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Krewe of Hunters #6
The Unholy
The 1940s: hard-boiled detectives and femmes fatale are box-office gold. In one iconic scene, set in a deserted museum, the private eye arrives too late, and the buxom beauty is throttled by an ominous Egyptian priest.
Now: the Black Box Cinema immortalizes Hollywood's Golden Age in its gallery of film noir tributes. But the mannequin of that Egyptian priest is hardly lifeless. He walks and a young starlet dies a terrifying death. Movie mogul Eddie Archer's son is charged with the grisly murder.
Eddie calls agent Sean Cameron, who specializes in irregular investigations. As part of an FBI paranormal forensics team, Cameron knows that nightmares aren't limited to the silver screen. Working with special-effects artist Madison Darvil who has her own otherworldly gifts Cameron delves into the malevolent force animating more than one movie monster.
Now: the Black Box Cinema immortalizes Hollywood's Golden Age in its gallery of film noir tributes. But the mannequin of that Egyptian priest is hardly lifeless. He walks and a young starlet dies a terrifying death. Movie mogul Eddie Archer's son is charged with the grisly murder.
Eddie calls agent Sean Cameron, who specializes in irregular investigations. As part of an FBI paranormal forensics team, Cameron knows that nightmares aren't limited to the silver screen. Working with special-effects artist Madison Darvil who has her own otherworldly gifts Cameron delves into the malevolent force animating more than one movie monster.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 26, 2012
409 people are currently reading
2790 people want to read
About the author
Heather Graham
583 books6,902 followersAlso 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 305 reviews
June 30, 2022
Fun mystery around an old Hollywood special effects studio and the adjoining cemetery. I had half the mystery solved, but not the other half. Kept me in the story the entire book. The Krewe was amazing as always.
July 2, 2017
The Unholy is the sixth novel in Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunter series. Each of her novels follows a special unit of the FBI that solves difficult cases utilizing paranormal gifts. All of her novels can be read as a standalone. They each deal with one member of the team, their love interest and a new case. Unholy was a fun read involving a closed room murder, the ghost of Humphrey Bogart and an old Hollywood Cinema. I quickly became swept up in this tale, and was surprised when the murderer was revealed.
The tale begins when a murder occurs at the Black Box Cinema and the owner’s son is arrested for the heinous crime. Owner, Eddie Archer pulls every favor he has in Los Angeles to help clear his son’s name. He contacts former special-effects employee and friend Sean Cameron. Sean is now a member of the FBI’s special unit; Krewe of Hunters. He and the rest of this unusual team have recently finished their FBI training. Sean arrives a day ahead of the team, and Archie introduces him to Madison Darvil. She is a trusted employee and special effects artist. He puts Madison in charge of showing Sean around the cinema. The tale that unfolds was both delightful and creepy as we searched for clues to solve this murder.
Sean Cameron is a sweetheart. He is smexy, protective and sensitive. His back-story will delight you, and I found him to be completely swoon-worthy. He is a talented special-effects artist, and one heck of an FBI agent. His training and special abilities help him as he works to clear a man’s name, protect Madison and prevent another murder. Madison Darvil is talented, kind, head strong and lives with the ghost of Bogart. Yep, movie icon Humphrey Bogart watches television and chats with Madison in her bungalow! Their interaction was hilarious. At the age of six her best friend died and appeared as a ghost. She shared this experience with her mother. That experience taught her to never talk about her gift..to anyone, ever! While happy in her career she is lonely. Living with this secret and having Bogart around (who likes to sit in the living room when she entertains perceptive dates) doesn’t do much to help her non-existent love life. The rest of the Krewe team is there, but they work strictly on the case as the tale focuses on the murder, Sean and Madison. Graham gives us a great array of characters as suspects from an actor to a costume designer. She provides characters that scream guilty; like Archie newest wife. I wanted to slap this woman and then turn around and slap the loveable Archie for falling for a woman like this..eek gads!
The case is a good one. It features a favorite mystery classic; a murder within a closed room. I loved the setting of the old movie theater and the back history to the old black and white movies. I found the whole thing intriguing. Grahams shows us the killer in costume and it is quite frightening. She reveals bits and pieces of the murderer’s psyche. As Cameron, the team and Madison piece together clues I became completely enthralled with the tale. I pieced together parts and totally failed on the masked killer. The romance is secondary to the mystery which is one aspect I appreciate in Graham’s tales. I get great suspense and a couple who I end up believing in and rooting for. There is some sexual content in this novel, but Graham has a talent for providing heated scenes that are all implied. I want to thank the publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange for my unbiased review.
The tale begins when a murder occurs at the Black Box Cinema and the owner’s son is arrested for the heinous crime. Owner, Eddie Archer pulls every favor he has in Los Angeles to help clear his son’s name. He contacts former special-effects employee and friend Sean Cameron. Sean is now a member of the FBI’s special unit; Krewe of Hunters. He and the rest of this unusual team have recently finished their FBI training. Sean arrives a day ahead of the team, and Archie introduces him to Madison Darvil. She is a trusted employee and special effects artist. He puts Madison in charge of showing Sean around the cinema. The tale that unfolds was both delightful and creepy as we searched for clues to solve this murder.
Sean Cameron is a sweetheart. He is smexy, protective and sensitive. His back-story will delight you, and I found him to be completely swoon-worthy. He is a talented special-effects artist, and one heck of an FBI agent. His training and special abilities help him as he works to clear a man’s name, protect Madison and prevent another murder. Madison Darvil is talented, kind, head strong and lives with the ghost of Bogart. Yep, movie icon Humphrey Bogart watches television and chats with Madison in her bungalow! Their interaction was hilarious. At the age of six her best friend died and appeared as a ghost. She shared this experience with her mother. That experience taught her to never talk about her gift..to anyone, ever! While happy in her career she is lonely. Living with this secret and having Bogart around (who likes to sit in the living room when she entertains perceptive dates) doesn’t do much to help her non-existent love life. The rest of the Krewe team is there, but they work strictly on the case as the tale focuses on the murder, Sean and Madison. Graham gives us a great array of characters as suspects from an actor to a costume designer. She provides characters that scream guilty; like Archie newest wife. I wanted to slap this woman and then turn around and slap the loveable Archie for falling for a woman like this..eek gads!
The case is a good one. It features a favorite mystery classic; a murder within a closed room. I loved the setting of the old movie theater and the back history to the old black and white movies. I found the whole thing intriguing. Grahams shows us the killer in costume and it is quite frightening. She reveals bits and pieces of the murderer’s psyche. As Cameron, the team and Madison piece together clues I became completely enthralled with the tale. I pieced together parts and totally failed on the masked killer. The romance is secondary to the mystery which is one aspect I appreciate in Graham’s tales. I get great suspense and a couple who I end up believing in and rooting for. There is some sexual content in this novel, but Graham has a talent for providing heated scenes that are all implied. I want to thank the publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange for my unbiased review.
August 7, 2022
Krew of Hunters - a paranormal investigative FBI team checks out murder in a famous cinema and special effects studio highlighting actors and films from Hollywood’s Golden Age on the Silver Screen.
June 13, 2012
My Thoughts:
I liked this book. It was a light, fast moving read. A nice change of pace from some of the other books I have been reading recently. And even though this is a Krewe of Hunters book, I didn’t feel like I was missing out on any information by not having read any of the other previous books with this subtitle. The characters were fun and it was a nice simple mystery.
So, Ms. Graham, where have I been all your life? In looking around before requesting this book from Netgalley, I was a bit taken aback at all the books this author has written and this is my first. I enjoyed this book so much, that I can tell you it will certainly not be my last Heather Graham book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Publishers for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review
I liked this book. It was a light, fast moving read. A nice change of pace from some of the other books I have been reading recently. And even though this is a Krewe of Hunters book, I didn’t feel like I was missing out on any information by not having read any of the other previous books with this subtitle. The characters were fun and it was a nice simple mystery.
So, Ms. Graham, where have I been all your life? In looking around before requesting this book from Netgalley, I was a bit taken aback at all the books this author has written and this is my first. I enjoyed this book so much, that I can tell you it will certainly not be my last Heather Graham book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Publishers for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review
July 4, 2012
This was both my first and last foray into the world of Heather Graham. The reviews for this were decent, the description sounded like it had tons of promise. A little murder, a little film noir, and a title that seems to promise an evil supernatural presence. I should have known from the start when the character of "Bogie," AKA Humphrey Bogart's ghost was introduced.
Cheesy characters, little action to contribute to plot development, and not much more "film-noir-esqueness" than the casual mention of a character's love of the genre.
Once i start a book, I have to finish it, and I found myself reading voraciously just to finish the thing.
Cheesy characters, little action to contribute to plot development, and not much more "film-noir-esqueness" than the casual mention of a character's love of the genre.
Once i start a book, I have to finish it, and I found myself reading voraciously just to finish the thing.
June 11, 2012
The Unholy by Heather Graham
5 STARS
This was the most entertaining of her books. I really liked it.
The ghosts were the best part.
Alistair Archer was all by himself in his dad movie theater watching old movie one sunday. His father has a old theater that shows old movies and its closed on sunday. Thier is a tunnel that runs from the theater to his adjacent studio where they make special effects for different movies. they sit on two acres next too very old cemetery. Down in part of the tunnel is set up old movie scenes a museum. Some of the time you can go from one building to another but security is tight when they are working on blockbuster movie.
Alistair is surprised by a actress who says the door was open and begs him to let her see some of the props maybe help her get a small roll.
So Alistair let his girl talk to let him in through the tunnel. while by the scene of the movie they are remaking he sees that the locked door is open and hears Jenny scream and as he turns sees her get her throat sliced and runs slips in blood and knocks himself out.
The police arrest him for the murder of Jenny since he was alone with her in locked building.
Eddie Archer calls in some favors and gets a FBI special group to come in and help. The first one he calls his a old special effects employee that is part of this Krew. Sean Cameron does not believe Alistair would kill someone either.
Eddie also asks his employee Madison to take Sean around and show hims the changes since he worked thier. Eddie told Sean that Madison is like him special.
Madison sees ghosts but a lot of time she does not realize they are dead until someone else wonders who or what she is talking about. Eddie saw her a couple of times talking to know one at the cemetary. Madison since she was real young learned not to let anyone know she sees people that others dont see.
In fact she saw an actor that looked like Humphrey Bogart and had a nice talk with him till she realized it was really him. In fact Humphrey Bogart ends up living with her and watches old tv shows.
Sean after taking Madison to the morgue goes back to her apartment and sees Bogie and talks to him. Madison has never told anyone about her ghost and had never met anyone like her. Sean also asks what Jenny told her at the morgue.
Infact most his group of FBI agents can see ghosts. Jenny likes that she is not alone and they believe her. Madison had someone sneaking around her place and Bogie was able to set off her car alarm scared someone off and woke Madison up.
Since the FBI agents can see the ghosts Bogie and Jenny help to try and find out who killed Jenny and how they got in and out of locked building.
Thier are some love scenes. and some scary scenes in this book.
I was given this ebook in exchange for honest review from Netgalley.
06/19/2012 PUB Harlequin Mira
5 STARS
This was the most entertaining of her books. I really liked it.
The ghosts were the best part.
Alistair Archer was all by himself in his dad movie theater watching old movie one sunday. His father has a old theater that shows old movies and its closed on sunday. Thier is a tunnel that runs from the theater to his adjacent studio where they make special effects for different movies. they sit on two acres next too very old cemetery. Down in part of the tunnel is set up old movie scenes a museum. Some of the time you can go from one building to another but security is tight when they are working on blockbuster movie.
Alistair is surprised by a actress who says the door was open and begs him to let her see some of the props maybe help her get a small roll.
So Alistair let his girl talk to let him in through the tunnel. while by the scene of the movie they are remaking he sees that the locked door is open and hears Jenny scream and as he turns sees her get her throat sliced and runs slips in blood and knocks himself out.
The police arrest him for the murder of Jenny since he was alone with her in locked building.
Eddie Archer calls in some favors and gets a FBI special group to come in and help. The first one he calls his a old special effects employee that is part of this Krew. Sean Cameron does not believe Alistair would kill someone either.
Eddie also asks his employee Madison to take Sean around and show hims the changes since he worked thier. Eddie told Sean that Madison is like him special.
Madison sees ghosts but a lot of time she does not realize they are dead until someone else wonders who or what she is talking about. Eddie saw her a couple of times talking to know one at the cemetary. Madison since she was real young learned not to let anyone know she sees people that others dont see.
In fact she saw an actor that looked like Humphrey Bogart and had a nice talk with him till she realized it was really him. In fact Humphrey Bogart ends up living with her and watches old tv shows.
Sean after taking Madison to the morgue goes back to her apartment and sees Bogie and talks to him. Madison has never told anyone about her ghost and had never met anyone like her. Sean also asks what Jenny told her at the morgue.
Infact most his group of FBI agents can see ghosts. Jenny likes that she is not alone and they believe her. Madison had someone sneaking around her place and Bogie was able to set off her car alarm scared someone off and woke Madison up.
Since the FBI agents can see the ghosts Bogie and Jenny help to try and find out who killed Jenny and how they got in and out of locked building.
Thier are some love scenes. and some scary scenes in this book.
I was given this ebook in exchange for honest review from Netgalley.
06/19/2012 PUB Harlequin Mira
June 17, 2012
I'll admit that I've been disappointed with the Krewe of Hunters series as of late. It's not that they're particularly bad as much as they've just been too similar to one another, which makes it hard to really see each one as an individual piece. Graham tries to break out of that mold slightly in this volume and while she does succeed in making it more unique than the previous novel (The Unseen), it still feels like it could have been slightly fresher.
There were things that I liked as well as disliked about this book. I loved the idea of setting the book during a movie remake and bringing in elements from the golden age of Hollywood, as that was a time period when secrets were readily covered up by production companies and gossip could run even hotter than it does now. The book starts off nicely and sets the scene well, with the character of Madison having just enough introduction to make her sparkle. The addition of Bogie as the ghost did make me raise an eyebrow since it seemed like he was there more to up the "old Hollywood" feel, but it's done decently enough to where it doesn't really matter. I can't help but wish that perhaps it'd been a non-famous ghost that Graham had made up herself, as that would've allowed her to do more with the character.
The pacing is decently done for the most of the book, but unfortunately where it comes apart is in the ending. I felt like the ending was just too rushed and was sort of just tacked on, with not enough buildup to give it a nice punch. I can't entirely explain it without being spoilerish, but it felt both predictable and "huh?" at the same time, as the whodunit had me flipping through the book to remind myself of the characters. It's good that it was someone I wasn't predicting, but I would've liked a bit more buildup.
Overall this wasn't bad and it's better than some of the other books in the KoH series, but this just sort of seems to suggest to me that perhaps it's time to finish up this series so Graham can focus on other projects. This is pretty much the same idea as the first four set of books for the original KoH, just with different characters, and I admit that I'd much rather see books that focus on the pre-existing couples than continually introduce umpteen new crews just to have new couplings. After a while it just becomes too overly familiar, and this is what ultimately does this book in: we've seen this before. It's good in that way that all of Graham's novels have that "sit on the beach and drink a cool beverage" sense of fun, but it's just a little too familiar and some fans might just find themselves longing for something slightly different.
3 out of 5 stars
(ARC provided by Netgalley)
There were things that I liked as well as disliked about this book. I loved the idea of setting the book during a movie remake and bringing in elements from the golden age of Hollywood, as that was a time period when secrets were readily covered up by production companies and gossip could run even hotter than it does now. The book starts off nicely and sets the scene well, with the character of Madison having just enough introduction to make her sparkle. The addition of Bogie as the ghost did make me raise an eyebrow since it seemed like he was there more to up the "old Hollywood" feel, but it's done decently enough to where it doesn't really matter. I can't help but wish that perhaps it'd been a non-famous ghost that Graham had made up herself, as that would've allowed her to do more with the character.
The pacing is decently done for the most of the book, but unfortunately where it comes apart is in the ending. I felt like the ending was just too rushed and was sort of just tacked on, with not enough buildup to give it a nice punch. I can't entirely explain it without being spoilerish, but it felt both predictable and "huh?" at the same time, as the whodunit had me flipping through the book to remind myself of the characters. It's good that it was someone I wasn't predicting, but I would've liked a bit more buildup.
Overall this wasn't bad and it's better than some of the other books in the KoH series, but this just sort of seems to suggest to me that perhaps it's time to finish up this series so Graham can focus on other projects. This is pretty much the same idea as the first four set of books for the original KoH, just with different characters, and I admit that I'd much rather see books that focus on the pre-existing couples than continually introduce umpteen new crews just to have new couplings. After a while it just becomes too overly familiar, and this is what ultimately does this book in: we've seen this before. It's good in that way that all of Graham's novels have that "sit on the beach and drink a cool beverage" sense of fun, but it's just a little too familiar and some fans might just find themselves longing for something slightly different.
3 out of 5 stars
(ARC provided by Netgalley)
November 30, 2013
A well-written mystery that keeps you guessing as to who the killer might be. Other than a group of characters who can communicate with the dead, practically everyone is a suspect.
The setting, The Black Box Cinema, is a perfect atmosphere for this mystery to unfold in. Graham paints a colorful picture in which her dynamic characters can come to life. And, they do.
I would have liked to see more romance develop between the hero and heroine. But The Unholy is still very much an exciting and suspenseful read, which stands out from the other titles in the stack.
The setting, The Black Box Cinema, is a perfect atmosphere for this mystery to unfold in. Graham paints a colorful picture in which her dynamic characters can come to life. And, they do.
I would have liked to see more romance develop between the hero and heroine. But The Unholy is still very much an exciting and suspenseful read, which stands out from the other titles in the stack.
May 18, 2012
Another fascinating paranormal from this prolific and multitalented author, “The Unholy” is set in Los Angeles and Hollywood, focusing on a special effects firm which has a particular forte for “film noir,” the classics of the 1930’s through 1950’s, when movies such as “The Maltese Falcon” drew viewers in by the hordes. As well as showcasing these classics of the genre, the company also works on newer films in the same venue, and operates a museum showcasing classic film noir favorites.
But now, during filming of a new film entitled “The Unholy,” intended to be a reprise of the early film “Sam Stone and the Curious Case of the Egyptian Museum,” something in the museum has turned deadly: the “mummy” of the murderous Egyptian priest Amun Mopat. So either someone is disguising himself as the priest-or something seriously paranormal is occurring. It hasn’t escaped notice, either, that the original film had been marked by untimely and inexplicable death. Since one of the special effects firm’s employees not only views the dead, but many of them speak to her, she can function as a medium to reach the “Other Side.” The FBI agent and erstwhile effects wizard specializes in odd investigations too, and these two may be exactly what is needed to delve to the source of this case.
A Heather Graham paranormal is always a delight: smoothly written, with superb suspension of disbelief. Author Graham never has to convince us that the paranormal is real, we take it for granted. That’s how talented is she!
But now, during filming of a new film entitled “The Unholy,” intended to be a reprise of the early film “Sam Stone and the Curious Case of the Egyptian Museum,” something in the museum has turned deadly: the “mummy” of the murderous Egyptian priest Amun Mopat. So either someone is disguising himself as the priest-or something seriously paranormal is occurring. It hasn’t escaped notice, either, that the original film had been marked by untimely and inexplicable death. Since one of the special effects firm’s employees not only views the dead, but many of them speak to her, she can function as a medium to reach the “Other Side.” The FBI agent and erstwhile effects wizard specializes in odd investigations too, and these two may be exactly what is needed to delve to the source of this case.
A Heather Graham paranormal is always a delight: smoothly written, with superb suspension of disbelief. Author Graham never has to convince us that the paranormal is real, we take it for granted. That’s how talented is she!
June 14, 2012
When I first picked up this book I wasn't sure if I'd placed it on the right shelf (urban fantasy) here on Goodreads--it took a while for the fantasy element to show up. And for quite some time you're not sure if the killer is a fantastical element or if it really is a locked-room mystery with a very real murderer. (Side rant: anyone else out there hate it when a locked-room mystery--or deserted island, natch--turns out to be just a dream? Tell me how they got out of the room, darn it) This is my first book by this author, but it sounds like she's known for writing that way, and I enjoyed it. The premise is fun--a murder at a special effects company with an owner who loves film noir--and the characters are people I think I'd get along with. The story reads very fast, and it's tremendously fun to have the characters interact with Humphrey Bogart as a ghost. Even though this is part of a series, the book stands fine on its own, which is a relief. There are plenty of hints about things that have happened before, but they didn't intrude on the narrative nor did they loom so large it seemed like something vital was missing. The characters could use a little more development (especially in the supernatural department) and I was sort of disappointed in the reveal of the whodunit, but the rest of the story is entertaining and well constructed. I'm curious now about the other stories in this series, so I'll check this author out if I come across other works.
I received this as a digital ARC via Netgalley and the publisher.
I received this as a digital ARC via Netgalley and the publisher.
September 22, 2013
Setting: Hollywood
Case: A murder of a young starlet which is somehow connected to the movie they are making at the studio (a remake of an obscure noir film with murderous Egyptian priest, a tough PI and, of course, a femme fatale).
Sean Cameron was sent to investigate a locked room murder mystery at one of the best studios/cinemas in Hollywood. Movie mogul Eddie Archer's young son was accused of murdering a young starlet. He claims a robed priest killed her. Sean intended to help anyway because he used to work there with Eddie and considers him a very good friend.
Eddie asked one of his friends and an artist working at the studio, Madison Darvil, to help Sean with anything he might need.
What makes this book more interesting than the previous is the help these two get from a very unlikely source. Even with the gruesome death of a young girl, the helper brings a touch of humour in the story. You can choose to look at it either as a great albeit strange thing or a bit cheesy to use such a character in this story. I chose the former.
Romance is nothing special. It is even less special than in other books. I can say the same for the villain too. The reasons behind the murder were very weak and almost unbelievable.
Case: A murder of a young starlet which is somehow connected to the movie they are making at the studio (a remake of an obscure noir film with murderous Egyptian priest, a tough PI and, of course, a femme fatale).
Sean Cameron was sent to investigate a locked room murder mystery at one of the best studios/cinemas in Hollywood. Movie mogul Eddie Archer's young son was accused of murdering a young starlet. He claims a robed priest killed her. Sean intended to help anyway because he used to work there with Eddie and considers him a very good friend.
Eddie asked one of his friends and an artist working at the studio, Madison Darvil, to help Sean with anything he might need.
What makes this book more interesting than the previous is the help these two get from a very unlikely source. Even with the gruesome death of a young girl, the helper brings a touch of humour in the story. You can choose to look at it either as a great albeit strange thing or a bit cheesy to use such a character in this story. I chose the former.
Romance is nothing special. It is even less special than in other books. I can say the same for the villain too. The reasons behind the murder were very weak and almost unbelievable.
June 28, 2012
The Unholy by Heather Graham is the newest addition to The Krewe of Hunters series by Heather Graham. The Krewe of Hunters centers around a group of FBI agents who specialize in “unusual” crimes, unusual meaning paranormal in nature. Each of the Krewe has some ability, in this case that of seeing and talking to ghosts.
Sean Cameron started his career as a special effects artist with Archer Studios in Hollywood. After moving back home to Texas to take care of his old girlfriend who is dying, he joins the FBI. When a grisly murder occurs at his old studio and Eddie Archer’s son is accused, Eddie Archer calls on Sean to help. Eddie also knows who can help him, Madison Darvil, who can also see ghosts. In fact she has ghost living in her house, that of Humphrey Bogart!
The Unholy is a clever mixture of old and new Hollywood legend and lore. The present day murder duplicates a scene in a noir classic and could only be the work of a studio insider with an ax to grind with Archer Studios. Madison and Sean are being stalked by a killer who becomes more clearly deranged with each passing day.
The Unholy is very spooky and escalates the suspense to a high level. The mystery is convoluted and takes precedence over the romance in this entry in the series. The Unholy is a well-plotted read, peopled with fully fleshed out charcters.
Sean Cameron started his career as a special effects artist with Archer Studios in Hollywood. After moving back home to Texas to take care of his old girlfriend who is dying, he joins the FBI. When a grisly murder occurs at his old studio and Eddie Archer’s son is accused, Eddie Archer calls on Sean to help. Eddie also knows who can help him, Madison Darvil, who can also see ghosts. In fact she has ghost living in her house, that of Humphrey Bogart!
The Unholy is a clever mixture of old and new Hollywood legend and lore. The present day murder duplicates a scene in a noir classic and could only be the work of a studio insider with an ax to grind with Archer Studios. Madison and Sean are being stalked by a killer who becomes more clearly deranged with each passing day.
The Unholy is very spooky and escalates the suspense to a high level. The mystery is convoluted and takes precedence over the romance in this entry in the series. The Unholy is a well-plotted read, peopled with fully fleshed out charcters.
June 4, 2012
Review written for www.books-n-kisses.com
The best thing about the ghost novels by Heather Graham is they are so hard to figure out who did it and this book was no exception. I will say I had the villain in my top 3 suspects but not the why. Heather Graham is the master of ghost stories. This is the sixth in the Krewe of Hunters series and the second with the Texas Krewe characters.
This time they head to L.A. because Sean’s old boss and mentor calls to say his son was arrested for murder. Madison has actually taken the position Sean worked in L.A. and is asked to show Sean the things that have changed since he left. I really never felt a huge connection between Sean and Madison, they just didn’t have that love match that other characters from Graham have had. That being said it is still a great story. I have no idea where Graham finds the time to research so much for her stories.
I really enjoyed the ghost that lives with Madison (I won’t ruin it by telling you who it is) and enjoyed the mystery of the storyline. Another great book by Heather Graham.
The best thing about the ghost novels by Heather Graham is they are so hard to figure out who did it and this book was no exception. I will say I had the villain in my top 3 suspects but not the why. Heather Graham is the master of ghost stories. This is the sixth in the Krewe of Hunters series and the second with the Texas Krewe characters.
This time they head to L.A. because Sean’s old boss and mentor calls to say his son was arrested for murder. Madison has actually taken the position Sean worked in L.A. and is asked to show Sean the things that have changed since he left. I really never felt a huge connection between Sean and Madison, they just didn’t have that love match that other characters from Graham have had. That being said it is still a great story. I have no idea where Graham finds the time to research so much for her stories.
I really enjoyed the ghost that lives with Madison (I won’t ruin it by telling you who it is) and enjoyed the mystery of the storyline. Another great book by Heather Graham.
October 15, 2012
I am thoroughly convinced that no one can pull off paranormal romance like Ms. Graham can. Then again, I'm not going to lie...if you've read one of Heather's paranormal romances, you've read them all. And yet, I still enjoy her stories. I like that no matter how many books of hers I've read, there's still going to be a twist or two I'm not going to see coming. I also kind of dig the fact that there is almost always a celebrity ghost that is attached to the main character. Then again, it really could be all the hot, steamy scenes she writes so well that keeps me coming back. Regardless, I always come back.
If you're looking for a fun, swift read that quickens your pulse and indulges your need for the long gone days of Hollywood, buy it!
If you're looking for a fun, swift read that quickens your pulse and indulges your need for the long gone days of Hollywood, buy it!
May 18, 2012
Sean once worked on movie sets as a special effects master. Now he is a part of the ghost seeing FBI krew of hunters, He’s been called in by his old boss Eddie after his son is accused of murder. The studio has been working on a remake of the old Sam Stone movie, which has been titled The Unholy. Madison, a member of the studio also has the ability to see ghosts. Her roommate is Bogie, yes that bogie (Bogart). While the crew and Madison are digging for clues, and gathering information, Vengeance is active and just awaiting the next victim. This title is typical of the series and is a good read. However Graham has written much better sex scenes.
July 4, 2012
A mystery based on old 1940's mysteries that I intend to wait to see if my rating should be 4 stars verus 5 stars. A son of a special effects film producer sneaks his very sexy would be girl -friend into a mock-up of an old Sam Stone film. One of creatures "comes to life" and murders the girlfriend and injures the son.The father, Eddie Archer asks Sean Cameron, a former employee,now FBI. to investigate what appears to be a locked room mystery .
I loved the story although like most romance-mysteries it was overdone and slightly unrealistic. But the 1940's movie aspect, like a hat, seemed to cover over the top aspects of this novel. Yep,an enjoyable guilty pleasure .
I loved the story although like most romance-mysteries it was overdone and slightly unrealistic. But the 1940's movie aspect, like a hat, seemed to cover over the top aspects of this novel. Yep,an enjoyable guilty pleasure .
September 15, 2012
Just getting into this series by Heather Graham called "Krewe of Hunters" about a psychic FBI unit that investigates cases using their paranormal "gifts"--mediumship etc. So far I am enjoying the series. There are several more that I am on the waiting list for at my library so I am reading them in the order in which they come in.
April 17, 2012
A scary stay-up-all-night-jumping-at-every-sound suspense story!!!
July 4, 2014
Typical Heather Graham book. Murder, ghosts and a bit of instant love. Nice and quick read.
April 14, 2016
A really fab read. Loved it.
December 29, 2019
Good
Great series. Really enjoy it. It's interesting and the history in it is great as well. It's been good to revisit
Great series. Really enjoy it. It's interesting and the history in it is great as well. It's been good to revisit
January 15, 2019
4 Stars... Take a trip into the past film noir where classics seem to come to life and commit... murder?... The new Krewe of Hunters are put to the ultimate test as they face down the many facades of the Hollywood elite when a grisly murder occurs and an innocent man is arrested for the crime... In a race against time, the crew must unravel fact from fiction and truth from lies as they delve into past betrayal and present vengeance... An entertaining read with many twists that left me guessing until the very end:)
May 29, 2023
This....this was horrible. I've never read anything written as poorly as this was. It was so bad, it was funny. So read it if you want a good laugh, but don't get your hopes up. 😂😂😂😂
May 30, 2020
This series is always a fun read. I thought the movie aspect was really cool and the fact that one of the ghosts is Humphrey Bogart is amazing.
July 8, 2012
The Unholy really didn't stand out from the usual murder mystery with a twist for me. There's some interesting (semi-fictional) Hollywood history, but beyond that it's just the typical guy and girl solves a murder plot, down to the instant attraction and unavoidable red herrings. But despite the supernatural aspect, it's really not creepy at all, and while I liked it, I also think it's kinda disappointing and nothing special.
Madison Darvil and Sean Cameron, the girl and guy investigators, give this book a sort of Ghost Whisperer vibe. They can see ghosts and treat the ghost of the young Hollywood actress whose murder they're investigating almost like they want her to 'cross over', that plus Madison's back story really reminds me of that show. But disappointing, the murder ended up being way more conventional than supernatural as first advertised, it's obvious almost right away that a person and not a ghost's involved, and I don't mean Alistair, the number one suspect just because he was with the victim when she's murdered. Disappointing. And speaking of Alistair, the whole thing becomes really annoying, everyone emphasizing how it must've been him because he was with the victim - alone - in a locked room, except for Madison, Sean, and a few close friends of Alistair's father Eddie who all 'know' that it couldn't be him.
Anyway, I really wished that Graham would've planted a few doubts, made me believe that the figures could've come alive and committed the murder, but that never happens. Instead, all the evidence and investigation pointed to various real people, and eventually the culprit's caught. The ghosts are really just an afterthought. And the motive behind the crime, while explained, well, it's nothing exciting or mind boggling or even requires that much thought. All in all, a big let down. Like a more grown up, lamer version of Scooby Doo. And Madison and Sean were pretty much a letdown too. Madison felt way too much like your typical damsel in distress, and besides her by-the-books fling with Sean, her only interesting relationship is with the ghost of Humphrey Bogart, who happens to haunt her house. (Yeah, right.) Even Bogie was a letdown, more of a big name for the sake of having a big name than a cool or fun character in his own right.
Apparently, this is the sixth book in the Krewe of Hunters series. I came into this book not having read any of the others, but the plot's easy enough to follow along and the team changes anyway so I don't think any knowledge of the other books is required. But from the previews, the other books look at least more interesting, so I would definitely read them first.
Madison Darvil and Sean Cameron, the girl and guy investigators, give this book a sort of Ghost Whisperer vibe. They can see ghosts and treat the ghost of the young Hollywood actress whose murder they're investigating almost like they want her to 'cross over', that plus Madison's back story really reminds me of that show. But disappointing, the murder ended up being way more conventional than supernatural as first advertised, it's obvious almost right away that a person and not a ghost's involved, and I don't mean Alistair, the number one suspect just because he was with the victim when she's murdered. Disappointing. And speaking of Alistair, the whole thing becomes really annoying, everyone emphasizing how it must've been him because he was with the victim - alone - in a locked room, except for Madison, Sean, and a few close friends of Alistair's father Eddie who all 'know' that it couldn't be him.
Anyway, I really wished that Graham would've planted a few doubts, made me believe that the figures could've come alive and committed the murder, but that never happens. Instead, all the evidence and investigation pointed to various real people, and eventually the culprit's caught. The ghosts are really just an afterthought. And the motive behind the crime, while explained, well, it's nothing exciting or mind boggling or even requires that much thought. All in all, a big let down. Like a more grown up, lamer version of Scooby Doo. And Madison and Sean were pretty much a letdown too. Madison felt way too much like your typical damsel in distress, and besides her by-the-books fling with Sean, her only interesting relationship is with the ghost of Humphrey Bogart, who happens to haunt her house. (Yeah, right.) Even Bogie was a letdown, more of a big name for the sake of having a big name than a cool or fun character in his own right.
Apparently, this is the sixth book in the Krewe of Hunters series. I came into this book not having read any of the others, but the plot's easy enough to follow along and the team changes anyway so I don't think any knowledge of the other books is required. But from the previews, the other books look at least more interesting, so I would definitely read them first.
December 7, 2017
Stars: 3.5 / 5
Recommendation: Yes, pick it up for a mystery involving paranormal activities mixing with film noir.
The Unholy is the sixth book in the Krewe of Hunters series by Heather Graham and published in June of 2012. This plot revolves around Sean Cameron - the second member from the second group of elite paranormal investigators of The Krewe - and Madison Darvil - Special Effects Artist.
Krewe are a secret FBI unit with each member of the unit honing a particular psychic talent of their own making them the paranormal investigating team. This unit was created to deal with murders having supernatural undertones and paranormal activities. Headed by paranormal investigator Adam Harrison, the elite unit of paranormal investigators is called on to solve cases linked to historical mystery involving legendary crime and serial killings, war events and hauntings. The stories in the book series are located mostly in Virginia and New Orleans, with some well-known legends used as themes. The Krewe are divided in three distinct groups. The first group is led by Jackson Crow based, the second group is led by Texas Ranger Logan Raintree and the third group is a unit of its own.
Alistair Archer is charged with murder of his girlfriend Jenny Henderson. Being a Hollywood movie mogul, his father Eddie Archer brings in FBI's Krewe - a paranormal FBI Team. Sean Cameron - expert in movies and special effects and Eddie's protégé before Sean joined FBI - joins hands with Madison Darvil - special effects artist under Eddie's wing - in investigating the truth behind Jenny's murder, for Alistair claims that the mannequin of the Egyptian priest - Amun Mopat - kills Jenny.
Eddie Archer owns The Black Box Cinemas that immortalizes Hollywood's Golden Age giving tribute to the film noirs. His next feather was the movie titled The Unholy which was a remake of 1940s Sam Stone and The Curious Case of Egyptian Museum but casting them in contemporary light. Ironically the heroine of the film plot gets killed by the same Amun Mopat that kills Jenny Henderson. The Krewe consisting of Logan Raintree - their team leader - Kelsey O'Brien, Dr. Katya "Kat" Sokolov, Tyler Montague and Jane Everett work with local law enforcement headed by Detective Benny Knox to dig deeper into the mystery.
Who had killed Jenny for real? What was the motive for it? As Sean and his team along with Madison delve deeper they find connections not only to the present but the distant past and beyond putting them both directly in the line of the killer. How they will unravel the mystery is what the rest of the plot is about.
My love for film noir would naturally love this plot that Heather has spun with a background in those movies from Golden Age. Immensely enjoyed reading this book although there are places that I felt it dragged on. Heather had however mixed the film noir with contemporary adding a background filled with past evil surfacing in the present. How a human being's mind can be twisted within reason sometimes and without reason sometimes is well played. Again the identity of the killer was well kept till the end although I kind of guessed one of the accomplice early on. It was a bit surprising as to whom Heather had chosen her killer to be and paled a bit. But nonetheless a well-plotted suspense thriller.
On a minor note, Heather didn’t have her traditional recipes from the area the plot is set in at the end of the book.
Another intense plot by Heather that certainly rises your hair leaving goose bumps as it continues.
Spoiler Alerts:
1) Grammatical / Historical / Location / Character Errors:
a. Heather mentions about a movie "Apocalypse from beneath the sea", but I couldn’t find any movie of that name exactly. But I found a 1955 film titled "It Came from Beneath the Sea". Perhaps that was the movie she meant. Or it could have been something made for the plot by Heather.
b. Same goes with movies she mentioned titled Planet Mondo and Hugoman. Although there has been a movie titled Hugo released in 2011 which had a similar story line-up as Heather mentioned for Hugoman.
c. On Pg. 62, Heather's character Madison mentions that Disturbing Behavior was a remake of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. But in reality the 2007 film Disturbia was a remake of Rear Window. And the 1998 film Disturbing Behavior was infact closer to the 1975 thriller The Stepford Wives. I wonder if Heather made a mistake in connecting the titles.
d. On Pg. 341, it should be "As the day wore on…" instead it is typed as "As they day wore on…"
2) There is again reference to Adam Harrison - who supervises the paranormal investigations for FBI - and how he came upon with these teams. I have the Harrison Investigation Series by Heather Graham that definitely are prequels to this series in my list yet to read. Perhaps after I finish this series.
3) Heather Graham brings to light some film noir movies that I love to watch. But I could not find any movie with the title Sam Stone and The Curious Case of Egyptian Museum. In any case the other movies that she brings to light through The Black Box Cinemas are:
a. 1941 The Maltese Falcon - a movie that has been in my list for so long to watch.
b. 1941 Citizen Kane - the first time I heard about this movie was in an episode of Columbo titled How to Dial a Murder and had been wanting to watch it ever since.
c. 1942 The Glass Key - Never heard of this movie before but very interesting plot. Definite watch on my list.
d. 1944 Laura - I watched it recently and posted my review here: http://inspirethoughts.livejournal.co.... I thoroughly loved this film.
e. 1942 Casablanca - I watched this movie innumerable times and once on the big screen too. Here was my review after I watched it on the big screen: http://inspirethoughts.livejournal.co....
4) Interesting Hollywood facts:
a. Very interesting to read that Alfred Hitchcock had used chocolate to simulate blood in his scene in Psycho. Now chocolate takes on a new meaning for me, with a shiver of course.
b. Humphrey Bogart was buried with a whistle.
5) Plot Reveals:
a. To add to the film noir in the plot, Heather brings in Humphrey Bogart himself as the dead person that Madison sees. Although Madison is confused between him being her imagination vs a real ghost, it is fun to read the conversations between Bogart and Madison.
6) Again in this book I have, came with two inserts about free books - you know where the books used to have a hard letter kind of page that you could tear it, fill in some information and mail it with free postage; You would get the free books as promised along with free gifts sometimes. Remember those card inserts? Well, I found them in this book. Why am I surprised? Because off-late such inserts are no longer seen. I remember seeing them in older books, more like pre-2005 era when internet, online shopping etc wasn’t that hep. But surprised to see it in a book published in 2012. Wonder if the author was trying to revive the good old paper-system of writing letters.
Recommendation: Yes, pick it up for a mystery involving paranormal activities mixing with film noir.
The Unholy is the sixth book in the Krewe of Hunters series by Heather Graham and published in June of 2012. This plot revolves around Sean Cameron - the second member from the second group of elite paranormal investigators of The Krewe - and Madison Darvil - Special Effects Artist.
Krewe are a secret FBI unit with each member of the unit honing a particular psychic talent of their own making them the paranormal investigating team. This unit was created to deal with murders having supernatural undertones and paranormal activities. Headed by paranormal investigator Adam Harrison, the elite unit of paranormal investigators is called on to solve cases linked to historical mystery involving legendary crime and serial killings, war events and hauntings. The stories in the book series are located mostly in Virginia and New Orleans, with some well-known legends used as themes. The Krewe are divided in three distinct groups. The first group is led by Jackson Crow based, the second group is led by Texas Ranger Logan Raintree and the third group is a unit of its own.
Alistair Archer is charged with murder of his girlfriend Jenny Henderson. Being a Hollywood movie mogul, his father Eddie Archer brings in FBI's Krewe - a paranormal FBI Team. Sean Cameron - expert in movies and special effects and Eddie's protégé before Sean joined FBI - joins hands with Madison Darvil - special effects artist under Eddie's wing - in investigating the truth behind Jenny's murder, for Alistair claims that the mannequin of the Egyptian priest - Amun Mopat - kills Jenny.
Eddie Archer owns The Black Box Cinemas that immortalizes Hollywood's Golden Age giving tribute to the film noirs. His next feather was the movie titled The Unholy which was a remake of 1940s Sam Stone and The Curious Case of Egyptian Museum but casting them in contemporary light. Ironically the heroine of the film plot gets killed by the same Amun Mopat that kills Jenny Henderson. The Krewe consisting of Logan Raintree - their team leader - Kelsey O'Brien, Dr. Katya "Kat" Sokolov, Tyler Montague and Jane Everett work with local law enforcement headed by Detective Benny Knox to dig deeper into the mystery.
Who had killed Jenny for real? What was the motive for it? As Sean and his team along with Madison delve deeper they find connections not only to the present but the distant past and beyond putting them both directly in the line of the killer. How they will unravel the mystery is what the rest of the plot is about.
My love for film noir would naturally love this plot that Heather has spun with a background in those movies from Golden Age. Immensely enjoyed reading this book although there are places that I felt it dragged on. Heather had however mixed the film noir with contemporary adding a background filled with past evil surfacing in the present. How a human being's mind can be twisted within reason sometimes and without reason sometimes is well played. Again the identity of the killer was well kept till the end although I kind of guessed one of the accomplice early on. It was a bit surprising as to whom Heather had chosen her killer to be and paled a bit. But nonetheless a well-plotted suspense thriller.
On a minor note, Heather didn’t have her traditional recipes from the area the plot is set in at the end of the book.
Another intense plot by Heather that certainly rises your hair leaving goose bumps as it continues.
Spoiler Alerts:
1) Grammatical / Historical / Location / Character Errors:
a. Heather mentions about a movie "Apocalypse from beneath the sea", but I couldn’t find any movie of that name exactly. But I found a 1955 film titled "It Came from Beneath the Sea". Perhaps that was the movie she meant. Or it could have been something made for the plot by Heather.
b. Same goes with movies she mentioned titled Planet Mondo and Hugoman. Although there has been a movie titled Hugo released in 2011 which had a similar story line-up as Heather mentioned for Hugoman.
c. On Pg. 62, Heather's character Madison mentions that Disturbing Behavior was a remake of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. But in reality the 2007 film Disturbia was a remake of Rear Window. And the 1998 film Disturbing Behavior was infact closer to the 1975 thriller The Stepford Wives. I wonder if Heather made a mistake in connecting the titles.
d. On Pg. 341, it should be "As the day wore on…" instead it is typed as "As they day wore on…"
2) There is again reference to Adam Harrison - who supervises the paranormal investigations for FBI - and how he came upon with these teams. I have the Harrison Investigation Series by Heather Graham that definitely are prequels to this series in my list yet to read. Perhaps after I finish this series.
3) Heather Graham brings to light some film noir movies that I love to watch. But I could not find any movie with the title Sam Stone and The Curious Case of Egyptian Museum. In any case the other movies that she brings to light through The Black Box Cinemas are:
a. 1941 The Maltese Falcon - a movie that has been in my list for so long to watch.
b. 1941 Citizen Kane - the first time I heard about this movie was in an episode of Columbo titled How to Dial a Murder and had been wanting to watch it ever since.
c. 1942 The Glass Key - Never heard of this movie before but very interesting plot. Definite watch on my list.
d. 1944 Laura - I watched it recently and posted my review here: http://inspirethoughts.livejournal.co.... I thoroughly loved this film.
e. 1942 Casablanca - I watched this movie innumerable times and once on the big screen too. Here was my review after I watched it on the big screen: http://inspirethoughts.livejournal.co....
4) Interesting Hollywood facts:
a. Very interesting to read that Alfred Hitchcock had used chocolate to simulate blood in his scene in Psycho. Now chocolate takes on a new meaning for me, with a shiver of course.
b. Humphrey Bogart was buried with a whistle.
5) Plot Reveals:
a. To add to the film noir in the plot, Heather brings in Humphrey Bogart himself as the dead person that Madison sees. Although Madison is confused between him being her imagination vs a real ghost, it is fun to read the conversations between Bogart and Madison.
6) Again in this book I have, came with two inserts about free books - you know where the books used to have a hard letter kind of page that you could tear it, fill in some information and mail it with free postage; You would get the free books as promised along with free gifts sometimes. Remember those card inserts? Well, I found them in this book. Why am I surprised? Because off-late such inserts are no longer seen. I remember seeing them in older books, more like pre-2005 era when internet, online shopping etc wasn’t that hep. But surprised to see it in a book published in 2012. Wonder if the author was trying to revive the good old paper-system of writing letters.
February 4, 2016
It has been a little while since I picked up one of the Krewe of Hunters novels as I went back and read the rest of the Harrison Investigations series, also by Heather Graham, before going back to this one. I enjoy reading these books when I'm looking for something light that doesn't take all of my concentration to read.
The story started off on quite an interesting note and from there the mystery got going a little. The investigation from the beginning was quite interesting and I enjoyed following the characters along as they investigated the mysterious circumstances surrounding the victim's murder.
These books are quite enjoyable but I will admit that they are pretty formulaic in places and I find that I can't read too many of these books in too short a time or I will start to struggle with them. I did find this one to be different to the previous books by Heather Graham I had read recently but at the same time some of the other aspects were
The mystery aspect of this book was so good. I had been trying to guess who the murderer was but I do feel as though Heather Graham does a good job of placing red herrings throughout the book. Basically, right up until the reveal I had no idea who the killer was so I was definitely surprised.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Unholy but I did find my attention wandering a little in places mostly just due to the fact that this series is very formulaic in terms of the romance aspects and I find those bits a little tedious at times.
The story started off on quite an interesting note and from there the mystery got going a little. The investigation from the beginning was quite interesting and I enjoyed following the characters along as they investigated the mysterious circumstances surrounding the victim's murder.
These books are quite enjoyable but I will admit that they are pretty formulaic in places and I find that I can't read too many of these books in too short a time or I will start to struggle with them. I did find this one to be different to the previous books by Heather Graham I had read recently but at the same time some of the other aspects were
The mystery aspect of this book was so good. I had been trying to guess who the murderer was but I do feel as though Heather Graham does a good job of placing red herrings throughout the book. Basically, right up until the reveal I had no idea who the killer was so I was definitely surprised.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Unholy but I did find my attention wandering a little in places mostly just due to the fact that this series is very formulaic in terms of the romance aspects and I find those bits a little tedious at times.
August 21, 2012
I have really liked the "Krewe of Hunters" series so far, but The Unholy (Krewe of Hunters #6) was just an OK read for me. I did enjoy the murder mystery with the "locked room" mystery plot. Those are always fun to try to figure out. I really thought I had it all figured out, but I was way off base! I love when that happens!
I liked Madison's character and the idea that she can see and talk to dead people. I just couldn't get over the fact that Madison was visited by and talked to the ghost of Humphrey Bogart. It made the whole thing a little hokey and I found myself taking the story a little less seriously...at least as seriously as you can take any ghost story. I think if a lesser known 40's or made up actor had been used I would have bought it more. It also could have been the narrator's poor imitation of Bogey's voice that irritated me as well.
The romance between Sean and Madison was just OK. I didn't really feel it and thought it was a little forced. The book might have been better without it entirely. Normally, I like a little romance in my paranormal suspense, but I would have been OK without it here. I do look forward to reading the next one, The Unspoken, which was released back in July.
I liked Madison's character and the idea that she can see and talk to dead people. I just couldn't get over the fact that Madison was visited by and talked to the ghost of Humphrey Bogart. It made the whole thing a little hokey and I found myself taking the story a little less seriously...at least as seriously as you can take any ghost story. I think if a lesser known 40's or made up actor had been used I would have bought it more. It also could have been the narrator's poor imitation of Bogey's voice that irritated me as well.
The romance between Sean and Madison was just OK. I didn't really feel it and thought it was a little forced. The book might have been better without it entirely. Normally, I like a little romance in my paranormal suspense, but I would have been OK without it here. I do look forward to reading the next one, The Unspoken, which was released back in July.
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October 24, 20143.95 of 5 stars 3.95 · rating details · 1,522 ratings · 131 reviews
The 1940s: Hard-boiled detectives and femmes fatale are box-office gold. In one iconic scene, set in a deserted museum, the private eye arrives too late, and the buxom beauty is throttled by an ominous Egyptian priest.
Now: The Black Box Cinema immortalizes Hollywood's Golden Age in its gallery of film noir tributes. But the mannequin of that Egyptian priest is hardly lifeless.
He walks — and a young starlet dies a terrifying death.
Movie mogul Eddie Archer's son is charged with the grisly murder. Eddie calls agent Sean Cameron, who specializes in irregular investigations. As part of an FBI paranormal forensics team, Cameron knows that nightmares aren't limited to the silver screen.
Working with special-effects artist Madison Darvil — who has her own otherworldly gifts — Cameron delves into the malevolent force animating more than one movie monster.(less)
Didn't read. Too much
O County Library
The 1940s: Hard-boiled detectives and femmes fatale are box-office gold. In one iconic scene, set in a deserted museum, the private eye arrives too late, and the buxom beauty is throttled by an ominous Egyptian priest.
Now: The Black Box Cinema immortalizes Hollywood's Golden Age in its gallery of film noir tributes. But the mannequin of that Egyptian priest is hardly lifeless.
He walks — and a young starlet dies a terrifying death.
Movie mogul Eddie Archer's son is charged with the grisly murder. Eddie calls agent Sean Cameron, who specializes in irregular investigations. As part of an FBI paranormal forensics team, Cameron knows that nightmares aren't limited to the silver screen.
Working with special-effects artist Madison Darvil — who has her own otherworldly gifts — Cameron delves into the malevolent force animating more than one movie monster.(less)
Didn't read. Too much
O County Library
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2014
J’ai beaucoup aimé cette histoire et le lieu ou elle se passe.
C’est un tome bien mieux que le précédent ! L’histoire, l’action, le lieu, les personnages sont bien mieux maniés et appréciables ici !
J’ai trouvé que dans ce tome on sentait bien l’atmosphère des policiers avec la tension, l’angoisse, la tristesse… que l’on sent chez les différents personnages.
Bien que l’intrigue ne soit pas original, le tout est plaisant à lire car on imagine bien encore aujourd’hui le nombre de personnes venant à Hollywood pensant faire carrière, de grands films, devenir un grand nom du cinéma alors que la plupart de percerons pas !
L’intrigue est riche de tous ces éléments mais aussi de ceux de l’enquête, elle donne envie de tourner la page et de continuer à lire.
L’auteur nous entraîne essaiment dans son livre, sa manipulation du lecteur est réussi car jusqu’à la dernière page, bien que l’on soupçonne certains personnages du livre, on ne devine pas le vrai tueur.
C’est un tome bien mieux que le précédent ! L’histoire, l’action, le lieu, les personnages sont bien mieux maniés et appréciables ici !
J’ai trouvé que dans ce tome on sentait bien l’atmosphère des policiers avec la tension, l’angoisse, la tristesse… que l’on sent chez les différents personnages.
Bien que l’intrigue ne soit pas original, le tout est plaisant à lire car on imagine bien encore aujourd’hui le nombre de personnes venant à Hollywood pensant faire carrière, de grands films, devenir un grand nom du cinéma alors que la plupart de percerons pas !
L’intrigue est riche de tous ces éléments mais aussi de ceux de l’enquête, elle donne envie de tourner la page et de continuer à lire.
L’auteur nous entraîne essaiment dans son livre, sa manipulation du lecteur est réussi car jusqu’à la dernière page, bien que l’on soupçonne certains personnages du livre, on ne devine pas le vrai tueur.
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