cover image Crimson Summer

Crimson Summer

Heather Graham. Mira, $27.99 (336p) ISBN 978-0-77831-182-9

At the start of bestseller Graham’s high energy sequel to 2021’s Danger in Numbers, special agent Amy Larson of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and FBI special agent Hunter Forrest are called to a horrific crime scene in the middle of the Florida Everglades. Twenty young men “lay with arrows and axes protruding from their heads, guts or chests, as if they’d fought in a bloody battle.” Among the debris, Amy finds a tiny red toy horse like ones left at a series of murders attributed to apocalyptic cult leader Ethan Morrison, who’s now in prison awaiting trial. Could it be that Morrison’s not the kingpin they assumed and that an even more dangerous puppet master is now pulling the strings? When 12 people are shot to death in an alley in New York City, it looks as if the incident in the Everglades “was just a prelude” to more carnage. Fortunately, people call in with enough tips to allow Amy and Hunter, who are otherwise occupied with their blossoming romance amid harrowing brushes with death, to make progress on the case. Romantic suspense fans will be satisfied. Agent: Lucy Childs, Aaron M. Priest Literary. (Apr.)