Week 20 Reviews: Christmas, The Krewe and a Large White Rabbit, Horrow-Ween, The Best Christmas Ever, The Dead Heat of Summer, Easter, the Krewe and Another Large White Rabbit, Mother's Day, the Krewe, and a Really Big Dog, For Honor and Glory, Born on the 4th of July, A Most Unusual Case, A Horrible Haunted Halloween, An Unexpected Guest, Christmas, the Krewe, and Kenneth, New Year's Eve, A Very Krewe Kind of Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, The Unforgiven

From Goodreads:

For Brodie McFadden and Dakota McCoy, the Christmas holiday should be simply magical.

They've made the decision on their wedding—Christmas Eve out in central Virginia at the newly renovated historic lodge belonging to old friends. As many members of the Krewe who can show up will, Kody's friends and family will be up from Key West, and while Brodie's diva mom and patient dad are dead, they'll still make an appearance.

It will be wonderful.

But then, chopping wood and waiting for Kody to arrive, Brodie hears a police-bulletin on the airwaves about a large white rabbit in a gas mask carrying a machete—correction! A man in a large white rabbit costume, etcetera!

Driving through the snow-covered countryside, Kody has little on her mind other than the festivities about to take place—until she almost runs right into the rabbit. His warning for her not to move forward proves to be solid when an explosion rears through the road.

The rabbit proves to be Captain Lynch, a soldier suffering from PTSD, and he's escaped from a nearby hospital.

But who is telling the truth? The rabbit—or the doctors?

Brodie and Kody must discover the truth if there is to be a wedding—and to bring back Peace and Goodwill to Man!

From Goodreads:

Keri Wolf hadn't imagined she'd be called out as Halloween neared—she was still in the academy and Joe . . .

Well, Joe was just becoming accustomed to the idea that she had decided to join him as an agent, having the special talent that allowed an agent to become Krewe.

But that Halloween she was going to become Krewe—as a consultant. Because a killer who had struck three times before was threatening to kill again, this time at a Halloween theme park in Louisiana.

There were plenty of able agents with the Krewe, in Joe Dunhill's mind. Why Keri and him, when he was comparatively new in his position and she wasn't even out of the academy yet?

But there was a method to the madness. Because Keri had written one of her acclaimed non-fiction books on the killings that had first taken place in Massachusetts. She knew the woman who had called in a warning, supposedly given to her by a Revolutionary War soldier who had made his way from Massachusetts to Louisiana to tell her that it would happen again--just as the killer sent his rhyme for that year.

"Trick or treat, trick or treat

Not looking for anything good to eat

Must may be that I'm up for a trick

Think this time, a nice big pick."

She was no actress, but Keri was about to play the role of her lifetime as Devilla Dolly, an evil doll in the Murder House, while Joe played Count Rapier.

They had to catch a killer, before a killer caught them, and Halloween was almost upon them.

From Goodreads: 

Jackson Crow and his wife, Angela Hawkins, seldom leave the office for a vacation, much less at Christmas, when many of their agents are out in the field. But this year, Jackson wants to spend the holiday away, at an historic home in Virginia that he wants to buy — even if it is too far for them to commute to work each morning. Jackson is determined on getting the house, built for a relative on specs created by none other than Thomas Jefferson.

Angela knows the house; they had been there last Christmas for the wedding of Brodie and Dakota McFadden , but she is worried about leaving the D.C. area — just in case someone needs help on a case.

However, she has a special present for him this year, and after some thought, she decides this trip Jackson wants might just provide the perfect place for her to give it to him.

But over this holiday season, the house will prove to bring them far more than brick and stone...a present is awaiting them both that they'd never begun to imagine. It just might prove to be the best Christmas ever. 

From Goodreads:

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

Casey Nicholson has always been a little bit sensitive, and she puts it to use in her shop in Jackson Square, where she reads tarot cards and tea leaves. She's not a medium, but she can read people well.

When the ghost of Lena Marceau comes to her in the cemetery, shedding tears and begging for help, Casey's at first terrified and then determined. Lena knows she was the victim of a malicious murder. Assumes her husband was, as well, and now fears that her daughter and sister are also in danger. And all over what she believes is someone's quest to control Marceau Industries, the company left to Lena's late husband.

Casey isn't sure how she can help Lena. She isn't an investigator or with any arm of law enforcement. But when she receives a visit from a tall, dark and very handsome stranger—ironically an FBI agent—she realizes that she's being drawn into a deadly game where she must discover the truth or possibly die trying.

Special Agent Ryder McKinley of the Krewe of Hunters has his own strange connection to the case. Hoping to solve the mystery of his cousin’s death, he arrives at Casey's shop during his hunt for answers and finds something wholly unexpected. He fears that Casey's involvement puts her in danger, yet she's already knee-deep in deadly waters. Unfortunately, there's nothing to do but follow the leads and hope they don’t also fall prey to the vicious and very human evil hunting his family.

From Goodreads:

A short story (apprx. 10,000 words) in which Angela Hawkins and Jackson Crow are called upon to help a friend in need . . .

Strange baskets are arriving on Eliza Andrews' doorstep and a strange face is appearing in her window.

Is she being haunted by ghosts of long ago, or is there someone living and well taunting her with malice

and deadly intent? Angela and Jackson must find the truth--and bring about the goodness and peace of the Easter Season.

From Goodreads:

A short Krewe story, approximately 7,000 words, and told from a different perspective, and with a different take on the Krewe!

Angela Hawkins is being stalked—right before her first Mother's Day. But unbeknownst to the stalker, the stalker is being stalked in turn.

The situation might be deadly, Jackson is worried. But through a different kind of assistance, disaster might be averted because questions will be raised, and while there is no easy solution, there is often so much more than meets the eye. A mother’s love for her children is often infinite.

And on Mother/s Day . . .

Love knows no bounds. 

From Goodreads:

Memorial Day approaches and an old friend of Adam's dies visiting an historic graveyard. Heart attack? Or something else, since General Whitaker had texted Adam Harrison about strange events happening there?

Jackson and Angela investigate to discover the truth, learning more about war and peace and the human condition along the way.

From Goodreads:

A long Krewe of Hunters short story, or a short novella—approximately 20,000 words—Born on the 4th of July takes place as the holiday nears and comes upon us.

Angela and Jackson and their adopted son Corby have headed with Adam Harrison and the ghost of his son, Josh, to pay tribute at the graves of Adam’s family.

But while they're there, the ghost of an old serviceman beckons to Angela. He's just seen his daughter, Annie, kidnapped. She had brought coffee and flowers to his grave. A murder of crows had burst into the sky; what appeared to be the giant figure of a man dressed like a crow had doused her with something on a rag—and disappeared through the graveyard and behind a group of family mausoleums.

Like Angela, his daughter is expecting a child any day. While Jackson worries about Angela's activity as her due date draws near, it's precisely her condition that makes Angela certain she can't leave this one to others—she must help in any way that she can. Jackson, of course, can do the crawling around and physical work. She'll get into the cemeteries office and begin all that she can online.

But the sensible way of doing things doesn’t always work as planned. Angela will find herself dead center in a conspiracy that has gone on far longer than what they've seen, literally deep in it! Deep underground, a victim herself.

But she knows she has Jackson, Corby, Adam, Josh, and the Krewe behind her. Nor will she forget her own abilities as they face down a malicious evil that has already claimed several victims.

But they'll need the help of the living and the dead to make July 4th a genuinely happy holiday! 

From Goodreads:

It's a first Labor Day for Angela Hawkins and Jackson Crow with their infant daughter and adopted son. They're going to take the day and have a picnic with the children while other Krewe members man the office.

But the plan goes awry when the grandson of one of Adam's dearest friends is arrested for committing murder. Tom Flannery swears his innocence--the problem is that he was overheard threatening the victim, telling him that the "ghost" of a murdered dead man might well rise and kill again—just as the local tales claimed he had before.

They will head out to West Virginia for Adam, knowing the only way to prove a man innocent is to discover just who did commit the deed. The decaying corpse of a long-dead miner, still seeking vengeance for a cave-in? Or is there something that no can see plainly until all the pieces the two must ferret out begin to fall together? 

From Goodreads:

Halloween is approaching

And while it might be different this year, many homes are lavishly decorated. Jackson Crow thinks it's fine that his adopted son, Corby, takes a walk down the street to see some of the ghoulish displays.

Except Corby hurries back to him. One "creature" isn’t—or wasn't—a creature at all. The bizarre costuming covers someone once real—a human corpse.

He and his wife and partner, Special Agent Angela Hawkins, must join with the local police, other Krewe members, and all law enforcement. Victimology sends them on the hunt for a killer who is out for revenge—and using the holiday for his own ends.

It's a race against time for them as they seek out the man who is dead-set on his vengeance—lest he turn Halloween into an end-game that will turn the holiday night into a display of pure evil. It's All Hallows' Eve—and on such a night, there just might be a little help from the dead. 

From Goodreads:

Krewe Special Agent Jon Dickson and Kylie Connolly met under tough circumstances, but despite that, they discovered it seemed they were meant to be.

Now, moved into a condo in the D.C. area—easy shots for Jon getting to the Krewe offices and Kylie getting to Adam Harrison's newly founded museum—they're about to spend their first Thanksgiving together alone, sorry they won't be with family, but happy to be together.

But an old friend from the academy calls Jon. He and his bride have just bought an historic house in Plymouth, Mass, but odd things are happening.

There's a killer on the loose, and the old house abounds with ghost stories and the truth of what is happening must be discovered if Evan and Julie are going to stay in the dream home into which they had just invested all they had.

Thanksgiving is just a day away . . .

Jon doubts anything can be solved so quickly, even when he’s given special assistance from the dead.

But the first Thanksgiving did take place in Plymouth . . .

And they just might make discoveries that allow them to see just how very thankful they are. 

From Goodreads:

No way out of it—Christmas 2020 was going to be different.

But Jackson Crow and Angela Hawkins are "home for Christmas." Other agents are covering the office and they've just bought a home with a yard for their baby daughter and adopted son.

But their neighbor, newly widowed, hears strange noises in the yard, a rustling. She might be a little eccentric, but bodies have been found in the Potomac River. Accident or murder? The deceased couple had left behind an autistic son and fingers are pointing toward the boy.

Jackson and Angela are not on the case . . .

Until the "rustling" in the yard brings them into it, and their Christmas will be on hold as they rush to keep the consequences of the events from bringing about another death. But the spirit of the season is with them, and they will do what they can to save lives—and Christmas itself for their family.

From Goodreads:

It's New Year's Eve. Jackson Crow and Angela had planned on being in the office, and then home to see in the new year with their children--who might or might not be awake at the magic hour.

But Adam Harrison came in, bringing a strange note warning of dire consequences just after the stroke of midnight.

Was the note—found between a coffee cup and a saucer a real warning against a random patron in the café, or a more specific threat against the man who discovered it? Was it possibly a prank, or was the threat far too real?

With no hard leads, the two will head out, determined to discover the truth and perhaps avoid a` tragedy as the old year gives way to the new.

From Goodreads:

Valentine's Day approaches quickly, and Angela and Jackson are ready to spend it at home with their children when they're called out to Deadwood, South Dakota. The widow of an old friend of Adam Harrison is under investigation—the body of a man who had disappeared is found in her car. It turns out that he has been dead some time—the same amount of time since the death of her husband.

The two had been friends, and with no other suspects on the horizon, Fiona Larkins is all that the police have.

There is a mysterious child in the mix, one who gave Fiona candy in the parking lot right before disappearing as careening cars crashed wildly into one another—and the body appeared in hers.

With video and the help of the mysterious child and her more mysterious friend, the two just might find the truth in time to celebrate the day with the love—and strangely bestow It on others as well.

From Goodreads:

It's almost St. Patrick’s Day, but . . .

The gardener at an historic cemetery has come across strange words newly etched into a centuries-old gravestone. A real threat? Or just words to taunt the authorities?

The police ask the Krewe for help.

Because they are so close to D.C., and they can't take chances. There are groups and individuals who will use any occasion or date to create havoc and mayhem.

Jackson and Angela usually celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with their family, both having a wee bit of the Irish in their backgrounds.

But this St. Patrick's Day, they will be on surveillance.

They will have some unexpected help through their son, Corby . . .

And the arrival of a strange and unexpected visitor to the graveyard.

From Goodreads:

A tragic past. An uncertain future...

Twelve years after the grisly murder of her parents, Kaitlyn Delaney has finally found peace. She has friends, a good job, a place to call home and a new life to live. But then a shadow creeps in from Katie's past, reminding her that she will never completely escape its terrifying grip.

When private investigator Dan Oliver is called to the scene of a gruesome crime in New Orleans, he can't help but hear echoes of the Delaney case, the unsolved murder that made him leave law enforcement. As he digs deeper, he unearths more chilling similarities—including mysterious letters connecting the killer to a string of murders that terrorized the Big Easy in 1919.

Now reunited after all this time, Dan and Katie scour the streets together, desperate to find answers before more lives are lost. But the otherworldly roots of this evil run far deeper than they ever imagined…and only the most precious of sacrifices will bring its twisted reign to an end.

My Review:
I had a really great time reading this collection of stories! Almost all of the shorts were written after COVID started, and they mention the realities of being a federal investigator dealing with safety precautions, which I really loved!

Most of these short stories were starting Angela and Jackson, who are the couple that kicked off this series. I loved seeing these various snippets in time, from adopting a child to being pregnant, and giving birth to that baby. And of course helpful ghosts to deal with the various mysteries!

And one thing that I loved about the short stories, were that they were set in holidays, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, 4th of July. There are a few Halloween stories in there, but this is a series with ghosts, Halloween has been done before, and I enjoyed having these various other holidays featured.

In this series, the full length books usually have 3 come out in a year. And at least half the time, there's some connection, reoccurring theme. For the 2021 releases, that theme seems to be set in New Orleans. And I'm not mad about it! 

I really enjoyed Dan and Katie's story, they start off rocky, but things smooth out. And with the murders being similar to her parent's deaths, as well as these 1919 murders, the mystery was intriguing as well! Loved how it all came together! 

Loved reading these stories, and I can't wait to continue with this series! 

Author: Heather Graham
Series: Krewe of Hunters #26.7, 29.6, 29.7, 32.5, 32.6, 32.61, 32.62, 32.63, 32.64, 32.65, 32.66, 32.67, 32.68, 32.69, 32.70, 33
Read: May 15th, 15th, 15th, 15th, 15th, 15th, 16th, 16th, 16th, 16th, 16th, 16th, 16th, 16th, 16th, 16th, 2021
Source: Ebook.bike, Edelweiss 
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2021 Books, and The Unforgiven is a WoW Book! 
Publisher: Slushpile Productions, 1001 Dark Nights Press, Amazon Digital Services, Mira
Published: December 18th 2018, October 29th 2019, December 22nd 2019, September 8th 2020, April 10th 2020, May 12th 2020, May 19th 2020, July 2nd 2020, September 4th 2020, September 28th 2020, November 23rd 2020, December 17th 2020, December 30th 2020, February 11th 2021, March 16th 2021, 

Expected Publication: May 25th 2021

Christmas, The Krewe and a Large White Rabbit: 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Horrow-Ween:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

 

The Best Christmas Ever:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

The Dead Heat of Summer: 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Easter, the Krewe and Another Large White Rabbit: 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Mother's Day, the Krewe, and a Really Big Dog: 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

For Honor and Glory: 

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Born on the 4th of July:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

A Most Unusual Case:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

A Horrible Haunted Halloween:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

An Unexpected Guest:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

 

Christmas, the Krewe, and Kenneth:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

 

New Year's Eve:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

A Very Krewe Kind of Valentine's Day:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

 

St. Patrick's Day:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

The Unforgiven:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars