#I am happy to report that despite the blurb on the back of the book calling him ''Dark Danny''--as all official sources do-- | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

kingdomoftyto · 10 months

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I've started and deleted three drafts now trying to get my thoughts into a coherent recommendation, but there's just so much.

Let's start with the basics: You should read the graphic novel if you're a fan of the original show. You just should. It's new content of your old faves, and I'm telling you now that the art and writing are great and that you should give it a shot based on that alone.

But as for exactly why I'm losing my mind over it this much...?

It... feels like watching the show. But a version of the show unafraid to explore its own worldbuilding. A version of the show where continuity and character growth matter. A version of the show without jokes written by people far too old to understand mid-2000s teens.

And it is actually, honest-to-goodness funny. I went in fully braced for a badly shoehorned "fruit loop" one-liner, and instead I got incredible deadpan asides like this:

The art, too, manages to perfectly ride the line of looking enough like the original style to be convincing, but improving on the expressiveness of the characters' faces and actions to elevate it to something arguably better than the show:

(Like, I'm being so serious when I say the fight scenes are among the best I have ever seen in comic form. I'm the kind of person who tends to go for anime over manga because the fights are harder for me to follow in little sequential snapshots, but I can tell exactly what's happening in these battles AND they still look super cinematic and cool.)

And the story. Man, the STORY.

I won't spoil any of the plot here, but it's... really good. A little winding and goofy toward the beginning, but once things get serious, it really grabs you and refuses to let go til it's done. (Much like the best episodes of the show! Funny how that works.) It has a satisfying conclusion, but it also leaves a massive door open to continue telling more stories in the setting.

And I want more stories in this universe. The threads being dangled here might be even more enticing than those left by the original show. There is potential here for an INCREDIBLE series of comics.

We just have to prove how badly we want it.

If you can't buy the book yourself right now (it's relatively cheap for a graphic novel--I think it was about $15 even with tax from my Barnes & Noble), then please at least let other fans know it exists (I wouldn't have had any idea if not for tumblr) and keep the hype going on social media. I'm stoked to see that DP is trending on tumblr, at least, and I hope the same is true elsewhere. It's a small thing, but it's something corporate decision-makers take note of.

Fingers crossed we get to see more someday. This is one series that deserves to come back from the dead.

But, whether or not we get that continuation: welcome back, Phandom. Congrats and happy release day. 💚

#Danny Phantom #DP comic spoilers #(BARELY spoilers but I did include the images so :/ )#while I'm rambling in the tags lemme say one more thing as a slightly more niche endorsement:#since he's on the cover it's not a spoiler to say Danny's evil future self from TUE plays a big role #I am happy to report that despite the blurb on the back of the book calling him ''Dark Danny''--as all official sources do--#he is instead referred to in-universe exclusively as ''Phantom''#I think that single detail goes a LONG way toward showing just how much this author truly *understands*.#she really is one of us. on the fandom's side and not the corporation's.#this is a project made with SO MUCH admiration for what made the source material special in the first place #and for how the fandom has interacted with it since #it's... it feels awesome. I was so worried this book would be bad or mediocre but it's genuinely a labor of love and I'm so happy

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datamodel-of-disaster · 3 months

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The Riemann Report: January

I suppose you could say my New Year’s resolution was to do more… idk, real-feeling things. Stuff that feels tangible, like I actually do something with my time and my life.

So… as the year started, I’ve started reading books, again. My result stack for January is small but proud. A shitty job, mental health issues, and life events kinda stole all my attention span and drive to pursue real hobbies last year, so knowing I’m coming from rock bottom I’m genuinely happy with my progress. So… behold the books I finished!

And well… since this is sort of a “book report”, you can find my opinion on them below the cut!

Purple Hibiscus - Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie

Am I late to this party? Probably. But holy shit. A genuine page turner, somehow, despite the subject matter. If you’d told me I’d find a book about a domestic abuse situation this hard to put down I wouldn’t have believed it, and yet. There I was, sneaking pages while on the toilet at work, completely enthralled. I can’t explain it, you have to read it yourself.

Delta of Venus - Anaïs Nin

Anaïs Nin should be glad she wrote long before the advent of TikTok, because this book is Problématique (and proud to be so). A series of erotic short stories that read like snapshots from a parallel universe, like a voyeur’s dream -where every action is titillation, every body exists to be seen and fucked, and cheating, prostitution and even assault are but sexy games people play. The only jobs anyone seems to have are model and painter -and even those are but an excuse to get up to sexy shenanigans. In short: it’s absolutely delightful. A peak into the pornoverse, anno 1940.

