Market for Murder

The Blackbird Files #2

by Heather Graham

In the alleys of Edinburgh, someone is killing for profit…

Scotland has a dead body problem. Another one. And in the wake of a similar spate of tribute killings, Special Agents Luke Kendrick and Carly MacDonald know they have their work cut out for them. Working alongside a new team of agents, the partners have more questions than answers when the crime scenes yield little evidence. In the style of infamous killers Burke and Hare, it appears victims are being moved to a secondary location, where they’re dissected and sold for spare parts.

With the clock ticking on every organ being harvested, the members of Blackbird know the killers must be near at hand, and soon discover that they’re also being closed in on. As questions begin to arise about the newest additions to their team, Luke and Carly are running out of time—and people they can trust—to catch the killers before the agents themselves are the next to be put on ice.

The Blackbird Files

Book 1: Death Behind Every Door
Book 2: Market for Murder

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

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 25, 2024

About the author

Also published as Heather Graham Pozzessere and Shannon Drake.

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

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

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

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

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written, entertaining, fast paced, romantic suspense novel which is set in Scotland. It has a likable, intelligent, strong and capable female protagonist, an engaging male protagonist, murder, mystery, paranormal elements, romance, twists and turns, and a satisfying conclusion. This is the second entry in Ms. Graham's outstanding Blackbird Files series, and it can be read as a stand alone. I am looking forward to reading the next entry in this series with great anticipation. I listened to the audio version of this novel, and the narrator, Mr. Roger Wayne, has a captivating voice and does an excellent job voicing the characters.

[David Pyrlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book that definitely took you on another crime solving journey.

[HTP Books]

Ghost, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective, Romantic Suspense, Supernatural Thriller
Miniseries
The Blackbird Files (Book #2)

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Heather Graham for the advanced reader copy experience in exchange for my honest review.

Market for Murder was a delight to read. I enjoyed the international setting with competent Americans mixed in. I had not read the first book in the series, and Market for Murder is 100% able to stand on its own.

Heather Graham kept me guessing until the end as to who all was involved and how the end would be wrapped up. I loved all of the characters. Carly and Luke support each other in a very equal, sweet, and loving manner. I especially loved Keith and his role in the book. Highly recommend true crime lovers who also enjoy a little paranormal twist.

[Ashley Yungbluth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Market for Murder" book two in "The Blackbird Files" by Heather Graham was a great read. I enjoy Carly and Luke's characters and how they work so well together. My favorite part is when the ghosts help them solve what's going on. They are on a mission to find out who is killing people and using their body parts for transplants illegally. While they are looking for who is doing it, there are more people coming up missing, and so many people to question about it. I enjoy Heather's writing style and this series.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved being with this couple and their team, and their latest mystery! Can't wait to read more!

[Jerry Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yikes, this wasn't good.

The character angle is interesting, but it feels like a teenager wrote this. I'm surprised an editor didn't lose their mind at the amount of (!) exclamation points.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was with those agents that are with the Black Bird group. They are in Scotland to find those responsible for killing innocent people for their organs. Black market organ buying turns out to be very profitable, for those with no feelings for others, and only care about money. It was very interesting as they hunted for clues, sometimes with a few ghosts that helped. It kept my attention, and I enjoyed the mystery based on two famous body snatchers ,from a different era, that learned it was easier, to just kill people ,and sell their bodies. Burke and Hare had furthered medical practice, by offering fresh dead bodies for dissection, and university study. Finally they had been caught, and one turned on the other. The ending was good with a few twists, and it also contained an epilogue. Special agent Luke Kendrick, and Carly Mac Donald made a great team, and provided a touch of romance. 5 stars.

[Ashley Gadue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC from my favorite author.
Another great story line as always! This one did lose a star though because her books have lost the spicy sexy moments they used to have. Also because this book seemed to spend so much time in bars and little else.

[Therese Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only for those who want to mix the paranormal and romance with their murder investigations. Just not my thing.

[Jahne' · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ Loved! Probably my favorite of her recent releases. The twists were fabulous. Loved the ghost of Keith MacDonald. He was such a great addition to the Krewe.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great installment in The Blackbird Files!!!

[Emilie Gauthier · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst written book I have ever read.

[Rivka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this earc

I’m sad to say, I’m officially done with this series.

When it comes to mysteries, I need at least one of the following these to be there
- good mystery
- good romance
- good writing
When I get at least one, I usually will enjoy the book. Sadly, this one didn’t give me any of the things mentioned above.
Mystery just seems too convenient and the fact they went back to Edinburgh after being there in the last book, felt like a lot of material was recycled.
Romance is honestly non existent. They barely kiss. But at the same time it was very annoying when any time two people got on the same page, they magically fell in love. Like cmon. Not every cop has to date the first cute witness.

Overall, I just wasn’t enjoying reading this book. And there are too many books out there that still need to be read.

[Makenna Champney · Rating 2 out of 5]

So! Many! Exclamation! Points! In! This! Book!

I loved the concept of the book but this truly felt like it was written by a teenager; taken straight from Wattpad. Rambling conversations with abrupt endings and random unneeded comments. This felt like there was multiple edits of the book that was sliced together very quickly. The character, Carly, felt shallow and cheesy and made me cringe more often than I’d like to say. I honestly had high hopes for this book because who doesn’t love paranormal murder mystery in Scotland, but MY GOSH, how many times does Carly have to shower in this story?! The ending was so rushed it had me sitting back thinking, that’s it?? Everything falls into place so perfectly with the characters reminiscing together and laughing about what they went through like a cheesy Hallmark movie. Maybe as this author has written over 200 novels, I shouldn’t have expected high quality.

[Carole Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual crimes require unusual investigators.

Dead bodies are turning up in Edinburgh, and in an eerie nod to an infamous “body snatcher” in that city’s past, the main organs of each corpse have been carefully removed. As details of the gruesome killings emerge the media dubs the crimes “Burke and Hare revisited”, referring to a spate of killings by William Burke and William Hare in 1828 Edinburgh when at least ten people were murdered and their bodies sold to an eminent doctor for medical research. It would appear that the motive for the present day killings is illegal organ transplants, but no trace evidence is being discovered at the sites where the bodies are found and the local police are stymied. Help arrives in the form of FBI agents Carly MacDonald and Luke Kendrick (partners in work and life) who are part of Blackbird, the European division of a unique unit called the Krewe of Hunters who are excellent investigators and also happen to be able to see and speak with the dead who remain behind. They, along with National Crime Agency officer Daniel Murray (who worked with Carly and Luke during the last Blackbird case and who himself has discovered the ability to communicate with the dead) will work alongside local detective inspectors Michael MacDuff and Jordan Dowell….with a little help from two spirits, one of whom remembers only too well the original Burke and Hare killings. As they comb the city, revisiting the different crime scenes and re-interviewing witnesses, they develop a theory on how the victims have been targeted and enticed away from crowds. Carly sets herself up as bait, but although the team is able to arrest some of the lower echelon members of the criminal group behind the murders they are unable to identify the head (or heads) of the snake. Will their combined skills and knowledge succeed in shutting down this organ-harvesting organization before another victim is claimed….possibly even one of them?
Readers of author Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunters books will certainly enjoy this latest outing in the Blackbird Files, a spinoff of that original series. The book can easily be read as a standalone for those who have not, however, so potential readers should not let that dissuade them from giving this romantic suspense novel a try. The two lead characters, Carly and Luke, are insightful investigators and are welcomed into the investigation by their Scottish counterparts; they are also an enjoyable couple pursuing a relationship even as they deal with grizzly crimes. The setting of Edinburgh made for interesting reading, especially with the story’s link to the real life Burke/Hare case, and the mystery at the heart of the book moved briskly along. The camaraderie between the FBI agents and the Scottish law enforcement agents might be a bit too idealized….local police forces generally aren’t thrilled when outside groups come in and “Bigfoot” their case, but for the purposes of the story its a minor quibble. Fans of authors like Kay Hooper, Jayne Ann Krentz and Catherine Coulter might find this book, and the series as a whole, a worthwhile addition to their summer reading list. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA Books for allowing me early access to Market for Murder, a quick and enjoyable read.

