Grave Undertaking is the second in Mark de Castrique's Barry Clayton series. Barry Clayton runs Clayton and Clayton Funeral Directors since his father's Alzheimer's disease has worsened. Barry had been a cop in Charlotte before his father's illness forced him to retire and move home to help his mother care for his father and run the business.

In this second installment, Barry finds a skeleton in a grave that Clayton and Clayton are re-locating. Now that wouldn't be a problem, except for the fact that this skeleton doesn't belong in the grave. It is there in addition to the grave's rightful occupant. In addition to the skeleton being a squatter in the grave of Pearly Johnson, the deceased has a photo of Barry's girlfriend, Dr. Susan Miller, in his wallet.

As usual, Barry manages to get himself into situations that sometimes are beyond his control. We again meet up with familiar characters from Dangerous Undertakings, the first in the Barry Clayton series. Appearing again are the aforementioned Susan, Barry's Uncle Wayne, Barry's parents, Sheriff Tommy Wadkins as well as some new characters that are equally interesting.

Susan's connection to the deceased and her past is a major focus of the story. Rivalry between Sheriff Wadkins and Sheriff Ewbanks is focused on as the crimes take place in both counties. The progression of Barry's father's Alzheimer's Disease is focused on at times and made very real to the reader. I felt as if the author has either experienced a family member with this devastating illness or has done his research extremely well.

Grave Undertaking drew me in from the first page, made me anxious to turn the page to see what happens next, and was so well written that I could "see" the action in my mind's eye. I look forward to the next installment in this fine series.