The Evil Inside

Krewe of Hunters #4

by Heather Graham

For as long as it has stood overlooking New England's jagged coastline, Lexington House has been the witness to madness—and murder. But in recent years the inexplicable malice that once tormented so many has lain as silent as its victims.

Until now. A member of the nation's foremost paranormal forensic team, Jenna Duffy has made a career out of investigating the inexplicable. Yet nothing could prepare her for the string of slayings once again plaguing Lexington House—or for the chief suspect, a boy barely old enough to drive, much less kill.

With the young man's life on the line, Jenna must team up with attorney Samuel Hill to pinpoint who—or what—is taking the lives of those who get too close to the past. But everything they learn brings them closer to the forces of evil stalking this tortured ground.

Genres: Paranormal, Mystery, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Suspense

368 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2011

About the author

Also published as Heather Graham Pozzessere and Shannon Drake.

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.

Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.

She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.

Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.

Reviews

[Wendy-Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Evil Inside (Krewe of Hunters #4) by Heather Graham was an “on the edge of your seat” thriller. On his way back to his hometown of Salem Massachusetts, Attorney Sam Hill sees a young boy run into the street covered in blood and clearly in shock. He calls his longtime friend and sheriff John Alden to the scene. Come to find out, the boy is Malachi Smith who lives in Lexington House. Lexington House has been a legend in Salem where many have been murdered since the 1600’s. Unfortunately, this was the case with Malachi’s family. Jenna Duffy, a paranormal investigator, has come to Salem to see her father who happens to be Malachi’s therapist. Jenna can see and talk to ghosts. She knows that Malachi is innocent and asks Sam to represent him. The townspeople of Salem are happy that Malachi is behind bars. They think that he has “the evil eye” and is responsible for all the recent murders in Salem including the Smith family. Jenna convinces Sam to let her go into Lexington House to see if she can telepathically see the events from the past to determine what exactly happened. From there everyone becomes a suspect. I was in shock once the killer was revealed. The Salem history elements in this story from the accused witches of 1692, the Puritans, and the Wiccan religion were very interesting. Even though this was the fourth installment of the Krewe Hunters series, it read like a standalone. Now, I just need to go back and read the first three. Highly recommended. Received courtesy of Net Galley.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars... Take a setting like Salem, MA, add in the magic and mystery of Halloween, the history of the Salem Witch Trials, a gruesome murder mystery that spans centuries, and ghostly guides that desire truth and justice and what do you get???... One hell of a story!... I loved going on this adventure with Jenna and Sam to uncover past wrongs and right the present injustices that come from prejudice and fear... I felt completely immersed in the story from the start and didn't want it to end... It had just enough twists and turns that it kept me guessing until the very last page... This series just gets better and better with each installment; it combines history and fiction beautifully that the reader gets enough taste of each to be fully satisfied... Always a pleasure to engage in this series:)

[ᴥ Irena ᴥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in this series where Jackson Crow's team is not called in to help the local police. Even Jackson and Angela aren't present until later. Jenna Duffy comes to Salem to visit her uncle who needs her help. A young boy was found covered in blood and wondering naked in the middle of the street. Jenna's uncle believes he is not a murderer, so he manages to convince her and the man who found the boy to investigate. Sam, a famous lawyer, even agrees to defend the boy.
I liked the setting of this story. The time of the murders is around Halloween. The story has a lot of history (a parallel between the accused at the Witch trials and the unwillingness of the people to even consider that the boy might not be the killer only because he comes from a religious and strict family) and there is a lot of contemplation of justice and religious tolerance. The villain is not that obvious.

There is less romance than in previous books though it doesn't ruin the story.

[Linda Rawlins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Krew of Hunters Book #4 - taking place during Halloween in Salem, Mass. A costumed horned God has murdered in the community and Jenna Duffy and Sam Hall have to catch the killer to save a young man. Good read!

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I have now read quite a few of the books in this series (not always in chronological order), including a couple in audiobook format, and this review really could apply to just about any of the books, as they follow essentially the same formula. Hot, single guy/girl (who may or may not have a paranormal talent) is in some way involved with/witness to a crime meets hot, single guy/girl who is a member of the Krewe of Hunters come to investigate said crime. These characters hate each other on sight, become attracted to each other the next day, sleep with each other on the third day, and are in love by the end of the book (about 2 days later), all while investigating the crime.

Once you are aware not to go into these with expectations of a brilliantly written thriller/romance, they are all actually pretty fun, quick reads and I will probably continue on with the series whenever I’m looking for a holiday read. I know next to nothing about American history and I do enjoy the use of true historical crimes and/or myths and legends used in the stories. The Evil Inside was probably not the strongest I’ve read in the series but still, not bad.

On to the negatives though. The editing is poor, something I’ve noticed particularly in this book and the previous one. A character name is used when it is obviously meant to be someone else. Spelling mistakes really are just not acceptable in properly edited books in my opinion. I’m also not sure what Graham was thinking when naming her characters either. In the previous book we had Jake, Jackson, Jude and Jenna. At one point, Jude was speaking to Judith! In this book, we had Sam having a conversation with another Sam (Samantha). Michael and Michael Jnr??? Confusing and probably contributing to the terrible editing. And finally, I am really getting sick of the woman in the story putting herself in dangerous situations and then having to be rescued by the man, even when she is the FBI agent. How about we have the woman rescuing herself for a change? Or rescuing the man?

So, as I’ve said, overall this series and this book is fun but don’t go into it expecting too much.

[fleurette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have already read some paranormal romantic suspenses by Heather Graham. Some were better, some were worse. This one was a better one.

I enjoyed the characters, there are likeable. Even though I would like to be more relationship building between Jenna and Sam, it was okay.

The suspense part wasn't really surprising or innovative but still it grab my attention. However, some answers were obvious to me from the beginning.

I would give it 3.5 star. It's a good read for those who are looking for something for a Halloween time. And what is better that a Salem paranormal suspense.

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another Heather Graham novel that does not disappoint. I know this is a series, I have not read it in order & don't really have to. I've always been intriqued with the Salem Witch Trials and this book takes place in Salem, Mass & the paranormal forensic team is investigating a house that has had many murders in the past & trying to figure out what happens to the owners. Very intriquing, suspensful with a little romance thrown in.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Evil Inside is book four in the Krewe of Hunters series by Heather Graham. Jenna Duffy, part of the paranormal forensic team, caught a case at Lexington House located on the coastline of New England. Lexington House was again involved with a murder. With the help of Samuel Hall, Jenna Duffy started to investigate the death of a young man. However, the case was not as easy as Jenna and Samuel thought at the beginning of the case. The readers of The Evil Inside will continue to follow Jenna and Samuel to find out what happens.

I enjoyed reading the Evil Inside. The way Heather Graham incorporates the paranormal elements into her plot is well done. I engaged with this book from the first page and was unable to put the book down. I love Heather Graham's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine with each other throughout this book. Evil Inside is well written and researched by Heather Graham. I like Heather Graham description of the settings of Evil Inside that complement the plot of this book.

The readers of Evil Inside will learn how to cook Rum Punch, New England Clam Chowder and Baked Scrod. The readers of Evil Inside will learn about the history of Salem, Massachusetts.

I recommend this book.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the setting of Salem for this story. The play of how people view those different throughout American history was nicely woven into the story as well. We see Jenna as the main focus of this story which is something I find interesting in this series. There is a whole unit but each book focuses on the relationship of one. The buildup and intersections between Sam and Jenna were entertaining and when they finally shared their emotions it was not surprising. Jamie is adorable and I wish I had an uncle like him. The ending was somewhat clear, but not predictable as there were some twists along the way. It was great seeing others from the Krewe as well and I look forward to the next story. I also hope we see Malachi again as his character grabbed my attention.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good ghost story by Heather Graham! I thought the plot of this one was really good and as always I like the little bit of history thrown in. The main characters were just okay, nothing special. I enjoyed the secondary characters almost a little better I think.

[Gawelleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai adoré!!! Maintenant je veux en savoir plus sur Salem et les divers procès qu'il y a eu !
Bon ceci-dit j'ai eu des soucis avec la traduction qui passe du "tu" au "vous" et inversement dans un même dialogue!

[Debrac2014 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I'd enjoy it more due to Salem setting but the repeating of false accusations got me down. I did enjoy the mix of history and murder mystery!

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
 

Read It, Rate It and Record   
A short review to update challenges
 

I was able to get Phantom Evil,  the first book of this Krewe Of Hunters series from the Audible Romance package.  Heart of Evil  and Sacred Evil were available with audio through Kindle Unlimited.   The Evil Inside is not in either program so I requested an CDs through Interlibrary Loan.

I am enjoying the series and I LOVE Luke Daniels narration but this one didn't work for me as well.  Jenna is off visiting with her uncle in Salem, Massachusetts. She teams up with a lawyer who grew up in Salem and her uncle to defend a boy who is getting railroaded for murder because of circumstantial evidence and prejudice.

The whole plan and plot did not feel very organized. There was almost none of the team involved until later and still only a few of them. It's more fun to have the team dynamics.  Jenna also did too many things without backup, which is not smart for law enforcement. The romance was too insta-love, even though they met briefly as teenagers.  I enjoyed listening but I had to suspend disbelief a bit too much.
Narration:
Luke Daniels is the voice of the series.  He is one reason I chose this series. I am able to listen at 1.5x speed.  He performed all the voices of males and  females well. The various accents sounded right to me. He is wonderful.

Listen to a clip:  HERE

 

[Shainlock · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salem Massachusetts has seen it’s share of horror and unfortunately it’s not over, the infamously legendary Lexington House is once again a crime scene of grisly proportions and the only surviving member of the family is also the only suspect, but there’s someone who believes in his innocence and decides to bring in the big guns.
Jenna Duffy has been called by her uncle Jamie to help prove the innocence of a boy accused of a bloody crime spree and her being part of the FBI’s special unit known as The Krewe of Hunters she’s used to things that go bump in the night and sometimes use those things to help solve the crime.
Sam Hall has retuned home for a rest after winning a big case and he deserves some R & R, unfortunately there’s no rest for the weary defense attorney because he’s just kissed the Blarney stone known as Jamie O’Neill who’s somehow talked him into not only defending a suspected killer of his family but he’s doing it pro-bono as well as accepting the help of Jamie’s niece Jenna.
The farther Sam and Jenna look into the case the more questions they raise and pretty soon it’s clear that someone wants them quiet, maybe permanently so. Even with all the danger and spectral sightings Sam and Jenna are developing deep feelings for each other and soon it means more than ever to keep each other safe.
Master of the paranormal romance Heather Graham gives us another gripping mystery with more than a touch of the woo woo that makes her famous and for a good reason because who better could make us believe the unbelievable especially in Salem MA at Halloween time. Ms. Graham supplies us with a plot straight out of the Twilight Zone and makes it believable, she does this with incredible characters that fill page after page with details that the reader will use to follow the clues that she lays out like crumbs. She uses a narrative that is clear and precise and easy to read in which she gives us all the details we need to fill in the blanks of her puzzles. Her romance is sweet and sexy and her love scenes are hot as Hades.
If you’re looking for that first spooky read to get you in the mood for All Hallows Eve, you want a contemporary romance that’s filled with history, you want a novel that delves into the paranormal range or you just want a great curl up on the sofa read, pick this one up.
This is part of a series that are loosely connected by characters but in no way need to be read in order, they stand on their own very well.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is set in Salem, MA, around Halloween, making it a perfect October read, in my opinion. Jenna Duffy is a member of the Krewe of Hunters, an FBI group made up of people with a little bit different skills- they can see ghosts. Jenna returns home to Salem at the request of her Uncle Jamie, a twee little Irishman, who can spin a good ghost story. He is also respected psychiatrist in the community, and when one of his patients, a teenager named Malachi, is accused of a murder Jamie doesn't believe he committed, he asks Jenna to return home and use her gifts to help free Malachi. They enlist the help of hot-shot attorney Sam Hall; Jenna and Sam inevitably fall in love, but Sam does have to struggle with a few aspects of Jenna's life- such as her ability to see ghosts. Jenna obliges her uncle, which leads to learning much more about the history of Lexington House, where Malachi lived and his family was axed to death.


In my opinion, we didn't learn enough about the history of Lexington House. As with all the books in the series that I have read, I have enjoyed them immensely, but was left wanting to hear more of the back story. This book in particular left me even more curious than the rest. The house is "evil", filled with tales of murders that have taken place there throughout the decades, all the way back to the Salem Witch era, a period of time that has been an interest of mine for years. I wanted to know more about the history of the house, and why what happened there, happened.


This is a fun book, and while it didn't scare me, it did have some pretty gruesome scenes. I enjoyed this book, and think it was a perfect addition to my October reading lineup.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Evil Inside takes a slightly different path in this series by not bringing together the entire Krewe of Hunters to work on a case. Jenna Duffy heads to Salem, Massachusetts, her Uncle Jamie’s hometown, per his request. Jamie, a child psychologist, is determined to prove the innocence of one of his former clients who is charged with murdering his parents. To help him further in his quest, Jamie ropes in a hometown, hotshot lawyer, Sam Hill, to defend young Malachi Smith.
It seems the entire town is against Malachi; half of them believing he simply struck back at an abusive father, and half believing that the evil spirits of Lexington House, Malachi’s home, made him do it. Jamie quickly wins Jenna and Sam over to his side and they are all eager to defend the boy and prove his innocence. However, Jenna quickly realizes that Sam is uncomfortable with and unbelieving in some of her investigative techniques and skills- particularly her seeing visions of the past.
Jenna and Sam butt heads and Jenna calls in back-up from a couple of her other team members. Despite his concerns and doubts, Sam finds himself attracted to Jenna and becomes protective of her. Jenna, Sam, Jamie, and the other Krewe members don’t give up until they have all of their answers.
Good book, good series. My only complaint is that the entire Krewe wasn’t working together- I enjoy their interactions with each other.

[Saturnus · Rating 3 out of 5]

När Jenna Duffy får ett medelande om att komma och hälsa på sin morbor i Salem åker hon med en gång till "häxstaden" där det nyligen skett ett blodigt familjemord.
Hennes morbor Jamie vill att hon utreder just detta mordet. Jamie, som är psykolog, pratar med den enda överlevande i familjen, Malachi Smith, och har gjort det i åratal.

Malachi själv är häktad inne på psyket för att ha mördat hela sin familj med en yxa. Hela staden är övertygad att Malachi är mördaren, även om Malachi påstår att han är oskyldig.
Men det beviset som gör polisen övertygad räker för att få honom till rättegång.

Försvarsadvokaten Sam Hall körde tillbaka till sin hemstad Salem för att sälja sina döda föräldrars hus när en kille, naken och dränkt i blod, hoppade framför bilen.
Den här killen visade sig vara Malachi, och med övertalning av både Jamie och Jenna tvingar nu Sam sig själv över att bli Malachis försvarsadvokat. Trots att alla bevis är mot Malachi är Sam övertygad över att han är oskyldig. Genom att vara hans försvarsadvokat kommer han sätta hela sin karriär på spel.

Jenna och Sam börjar nu snoka runt i staden, som är fylld av hat mot familjen Smiths överhuvud: Abraham Smith, Malachis pappa. Alla hatar honom och tycker han fick vad han förtjänade.
Men efter en djupgrävning kommer flera mord som passar in.
Vad är sambandet?

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story deals with perceived slight and mass-induced accusations just for being different. Thankfully, there is usually at least one person out there standing up to bullies and determined to find out the truth, no matter what.
This adventures is based in Salem - where else could it be? - and while not really involving witches, there have been some horrendous murders over the past six months. The culprit appears obvious - a seemingly troubled young man, found in the middle of the road, naked, covered in the latest victims' blood. However, is life ever as simply and straight-forward as that?
While this is not really a tale of witches and witchcraft, Heather Graham does set the story at just before Halloween, a time when Salem really comes to life. A lot of tourists visit as well as a lot of those wanting to earn a buck or two, reading tarot cards or performing magic tricks, A very modern way of living - and yet, the lessons of that past still need to be remembered.
Of course, as always in Heather Graham's Krewe of Hunters series, the murders are not truly resolved right to the end ... although there are hints pointing throughout. The reader - just like the investigators - have to work through all the red herrings, lies and seemingly unanswerable questions, in this case also prevail through prejudice and mass-hysteria. A true Halloween story indeed.

[Elizabeth Wallace-Beers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have it two stars for a few reasons. Don’t get me wrong I LOVED THE THEME AND SETTING OKAY. Salem? Witch trails? And wiccans and other mystic things my cup of tea. And she’s very accurate at explaining the Wiccan beliefs. BUT the two stars has to do with the fact that I’m noticing a repetitive formula. Her first book in the series ‘Phantom evil’ was Amazing. It was more rich in character building and everything. But the plot for the next 3 books is becoming so repetitive. The second book wasn’t as bad, she changed it up by putting the killer perspective in there every so many chapters. But after that it’s getting old. She splits one team member off and leaves the rest to come later mid book. The single team member meets someone they become attracted during the investigation. They boink. The rest of the team shows up, getting updated on everything they investigate more, and at the end the main character team member gets captured by the killer solving the case. The end. Also, the lack of character building after phantom evil is disappointing. Blah. Hopefully, heather will change it up eventually. I’m going to take a long break at reading her novels. Eventually I’ll catch up on the series but it’s getting pretty bleh to me.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heather Graham's newest installment in the Krewe of Hunters still has me hooked! I love the way the series combines elements of both supernatural and ordinary ordinary happenings. She weaves them together so seamlessly.

The Evil Inside delves into the horrific past of Salem, Massachusetts, the famous witch trials and other horrific crimes that took place there. Sam has traveled to his childhood town for a bit of rest and relaxation after successfully winning a hard-fought trial in Boston, but what he finds is a teenager standing naked in the road and covered in blood. Jenna Duffy has come home following a call from her Uncle Jamie. They both get caught up in the case of Malachi Smith, a young boy who is found covered in the blood of his family after they have been hacked to death. While everyone in town has already found him guilty in their own minds, Uncle Jamie begs Sam and Jenna to help him prove Malachi innocent. Is there a killer still running loose, or has the ghost of old Mr Lexington come back to murder?

I loved that Graham combined the historical story of the Salem Witch Trials with a modern-day murder, and I'm looking forward to future stories with the Krewe!

[Kerry sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well wow this grabbed me by the short and curly's and kept me totally in it's grip to the very last page. Like all the books in this series it is knee deep in history and actual historic events, I am not a fan of historical fiction but this kept me interested and I loved how correlation was drawn with the events happening in the story. I guessed who did it but I was still surprised by the reveal and what a reveal it was. The love element was light and was kept just on the right side of warm but never overshadowed the thriller aspect. There is something about these books that make you love the characters they are quirky and good at their jobs. I will be reading more soon.

[RM(Alwaysdaddygirl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are you interested in the history of Salem, Massachusetts, during Halloween? If so, then read The Evil Inside, the fourth book in the Krewe of Hunters series by Heather Graham.
For me, the history was the best part of this book. That is the only reason why I give it three stars. Sadly, this series has a lot of errors in it, and there is a lot of mixed up information. I feel that this series needs a twist to spice things up. I am going to continue with the series because of my love of history and the paranormal aspect.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time reading this author. I enjoyed the setting of the story, being the time of year it is. The storyline was a bit predictable. You knew who was going to fall for who. The "who done it" became clear about 3/4 of the way through if you put all the pieces together. It, still, was a relaxing read and good story of "who done it".

[Beanse · Rating 1 out of 5]

You got one star because Good reads has rate to put out negative star ratings!

Finally finished the worst series on the planet. Save yourself some time and find another series to read. I may never forgive Graham for this abomination she called a series! NEVER!!!

[Lynnell Donnelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cannot tell you how many typo's I found in this book......

[~*Trema*~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is my complete review:
http://anovelexperience2011.blogspot....

[Sabrina · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book drove me crazy,half of the book is nonsense

[Lori (on hiatus, life is crazy busy)) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book in the Krewe Of Hunter's series! Great plot, fast pace and character's that you feel have become your friends!

[Karen Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! As all her books are. I liked getting to know more about Jenna.