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Krewe of Hunters #20
Darkest Journey
They say it's about the journey, not the destination…
Charlene "Charlie" Moreau is back in St. Francisville, Louisiana, to work on a movie. One night, she stumbles across the body of a Civil War reenactor, the second murdered in two days. Charlie is shocked to learn that her father—a guide on the Journey, a historic paddle wheeler that's sponsoring the reenactment—is a suspect.
Meanwhile, Ethan Delaney, new to the FBI's Krewe of Hunters, is brought in on the case. He and Charlie have a history of their own, dating back to when he rescued her from a graveyard—led there by a Confederate ghost!
Charlie arranges a Mississippi River cruise so she and Ethan can get close to the reenactors, find out who knows what, who has a motive. They discover a lot more as they resume the relationship that ended ten years ago…but might die, along with them, on the Journey.
Charlene "Charlie" Moreau is back in St. Francisville, Louisiana, to work on a movie. One night, she stumbles across the body of a Civil War reenactor, the second murdered in two days. Charlie is shocked to learn that her father—a guide on the Journey, a historic paddle wheeler that's sponsoring the reenactment—is a suspect.
Meanwhile, Ethan Delaney, new to the FBI's Krewe of Hunters, is brought in on the case. He and Charlie have a history of their own, dating back to when he rescued her from a graveyard—led there by a Confederate ghost!
Charlie arranges a Mississippi River cruise so she and Ethan can get close to the reenactors, find out who knows what, who has a motive. They discover a lot more as they resume the relationship that ended ten years ago…but might die, along with them, on the Journey.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 27, 2016
588 people are currently reading
2624 people want to read
About the author
Heather Graham
659 books6,828 followersAlso published as Heather Graham Pozzessere and Shannon Drake.
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.
Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.
Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.
Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.
Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.
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January 23, 2025
The Darkest Journey by Heather Graham
Krewe of Hunters series #20. Paranormal romantic suspense. Ghosts. Can be read as a stand-alone. Some of the FBI crew may show up in other books beyond the main couple.
Historical civil reenactments are popular In Louisiana and have been for years. Most of the actors have their own uniforms and pick up jobs when asked. During the filming of a new movie, Charlene Moreau stumbles over a murdered man. Since it’s the second victim in two days, FBI Special Agent Ethan Delaney is brought in to investigate. He works with Charlene since she not only found the last victim, she’s familiar with the historic paddle wheeler where the reenactment took place. He also knows Charlene from their younger days when during a hazing, she was roped to a headstone and he knows she got help, and can see ghosts.
Charlene doesn’t want to believe her father is a suspect. But why would he lie to the FBI?
Fast action thriller and series where ghosts are just a common occurrence. Those ghosts are able to help the Krewe, especially in times of danger.
Suspenseful, and dark with a touch of romance. Yes, these books are formulaic but they are also entertaining.
Krewe of Hunters series #20. Paranormal romantic suspense. Ghosts. Can be read as a stand-alone. Some of the FBI crew may show up in other books beyond the main couple.
Historical civil reenactments are popular In Louisiana and have been for years. Most of the actors have their own uniforms and pick up jobs when asked. During the filming of a new movie, Charlene Moreau stumbles over a murdered man. Since it’s the second victim in two days, FBI Special Agent Ethan Delaney is brought in to investigate. He works with Charlene since she not only found the last victim, she’s familiar with the historic paddle wheeler where the reenactment took place. He also knows Charlene from their younger days when during a hazing, she was roped to a headstone and he knows she got help, and can see ghosts.
Charlene doesn’t want to believe her father is a suspect. But why would he lie to the FBI?
Fast action thriller and series where ghosts are just a common occurrence. Those ghosts are able to help the Krewe, especially in times of danger.
Suspenseful, and dark with a touch of romance. Yes, these books are formulaic but they are also entertaining.
October 17, 2016
I think I may be growing a bit tired of the series. This one just was OK for me. It was really repetitive, The romance was lackluster. I didn't find the historical passage that interesting. There was also a conversation between some of the characters about the problems with STDs in young and old people that seemed to have come from an after school special. I think this one needed more editing and could have been shorter. It was definitely my least favorite of the "trilogy".
September 29, 2016
Charlene “Charlie” Moreau is an actress helping an old friend film a movie in St. Francisville, Louisiana when she discovers a body. When she believes she hears the dead speak to her, she requests Ethan’s services as a member of the Krewe of Hunters.
The murder mystery was interesting and I enjoyed not only tagging along as we gathered clues, but Graham also treated us to history about events and people during the Civil War. I always enjoy this added layer to these modern tales. A Confederate ghost, who once saved Charlie years ago, comes to their aid and I enjoyed the flashback scenes particularly on the Mississippi River cruise.
A second chance romance was served as a side to the murder mystery. Graham shared the history between Ethan and Charlie allowing me to connect. Charlie’s father and his engagement with Ethan kept things interesting. Graham provided heat, but keeps things mostly fade to black.
This novel loosely ties to the previous books Haunted Destiny and Deadly Fate, as key characters (couples) aid Charlie and Ethan. However, Graham reacquaints us quickly and Darkest Journey will stand on its own.
I thoroughly enjoyed Darkest Journey, although I felt the ending was a tad rushed. While the case was closed, I felt Graham did a lot of tell not show to wrap up the story and romance. It felt abrupt leaving me disappointed after such a fun read.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
The murder mystery was interesting and I enjoyed not only tagging along as we gathered clues, but Graham also treated us to history about events and people during the Civil War. I always enjoy this added layer to these modern tales. A Confederate ghost, who once saved Charlie years ago, comes to their aid and I enjoyed the flashback scenes particularly on the Mississippi River cruise.
A second chance romance was served as a side to the murder mystery. Graham shared the history between Ethan and Charlie allowing me to connect. Charlie’s father and his engagement with Ethan kept things interesting. Graham provided heat, but keeps things mostly fade to black.
This novel loosely ties to the previous books Haunted Destiny and Deadly Fate, as key characters (couples) aid Charlie and Ethan. However, Graham reacquaints us quickly and Darkest Journey will stand on its own.
I thoroughly enjoyed Darkest Journey, although I felt the ending was a tad rushed. While the case was closed, I felt Graham did a lot of tell not show to wrap up the story and romance. It felt abrupt leaving me disappointed after such a fun read.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
October 18, 2016
Not a fan of this book. I found the history to be pedantic. The characters are saccharine. And the ending ... what the hell was that ending?
October 7, 2016
After reading this book, I feel bad. I've always skipped over the Krewe of Hunter books when I saw them on special on Amazon and now I know I shouldn't have!
This novel - easy to read as a standalone - was a great cozy mystery, filled with romance, history and a bit of mystery. (But not particularly scary, if that's what you're hoping for).
Charlie is an actress, based in New Orleans, whose father is a historian aboard a restored riverboat cruise ship. She's filming a movie in her hometown, near Baton Rogue, when she stumbles upon a body, the second to show up in the small town recently. Both were teen actors and both had ties tot he riverboat. What's happening in this small Southern town? Charlie and her former flame, a member of the FBI's Krewe of Hunters, plan to find out.
The history and the ghosts add just the right amount of flare to the book, which moves at a pretty good pace. There's plenty of interesting characters and subplots to keep things going at a good clip and draw the reader into the plot.
The history is also impeccable and really cool.
The ending was a little lackluster, but still good. For some of the cozies like this, the whodunnit is a little less important than the sense of anticipation leading up to it. By the end, I wanted to see more about what was going to happen to some of the characters, rather than "whodunnit."
However, it did feel a little abrupt. But I'm assuming that's because these characters will be back, like characters from elsewhere in the series showed up I this one.
From now on, I will not be passing the Krewe by!
This novel - easy to read as a standalone - was a great cozy mystery, filled with romance, history and a bit of mystery. (But not particularly scary, if that's what you're hoping for).
Charlie is an actress, based in New Orleans, whose father is a historian aboard a restored riverboat cruise ship. She's filming a movie in her hometown, near Baton Rogue, when she stumbles upon a body, the second to show up in the small town recently. Both were teen actors and both had ties tot he riverboat. What's happening in this small Southern town? Charlie and her former flame, a member of the FBI's Krewe of Hunters, plan to find out.
The history and the ghosts add just the right amount of flare to the book, which moves at a pretty good pace. There's plenty of interesting characters and subplots to keep things going at a good clip and draw the reader into the plot.
The history is also impeccable and really cool.
The ending was a little lackluster, but still good. For some of the cozies like this, the whodunnit is a little less important than the sense of anticipation leading up to it. By the end, I wanted to see more about what was going to happen to some of the characters, rather than "whodunnit."
However, it did feel a little abrupt. But I'm assuming that's because these characters will be back, like characters from elsewhere in the series showed up I this one.
From now on, I will not be passing the Krewe by!
September 16, 2017
I had read a few other books by this author ,that takes place on the Celtic cruise line, so I went for the third. It did not live up to the other two. There was plenty of Cival War details that I enjoyed, but the murder mystery lacked luster. Two men die days apart in their reenactment uniforms, both are good men, who seem to have no enemies. There were lots of false leads, that led no where .The paranormal ghosts of the civil war actually added depth to the book. The romance was Luke warm, and so was the ending. I have read several of her books that I would say we're very good. This one seemed to just add a new murder, to old settings, with similar people in it. Nothing to really cheer about. I do like the characters as they seem to care about each other, but even they lacked the ability to figure out motives, or any possible murderer, they skipped back and forth. The romance does not need to be steamy, but tender, and moving would have,helped. The ending came out of no where, and after all the history, ghosts, and shooting the film, of the battle, seemed at odds with the story..A three for me out of respect for her other books. This seemed like a bunch of facts thrown together, with little surprise or feeling.
August 16, 2018
Enquanto lia "Free Fall" de Catherine Mann, tive uma vontade tão grande de ler este livro, que não consegui resistir. Infelizmente as expetativas não foram atingidas sequer. Gostei da forma como os fantasmas foram introduzidos e fazem tão grande parte da narrativa mas a investigação policial foi mesmo muito, muito fraca. O final também foi tão súbito que fiquei na dúvida se tinha acabado mesmo.
Será assim em todos os livros? Afinal, este já é o vigésimo da série e as séries prolongadas tendem a perder muito e serem bastantes diferentes dos volumes iniciais.
Será assim em todos os livros? Afinal, este já é o vigésimo da série e as séries prolongadas tendem a perder muito e serem bastantes diferentes dos volumes iniciais.
February 8, 2019
Stars: 3 / 5
Recommendation: Yes, pick up the series for a mystery involving paranormal elements, historical flair and the romantic side of the plot, sometimes giving shivers and sometimes just thrills.
Darkest Journey is the twentieth book in the Krewe of Hunters series by Heather Graham and published in September of 2016. The plot centers around Charlene "Charlie" Moreau - an up and coming actress - and Ethan Delaney - FBI Special Agent with The Krewe, the first team. The plot is set in St. Francisville, Louisiana and extends to New Orleans too, aboard the historic Celtic American Cruise-Line, the Journey. It is set right after the events in Deadly Fate.
This book forms the third and final book in the fourth trilogy within the series - first book being the Haunted Destiny and second book being Deadly Fate; with each book in the trilogy set on a cruise ship belonging to Celtic American Cruise-Line company. This one is set on the cruise ship called, Journey. First trilogy consisted of the ninth book The Night is Watching; the tenth book The Night is Alive; the eleventh book The Night is Forever. Second trilogy consisted of the 12th book The Cursed, 13th book the Hexed and 14th book The Betrayed. Third Trilogy consisted of the 15th book The Silenced, 16th book The Forgotten and the 17th book The Hidden.
Krewe are a secret FBI unit with each member of the unit honing a particular psychic talent of their own, making them the paranormal investigating team. This unit was created to deal with murders having supernatural undertones and paranormal activities. Headed by paranormal investigator Adam Harrison, this elite unit is called on to solve cases linked to historical and paranormal mystery involving legendary crime and serial killings, war events and hauntings. The Krewe are divided into three distinct groups. The first group is led by Jackson Crow, who is also the Assistant Director of the Krewe, and called as the original Krewe of Hunters; the second group is led by Texas Ranger Logan Raintree and called as the Texas Krewe; the third group is Yankee Krewe, based in NYC, overseen by Jackson Crow. A possibility of a fourth group in Miami, FL is touched upon in the 17th book The Hidden.
Charlene "Charlie" Moreau comes back to St. Francisville, Louisiana, to work on a film, ends up stumbling upon a Civil War reenactor, the second one to be murdered. And all her memories of the past come floating back.
Ethan Delaney, the lead FBI Special Agent from The Krewe on the case, comes to Charlie's aid when the case hits too close to home. They have a brief history that tempts to become something more in the present. Midst all this, Ethan is worried that she could be the next target of the killer, just like so many years ago. And now they have to take the darkest journey across the Mississippi River to find the real killers.
This being the final part in the trilogy, one would expect characters to follow too, along with the Krewe of Hunters who aid in this case - Jackson Crow, Special Agent in Charge and his wife Angela Hawkins; Aiden Mahoney, whom we had met in the 14th book The Betrayed; Jude McCoy, whom we met in Haunted Destiny; Thor Erikson, whom we had met in Deadly Fate; along with Jude and Thor's fiancées Alexi Cromwell and Clara Avery.
But Heather Graham again has the list of all her characters in the beginning of the book just like the previous one giving the reader a view into who they will encounter along the way.
At the end of Deadly Fate, we had seen that Adam Harrison has asked Clara Avery to be the artistic director of the historic theater he had purchased. Naturally we would have expected for Alexi Cromwell, Jude's fiancée, to be part of it as well. And so does Charlie Moreau belong to that restoration; thus keeping the flow not only in the characters but also in the scenes within the plots between the books.
Heather Graham in one conversation between Charlie and Ethan's friends has them comparing the duo to Nick and Nora Charles famed for the Thin Man film series; Remington Steele; Dana Scully and Fox Mulder from The X-Files Series; and Booth and Brennan from the TV Series Bones. Interestingly enough each of the series mentioned have been my favorites and I have watched quite a few episodes of them. Pleased to see them listed by Heather too.
The plot started off really really great and it was beginning to be one of my favorite books in the series. But then as in every book, Heather has her heroine go alone to meet the bad guys in the end despite how much the FBI agents protest, without letting them know where she is going.
What is the use of having all that protection around, and able people who actually want to help and investigate the crimes, when the heroine goes off on her own? Isn't there something called trust that she should have on the law enforcement? If she doesn’t have why does she even call them for help in the first place? It is so frustrating to see the same kind of ending in every plot. I wish the heroines take help of the FBI agents more when they actually need.
Second thing that made me starting to have second thoughts about the book, was the abrupt way Heather ended the plot. No epilogue to explain some of the loose ends. And also she doesn’t give any explanation as to why the protagonist Ethan Delaney resembles the long ago dead Captain Anson McKee; no genealogy discussion and ancestry connections.
So in the end I am torn in my opinion with this book, I love this book as much as I dislike the ending.
I see a pattern to Heather Graham's stories in the Harrison Investigations and Krewe of Hunters series, apart from the presence of ghosts and spirits. Usually the stories revolve around historical inferences, somehow connecting the past to the present either by way of characters or incidents and they involve hidden tunnels be it in cemetery or old houses or mortuaries. Always has one new pair of Krewe of Hunters or Harrison Investigations investigators. I wonder if Heather will add a third twist to the plot.
As always there are historic and paranormal references from past are given to the reader with artifacts, events and places. This time referencing to history behind the ceremony The Day the War Stopped; about the cruise ship, the Journey; the cities that Journey takes from St. Francisville to New Orleans.
Readers would find a page at the end, instead of hard-card inserts, where it gives them an opportunity to either join a book club and win books, or buy a book and get a few free. Again there are very few grammatical or character or location errors in this book. So someone did a good job of editing.
A very good mingle of murder and mystery; past and present; free masons and environmentalists; and above all romance and love. Although for most part a successful thriller in the series of books under Krewe of Hunters by Heather Graham that is an easy ready and still enjoyable; I still would have liked more at the end.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot Reveals:
a. Beginning of the book, Heather Graham mentions about a serial killer around Baton Rouge, LA, when the lead character Charlene "Charlie" Moreau was a teenager. And later she eludes that the serial killer was apprehended and he died of a stroke in prison. I read a series by Lisa Jackson, New Orleans Series (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), revolving around Detectives Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya, that had covered a serial killer in Baton Rouge, LA. But none of the previous books of Heather had a plot in Baton Rouge with an active serial killer although she has references to that place when the investigators pass through.
b. The Krewe of Hunters have their own plane now, courtesy of Adam Harrison's financing.
c. Chance Morgan, the photographer of the movie set, can also see ghosts. So will there be a plot for him by Heather?
2. Sub Plots:
a. In eleventh book, The Night Is Forever, Dustin Blake was part of an FBI team consisting of Grant Shelby, Cindy Greenstreet and Jerry Gunter. I am wondering why Heather Graham had mentioned them in detail. Will they resurface in future plots?
b. Dustin Blake has a sister Rayna Blake who is a Nashville sensation - a country music singer. Another character for a future book, perhaps.
c. Katie O'Hara and David Beckett are two characters in The Cursed plot. And a history into their background paused me to think they might be characters from another of Heather Graham book. I was pretty sure they weren't from Krewe of Hunters or Harrison Investigation series. A little dig on google pointed me to Ghost Shadow, the first book in Bone Island Series by Heather Graham published in 2010. Having not yet read that series, I am curious if Hannah O'Brien or Liam Beckett, David's brother, appear in that book as well.
d. Jane Everett and Sloan Trent were part of Team Two: Texas Krewe. But in The Betrayed, Heather mentions that they were going to be permanent members of the Yankee Krewe. Have to read the rest of the books to know if that is where she sends them.
e. In the 16th book The Forgotten, Dr. Phil Kinny seemed to have paranormal abilities. Will he be a main character in another book?
f. In Haunted Destiny, Heather Graham introduces us to the large family of Alexi Cromwell, albeit only as a conversation - her parents, a brother who is an artist, a sister Sienna who is a doctor. Curiously enough only Sienna's name is mentioned in the plot and none of the other family members. Perhaps we might see Sienna again.
g. Heather introduced Mike Aklaq as Thor Erikson's partner in Deadly Fate. I would love to see a story for him in future.
h. At the end of Deadly Fate, Clara Avery gets to be artistic director of Adam Harrison's new acquisition - a historical theater in Alexandria, VA.
3. Grammatical / Historical / Location / Character Errors:
a. In several cases Heather refers to Adam Harrison as the head of the Krewe of Hunters and Jackson Crow as the Assistant Director. However in this book, she refers Adam as the Special Assistant Director and Jackson as Special Agent In Charge. What are their roles exactly? The former? Or Latter?
b. On Pg. 139, Line 21, it should be "Chance" instead of "Chase". Heather made an error with naming the character.
Recommendation: Yes, pick up the series for a mystery involving paranormal elements, historical flair and the romantic side of the plot, sometimes giving shivers and sometimes just thrills.
Darkest Journey is the twentieth book in the Krewe of Hunters series by Heather Graham and published in September of 2016. The plot centers around Charlene "Charlie" Moreau - an up and coming actress - and Ethan Delaney - FBI Special Agent with The Krewe, the first team. The plot is set in St. Francisville, Louisiana and extends to New Orleans too, aboard the historic Celtic American Cruise-Line, the Journey. It is set right after the events in Deadly Fate.
This book forms the third and final book in the fourth trilogy within the series - first book being the Haunted Destiny and second book being Deadly Fate; with each book in the trilogy set on a cruise ship belonging to Celtic American Cruise-Line company. This one is set on the cruise ship called, Journey. First trilogy consisted of the ninth book The Night is Watching; the tenth book The Night is Alive; the eleventh book The Night is Forever. Second trilogy consisted of the 12th book The Cursed, 13th book the Hexed and 14th book The Betrayed. Third Trilogy consisted of the 15th book The Silenced, 16th book The Forgotten and the 17th book The Hidden.
Krewe are a secret FBI unit with each member of the unit honing a particular psychic talent of their own, making them the paranormal investigating team. This unit was created to deal with murders having supernatural undertones and paranormal activities. Headed by paranormal investigator Adam Harrison, this elite unit is called on to solve cases linked to historical and paranormal mystery involving legendary crime and serial killings, war events and hauntings. The Krewe are divided into three distinct groups. The first group is led by Jackson Crow, who is also the Assistant Director of the Krewe, and called as the original Krewe of Hunters; the second group is led by Texas Ranger Logan Raintree and called as the Texas Krewe; the third group is Yankee Krewe, based in NYC, overseen by Jackson Crow. A possibility of a fourth group in Miami, FL is touched upon in the 17th book The Hidden.
Charlene "Charlie" Moreau comes back to St. Francisville, Louisiana, to work on a film, ends up stumbling upon a Civil War reenactor, the second one to be murdered. And all her memories of the past come floating back.
Ethan Delaney, the lead FBI Special Agent from The Krewe on the case, comes to Charlie's aid when the case hits too close to home. They have a brief history that tempts to become something more in the present. Midst all this, Ethan is worried that she could be the next target of the killer, just like so many years ago. And now they have to take the darkest journey across the Mississippi River to find the real killers.
This being the final part in the trilogy, one would expect characters to follow too, along with the Krewe of Hunters who aid in this case - Jackson Crow, Special Agent in Charge and his wife Angela Hawkins; Aiden Mahoney, whom we had met in the 14th book The Betrayed; Jude McCoy, whom we met in Haunted Destiny; Thor Erikson, whom we had met in Deadly Fate; along with Jude and Thor's fiancées Alexi Cromwell and Clara Avery.
But Heather Graham again has the list of all her characters in the beginning of the book just like the previous one giving the reader a view into who they will encounter along the way.
At the end of Deadly Fate, we had seen that Adam Harrison has asked Clara Avery to be the artistic director of the historic theater he had purchased. Naturally we would have expected for Alexi Cromwell, Jude's fiancée, to be part of it as well. And so does Charlie Moreau belong to that restoration; thus keeping the flow not only in the characters but also in the scenes within the plots between the books.
Heather Graham in one conversation between Charlie and Ethan's friends has them comparing the duo to Nick and Nora Charles famed for the Thin Man film series; Remington Steele; Dana Scully and Fox Mulder from The X-Files Series; and Booth and Brennan from the TV Series Bones. Interestingly enough each of the series mentioned have been my favorites and I have watched quite a few episodes of them. Pleased to see them listed by Heather too.
The plot started off really really great and it was beginning to be one of my favorite books in the series. But then as in every book, Heather has her heroine go alone to meet the bad guys in the end despite how much the FBI agents protest, without letting them know where she is going.
What is the use of having all that protection around, and able people who actually want to help and investigate the crimes, when the heroine goes off on her own? Isn't there something called trust that she should have on the law enforcement? If she doesn’t have why does she even call them for help in the first place? It is so frustrating to see the same kind of ending in every plot. I wish the heroines take help of the FBI agents more when they actually need.
Second thing that made me starting to have second thoughts about the book, was the abrupt way Heather ended the plot. No epilogue to explain some of the loose ends. And also she doesn’t give any explanation as to why the protagonist Ethan Delaney resembles the long ago dead Captain Anson McKee; no genealogy discussion and ancestry connections.
So in the end I am torn in my opinion with this book, I love this book as much as I dislike the ending.
I see a pattern to Heather Graham's stories in the Harrison Investigations and Krewe of Hunters series, apart from the presence of ghosts and spirits. Usually the stories revolve around historical inferences, somehow connecting the past to the present either by way of characters or incidents and they involve hidden tunnels be it in cemetery or old houses or mortuaries. Always has one new pair of Krewe of Hunters or Harrison Investigations investigators. I wonder if Heather will add a third twist to the plot.
As always there are historic and paranormal references from past are given to the reader with artifacts, events and places. This time referencing to history behind the ceremony The Day the War Stopped; about the cruise ship, the Journey; the cities that Journey takes from St. Francisville to New Orleans.
Readers would find a page at the end, instead of hard-card inserts, where it gives them an opportunity to either join a book club and win books, or buy a book and get a few free. Again there are very few grammatical or character or location errors in this book. So someone did a good job of editing.
A very good mingle of murder and mystery; past and present; free masons and environmentalists; and above all romance and love. Although for most part a successful thriller in the series of books under Krewe of Hunters by Heather Graham that is an easy ready and still enjoyable; I still would have liked more at the end.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot Reveals:
a. Beginning of the book, Heather Graham mentions about a serial killer around Baton Rouge, LA, when the lead character Charlene "Charlie" Moreau was a teenager. And later she eludes that the serial killer was apprehended and he died of a stroke in prison. I read a series by Lisa Jackson, New Orleans Series (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...), revolving around Detectives Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya, that had covered a serial killer in Baton Rouge, LA. But none of the previous books of Heather had a plot in Baton Rouge with an active serial killer although she has references to that place when the investigators pass through.
b. The Krewe of Hunters have their own plane now, courtesy of Adam Harrison's financing.
c. Chance Morgan, the photographer of the movie set, can also see ghosts. So will there be a plot for him by Heather?
2. Sub Plots:
a. In eleventh book, The Night Is Forever, Dustin Blake was part of an FBI team consisting of Grant Shelby, Cindy Greenstreet and Jerry Gunter. I am wondering why Heather Graham had mentioned them in detail. Will they resurface in future plots?
b. Dustin Blake has a sister Rayna Blake who is a Nashville sensation - a country music singer. Another character for a future book, perhaps.
c. Katie O'Hara and David Beckett are two characters in The Cursed plot. And a history into their background paused me to think they might be characters from another of Heather Graham book. I was pretty sure they weren't from Krewe of Hunters or Harrison Investigation series. A little dig on google pointed me to Ghost Shadow, the first book in Bone Island Series by Heather Graham published in 2010. Having not yet read that series, I am curious if Hannah O'Brien or Liam Beckett, David's brother, appear in that book as well.
d. Jane Everett and Sloan Trent were part of Team Two: Texas Krewe. But in The Betrayed, Heather mentions that they were going to be permanent members of the Yankee Krewe. Have to read the rest of the books to know if that is where she sends them.
e. In the 16th book The Forgotten, Dr. Phil Kinny seemed to have paranormal abilities. Will he be a main character in another book?
f. In Haunted Destiny, Heather Graham introduces us to the large family of Alexi Cromwell, albeit only as a conversation - her parents, a brother who is an artist, a sister Sienna who is a doctor. Curiously enough only Sienna's name is mentioned in the plot and none of the other family members. Perhaps we might see Sienna again.
g. Heather introduced Mike Aklaq as Thor Erikson's partner in Deadly Fate. I would love to see a story for him in future.
h. At the end of Deadly Fate, Clara Avery gets to be artistic director of Adam Harrison's new acquisition - a historical theater in Alexandria, VA.
3. Grammatical / Historical / Location / Character Errors:
a. In several cases Heather refers to Adam Harrison as the head of the Krewe of Hunters and Jackson Crow as the Assistant Director. However in this book, she refers Adam as the Special Assistant Director and Jackson as Special Agent In Charge. What are their roles exactly? The former? Or Latter?
b. On Pg. 139, Line 21, it should be "Chance" instead of "Chase". Heather made an error with naming the character.
October 27, 2016
I was going to give this book 4 stars but the typos and the huge glaring error at the beginning upset me too much. On page 21 in the paperback copy, Ethan states that his mother is in NOLA with his father. On the next page, Ethan then says, "My mom can make you some tea or something." They aren't in New Orleans. He was inviting her back to his home in St. Francisville. If an author with an army of editors can leave a mistake like this behind, then how can indie authors be attacked for our few typos?
Besides the mistakes, I like the story, a paranormal murder mystery with ghostly soldiers from the Civil War period. There is a love story between Ethan and Charlie. Heather Graham always includes a love story. The mystery plays out nicely.
The ending leaves more to be desired. The book just ends like the director has yelled out, "Cut!" I understand that the author now writes about a book a month, but she could've ended it properly.
Besides the mistakes, I like the story, a paranormal murder mystery with ghostly soldiers from the Civil War period. There is a love story between Ethan and Charlie. Heather Graham always includes a love story. The mystery plays out nicely.
The ending leaves more to be desired. The book just ends like the director has yelled out, "Cut!" I understand that the author now writes about a book a month, but she could've ended it properly.
January 29, 2017
I'm not sure what's going on with heather graham's writing lately. Short sentences, too many exclamation marks, and a lot of just filler. I found myself flipping pages because of all the useless filler.
Last chapter was suddenly like she had to fit an ending into just a few pages. It was rushed, and should have been riveting considering it was the conclusion. It fell WAY flat.
I have always loved the Krewe books, but this last trilogy has left me thinking that I may have to give up on them. Very disappointed.
Last chapter was suddenly like she had to fit an ending into just a few pages. It was rushed, and should have been riveting considering it was the conclusion. It fell WAY flat.
I have always loved the Krewe books, but this last trilogy has left me thinking that I may have to give up on them. Very disappointed.
December 31, 2018
I can never go wrong with reading a Heather Graham book! This one did not disappoint! It was full of suspense, a little romance and a whole lot of possible suspects. This one really threw me for a loop. I thought that I had the suspect narrowed down to three possible people. But in true Heather Graham style she delivered a huge surprise at the end that I did not see coming! Great book and always rich with history!
October 26, 2016
Great story! Enjoyed Charlie and Ethan!
December 7, 2016
Another enjoyable story. A little to much of a history back ground in this one though.
April 28, 2023
This is the first one in the series I didn’t like.
Some of the exposition is really clunky and delivered in an unnatural way. It’s something I’ve noticed as the series goes on.
Some parts just made me groan. For example: I get it- the characters had this connection when they were younger and she was hot or whatever. That doesn’t mean we need to go over and over it about why the underage girl was tempting. It’s kind of skeevy that he has to repeat to himself and others that it was the right thing to turn the underage girl down. Like, seriously good for him, but we didn’t need it that much.
My main issue was the main character. Charlie was awful. Like, seriously- she should have stayed out of it. For once it had nothing to do with her. It makes it seem like she’s instantly a possible victim but doesn’t really make sense at that point in the story. Honestly, Charlie was just annoying as hell, and I didn’t enjoy reading her. It’s like she wants to be the crime solver civilian but is just doing nothing of value. It literally happens that: I found something important to the case, but I’m going to without it from the actual cops I called in to investigate it. It’s that level of useless.
Then there’s her getting pissy every time Ethan tries to do his job, because she doesn’t like where it’s going (she might be right, but the defence lawyer would have a field day if the cops didn’t investigate something because the agent’s girlfriend threw a fit and insisted her loved one couldn’t be a bad guy, even when withheld information multiple times). This is the only main character in this series I have actively disliked and she made the book really hard to read. I did not enjoy any moment she was on page.
Her father? Also an idiot. Thankfully Ethan and Jude were legit, though WAY too understanding about people keeping shot about their active investigation to themselves so people they like wouldn’t be implicated.
Also, this didn’t feel very procedural. Aside from lots of talking to people, very little police work was on the page and this and was boring without it.
The history lecture was hilarious- long winded about how the population was divided and how confederate generals didn’t really want to fight…and one line of BTW slavery was a states right they were concerned about moving on. It’s like…damn is this book trying not to offend anyone
We have to spend a chunk of book we know and keep repeating isn’t going to go anywhere. Why even introduce it then? The entire trip up the river was a useless waste of time, where nothing of consequence happened (literally they could have done it all by phone). What a weak and lacklustre motive, and my god what a rushed and abrupt ending. I got there and legit thought I had missed pages. It just ends out of nowhere. Did she just not know how to write the falling action for this?
It’s not this book in particular because it’s a genre trope, but why the ever loving hell do they never tell the FBI agents that someone has kidnapped their loved one and telling them to come alone? They’re FBI agents. They’ll have a plan, or at least know where to look when you walk into the obvious trap to kill you.
So yeah, nothing to recommend with this one, but it’s not enough for me to give up the series.
January 17, 2018
Darkest Journey is by Heather Graham. It is a Krewe of Hunters novel. Heather is a great writer of mysteries and suspense. This is one of her best.
Charlie Moreau has come home to St. Francisville, Louisiana to work on a film her friends are financing. It deals with an oil magnate wanting some land and trying to get it illegally. She finds out about it and is going to turn them in. She races for her life through the cemetery where they had met only to find her life saved by a regiment of Civil War soldiers of both sides. Charlie knew the stories of the Civil War well as her Father was a historian and a tour guide on a Mississippi riverboat. She grew up hearing their stories and singing their songs. What she was afraid of was finding dead bodies which she did while filming this scene. She called in the help of Ethan Delaney, an old friend, because this case was involving dead soldiers who talked to her.
Having grown up in St. Francisville and having seen ghosts himself, Ethan was on a special FBI group known as Krewes Hunters. They investigated the paranormal in their investigations, quietly of course. Since he was from this area, he was the agent who was sent. Investigating not one but three murders during his time here, he was kept busy. The FBI could not find a connection between the two men and one woman which should be the cause of their deaths. The only connection seemed to be Charlie’s Father and the riverboat. What will Ethan find as he work sthe investigation and tries to keep Charlie from being the next victim?
Charlie Moreau has come home to St. Francisville, Louisiana to work on a film her friends are financing. It deals with an oil magnate wanting some land and trying to get it illegally. She finds out about it and is going to turn them in. She races for her life through the cemetery where they had met only to find her life saved by a regiment of Civil War soldiers of both sides. Charlie knew the stories of the Civil War well as her Father was a historian and a tour guide on a Mississippi riverboat. She grew up hearing their stories and singing their songs. What she was afraid of was finding dead bodies which she did while filming this scene. She called in the help of Ethan Delaney, an old friend, because this case was involving dead soldiers who talked to her.
Having grown up in St. Francisville and having seen ghosts himself, Ethan was on a special FBI group known as Krewes Hunters. They investigated the paranormal in their investigations, quietly of course. Since he was from this area, he was the agent who was sent. Investigating not one but three murders during his time here, he was kept busy. The FBI could not find a connection between the two men and one woman which should be the cause of their deaths. The only connection seemed to be Charlie’s Father and the riverboat. What will Ethan find as he work sthe investigation and tries to keep Charlie from being the next victim?
April 26, 2019
Just a warning in the very, very beginning: I didn’t like that the prologue was left with a cliff hanger. It made reading the first chapter harder to focus.
In Chapter 5, Ethan shared the story of him and Charlie waiting for the police in the graveyard 10 years ago. Yet this version has the killer coming out at Charlie in a bazerk manner with Charlie standing to take him straight on. Yet an earlier telling of the story says that the killer came up from behind Charlie and a ghost alerted Ethan to him in order to take the killer down. Conflicting stories...
Overall concept note: As someone who has made a career in film/video (studied film, and degrees in it too), there was no such thing as one take! You need at least two, one being a “safety” shot. Maybe that’s a given/in between the lines sort of thing here, but it did slightly enrage me.
Clara mentioned how they have a husky, but in the previous novel there was two - a brother and a sister huskies. Overall, this was an issue. Really disappointed in this novel due to the inconsistencies.
In the end, I didn’t understand why Barry and Grant were the murders. Other than being shareholders in Glidan Oil, there wasn’t a long explanation. For me, there wasn’t enough character build for these two.
There was also no epilogue, which I was ok with. It would have been nice to follow the usual organization like the others, but if it was over, it was over. Actually thinking about it more, it would have been nice to see where Ethan, Charlie and her father faired a few months later and how the film did
2 out of 5 stars
In Chapter 5, Ethan shared the story of him and Charlie waiting for the police in the graveyard 10 years ago. Yet this version has the killer coming out at Charlie in a bazerk manner with Charlie standing to take him straight on. Yet an earlier telling of the story says that the killer came up from behind Charlie and a ghost alerted Ethan to him in order to take the killer down. Conflicting stories...
Overall concept note: As someone who has made a career in film/video (studied film, and degrees in it too), there was no such thing as one take! You need at least two, one being a “safety” shot. Maybe that’s a given/in between the lines sort of thing here, but it did slightly enrage me.
Clara mentioned how they have a husky, but in the previous novel there was two - a brother and a sister huskies. Overall, this was an issue. Really disappointed in this novel due to the inconsistencies.
In the end, I didn’t understand why Barry and Grant were the murders. Other than being shareholders in Glidan Oil, there wasn’t a long explanation. For me, there wasn’t enough character build for these two.
There was also no epilogue, which I was ok with. It would have been nice to follow the usual organization like the others, but if it was over, it was over. Actually thinking about it more, it would have been nice to see where Ethan, Charlie and her father faired a few months later and how the film did
2 out of 5 stars
July 16, 2017
This was awful. Poorly-written, saccharine drivel. For example, look at this paragraph of dialogue:
This is the heroine talking to the love interest. Some one she went to high school with, who knows all this already, and who probably also knows that she knows all this already. Who talks like this? Someone practicing to be a narrator?
Also every one was too black and white to be believable. The protagonists were all golden boys and angels, and the killers Not a single character had any depth to them. Even the ghost aspect wasn't interesting. You would think a series about a branch of the FBI that specializes in seeing ghosts would have some interesting tactics to use that in their investigations. Convince the ghosts to spy for you, because most people can't see them or something. But no, they function pretty much like living people and just act as extra witnesses to interview, not even particularly useful witnesses at that. Mostly they just pop up and go "Oooo, you're in danger." Great, that helps a lot. Do yourself a favor and skip this one.
I only vaguely remember him from school. Like you, he was three years older--a huge difference back then--and I know you were both on the football team. He seemed like a decent man when I talked to him last night.
This is the heroine talking to the love interest. Some one she went to high school with, who knows all this already, and who probably also knows that she knows all this already. Who talks like this? Someone practicing to be a narrator?
Also every one was too black and white to be believable. The protagonists were all golden boys and angels, and the killers Not a single character had any depth to them. Even the ghost aspect wasn't interesting. You would think a series about a branch of the FBI that specializes in seeing ghosts would have some interesting tactics to use that in their investigations. Convince the ghosts to spy for you, because most people can't see them or something. But no, they function pretty much like living people and just act as extra witnesses to interview, not even particularly useful witnesses at that. Mostly they just pop up and go "Oooo, you're in danger." Great, that helps a lot. Do yourself a favor and skip this one.
December 31, 2018
Charlene "Charlie" Moreau is working on a film, a reenactment ,all the actors have time and money invested in the project. It is a work of love more than a job, part horror part history, then the body is found. Charlie accidentally finds a shallow grave the victim is another volunteer but not here, he worked on the Journey, her fathers boat, a business man with many interest. Then another is killed , another volunteer actor and friend to the first victim.
Ethan Delaney, FBI agent and new member of the Krewe of hunters has a history with Charlie, they grew up together, experienced a serial killer and they both have another talent, they see and speak with the dead. Charlie has also had a attraction to Ethan as he does her though neither has spoken of it. Now through friends she has Ethan assigned to this case. Soon it appears the killer thinks Charlie knows more than she does, shes in danger and she is in danger of losing her heart to Ethan after all these years.
This was an interesting read both for the history as well as the mystery. Ethan and Charlies story is well told and a slow building romance, not sure love like this exists anymore but enjoy the story line and look forward to the next.
Ethan Delaney, FBI agent and new member of the Krewe of hunters has a history with Charlie, they grew up together, experienced a serial killer and they both have another talent, they see and speak with the dead. Charlie has also had a attraction to Ethan as he does her though neither has spoken of it. Now through friends she has Ethan assigned to this case. Soon it appears the killer thinks Charlie knows more than she does, shes in danger and she is in danger of losing her heart to Ethan after all these years.
This was an interesting read both for the history as well as the mystery. Ethan and Charlies story is well told and a slow building romance, not sure love like this exists anymore but enjoy the story line and look forward to the next.
August 8, 2017
Journey is another Celtic Amerian Cruise ship ... this one specializes in Civil War era. Charlie is an actor who has worked with Alexi and Clara ... and her father works on "The Journey" as a storyteller.
10 years before Charlie and Ethan helped catch a serial killer. While they had mutual attraction, Ethan (who was already in college) did the right thing and discouraged 16 year old Charlie.
Now, Charlie finds a dead body ... and uses her connection with Alexi & Clara to get Ethan assigned to the case. Charlie helps Ethan, whether he wants it or not ... and eventually they act on feelings they still have for each other. Eventually Alexi & Clara decide to come down and become "Southern Belles" on "The Journey" to help with the investigation ... along with Jude & Thor.
I love, love, love the Civil War ghosts that play into this story. The actual murders (and the motive) was a bit more mundane, but I really loved all of the characters involved. Charlie's dad kind of drove me nuts with all the info he kept withholding though.
10 years before Charlie and Ethan helped catch a serial killer. While they had mutual attraction, Ethan (who was already in college) did the right thing and discouraged 16 year old Charlie.
Now, Charlie finds a dead body ... and uses her connection with Alexi & Clara to get Ethan assigned to the case. Charlie helps Ethan, whether he wants it or not ... and eventually they act on feelings they still have for each other. Eventually Alexi & Clara decide to come down and become "Southern Belles" on "The Journey" to help with the investigation ... along with Jude & Thor.
I love, love, love the Civil War ghosts that play into this story. The actual murders (and the motive) was a bit more mundane, but I really loved all of the characters involved. Charlie's dad kind of drove me nuts with all the info he kept withholding though.
September 19, 2020
Charlie was pledging an exclusive club in her high school near New Orleans but drew the line when the older girls along with their boyfriends tied her to a gravestone while she was blindfolded and left her to stay there overnight even though there had recently been a rash of murders of young women. Had Ethan Delaney gotten a feeling that compelled to go to the area where Charlie (Charlene) was, she likely wouldn't have survived the night. Not only did he free her from the ropes but as they were waiting for the police to arrive, the killer came at her. She was saved when Ethan, a football player, tackled the attacker. As the book opens, It is ten years hence and murder has once again come to rural south Louisiana. Charlie contacted the Krewe of Hunters and made the case convincingly enough that what was happening was appropriate for the Krewe to investigate. She also specifically requested Ethan. I enjoyed this novel and recommend it to those who like mystery with a bit of romance and the paranormal.
April 14, 2022
Really sick of this author always setting her books in the south and talking about the civil war as if that is her fave subject or she thinks it is original.
Had to skim the last part of the book and didn't read the sex scenes just to learn who did it and it was a boring end the spirits did rise as they did in the movie but it was so blah and so unneccessary. Anti climatic because you knew it was coming and they really didn't actually do anything.
The book was over 300 pages and it really only needed to be 180 or 190.
I normally like the Krewe books but not this one. They are formulaic which I like but they really do need to be shorter. I couldn't remember who was who and I didn't really have any investment in the story or the dead soldiers or anything since the civil war is not my thing and that stupid ghost at the graveyard could have told the woman who was doing the bad stuff but didn't. Its just a mess when you have characters who can talk to ghosts and you as an author try not to use them to solve the crime very easily.
Had to skim the last part of the book and didn't read the sex scenes just to learn who did it and it was a boring end the spirits did rise as they did in the movie but it was so blah and so unneccessary. Anti climatic because you knew it was coming and they really didn't actually do anything.
The book was over 300 pages and it really only needed to be 180 or 190.
I normally like the Krewe books but not this one. They are formulaic which I like but they really do need to be shorter. I couldn't remember who was who and I didn't really have any investment in the story or the dead soldiers or anything since the civil war is not my thing and that stupid ghost at the graveyard could have told the woman who was doing the bad stuff but didn't. Its just a mess when you have characters who can talk to ghosts and you as an author try not to use them to solve the crime very easily.
July 15, 2020
Once again, Heather Graham has created another thrilling and deadly adventure. This is the twentieth book in the Krewe Hunter series. An FBI paranormal crime investigators. They find serial killers and help the dead find peace at last. Heather Graham combines romance, humor, mystery, and suspense all in one epic book. In each book there is a little bit of a historical journey that combines with the characters present day of events.
Murder, mayhem, and danger exist on every page. The agents have to really watch their backs. The serial killers are exceptional at taking the agents unaware. Here, two future members for the Krewe Hunters will meet again and face both the past and present moments. This time, there is a serial killer to catch. The ghosts will have their hands full in keeping the agents alive in order to stop the killer. Overall, Darkest Journey was another dark mystery that kept me hooked.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
Murder, mayhem, and danger exist on every page. The agents have to really watch their backs. The serial killers are exceptional at taking the agents unaware. Here, two future members for the Krewe Hunters will meet again and face both the past and present moments. This time, there is a serial killer to catch. The ghosts will have their hands full in keeping the agents alive in order to stop the killer. Overall, Darkest Journey was another dark mystery that kept me hooked.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
December 29, 2016
The author has been using this idea of actors/singers with cruising the seas or a river and having the same characters other than the Krewe in several different books. I do enjoy getting to know some of these characters better but I think I would like to see more stories with the original Krewe members and how they have melded as a team and grown. This story, after the resolution of the murders, abrubtly ends. I mean it just stopped with a short half page that Charlie would be moving to DC and changing her life. Many things happened within the story that should have been explained unless that is all finished in another book, but I seriously doubt it. There is such a long build up and then a very abrupt finish. I will continue to read books by this author, she has several coming out soon, as they are still enjoyable to me but I think a more complete story would be great.
December 14, 2024
A River Boat, a Movie & the Civil War
Charlie Moreau, an actress in Louisiana, is playing the part of a young heroine fleeing treacherous men through the unhallowed ground near a cemetery. As she was running, Charlie stumbles upon the partially buried body of a Civil War re-enactor. The discovery of this body prompts Charlie to place a call to the Krewe of Hunters asking for her school-girl crush, FBI agent Ethan Delaney. When Ethan and Charlie meet again, there is a spark of attraction between the two, despite embarrassing memories of their past encounter. Charlie is in danger, although she doesn't know why. Ethan calls in others from the Krewe to help him catch the killer before Charlie faces death. As in other Krewe novels, ghosts help the living not only in solving the crime, but also in keeping the living alive to see another day.
Charlie Moreau, an actress in Louisiana, is playing the part of a young heroine fleeing treacherous men through the unhallowed ground near a cemetery. As she was running, Charlie stumbles upon the partially buried body of a Civil War re-enactor. The discovery of this body prompts Charlie to place a call to the Krewe of Hunters asking for her school-girl crush, FBI agent Ethan Delaney. When Ethan and Charlie meet again, there is a spark of attraction between the two, despite embarrassing memories of their past encounter. Charlie is in danger, although she doesn't know why. Ethan calls in others from the Krewe to help him catch the killer before Charlie faces death. As in other Krewe novels, ghosts help the living not only in solving the crime, but also in keeping the living alive to see another day.
January 23, 2018
OK, so it took me two books to actually get this story-line.
This specialized group of FBI has a really different specialty.... they see dead people!
Since I started reading this series at #19 and this one is #20, I did not get on #19 what the story was.
I thought that one story was that way. Since mixture of Native Americans and some different people that had the "sight" was just for the one book. Wrong! I have to assume now that all this series is about people that see dead people. A very interesting concept... especially if you like that kind of thing.
I like to think there are people out there that can see or feel or even talk to the dead, so I like these stories. They are not literary genius, but fun and intriguing.
This specialized group of FBI has a really different specialty.... they see dead people!
Since I started reading this series at #19 and this one is #20, I did not get on #19 what the story was.
I thought that one story was that way. Since mixture of Native Americans and some different people that had the "sight" was just for the one book. Wrong! I have to assume now that all this series is about people that see dead people. A very interesting concept... especially if you like that kind of thing.
I like to think there are people out there that can see or feel or even talk to the dead, so I like these stories. They are not literary genius, but fun and intriguing.
February 8, 2018
I have mentioned before that I'm a big fan of this series. As with any series, there are some books I like better than others. I would number this among my top 10.
Charlene "Charlie" Moreau had a crush on Ethan Delaney from the day he rescued her from a high school hazing -- and saved her from a serial killer. Now, 10 years after those events, he's back in her life because she found two dead bodies on the set of her movie ... and he's now with the FBI.
Oh ... and they both see ghosts.
The murder mystery was tightly constructed, surrounded with Civil War history (and ghosts) and touched on two of the places I visited while researching Bayou Fire: Oak Alley and Laura plantations. This was another great example of seeing the geography in my mind's eye as a result. I always enjoy being able to do that.
I did not see the "whodunnit" coming, and that's also a plus.
Charlene "Charlie" Moreau had a crush on Ethan Delaney from the day he rescued her from a high school hazing -- and saved her from a serial killer. Now, 10 years after those events, he's back in her life because she found two dead bodies on the set of her movie ... and he's now with the FBI.
Oh ... and they both see ghosts.
The murder mystery was tightly constructed, surrounded with Civil War history (and ghosts) and touched on two of the places I visited while researching Bayou Fire: Oak Alley and Laura plantations. This was another great example of seeing the geography in my mind's eye as a result. I always enjoy being able to do that.
I did not see the "whodunnit" coming, and that's also a plus.
April 19, 2018
While working on a movie in her hometown of St. Francisville, Louisiana Charlie “Charlene” Moreau discovered the body of a man dressed in a Civil War uniform. When she was in high school, Charlie had been rescued by a friend who now was an Agent with the elite FBI unit called the Krewe Hunters and she knew this was just up his alley. Apparently two men had been murdered in the very same way and Charlie was right in the middle of the drama and Ethan Delaney had to keep her safe. This was a very historic story about the Civil War and a paddleboat called the JOURNEY that had a very important role in the war. Great read with a history lesson.
October 13, 2016
When you combine Civil War reenactors, historical cemeteries, ghosts, and author Heather Graham, you know you’re in for a captivating tale.
Narrator Luke Daniels does a superb job giving each character their own unique voice. His expressions of emotions heighten the story. His timing is spot on.
The story is filled with suspense, action, and an abundance of history. Moving at a steady pace, the story has a number of surprises in store for you before it comes to its heart-stopping end.
The characters are likable and well-developed. The author makes the ghost characters intriguing and engaging. While several characters from prior stories were involved, new readers/listeners to the series won’t be left in the dark.
The author blends the present with history and adds a touch of the paranormal to create a mesmerizing story. The budding romance of old friends adds depth to the story. A tantalizing tale of ghosts, murder and mystery that will hold your attention from beginning to end. A perfect story for history lovers and mystery buffs alike.
DARKEST JOURNEY may just entice you to explore the area along the Mississippi River and Louisiana (without the ghosts, of course).
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
Narrator Luke Daniels does a superb job giving each character their own unique voice. His expressions of emotions heighten the story. His timing is spot on.
The story is filled with suspense, action, and an abundance of history. Moving at a steady pace, the story has a number of surprises in store for you before it comes to its heart-stopping end.
The characters are likable and well-developed. The author makes the ghost characters intriguing and engaging. While several characters from prior stories were involved, new readers/listeners to the series won’t be left in the dark.
The author blends the present with history and adds a touch of the paranormal to create a mesmerizing story. The budding romance of old friends adds depth to the story. A tantalizing tale of ghosts, murder and mystery that will hold your attention from beginning to end. A perfect story for history lovers and mystery buffs alike.
DARKEST JOURNEY may just entice you to explore the area along the Mississippi River and Louisiana (without the ghosts, of course).
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
June 9, 2017
A generous 1 star. I got about 1/4 through the book and discovered I didn't have any hair left to pull out of my head. The author spends most of each chapter repeating the information from the chapter before. Too many useless conversations rattling on and on and on and on... I went to the last 2 pages to find out who did it. Yep, glad I didn't waste anymore time for this one. I also can't stand with an author wraps it up in one or two pages. I don't think I'll be reading anymore of Heather Graham's novels.
July 4, 2017
Civil War History, Crime, a little Romance, ghost, and my favorite audio book narrator= a perfect combination. Krewe of Hunters is a series that I fell in love with last year, and since I have read all but three of the books. I love how Graham puts history into these without it really being a historical fiction novel. I think my love of Civil War History, especially is why I love most of these novels. Yes, I know all of the Krewe novels do not deal with the Civil War, but most do. If you love history and crime novels, this is a must series to check out.
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