[Melanie Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heather Graham is an amazing storyteller. It is clear she loves history and is well traveled as she takes us along on a journey into the UK to follow a terrifying team of killers. Scotland comes alive for us on the page as we traverse the vennels, cemeteries, and pubs looking for a group of killers. It also amazes me to think of the depravity that man can do to another, and Heather does not shy away from giving us a depiction of that. In these cases, humans are being murdered and gutted and we are given a front row seat for the action. However, the story is well written, we don’t have gratuitous descriptions for their own sake. The murders are graphic without being gross. The action is intense and the feeling of doom nearly palpable in the bar patrons they meet. We meet a few young women in our journey who are truly frightened, and we feel their fear. It is important to note that the killers are not just targeting women so men, even the males in law enforcement, need to be careful. So often the little women are the victims and the men the big strong protectors but not in this book. In one scene, one of the male officers are separated from the team and they are concerned for him and fearful for their safety.
We know early on that our team believes they are chasing organ harvesters and the book talks about how someone could accept a black-market organ. The book talks about how desperate people will do anything so a family member may live. The topic of organ donation is incredibly timely for me as an acquittance just got a new liver. Reading the families emails while reading this book helped drive home for me the truth about how some people low on the list may turn a blind eye to the truth. I won’t spoil whether that was the true motivations for our killers, but it certainly made for a story that was on the nose for me right now.
Heather Graham is the number one author on my kindle because she created an amazing team in the Krewe of Hunters. Catching up with Jackson and Angela in multiple stories helps tie together each book. As I said, with the last book, I think the Krewe of Hunters would be a terrific TV show. It would be a little bit fly team from FBI International and a little bit Ghost. This biggest challenge would be finding actors and actresses who could portray Heather’s well-rounded characters without taking away from the books. Carly and Luke may have been the lead, but they needed the whole of their international team to solve the puzzle. I wonder what cold mystery the next book will take on and what more we can learn about history and the beauty of Europe along the way.
You can jump into the Krewe of Hunters at any point. If you are reading a trilogy, start with the first book in that trilogy. There is one more thing you need to know after you read the first book you will want to read all the Krewe books as I have. I would recommend all the books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[boogleloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paranormal Police Procedural Romantic Suspense set in Scotland in which two FBI agents, who's unit all have"unique abilities", race against the clock to stop the killers mimicking the infamous pair Burke and Hare.

4/5 stars: This is the second entry in Graham's Blackbird Files series, which is a Paranormal Police Procedural Romantic Suspense that takes place in Scotland and features two FBI agents, who are members of the European branch of a special unit whose members all have some kind of psychic abilities, as they investigate the killers who're mimicking the infamous pair Burke and Hare and harvesting their victims organs. With plenty of twists and turns, Graham has crafted a police procedural mystery that's fast-paced yet balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final reveal. I really appreciated how Graham explored the disturbing history of Burke and Hare. And of course Graham's character work is excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. I very much enjoyed seeing Luke and Carly working together and continuing their relationship. This is very much a police procedural mystery with the romantic relationship in the background (the sex scenes are fade to black). I love the paranormal elements, especially the attention paid to the history of the ghostly characters. Due to the sensitive topics tackled, take care and check out the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Death Behind Every Door. If you'd like to read more from this “universe”, this is a spin-off of the Blackbird series (Whispers at Dusk, BK 1) and the Krewe of Hunters series (Phantom Evil, BK 1).

I received this eARC thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Blackbird Files series and I will be looking for book 1, Death behind every door. The Scotland setting is interesting and some history and geography is sprinkled throughout the book.In the alleys of Edinburgh, someone is killing for profit…
Scotland has a dead body problem. Another one. And in the wake of a similar spate of tribute killings, Special Agents Luke Kendrick and Carly MacDonald know they have their work cut out for them. Working alongside a new team of agents, the partners have more questions than answers when the crime scenes yield little evidence. In the style of infamous killers Burke and Hare, it appears victims are being moved to a secondary location, where they’re dissected and sold for spare parts.
With the clock ticking on every organ being harvested, the members of Blackbird know the killers must be near at hand, and soon discover that they’re also being closed in on. As questions begin to arise about the newest additions to their team, Luke and Carly are running out of time—and people they can trust—to catch the killers before the agents themselves are the next to be put on ice.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

(The Blackbird Files Book 2) We are once again joining Carly and Luke on their adventure to solve a horrendous crime. The Blackbird team is an offshoot of the Krewe of Hunters, it is their European team. My favorite is still the original Krewe of Hunters, but I’ve been enjoying the Blackbird series also. These mysteries have a supernatural twist because the team can see and hear ghosts plus the crimes are horrendous in nature. Only this special team can solve them. Once you start to read it, you can’t put it down. Carly and Luke are in Scotland to solve a killing spree. Four bodies have been found and all their organs are missing. They are joined by the International Crime Police and Scottish Police force. With everyone working together they seem to be finding some clues that will help them solve this mystery. Will Carly and Luke find the killers(s) or will they be killed instead. I recommend adding this to your reading list. Thank you to Netgalley and Mira for providing an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of Market For Murder through Net Galley from Harlequin trade publishing .
This is the second book in the Blackbird files . This story is outstanding it's intense and twisted . It held my attention from the first page to the very last page . A very Suspenseful and intriguing tale . There is a FBI Specialized unit (The Krewe of Hunters ) .
The members have abilities and they handle strange cases . Carly MacDonald and her partner Luke Kendrick work for the Euro Special Assistance unit of Krewe (Blackbird) they work on crimes abroad . They find themselves in Edinburgh Scotland . Investigating with the Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency . They're investigating brutal murders where the victims have their organs taken . While investigating Carly and the team gets assistance from some spirits that haven't moved beyond . As the investigation continues danger closes in .This story is full of twists and turns , it's absolutely a spectacular suspense . I highly recommend taking the time to read .

[Topo Chicas · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Heather Graham’s Market for Murder, we find ourselves in the second installment of the Scotland contingent of the Krewe of Hunters’ special Blackbird squad’s investigation into the latest copycat of a serial killer from the past. This time, the copycats have replicated the feel of the Burke and Hare murders from the 1800’s in Edinburgh.


This time, however, the local investigators working with FBI Special Agents Luke Kendrick and Carly MacDonald don’t know the motivation behind the killings. Like the Burke and Hare murders, the bodies appear missing organs, but the modern day murderers could be selling these organs, merely killing for the sake of killing, or even potentially removing organs for consumption. The other problem was that initially, they had no leads, so everyone is a potential suspect, even their colleagues.

This crazy whodunit will keep you guessing until the last page, and even then, the insanity of it all will keep you reeling for a while after. Heather Graham is truly a master of her craft!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC!!

[Dee Furey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because goodreads doesn't do 1/2 stars.

Market for Murder by Heather Graham is book 2 in the The Blackbird Files series. We follow Carly and Luke and a team of detectives to solve a series of murders. For this case, we are in Edinburgh, Scotland. Carly and Luke are helping the Scottish police solve a series of murders that have been compared to the infamous mass murderers, Burke and Hare from a couple centuries ago. But, Carly and Luke are unique, and, as it turns out, so is Daniel one of the Scottish detectives they are working with - they can all see and talk to ghosts. This is speculative fiction, and the ghosts are essential in helping the team track down all the bad guys and solve the crime. It's a good read with a mostly steady pace - a couple of times it gets bogged down in police procedural stuff, but basically a good mystery with ghosts! Thank you to Net Galley #NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for my advance reader copy. This book is released today, June 25th, 2024.

[Darla Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special Agents Luke Kendrick and Carly MacDonald are part of the Blackbird team working in Scotland on a series of murders where people are being killed for money. The killers are being compared to the infamous Burke and Hare. Luke and Carly are working with a new team as the clock is ticking on the organs being harvested. The agents know that the killers have to be close by in order to do what they're doing, so they're questioning a lot of people. But someone's closing in on the agents too.

I truly enjoyed this book and the first book as well. This is an excellent spinoff of the Krewe of Hunters series. It was well-written with well-developed characters and a fast-paced plot. I was drawn into this captivating story and kept me hooked from beginning to end. The book has intrigue, mystery, romance, suspense, and action. It was an awesome read and I'm eager for the next book. I highly recommend both book and series.

[Marybelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story. I love the characters and their relationships with each other. It did go a little long in the last two chapters. It’s like each time I thought the story was over, it kept going.

There was one glitch at the end, and I don’t know if it was an error or that this story was, in fact, written before the third book in the Blackbird trilogy. They are introducing the next book that is coming up during the epilogue which has to do with a “supposed” vampire. One of the characters refers back to the fact that Dante (the King of the Vampires) was previously caught, but in actuality Dante was killed in the previous story (3rd book in the Blackbird Trilogy). They also mention that Della & Mason are together, but in the previous book they got engaged to be married. So I feel that the two trilogies are a little disjointed.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carly and Luke are back with the team for another crime spree in Scotland. This one, is the removal of organs for profit. As the team investigates, they are uncovering quite a ring of crime, and one that has ties to the United States. Will they solve the crime before another person is murdered?

This was a good read, but a bit more predictable than the first. There also seemed to be a lot more "bedroom scenes" than the first one too - which don't lend anything to the story. Overall, interesting read, but not an on-the-edge-of-your-seat-thriller.
However, that being said - I am interested into where the series is leading, so I will be looking for book 3.

Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperCollins for an advanced copy of this book for my unbiased review.

[Bookishmom4ever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two of Blackbird Files sees our main characters, Luke and Carly, still in Scotland, working with Campbell and Daniel again. Joined by two of Police Scotland's finest, they are working to find the leaders and henchmen of an organ-stealing ring. This book was a simple and easy read, although I wish it were a little faster-paced. Other than that, I loved revisiting characters we already know and love. The history was fascinating but not too in your face, and it was fun to try and guess who the bad guys were. It's the perfect read for those who like mystery books with a hint of paranormal.

Disclaimer: While I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this novel, the thoughts above are my own.

[Katelyn Hayter-Gammon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little slow and a bit confusing with the different main characters and the 3rd person writing. That is more a personal preference for me.
In the full aspect I did enjoy the storyline, I enjoyed the character's dynamics and the twists of the book. This is the second in the series and I did not get to read the first so maybe that would have helped me understand some of the characters.
I loved reading the Scottish accent in the writing! And I very much enjoyed the help of the ghosts. I like the paranormal and this was a fun twist to an FBI/Police Murder investigation.
The couple Luke and Carly were my favorite characters, MacDuff has a special place in that elder/fatherly role for the group.
I hope to be able to read the rest of the series!

[Kia South · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heather Graham’s Market for Murder starts off at a slower pace, but patience is rewarded as the story unfolds into a gripping mystery. While the initial chapters feel a bit dry, they set the stage for a compelling plot filled with twists, intrigue, and Graham’s signature blend of suspense and atmosphere.

Once the story gains momentum, it’s hard to put down. The characters are well-developed, and the mystery keeps you guessing until the very end. Graham masterfully weaves historical elements with modern-day thrills, creating a book that is both immersive and satisfying.

Overall, Market for Murder is a solid read for mystery lovers. If you can push through the slower start, the payoff is well worth it!

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

History repeats itself

Luke and Carly are back and on to another crime. This time Mason and Della show up to help bear the end and we see more of Daniel with his new “skill”. The crimes are intricate and involve a lot of different people, so the crime solving and interviews are quite interesting. The addition of local law enforcement is entertaining and brings more colorful characters to light. MacDuff/MacGruff was a favorite and so was Keith our helpful ghost. The ending was a great blend of sweet with Keith and optimistic with the Krewe and its growth. There is a cliffhanger for the next book so we will see what they find in Paris and who also joins the Krewe!