[Book Review] The Gravedigger’s Brawl By Abigail Roux & Gaslight Coffee Roasters Chania Estate French Mission

Title: The Gravedigger’s Brawl
Series: None
Author: Abigail Roux
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Publication date: October 15th 2012
Page Count: 256 pages
Age Rating: Adult (explicit sexual scenes, violence)
How I got my hot little hands on it: Received a free copy to review
Publisher’s page:  The Gravedigger’s Brawl

When the past comes back to haunt you, order a double.

Dr. Wyatt Case is never happier than when he’s walking the halls of his history museum. Playing wingman for his best friend at Gravedigger’s Tavern throws him way out of his comfort zone, but not as much as the eccentric man behind the bar, Ash Lucroix.

Ash is everything Wyatt doesn’t understand: exuberant, quirky, and elbow deep in a Gaslight lifestyle that weaves history into everyday life. He coordinates his suspenders with his tongue rings. Within hours, Wyatt and Ash are hooked.

But strange things are afoot at Gravedigger’s, and after a knock to the head, Ash starts seeing things that can’t be explained by old appliances or faulty wiring. Soon everyone at Gravedigger’s is wondering if they’re seeing ghosts, or just going crazy. The answer to that question could end more than just Wyatt and Ash’s fragile relationship—it might also end their lives.

My Review

Romance, suspense, mystery, horror, and steamy love scenes – The Gravedigger’s Brawl has a little bit of everything.

Gravedigger’s Tavern is a modern bar with Gaslight flair. It is there that Dr. Wyatt Case, a socially inept museum curator, meets Ash Lucroix, a bartender with a tongue piercing who favors suspenders and kohl eyeliner. The two seemingly opposite men share an immediate, mutual attraction which they are quick to act upon. The two hit a snag in their budding relationship early on, but that’s quickly eclipsed when weird, inexplicable things start happening at Gravedigger’s Tavern – and Ash seems to be the main target. Turns out Gravedigger’s Tavern has a dark past – one that refuses to stay buried.

Although Wyatt and Ash are the main characters, and it’s through their points of view the story unfolds, The Gravedigger’s Brawl hosts a whole cast of quirky characters along for the ride as the mystery is unraveled and the evil is dealt with. Caleb, the brusque bar owner, and Noah, a ponytail-wearing colleague of Wyatt’s, have a developing relationship running parallel to that of Wyatt and Ash and play important roles throughout the book. Ryan and Delilah, co-workers of Ash and “secret” lovers, round out the group and add humor to the story.

I read this book right before Halloween and I loved it, loved it, loved it. As someone who adores haunted history shows, this book was perfect for me and the romantic aspects were the icing on the cake. I spent a dark and drizzly afternoon curled up with this book and it was the perfect atmosphere for it. The descriptions of the refurbished Victorian era Gravedigger’s Tavern gave the tale great ambiance as a setting and the creepy historical findings of Wyatt were as fascinating as they were chilling.

Overall, this was a great read that I was absolutely glued to from beginning to end.  I highly recommend The Gravedigger’s Brawl for its unique characters, interesting setting, and fascinating historical backstory (both fictional and factual).

Gaslight Coffee Roasters Chania Estate French Mission. Citrusy and sweet with a hint of Pinot Noir flavor, there’s something very Old World and yet modern about this coffee that makes it a good fit for the setting of The Gravedigger’s Brawl.