Graven Images

Callie Cassidy Mysteries, Book 6

By: Lori Roberts Herbst

Narrated by: Lillian Baxter

A photo assignment at the cemetery leads Callie Cassidy to a corpse—this one above ground. Now, her search for the killer unearths some long-buried secrets…Callie’s mother Maggie, a notorious hobby jumper, has embarked on a new pursuit—grave rubbing.

When she recruits her daughter to photograph her first endeavor at the local cemetery, Callie brings golden retriever Woody and tabby cat Carl along for the outing. It’s a breathtaking autumn morning in Rock Creek Village, Colorado. Golden aspen leaves rustle in the cool breeze, and the air is filled with the scent of pine. What could go wrong on a day like this?

Then, a ghostly woman emerges from the trees, bleeding from a head wound and claiming to have no memory of how she arrived, or even who she is. Maggie quickly identifies her as a woman who disappeared from the village forty years ago—without a trace.

If that’s not enough intrigue, Woody disobeys her and sprints deeper into the cemetery. When Callie catches up to him, he is sitting sentinel at the tombstone of a recently deceased villager. And behind the stone, a man lies on the ground—with a pickaxe jutting from his neck.

Callie recognizes him as the low-level mobster who has been dating her best friend Tonya’s mother—and they’d been having problems. Did Tonya’s mother kill the man? Could it have been the mysterious woman? Or maybe someone with ties to his crime family?

Callie can’t resist investigating—and this time, Detective Raul Sanchez welcomes her assistance. Because if they can’t solve the crime soon, the town may be facing grave consequences....

©2024 Lori Roberts Herbst (P)2025 Lori Roberts Herbst

A Great Addition to the Series

This book checked all the boxes and then some. I loved returning to Callie and Sam's world in Colorado. These characters, including their circle of friends, as well as Callie's parents, are intelligent and likeable. Their relationships are warm. I would love to have tea and a taste test in Maggie's kitchen or peruse Callie's photographs before stopping into Sam's restaurant or one of the other eateries in town. Even Raul is on his best behavior in this visit. Of course, there is a murder, and who knew it would lead to the revelation of long held secrets in the close knit community. Add to all this a missing woman or two, amnesia, mobsters, and perhaps most disturbing of all, Sam's parents, and you have an amazing read. This one kept me guessing, and I cannot wait to go back to Rock Creek Village.

The narrator is tolerable, but she is often robotic in her delivery. I wonder if she actually listened to herself she would hear those awkward moments and work on a more natural delivery.

I love the theme of these books. storyteller does a wonderful job ... great tones, voices and pauses.

nothing... all great in this series. I have enjoyed from the very first book through this one!

enjoyaboe

I enjoyed this next book and how the creatures play into the story. A new hobby for Cassidy's mom and Cassidy is there to photograph the gravestones and of course has the creatures with her. The groundskeeper is not happy but that is ok. Soon a murder victim is found and it is up to Cassidy to figure it out. Look forward to the next one.

Graven Images

What a good story! I just love these characters and want to go live there. I can't wait for the next book.

Great mystery series

I loved getting to know all the characters in this series! I feel like I have been to Rock Creek Village and can picture the beautiful scenery! Thanks Lori for the Callie mystery series!! Loved it!!