Customer Reviews

Hurricane Bay

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

The Florida Keys is an idyllic paradise that harbors a murderer in this latest romantic suspense from Ms. Graham. When Kelsey Cunningham takes a vacation from her busy job in Miami, she agrees to spend the week at the Florida Keys duplex of old chum Sheila Warren. But Sheila is missing, and none of Kelsey's old friends seem concerned, as Sheila is somewhat of a free spirit. And Kelsey must, once again, confront Dane Whitelaw, an old flame and the last person to see Sheila alive.

As Kelsey and Dane attempt to discover Sheila's whereabouts, each is unwilling to trust the other, and Dane appears even more evasive, because his secrets would have disastrous effects if they became known. Their attraction becomes more volatile, and they are unwilling partners as their search for a possible serial killer leads them to Miami's strip clubs and the home of Sheila's sleazy stepfather.

The cast of supporting characters adds depth to the read as it increases the number of suspects implicated in Sheila's disappearance. There is Cindy, the enterprising fitness dynamo who owns a t-shirt business. Nate, Kelsey's ex, runs a local bar, and admits to having once had a relationship with Sheila. Larry, Sheila's ex, never really got over the divorce. Izzy may be Sheila's supplier, but no one knows for sure. And Jorge makes mysterious boat runs as he dumps cargo overboard.

The suspense is superb: it builds slowly and begins to spin out of control as the killer gets frightened that someone is getting too close to the truth. Readers won't be disappointed when this page-turning read packs one wallop of a conclusion.

Kelsey didn't have two brain cells to rub together evidenced by the fact that she intentionally involved herself in dangerous situations. She also acted like she was above everyone else and refused to believe that a friend she'd had little contact with for years could have "changed". There was virtually no character development and the romance was not at all convincing. What was the whole story behind St. Augustine and what happened between Kelsey and Dane after her brother's death? There were also pages of useless dialogue, who cares about an involved discussion of where to go to dinner. Again, boring!!

As a longtime Heather Graham fan, I eagerly awaited the release of this book. I should have saved my money. The plot was trite, the characters were cardboard, the dialogue was poorly written, but worst of all, Sheila's murderer practically had a neon sign on his head pointing to him. The characters were basically unlikable, particularly the heroine, Kelsey.There was no compelling reason for her to believe Sheila hadn't just skipped town with her latest boy toy, but instead, she blows in from Miami and questions and suspects everyone in town, including her supposed best friends even after they tell her how Sheila has changed. The name Sheila also bothered me--anyone remember a murder mystery movie from the 70's "The Last of Sheila"? That's all I could think of while I waded through this mess. Throw in a serial killer, a copy cat killer (and oh yes, they all know one another)a PI with a tragic secret who slept with the murder victim and has a past with the heroine, who knows he's being set up to take the fall but stupidly doesn't confide in anyone and you can't believe you're reading a Heather Graham book. Skip this one entirely or borrow it from a friend, but save your money.

I became a fan of Heather Graham after reading "Picture Me Dead" and have been ordering/reading her other books. Just finished "Hurricane Bay" and have to say I was disappointed. There is no sexual chemistry between Dane and Kelsey, as there was in PMD. The mystery isn't much of a mystery and the characters seem shallow and undefined, even immature at times. Ms. Graham is a good writer, one I usually love to read. I hope this one was a fluke.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very refreshing to read things that people really say in "real life" rather than editing the talking. I think that is waht I liked most about this book, the down to earth talking and conversations. It also had a very thrilling plot, one that had me on the edge of my seat. Heather Graham is definitely my favorite thriller authoress. I'm looking forward to reading more of Ms. Graham's books....

Romance writer Heather Graham has extended her enormous talent into the suspense genre and Hurricane Bay is a wonderful start. The plot may be a little sticky and unbelievable, but the characters and their entwined relationships are wonderful. I loved the small-town feeling and the just-returned-home, meet-the-old-gang scene. I thought the story itself could have been a little fuller and the motives a little more in-depth, but the exchanges between the characters make this fun read a lovely experience.

In Key Largo, Kelsey Cunningham confronts Dane Whitelaw as to the whereabouts of his former lover Sheila Warren missing a week and last seen with him. Dane insists he knows nothing, but Kelsey believes he is lying. She is right as Dane struggles with the photo left under his door that showed a dead Sheila on his property.

Dane tries to persuade Kelsey to stay out, but she refuses and continues to make inquires as to the last of Sheila. However, someone reacts to her investigation by trying to shut her up. As the danger mounts for Kelsey, Dane attempts to learn who is setting him up to take the fall and how to keep the younger sister of a friend safe. Even as she wonders if Dane killed Sheila, Kelsey turns to him as the man she has always loved to protect her and to assist him with learning the truth.

HURRICANE BAY is a strong investigative tale loaded with danger, romance, and deep characterizations. The story line contains romantic elements, but the tale belongs to the action and tension of the investigation. Kelsey is an intrepid heroine refusing to quit though she places her life in danger. Dane is the strong silent type who knows he must find out who is setting him up while keeping his beloved safe. Though why Kelsey would place herself in peril as she does (even Dane questions that) seems a stretch even for the deepest of friendships, fans will relish Heather Graham's strong stormy tale.

Harriet Klausner

I've read two of Heather Graham's books so far, and this will be my last. Dreadful!
I couldn't bear to read another "she MURMURRED!!"
The characters in this story were shallow and stupid. Absolutely nothing happens until midway through the book and that's just more dull stupidity.
"Night of the Blackbird" was better, but this author tends to create too many boring conversations and irrelevant details.

I found this book really disappointing, it never really worked for me. Sure, it's got some nice description of the Keys and the minor characters and their bickering are lively and sometimes amusing but that doesn't redeem this novel. I couldn't care less about the protagonists - Kelsey and Dane never came to life for me and their romance was far from convincing. The plot line is extremely weak and deeply flawed (a serial killer and a copy cat in the same small circle?), the actions of the hero - allegedly an experienced P.I. - border on stupidity and the overly self-confident heroine just stumbles from one danger into another...

I thought this was a great book! It has suspense, yummy love scenes, a beautiful locale, and a great group of friends. I recommend this book if you are looking for an easy, light, and thrilling story!