The Betrayed by Heather Graham
Harlequin MIRA, 2014
Crime Fiction (Paranormal Romance); 400 pgs
This is my second full length novel by Heather Graham as well as my second in her Krewe Hunters series (the 14th book in the actual series), and I have to say I liked it even more than The Hexed, which I read in August. And what a perfect way to open October, I might add, given the setting of Sleepy Hollow.
FBI agent Aiden Mahoney is new to the Krewe Hunter team and is not sure why he was selected for such an elite unit, one that is known for dealing with "weird" cases--or more simply put, the paranormal. Although he doesn't deny that some people can talk to ghosts, he is sure he isn't one of them. One night, in a dream, however, he hears the voice of an old friend who Aiden is fairly certain is newly dead.
Sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the disappearance of his friend who is also a popular rising politician, Aiden arrives too find his friend has, in fact, been murdered, his head severed from his body. Maureen "Mo" Deauville and her dog, Rollo, discovered the head. Mo and Rollo often help the police find missing people and have an extraordinary track record. Mo has her own special gift, but lets Rollo take the credit. Aiden and Mo, along with the other Krewe members and the local police, join forces to solve the murder, hopefully before the murderer strikes again.
Aiden is dedicated to his job and persistent in the hunt to find his friend's killer. He is also in denial of his ability to communicate with the dead. He soon discovers, however, he is going to have to tap into the part of him he's kept buried if he is to solve the crime. His friend's death is tied to history, he's sure, and the ghosts are the only ones who can help him connect all the pieces together.
I took to Mo instantly (and Rollo too!). She had long ago moved out of the city, tired of always being called upon to find the dead, wanting instead to find the living. Search and rescue isn't her main job, however. It's something she does as a volunteer. She earns her living making greeting cards and is quite good at it. Mo, like Aiden, can communicate with the dead. Only, she's been using her ability all her life. Her role in the investigation is key given its tie to the area's history.
I love history and so was quite excited to read a little more about the Hudson Valley, Sleepy Hollow included. I did feel at first that some of the history, told through dialogue among friends, seemed too obvious and forced, but as the story went on, the author was better able to insert historical tidbits here and there in a more natural way. Washington Irving isn't exactly a new name to me, nor the legends of Sleepy Hollow. There were other aspects of the areas history I did not know, however, and I enjoyed learning about them, especially by way of meeting the ghosts.
Through the area history and descriptions of the valley and its various landmarks, Heather Graham was able to create an atmospheric setting for the novel. I felt like I was right there alongside the characters and in the midst of a sadistic killer. With Halloween fast approaching, it seemed a perfect setting for murder--headless horseman displays everywhere, the cemeteries full of tourists and actors playing their parts.
Heather Graham's cozy paranormal mysteries wouldn't be what they are without a little romance as well, and Aiden and Mo are quite suited for each other. They took a while to warm up to each other, more because they were fighting their feelings rather than a lack of attraction, but I did appreciate how natural their relationship progressed (even if still fast--it is a novel, remember, and everything happens quickly in novels like this).
The mystery was intriguing, and I enjoyed seeing how the pieces all fell into place. The motive isn't something that is immediately known and clues to what it might be are dropped right in the middle of the novel in a rather obvious way. Still, it didn't stop me from trying to guess who the murderer could be right from the start.
The Betrayed is an entertaining novel, and one that has me wanting to continue with the series. Now to go back and start from the beginning . . .
FBI agent Aiden Mahoney is new to the Krewe Hunter team and is not sure why he was selected for such an elite unit, one that is known for dealing with "weird" cases--or more simply put, the paranormal. Although he doesn't deny that some people can talk to ghosts, he is sure he isn't one of them. One night, in a dream, however, he hears the voice of an old friend who Aiden is fairly certain is newly dead.
Sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the disappearance of his friend who is also a popular rising politician, Aiden arrives too find his friend has, in fact, been murdered, his head severed from his body. Maureen "Mo" Deauville and her dog, Rollo, discovered the head. Mo and Rollo often help the police find missing people and have an extraordinary track record. Mo has her own special gift, but lets Rollo take the credit. Aiden and Mo, along with the other Krewe members and the local police, join forces to solve the murder, hopefully before the murderer strikes again.
Aiden is dedicated to his job and persistent in the hunt to find his friend's killer. He is also in denial of his ability to communicate with the dead. He soon discovers, however, he is going to have to tap into the part of him he's kept buried if he is to solve the crime. His friend's death is tied to history, he's sure, and the ghosts are the only ones who can help him connect all the pieces together.
I took to Mo instantly (and Rollo too!). She had long ago moved out of the city, tired of always being called upon to find the dead, wanting instead to find the living. Search and rescue isn't her main job, however. It's something she does as a volunteer. She earns her living making greeting cards and is quite good at it. Mo, like Aiden, can communicate with the dead. Only, she's been using her ability all her life. Her role in the investigation is key given its tie to the area's history.
I love history and so was quite excited to read a little more about the Hudson Valley, Sleepy Hollow included. I did feel at first that some of the history, told through dialogue among friends, seemed too obvious and forced, but as the story went on, the author was better able to insert historical tidbits here and there in a more natural way. Washington Irving isn't exactly a new name to me, nor the legends of Sleepy Hollow. There were other aspects of the areas history I did not know, however, and I enjoyed learning about them, especially by way of meeting the ghosts.
Through the area history and descriptions of the valley and its various landmarks, Heather Graham was able to create an atmospheric setting for the novel. I felt like I was right there alongside the characters and in the midst of a sadistic killer. With Halloween fast approaching, it seemed a perfect setting for murder--headless horseman displays everywhere, the cemeteries full of tourists and actors playing their parts.
Heather Graham's cozy paranormal mysteries wouldn't be what they are without a little romance as well, and Aiden and Mo are quite suited for each other. They took a while to warm up to each other, more because they were fighting their feelings rather than a lack of attraction, but I did appreciate how natural their relationship progressed (even if still fast--it is a novel, remember, and everything happens quickly in novels like this).
The mystery was intriguing, and I enjoyed seeing how the pieces all fell into place. The motive isn't something that is immediately known and clues to what it might be are dropped right in the middle of the novel in a rather obvious way. Still, it didn't stop me from trying to guess who the murderer could be right from the start.
The Betrayed is an entertaining novel, and one that has me wanting to continue with the series. Now to go back and start from the beginning . . .
Rating:
(Good +)
To learn more about Heather Graham, and her books, please visit the author's website.
Many thanks to the TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to be a part of this book tour. E-Copy of the book provided by the publisher.
© 2014, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I've only read The Night Is Forever in this series. It was light, but entertaining. Maybe I should pursue the series!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I like that each book is a stand alone in the series so I don't feel bad not starting at the beginning. :-)
DeleteI'm glad you're enjoying this series, Wendy. I need to check out Heather's books.
ReplyDeleteMelody - Thanks, Melody! They aren't perfect books, but they are entertaining books to read.
DeleteI like crime fiction but I'm not crazy about paranormal or romance so I'm not sure this is for me.
ReplyDeleteKathy - Yes, I am not sure you would like this one.
DeleteI so so so so want to read this series! I have both The Betrayed and The Hexed and I want to read them but I keep not getting to them! I did enjoy The Cursed so hopefully I'll be able to squeeze them in soon. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I still haven't read The Cursed. Hopefully before the year is out. No promises though! LOL
DeleteI like that you read two books near the end of the series so far and were able to follow the story and enjoy it too! I have an older Heather Graham paperback (Nightwalker) and some older e-book (can't recall the title just now) and have yet to read them. I should give this author a try. I just moved from the (northern) Hudson Valley region so I am familiar with this area where the story is based--should be fun. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteRita - The books are very much stand alones, each one taking on a different couple. Some of the characters may appear in other books, but only as very minor characters.
DeleteIt sounds like such a beautiful setting.
A great cover, it really does shout read me. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it. It does sound good with just the right amount of romance.
ReplyDeleteTracy - I like the cover too. :-) While the romance is a big part of the story, it definitely doesn't overshadow the mystery which is the main part. And the romance progressed naturally (even if fast), which is always a plus.
DeleteReading this one right now, too! Love the series.
ReplyDeleteLouisa - I hope you enjoyed it!
DeleteWow, better than THE HEXED? Sounds like this series is going strong!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the tour.
Heather - They were both enjoyable reads, but, yes, I enjoyed this one a little more. :-)
DeleteLove Betrayed since the background is Sleepy Hollow. I'm looking forward to the next book.
ReplyDeleteKai - It's a great setting, I agree. I am going to try to go back and read some of the earlier books since I haven't yet read them.
DeleteI've enjoyed her other books I've read and this looks like a series I'd like!
ReplyDeleteStacy - I am enjoying it!
Delete