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The Grave Artist by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado
Series: Sanchez & Heron, Book 2
If you’re a fan of high-stakes thrillers with smart characters and relentless suspense, The Grave Artist by Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado deserves a top spot on your reading list. As the highly anticipated second installment in the Sanchez & Heron series, this follow-up more than delivers on the tension, twists, and tight plotting we’ve come to expect, especially with Maldonado’s expert pacing and Deaver’s signature storytelling.
After loving Maldonado’s previous work, this ARC was an immediate pick for me, and I tore through it in record time. It’s fast, clever, and sinister in all the best ways.
A Killer Who Paints in Grief
The novel opens at what should be a joyful event: a wedding in the Hollywood Hills. But the celebration takes a dark turn when one of the newlyweds dies under suspicious circumstances. Homeland Security Investigations agent Carmen Sanchez and her partner, Jake Heron, are quickly pulled in, and it doesn’t take long for them to connect the dots—this is no isolated tragedy.
Three deaths. Three perfect couples. One signature style of devastation.
Dubbed The Honeymoon Killer, the murderer at the center of this chilling tale doesn’t kill for power or money, but for art. His grisly obsession lies in grief itself. His twisted “masterpieces” are the mourning survivors, and now, Carmen and Jake are in his sights.
What Makes This Thriller Shine
Deaver and Maldonado are a dream team when it comes to crime fiction. The pacing is razor-sharp, the clues are scattered like puzzle pieces, and the stakes are raised with every chapter. As Carmen and Jake close in on the killer, the killer flips the game—targeting them with psychological warfare and manipulation that feels terrifyingly real.
The chemistry between the protagonists is another strong point. Sanchez is level-headed, strong, and grounded, while Heron brings a more unorthodox, security-savvy approach. Their push-pull dynamic adds depth to the storyline and gives readers two smart leads to root for amid all the chaos.
Twisted, Tense, and Terrific
The Grave Artist is a stunning second act in the Sanchez & Heron series. It grips you from the first chapter and doesn’t let go until the final page. With a deeply disturbed antagonist and a plot that balances action with psychological thrills, this book proves that Deaver and Maldonado are a powerhouse duo.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of the authors or just discovering this series, don’t miss out—this is one of those reads that will have you sleeping with the lights on and eagerly awaiting the next book. Pre-order Here*!
Check out Curating Edits’ review of the first book: Fatal Intrusion*, from the Sanchez & Heron Series. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of The Grave Artist.