The Witching Hours

The Crows #1

by Heather Graham

A haunting murder and kidnapping on the outskirts of Salem, MA sends two people with unique talents hunting for answers from both the past and present in internationally bestselling author Heather Graham’s electrifying new Krewe of Hunters spin off for fans of Stephen King, Jayne Ann Krentz, Riley Sager, and Simone St. James.

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

Hardcover

First published January 27, 2026

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

[chantalsbookstuff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty average book, I know its classed as mystery/thriller/paranormal but I think I secretly wanted more scary bits with a title like that.

[BookByBook karenreadslotsofbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited to receive approval for an advanced copy of The Witching Hours. I thought it would be a great read to add to my "spooky season" reading. Also, I grew up near Salem, Massachusetts and know the area and history of this town well. I like the premise of the story and the attempt to interweave the infamous history of the Salem witches into the mystery of the murder and kidnappings Skye and Zach are assigned to investigate. However, I found the writing to be very surface level and the dialogue between characters unnatural. Often times, the author detailed events and conversations that seemed unnecessary (for example, the breakfasts shared by Zach and Skye), over the development of the investigation into the crimes. I also found the relationship between Zach and Skye to be forced and unbelievable due to a lack of chemistry. The references to Salem's historical past, while interesting, were not well connected to the plot, also feeling forced and just added to the story because it seemed an obvious choice based on the setting. Unfortunately, I found this to be a disappointing read that I will not be recommending.

[Tam Sesto · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of two psychic investigators trying to solve kidnappings and a murder in Salem, MA was a great hook for picking up the book. However, the story didn’t hold up to any expectation. The writing style was weird and felt misplaced. There was no chemistry between characters, especially between Zach and Skye, who were the romantic leads. The best character of the book, Salem, MA, which is why this is a two star read for me instead of a one.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Hambright PR for this gifted book!

When I read the description of this book I thought it sounded so interesting, psychics in Salem, MA just sounded so good and I was excited about it. The plot itself could have been amazing, it really does have so much potential to be an amazing story if written well.

While I appreciate the opportunity to have received an electronic copy of this through Hambright PR, this book has a lot of problems. The biggest being, and I don't say this lightly, that this reads like it was pulled from an AI prompt. I know that isn't what any author wants to hear, and I truly hope I'm wrong, but I have never read anything so oddly written. I am truly surprised this made it past an editor.

The amount of punctuation used in this is so over the top. Exclamation points at the end of every other sentence, ellipses at every turn, Em dashes in places that don't make sense, and sentences that just seem to fall off. The exclamation points were honestly the biggest sticking point for me, they are used at just basic conversational endings. Not for anything urgent or exciting, just used in places where a period should have been used. I almost DNF'd because of the punctuation and structure alone, but this book was so short that I pushed through.

The dialogue was also a problem for me, it didn't sound natural or like anything people would actually say conversationally, and I think that really chalks up to the structure/punctuation usage. The characters were incredibly flat resulting from that.

I am normally a very generous reviewer, it takes a lot for me to give a negative review, and it doesn't bring me joy to do so. This isn't written in attack of the author, just my honest opinion about the writing and structure. This is not a book that I will be recommending. Such a bummer!

*This ARC was given by Hambright PR through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

[Casey Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a solid ok! I was entertained enough to want to see it through. And my favorite aspect is that it ultimately went in a direction that I truly was not expected, and I like that. That being said, I didn’t love the characters and it just felt very average throughout. But average is not bad! And I love the setting of Salem and the history of it woven throughout. It was ok for me, hence the quick review.

Thank you Hambright PR for the free copy! I usually do not share reviews on bookstagram less than 4 stars, so I will not be posting there.

[Kim McFall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good read! Suspense, mystery, paranormal & witches all in one book. I absolutely loved the characters and hope there are more books to come with them in it! This was such a fun read!

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publication for letting me read this arc.

[Janereads10 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any hint of supernatural in stories and I'm along for the ride. The Witching Hours was a thrilling hunt involving the Wicked Witch of the West in Salem, MA - fitting given the city's witch trial history. I enjoyed uncovering leads and connecting suspects and motivations.

What stood out: This is a spin-off of the author's Krewe of Hunters series featuring investigators with psychic abilities. The main characters are Skye McMahon, who sees the past unravel in her mind, and Zachary Erickson, who has psychic touch. The combination of their abilities adds an edge to what would otherwise be a straightforward murder mystery.

I found this fast-paced, like watching the story on my TV screen. I liked the way the author kept leaving crumbs for readers to follow.

The romance building between Skye and Zach was a much-needed break from the tense investigation. Watching them connect as people beyond their psychic abilities made them more relatable.

I figured out who it was early on, but it's always the howdunnit or whydunnit that kept me reading. The motivation fell flat for me though.

Similar vibes: Fans of the Krewe of Hunters series by Heather Graham would enjoy this spin-off. Also comparable to Kelley Armstrong's paranormal suspense series - A Rip Through Time.

You'll love this if: You like a blend of suspense, mystery, and paranormal elements.

Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for my early ARC access for review.

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Witching Hours by Heather Graham
Crews series #1. Paranormal mystery, romantic suspense. Spin off from the Krewe of Hunter series.
A murder and kidnapping has a new division of the Crew being created in Salem, MA. Skye McMahon is hired to investigate the murder and unusual stories connected with Alicia Bolton’s home. Skye has visions beyond the original Salem trials to see a crone preying on the family. With the help psychic Zackary Erickson, they search for the sinister crone in a town where witches are a common and forgettable sight.

Following the format of the prior series, this story is filled with tension, ghosts, and murder. The newest recruits to the Crew must find the crone before another death.

Hair raising and electrifying.

[Katie Shaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Hambright PR for the ARC!

Set in present-day Salem, Massachusetts, The Witching Hour follows two detectives with psychic abilities, Skye and Zach, as they investigate a string of disappearances involving women and children. With Salem’s eerie history as the backdrop, the case quickly becomes more complicated than it first appears.

This one really gave me Supernatural meets Law & Order vibes. I loved the paranormal twist mixed with the investigative elements, and Skye and Zach made a great team. Their dynamic kept the story moving and made the partnership feel believable.

The book started off strong and pulled me in quickly, and overall it was a fast, easy read that kept the mystery moving at a good pace. If you enjoy crime stories with a supernatural edge, this one will definitely be up your alley.

[Raymie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had everything I would appeal to me in a book. Set in Salem, Wizard of Oz references, Witches all tied up in a thriller but I just didn’t like characters or the actual storyline.

I don’t know what it was about the main character Skye but I just didn’t like her. She had little to no personality and all she wanted to do was hook up with her Partner.

The ending to the story felt rushed and so did the romance between Skye and Zach.

Genre:
APK: Ebook
Pages: 299
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Series or Standalone: I think it’s going to be a series.

[Kate | Date With A Thriller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this as I am fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials!! 🙌

This started off really well with Skye’s vision of what happened during the witch trials. I was hooked from the start, but then I felt like the pace slowed a bit in spots. I also didn’t understand the why behind the whole murder and kidnapping. This is the start of a new series, and I am little curious what case Skye and Zach take on next. Overall, I’d say it was a decent read! 👏

Thank you to partner Kensington Books for the gifted advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review! ❤️

[Beppie]

I struggled from almost page one with both my interest in the story and the quality of the writing. I know that Heather Graham is a popular and extremely prolific author, but this novel in concept was interesting, but in the actual execution of said story, it was far from well-done.

I will not be finishing this novel, and as my copy was an ARC received through NetGalley, I will not be reviewing it at this time either.

[Margarida]

ARC - I swear I tried to read the whole book, but I got to 35% and couldn't go any further... I delayed writing the review because I was avoiding giving DNF. The only thing that interested me was the mention of historical issues related to crimes. I didn't find the characters interesting and the story's development wasn't captivating me either... unfortunately, I didn't finish the book.

[Jahne' · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this felt like coming home. So excited to be back in the Krewe universe.

Ending felt a little rushed but I will never not love this ghost seeing/psychic group of FBI agents.

[Rebecca]

Unfortunately this one just didn't work for me. I LOVED the concept of looking into the past and talking to ghosts to solve crimes, but something about the characters and the dialogue just wasn't working for me.

Also trigger warning that this involves a 5 year old, which was a huge trigger for me.

[Tori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC. The book sounded really appealing with its paranormal elements and ties to the Salem witch trials. I truly wanted to like it, but something just felt off. The dialogue often felt unnatural, with an overwhelming number of exclamation points (maybe they are still editing the dialogue?) The story was weighed down by a lot of historical detail. Several plot points were left loose or unexplained, which made the overall experience disappointing.

[Meagan Beal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Witching Hours is a mix of thriller, police procedural, supernatural! It such a great mix of some of my favorite genres. The Krewe of Hunter's are sent to Salem to help solve murders with their unique set of skills. Skye and Zach are newly partnered, each with their own ability. It was so interesting reading how they start to work as a team and we get to learn more about the abilities they have how it can lead them to the Killer. The killer has an interesting way of hiding themselves that plays well to the story! I really enjoyed the plot but at times it felt like it got a little muddy with all the new details, new relationship, and events. I defiantly will reading the next book in the series and seeing how it all melds together. 3.5


Thank You to @hambrightpr , @kensingtonbooks, and @Netgalley for my gifted copy.

[Mary Ellen Hekker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Overuse of the exclamation point made the 2 main characters sound like sniping 2-year olds. It was extremely annoying and distracting. Took me out of the story multiple times a page. Sadly this is the 4th recent publication of hers that feels like she’s lost her ‘voice’

[Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book for review with Hambright. I loved the concept of this story and requested the ARC because the blurb sounded like my next favorite read.

I read just about anything I come across that’s in the “witchy” realm whether fiction or non-fiction. I love historical fiction, and I also enjoy fbi and serial killer thrillers.

The idea of a team of agents using paranormal powers to investigate murders - I honestly don’t know if a better storyline could be written for me.


Sadly it didn’t land. The pacing was off and dialogue was stilted. In the beginning the plot was overwhelmed by a heavy load of historical information that made the story feel clunky. I couldn’t get invested in the characters, and kept wanting the intensity to amp up.

The elements are all there, and I hope the author can work out the kinks for the next book. It has a lot of promise.

[Charlotte Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me up long past my bedtime. I could not put it down! Imagine a group of investigators that all have special paranormal talents. Each of these special talents help solve crimes but they must be careful. They must be able to explain how they know what they know, without giving away their talent.

The Witching Hours is a book that broke my heart with the initial kidnapping, it is hard to read about children potentially being hurt or in trouble. But the book was gentle with the children.

I found myself hooked on Zachary and Skye working together. I cheered them on, I followed the clues they gave and still had no idea where I was going to end up. Books like this are my favorite. They keep me guessing and changing my mind as I think I figure out the mystery.

Thank you Hambright PR for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

[Ann C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book a rating less than 1 star. It was awful. I have enjoyed Heather Graham for years. The books that she has written in the last 2 or 3 years have not been worth my time, nor money. I have skipped some of the books. I though that since this one was part of a new series, maybe it would be different. No such luck.

The language seemed to be stilted. The dialogue between characters did not flow. I don't know anyone that actually talks like these characters talk. The use of the exclamation point was ridiculous. There were 4 of them in just 1 paragraph. There were several on each page. If there were 4 on each page, that would be close to 1200 in the whole book. No one talks in exclamation points. It is like the characters were screaming at each other. The author obviously does not feel that way. Example: ""Connie, have faith in the man you work with!" "Skye told her quietly." I don't consider the use of an exclamation point as speaking quietly.

In one instance, Zach is called Skye's 'boy toy.' Does the author know what a boy toy is? Zach is definitely not one.

Several readers said this book read like it was written by AI. I would not know. But I will say it does read rather strangely. Most of the author's recent books read like this one.

I am through with reading any current books by this author. I will stick with her very old ones.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look, if you pitch me Salem, psychic detectives, and a full-blown fairy-tale witch snatching children like it’s The Brothers Grimm meets Criminal Minds, I am gonna show up. Black hoodie on. Pumpkin spice in hand. Vibes cranked to eleven. And for the first few chapters of The Witching Hours, I really thought we were doing something here. A haunting murder. A missing nanny. A toddler found screaming in her playpen like the cold open of every show on Shudder. Yes. Inject that spooky chaos right into my bloodstream.

But then…the book kept talking.

Let’s start with Skye McMahon, who is somehow both a psychic with movie-reel visions and the least interesting person in a haunted house full of plot devices. She's got Big Paranormal Girl energy, but instead of taking names and banishing spirits, she mostly meanders from psychic flash to psychic flash like a confused tourist on a ghost tour. Enter Zachary Erickson, her psychic-sorta-love-interest-partner-dude, whose ability is apparently touching things and knowing stuff and whose personality hovers somewhere between “Hallmark boyfriend template” and “mysterious wallpaper.” Their banter? Stiff. Their romantic chemistry? Like two mannequins awkwardly bumping into each other during a power outage at Macy’s.

And can we talk about the witch? Not the metaphorical witch. Not the tragic misunderstood witch of Salem lore. No, no. Heather Graham said, “Pointy hat. Crone face. Possibly cackling. Deal with it.” I mean, if you're gonna do a literal witch, I respect the audacity to go full cartoon villain. But she never felt scary, just kind of...there. Like the plot needed something spooky to wave around between monologues about 1692 and awkward coffee dates.

There are moments where the book finds its footing. When Skye’s visions kick in and we get those creepy atmospheric flashes of past horrors bleeding into the present, the book wakes up a little. The Salem setting is doing so much heavy lifting, bless her gothic heart. The fog, the woods, the echo of paranoia hanging over everything like old wallpaper in a cursed B&B. And there’s real potential in the bones of the mystery, murdered patriarch, missing nanny and child, cult-ish undertones. But the writing never quite locks it all together. The pacing drags in weird spots (why are we spending this much time on breakfast?) and key emotional beats feel like they were copied and pasted from a ghost-hunting procedural with a tight deadline.

Oh, and the dialogue. My god, the dialogue. Characters don’t talk to each other, they recite. If I had a dollar for every moment where someone quoted a philosopher like they were auditioning for Jeopardy: Paranormal Edition, I could buy a better version of this book. It’s like no one told the characters they weren’t in a college lecture hall. The prose is just clunky enough to yank you out every time things start getting juicy.

That said, I didn’t hate it. I finished it. I wanted to like it. Skye and Zach have potential, in a reboot kind of way. The bones are good, the vibes are set, but the execution is shaky. It felt like a draft of a much cooler story that got lost somewhere between the séance and the sexy subplot. 3 stars, and one side-eye from me and the ghost of a 1690s librarian.

Whodunity Award: For Dressing a Witch Like She Stepped Out of the Dollar Store Halloween Aisle and Still Expecting Me to Be Scared

Big love and sassy thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC. I’ll always show up for witches, psychics, and paranormal chaos, even when they need a little editing TLC.

[Carole Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salem is synonymous with witches...

...and now a string of crimes are apparently being committed by them.

Skye is an FBI agent who, in addition to the requisite investigatory skill set, has an additional gift that she has over the years used surreptitiously in working cases. It is that gift, an ability to "see" what happened in a particular spot, that attracted the attention of Jackson Crowe and his wife Angela who oversee a hand-selected group of agents withn the agency who possess varying paranormal skills. Skye is sent to Salem, Massachusetts, a city long famous for its association with witches and witchcraft, to pair up with another new Crowe recruit, Zach, and work with the local police to investigate the disappearance and possible kidnapping of a young boy and his nanny as well as the death of the boy's great-grandfather (which soon proves to be murder.) With no evidence left behind and no incoming ransom demands, the police aren't sure what happened at the family home. Between Skye's abilities and Zach's they quickly are able to determine that someone dressed as a Wizard of Oz type witch (green skin, pointy hat, etc) abducted the two by force. A mother and daughter are taken soon thereafter from the neighboring town of Swampscott, but apart from knowing that again a "witch" took them at gunpoint, there is no indication of who is doing this or why. More disappearances follow, and slowly a pattern emerges that hints at a calculated and sinister plot to assemble a group of human shields to allow a crime to happen...but where are the people who have disappeared being held? What is the major crime being plotted? Worse still....could someone connected to the police be involved, maybe even the person who asked Crowe for help in the first place?
The Witching Hour is the first in a new offshoot of author Heather Graham's popular Krewe of Hunters series. As is the case with previous installments in the original series, there is a pairing up of agents with complimentary abilities which tends to lead to a romantic connection as well. Skye and Zach are smart and attractive, and both have grown accustomed to having to keep their special abilities hidden from the world. Having a partner and bosses who understand and value those abilities is a welcome change for them both. The story unfolds, a combination of mystery, suspense and romance with a dollop of paranormal abilities, solid though somewhat formulaic. What attracted me to the book was its setting; I grew up on the North Shore of Boston near Salem (in fact, I grew up in Swampscott...not a town that pops up in books very often, I assure you!) and it was fun seeing the agents' activities in a city I know quite well, as well as the history of the witch trials that took place there. There are twists and turns, though not all quite as surprising as the author might have hoped (I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers, so its hard to surprise me continually). Overall it was a quick and enjoyable read, a 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4, one certain to appeal to fans of Graham's other books in the related series as well as those who read Kay Hooper, Jayne Ann Krentz, and Iris Johansen. My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me access to the novel in exchange for my honest review

[Cornerofmadness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a 2.5 star review and some of that is on me. it's been so long since I've read Graham's paranormal FBI series that I had forgotten about it and forgotten it wasn't exactly to my tastes. And this one was even less so than others if I'm honest. I nearly DNFed it in the first half but since Netgalley gave me an arc I felt obligated to move forward.

It's easy enough plot, people are going missing Salem, MA, kids especially (babysitter included) so the FBI has been called in, specifically Crowe's krewe of paranormal investigators, in this case Skye who can view the past and Zach who can hone in on people via personal objects of theirs. Who is taking the people (and who killed one old man)? Some one or more than one dressed up in green wicked witch of the west paint ...to cash in on Salem's witch history? I guess? The officer, Gavin, who asked them in has secrets of his own.

This is a straight forward plot. Almost too much. Maybe that explains the endless filler in this thing. If I had to sit down to breakfast one more time with Zach and Skye I was going to scream. Stephen King's writing advice is to never end a chapter on characters going to bed. I'm going to add to start every chapter with them sitting down to breakfast. The romance in this was even more forced and boring than the last one of these I read, mostly because Zach and Skye are flat and nearly interchangeable in terms of personality.

So why did I nearly DNF this? Because the duo had faked one bit of information in order to do their jobs (because they can't come out and say 'psychic vision') and were willing to do it in another setting later in the book. However when they know the victims have been taken into the woods, instead of faking another 'tip' they whine on and on about having no evidence. Why the heck not fake it again and get search and rescue out there with dogs? Oh right because the book would have ended as a novelette. So frustrating.

As was the endless love letter to Salem and its history. Don't get me wrong. I love Salem. I go there any time I'm in MA. I love its history in spite of the tragedy of it. But this was obviously a case of the author doing some research and wanting to use it up. It wasn't even well used where it was (though it was repeated often) including taking time for Zach and Skye to play Salem history trivia with each other pretending it was shedding light on the case (It wasn't, it literally had nothing to do with anything).

When I was 90% into it I was wondering how Graham was going to wrap her book up in the remaining few pages. The answer was at lightning speed so we had time for a Zach/Skye epilogue I couldn't have cared about less. In retrospect maybe I should give this two stars but I'll be kind and I will not get more of the series in the future. Consider it lesson learned.

[TheBookishSkull · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, it ended up being a pretty underwhelming read.

The premise had so much potential: two psychic investigators, some witches, and a Salem setting should have made for an eerie, immersive supernatural story. But instead of leaning into those elements, the book felt much more like a standard police procedural with only a light paranormal touch. I kept waiting for the story to fully embrace its supernatural side, but it never quite got there.

One of the biggest issues for me was the lack of development. The plot felt stagnant for most of the book, with very little momentum or buildup. I was expecting a major twist or a shocking reveal to tie everything together, but when the ending finally came, it felt rushed and didn’t deliver the payoff I had been hoping for.

I also struggled to connect with the characters. Despite the interesting concept behind them, they felt flat and didn’t leave much of an impression. Without that emotional connection, it made it harder to stay invested in the story.

This had all the ingredients for a gripping paranormal mystery, but it never fully came together. It’s not a terrible read, just one that doesn’t live up to its potential.

Thank you Hambright PR for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

—————————

Tenía muchas ganas de que me encantara este libro, pero, por desgracia, resultó ser una lectura bastante decepcionante.

La premisa tenía muchísimo potencial: dos investigadores psíquicos, algunas brujas y la ambientación en Salem deberían haber dado lugar a una historia sobrenatural inquietante y absorbente. Pero en lugar de explotar esos elementos, el libro se sintió más como una novela policíaca convencional con apenas un toque paranormal. Estuve esperando que la historia abrazara por completo su lado sobrenatural, pero nunca llegó a hacerlo.

Uno de los mayores problemas para mí fue la falta de desarrollo. La trama se mantuvo estancada durante casi todo el libro, con muy poco ritmo o desarrollo. Esperaba un giro importante o una revelación impactante que lo uniera todo, pero cuando finalmente llegó el final, se sintió apresurado y no me ofreció la recompensa que esperaba.

También me costó conectar con los personajes. A pesar del interesante concepto que los sustentaba, me parecieron planos y no me dejaron mucha huella. Sin esa conexión emocional, me resultó más difícil mantenerme enganchada a la historia.

Tenía todos los ingredientes para ser un apasionante misterio paranormal, pero no llegó a cuajar del todo. No es una mala lectura, simplemente no alcanza su máximo potencial.

Gracias a Hambright PR por el ejemplar de cortesía a cambio de una reseña honesta.

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy paranormal romantic suspense novels, history, and witches, then look no further than the thirty-ninth book in the Krewe of Hunters series by Heather Graham which is set in and around Salem, Massachusetts. Skye McMahon sees things that have happened in the past as if she was seeing a video. That’s why she’s been summoned from the FBI’s New York field office by the FBI’s Special Supervisory paranormal investigators Jackson and Angela Crowe. She is to be teamed up with Zachary (Zach) Erickson, who can touch objects and see where the last person who touched it is and what they are doing.

Alicia Bolton discovered her grandfather-in-law murdered and her nanny and son missing. Her daughter was left crying in the playpen. But this is just the beginning of the disappearances. As Skye and Zach use their paranormal abilities and combine that with solid police investigation, someone dressed as a witch and wearing green makeup continues to show up. Additionally, they grow closer as they get to know each other.

Skye is bright, organized, and reassuring to others. Zach has a sense of humor, great sense of justice, and is empathetic. Both read biographies and histories and both enjoy humor. Their skills and personalities seem to work well together.

The author does a great job of building tension and worldbuilding as well as helping readers get to know Skye and Zach. There’s also a lot of history included about the area. This helps with the background, but does tend to slow the pacing a bit at times. However, in this book, I didn’t mind it. It added depth and helped to immerse this reader in the atmosphere the author created. It was a unique and interesting read that captured and held my imagination. The romance part of the book is minor, but rather too fast. That could have been spread over multiple future books. However, the main characters’ discussions helped readers get familiar with these two characters quickly. Themes include trust, murder, abductions, power, and much more.

