A Paranormal Romance Novel (Krewe of Hunters) - Dark Rites

Like more ghost connection and don't like these characters as well. Not very formed and he is over protective and she is not as smart as some before her. Have ordered next book however as I do love knew of hunters .

This was a great book. While I enjoy Heather Grahams writing very much this book hooked me from the very beginning. I wouldn't have put it down except I had to go to work. I did not see the end coming at all and I can usually figure things out pretty quickly. Loved it.

Dark Rites is a paranormal suspense novel by Heather Graham and part of the Krewe Hunter series for Harlequin'. This book is follows the case of a rash attacks in the city of Boston. People are randomly being attacked and then left with a note telling others that Satan is coming. When Griffin catches an attacker, the police believes that is the end of the case. But when a friend of his fiancee, Vickie, goes missing, could it be a sign that there is more to these attacks than meets the eye? Follow Griffin, Vickie and the rest of the Krewe Hunters as they look to solve this new mystery.

I read this book after reading the upcoming booking Wicked Deeds by Heather Graham. So I ended up reading them in the wrong order, however I don't think that diminished the quality of the book. Each book can be read as a stand-alone book, however, the author does constantly reference previous books throughout the novel, so don't be surprised if you haven't read the other books, because there will be reminders throughout the book.

For those hardcore mystery lovers, this book is not for you. This book does cover the mystery and suspense part decently but nothing too dramatic that would keep you up at night or give you that bone-chilling feeling. The characters come across as a friendly people. The dialogue is simple and easy so that it feels more like a conversation with friends and not police officers trying to hunt down a killer. There is hardly any police jargon except for the very common words such as warrant and APB making this book a quick read. I would give this book to a friend who wants to try out mystery novels but doesn't know where to start. This book would serve as a beginner's book into suspense.

A point you should know is that Heather Graham weaves an interesting tale blending historical fact with fiction. There are a plethora of moments in which she uses history to help tell the story and blends it so well with the plot. I kind of wished that in the beginning she would start the story of with the story of a historical fact and then bring it to today's modern period to be solved because some descendant is keeping it alive or something.

I give this a 3.5 because to me it wasn't as easy a novel to get into. The writing seemed to simple and the dialogue came across as too friendly. Hardly any nail-biting scene and the ones that were there, finished all too quickly.
*I received and ARC from NetGalley and voluntarily wrote this review*

Heather Graham has been one of my favorite authors for awhile now. I adore her Krewe of Hunters series and I know I can always count on her for an amazing book. But with “Dark Rites”, Heather Graham really stepped into the epic authors category for me.

Our story starts with History professor Alex Maple going missing. He’s not entirely sure where he is or what’s happening to me. Someone wants the knowledge that Alex has. To survive, he has to find out where the mysterious “Jehovah” area is.

If you read “Dying Breath”, you already knew who Vickie and Griffin are. (If you didn’t read “Dying Breath”, you’ll still be able to follow this book). This aspect by itself is one reason that I love this author. This book could be the first one you’ve ever read by her and still understand everything. But if you have read the other books, this story becomes enhanced because you see a few past characters and it makes for a more enjoyable experience.

Vickie and Alex have become friends and when Alex doesn’t show up for their dinner plans, she knows something is amiss. Alex is intelligent, considerate, and the kind of friend everyone would want to have. Vickie immediately gets Griffin involved and what they find is nothing short of horrifying. As they go through Fall River to the forests of Western Massachusetts, the mystery only intensifies.

As the victims continue to add up, the Krewe digs deeper and deeper into the history of Massachusetts. For me, this is one of the best aspects of a Heather Graham book. I love the history melded into the mystery. It really adds an extra element to the story and I find myself unable to put these books down.

If you love history, mystery, and romance, this book is for you. Heck, the whole series is for you. This is the kind of story that will keep you up all night for all the right reasons.

While this is a paranormal romance, we already have an established relationship, and Graham used that to lighten the darker tones of DARK RITES. We did get some hilarious moments between Griffin and Vickie which I thoroughly enjoyed. On a side note we do see other romances develop mostly off page, but again these lightened the tone.

Griffin and Vickie were supposed to be heading to Virginia, but a series of murders with notes have Griffin sticking around. The notes reference a Puritan man, who left and formed his own congregation. Some believe he worshiped Satan. When Griffin almost captures a killer, and then, history professor Alex Maple goes missing, Griffin begins to think they may have a dangerous cult in their midst.

Vickie concerned for her friend begins having visions in the form of nightmares. She thinks she hears Alex calling her and sees a young woman deep in the woods. All of this has the Krewe traveling into rural communities around the city. We even get to spend the night at Liz Borden’s house!

Graham always delights me when she weaves in historical tidbits from the past into her tales. This time we have the Puritans, Satan worshippers, unsolved murders, Lizzy Bordon and more. I loved seeing Vickie come into her own and watching them piece together clues from the past to help those in the present. A ghostly couple and a silent, spectral figure assist them, but it is Vickie who emerges as the hero in this story. The story built slowly, and as the pieces clicked into place, we moved into a suspenseful, nail-biting conclusion that freaked Griffin out as much as it did me.

The cryptic quote that seemed to foretell of an evil coming was quite smart and I was delighted by the way it all came together.

Another "wait until the last minute" story by Heather Graham. I have read nearly every book she has written and have never figured out who did what to whom. She has never disappointed me. She is indeed a master!

SPOILER ALERT, SPOILER ALERT - DON'T READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK !!!

If the main character was just after the treasure, then there was no need to form a cult. There was no need to kill women. There was no need to beat up people in Boston. All he had to do was try to find Jehovah and then use a metal detector. The cult and the killings did not help him in any way. The kidnappings, yes - they might have helped him but the killings and the desire to find the treasure started 30 years ago. In effect he was a serial killer. He didn't need a cult. And instead of kidnapping Alex, he could have just talked to him, saying he was researching it. The whole premise was stupid !!!

I have always liked the Krewe of Hunters books, but this one was lacking. There seemed to be a lot of repeats like there wasn't much of a story there and to make the page count the author kept repeating things. Sometimes just a paragraph away, which was very annoying. I used to read these books in 1-2 days, however, I struggled to get through this one in five days and that was only because I didn't want to give up on it. I have the next book on my TBR shelf, but if this trend continues, I'm afraid I will be done.

Vickie Preston is back with her ghosties, Dylan and Darlene, along with Griffin, Devin, and Rocky, as they hunt for a Satanic Cult of Ezekiel Martin's family jewels/ pretend followers. They were hiding in an abandon asylum/Jehovah and the head Satanist was the local cop, who initiated the killing of Petrie decades early, and the murder of several blond women over the decades.
Great plot, character development, misdirection galore, and another new member to join the Krewe Hunters. A MUST READ!

8/12/17

Someone is attacking people in Boston, and leaving an old poem on each victim! Vickie's friend Alex is missing. She is sure he has been kidnapped, although she is not sure why. Since he has gone missing, Vickie is having terrible night and day visions. Griffin and the Krewe of Hunters are going to help find her find Alex. But will they find him before it is too late?. With her usual finesse Heather weaves a story that is exciting and fun to read! I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have always liked the Krewe of Hunters books, but this one was lacking. There seemed to be a lot of repeats like there wasn't much of a story there and to make the page count the author kept repeating things. Sometimes just a paragraph away, which was very annoying. I used to read these books in 1-2 days, however, I struggled to get through this one in five days and that was only because I didn't want to give up on it. I have the next book on my TBR shelf, but if this trend continues, I'm afraid I will be done.

Vickie Preston is back with her ghosties, Dylan and Darlene, along with Griffin, Devin, and Rocky, as they hunt for a Satanic Cult of Ezekiel Martin's family jewels/ pretend followers. They were hiding in an abandon asylum/Jehovah and the head Satanist was the local cop, who initiated the killing of Petrie decades early, and the murder of several blond women over the decades.
Great plot, character development, misdirection galore, and another new member to join the Krewe Hunters. A MUST READ!

8/12/17

Someone is attacking people in Boston, and leaving an old poem on each victim! Vickie's friend Alex is missing. She is sure he has been kidnapped, although she is not sure why. Since he has gone missing, Vickie is having terrible night and day visions. Griffin and the Krewe of Hunters are going to help find her find Alex. But will they find him before it is too late?. With her usual finesse Heather weaves a story that is exciting and fun to read! I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another "wait until the last minute" story by Heather Graham. I have read nearly every book she has written and have never figured out who did what to whom. She has never disappointed me. She is indeed a master!

I am never disappointed in the Krewe of Hunters series. This one is full of suspense, thrilling and a bit of romance. I love the characters of Vicki and Griffin who were introduced in the last book. This book is full of suspense, thrilling and a bit of romance. There is a series of bizarre events happening in Boston and of course Vicki is connected to it. Great story.

I love this series, but the past couple books are...not what I expect from her. I usually start and don't put them down till I'm done. These last couple have been a struggle and this one I still haven't finish. I keep going back to it hoping it will grab me. So far nada. I will continue to read Ms Graham, I love the stories, but I have to saw 21 22 are not up to her standards. Best I can tell it's too much, of everything.