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Hidden Sins #2
The Hunting Grounds
For two FBI agents with a past, love becomes a matter of life and death in the new Hidden Sins novel from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert.
Maggie Gaines used to be an FBI agent—top of her class and one of the bright, up-and-coming stars—until she spectacularly fell apart during her first high-profile case. That was eight years ago. Now she’s a ranger at Glacier National Park, and she’s found some measure of peace. But when the body of a murdered woman is discovered, she must finally put the past behind her and work with the one man she thought she’d never see again.
For months, Vic Sutherland has been hunting a killer who’s been targeting unsuspecting hikers in national parks—and now the predator has come to Glacier. Vic knows the case will bring him face-to-face with his former partner, yet nothing can prepare him for seeing Maggie again after all these years, or for the memories of passion it stirs in both of them.
As the investigation brings them closer together—and closer to the killer—Maggie and Vic fear they have only each other to trust. But even that might not be enough to make it out of Glacier alive.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2017
459 people are currently reading
2560 people want to read
About the author
Katee Robert
171 books36.5k followersKatee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of spicy romance. Entertainment Weekly calls her writing “unspeakably hot.” Her books have sold over two million copies. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and two Great Danes who think they’re lap dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
July 29, 2017
This book is making me shudder a little! Good suspense right here. =)
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
The Hunting Grounds by Katee Robert
Book Two of the Hidden Sins series
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Publication Date: July 25, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley
Summary (from Goodreads):
For two FBI agents with a past, love becomes a matter of life and death in the new Hidden Sins novel from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert.
Maggie Gaines used to be an FBI agent—top of her class and one of the bright, up-and-coming stars—until she spectacularly fell apart during her first high-profile case. That was eight years ago. Now she’s a ranger at Glacier National Park, and she’s found some measure of peace. But when the body of a murdered woman is discovered, she must finally put the past behind her and work with the one man she thought she’d never see again.
For months, Vic Sutherland has been hunting a killer who’s been targeting unsuspecting hikers in national parks—and now the predator has come to Glacier. Vic knows the case will bring him face-to-face with his former partner, yet nothing can prepare him for seeing Maggie again after all these years, or for the memories of passion it stirs in both of them.
As the investigation brings them closer together—and closer to the killer—Maggie and Vic fear they have only each other to trust. But even that might not be enough to make it out of Glacier alive.
What I Liked:
I'd not read too many romantic suspense novels before this year, and it never really seemed like it would be my thing. I get creeped out and freaked out easily, and suspense novels tend to get scary and creepy pretty quickly. But with Katee Robert writing this series, I knew I wasn't going to pass. Yet again, Robert has written an excellent chilling romantic suspense that is just as good as (if not better than) her previous novel, The Devil's Daughter.
Vic Sutherland was introduced in The Devil's Daughter as a secondary character. In this book, he takes front row and center when he is called to investigate a gruesome murder at Glacier National Park. This happens to be the Park at which his former partner at the FBI works. Maggie Gaines left the FBI less than a year after joining, and she hasn't looked back. Seven years at the Park has made it feel like home. But one murder, and then another, and another, and another, has made the Park feel tainted and unsafe. Vic and Maggie were former partners once, and they'll have to work together to track down the deadly hunter who shows no signs of stopping the killing.
This book has me shuddering a little! I get freaked out fairly easily but still, I have to say that Robert definitely sets the tone of this book. It is chilling and eerie, and I honestly can't say I ever want to go to a National Park to hike. Visit, yes, but not hike. The atmosphere of this book is perfect for a suspense/mystery novel.
It is clear that Robert has done her research! Everything from Glacier National Park geography to a park ranger's duties to the BAU of the FBI... this book may be fiction but Robert made the story incredibly authentic. Her efforts showed and I appreciated how much detail she thought to include.
I don't want to go into too much detail about the murders and the case, but I will say that Robert had me guessing who the unsub was until the very end. This is pretty rare for me - I tend to discern these things somewhat early on - so it goes to show how well Robert set up the case. Every time I thought I knew who it was, Robert threw a curveball in the plot.
That being sad, I was completely hooked on this story. I couldn't stop reading and stayed up late in the dark hours of the night, trying to finish this book. That didn't help with me feeling freaked out, by the way. Never read these types of books at night!
I adored the two main characters! Vic seems robotic and calm and collected and never really shows outward emotion, but he is a complicated and tough guy. I like how overprotective he is, and how much of a control freak he is. I understand the type. He and Maggie are good together. Maggie is less controlled and has to reign in her temper at times. She is a little more anxious compared to Vic (well, anyone is, because he sometimes comes across as a block of ice), but I like this about her. They are like foils, opposites, and yet their minds work similarly.
This isn't really a second-chance romance since they never dated or had any sort of romantic relationship. However, Maggie had a huge crush on Vic when they were partners. Vic was married at the time, so they were not going to happen. But fast-forward to the present - Vic has been divorced for five years, and Maggie has never really stopped having feelings for him. Vic knows he wants something with Maggie and he goes after that something. The two of them take a leap and I like where things go. Their romance is sweet and tender, and not too messy, though you'd think it would be a messy romance. I like how open and honest they are with each other.
There is one sex scene and it is adult-rated (though it's not as explicit as scenes in Robert's other books). I like the chemistry between Vic and Maggie and definitely appreciated the presence of the romance.
I was intrigued, hooked, and clueless until the very end! The ending is a big reveal and it should surprise anyone reading this book (in terms of the identity of the unsub). There are so many hints throughout the book but it's easy to look past all of them. Hindsight is 20/20, of course. Robert wraps up almost everything, though she hints at concrete things for Vic and Maggie. I would love to read an epilogue to this story, featuring the pair!
What I Did Not Like:
That last thing I mentioned would probably be the only thing I would note here. I wanted a more concrete ending for Vic and Maggie - yes, they have the whole future ahead of them, but I wanted more specific details! An epilogue to show where they ended up together would be so nice. I adore them as a couple!
Would I Recommend It:
If you like romantic suspense, I highly recommend this novel (and The Devil's Daughter). This book is slightly different compared to the first one because the case isn't as personal to either protagonist (Vic or Maggie) as the case was in The Devil's Daughter. I found this to be a great thing. Be warned, this is a chilling story (in my opinion)! And it is definitely adult fiction.
Rating:
4 stars. Is there nothing Robert can't write? I love her sexy contemporary romance novels, and her darker contemporary romance novels, and now I find myself enjoying her romantic suspense (a subgenre I never really pictured myself enjoying). I need to try her paranormal romance!
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
The Hunting Grounds by Katee Robert
Book Two of the Hidden Sins series
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Publication Date: July 25, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley
Summary (from Goodreads):
For two FBI agents with a past, love becomes a matter of life and death in the new Hidden Sins novel from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert.
Maggie Gaines used to be an FBI agent—top of her class and one of the bright, up-and-coming stars—until she spectacularly fell apart during her first high-profile case. That was eight years ago. Now she’s a ranger at Glacier National Park, and she’s found some measure of peace. But when the body of a murdered woman is discovered, she must finally put the past behind her and work with the one man she thought she’d never see again.
For months, Vic Sutherland has been hunting a killer who’s been targeting unsuspecting hikers in national parks—and now the predator has come to Glacier. Vic knows the case will bring him face-to-face with his former partner, yet nothing can prepare him for seeing Maggie again after all these years, or for the memories of passion it stirs in both of them.
As the investigation brings them closer together—and closer to the killer—Maggie and Vic fear they have only each other to trust. But even that might not be enough to make it out of Glacier alive.
What I Liked:
I'd not read too many romantic suspense novels before this year, and it never really seemed like it would be my thing. I get creeped out and freaked out easily, and suspense novels tend to get scary and creepy pretty quickly. But with Katee Robert writing this series, I knew I wasn't going to pass. Yet again, Robert has written an excellent chilling romantic suspense that is just as good as (if not better than) her previous novel, The Devil's Daughter.
Vic Sutherland was introduced in The Devil's Daughter as a secondary character. In this book, he takes front row and center when he is called to investigate a gruesome murder at Glacier National Park. This happens to be the Park at which his former partner at the FBI works. Maggie Gaines left the FBI less than a year after joining, and she hasn't looked back. Seven years at the Park has made it feel like home. But one murder, and then another, and another, and another, has made the Park feel tainted and unsafe. Vic and Maggie were former partners once, and they'll have to work together to track down the deadly hunter who shows no signs of stopping the killing.
This book has me shuddering a little! I get freaked out fairly easily but still, I have to say that Robert definitely sets the tone of this book. It is chilling and eerie, and I honestly can't say I ever want to go to a National Park to hike. Visit, yes, but not hike. The atmosphere of this book is perfect for a suspense/mystery novel.
It is clear that Robert has done her research! Everything from Glacier National Park geography to a park ranger's duties to the BAU of the FBI... this book may be fiction but Robert made the story incredibly authentic. Her efforts showed and I appreciated how much detail she thought to include.
I don't want to go into too much detail about the murders and the case, but I will say that Robert had me guessing who the unsub was until the very end. This is pretty rare for me - I tend to discern these things somewhat early on - so it goes to show how well Robert set up the case. Every time I thought I knew who it was, Robert threw a curveball in the plot.
That being sad, I was completely hooked on this story. I couldn't stop reading and stayed up late in the dark hours of the night, trying to finish this book. That didn't help with me feeling freaked out, by the way. Never read these types of books at night!
I adored the two main characters! Vic seems robotic and calm and collected and never really shows outward emotion, but he is a complicated and tough guy. I like how overprotective he is, and how much of a control freak he is. I understand the type. He and Maggie are good together. Maggie is less controlled and has to reign in her temper at times. She is a little more anxious compared to Vic (well, anyone is, because he sometimes comes across as a block of ice), but I like this about her. They are like foils, opposites, and yet their minds work similarly.
This isn't really a second-chance romance since they never dated or had any sort of romantic relationship. However, Maggie had a huge crush on Vic when they were partners. Vic was married at the time, so they were not going to happen. But fast-forward to the present - Vic has been divorced for five years, and Maggie has never really stopped having feelings for him. Vic knows he wants something with Maggie and he goes after that something. The two of them take a leap and I like where things go. Their romance is sweet and tender, and not too messy, though you'd think it would be a messy romance. I like how open and honest they are with each other.
There is one sex scene and it is adult-rated (though it's not as explicit as scenes in Robert's other books). I like the chemistry between Vic and Maggie and definitely appreciated the presence of the romance.
I was intrigued, hooked, and clueless until the very end! The ending is a big reveal and it should surprise anyone reading this book (in terms of the identity of the unsub). There are so many hints throughout the book but it's easy to look past all of them. Hindsight is 20/20, of course. Robert wraps up almost everything, though she hints at concrete things for Vic and Maggie. I would love to read an epilogue to this story, featuring the pair!
What I Did Not Like:
That last thing I mentioned would probably be the only thing I would note here. I wanted a more concrete ending for Vic and Maggie - yes, they have the whole future ahead of them, but I wanted more specific details! An epilogue to show where they ended up together would be so nice. I adore them as a couple!
Would I Recommend It:
If you like romantic suspense, I highly recommend this novel (and The Devil's Daughter). This book is slightly different compared to the first one because the case isn't as personal to either protagonist (Vic or Maggie) as the case was in The Devil's Daughter. I found this to be a great thing. Be warned, this is a chilling story (in my opinion)! And it is definitely adult fiction.
Rating:
4 stars. Is there nothing Robert can't write? I love her sexy contemporary romance novels, and her darker contemporary romance novels, and now I find myself enjoying her romantic suspense (a subgenre I never really pictured myself enjoying). I need to try her paranormal romance!
August 19, 2017
3.5 Stars
I’ve enjoyed hiking, backpacking, and camping over the years, but I must confess on some of those trips I’ve gotten more than a little spooked at night imaging how easy it would be for a madman/killer to sneak up and take us out. Eeeek! The Hunting Grounds seemed to be just the kind of story I’ve envisioned happening at one time or another, so I knew I had to pick it up. Crazy, right? Well, I’m the kind of girl who loves to tell scary stories by the campfire and freak everyone the heck out. I usually manage to scare myself senseless in the process, so the trip back to my tent to sleep is super fun. So there you have it, I’m a little deranged!
Maggie used to be an FBI agent until a particularly gruesome case caused her to quit eight years ago. These days she’s a park ranger at Glacier National Park where the most dangerous situation she faces involves bears or unprepared hikers. That all changes when she discovers a body of a woman, and must call in the FBI. Work with her old partner, Vic, all the old feelings of attraction between them are brought up to the surface again as the work the case. It’s a race against time to find this killer before someone else is murdered.
It seems I read a lot of second chance romances. I guess I just love the thought a couple getting another shot together after screwing up the first time. This wasn’t exactly a second chance romance, more unrequited lust/love situation. Circumstances at the time prevented it from being anything else, but nothing holds Vic and Maggie back now. It was a pleasure watching these two take a chance while trying to stay alive. Life and death situations make it easy to sort out what’s important in life, so there’s no angsty back and forth.
There is a secondary story centering on a group of backpackers. Old high school friends who reunite to hike one of their favorite trails in Glacier. But this isn’t one big happy reunion. There’s trouble brewing between them; flash backs to the past gradually reveal what led to their current situation. It quickly becomes apparent that their group is in danger.
I had fun with The Hunting Grounds even though I suspected the killer’s identity early on, I still didn’t know for sure, and had doubts on my theory up until the end. It was an all-around solid romantic suspense/mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering if our characters were all going to make it!
A copy was kindly provided by Montlake Romance via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted at The Readers Den.
I’ve enjoyed hiking, backpacking, and camping over the years, but I must confess on some of those trips I’ve gotten more than a little spooked at night imaging how easy it would be for a madman/killer to sneak up and take us out. Eeeek! The Hunting Grounds seemed to be just the kind of story I’ve envisioned happening at one time or another, so I knew I had to pick it up. Crazy, right? Well, I’m the kind of girl who loves to tell scary stories by the campfire and freak everyone the heck out. I usually manage to scare myself senseless in the process, so the trip back to my tent to sleep is super fun. So there you have it, I’m a little deranged!
Maggie used to be an FBI agent until a particularly gruesome case caused her to quit eight years ago. These days she’s a park ranger at Glacier National Park where the most dangerous situation she faces involves bears or unprepared hikers. That all changes when she discovers a body of a woman, and must call in the FBI. Work with her old partner, Vic, all the old feelings of attraction between them are brought up to the surface again as the work the case. It’s a race against time to find this killer before someone else is murdered.
It seems I read a lot of second chance romances. I guess I just love the thought a couple getting another shot together after screwing up the first time. This wasn’t exactly a second chance romance, more unrequited lust/love situation. Circumstances at the time prevented it from being anything else, but nothing holds Vic and Maggie back now. It was a pleasure watching these two take a chance while trying to stay alive. Life and death situations make it easy to sort out what’s important in life, so there’s no angsty back and forth.
There is a secondary story centering on a group of backpackers. Old high school friends who reunite to hike one of their favorite trails in Glacier. But this isn’t one big happy reunion. There’s trouble brewing between them; flash backs to the past gradually reveal what led to their current situation. It quickly becomes apparent that their group is in danger.
I had fun with The Hunting Grounds even though I suspected the killer’s identity early on, I still didn’t know for sure, and had doubts on my theory up until the end. It was an all-around solid romantic suspense/mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering if our characters were all going to make it!
A copy was kindly provided by Montlake Romance via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted at The Readers Den.
January 23, 2024
this book started out wild!
if you are looking for a book that has a high pace, some gruesome kills and a sprinkle of romance on the side, this one is for you! 🫶🏼
❥𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚:
when maggie left the fbi, she had no desire ever going back to that life. she left her whole life, including her ex-partner vic, behind to become a park ranger in glacier national park. however, when they find the body of a woman who has been brutally murdered, her past comes knocking on her door.
vic has been chasing down the killer, who hunts people down in national parks. never in a million years did he expect this to lead him back to maggie. there are a lot of memories between the two and a history that has not been addressed yet. but, this will have to wait when next to the murder, five hikers go missing.
in a race against the clock, bodies keep dropping. can they find the unsub? and how will they keep themselves safe when there’s a hunter on the loose?
❥𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏:
i really enjoyed this book. it’s fast paced, has a good build up and to me, was very unpredictable. in the end of the story, the unsub was a big surprise to me, so the twists, turns and misdirections definitely worked on me.
before discovering this series, i only knew katee robert as a ’smutty-romance’ author, something she excels at!
however, after reading this series, i think this genre also fits her very well.
each book is a standalone, with no recurring characters, making them completely independent. personally, i didn't read them in order, which sadly means this was my last book in the series. i truly hope katee returns to this genre at some point; if she does, i’ll be the first to pick it up. 🤍
if you are looking for a book that has a high pace, some gruesome kills and a sprinkle of romance on the side, this one is for you! 🫶🏼
❥𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚:
when maggie left the fbi, she had no desire ever going back to that life. she left her whole life, including her ex-partner vic, behind to become a park ranger in glacier national park. however, when they find the body of a woman who has been brutally murdered, her past comes knocking on her door.
vic has been chasing down the killer, who hunts people down in national parks. never in a million years did he expect this to lead him back to maggie. there are a lot of memories between the two and a history that has not been addressed yet. but, this will have to wait when next to the murder, five hikers go missing.
in a race against the clock, bodies keep dropping. can they find the unsub? and how will they keep themselves safe when there’s a hunter on the loose?
❥𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏:
i really enjoyed this book. it’s fast paced, has a good build up and to me, was very unpredictable. in the end of the story, the unsub was a big surprise to me, so the twists, turns and misdirections definitely worked on me.
before discovering this series, i only knew katee robert as a ’smutty-romance’ author, something she excels at!
however, after reading this series, i think this genre also fits her very well.
each book is a standalone, with no recurring characters, making them completely independent. personally, i didn't read them in order, which sadly means this was my last book in the series. i truly hope katee returns to this genre at some point; if she does, i’ll be the first to pick it up. 🤍
August 3, 2017
Another very suspenseful book by this author. The plot with a killer hunting hikers in national parks was VERY gripping and quite disturbing at times because when I say hunting I mean HUNTING, stringing up the prey and sometimes field dressing them O-O. And the really great thing about this book was that I thought I knew who the killer was, but I was so very wrong which was just excellent.
The romance on the other hand was lacking. Not many authors manage to get the balance right between the suspense and the romance and this series is definitely heavier on the suspense and much lighter on the romance, so much that I never really felt the connection between the main characters who shared a history. I also didn’t really like Vic’s attitude towards Maggie at times and therefore I never really cared about what happened between them. But despite that I still enjoyed the plot so much that it never really bothered me.
If you’re looking for a gripping suspense with a twisty plot that will make you think you know who the killer is but in the end you’ll be completely wrong, then this is the book for you. A must read for all suspense lovers.
July 4, 2017
I’ve been intrigued by Katee Robert’s move into the more hardcore romantic suspense/thriller-type reads. Since ‘The Devil’s Daughter’ didn’t seem to be a bad debut, ‘The Hunting Grounds’ looked even more enticing because of a serial killer hunting in national parks and how that brings a second-chance romance into play.
Yet I wasn’t pulled in as I thought I’d be, despite the theories that kept flying and the case of teenagers-turned adults who never quite managed to get their screw-ups resolved. I found that the juggling of two separate groups (loosely put) of characters—the protagonists who are also the romantic pair as well as a group of young adults whose lives are just still unsorted—broke the narrative too often, just as I was about to get into it. Maggie/Vic were more interesting than the potential victims (and perpetrators) and while complicated group dynamics always make for interesting reading, I felt that they were distracting instead, written in a way that drew the story out superfluously as it oddly and awkwardly straddled the New Adult genre at times with teenage-hormone-ridden drama peppering certain scenes.
Flashbacks tended to interrupt Maggie/Vic’s progress with the case, and it was difficult to try to get back on board after those, let alone feel any heat or chemistry between 2 people who actually have so much history together. There were tender moments between them, which I liked and that both Maggie and Vic pretty much ‘adulted’ through it all. With the focus on the suspense and the serial killing however, the developing romance wasn’t a drawn out one, just that Maggie/Vic played no games (perhaps because of the lack of time) and that everything happened fairly quickly in the span of a few days.
I’ll readily admit that authors can and do a difficult time getting that tricky mix of romance and suspense down, especially with readers who often prefer one over another. Having a healthy and equal mix of both is what I prefer though and ‘The Hunting Grounds’ doesn’t quite fulfil that. Coupled with an abrupt end—credits roll as people are bruised and recovering in hospital along with unexpected declarations of love thrown in—the story seemed to have ended on an unfinished note that left me wondering if I’d actually missed several pages.
*ARC by Netgalley
(always grateful, mind)
Yet I wasn’t pulled in as I thought I’d be, despite the theories that kept flying and the case of teenagers-turned adults who never quite managed to get their screw-ups resolved. I found that the juggling of two separate groups (loosely put) of characters—the protagonists who are also the romantic pair as well as a group of young adults whose lives are just still unsorted—broke the narrative too often, just as I was about to get into it. Maggie/Vic were more interesting than the potential victims (and perpetrators) and while complicated group dynamics always make for interesting reading, I felt that they were distracting instead, written in a way that drew the story out superfluously as it oddly and awkwardly straddled the New Adult genre at times with teenage-hormone-ridden drama peppering certain scenes.
Flashbacks tended to interrupt Maggie/Vic’s progress with the case, and it was difficult to try to get back on board after those, let alone feel any heat or chemistry between 2 people who actually have so much history together. There were tender moments between them, which I liked and that both Maggie and Vic pretty much ‘adulted’ through it all. With the focus on the suspense and the serial killing however, the developing romance wasn’t a drawn out one, just that Maggie/Vic played no games (perhaps because of the lack of time) and that everything happened fairly quickly in the span of a few days.
I’ll readily admit that authors can and do a difficult time getting that tricky mix of romance and suspense down, especially with readers who often prefer one over another. Having a healthy and equal mix of both is what I prefer though and ‘The Hunting Grounds’ doesn’t quite fulfil that. Coupled with an abrupt end—credits roll as people are bruised and recovering in hospital along with unexpected declarations of love thrown in—the story seemed to have ended on an unfinished note that left me wondering if I’d actually missed several pages.
*ARC by Netgalley
(always grateful, mind)
July 16, 2017
The Hunting Grounds was an edge of the seat read that not only kept my attention but also kept me guessing. I loved how it was crafted. My only complaint was I felt the romance aspect of it needed to be a bit more pronounced.
I definitely recommend this book to those who love Romantic Suspense.
ARC provided by publisher through Net Galley in exchange for a honest review
I definitely recommend this book to those who love Romantic Suspense.
ARC provided by publisher through Net Galley in exchange for a honest review
July 19, 2017
4 all about the plot stars.
I enjoyed the first book of the series, they are loosely interconnected with one another therefore the book can be read as standalone.
I’m indifferent about Maggie and Vic, the main characters in the book but as I mentioned I loved the plot. The way the tone for the book is set leaves you on the edge of your seat while reading. I felt as if the book came to life and I was part of the scary arsed plot. It all felt so realistic, the ruggedness of the wild that was created. The fear and the panic of the characters and the frustration of the main characters nearly brushing elbows with the unsub.
The book is brutal and gritty in places which adds more intensity to the book. I’m usually quite good at guessing who the culprit in the book is but here I had no clue which made it all the more better IMO.
What I would have liked to have known is a more in-depth explanation to why the unsub did it. All the couple declared their undying love the ending felt abrupt. With what happened to Madison and Ethan wasn’t cleared up either.
Unfortunately, what galled me was Maggie’s TSTL moments and the chip on her shoulder.
I look forward to the next in the series.
July 28, 2017
Title: The Hunting Grounds
Series: Hidden Sins #2
Author: Katee Robert
Release date: July 25, 2017
Cliffhanger: No
HEA
Maggie Gaines' life as a ranger at Glacier National Park isn't the life she planned on, but it's one that brings her peace. Seven years ago, her first case in the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI had broken her. BAU agents are tasked with finding the most heinous serial killers imaginable. The stress and mental anguish had been too much to bear and she cut her losses. She thought she had put her old life behind her and buried it. But when a grisly murder scene is discovered in the park, she realizes old ghosts are about to be resurrected.
Vic Sutherland is called in to investigate the murder, and the prospect of coming face to face with Maggie is leaving him unnaturally rattled. He's known for his iron tight control, but his old partner left quite a few unresolved feelings that now must be confronted.
It was more than the unsub potentially being close enough to be a threat. It was the fact that the last time he and Maggie were alone, she'd been in his arms. Even with the case hanging over their heads, the memory stood between them almost like a living thing.
To be honest, I liked the idea of these two together, but the romance fell short for me. Vic and Maggie had an interesting past, but I feel as if we only barely broke their surface. Individually, we know that Vic's marriage didn't work out because of his inability to show emotion and their incompatibility. We know that Maggie's parents were controlling and disapproving of her life choices, but it didn't stop her from following her own heart. But as a whole, I would have liked to have seen them drawn out in more depth. And due to the number of murders piling up, their relationship build was pretty non-existent.
After the first murder, a group of friends hike into the forest together and all hell breaks loose. More bodies are found, and Maggie and Vic must race against the clock to hunt down the unknown predator in the forest. Clearly, there seems to be a personal connection to the victims, because the tally is escalating at an alarming rate. Through flashbacks from the hikers' POV and the investigation, we learn that these young friends are not who they appear to be. Secrets and jealousy run rampant, and just when you think you've pegged the unsub, you're given new facts that lead you away in another direction.
Typically I like a heavy dose of romance in what I read, but I didn't need it here. I still enjoyed their dynamic together and I could easily see them flourishing. Vic was very protective and caring, but he didn't coddle her. He had faith in her ability to contribute to the case and didn't prevent her from stepping into the danger for fear of her safety. He saw her as an equal. Maggie seemed to understand his quirks and accepted him as he was. She was also a straight shooter just like him, and they weren't the type to play games. Though their future was unresolved in the end, I was optimistic that they would find happiness together in the future.
Though this is the second in the series, but it's a very loosely connected standalone so it's completely safe to read out of order. I would recommend this to readers who love a good mystery. This book had my guessing the entire way and in the end none of my theories were correct. Well played, Ms. Robert. Well played. I look forward to reading more of this series in the future.
Her park had been tainted. They said one never escaped the sins of their past, but she hadn’t realized she’d bring that truth with her when she made her home in Montana.
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August 24, 2017
3 stars - Romantic Suspense
February 7, 2025
I didn't realize until I came here to rate this, that it was second in a series. Well, good thing they are interconnected standalones.
Who knew Katee Robert once wrote romantic suspense? Not I, but I do hope she returns to it once in a while because this was excellent. First time reading romantic suspense - with an actual suspense/mystery plot focus, not just a suspenseful romance with lots of tension? Start here.
Who knew Katee Robert once wrote romantic suspense? Not I, but I do hope she returns to it once in a while because this was excellent. First time reading romantic suspense - with an actual suspense/mystery plot focus, not just a suspenseful romance with lots of tension? Start here.
December 23, 2022
not sure if its the authors intention, but the romance felt rushed and secondary to the mystery plotline. while the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, it also felt very “young adult” considering the investigation revolved around a serial killing of teenage hikers. even though the two elements clashed and were not well balanced, this was still a riveting read. i would recommend if you enjoy Mia Sheridans brand of romantic suspense/thriller.
(read as an audiobook)
(read as an audiobook)
September 2, 2017
I've given this a B- at AAR, so that's 3.5 stars rounded up.
I enjoyed Katee Robert’s first foray into romantic suspense, The Devil's Daughter earlier this year, even though I felt that the balance between the two elements wasn’t quite right and that the suspense plot worked better than the romance. I’m afraid I have similar reservations about The Hunting Grounds, which, while it is well-written and has an intriguing plot about a serial killer who is hunting and murdering his victims in national parks, suffers from somewhat uneven pacing and a lack of strong chemistry between the leads.
Seven years earlier, Maggie Gaines was a rookie with the FBI Behavioural Analysis Unit partnered with Vic Sutherland, one of the unit’s most experienced and successful agents. Her first case proved to be an incredibly tough one – involving a child killer – and after a year of working on it, it broke her and she left the Bureau, burned out and feeling like a failure. At her lowest ebb, she reached out to her partner for comfort – which turned into a passionate kiss, even though she knew Vic was married and off limits.
Maggie now works as a Park Ranger at Glacier National Park in Montana. She’s good at her job and is happy with her quiet life and small circle of friends; she’s not an especially social person and likes it that way. But when she is called to the scene of a gruesome murder within Glacier, she finds herself thrust headlong back into the world she thought she had left behind seven years ago.
Vic Sutherland has been working the case of a killer who has so far murdered two victims in two different national parks. The MO in each case is the same – and is the same as the newly found victim in Montana, making three killings in nine months. The FBI has a serial killer on its hands and the lack of time between the last murder and this latest one indicates that he’s escalating and that there is likely to be another one soon. Vic arrives at Glacier and meets with the medical examiner, who confirms to him that the latest victim was hunted and ‘field dressed’ in the same gruesome way as the others. His next step is to interview the rangers who found the body – one of whom is Maggie Gaines, who, he feels sure, isn’t going to be all that pleased to see him.
Maggie is surprised to see Vic after all this time – and equally surprised to discover he’s been divorced for five years – and it doesn’t take her long to figure out that his presence signifies that they are dealing with more than a ‘simple’ case of murder. Plus, seeing him again is unsettling; they haven’t had any contact since she left the Bureau, but even so, she has never forgotten their ill-judged kiss and having him around stirs up feelings she’d thought long buried. She’s curt and off-hand with him to begin with, but they soon find their way back to something resembling their old working relationship, bouncing ideas and theories off each other and generally working as a good team.
Their focus quickly turns to a group of five twenty-something hikers who had arrived at the park earlier in the day with plans for a ten day hike. When one of the group is found dead, her body horribly mutilated by a bear, it seems that Maggie and Vic’s suspicions that the earlier killings were a ‘trial run’ for a concerted attack on that particular group of friends were well founded. While they try to find the killer and work out why those people are being targeted, a search and rescue operation gets underway to try to find the rest of the group and get them to safety before the killer can strike again.
I did enjoy the book, but it has quite a few flaws that have prevented me from rating it more highly. I like second chance romances as a rule, and in a story such as this one where there is a split focus, incorporating a relationship between people who already know each other can be an advantage because less time is needed to set it up. On the plus side, Vic and Maggie act like sensible adults; they don’t have time to engage in silly misunderstandings or mind games -they fancy each other, they’re single adults and they don’t waste time acting on their mutual attraction. But they haven’t seen or otherwise communicated with each other in seven years, and while we’re told the mutual attraction they experienced back then has never gone away, the on-the-page chemistry between them wasn’t strong enough for me to buy that they’d be talking about a long-term relationship within two or three days of reconnecting. The book ends abruptly, with hasty ILYs and with the suggestion of an HFN, which brings the deficiencies in the romance into even sharper focus.
The suspense plot is well executed and although it moves fairly slowly, that gives the author time to build a sense of menace, allowing readers to wonder who will be the next victim as we, along with Maggie and Vic, try to see the pattern and work out the killer’s motive. I didn’t mind the slower pace, but some of the PoV switches – from Maggie and Vic to the hikers and then to the odd flashback which tells us more about why they’re such a dysfunctional group of friends – interrupt the flow of the narrative, which I found frustrating on more than one occasion. I couldn’t help thinking that maybe the flashback parts would have worked better in a prologue.
I’m the first person to admit that I’m not that great at working out whodunit, so I was surprised by the final reveal of the killer’s identity, and I also enjoyed Ms. Robert’s vivid descriptions of the wonderful scenery and the sheer majesty of the surroundings in which most of the book is set, which put the reader right in the middle of what sounds like one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
The Hunting Grounds is the second book in the Hidden Sins series but as it’s only loosely linked to the first – Vic appeared briefly in The Devil's Daughter as Eden Collins’ FBI partner – it can easily be read as a standalone. I’m giving it a qualified recommendation because the suspense angle is well done and held my attention sufficiently that I was eager to find out what was going on, but the romance takes a back seat, so if you prefer your romantic suspense to have a better balance between those two elements, you might want to adjust your expectations if you’re planning on picking this one up.
I enjoyed Katee Robert’s first foray into romantic suspense, The Devil's Daughter earlier this year, even though I felt that the balance between the two elements wasn’t quite right and that the suspense plot worked better than the romance. I’m afraid I have similar reservations about The Hunting Grounds, which, while it is well-written and has an intriguing plot about a serial killer who is hunting and murdering his victims in national parks, suffers from somewhat uneven pacing and a lack of strong chemistry between the leads.
Seven years earlier, Maggie Gaines was a rookie with the FBI Behavioural Analysis Unit partnered with Vic Sutherland, one of the unit’s most experienced and successful agents. Her first case proved to be an incredibly tough one – involving a child killer – and after a year of working on it, it broke her and she left the Bureau, burned out and feeling like a failure. At her lowest ebb, she reached out to her partner for comfort – which turned into a passionate kiss, even though she knew Vic was married and off limits.
Maggie now works as a Park Ranger at Glacier National Park in Montana. She’s good at her job and is happy with her quiet life and small circle of friends; she’s not an especially social person and likes it that way. But when she is called to the scene of a gruesome murder within Glacier, she finds herself thrust headlong back into the world she thought she had left behind seven years ago.
Vic Sutherland has been working the case of a killer who has so far murdered two victims in two different national parks. The MO in each case is the same – and is the same as the newly found victim in Montana, making three killings in nine months. The FBI has a serial killer on its hands and the lack of time between the last murder and this latest one indicates that he’s escalating and that there is likely to be another one soon. Vic arrives at Glacier and meets with the medical examiner, who confirms to him that the latest victim was hunted and ‘field dressed’ in the same gruesome way as the others. His next step is to interview the rangers who found the body – one of whom is Maggie Gaines, who, he feels sure, isn’t going to be all that pleased to see him.
Maggie is surprised to see Vic after all this time – and equally surprised to discover he’s been divorced for five years – and it doesn’t take her long to figure out that his presence signifies that they are dealing with more than a ‘simple’ case of murder. Plus, seeing him again is unsettling; they haven’t had any contact since she left the Bureau, but even so, she has never forgotten their ill-judged kiss and having him around stirs up feelings she’d thought long buried. She’s curt and off-hand with him to begin with, but they soon find their way back to something resembling their old working relationship, bouncing ideas and theories off each other and generally working as a good team.
Their focus quickly turns to a group of five twenty-something hikers who had arrived at the park earlier in the day with plans for a ten day hike. When one of the group is found dead, her body horribly mutilated by a bear, it seems that Maggie and Vic’s suspicions that the earlier killings were a ‘trial run’ for a concerted attack on that particular group of friends were well founded. While they try to find the killer and work out why those people are being targeted, a search and rescue operation gets underway to try to find the rest of the group and get them to safety before the killer can strike again.
I did enjoy the book, but it has quite a few flaws that have prevented me from rating it more highly. I like second chance romances as a rule, and in a story such as this one where there is a split focus, incorporating a relationship between people who already know each other can be an advantage because less time is needed to set it up. On the plus side, Vic and Maggie act like sensible adults; they don’t have time to engage in silly misunderstandings or mind games -they fancy each other, they’re single adults and they don’t waste time acting on their mutual attraction. But they haven’t seen or otherwise communicated with each other in seven years, and while we’re told the mutual attraction they experienced back then has never gone away, the on-the-page chemistry between them wasn’t strong enough for me to buy that they’d be talking about a long-term relationship within two or three days of reconnecting. The book ends abruptly, with hasty ILYs and with the suggestion of an HFN, which brings the deficiencies in the romance into even sharper focus.
The suspense plot is well executed and although it moves fairly slowly, that gives the author time to build a sense of menace, allowing readers to wonder who will be the next victim as we, along with Maggie and Vic, try to see the pattern and work out the killer’s motive. I didn’t mind the slower pace, but some of the PoV switches – from Maggie and Vic to the hikers and then to the odd flashback which tells us more about why they’re such a dysfunctional group of friends – interrupt the flow of the narrative, which I found frustrating on more than one occasion. I couldn’t help thinking that maybe the flashback parts would have worked better in a prologue.
I’m the first person to admit that I’m not that great at working out whodunit, so I was surprised by the final reveal of the killer’s identity, and I also enjoyed Ms. Robert’s vivid descriptions of the wonderful scenery and the sheer majesty of the surroundings in which most of the book is set, which put the reader right in the middle of what sounds like one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
The Hunting Grounds is the second book in the Hidden Sins series but as it’s only loosely linked to the first – Vic appeared briefly in The Devil's Daughter as Eden Collins’ FBI partner – it can easily be read as a standalone. I’m giving it a qualified recommendation because the suspense angle is well done and held my attention sufficiently that I was eager to find out what was going on, but the romance takes a back seat, so if you prefer your romantic suspense to have a better balance between those two elements, you might want to adjust your expectations if you’re planning on picking this one up.
July 28, 2017
Revenge is a dish best served cold . . .
Wow, Katee Roberts has written an unforgettable serial murder mystery, filled with suspense and liberally sprinkled with romance to make this another superb read from this highly talented author. This is definitely one of those select few books where I suggest you forget reading any reviews and go straight to read the book, it is brilliant IMHO!
Maggie Gaines was top of her class whilst training to become an FBI agent but the horrendous first case had her leaving the job. Now she’s working as a ranger in the Glacier National Park when the body of a woman is discovered in the Park . . . a woman who has been murdered, then treated like she’s just a piece of meat. After this horrific discovery Vic Sutherland is brought in to investigate. It turns out this is the third such killing, each in a different National Park, apparently by the same perpetrator. Maggie was Vic’s partner during her time in the FBI and she was very attracted to him, but he was married then. Now he’s divorced and the attraction between them is mutual but there’s a serial murderer to apprehend before he can find more victims . . . . can they survive the deadly archer? With danger in the wilderness, it isn’t only the bears they need to avoid!
This is another superb, action packed suspense thriller that has so many twists, it is a real roller coaster ride! I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and have no hesitation in highly recommending it – definitely one of my favourite reads this year and one I hope you don’t miss out on reading! If you do read it, hope you enjoy it as much as I did – definitely a 5* read for me!
I requested and was lucky enough to be given a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it – I just couldn’t wait to do so!
Wow, Katee Roberts has written an unforgettable serial murder mystery, filled with suspense and liberally sprinkled with romance to make this another superb read from this highly talented author. This is definitely one of those select few books where I suggest you forget reading any reviews and go straight to read the book, it is brilliant IMHO!
Maggie Gaines was top of her class whilst training to become an FBI agent but the horrendous first case had her leaving the job. Now she’s working as a ranger in the Glacier National Park when the body of a woman is discovered in the Park . . . a woman who has been murdered, then treated like she’s just a piece of meat. After this horrific discovery Vic Sutherland is brought in to investigate. It turns out this is the third such killing, each in a different National Park, apparently by the same perpetrator. Maggie was Vic’s partner during her time in the FBI and she was very attracted to him, but he was married then. Now he’s divorced and the attraction between them is mutual but there’s a serial murderer to apprehend before he can find more victims . . . . can they survive the deadly archer? With danger in the wilderness, it isn’t only the bears they need to avoid!
This is another superb, action packed suspense thriller that has so many twists, it is a real roller coaster ride! I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and have no hesitation in highly recommending it – definitely one of my favourite reads this year and one I hope you don’t miss out on reading! If you do read it, hope you enjoy it as much as I did – definitely a 5* read for me!
I requested and was lucky enough to be given a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it – I just couldn’t wait to do so!
March 27, 2024
I honestly had no idea who the real killer was until it was revealed. I'd like to thank my work and my dog for keeping me distracted from looking further into the clues.
June 18, 2017
This just didn't hit the spot for me. Fell pretty flat, actually. I don't think Romantic Suspense is quite Roberts genre. The basic bones of the plotline is decent; but the characters were bland and there was so much cliche and overused tropes. There was far too much descriptive writing and various characters spending time in their own heads.
There were numerous and pointless flashbacks, and the hiking group and their issues were just soap opera drama. .The hashing and rehashing of past events (with both the main couple and the hiking group) got tiresome and repetitive. Everything in the story was just too obvious and easy.
I will not be looking to read anything else by this author
There were numerous and pointless flashbacks, and the hiking group and their issues were just soap opera drama. .The hashing and rehashing of past events (with both the main couple and the hiking group) got tiresome and repetitive. Everything in the story was just too obvious and easy.
I will not be looking to read anything else by this author
May 31, 2018
3.5 Stars
I really enjoyed the first book in this series so it was a no brainer to read this one. Both books can be read as standalones as there is very little that interconnects the two.
Let me start off by telling you that if you are hoping for a romantic suspense, don't expect much romance in this book. This is definitely more suspense with a tad of romance added in. Her first book was very much the same way, so I was not shocked to find the same with this one. However, I still enjoyed the overall plot.
As you know for the blurb, Maggie is now a park ranger. Vic is still in the BAU and is currently tracking a murder who's victims are hikers. After a lone hiker is found strung up in Maggie's park, Vic is called in because it fits the description of his killer. Maggie and Vic have a past, but this part of the story, the romance, is definitely a second thought as it is not well plotted out and honestly, I could care less. LOL
We meet a group of young hikers, who you know will be on the radar for the killer. This is where Katee excels in this story. She does a great job of building the suspense and tension; she leaves us little bread crumbs, and has us guessing who the killer could possibly be. I may have figured out who it was, but it was still enticing to read. While I enjoyed how Katee plotted things out, I did wish she delved into more about the killer and the why's behind it.
Overall, it was ok read for me. I felt that the romance portion fell completely flat and this book should just be considered suspense not romantic suspense. There were some things that were left unknown between the secondary characters and they seemed to be an important part of the book, so I expected more there too. As I said, if you are hoping for a romantic suspense, don't expect much romance in this one. There's a ton of suspense with a splash of romance added in. But again, I still enjoyed the plot enough to give the book 3.5 stars.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series so it was a no brainer to read this one. Both books can be read as standalones as there is very little that interconnects the two.
Let me start off by telling you that if you are hoping for a romantic suspense, don't expect much romance in this book. This is definitely more suspense with a tad of romance added in. Her first book was very much the same way, so I was not shocked to find the same with this one. However, I still enjoyed the overall plot.
As you know for the blurb, Maggie is now a park ranger. Vic is still in the BAU and is currently tracking a murder who's victims are hikers. After a lone hiker is found strung up in Maggie's park, Vic is called in because it fits the description of his killer. Maggie and Vic have a past, but this part of the story, the romance, is definitely a second thought as it is not well plotted out and honestly, I could care less. LOL
We meet a group of young hikers, who you know will be on the radar for the killer. This is where Katee excels in this story. She does a great job of building the suspense and tension; she leaves us little bread crumbs, and has us guessing who the killer could possibly be. I may have figured out who it was, but it was still enticing to read. While I enjoyed how Katee plotted things out, I did wish she delved into more about the killer and the why's behind it.
Overall, it was ok read for me. I felt that the romance portion fell completely flat and this book should just be considered suspense not romantic suspense. There were some things that were left unknown between the secondary characters and they seemed to be an important part of the book, so I expected more there too. As I said, if you are hoping for a romantic suspense, don't expect much romance in this one. There's a ton of suspense with a splash of romance added in. But again, I still enjoyed the plot enough to give the book 3.5 stars.
August 5, 2017
This book takes off like a streak of lightning. We meet Vic and Maggie again but under much different circumstances. Maggie a park ranger in Glacier National Park, loves her job and the park. It's what she needed after leaving the BAU/FBI feeling like she couldn't handle the stress. Or Vic and the one kiss they shared. She's happy and content. She likes the backwoods so she doesn't have to deal with the tourists, people aren't her thing.
When a body is discovered in the park, shot with a bow and field dressed strung up between two trees, Vic is called in. He's investigated two other similar killings in other parks. This is the first time they've seen each other in 6 years.
The story weaves back an forth between the present with a short narration of the past by one of the younger characters who is among the hunted. Clearly they quickly discover a pattern to the killings and it seems someone is targeting a group of friends who have grown up in the area, hike the park often and want one last get together hiking into the mountains. They have given the rangers their route. Bodies are turning up, some seem unrelated until they get a break, albeit a small one yet Katee puts so many twists and turns into this story, just when you think you know who the killer is... forget it. You haven't got a clue. And neither do the investigators.
This book is edgy, short on romance but worked well in this book and Katee hit her stride in this one.
I liked this much better than book one. This is a page turner and keeps you on edge. Which is apparent that's where the author wants you.
I had to give this 5 stars simply because it's so well written and the plot line is killer. No pun intended. Backstory is great, so you really get a feel for what's going on, and the setting... stunning.
Glacier is a favorite place of mine.
**arc from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for a fair review** (post release date)
When a body is discovered in the park, shot with a bow and field dressed strung up between two trees, Vic is called in. He's investigated two other similar killings in other parks. This is the first time they've seen each other in 6 years.
The story weaves back an forth between the present with a short narration of the past by one of the younger characters who is among the hunted. Clearly they quickly discover a pattern to the killings and it seems someone is targeting a group of friends who have grown up in the area, hike the park often and want one last get together hiking into the mountains. They have given the rangers their route. Bodies are turning up, some seem unrelated until they get a break, albeit a small one yet Katee puts so many twists and turns into this story, just when you think you know who the killer is... forget it. You haven't got a clue. And neither do the investigators.
This book is edgy, short on romance but worked well in this book and Katee hit her stride in this one.
I liked this much better than book one. This is a page turner and keeps you on edge. Which is apparent that's where the author wants you.
I had to give this 5 stars simply because it's so well written and the plot line is killer. No pun intended. Backstory is great, so you really get a feel for what's going on, and the setting... stunning.
Glacier is a favorite place of mine.
**arc from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for a fair review** (post release date)
July 3, 2017
Glacier National Park has always had animal predators living in its forest but now it has a human one. A particularly cunning one with a gruesome MO for their kills..
Maggie Gaines is the park ranger called to the scene of a murdered woman strung up in the forest of the park. The gruesomeness of the scene is not something she'd ever thought she'd see as park ranger. Eight years ago she walked away from her job with the FBI BSU unit due to not being able to handle the things she saw on the job and here she is again staring at the depravity of a killers hand. If that wasn't bad enough the FBI agent sent to take over the case is her ex partner she hasn't seen since she walked away from the FBI.
Vic Sutherland is the only character (other than his boss) that's from the first book. He was Eden Collins partner and since she took a new job at the end of that book he has a new partner now. He had already been investigating two murders in other national parks, and when a third happens in Glacier National Park the FBI knows they have a serial killer on their hands. He knows when he is sent there that he is going to have to face his past – which is his ex partner Maggie.
Along with trying to find the killer, 5 hikers go missing. Is this tied to the previous killings, are these 5 in danger from the killer?
This was an engaging suspense that kept me riveted till the end..
Maggie Gaines is the park ranger called to the scene of a murdered woman strung up in the forest of the park. The gruesomeness of the scene is not something she'd ever thought she'd see as park ranger. Eight years ago she walked away from her job with the FBI BSU unit due to not being able to handle the things she saw on the job and here she is again staring at the depravity of a killers hand. If that wasn't bad enough the FBI agent sent to take over the case is her ex partner she hasn't seen since she walked away from the FBI.
Vic Sutherland is the only character (other than his boss) that's from the first book. He was Eden Collins partner and since she took a new job at the end of that book he has a new partner now. He had already been investigating two murders in other national parks, and when a third happens in Glacier National Park the FBI knows they have a serial killer on their hands. He knows when he is sent there that he is going to have to face his past – which is his ex partner Maggie.
Along with trying to find the killer, 5 hikers go missing. Is this tied to the previous killings, are these 5 in danger from the killer?
This was an engaging suspense that kept me riveted till the end..
February 9, 2022
3.5 stars
The second book in this “Hidden Sins” series can be read as a standalone. This time the murders are happening in Glacier, a National Park where predators includes bears.
I wasn’t expecting the direction the story was going and how it involved a group of friends. The murder was fast but the field dressing were done to the bodies after the kill and waiting to be found were quite gruesome. I have a lot of questions about the motive, feels rather iffy to me.
The romance was not prominent but the main characters are likeable. However as a previous FBI and current ranger, the last thing Maggie did before the twist was quite silly and risky. The ending was also rather abrupt.
The second book in this “Hidden Sins” series can be read as a standalone. This time the murders are happening in Glacier, a National Park where predators includes bears.
I wasn’t expecting the direction the story was going and how it involved a group of friends. The murder was fast but the field dressing were done to the bodies after the kill and waiting to be found were quite gruesome. I have a lot of questions about the motive, feels rather iffy to me.
The romance was not prominent but the main characters are likeable. However as a previous FBI and current ranger, the last thing Maggie did before the twist was quite silly and risky. The ending was also rather abrupt.
October 24, 2021
Never thought that I would this series to the point that I would be I would binge listen to all three books one after the other (thank you October).
But yep, highly recommend it even though the 1st book was a bit confusing but the following books improves a lot and this book had the biggest “what the fuck is that ending” in a good way of course.
But yep, highly recommend it even though the 1st book was a bit confusing but the following books improves a lot and this book had the biggest “what the fuck is that ending” in a good way of course.
September 9, 2023
I really enjoyed this. It was an exciting hunt for the killer and I really didn't know who it was, even up to the end. It had LAURA GRIFFIN's series the Tracers vibe and I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
January 24, 2022
3.5 rounded up. Alternated this one between kindle and audio, a nice time filler. Completely ignoring the BUT PROFESSIONALISM side of things again and that serves me nicely 😂
August 30, 2017
Originally posted at SmexyBooks-http://smexybooks.com/2017/08/review-...
Maggie Gaines resigned from the FBI after she fell apart during her first high profile case and she got a little too close to her married partner. Now a park ranger in the Glacier National Park, she has found some semblance of peace, but a series of murders in her park threatens to destroy that peace when she is forced to work with the one man she ran from all those years ago.
FBI agent Vic Sutherland has been hunting the National Park serial killer for months; always one step behind them. While he knows that the latest murder will reunite him with his old partner, he’s still not prepared for the heat of attraction that flares between them when they meet up face to face.
As Maggie and Vic hit the ground running they find their list of suspects growing with only themselves to trust. But unless they can unmask the killer, they may be his next victims.
The Hunting Grounds is the 2nd in Robert’s dark romance suspense series, Hidden Sins. Fans will remember Vic Sutherland from book one; he was Eden’s FBI partner. Though this is part of the series, it is loosely connected and functions as a stand alone.
This book starts off slow as Roberts painstakingly lays the foundation for the story; a serial killer hunting in a national park balances precariously with the second chance romance. We are at Robert’s mercy as she spends a considerable amount of time building up our anticipation of our hero and heroine’s reunion by divulging into their shared background and offering up clues as to their emotional status. There is large information flow which left me a little confused to exactly what is happening; especially when Robert’s introduces another storyline with a completely separate group of characters through a series of flips that tell their story in the present and past.
I had a hard time warming to Maggie. She has a large chip on her shoulder because of her leaving the FBI. She pushes to convince herself and everyone else around her she is neither damaged or a failure while struggling with the guilt of wanting her then married partner. Her need to prove herself had her acting childish in the beginning but luckily she settles. Strong and intelligent, Maggie comes across as a loner who’s more comfortable in the field than in an office.
Vic Sutherland is her exact opposite. A former Navy Seal, he is calm, cool, collected, and a bit of a control freak. He too felt guilt over wanting his former partner and the single kiss they shared rocked him but now that he’s divorced, all bets are off.
Romantic suspense is tricky. It’s not easy to develop a suitable intriguing mystery while drawing out and viable romance. Book one had it down pat perfectly but this one missed the target. I think part of the issue was in book one, the protagonist has a personal connection to the conflict. In here, the connection is between the hero and heroine and it didn’t create the atmosphere I was hoping for. The edgy suspense and intrigue is nonexistent; we have no interaction at all with the killer and the crime scenes come across very blase in the description. I always felt on the outside looking in from the narrative.
