Eager to start their life together, historian Vickie Preston and Special Agent Griffin Pryce take a detour en route to their new home in Virginia and stop for a visit in Baltimore. But their romantic weekend is interrupted when a popular author is found dead in the basement of an Edgar Allan Poe-themed restaurant. Because of the mysterious circumstances surrounding the corpse, the FBI's Krewe of Hunters paranormal team is invited to investigate. As more bizarre deaths occur, Vickie and Griffin are drawn into a case that has disturbing echoes of Poe's great works, bringing the horrors of his fiction to life.
The restaurant is headquarters to scholars and fans, and any of them could be a merciless killer. Except there's also something reaching out from beyond the grave. The late, great Edgar Allan Poe himself is appearing to Vickie in dreams and visions with cryptic information about the murders. Unless they can uncover whose twisted mind is orchestrating the dramatic re-creations, Vickie and Griffin's future as a couple might never begin...
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.
Up to now, my only acquaintance with this author has come by way of "Infernal Night," a short story co-written with F. Paul Wilson for the David Baldacci-edited FaceOff in 2014. That's my bad; after reading this one - courtesy of an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review - I'll make that mistake nevermore. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which adeptly mixes mystery and history and sprinkles it with the paranormal.
The plot also centers around one of my favorite story-tellers and poets, the late, great Edgar Allan Poe, who makes several ghostly appearances. The book is, you see, the latest in the "Krewe of Hunters" series, featuring historian Vickie Preston and FBI Special Agent Griffin Pryce. Members have been recruited to this unique paranormal FBI team not only because of their investigative skills, but also because they are able to communicate with the dead. On their way to their new home in Virginia - which will serve as home base as Vickie enters the rigorous FBI training academy in Quantico - they opt for a quiet, romantic visit in historic Baltimore.
Peaceful stopover? Fuhgettaboutit. Griffin gets a call from the FBI powers that be informing him that they're needed to help with a "bizarre" case; horror writer Franklin Verne has been found dead in the wine cellar of a the Black Bird, a Poe-themed Baltimore restaurant (for the record, Poe is buried in the city). It appears the death is a suicide - a recovering alcoholic who went off the wagon and on a drinking binge - but his widow, Monica, insists otherwise. The case is complicated by the fact that not a single soul saw him enter the restaurant - nor did they see any of the three dead blackbirds that now surround his body.
As they begin to assist local police with the investigation, Vickie and Griffin get their first visit from Poe, who claims to want to help solve the murder because it might provide clues to his own death way back when (although several theories abound, exactly how he died remains a mystery). In fact, a chunk of the story is a history lesson; it's all put together quite interestingly, woven in and around the investigation and the ghostly dreams and sightings by the main characters.
But wait, there's more: It comes in the form of a second dead body, which turns up during a seance led by a very kooky and almost totally unlikable character who believes she's got a direct connection to the dead (Vickie and Griffin, though, aren't quick to agree). Now, the FBI is called in officially, and the race is on to find the killer before he, or she, targets someone else and possibly puts the future life of Vickie and Griffin in jeopardy as well.
Once I got going, I found it hard to stop reading, and I apologize to "my" Ohio State Buckeyes for keeping one eye on my Kindle and the other on their game with Army (admittedly made a bit easier during the second half, when the Buckeyes pretty much ran rampant up and down the field). My only suggestion, for what it's worth, is to put the brakes on exclamation points at the ends of sentences. In my mind, they're like laugh tracks on TV comedy shows; if you have to tell me when to laugh, it's probably not very funny (and in any case, I prefer to make up my own mind). That said, this may be my first "Krewe" book, but it certainly won't be my last. Well done!
Wicked Deeds by Heather Graham Krewe of Hunters series #23. Paranormal romantic suspense, ghosts. Can be read as a stand-alone, but this couple’s ghost stories began in books 21 and 22. When an author is killed in a restaurant in Baltimore, the Krewe of Hunters investigate with the help of the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe.
A great mystery with dead bodies, ghosts and the FBI. High tension as they try to find the killer while keeping an open mind and looking beyond the obvious.
“Wicked Deeds” is the 23rd (!!) book in the Krewe of Hunters series by Heather Graham. And Graham certainly hasn’t lost her touch, bringing fun and creepiness to this latest take, which is centered on Edgar Allan Poe.
Of note: this book can be read as a stand-alone (maybe after reading just a bit about what the “Krewe” is so you’re up-to-date.
After stopping for a brief stay in Baltimore, Griffin and Vickie, who is about to enroll in the FBI academy, get tangled in a mystery when a writer is found dead in the basement of a Poe-themed restaurant, in a very Poe-sequence way. At the same time, Vickie is having nightmares about the mysterious death of the famous writer, and wonders if what happened all those years ago is tied to current events, as the body count rises.
I loved the Poe tie-in, it gave it a very creepy vibe and a nice twist on the murder mystery. Plus adds a nice historical mystery to the mix. Hey, it might not be exactly what happened, but it’s fun to think about.
I just wish the ending had been better explained. It was over very quickly. I would have liked the see a little bit more of the hows and the whys - it wasn’t very obvious to me after having read it. That took away a little bit of it for me.
Overall, this book is a light, fun read. If you’re a fan of Poe, or just paranormal mysteries, you’ll enjoy this book.
This book started out slow...very slow. However I eventually got into it and was glad that I kept with it.
Of course, I’ve heard of Poe, heard some of his poems, and can even imagine his profile. But, I had never read him. Alas, I learned a lot about him in this book as he appeared to Griffin and Vickie, the latter being a new member to the Krewe team. Poe appears to both of them in this story with Vickie being the main person he speaks to.
A member of a group of Poe fans is found dead and that starts the mystery of this book.
I enjoyed reading this book and stayed up late to discover “who did it”. However it doesn’t rank as my favorite from this author.
Entertaining, but slow for me to start.
Thanks to Harlequin, MIRA and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
This is the second book of this series that I've read and I didn't really enjoy the first but thought I'd give it another chance. The problem isn't the subject matter, rather the style of writing. I find the dialogue very stilted and unnatural, too many superlatives are used and the characters are kind of shallow and contradictory to type. The only reason I read this to the end is because I wanted to see where the story went with the Edgar Allen Poe storyline. Overall, I was really disappointed.
WICKED DEEDS by Heather Graham is a thoroughly enjoyable mystery mixed with some historical figures and facts, and just a dash of romance added in to complete the mix.
Historian Vickie Preston and Special Agent Griffin Pryce are taking some much needed time out together as they are preparing for their new life together. On a stopover in Baltimore, they suddenly find themselves drawn into what appears to be the accidental death of a very famous author in the cellar of a popular new restaurant. But with the widow claiming it was murder, dead birds surrounding the victim, and the fact that nobody even saw the author enter the restaurant, Vickie and Griffin are more than curious. And then there are the dreams that Vickie keeps having where Edgar Allan Poe seems to be warning her...
Even though this is my first time reading the Krewe Hunter Series, I didn't feel lost or unsure of what was happening so it can easily be read as a standalone book. Although I must say I am definitely going to buy some of the previous books as I really enjoyed the pace of this novel, and the paranormal element really worked for me. History is interwoven effortlessly throughout and you will find yourself fascinated by Mr. Poe and I found myself taking down a book of his from my shelf when I finished reading WICKED DEEDS.
With plenty of mystery, twists, and creepy occurrences, WICKED DEEDS by Heather Graham kept me interested from start to finish, and I read this novel in one sitting. Definitely, a must-read for paranormal fiction fans everywhere.
3 1\2 stars out of 5 I struggled though this book and yest I finished it there was something lacking. I wasn't able to connect to the endless characters as well as the ghost story. I love reading Edgar Allan Poe but something didn't quite connect. Heather Graham uses a lot of Poe type of writing creating misdirection that the detectives follow. The story has history that will consume readers as the author gives readers another idea of what might have happened to Poe. The story does pose most paranormal with a mystery but I found the it just lacking something. The story and chacaters didn't connect and many times the story would slow down only to rush though other parts that could have used a little more time and understanding. This is considered a Stand Alone but honestly I was lost several times between the different characters to why the characters reacted certain ways.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Mira Booiks
This one is part of a series, Krewe of Hunters, but is completely self-contained and self-explanatory and is a fine stand-alone paranormal mystery/supernatural romance/insert your preferred label here. The two main characters, Vickie and Griffin, starred in previous adventures in which they hooked up and decided to move in together. Vickie's going to go to the Academy and hopes to join the Krewe officially, too. They're on their way to accomplish that but a spooky murder occurs in Baltimore where they're spending the night along the way and they get called in because the victim was a close friend of the director. He was a successful novelist murdered at an Edgar Allan Poe-themed restaurant, and as the investigation progresses and another Poe-themed murder occurs they get pulled further and further into the baffling case. The members of the Krewe all seem to have some supranatural ability; Vickie and Griffin see ghosts, and Edgar Allan Hisownself pops in from time to time to offer advice and aid. (Most of the other ghosts they encounter are of little help in this volume; Vickie's pair of mascot spirits spend most of their time lounging in a hotel bed binge-watching The Walking Dead.) It's a funny ghost story, and a good mystery (no, I was completely wrong about who the murderer was), and a sweetly innocent romance, with lots of historical tidbits, fascinating bits about Baltimore, and, best of all, interesting information and speculation about Poe. I enjoyed it a lot! Recommended!
Someone recommended this book to me because I am a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe.
The FBI tracks a serial killer who is reenacting the tales of Edgar Allan Poe. Agent Griffin Pryce, and Vickie Preston are on the killer's trail with the help of a few ghosts...including the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe himself. Each murder copies a Poe story.
It's listed as a Paranormal Romance, but don't get too turned off by that if you don't like that sort of thing. The paranormal romance stuff is very toned down. Think of it more as a detective story.
It's also a very quick read. I really liked this book!
I would say you have to have read some of Edgar Allan Poe's work before reading this book. If you are a fan of his work, as I am, this book is for you.
This continues to be one of those series that I can just reach for when I don't want too much reality, but something just short of it. The mix of the paranormal and an enjoyable mystery make each one of these a wonderful and thrilling page turner. Set in Baltimore the Krewe is back to solve multiple mysteries, but in present day, as well as the mystery that surrounds the death of Edgar Allen Poe! And having the ghost of the legendary king of macabre adds an extra layer of spine tingling suspense. Really enjoyable.
Another good Heather Graham mystery involving Edgar Allen Poe’s mysterious death, a body boarded up in the floor, a poet dead by overdose of alcohol, and walls that scream at night. The Poe society has their hands full as members begin to show up dead. 🥰
I think maybe I'm done with Krewe of Hunters. Not because they aren't good books but because it's just become a bit too predictable and similar. I may just have read too many of these books and gotten too used to knowing what's going to happen.
This book had an interesting twist with the Poe connection, and, I don't think it's a spoiler to say that the ghost of Poe himself shows up and worms his way into the proceedings as the Krewe investigates the murders, which try to model on Poe's stories. It was clever and a fun twist in the story.
Like I said, I just feel after so many books in the series it's all very easily anticipated for me. There aren't any twists or surprises that are out of left field. I found this one didn't hang onto my attention the way a really great book does. I think I've just outgrown this series. But it's not so bad considering it took 23 books to get to that point, and Heather Graham writes good books. I definitely recommend this series to new readers. There's lots of good stories here with well written likable characters and interesting mild paranormal twists.
I am not sure why Graham is staying with these two characters. I enjoyed them in the first book but this is #3 of their relationship/journey and Vickie and Griffin are just not that interesting to carry three books in my opinion.
I have also never been a fan of Edgar Allen Poe. Other than having to read The Raven in school (which I did not really enjoy) I have not read anything by him so the novelty of him being in the story is lost on me.
I have always enjoyed Graham’s Krewe of Hunters and would never miss one but I really hope she moves on from Vickie and Griffin because I am ready for the next couple and hope they are back to individual stories and no more mini-series inside the main series.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a continuation of Vickie, and Griffin who have been featured in the last several books. They are finally heading home, but before she joins the academy they decide to sight see in Baltimore, who claims fame to Edgar Allen Poe. They get checked into the bed and breakfast, and learn a writer has been killed using a scene from a Poe novel. Then the hunt is on ? Is it a,member of the club of all things Poe ? Is it a fanatic, or a crazed fan ? Then there is the writer himself, was he targeted because of his success or someone he offended ? The mystery continues as more dead writers are killed, and they seem to have all been in the same Poe restaurant, and Poe fan club. This story has a bit of gothic since their are ghosts, and speaking with the dead . Poe himself wants the lies about his death stopped, since they are false. Vickie takes her nightly paranormal walks back to Poe, and his final days trying to help him, and she thinks it all has to be connected. The Krewe Special hunters tear apart alabies, and look into back grounds , and follow those in the present. It was a good Halloween book. No slashers, or Freddie, but creepy since they all get stranded at a house that was,built near the time of his life, decorated with pictures of Poe and furnishings,and a creepy cemetery is right in the back . Plus people are being drugged to do crazy things, but no one remembers anything after they awake. The ending was more complicated than I expected, which made it better still. It very atmospheric, and had storms, and wind howling, no electricity....gothic....but the ghosts talk to those they choose. Creepy fun.
Wicked Deeds is part of the Krewe Hunter series written by Heather Graham for Harlequin. The continuation of this series includes the characters: Victoria, Griffin, Jackson, Angela and Adam. The book is similar to Catherine Coulter's FBI series in that you're following the lives of the FBI members in the Krewe department. They solve cases while trying to live their everyday lives. In this case, a famous author is murdered in what appears to be a suicide. Could the ghost of Edgar Allen Poe help Vickie and Griffin solve the mystery or is Poe a victim too?
The case in this story did not catch my attention at first. I started the book and felt, okay this is somewhat interesting. However, the way the conversations were carried out left me wanting more. I put the book down and then picked it back up a couple days later and finished it. Surprisingly, when I got further into the book, I really started to get a feel for the characters . Heather Graham was able to elicit an emotional response from me towards her characters toward the middle and end of the book. This may be due to fact that I haven't read the previous books in the series and felt no attachment before. Therefore, it took me a while to engage with the book. I was able to get caught up in the suspense and feel some sort of anticipation and excitement in finding out who the bad guy is and why he/she was doing what they were doing.
This book combines the paranormal with the normal but in this series, the members of the FBI in the Keene department have a gift and it helps them solve the cases. While that is a nice twist, there were a plethora of mentions and reminders of how valuable their gifts was to the characters and how it impacted their lives. Lots of recaps and mentions about events that happened in previous books or is part of the backstory is repeated throughout the book. At one point, I was frustrated. I love when book contains information from previous stories (or at least mentions it) that way, new readers can at least get a gist of what is happening but, it doesn't need to be on repeat for the whole story. Mention it once or twice (if more than once, add a bit more of different perspective on it) and then be done with it.
This book does not contain any graphic material and is quite simple an easy read for those who love mystery but prefer the less gruesome kind. There are mentions of kisses and allusions to more but nothing is explicitly stated. This is a light read and it definitely won't keep you up at night. Enjoy.
*I was given an ARC from NetGalley and voluntarily wrote this review*
I am a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe, so this novel caught me in the first few pages and never let me go. This series keeps getting better, Ms. Graham manages to maintain the readers interest in this series after more than twenty books. In this story, she brings back two characters from a previous novel. Fresh from a difficult case, the couple looks forward to a romantic weekend in an historic city, but are sucked into a mystery featuring one of its most famous former residents. This is a page turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the surprise ending. Maura Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More Full Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
Nice change of pace. Not your normal civil war information. Instead a little back ground on Edgar Allen Poe. The comparisons to his books with these killings was insightful.
Stars: 3 / 5 Recommendation: Yes, pick it up for a mystery involving paranormal elements, historical flair and the romantic side of the plot.
Wicked Deeds is the twenty third book in the longest series, Krewe of Hunters, by Heather Graham and published in September of 2017. The plot again centers around Victoria "Vicki" Preston - working with a private charity called Grown Ups helping kids in foster care system - and Griffin Pryce - FBI Special Agent from The Krewe of Hunters; but with a new case again set in Baltimore, MD
This book forms the third and final book in the fifth trilogy within the series, the first being the previous book Dying Breath followed by Dark Rites. In the beginning Heather had plots for each of the Krewe of Hunters as team members were introduced. But from the 9th book onwards, she has made those plots into trilogies within the series, that either revolve around the same set of characters or characters flowing from one book to next in the trilogy with new lead characters added.
Her First trilogy is made of the ninth book The Night is Watching; the tenth book The Night is Alive; the 11th book The Night is Forever. Second trilogy is made of the 12th book The Cursed, 13th book the Hexed and 14th book The Betrayed. Third Trilogy has the 15th book The Silenced, 16th book The Forgotten and the 17th book The Hidden. Fourth Trilogy has three books set on Celtic American Cruise-Line ships - 18th book Haunted Destiny on Destiny, 19th book Deadly Fate on Fate and 20th book Darkest Journey on Journey.
Krewe are a secret FBI unit with each member of the unit honing a particular psychic talent of their own, making them the paranormal investigating team. This unit was created to deal with murders having supernatural undertones and paranormal activities. Headed by paranormal investigator Adam Harrison, this elite unit is called on to solve cases linked to historical and paranormal mystery involving legendary crime and serial killings, war events and hauntings. The Krewe are divided into three distinct groups. The first group is led by Jackson Crow, who is also the Assistant Director of the Krewe, and called as the original Krewe of Hunters; the second group is led by Texas Ranger Logan Raintree and called as the Texas Krewe; the third group is Yankee Krewe, based in NYC, overseen by Jackson Crow. A possibility of a fourth group in Miami, FL is touched upon in the 17th book The Hidden.
At the end of the previous book, Dark Rites, FBI Special Agent Griffin Pryce and Victoria "Vicki" Preston, a social worker, finally head to Virginia, where the Krewe of Hunters base was, the team that Griffin worked with. And for Vicki to go through academy and become a full Krewe agent. This plot begins at this point.
On their way to Virginia, Griffin and Vicki take a break at Baltimore, MD only to be pulled into the murder of the famous author, Franklin Verne. Vicki has dreams of Edgar Allan Poe; both Vicki and Griffin see his ghost; all the more making them part of the investigation, despite their reluctance to give up their vacation time.
I remember Heather Graham had a plot theme based on Edgar Allan Poe, his works and Poe societies. It was the seventh book in her Harrison Investigations series, The Death Dealer (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...). She uses a similar plot in this book, more around the mystery behind the death of Poe as the plot progresses.
Being the last book in the trilogy, naturally you expect some of the characters to flow through - Vicki's resident ghosts, Dylan Ballantine and Darlene Dutton, whom we had met in the first book in this trilogy Dying Breath.
The Krewe of Hunters Baltimore PD who work with Griffin in this case are - Adam Harrison, leader of the Krewe of Hunters and his resident ghost Josh Harrison, his long-dead son; Jackson Crow, Assistant Director of Krewe and his wife Angela Hawkins, a Krewe member herself. Every Krewe member has special abilities. With Vicki apart from seeing the ghosts and talking to them, she can also go into past or closer to present through dreams, a little different than others.
Although, Heather Graham again has the list of cast and characters of her plot in the beginning of the book, which has been doing from past few books. The characters are as usual fun and loving even though there is terror on every corner of the page. Heather redeemed by making Vicki Preston a better character, instead of a whiny one that she was in the previous book.
I marvel at how Heather brings the history and paranormal elements together with a seamless string that makes it a phenomenal plot. She gives the readers a view into the past through artifacts, tours, researches and just plain history. In this plot, they revolve around writers and long-dead authors.
Readers will again find pages at the end of the book where it gives reader an opportunity to either join a book club and win books, or buy a book and get a few free. Again there are a few grammatical or character or location errors in this book. Definitely a strong editing needed.
I see a pattern to Heather Graham's stories in the Harrison Investigations and Krewe of Hunters series, apart from the presence of ghosts and spirits. Usually the stories revolve around historical inferences, somehow connecting the past to the present either by way of characters or incidents and they involve hidden tunnels be it in cemetery or old houses or mortuaries. Always has one new pair of Krewe of Hunters or Harrison Investigations investigators. But could she please have her heroines be more smarter than just running to the bad guys alone, when she has so much of help around from FBI and her friends.
However since Deadly Fate, she has added another element to her plots. Adam Harrison buys an old theater in Alexandria, VA. And slowly he has been adding talented partners of his Krewe of Hunters into that theater work. So far Clara Avery, whom we met in Deadly Fate and fiancée to Thor Erikson, is assigned as the artistic director of that theater. And joining her are Charlene "Charlie" Moreau fiancée to Ethan Delaney, whom we met in Darkest Journey; and Alexi Cromwell, whom we met in Haunted Destiny and Jude McCoy's fiancée.
I wish Heather gets it clear on what positions Jackson Crow and Adam Harrison hold in the Krewe of Hunters. In the beginning Adam Harrison was the Director and Jackson Crow the Assistant Director. Then Adam Harrison became Assistant Director and Jackson Crow became Field Agent in Charge. Lately she is having Adam Harrison as the Senior Advisor and the head of all the Krewe teams and Jackson Crow as Field Director. What are their correct roles?
A very good mingle of murder and mystery; past and present; authors and writers; and above all romance and love. Although for most part a successful thriller in the series of books under Krewe of Hunters by Heather Graham that is an easy ready and still enjoyable.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Sub Plots: a. In eleventh book, The Night Is Forever, Dustin Blake was part of an FBI team consisting of Grant Shelby, Cindy Greenstreet and Jerry Gunter. I am wondering why Heather Graham had mentioned their complete names as well as a brief intro, albeit as part of the conversation. Will they resurface in future plots is something we have to wait and see. b. Dustin Blake has a sister Rayna Blake who is a Nashville sensation - a country music singer. I wonder if Heather Graham will use her as a lead character in a future book. c. Katie O'Hara and David Beckett are two characters in The Cursed plot. And a history into their background paused me to think they might be characters from another of Heather Graham book. I was pretty sure they weren't from Krewe of Hunters or Harrison Investigation series. A little dig on google pointed me to Ghost Shadow, the first book in Bone Island Series by Heather Graham published in 2010. Having not yet read that series, I am curious if Hannah O'Brien or Liam Beckett, David's brother, appear in that book as well. d. Jane Everett and Sloan Trent were part of Team Two: Texas Krewe. But in The Betrayed, Heather mentions that they were going to be permanent members of the Yankee Krewe. Have to read the rest of the books to know if that is where she sends them. e. In the 16th book The Forgotten, Dr. Phil Kinny seemed have paranormal abilities. Will he be a main character in another book? f. In the 18th book, Haunted Destiny, Heather Graham introduces us to the large family of Alexi Cromwell, albeit only as a conversation - her parents, a brother who is an artist, a sister Sienna who is a doctor. Curiously enough only Sienna's name is mentioned in the plot and none of the other family members. May be we will see Sienna again, hence her mentioned explicitly. g. In the 20th book, Darkest Journey, Heather introduced a photographer, Chance Morgan, who could see ghosts as well. A future plot perhaps.
2. Grammatical / Historical / Location / Character Errors: a. On Pg. 37, last line, it should be "…don't know why he…" b. On Pg. 70, Line 4, it should be "…long gone from the…" c. On Pg. 189, Line 15, the entire line seems to grammatically incorrect. d. On Pg. 340, line 3, Heather mentions the noises heard by Adam and Monica Verne as "screeching". But on Pg. 350, Heather changes that to screaming noises. e. On Pg. 342, Line 8, it should be "I don’t know…" f. On Pg. 346, Line 12, it should be "…gave herself a shake…"
Following on the heels of Dark Rites, Wicked Deeds features Vickie and Griffin. Whilst this could be read as a standalone, it would be better to read Dark Rites first. It seems murders follow them around. On a little rest and relaxation, Vickie and Griffin trip over a dead body. With their background, they quickly become entangled with this murder case. Especially as Vickie keeps seeing what she believes is Edgar Allan Poe's ghost.
This story once again weaves back and forth between past and present. It can be a bit disorienting for a reader. I quickly got into it and enjoyed the little pieces of speculation Ms. Graham makes about Edgar Allan Poe. As a big fan of Edgar Allan Poe, this reinterpretation of historic events is fascinating to me. Is shows the creativity as well as the research Ms. Graham goes through to create a complex world with hidden meanings behind many actions. I love it. This story gives me more of a X-files vibe although neither Vickie nor Griffin are skeptical like agent Moulder.
This book moves at a nice pace with intensity in the right places to keep a reader's attention. The romantic element between Vickie and Griffin take a back seat to the mystery. I actually like this because it makes the book more interesting to me. It is more plot focused than romance focused. The romance is a nice touch because it softness the characters and creates a better dynamic between the two. This paranormal romance is recommended for X-file lovers who also loved Poe.
I suffered for having picked up this book at random without any prior knowledge of the series or the author. This book is theoretically a standalone story, but there are so many back references to past events, and so many characters flit through the background unrecognizable who are clearly from past works. It felt like it was assumed that the reader would already have some kind of attachment to the characters, so no effort was made to develop particular empathy.
I also found main character Vickie and Griffin annoying. If it makes any sense, they were too good at their jobs. It never felt like they suffered particularly grim setbacks, since those disasters that did occur were generally blamed on other characters by the narrative.
Eh. If you like vaguely supernatural thrillers and have read previous books in this series you'll probably enjoy it. I'm definitely not the intended audience.