laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Sacred Evil
4 Stars
Following the discovery of a mutilated corpse, NYPD detective Jude Crosby is forced to admit that this murder and two previous deaths may be the work of a Jack the Ripper copycat. When a unique FBI unit specializing in the unexplained is called in, Jude must work with Agent Whitney Tremont and accept that their are some things fact and logic cannot explain including his undeniable attraction to the spunky special agent.
I originally decided to discontinue the series after the first two lackluster installments, but decided to give this one a go upon learning that it revolved around Jack the Ripper, and I am glad that I did.
The historical background and research into Jack the Ripper's original crimes and the possibility that he continued his murderous spree in NYC is detailed and interesting. The descriptions of the crimes both past and present is realistic but not overwhelming and the mystery is compelling with several plausible suspects that keep you guessing right up until the end. The X-File like paranormal elements merge well into the story, and although the climax is a little rushed it is ultimately satisfying and the epilogue left me smiling.
Jude and Whitney have an intense and palpable attraction and their opposites attract romance is the best in the series. Jude is a "just the facts ma'am" investigator - logical, honorable and sexy in his diligence. Whitney is fierce and insightful but wary of accepting her gift. Together they make an excellent team both in and out of the bedroom.
The secondary characters are another highlight. Jude's father, the enigmatic ME, the down and out Vietnam Vet and the ghost dog all contribute to the overall story as do the other Krewe members who make their appearance halfway through and remain in the background.
The writing is good although there are some annoying editorial errors that detract from the flow but nothing too drastic.
Overall, the solid mystery and captivating romance has convinced me to give the series another try.
4 Stars
Following the discovery of a mutilated corpse, NYPD detective Jude Crosby is forced to admit that this murder and two previous deaths may be the work of a Jack the Ripper copycat. When a unique FBI unit specializing in the unexplained is called in, Jude must work with Agent Whitney Tremont and accept that their are some things fact and logic cannot explain including his undeniable attraction to the spunky special agent.
I originally decided to discontinue the series after the first two lackluster installments, but decided to give this one a go upon learning that it revolved around Jack the Ripper, and I am glad that I did.
The historical background and research into Jack the Ripper's original crimes and the possibility that he continued his murderous spree in NYC is detailed and interesting. The descriptions of the crimes both past and present is realistic but not overwhelming and the mystery is compelling with several plausible suspects that keep you guessing right up until the end. The X-File like paranormal elements merge well into the story, and although the climax is a little rushed it is ultimately satisfying and the epilogue left me smiling.
Jude and Whitney have an intense and palpable attraction and their opposites attract romance is the best in the series. Jude is a "just the facts ma'am" investigator - logical, honorable and sexy in his diligence. Whitney is fierce and insightful but wary of accepting her gift. Together they make an excellent team both in and out of the bedroom.
The secondary characters are another highlight. Jude's father, the enigmatic ME, the down and out Vietnam Vet and the ghost dog all contribute to the overall story as do the other Krewe members who make their appearance halfway through and remain in the background.
The writing is good although there are some annoying editorial errors that detract from the flow but nothing too drastic.
Overall, the solid mystery and captivating romance has convinced me to give the series another try.
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
Read for Fun
Overall Rating 4.00
Story Rating 3.75
Character Rating 4.25
Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought When Finished: I am really enjoying the Krewe of Hunters!
What I Loved: The Team! I know each of them so well by now that it is always a joy when I hit half way through the book and they all show up! I wait for the moments where they are talking, working out the case, and in general offering support to each other. It seems silly but the team work is just part of what makes them shine! I love when authors can make you fall in love with the friends not just the romances in a story.
What I Liked: Whitney and Jude's romance was sweet and not overwhelming to the story. I would have liked for there to be a little more with the romance but that seems to be secondary in the Krewe stories. I am actually ok with this.
Audio Review: I love Luke Daniels and I think this was the best of audio of the series so far. Now I do recognize that he "reuses" voices from other series that he has narrated but that is only distracting for a few minutes in this entry.
Final Thought: If you like Paranormal Mystery/Thrillers I would say pick up this series.
Overall Rating 4.00
Story Rating 3.75
Character Rating 4.25
Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thought When Finished: I am really enjoying the Krewe of Hunters!
What I Loved: The Team! I know each of them so well by now that it is always a joy when I hit half way through the book and they all show up! I wait for the moments where they are talking, working out the case, and in general offering support to each other. It seems silly but the team work is just part of what makes them shine! I love when authors can make you fall in love with the friends not just the romances in a story.
What I Liked: Whitney and Jude's romance was sweet and not overwhelming to the story. I would have liked for there to be a little more with the romance but that seems to be secondary in the Krewe stories. I am actually ok with this.
Audio Review: I love Luke Daniels and I think this was the best of audio of the series so far. Now I do recognize that he "reuses" voices from other series that he has narrated but that is only distracting for a few minutes in this entry.
Final Thought: If you like Paranormal Mystery/Thrillers I would say pick up this series.
ceeceejay's review against another edition
2.0
Not as fun a read as I thought it would be. There was a lot of info dumping and not enough suspense. Also, the hero and heroine's attraction to one another was forced. This one was a chore to get through.
sinadria's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
catladylover94's review against another edition
5.0
did not even know who the killer was until the last minute boy did I not see that one comming
readwithchey's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this SO MUCH! The audiobook was flawlessly done. I loved the elements of history that was wrapped up in this book- a modern day Jack the Ripper? Yes. Yes please. The romance was perfection. The ghost dog was perfection. The ending was perfection. My favorite of the series so far!
knboereads's review against another edition
4.0
Heather Graham upped her game in the one, with a nod to the lasting fascination with Jack the Ripper.
