Author: Jeffery Deaver; Isabella Maldonado
Series: Sanchez & Heron #2
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 396
Date of Publication: September 9, 2025
My Rating: 4 stars
DESCRIPTION:
Perfect couples are his perfect victims. Now he’s hunting those hunting him in a riveting thriller by New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Isabella Maldonado.
A wedding reception is coming to a close in the Hollywood Hills when the blissful day is shattered by the death of one of the newlyweds. Though the incident appears to be an accident, Homeland Security Investigations agent Carmen Sanchez and her partner, security expert Jake Heron, discover that the tragedy is the third in a series of similar deaths and conclude something far more sinister is at play.
The two uncover chilling evidence pointing to a serial killer who has taken evil to the next level. Dubbed the Honeymoon Killer, this man isn’t interested in his victims but in creating his own macabre masterpiece from their graves—focused on the survivors and reveling in their grief. And now his dark obsession has turned to Carmen and Jake…
The Honeymoon Killer has decided they are the perfect next target. Take one out and delight as the other crumbles. Time is running out as a deadly game between predator and prey begins.
A wedding reception is coming to a close in the Hollywood Hills when the blissful day is shattered by the death of one of the newlyweds. Though the incident appears to be an accident, Homeland Security Investigations agent Carmen Sanchez and her partner, security expert Jake Heron, discover that the tragedy is the third in a series of similar deaths and conclude something far more sinister is at play.
The two uncover chilling evidence pointing to a serial killer who has taken evil to the next level. Dubbed the Honeymoon Killer, this man isn’t interested in his victims but in creating his own macabre masterpiece from their graves—focused on the survivors and reveling in their grief. And now his dark obsession has turned to Carmen and Jake…
The Honeymoon Killer has decided they are the perfect next target. Take one out and delight as the other crumbles. Time is running out as a deadly game between predator and prey begins.
MY THOUGHTS:
Dr. Jacoby Heron, an intrusionist and civilian consultant with the ability to hack any computer system, and Carmen Sanchez, a former FBI agent, now collaborate as a two-person team called “I Squared”. Jake and Carmen had previously worked together, with Jake as a civilian consultant. They will be working on specialized cases. Their first case as a two person team is that of investigating a case involving a serial killer.
Damon Garr is a serial killer with a unique twist. He waits for a couple to get married and immediately kills one of the spouses. Damon revels in the suffering of the surviving partner. This murder serves as the opening act of a case that Carmen and Jake are currently investigating, which is dubbed the “Honeymoon Killer” (HK).
As Carmen and Jake delve deeper into the investigation to find and apprehend the killer, they uncover other intriguing developments. This is particularly significant considering Carmen’s rocky relationship with her sister Selena and their joint efforts to find their father’s killer. Despite his death being ruled a suicide, they have evidence to suggest otherwise.
The Grave Artist is the second installment in the Sanchez & Heron series, following Fatal Intrusion. While it it might not be necessary to read the books in order, I highly recommend it. Jake’s “career” is unlike anything I’ve encountered before, and it’s delightful to see him reuniting with Carmen. Needless to say, there’s a hint of romantic tension that could potentially alter their relationship in the next book of the series.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
The author of 48 novels, 100 short stories and a nonfiction law book, and a lyricist of a country-western album, he’s received or been shortlisted for dozens of awards.
Deaver has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, the Strand Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Raymond Chandler Lifetime Achievement Award in Italy. He has also been awarded or shortlisted for scores of award from around the world.
His book A Maiden’s Grave was made into an HBO movie starring James Garner and Marlee Matlin and titled Dead Silence. His novel The Bone Collector was a feature release from Universal Pictures, starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. Lifetime aired an adaptation of his The Devil’s Teardrop. NBC television recently aired the nine-episode prime-time series, Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector. CBS TV is airing Tracker, a prime-time series based on his novel The Never Game, featuring his character Colter Shaw.
I would love to see you make a book review video about this one! I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDelete