The House by the Cemetery Author:Lisa Childs In Gold Creek, Michigan, legend has it that the ghost of a local grave digger still walks the cemetery, looking for his next victim to bury. But when the town's wealthy undertaker dies, his estranged daughter must contend with the ghosts that haunt her own family... — After she left home at 17, River swore she would never return to Gold Creek... more ». Growing up at the Gold Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens was a nightmare. Classmates teased her for being part of the "Ghoul" family, while her own family denied that she was actually one of them. Her father, undertaker Gregory Gold, certainly never acted like a loving parent. He was far more interested in profiting off other people's tragedies. But now Gregory has died. And River has surrendered to the pleas of her mother, Fiona, that she come back for his funeral.
The mourning period is cut short when it's revealed that Gregory died of poisoning--and Fiona is the #1 suspect in his murder. Clearly, Fiona, his third wife and the funeral home's cosmetologist, is being framed. There are plenty of more-likely suspects, and River is determined to prove her mother's innocence. That she'll have to work with the sheriff -- her high school enemy-is a small price to pay.
With a fortune at stake, River is sure the killer lies among Gregory's first two wives and their children and grandchildren. Yet, soon, other discoveries will be made, and longstanding secrets unearthed. But when more people are murdered, the danger hits closer to home. Drawn back into the lives -- and lies -- of the Golds, River will have to use every resource to keep herself, and her loved ones, safe.« less