Overall, this novel is engaging, enjoyable, and suspenseful. While this is the first book that I have read in the series, it worked for me as a standalone. I can’t wait to read more novels in the series and highly recommend the series is you enjoy the genre.

Kensington Publishing – Kensington and Heather Graham provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for January 27, 2026.
-----------------------------------------
My 4.11 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.

[Tracy Emro · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Special Agent Skye McMahon was contacted by Jackson Crow of the FBI’s Special Circumstances Unit aka “the Krewe of Hunters” or the “Ghostbuster Unit”, due to the paranormal aspects of most of their cases, she was wary, but it soon became clear that Agent Crow and his partner/wife Agent Angela Crow were already aware of her “gift” and thought she would be a perfect fit for their team. She arrives in Salem, MA to assist the local police in a death & missing persons case and is partnered with Special Agent Zachary “Zach” Erickson. Almost immediately, Skye’s gift of seeing the past, enables the team to learn that the death was not a heart attack as originally thought, but a murder and that the missing Nanny and young boy were abducted by someone dressed up as the Wicked Witch of the West, complete with green skin and a pointy black hat. And Zach’s ability to connect to a person with personal objects helps them determine that the victims are still alive. But before they can make any headway into the case, there is another abduction.

Jackson and Angela return to DC, leaving Skye and Zach to work the case with the help of Lt. Gavin Bruns of the Salem PD, who has a gift of his own. Together they piece together the clues and track down the leads, finding even more victims of the “Wicked Witch” and as they work, trust grows and blossoms into something deeper than just work partners. Their combined gifts and that connection will ultimate be the key they need to unlock this mystery and stop the Wicked Witch!

This was my first Heather Graham paranormal mystery, I have read some of her historical romances and liked her writing style, so I had no doubt that I would enjoy this book and I was not wrong. As much as I liked her HR books, this genre really lets her amazing talent shine. I was hooked from the first page and didn’t figure out the villain until just before it was revealed in the book. This story was great mystery with strong ties to the Krewe Hunters series and filled with emotion, psychic abilities, murder, lots of twists and turns, a bit of romance, and finally a satisfying ending with possibility of more cases with Skye & Zach! I highly recommend this book and as it is the first book in a spin-off series, it is the perfect book to start with, especially if you are new to this author or if you are looking for a new paranormal mystery series!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Witching Hours is the latest book by Heather Graham tied to the Krewe of Hunters Series. FBI Agents Skye and Zach are tapped by Jackson Crowe to assist with a new case on the radar of the Krewe of Hunters. A child and his babysitter were kidnapped, and the child's great grandfather was murdered, outside of Salem, MA, famous for the Salem Witch Trials. Rather than the ability to interact with ghosts that we see with the rest of the Krewe, Skye and Zach have other supernatural powers, the ability to see into the past and the present situation of the victims, respectively. It quickly becomes evident that the perpetrator was a person dressed as a green skinned, Wizard of Oz styled witch. Who is it, and what was the reason for the crime? As additional people start being kidnapped, Skye and Zach must find and stop the culprit.

I felt like, overall, the story was fairly enjoyable to read. I liked the paranormal aspects of the book, which is a common theme in many of the author's books. I appreciated that this seems to be an attempt to keep the Krewe of Hunters series fresh, by brining in new abilities. I also like the setting of Salem. However, there were parts of the book that I didn't enjoy. Some of the dialogue seemed very unnatural; the characters seemed to talk for the entire book. I thought there was too much dialogue when compared to the narrative. The characters also go on long tangents that I think of as "information dumps". For instance, we got a long history of the Salem Witch Trials in part of the book. Much of the information that was provided wasn't connected to the story, and it was all verbalized by one character to another. The speech went on for pages, and the other character would interrupt with other facts - if they both know the story already, why are they telling it to each other? I also don't believe there was a good explanation of why the great grandfather was murdered, and I felt like the witch costumes were silly.

The Witching Hours was entertaining for the most part. It's an extension of the Krewe of Hunters, and I'm interested to see where this new part of the series goes. Fans of the original Krewe of Hunters, of mysteries, and of the paranormal may enjoy it. I hoping that the stories branch out into new settings and we see some different personality types in them.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I enjoyed reviewing the book!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Witching Hours is the newest release from Heather Graham and launches The Crows, a spin-off series from her long-running and popular Krewe of Hunters books. The story begins with a chilling crime, the murder of a grandfather and the kidnapping of his grandson and the boy’s nanny, which quickly draws the attention of Jackson Crowe and the Krewe. He assigns two newly hired investigators, Skye McMahon and Zachary Erickson, to unravel the mystery using their unique paranormal abilities.

Skye can see flashes of the past, both joyful and horrifying, while Zach possesses psychometry with an added empathic connection to the people behind the objects he touches. As they dig deeper into the case, clues point to a bizarre suspect: someone dressed as a classic witch, complete with a pointy hat. What initially feels like an eerie twist soon spirals into something far more complicated, forcing Skye and Zach to work closely together as the case develops.

As a longtime fan of the Krewe of Hunters series, I came into this book expecting a familiar formula, with the paired investigators learning to trust each other, falling into each other’s arms, and then one of them inevitably needing to be rescued by the other as part of the finale. The Witching Hours follows that pattern closely, but here the plot itself felt strained, as though the story was pushing the characters along rather than the other way around. While the concept was intriguing, the characters lacked depth, making it harder to fully invest in their journey.

The initial use of a witch-like figure as the kidnapper was compelling, but that intrigue faded when the story shifted into a convoluted conspiracy. By the end, I was left questioning the villain’s motivations and how events escalated to such an extreme point, which weakened the overall impact of the mystery.

The Witching Hours will likely appeal most to dedicated Krewe of Hunters fans who enjoy Graham’s familiar blend of paranormal investigation and romance. While it has an interesting premise and moments of intrigue, the forced plot and lack of character depth may leave some readers unsatisfied. As the first entry in a new spin-off series, it shows potential, but future installments will need stronger character development and tighter storytelling to truly stand out.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 3.5 rounded up 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the ebook.

📝 Short Summary
The Witching Hours is a supernatural mystery centered around visions, hidden truths, and powers tied to the past. With witches, eerie discoveries, and long-buried secrets, the story blends mystery and the supernatural in a way that pulls you in quickly.

Review
I love Heather Graham. I have read so many of her books, so I went into this one excited and ready, and honestly, it started so strongly. Skye’s visions immediately grabbed my attention. The way she could see moments from the past was fascinating, and it gave the story this eerie, emotional edge that I really connected with. Right from the beginning, I felt invested and curious about where it was all going.

The concept itself is great. A mystery involving a witch, supernatural abilities, and people hiding secrets is completely my thing. I love supernatural stories, especially when they mix mystery and atmosphere, and this book absolutely had those elements. There were moments where I felt fully immersed in the story and really enjoyed the world Heather Graham created.

That said, as much as I loved the setup, I felt like the story didn’t fully carry that same energy all the way through. For me, it started to feel a little flat as it went on. Not bad, just not as gripping as I wanted it to be after such a strong beginning. I kept waiting for that same intensity from the opening chapters to come back, and it never quite hit the same level again.

Even with that, I still enjoyed reading it. The supernatural aspects were fun, the mystery itself was solid, and Skye remained a character I liked following. I never felt bored, I just felt like the story had so much potential to be more intense than it ended up being. It had all the right pieces, I just wanted them to come together with more impact.

Overall, this was still a good read for me, especially as someone who loves Heather Graham’s work and supernatural mysteries in general. It just didn’t fully live up to how strong it started, which is why it lands at a solid four stars for me.

✅ Would I Recommend It?
Yes. If you enjoy supernatural mysteries, witches, and characters with special abilities, this is worth picking up, especially if you are already a Heather Graham fan.