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Came a Shadow
When he is eight years old Reuben Sykes kills his abusive father in a remote cabin in the mountains of Virginia. Although the act brings with it a sense of tremendous relief, Reuben takes no pleasure in it. The subsequent murder of his sister, though, is an entirely different matter. When done, in fact, his only regret is that he can't kill her all over again.
Sixty-four years later, when four year old Sophie Crandall is abducted from her grandfather's home in rural Maine, the ensuing investigation brings answers no one, least of all the police, are prepared to hear.
A roller coaster ride of a book that will thrill you, shock you, and, ultimately leave you with a sense of dread.
Sixty-four years later, when four year old Sophie Crandall is abducted from her grandfather's home in rural Maine, the ensuing investigation brings answers no one, least of all the police, are prepared to hear.
A roller coaster ride of a book that will thrill you, shock you, and, ultimately leave you with a sense of dread.
389 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2011
76 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 18, 2014
Patrick Dakin does a fine job in Came a Shadow of weaving a story of murder and abduction and more murder that lasts a lifetime. As a young boy, Reuben Sykes has to deal with a physically abusive father and when Reuben "takes care of him" I almost felt a twinge of relief for the boy. Then he "takes care of" his little sister and everything changes.
This is a well-written story that has great character development. I felt as if I was there with the characters on their emotional roller coaster especially when they realized that the monster that tormented so many little girls lived among them.
The ending...well, let's just say...the ending will have you wanting more!
This is a well-written story that has great character development. I felt as if I was there with the characters on their emotional roller coaster especially when they realized that the monster that tormented so many little girls lived among them.
The ending...well, let's just say...the ending will have you wanting more!
July 12, 2015
Intense
This was a very good book. It kept you on the edge of you seat up till the very last chapter. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy.
This was a very good book. It kept you on the edge of you seat up till the very last chapter. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy.
March 8, 2017
One monster that manages to stay hidden in shadows and a cast of heroes that will keep you turning the pages is what this book is made of. This book is a wonderful memoir that will take you from present day to 60 years in the past and back again. Came a Shadow is an intense history of a seriel killer and the people who are in his life that genuinely loved and hated him. Their love was waisted and their hate justified toward a man that was content to have nothing of meaning or value in his life. Rueben is helplessly enslaved to his childhood abuse and is content to live with his morbid hatred that ultimately secludes himself to feed his temper that is only relieved through violence and torture. However, the heroes are the saving grace to an unpredictable evil world. It's people like them that keep our faith in humanity. Enjoy....it's a journey not for the week of heart.
March 27, 2018
Reading this first book of the trilolgy was a great book to start with - something to sink my teeth into...while the first part of the book talked about the present day incidents on children going missing and not found it was a complete insight to the second part of the book where you looked back on "Reuben's" upbringing. Awesome book right to the end - looking forward to A Shadow Fell (#2)
December 29, 2020
Wonderful
My reading is done just before bed or in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. This was my first Patrick Dakin book. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The development of each character and their tying together became so enjoyable. I would always read an extra chapter.I never started to fall a sleep in the middle of one of the chapter. Even stayed up extra to finish the book one night I got so caught up In it. Wil down load another part of the trilogy soon.
My reading is done just before bed or in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. This was my first Patrick Dakin book. I enjoyed it thoroughly. The development of each character and their tying together became so enjoyable. I would always read an extra chapter.I never started to fall a sleep in the middle of one of the chapter. Even stayed up extra to finish the book one night I got so caught up In it. Wil down load another part of the trilogy soon.
February 28, 2018
Definitely a twisted endind
Not many heroes or heroines meet this
kind of ending. Found myself reading for hours to get to the bottom of this mystery. And that doesn't happen often for me. Take a ride with this one! I'm immediately starting on book 3.
Not many heroes or heroines meet this
kind of ending. Found myself reading for hours to get to the bottom of this mystery. And that doesn't happen often for me. Take a ride with this one! I'm immediately starting on book 3.
October 15, 2020
I thought I’d try a new author but sure chose the wrong one. Not only was it poorly written the characters were unrealistic and uninteresting. I have never skimmed through a book so quickly just to get to the end only to be even more disappointed.
I do not recommend this book.
I do not recommend this book.
March 13, 2018
Book
This author does a great job of story telling. The story was fast paced and a good story line. Five stars
This author does a great job of story telling. The story was fast paced and a good story line. Five stars
April 18, 2019
Fast paced read. Good characters. Kept interest throughout till the end.
October 18, 2020
Great Read
Some surprise twists. Loved the characters. Can’t wait to read the second book. Definitely would recommend this as a good read.
Some surprise twists. Loved the characters. Can’t wait to read the second book. Definitely would recommend this as a good read.
January 21, 2017
An edge of your seat mystery, number one in a trilogy of three.
