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Saturday, April 13, 2024

The Blackbird Trilogy by Heather Graham

Blackbird is the new European branch of the Krewe of Hunters.

The Krewe of Hunters is a special FBI division whose teams investigate and solve unusual or strange cases. All the team members have unique paranormal abilities; they can talk to ghosts.

The ghosts frequently aid the teams in their crime-fighting quests.

Now, a European branch of the 'Krewe' teams has been put together to investigate overseas cases. This team consists of law enforcement members from the American Krewe teams, and from England, Scotland, Norway and France. They call themselves "Blackbird" (officially, the Euro Special Assistance Team) created to extend the Krewe's reach into Europe to assist with crimes abroad.

The American FBI team of Mason Carter and Della Hamilton join up with Jon Wilhelm of the National Police Directorate of Norway, Metropolitan Police dectective chief insprector, Edmund Taylor and Jeanne Lapierre, a longtime Parisian detective, to form the Blackbird Team of International operatives to chase and capture serial killers across Europe. They are joined by Francois Bisset, the Krewe's interpol liaison.

The Blackbird Triology

Whispers at Dust (Volume 1)

Whispers at Dusk: A Paranormal Mystery Romance (The Blackbird Trilogy, 1)

The triology begins with a series of crimes perpetrated by an organized serial killer who jumps from country to country. He calls himself The Vampire/The Master and kills beautiful young women, and displays them with care, completely drained of blood. After four bodies have been discovered along Europe's riverbanks, the Blackbird team meets up in Norway and begins their investigation.

The trail leads the team from the forests of Lillehammer in Norway, on to England, then to the Louisiana bayou country back in America where Della has to act as bait to capture this vampire killer.

Secrets in the Dark (Volume 2)

Secrets in the Dark: A Paranormal Mystery Romance (The Blackbird Trilogy, 2)

In Book 2 of the Blackbird Triology, the capture of The Vampire Killer others call The Master, has not ended the reign of terror. It seems The Master has convinced others to carry on his horrible work.

Della and Mason return to England and join up with the rest of the Blackbird team to catch a killer stalking the streets of London. This self-dubbed Ripper King has patterned himself after the infamous Jack the Ripper and his intent is to be even better than that notorious serial murderer.

The Ripper King's method of killing is nothing new, but the team is forced to work quickly before another woman ends up dead. The dangerous game of cat and mouse takes an unexpected turn, leading the team into a deadly trap.

Cursed at Dawn (Volume 3)

Cursed at Dawn: A Romantic Mystery (The Blackbird Trilogy, 3)

FBI agents Della Hamilton and Mason Carter know that real monsters exist. In Cursed at Dawn, Book 3 in the triology, they are still catching their breaths after apprehending two such monster killers.

But, as the old proverb 'no rest for the wicked' indicates that one's work never ceases, the agents discover the madness in this case hasn't ended. Stephan Dante, the self-proclaimed king of the vampires, has escaped from prison.

This time the locale is Scotland and the Blackbird team meets up in Edinburgh. Knowing that the clock is ticking regarding this cruel killer. the team needs to outwit and re-capture Dante and stop the carnage once and for all. But, it seems this killer seeks his eternal bride – Della herself.

Summary

Throughout the trilogy, we meet various ghosts who aid the team in many ways. Being able to 'talk to the dead' definitely helps their investigations. Plus, as fans of The Krewe of Hunters series knows, the stories also involve some historical facts about the areas involved in each story, giving us a history lesson along with a mystery to solve.

The series genre is noted to be that of a paranormal mystery romance. The talking to the ghosts is the paranormal aspect. We have the mystery involved with this law enforcement team solving the crimes. And, of course, there is a bit of romance among the team and people they meet as time goes by.

A little bit of everything for fans of this genre and fans of author Heather Graham. I recommend reading the triology in order, as the best way meet and follow each character.

*The Blackbird Trilogy by Heather Graham – reviewed by Wednesday Elf

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Saturday, August 26, 2023

Voice of Fear by Heather Graham

Book Review of a new Krewe of Hunters Novel

This reviewer previously gave you book reviews of Heather Graham's Krewe of Hunters series, along with her Harrison Investigations series and the Bone Island Trilogy.

Readers of these reviews may remember that the Krewe of Hunters are a group of unusual FBI agents who are called upon when something complex (and usually paranormal) is going on. In that series, Graham was up to book #37. Voice of Fear is the latest, Number 38, in the series that involves a murder mystery, a ghost story, a history lesson, and a love story.

Synopsis of Voice of Fear

This novel takes place in Washington, DC (headquarters of the Krewe of Hunters) and surrounding Virginia countryside. It involves one of the newer members of the Krewe team, FBI Agent Jordan Wallace. Jordan is close to solving a human trafficking case she has been working on undercover. She somehow makes a rookie mistake, letting her guard down, and the mission is almost botched. Then, Patrick Law, criminal psychologist, rescues her and several collage girls about to be abducted, but most of the kidnappers get away.

Jordan feels she couldn't have made a worst first impression, especially when she is then partnered with Patrick as the case moves forward.

Patrick Law has the ability to get inside a criminal's head and has been an asset for the Krewe of Hunters team, even though he is not an FBI agent. Patrick is one of triplets. One sister works for the Krewe of Hunters team. The other one is a book editor who also has the ability to decipher the criminal mind through words and 'consults' with this special team. All three have the same strange ability to 'see' and 'talk to' ghosts.

One of the girls who had been abducted by this group of criminals who kidnap, then sell to the highest bidder, gorgeous girls, is a girl named Susie whom Law Enforcement officer 'Alfie' had been helping. Alfie is killed in the line of duty while on a previous raid before Susie can be found. Now a ghost, and friends with several Krewe members who can see and talk to him, Alfie helps with solving this human trafficking ring while also searching for Susie.

We find several scenes in the book taking place in and around cemeteries, including the one where Alfie is buried; a cemetery specific for law enforcement personnel killed in the line of duty. An interesting factoid in the story tells us the difference between a graveyard and a cemetery. A graveyard grows up around a church and a cemetery is freestanding, a place specifically for the dead.

Summary

It is quite obvious that the 'love story' part of this book will occur between Jordan and Patrick as they are partnered together to solve the case. And the 'ghost' part with Alfie is fun and fascinating. It makes you wish you too could be friends with ghosts.

I liked all the characters in Voice of Fear, many of whom will be familiar to previous readers of this book series. As the newest book in the Krewe of Hunters series, it was a fun book to read and I highly recommend it to readers of this genre.

Links to Previous Reviews of Books by Heather Graham:

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*Book Review of Voice of Fear written by

~Wednesday Elf

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Saturday, May 7, 2022

The Bone Island Trilogy – Book Reviews

A Trilogy by Heather Graham, the author of the Krewe of Hunters series and the Harrison Investigations series.

This trilogy takes place primarily in Key West. The name Bone Island comes from the first explorers who visited the island around the beginning of 1600. They found the bones of deceased native tribes and called it the 'Island of Bones' or Cayo Hueso.

Bone Island Trilogy

Ghost Shadow

The Bone Island Trilogy begins with Katie O'Hara who is drawn into a years-old murder when David Beckett returns to Key West. David, a photographer and film maker, had been gone from his island home for many years, working in his craft around the world. His fiancé had been murdered and some suspected that David was guilty of the crime. He returns home to deal with the paperwork involved following the death of his grandfather and perhaps to find a way to clear his name. Katie becomes involved in the mystery surrounding the decade-old murder, despite warnings from her spectral friend Bartholomew, an 18th century ghost.

Ghost Night

While filming a slasher movie, two actors are murdered on Haunt Island, a remote island in South Bimini. Two years later, survivor Vanessa Loren meets up with Sean O'Hara in Key West where plans are underway to film a documentary about the storied region, including the unsolved crime that haunts Vanessa. As they begin filming along the coral reef, the discovery of authentic pirate treasures deepen the mystery. Spectral help is needed once again before more murders occur.

Ghost Moon

Officer Liam Beckett of the Key West police force finds an old man has died in his home. His granddaughter, Kelsey Donavan, returns to her former Key West home to catalog her grandfather's collections of artifacts and antiquities. But the old family home ~ Merlin House ~ gives Kelsey the feeling she is being watched. Is the house haunted; are the ghost stories true? Liam vows to protect Kelsey and discover the truth.

Characters in the Bone Island Trilogy

Photo Credit: Pedro Lastra on Unsplash

This trilogy has continuing characters that are either related or have been good friends since childhood. They are all 'conches' – the name given to those who were born and raised in Key West. There is Katie and Sean O'Hara ~ brother & sister, David and Liam Beckett ~ cousins, Jamie O'Hara ~ Katie & Sean's uncle who runs a popular bar and restaurant where Katie does 'Katie-okie' 4 nights a week and where most of the friends congregate regularly, and several couples who make regular appearances throughout the trilogy.

Then there is Bartholomew Miller, the most interesting of all the characters. You see, Bartholomew was a 'privateer' during the time pirates and privateers wreaked havoc in the Caribbean. He plied the seas for England for years and finally found a home on Bone Island. His home at the time is the house Katie now lives in, so Bartholomew shares the house with her. Katie has been able to see ghosts most of her life. Later, the ghost attaches himself to her brother Sean, and eventually to Liam. Bartholomew plays a part in helping solve the crimes and strange goings-on that occur throughout the Bone Island Trilogy.

Summary

I just recently discovered that there is a prequel to the Trilogy – Ghost Memories - and it's all about Bartholomew!

I enjoyed this trilogy very much and recommend it to readers who enjoy mystery stories that are also 'ghost stories'.

More Series by Heather Graham

*The Bone Island Trilogy book reviews written by Wednesday Elf.

+Intro Photo by Lynn Danielson on Unsplash

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Saturday, April 23, 2022

Review of Harrison Investigations

Book Series by Heather Graham

“Harrison Investigations specializes in the bizarre ~ the unexplained ~ the things that go bump in the night.:

There are those who walk among us who are no longer alive, but not yet crossed over. They stay to seek retribution or to help or watch over and protect those they love.

Among the living, few sense their presence ~ but some can!

The Harrison Investigations Series

Adam Harrison began Harrison Investigations after his son, Josh, died. Adam started putting together a team of people to look into cases with a paranormal angle because, although he didn't have the ability, Josh did, and Adam is able to recognizes it in others who can see and talk to ghosts.

Harrison Investigation Series book covers

Available on Amazon

Throughout this series of ten books, we meet many people, all trained as Private Investigators, who are able to see what exists in a slightly different dimension.

This series fits into several genres – mystery & thriller, suspense, fantasy, paranormal, Historical Romance and romantic suspense. Each story takes place in a different place and, quite often, we are given a history lesson from earlier times. You learn a bit about the history of the place going back to Civil War times and other events that occurred in the 1700s and 1800s. The current story is taking place in modern times, but the ghost(s) will be from the past. The ghost has stayed around to help or have a wrong righted.

Books in the Series

Haunted - Book 1

The series begins with Haunted, which takes place in an historic Virginia estate that dates back to the Revolutionary War. Suspecting that the house is haunted, owner Matt Stone finally allows Harrison Investigations in the form of paranormal investigator Darcy Tremayne to try and discover the truth about some strange happenings at the house.

Book #3 (Ghost Walk) finds us in New Orleans where Nikki DuMonde manages a successful haunted-tour company. Nikki doesn't scare easily until she wakes up at 4 a.m. to see her newest employee standing at the end of her bed begging for help. The next day she discovers that the employee had been killed. Nikki doesn't believe in ghosts, and no one believes her until Brent Blackhawk, a paranormal investigator able to communicate with the dead, arrives to help.

Unhallowed Ground (Harrison Investigations Book #7) takes place in Florida where Sarah McKinley has bought an historic mansion that she has always loved. While the house is being renovated, remains of dozens of bodies – some dating back over a century – are discovered in a wall.

Meanwhile Caleb Anderson, a P.I. With Harrison Investigations, is in town investigating several missing-person cases. He soon comes to believe that his cases are linked to Sarah's house and its dark past. Sarah and Caleb are compelled to research the history of the house to discover the truth.

For all ten books in the Harrison Investigation series, click here.

Summary

The characters in each book are always interesting and the ghosts are delightful. There is usually a romantic interest between the main male & female characters, of course. And the historic background of each area and place is fascinating.

An interesting fact is that the Harrison Investigation Series pre-dates the Krewe of Hunters series reviewed earlier here on ReviewThisReviews. From being private investigators for Adam Harrison, the group's crime solve-rate is so good that eventually the FBI becomes interested and the Krewe of Hunters become a group of unusual FBI agents who are called upon when something complex (and usually paranormal) is going on.

I have now read my way through both series and really enjoyed them. Therefore, I recommend them to anyone interested in this type of genre. Classic paranormal romantic suspense by Heather Graham.

*Harrison Investigations Book Series reviewed by Wednesday Elf

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Saturday, January 15, 2022

The Krewe of Hunters Book Series Review

By Heather Graham

Series Synopsis

FBI agent Adam Harrison had been involved in mysterious searches and situations so often that the government had asked him to put together a group of special teams who became known as the Krewe of Hunters. Jackson Crow, the only member chosen straight from the ranks of the FBI behavioral Sciences Department, became the leader of the original team. The other members were carefully selected by Adam Harrison and Jackson Crow for their unique talents; some from other branches of law enforcement and some who had other skills needed for investigations (computer skills, audio & visual skills, etc.). Once the teams were formed, they all went through the rigorous FBI training at Quantico.

These teams are called upon to investigate and solve strange and unusual cases. What makes these teams special is more than their skills and FBI training; it is their paranormal abilities. Each team member is able to talk to the dead. You might call these 'ghost stories' and the 'ghosts' are as interesting as the crime-fighting characters. In fact, quite often a ghost is able to help in solving a crime.

The other interesting thing about this series of books is the various locations where the investigations take place. The author adds in a bit of past history each location is famous (or infamous) for. For instance, one story takes place in Salem, Massachusetts at Halloween time. The reader gets a history lesson about the area and the Salem witch trials that occurred there in the 1700s. Another story takes us to San Antonio and the Alamo.

The book I found most interesting to date (#11 - The Night is Alive) is the one that takes place in Savannah, Georgia, because I lived in that area for almost 20 years. The restaurant & bar where the main part of the story action takes place is fictional, but all the other places mentioned are real. It was a fun trip down memory lane to read this particular mystery.

The Krewe of Hunters Series

Book 1 in the Krewe Series

There are currently 37 books in the Krewe of Hunters series. Each book features primarily one crime to be solved and while quite often several team members are sent to investigate, the focus is on one member of the team each time. That way you get to know the background of that member. That member also seems to 'meet' just the right person to fall in love with. You also get to see the relationships and working dynamics between everyone.

The series begins with the formation of the first team and by book six a second team is formed. Six members seems to be optimal for their working relationships for each team. In Book One, when the first team is formed, their first crime is located in New Orleans where the name Krewe of Hunters becomes the teams' name. And in several books there seems to be another unique person found who will be perfect for a team.

Summary

So, we have a murder mystery, a ghost story, a history lesson, and a love story in each book.

I am approximately one-third of my way through the entire series and I find each book so fascinating I don't want it to end ~ and I can hardly wait to get to the next one.

At the end of several of the books, in addition to the history of the area, the author gives us a history of the foods indigenous to the area, along with a couple recipes. An interesting and varied series of books for sure.