At least I didn’t read all thirty-five Krewe of Hunters books in a row. After reading that many, though, I have to admit they can feel formulaic at times. However, Heather Graham manages to make each amateur sleuth in the detecting duo feel fresh. The women all have interesting jobs, and a background in which they see or experience ghosts in some way. They may not always accept that they can experience the paranormal, but eventually, they do. And, the ghosts often help capture the killer or killers. Those FBI agents who are part of the Krewe of Hunters all seem pretty similar. But, the methods of murder are always different. And, I return again and again to read about Heather Graham’s colorful cities. The Unknown is set in New Orleans, a favorite setting for books in the series.
When Sienna Murray was fourteen, she was sitting with her aged grandmother when Granny K suddenly told her to run to the McTavish house. It was on fire, and Granny said the baby was caught under the stairs. Sienna ran a mile, went into the burning house, and found Mrs. McTavish had fallen, and the baby rolled out of her arms. Sienna managed to get both of them out of the house before collapsing from the smoke. It was only when she was in the hospital afterwards that Sienna’s parents told her Granny K couldn’t have told her about the fire because Granny K had died.
Years later after college, Sienna is now working as Director of Communications for a small private museum in New Orleans, and living in the Garden District. Granny K warns her the McTavish killer is in New Orleans. Sienna is able to get her neighbors, the Kimballs, out of their house before it explodes into flames. She explains to investigators that she smelled gas. She certainly can’t tell them the ghost of her grandmother warned her.
Ryder Stapleton was involved with the Krewe of Hunters last cases in New Orleans. He has resigned from the New Orleans police force to join the Krewe, but his boss tells him he won’t let him go until he discovers the reason for fires ten years apart, the connection, and, later, why a man was killed and set on fire. Sienna doesn’t want to discuss her knowledge with Ryder until he and Granny K have a conversation, and he admits he sees and talks with ghosts.
As usual in these books, the villain’s actions soon center on the amateur investigator. News circulated that Sienna warned the Kimballs, so someone wants to know what she knows about the fire. Because Sienna spends so much time at the Oddities Museum where she works, action will eventually circle around the museum.
I’ve said before, if you’re looking for a little paranormal, mystery, romance, and a glamorous city, you might want to try a Krewe of Hunters book. I’ll admit there was some repetition, such as the three different reports of an FBI agent’s marriage. I can overlook a few flaws for a fun story such as The Unknown.
Heather Graham’s website is https://www.theoriginalheathergraham.com/
The Unknown by Heather Graham. Mira, 2021. ISBN 9780778312154 (hardcover), 296p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
