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Shadow and Silk
Starting over with a new career after a bitter divorce, Dani Warren is approached by ex-mercenary Shane Crowe, who seeks her help in locating a sacred Tibetan treasure. Original.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
86 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
Ann Maxwell
38 books70 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)romance author
aka Lowell Charters, Elizabeth Lowell, A.E. Maxwell individually and with co-author/husband Evan Maxwell and Annalise Sun.
Ann Maxwell has written over 60 novels and one non-fiction book. There are 30 million copies of these books in print, as well as reprints in 30 foreign languages. The novels range from science fiction to historical fiction, from romance to mystery to suspense.
Writing as Ann Maxwell, she began her career in 1975 with a science fiction novel, Change. Since then, seven of her nine science fiction novels have been recommended for the Science Fiction Writers of America Nebula Award; A Dead God Dancing was nominated for what was then called TABA (The American Book Award).
In 1976 Ann and Evan (as A. E. Maxwell) collaborated with a Norwegian hunter and photographer, Ivar Ruud, on The Year-Long Day, a nonfiction work that was condensed in Reader's Digest and published in four foreign editions and three book club editions. In 1985, the first A. E. Maxwell crime novel featuring a couple called Fiddler and Fiora was published by Doubleday. The Frog and the Scorpion, received a creative writing award from the University of California. The fourth book in the series, Just Enough Light to Kill, was named by Time magazine as one of the best crime novels of 1988.
Ann and Evan (writing as Ann Maxwell) have published four suspense novels, the most recent of which is Shadows and Silk. These novels appeared on nation-wide bestseller lists.
In 1982, Ann began publishing romances as Elizabeth Lowell. Under that name she has received numerous professional awards in the romance field, including a Lifetime Achievement award from the Romance Writers of America (1994). Since July of 1992, she has had 30 novels on the New York Times list. Her most recent book is BLUE SMOKE AND MURDER.
(1)romance author
aka Lowell Charters, Elizabeth Lowell, A.E. Maxwell individually and with co-author/husband Evan Maxwell and Annalise Sun.
Ann Maxwell has written over 60 novels and one non-fiction book. There are 30 million copies of these books in print, as well as reprints in 30 foreign languages. The novels range from science fiction to historical fiction, from romance to mystery to suspense.
Writing as Ann Maxwell, she began her career in 1975 with a science fiction novel, Change. Since then, seven of her nine science fiction novels have been recommended for the Science Fiction Writers of America Nebula Award; A Dead God Dancing was nominated for what was then called TABA (The American Book Award).
In 1976 Ann and Evan (as A. E. Maxwell) collaborated with a Norwegian hunter and photographer, Ivar Ruud, on The Year-Long Day, a nonfiction work that was condensed in Reader's Digest and published in four foreign editions and three book club editions. In 1985, the first A. E. Maxwell crime novel featuring a couple called Fiddler and Fiora was published by Doubleday. The Frog and the Scorpion, received a creative writing award from the University of California. The fourth book in the series, Just Enough Light to Kill, was named by Time magazine as one of the best crime novels of 1988.
Ann and Evan (writing as Ann Maxwell) have published four suspense novels, the most recent of which is Shadows and Silk. These novels appeared on nation-wide bestseller lists.
In 1982, Ann began publishing romances as Elizabeth Lowell. Under that name she has received numerous professional awards in the romance field, including a Lifetime Achievement award from the Romance Writers of America (1994). Since July of 1992, she has had 30 novels on the New York Times list. Her most recent book is BLUE SMOKE AND MURDER.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 4, 2012
I can see the development of this author. This book is written under Ann Maxwell as she morphs into Elizabeth Lowell. The story is not much of a mystery and the characters don't really seem to gel. Kinky sex with the sub-characters and the whole Harmony thing is really a turn off. We got told the ending as an afterthought. No fun that way.
August 26, 2013
Elizabeth Lowell originally released this under the penname Ann Maxwell. All of the paperback editions that I have seen are using the Ann Maxwell name. The Kindle edition however seems to be listed under the Elizabeth Lowell name.
This is romantic suspense at its best. It roams from Tibet to the Caribbean and on to the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound with a few stops in Washington DC along the way.
The heroine, Dani Warren, is a professor specializing in textiles and textile preservation. She is in Tibet, having just finished several months along the Silk Road living with the native tribes studying their textiles. She is approached by someone offering a piece of ancient silk for purchase. Not a legitimate purchase of course, it’s obviously a cultural treasure. But she plans to purchase it anyway – she fears the rough handling of the thief will destroy the silk. Which is why she is walking into a dark alley in Lhasa to meet the thief, even though she realizes it’s both stupid and dangerous.
Of course she’s being followed, by various bad guys, and one good guy, Shane Crowe. Shane works for Risk Limited, and is trying to retrieve the silk. It is both a cultural and religious artifact and was stolen from the Azure monks who believe it was the Buddha’s own robe. The Red Chinese and the Harmony (the kind of organization that gives the Mafia nightmares) both want the silk to further their own ends.
They all end up in that dark alley with Dani and the thief. The thief ends up dead, and Shane rescues Dani rather than the silk. The Harmony’s chief thug gets the silk, the red Chinese continue their search, and Dani and Shane escape across Tibet. And that’s just in the first eight chapters.
Dani and Shane continue to pursue the silk from the Caribbean to Puget Sound while their attraction gets steadily more intense. But there is a complication (isn’t there always?) Shane has sworn a limited vow of celibacy, something that heroine doesn’t find out until it’s much too late. And then there are the heroine’s trust issues concerning big men…
This is book has a lot of sexual sizzle, but not a great deal of actual sex. At least, not until the hero and the heroine resolve their issues.
I love the characters. Shane is complicated, a warrior attempting to make peace with his soul. Dani is the type of intelligent, determined woman we’d all like to be. Cassandra and Gillespie (Shane’s bosses) are fascinating in their own right.
The plot is complex and fast moving without overwhelming the love story. The author achieves a nice balance of action and romance – I loved it!
There is a second Risk Limited novel out there. Originally released as The Ruby (and under the Ann Maxwell pen name), it has been re-released (and I believe re-written) as Whirlpool under the Elizabeth Lowell name.
This is romantic suspense at its best. It roams from Tibet to the Caribbean and on to the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound with a few stops in Washington DC along the way.
The heroine, Dani Warren, is a professor specializing in textiles and textile preservation. She is in Tibet, having just finished several months along the Silk Road living with the native tribes studying their textiles. She is approached by someone offering a piece of ancient silk for purchase. Not a legitimate purchase of course, it’s obviously a cultural treasure. But she plans to purchase it anyway – she fears the rough handling of the thief will destroy the silk. Which is why she is walking into a dark alley in Lhasa to meet the thief, even though she realizes it’s both stupid and dangerous.
Of course she’s being followed, by various bad guys, and one good guy, Shane Crowe. Shane works for Risk Limited, and is trying to retrieve the silk. It is both a cultural and religious artifact and was stolen from the Azure monks who believe it was the Buddha’s own robe. The Red Chinese and the Harmony (the kind of organization that gives the Mafia nightmares) both want the silk to further their own ends.
They all end up in that dark alley with Dani and the thief. The thief ends up dead, and Shane rescues Dani rather than the silk. The Harmony’s chief thug gets the silk, the red Chinese continue their search, and Dani and Shane escape across Tibet. And that’s just in the first eight chapters.
Dani and Shane continue to pursue the silk from the Caribbean to Puget Sound while their attraction gets steadily more intense. But there is a complication (isn’t there always?) Shane has sworn a limited vow of celibacy, something that heroine doesn’t find out until it’s much too late. And then there are the heroine’s trust issues concerning big men…
This is book has a lot of sexual sizzle, but not a great deal of actual sex. At least, not until the hero and the heroine resolve their issues.
I love the characters. Shane is complicated, a warrior attempting to make peace with his soul. Dani is the type of intelligent, determined woman we’d all like to be. Cassandra and Gillespie (Shane’s bosses) are fascinating in their own right.
The plot is complex and fast moving without overwhelming the love story. The author achieves a nice balance of action and romance – I loved it!
There is a second Risk Limited novel out there. Originally released as The Ruby (and under the Ann Maxwell pen name), it has been re-released (and I believe re-written) as Whirlpool under the Elizabeth Lowell name.
August 6, 2012
Dani and Shane
It was...ok. I wasn't overly enthusiastic about it, it didn't have me reading late into the night, I didn't think about the book when I wasn't reading it. A miss for me, I normally love EL's books. The story felt like it was all over the place, achingly slow in some sections and way too rushed in others. The book felt choppy too, like she wrote the book in spurts, with month breaks in between. Unless you're a die hard EL fan, I would pass on this one. I give it a weak 3 stars, and only because it's by EL.
It was...ok. I wasn't overly enthusiastic about it, it didn't have me reading late into the night, I didn't think about the book when I wasn't reading it. A miss for me, I normally love EL's books. The story felt like it was all over the place, achingly slow in some sections and way too rushed in others. The book felt choppy too, like she wrote the book in spurts, with month breaks in between. Unless you're a die hard EL fan, I would pass on this one. I give it a weak 3 stars, and only because it's by EL.
March 6, 2014
Loved this book! The Tibet and Aruba settings were different than the usual Elizabeth Lowell (Ann Maxwell) Pacific Northwest settings, and the intrigue kept you turning page after page. Dani and Shane were witty & interesting with fully developed character history so you felt like you really knew them. Also enjoyed the insights and history of the "bad guys." Great read!
November 11, 2009
Good read with lots of excitement and some interesting story line. I thought the ended too short after all the build up and I had to read it twice to understand it completely. But it was still good.
December 2, 2009
Quite different than what I usually read. I really liked it!
May 15, 2011
Oh, my god! What an amazing book. I did not want to put it down or want it to end. It is definitely a book I will read again and again.
April 19, 2014
I don't know how/why goodreads has a different synopsis than the one on the book cover, but the back of this book said none of the things that this goodreads did. It was so misleading and the fact that she had been married before should've been stated on the book otherwise I get mad that I get roped into reading it. I don't like when any of the characters have been married before. And there was no in-depth information about Shane as there was in this, about his travels and career and all. Also, I really wish I hadn't read this review while I was so early in the book because it gave away every destination they go to. That would've been a nice surprise. I really hate when authors give away everything without leaving anything for us to be shocked over. I also don't get why it says Elizabeth Lowell writing as Ann Maxwell. If that's a ghost writer type thing it defeats the purpose when your name is there.
In the beginning the writing really got on my nerves because all she kept talking about was the cold. It was really redundant and I should have counted how many times the word cold actually appeared in such a small amount of pages. Usually if I don’t like the style of writing in the beginning, I don’t come to like it. But it got a little better. Just when I was wondering how things would play out with Shane and Danielle, the author throws a wrench in and switches to a whore—not really though, because she doesn’t sleep with the guys, she hires other girls to do that, and decorates her house in October for Christmas and has items for each of the men’s religions. Wow. I’d like to believe that the world doesn’t have people like this, and I certainly don’t want to read about them in books. It’s absolutely bizarre/disgusting/weird/trashy etc. and I can’t believe someone would even put a character like this in a book and do that crap.
Dani was mostly admirable and I could respect her for not being easily led around or treated like she was helpless. She was strong and held her own with Feng, questioning him and digging for answers about the silk instead of being duped. She also didn’t let Shane baby her; she insisted she could run on her own and keep up with him. She suggested carrying her and she said she wasn’t a piece of luggage to be dragged across the landscape. He also didn’t give in to her attraction for him and turn into an empty-headed idiot that couldn’t concentrate on anything but his looks. She wanted to know what was going on, where they were going, and who Shane really was. And I like Shane too. He was protective and concerned about her, and he made the decision immediately to save her life instead of the silk. It was so sweet knowing he did everything he did, getting the truck and hiring his friend to risk his life, and getting a helicopter that cost a lot just so she could get out of the county safely. It was also nice how he insisted that she didn’t owe him or Risk Limited anything. Dani did want to repay that debt though and that was another admirable quality to her.
Redpath and Gillespie were very strange to me. I felt like I was missing out on a lot by them, like their story had been going in greater detail in a previous book or something and I had missed out. Idk if they had their own book before this, or if the author just didn’t think it was necessary to provide readers with any background info, but whatever the case I didn’t really know anything about their relationship and felt so lost. The way they talked was hard to figure out and I get the Gillespie was from another country and so had different sayings and phrases, but the author didn’t even say what any of them meant! I was like what the heck are they saying? I didn’t know much about Redpath either, and Idk if she picked up the words from Gillespie or what. “We will go softly, softly, here and mebbe catchee monkee, don’t you see?” When she said that I just reread it over and over thinking I had missed something, and tried to figure out what in the world she was saying. It was so weird and it went completely unexplained. Gillespie said things like “tickety-boo,” “bugger me” and “wankers.” No idea what they mean. There should have been a translator, one of the other characters saying what it meant, or a dictionary in the beginning of the book.
I found it really ironic that the author had Shane say “there’s nothing worse for a covert operation than sex” and “it’s going to be hell, lady. I promise that you’ll roast in the fires with me.” Because the author didn’t deliver at all. They’re on vacation at a tropical location and all I got was rusty fences and video cameras. That’s all they did. The author mentioned in an aside—Shane was thinking about it—that sleeping with Dani and feeling her breathe was tough on him, and that was it. She just blew over it without letting us experience it. As they’re leaving they have a moment in the bushes, where he touches her, but it wasn’t hot. Not nearly hot enough as a romance novel should be. Then when they get back Dani stretches and her blouse pulls tight and buttons come undone, or something, and I think it was supposed to be hot, but again, it wasn’t. And she’s licking the spoon again and again after she ate her soup, goes back to get the remaining drops, and licks the spoon repeatedly again. Anyone thinking that’s hot? Cuz I’m not. It’s been almost 350 pages and there’s really been nothing much between these 2 and I’ve had it. I understand that he can’t have sex because he made a vow to not have sex for 3 years. And are you sure the 3 years didn’t happen in this book? Because it sure felt like it. They could’ve had so many romantic moments that didn’t involve going all the way, and they didn’t.
It was a total waste of time and nothing was utilized to its full potential. It’s sad when the side characters are having sex, twisted though it is, and the main characters are doing than nothing more sneaking glances or touching a little. While they were in Aruba Gillespie had packed Dani a “butt-floss bakini” and I was waiting for Dani to wear it and them go out on the beach together to have some romantic moments, if only to keep up the appearance of being a happy couple, but of course, it didn’t happen. I was so disappointed because that could have been really good.
Dani was pretty ruthless at times and her sense of humor really rubbed me the wrong way. Her mouth at times went too far and it was usually when Shane hadn’t said anything to really provoke it. It’s good to stick up for yourself but it’s unlikable and irritating when you do it with no cause. She kept calling him a Zen cyborg which I didn’t really know what it meant, it sounded like geeky, nerdy language to me. Then she knows what a “Charlie Foxtrot” means, and mentions a “circle-jerk” to Shane and Gillespie. Both of these phrases I had to look up. Nothing quite like doing research while you’re reading a book. The author could make it easy and actually tell readers what they’re saying but I guess that’d be too much trouble. A circle-jerk is when guys get around in a circle and masturbate themselves or each other. What a nice, classy joke for her to make. And there’s no explanation to how she knows that either. Oh that’s right, being an archaeologist suddenly qualifies you to know everything. And Shane and Gillespie are talking about Katya’s sex life and Dani pipes up with is this like a “look Ma, no hands thing?” I didn’t really get it, but it was inappropriate.
Redpath was mean, judgmental and sarcastic. I thought she was interesting before that, particularly her relationship with Gillespie and I wanted to see if she had her own story, but when she went to the bookstore and was critically studying the gothic girl behind the counter I didn’t like her at all. She noticed that the girl was anorexic and it wasn’t in a sympathetic way. Then she judges her on the way she speaks, dresses, acts and reads. And she insults the girl repeatedly and gets smart with her and then just kind of seems smug that the girl doesn’t even realize it! Was that supposed to make us like her? What was the author thinking with putting that in there?!
