Danger in Numbers: A Suspenseful Mystery (Amy Larson & Hunter Forrest FBI, #1)

by Heather Graham

On the edge of the Everglades, an eerie crime scene sets off an investigation that sends two agents deep into a world of corrupted faith, greed and deadly secrets

A ritualistic murder on the side of a remote road brings in the Florida state police. Special Agent Amy Larson has never seen worse, and there are indications that this killing could be just the beginning. The crime draws the attention of the FBI in the form of Special Agent Hunter Forrest, a man with insider knowledge of how violent cults operate, who might never be able to escape his own past.

The rural community is devastated by the death in their midst, but people know more than they are saying. As Amy and Hunter join forces, every lead takes them further into the twisted beliefs of a dangerous group that will stop at nothing to see their will done.

Doomsday preppers and small-town secrets collide in this sultry, twisty page-turning thriller.

"A captivating cop fiction with an extra serving of gruesome crime and grit, layered onto a unique setting described in such detail that it transports you right to the middle of it all." —Mystery and Suspense Magazine

• ISBN10: 0778331458
• ISBN13: 9780778331452
• Publish Date: 23 March 2021
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Imprint: Mira Books
• Edition: Original ed.
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 336
• Language: English

Reviews

[Jeff Sexton]

When You Can Read A Series Out Of Order And It Still Somehow Make Sense. Seriously, I don't know what to say about a book series that you can read it completely out of order- as I will have, when I read book 3, Shadow of Death - and it still actually make sense. I read Book 2, Crimson Summer, as an ARC in 2022. Going in to read Book 4, The Reaper Follows, for an ARC due in a couple of weeks, I picked up what I *thought* was Book 3 but turned out, as I found out getting ready to write this review, to be Book 1. Yet I've now already read The Reaper Follows immediately after reading this book... and yet somehow it still manages to make perfect sense to me? As in, there were no callouts that I was blatantly missing in this book to book 3? Though perhaps it was a detail thing about toy horses and island vacations, as it could in theory be possible to end each book with both of those and begin each subsequent book with both of those, but different particulars?  

 

Regardless of all of the above, this was a fast paced compelling creepy mystery set in and around the Florida Everglades, and it worked quite well on several levels. I thought it was thoroughly enjoyable - one of *very* few books I've read of late in one sitting without really stopping. (Which could in part be due to how I was trying to squeeze both this book and The Reaper Follows in with barely 48 hrs before I left before a week long vacation, and actually finished both books within about 30 hrs of starting this one.)

 

Overall I thought this tale was fun, interesting, and pretty well everything I expect from an action-packed mystery/ thriller. Very much recommended.

[Quirky Cat]

Heather Graham's latest novel, Danger in Numbers, is an eye-catching thriller that I am so happy to have read.

Special Agent Amy Larson thought she had seen it all – right up until her most recent case. A body has been found in the everglades, and the whole crime scene is a mess. As is the crime itself, if we're being honest.

This small town was not prepared for a murder so brutal, and it's going to take everything Special Agent Larson has, as well as the help of Special Agent Hunter Forrest, drawn to the gruesome scene after the fact.

“Amy had been called to several murders during her time with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, but none so grisly, such a gruesome display.”

If you're looking for a well-written story with lots of gruesome details, then Danger In Numbers is the book for you! This novel introduces Special Agent Amy Larson, and she's thrown right into the deep end as she's forced to deal with a cult.

The cult was truly disturbing – not just for their brutal actions (though there is that), but for how Graham portrayed them. The mental gymnastics they go through and how they can bring new people into the fold. It was dark and twisted – in all the right ways.

There's also a hefty dose of police procedural in Danger In Numbers. Not having read anything else by Graham, I can't tell you if that is the norm. But it did add a level of (horrifying) reality to the story.

Last but not least, there's a romantic subplot. It's safe to say that a lot is going on in this novel. But it was a lot of fun thanks to the combination of it all. And the romance helped to balance out some of the heavier moments.

I should mention that Danger in Numbers makes frequent references to the bible. I know not everyone enjoys seeing that pop up in thriller novels (for various reasons), so I wanted to mention it.

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

Check out 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.The beginning of Danger in Numbers hinted at nefarious cult activities in 1993 . Fast forward to current year, the discovery of a gruesome ritualistic murder has Florida State Police Special Agent Amy Larson and her partner investigating. The sudden appearance of FBI agent Hunter Forest and his interest in what she considered her case sets her on edge. Forced to work with Hunter when her partner suffered a heart attack did not bode well with her, but the murders needed solving.    

The investigation had me on the edge of my seat. I wondered how the events of 1993 tied with the current situation. Well, as the story developed the connection became clear and what a revelation. The mystery surrounding the person involved in the murders proved disappointing because of the ease with which I figured it out. The events leading up to the capture of the perpetrators made up for the disappointment.

Despite Amy’s initial misgivings about Hunter, they made a great team. I loved how the author slowly brought Hunter’s past to light. I thought Amy’s character could have been better fleshed out. The author provided a few details about her background, but it was not enough for me to connect with her. I found I had a better connection with Hunter as I learnt what inspired him to become an agent.

The romance was a slow burning one and developed as the story progressed. It did not overshadow the murder investigation, which was not an issue for me.

The villains of the story were manipulative, dangerous, greedy and warped in the head. The murder scenes were not for the faint of heart.

In summary, Danger in Numbers proved to be an engaging read. Fans of romantic suspense who appreciate graphic scenes should add this to their reading list. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading