Review: Dying Breath by Heather Graham

Author: Heather Graham
Publisher: Mira 
Date of publication:  May 2017

As a teenager, Vickie Preston survived an attack by a serial killer. That was the first time she saw a ghost. Now the city of Boston is being terrorized—someone is kidnapping women and burying them alive, but cruelly leaving a glimmer of hope for the authorities by sending a clue about their location. Vickie is pulled into the investigation when her name is mentioned in one of the notes. And as a historian, she has the knowledge to help uncover the graves the killer known as the Undertaker is choosing. But she also has another, unique lead: the spirit of one of the victims is appearing to her in dreams.

Special Agent Griffin Price is on the case for the Krewe of Hunters, the FBI's special unit for paranormal investigators. He feels particularly protective of Vickie, since their shared past is connected to the threat that currently surrounds them. With the killer accelerating his plans, time is running out for more victims hidden around the city. Vickie is becoming closer with Griffin, but she's getting too close to the danger, and every breath could be her last.

I took a break from this series for a couple of years because I really didn't enjoy the book that came before this one.  However, I have been trying to read some of my older TBR books and this came up on the list.  I'm glad I gave this series another chance.  Dying Breath is the 21st book in the Krewe of Hunters series.  I feel like it could definitely be read as a stand alone.  Looking ahead, it also looks like this couple, Vickie and Griffin, feature prominently in the next two books as well.  That kind of breaks the pattern of the series because usually it's a different couple every time.

I really liked this story.  As a paranormal mystery, it actually was heavier on the mystery part and lighter on the paranormal part.  Don't get me wrong, there are still ghosts, but it felt more like a good serial killer mystery.  It was a refreshing change.  Vickie and Griffin's relationship made a lot of sense.  They had a bit of a history.  I loved them together and can't wait to read the next two books.    The one thing I did miss in this book was the appearance of other team members.  The only one who shows up here is Jackson Crowe.

As a whole, I have enjoyed the Krewe of Huinter series.  There have been a couple of books that I didn't love, but I think you will find that with any long running series.  Overall, I do recommend this one as well as the series.