Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Mystery
Triggers: Cult culture.

Small town meets police and FBI. That is essentially what happens right away. A ritualistic murder takes place and everyone in the small town becomes a suspect. Then, when you have someone with a lot of money, that, especially in a small town, equates to power.

Amy knows that she might be in over her head in this case, but she's determined to figure it out. With the help of Hunter, an FBI agent who knows all about cults, they have to trace the clues to find out how their victims are chosen and why.

This is a twisty story about finding who is culpable, who is brainwashed, and who is really the bad guy. Amy and Hunter know that the small town isn't going to like what they find out about their fellow neighbor, but in order for the people to stop dying in this tiny town, the mystery has to be solved.

This was a well-developed story, but it was almost too twisty. There are a lot of characters and personalities that you have to figure through. Also, the romance was not very successful for me. It felt forced.

This book doesn't necessarily end on a cliffhanger, but it definitely sets up the next book. I'm cautiously optimistic about the next book.

Awkward! If I had to describe this book in one word it would be "awkward." The writing was awkward, the dialogue was awkward, the plot was awkward, and the characters were awkward. Male characters, even the good guys, were condescending and objectifying to female characters. References to immigrants were offensive: "the little immigrant girl" when referring to a female even though she wasn't a girl, "the young woman had studied hard, Amy was certain, to make her way to the United States." I don't even understand where that phrase came from. How do you study hard to illegally enter another country? Likewise, assumptions regarding the case were made without any solid reasoning. These people were FBI and other law enforcement officers. They don't just guess. They also don't make sexual comments regarding coworkers to their supervisors. But apparently they do in this book. Based on the praise for this author's many books, I am hoping this is just a one off miss. I am not sure I am willing to try again. This book made me cringe. Multiple times.

Thank you Netgalley & Harlequin for an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!

First, I loved the main characters in this book. Hunter and Amy had great chemistry and worked great with each other. The dynamic between the two of them made solving the mystery fun. I loved the premise of the mystery, the cult./religion aspect was great. But felt at points the story got very into the weeds and there were so many characters introduced throughout that it was hard to follow at points. I felt the number of characters introduced throughout the story took away from the plot as it made the story almost too complex.

The who did it of the whole book didn't really surprise me and didn't find it super memorable. But the end did pique my interest. as soon as I read it my mind was running wild with ideas and possibilities of what it could mean.

This was a quick thriller read which sometimes is just the thing you need to take your mind off of things and escape from reality for a little. This book easily did that

Danger in Numbers is a thrilling suspense read about two cops solving an occult crime. Now, I am totally in love with the occult angles in murder mysteries, so I snagged this up fast! I was not disappointed!

Amy is an agent for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and she is sent to investigate a gruesome murder. Hunter is an FBI agent who specializes in cult crimes. Initially, Amy is hesitant to let Hunter in on the case-no one asked for the FBI-but once she realizes how knowledgeable he is about cults, she changes her mind.

While I didn't really feel like this was a mystery, it is certainly suspenseful! There were some twists that were captivating as well. The romance felt a bit flat-perhaps less developed is the better way to say it. It just felt like "Oh, they are together, so it's a romance now".  Now, as a HUGE romantic suspense fan, I love the really suspenseful plots but I think character development in a romance is critical. I wish there were more between Amy and Hunter to really make that connection seem more solid.

Danger in Numbers is perfect for fans of romantic suspense with lots of danger!

The author Heather Graham bring readers into her stories with characters that are life like and a story that hold on to the reader long after they finish the story. I have read a few of Heather Graham stories and this story doesn't disappoint. Readers will find everything they love about this author in Danger in Numbers.

The romance is typical of her stories and you know right away where the romance is headed. The characters will not disappoint and readers of her books have come to the knowledge of who is who and what to expect from her formula style writing.

The story has what romantic suspense readers love twisty and dark with just the right amount of romance to keep the story enjoyable and thought provoking.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Heather Graham Danger in Numbers.

Special Agent Amy Larson has just arrived at a grisly murder scene, unlike anything she has seen before. Her team is on scene, when Special Agent Hunter Forrest arrives, as he believes their cases are linked. When Amy’s partner is hospitalized, she must team up with Hunter to solve the crime. When it looks like this might be a serial cult killing, Hunter’s past must come to light to help them catch the killers. Can they stop them in time to save a young woman’s life? What will happen when the killers turn their sights on Amy, can Hunter save the woman who is not only his partner, but the woman who he is starting to have feelings for?

Heather Graham has given her readers yet another riveting thriller that will keep you in suspense page after page. Just when you think you have the murders solved; another twist happens. The suspense keeps building right until the end of the book. The characters were written with such depth and dimension, that you could feel their emotions. I loved the Biblical aspect and the insights into the cult and commune lifestyle. I really hope that this becomes a new series! I would like to thank Harlequin Publishing, Heather Graham and Netgalley for an ARC of the book. My opinions are entirely my own and unbiased.

Even though Heather Graham has written dozens of novels, this was my first time reading one of her novels. I was really interested when I was reading the description since I find books, especially mysteries, involving cults to be fascinating.

Danger in Numbers was good and I enjoyed reading it, but sadly there was nothing that stood out to me. I found the two lead characters to be pretty bland and it was pretty obvious early on what would happen to these two.

The mystery was lacking. There were no surprising twists that occurred. I was hoping that something would happen to change the direction of the novel, but sadly it didn’t. With so many mysteries novels out there and even mysteries involving cults, Danger in Numbers just doesn’t stand out.

3 calculators out of a potential 5. Run of the mill mystery involving a cult.

Thank you to Netgallery and HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Special Agent Amy Larson is called to investigate a ritual murder in Florida, and it's pulling in Special Agent Hunter Forrest, who has experience with violent cults. The local community is devastated by the murder, but people know more than they're saying. The group they're hunting is determined to carry out their vision to the very end.

The draw of Revelation in the Bible is that it's so open to interpretation, and many people interpret it in different ways. The women being killed are offered up as sacrifices to appease the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, and the quiet religious town is rocked with fear when the bodies are discovered. Amy and Hunter work together to trace each victim's last moments and uncover the cult that is killing the women. Everyone is a suspect, because the cult members could be anywhere and small towns have their whisper networks. Amy and Hunter are chasing leads, but they're few and far between. The sparks between them fly, especially when they continually have to work together and travel across Florida.

We have the story of the agents intercut with a young couple and their six-year-old son escaping the clutches of a cult with the help of the FBI. The cults start with a religious bent, wanting to help followers achieve peace here and in the afterlife. It ultimately involves ceding all property and money to the Divine Leader and all women becoming his "wives." Creepy, and a situation that is eerily being reenacted. There's a reason for it, and it's a taut race to the end of the book. Will they find the Divine Leader in time? Will they save the remaining victim? Who's really involved? All these questions are tied up and answered by the close of the novel, and there's also a potential hook for the future.

There has been a brutal murder on the edge of the Everglades. Special Agent Amy Larson has a bad feeling about this one. She teams up with FBI Special Agent Hunter Forrest to find the killer and the cult.

Hunter has a special interest in this case. He is an expert in the occult. He has a past dealing with them. And you will have to read this to find out.

This story is fascinating. With the cult undertones and the weird murders, I was completely engaged from start to finish. You just didn’t know who to trust.

This author and I go waaaay back. I remember reading her very first book in the 80s. I loved her then and I love her now. I don’t think I have read one bad book. Now, I have not read them all, but I have read the majority. She just keeps putting out good reads!

Grab your copy today…you will not be sorry!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

This book was gripping. As someone who loves a good thriller or even a good crime drama now and again this book was hitting many laters with me.

We have the physiological layer of what people can do to a person's mind when in a cult. We had gritty gruesome murders and we even had a small bit of romance.

Mix with that a dark and seedy atmosphere and it was the perfect setting for this book.

Once I started reading it I could not put it down. It held me captivated and I was willing to stay a captive. With each page I turned I felt myself being pulled in deeper into the dark and eerie place.

It was truly a bone-chilling book to read.

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.

Title: Danger in Numbers
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: Mystery/thriller
Rating: 4 out of 5


On the edge of the Everglades, a brutal murder and an eerie crime scene set 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, and a man 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.

This was a solid thriller read, as Graham’s novels usually are. The setting was vivid enough to give me the creeps—no thank you to living in a small town on the edge of the Everglades—with or without the creepy cult nearby. I like both of the main characters, and I’d definitely read the next book in the series.

Heather Graham is a bestselling author. Danger in Numbers is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/MIRA in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 3/25.)

This latest romantic suspense story by Heather Graham is a great beginning to what looks like a new series. Amy and Hunter are thrown together on a gruesome case. Things quickly heat up and the following action is intense.
The case itself is intriguing and at times, gritty and dark. The villains don't come as a surprise, however it does keep you second guessing quite a bit. While the case in this story is wrapped up, things are left open for future books.
The cast of characters are interesting. I really liked Amy and hope to learn more about her in the future. Hunter is more fleshed out. There are several others I'd like to see again.
There were several instances where things got a bit disjointed. All in all though, it's a great read. I enjoyed the cult aspect. It was informative without being boring. I definitely want more.

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. 




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Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

I am a big fan of Graham’s Krewe of Hunters series and most of her other stories as well. So I am always happy to pick up a Heather Graham story. But this one was just ok for me.

I love the suspense part. And being from Florida I loved hearing all the places and lore of the state. Graham has a way of bringing you into her stories with the real history that surrounds the area she is writing about. But the romance was a bit dry in this story.

I do not know what it was but I guess I never connected with Amy or Hunter because I just wanted to get back to the meat of the story and be done with the fluff.

The religious part of the story I found interesting. I have never been fond of the cult stories but this had a bit of a different aspect to the story. The murder was one that you wanted to help Amy and Hunter find the suspect.

All in all a good story from Graham just not one of her best.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Danger in Numbers. Thank you to the publisher, Mira Books, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Gist
I have been on a little book review hiatus. And the first review I get to write has me staring at my trusted little laptop screen. I don’t know what to say. Well, I do know what to say, I just don’t know how to say it without sounding like a complete jerk.

What the heck?! Here it goes: I thought this was really not that good. Wow! Can I be any more passive aggressive?

But seriously, though. What do you say about a story that felt like listening to nails on a chalkboard?

Let me explain.

The Details
I don’t think Danger in Numbers would have been as bad, had it not been for the writing.
But what is a story without the writing? Good question. Not much, I presume.

As soon as I started reading Danger in Numbers I could tell that this felt more like a mass-produced book. You know, one of those paperback novels you buy at the airport just to pass the time of your delayed flight?

Danger in Numbers was a quick read, but mostly because it was just fluff. Badly written fluff.

There was no passion or excitement in the writing. I can always tell when a person writes something because they have to, versus when they are excited about telling a story.

This story just felt void of enthusiasm for the craft of writing.

The grammar was atrocious. The sentences felt chopped and thrown together to just get the point across, regardless of what they sound like as long as the pages get filled with them.

I couldn’t stand the characters in Danger in Numbers. I imagined a pursed lip, better-than-thou female detective and a male sidekick, who have such a strong bond they only have to look at each to communicate. That sounds like something out of a day-time television show.

Also, I cannot buy the fact that a 50-year-old man has snow-white hair. Sure, it happens that people grey prematurely, but snow-white hair? On a 50-year-old man? Nah.

The lackluster writing, the lack of passion, the oh-so-many run-on sentences and unbelievable character descriptions made Danger in Numbers a not very pleasurable reading experience.

The Verdict
Overall, not even a gruesome murder in the deserted landscape of the Everglades could save this one for me. I am quite aware that this might not be a very popular opinion, yet I’m incapable of sugar coating the facts these days.

It’s a hard pass for me on Danger in Numbers.

(4,5* rounded to 5)
This is a solid thriller that kept me on the edge till the end. Gritty, complex and emotionally charged it’s a well-crafted and dark story of cults, ritual killings and the past that becomes part of the current story.
It could have been a 5* but I didn’t like the romance part that felt a bit like “Ok, now the characters must fall in love as this is a romantic suspense”.
That’s my only issue with this story as the romance seemed to be more a sort of “got to do it” than a relevant part of the plot.
The character are interesting, the plot is fast pace and tightly knitted, and the setting is fascinating and vivid.
I like Amy and Hunter and I like how Hunter’s story was made part of the plot. The character development and storytelling are excellent.
Even if it should be a standalone something at the end of the book made me thing it could be the first in a series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to MIRA and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This was a candy bar of a book. It's not a plot that will really stick with me and make my top ten list for the year but it was just a fun and tasty treat and a book I thoroughly enjoyed from the first page to the last.

We meet Special Agent Amy Larson who is an agent with the state of Florida and FBI Agent Hunter Forrest right at the beginning. Amy isn't super thrilled to have the FBI stepping into what she considers a state case. While she made her reluctance known I didn't feel like she was ever over the top about it and once Hunter proves himself an able investigator who isn't ego driven she is happy to work with him. I really enjoyed that both lead characters behaved like adults, were willing to listen to each other, and valued the other's opinion. The inevitable relationship that developed also seemed appropriate. They were two adults in a tense situation who had a lot in common. While it developed quickly it didn't feel like it went from disdain to I will take a bullet for you overnight. All in all, while the characters weren't hugely developed I was very happy with what I got.

The mystery was a creepy one that kept me invested in the story. I don't feel like anything was surprising but the pacing and atmosphere were good enough that I didn't care. I couldn't wait to see how it all played out.

If you're looking for a light read with a creepy story and likable main characters then this is a great read. For me this is the definition of a beach read - except for the fact that I might get so into the story that I'd forget to reapply sunscreen!

I knew that I wanted to read Danger In Numbers as soon as I read the blurb. I always love a good crime thriller, and the mention of a cult element as well as a FBI angle made me even more excited to read this story. As a whole, I definitely ended up having a great time with this story! Danger In Numbers isn't afraid to go dark as it dives into a violent and disturbing cult world... And you will find plenty of suspense along the way.

The strength of Danger In Numbers is without doubt in this cult element and how it is incorporated into the plot. While it is pretty obvious quite early on what is going on and who might be behind it, as a whole the plot and twists are entertaining enough to keep reading. Add multiple murders, a violent cult angle and a federal investigation that takes the two main characters all over Florida, and you will find plenty of action along the way. The 1993 flashbacks were a nice touch, as it helped giving insight in the cult world from the very start and added a dose of suspense and intrigue as to how Sam fitted into the present timeline... The present itself focuses on different characters to help getting to know the characters as well as to show what is happening in different places.

As for the characters... I do have to say I would have liked to see more development, as both Amy Larson and Hunter Forrest felt a bit flat and cliche as a whole. They weren't exactly unlikeable and I did enjoy seeing them investigate the case, but more fleshing out might have made it easier to connect to them. That said, I wasn't a fan of the introduction of the romance angle at all, and I felt it undermined the strength of the rest of the plot. This romance element didn't add anything substantial to the plot, and I would have much preferred the story without it.

In short, while there were certain things that didn't work all that well for me, as a whole there is no denying that Danger In Numbers is an entertaining and suspenseful crime thriller with an intriguing cult angle. The ending might be a bit bland, but the plot itself most definitely wasn't!

This was my first book by Heather Graham so I was not sure what to expect. It is about a Florida detective who is called in to solve what becomes a serial case. She is partnered with a handsome FBI agent with a past. Can they stop the killings?

The funny thing about this book is I started reading it while I was in south Florida on vacation. It brought the book to life for me because I had experienced the same landscape as the book. Although the location does not play a huge part in the story, I loved it.

This is a criminal thriller without a lot of focus on the police details. It was more about the story and less about police procedures. I enjoyed this method in this book.

I would rethink book to anyone that loves a police thriller. There is a nugget at the end that makes you think a sequel will be coming. If it does, it’s definitely on my reading list!