I really liked the story and all the characters. I couldn't figure out who did it until the end. A very pleasant book to read. ( )

My favorite kind of cozy mysteries are those with a paranormal element. There is just something about adding a bit (okay, sometimes a lot) of supernatural to a story that appeals to me most. Despite The Hexed being the thirteenth book in the Krewe Hunters series, it is my first. Fortunately for me, The Hexed is very much a stand alone novel. There is so little (nothing really) about characters that may have appeared in earlier books, that a reader jumping in now should not feel lost or feel like he or she missed out on a minor continuing story line.

In The Hexed, readers are introduced to Craig "Rocky" Rockwell, an FBI agent who asks to be assigned to the an elite division of the FBI called the Krewe Hunters. The Krewe Hunters, once a private detection agency, was adopted by the FBI because of their special abilities in dealing with the supernatural, namely ghosts. Rocky is haunted by the ritualistic murder of a friend when they were teenagers and when another body is found in the same area and in the same manner over a decade later, he requests to be involved in the investigation.

Devin Lyle, once reporter now children's book author, has only recently returned home to Salem, taking up residence in her deceased aunt's home. One night she hears a cry for help and runs outside into the woods by her house only to find the body of a woman.

Devin is pulled into the investigation of the murders due to her ability to see and talk to ghosts, one of which Rocky and Devin are sure has the key who is behind the murders and why someone would want the women dead. Add in an eccentric great-aunt who is a ghost, a black raven named Poe, and a budding love story, and you have an entertaining novel.

I really liked the character of Rocky. He is such a sweetheart, maybe a little too perfect. I found it interesting how the Krewe team gave him lead upon their arrival to town to help with the murder investigation, especially given how new he was to the unit. It made sense in some ways, I suppose: this was the area he had grown up in, one of his childhood friend's was the local lead on the case, and he was the first on the scene. It wasn't something that bothered me at all, just something I noticed.

Devin was no slouch, that's for sure. She's smart as a whip, especially when it comes to the history of the area. Sometimes when a civilian character gets involved with a police investigation it seems too unbelievable to buy into, but not so in Devin's case. At least I did not think so. In part, keeping her close was to protect her, but she was also the person the ghost from long ago wanted to talk to.

I enjoyed seeing the evolution of Devin and Rocky's relationship, but admit the moment they made their feelings known seemed forced somehow and so sudden. It wasn't how I imagined either character acting except maybe in their heads. Still, it was not a bad thing. Given how stressful the situation was, how dangerous, I should not be completely surprised.

The Hexed was an enjoyable read. I suspected just about everyone in the book at one point or another of being the killer, but it was not until closer to the end that I had it figured out. Somewhat. The investigation was slow going at times, but rightfully so given the amount of research and foot work the characters had to do. There is a bit of a need to suspend one's disbelief (and I'm not referring to the ghosts) in how Rocky came to some of his conclusions, but it was easy to look past as much fun as I was having reading to see what would happen next.

Will I read more by this author? Absolutely. I'm curious to learn more about the other members of the Krewe Hunters team and see what mysteries they encounter.


Copy provided by publisher for an honest review. ( )

From Amazon:

Devin Lyle has recently returned to the Salem area, but her timing couldn't be worse. Soon after she moved into the eighteenth-century cabin she inherited from her great-aunt Mina—her "crazy" great-aunt, who spoke to the dead—a woman was murdered nearby.

Craig Rockwell—known as Rocky—is a new member of the Krewe of Hunters, the FBI's team of paranormal investigators. He never got over finding a friend dead in the woods. Now another body's been found in those same woods, not far from the home of Devin Lyle. And Devin's been led to a third body—by…a ghost?

My Thoughts:
Heather Graham's story lines always stay rooted in the here and now, even though the route to get from question to answer may be under the guidance of a spirit or two! The open minded attitude toward all that is possible yet unseen, appeals to me, especially when it isn't used as an excuse to create a host of unearthly resolutions and outcomes to cover up poorly executed plots. Not at all an issue for this fabulous author. The plots are tight, the twists keep coming and you will keep guessing until the last pages. Add to that a generous helping of scrumptious heat, and you have a fantastic, ghostly, evil tale with a splash of spicy romance. ( )

Krewe of Hunters: Book 14

8 audio discs

ok but wouldn't be a favorite of mine ( )

Very enjoyable and suspenseful story set in Salem, Massachusetts. Paranormal investigators, the Krewe of Hunters, are investigating a new series of murders that may have ties back to the days of the witch trials. Interesting and spooky with vivid descriptions, and very atmospheric. ( )