Hallow Be the Haunt

Krewe of Hunters #22.5

by Heather Graham

Years ago, Jake Mallory fell in love all over again with Ashley Donegal—while he and the Krewe were investigating a murder that replicated a horrible Civil War death at her family’s Donegal Plantation.

Now, Ashley and Jake are back—planning for their wedding, which will take place the following month at Donegal Plantation, her beautiful old antebellum home.

But Halloween is approaching and Ashley is haunted by a ghost warning her of deaths about to come in the city of New Orleans, deaths caused by the same murderer who stole the life of the beautiful ghost haunting her dreams night after night.

At first, Jake is afraid that returning home has simply awakened some of the fear of the past…

But as Ashley's nightmares continue, a body count begins to accrue in the city…

And it’s suddenly a race to stop a killer before Hallow’s Eve comes to a crashing end, with dozens more lives at stake, not to mention heart, soul, and life for Jake and Ashley themselves.

Genres: Paranormal, Mystery, Romance, Novella, Fantasy, Suspense, Fiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 2017

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

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE this author's paranormal mystery books. Especially the novellas. Add in the fact this one was Halloween themed, and you had me before I even cracked the cover. We meet this couple in one of the author's earlier books Heart of Evil (Krewe of Hunters #2) and now they are back at Donegal Plantation and planning their wedding.



I've always said that this author's novellas are my favorite books of hers to read. They usually have an already established couple in them which for me works a lot better romance wise than the full-length books where is inevitably feel that the romance is underdeveloped and usually feels a little bit forced. I also especially love the ones that are set in and around New Orleans.



So with all that said it was a no-brainer that I was going to enjoy this one. And enjoy it I did. It was well written and well paced. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. The mystery aspect was well done and had me in the dark right up until the reveal. The setting was fabulous and suitably spooky and halloweenish. The characters both secondary and main were intriguing and likable. Not a lot left to say. Two thumbs up from yours truly.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hallow Be the Haunt
A Krewe of Hunters Novella - 1001 Dark Nights
By: Heather Graham
Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
This is a great paranormal story of murder, Halloween, and Louisiana! Great plot and characters! Good narration!

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great mystery and love story Heather Graham has done. I just love this series. Murder and who did it and ghost 👻 you can't beat it!

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining horror listening. 🎉🎎✨

This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account

This is a number of stand alone novella

Ashley and Jack have returned to the plantation to get married. Jack gets a phone call and goes to New Orleans to investigate murders by witches. And the fun begins with a happy ending.

I would recommend this novella and author to readers of romantic relationships haunting horror ghosts novels. 2024

I have listened to a number of stories by Heather Graham and have not been disappointed. Happy reading and have fun 🤗😜

[Sofia Lazaridou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know why I wanted to read this book. I am not overly familiar with the series and I haven't read the full-length book of this couple. The story can be read as stand-alone, but I believe the story will be more enjoyable if you are already familiar with the world of the Krewe of Hunters. I liked the suspense of the story and the investigation to find who is the killer, but I didn't like the romantic aspect. Ashley lied to Jake about her dreams and I don't understand why she did it. Aren;t they supposed to get married? Why keep it a secret? Especially since it was about the case they were working on and Jake knows everything about her. Also, the wedding is barely mentioned. If I was an investment in the series reader I would have wanted something more than half a page for the wedding at the end of the book. I have mixed feelings about the book, but I would still recommend it.

[William Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great ghost story in her Krewe of Hunters series. I love her settings and her characters. I really like her books that take place in New Orleans, makes me want to visit there and do some ghost hunting of my own. These are books that are best read in order so you will know the history of the Krewe. It's a very enjoyable series and can't wait to read the next book.

[Jillian Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallow Be The Haunt is part of author Heather Graham's Krewe of Hunters series and is also novella number 18 in the 2017 1,001 Dark Nights lineup.  I always love Ms Graham's take on the paranormal and this was no exception.  What a fantastic story!

What do you get when you take a wedding, an old family plantation, New Orleans, a ghost, and Halloween?  The magic that only Heather Graham can deliver.  I loved being on the journey with our hero and heroine as they try to solve the mystery of what happened to a beautiful woman, who is now, sadly, a ghost. There was mystery, danger, and even some romance along the way and all of that kept me glued to every page.  

Heather Graham has done it once again.  Whether you're already a fan of her work, or you're just being introduced, I know you will love this ghostly tale as much as I did!

[Lori (on hiatus, life is crazy busy)) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I love the Krewe of Hunters series. This was a short novella. Jake and Ashley are back in New Orleans to plan their upcoming wedding. It's Halloween time and everyone is feeling festive, until two people end up dead. Three dressed up witches are seen during both murders. Jake gets called out to help on the case, Ashley gets visited by a ghost in her dreams. Is Ashley one of the trios targets? How are Jake and Ashley going to try to plan a wedding when there are killers on the loose?
This was a great addition to the Krewe series and Jake and Ashley are one of my favorite couples. As always with novella's I always want more of the story, which is why I gave it 3.5 stars.

[Jennifer (BTH Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read "Hallow Be the Haunt" because I have enjoyed other books by Heather Graham in the past. When I saw the tour opportunity to read this new Krewe of Hunters novella, I was very excited. Heather Graham did not disappoint me--this was a great addition to the series.

Although I received a free copy for review purposes, my opinions are my own.

The Story

Jake and Ashley return to Ashley's family plantation to plan their upcoming wedding. Ashley also has to plan the Halloween festivities that happen on the plantation. Jake has to investigate murders in New Orleans, said to have been committed by witches.

I don't want to say much more about the plot, because this novella is a lot of fun to read and figure out the mystery. I'll just say the pieces fit together well and everything made sense.

The Characters

Jake: a Krewe of Hunters FBI agent, engaged to Ashley. 

Ashley: engaged to Jake, tour guide, also gets messages from ghosts through her dreams.

Shelley: an artist, the first murder victim

There are other characters as well, such as people who work on Ashley's plantation, Jake's fellow agents, NOPD detectives, and suspects. All of the characters were developed enough for this short piece. It is very clear that Ashley and Jake are good people and they love each other very much.

I thought Graham did an excellent job of casting suspicion on other people, even though the culprits ended up being exactly who I thought they were.

The Writing

Heather Graham excels at creating creepy atmospheres. The detailed descriptions made me feel like I was there in each creepy setting. Although some parts of the story moved slowly because of backstory and setting details, I didn't mind because I felt like I was getting the full experience of learning about the characters and locations.

If I had to complain about anything, I would say that the lack of proper investigative procedures bothered me. What I mean is: the cops and agents didn't do a lot of what I expect investigators to do. In the big picture, though, it's not bothersome enough for me to take off any stars from my rating. 

Do I Recommend?

If you are a Krewe of Hunters fan, "Hallow Be the Haunt" is a must-read to continue following the wonderful characters in this series. If you're new to the series, you can jump in at any time. You don't need to read previous books to enjoy this.

I recommend "Hallow Be the Haunt" to readers who like stories that merge genres. This book is a little bit of each suspense, mystery, and romance to create an interesting story about a loving couple who find themselves in danger by humans, but get assistance in solving the case from paranormal entities. 

My rating 5/5 stars (A)

[Veronica of V's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake Mallory and Ashley Donegal fell in love in high school, but grew in different directions. They reconnected in a different book, and this novella is the adventure that became of their wedding planning sessions.

Ashley grew up at Donegal Plantation, a preserved estate outside of New Orleans. She’d known there was ghosts there from her earliest memories, and Jake came out to help with a mystery a few years back–which is how they reconnected. Jake’s part of a paranormal-investigators corps within the FBI called Krewe of Hunters. On their first night back Ashley has a dream of a freshly-murdered woman, and Jake’s quickly put on the case, as an eye-witness says a trio of witches killed his friend.

Ashley’s antebellum home also runs a famous haunted house experience, and it seems like the killers might be tied to the crew of “scare actors” who are boiling and toiling in the haunted house.

I liked the misdirection here, and how Jake, Ashley and another Krewe member, Jackson, unravel the scope of the murders. It’s not simply coincidence that bad dudes all over the region are meeting untimely ends, and Ashley’s ability to chat with ghosts comes in handy, even though it upsets Jake to see her in harm’s way. There’s no loving in this book, so I assumed all the sexytimes happened in their reconnection novel. Also, there’s some fun character cameos from other Krewe novels, and a snippet of the highly anticipated wedding to draw an end of the love story for Jake and Ashley.

If you’re looking for a short spooky read with the flavor of Nawlins’ you’ll likely enjoy this one.

[CAROLYN Wyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick mystery romance set around Halloween. Jake and Ashley are planning their wedding at Ashley’s families plantation when things heat up with a string of murders. Well written fun story.

[Sascha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars, review to come

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great Halloween murder mystery novella. New Orleans spooky town - check. Old Plantation house with spooky grave yard - check. Creepy family history - check. People dying around town - check. Ghosts, witches and freakin clowns - check. Book that will keep you guessing until the very end - check check.

I really enjoyed this book. Even though this is the first book that I've read from Heather Graham I didn't have a hard time at all following the characters and understanding their dynamics and I'm definitely a fan now and plan on getting my hands on more of her books. Our story starts out with Jake and Ashley being back in their hometown of New Orleans for two reasons. One for Halloween and the scare fest they have on the plantation every year. Two to plan their upcoming wedding.

Even though they only have these two plans on their plate life has other plans for them. The first night back Ashley has a dream/nightmare of a dead girl and she keeps asking for help. So Ashley of course feels obligated to help solve her murder and bring those responsible to justice. Of course it helps that her fiancee is an FBI agent who works on a special task force that deals with the supernatural......ohhh if only he were Dean Winchester....then my life would be complete. Anyways Jake gets asked to help out on a case where a giant man named Tink has his throat slit and dies by 3 witches. As more information is given we learn that the girl from Ashley's dream and the murder of Tink as well as some other odd coincidences are all linked together.

They are also on a clock. Halloween is coming up and they only have so many days to solve the case. Everyone is a suspect and the book keeps you guessing till the very end as to who the mastermind being these killings is and who is helping them. Everyone is a suspect and no one can be trusted. Will they find out who is being the killings before Halloween when something big is going down? Will something bad happen to Ashley because of her dreams? Will they still have a wedding? You'll have to find out in this short story what's in store for Jake and Ashley and the wonders and horrors that come with Halloween in New Orleans.

[Amazeballs Book Addicts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge Heather Graham fan and especially a huge fan of the Krewe of Hunters series!! I was so happy to read and catch up with Jake and Ashley as they are getting ready for their wedding. This was a short and quick read. I read it in one sitting. I wish it was longer and there was more to it, but it was still a great story. I always love the mystery with some paranormal twist. Can't wait to read whatever comes next from this author. Who doesn't love ghost, witches, and even clowns?

Review by Tabitha

[Janine - The World Was Hers for the Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab your kindle and snuggle up for this fantastic paranormal jaunt through New Orleans!

Jake and Ashley are back at the Donegal to plan their November wedding. Halloween is quickly approaching and rather than splitting time between running the Halloween attraction held at the plantation each year and wedding planning, Jake is pulled into a mysterious series of murders happening in New Orleans that an eyewitness claims were committed by a trio of witches.

Even before Jake is called in as a consultant, Ashley begins dreaming of the beautiful and young murder victim that begins haunting her dreams and warning of more death to come before the Halloween holiday has ended.

It’s a race to discover just who is on a murderous spree in the city before all Hallow’s Eve approaches and more lives are lost. With Jake and the Krewe consulting with the New Orleans police department and Ashley connecting with the ghost of one of the victims, they are drawn deeper and deeper into a twisted series of deaths that may lead the murderers right to their own door.

I have been a fan of Heather Graham’s writing for many years and was thrilled to know she had a story releasing just in time for a great Halloween read and Hallow be the Haunt did not disappoint. As always, there is plenty of mystery and intrigue as the Krewe uses both good old fashioned detective work as well as their special abilities with the paranormal to solve the crime. Having a series of murders set in New Orleans at Halloween really allowed the author to delight readers with some fantastic descriptions of a town known for excess and celebrations as Jake, Ashley and the rest of the Krewe search through New Orleans and the plantation for clues to the killers.

This is novella length, so it’s perfect to curl up on the couch for an evening for a delicious paranormal thriller to celebrate the holiday. 4.5 stars.

[Vagabonda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake Mallory and Ashley Donegal are finally getting married, and what better place than Ashley's ancestral home, Donegal Plantation. That scenario alone guarantees fans of Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunters series that Hallow Be The Haunt is going to be a tasty treat this Halloween, and Heather Graham doesn’t disappoint.

As Jake and Ashley arrive in New Orleans days before Halloween, in preparation for their early November wedding at the Plantation, a series of murders occur. 

Ashley, in tune with the supernatural, is visited by a young woman’s ghost, pleading for help. Jake, investigating the murders, realizes that Ashley’s spectral visits by the murdered victim put her in imminent danger.

As the plantation opens for its annual Halloween Haunt, Jake finds himself in a race to save his fiancé from the hands of the serial killer.  But in order to save her, Jake has to wade through the masses of costumed partiers — all dressed to kill.

Hallow Be The Haunt is the latest offering from Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunters series and is brought to you by the good people of 1,001 Dark Nights. As a fan of the supernatural genre, you can’t ask for a better treat this Halloween. Filled with suspense, ghosts, gore, and all wrapped around a love story, author Graham delivers the well-written tale her fans have come to expect from her. Solidly written and fast-paced, pour yourself a cup of witches-brew and grab a copy of Hallow Be The Haunt. Oh, and don’t answer that knock at the door . . . 


Four and one-half stars

[Julia Red Hatter Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghosts, witches, clowns, OH MY! This is the perfect book to cuddle up with on a dark October night! I'll confess, I haven't read the series that this is a novella for. Normally I'd be lost trying to figure people out. This was written so well that I never once felt lost or confused. I enjoyed everything about this novella! There was a bit of a mystery, who killed this sweet and innocent woman as well as the drug dealing murderer? How were they connected? Jake and Ashley are on the case! I loved every bit of the world and plan to read the series it comes from! Ghosts, witches, clowns, they all seem so far fetched but this author made this mystery fun! I couldn't figure out who the bad guys were and it kept me intrigued the whole time! Definitely pick up this book if you're a fan of this series, definitely pick up this book if, like me, you're new to the characters! Either way it's a fun mystery while sitting in the dark!

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

To start I was just weirdly thinking about some of my favorite characters from the beginning of this series so when I starting reading all I could think was "YAY some of my favorites from the beginning returned!!"

I loved that Graham covered the time frame since we last encountered Jake and Ashley (like book 3), why they haven’t married (last we heard they were planning) and briefly about what brought them back together, though I faulted in trying remember the details of her father’s death...

One of the actors names was Alex Maple. They don’t dive into specifics with this character, but we just encountered an Alex Maple in the previous two novels so that was a little off.

:: SPOILER :: I also didn’t quite understand or buy Richard being the murder. The way Graham put the puzzle together made sense, but not a shocking one that makes you gasp like ones from the past.

Decent read. 4 out of 5 stars

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ghostly stars for HALLOW BE THE HAUNT.

As a descendent of the famous Southern Donegal family, Ashley Donegal returns to the Donegal Plantation every year during the Halloween season to help with the haunted tours. Nothing could keep her away, not even the dreams of the dead she's been having or the fact that her fiancé's elite Krewe of Hunters will be working the case. Jake Mallory and his team are top FBI agents sent to work on sensitive, often paranormal cases. When his most recent case takes him not just to New Orleans, but straight to Donegal Plantation during the most haunted time of the year, he'll have to worry about both potential victims and his fiancée as the case draws closer to conclusion.

HALLOW BE THE HAUNT is a novella in the A Krewe of Hunters series, and also a stand-alone addition to the innovative and fun 1001 Dark Nights series featuring sensual and erotic stories by a variety of popular authors inspired by the classic The Arabian Nights tale.

I've only read one other book in this series, which was also a 1001 Dark Nights offering, and I wasn't a fan, so I didn't have a high amount of confidence that I would enjoy HALLOW BE THE HAUNT. To my surprise, I didn't hate it, most likely due to reading it a few days before Halloween. There wasn't any super hot sex in this novella, and I felt like I was missing a lot of the character development and quirks that were likely in Ashley and Jake's original full length story, but as a quickie seasonal paranormal read, it wasn't bad.

Bottom Line: No OM/OW or sharing; undetermined condom use; no BDSM/kink; no sexual assault; violence/murder.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delighted to open another one that gives me another adventure with the Krewe of Hunters. A delicious bonus to them is the romance in with the thrills and chills. Having been also on this plantation with these two before-Jake and Ashley are back this time for their wedding that will have them scrambling. The time before it I should say will be what will be scrambling to haunt them all. The murder followed with the mystery will right away creep its way up your spine with love still playing on the outskirts. It will take all the talent they both have to close this one in time with a bit of help. Set also in a favorite place of mine I buzzed through with this one enjoying every second inside. The ending will be worth all the chills and screams that spill out.

[KDRBCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallow Be The Haunt by Heather Graham is part of the 1001 Dark Nights Series and Krewe of the Hunter Series.
Hallow Be The Haunt is a captivating story. I was hooked from page one. I read the book in one sitting, I couldn´t put it down.
Hallow Be The Haunt has exactly the right amount of drama, danger and violence.
This story has it all—tension, angst, suspense and heartbreak. I've smiled, laughed, cried and was angry at some point. It is not often I feel so connected to the characters, but Heather Graham has accomplished just that. I love the story, the characters and the words.
I give 5 stars and say Thank you, Heather Graham.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

A couple of the original Krewe members have come back to New Orleans to plan their wedding at the Donegal Plantation. We first met Jake and Ashley in Heart of Evil, the 2nd book of the KOH series. It's no wonder I don't remember much since it's 20 books ago! But I did remember the Plantation... probably because of the whole Gone with the Wind vibes.

It's just before Halloween and people are being killed by a trio of witches, then a trio of clowns...and Jake and Ashley are in the middle of it all. We also get a cameo from Jackson Crow. I can only imagine what the atmosphere would be like in NOLA during Halloween. All in all, quite weirdly interesting.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great catching up with some of the original Krewe members, spending time in New Orleans and solving a case. The role of the ghost was quite interesting as none of the other stories had a ghost that had such a hard time getting to the couples. Frazier is adorable and it was good to see a happy moment after everything that included many of the Krewe. This was a quick and easy read that can be enjoyed read on its own, but I would recommend reading it in order to know the whole story behind the plantation, the Krewe and engaged couple!

[Sherri Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful Novella! I thoroughly enjoyed it and, although it was shorter than the normal "Krewe of Hunter" stories, it felt just a full and complete as a full-length novel. My only "criticism" would be that it felt like it wrapped a little too quickly.

I HIGHLY recommend this for fans of well-written mystery stories - even if you're unfamiliar with the "Krewe of Hunter" series - and for fans of Heather Graham.

[janette hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok but not one of her best! I usually love the Krewe series but this one was a hard read! I read the first one with the same characters but this time I was really not impressed! In her regular writings of the I read they work as a team, in this one they were badly mish mosh nobody seemed in charge!

I had a hard time trying to not only figure out what the characters were doing but why they were doing it! Hopefully the next book will be better?

[Marybelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Krewe of Hunters book; lots of history,geography, local lore, and color. Great characters and character development. However, I found that unlike most of the books in the series, this story felt rushed. It’s like the plot wasn’t given enough time to develop. Plus there were characters in the story who didn’t really get a chance to participate (i.e. Jude). Also, it’s kind of sad that Adam Harrison didn’t attend the wedding.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent narration by Paul Boehmer in conjunction with a marvelous murder novella by Heather Graham. The Krew Hunters, special unit of the FBI, came to New Orleans for a wedding, but Halloween murders took front and center until the murders were solved. Then the ancestral mansion could be changed from a haunted Halloween mansion into the perfect spot for a beautiful fairytale wedding. Great short study! 😍

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good addition to the Krewe of Hunters series as Graham returns to the story of two characters who were previously introduced. Similar to other novellas she has written, there isn't much back story explanation of the characters, so it would be better if reading after the initial book on Donegal plantation and Ashley Donegal and Jake Mallory.

[Kolya Koleva · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the second “Krewe of Hunters Novella" that I read and I love it. Since it is a book with mysterious crime and paranormal “activity”(and it is set in New Orleans around Halloween) it made me read page after page. I was even reading it slowly because I didn't want it to finish.
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[I excuse myself if there are some grammar errors.]

[Jalissa Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so nice to get to read about the original six Krewe members and how their lives continue after each of their main stories. This novella is about Jake and Ashley preparing for their wedding at the Donegal Plantation just as strange sightings of witches in New Orleans reach the Krewe. This time Jake must learn to trust in Ashley and her abilities as she too becomes involved in this short case. Their partnership doesn't end at home, it continues into their work. It was a beautiful wedding.