Twelve years ago, a brutal homicide happened on the Frampton Ranch and Resort in North Central Florida. Maura and Brock were teenagers at the time, both working at the resort and both in the throws of first love. After that night, the lovebirds never talked to each other again. That murder was never solved and added to the long list of mysteries that happened at the History Tree, which is actually two trees that grew into one twisted tree on the property.
Now it’s happening again. There’s a list of missing girls who all fit a similar description, and a skeleton has just been discovered nearby. Brock, an FBI agent now residing in NYC has been sent to the area at the request of the detective working the case. Not only has Brock been brought back to the scene of that crime, but Maura is there as well. As soon as the pair sees each other, you can feel their tension through the pages. While this is a good story, it could be so much more. The writing didn’t feel like the Heather Graham novels I’ve read in the past. Parts of this story was rushed, yet other parts go tediously slow. The chemistry between Maura and Brock isn’t really there, not two people who thought the other was their world. As a Floridian, living in the area described in this story, I can vouch for the fact that Ms. Graham described some of the areas so well that I could visualize them. It really felt like she had been to the area and had first hand knowledge. As far as the mystery goes, I could figure out who it was before the big reveal. That happens for me with most books so I don’t dock for that. The reason for only four stars is that the main characters for me didn’t have the depth that I’m used to with Ms. Graham’s stories and the writing itself didn’t feel up to her previous works.
*I received an ARC of this story from NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

This story could have been great! If only the author could have stayed on track. It was so long and drawn out, not to mention all over the place. We really didn't need all the fillers with the history of buildings in a different town. I was bored. I needed to finish it to see who done it. But by the time we got there it was wham, bam and done.

3.5*

Tangled Threat had just enough suspense to keep me flipping the pages. Mysterious tales told through time suddenly become a reality.

Over a decade has passed when teenage flames, Brock and Maura, are reunited at the campgrounds where they both met and worked. Despite being accused of murder as a teen, Brock, now a FBI agent, is sent back to the camp to investigate the sudden disappearance of women in the area. Everyone is a suspect.

When old wounds are cast aside, Brock and Maura are determined to solve the murder mystery that has plagued the campground forever.

Heather graham is always good. In this story after twelve years those who had worked at the resort meet there again all grown up. Maura and Brock have not seen each other in all of that time. Now there is a murder again and they are there for different reasons but with the same feelings for each other. The story centers around the History Tree which is really two trees. A body hung from there twelve years ago and now young women are missing and two bodies have been found in the area. The old mystery is yet to be solved.

When I see this author it is usually and automatic read for me because I always enjoy the details in her stories. This story unfortunately did not grab me from the get go. I had trouble connecting with the characters and was not a fan of the storyline. In fact, there were parts I had trouble getting through and wanted to skip over them. This book was not for me but very well may be perfect for another reader. I will continue to look for new stories and look forward to what she continues to write.

Tangled Threat involves FBI agent Brock McGovern who has to return to his home town to investigate a series of disappearances. There he reconnects with his high school sweetheart Maura. I liked the couple. The romance felt a bit rushed because they hadn't seen each other in 12 years. The mystery was the best part of the story. I didn't see the twist coming at the end. It's a quick read and one I do recommend.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆
3.5 stars

This is a slightly spooky murder mystery and second-chance romance. Ten years ago, Maura and Brock were witnesses to a grisly murder at a Florida resort. Now they’re back at the resort and Brock has to solve a new murder and a string of disappearing women that may be linked.

As a murder mystery, this resembles a classic Agatha Christie or Sherlock Holmes story more than it does most modern crime thrillers. The suspects and investigators are all living in close quarters at the resort and the ending is classic Christie. The result is a mystery that is slower and less bloodthirsty than most modern crime writing. It’s a relaxing read but I’m not sure the writing is quite strong enough to support the leisurely paced, character focused story. None of the characters or suspects ever really came to life for me and the suspects were a little too bland for this style of murder mystery. I like to keep guessing until the end with whodunnit stories but this one doesn’t really allow readers to solve the story alongside the detectives. Even when the whodunnit is explained at the end, I didn’t get the ‘Of course!’ moment I’d been expecting. I like that I didn’t guess the ending, but I always like to know I could have guessed the ending if I’d put all the pieces together correctly.

As a romance, this falls a bit flat. The focus is definitely the murder mystery, and the romance isn’t paced very well. Brock and Maura feel much older than thirty – there is a formality to their relationship that suggests a much older generation. The gentle, low heat, fade-to-grey scenes will appeal to some readers, but I really wanted something more to make me believe in these characters.

This is the kind of murder mystery I’d happily lend to my mother or grandmother. I’m guessing it will appeal to more conservative readers. There is a gentle Southern charm to the story and the characters, but it failed to keep my attention at times and I personally prefer more action in my crime thrillers.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
2.5 stars
M/F Thriller, Romance

This all started with a murder when Maura and Brock were much younger. Almost headed off to college, they are working at the same resort when a member of the staff is murdered. Jump ahead several years and everyone is back, but for different reasons.

Maura and Brock were the "it" couple. But when tragedy strikes, Maura is whisked away and Brock is arrested. Now, all grown up and in their own careers, they find themselves back at the resort with another murder looming overhead.

That's pretty much the story. Even the romance within the story just didn't really develop. It was a flat romance with little to no dialogue and only after they rehashed the original crime for several chapters. The main characters danced around each other and the past, but seemed to be "over it" when they saw each other.

I liked the mystery within the book, but it ended so abruptly. I wish there had been less talk and description about the original crimes and history and more put into the ending. It was almost anticlimactic. I was kind of disappointed in the story because it had such potential. And despite its exhaustive descriptions of the past, it was a fast read (meaning it didn't take long). Overall, I was underwhelmed and kind of bored.

Potential Triggers: Murder, Stalking

This book is OUTSTANDING!!!! I kid you not, Heather Graham is the queen at writing excellent stories. This book did not fail. This story is about the present and historical (looking back 12 years and the ghosts that are hanging around.) I love how Heather makes all of her characters so very real and believable, yes, even the ghosts. When your reading this, you’ll be in Florida. Heather makes you feel like your right there. Happy reading fellow readers and enjoy!!!!! :))))

Tangled Threat is the first book in a new romantic suspense series by Heather Graham. It’s a surprisingly short, and therefore quick read surrounding the legend of the cursed History Tree, a historical sight in Florida which attracts history buffs and also, unfortunately, murderers. Apropos given its legendary cursed status.

Tangled Threat is second-chance love story that starts off with two teenagers in love working at a resort who are brought back together years later in their corresponding FBI and video producer roles over the latest crime spree surrounding the area.

The premise is an interesting one, and I do enjoy a good FBI agent murder mystery/romance story. This one, however, didn’t do it for me. It had a great deal of extraneous information, that I’m sure was there to add context, depth, and historical background, but the information or presentation wasn’t all that enthralling. Maura and Brock’s relationship was also very insta-lovey and focused merely on the physical aspects which made it hard for the reader to make an emotional connection to the characters or truly buy into the relationship. I also found the writing to be a bit simple for my taste. This series will perhaps build and improve from here, but this story wasn’t as engaging as I’d hoped it would be.

Second chances after many years. There was a murder several years before and Brock was arrested. Though he was cleared he and Maura never spoke again. He's now an FBI agent and there's missing girls and a body found. They all have something to do with the location of the first murder.
Even after so much time the chemistry is still there between Brock and Maura.
Tangled Threat flows smoothly and reads quickly. It's a good romance and whodunit read.

FBI agent Brock McGovern is going back to a place that holds bad memories. He had been arrested for murder and his young love had been swept away.

Three women are missing and it is his job to find out why. Is there a curse waiting to deal him a dose of justice….or a murderer waiting to be caught?

The History Tree…I love trees. I don’t know why, but anything about them makes me curious and a tree with a cursed history…well, I gotta know.

This is a convoluted mystery that spans decades. All the players are together again and I am crossing them off my bad list, one by one.

Heather doesn’t make it easy as she sends me off on one false trail after another…and I am happy to go down those trails…all the way to the end.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Tangled Threat by Heather Graham.

This review was originally posted on <a href="http://booksofmyheart.net/2019/08/29/tangled-threat-by-heather-graham/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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<strong>Tangled Threat</strong> has the soft feel of Heather Graham's romantic suspense.  There is a lot of history, and history of murders and missing women. The atmosphere is similar to the Krewe Hunters series but there are no paranormal aspects just the weight of history.

Brock and Maura have not seen each other or spoken in 12 years but now they are back where they parted.  Another woman is dead and more are missing. Brock was sent for the case because he knows the place and many of the people. Unfortunately, they know him too.

While I found the relationship somewhat believable, it wasn't very satisfying. There were lustful thoughts and how the other was the only one they ever really loved. They came together. But they didn't talk much. Brock and Maura knew each other and could understand the looks they gave each other. Uh, really?

The case was a bit better as Brock and the local people tracked down leads and collected information. Maura, of course, had to insert herself into things frequently, putting herself in danger.  The killer was a surprise but the discovery method was predictable.  Neither the romance or the mystery was quite strong enough for me.

With a flare of history, intense murder investigation, and reunited lovers Heather Graham delivers her trademark style of potent, fervent entertainment, that is hard to put down and leaves you craving for even more.
I enjoyed this story immensely, it had the vibes of Dirty Dancing (the movie) with the drama of the resort summer employees, it had the horrid crimes, it had the intriguing investigation, and the interplay of the cast of characters.
Maura Antrim and Brock McGovern were destined to be together, their connection, their energy, the strong attraction, it was all still tangible after twelve years of no communication. I loved how uncomplicated their relationship after all was, and I admired their honesty, openness, and loyalty to each other.
The murder mystery is a twisted tale of heinous crimes and sadness for the senseless loss of lives. There are many suspects, there are few clues, and to get all the puzzle pieces together, to figure out the case of disappearing and murdered girls, Maura and Brock risk their lives and future together to get the answers their need.
With each story I read by the author, I learn something new of the area the tale is located in with her compelling way to tie the local history to the events of the book. It is left to readers discretion to determine what is fiction and what is fact, and that in itself I find absorbing.
A mystery to be solved, an old relationship to be rekindled, and friends reunited... Another thrilling riddle told in the compelling and unique way only Heather Graham can do it
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

This was a fun second chance romance. It was a quick read, but the story wasn’t rushed. The mystery aspect was very good and the twist was perfect!

Tangled Threat is a pretty quick read, which is about as good as it got for me. Had it not been, I'm not sure I would've persevered. There is suspense, but there is way too much repetition with things being gone over and over again as information is passed from one person to the next. Then we have what was supposed to be a second chance romance. I say supposed to be because I didn't see any chemistry between this couple. We're told that they're still crazy about each other, that their teenage love has never died, but I didn't see that between them. It felt like the romance was just thrown in there - Here's this mystery with some danger, and oh yeah, these two are in love - and we're just supposed to take that at face value. Don't tell me, show me, convince me that I should be rooting for this couple's happy ever after. I've read several of Heather Graham's books, and I don't know if I've changed or she has, but I just felt like something was missing here.

The History Tree has quite the reputation at the vacation resort in a small town of Florida. Twelve years ago a young woman was found hanging from the tree. Fast forward and we find Maura a videographer and Brock now an FBI agent back at same resort they worked at as teenagers. Maura is there filming a series and Brock has returned to help find three missing girls. Maura and Brock haven’t seen each other since that night twelve years ago. They were young lovers who we forced to go separate ways after the incident. Is this the right time to rekindle a young love? Can Brock keep Maura safe at the resort and still find the missing girls?
I am a huge fan of Heather Graham’s series of books so I was excited to find a stand alone novel. I found it suspenseful, intriguing and loved how the two main characters reunited. There was a mix of characters that made you keep guessing right until the end of the story. I really enjoyed the story and I want to thank Heather Graham, Harlequin and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book to review.

Emotionally thrilling, witty, sexy and engaging adventure filled with intriguing danger, interesting charters, exciting passion and heart pounding twists..... was an entertaining read from beginning to end. A Great Read!

When Maura is brought back to Frampton Ranch with her job, she is surprised to run into Brock, twelve years after a murder tore apart their romance. Now there are missing young women and Brock is there to see if they are connected to the murder from twelve years ago. Maura is determined to help him, being they both have a history with the area. Will they be able to solve the crime and rekindle their passion that they once had? A very well written book with great characters.

Good book. Likable characters. Interesting storyline. Put all three together and you have a book that is hard to put down. Readers of Heather Graham will recognize some of the characters who weave their way in. Recommend it.

This book is full of suspense that brings the past into the present. At every turn of the page there is another layer to the story so you can't figure out who did it. It all revolves around a tree in Florida it is two trees that grew together.


** I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review**