by Heather Graham
Series: Krewe of Hunters #14
Genres: Mystery, Paranormal Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rating:
Sleepy Hollow isn't so sleepy anymore... One night, New York FBI agent Aiden Mahoney receives a visitor in a dream--an old friend named Richard Highsmith. The very next day he's sent to Sleepy Hollow because Richard's gone missing there. Maureen--Mo--Deauville now lives in the historic town and works with her dog, Rollo, to search for missing people. She's actually the one to find Richard?or more precisely his head, stuck on a statue of the legendary Headless Horseman. Mo and Aiden, a new member of the Krewe of Hunters, the FBI's unit of paranormal investigators, explore both past and present events to figure out who betrayed Richard, who killed him and now wants to kill them, too. As they work together, they discover that they share an unusual trait?the ability to communicate with the dead. They also share an attraction that's as intense as it is unexpected? If they live long enough to enjoy it!
The Betrayed by Heather Graham is another exciting murder mystery laced with paranormal elements in the Krewe of Hunters series. Each book works well as a standalone and offers a mystery with a side dish of romance. The Betrayed offers a chilling murder mystery in Sleepy Hollow and it is perfect for as a Fall read. I loved the history, ghosts and creepy murder setting. The romance was low heat with a slow build.
New York FBI Agent Aiden Mahoney is the newest Krewe member. He awakens from a dream where his friend Richard Highsmith calls out to him. The next morning he is assigned his first case with the Krewe and finds himself heading to Sleepy Hollow where his friend Richard was reported missing last night. Here we meet Maureen Deauville and her dog Rollo. The two work as a team finding lost people and have a unique talent. Unfortunately, she has found Richard, well his head at any rate. It is perched atop the statue of the Headless Horseman. The tale that unfolds has suspects galore, with clever twists and turns as these two work together to stop a killer.
The mystery aspect was solid, and Graham weaved in ghostly aspirations to assist us. Aiden struggles accepting his abilities, and we see growth in him as his friendship with Maureen “Mo” grows. The romance was very low-key, but you felt the attraction. My only complaint would be I wanted more of a buildup, and a little heat exchanged throughout the plot. Most of the romantic elements took place at the end of the novel. Since, the murders were so captivating it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. I enjoyed the way Graham weaved in local history and famous characters in the tale. Her description of the rural area, characters and ghosts kept me entertained. The setting in Betrayed made the tale perfect for Fall and had me longing for cocoa by the fire.
Fans of murder mystery, paranormal elements and a touch of romance will find The Betrayed to be a satisfying read.
Katherine
I have no idea why I haven’t read this one or The Hexed yet. I’m loving the Sleepy Hollow show and I loved The Curse. I need to get reading. This definitely sounds like a good Halloween-y read!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you pick them up, I love the weaving of historical facts and paranormal woo-woo
Paij Slater
#14….what?????? Can they be read as stand alones????
kimbacaffeinate
Yes Paij, they can or broken up by Krewe teams in books of three/four. I love that each works alone 🙂
Michele
I still haven’t read anything by Heather Graham *hides*. I’m going to, though! You have me so curious! Thanks for the lovely review!
kimbacaffeinate
hehe…yes it must be done!
Mary
It’s been a while since I read a Heather Graham but I’m definitely adding this one to the list. Haven’t made it this far in this particular series but I’m into it!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Mary, I always enjoy these mysteries laced in romantic suspense and wrapped in paranormal woo-woo 🙂
Lily B
oh a ghost mystery that takes place in sleepy hollow and can be read as a stand-alone? *grabby hands want*
kimbacaffeinate
hehe..it is perfect for Fall Lily 🙂
Linnae
I’m late to the series….number 14 means that I’m way behind. I’ve read other HG books but not this series. Thank you Heather for making them stand alone! I’ll add #14 to my TBR list.
kimbacaffeinate
Actually, no worries Linnae, they all work as standalone and within the 14 books they are broken into trilogies and a few quads.
lily
Welcome back Kimberly! Hope the wedding went smoothly 🙂
I actually haven’t read any of Heather Graham’s book (and this is book 14….YIKES!) But I always hear such good things about her and her writing! I’ll have to get to know some of the characters in her books soon!
kimbacaffeinate
These work as standalone, so jump in anywhere! Thanks Lily 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
With the kind of book this is, I’m surprised it did have some romance. Oh I don’t mind it being at the end. I met her at RomCon this year and she and Cherry Adair were a hoot together. So want to read her long list of books!
kimbacaffeinate
I would classify this series as romantic suspense Melissa 🙂
Angela Adams
Welcome back! Heather Graham is great at what she does!! Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
*waves* I missed everyone!
Lark
Welcome back! Good review. You keep tempting me with your reviews of this series. I’ve been thinking I should try them, but wondering if they’re too dark for me. I guess there’s only one way to find out!
kimbacaffeinate
No way are they too dark, you will like these and they work as standalone
Rita
We missed you Kimba! Happy to have you back! Have to say that I really enjoyed the line-up you had of guest posts while gone– though no one can take your place 🙂
So do you think the Krewe Hunters can be stand-alones? Or maybe after I read the first one or two to get introduced to the characters? Getting caught up to #14 sounds daunting but I know she is one of your most-read authors, so she must be very good!
kimbacaffeinate
I am so glad you enjoyed them all, I am happy to be back! We still have house guests, but I will be on sporadically and back full time next week:)
kindlemom1
I really do need to pick something of hers back up soon. Great review Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you try her Ali 🙂
Nick
You’re back! 🙂 I missed seeing you around, Kim. I hope the wedding went smoothly.
I need to try a Heather Graham book. I like that she blends together mystery and paranormal. It’s a shame about there not really being some build up in the romance though.
Lovely review!
kimbacaffeinate
It went well, and I am partially back, we still have company. Sadly I went back to work today 🙁
Laurel-Rain Snow
I love the cover! And this one does sound tempting. I’ve been meaning to give this author a go…thanks for sharing!
kimbacaffeinate
This is perfect for Fall Laurel 🙂
Jenea W
This is a series that I need to add to my wish list.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I hope you do:)
Red Iza
I think it’s you who already pointed out that series, it’s on my to-read list 😉 Good to know it’s still good after it has reached book #14 !
kimbacaffeinate
Wahoo! Remember they can be read in 3-4 mini parts and out of order 🙂
Silvia
You know I don’t read mystery much, but this series sounds good and it really intrigues me… Who knows, I might decide to go for it after all. As soon as I find a bit of spare time, that is. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
I love that each works as a standalone
blodeuedd
Book 14…right, I should get on it
kimbacaffeinate
They can be read out of order 🙂