The Graveyard Book Synopsis Novels & Stories

Come pick a bouquet from these Flowers in a Dumpster. Eidolon Avenue: The First Feast by Jonathan Winn—where the secretly guilty go to die. All thrown into their own private hell as every cruel choice, every deadly mistake, every drop of spilled blood is remembered, resurrected and relived to feed the ancient evil that lives on Eidolon Avenue. Through a Mirror, Darkly by Kevin Lucia—Are there truths within the books we read? What if the book delves into the lives of the very town you live in? People you know? Or thought you knew. These are the questions a bookstore owner face when a mysterious book shows up.

Asher walked down the gravel path, which led to the familiar graveyard, a bunch of red roses clutched tightly in his arms. It was eerily calm, not even the birds or insects dared to make noise here. The trees danced lazily with the wind and the moisture it carried hinted an impending rain. No matter how many times he visited this place, he couldn’t get used to the heaviness that was pressing his heart.

"This remote area is called The Border to the Afterlife. Because people who have lost their jobs or are in poverty gather in this place. They either die here and are tossed to the graveyard or crawl to get a second chance by any means." Using cautious words, Joan continues to give Gary another question, "Could this also be..." Gary gives him a nodding gesture and says, "Yes, my friend, I came from this place before I and Jason were scouted by Raisen." While reminiscing about Gary’s past, they arrive at the graveyard. There was a big tombstone with a white color that was already decaying in the center. "I’m home, Catherine," Gary said while resting his hand on top of the tombstone.

Had it not been for his grandfather regaining his consciousness at last to clear his name, he would still have to remain hiding now. Sigh! Zayn heaved a sigh. He was overwhelmed with complicated emotions even before he arrived at his grandfather’s grave. The sky had yet to brighten, so the entire ground was pitch black. Zayn parked the car and stopped the engine to discover that all the light had vanished completely. He was in a public graveyard where weeds and tombstones crowded the earth. The sound of crickets and crows could be heard occasionally, and it made the place appear especially gloomy, desolated, and ghastly.

No statue of angels or gargoyles stood sentry near or around it, just untrimmed shrubs and towering trees that looked as old as time. Carved on the black stone were the initials E.R. It was meant to be unanimous to all who looked at it, but to the mage, he knew exactly who this person was buried six feet below. From his coat’s pocket, he fished out a booklet with tattered edges and dog ears. With a single sweep of his palm on the cover, the booklet grew in size enough to read the contents without wincing. It was the necromancy book. He flipped a page with the bookmark and then chanted its contents while shutting his eyes close.

The graveyard was up on the hill. As soon as they arrived, Cassian first noticed six black coffins strewn haphazardly across the hillside. Then, he saw several freshly dug pits, along with a few funeral wreaths, and some other things scattered everywhere. The whole place was a mess. "Mr. Gulley, did all the villagers who died get buried here?" Cassian asked. "Yeah," Darren replied. Cassian circled the coffins and the pits, pacing back and forth as he tried to find even the faintest trace of a clue. After half an hour, he still hadn't found anything of value.

I had four days left before the poison consumed my organs entirely. All I wanted was to spend whatever time I had left with the woman I loved, but I could not reach her. The next day, I learned that Enzo Marchetti, the first love she had never forgotten, had returned from overseas. "Let's get divorced. The love of my life is back." I clutched my chest as a searing pain tore through it. "I'm at the family hospital. I've been poisoned. The doctors won't let me leave.” Her voice turned sharp and cruel. "I don't care if you're poisoned or dying. Even if you drop dead the next second, you need to come back and sign the papers." The last trace of warmth inside me went cold. I answered calmly,

The heavy doors groaned as they opened before me, and the familiar scent of dust, leather, candle wax, and ancient paper wrapped around me immediately. The compodium. Blackwood’s graveyard of secrets. My heels echoed softly against the floor as I walked deeper inside. Tall shelves stretched endlessly around me, crowded with books older than generations. Glass cases displayed relics of former rulers, broken crowns, ceremonial daggers, faded portraits, charms, scrolls, and objects whose purposes had likely been forgotten with time. Usually, the place unsettled me. Today, it felt necessary. Because somewhere inside these walls was the truth they had buried from me.

Don’t fall for it, Amelia. “What is it?” I still asked. “The Book of Darkness.” My eyes widened. My mouth parted, and he saw my reaction right away. “It was found hidden in a cave, by an excavator, who was also an anthropologist. He died before he could grab the book. He called someone who funded him, but it was a burner number, so we couldn’t trace it. I’m sure you’re aware of the legions. Zarah may have inquired about it. The master isn’t from thousands of years ago. Someone may know the book and use it for personal gain. I want you to go to New York and ask a professor who has knowledge about old books. He’s a pathfinder. His name is Calder Haynes, half-brother of Califf Stone.”

I was beyond confused now; what did an old book have to do with Clarissa? "You guys have no idea what this is, do you?" We shook our heads, waiting for Alyssa to explain. "It's a grimoire of supernatural creatures. The book was written by the Fae elders and told everything there is to know about every supernatural creature in existence... including how to kill them."