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Raven #1
Raven
Raven, loner and assassin-for-hire, finds her reputation tarnished when a rival steals her contracts out from under her. She goes on the hunt, attempting to track him down before he destroys her good name completely. The vultures of the criminal underworld are circling, waiting until she is at her weakest before finishing her off. On top of that, she's being pursued not only by a gang of neo-Nazi meth dealers but a psychotic torturer, who is intent on claiming her magnificent raven feather tattoos as his prize. Most troubling of all, Aidan, her adored husband, has been missing for almost a year. She has no idea whether he is alive or dead. Uncertain who she can trust as the net closes in, Raven ends up in a desperate bid for survival and long-buried secrets threaten to blow her world apart. Contains strong language and scenes of violence and sex.
- GenresFiction
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2017
115 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Heather Atkinson
103 books180 followers**MY NEXT TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED BOOK, A SAVAGE INHERITANCE (SAVAGE SISTERS SERIES #4) IS NOW AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER ON AMAZON PRICED £2.84. RELEASE DATE 7TH OCTOBER 2024**
**MY NEXT SELF PUBLISHED BOOK, DEADLY GAMES (BLAGGER'S CODE SERIES #6) WILL BE RELEASED ON 29TH SEPTEMBER 2024 ONLY ON AMAZON KINDLE**
Author of over seventy books so far. Living on the beautiful west coast of Scotland with my husband, twin daughters and a cat called Mavis, although I am originally from Lancashire in the north of England.
My tastes in all things are eclectic, which extends to my writing. Although I primarily write crime books - especially gangland thrillers - I also write gothic historical romance and fantasy. I publish on Amazon Kindle and some of my novels are available in paperback too. I also have a traditional publishing contract with Boldwood Books.
When I'm not writing - which isn't very often - I enjoy reading Daphne Du Maurier, Edgar Allan Poe, Shirley Jackson, MR James and the Brontes, among many others. I also enjoy swimming, walking and spending time with my family.
**MY NEXT SELF PUBLISHED BOOK, DEADLY GAMES (BLAGGER'S CODE SERIES #6) WILL BE RELEASED ON 29TH SEPTEMBER 2024 ONLY ON AMAZON KINDLE**
Author of over seventy books so far. Living on the beautiful west coast of Scotland with my husband, twin daughters and a cat called Mavis, although I am originally from Lancashire in the north of England.
My tastes in all things are eclectic, which extends to my writing. Although I primarily write crime books - especially gangland thrillers - I also write gothic historical romance and fantasy. I publish on Amazon Kindle and some of my novels are available in paperback too. I also have a traditional publishing contract with Boldwood Books.
When I'm not writing - which isn't very often - I enjoy reading Daphne Du Maurier, Edgar Allan Poe, Shirley Jackson, MR James and the Brontes, among many others. I also enjoy swimming, walking and spending time with my family.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 25, 2022
Any assassin story is my weakness.
Raven finds her reputation going weak after an unknown rival starts stealing her kills. Not sure who to trust she needs to fight of crime bosses while trying to uncover why this individual is making her look bad.
I loved this, it was so fast paced with a clear look into each characters lives. The ending was good and left room for book 2. The narration was really great and you could clearly distinguish between each voice.
Thank you Netgalley and W.F. Howes Ltd for the ARC.
Raven finds her reputation going weak after an unknown rival starts stealing her kills. Not sure who to trust she needs to fight of crime bosses while trying to uncover why this individual is making her look bad.
I loved this, it was so fast paced with a clear look into each characters lives. The ending was good and left room for book 2. The narration was really great and you could clearly distinguish between each voice.
Thank you Netgalley and W.F. Howes Ltd for the ARC.
February 5, 2025
great read
Great book, took a little while to get into, but once established it was great. Can not wait for the next one
Great book, took a little while to get into, but once established it was great. Can not wait for the next one
December 1, 2018
Amazing
Every book that Heather writes grabs you from the first few pages iv read all her book and can never wait for the next one she is such a good writer I never want the book to end well done Heather hope you write many more xxx
Every book that Heather writes grabs you from the first few pages iv read all her book and can never wait for the next one she is such a good writer I never want the book to end well done Heather hope you write many more xxx
June 2, 2022
First published in 2017, but only recently selected for the production of an audio, I requested this book (Thanks NetGallery and W.F. Howes Ltd) because it also has a high rating for the written format. When I started listening I began making constructive notes, for example, the first 8 chapters would have been better quickly summed up as a prologue, with the book beginning proper at Chapter 9. Chapter 9 gave useful background and felt like the story started to flow - I was also hoping at this stage that the many times we were asked to suspend belief would still lead to an enjoyable read. Unfortunately, by the time I got 40% through the book I couldn't overlook the inconsistencies either (and there are MANY) - a couple of examples:
- Raven is at the centre of a small town on a street described as being less busy than Leeds - after 12 midnight -and we are asked to believe a group of thugs wanting to do her harm would wait at a pedestrian crossing because they missed the crossing light? Is the traffic really that busy after 12 midnight in a small town centre? A very short while later (ducking into a club, causing a distraction and coming back out pretty quickly) the street is described as being much quieter with just a couple of taxis at the curb and three women walking arm in arm down the pavement ... Where has all this presumed pedestrian defying traffic gone in the 10 mins you were in the club?
- Raven enters an abandoned asylum/hospital (side door ajar due to vandals long ago), walks down the corridors strewn with leaves (and presumably dirt too) and comes across a homeless guy who has trainers which squeak on the floor - that is how she knows he's not a ghost? Really? We are then asked to believe that after this building had been open to the elements (damp on walls etc) that the HOSPITAL PATIENT FILES would not only have been LEFT BEHIND WHEN THE ASYLUM CLOSED, but be UNDISTURBED and that both files she was after would be present AND completely INTACT etc - said homeless person with squeaky trainers becoming her helpful Filing Clerk/Assistant and finding them for her - REALLY????
I know this book was written in 2017 before the most recent Data Protection Act/GDPR Legislation, but even before then we had a 1998 Data Protection Act and a State run institution would NOT have left patient files in presumably unlocked filing cabinets in the office when said institution closed - and even if they did, are you telling me that they would remain intact this whole time? NOBODY would have strewn them about?? REALLY - I'm sorry, but that is just TOO much .... I could go on, but I am conscious I'm beginning to rant .... nuff said.....
- Raven is at the centre of a small town on a street described as being less busy than Leeds - after 12 midnight -and we are asked to believe a group of thugs wanting to do her harm would wait at a pedestrian crossing because they missed the crossing light? Is the traffic really that busy after 12 midnight in a small town centre? A very short while later (ducking into a club, causing a distraction and coming back out pretty quickly) the street is described as being much quieter with just a couple of taxis at the curb and three women walking arm in arm down the pavement ... Where has all this presumed pedestrian defying traffic gone in the 10 mins you were in the club?
- Raven enters an abandoned asylum/hospital (side door ajar due to vandals long ago), walks down the corridors strewn with leaves (and presumably dirt too) and comes across a homeless guy who has trainers which squeak on the floor - that is how she knows he's not a ghost? Really? We are then asked to believe that after this building had been open to the elements (damp on walls etc) that the HOSPITAL PATIENT FILES would not only have been LEFT BEHIND WHEN THE ASYLUM CLOSED, but be UNDISTURBED and that both files she was after would be present AND completely INTACT etc - said homeless person with squeaky trainers becoming her helpful Filing Clerk/Assistant and finding them for her - REALLY????
I know this book was written in 2017 before the most recent Data Protection Act/GDPR Legislation, but even before then we had a 1998 Data Protection Act and a State run institution would NOT have left patient files in presumably unlocked filing cabinets in the office when said institution closed - and even if they did, are you telling me that they would remain intact this whole time? NOBODY would have strewn them about?? REALLY - I'm sorry, but that is just TOO much .... I could go on, but I am conscious I'm beginning to rant .... nuff said.....
July 6, 2022
After a disrupted and abusive childhood, Raven’s adopted father One-Eye saved her from the streets and has taught her an impressive array of skills. The only others close to her are his son Damon and her husband Aiden, also a mercenary who is away much of the time but always comes home. She and Aiden are great together but only in short bursts and sparks fly when they meet up. Raven does legal work for the police, catching fugitives from custody. She also undertakes some very illegal work as an assassin for hire, mainly for two gentlemen called Marcus and Patrick, rivals in business. We first meet her catching someone running from the law using one of the many very clever devices invented by One-Eye. Her next job does not go so well, working for Patrick, when another killer gets to the target before her. This is the second time it has happened recently and her reputation will go downhill fast if she does not catch this man. Armed with a new arsenal of weaponry from One-Eye and joined by Aiden, she goes on the hunt for her rival which throws up disturbing facts from the past and pits her against someone nearly as good as she is. She will need all her skills and wits about her to defeat this adversary, especially as characters with great names like Pit Bull and String Bean from a local and very disgruntled gang of meth dealers are also out for her blood.
I really liked Raven and her family. She is one tough cookie and completely fearless at times, yet there is still a little part of her that needs to be loved and cherished. She is a loner much of the time but she knows who she can rely on when it counts, and her family clearly adore her, faults and all. There’s lots of little bits of humour thrown into a fast and exciting story featuring this new and highly original character. I listened to the audiobook and it worked really well with a great narrator. I am already listening to book 2, Journeyman, which promises to be just as good! 5*
I really liked Raven and her family. She is one tough cookie and completely fearless at times, yet there is still a little part of her that needs to be loved and cherished. She is a loner much of the time but she knows who she can rely on when it counts, and her family clearly adore her, faults and all. There’s lots of little bits of humour thrown into a fast and exciting story featuring this new and highly original character. I listened to the audiobook and it worked really well with a great narrator. I am already listening to book 2, Journeyman, which promises to be just as good! 5*
July 17, 2022
Reading Stuff 'n' Things
As soon as I started to listen to this book, I was hooked. I am a sucker for an assassin story and even more so when that assassin is a female and this didn't disappoint.
Raven is a strong woman who can more than hold her own against the male of the species but she is tested to the limit when someone is stealing her jobs and ruining her reputation. Raven finds herself struggling to trust anyone and when her rival is revealed, the situation becomes increasingly personal and more complicated.
This is a long 'listen' and I had to take an enforced break for a couple of weeks when I was half way through but I was able to get back into the story seamlessly and I was soon engrossed again.
The narrator did an excellent job and despite there being a lot of characters, she was able to use her voice to distinguish between them all.
With strong characters, a great story, loads of action and violence but with some humorous moments, this is a series that I am looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into and I must thank W.F. Howes Ltd and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to Raven and share my thoughts.
As soon as I started to listen to this book, I was hooked. I am a sucker for an assassin story and even more so when that assassin is a female and this didn't disappoint.
Raven is a strong woman who can more than hold her own against the male of the species but she is tested to the limit when someone is stealing her jobs and ruining her reputation. Raven finds herself struggling to trust anyone and when her rival is revealed, the situation becomes increasingly personal and more complicated.
This is a long 'listen' and I had to take an enforced break for a couple of weeks when I was half way through but I was able to get back into the story seamlessly and I was soon engrossed again.
The narrator did an excellent job and despite there being a lot of characters, she was able to use her voice to distinguish between them all.
With strong characters, a great story, loads of action and violence but with some humorous moments, this is a series that I am looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into and I must thank W.F. Howes Ltd and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to Raven and share my thoughts.
March 25, 2026
I am already loving this series in just the first book being read. The only reason I took one star off is because I didn’t like the first seven or eight chapters how it just starts with no kind of background information about the main character. If you like assassin or gang related books with a lot of action, then this is a great book that I highly recommend. It will keep you turning the pages for hours waiting to see what happens next as it has mystery in it, romance, action, etc. not for the faint hearted though because some of the violence is pretty extreme. Other than that it is a very interesting story and pretty fast paced reading.
June 16, 2021
Kept me turning
Raven Gallagher is a bounty hunter for the police and hired killler for hire. She is a beautiful woman and married to Aiden her husband who she only sees for a short time maybe once or twice a year. It can be a lonely life for her. Her own story told in here is sad and brutal, it turns along beside a lot of murders, beatings, gangs and lots of danger for Raven. It's a definite page turned and will certainly keep you interested. I'm about to read the next Raven adventure .
Raven Gallagher is a bounty hunter for the police and hired killler for hire. She is a beautiful woman and married to Aiden her husband who she only sees for a short time maybe once or twice a year. It can be a lonely life for her. Her own story told in here is sad and brutal, it turns along beside a lot of murders, beatings, gangs and lots of danger for Raven. It's a definite page turned and will certainly keep you interested. I'm about to read the next Raven adventure .
July 21, 2022
DNF - I just don't think this writing style is for me, I found it a little cheesy in parts and the sex scenes were so cringeworthy - little bird and powerful hawk??
Maybe if you are into assassin books you will enjoy it like many other reviewers have - the writing isn't necessarily bad, it's just not to my taste.
The narrator for the audiobook was pretty good overall.
Maybe if you are into assassin books you will enjoy it like many other reviewers have - the writing isn't necessarily bad, it's just not to my taste.
The narrator for the audiobook was pretty good overall.
July 28, 2022
I listened to the audiobook, which was great - I loved the narrator and the way she brought the story to life. Raven's life is definitely not boring and trying to figure out who her rival was and their motive for stealing her contracts kept me glued the entire time. I can't wait for the next book in the series!!
December 4, 2017
Great start to a new series
Heather does it again, Raven helped Jules in the Dividing line series and now in her own right she has her own tale to tell. The book is full of gore when this professional assassin takes on an unexpected rival.
Heather does it again, Raven helped Jules in the Dividing line series and now in her own right she has her own tale to tell. The book is full of gore when this professional assassin takes on an unexpected rival.
August 9, 2022
A new butt kicking heroine. Very good story with non stop action love the characters, good plotting but what gives this a 5 star is Annie Cartwright her narration is excellent, distinctive voices so you know which character is speaking
I received this audiobook from W F Howes ltd for a review.
I received this audiobook from W F Howes ltd for a review.
September 12, 2022
Raven By: Heather Atkinson Narrated by: Annie Cartwright in the first book in the Raven series and I really enjoyed it, especially the narrator she is the Queen of all Narrator books Annie has a way of bring every book she reads to life! The cover was basic but it bought me in.
November 20, 2017
Another cracking read.
Another cracking read by Heather Atkinson had me gripped from start to finish. Can't wait for more on Raven .
Another cracking read by Heather Atkinson had me gripped from start to finish. Can't wait for more on Raven .
December 10, 2017
Fantastic
Wow absolutely brilliant.. I love raven and this is going to be another fantastic series, love all heathers books,well done
Wow absolutely brilliant.. I love raven and this is going to be another fantastic series, love all heathers books,well done
December 12, 2017
Never disappoints
Excellent read as usual from this fantastic author, edgy fast paced read with the usual likeable characters that I can't wait to read about again
Excellent read as usual from this fantastic author, edgy fast paced read with the usual likeable characters that I can't wait to read about again
January 2, 2018
Brilliant
soon as I started reading I was hooked, i liked the way they are linked to the other books mcquires and laws
soon as I started reading I was hooked, i liked the way they are linked to the other books mcquires and laws
August 5, 2018
Raven
Loved it, love the character raven, interesting to know of her background, but plenty of scope for more information. Like to know more about one eye
Loved it, love the character raven, interesting to know of her background, but plenty of scope for more information. Like to know more about one eye
April 22, 2019
Brilliantly written
Another great book by Heather Atkinson, I love her books and find them hard to put down. You can just get lost in them
Another great book by Heather Atkinson, I love her books and find them hard to put down. You can just get lost in them
August 7, 2022
Raven - Heather Atkinson
Not a bad book in my opinion. I loved Ravens character and the chemistry between her and her husband was amazing.
Not a bad book in my opinion. I loved Ravens character and the chemistry between her and her husband was amazing.
March 22, 2023
First read by this author... And have to say very impressed
June 9, 2023
I'm a sucker for a female assasin/heroine storyline. I've read all three of the books in this series twice now, after a gap in between. That's a good story to me. I just want to follow Raven around, and see what she gets up to next. I'm also Scottish, so I won't give the plot away here! Also, I enjoyed the way the author used chapters as written by character which made it more intriguing for me. Go Raven!
March 23, 2024
Book 1
Another superb read from this very talented author.
Great start to a series. As I hadn't read any of this series I'm now thrilled I can read them back to back.
Another superb read from this very talented author.
Great start to a series. As I hadn't read any of this series I'm now thrilled I can read them back to back.
February 21, 2025
2.5 rounded up.
some scenes are very cringe and Aiden is such a lite shi-- :)
some scenes are very cringe and Aiden is such a lite shi-- :)
July 24, 2025
Maybe 3.5 for the perfunctory, obligatory sex scenes? Good narration, interesting characters, nice mystery, extremely violent and the MCs have a very unhealthy relationship.
March 29, 2026
Awsome
I am s so pleased I have finished this book because I couldn't put it down. Housework then into no 2
I am s so pleased I have finished this book because I couldn't put it down. Housework then into no 2
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews