After devouring the first Sanchez & Heron novel, I couldn’t wait to see what Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado had in store for their second collaboration — and The Grave Artist doesn’t disappoint. This follow-up delivers another pulse-pounding thriller with the same high-stakes tension and razor-sharp plotting that made the first book so addictive.

Homeland Security Investigations agent Carmen Sanchez and cyber-intrusion expert Jake Heron are back, this time tracking a serial killer dubbed the “Honeymoon Killer,” who stages the deaths of newlywed couples to look like accidents. The premise is chilling, and the investigation kept me hooked from the very first chapter. I particularly enjoyed the interplay between Carmen and Jake — the sharp banter, the underlying trust, and the subtle hints of something more between them.

That said, the story occasionally juggles a bit too much. Alongside the central investigation, there are threads involving international espionage, Russian operatives, and a light romantic subplot. While each element adds layers to the story, the sheer number of moving parts sometimes made the pacing feel slightly uneven. A leaner focus on the main storyline could have made this a five-star read for me.

Still, Deaver and Maldonado know how to stick the landing. The final act is tense, clever, and thoroughly satisfying, with just enough of a tease to keep you eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Overall, The Grave Artist is a strong, high-octane sequel that blends gripping suspense with complex characters and smart plotting. If you enjoyed the first book, this one is absolutely worth picking up — and if you’re new to the series, start with book one so you can fully appreciate the dynamic between Sanchez and Heron.

This is the second instalment in the Sanchez, Heron series and is perhaps even better than the first. The plotting is very ‘Deaver’, being deliciously intricate. The bad guys drip with menace and the kind of superior skills and murderous intent that make them a perennial threat to the heroes. Lots of suspense here, genuinely enjoyable unfolding of the series of puzzles that must be unlocked in order for the bad guys to be brought to justice. Definitely worth reading. Pleasingly, the ending suggests a 3rd book is in the works.

I absolutely love this series, and a lot of it has to do with the main characters. It’s not just their relationship, which has done a complete 180 from the beginning of the first book. A fantastic character arc for both of them, especially when you get to the end of this one. Maybe predictable, but as far as character arcs go, this one is stellar. What I really liked about the characterization is that one character is a law enforcement agent and one is a consultant. I’ve noticed that I gravitate toward stories like that, so this series is right up my alley. Plus, I’m a huge fan of both authors and have comped both of them in my own manuscripts. This story was engaging from the start, and adding the return of a certain character really ramped up the tension. I have to say I am curious where the next story will go considering that certain character is now gone. I think certain expectations were set in the series by bringing them back, so I feel like the next book will have to deliver on even bigger promises than the second one had to. It’s quite the hurdle to jump, but I’m really excited to see how they do it! These two authors are auto-buys for me, so I already know the next one will be a killer story (pun intended!)

Huge thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

Perfect day, perfect couple, perfect wedding. The tranquility is shattered by death.....one of the newlyweds have been murdered. Remember, things aren't always as they appear to be and while trying to make this look like an accident sounds good on paper, it doesn't work out in real life.

Troubling clues point to a serial killer that is truly and undeniably evil. This serial killer is truly cruel in that he focuses on the grief and survivors just as much as he does the killing themselves.

Can this ideally perfect wedding be anything besides bad?

This writing team just keeps getting better!

This is the second in the Heron and Sanchez series about a federal agent and a white hat hacker who have teamed up to solve crime. I loved Fatal Intrusion, which came out last September, but this one is even better.

A serial killer is stalking newlyweds and Heron and Sanchez must find him before he strikes again. What makes this series stand out is the characters. Both Heron and Sanchez have deeply personal motivations and drastically different ways of handling dangerous situations.

The Grave Artist by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado is a gripping and chilling thriller that kept me on edge from start to finish. The suspense is relentless, the twists are sharp, and Carmen and Jake make a compelling duo as they face a ruthless killer. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and rated it five stars.

The Grave Artist by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado had me hooked from the very start! This thrilling and suspenseful book is a non-stop thrill ride, interspersed with political maneuvering and interpersonal drama that keep you anxiously reading to the very end.
While I did find some of the techno-babble surrounding the AI being used by investigators to be somewhat over my head, it did nothing to spoil the overall story of a new law enforcement department hot on the tail of an unusual serial killer. The authors give the readers a look not only into the mind of the killer and the investigators hot on his trail, but also into the mind of his victims.
I was happy to receive an ARC of #TheGraveArtist through #NetGalley.

I absolutely devoured Fatal Intrusion last year, the first in this series, and it reminded me how much I love the trope of a badass female lead and a bumbling professor male lead together. The Grave Artist continues that fantastic dynamic, with an even creepier serial killer. This story had me completely glued to the pages, desperately waiting for Sanchez and Heron to connect all the dots and bring the killer to justice.

Fans of fast paced police procedurals and the chilling perspectives of killers often found in Nordic Noir will love this series!

I enjoyed the first volume of the Sanchez and Heron series, and I had the privilege of previewing this volume, courtesy of NetGalley. While the characters continued to be compelling, and the plot was intriguing, at times I felt the pacing of the book dragged and the writing could have been tightened up.

This is something I haven't encountered previously in any book Isabella Maldonado wrote - I've read and enjoyed every single one, cover to cover -so it makes me wonder about this collaboration between the two authors, since I've had no experience with any of Jeffery Deaver's books. When these collaborations happen, I always wonder how much each author contributed to the effort. Sometimes the collaboration can enhance the combination, and other times, the opposite can occur.

With that said, this sophomore collaboration is worth the read. I look forward to seeing if the next volume can bring this collaboration to the next level. I also hope Isabella Maldonado gets back to releasing her own books again as well, as I haven't been disappointed yet.

The Grave Artist by Jeffery Deaver (co-authored with Isabella Maldonado) is a chilling, high-stakes thriller that plunges readers into a deadly game of predator and prey. The story opens with a seemingly tragic accident at a wedding in the Hollywood Hills, but Homeland Security Investigations agent Carmen Sanchez and her partner, security expert Jake Heron, quickly uncover disturbing patterns. This isn’t an isolated incident it’s the third in a string of eerily similar deaths. Their investigation leads to a serial killer dubbed the Honeymoon Killer, who isn’t just targeting couples but crafting a macabre masterpiece from their grief, focusing on the surviving partner as his true victim2.

As Carmen and Jake dig deeper, they find themselves in the killer’s crosshairs. The twist lies not in discovering who the killer is Deaver reveals that early but in how the killer manipulates grief, timing, and psychological warfare to stay ahead. The suspense builds through the emotional toll on the investigators, especially as their own relationship begins to blur the lines between professional and personal. A sentient AI program adds a modern edge to the hunt, accelerating the pace and raising ethical questions about surveillance and justice.

The conclusion is a pulse-pounding showdown that tests Carmen and Jake’s resilience and trust in each other. Justice is served, but not without cost both emotional and moral. Deaver and Maldonado deliver a thriller that’s as much about psychological depth as it is about procedural precision. The Grave Artist is a gripping installment in the Sanchez & Heron series, and if this was your first read, Roslyn, it’s a compelling gateway into a partnership that promises even more layered, high-octane mysteries ahead.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

The Grave Artist is an easy four stars. Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado deliver a fast thriller with a dark and clever premise. Homeland Security agent Carmen Sanchez and her partner Jake Heron are chasing the “Honeymoon Killer,” a murderer who preys on newlyweds. The story moves quickly and keeps the tension high. The main characters work well together and bring different strengths to the investigation. Their partnership gives the book some balance and heart, even as the subject matter is grim. The pacing is tight, and the plot has enough twists to hold attention all the way through. Some of the side characters do not get much development, and a few story threads feel thin compared to the central chase. These weaker points keep it from being perfect, but they do not slow down the ride too much. What stands out is the suspense, the atmosphere, and the sense that the danger is always close. Readers who like crime stories that move quickly and lean on smart investigators will find this one satisfying. It is sharp, tense, and very hard to put down.

The second Sanchez and Heron book continued with a case from the first, but could easily be read without the first. The characters were well-developed and there was plenty of action. The ending was satisfying, major twist and all. Sanchez and Heron are about to start their next case, but we will have to wait for the next book to find out what they get up to.

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story begins with the murder of the groom at the end of the reception by the individual who becomes known as the "Honeymoon Killer". The story picks up with Her and Sanchez determining that this individual is probably a serial killer. They arrived at this conclusion because Declan, an advanced supercomputer which is a key part of their new organization. Declan has determined that there were potential killings which could be addressed to HK. They began their investigation at the resort site where the groom was killed and followed up visiting the funeral where HK showed up and evaded their attempt to catch him. It was at this location when both Sanchez and Heron came to his attention. He then made a plan to try and kill one of them. He made an attempt on Heron, but the wrong person, Tandy a detective from the police department assisting them,

As the investigation progressed, they determined that another killing was planned and they figured using Declan who the wedding party that was to be affected was and made arrangements to try and capture HK. While all of this was going on Selina, Sanchez's sister, was involved in her own search.

To discover who HK was, what his background was, what Selina was looking into and how it impacted the HK case then you need to read this book.

The ending is well done and answers all questions. This is definitely a book worth reading.

This is book two in a series, however, I read it as a stand alone. I had some much fun with this one! It was action packed from the first few pages. The writing and story telling was incredible. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for the ARC!

I am a huge fan of both Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado, and I will read anything they write! I really enjoyed this exciting thriller. and the characters of Carmen and Jake. I can't wait to read the next book they write together.

5 stars.

This is an example of excellent storytelling from great writers, easy to read, entertaining, and with great characters.

A solid mystery that can be read as a standalone or as part of the ongoing series. Some drama and thrills but slow and repetitive at points. Fortunately the slow points are few and the story speeds up quickly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Book 2 in the Sanchez/Heron series! Though this could easily be read as a standalone book, it’s fun to have the background that is provided when reading the series in order. This one did start a little slow for me, but when it picked up, I flew through it! All of the suspense that we know and love with Sanchez and Heron!

Thank you to Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado as well as NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a fast paced, edge of your seat thriller that I didn't want to end. I love that we know from the beginning who the killer is, and get to see his side of things in spurts. I love the characters and their development along the way. Little by little we are learning about each of them and how they interact. This can absolutely be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend the series.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. l