The Hidden by Heather Graham

October 2nd, 2015 Kimberly Review 61 Comments

2nd Oct
The Hidden by Heather Graham
The Hidden
by Heather Graham
Series: Krewe of Hunters #17
Genres: Paranormal, Romantic Suspense
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne Flame

Can the same killer strike again a hundred and fifty years later? Estes Park, Colorado, is a place of serenity. But it wasn't always so serene. Shortly after the Civil War, Nathan Kendall and his wife were murdered there, leaving behind a young son. The crime was never solved. Now, historian Scarlet Barlow is working at a small museum attached to a B and B, the same building where that murder occurred. She recently came to Colorado, reeling after her divorce from FBI agent Diego McCullough. Diego, who's just been asked to join the Krewe of Hunters, a unit dealing with unusual situations. When Scarlet unwittingly takes pictures of people who've been murdered just like the Kendalls a hundred and fifty years before the police look at her with suspicion. Then the museum's statues of historic people, including Nathan Kendall, begin to talk to her, and she knows it's time to call her ex-husband. Diego heads to Estes Park, determined to solve the bizarre case that threatens Scarlet's life and to reunite with the woman he never stopped loving.

The Hidden by Heather Graham is the seventeenth book in the Krewe of Hunters series, but if you have not read them, you can jump in anywhere. Each book focuses on one case and a couple. The Hidden takes us to Colorado with a murder that occurring at the site of an unsolved Civil War murder. Graham delivered a suspenseful murder mystery with a second chance romance on the side making The Hidden a compelling read. Graham delivers a tale with the focus on the murder mystery. She then weaves in a solid romance and paranormal elements making the Krewe of Hunters series a must for my auto-buy list.

In The Hidden, we meet Scarlet Barlow, the ex-wife of Diego McCullough. We met Diego in Miami, Florida in The Forgotten. Scarlet is now working as a historian for a small B&B nestled near the Rocky Mountains. The work is fascinating particularly because she ties to Nathan Kendall. He and his wife were previous owners that were found brutally murdered. When grisly murder scene pictures appear on her camera she soon finds herself  under arrest. She calls the one man she knows will come to her aid, Diego. Diego has been offered a place on the Krewe and a series of events followed by Scarlet’s frantic call have him joining and asking for assistance. He and his partner fly to Colorado and the fun begins…

The case was intense tying the past to the present. I enjoyed all the suspects and clues as the murderer becomes more brazen. The paranormal aspects are in the form of ghosts. They are all victims who have been murdered and they reach out to Scarlett. The connection between them and the past was interesting; as was the motive for the present day murders. Graham weaves local history into her stories, and we learn a little about Stephen King and his stay in the small-town, as well as the history of Nathan Kendall. It gave the story a little more depth and I loved all the tidbits. I also felt a connection to the characters from the past and current murder victims.

A second chance romance between Scarlett and her ex-husband Diego felt genuine. Graham gave us chemistry and enough back story that I became invested in their outcome. I enjoyed seeing them admit to past mistakes and realizing it takes two. Graham did a great job of sharing their feelings and I am glad that the physical need to connect helped them open up.

Adam Harrison the founder of the Krewe and other Krewe members aided with reconstructing facial images to identify victims and canvassing for clues. Graham dabbles in some of the forensic and police procedures but keeps the details light. I questioned a few aspects of the story, particularly with the local police officer in charge of the case. View Spoiler »However, nothing bothered me enough to hinder my enjoyment. Of course, red herrings, and suspects keeping secrets led us on a merry chase towards a nail-biting, life or death climax.

The Hidden wraps up nicely solving the mystery and giving us closure between Scarlet and Diego.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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61 Responses to “The Hidden by Heather Graham”

  2. Candace

    I know I’ve heard a lot of good things about this author but still haven’t read any of them. I’m glad she keeps the police procedural stuff light. I hate that stuff for some reason.

  3. Nelle

    I first read her Civil War historicals, years ago. I’m afraid I read/listened to the first Harrison Investigations book, started listening to the second and got bored. I tried the first Krew of Hunters and I think I finished… I remember the storyline up to a point but not the conclusion. This one sounds good though! Maybe I’ll just skip to it 🙂

  4. viki

    It has been a while since I read her books, I have to start the reading her books again. Glad that you can start anywhere in the series.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      You really can Viki. Some of the books within the 17 makeup trilogies or 4 book mini series (one group of the Krewe) but each totally works as a standalone

  5. Katherine

    I’ve read about half of this one – in one sitting – and am loving it! I’m really enjoying the history and family connections woven in to the modern day murder. Great review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Wahooooooooo!!! I am so glad. I really enjoy her books..you get a little mystery, a little history, some paranormal woo-woo and just a touch of romance!

  6. Melanie Simmons

    Heather Graham is an author that I’ve seen around and thought about trying. I’ve just never had anything that stood out enough to jump ahead of all the other books. Maybe one day. Great review.

  7. Lorna

    I still have the book that I bought based on one of your reviews from awhile back still in my tbr pile. One of these days I need to read it! Great review as usual 🙂

  8. Wattle

    17 books, gosh. It blows my mind how some authors can churn out books like that (and some take 10 years to write a second book lol) I have a list of authors I need to check out because of your reviews, so many mysteries coming my way, yay! 🙂

  10. Kim { Book Swoon }

    I almost picked up two earlier books from the series from the library, but I knew I have to wait until I have a little less on my TBR pile for reviews. I glad you reminded me that this is a series that I can jump into (thank goodness at 17) lol!
    Fabulous review as always, Kimba! Hope you have a great weekend 🙂

  11. Lily B

    I love a good second chance romance. I can’t believe I have not yet read any of her books 🙁

  12. Rita

    Nice review! I’ve read the first two books in this series and look forward to more, but as you said, you can technically jump around and still enjoy whichever.
    It can be annoying to us avid readers who spot a mistake in how law enforcement handles a case, but if the rest of the story is good, it’s okay to overlook it.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Thanks Ali. We are celebrating my b-d today with dinner and a movie. I am going to see the Martian and cannot wait 🙂 You need to read that book if you haven’t done so.

  15. Stormi

    Being a bit OCD when it comes to series..lol…I have started at the beginning though I do have this one. I just finished book two and can’t wait to grab book three when I get paid this week…lol. 🙂 I am slowing getting there. 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      LOL, I use to be that way until I stumbled across series like this..but I did start at the beginning with these..and those characters aren’t even in theses books.

  16. Melissa (Books and Things)

    OMG! I wanna know what was said!

    Oh I’m glad you said you can jump anywhere b/c I do think I’d start with this one. I love things set in my state and usually jump to read them (not always good when you can tell they haven’t been anywhere near the town it was set… but I have a good feeling about this one). Adding this one to my list!

  17. Angela

    A mystery and a second chance romance…this is going on my TBR list. I’ve always wanted to give this series a go but I was afraid it was so far along, I would be lost. Thanks for letting me know I can just jump in.

  18. Ramona

    17?! Holy cow! It sounds like a great mix, the second-chance romance and the mystery. I haven’t read her yet, but her books always come warmly recommended, so I guess I should… Happy weekend, Kimba!

  19. Heidi

    Seventeenth book! yikes. Normally that would intimidate me, but I am glad to know you can jump in anywhere. I have been anxious to read something else by Heather.

  20. Mary Kirkland

    This books sounds pretty good. It’s been a while since I’ve read one of her books and I used to like her quite a bit.

  22. Linnae

    I haven’t read Heather Graham since the mid 2000’s but I used to enjoy her romantic suspense novels written about the Soap Opera world. I can’t remember why I stopped reading her novels. Maybe it was a case of too many novels and too little time but I love Estes Park and I love ghosts in my mysteries. I will add this one to my TBR list since you say that it works as a stand alone.

  23. Rosa

    I had never heard about this author before, but your review made me curious. There are so many author out there that it’s impossible to keep track. So many books and so little time… That’s the story of a book lover’s life 🙂

  24. Debbie Haupt

    Kim, its been a while since I’ve read a Krew tale. I think it’s time I catch up and I like that I can just pick and choose which ones I want!
    Thanks for the great review!

  25. Tracy Terry

    Though by all accounts a hugely popular author I’ve yet to read anything by Heather Graham myself. Whilst hoping to getting around to doing so one day I doubt very much it will be this as I really don’t want to begin any long running series.

  26. Shari

    Interesting. I haven’t read this author before. Book 17 in the series – ouch! That is one for my challenge The Never Ending Series.

  28. Nick

    17 books! WOW! I’m always impressed by authors that have such long series.
    I love the sound of the second chance romance and the mystery of course. Glad this was such a good experience for you, Kim! 🙂

  29. Maureen Beatrice

    This sounds like a really good read Kimberly. Mystery, Second Change Romance and Paranormal elements.. Sounds like this book has everything it needs to work. I must admit I never heard about this author before, but this sounds like a series I would really like and I’ll definitely keep it in mind.
    Cute cover to!!

  30. Bookworm Brandee

    I’ve not read Graham. *ducks* But since you said this series can be read from any point, and The Hidden takes place here in Colorado with local history shared, I’m thinking this might be a great jumping off point. I really enjoy books set in places I *know* as it makes the story that much richer for me. And as I’ve told you before, I’m a sucker for a second chance romance. Scarlett and Diego’s admitting to one another that they both made mistakes – that makes it ‘real’. Oh dear, you’re expanding my TBR pile again, Kimberly! 😉