The historical details were especially interesting, and the mystery had me thinking several different people were the culprit before putting another twist in the tale and making me think different.
I've always liked Whitney from the first book and I was pleased she got her own story. Jude was awesome from the first, even with his obvious skepticism of Whitney and her 'ghost buster' tendencies.
The main ghost helping then out this time was loveable (you'll understand when you read it) and honestly I kind of what my own.
My one criticism would be that, again, some of the dialogue was stilted and formal, and at times some of what the characters said smacked of more 'tell' than 'show', but it wasn't enough to turn me off to the book.
I'm really enjoying this series so far and look forward to reading the other installments.
I don't recommend reading this one at night though. Not too scary, but just enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up just a little bit.
The historical details were especially interesting, and the mystery had me thinking several different people were the culprit before putting another twist in the tale and making me think different.
I've always liked Whitney from the first book and I was pleased she got her own story. Jude was awesome from the first, even with his obvious skepticism of Whitney and her 'ghost buster' tendencies.
The main ghost helping then out this time was loveable (you'll understand when you read it) and honestly I kind of what my own.
My one criticism would be that, again, some of the dialogue was stilted and formal, and at times some of what the characters said smacked of more 'tell' than 'show', but it wasn't enough to turn me off to the book.
I'm really enjoying this series so far and look forward to reading the other installments.
I don't recommend reading this one at night though. Not too scary, but just enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up just a little bit.
ceng1018's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I enjoy this mystery series. I look forward to the next book. Quick read, good suspense expected the heroine to be attacked. Was surprised by the villain.
tita_noir's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I like this one a tick more than the first two in the series. In this one the Krewe are dispatched to NYC to help the police investigate a series of murders that are an exact replication of the murders attributed to Jack the Ripper. The lone eye-witness even describes the perp as a man in a cloak with a top hat and medical bag.
Like the other books, the modern day murder mystery also runs side-by-side with a long unsolved murder mystery that includes restless ghosts helping the intrepid crew out.
The romance in this one is between Whitney, the ghostly-apparitions-on-film expert/grand-daughter of a Voodoo priestess, and the lead NYC detective.
Again a nice solid entry in the series. My biggest minus is that the book focused a lot on Whitney in the beginning. She is the first of the crew to arrive in NYC and she quickly creates a rapport with Jude, the cop. I like the ensemble aspect of the series so I was kind of missing the rest of the group. But I really like the mystery aspect so it balanced out some of the (small)dissatisfaction I had with missing some of the group. I also wish we got to spend more time with Jenna and Will. So far those two are the least developed of the group but maybe they will feature more strongly in upcoming books.
The mystery was intriguing and I didn't guess the killer. Truthfully, though, it wasn't overtly clever or anything. There was no ah-ha! moment. In fact the way the story was crafted almost anyone could have been chosen as the killer.
Still, it was quick and fun and I am enjoying this series.
Like the other books, the modern day murder mystery also runs side-by-side with a long unsolved murder mystery that includes restless ghosts helping the intrepid crew out.
The romance in this one is between Whitney, the ghostly-apparitions-on-film expert/grand-daughter of a Voodoo priestess, and the lead NYC detective.
Again a nice solid entry in the series. My biggest minus is that the book focused a lot on Whitney in the beginning. She is the first of the crew to arrive in NYC and she quickly creates a rapport with Jude, the cop. I like the ensemble aspect of the series so I was kind of missing the rest of the group. But I really like the mystery aspect so it balanced out some of the (small)dissatisfaction I had with missing some of the group. I also wish we got to spend more time with Jenna and Will. So far those two are the least developed of the group but maybe they will feature more strongly in upcoming books.
The mystery was intriguing and I didn't guess the killer. Truthfully, though, it wasn't overtly clever or anything. There was no ah-ha! moment. In fact the way the story was crafted almost anyone could have been chosen as the killer.
Still, it was quick and fun and I am enjoying this series.
xakyr's review against another edition
2.0
I've been reading through these, and most of the time I find myself justifying a round up to 3 stars on each book. Not so on this one!
The story was patently unbelievable! The Krewe of Hunters is called in WAY too early on, the media jump to the Jack the Ripper conclusion entirely too quickly, and I thought that the romance was mostly ignored for the entire book, which made the talk of Jude and Whitney being a couple at the end of the book totally laughable!
The plot was full of red herrings, and it seemed as though the cops didn't have clue one about what was going on. The villains were a surprise, but with a weak plot bogged down in too many twists, by the time we got to the reveal, I found I really didn't care one way or the other about it. I was actually relieved when I finished this book!
Extra points given for using the "Jack the Ripper in America" theory, but if the group I'm reading this series with decides to ditch it, I'll be eagerly joining them!
The story was patently unbelievable! The Krewe of Hunters is called in WAY too early on, the media jump to the Jack the Ripper conclusion entirely too quickly, and I thought that the romance was mostly ignored for the entire book, which made the talk of Jude and Whitney being a couple at the end of the book totally laughable!
The plot was full of red herrings, and it seemed as though the cops didn't have clue one about what was going on. The villains were a surprise, but with a weak plot bogged down in too many twists, by the time we got to the reveal, I found I really didn't care one way or the other about it. I was actually relieved when I finished this book!
Extra points given for using the "Jack the Ripper in America" theory, but if the group I'm reading this series with decides to ditch it, I'll be eagerly joining them!