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A review by literaryfeline
The Silenced by Heather Graham
3.0
Coincidence can be a funny thing. Having recently read The Mapmaker's Children by Sarah McCoy, which takes place, in part, during the Civil War, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Heather Graham's latest novel, The Silenced, ties into the Civil War too-sort of. At least, the two novels share similar settings with historical ties to the locales.
In some ways, The Silenced is my favorite of the Krewe Hunter books I have read so far. Although this is book #15, I have really only read 3 books in the series, all of them in the later half of the series. These books stand alone well, with two new main characters featured in each book. This particular book had more of a thriller feel to it than the cozy feel that past books have had. For those not familiar with the series, The Krewe Hunters are an elite division of the FBI whose members are specially gifted, often with the ability to see and communicate with ghosts.
As I am finding with this series, I am most enamored with the historical aspect, especially the history of the various locations that the novels take place. In The Silenced, Civil War history is at the forefront, and Graham weaves the history with the mystery quite well, referencing the political thoughts and changes at the time, some of which are relevant today. She doesn't do it in a heavy handed way at all--it's actually quite subtle.
The author does a good job of capturing the nuances of the newly formed partnership between the two main characters, especially with both of them not exactly happy about the idea. I liked the interplay between Meg and Matt, one the overconfident newbie and the other the slightly arrogant "old timer". They play off each other well, at first in a defensive sort of way and then later in a casual joking manner as they grow more comfortable with each other. I admit to not completely buying into the romance aspect of the novel though--I worried that it was more a case of a traumatic experience bringing two people together, and I wonder if it can possibly last.
My favorite character in the novel by far is Killer, who, if you read the book, you will get to know soon enough. Anyone who knows me well though won't be surprised.
The mystery itself was interesting. Politics play a large part over the course of the book and how that may or may not tie into the serial killings is a big part of it. Although I had an idea of what direction the novel would take, I was only partially right in terms of the ending--and even then I wasn't completely sure. The Krewe Hunters is a fun series, and I enjoy the interactions the characters have with the ghosts and the history behind the settings the various books take place.
Review copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
In some ways, The Silenced is my favorite of the Krewe Hunter books I have read so far. Although this is book #15, I have really only read 3 books in the series, all of them in the later half of the series. These books stand alone well, with two new main characters featured in each book. This particular book had more of a thriller feel to it than the cozy feel that past books have had. For those not familiar with the series, The Krewe Hunters are an elite division of the FBI whose members are specially gifted, often with the ability to see and communicate with ghosts.
As I am finding with this series, I am most enamored with the historical aspect, especially the history of the various locations that the novels take place. In The Silenced, Civil War history is at the forefront, and Graham weaves the history with the mystery quite well, referencing the political thoughts and changes at the time, some of which are relevant today. She doesn't do it in a heavy handed way at all--it's actually quite subtle.
The author does a good job of capturing the nuances of the newly formed partnership between the two main characters, especially with both of them not exactly happy about the idea. I liked the interplay between Meg and Matt, one the overconfident newbie and the other the slightly arrogant "old timer". They play off each other well, at first in a defensive sort of way and then later in a casual joking manner as they grow more comfortable with each other. I admit to not completely buying into the romance aspect of the novel though--I worried that it was more a case of a traumatic experience bringing two people together, and I wonder if it can possibly last.
My favorite character in the novel by far is Killer, who, if you read the book, you will get to know soon enough. Anyone who knows me well though won't be surprised.
The mystery itself was interesting. Politics play a large part over the course of the book and how that may or may not tie into the serial killings is a big part of it. Although I had an idea of what direction the novel would take, I was only partially right in terms of the ending--and even then I wasn't completely sure. The Krewe Hunters is a fun series, and I enjoy the interactions the characters have with the ghosts and the history behind the settings the various books take place.
Review copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.