Haunted Be the Holidays

Krewe of Hunters #26.5

by Heather Graham

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Heather Graham comes a new story in her Krewe of Hunters series…

When you're looking for the victim of a mysterious murder in a theater, there is nothing like calling on a dead diva for help! Krewe members must find the victim if they're to discover the identity of a murderer at large, one more than willing to kill the performers when he doesn't like the show.

It's Halloween at the Global Tower Theatre, a fantastic and historic theater owned by Adam Harrison and run by spouses of Krewe members. During a special performance, a strange actor makes an appearance in the middle of the show, warning of dire events if his murder is not solved before another holiday rolls around.

Dakota McCoy and Brodie McFadden dive into the mystery. Both have a
special talent for dealing with ghosts, but this one is proving elusive. With the help of Brodie’s diva mother and his ever-patient father – who were killed together when a stage chandelier fell upon them – Dakota and Brodie set out to solve the case.

If they can't solve the murder quickly, there will be no Thanksgiving for the Krewe . . .

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. **

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Audiobook, Novella, Halloween

126 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2018

About the author

Also published as Heather Graham Pozzessere and Shannon Drake.

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

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

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

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

Reviews

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

 
 
Every year around this time I get SO excited because I know that a new Halloween themed paranormal mystery novella is going to be released by this author. So you can imagine how excited I was to get my hands on an early copy. 





So was it worth the wait? You betcha! Maybe not as entirely as enjoyable as the ones set in some of the more haunted cities (New Orleans or Salem), but it held its own quite nicely.  The writing was excellent. It was fast-paced. The plot was engaging. I will say that it took me a bit to get into this one. The first twentyish pages were the heroine just doing a lot recounting who is romantically together with whom and other things that take place in the other Krewe books. However, once past that the book picked up considerably. The mystery was excellent and kept me guessing right until the end. Both the main characters were very likable and you can read all about how they meet and fall in love in ECHOES OF EVIL a full-length Krewe Of Hunters book that was released back in September. 

So yea, not much left to say, really. This was another thoroughly entertaining read by this author, and if you are a fan of the series (or author) then you should grab this one as soon as it is released (Oct 30th). I look forward to seeing what she comes up with for Halloween 2019!


  

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening. 🎉🎎✨

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

I enjoy Heather Graham books.

They are at the Globe Theater when strange events start occurring including murder. The team investigates the events leading to the happy ending.

I would recommend this novella, the series, and author to readers of romantic relationships with family and friends mystery novels. 2024

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunted Be the Holidays
A Krewe of Hunters Novella
By: Heather Graham
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
This is a Krewe novella. A paranormal murder story that is short and perfect for a quick read before bed. Great mystery, paranormal activity, and a romance. It has some Krewe team members.
Narration by Daniels is perfect!😁

[Amy Caudill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella addition to author Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunters series features a disturbed would-be performer that focuses his vengeance on an unknowing rival whose only crime is her relationship to the man the criminal hoped to impress.

Haunted be the Holidays brings back a number of past “Krewe” members and recounts the further adventures of the author’s ever-expanding universe. While this novella will have significant appeal to those who have followed the series from the beginning, reading of prior books is not strictly necessary to enjoy this one.

Krewe book alums Brodie and Dakota “Cody” are settling into their new life in Washington D.C., where Cody has accepted an active role in the productions of the historic Global Tower Theatre, now owned by Adam Harrison and ran by the spouses and partners of Krewe members. Unfortunately, a street performer whose mask resembles that of a character in a play Cody is performing in sends Cody’s senses on alert. What threat could a simple mask hold? When the first body appears, disguised as a vampire and lying dead in a fake “cemetery” on Halloween, Cody, Brodie, and the rest of the Krewe will have to find out.

Though the basis for the plot includes a twisted failed actor who is seeking revenge for perceived slights, those details are not revealed till near the end of the story. What precede it are a quest for the identity of the killer, research into the history of the theatre, and a search for any ties to Cody, who is threatened on-stage by a drugged performer.

However, the author merely implies that the killer may be descended from an illegitimate child of an historic pirate that once owned the Globe Tower, without tying that directly into the plot, as would typically happen in a Graham story. To me, this loose plot point seems like a missed opportunity. Instead, the killer just “happens” to choose the theatre for his finale, simply because his chosen victim is working there.

Luckily, the story’s climax makes up any weak points in the plot with a grand performance, literally, on center stage that includes a life-and-death struggle with the assistance of four benevolent ghosts.

I give this e-book four stars, and recommend it not just to fans of Graham’s books, but any who are interested in paranormal romantic mystery stories.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I was about to read a novel with a Christmas theme and it turned out to be more about Halloween. I like getting to know the Krewe since I have been reading the books out of order for so long. I enjoy everything I have read by Heather Graham so far and am always looking forward to each new read. The characters are all being made more interesting as I see more and more of them in each new saga. The locations are mainly Louisiana and Virginia, both of which I don't know a lot about and have never visited.

It's Halloween at the Global Theater and Dakota McCoy and Brodie McFadden dive into a mystery that comes to light. In the 1800s a couple died as the woman was about to star in a play after her fiancee had bought the theater especially so she would have a place to perform. Going forward 150 years Adam Harrison has bought the theater and it is being run by many of the family Krewe members. But someone has surrounded themselves with the trappings of the theater and has been kidnapping and killing women. But the real target is not known until almost the last minute.

Another good short story that highlights the talents of those both in and adjacent to the Krewe of hunters. The tension is ratched up in this installment.

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

What better way to bring in the Halloween atmosphere than with a murder mystery. Global Tower Theatre is in the middle of a murder case that Dakota and Brodie try to solve. There is no better way to get answers that to involving the soul of who has already died. While the clues come in the reader is set on en enjoyable and interesting journey. This books makes me want to read the others in the Krew of Hunters Series. This was a great addition to the 1001 Dark Nights series.

[Sofia Lazaridou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haunted Be the Holidays is a novella that belongs in the Krewe of Hunters series and I could call it a companion to Echoes of Evil aka book #26 in the series and the full-length story of Dakota and Brodie. Since this book also belongs in the 1001 dark nights series, you don't have to worry about having to read anything else before you begin with this novella as it can be read as stand-alone. That's how I read it and I can say that I enjoyed it. I might have missed some details, but everything I got in this book was enough in my opinion. I liked the mystery behind the murders and everything else that went down. I don't think I will ever get the chance to read the whole series, but these novellas are a treat for me! I hope they will keep coming. I would certainly recommend the novella to all the readers since it can be read as stand-alone and it's a complete story with a happy ending.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved seeing these two so soon after their story, it was great to see them face another mystery! Great great read!

[Katie Storer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just keeps on giving. You don’t have to read them in order, but it is preferable to do so.

This series is based on FBI Agents with an extra special sense that allows them to communicate with ghosts in order to solve murders. Along the way they meet non-agents with the same extra-sensory abilities. At the beginning of each book you get introduced to the FBI agents featured in the story. All the agents, and their significant others, are introduced as they appear in each story. Read the books out-of-order and you might just spoil the surprise of former book relationships that take place. The best part of this series is that each book is written to stand alone. No teasers that make you crave the next book. Yet, when you pick-up the next installment, you are reunited with characters that feel like old friends.

This story takes place at an historical theater that has a history of deaths. Are these ghosts haunting the current production?

I recommend this series. It is a lovely cozish murder mystery. Each story tends to take place in different American cities. The author does a great job with world-building. I feel like it has allowed me to travel to many different locations that I have never visited before. Honestly, you need to check out this series.

[David Burnworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a murder near the theater that Adam Harrison owns where Kody, the girlfriend of agent-to-be Brody is a member. It starts with a dancer in a death mask, the same type that will be worn in the play the theater is showing. A murder where the victim looked to be killed by a vampire from there the story gets moving. The killer is full of hate and that hate is directed toward... Read the book to find out more.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little novella. It’s Halloween and weird stuff is going on in D.C. the children’s play goes well but in the play later in the evening one of the actors looses it and says weird lines threatening his co star with a bloody death. Then he passes out. Turns out he was drugged. The Krewe must solve the case before one of the agents looses the love of his life.

[Randall Medlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable short read/listen. Have not read any of the Krewe books in the series, but did not feel completely lost. Author did a good job introducing the main cast and some background. Will likely pick up some of the early books in the series.

[Shelleen Toland · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you're looking for the victim of a mysterious murder in a theater, there is nothing like calling on a dead diva for help! Krewe members must find the victim if they're to discover the identity of a murderer at large, one more than willing to kill the performers when he doesn't like the show.
It's Halloween at the Global Tower Theatre, a fantastic and historic theater owned by Adam Harrison and run by spouses of Krewe members. During a special performance, a strange actor makes an appearance in the middle of the show, warning of dire events if his murder is not solved before another holiday rolls around.
Dakota McCoy and Brodie McFadden dive into the mystery. Both have a
special talent for dealing with ghosts, but this one is proving elusive. With the help of Brodie’s diva mother and his ever-patient father – who were killed together when a stage chandelier fell upon them – Dakota and Brodie set out to solve the case.
If they can't solve the murder quickly, there will be no Thanksgiving for the Krewe . . .

I love holiday romance books and Halloween is my favorite time of year so combining all this with paranormal is just my cup of tea. This is a novella for a series but you don' need to read the series to enjoy this or the characters. Also with only 125 pages it is a quick read. You learn a little bit about the characters and their life with also some mystery and paranormal thrown in. This is the 2nd novella I have read for this series and this did not disappoint me at all. I will look forward to more of these books.

I received this from Inkslinger and Evil Eye Concepts for a honest review.

[Veronica · Rating 2 out of 5]

“But now another war—a war that had shaken and tested a nation—was over and people wanted work. They wanted a new beginning—and many of those people were flocking to the city. Some who came were burnt and broken themselves, seeking, a haven and the opportunity to rise again, and D.C. was known to provide both."

That passage is one of the first passages you'll read in this novella. It was writing in 2018, but the setting of that context is set in 1867. But I felt like I was reading a passage that is spoken now June 2020 and will be spoken in the next few weeks given our current events. Wow.

*********************************************************

It’s been awhile since I revisited the Krewe series. I vaguely, maybe just a little more than vaguely, remembered who we're reconnecting with in where we are in the series. The woman were who confuse me the most trying to remember who was who in which crime, novel, with which Krewe male, etc.

I forgot at one point in the series we had a Band of Brothers with all "B" names. But in this novella, even more "B" names were introduced as main or secondary characters so that was a little confusing.

Overall, this was an ok read. I recommend reading slow as to not get all the names mixed up or details mixed up as a lot unfolds in a short period of time. Plus your brain was working to solve the mystery too, how it all links, etc.

2.5 out of 5 stars

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part of a series, and I must admit I’ve not read the previous books. So I went on Heather Graham’s website to get a little back ground .....
Secrets, ghosts and witchcraft! Join the Krewe of Hunters, an elite FBI unit of paranormal investigators, as they delve into the past to right the wrongs of the present.

Echoes of evil is the book that Dakota and Brodie meet, so this an extra. And reading we do catch up on previous couples (who I don’t know about !!)
But after catching us up, the action is practically nonstop.
My feeling is that you really need to read Echos of Evil, this feels like a snippet of their lives, and I like to know more.

But saying that, it’s a good read. Fast paced and full of action. It’s fun to see how they all interact with ghosts (it’s an everyday occurrence, so no one gets scared) a few twists that had you rereading to make sure you haven’t missed anything out 😉
Very well written and thought out. All the characters were likeable and made me want to go back and read the series.
Reading Brodie interacting with his “dead” parents was interesting, and the interaction between Brodie and Dakota was great. And smut was kept to a minimum, story did focus a little too much on facts, and it did read like a history book, but it’s still an enjoyable read.

It’s a short mystery short, full of content, a few twists. And a really fun read.


🦋

[Kay Daniels (Kay Daniels Romance) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Halloween, romance, and a good mystery so I was really looking forward to reading Heather's novella. As a seasoned writer I suppose I put a lot of expectations onto Graham writing about a holiday that I love so much, unfortunately I didn't connect with the book as much as I originally hoped. 

I haven't read the previous Krewe novels and I went into this book hoping I didn't need to, but if you haven't read prior books and wish to start reading Graham's series I would not recommend jumping in with this novella. I struggled not knowing who the characters were and what happened as they mentioned earlier events from prior books I hadn't read. I now wish I'd read at least the novel of the main characters, Dakota and Brodie, before I'd read this novella, so that would be my advice to you.

Aside from my own struggles, I did enjoy the mystery and plotline of trying to figure out the "who-done-it". Around the holiday of Halloween, which makes the job of finding a killer harder; hiding a dead body in plain sight, hiding among the throngs of people, and the holiday itself brings out the crazies making for a good story. The clock is ticking and death is on the loose. Will they find the killer before time runs out?

[Kristen Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite things about the 1001 Dark Nights books is that They are always quick reads but never lack for anything - they are just as compelling reads as full novels and they do a great job of getting you into the world of the series.

Haunted Be The Holidays was a fun Halloween-ish read that moved at a nice pace and sucked me in entirely from the start. The mystery between the pages kept me guessing just waiting for more details to unfold and I enjoyed trying to piece it all together and come to the right conclusion.

This book was an extra for the main characters, as their story has been told in a previous Novel, but it was no less enjoyable because of that. Dakota and Brodie do a good job of pulling you in and holding your attention as the story progresses.

With a likable cast of characters, a fun mystery with a few twists, the paranormal angle and the right balance of action and story Haunted Be The Holidays is a great read for anyone who enjoys a good ghost story.

[Trish Goodgame · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theatrical Halloween Drama

As an avid fan of the Krewe of Hunters series by Heather Graham, I enjoyed this novella about a murderer taking advantage of Halloween to be in costume and hide in plain sight.
It did help being familiar with characters from the series although it can be read as a standalone story. I love that Brodie's parents are still very much in his and his brothers' lives, even though they are ghosts. Kody (Dakota, Brodie's fiancee) becomes the target of the killer and the reasoning behind it doesn't become clear until the very end. As with all books in the series, while they may get ghostly assistance at times to solve a crime, it is always a human perpetrator.
Fast paced, great characters, interesting history thrown in but no real clue to the killer's identity.

[Andrea Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fantastic, fast-paced novella to get in just in time for Halloween! True, all consuming love, repeating itself through couples centuries apart. A on old theater with a whole lot of mystery and a few permanent inhabitants. Helpful ghosts and a whole cast involved in solving a murder! So fun!

I have not read anything else by Heather Graham, so I can say this stood alone pretty well. I did feel like I would have understood some things a little bit better had I read more of the series, but it was not a total impediment to my understanding or enjoyment.

1001 Dark Nights never disappoints!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fairly standard entry in the Krewe of Hunters series. As a novella, it continued the story of one of the couples who had already been introduced in a longer novel. There is some reference to things that happened in the past, so a new reader might be a bit confused by certain comments in the story.

This was a fairly good story. As a novella, it needed to be short, and this one definitely suffered a bit in the storytelling because of it. While the holes in the story weren't huge, they were large enough to be noticeable and slightly annoying to a Graham fan.

It is a quick read, so it's worth reading, but there is a level of disappointment as well.

[Trish R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice novella. I’ve only read a couple of books by this author because I’m not that big of a fan of hers. She’s usually very wordy and her descriptions of a blade of grass could be 5 sentences long and I don’t need that kind of silly description. Anyway, I’m probably through with this author.

I did like Kody and Brodie, silly names for the hero and heroine. Sounds more like twin brother and sister. I also liked all the ghosts.

There was no sex or swearing so it was definitely rated-G.

As to the narration: Actually, the ONLY reason I got this novella was because Luke Daniels was narrating it. Love his reading talent.

[Karel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Awesome Haunt!!

The Krewe of Hunters are at it again, this time with Kody and Brodie who are engaged. Kody is an actress and museum owner who sees spirits. Brodie is studying to become a full fledged member of the Krewe. He, of course, sees spirits especially his parents! It is Halloween and, as usual, all sorts of strange things are going on. The game is afoot when the first body appears. As usual there are all sorts of twists and turns and speculations! It really becomes dangerous when Kody's life is threatened. Will they find the murderer in time? Keep on reading!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I love the novels of this author and have not been disappointed yet when I seen this one I jumped into it. The author then proceeded as soon as my eyes begin to see the words transport me into the story with Dakota and Brodie in this tale that also fits right in with the series of both. The mystery behind this one has you following closely with the magic that is between the two. The other elements in the story keeps you turning the pages quickly. Over too soon but leaving you satisfied with it all.

[Ani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a first time reader of Heather Graham and thought that the 1001 nights story would be a perfect taster for the rest of her books.

I wasn’t wrong. In a short space, she managed to set up a teaser of what I should expect from the book series. There are a lot of names and relationships mentioned immediately but you get a feel for the dynamics as the story progressed.

An intriguing take and a diverse set of characters that all create a suspense filled setting. The spectral elements give you just enough paranormal to get me hooked but a perfect amount of thrill to keep me reading.

[Corinne Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunted Be The Holidays

I always enjoy revisiting the gang of Krewe Hunters, and this book was no different. Dealing with crimes, and investigating them is intense enough, but doing it with ghost involved and it goes to a whole new level. Kody find herself in a prayerless situation and needs Brodie to figure out who’s kidnapped her and to save her. When I first chose this book to read, I thought it took place over the holidays being Christmas, but it’s actually a Halloween book.
Still, I loved reading it, and I loved everything about it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Paraphrodite · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

This one has the same H/h Brodie and Kody from Echoes of Evil but transplanted to the old theatre that Adam Harrison has bought in Washington D.C. It's Halloween so of course there's lots of weird stuff going on.

A short read and again the reason for the murders was quite convoluted.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spooky theatrical goodness

A fast read full of Halloween delights. The couple is the last ones we visited and spent time with in Key West. It is in DC at the theatre and shows how many of the couples are friends. More time is spent with the parents who are ghosts and a few new ghosts are introduced. The play off of a long term grudge and the theatre scenes was interesting and fun. Loved the couple and Krewe working together!

[Cheri Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely enjoyable and entertaining!

Intriguing story line and riveting plot. You
can never go wrong with Heather Graham's
Krewe of Hunters series. Every one is a real
page turner. Many times I've read long into
the night to see what happens next. Always
make sure you get plenty of sleep before
starting one of these books. You're going
to need it!!!!

[Kat Cup of Tea Bookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I am new to Heather Graham and I was not disappointed. There is mystery, suspense and steamy romance. Dakota and Brodie both have some off the charts chemistry. If you looking for a new author then 1001 Dark Nights is the series you need to look for! This can be read as a standalone and is perfect to read before you start your Christmas Holiday books!

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love 💕 the Krewe of Hunter books 📚 and this one is no exception. The history interwoven into the story is amazing and never boring😴. The locations are described in a way that I actually feel like I'm there. Love the characters especially the ghosts 👻. Even though its a novella its still GREAT!