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Cafferty & Quinn #2
Waking the Dead
They say a painting can have a life of its own…
In the case of Ghosts in the Mind painted by Henry Sebastian Hubert, that's more than just an expression. This painting is reputed to come to life—and to bring death. The artist was a friend of Lord Byron and Mary Shelley, joining them in Switzerland during 1816, "the year without a summer." That was when they all explored themes of horror and depravity in their art...
Now, almost two hundred years later, the painting appears in New Orleans. Wherever it goes, death seems to follow.
Danielle Cafferty and Michael Quinn, occasional partners in solving crime, are quickly drawn into the case. They begin to make connections between that summer in Switzerland and this spring in Louisiana. Danni, the owner of an eccentric antique shop, and Quinn, a private detective, have discovered that they have separate but complementary talents when it comes to investigating unusual situations.
Trying to blend their personal relationship with the professional lives they've stumbled into, they learn how much they need each other. Especially as they confront this work of art—and evil. The people in the portrait might be dead, but something seems to wake them and free them to commit bloody crimes. Cafferty and Quinn must discover what that is. And they have to destroy it—before it destroys them.
In the case of Ghosts in the Mind painted by Henry Sebastian Hubert, that's more than just an expression. This painting is reputed to come to life—and to bring death. The artist was a friend of Lord Byron and Mary Shelley, joining them in Switzerland during 1816, "the year without a summer." That was when they all explored themes of horror and depravity in their art...
Now, almost two hundred years later, the painting appears in New Orleans. Wherever it goes, death seems to follow.
Danielle Cafferty and Michael Quinn, occasional partners in solving crime, are quickly drawn into the case. They begin to make connections between that summer in Switzerland and this spring in Louisiana. Danni, the owner of an eccentric antique shop, and Quinn, a private detective, have discovered that they have separate but complementary talents when it comes to investigating unusual situations.
Trying to blend their personal relationship with the professional lives they've stumbled into, they learn how much they need each other. Especially as they confront this work of art—and evil. The people in the portrait might be dead, but something seems to wake them and free them to commit bloody crimes. Cafferty and Quinn must discover what that is. And they have to destroy it—before it destroys them.
332 pages, Hardcover
First published April 25, 2014
420 people are currently reading
2501 people want to read
About the author
Heather Graham
583 books6,893 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 236 reviews
February 20, 2016
Book two in the Cafferty and Quinn series.
This one is about a haunted painting by Henry Sebastian Hubert.
The Scooby-Doo gang is all back in this one, and we have our usual twist and turns. I found this one to drag through the middle, but I still enjoyed it for the most part. We also get declarations of "LOVE" from Danni and Quinn, so that was nice!
This one is about a haunted painting by Henry Sebastian Hubert.
The Scooby-Doo gang is all back in this one, and we have our usual twist and turns. I found this one to drag through the middle, but I still enjoyed it for the most part. We also get declarations of "LOVE" from Danni and Quinn, so that was nice!
July 2, 2022
Wow! This was an amazing story! Quinn and Danni are caught up in another mystery. This time they have Billy, Bo Ray,Ron, Natasha and an older, wealth woman named Hattie. It’s a fast paced story.
March 29, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/reviews/...
I love Heather Graham’s books – most of the time. However, “Waking the Dead” was a tad disappointing for me. It wasn’t nearly half as scary as her “Krewe of Hunters” books, and the narrative dragged on through the middle part. The plot is very intriguing though – a painting, Ghosts in the Mind, is blamed for a series of murders. The painting itself looks innocent at first, but once one looks closer, the figures on the painting all have toys to kill people in their hands, and aren’t as innocent as they look. The painting was missing for a long time, and now it’s turned up, and what follows in its wake, are gruesome murders our main characters, Danielle Cafferty, and Michael Quinn, have to solve.
The main characters have interesting personalities. They’re very different, yet they match well together. Danni is calm, relaxed, intuitive, in tune with her own spirituality. Quinn is more down-to-earth, a hardboiled private detective who is as at home at a crime scene as he is in his own home. The whole plotline involving the painting was detailed, and intriguing.
What bothered me the most about this book, is how much they beat around the bush before they actually did something. Who is the villain? How will we catch him? There’s a lot of bouncing from one possible solution to the next to solve the case, which was annoying. When I thought they were on the right track, turned out it was something completely different. Some times this may add to the level of suspense for a book, but here it just made the plot drag on, and made the book at least a hundred pages longer than it should’ve been.
I did request Heather’s next book for review, because in general, she’s a great author, and I love how she mixes romance, ghosts, the paranormal and mystery into compelling stories. She missed the ball somewhat on Waking the Dead, but I won’t hold that against her. The premise was good, the history of the painting was very intriguing, and this book could’ve been great had it not dragged on for so long.
I love Heather Graham’s books – most of the time. However, “Waking the Dead” was a tad disappointing for me. It wasn’t nearly half as scary as her “Krewe of Hunters” books, and the narrative dragged on through the middle part. The plot is very intriguing though – a painting, Ghosts in the Mind, is blamed for a series of murders. The painting itself looks innocent at first, but once one looks closer, the figures on the painting all have toys to kill people in their hands, and aren’t as innocent as they look. The painting was missing for a long time, and now it’s turned up, and what follows in its wake, are gruesome murders our main characters, Danielle Cafferty, and Michael Quinn, have to solve.
The main characters have interesting personalities. They’re very different, yet they match well together. Danni is calm, relaxed, intuitive, in tune with her own spirituality. Quinn is more down-to-earth, a hardboiled private detective who is as at home at a crime scene as he is in his own home. The whole plotline involving the painting was detailed, and intriguing.
What bothered me the most about this book, is how much they beat around the bush before they actually did something. Who is the villain? How will we catch him? There’s a lot of bouncing from one possible solution to the next to solve the case, which was annoying. When I thought they were on the right track, turned out it was something completely different. Some times this may add to the level of suspense for a book, but here it just made the plot drag on, and made the book at least a hundred pages longer than it should’ve been.