I liked Vic and Maggie though I never felt connected to them. They fit each other and Robert builds their romance, heightening the chemistry while allowing them the time to reacquaint themselves with one another. Unfortunately, both protagonists spend entirely too much time in their head trying to find away to move past their issues to find common ground. Also, the mystery itself overpowers the romance, leaving it more as an afterthought than an equal player. Vic and Maggie needed more time and they don’t get it in here.
The mystery was quite convoluted as Robert works it from two angles. After the first murder is discovered in the park, Robert flashes to a group of friends who are hiking the park in an attempt to reconnect. The book then flips between Maggie and Vic ‘s investigation and the hikers, flashing between the past and the present as Robert tosses us clues to the killer and their reasons. It becomes very confusing. Especially when it becomes clear that Maggie and Vic aren’t the only relationship in the story. The hikers, in their early 20s, are a swirling pool of new adult drama that reads awkward and out of place.
Luckily by the 50% mark the pace picks up considerably and we begin to see the forest for the trees. The killer and their motives become clear and we speed towards the conclusion with considerably more action. The ending comes at us fast and Robert leaves us abruptly with no real resolution to the romance beyond an acknowledgment of feelings.
While I enjoyed book one I had issues with this one. I really wish the focus would have continued on the conflict from book one. The new couple, setting, and additional characters with no real connection created a discombobulated feeling that never went away.
Grade: D
Maggie Gaines resigned from the FBI after she fell apart during her first high profile case and she got a little too close to her married partner. Now a park ranger in the Glacier National Park, she has found some semblance of peace, but a series of murders in her park threatens to destroy that peace when she is forced to work with the one man she ran from all those years ago.
FBI agent Vic Sutherland has been hunting the National Park serial killer for months; always one step behind them. While he knows that the latest murder will reunite him with his old partner, he’s still not prepared for the heat of attraction that flares between them when they meet up face to face.
As Maggie and Vic hit the ground running they find their list of suspects growing with only themselves to trust. But unless they can unmask the killer, they may be his next victims.
The Hunting Grounds is the 2nd in Robert’s dark romance suspense series, Hidden Sins. Fans will remember Vic Sutherland from book one; he was Eden’s FBI partner. Though this is part of the series, it is loosely connected and functions as a stand alone.
This book starts off slow as Roberts painstakingly lays the foundation for the story; a serial killer hunting in a national park balances precariously with the second chance romance. We are at Robert’s mercy as she spends a considerable amount of time building up our anticipation of our hero and heroine’s reunion by divulging into their shared background and offering up clues as to their emotional status. There is large information flow which left me a little confused to exactly what is happening; especially when Robert’s introduces another storyline with a completely separate group of characters through a series of flips that tell their story in the present and past.
I had a hard time warming to Maggie. She has a large chip on her shoulder because of her leaving the FBI. She pushes to convince herself and everyone else around her she is neither damaged or a failure while struggling with the guilt of wanting her then married partner. Her need to prove herself had her acting childish in the beginning but luckily she settles. Strong and intelligent, Maggie comes across as a loner who’s more comfortable in the field than in an office.
Vic Sutherland is her exact opposite. A former Navy Seal, he is calm, cool, collected, and a bit of a control freak. He too felt guilt over wanting his former partner and the single kiss they shared rocked him but now that he’s divorced, all bets are off.
Romantic suspense is tricky. It’s not easy to develop a suitable intriguing mystery while drawing out and viable romance. Book one had it down pat perfectly but this one missed the target. I think part of the issue was in book one, the protagonist has a personal connection to the conflict. In here, the connection is between the hero and heroine and it didn’t create the atmosphere I was hoping for. The edgy suspense and intrigue is nonexistent; we have no interaction at all with the killer and the crime scenes come across very blase in the description. I always felt on the outside looking in from the narrative.
I liked Vic and Maggie though I never felt connected to them. They fit each other and Robert builds their romance, heightening the chemistry while allowing them the time to reacquaint themselves with one another. Unfortunately, both protagonists spend entirely too much time in their head trying to find away to move past their issues to find common ground. Also, the mystery itself overpowers the romance, leaving it more as an afterthought than an equal player. Vic and Maggie needed more time and they don’t get it in here.
The mystery was quite convoluted as Robert works it from two angles. After the first murder is discovered in the park, Robert flashes to a group of friends who are hiking the park in an attempt to reconnect. The book then flips between Maggie and Vic ‘s investigation and the hikers, flashing between the past and the present as Robert tosses us clues to the killer and their reasons. It becomes very confusing. Especially when it becomes clear that Maggie and Vic aren’t the only relationship in the story. The hikers, in their early 20s, are a swirling pool of new adult drama that reads awkward and out of place.
Luckily by the 50% mark the pace picks up considerably and we begin to see the forest for the trees. The killer and their motives become clear and we speed towards the conclusion with considerably more action. The ending comes at us fast and Robert leaves us abruptly with no real resolution to the romance beyond an acknowledgment of feelings.
While I enjoyed book one I had issues with this one. I really wish the focus would have continued on the conflict from book one. The new couple, setting, and additional characters with no real connection created a discombobulated feeling that never went away.
Grade: D
July 26, 2017
Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher for advancing me a copy of “The Hunting Grounds” by Katee Robert in exchange for an honest review.
I was going to rate this novel two stars but I can't. I can only give it one as it sucked. Sorry folks, but I was bored out of my mind. Most definitely not thrilling or suspenseful. Half-way thru I had no choice but to start skimming thru just to end my misery. So long and so boring. I wanted to bang my head against the table it sucked so bad. The story, the characters and even the ending, I didn't like any of it.
I was going to rate this novel two stars but I can't. I can only give it one as it sucked. Sorry folks, but I was bored out of my mind. Most definitely not thrilling or suspenseful. Half-way thru I had no choice but to start skimming thru just to end my misery. So long and so boring. I wanted to bang my head against the table it sucked so bad. The story, the characters and even the ending, I didn't like any of it.
July 21, 2017
This was a great, suspenseful thriller, and it was very exciting! 4.5 Stars!
Maggie Gaines used to be a FBI profiler. For a year, she was at the top of her game, working for the Behavioral Analysis Unit, and hunting down serial killers, until she flamed out. Her first case was a doozy, and it caused her to quit the FBI, and run away. From everything, and everyone, including the partner she had no business wanting. She ended up in Glacier National Park, as a park ranger. She loves the park, and mostly, she loves her job. But all the tourists, not so much. She spends most of her time in the back country, and she likes it that way. Until a mutilated murder victim shows up in her safe place, and she knows everything is about to change again.
Vic Sutherland is a well-trained FBI agent with the BAU. He's been tracking a serial killer who's been murdering their victims in different National Parks over the last many months. He gets the call about the body in Glacier, and he knows that he's going to see his old partner again. Maggie. The one that got away, both in work, and in life. He is anxious to see her again, but he doesn't think she'll be thrilled to see him. He is trying to remain professional, and put the case first, but he knows it will be difficult. He's been chasing this un-sub through 3 different National Parks, and he has a bad feeling the killer isn't done with Glacier just yet, so he has to be at the top of his game.
This was a very exciting thriller, and it was scary and suspenseful. It was all you'd want in a murder mystery. There were many suspects, and it was difficult to decide who I thought the killer was. As soon as I had a thought, I'd think I was wrong, and maybe it was someone else. I ended up being right, shortly before the reveal, but I still wasn't quite sure, and I loved that, and it kept it a surprise. Vic and Maggie worked great together, and their connection was obvious to everyone else too. While I loved their chemistry and banter, I will say this was along the lines of book 1, where it was 85% thriller, 15% romance, which is much less than I usually prefer.
The author deftly handled the switch from her prior contemporary romance, and romantic suspense, to a true murder thriller, with just a hint of romance. I will say I wish we'd had a little more closure on some of the characters' romantic relationships in the end, but that's the romance reader in me pouting a bit. I also wish we'd had a little more info about the killer, and their motives. It seemed there had to be a lot more going on below the surface, and I would have liked to delve into that a little more. That must be the cop show viewer in me pouting as well.
I don't want to say much more since this is a mystery thriller. I truly enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it!
ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
Maggie Gaines used to be a FBI profiler. For a year, she was at the top of her game, working for the Behavioral Analysis Unit, and hunting down serial killers, until she flamed out. Her first case was a doozy, and it caused her to quit the FBI, and run away. From everything, and everyone, including the partner she had no business wanting. She ended up in Glacier National Park, as a park ranger. She loves the park, and mostly, she loves her job. But all the tourists, not so much. She spends most of her time in the back country, and she likes it that way. Until a mutilated murder victim shows up in her safe place, and she knows everything is about to change again.
Vic Sutherland is a well-trained FBI agent with the BAU. He's been tracking a serial killer who's been murdering their victims in different National Parks over the last many months. He gets the call about the body in Glacier, and he knows that he's going to see his old partner again. Maggie. The one that got away, both in work, and in life. He is anxious to see her again, but he doesn't think she'll be thrilled to see him. He is trying to remain professional, and put the case first, but he knows it will be difficult. He's been chasing this un-sub through 3 different National Parks, and he has a bad feeling the killer isn't done with Glacier just yet, so he has to be at the top of his game.
This was a very exciting thriller, and it was scary and suspenseful. It was all you'd want in a murder mystery. There were many suspects, and it was difficult to decide who I thought the killer was. As soon as I had a thought, I'd think I was wrong, and maybe it was someone else. I ended up being right, shortly before the reveal, but I still wasn't quite sure, and I loved that, and it kept it a surprise. Vic and Maggie worked great together, and their connection was obvious to everyone else too. While I loved their chemistry and banter, I will say this was along the lines of book 1, where it was 85% thriller, 15% romance, which is much less than I usually prefer.
The author deftly handled the switch from her prior contemporary romance, and romantic suspense, to a true murder thriller, with just a hint of romance. I will say I wish we'd had a little more closure on some of the characters' romantic relationships in the end, but that's the romance reader in me pouting a bit. I also wish we'd had a little more info about the killer, and their motives. It seemed there had to be a lot more going on below the surface, and I would have liked to delve into that a little more. That must be the cop show viewer in me pouting as well.
I don't want to say much more since this is a mystery thriller. I truly enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it!
ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club
August 1, 2017
Reviewed by Gemini
The Hunting Grounds is the second book in Katee Robert’s The Hidden Sins Series. I did read the first book and can assure you that this is a standalone read. As with The Devil’s Daughter, the mystery was difficult to figure out and the situation was rather intense. I really liked the fact that most of the action took place within Glacier National Park making for some impressive scenery.
While tracking a serial killer through a couple of national parks, FBI Agent Vic Sutherland finds himself working with Park Ranger and former FBI Agent Maggie Gaines. Seven years ago, a very difficult case ended Maggie’s very short career as an FBI Agent and Vic’s partner. Over that time, Maggie has become a very adept Park Ranger. Maggie’s world gets turned upside down when she learns that the park is being taken over by a ruthless murderer who is gutting his/her victims and hunting them with a bow and arrow. To add insult to injury, Maggie is still lusting after Vic long after their last contact with each other all those years ago. In addition, Vic has had those same feelings for Maggie that she is not even aware of. As fate would have it, they get a chance to work together again and address their feelings in and out of the bedroom. Somehow, they manage to carry out a comprehensive investigation until the killer puts them both in imminent danger.
Since there are a lot of twists and turns that I don’t want to ruin, I will just say that high school relationships will play a huge roll in everything that happens. I would call The Hunting Grounds the serial killer version of Beverly Hills 90210. There are a lot of unlikely suspects and the murders are gruesome in nature. By the time that I got to the end, I was thrown way off by motive and the big reveal of who the killer really was. Consequently, I had an issue with the motivation but I did enjoy the book. The hero and heroine were likeable and I couldn’t argue with the intensity. I look forward to the next book in the series.
**Received a copy from Montlake Romance and reviewed voluntarily.**
The Hunting Grounds is the second book in Katee Robert’s The Hidden Sins Series. I did read the first book and can assure you that this is a standalone read. As with The Devil’s Daughter, the mystery was difficult to figure out and the situation was rather intense. I really liked the fact that most of the action took place within Glacier National Park making for some impressive scenery.
While tracking a serial killer through a couple of national parks, FBI Agent Vic Sutherland finds himself working with Park Ranger and former FBI Agent Maggie Gaines. Seven years ago, a very difficult case ended Maggie’s very short career as an FBI Agent and Vic’s partner. Over that time, Maggie has become a very adept Park Ranger. Maggie’s world gets turned upside down when she learns that the park is being taken over by a ruthless murderer who is gutting his/her victims and hunting them with a bow and arrow. To add insult to injury, Maggie is still lusting after Vic long after their last contact with each other all those years ago. In addition, Vic has had those same feelings for Maggie that she is not even aware of. As fate would have it, they get a chance to work together again and address their feelings in and out of the bedroom. Somehow, they manage to carry out a comprehensive investigation until the killer puts them both in imminent danger.
Since there are a lot of twists and turns that I don’t want to ruin, I will just say that high school relationships will play a huge roll in everything that happens. I would call The Hunting Grounds the serial killer version of Beverly Hills 90210. There are a lot of unlikely suspects and the murders are gruesome in nature. By the time that I got to the end, I was thrown way off by motive and the big reveal of who the killer really was. Consequently, I had an issue with the motivation but I did enjoy the book. The hero and heroine were likeable and I couldn’t argue with the intensity. I look forward to the next book in the series.
**Received a copy from Montlake Romance and reviewed voluntarily.**
July 24, 2017
***4 Stars***
After finishing The Devil’s Daughter I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series and when it was announced that Vic would be the male lead I was thrilled since I wanted to know more about what made the man tick. And while I enjoyed The Hunting Grounds I found it to be more murder mystery/suspense than romantic suspense. The romance between Vic and Maggie just wasn’t there for me, but considering how invested I was in finding out who the murderer was I found it balanced things out.
As much I liked Vic and Maggie, I just needed more from them when it came to them working towards being a couple. Both are hard working and quite good at their jobs. They had the whole mind meld/finish each other’s thoughts thing going on and despite their rocky reunion, worked well together. But the sexual tension that I wanted to feel when they were together wasn’t quite there for me. I really wanted to go down the rabbit hole with these two on the romance level, but it didn’t quite get there for me.
But while the romance didn’t grab me by the proverbial balls, I was totally invested in finding out who the serial killer was and the motivation behind the murders. I had that whole sitting at the edge of my seat thing going on as the bodies kept piling up and the suspect list was whittled down. I enjoyed the twists and turns throughout the story, I winced a few times at the descriptions of what befell the victims and totally agreed with Vic’s POV when it came to camping (I’m totally with Chunk from The Goonies “I love the dark, but I hate nature). The one, well two-ish things I would have liked a little more of was how those left behind were dealing with the aftermath of it all.
Though the romance fell short for me, I still enjoyed the book and how the hunt for the killer played out and will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series.
~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley
After finishing The Devil’s Daughter I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series and when it was announced that Vic would be the male lead I was thrilled since I wanted to know more about what made the man tick. And while I enjoyed The Hunting Grounds I found it to be more murder mystery/suspense than romantic suspense. The romance between Vic and Maggie just wasn’t there for me, but considering how invested I was in finding out who the murderer was I found it balanced things out.
As much I liked Vic and Maggie, I just needed more from them when it came to them working towards being a couple. Both are hard working and quite good at their jobs. They had the whole mind meld/finish each other’s thoughts thing going on and despite their rocky reunion, worked well together. But the sexual tension that I wanted to feel when they were together wasn’t quite there for me. I really wanted to go down the rabbit hole with these two on the romance level, but it didn’t quite get there for me.
But while the romance didn’t grab me by the proverbial balls, I was totally invested in finding out who the serial killer was and the motivation behind the murders. I had that whole sitting at the edge of my seat thing going on as the bodies kept piling up and the suspect list was whittled down. I enjoyed the twists and turns throughout the story, I winced a few times at the descriptions of what befell the victims and totally agreed with Vic’s POV when it came to camping (I’m totally with Chunk from The Goonies “I love the dark, but I hate nature). The one, well two-ish things I would have liked a little more of was how those left behind were dealing with the aftermath of it all.
Though the romance fell short for me, I still enjoyed the book and how the hunt for the killer played out and will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series.
~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley
July 7, 2020
Questo libro mi è piaciuto più del precedente, forse perché è ambientato in un parco nazionale. Devo dire che il colpevole mi ha colto di sorpresa, sebbene, visto il precedente, mi fosse immaginato che alla fine non sarebbe stato uno di quelli che parevano più papabili.
July 28, 2017
See full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
Every bit as complex as book one but with a totally different storyline, The Hunting Grounds once again proved Katee Robert is more than capable of spinning a thrilling romantic suspense tale that will keep readers on their toes.
I’ve read and enjoyed several books by Katee Robert over the years and was happy to see her new endeavor, romantic suspense, has been just as well written as her contemporary romances. The characters were still genuine and flawed, lending them a realistic feeling and the emotions were varied with each situation her cast faced. The Hunting Grounds had a nice flow to it, with multiple POVs and a nice balance of the relationship between Maggie & Vic and with the investigation into the murders in the park. Read More
Every bit as complex as book one but with a totally different storyline, The Hunting Grounds once again proved Katee Robert is more than capable of spinning a thrilling romantic suspense tale that will keep readers on their toes.
I’ve read and enjoyed several books by Katee Robert over the years and was happy to see her new endeavor, romantic suspense, has been just as well written as her contemporary romances. The characters were still genuine and flawed, lending them a realistic feeling and the emotions were varied with each situation her cast faced. The Hunting Grounds had a nice flow to it, with multiple POVs and a nice balance of the relationship between Maggie & Vic and with the investigation into the murders in the park. Read More
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