Detective Alyssa Wyatt is on the hunt for a missing woman, and her case may be related to a serial killer that the FBI and Agent Ryker Newlin have been tracking for years. The red-haired victims are found with their mouths slashed and their throats cut. They unexpectedly get along well together as they pull their resources to stop this perpetrator once and for all.

I unfortunately knew pretty early on who was going to be responsible, as many sharp-eyed readers probably will. That didn’t keep me from enjoying the story, because it’s well-written and I wanted to see how the characters were going to figure it out. There are plenty of red herrings to distract you, so pay attention.

There’s a good balance between Alyssa’s work and home life in the story, and the scenes with her son are achingly familiar to anyone who’s been through similar ordeals. Her character has always been relatable, but as my son is also in his first year of college, adjusting to living on campus, I could truly feel what they were going through. I really hope the author’s not done with this series, but if she is, this was the perfect way to bring it to a close.

So much suspense. This one keeps you on your toes!!

Alyssa and her crew are back with the help of FBI Special Agent Ryker Newlin are on the case of a serial killer.

Kept me guessing until the reveal and it was a shocker. This author definitely takes us to the next level in this creepy scary adventure.

Grab it now!!

My favorite investigator duo is back! I feel like I've been waiting forever for this book, and I'm so glad that the author decided to continue with the series. I loved every minute of this chilling thriller! The intensely engaging storyline, nail-biting suspense, and great cast of characters had me flying through the pages at the speed of a freight train. I love the new addition of FBI's Ryker Newlin. She fit right in with the team like she's always belonged, and I hope that the author will bring her back in future books. But that ending...I thought I knew; I really did. Until Cox threw me a curveball that I never saw coming. And it was a shocker! Fingers crossed that the series doesn't end here. I look forward to these books like I look forward to pizza nights. Loved it! Highly recommend this book and series!

Thank you to Hera Books for granting me a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you, Hera Books, for providing the copy of The Hunting Grounds by Charly Cox. It was great to be back with Alyssa and Cord again. This is a great series, and every book can be read as a standalone. I loved the addition of Ryker and the relationship she and Alyssa had. The end surprised the heck out of me, so if you like a shocking reveal, this is the book for you. If you love great characters, an engrossing story, and writing that will engage you, get this book! 5 stars

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Charly Cox returns with a chilling installment in her Alyssa Wyatt series, and The Hunting Grounds might be her most psychologically intense yet. Set against the stark backdrop of New Mexico’s desert, this novel plunges readers into a serial killer investigation that’s as emotionally harrowing as it is procedurally gripping.

When Jennie Killingbeck vanishes on her drive back to Albuquerque, Detective Alyssa Wyatt and her team mobilize quickly. But the case takes a sinister turn with the arrival of FBI Agent Ryker Newlin, who suspects the infamous “Sunset Slayer” may be behind the disappearance. Known for targeting red-haired women and leaving a grotesque signature—an “X” carved across their lips—the killer has haunted multiple states. Now, the hunt intensifies in Slaughterville, a town whose name feels disturbingly prophetic.

Alyssa Wyatt remains a compelling lead—resilient, intuitive, and emotionally grounded. Her dynamic with Ryker Newlin adds a fresh layer of tension and collaboration, as both wrestle with the psychological toll of chasing a predator who thrives on ritualistic brutality. Cox’s portrayal of law enforcement isn’t just procedural—it’s deeply human, exploring trauma, fear, and the moral weight of justice.

Cox’s prose is taut and evocative, with visceral imagery that doesn’t shy away from the horror of the crimes. Yet she balances this with empathy, especially in her depiction of victims and their families. Themes of vulnerability, obsession, and the fragility of safety in small-town America are woven throughout, making the novel resonate beyond its genre trappings.

The Detective Alyssa Wyatt is refreshingly unique in that the series depicts brutal crimes, yet somehow the author always germinates seeds of hope and renewal in this series - due to this aspect, this ardent fan hopes this stellar police procedural / psychological thriller series continues!

The Hunting Grounds is a meditation on the cost of justice and the shadows that linger in its pursuit. For fans of crime fiction that blends procedural precision with emotional intelligence, Cox delivers a standout entry that lingers like desert heat.

Love the Alyssa Wyatt series and have read them all. Waited a long time for this latest addition to the series and it is incredible! Charly Cox has hit it out of the park. Alyssa and Cord are in the hunt for a serial killer who they believe is linked to a missing person they are searching for. The storyline and Characters are great as is the look into Aylssa and Cords family lives and how Cord built his family. While i would recommend reading entire series this book can stand alone
Hoping for many more!!

Welcome back Alyssa! I was so excited for this book and it blew me away. I really liked Ryker and the team dynamics with her addition. I was hooked from the beginning and blown away by the reveal! The tension was high and I was feeling it. I really hope this series continues!

I just finished The Hunting Grounds and it was absolutely thrilling! From the moment Detective Alyssa Wyatt starts investigating Jennie Killingbeck’s disappearance, the stakes feel razor-sharp. The isolation of Albuquerque’s desert adds a chilling, oppressive atmosphere—and when FBI Agent Ryker Newlin arrives with his knowledge of the “Sunset Slayer,” the tension escalates to nearly unbearable levels.

What hooked me was the dynamic between Alyssa and Ryker. Both are determined, layered characters working against time - and a serial killer - who chooses young red-headed women and leaves a mutilating “X” across their lips. It's gruesome, disturbing, and utterly gripping.

On top of that, the story is filled with twists and turns that kept me completely glued to the pages. Just when I thought I had figured something out, another reveal would come along and pull the rug out from under me. It’s that unpredictability that made the book even more addictive.

The pacing is fast and relentless, but there's enough depth to let the story breathe and keep you emotionally invested in the victims, the investigators, and the race to stop more deaths. The narrative balances procedural detail and suspense in a way that compels you to keep turning the pages.

A dark, nail-biting crime thriller full of twists that will keep you guessing until the very end. If you love atmospheric, page-turning serial killer mysteries with strong, determined protagonists, this one’s a must-read.

This is one of my all time favorite series and this installment did not disappoint! Alyssa and her team are back with the addition of Ryker an FBI agent looking for five years for a serial killer now hunting in Alyssa's hometown. When bodies start showing up at a faster pace Alyssa needs to find the killer quick! Who the serial killer is and what she uncovers is such a great twist! Love this series and this book was a great addition it kept me up all night reading! SO good!

Love this series and this newest addition ... Wow! Could not put it down! Don't start this one late at night. It kept me guessing all the way to the end.

Can't wait to for the next one! Though I always recommend reading a series from the beginning, this one could be read as a stand-alone.

Thank you #netgalley and #herabooks for the eARC.

If you didn’t know, Detective Alyssa Wyatt is another one of my favorite characters. This book is a must add to your TBR. I won’t say anymore because you’ll just have to find out on your own why.. You definitely will not be disappointed!!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!!!

This book immediately captured my attention. For the past six years, an elusive killer has hunted completely unknown, committing crimes in different states. The main thing connecting the brutal murders is the females bright red hair, which leads the media to dub the killer "The Sunset Slayer." The author does a great job at casting suspicion around, and I felt like I was aaaalmossttt putting the puzzle pieces together but just could not figure out how it all went together. I loved that there was two powerful and strong female leads, Detective Alyssa Wyatt and FBI Agent Ryker Newlin, and it was refreshing to have the different agencies work together instead of the standard trope of them head butting. I'm still thinking of this book days after finishing it!

I have been a fan of the Alyssa Wyatt series ever since I read the first book. Book #6 is fantastic!! Fast-paced, still had a good amount of character development and I loved the introduction of a new character. Can’t wait for book #7!!

I must say that the quality of this series remains consistently high, which is truly impressive. The narrative continues to be compelling, drawing me further into its world with each installment. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions add depth to the story. Overall, the experience of reading this series has been a very enjoyable one. I certainly look forward to the next part.
Charly Cox is top tier! This book and series tbh just stand out. This is a series that gets better with each book, and it starts out great so that is some feat.

This book pulled me in right from the start. I love crime thrillers that explore the P.O.V of the killer, the victims and the cops. I liked how each chapter was dated which made it feel like I was tracking the investigation in real time. I couldn’t stop turning the pages, eager to see what the killer would do next and whether the cops were getting closer to catching the killer. A 5 star read!

It took a while for this book to pull me in, but it did eventually. I even gasped out loud once. There were several possible killers, which kept it more interesting. I’ve got to say, though, that I think most writers probably imbue the police and FBI agents as more caring than a lot of them really are. Because they’re nice in books, but I’ve never even met one nice cop.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

Top notch detective series, truly delivers! Complex plot, red herrings that really throw you off the trail, and a great balance of the main characters and their families/lives. You track the team as much as the investigation! A must read for mystery fans.

It was a strong seventh entry in the Detective Alyssa Wyatt series. The characters had that feel that worked in this universe and thought they were everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed how the characters continued the story. It was everything that I was hoping for from this type of book and am excited for more. Charly Cox does it again in this book, it had that mystery concept going on that I was looking for and was enjoying the overall journey.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. I absolutely love the Alyssa Wyatt series and I was so happy to hear that a new instalment was coming. As usual the story was fast paced, interesting and full of surprises. The group of characters in this series are amazing and I really enjoyed catching up with them once again. I often recommend this series to book lovers and I will definitely continue to do so. Highly recommended. 5 stars

The Hunting Grounds is a meditation on the cost of justice and the shadows that linger in its pursuit. For fans of crime fiction that blends procedural precision with emotional intelligence, Cox delivers a standout entry that lingers like desert heat.