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The Finnegan Connection #2

Shadows in the Night

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Is she a suspect or a target?  

A year after the chilling death of her mentor, criminologist Harley Frasier is still rattled. Secretly she's suspected murder all along. Now the unveiling of the Amenmose exhibit is triggering a series of unexplained attacks, and she has only one man to trust. 

FBI special gent Micah Fox is used to charging into dangerous territory to solve a case. Working with a civilian is new ground, especially when she's as irresistible as Harley. He can't say no to her sharp instincts and sexy smile. And with a threat closing in, there's no way in hell he'll leave her unprotected.

171 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2017

639 people are currently reading
1244 people want to read

About the author

Heather Graham

584 books6,938 followers
Also published as Heather Graham Pozzessere and Shannon Drake.

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

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

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

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

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5 stars
425 (40%)
4 stars
326 (31%)
3 stars
224 (21%)
2 stars
53 (5%)
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9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Paula Brandon.
1,273 reviews39 followers
October 27, 2018
The mysterious death of Egyptologist Henry Tomlinson has always seemed like murder to his favourite student, Harley Frasier. But the night he was found dead, Harley and the other students in her team were ushered out of the country over rumours of an insurrection. A year later, a museum display is due to open featuring Henry's discoveries. That's when mysterious accidents start occurring to the people involved in the dig! Coming to the rescue is Special Agent Micah Fox. He was once a student of Henry's, and also believes that his death was not accidental.

This book wasn't very well-written, with flat dialogue and a lot of repetitiveness. In fact, it sometimes felt as if Heather Graham didn't even write it! There was also way too much info-dumping about Amenmose, the Egyptian prince whose tomb they discovered. Harley spends almost as much time trying to figure out who killed the prince as she does who killed her mentor! However, I still quite enjoyed the story. It was all very Scooby-Doo, with a killer wrapping themselves up like a mummy to go after their targets, but it did deliver a couple of spooky and suspenseful sequences!

The romance was pretty flat, with Harley and Micah falling into insta-lust and insta-love, so it wasn't all that engaging. However, because the plot was well-constructed, and I was delivered an entertaining story, I didn't mind too much! This was also the sort of suspense plot you don't get very much in the Intrigue line anymore, so I appreciated that about it as well.
Profile Image for Robin.
1,991 reviews99 followers
November 23, 2018
A year ago, Harley Frasier's mentor, Dr. Henry Tomlinson, a famed Egyptologist, died mysteriously. It was ruled an accident, but Harley always suspected that he was murdered. Now Harley is in New York City at the opening of the Amenmose Exhibit. Most of Dr. Tomlinson's co-workers are at the opening when one of them is attacked. The person claims she was attacked by a mummy and poisoned. Did someone dress as a mummy or has one risen from the dead? FBI Agent Micah Fox is determined to find the person behind the attack.

This is a category romance from the Harlequin Intrigue line. The book actually felt like an old 1940's movie. The hero was there to protect the heroine, there was a whole line-up of murder suspects, and there was a chance that there was a monster on the loose. Parts of the story worked for me, but other parts fell flat. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
Profile Image for Chris.
132 reviews
November 14, 2017
Not one of her better stories. I found it quite dull and had to push to finish it.
Profile Image for Dallass.
2,310 reviews
April 23, 2019
I love a good mummy’s curse

However, while the curse was mentioned, it was done so in a rather off hand manner and was never utilised to great effect. Yet, apart from that rather disappointing plot device fail, I did enjoy the murder mystery aspect of this story. It was well set up and executed, with enough potential killers out there that the red herrings did their job admirably and the identity of who killed the Professor was rather well disguised - up until about 2 pages before the reveal when all the chief suspects ended up in the one location. Then it wasn’t hard to see who did it.

The romance portion of the story was okay. It wasn’t great, and I’m not a fan of insta-love, so I just didn’t buy it. However I was there more for the museum setting and the mystery than the romance so I’m not too disappointed.

In all, not a bad story, just way too short. If the romance was expanded on, the mummy’s curse, and the original murder fleshed out, then this would have made a great full length novel.

3.5 stars
Profile Image for Carolyn.
2,233 reviews
November 5, 2017
I was able to attend King Tut's exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1978 and, like thousands of others, fell in love with it all. It was fabulous and totally fascinating. I still have the poster of Tut's burial mask which I had framed in gold hanging in my living room. I was crazed to save it from my '94 Northridge Earthquake destroyed apartment and it has traveled with me from residence to residence, including my cross country move. So, when I read the back drop to this mystery, I had to read it. Oh yes, I love Heather Graham's books, but I jumped on this one.

It totally lived up to my expectations. There was just enough Egyptian ancient history (including King Tut) to make it interesting without overwhelming the disinterested reader, but peaked my continued interest in the subject. Great to visit with old friends Kieran, Craig and the Finnegan gang again. Fun read!
Profile Image for AG Reads.
464 reviews14 followers
October 21, 2018
I selected a few books from the library because I had never read this author before. I read her book Unhallowed Ground first, which was published in 2009, and then read this one. They are essentially the same book with different character names and locations. It was disappointing how many things were the same, right down to the h having a close friendship with a male cousin. By midway into this book I could predict everything, and really only kept reading out of sheer curiosity to see how much the two books would parallel each other. Even as I read the last line, I could only think, "It's the same book."

Actually, Unhallowed Ground might be better written and more interesting.
Profile Image for Kari.
4,032 reviews96 followers
September 1, 2018
This was a fairly quick read. I don't have much to say about it other than it was kind of dull. The mystery was OK, but the romance was dull. Definitely not this author's best work. It felt like she phoned it in on this one.
Profile Image for Sheila Myers.
Author 16 books21 followers
June 12, 2018
I enjoyed the basic plot of this one, most of the characters, and the history/archeology. On the down side is the fact the killer dresses in a costume that makes that part of the plot a little too silly for my tastes. Also, Heather Graham overused the exclamation point. Probably a little picky on my part, but something any decent writer would recognize.
Profile Image for Holly Stone.
919 reviews2 followers
January 1, 2022
Harley Frasier was with a group last year in the Egyptian Desert when her friend and mentor Henry Tomlinson is murdered at the site. She is the only one talking murder though as everyone has to bug out because of an attack. Now a year later Harley is trying to find answers to Henry's death. F.B.I. Agent Micah Fox is determined to also find the answers to Henry's death and as people once again begin being targeted by someone Micah is determined to also keep Harley safe at all costs
Profile Image for Liz F.
98 reviews4 followers
December 12, 2023
This was a fun one for me. Mummies, curses, suspicion, murder mystery, romance. No third act breakup which is nice 😊 I enjoyed this book
223 reviews7 followers
March 12, 2018
You can never go wrong when a book has a hot FBI agent, a smart, gorgeous investigator/Egyptologist and mystery surrounding mummies! This is a fun, quick read by a fun, quirky author. Harley Frasier was studying criminology and minoring in Egyptology when she had the opportunity to go on a dig searching for the tomb of Amenmose, a prince, in Egypt. The dig was successful in finding Amenmose, but Harley’s mentor, Dr. <> died under mysterious circumstances that never sat right with her. A year later, Harley is working in New York for a private investigations firm, but the memory of the death of her mentor is front and center with the opening of the Amenmose exhibit in NYC.

FBI Agent Micah Fox studied Egyptology under the Dr. <> and immediately tried to look into his death, going so far as traveling to Egypt and speaking on the phone with the team members on the dig. The opening of the Amenmose exhibit brings Agent Fox up to New York, where he meets Harley, the cousin of fellow Agent Craig Frasier. Together, Harley and Micah look into <> death, finding

As I find with some of Ms. Graham’s books, the writing at times is not as smooth and dialogue seems stilted - there have definitely been far better written books by this author. But the plot is interesting, with a fun mix of ancient Egypt lore and modern NYC romance. The characters are likable and have plenty of chemistry. And readers are treated to a visit or two to Finnegan’s on Broadway, with Kieran Finnegan and Agent Craig Fraser (from the NY Confidential series) making appearances. Although not a 5 star read, it is nevertheless a fun way to spend an evening reading.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,639 reviews
July 6, 2018
This was one of Heather Graham's earlier books but still was filled with suspense and romance. A year before, Harley Frasier had been on a dig in Egypt when her mentor and best friend had been murdered. At least she knew it was murder but everyone else was trying to say he killed himself. Now she is working with a museum in New York to display all the artifacts that they had found during the dig and it was a night filled with excitement. FBI Special Agent Micah Fox had also been a close friend of her friend during his time in college and he wanted to solve this murder too. He did not believe that it had been suicide but he needed help finding the clues and putting the pieces together. Together Micah and Harley work to find the missing puzzle pieces and find they have a lot in common. Good read.
Profile Image for Tina.
425 reviews6 followers
November 20, 2017
A quick little mystery. This short book, 250 pages, fits in archeological digs, museums, Mummies, a little bit of danger and some cheeseball light-speed romance. There are a number of plausible suspects right up to the end and the murder method is a bit unusual.

I found the dialogue somewhat repetitive, with major developments being discovered through conversations, then being explained to other characters, then being discussed again a few pages later to make sure the reader didn't miss it. I also could have done without several long passages of made up nonsense egyptology, that did nothing but pad out the story.

Over all it was still an entertaining read.

(I received a free copy of this book through a giveaway on goodreads)
Profile Image for Karel .
201 reviews3 followers
November 9, 2020
Another Winner!!

Heather Graham has done it again. This mystery involves Egyptology and mummies! A new tomb has been discovered and a group of students and professionals plus Harley, who has studied Egyptology and is now studying criminology. They are trying to determine who killed Amenmose whose tomb was uncovered. Unfortunately the beloved leader of the site was killed and now Harley I'd involved in solving this recent murder of her friend and mentor. Soon the FBI shows up and Harley meets Micah and they soon begin working together. Back in the States, a mummy attacks one of the people involved in the dig and confuses the issue more. Will they find the killer before anyone else is harmed? A must read!
409 reviews
June 6, 2022
A return to Ancient Egypt, a culture and people I am utterly fascinated by, via a bit of the mysterious. Heather Graham has a great talent for weaving fun puzzles combining a little supernatural with the mundane.

Egyptologist Henry Tomlinson has achieved the culmination point of a lifetime of work, the grand discovery of the tomb of Amenmose with its' accompanying treasures and mummies. As he is just starting to explore the find, he dies under mysterious circumstances. The same night he dies news of an insurrection is detected and everyone and everything is moved out quickly. The grad students and colleagues working on the dig question his death but the official story is death by suicide due to toxic bacteria. One grad student just cannot accept this, Harley Frasier, who just knows he would never do such a thing.

Fast forward to the opening of the exhibit of Amenmose. The ceremony is just starting when Vivian Richter (wife of the CEO of the sponsor of the Amenmose Expedition, Alchemy) stumbles into the crowd wrapped as a mummy and passes out. Turns out the wrappings were poisoned. Harvey meets Special Agent Micah Fox as he takes charge, remembering him from his voice on the phone questioning her after the death of Dr. Tomlinson.

As Harley and Micah explore the old death in possible connection to the new poisoning, another dig member suffers poisoning and dies, Harley is almost poisoned, and things just aren't adding up. As they begin to unravel clues, they are shocked at what they find. With a to-die-for suspenseful ending and so many possible suspects it is a mystery that enthralls to the end.
Profile Image for Kris.
222 reviews8 followers
February 2, 2018
'Shadows in the Night' by Heather Graham is a romance novel with an Egyptian archeology theme to it. A prominent researcher is killed and Harley Fraisier, along with FBI agent Michah Fox work together to figure out who the killer is...of course they become 'friends' along the way!
It is a very easy read, perfect for the beach or when you are traveling; it does not require a lot of thought and it is pretty easy to figure out who the murderer is. There are a few repetitive sections in the book and the female main character is not particularly bright, but if you just read the book for a distraction, you're good!
3,532 reviews
December 8, 2017
When a revered professor is killed in Egypt at a dig site, Harley Frasier is determined to prove he was murdered and not a suicide. At the museum opening of the exhibit, one of the members of the dig almost dies when she is found covered in poisoned linen wrappings similar to those used by ancient Egyptians. Micah Fox, FBI agent and former student of the murdered professor, tells Harley that the murderer is someone she knows, someone who was on the dig. They just have to find out who.

Lots of suspense as you try to guess who the guilty party is!
79 reviews3 followers
March 26, 2018
A good but quick read

I have enjoyed this “Finnegan Connection” series of books. I like stories that have recurring characters and this series reminds me of the Krewe of Hunters series but without the paranormal aspect. I also enjoy the mini history lessons. My only complaint would be that the stories seem more like novellas than full novels and the pacing of the stories sees rushed. I would prefer a longer, more fleshed out story. Of course, it won’t stop me from grabbing the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Denise.
396 reviews2 followers
September 26, 2020
A fair to good book. Very repetitive. Way too much narration on Egyptian history which I didn’t feel it needed. That time could have been spent showing why the two main characters are supposedly in love by books end. Plus, halfway through the book, I had determined the murderer. Just was not much of a mystery. Also what kitten will leave you alone for over 10 hours?! I’ve owned cats some 50+ years and kittens ( and adult cats as well) will not leave you alone for that long. They get lonely like any mammal does and would’ve come seeking the owner out if just for food.
610 reviews6 followers
December 10, 2017
I liked this book and it does have a minimal Finnegan Connection, but not much. It makes me wonder about future books for the Finnegans. After this book, I'm wondering if the Finnegans have become red-headed step-children in relation to the Krewe or if this was just another offshoot. I liked the premise, but something was missing. H and h just jumped together almost immediately and just left me feeling blah. A lot of repetition.
Profile Image for Anna McFadden.
1,016 reviews8 followers
February 5, 2018
a year after the death of her beloved mentor, criminologist Harley Fraiser, and she still believes he was murdered even though no one believes her....that is no one but FBI agent Micah Fox who was one of his head students also but Now the unveiling of the Amenmose exhibit is triggering a series of unexplained attacks, is new ground, especially when she's as irresistible as Harley. He can't say no to her sharp instincts and sexy smile. He teams up with local FBI And Harley to to hunt down the killers
667 reviews8 followers
October 18, 2017
The Finnegan Connection

This was another winner. I love this author. She writes all kinds of series and I love everyone of them. I have read over 200 of her books. I highly recommend all her books to everyone who loves Heather Graham. Diana Romano
105 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2023
Loved the Book

I'm a huge fan of Heather Graham's books and this one did not disappoint me. Characters were great and blended well with each other in the story. I love how there is always a mix of history in her books as well. This one had changing my mind a lot on who done it!
Profile Image for Kat Kelly-Heinzelman.
67 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2023
Shadows in the Night
Great bunch of characters, good plot, believable story and I really enjoyed it. Anyone who likes the Krewe of Hunter series will like this book along with the others in the Finnegan series.
Happy reading and Have good gobble gobble day.

Lighthouse_Kat
Profile Image for Helen Bassett.
303 reviews5 followers
September 21, 2017
The story was interesting. If you are fond of Mummies, the story is even better.
Profile Image for Rebecca Delio.
1,117 reviews5 followers
October 29, 2017
Wonderful Story

I lo e all Heather Graham books and this one was great as the story line was something I love Archeology.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,984 reviews39 followers
February 10, 2018
I feel kind of bad about the two stars, but this one seemed awfully superficial. Normally I like books with Egyptology themes but this one fell flat for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

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