The Hexed (Krewe of Hunters, #13)

by Heather Graham

[kimbacaffeinate]

Hexed is the thirteenth book in the Krewe of Hunters paranormal mystery/romance series by Heather Graham. One of the things I love about this series is that each can work as a standalone. In Hexed, Graham took us to the Massachusetts’ area on the outskirts of Salem. An unsolved murder occurred thirteen years ago, and it looks like the killer is back. Romance, the witch trials and paranormal woo-woo made this tale a real page-turner.

The newest member of the Krewe of Hunters is Craig Rockwell, nicknamed Rocky. When a body is found that appears to be murdered in the same fashion as a friend he found back in high school, he requests to join the Krewe. Rocky grew up in the area outside of Salem, and his friend’s murder is what drove him to join the FBI. On his way to the local police department, he almost hits Devin Lyle, who has returned to the area after inheriting her great-aunt Mina’s cabin. Devin has just found another body and a ghost led her to it. Devin is former reporter who writes children’s book, and she may have inherited more than her Aunt’s cabin as a ghostly spirit has Devin and Rocky looking into Salem’s dark past.

We get to see older members of the Krewe and I loved the addition of Rocky. His back-story regarding the first murder was interesting, and I was fond of him. Devin was interesting, from her family history to the wonderful witchy children books she writes. The townsfolk were colorful and just how I imagine the locals to be. I love that Graham fleshed them out while weaving in the history of the witch trials.

High body count, ghostly aspirations and an interesting list of suspects have Devin and Rocky delving into the past and looking at the local suspects. Graham knows how to spin a good yarn, and the atmosphere of the Salem area and its witchy background added an excellent layer of suspense, and tension to the Hexed. The romance that develop between Devin ad Rocky was the slow building, passionate romance that readers’ love. I easily connected to both and adored Devin. She is quirky, strong, and lives with a crow and her dead Aunt Mina! The execution of the mystery kept me guessing, with the twists and turns Graham weaved. The reveal was fascinating, and I always love discovering the why.

From the slow-building romance to the murder mystery, Graham had me hooked with Hexed. Fans of paranormal woo-woo and Salem history will love this addition to the Krewe of Hunters.

Copy received from publisher in exchange for unbiased review that originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer