Chaos wrapped in sunshine, scams, ghosts, and two feral tween girls with absolutely no supervision—Dorian Box’s Grave Waves had me laughing, side-eyeing humanity, and questioning every “spiritual advisor” I’ve ever seen online. Published by Friction Press—thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.

This story doesn’t ease you in—it tosses you straight into sun-drenched South Florida where scams are basically part of the ecosystem, and somehow the most competent people in the room are two deeply macabre tween girls running their own little expose operation. And listen… these girls? They are the moment. One is razor-sharp, observant in a way that feels almost unsettling, constantly clocking details adults miss. The other is chaotic brilliance—impulsive, bold, and just unhinged enough to make every situation spiral in the most entertaining way. Together, they have this eerie, ride-or-die loyalty and a confidence that makes you believe they can take down a scammer… even if they might accidentally uncover something far worse in the process.

Then we’ve got Danny Teakwell, their surfer-chill guardian who is absolutely not equipped for any of this, but somehow still shows up. He’s giving “I just wanted a quiet life” energy while actively being dragged into a full-blown conspiracy. There’s something so endearing about him though—he’s not a hero in the traditional sense, but he cares deeply, and you feel that in the way he tries (and fails, and tries again) to keep these girls safe while everything escalates around them.

And the ER nurse? She’s the emotional anchor of the whole story. Strong, grounded, and carrying this quiet grief that seeps into everything she does. Her connection to the mystery—especially the thread involving her mother—adds real stakes beneath all the chaos. She’s the one who reminds you that behind the humor and absurdity, there’s something much heavier at play.

What surprised me most is how seamlessly this blends tones. One minute you’re laughing at the sheer audacity of these kids, and the next you’re sitting with something tender and human. It’s messy in a way that feels intentional—like life, like grief, like trying to make sense of things that don’t quite add up.

“There are worse things than ghosts… like the living pretending to care.” That line didn’t just hit—it lingered. It reframed everything.

This is for readers who love character-driven chaos, dark humor that actually lands, and mysteries that don’t take themselves too seriously—but still deliver real emotional payoff. If you like stories where the characters feel a little offbeat, a little broken, and completely unforgettable, this is your kind of ride.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It’s wild, weird, heartfelt, and honestly… I’d follow these characters into another disaster without hesitation. But be honest—are you trusting the chaotic tween detectives to solve the case, or are you sticking with the exhausted adults trying (and failing) to keep up?

#GraveWaves #DorianBox #MysteryThriller #DarkHumor #SatireReads #BookReview #NetGalleyReads #ARCReview #CharacterDrivenReads #QuirkyFiction #CrimeWithAComedicTwist #BeachReads #ReadersOfInstagram #BookstagramReads

Grave Waves: A Witty and Whimsical Beachside Mystery

From the very first page, Grave Waves hooks you with its perfect blend of quirky mystery and sun-drenched beach atmosphere, making it the quintessential vacation read. If you’re searching for a fast-paced, genuinely comedic mystery to tuck into your beach bag, look no further. This book is a delightful dive into suspense and smart sleuthing that never takes itself too seriously.

The driving force of the narrative lies with a pair of highly engaging protagonists, two witty girls whose dedication to exposing frauds in the vibrant landscape of Florida is both admirable and hilarious. Their mission initially targets everyday scammers, but their investigation soon leads them to a much more intriguing, and perhaps dangerous, figure: the local "Mystic." Convinced the Mystic is preying on vulnerable people by falsely claiming an ability to communicate with the deceased, the girls embark on a determined effort to reveal her operation as a sham. This central conflict provides a compelling, high-stakes core to the otherwise lighthearted adventure.

What truly elevates Grave Waves to a five-star read is the masterful development of its characters and storyline. Every individual introduced is given a perfectly tailored backstory and just the right amount of humorous eccentricity to keep the pages turning. The humor is sharp and consistent, weaving seamlessly through the suspenseful plot turns. It’s this exceptional combination of well-rounded characters, engaging mysteries, and genuine laughs that ensures the book consistently delivers on its promises.

Grave Waves was precisely the break I needed from the heavier genres I typically read. It’s a completely unique story, a breath of fresh air that feels unlike anything else on the current mystery shelf. It did not disappoint in the slightest; in fact, it exceeded expectations by delivering a narrative that is as original as it is entertaining.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone craving a mystery with heart, humor, and a sunny setting. My sincere thanks go to #NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this exceptional book.

#gravewaves #dorianbox

Loved this one as it's both quirky and suspenseful! Danny owns a penthouse in Florida and is the court-appointed guardian of Jessica who is twelve. Her friend, Gigi is staying with them for Spring Break and the two of them have plenty of money-making ideas to bilk the tourists out of some cash. But things get weird when the new "mystic" in town and an old woman dies. The series of coincidences is odd and Jessica and Gigi are determined to figure it out. It's odd and so funny that it begs reading quickly as you can't put it down!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Two odd (weird, macabre, unsettling, and good-hearted) 12yo girls are spending their winter break in Florida, trying to find ways to make money and pass time. They find a local mystic's practice suspicious, and in their investigative snooping, begin uncovering more and more. They DO tell the adults, the adults DO believe them, and wild action unfolds from there.
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From my emphasis in the last sentence above, it's clear how special I find that piece. It feels so easy to slip into miscommunication/no communication tropes whenever there are children in a world of adults. The mutual respect and genuine listening and consideration the adults gave these kids was incredibly lovely.
I would like to note that this is Book 3 and I have not read the first two installments, though I do feel that I did not miss much from reading as a standalone.
While reading the first half, I was thinking to myself that this is a solid 3-star read; no desire to DNF, I was interested to find out what would happen, I cared about the characters to follow them, but at the same time I thought the humor was a little too try-hard for my taste and I was mildly bored.
Once I hit the halfway point, it felt like the pace picked up and the character personalities really started to unfold. There were zany events, people, and action scenes! The twists all the way through to the coda ending were so much fun. I really did not predict any of them and thought it was wrapped up in a satisfying way.
Despite the slow start, I did have a good time and would not be opposed to reading more from this author.

This genre isn't my normal cup of tea, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book because the characters were so likeable. There's Danny Teakwell, surfboard shop owner-turned-foster-dad to the precious twelve year old Jessica, who suddenly finds himself also in charge of her oddball best friend Gigi. Gigi is a Goth girl who makes models of monsters and has invented her own math, the Gigilian Method.
When the two girls start investigating the sudden deaths of two elderly widow neighbours who both attended a local yoga studio, they soon discover a connection to a mysterious man who calls himself The Mystic. He gives private psychic readings to the studio's elderly clientele so that they can speak with their dead husbands, and Jessica and Gigi fear that he is manipulating them into leaving him their money before he arranges for their convenient deaths.
Of course, the story is far more complicated than that, and I enjoyed the twists and turns that came as the girls uncovered more and more about The Mystic.
But my favourite part of this book was the characters' relationships with each other. Danny, still grieving the death of his wife while trying to figure out how to parent a twelve year old, suddenly encounters a woman who may make him interested in love again. Jessica, whose parents died tragically, has to come to terms with it in in her own unusual way while learning to trust that Danny really does love her and wants to adopt her. Gigi (coded as autistic though it's never explicitly stated) struggles to function within the world around her. But their relationships strengthen over the course of the book, which made it really rewarding reading.
Also, this book is FUNNY. The banter between Jessica and Gigi alone had me bursting into laughter on the subway. They were still cracking jokes even when their lives were in danger.
Overall, this was an excellent book and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants a thriller that is still uplifting and heart-warming.