My rating: 4 of 5 stars
After I read Heather Graham’s book, ‘Silenced’, I decided to select her next book in the Krewe of Hunters series, ‘The Forgotten‘, off my Vine queue. It is an excellent addition to the unfolding storyline of this unusual FBI team that solves crimes with the assistance of paranormal abilities. ‘The Forgotten‘ revolves around Lara Mayhew, one of the stars of the previous novel, ‘Silenced‘, after she moves to Florida to work at a dolphin training facility. Despite a fresh start that is well-separated from her frightening past both mentally and geographically, she is drawn into a series of murders perpetrated by dead people. When she experiences a vision of a ghost, she knows she needs help from her best friend, Meg Murray, and the FBI unit she works for, Krewe of Hunters, that specializes in paranormal activities.
As with the prior novel, Silenced, I don’t find out much about any of the other team members’ otherworldly talents except as they relate to the murders. There are no gratuitous flashbacks or vignettes whose only purpose is to bolster the supernatural theme. Truly, I expected ghosts and undead mirages to people the landscape much more than they did. In fact, these sorts of events were judiciously sprinkled through the plot, never overbearing and always just the right amount. Even for someone like me who doesn’t usually choose this sort of novel, I enjoyed the uniqueness they added to the story arc.
Although this is part of a series, it definitely stands alone. In fact, it took almost a third of the book before the Krewe of Hunters took main stage.
Overall, a fun story with just the right amount of other-worldiness to make it a unique experience. I definitely recommend it as a quick read.
More paranormal fiction:
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for TeachHUB, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, monthly contributor to Today’s Author and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find her book at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning.
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I always enjoy your reviews. Unusually well reasoned in my opinion 🙂
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Thanks Peter. I try not to read other reviews before I write mine so I’m not influenced.
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Looks interesting. I see Heather Graham’s books all over the place, but haven’t read her yet.
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You wouldn’t be sorry. And it’s a quick read. No deep morals and challenging issues to slow the brain down. And I mean that in a good way. It’s plot driven and keeps you engaged.
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I’ve never read Heather Graham but have handled lots of her books at the used bookstore. You’ve have my attention now. 😀 😀
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I bet you have with the huge number she’s written! If you decide to read it you’ll know pretty quickly whether you like it.
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One thing about me, Jacqui. I can ready just about anything if it holds my attention. All I need is more time. ;-P
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This certainly sounds an interesting read and something different to the straight crime genre.
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It is. Though, just between us, I’d prefer a new Mari Hannah.
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Worth treating yourself 🙂
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What a great sounding book that seems to have just the right kind of balance. This is has me interested, Jacqui and I’ve put this in my ‘wish’ list. Thanks for sharing.
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The great part of Graham is if you love her writing you have almost one hundred books to choose from. She may be as prolific as Russell Blake.
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How do they do it!
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Sounds intriguing, Jacqui.
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Graham can write. I wish she’d apply that prodigious talent to mysteries or historic fiction though
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Wait – the FBI gets involved with solving murders – doesn’t that mean she’s writing mysteries?
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Oh yeah. You’re right. Heheh
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I think I may have to bump Graham up my list – I already had her down, but now I feel like I’m missing something 😉
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I’m really glad I found her. I’ve started reading books I wouldn’t necessary pick but are recommended by those I respect. This falls into that category. It’s a great find.
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Recommendations are great, and I’ll take yours – we have similar tastes, too 🙂
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Thanks for the review. Sounds like a paranormal story that doesn’t have to depend on hammering us with the supernatural in order to entertain us.
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Well said. That’s exactly right. There were whole chapters that moved along well without the mention of ghosts or wraiths.
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Not Ghostbusters?
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Ha! No but a bit like that smarter, more mysterious and less funny.
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I should have said, “Who ya gonna call?”
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Jacqui,
I have bought Heather’s The Silenced but haven’t read it yet. I will now add The Forgotten to my list and move The Silenced up the list as next to read.
Shalom,
Pat
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I read The Silenced too they’re both as good as the other. Interestingly they feature different main characters though part of the same group of people.
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Thanks for the review, Jacqui. I’m probably in the minority, but I’ve never read in the paranormal genre.
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Me either Jill. I wouldn’t have read it if I’d known it was paranormal going in. I did read Carsten Stroud’s paranormal trilogy. He is such a great writer I got through that fine.
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I’ve had a Heather Graham book on my shelves for a while now. Can’t even remember which one it is. I know you’ve enjoyed her novels. I really should get to it!
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When you yearn for something different , this is a good choice. I wouldn’t have picked it if it hadn’t shown up on my Vine list.
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