Book Review: The Silenced by Heather Graham

Title: The Silenced
Author: Heather Graham
Source: NetGalley

Goodreads Summary:

Lara, a congressman's media assistant, suddenly quits her job—and disappears on the way to her Washington, DC, apartment. 

Novice FBI agent Meg Murray, a childhood friend of Lara's, gets a message from her that same night, a message that says she's disillusioned and "going home." To Richmond, Virginia. Meg discovers that she never got there. And bodies fitting Lara's description are showing up in nearby rivers… Could she be the victim of a serial killer? 

Meg is assigned to work with special agent Matt Bosworth, a hard-nosed pro in the FBI's unit of paranormal investigators—the Krewe of Hunters. They trace the route Meg and Lara took more than once in the past, visiting battlefields and graveyards from Harpers Ferry to Gettysburg. Places where the dead share their secrets with those who can hear… As Meg and Matt pursue the possibility of a serial killer, they find themselves in the middle of a political conspiracy. Is there a connection? And who—besides each other—can they trust?


My thoughts:

I was so excited to read this new installment in the Krewe of Hunters series! I haven't been reading much due to my schedule these days, with a newborn at home and all, and this is one of the first books I had time to read. Unfortunately, it did not live up to my excitement.

This is the first in the series that I haven't enjoyed. I was in love with the setting of the civil war battlefields, especially Gettsyburg, a place I have visited many times, and I was looking forward to a book set in the area.  Alas, this book just felt a little flat and boring to me. The romantic aspect felt blah, like something was missing. There also wasn't enough of the supernatural element at all, which I feel is an important part of these books! As for the actual mystery, it was ok. I didn't feel like I got enough of an explanation on the motivations of one of the characters but otherwise it wasn't too bad. At least it was better than the rest of the book.

Sadly, this book just didn't do it for me this time. I expect these books to be formulaic to a certain extent, but maybe this was just one book too many in the series for me.

Sunday Post/It's Monday What Are You Reading?

 

Check out the The Caffeinated Book Review for the Sunday Post! 

It's Monday What Are You Reading is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey - while she is on break you can share your post by tweeting with the hashtag #IMWAYR

I have figured it out, this whole reading with a baby thing. Wyatt unfortunately has acid reflux like a lot of preemies, and I have to hold him upright for at least 30 minutes following every feeding. He also needs to eat every three hours. So, after every feeding time when I am holding him upright, I read. It works perfectly. He always is asleep by the time he is done eating anyway, so these moments have become very peaceful for the two of us.

The rain this week!! I know most of the US is underwater right now, and Michigan, while not flooded in my area, has been getting rain like crazy! Everything is going to be so lush when it finally stops though; my rose bushes are about to bloom and my apple tree has little tiny apples growing! I have to admit, I miss the apple blossom stage - it is gorgeous. I am excited though too for the fall, when our tree is heavy with apples that we can eat. 

  

Read Last Week:

The Silenced by Heather Graham: This was a NetGalley book. I usually really enjoy this series, but this one was meh. Review soon.

Reading This Week:

  

Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking: I have been looking forward to this book since I finished the first in the series, Frostfire

From Beginning to End by Robert Fulghum: I used to read this author all the time! I am kind of excited to revisit him.

Watching:

Wayward Pines, which is freaky deaky. I can't wait for the new season of Orange is the New Black!

The Sunday Post/It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

 

This is my first time linking up at The Caffeinated Book Review for the Sunday Post! 

It's Monday What Are You Reading is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey - while she is on break you can share your post by tweeting with the hastag #IMWAYR

Things are still exhausting on the baby front - which I know will last quite a while! Now that the weather has finally shifted to something resembling spring, I have been able to get out of the house with him more. We have been going on walks and little rides and visits, enjoying the sunshine, which has been a lot nicer than just holing up in my house! I plan on going to yoga at least once this week as well, although I am sure my skill level has completely changed! Lol. 

I am anxious to get back to my garden. I am definitely scaling back this year, but I am having fun planning out the new layout and deciding on plants. Hopefully I get out there soon!

Read Last Week:

 

Watership Down by Richard Adams: Hallelujah, I finished a book! Review to come this week, although, this is my favorite book ever and I always have a hard time writing reviews for my favorite books. Does this happen to anyone else?

Reading This Week:

Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking

The Silenced by Heather Graham: A Krewe of Hunters book from NetGalley

We are also still reading The Wind in the Willows together.

Listening to:

Yes Please by Amy Poehler: This book is hilarious!! I am almost finished listening to it.

Watching:

We started watching Wayward Pines starring Matt Dillon, who looks the same as ever! How did that happen? This show is pretty freaky honestly, and I am really enjoying it. I also didn't know that it was based on a series of books by Blake Crouch. 

Posted Last Week:

Nothing here except my Monday post, but I did post on my other blog, The Magpie Mom. 

The Frustration and Fear of Feeding Time

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey, that is guaranteed to add to your reading list.

Read Last Week

and

Reading This Week:

This hasn't changed much since the other week, unfortunately. I have however, been able to actually read sometimes! Yay! I just don't have the same amount of downtime to read in, but I have some!

 

The Wind in the Willows I am reading out loud to my son and to my husband - it is a fun evening ritual right now. I had also forgotten how well written it is, not to mention how advanced the vocabulary!

Watership Down is an annual read for me. I love to read it in the springtime when baby rabbits are bounding through my yard.

I also really love the Krewe of Hunters series, and while I haven't started this one technically, I am looking forward to it. 

Listening to:

The other day Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard suggested listening to audio-books, and I thought that was a great idea!! 

I am loving this book so far! 

Waiting For:

 

Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking

Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews

They couldn't look more different, could they? 

Watching:

Everything is ending for the summer, and in the case of some of my favorite shows, were even cancelled! I loved The Mindy Project and Hart of Dixie, and neither were renewed by their respective networks to my sadness. Grimm had a great finale, as did The Vampire Diaries! We are getting ready to start watching Wandering Pines, and Aquarius - both look really interesting.

Posted:

Nothing here, but I did post about my First Mother's Day on my other blog, The Magpie Mom.

Playing Catch Up - It's Thursday (?)! What are you reading?

My days are a bit of a blur and all run together now that Wyatt is home from the hospital. Without a good solid 8 hours of sleep to separate my days from each other, it's like living one big day. Lol. I had wanted to post this on time but didn't quite make it. Maybe next week!He is in a food coma right now and I am taking advantage of this moment.

I have also been dealing with the loss of my sweet, beloved Penny girl. We had to say our sad goodbyes to our beautiful, gentle girl and my heart is still broken over her. She was the best furry friend and companion a person could have, and I will miss her forever. I can't even think of her without crying, so I am going to talk about books and Wyatt again.

Read in the past three months:

Not much! It's the first time in my life I haven't really read anything and it feels weird. I am beginning to figure out some sort of balance though, I hope. If not, Wyatt is going to be hearing me read lots of books to him that I want to read, that are not necessarily picture books. We do have a few picture books that are read over and over right now though; these are a few that I am loving!

The Babylit books are very simple, but I love them for the illustrations! Jabberwocky and Huckleberry Finn are my favorites in that series.

Reading Now:

 

I don't have much time, or haven't found the balance yet, but when I do get a few chance moments to read, I pick up one of these. I am reading The Wind in the Willows to Wyatt, so that book is getting read the most often. I am enjoying revisiting it myself!

Saturday Snapshot- April 25

My little preemie guy. 

For such a little peanut, he sure is demanding!

 I hope to be blogging away again starting tomorrow.

Saturday Snapshot is a meme hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads.

Quick Update- Meet Baby Wyatt!

Hey all!

So..the last 5 weeks have been bumpy. I went to my doctor's appointment on February 12th and was sent directly to the hospital for preeclampsia. I stayed in the hospital about 3 weeks before they needed to deliver my son via C-section, due to some issues he was having as well. He was born early, at almost 33 weeks. On the day he was born, it was discovered that he had a brain bleed in an ultrasound, which prompted the delivery. Three days after he was born, he had a reservoir put into his head. He is now two weeks born, and doing really well! He is still in the NICU and probably will be for a while, which is hard. I just want him well and at home, but for now he is in the best place for him. However, if you could keep him in your prayers, that would be appreciated. :)

Meet Wyatt James Atticus! We gave him an extra middle name to grow on. :)

Feeling nautical! And I no longer have the feeding tube in my nose, I eat like a big boy now!