I did request Heather’s next book for review, because in general, she’s a great author, and I love how she mixes romance, ghosts, the paranormal and mystery into compelling stories. She missed the ball somewhat on Waking the Dead, but I won’t hold that against her. The premise was good, the history of the painting was very intriguing, and this book could’ve been great had it not dragged on for so long.
January 6, 2017
Ce que j'aime chez cette auteure, c'est que ses écrit font très téléfilms. On imagine très bien l'histoire.
Ici encore, nos héros traquent un objet possédé par le mal entre la Nouvelle-Orléans et la Suisse.
Troisième et dernier tome en avril ..
Ici encore, nos héros traquent un objet possédé par le mal entre la Nouvelle-Orléans et la Suisse.
Troisième et dernier tome en avril ..
April 3, 2017
When an 18th century painting entitled “Ghosts of the Mind” is suspected of being implicated in several brutal slayings in New Orleans, Michael Quinn joins forces with Detective Jake Larue and Danielle Cafferty an eccentric owner of a specialty and antique shop to investigate a case that's taken on a ghostly, paranormal aspect. Heather Graham’s imaginative thriller “Waking the Dead” heats up when the evidence in the police lockup suddenly disappears in a dense fog and the officer -in-charge tries to kill himself. When the three missing packages are delivered to the owners the next morning, the case takes on a sinister quality when the newest owner of the original masterpiece is found hiding in a closet while her butler lies dead in the display room; the painting having disappeared again.
Beginning 200 years in the past at the House of Guillaume in Switzerland, the author brings to life a story of diabolical evil that begins when Henry Sebastian Hunter joins an artistic circle of renowned literary authors, painting a picture that depicts the wickedness and depravity of mankind. When the original painting turns up in modern day New Orleans along with multiple giclée prints, strange phenomena and brutal slayings begin to stalk the streets.
Intensity and suspense quickly escalate as Quinn and Cafferty link the crimes to the dead people in the portrait, all long-forgotten killers who seem to be waking up, free to commit more bloody crimes. In a terrifyingly realistic plot that’s set between New Orleans and Switzerland Heather Graham blends mystery, the paranormal and murder into a spine-tingling investigation that grips you from the first page to the last. Yet, amid all the fear, violence, and uncertainty, the chemistry between Quinn and Cafferty lessens the tension as it sparks with romance and they realize the depth of their feelings.
Michael Quinn a football hero turned detective after a near-death experience is a strong-willed, stubborn and intense private investigator who’s determined to do whatever it takes to end the blood-letting. In love with talented, passionate and sincere Danielle Cafferty owner of the Cheshire Cat an antique shop, he’s concerned when she begins sleepwalking at nights, fearing the darkness is luring her into its grasp. These two main characters and others like Quinn’s loyal, perceptive and protective dog Wolf; the young, industrious, reformed addict Bo Ray Tompkins; polite, courteous and spry Billie MacDougall; the wealthy, spirited and tough Hattie Lamont; and the serious, professional and detailed medical examiner Ron Hubert, infuse the plot with depth, excitement and dashes of humor as they bond together to discover the truth behind a deadly mystery.
Like all of Heather Graham’s novels I thoroughly enjoyed “Waking the Dead” as Quinn and Cafferty search for a way to destroy the ghostly evil that’s bringing death to the streets of New Orleans.
Beginning 200 years in the past at the House of Guillaume in Switzerland, the author brings to life a story of diabolical evil that begins when Henry Sebastian Hunter joins an artistic circle of renowned literary authors, painting a picture that depicts the wickedness and depravity of mankind. When the original painting turns up in modern day New Orleans along with multiple giclée prints, strange phenomena and brutal slayings begin to stalk the streets.
Intensity and suspense quickly escalate as Quinn and Cafferty link the crimes to the dead people in the portrait, all long-forgotten killers who seem to be waking up, free to commit more bloody crimes. In a terrifyingly realistic plot that’s set between New Orleans and Switzerland Heather Graham blends mystery, the paranormal and murder into a spine-tingling investigation that grips you from the first page to the last. Yet, amid all the fear, violence, and uncertainty, the chemistry between Quinn and Cafferty lessens the tension as it sparks with romance and they realize the depth of their feelings.
Michael Quinn a football hero turned detective after a near-death experience is a strong-willed, stubborn and intense private investigator who’s determined to do whatever it takes to end the blood-letting. In love with talented, passionate and sincere Danielle Cafferty owner of the Cheshire Cat an antique shop, he’s concerned when she begins sleepwalking at nights, fearing the darkness is luring her into its grasp. These two main characters and others like Quinn’s loyal, perceptive and protective dog Wolf; the young, industrious, reformed addict Bo Ray Tompkins; polite, courteous and spry Billie MacDougall; the wealthy, spirited and tough Hattie Lamont; and the serious, professional and detailed medical examiner Ron Hubert, infuse the plot with depth, excitement and dashes of humor as they bond together to discover the truth behind a deadly mystery.
Like all of Heather Graham’s novels I thoroughly enjoyed “Waking the Dead” as Quinn and Cafferty search for a way to destroy the ghostly evil that’s bringing death to the streets of New Orleans.
April 18, 2014
Three stars: A chilling ghostly murder mystery.
Danni decides to stop by the neighboring art gallery owned by her good friend, Niles. Niles is excited about his new shipment of 100 giclee prints, they are reproductions of a mysterious painting from the 1800s called Ghosts of the Mind. The painting was created by an artist, Hubert, who spent a summer with Lord Byron and Mary Shelley. His painting was part of the ghostly contest that produced Frankenstein. Danni learns that someone in New Orleans purchased the original. Outside the shop, Danni comes face to face with Quinn, who just returned from Texas. Quinn is called back to town because of a set of gruesome murders in the city. The murders are strangely suspicious and inexplicable. More murders follow, and Danni and Quinn begin to believe that the killings are somehow connected to the painting. Can a painting be possessed by evil?
What I Liked:
*This is my first venture with Heather Graham. Her book was sinister and creepy with a frightening demonic painting. I liked the ghostly atmosphere, the characters and the mystery.
*I appreciated that I was able to jump into this series with the second book and not feel lost. Of course by not reading the first book, I missed out on the development of some of the core relationships, such as the romance between Danni and Quinn, and the friendships formed with Billie and Bo Ray. Still the author provided plenty of details and information to fill in the gaps so I was never lost. After reading this one, I would definitely like to go back and read the first book in the series to learn more. This is a book that can certainly be read as a stand alone.
*I enjoyed all the characters. Quinn and Danni are the main characters and they are romantically involved. Quinn is a police detective who survived a near death experience which left him with some interesting abilities. Danni settles in New Orleans after the death of her father, and she is beginning to understand the paranormal that her father dabbled in throughout his life. Danni inexplicably from time to time engages in sleep painting, which is interesting and a bit creepy. I absolutely adored Wolf, their dog. He is intelligent, loyal and the best companion one could ask for.
*This book features a strong cast of secondary characters from Billie the aging Scotsman whom Danni inherits from her father. Billie is a loyal employee and friend. Bo Ray is a recovering alcoholic whom Danni and Quinn rescued. He now works in Danni's shop. Add in Father Ryan a catholic priest, Natasha, a voodoo priestess, Hubert a medical examiner and descendant of the artist who painted the painting, as well as an opinionated, wealthy and stubborn widow, Hattie, and you have a strong cast of characters who work together to solve a ghastly mystery. I liked each and every one of these characters and I loved watching them come together.
*The ghost/ murder mystery was definitely different and very creepy. The idea that a sinister painting could be possessed by evil was chilling. I liked that I was unable to pinpoint the person behind the killings, and that I was constantly guessing. Everything was resolved at the end with no lingering questions so this could definitely work as a stand alone.
And The Not So Much:
*Early on, it was indicated that Quinn possessed some type of supernatural ability to sense spirits? I am not completely sure, and I was expecting for him to at some point utilize these unique talents, but he never does. I wanted to know more about his ability, and I thought it was a bit strange that he never tapped into it.
The group ends up making two trips to Switzerland to visit the castle where the painting was created. The castle seemed to be steeped in horror and evil, and for the life of me, I could not figure out why the group would want to stay there. The author spends a great deal of time creating a ghostly atmosphere, and then it just kind of fizzles out. I was expecting more.
*When you finally get to the end, there is a big info dump the final pages. The unmasked villain steps forward threatening to kill one of the main characters, and of course, he waves his gun around and gives the long winded this is why and how I did it speech, which I thought was a bit trite. There was a lot to take in the final pages, and I am not sure that everything works. I was left scratching my head wondering how he knew how to activate the painting, it didn't seem like it was common knowledge.
*After the villain is apprehended, the book ends rather abruptly and with a line that I thought was a bit cheesy. There wasn't a cliffhanger, but I would have liked a stronger resolution.
Waking the Dead was a thrilling, chilling, atmospheric ghost tale that provides plenty of creepy moments. This book has a strong cast of characters and a solid mystery. If you are a fan of Ms. Graham, I am sure you will enjoy this book. I found it to be an entertaining read, and I won't hesitate to pick up another book this author in the future.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Danni decides to stop by the neighboring art gallery owned by her good friend, Niles. Niles is excited about his new shipment of 100 giclee prints, they are reproductions of a mysterious painting from the 1800s called Ghosts of the Mind. The painting was created by an artist, Hubert, who spent a summer with Lord Byron and Mary Shelley. His painting was part of the ghostly contest that produced Frankenstein. Danni learns that someone in New Orleans purchased the original. Outside the shop, Danni comes face to face with Quinn, who just returned from Texas. Quinn is called back to town because of a set of gruesome murders in the city. The murders are strangely suspicious and inexplicable. More murders follow, and Danni and Quinn begin to believe that the killings are somehow connected to the painting. Can a painting be possessed by evil?
What I Liked:
*This is my first venture with Heather Graham. Her book was sinister and creepy with a frightening demonic painting. I liked the ghostly atmosphere, the characters and the mystery.
*I appreciated that I was able to jump into this series with the second book and not feel lost. Of course by not reading the first book, I missed out on the development of some of the core relationships, such as the romance between Danni and Quinn, and the friendships formed with Billie and Bo Ray. Still the author provided plenty of details and information to fill in the gaps so I was never lost. After reading this one, I would definitely like to go back and read the first book in the series to learn more. This is a book that can certainly be read as a stand alone.
*I enjoyed all the characters. Quinn and Danni are the main characters and they are romantically involved. Quinn is a police detective who survived a near death experience which left him with some interesting abilities. Danni settles in New Orleans after the death of her father, and she is beginning to understand the paranormal that her father dabbled in throughout his life. Danni inexplicably from time to time engages in sleep painting, which is interesting and a bit creepy. I absolutely adored Wolf, their dog. He is intelligent, loyal and the best companion one could ask for.
*This book features a strong cast of secondary characters from Billie the aging Scotsman whom Danni inherits from her father. Billie is a loyal employee and friend. Bo Ray is a recovering alcoholic whom Danni and Quinn rescued. He now works in Danni's shop. Add in Father Ryan a catholic priest, Natasha, a voodoo priestess, Hubert a medical examiner and descendant of the artist who painted the painting, as well as an opinionated, wealthy and stubborn widow, Hattie, and you have a strong cast of characters who work together to solve a ghastly mystery. I liked each and every one of these characters and I loved watching them come together.
*The ghost/ murder mystery was definitely different and very creepy. The idea that a sinister painting could be possessed by evil was chilling. I liked that I was unable to pinpoint the person behind the killings, and that I was constantly guessing. Everything was resolved at the end with no lingering questions so this could definitely work as a stand alone.
And The Not So Much:
*Early on, it was indicated that Quinn possessed some type of supernatural ability to sense spirits? I am not completely sure, and I was expecting for him to at some point utilize these unique talents, but he never does. I wanted to know more about his ability, and I thought it was a bit strange that he never tapped into it.
The group ends up making two trips to Switzerland to visit the castle where the painting was created. The castle seemed to be steeped in horror and evil, and for the life of me, I could not figure out why the group would want to stay there. The author spends a great deal of time creating a ghostly atmosphere, and then it just kind of fizzles out. I was expecting more.
*When you finally get to the end, there is a big info dump the final pages. The unmasked villain steps forward threatening to kill one of the main characters, and of course, he waves his gun around and gives the long winded this is why and how I did it speech, which I thought was a bit trite. There was a lot to take in the final pages, and I am not sure that everything works. I was left scratching my head wondering how he knew how to activate the painting, it didn't seem like it was common knowledge.
*After the villain is apprehended, the book ends rather abruptly and with a line that I thought was a bit cheesy. There wasn't a cliffhanger, but I would have liked a stronger resolution.
Waking the Dead was a thrilling, chilling, atmospheric ghost tale that provides plenty of creepy moments. This book has a strong cast of characters and a solid mystery. If you are a fan of Ms. Graham, I am sure you will enjoy this book. I found it to be an entertaining read, and I won't hesitate to pick up another book this author in the future.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
June 1, 2018
I like Graham's style of writing. The pace is fast and the preternatural elements are cool. From the Shores of Lake Geneva during the Byron, Shelly, Mary Shelly era/ A painting was conceived which harbored evil. And we thought that only the monster in Frankenstein was born at that time.
May 17, 2014
When I was a kid I had a bad habit of laughing at inappropriate times. Funerals, once during a touching solo performed by a robust opera singer at church, anytime someone was hurt, there I was laughing my head off while others were in tears.
Thankfully I have grown out of that…well mostly.
Reading Waking the Dead, Book 2 in Heather Graham’s Cafferty and Quinn series brought back those memories as I found myself laughing out loud in yet another event involving a priest and the casting out of Satan. Yes, believe it or not, I have been witness to such an event and my inappropriate laughter wasn’t appreciated.
Waking the Dead involves a possessed painting, centuries old evil, and an exciting exploration of the events that occurred in the summer of 1816 at the home of artist Henry Sebastian Hubert. Danielle Cafferty and Michael Quinn team up once again with Father Ryan and the rest of the eclectic gang of evil stoppers in hopes of saving lives and ridding the world of yet another evil historical artifact.
The story has a wonderful blend of mystery, suspense, romance, and thrills and chills. I was biting my nails in one scene; worried that evil would prevail when Father Ryan enters and lets out a thunderous cry…”GET THEE GONE, SPAWN OF SATAN!” Cue inappropriate laughter and even now I can’t help but chuckle. I really want to have that sentence printed on a t-shirt.
Wrapping it up: I really enjoy Heather Graham’s writing. Each book is a great escape into a creepy suspense filled mystery with a backdrop of romance. Waking the Dead could probably be read as a stand-alone but I would read book 1, LET THE DEAD SLEEP first. I look forward to the next installment in the Cafferty & Quinn series.
Thankfully I have grown out of that…well mostly.
Reading Waking the Dead, Book 2 in Heather Graham’s Cafferty and Quinn series brought back those memories as I found myself laughing out loud in yet another event involving a priest and the casting out of Satan. Yes, believe it or not, I have been witness to such an event and my inappropriate laughter wasn’t appreciated.
Waking the Dead involves a possessed painting, centuries old evil, and an exciting exploration of the events that occurred in the summer of 1816 at the home of artist Henry Sebastian Hubert. Danielle Cafferty and Michael Quinn team up once again with Father Ryan and the rest of the eclectic gang of evil stoppers in hopes of saving lives and ridding the world of yet another evil historical artifact.
The story has a wonderful blend of mystery, suspense, romance, and thrills and chills. I was biting my nails in one scene; worried that evil would prevail when Father Ryan enters and lets out a thunderous cry…”GET THEE GONE, SPAWN OF SATAN!” Cue inappropriate laughter and even now I can’t help but chuckle. I really want to have that sentence printed on a t-shirt.
Wrapping it up: I really enjoy Heather Graham’s writing. Each book is a great escape into a creepy suspense filled mystery with a backdrop of romance. Waking the Dead could probably be read as a stand-alone but I would read book 1, LET THE DEAD SLEEP first. I look forward to the next installment in the Cafferty & Quinn series.
March 24, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had all aspects I like – mystery, suspense, a mix of horrific events. Very enjoyable. I enjoyed the concept of a painting that essentially came to life and was able to reek havoc on people’s lives. I liked that there was a touch of romance but wasn't all the story was about. I love the ban of misfits that made up the story and it was obvious from other books that they came together and made up this unique group. I am sure someday I will get to read about those different stories. The author writes well and the story flows and keeps you captured especially with the about of suspense. You want to read it to see what will happens next. If your a fan of Heather’s you will enjoy this new tale. Even if your not a fan you will become one.
I give Waking the Dead by Heather Graham 4.5 of 5 stars.
I give Waking the Dead by Heather Graham 4.5 of 5 stars.
March 13, 2023
4,3/5🌟
(📚27/100)
Sumpil suka.
Yang paling kerasa beda-nya buku ini sama buku pertama tuh unsur romance-nya. Dibuku pertama kek malah romance dibalut misteri, tapi kalo dibuku kedua ini palung cuma 5%, 95%nya misteri. Pokoknya meet my ekspectation lah.
Dari segi alur cerita dan penokohan juga gokil sih.
Disini penokohan lebih solid, nggak terkesan come & go alias cuma buat nglengkapin cerita aja. Yah meskipun pace-nya bisa dibilang lambat, tapi aku nggak masalah sih, malah aku ngerasa jadi hanyut ke cerita, jadi lebih konek juga ke karakter-karakternya, misterinya jadi lebih kerasa.
Unfortunately aku nggak terlalu suka endingnya. But overall, bagus. Recommended sangat!
Thankyou 🌻
(📚27/100)
Sumpil suka.
Yang paling kerasa beda-nya buku ini sama buku pertama tuh unsur romance-nya. Dibuku pertama kek malah romance dibalut misteri, tapi kalo dibuku kedua ini palung cuma 5%, 95%nya misteri. Pokoknya meet my ekspectation lah.
Dari segi alur cerita dan penokohan juga gokil sih.
Disini penokohan lebih solid, nggak terkesan come & go alias cuma buat nglengkapin cerita aja. Yah meskipun pace-nya bisa dibilang lambat, tapi aku nggak masalah sih, malah aku ngerasa jadi hanyut ke cerita, jadi lebih konek juga ke karakter-karakternya, misterinya jadi lebih kerasa.
Unfortunately aku nggak terlalu suka endingnya. But overall, bagus. Recommended sangat!
Thankyou 🌻
April 25, 2015
While this didn't have the impact the first book did, it was still a good spooky read. I think Quinn and Danni make a wonderful couple. This isn't a romance per se, but does have a romantic thread running through it. The story mainly focuses on a deadly, ugly painting that when "activated" had the ability to kill. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
May 17, 2017
Wow...buku ini lebih bagus daripada buku pertamanya.lebih serem,lebih sadis,lebih sakit dan seperti buku pertamanya..susah banget ketebak.bacanya bikin merinding apalagi bacanya malem2.sampai kebayang2 sama lukisannya yg bisa hidup ituh...
Luv it..
Luv it..
October 12, 2017
I enjoyed the first Cafferty & Quinn book, it was a fun read while on vacation. Waking the Dead, however, was the opposite of a fun read. Convoluted plot, far too many coincidences, and the ultimate "bad" guys became obvious at the halfway point of the book. I'm a fan of fun brain candy books, this did not qualify.
July 1, 2018
Loved it
March 28, 2014
Review Courtesy All Things Urban Fantasy
Those who spent years every Thursday with Elaine Benis will understand my fervent wish that she’d had a hand editing WAKING THE DEAD. Something about the use of exclamation points almost makes it inevitable. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind them in moderation – but that unfortunate habit carried over from the first novel. Since I can’t help reading emphasis when I see them, it distracted.
The story itself is solid enough. I was unpleasantly reminded of Young Adult novel The Fine Art of Truth or Dare in the amount of time and book space spent fleshing out the life and career of a made up artist. Yes, the painting was integral to WAKING THE DEAD, but his anecdotal life stories as well as those of past murderers didn’t add to the story. Stephen King can make that work…most of the time. In this story, it just felt like filler. Just as two trips to Geneva in a week felt like an unnecessary drawing out of the climax.
I did still enjoy reading about Quinn and Danni. Danni’s sleep walking and sleep-painting continues to intrigue me and that carried over from the Let the Dead Sleep, but Quinn’s ability (which I’m still trying to figure out) seems to have dropped off in WAKING THE DEAD. Not sure if that was intentional or if the plot in this book just didn’t seem to lend itself to his “hypersenses.” Something I didn’t really like was the misdirection over their relationship at the end of the first book – them stating that they needed to slow things down. If that had continued into this book, fine. But it didn’t. Outside of a mentioned three-week separation that happened in the interim between both books, they didn’t waste a whole lot of time going fast again.
The main thing about WAKING THE DEAD that keeps me from bumping the rating up is that apart from a haunted painting and Danni’s sleep painting, it doesn’t have an urban fantasy feel to it. Meaning, with those elements taken out, the story would still be as solid. It is a good read and I’m sure there are plenty that will enjoy it, but it didn’t push many of my buttons and it was a book I finished, but not a series I’ll continue.
Those who spent years every Thursday with Elaine Benis will understand my fervent wish that she’d had a hand editing WAKING THE DEAD. Something about the use of exclamation points almost makes it inevitable. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind them in moderation – but that unfortunate habit carried over from the first novel. Since I can’t help reading emphasis when I see them, it distracted.
The story itself is solid enough. I was unpleasantly reminded of Young Adult novel The Fine Art of Truth or Dare in the amount of time and book space spent fleshing out the life and career of a made up artist. Yes, the painting was integral to WAKING THE DEAD, but his anecdotal life stories as well as those of past murderers didn’t add to the story. Stephen King can make that work…most of the time. In this story, it just felt like filler. Just as two trips to Geneva in a week felt like an unnecessary drawing out of the climax.
I did still enjoy reading about Quinn and Danni. Danni’s sleep walking and sleep-painting continues to intrigue me and that carried over from the Let the Dead Sleep, but Quinn’s ability (which I’m still trying to figure out) seems to have dropped off in WAKING THE DEAD. Not sure if that was intentional or if the plot in this book just didn’t seem to lend itself to his “hypersenses.” Something I didn’t really like was the misdirection over their relationship at the end of the first book – them stating that they needed to slow things down. If that had continued into this book, fine. But it didn’t. Outside of a mentioned three-week separation that happened in the interim between both books, they didn’t waste a whole lot of time going fast again.
The main thing about WAKING THE DEAD that keeps me from bumping the rating up is that apart from a haunted painting and Danni’s sleep painting, it doesn’t have an urban fantasy feel to it. Meaning, with those elements taken out, the story would still be as solid. It is a good read and I’m sure there are plenty that will enjoy it, but it didn’t push many of my buttons and it was a book I finished, but not a series I’ll continue.
August 11, 2016
This is book two in this series, and I enjoyed it. The mismatched group that find, and destroy evil are now more familiar. Danni, and Quinn are the two main characters, but the rest add lots of flair. This adventure was about a famous painter who had given in to evil, and painted himself and others with blood, and other things added to the pigment. over the years, the painting had continued to leave,a wake of gruesome death in its path. The book takes you from New Orleans, to Switzerland, to a haunted creepy castle, and back several times. There is also a creepy crypt, and musty fog that hides the killers, and voices that call you to come follow. It was a creepy good book, and I enjoyed it. It is not a classic, but there is romance, and faith verses evil, and some smart people trying to understand the clues, and willing to stand and fight for good..It was a very interesting read, and fun, as well as just murder. I liked the added character of the widow, who turned out to be quite different, than the snobby battle ax some thought. She added a new detention to the story.
September 30, 2014
4 STARS
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).
The novel opens with Quinn returning to New Orleans and Danni and Quinn decide that being apart is not what they want or need. As soon as Quinn's plane hits the runway he is involved in another murder case... this time it is a painting from 200 years ago that seems to have a history of murder. As Danni, Quinn and there friends get deeper in the mystery they soon find themselves traveling across the world.
I enjoyed the first book in the Cafferty & Quinn series - romantic/paranormal-suspense - so was excited about the second book and was not disappointed. The novel, Waking the Dead has a Nora Roberts feel to it - the connections and chemistry between the characters. I also liked the storyline about a haunting and/or haunted painting.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).
The novel opens with Quinn returning to New Orleans and Danni and Quinn decide that being apart is not what they want or need. As soon as Quinn's plane hits the runway he is involved in another murder case... this time it is a painting from 200 years ago that seems to have a history of murder. As Danni, Quinn and there friends get deeper in the mystery they soon find themselves traveling across the world.
I enjoyed the first book in the Cafferty & Quinn series - romantic/paranormal-suspense - so was excited about the second book and was not disappointed. The novel, Waking the Dead has a Nora Roberts feel to it - the connections and chemistry between the characters. I also liked the storyline about a haunting and/or haunted painting.
March 15, 2014
3.5/5.0
Strange murders are happening in New Orleans, and Danielle Cafferty and Michael Quinn hook up to try to solve them. Could the murders be related to a piece of artwork titled The Case of Ghosts in the Mind by Henry Sebastian Hubert? The painting was done in 1816 when the artist was spending time with Lord Byron and Mary Shelley.
I love Heather Graham’s story telling. She always comes up with unique ideas for the premise of her tales. The book has some quirky characters who work with Danielle and Michael to solve the unusual murders. There were some good spooky moments and it was a lot of fun to read.
My thanks to Harlequin, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
Strange murders are happening in New Orleans, and Danielle Cafferty and Michael Quinn hook up to try to solve them. Could the murders be related to a piece of artwork titled The Case of Ghosts in the Mind by Henry Sebastian Hubert? The painting was done in 1816 when the artist was spending time with Lord Byron and Mary Shelley.
I love Heather Graham’s story telling. She always comes up with unique ideas for the premise of her tales. The book has some quirky characters who work with Danielle and Michael to solve the unusual murders. There were some good spooky moments and it was a lot of fun to read.
My thanks to Harlequin, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
September 14, 2015
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the paranormal elements and the developing relationship between Danni and Quinn.
I especially like how they are getting their own "ghost busters" gang together. We have Natasha the voodoo priestess and Father Ryan the Catholic priest to take care of the religious aspects. The scientific investigating by Dr Hubert the M.E. and Quinn's ex-partner Detective Larue. Then Danni has her father's assistant Billie and also the young ex-addict Bo Ray for support, not to mention Hattie the rich society grand-dame with money to help with first-class travel!
I'm looking forward to the development in their group dynamics in the future books (a la JD Robb's In Death series).
I especially like how they are getting their own "ghost busters" gang together. We have Natasha the voodoo priestess and Father Ryan the Catholic priest to take care of the religious aspects. The scientific investigating by Dr Hubert the M.E. and Quinn's ex-partner Detective Larue. Then Danni has her father's assistant Billie and also the young ex-addict Bo Ray for support, not to mention Hattie the rich society grand-dame with money to help with first-class travel!
I'm looking forward to the development in their group dynamics in the future books (a la JD Robb's In Death series).
February 15, 2015
Not up to HG's normal standards.
I don't usually like too many "previous plot" reminders, but there was nearly nothing in this story and it assumes you remember the last book. There were several jumps in time or situation the just didn't work for me.
I also was distracted by the painting that looked different from different angles...What!?
And a gilicee is a good reproduction from a slight distance, but nothing is confusing about ink jet on paper vs paint on canvas when you are right there touching/seeing an artwork.
Interestingly since the third book comes out in two months I might just give it a final chance. Otherwise I'm sticking to the Krewe!
I don't usually like too many "previous plot" reminders, but there was nearly nothing in this story and it assumes you remember the last book. There were several jumps in time or situation the just didn't work for me.
I also was distracted by the painting that looked different from different angles...What!?
And a gilicee is a good reproduction from a slight distance, but nothing is confusing about ink jet on paper vs paint on canvas when you are right there touching/seeing an artwork.
Interestingly since the third book comes out in two months I might just give it a final chance. Otherwise I'm sticking to the Krewe!
May 17, 2015
I will preface this by saying I am HIGHLY biased. I adore Byron. I am fascinated by the group of the Summer of 1816. I am a fan of gothic horror. And I just got back from England, touring Highgate Cemetery (Where Dante Gabriel Rossetti buried and then exhumed his wife/muse Elizabeth Siddall) and The Spainard Inn, where Bryon was said to frequent....
So I loved this. I don't care how over the top it was, how improbable... I could not put this book down. My only complaint is... I now want to see a painting that does not exist. I YEARN to see a painting that does not exist.
Someone paint "Ghosts in the Mind", posthaste.
So I loved this. I don't care how over the top it was, how improbable... I could not put this book down. My only complaint is... I now want to see a painting that does not exist. I YEARN to see a painting that does not exist.
Someone paint "Ghosts in the Mind", posthaste.
August 5, 2015
I really love the characters in this series but as I'm reading more and more Dani is really starting to annoy me and would be a much better series without her, but other then that I really enjoyed the book and can't wait to read the next book :)
March 4, 2016
Fantastic! So enjoyable, and I can't wait to read more! Such a great series!
April 22, 2015
Really enjoyed the characters and the story.
March 20, 2019
What evil could possibly be hidden in a recently-recovered painting done by an obscure artist, whose major claim to fame, besides the work of art, was that he was friends with the likes of poet Lord Byron and Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein?
Lovers and occasional colleagues Danni Cafferty and Michael Quinn must answer this question when a series of heinous murders follows the sale, and delivery, of Ghosts in the Mind to a wealthy widow in New Orleans. Quinn, called to the scene by his former partner on NOLA’s police force, Larue, investigates the murders, while Danni examines a copy of the painting at a local gallery. Neither wants to believe that the infamous artwork is haunted, but both history and recent events tell tales of death following the painting in its wake.
As the death toll rises, Danni and Quinn lead an unusual team to the source-the location where Henry Sebastian Hubert painted the original work, Lake Geneva, Switzerland, in an effort to exorcise the evil manifesting on the streets. The society widow, a coroner, a parish priest, a voodoo priestess, and couple of Danni’s employees join together in a quest into the heart of darkness, and a crypt that has been untouched for 200 years.
This particular novel, the second in the Cafferty and Quinn series, has a wide-ranging plot that includes eleven possible killers that are no longer among the living, as well as several suspects, and a couple of not-suspected individuals, who may or may not have committed some of the murders.
My only issue with the plot was the first scene on the castle grounds, which was a very close match to Natasha’s (the voodoo priestess) earlier ominous vision of what Danni might face. The problem I saw was that none of the characters acknowledged or appeared to recognize the similarities to the vision, which turned out to be disappointingly very anti-climactic, because its resolution did not stop the “evil.” However, the finale to the plot was very satisfying; as Danni discovers the identity of a villain that in life was a virtual puppet master who lured people into carrying out horrible deeds, a legacy he continued after his death, and a heartbreaking betrayal leads to the identity of the living murderer.
Overall, I give this book 4 stars and recommend it to any fans of paranormal romantic mysteries, as well as fans of Heather Graham’s other series.
Lovers and occasional colleagues Danni Cafferty and Michael Quinn must answer this question when a series of heinous murders follows the sale, and delivery, of Ghosts in the Mind to a wealthy widow in New Orleans. Quinn, called to the scene by his former partner on NOLA’s police force, Larue, investigates the murders, while Danni examines a copy of the painting at a local gallery. Neither wants to believe that the infamous artwork is haunted, but both history and recent events tell tales of death following the painting in its wake.
As the death toll rises, Danni and Quinn lead an unusual team to the source-the location where Henry Sebastian Hubert painted the original work, Lake Geneva, Switzerland, in an effort to exorcise the evil manifesting on the streets. The society widow, a coroner, a parish priest, a voodoo priestess, and couple of Danni’s employees join together in a quest into the heart of darkness, and a crypt that has been untouched for 200 years.
This particular novel, the second in the Cafferty and Quinn series, has a wide-ranging plot that includes eleven possible killers that are no longer among the living, as well as several suspects, and a couple of not-suspected individuals, who may or may not have committed some of the murders.
My only issue with the plot was the first scene on the castle grounds, which was a very close match to Natasha’s (the voodoo priestess) earlier ominous vision of what Danni might face. The problem I saw was that none of the characters acknowledged or appeared to recognize the similarities to the vision, which turned out to be disappointingly very anti-climactic, because its resolution did not stop the “evil.” However, the finale to the plot was very satisfying; as Danni discovers the identity of a villain that in life was a virtual puppet master who lured people into carrying out horrible deeds, a legacy he continued after his death, and a heartbreaking betrayal leads to the identity of the living murderer.
Overall, I give this book 4 stars and recommend it to any fans of paranormal romantic mysteries, as well as fans of Heather Graham’s other series.
November 9, 2025
Overview: Michael Quinn has just gotten back to New Orleans after a case in Texas. As soon as he gets into town, his former police partner asks for his help. A family of five has been butchered, the only survivors being the children who were at school at the time. Mr. Garcia, the father, is a courier who had a habit of bringing his work home. A strange fog inside the police evidence room, and the missing evidence being sent to the owners, makes Quinn bring Danielle Cafferty in on the case. One of the missing parcels has a rather negative history, however. It is a painting called "Ghosts in the Mind", and it was painted during the Year without a Summer. Death seems to follow this painting wherever it has gone. Now the painting, the real one, and not just a giclee copy of it, is in the city. Can Quinn, Danni, and their allies stop the evil that follows this painting? Let's find out.
Dislikes: Henry Sebastian Hubert was an outright idiot. There has to be limits to what you will do for recognition. Leaving your spouse to live a hedonistic lifestyle and trying to impress those you look up to is quite foolish to say the least.
Likes: Bo Ray was enthusiastic to do what he could for The Cheshire Cat, and Danni.
Billie must be feeling that he is getting too old for this type of hunting. After all, he did help Angus Cafferty, then began helping Danni.
I loved Hattie's attitude. She narrowly escaped death, and did what she could just to fully end the problem.
Now, I do disagree with Danni and Quinn when it comes to Bryson Arnold. He did work with art. I suspect that he knew the history of the painting and wanted Hattie to be safe. Why else would he tell her to run?
Conclusion: I enjoyed this story. If you like positive horrifying tales, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.
Dislikes: Henry Sebastian Hubert was an outright idiot. There has to be limits to what you will do for recognition. Leaving your spouse to live a hedonistic lifestyle and trying to impress those you look up to is quite foolish to say the least.
Likes: Bo Ray was enthusiastic to do what he could for The Cheshire Cat, and Danni.
Billie must be feeling that he is getting too old for this type of hunting. After all, he did help Angus Cafferty, then began helping Danni.
I loved Hattie's attitude. She narrowly escaped death, and did what she could just to fully end the problem.
Now, I do disagree with Danni and Quinn when it comes to Bryson Arnold. He did work with art. I suspect that he knew the history of the painting and wanted Hattie to be safe. Why else would he tell her to run?
Conclusion: I enjoyed this story. If you like positive horrifying tales, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.
September 6, 2017
This novel got off to a slow start and the plot was fairly predictable. That said, there were definitely some good things about it. For one thing, this author shines in character development and in adding in little bits of humor. This particular novel was almost "Steven King lite" in that there were definite horror moments but nothing too gruesome. The basic gist is that there is a painting that at first glance just looks like a group of people in medieval dress who were sitting or standing around in a castle. However, closer inspection revealed that all of the characters except one were engaging in murderous acts and the only one who wasn't had a weapon rammed against his back. It later is revealed that blood has been used in the pigment and the painting can be "activated" by adding fresh blood to it. This has happened, resulting in several murders in the New Orleans area and Cafferty and Quinn are together again working to solve the mystery and end the violence. The painting had been bought and stolen from a well known heiress and local philanthropist, Hattie Lamont. Hattie turns out to be quite a gal and her scenes were some of the best in the book.
March 16, 2018
I would have given this book a zero if it was possible. I like supernatural stories so that's not the part I had trouble with. This story starts out with the horrific murder of a family of a man who happens to work for a delivery service. The company the man works for lets him bring home packages he is going to deliver the next day. One of these packages just happens to be a multi million dollar painting????????? Can anyone get past just how ridiculous this is. Oh yeah, the painting is just wrapped in brown paper and was shipped from a museum. Very lazy writing and I guess not any research on how a painting like that would be packaged and shipped.
The author must have found the word Giclée because it was used over and over and over again. She really liked that word.
One part of the book after the painting has been stolen from a mansion Quinn says some thing like, "they didn't come in the front door, there must be a back door". Ya think, it's a mansion, front door, back door, patio doors. Plenty of other doors. I really enjoy a good supernatural mystery, but this book was so poorly written and the plot was so silly I couldn't finish it.
The author must have found the word Giclée because it was used over and over and over again. She really liked that word.
One part of the book after the painting has been stolen from a mansion Quinn says some thing like, "they didn't come in the front door, there must be a back door". Ya think, it's a mansion, front door, back door, patio doors. Plenty of other doors. I really enjoy a good supernatural mystery, but this book was so poorly written and the plot was so silly I couldn't finish it.
March 27, 2018
Waking the Dead is the second in a series, which i didn't realize when i began reading. I went ahead anyway, even though I figured I'd missed some details in the first book regarding characters and backstories. The book did fine as a stand alone, though, but I will find the first book to back track when i can.
This book is a predictable cozy murder mystery that includes vaguely developed supernatural happenings and some rather tame sexy time scenes. Picture the Scooby gang all grown up and living in New Orleans. They even have a dog! It had great potential but the plot felt rushed and the story lines seemed way too conveniently solved. There were plenty of murders to solve and an old historic painting to find plus a trip to Switzerland to visit a creepy old castle complete with a family crypt so there was that!
All considered, the story was a fun read, quick and easy. And there were some interesting historical references to Mary Shelley and Lord Byron. If you like light doses of supernatural happenings and minimally gruesome murders, this series is for you.
This book is a predictable cozy murder mystery that includes vaguely developed supernatural happenings and some rather tame sexy time scenes. Picture the Scooby gang all grown up and living in New Orleans. They even have a dog! It had great potential but the plot felt rushed and the story lines seemed way too conveniently solved. There were plenty of murders to solve and an old historic painting to find plus a trip to Switzerland to visit a creepy old castle complete with a family crypt so there was that!
All considered, the story was a fun read, quick and easy. And there were some interesting historical references to Mary Shelley and Lord Byron. If you like light doses of supernatural happenings and minimally gruesome murders, this series is for you.
January 11, 2022
Well, that had its terrifying moments. This is the second novel in the Cafferty & Quinn series and although I sometimes felt I missed out on the establishment of characters from the first book, it didn’t preclude or prevent my enjoyment of this one.
I really enjoyed the premise of the plot of the Heather Graham novel. I was impressed with the way the author managed to incorporate real events, e.g., 1816, “the year with no summer” and the “game” played by Byron, Shelley, and Mary Wollstonecraft that led to the writing of Frankenstein, with the fiction of the painting created that same summer, imbued with the evil events that took place within the walls of the Castle Guillaume, and the subsequent havoc created in NOLA when the cursed painting finally arrives in the city.
I’ll look for more books in this series, for sure.
I really enjoyed the premise of the plot of the Heather Graham novel. I was impressed with the way the author managed to incorporate real events, e.g., 1816, “the year with no summer” and the “game” played by Byron, Shelley, and Mary Wollstonecraft that led to the writing of Frankenstein, with the fiction of the painting created that same summer, imbued with the evil events that took place within the walls of the Castle Guillaume, and the subsequent havoc created in NOLA when the cursed painting finally arrives in the city.
I’ll look for more books in this series, for sure.
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