3 1/2 stars
Taylor was in trouble right from the start with consulting on a kidnapping and having her own stalker to boot. What I found neat about her was that she was a criminal profiler so her experience helped the authorities find stalkers. Not her own though. And that bothered her. I liked her determination, especially when it came to investigating her father's disappearance. The romantic interest was Nick. I had a thing for him right away because he was a writer and he had an unwavering faith in his brother's innocence as well as a strong connection to God. Full review is at my website: lorainenunley(dot)com
Taylor was in trouble right from the start with consulting on a kidnapping and having her own stalker to boot. What I found neat about her was that she was a criminal profiler so her experience helped the authorities find stalkers. Not her own though. And that bothered her. I liked her determination, especially when it came to investigating her father's disappearance. The romantic interest was Nick. I had a thing for him right away because he was a writer and he had an unwavering faith in his brother's innocence as well as a strong connection to God. Full review is at my website: lorainenunley(dot)com
Carole J. (PianoLady357) reviewed Shadows of the Past (Logan Point, Bk 1) on + 157 more book reviews
Shadows of the Past by debut author Patricia Bradley has it all - sharp prose, intriguing setting, well-developed characters, and a fast-moving plot that will grab and hold your attention from the beginning. As much as I love a good murder mystery, I'm not a fan of suspense, but I was drawn to Shadows of the Past because of its southern setting and interesting description. And once I started reading, it was hard to put down!
While the suspense element was strong, I enjoyed this story so much because it seemed more character-driven than other suspense novels I've read. Taylor Martin's specialty is victimology - figuring out how and why the victim was chosen, and creating a profile of the victim as well as the offender. Because of a case in which she was involved, Taylor comes back to home and family in Logan Point, Mississippi - a place with an unsolved mystery in her personal life and a place where she never felt good enough.
I was immediately drawn to Nick Sinclair, popular mystery writer who is still grieving the loss of his wife, Angie, in a senseless robbery/murder. "Grieving had become familiar, almost comfortable" to him. Yet Taylor sensed that he was a good, caring man who would never fail to stand by those he loved.
But it's Aunt Kate, with her genuine faith and willingness to open her home to whoever God might send, that is at the heart of this narrative. Kate is a potter who works out of a transformed carriage house behind her home, a true southern setting: "As Taylor drove the winding, tree-lined drive to the hundred-year-old house . . . the two-story Victorian looked like a bed and breakfast with its three-gabled roof and wraparound porch."
Patricia also created a beautiful and fascinating setting in the Martin family home place. With its tunnels connecting to caves in a nearby river bluff, Oak Grove was once used to aid slaves escaping to the North as part of the Underground Railroad. Its basement is also the source of terrifying "shadows of the past" memories for Taylor.
The romance between Nick and Taylor is believable and sparkles with good chemistry. The mystery is developed very nicely, with good clues scattered throughout - and I didn't have to skim through too many scary parts!
I also liked how spiritual elements seemed a natural part of the narrative. While Taylor believes in God, she struggles with unanswered prayers in her life, and that's something to which many Christians can relate. And I think it's Nick's honest words that speak to all of us: "I struggled with my faith when Angie died. . . . But in the end, my faith is what sustained me."
I look forward to whatever Patricia has in store for us next - hoping, of course, to see more of these characters. Shadows of the Past is a wonderful debut that I highly recommended to fans of mystery and suspense.
Thank you to Revell for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
While the suspense element was strong, I enjoyed this story so much because it seemed more character-driven than other suspense novels I've read. Taylor Martin's specialty is victimology - figuring out how and why the victim was chosen, and creating a profile of the victim as well as the offender. Because of a case in which she was involved, Taylor comes back to home and family in Logan Point, Mississippi - a place with an unsolved mystery in her personal life and a place where she never felt good enough.
I was immediately drawn to Nick Sinclair, popular mystery writer who is still grieving the loss of his wife, Angie, in a senseless robbery/murder. "Grieving had become familiar, almost comfortable" to him. Yet Taylor sensed that he was a good, caring man who would never fail to stand by those he loved.
But it's Aunt Kate, with her genuine faith and willingness to open her home to whoever God might send, that is at the heart of this narrative. Kate is a potter who works out of a transformed carriage house behind her home, a true southern setting: "As Taylor drove the winding, tree-lined drive to the hundred-year-old house . . . the two-story Victorian looked like a bed and breakfast with its three-gabled roof and wraparound porch."
Patricia also created a beautiful and fascinating setting in the Martin family home place. With its tunnels connecting to caves in a nearby river bluff, Oak Grove was once used to aid slaves escaping to the North as part of the Underground Railroad. Its basement is also the source of terrifying "shadows of the past" memories for Taylor.
The romance between Nick and Taylor is believable and sparkles with good chemistry. The mystery is developed very nicely, with good clues scattered throughout - and I didn't have to skim through too many scary parts!
I also liked how spiritual elements seemed a natural part of the narrative. While Taylor believes in God, she struggles with unanswered prayers in her life, and that's something to which many Christians can relate. And I think it's Nick's honest words that speak to all of us: "I struggled with my faith when Angie died. . . . But in the end, my faith is what sustained me."
I look forward to whatever Patricia has in store for us next - hoping, of course, to see more of these characters. Shadows of the Past is a wonderful debut that I highly recommended to fans of mystery and suspense.
Thank you to Revell for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) -
Well, there is another author in the suspense/mystery genre that is worth watching out for. Shadows of the Past is a debut novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. Patricia Bradley pulls the reader in and just keeps reeling you along until you are fully enveloped in the story. The plot was very good and the characters were well written. My only difficulty was in how many there were. Kind of a lot to keep up with especially when you don't know who someone is. But, this was very minor and in no way kept me from reading the book. I even had some relatives trying to steal the book while I was in the middle of it:)
I did figure out who dun it before the end but this was so well written you want to figure out the why. I seriously finished this in one day and totally enjoyed it. If you like good heroes and heroines that are strong, you will like this one. And I can't wait for the next book in Logan Point! Might we read more about Livy and Mac? Or possibly Chase? Either way, it will be on my wish list:) Way to go Patricia!!
I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine.
I did figure out who dun it before the end but this was so well written you want to figure out the why. I seriously finished this in one day and totally enjoyed it. If you like good heroes and heroines that are strong, you will like this one. And I can't wait for the next book in Logan Point! Might we read more about Livy and Mac? Or possibly Chase? Either way, it will be on my wish list:) Way to go Patricia!!
I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine.
