Bram Stoker used every myth and legend of blood-drinking ghouls – and there were plenty of them – and added just a pinch of history (and a tiny pinch at that) to create his legendary blood-sucking monster, Count Dracula.

The vampire killer that the latest members of the Krewe of Hunters are chasing, on the other hand, just cribbed off of Hollywood to create his own version of that legendary villain. Which does not make him any less frightening or any less of a monster.

Perhaps even a bit more so, as he seems to have all the mesmerizing charm of those movie villains, as well as an uncanny ability to choose “apprentices” who can be persuaded to carry on his work with just the right promises of infamy and immortality couched in cult-like justification.

But this serial killer is absolutely not a “real” vampire – even if he is a blood-sucking fiend. He’s still only human – and crazy like a fox.

The Krewe of Hunters is a very special unit of the FBI, as established in the first book in the long-running series, Phantom Evil. As part of the FBI, the Krewe operates in the United States, based out of New Orleans. But this wannabe vampire killer is operating in Europe. Mostly. So far. But not for long.

With murders attributed to this madman scattered from London to Paris to Lillehammer in Norway – when this story begins – Interpol and the various local police agencies are in the hunt up to their necks – so to speak – when the FBI assigns two new members of the Krewe to the international team hunting the killer.

Or killers.

Although the Krewe often deals with supernatural crimes, there isn’t anything woo-woo about the vampire killer – no matter his method of draining the blood of his victims. But that doesn’t mean that the special abilities that the Krewe’s members have won’t come to excellent use in this hunt.

Agents Della Hamilton and Mason Carter, both new to the Krewe, are able to see – and speak to – ghosts. A talent that is going to help them catch this killer before any more of his victims join the dead.

Escape Rating B+: I picked this up because I was looking for something with more of a romantic suspense vibe, I had vague memories of having read at least a few of the early books in the Krewe of Hunters series, and this looked like a good place to jump back in.

And so it proved.

The Krewe of Hunters series is 38 books and counting, and I’ll admit I didn’t feel like starting back near the beginning. At least not right now, although I certainly liked this more than enough for the series to go into my comfort reads rotation. But I don’t remember any more of the setup than is provided in this first book in the new Blackbird subseries, so you don’t need to be familiar with the Krewe to start here.

Whispers at Dusk struck me as a combination of Jayne Ann Krentz’ contemporary entries in her Arcane Society/Harmony series, as the team has a mix of psychic or other special talents which are useful to solving the case without necessarily being integral to it. The quick flash and hot burn of the romance between Della and Mason also has a similar vibe to the romances in that series. At the same time it blends the putting the band together and police procedural aspects of Andrea Kane’s Forensic Instincts series (another series I need to get a round tuit to get back to!)

The case in this one is taut and chilling. While no one – at least on the police side – is fool enough to believe there’s a real vampire, the idea that a serial killer has chosen to strike fear by mimicking one is bad enough. That the killer is training others in his methods and leaving a cult of killers in his wake is enough to give anyone the heebie-jeebies, vampire or no.

What keeps the reader on the edge of their seat is the relentless pace of the story, as the killer leads the newly-formed team on a not-merry-at-all chase from one remote and historically significant location to another, from Lillehammer to the Orkneys to the swamps around Lake Pontchartrain, leaving clues and victims in their wake while dropping hints of their next kill and their intent to make Della their crowning achievement – either by turning her to their ‘dark side’ or leaving her drained corpse as a final monument to their twisted genius.

This one is a creeping, blood-sucking thrill ride from beginning to end. I will absolutely be back for the second installment in this suspenseful chase for next in this series of serial killers with in twist in Secrets in the Dark, coming next month!

4.5 Stars

Heather Graham is back with another surefire bestseller her legion of fans will devour in one sitting: Whispers at Dusk.

Four bodies have been found along Europe’s riverbanks – drained of blood. Law enforcement are completely stumped when the DNA found in the wounds indicates something far more sinister than they could have possibly ever imagined. The FBI needs answers and they know just the pair of detectives who can help them solve this tangled and twisted case: Della Hamilton and Mason Carter. After all, if the FBI want to catch a vampire killer, then somebody who can communicate with the dead can only be a valuable asset to their team.

Hamilton and Carter travel to Norway and quickly realize that this beautiful country has a dark and dangerous underbelly. As gruesome scenes are revealed, it becomes apparent that the killer is intent on claiming more victims and the trail of destruction left in their wake leads them to a group of misfits who believe that imbibing human blood leads to immortality. With their investigation taking an even darker turn, the detectives must watch their backs, stay vigilant and trust nobody – until a vital breakthrough leaves them with their backs against the wall and no other choice but to forge forward into the unknown.

Can Hamilton and Carter get to the bottom of this case? Or will dark forces triumph and trounce everything in its path?

Heather Graham is a writer at the top of her game who has written a tense, exciting and unpredictable thriller I binged in less than a day. Whispers at Dusk brilliantly blends suspense, action, menace and jeopardy in a chilling page-turner that readers will not be able to put down.

Heather Graham consistently delivers hit after hit and she has penned another winner with her latest novel, Whispers at Dusk.

FBI agents Della Hamilton and Mason Carter are on an international case that are leaving young women drained of blood suggesting it could be a Vampire Killer. As they get closer to the culprit of the crime it seems that someone has their eye on Della so they can use her as bait but Mason is a bit conflicted because he already lost one partner and now he's going to do whatever he can to keep her protected. And find the culprit

I really enjoyed this book watching as they work together to solve the case. I thought it was interesting seeing them internationally and to many different places to see as the body trails were starting to go upward and figuring out who was behind this branch of what is going on. There was a few close calls and it was interesting how they work together to get out of the tight spots as well as seeing how Ghostly people were helping as well. Because this is the crew of hunters clearly there is going to be a go someone paranormal around to help where they can. This book is clean which I appreciate. I just really enjoyed this mystery suspense novel with a bit of paranormal thrown in if that's your kind of thing you might really enjoy this. I can't wait to see what's next in the series.

I've enjoyed Heather Graham's Krewe of Hunters series, so I was excited to get to read this first in her spinoff trilogy. I'm really liking the premise here, as well as the settings. The story is told in Graham's usual style with the exception of the occasional lag when things slowed down a bit more than I cared for. Those few lags weren't dealbreakers for me, but they did pull me out of the story a bit. Other than that, I stayed invested and found the book entertaining. I'm reserving an opinion on the romance, but I would like to see more development as things progress in the trilogy. All things considered, I'd say if you like the Krewe of Hunters series, check this one out. It's just the right amount of suspenseful, and I think it's shaping up to be as good as its predecessor.

Whispers at Dusk by Heather Graham is the first book in a fascinating procedural with a paranormal twist.

My Reading Experience:
• I enjoyed the helpful ghosts in this story and series. It's an exciting twist. The ghostly help the detectives get is fun and fascinating.
• The vampire angle and a master - a serial killer acting as a vampire king - training killers while promising immortality was also unique and kept me guessing the whole novel.
• My main issue with this novel, which is a pretty big one, is that I never felt engaged with the story - like I was being kept at arm's length and only allowed to see the surface of the story when all I wanted to do as a reader is take a deep dive into it. So this aspect was very frustrating.
• The romance felt too rushed and threw me a bit because I wondered how we got here.
• Della Hamilton and Mason Carter can both see and talk to ghosts. They were recruited for a particular division of the FBI called Blackbird, which is full of people like them – people with a special connection to the paranormal. Neither is developed extensively; it's more about their ability than who they are.
• The narration is 3rd person, limited to the two detectives – main characters, Della and Mason – as a team. The pacing is a consistent medium pace, which is okay, but I would have loved for that extra piece in certain sections that bump it to a fast pace.
• I think a first-person POV might have been better as I felt a disconnect between me, the characters, and the story from beginning to end. I was never immersed or genuinely engaged in the story.
• The story starts and ends in New Orleans but goes to Europe in between. Considering the paranormal aspects, New Orleans is a great place to begin and end the story.

Read if you're in the mood for:
• A mysterious, dark, and adventure paranormal thriller
• Benevolent ghosts that help detectives solve cases
• A story full of history and folklore.

The first in the Blackbird Trilogy
With killers, ghosts and a mystery.
There are also people who can communicate
With those who died at an earlier date!

FBI recruits Agent Delia Hamilton and Mason Carter who
Both can see and talk to ghosts, too.
They're key to a new international team
Capturing serial killers is their dream.

This is their first time working together and so
They're unsure about each other or where to go.
However, get ready for talk of vampires and history
As these two and their team strive to solve the mystery.

What a page-turner read this proved to be
Now the next two books I can't wait to see!
I enjoyed the pace and getting to know the team
And the twists keep you guessing, not all is as it may seem!

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

WHISPERS AT DARK (The Blackbird Trilogy Book #1) by Heather Graham is an intriguing first book in a trilogy spinoff of the Krewe of Hunters series featuring a group of international law enforcement agents being led by two FBI agents who are able to see and interact with ghosts. This book is a mash-up of paranormal mystery/international crime suspense and a romance between the two FBI agents, but the emphasis is on the crimes and chase with not a lot of depth to the romance. You can pick this book up and easily read it without having read any of the Krewe of Hunters books.

Dead bodies are turning up of young American tourists and students laid out peacefully besides bodies of water drained of blood with two puncture wounds in their necks in England, France, and Norway. A member of the Krewe of Hunters, FBI Agent Della Hamilton is paired with FBI Agent Mason Carter who both have the ability to communicate with ghosts.

Della and Mason discover there is a “Master” training others to kill with the promise of immortality. Working with an international group of law enforcement personnel, some of the Krewe of Hunters back in the States, and a few friendly ghosts, they follow the Master back to New Orleans. As the investigation heats up so does the relationship between Della and Mason. Della needs to put herself out as bait since the Master wants her as a mate, but Mason has already lost one partner and is not willing to lose Della, too.

I enjoyed this new international spin-off from the Krewe of Hunters series. The crime mystery and suspense are paced well and kept me following along with the muti-country chase and there are a few surprising twists. The historical facts scattered throughout are interesting and the ghosts were benevolent. The romance between Della and Mason felt just a little thin to me. When they came together and interacted as a couple, it was believable, but I just wish there had been more emotion and not just trust between partners although that was important, too.

Overall, a good beginning for this new paranormal mystery/international crime suspense spin-off. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy.

Another solid and enjoyable Heather Graham novel. I don’t think that many of them stay with me for long and I don’t find myself getting overly drawn in to the world created, but they are a nice book to read while sitting and waiting out a storm on vacation. I enjoyed the book but I doubt I will remember it in a few months time.

The Krewe of Hunters is going to Europe! Whispers at Dusk by Heather Graham is the first novel in the Blackbird Trilogy. FBI recruits Agents Della Hamilton and Mason Carter are the first members of the Blackbird unit and are tasked with hunting down a vampire. Their first stop, Norway.

I was excited to dive into the first Blackbird Trilogy novel. I loved the idea of an international team of Krewe of Hunters. We get to know Agent Della Hamilton a little before she is paired up with Special Agent Mason Carter. The two are sent to Norway to investigate a serial vampire who leaves his victims drained of blood and perfectly displayed.

We’ll travel to several areas of Europe. Along the way, we learn about the different places from their laws to their history. With their international team, we’ll hunt down the killer and his associates. You’ll shiver as we learn about this modern day Dracula. Due to the team’s need to move quickly in capturing the killer, the author did a good job developing the profile.

Graham took some time to build the team and I liked them. They work well together and before it’s all said and done, they’ll travel back to the states. Intense moments, perspectives from the killer, and interviews with his followers kept me engaged.

Their romance felt genuine, but not a lot of time was spent developing it. The romance was served on the side as Graham set up the Blackbirds and we navigated the investigation. Both Della and Mason are likeable, competent and can speak to the dead.

This was a solid start to the trilogy and I look forward to traveling with them to catch a new Jack the Ripper in Secrets in the Dark.

Della and Mason Carter are two FBI agents on the hunt for a serial killer. They finally get the one in the USA but now they are being sent to help find another. This one in Norway!

I have been reading this author since the late 80’s. No lie! I have been around that long and so has she! She has always been one of my go to authors. However, this is one of my least favorites books. I am all about a ghost story with a kick. (Like a vampire killer!) But, this one just did not hold my interest very well. And it is a bit jumbled. Now this is just my opinion. So, read it and let me know what you think.

This does have a very good chase…I mean, as a reader, you end up in Norway! Nothing is wrong with that!

Need a unique ghost story…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

Due to severe issues with the formatting, I was not able to finish this title. (Words were cut off in the middle, margins were odd, and there was no separation in dialogue, so it was hard to decide who was speaking.)

I did reach out to the publicist and advise her, and did indicate that I was interested in reviewing the title if there was a copy that could be sent that I was able to read, but I didn't hear back and the date of publication is tomorrow.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity and am sad that formatting was such an issue for this one. I put 1 star as I am not able to review the entire title, but it would have been a 3-4 based on what I could read.

When I pick up a Krewe book I know I'm going to have a fun fast paced read usually with a ghost or two! This book lived up to my expectations but with the added fun of multiple settings.

We meet Della early on as she has her first supernatural experience. The book moves forward a bit in time to Della and Mason's first encounter as agents as they deal with a serial killer (with some ghostly help!). Soon they are off on a race against a prolific chameleon of a serial killer who is obsessed with blood and immortality. With the help of an international group of agents Della and Mason visit multiple countries until it all comes down to a tense conclusion.

I really enjoyed the race against the killer and seeing Della and Mason work together. Mason has some issues with wanting to protect those around him and I liked that Della called him on it while still validating his feelings. I also really loved the international element. The ghostly help in each location was a nice touch though Gideon is by far my favorite. I was a little iffy on the romantic connection between Della and Mason as the characters felt a bit flat but I did like that it wasn't insta-love and there weren't any over the top promises early on. The dialogue does feel a little bit stilted. It made sense with some characters as English is not their first language but not as much with Della and Mason.

This was a fun read and I'm looking forward to reading the next two books in this trilogy.

Some years ago I discovered the Krewe of Hunter and fell in love with the storytelling, the characters and the world building. Fast paced, action packed and tense romantic suspense with a strong paranormal side. There’s some parts that are more on the horror side and I think that Ms Graham could also write excellent horror, urban fantasy and thriller
I’m a sort of addict to the series, I pre order each of them in advance as I pre ordered this series as I found the blurb intriguing.
It was a fast read, a page turner I couldn’t put down.
Della and Mason are a strong couple with an interesting chemistry and a strong work ethic. I loved how their relationship was part of the story but I didn’t felt it as an interruption nor a sort of tension killer. It was pleasant and well done.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the series and I thoroughly enjoyed this novel
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to MIRA for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Title: Whispers at Dusk
Author: Heather Graham
Genre: mystery/thriller
Rating: 3.5

When darkness falls, there’s nowhere to hide.

Four bodies have been discovered along Europe’s riverbanks, placed with care—and completely drained of blood. Pinpricks on their throats indicate a slender murder weapon, but DNA found in the wounds suggests something far more sinister. Tasked with investigating, the FBI recruits Agents Della Hamilton and Mason Carter to Blackbird, an international offshoot of the Krewe of Hunters. If you want to catch a vampire killer, you need agents who can speak with the dead.

The pair travel to Norway, where the shadowy forests of Lillehammer reveal a gruesome scene. The killer is thirsty for more victims, and the bloodless trail soon leads Della and Mason to a group that believes drinking blood is the key to immortality. To catch the culprit of such an intimate crime, the agents will have to get close. Mason’s already lost one partner; he’s not ready to risk Della as bait. But sometimes justice requires a sacrifice…

Normally, I’m a big fan of Graham’s works, especially the Krewe of Hunters books, but this one just felt rushed. Mason meets Della, and they move from being strangers to BFFs to more without any time or transition at all. It didn’t feel believable in the slightest, and that made the rest of the book feel jarringly off.

I love the ghostly helpers and the international setting, but none of the relationships in the book—not just Della and Mason, but between them and the other agents as well—felt organic and natural. Instead, they felt almost like caricatures, and that turned me off from reading any more of this series.

Heather Graham is a bestselling author. Whispers at Dusk is her newest novel.

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

I always like her books especially the Krewe series. I guess seeing ghosts and talking to them appeals to me.
It’s another good book but it might have rambled a bit at times. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I love Heather Graham books for combining the thriller and supernatural genres together. This book is the start of a new trilogy for the Krewe of Hunters. This time there is an International Krewe of Hunters team that is trying to capture a serial killer that is acting as a vampire king. The story traipses through Europe and the US with new colleagues trying to figure out working together and find the new killer. This book was a little different than the previous books by Heather Graham that she included little bios on each member of the team prior to us meeting the characters. That method doesn’t really work for me because by the time I met the characters in the story I have forgotten everything about them.
I received this book as digital ARC from #NetGalley and the publisher for my review.

Whispers at Dusk by Heather Graham is the 39th book in her Krewe of Hunters series, and the 1st book in her new Blackbird trilogy series. I am a big fan of Heather Graham, as her romance suspense books are always exciting and action packed.

Della Hamilton (our heroine) and Mason Carter (our hero), are FBI special agents that have been recruited by Adam Harrison and Jackson Crow (Krewe Leaders) to head up the new Blackbird Team; which is an expansion of the Krewe of Hunters going international, with a new team. The team is called Euro Special Assistance, who will work with different groups throughout Europe. Both Della and Mason have unique abilities, as they see ghosts and talk to the dead.

Della and Mason are sent to Norway, to look into 4 bodies found with pinpricks on their necks, totally drained of blood. The killer claims to be a Vampire, and convinces others to do his deeds, to become immortal. The team besides Della and Mason, are investigators from various countries, and they work closely together to find the so-called Master, who continues to drain the blood and kill innocent women. A powerful vicious killer is still at large, and Della puts herself as bait to lure the killer, who is enamored with her.

What follows is a tense exciting thriller that will have Della, Mason and all working together to save the women. To say too much more would be spoilers, and you need to read this from start to finish, as there are some twists and surprises. It was a wild tense book, as we raced to the climax, which had me holding my breath to see who will survive. Whispers at Dusk was an exciting, intense, suspenseful, dark story of murder, with a slow burn romance, great couple and lots of action throughout.

Once again, Heather Graham gives us a wild, mindboggling thriller, that kept our attention from start to finish. I did like that both Della and Mason together. If you like intense supernatural thrillers, which is written so very well by Heather Graham, then I suggest you read Whispers at Dusk.

A new trilogy spin-off from the Krewe Hunter series pulls me right in. A fan of this FBI psychic division, I'm eager to learn about the special group within the Krewe Hunters - The Blackbird. It does not disappoint. This book can be read as a standalone from the main series.

I have to admit when I see that this is taking place in Norway, where I'm planning on vacation before this review comes out, I am even more interested. Normally, the FBI stays within the States. This division goes international when a serial killer comes across as a . . . vampire draining the blood of its victims.

In this wild ride across the pond, Della and Mason race to find the killer before they strike again. Della is able to connect the tiniest dots to a bigger picture for the local police. This is a pretty messed up killing group. The more we learn, the worse it gets. I like the mind of Ms. Graham as she spins this speculative suspense into a riveting tale. I read this all in one sitting and cannot wait for the next book in the series.

For the romance part of this story, I could take it or leave it. Della and Mason are new partners and the chemistry was not quite there for me. They seem to be in the forming stage of their partner relationship. As with all Krewe hunters, their psychic abilities bring them together. This paranormal suspense is recommended to romance readers who like "what if vampires really exist" themes.

This was an intriguing mystery. I was hooked from the very beginning. It was twisty and paranormal and I just go crazy for books with FBI and investigations. Im excited to see where the other books in this trilogy will take the story next.

Thanks so much to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley.

First of a new trilogy! There's a special new team that can see and interact with ghosts. They are trying to catch a vampire killer.

I liked this book and will be sure to check out the others in the series. It took some time for me to get into the story, but I'm glad I stuck with it. What a fascinating idea for a book!