Tangled Threat is a fast-paced romantic suspense with a hint of mystery and intrigue. Published under the Harlequin Intrigue line of books, Tangled Threat does not disappoint. Graham keeps you second-guessing with twists and turns around every corner. A well-written story with clues hidden along the way that keep you on the edge of your seat never knowing what will happen next. The ending is sure to surprise and was indeed quite a surprising twist. Definitely pick up Tangled Threat if you love a good intriguing story with love, mystery, and thrilling surprises that will send chills up and down your spine.

I was looking for something a little different and this Harlequin Intrigue caught my attention. The intrigue was there but the romance fell a little flat for me.

Brock and Maura dated once years ago when they saw something that changed their lives. Brock is now an FBI agent who has returned to the resort where the infamous Hanging Tree is, to help with the investigation of three missing girls. Maura happens to be there as well filming short videos of the spooky occurrences at the resort.

This mystery kept me entertained, but the odd formatting had me re-reading many sections because I thought I skipped something. The twist at the end was one I definitely did not see coming. So that was surprising. I felt like the second chance romance took a back seat to the mystery which was to be expected. I just hoped as I read on that it would change but it didn't.

Brock and Maura were in love once but events beyond their control sent them in different directions. Years later, they are back at the resort where they fell in love and the place that is believed to be associated with a serial killer. Other individuals that were there years ago are back as well. Could that mean that one of them is the killer?

This book has a little of everything and I really enjoyed it.

This is a well crafted second chance romantic suspense, an edge of your seat read involving murder, history, love and mystery. As teenagers, Maura and Brock were working at the Framptom Ranch and Resort before murder separated them. They were in love but their discovery of one of their fellow members of staff murdered and hanging from the infamous History Tree put an end to their relationship. She was whisked away by her parents whilst he was arrested for the murder. He was quickly released but the two never met again until now, twelve years later.

Maura is a video producer and is helping Angie Parsons to create a film about local historic sites and macabre events in Florida. They are staying at the Framptom Ranch and Resort and Maura never anticipated that Brock would also be staying there. He's now an FBI agent who has been called in by the local police to help investigate just what has happened to some women who have disappeared mysteriously. With murders to be solved, victims to be rescued and dangers all around this is an intriguing story where events from the past impinge on the present. As they discover other people who were around twelve years ago, can these two discover just what happened to the women, keep safe and give their romance a second chance?

This story has a cast of possible perpetrators and is a great page turner with plenty of twists, turns and surprises all the way through. I found it an enthralling read and didn't want to put it down! I'll certainly look out for more by this author in future and have no hesitation in highly recommending this to anyone who enjoys reading romantic suspense.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and thoroughly enjoying doing so.

TANGLED THREAT is an interesting suspense with a touch of romance. Maura and Brock were dating when they were young, and separated after a terrible murder. Brock was initially arrested for it, but soon released- however, Maura's parents had already made her leave. Now, Brock is an FBI agent called back to the area to investigate a murder and some disappearances.

Reuniting and solving a crime, the focus is on the suspense, but the second chance romance adds a nice, light touch to the book. This is a fast-paced read that goes smoothly. With some history and plenty of mystery, the book moves quickly. Highly recommend for fans of suspense with enjoy a touch of romance alongside it.

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Excellent story, Excellent location, and OMG what an excellent ending! That twist was amazing. I liked when the story starts the characters are teens with summer jobs at the resort then focuses on the grown up version of the teens. To have so many still connected with the resort and the area in a questionable way added drama to the story. To revisit a first love added texture to the book. So much to like about this book!

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

Heather Graham is a fantastic author. I've read a lot of her books and been very satisfied with the writing, the story telling, the characters. This one, however, was below her usual standards.

Maura and Brock were high school sweethearts years ago, A woman had been murdered, Brock was arrested and then released, and Maura left town, too scared to stand up for him.

Today ... two women are missing. Brock is now an FBI Agent and he and Maura are now in the same place at the same time. Both are them are wary, but they regret that things hadn't worked out when they were kids.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, it has all the criteria that I look for first. But the characters were like cardboard cutouts .. not much depth or credibility to them at all. The story was okay, but i didn't find it all that suspenseful. Conversations seemed to be a bit rambling and at times, nonsensical.

Many thanks to the author / HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada) / Harlequin Intrigue / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this Romance. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

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