Crimson Summer: A Murder Mystery Novel (Amy Larson & Hunter Forrest FBI, #2)

by Heather Graham

• ISBN10: 0778311821
• ISBN13: 9780778311829
• Publish Date: 5 April 2022
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Imprint: Mira Books
• Edition: Original ed.
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 336
• Language: English

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Crimson Summer is the second novel in Heather Graham's Amy Larson & Hunter Forrest FBI series. The series follows two agents, a dangerous cult and the dangers that arise when they intersect. In other words, it's perfect for thrill-seeking readers everywhere.

FDLE special agent Amy Larson and FBI special agent Hunter Forrest handle many cases. But together, they only ever focus on one – the hunting of an apocalypse cult. So naturally, when Amy finds evidence of their involvement in a recent massacre, she knows it's time to bring Hunter into the fray.

Dealing with a cult is bad enough. Handling a gang massacre on top of things spells danger and disaster. Will Amy and Hunter have what it takes to solve the case, find the cult, and survive?

Crimson Summer is every bit the continuation that I had hoped for. Last we saw the introduction of this cult, and it has been stuck in the back of my brain ever since. Now, we get to see the story progress a bit more, and it is so satisfying.

Amy Larson & Hunter Forrest FBI is a police procedural and murder mystery for those new to the series. As mentioned above, the dynamic duo has a specific focus, making this series stand out a bit more. Not to mention, it makes it quite a bit darker.

What I love about Crimson Summer (and again, the series) is the characters. Amy and Hunter are very different, yet they're perfect as a team. They also make for strong leading perspectives, making it easy to dive back into their stories and enjoy everything.

Thanks to MIRA and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Crimson Summer by Heather Graham is the second book in the Amy Larson and Hunter Forest FBI series. Having enjoyed Danger in Numbers, I looked forward to reading Crimson Summer after learning it was the sequel. It delivered a thrilling and suspenseful tale served with a side of romance.
 

Summary

Now the events in Crimson Summer occurred one month after Danger in Numbers. The story began with a mass murder in the Everglades, made to look like gang on gang violence. The victims were members of a notorious Latino gang. Meanwhile, the delivery of a red toy horse to Amy and Hunter’s hotel room led to them cutting their vacation short. A similar toy found at the crime scene alerted Amy and Hunter to the connection between this crime scene and their previous case involving the investigation of an apocalypse cult. The red horse hinted at the beginning of war. Amy and Hunter race against time to prevent a catastrophic event.
 

Graham delivered a clever tale which had me turning the pages while keeping me on the edge of my seat. The case is chilling and complex. Several players were involved in the murders that spread beyond Florida. The big question on the reader’s mind was who was the puppet master?

Amy and Hunter’s relationship has strengthened, and they have grown closer. They had each other’s back. Hunter’s action near to the end showed how much he loved Amy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this installment, even more so than Danger in Numbers. Crimson Summer pulled in from the very beginning with the grittiness of the murder investigation, the romantic moments between Amy and Hunter, and the twists and turns Graham created throughout the story. Identifying the villain proved a challenge this time around. The romantic and light moments balanced out the darker themes of the story. 

The danger intensified the more Hunter and Amy searched for the truth. The tale provided some nail biting moments. Now, while this aspect of the investigation wrapped up successfully, Hunter and Amy’s work isn’t over. I cannot wait to find out who will be behind the next horseman of the apocalypse.

Fans of gritty crime stories with an element of romance would appreciate the story Graham delivered in Crimson Summer. 
This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

[Jeff Sexton]

Strong Police Procedural With Overarching Mythology. Read Book 1 First. Upfront, I'm disagreeing with most other reviews currently on Goodreads for this book. Yes, technically it *can* be read as a standalone, as there are more than enough spoilers from Book 1 to give you what you need to follow along here. But with this being an overarching mythology involving the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and who each horseman is and who is controlling them... this is absolutely a series that is best started with Book 1. And then, of course, you'll want the next book and the next and the next, until you've finished the series - no matter how long Graham keeps it going. (Presumably no more than 6 or 7 books or so, with a potential Book 5 revealing the mastermind, Book 6 unveiling the mastermind's true plot, and a final showdown in Book 7. Though all three of those last things could be done in a single epic tale.) Great for those who love at minimum nation-trotting creepy action tales that span the US. This reader in particular is a sucker for such tales, and is looking forward to seeing where this series goes from here. Very much recommended.