May 1, 2014
Came a Shadow -a thriller?
Apparently this book is the first in a trilogy. I'm just not sure where I stand on that premise. This book ends with the killer well into his eighties. He is a man who has struggled with his demons his entire life and with all of that, the only real time spent with this man is at the young age of eight and then later as a teen through young adulthood. we learn all about the terrible atrocities he endures throughout his life but spend little actual time in his company. the book takes a long time with one of his victim's father/family and the destruction he caused. Too much time for my tastes. the story seemed to drag on but was interesting enough that I wanted to find out what happened. I just don't know how I ultimately feel. I think the author spent too much time with every detail of the destruction of the victim's family and not enough with how the actual killer went through a long life undetected. I guess that's why it's book one? however, I don't know that I want to invest any more time with this storyline. I think maybe this just wasn't for me. and I wouldn't classify it as a thriller. Good enough mystery although you know really early on who the killer is. I am definitely ambivalent on this one and on recommending it to others. maybe if you have time to invest and plan to read the rest of the trilogy. I don't think I will.
Apparently this book is the first in a trilogy. I'm just not sure where I stand on that premise. This book ends with the killer well into his eighties. He is a man who has struggled with his demons his entire life and with all of that, the only real time spent with this man is at the young age of eight and then later as a teen through young adulthood. we learn all about the terrible atrocities he endures throughout his life but spend little actual time in his company. the book takes a long time with one of his victim's father/family and the destruction he caused. Too much time for my tastes. the story seemed to drag on but was interesting enough that I wanted to find out what happened. I just don't know how I ultimately feel. I think the author spent too much time with every detail of the destruction of the victim's family and not enough with how the actual killer went through a long life undetected. I guess that's why it's book one? however, I don't know that I want to invest any more time with this storyline. I think maybe this just wasn't for me. and I wouldn't classify it as a thriller. Good enough mystery although you know really early on who the killer is. I am definitely ambivalent on this one and on recommending it to others. maybe if you have time to invest and plan to read the rest of the trilogy. I don't think I will.
October 30, 2016
Its not often that I'm lost for words but I really don't know how to review this book without spoilers so I'm not going to try. If you want a synopsis I suggest you check out some of the other reviews. I can only tell you what i thought of the book.
I loved it, even though it was a bit brutal at times. It raises the question (again) are monsters born or made? It was well written and had me hooked from the start. At times I almost felt sorry for the baddie because he tried so hard, at times, to repress his evil urges and be a good person, at least for a time. Later it seemed he let the monster within have free rein. The ending was not the usual neatly tied package and contains a few shocks for the reader. It also posted the way to the next book. This is a trilogy so now I'll have to read the others as I'm quite hooked.
I loved it, even though it was a bit brutal at times. It raises the question (again) are monsters born or made? It was well written and had me hooked from the start. At times I almost felt sorry for the baddie because he tried so hard, at times, to repress his evil urges and be a good person, at least for a time. Later it seemed he let the monster within have free rein. The ending was not the usual neatly tied package and contains a few shocks for the reader. It also posted the way to the next book. This is a trilogy so now I'll have to read the others as I'm quite hooked.
December 5, 2013
The story was always moving, nice and fast paced. At some points it seemed like it was too fast, and the author was just trying to bulldoze through. While other sections were left to take its time and really dive deep into the settings.
My only problem was that it seemed to be all over the place. Like the author was cramming all different genres into one book. There was the thriller/mystery aspect, a historical fiction aspect, and even man vs. nature aspect. All of them were good unto themselves, but I wished the author would have just saved exploring them each on their own in separate books.
My only problem was that it seemed to be all over the place. Like the author was cramming all different genres into one book. There was the thriller/mystery aspect, a historical fiction aspect, and even man vs. nature aspect. All of them were good unto themselves, but I wished the author would have just saved exploring them each on their own in separate books.
August 30, 2013
Came a Shadow is a nail biter, a thriller at it's best.
I really could not put this book down. The plot is inventive, the various points of view make it that much more addictive, and the characters are like family, or your neighbors, Dakin is THAT GOOD.
It begins as a story of a child abduction and carries you thru the lives of her parents, grandparents, her abducter and his family as well. Reuban is the perfect criminal, the one you love to hate, and this book delves into the hows and whys of his childhood and his decline into the evil, wicked person he is to become.
Chilling from start to finish. Definately one to read!
I really could not put this book down. The plot is inventive, the various points of view make it that much more addictive, and the characters are like family, or your neighbors, Dakin is THAT GOOD.
It begins as a story of a child abduction and carries you thru the lives of her parents, grandparents, her abducter and his family as well. Reuban is the perfect criminal, the one you love to hate, and this book delves into the hows and whys of his childhood and his decline into the evil, wicked person he is to become.
Chilling from start to finish. Definately one to read!
September 4, 2013
This was an excellent, if uncomfortable, tale, around abuse, murder, and child abduction.
The story starts off slowly - almost too slowly - and leads you gently by the hand...almost as gently as you imagine the little girls were first taken away...and then takes you down a dark, uncomfortable path, making you face the uncomfortable truth - that these people are always someone's father, someone's son.
The story gradually ramps up the tension, and then drops away again, before beginning to build up until the final confrontation, but it also leaves you wanting to find out what happens in the next book.
The story starts off slowly - almost too slowly - and leads you gently by the hand...almost as gently as you imagine the little girls were first taken away...and then takes you down a dark, uncomfortable path, making you face the uncomfortable truth - that these people are always someone's father, someone's son.
The story gradually ramps up the tension, and then drops away again, before beginning to build up until the final confrontation, but it also leaves you wanting to find out what happens in the next book.
April 22, 2015
a bit of roller coaster ride through the crazy life of Reuben Sykes who was raised by his very abusive father, when he gets tired of his spoiled sister who seems to be the cause of his father hatred for Reuben and he kills them both. Then sixteen years later a young girl is abucted and the real mystery begins! A tangled web of lies that kept me turning the pages, upsetting how easy the killer seemed to be caught not wasn't. A small town will never be the same when it all come to light.
DONT READ HOME ALONE!
DONT READ HOME ALONE!
March 20, 2014
Unexpected
Did I say I like children, especially little girls. Well, you might wine after reading this book. It's sad to think that some can get away with things for so long while the good suffer. I enjoyed meeting all the characters except for one, but there is always one. I'll have to say it had a good and bad ending. All and all a very good book. This author has a good talent on writing books.
Did I say I like children, especially little girls. Well, you might wine after reading this book. It's sad to think that some can get away with things for so long while the good suffer. I enjoyed meeting all the characters except for one, but there is always one. I'll have to say it had a good and bad ending. All and all a very good book. This author has a good talent on writing books.
December 28, 2014
Reuben Sykes' father abuses him when he is a child, so when he is barely 8 he decides to kill him in a remote cabin in the mountains. His sister suffers the same fate. She has always bullied him and he truly hates her. A future death reopens this case left dormant for more than 50 years. What can be rescued from this book is the psychological battle suffered by this murderer child. An exciting thriller, but somehow it did not hook me completely.
March 15, 2012
Great character development makes you feel like you know each one intimately and Mr. Dakin creates a psychopath that will leave you looking for tell-tale signs from those closest to you. There are plenty of twists and surprises in this novel to keep you turning pages well after bedtime. If you enjoy a good thriller, I don't think you'll be disappointed in this one.
June 29, 2013
This was a great book and honestly some of the best character development I have seen in any book...ever. I was really thrown for a loop with the time change/back-story of the book, but in the end, it all tied together very nicely and because the characters were so well developed, I became very engaged in the story. I'm interested to see what happens in the next installment!
December 16, 2013
I picked up all three books in this series at the same time. After reading this one (the first) in one day, I am ready to tackle the other two to find out what happens next! Dakin's writing style is good, and the book lets you get to know the characters really well. When you finally find out who the villain is, it's surprising, and a big relief to finally know. Well worth the time to read.
August 6, 2015
ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY FABULOUS.
This was absolutely one of the most fantastic books I've ever read. I was heartbroken when the book ended because I wanted the story t continue and continue. I can't wait for the next installment. This book deserves TEN stars and should very definitely be on your MUST READ list. I highly recommend this book.
This was absolutely one of the most fantastic books I've ever read. I was heartbroken when the book ended because I wanted the story t continue and continue. I can't wait for the next installment. This book deserves TEN stars and should very definitely be on your MUST READ list. I highly recommend this book.
February 16, 2014
2.5 stars. It was pretty good. I liked the concept but I didn't need all of Reuben's story. I don't know if it was suppose to make me feel some compassion for him or what. maybe I'll care more if I continue the series. not sure yet about that.
September 4, 2013
I really enjoyed this murder/mystery book about a child serial killer on the loose for years. There are some complicated interrelationships revealed throughout the book that add a lot of interest. The story moves along at a good pace with a little romance.
October 6, 2013
this is not a very well written book and you soon figure who the killer is, yet like a good horror book you can't put this stomach churning, gruesome book down. the key characters at are well developed and stay with you after the book ends.
December 20, 2013
This is one of the best books I'fe read in a long time in this genre. I am so goad I got all three and I look forward to what comes next. take a chance on this author if you're looking for something new!
May 23, 2012
A little disturbing, but brillianty written! Read on my Kindle.
February 25, 2016
Very good book. Boy, does this author know how to present a truly evil character! Fast-moving and, for a moderately long book, it's a fast read. I rated this one 4.5 stars.
October 18, 2013
Great free book. Book one in a series of 3.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews