Title: Sacred Evil
Author: Heather Graham
Series: Krewe of Hunters #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2011

I really struggled to put this story down. I mean, it’s a tale of madness, mayhem and murder. All supported by the many theories of Jack the Ripper and his potential move to New York after his big final act. And, in true Jack the Ripper form, this is so filled with nope factor that I rushed to the end of the story. I mean, if you’re going to have a romantic suspense with connections to Jack the Ripper, it needs to be a seriously uncomfortable story.

I’ve read a few different Jack the Ripper theories, and I always want to dive more into that hellhole of theories. I mean, I completely understand why there is so much fascination around the psychopath, and I loved reading a Krewe of Hunters book which featured this. I love that looking into the history of this notorious serial killer informed the hunt for the present one. It’s obvious that Graham did her research to write this story. Which just makes it read all that much better, and so, so much harder to put down.

There wasn’t a huge amount of build up to Whitney and Jude’s love story, but I really enjoyed that they also weren’t instalove. There was a little build up to their relationship, enough that I was excited for them to get together. But not so much or little that I got frustrated with the whole situation. In fact, I love that it takes most of their case for them to build up to sexual intimacy, even as they both notice that they have feelings for one another.

I love the mixture of paranormal and intellectual crime solving. There is an element of truth throughout the story. But the presence and acceptance of ghosts leads the team to unlocking the secrets of the past. I guessed what was likely to be the culprit and final burial place of the past. But, I didn’t actually guess who the villains in the present were. Which was really fun. I normally manage to at least have an inkling of the guilty party, and this time I didn’t. Which is why I can’t wait to dive into more of the Krewe of Hunters novels!

Image source: The Big Thrill

Title: Heart of Evil
Author: Heather Graham
Series: Krewe of Hunters #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2011

Ashley and Jake had a really enjoyable second chance romance. One that was filled with forgiveness and moving forwards. But also the mystery of murder and mayhem. Although Jake and Ashley’s relationship as the backbone of this story, it was all the rest of it that had me intrigued and continuously going back for more. I didn’t mind Phantom Evil, but I really got into the groove with Heart of Evil.

I’m Australian, so I’ve never really understood the whole drive behind Civil War Reenactments. Or really, the re-enactments of any war. And after reading a book that heavily featured this, I’m still not really interested in them. However, I did love the idea of Civil War, reenactments and the ancestors of those who fought together as the backdrop of the story. Then, there’s the fact that the paranormal spectres and ghosts further the drama and nonsense of the evil. Yet, at its core, this story is still about the true evils which people can fall to.

I always love a good, believable villain. And the villain in Heart of Evil was most definitely believable. Basically he was an entitled knob and acted in a way that made me want to scream get your head out of your butt multiple times. But, again, that’s what made this story entirely believable and kind of painful to read in some ways. I mean, we all know a man that is supremely entitled and doesn’t quite understand that just because he wants, doesn’t mean he actually gets. Even though I had an inkling of who the villain was going to be, I didn’t actually guess it. It’s always nice to be surprised in a romantic suspense.

Even if I didn’t entirely dive into Phantom Evil, I couldn’t put down Heart of Evil. There was something about it that was entirely unforgettable, and I was constantly driven forwards by wondering just what was going to happen next. Where I was a bit meh about the next book in the Krewe of Hunters series to begin with, I’m now hanging to dive into Sacred Evil and continue on this amazing journey!

Image source: Indigo

Title: Phantom Evil
Author: Heather Graham
Series: Krewe of Hunters #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2011

The whole time I was reading this, I felt a little bit like I was reading an adult version of Scooby Doo. Although that could be because I recently watched the movie… But, it was still a really fun kind of Whodunnit book. Even though there is an actual paranormal aspect to this story in the form of ghosts, it’s still a crime story that is based on pure human horrible-ness. I love that although ghosts are kind of implicated in the death, it is still a human driver and motivation that is ultimately the culprit (hence the Scooby Doo feeling).

Although this is a full-length, adult novel, it’s honestly a very easy read. I mean, it’s a quick and fun journey, but also has plenty of creep factor to keep you engaged. Kind of like with a cozy mystery, it gives you the chill factor and makes you really need to solve the mystery. But not to the degree that I couldn’t read it late at night. The perfect balance, plus, the romance aspect is, again, there, and has moments of intensity, but also not overly intense.

I love that Angela and Jackson are able to slowly build their relationship. But, it was kind of secondary to the crime story line. It was a nice slow burn, with a bit of instant attraction thrown in. I also liked that Angela and Jackson are kind of the default “parents” of their new “crew”. Taking on the responsibility of others and kind of guiding them. They also both have some paranormal abilities, but, again, these are kind of secondary to the fact that there is a murderer running free…

It’s always fun to have a beginning of the series starting with the forming of a new team. It means that as you get to know the characters, the rest of the team is actually getting to know them. Now I can’t wait to read more of this series and find out more about these fun characters… and the awesome characters they fall in love with.

Image source: Amazon