character study. I got a surprisingly clear feeling for the life of this gravedigger from the language, and the reader was excellent in conveying the images with patience and heart. A great way to spend a short drive!

A very nicely done short from Kelli Owen

George is a veteran gravedigger.
Will is just learning the ropes.
Miss Lily needs a favor.
And third time’s a charm for Rose.

A nicely done short from Kelli Owen with very good narration that really added to the atmosphere.

Wax Ingredient

I enjoyed this short supernatural story about gravedigger George; you have to listen to understand the title as I do not want to give away any spoils. It has good likeable characters felt sorry for Will. This was my first from author and would recommend if you need short listen. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you

Twisted Little Love Story

Such a twisted love story. Not only is it twisted, the story itself takes you for a nice twisty ride. The love story is a fairly common one but this adaptation of it is quite unique. Wasn’t really expecting how any of it was going to play out and was pleasantly surprised. The main difference in this one is I actually cared for the characters and was quite happy with how everything worked out. For being such a short story, perfect length though, this really tells a bigger story.
The story takes place in a cemetery and is spent with dialogue back and forth between a retiring grave digger and his younger apprentice. Steve White does a great job with this narration and really puts you right there with the two men as they discuss the job and their life. His character voices were great and there is a good chance that I will revisit this story.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.