Grave Importance (Dr. Greta Helsing #3)
Vivian Shaw
Published: Sept. 24, 2019 (Orbit)
Purchase: Amazon
Review source: Copy provided by publisher/author in exchange for an honest review
Reviewed by: Beth
Rating (out of 5): 4 stars
Greta Helsing has had, well, quite a year. From murderous monks to being kidnapped by some crazy vampires while in Paris for a work conference, it’s been…a lot. Things have finally settled down somewhat, but when she’s offered the chance to take over as medical director at THE premier mummy health spa for a few months—well, she jumps at the chance. Gorgeous weather, some of her favorite work, and some time to relax a little bit.
But when she arrives, she finds that the mummy patients are suffering under some unknown malady, a dear friend ends up grievously ill, and the end of the world may be, quite literally, nigh.
So, I legit had no idea that Grave Importance was the end of the series. There is so much ripe territory to being a doctor to the monsters, that I suppose I just assumed it would go on for AGES yet. However, it turns out that this is a trilogy, and so I must resign myself to no more fantastic adventures with the doctor. However, the good news for the reader is that—if you start reading now—you’ll be all set for the end when this one comes out! Though one doesn’t necessarily have to read the books in order, it will certainly help explain some of the relationships that are in the stories.
Grave Importance had A LOT going on—from mystery mummy illnesses to a mysterious pair of angels to a mysterious curse. All the different people from each of the prior books were brought into the one in varying ways. It was a little too frantic at times. There also seemed to be a lot more religion/theology in this one (NOT in a preachy fashion, just part of the story) than in prior books, even though one of the main characters is, quite literally, from Hell. Having said that, it worked.
The characters continue to shine in this final book, and those that have been in the series from the beginning definitely have shown growth over time. The ending (no spoilers!) closes up the trilogy quite nicely, leaving the reader no doubt that it’s over (that’s how I realized I’d been missing some vital information), and with a sense of completion.
Grave Importance a good book in a fun and unusual series, and I suddenly feel the urge to start singing Carol Burnett’s “I’m glad we had this time together.” And that, quite frankly, is the warm feeling this series engenders, with its humor, mystery, and great characters—a lovely series that has come to its logical conclusion.
Sexual content: none
WHAT?! What do you mean this is the end??? What is this nonsense?! Outrageous, truly.
Jokes aside, I really, really also thought it would go on for ages, so I’m really bummed now. But, at least I’ll go into reading knowing about it now, so it’ll be at little less disappointing when I finish reading the book (I would be pissed if I only found out about it when reading lol). And now I know it ends well, so that anxiety is no-more also.
Thank you for the review and disclosing that one!