Deadly Night (The Flynn Brothers Trilogy Book 1)

This book had great potential on the basis of the story, however, the execution was flawed. Heather Graham should fire her editor for the amount of grammatical errors in this book. My biggest issue was the lack of breaking between paragraphs, when changing from one character or scene to another. It was difficult to keep track of where a character was or who was speaking/thinking. Although it was a cheap read, I still wish I could get back what little money was spent.

A page turner from the get go! Three brothers inherit a New Orleans plantation from a great aunt they never knew existed. House renovation, ghosts, family legends, romance, and a serial killer ensue. A really great read! Can't wait to start book 2.

I've always enjoyed Heather Grahams paranormal/mystery novels, however this one missed the mark. Many typos, plus the story needs to have a break between scenes instead of running continuously together. ?

Usually dislike tales involving ghosts of any paranormal actions but Graham has treated the ghosts so light heartedly they saccharin to the book. There I'd say mystery here but mostly the book is just a romp in the p ark or more accurately the cemetery

Aidan and his two brothers, Jeremy and Zachary, have inherited an old plantation in New Orleans from an aunt they didn't even know existed. The Flynn plantation has a hauntingly sad but beautiful back-story. Their ancestors have been depicted in the history books as two cousins who killed each other over a woman. Later, the story is cleared up do to an old diary. Seems they hadn't killed each other over a woman, but rather a case of mistaken identiy while defending said woman.

But Aidan doesn't believe in ghosts or hauntings. He's found two different thigh bones, both belonging to different women, one on the grounds of the plantation, the other down by the river. Aidan, a private investigator, is a man who prefers to deal with facts. What he wasn't prepared for was Kendall.

A tarot card reader, Kendall has a degree in psychology, and she doesn't really believe in ghosts or hauntings either. Until the Death card starts to literally laugh at her. Every time the Death card has ever laughed at her, the women whose cards she's reading seems to disappear without a trace.

Aidan doesn't like Kendall; he believes she's a quack right from their first meeting, not knowing her background. Kendall doesn't like Aidan; he's arrogant, a jerk, and because he believes she's a quack when she really isn't. He doesn't approve of tarot readers - he believes they are nothing but frauds. And that gets her back up.

Thrown together, albeit reluctantly, both are determined to find out what's going on.

**There's a reason why I like Heather Graham's novels. She's an awesome writer. She intrigues a reader with a mystery that's not always easy to figure out. I, for one, was surprised at the end when I found out who it was. I hadn't suspected him whatsoever. She writes with simply, incredible details to her scenery so that you can picture everything vividly. Her characters always seem real and interesting. And when she adds her ghostly presenses, they seem real, even when the characters don't believe what they're seeing.

I loved the sad history of the plantation. The mistaken identity while both cousins are defending one's wife.

Aidan and Kendall; while I did feel like they were attracted to each other, I didn't really feel that spark that should be there. I think that could have used a little `oomph', just a little more of a spark between them. They argued, they irked each other, and I think I'd have felt a bigger spark if they'd had a huge fight, a monumental argument between the two.

And there is an error in the book, one that shouldn't really make a difference but it does sit uncomfortably with a reader. When one victim is supposed to be vacationing in one place, and yet the investigation is routed somewhere different (a huge difference between Ireland and Venezuela.)

I also found it a tad slow. I think there should have been more action, whether on the heros' part or the villain's. Disfigured and dismembered voodoo dolls and being plunged into the dark wasn't enough. The end of the story almost makes up for it. Would I recommend it? Yes!

The Story
Aidan, Jeremy and Zach Flynn are brothers who just inherited at plantation in New Orleans. Amelia Flynn had an adopted granddaughter, Kendall. Kendall was staying with Amelia at the end of her days to help with the `illusions', or ghosts. It depends on who you ask whether or not the house is haunted. The brothers decide to renovate the house. On the first day Aidan finds two different female thigh bones. He being an ex-FBI/military guy and owning a PI agency with his brothers they decide to solve the case. Kendall can't decide if she hates or likes Aidan. There are several players in this novel, ghosts and human. The tale is woven several suspects, and Aidan won't give up no matter who he pisses off.

Thoughts
The mystery and supernatural aspects of this novel was good, but the romance was eh. Aidan's like a pit bull, he grabs on and won't let go to whatever he is after. Kendall's character is likable, she owns a tarot card shop. There are several cops that are agitated by Aidan's personality. He's very bold. The ghosts were interesting and suspenseful. I liked the plot at the end of the book, but going through I was a little bored. It took it a while to get all the way through. I've read better from this author - Nightwalker for example.

The Flynn brothers (Aiden, Jeremy, and Zachary) learn they have inherited a plantation home from an aunt in New Orleans they never knew. At first, they contemplate selling the house, but upon seeing it, decide to fix it up instead. Aiden, the oldest of the brothers, finds human bones on the property. His instincts as a private investigator kick in and he begins to research the history of the home, and of missing persons in the area. He soon learns of decades of missing women, all last seen in New Orleans. With the help of Kendall, a local woman (and tarot card reader) that has close ties to Aiden's aunt and the plantation, Aiden reveals the plantation's dark history. Aiden is aware of the rumors that the plantation is haunted, but he refuses to believe in ghosts. That is, until Kendell starts seeing things during her tarot card readings. Women she does readings for disappear. Is it all tied to the Flynn plantation? This was my first taste of Heather Graham's writing. It is obvious that she did a lot of research into New Orleans, and the civil war, in preparation for writing this book. The storyline and characters were well thought out and developed. I've read many a mystery, and most I've figured out before I reach the book's halfway point. This one intrigued me up until the end. I'm looking forward to starting the next in the Flynn Brothers series, HAUNTED HARVEST.

Aidan Flynn is a private investigator that just learned that he and his two brothers have become the owners of a haunted plantation and if that is not enough, Aidan is positive that bones that have been turning up around New Orleans, is not the result of the ravaging of Hurricane Katrina. He's positive a serial killer is haunting the city. When he meets tarot reader Kendall Montgomery, who lived out at his family's plantation for a while, speaks of a lady in white and lights shining in the middle of the night, Aidan realizes that he must delve into the dark secrets of the plantation and his family's past. Together Aidan and Kendall uncover the truth surrounding the plantations history and that in order for them to each survive, they need to confront their own fears and disbelief.

As per usual Ms. Graham has penned another page turning title filled with suspense, paranormal intrigue and romance. Aidan and Kendall are fascinating characters and each of their pasts make for good conflict. This is the first book in the Flynn Brother's trilogy and I look forward to reading the rest. This author always delivers and this title is no exception.

I was immediately interested in this story since it is about a haunted plantation in New Orleans.

Aidan Flynn and his brothers have inherited a New Orleans plantation from their great-aunt whom they have never met or really knew about.

Kendall Montgomery, a New Orleans native, was a friend and care-taker for the Flynn brothers' aunt.

When the great-aunt passes away, the plantation is left to the Flynn brothers and they come to town to take possession.

The plantation comes with ghosts and a tragic love story that haunts the plantation to this day. Aidan, a private investigator, finds bones near the plantation and from there the story becomes a murder mystery with romance and ghost hauntings thrown in for good measure.

I enjoyed the ghost story and the New Orleans setting. The murder mystery adds to the mix.

Actually, I consider this a good mixture of the three elements. This is #1 of a trilogy and I have yet to read the remaining ones, but suspect they will also have connections to the plantation . This first voume centers on the eldest of the three Flynn brothers. It is he of the three who's opposed to keeping the plantation, but is outvoted by his younger siblings.He scoffs at the haunted house legend, especially since a youn tarot card reader who has been living in the mansion tells of a woman in white who regularly appears.As a PI, Aidan Flynn becomes involved with the discovery of human bones on the grounds and discovers that several young women, visiting New Orleans, have disappeared. The mystery is well spun, but the denouement wasn't truly surprising. This iis good non-demanding reading, pure escapist fare and suitable for Summer reading.

The Flynn brothers inherit a plantation near New Orleans from their late elderly Aunt Amelia. They know nothing about the estate and very little about their deceased aunt. One of the siblings, private investigator Aidan Flynn, travels to see the new property. He meets Amelia's caregiver Kendall Montgomery, who tells him about his aunt and about the estate, including that many locals believe the house is haunted.

Though attracted to Kendall, Aidan distrusts her as he does all women. However, when skeletal remains are found on the estate, Aidan investigates to the chagrin of local law enforcement. He soon uncovers a series of vanishings over the past decade that has been unresolved; in his mind a serial killer is on the loose, a predator who has no compunctions of killing Aidan and Kendall.

Even with some rotation to what happened on the Flynn Plantation in 1863, the haunting investigative story line remains fast-paced and filled with action especially after the bones are found. Aidan is so hard and distrusting, he is unlikable; but he makes the tale with its ghosts seem plausible as he does not change personality abruptly not even for that "second hand emotion" love and in turn Kendall seems somewhat pale next to him. Fans of Heather Graham will enjoy her latest ghostly Bayou romance due to this somewhat obstinate refreshing lead male.

Harriet Klausner

This is the first novel of the prolific Heather Graham that I have read and it is book one in a trilogy about the Flynn Brothers. They have inherited an old plantation house in New Orleans from an aunt they did not even know existed. The oldest, Aiden, is a former FBI agent who left the agency after the death of his wife. His introduction to the Big Easy is an unnerving one. While walking along the muddy banks of the Mississippi he finds a human thigh bone with pieces of flesh clinging to it. He imagines the coroner will be interested in such a find, but not so. Aiden is remind in no uncertain terms that not long before, right after Katrina, bones and bodies could be found everywhere. His find means nothing. Or does it?

Until the death of Amelia Flynn, Kendall Montgomery had cared for the elderly lady who had spent her entire life at the plantation. This is where she wanted to die. Kendall was with her to the very end. The old house had it's legendary ghosts although Kendall thought such things nonsense. This despite the fact that she runs a small tea shop in town where she and her 2 employees Vinnie and Mason offer tarot card readings, claiming to clients that they can connect to the spirit world. It's all pretend on their part.

When the Flynn brothers arrive at the plantation house Kendall is making sure she has removed all of her possessions. As she was leaving through the doorway they meet. She finds Aiden to be rude, but the other two brothers, Jeremy and Zachery are quite pleasant company.

The brothers have formed their own private investigation agency. One case in particular dominates Aiden's thoughts, the disappearance of a young teen. He fears she is dead and perhaps the victim of a serial killer.

Kendall's skepticism about the paranormal starts to change. While giving a tarot card reading the skeleton on the Death card comes to life, or so it looks to her. She has dreams of Amilia who warns her of an evil that stalks New Orleans and Kendall is a particular target.

A series of frightening events bring Aiden and Amelia together; at first reluctantly and later much more agreeably . This suspenseful paranormal mystery has plenty of chilling moments and a nice touch of romance.

This book was entertaining to read, but I couldn't help but feel at times that I've seen better from Graham. Maybe my opinion is tainted after reading the truly horrible "Picture Me Dead" prior to reading this book. In any case, the book was entertaining to read & there's quite a bit of promise for this trilogy.

The story in this book focuses around the Flynn brother Aidan & the sexy shop owner Kendall. After a not so spectacular meeting, sparks fly between the two as Aidan tries to solve a mystery surrounding missing girls & mysterious bones that have shown up in the family graveyard. Meanwhile a sinister evil has begun to settle over the town & plantation as something stalks Kendall, hoping to claim her for its own.

Overall, I did like this story. The chemistry between the two characters was terrific, although I wish that Kendall had played harder to get for maybe another chapter or two. The supporting characters are all interesting, although at times there seems to be a few too many mentioned in passing. Perhaps they'll be more important later on in the trilogy, but so far some of the mentions seemed a little superfluous. Also at times I just felt like the story was treading water as various things were mentioned, which I'm hoping is done so there's no need for it to be drawn out in the next two books. Even so, the charm of this first book is evident & this is still something I'd recommend for most romance thriller fans.

I found this paranormal romance to be very interesting and exciting. There were times when I was a little scared while reading, and definately in suspense about what would happen next. The romance between Aiden and Kendall was straight forward and sweet. The history of the house and what had happened there also grabbed my attention. I didn't know "who done it" until the very end. The author kept me guessing. I read this book very quickly and enjoyed it very much. I plan on reading the rest of the trilogy. I enjoy Heather Graham's paranormal romances!

Kendall was more than willing and happy to help Amelia Flynn. She didn't expect to be left the plantation that was passed on to so many of Amelia's ancestors and then her. What she really didn't expect was to hear that Amelia wasn't the last of the Flynn lineage, and that she was leaving the plantation to three Flynn brothers who never visited and claim to have never even known Amelia existed. Kendall knows there is something about the plantation, something mysterious and haunting. There are strange things seen there and heard there. They were not just the imagination of an elderly, sick, woman either, Kendall has seen and heard them too. The Flynn brothers are private investigators and not men Kendall has any desire to like. Two are nice enough, but the eldest one, Aidan, is just a rough and harsh man who Kendall wishes was gone. There is something about him though that makes Kendall feel safe around him, no matter how much she hates it. When he finds a human bone on the plantation grounds will he find it to be one of a missing girl that he is seeking? Is there more secrets and mystery to the old plantation than some ghost stories? Are the ghost stories really only stories, or are they truer that Aidan could have ever imagined? Kendall is a tarot card reader, but she will be the first to admit to close friends that she is a fake and only uses her psychology major to tell people what they hint they want or need to hear. But when her tarot cards start looking different to her and she starts feeling things she has to wonder...is her ability real somehow? Can she really help Aidan find the missing girl he seeks or her body if she is now dead? Can they stop a possible serial killer? Will they survive to set things right?

I love Graham's books and the way she writes and this book was no different. I just loved it. I breezed through it in only a couple days. The plot was thick with mystery and the flow of the book was amazing and written in a way that left me wanting to read more and more and more, until the mystery was solved. I loved the characters also, they were so real, yet mysterious. They seemed so thought out and developed throughout the book. My favorite had to be Kendall, she just was so unsure of herself and things around her, but also such a strong and independent woman. She had much spirit and was a great add to the book. Aidan was another great character for me. He was this rough and tough guy, but as the book went on we, as readers, discover why he is the way he is. I couldn't help but root for him to show his "softer" side more and be more likable to others. This book had my attention from page one and held it until the last page of the book. So many twists and turns were in this book, but that is what made it even better. This is also the first book in a trilogy, so I can't wait to read on in the set to see what will happen next for these wonderful characters.

5/5 Stars!!

Deadly Night was exactly what you would expect from this writer in this genre. Nothing less, but not really anything more either. I enjoyed the read, but I also found it fairly predictable and flat. Very little leapt out at me as especially exciting or well crafted, though nothing clanged to the floor as particularly mind-numbingly boring either. The author threw out a few red herrings in the form of Aiden's suspicions, but you just knew the real killer wasn't going to be revealed until the climax. The romance wasn't insta-love, but once it was understood that they would be involved it moved straight to soulmate territory, with no real in-between time. Neither Aiden or Kendall resonated strongly with me, but I didn't hate them. I liked her friends and his brothers, but I didn't love them. Even the city, New Orleans, with all of it's history and mystery came across as little more than any other town, maybe even any other small town. I didn't feel it's atmosphere. All in all, it passed the time and I wouldn't call it a dud, but it's not topping my favourites list either.

This first book of the Flynn Trilogy, makes you want more and more. I am finished with this one, and moving right on to the second, "Deadly Harvest." This is the perfect series to begin at Halloween straight through to Christmas.

I enjoyed the book, but caugt a "large" editing error, which spoiled the story. Early in the book, a character is going to IRELAND for three weeks. Later in the book, the lead character wants to talk to the character on vacation, and calls her in CARACAS, Venezuela. They are in two different hemisphere's. The editor should go back to school and study geography. They are there to catch author's mistakes. I'm hoping the next two books will be better.

I absolutely loved this book! This was the first book I had ever read of hers and I could not put the book down! After I finished it I had to buy more of her books and now I have a huge collection! Great book!

I enjoy most of Heather Graham's horror/paranormal books. This one was no different. However if you are looking for a thriller that will scare you, keep you up at night this is not it. It is rather formulaic. It reads very much like the other Graham books in this genre. Ghosts, Life hardened hero, a slightly quirky heroine who holds the key to the whole thing.
That said it is still a fun read and enjoyable

The story is good, the characters are engaging, but there are no scene breaks! In one paragrah, you're with Aiden and Kendell, the next, you're with Aiden someplace completely different. I had to go back several times to regroup and figure out that we were in a new scene. Quite annoying and very disruptive. This is the second book I've read in the last week that has had this deficiency. If this is a new fad, I hate it!

I'm reading words and daydreaming at the same time. I was hoping that I'd stay up late into the night reading a great suspenseful mystery book.... this book lacks suspense. I'm on chapter 11 and still waiting for some excitement.

I'm reading words and daydreaming at the same time. I was hoping that I'd stay up late into the night reading a great suspenseful mystery book.... this book lacks suspense. I'm on chapter 11 and still waiting for some excitement.