In Praise of Older Women - Stephen Vicinczey

A fake memoir of a Hungarian man with a remarkable life. At once a ridiculous tall tale, a sexy fantasy, and a surprisingly convincing “true to life” narrative, always balancing on the very edge of believable. Excellent read. Avoid if you are easily upset by…. Let’s call it non-ideal sexual situations.

The Field Guide to Understanding “Human Error” - Sidney Dekker

A bit of nonfiction. Sidney Dekker talks about plane crashes and offshore oil rig accidents, from the perspective of a safety expert and accident investigator -but underneath the specific examples, he talks about the human condition and its many pitfalls and logical fallacies. About how to approach the aftermath of disaster with willingness to understand rather than eagerness to condemn. About what “safety” actually is, and how it can be both built up and eroded in human interaction. Highly recommend even if you work a desk job.

En Dan Nog Iets - Paulien Cornelisse

A Dutch book! Title translates as “And Another Thing”, but I’d wish anyone luck trying to translate the contents. Written by a Dutch cabaretière, it’s a collection of witty observations of the Dutch language in its natural habitat -with its idioms, expressions, trendy words, but mostly, the many almost untranslatable ways people give themselves away in the way they talk.

Girls in White Dresses - Jennifer Close

Did I like this book, or did I find it horrendous? Both. The blurb on the back sells it as a chick lit about a group of women who struggle with romance while continuing to attend the weddings of others. What it actually is, is a painfully astute dissection of life in your twenties and thirties, in all its small-minded, vapid, petty, anxiety-riddled, hopeful, generous, and truly all-too-human glory. “Relatable!”, the blurb promises. I’d say, take that as a threat.

The Social Life of Information - John Seely Brown and Paul Duguid

More non-fiction. An IT book from the year 2000, I can hear you think “what relevance does that even have anymore?” -and you’d be surprised. Most of the book is not about tech. It’s about people, and how people form an indispensable part of any IT ecosystem. It’s remarkable, how relevant much of the contents still are, from the isolation of the home office, the battle against bad actors on the Internet, and the difficulties of transferring knowledge, to the endurance of paper within the office and the value of informal information exchange. A niche read, but valuable.

The Hotel Life - Javier Montes

Did I like this book? No. Would I recommend it? Also no. Was it memorable? Very. This book was at once boring and baffling. Nothing happens for ages; the narrator is not particularly interesting, even as he sinks into an increasingly unhinged parasocial fascination with a female porn director he met only once. There’s nothing sexy or even fascinatingly dark about the main character even as he essentially becomes a stalker. He’s boring, even while insane. (There’s also an almost random murder near the end that happens bizarrely blasé and doesn’t get addressed?) Anyway. A book like a developing psychosis. Proof no one becomes interesting by going mad.

….

Let’s hope I also manage to read some the coming month!

#the Riemann Report #january reads #book list #books i’ve read #bookblr #book pile #book review #mini reviews #books and reading

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winecupwars · 1 year

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progress report: year-end edition

we went a full year without one of these funky little things, can you believe it? well let's get back into it. here's my 2022, all wrapped up :)

some neat things that happened this year:

my 28th birthday! i remember looking for songs that mention being 28 and they were all forlorn, with lyrics like "i'm 28... is it too late?" like. hello? you're in your late twenties, not turning into dust. i swear, society's obsession with being young and thinking that life ends at 30 is the cause of so much unnessary pain and worry. aging is a gift! let yourself grow old!!

first time to vote in a national election!! the one i voted for didn't win, sadly, and the one who won is an inept corrupt piece of shit who i wish would get the comeuppance he and his entire family deserves. i hate them so much. but enough about that.

my first work anniversary! as of now, this is the longest i've worked at any company. and i still like my job, amazingly. i can see myself working here for the next few years.

went through a battery of blood tests and doctors appointments, which all came down to this conclusion: i need to lose weight and fix my diet. which i am doing now! i am eating somewhat better, and exercising semi-regularly. i'm working on it.

i have a girlfriend now!!!!! we've been together a month and a few weeks as of this december hehe. i'm happy :)

i took a pottery class and realized that it's challenging and expensive. on the fence about pursuing it as a hobby, tbh

wrote some moz/ulysses stuff that i posted on ao3 and on my fallout tumblr!! drew a bunch of fallout oc art as well. finally made an oc page with all new art, for example. check it out if you want!

got my first tattoo!! it's of the skull from the skeleton on the cover of the black parade, with lyrics from famous last words. it's so nice and now i want another one. they can be addicting!

started a vinyl collection finally!!!!

wrote up an entire thing about my plans for kapitan kwek kwek, as well as a script for the first story!! i was about to draw when i got distracted by my gf ahahahahhaha

learned how to make browned butter horlicks cookies! i think they're going to be my signature cookies now.

there are definitely more things that happened that i've forgotten about lmao but those are the big ones that immediately came to mind.

as for the media that i experienced this year - i dedicated an entire notebook to it, with ratings and little blurbs of how the thing made me feel. it's cool, and i recommend doing it. reading back on those entries, i think here's my top pieces of media for this year:

book: i'm glad my mom died by jennette mccurdy

i didn't read a lot of books this year, but this was the one that i fully enjoyed the most, despite its subject matter. after reading, i just want the best for jennette. her life has been nothing short of tragic, and she writes about it so simply and yet so impactfully.

series: amc's interview with the vampire

there were soooo many good shows that i watched this year. our flag means death, the bear, abbott elementary, arcane, etc etc, but this one. this one. kept me on the edge of my seat for the few weeks it was on air. my cousins and i were hooked! it's doing its own thing and that's what makes it a great adaptation. best show of the year, by a mile.

movie: nocebo (2022) dir. lorcan finnegan

i watched this with my girlfriend in the cinema, during the qcinema festival. i honestly only wanted to watch it because i was curious about whether it'll be racist towards filipinos, but surprisingly, it wasn't! it's a filipino-irish (!) film that is ugh so good and so subtle and so magical and heavy. justice for all kentex workers, and for all workers like them, who are being paid poverty wages and worked to the bone in terrible conditions, all for foreign bosses who could not care less about thier wellbeing. we will have our justice.

youtube

album: the loneliest time by carly rae jepsen

it was a toss-up between this, laurel hell by mitski, and dance fever by florence and the machine, but in the end, carly rae jepsen's pop masterpiece won. it's just fun, and more of carly's signature pop flavor. top three songs: sideways, bends, and bad thing twice. though, honestly? all songs are top-tier.

i'm happy to be doing this again! i need to get back in the groove of writing, to be honest. and what is the point of a blog if i don't, well, blog? so. here. see you all again in a week!

#progress report #shh peri shhh

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imagine-that-one-thing · 6 years

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Styles Towers. || 10

Authors Note: Hello!! To celebrate the coming of a New Year, here is a New Chapter on Styles Towers. I am so excited to have finally managed to write this chapter and hopefully, I can keep it constant with my updating. No promised though. Happy New Year, as wel leave 2017 I hope you all have a lovely start to 2018. Be careful, my lovelies and gave fun ringing in the year! XX

Thank you to my lovely BETA @lostinreality014 for helping me quite a lot with this series, if you get a chance please read her Niall Blurb, very fluffy and sweet. Also check out @haroldsflowerchild new series.

Rated M for Mature audiences.

Don’t forget the other links: The first book, Styles & Co, can be found on WattPad, HERE. And can be found on Tumblr HERE. Styles & Co. || Extras.

You can find my blurb Master list HERE

|| My Office. ||

Before we knew it, snow is settling outside and formulating a perfect blanket in our backyard, Logan and Harry have half a relationship— well, they don’t ignore each other as much— they have conversations every now and again; it’s November, I have regained access to the business with the strict orders of Harry; I am not permitted to spend too much time working, the second I yawn, Niall or Harry send me home. Oh, and I’m six months pregnant. While Harry has been on partial leave with the business due to the downfall, Niall has been interim CEO and with the go-ahead from Harry, bumped me up to Chief administrative officer. To sum up, what I do besides staying out of Harry’s way when he is pissed off at work, I manage daily administrative operations. I am part of the top executive team reporting directly to the CEO. At times, I find it hard to look at Harry with a straight face and say, ‘boss.’

Harry gave Logan the money he needed to pay off Charles, that was quite the dinner conversation we had. Harry came clean and informed me that his brother, Logan needed 125,000 pounds to pay off his debt and Harry managed to come up with it. I didn't ask too many questions, I trusted his judgment. He mumbled something about being responsible… Apparently, Logan had turned to Harry and Harry quite literally told him to fuck off. I guess deep down Harry does have some concern for his brother, even if he attempts to come off as a hard ass who despises him. I have attempted to convince Harry to bury the hatchet, but we aren’t quite there yet. He still has that bit of hatred in him, whether that be for Logan or their Father, I do not know.

The audit for the business has been a bit of a hell-bent ride, the business accounts have been frozen for the last three months but besides from that, everything has been relatively well… As well as can be. I had thought this rollercoaster ride with the business would put a strain on Harry and I since he doesn't have an outlet to relieve his stress and anger, but to my surprise he has been calm. He does what he can around the office without stepping his boundaries and has been doing his physical therapy.

You could say things are going as smooth as expected.

At three in the morning when the birds have yet to wake and commence to chirping their favourite song and the sun hasn’t peaked from its resting place, I discover myself gracefully making my way around the penthouse in an attempt to tire myself enough to go to sleep.

I rest down at the small counter and open Harry’s laptop and log in on my account, deciding that I may as well put my time to good use while I am awake and apparently rather active. I read a few emails and reply to them, despite the ungodly hour before I unintentionally click the stocks section. “Damnit,” I grumble to myself as the screen shifts black before the stocks pop up and my screen is lit with essentially green streaks while the news of the stocks operates across the bottom of my screen. For a moment, I am astonished that there is so much green across my screen a positive outcome I hadn’t expected, at least not so soon.

—

I make my way downstairs to Harry’s office areas in an attempt to tire myself a little bit. When we stay here, I have made a habit of just roaming the main business floor at night. I have managed to find it soothing, for what reason I do not know.

Sometimes if Harry doesn’t discover me missing by the time I come down here, I sneak into his office and relax in his leather chair while facing the window. The city is so impressive at night when it is meant to be sleeping… It is even more beautiful to watch the town turn from a darkened ghost town with the night sky washing a heather-purple to a busy city as the sun begins to rise and the afternoon sky becomes a cocktail-blue. There is just something about chords of soft light spearing down from above and through the large pane windows that is calming and peaceful. Now, since it is winter, the gravel-grey skies are bare, bleak and depressing.

I’m surprised when I discover Niall hunkered in his office, the door open with the light on. I peer in and he immediately looks up and flashes me a smile. His mariner-blue eyes peer at me and his laptop constantly they’re a-gleam with delight and the vigour of youth. They are soft, Irish eyes that always swim with delight no matter what ungodly hour it is. “Elise, why hello. What are you doing up at this hour?” He questions and my eyes instantly take notice of the moon that is shining brightly outside like a ghostly-silver disc in the sky.

His office views differently to Harry’s, it’s a varied scenery to see at this hour.

I step closer to his desk and give him a small smile. “I can’t sleep and Harry’s out like a light so can’t keep me entertained,” I notify Niall and he chuckles. “I saw the stocks increased, what’s going on?” I challenge, a bit on edge about the stats that I accidentally came across on Harry’s laptop. I am still learning my way around the business world and the stock market, to say the least, it is one hell of a learning process.

Niall clears his throat and flashes me a bright smile. “Well, in short terms, I’m out of a job.”

I cock my head to the side, “What do you mean?” The last time Niall thought he was out of a job was when Harry threatened to fire him when Harry was pissed off that he was stuck at home and not able to do business.

We don’t let Harry live that day down.

With a gregarious personality and a galactic smile he speaks, “As of three fifteen, Harry got his business back, I am no longer the interim CEO.” Niall informs me, “I am demoted, sadly. But this is great for you two.”

I stare at Niall for a moment, unsure of whether he is screwing with me or not. He has screwed with me a little bit over the last few months, he has this humorous side to him that he reveals every now and again and I haven’t managed to figure out when he is using it against me. “Elise, why do you look like you’re plotting my death in a very nonchalant way?”

“Are you screwing with me, Horan?”

“No,” he shakes his head, “I am serious. Harry is back as CEO”

***

I make my way back upstairs to the Penthouse not bothering to be quiet as I let the door close behind me.

“Harry, Harry wake up,” I benevolently wake him and force him out of his slumber. He lets out a groan as his arm moves and he buries himself further in his pillow. “Harry, babe.. wake up.” I tenderly nudge his arm and he lets out another grunt.

“Leave me alone,” he grumbles in a somnolent voice.

I call his name repeatedly, shaking him with a little more force. His enrapturing, loam-grey eyes flutter open and he promptly swallows, “what.. what’s wrong? Are you okay?” He hurriedly sits up, “is it the baby? What’s wrong?” He’s very expeditious with his words as his voice is deep and laced with sleep.

“I’m fine, the stocks just went up,” I inform him in an attempt to express what exactly has occurred.

He grows silent for a moment as he rubs his eyes, “you woke me for the fucking stock market? I thought you were going into early labour or some shit,” Harry murmurs lamentably as he leans his back against the headboard and crosses his arms over his chest. “Unless you’re in labour or something, I’m going back to fucking sleep, I don’t care.” Harry drowsily and grumpily mumbles as he wiggles onto his back and pulls forcibly at his covers.

“Harry, get up.” I huff and tug at the blankets, causing him to sit up again, “I’m in labour,” I roll my eyes in frustration.

“Don’t fuck with me,” he grumbles into his pillow, “don’t be the boy that cries wolf.”

I heavily sigh, becoming frustrated with him. “Harry, the stock is up.”

“Elise, shhh.”

“Harry, get the fuck up,” I benevolently tug on his arm. “We need to go downstairs. Get up.” I instruct, completely drawing the covers off of him, exposing him. His eyes fly open and he huffs heavily as he nonchalantly sits up and rubs his eyes.

I wander my way to the door and he gradually follows me with a confused expression painted across his lips, “what the fuck are we doing?” His voice is hoarse from being asleep, his hand yet again rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He pads through the room like a panther in slow-mo.

I grab his hand. “You’re coming with me.”

“That sounds so damn sexy, but baby, I’m tired.”

I flick my eyes to glare over at him before I roll my eyes a-flicker with curiosity over a genial smile. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he realises that our troubles are over and that he has his pride and joy back.

“Good to know you’re still perverted when you’re half asleep,” I mutter and he glances at me with a-glow with love and he flashes me an amiable smile.

I have to say that I am rather pleased that after all these years together that he still flirts with me. I love it.

I lure him downstairs and force him into Niall office where Niall grins as he glances up at the two of us.

“The fuck am I doing here?” Harry demands with a yawn and Niall begins to laugh, seeming unable to control himself.

“Nice attire and that hair, real turn on, lad.” Niall winks as he gestures to Harry who looks like he’s a bit of a mess. A pair of sweatpants, a wrinkled t-shirt and his usually lush, mother lode-brown hair he usually grooms so carefully has a rippling quality and is all over the place from being asleep.He has a mannish, designer stubble that I quite find to be a turn on. Quite the different appearance compared to what Niall is used to recognizing. Niall is used to a suit and tie of some sort and a very well groomed Harry.

I shoot Niall a glower and he immediately seizes his lips into a narrow line and stops chuckling. It isn't the first time I have shot him a glare and he has subsequently shut up relatively quick. I don't know what it is, when I give Harry the scowl he just rolls his eyes and laughs, when Niall is on the receiving end of my glare, Niall readjusts his tone and behaviour.

I am not quite sure if he's deathly afraid of me or if he is deathly afraid of what Harry will do if he makes a wrong move with me.

Harry sighs as he stretches his back and arms out, a few cracks in his bones sounds and sends shivers down my back. “Again, what the hell am I doing here?” he demands while crossing his arms over his chest, not too amused with either Niall or me.

Niall leans back in his chair in the same manly manner Harry does, “Congratulations, Harry. You’re the CEO again.” Niall informs Harry, “you’re now my boss again.”

He snarls to himself before frowning at Niall. “I’ve always been your boss you little twerp.” His derring-do personality and bass voice is a big part of his ambitious character and it never seizes to diminish when he is tired and a bit of a cocky prick.

“Harry, the stocks rose... You’re back.” I state for what feels like the hundredth time.

I was hoping Niall could get through to him since Harry’s tired ass is a bit slow and not functioning.

His voice is mellifluous as it leaves his lips. “No fucking way. You’re lying,” he gasps, finally clicking on what we’ve been trying to tell his sleepy self.

Niall gestures towards his laptop that is open to the stock exchange, “No, I’m serious... saw it fo’ myself. Look.” … “I’m out of a job. The stocks are up which means you’re back and the board can’t hold anything over you.”

“Bullshit.”

“Harry,” I gently nudge him for his use of language, he needs to watch his language before our child comes out stringing cuss words before it can even read.

Harry clears his throat and rolls his tired eyes, “sorry, bloody rubbish.”

“You’re CEO again.” Niall chuckles as he watches me huff in frustration.

Harry grows silent for a moment as he stares at Niall in disbelief. His eyes became a-glow with love and he flashes me an amiable smile. “I’m back!” His voice is like bottled thunder, a measure of his vitality. I stare into his enrapturing, loam-grey eyes and it is like Spring has arrived. Spring is merriment. It’s a fizzy tonic, like a leisurely overflowing bottle of bubbling pleasure. You know that bubbly, delightful feeling you exhibit when you take that first fresh breath of spring air? That is what I swear I feel when I gaze into his eyes— his nautical-grey eyes shine as clear as a summer brook.

He eased about the room with a balletic grace before placing his arms around me in a light manner, his arms curling around my waist, drawing me closer to him. “Congratulations, you have the business back.”

“We have it back.” Harry whispers, leaning down and kissing me tenderly.

“You do all the work, I just sit and look pretty,” I chuckle, wrapping my arms around his figure.

He shakes his head, “Nonsense,” he kisses my forehead affectionately.

Niall clears his throat, “can you two get a room…. That isn’t my office,”

Harry shoots Niall a glare and Niall in return gives him his lambent, meltwater-blue eyes that were a-dazzle with wonder with a friendly smile.

“Hey Niall, very kindly, fuck off.” Harry grins, “Go home.”

“Please, spare my office its innocence.” Niall sighs as he closes the lid of his laptop.

Harry rolls his eyes, “my office?” Harry caresses his lips to my ear and I let out a stifled laugh while considerately stretching away and swatting his chest ever so benevolently.

#Harry styles imagines #harry styles prompt #harry styles prompts #imagine harry styles #harry styles blurbs #harry styles blurb #harry styles fluff #harry styles preference #harry styles preferences #harry styles fanfic #harry styles fanfics #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles fanfictions #harry styles writing

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cathygeha · 3 years

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REVIEW

Danger in Numbers by Heather Graham

Heather Graham has been a go-to author for me for some time and this book, dealing with cults and a horrific ritualistic killing sounded like a good read…and it was. This is a great introduction to what will be a four-book series starring Amy and Hunter and I am eager to read them all.

What I liked:

* Amy Larson: Special Agent for Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), newer at the job than some but not a novice, bright, dedicated, an artist that makes drawings at the scene of crimes, capable, thinks on her feet, from a family in law enforcement, likable.

* Hunter Forrest: FBI Special agent, ex-military, knowledgeable about cult and ritualistic murders, mid-thirties, well known on the job, intelligent, interesting backstory, likable.

* The slow development of the relationship between Amy & Hunter – can see them together on the job and off and am looking forward to seeing them together as the series unfolds.

* The side/back story and how it played into the overall larger story.

* The supporting characters: CSI, ME, her FDLE partner-John, FBI agent assigned to assist, others

* The dark, gritty aspects even though the crimes and cult and all the rest were as horrific as expected…and perhaps a bit more.

* Not knowing for sure which characters were good/bad

* It was believable

* That both main characters came from loving families

* That Amy and Hunter seemed balanced people and that they didn’t come into the story with a lot of baggage that drew away from the plot.

* Looking forward to what will happen next

What I didn’t like:

* Knowing that cults exist and are as bad as or worse than the one in this book

* The baddies I was meant to dislike

* Having to wait till book two is published to find out what will happen next.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Yes

Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Mira for the ARC – this is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

BLURB

This Spring, Heather Graham returns with a sultry and shocking standalone thriller about an FBI special agent trying to run from his past and a state police agent bent on solving a horrifying crime, even if it leads the two of them into the web of a vicious cult. Graham deepens the intrigue and raises the stakes in DANGER IN NUMBERS (MIRA Hardcover; March 23, 2021; $27.99).

On the edge of the Everglades, a brutal murder and an eerie crime scene set off an investigation that sends two agents deep into a world of corrupted faith, greed and deadly secrets. A ritualistic murder on the side of a remote road brings in the Florida state police. Special Agent Amy Larson has never seen worse, and there are indications that this killing could be just the beginning. The crime draws the attention of the FBI in the form of Special Agent Hunter Forrest, a man with insider knowledge of how violent cults operate, and a man who might never be able to escape his own past. The rural community is devastated by the death in their midst, but people know more than they are saying. As Amy and Hunter join forces, every lead takes them further into the twisted beliefs of a dangerous group that will stop at nothing to see their will done.

EXCERPT

PROLOGUE

Fall 1993

Sam

Sam Gallagher stood in the forest, deep within the trees, holding his wife and son to him as closely as he could, barely daring to breathe.

They would know by now. He and Jessie would be missed. He could imagine the scene: Jessie wouldn’t have appeared bright and early to help prepare the day’s meal with the other women. He wouldn’t be there to consume the porridge and water that was considered the ultimate meal for the workday—the porridge because it was a hearty meal, the water because it was ordained as the gift of life.

Their absence would be reported to Brother William, sitting his office—his throne room, Sam thought—where he would be guarded by his closest associates, the deacons of his church.

The family had only been in woods for a few minutes, but it seemed like an eternity. Jessie was so still Sam couldn’t hear her breathing, just feel the tremor of her heart.

Cameron was just six. And yet he knew the severity and danger of his situation. He stood as still and silent as any man could hope a child might be.

Panic seized Sam briefly.

What if Special Agent Dawson didn’t come? What if there had been a mix-up and he hadn’t been able to arrange for the Marshals Service to help?

What if they were found?

Stupid question. He knew the what if.

He gritted his teeth and fought against the fear that had washed over him like a tidal wave. Dawson was a good man; Sam knew he would keep his word. He’d arrived at the commune undercover, having the intuition to realize Sam’s feelings, his doubt, and his fear for his wife and his son. Together, Dawson had told him, they would bring down the Keepers of the Earth. His actions would free others. No, their actions would free others.

Today was the day. Just in time. Sam had known the danger of remaining, felt the way he was being watched by the Divine Leader’s henchmen.

They had to leave. Leave? No, there was no leaving the compound. There was only escaping.

Alana Fisk had wanted to leave, and they knew what had happened to her.

It had been Cameron who had found his beloved “aunt” Al- ana’s body at the bottom of the gorge, broken, lying beneath just inches of dry dust and rock, decomposing in her shallow grave. It had been Cameron, so young, who had become wary and suspicious first. He’d seen a few of the older boys in the area when he’d last seen Alana there, and he didn’t trust them. They were scary, Cameron said.

Sam tightened his hold on Cameron. Seconds ticked by like an eternity.

Sam closed his eyes and wondered how they had come to this, but he knew.

He and his wife had wanted something different. A life where riches didn’t make a man cruel.

Jessie hadn’t hated her father; she had hated what he stood for. And Sam knew the day when her mind had been made up. Downtown Los Angeles. They had seen a veteran of the Vietnam War, homeless, slunk against a wall. Only one of his legs remained; he had been struggling with his prosthetic, his cup for donations at his side. The homeless veteran had looked at Jessie’s father and said, “Please, sir, help if you can.”

Peter Wilson had walked right by. When Jessie had caught her father’s arm, he had turned on her angrily. “I didn’t get where I am by giving away my hard-earned money. He’s prob- ably lying about being a vet. He can get himself a damned job doing something!”

Sam had been walking behind them. Embarrassed, he tried to offer Jessie a weak smile. He hadn’t come from money, and he had lost his folks right after his twentieth birthday, but he was working in a coffee shop, dreaming he’d get to where he could work, go to college and have time left over to be with the woman he loved.

He had given the man a dollar and wished him well. Jessie had turned away from her father.

It was the last time Jessie saw her father. Despite the man’s efforts to break her and Sam up—or because of them—Jessie and Sam had eloped. The plan was to both get jobs and finish college through night school. Her father had suspected her pregnancy; he’d wanted her to get over Sam and terminate the baby.

Jessie quickly made friends at a park near their cheap apartment. They were old f lower children, she had told Sam. Old hippies, he’d liked to tease in return. But those friends had been happy, and they’d talked to Jessie about the beauty of their commune, far from the crazy greed and speed of the city.

In the beginning, Brother William’s commune did seem to offer it all: happiness, unity, love and light.

But now they knew the truth.

Brother William—with his “deacons,” his demands on his “flock” and the cache of arms he kept stowed away as he created his empire, demanding absolute power for himself, complete obedience among his followers. And it became clear Brother William’s will was enforced; he had those deacons—Brothers Colin, Anthony and Darryl, and the squad beneath them. They received special treatment.

Sam clutched his family as he strained to hear any unfamiliar sound in the woods. Was that footsteps? Was the rustling of branches just the breeze?

He had to stop dwelling on fear.

He had to stay strong. Maybe not ruminate on what they’d been through.

But there was nothing else to do while they waited, barely breathing.

Think back, remember it all.

DANGER IN NUMBERS

Author: Heather Graham

ISBN: 9780778331452

Publication Date: March 23, 2021

Publisher: MIRA Books

Buy Links:

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AUTHOR BIO

Heather Graham is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author has written over two hundred novels and novellas, has been published in approximately twenty-five languages and with about 60 million books sold in print in the categories of romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. For more information, visit her at TheOriginalHeatherGraham.com.

Social Links:

Author Website

Twitter: @HeatherGraham

Instagram: @TheOriginalHeatherGraham

Facebook: @HeatherGrahamAuthor

Goodreads

Q & A with the Author

Q&A with Heather Graham

Q: Please give the elevator pitch for Danger in Numbers.

A: Danger in Numbers is the first in a four book series based on crimes with a mastermind playing with the concept of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. A Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent winds up working a strange, ritualistic murder discovered in the Everglades along with an FBI agent, who, due to his past, has a unique ability to investigate the machinations of cults.

Q: Which came first: the characters or plot line?

A: A drive through my state on Highway 27! The area for the beginning first--then characters and plot falling in together!

Q: Why do you love Amy and Hunter and why should readers root for them?

A: I always love people who are able to take something negative happening and turn it into something good for others or for the future. I also greatly admire our FDLE, and so many of the men and women working in the department!

Q: What was your last 5 star read?

A: LOL -- I have no idea! I never base my reading on stars, rather on whether the subject matter is intriguing, or I know the author’s work and I know it will be a good read!

Q: What is one thing about publishing you wish someone would have told you?

A: Hm. Publishing has changed so much since I started! But, I did start without an agent and I think that a good agent is priceless. And, a good agent isn’t necessarily the agent you hear about being the “best.” The “best” agent is the one who loves your work and really wants to go to bat for you!

Q: With your two lead characters being in law enforcement, I was curious about the research into police procedures. Have you ever taken one of the law enforcement 'schools' for authors? Or do you personally have experience or know folks in law enforcement?

A: One of my favorite conferences is The Police Writers Academy. It’s run by Lee Lofland and he brings in specialists from all kinds of agencies, dealing with so many factions regarding law enforcement, evidence, and the law itself. I’m also grateful to International Thriller Writers for trips to the New York offices of the FBI--and out to the CIA. Mystery Writers have also brought in wonderful speakers to various conferences, and, of course, I have friends who are still with--or were with--various law department agencies. And my five children have paid off nicely! One has a U.S. Marshal friend who brought me through his offices and another friend is a Miami-Dade detective.

They may start running now when they see me coming!

But they’re seriously wonderfully helpful.

Q: When writing your thrilling mysteries like this one going into the dark side of cults, have you ever felt chills or thrills as you write? Have any of your fictional villains given you the willies?

A: I’ve seen--thankfully, from a distance--what horrors can arise from cults. I’ve gotten chills many times!

Q: I've always wanted to see them. Have you been on location to the Florida Everglades before?

A: I grew up in Miami and I love trips out to Shark Valley and other areas of the Everglades. I love visiting our Native American villages and information centers in both Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. We do have mosquitos, alligators, and now, of course, massive constrictors, but we also have amazing birds and incredible nature sites. We’re unique! Down at the tip of the state, we also have crocodiles. No, I don’t really want to play with them or get close to them! But the habitat, the hammocks, wetlands, and more are all uniquely beautiful.

Q: How much research do you do before beginning to write a book? Do you go to locations, ride with police, go to see an autopsy, etc.

A: It always depends on what I’m doing. I have friends who prefer their research on line--when I can, I love to travel. There are certain cities and areas I love and return to, but bizarre stories can be found in tiny towns and almost anywhere. Fiction will never be stranger than truth! When I can, I go to locations and speak with law enforcement or those close to a situation. When I can’t . . . well, I have a massive library and thankfully, friends who have been police and medical examiners!

Q: What hobbies do you enjoy?

A: Reading! Diving and anything to do with the water, and ballroom dancing.

Q: Do you write under one name for all books across genres or do you have other AKA's?

A: I do have an AKA -- Shannon Drake. At one time, I was writing historical novels under the name, and then doing a vampire series under it as well. Many of the publishers later reissued them under Heather Graham. (Went a little crazy a couple of months ago and wrote an historical, Arthurian fantasy, Daughter of Darkness and Light. Because it’s very different from contemporary thrillers, it’s up under Shannon Drake.) Years ago, I also used my full married name for a few books--Heather Graham Pozzessere. But Pozzessere is apparently hard to say, making it difficult for booksellers! But my dad was Graham, so writing as Graham is important to me!

Q: Do you have pets?

A: I do. A shy crazy cat and two pups, Rocket and Nimh.

Q: What’s your favorite part of writing suspense?

A: Taking a situation--and ending it the way I want it to end!

Q: Do you prefer reading and/or writing suspense with elements of romance? Why or why not?

A: I like relationships, I think they often define us. If not necessarily romance, I still like a story to contain friendships or other relationships.

Q: From the books you’ve written or read, who has been your favorite villain and why?

A: LOL - I don’t have a favorite child and I don’t have a favorite villain! That said, I have always loved Maleficent. She was my girl long before they cast Angelina Jolie as Maleficent in a movie. So evil and glamorous! And now, of course, we know she’s the classic, misunderstood villain--if only the world had treated her more kindly!

#Heather Graham #Series #NetGalley #Harlequin-Mira #Romantic Suspense #Cult #Religious Cult #Ritualistic Killing #Murder #Crime

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