Grave Doubts by Stephanie J King (book review)

When reviewing a book with spiritual or esoteric ideas one has to be open-minded. It is my feeling that anyone on a spiritual quest should read as many different books as possible. Remember, what will work for one individual will be questioned by another. There is no clear parameter to any genre. Of great importance is to resist the temptation to think ‘writer X’ is the definitive expert or fountain of wisdom.

Stephanie’s ‘channelled’ book ‘Grave Doubts’ has been on my bookshelf for a few months. I have picked it up and for some reason stopped myself from reading it on four occasions. Each time the book was returned to the shelf, my feeling was ‘You’ll need time to work through the chapters’. Sometimes we have to follow our instincts: the book is now read.

I have known Stephanie for many years and have enjoyed reading her other titles. ‘Life is Calling’ and ‘The Winds of Change’ are worthy of anyone’s library. Her titles have a unique place in esoteric writing: as they can be read and re-read many times and an hour or so spent with the books will provide useful meditations.

Two weeks ago I read through ‘Grave Doubts’ in three sessions. The format of the book is 6X9 inches with an excellent clean modern font in justified print, letter size of perhaps 14 points with sensible spacing. This makes the book suitable for those with poor eyesight and it also proves to be easy on the eyes. I mention this because font and format seem to be neglected by many publishers – writers. Contemporary fonts make for a better reading experience Stephanie should be commended for the book’s presentation.

The book is channelled by Stephanie: from a spirit named Simon. I know the relationship between Simon and Stephanie and maybe this was the reason I’d waited for a specific time to read the book. Perhaps I felt I would be intruding into a personal dialogue: and possibly I would feel a bias toward the information. How so? It seems there could be a conflict of what one remembers about someone in life to the messages given during death. After reading the book: there seems no bias: indeed: Simon’s channelled information is totally opposite to his thoughts and beliefs when he lived!

The book begins with Simon’s explanation of the feelings of death and watching his family surrounding his body. He then explains the process of moving onto the afterlife and being reunited with his mother. I do not wish to spoil the book for future readers by mentioning details. However, I would comment that the descriptions run alongside other books I have read about the subject. One would hope to read similar information from various writers, as this seem to confirm the imagery and ‘place’ of where spirits reside. Of course, there will be differences and this is why people on a spiritual quest are guided to read a wide spectrum of books relating to an area of interest.

As one works through the chapters Simon offers the suggestion that the living will do well to investigate many aspects of spirituality. And the suggestions are qualified by Simon’s reflection on his life experience: he does not imply his ‘life’ was at fault: it seems to me he is suggesting he could have lived a more enriched life. His need ‘to be with people’ during life is referenced on a few occasions and I wonder if he is suggesting this may have been an area which should have been addressed: did he neglect those close to him because of his need to be interactive in social activities? Or is he suggesting the excesses may have contributed to his final sleep? There are many lessons to be discovered in Simon’s words: the word comparison comes to mind – do we make similar mistakes as Simon? Is a relative question to consider while reading the book.

A fascinating aspect of the book is Stephanie does not censor the content. Simon’s confirmation of excess could easily have been edited out of the chapters. All credit to Stephanie that she allowed the channelling to be unedited. A reader will learn much about Simon’s early life and journey before his early death. One realises he was complex and probably very determined to succeed in every aspect of his life. Some readers may find his character difficult to like: however: no one could dispute his life successes from what was a difficult childhood. I like the aspect the reader learns about his life as well as a reflection on the lessons learned in death.

After chapter 16 Simon’s words begin to take on a more serious tone. While there is no indoctrination in the words of wisdom the reader will begin to sense there are many interesting ideas being put forward. Chapter 16 is pivotal, it is here Simon informs in death he is still searching for answers: in the same way, he did when living.

Simon works through many spiritual ideas and covers questions the living my have about the spirit world. I will not expand upon the ideas and information suggested: it is important for the reader to interpret the paragraphs and chapters in their own time. It is certain anyone with a desire for spiritual wisdom will enjoy and take great pleasure from the information found on the pages.

Toward the end of the book, there is a section titled ‘Further Inspirational Conversations’ (page 261). The simple sentences are thought-provoking and useful seeds for mediational. While this reviewer would not agree with every offering: there are many worthy of acknowledgement or even holding in one’s consciousness.

So the question is can ‘Grave Doubts’ be recommended? The answer is 100% yes! I would suggest this is a useful book to have on one’s bookshelf. As mentioned, when searching for spiritual wisdom and understanding it is wise to read a wide spectrum of books and authors. It is easy to become bound to a compelling or ‘well known’ writer and miss out real gems. This book is interesting because the channelled author (Simon) had no interest in spiritual or esoterical concepts during life and his words offer a different perspective now he is in spirit. If you love spiritual books – buy ‘Grave Doubts’.

Highly Recommended:

→Stephanie’s Website