When Shane got to Katya’s house it got a little sleazy and I didn’t like the thoughts he was having. It was out of character and disgusting. There was a whore having sex with one of Katya’s men, and Shane thought “Ride ‘em, cowgirl. That’s one guest I won’t have to worry about tripping over.” And he thought that the whores will have their work cut out for them tonight, because the men couldn’t get it up with a splint. And Katya leans over to show her cleavage off. “Promises, promises, Shane thought cynically. Is it the money or her tits that turns on the bankers? Either way, she has them eating out of her ice-cold little crotch.” That was disgusting. He could’ve said those things in a better way, or better yet, not said them at all. The word tits is so gross and classless to me. Why didn’t the author just have him stay outside and watch the whores go to work, the way he seemed so approving of it. Yuck.
The author changed perspectives and gave thoughts of all the characters with no warning whatsoever. We’d be in the narration of one character and then suddenly be privy to the thoughts of another. In my opinion that’s bad writing and it leaves the reader on rocky ground with uneven footing as we try to figure out whose thoughts we’re going to be in next. And she gave the thoughts of Tony Lieu a lot; I don’t really care what he was thinking.
It was boring in so many places and easy to put down. I didn’t even feel like reading the wordy parts, and there were lot of those. There were so many conversations that lasted page after page after page and most were hard to follow and understand. It was bogged down with too much political lingo and I just didn’t have any clue what she was talking about. There were so many intelligent characters and my brain struggled to comprehend what they were talking about. I wondered if the author herself knew what she was talking about, or if it really was just confusing like I thought it. Either way, the novel was way more complicated than it needed to be. I felt like I was reading a seminary piece of work on the downfall of the Soviet Union, crime syndicates, drug cartels, Buddhism, monks, and ancient textiles. Not exactly the light romance novel I was expecting.
Every single chapter she had to state where they were at and what month it was, even if it the same location and time for more than one chapter in a row. I don’t need to be reminded constantly where they’re at and what month it is.
The ending was so disappointing. They didn’t have until so late in the book I didn’t even think they were going to. And it lasted less than a page and had so little details it barely even registered that they were having sex. I wait for over 400 pages for 2 people to have sex—it feels like a lifetime—and then I get that? I HATE when romance authors don’t give any romance! Sex scenes should be hot and steamy, they should describe every action, look, touch, not completely blow over it. And he broke his vow on a technicality—the International date line made it tomorrow where they were at, so technically he had been celibate for 3 years. Really. You drug out that celibacy vow for over 400 pages and then on the last day they can’t wait so you throw out a technicality so it’s ok. And Dani still believes he doesn’t like her so she’s all heartbroken, and then he appears and the Prasam Dhamsa gives them the silk and wraps it around them. Real good stuff. And there wasn’t enough of a wrap-up on their relationship. Shane made the comment that even if they don’t get married they’ll still be connected, and Dani didn’t even really correct it. There should’ve been a proposal right there and then. And Redpath and Gillespie, I’m not even sure what to make of that relationship. And I guess the author didn’t either because she didn’t make 1 thing happen between them the entire book.
This author does sadistic and twisted relationships all too well. And omg, the ending with Katya and Kasatonin... what a colossal copout. She has Kasatonin kill Katya, and worst of all, he kills himself! Are you freakin kidding me? I guess she didn't have any idea how to take them down and so took the easy way out. I hate when authors do that. I can barely even talk about their relationship because I was in complete and utter shock that Katya was turned on by cold vodka bottles and having her private part bitten until it drew blood, and turned on the sight of Kasatonin bleeding and there being a struggle during sex. She apparently loved him, which was just weird. The author didn't even keep up that pretense with Kasatonin. He mocked her all the time, calling her poor, sad mink and cut her, and threatened to kill her all the time. And he even wanted Redpath more and wondered how she was during sex. This author is twisted to even come up with something like this. It takes a sick individual to think of something like this much less publish it. I'd scare myself if I thought of this and I'd be afraid of what people would think of me if I wrote it.
I’m not impressed with the author, and I bought this book for $1 along with another of hers so I’m really dreading that one after this thing.
In the beginning the writing really got on my nerves because all she kept talking about was the cold. It was really redundant and I should have counted how many times the word cold actually appeared in such a small amount of pages. Usually if I don’t like the style of writing in the beginning, I don’t come to like it. But it got a little better. Just when I was wondering how things would play out with Shane and Danielle, the author throws a wrench in and switches to a whore—not really though, because she doesn’t sleep with the guys, she hires other girls to do that, and decorates her house in October for Christmas and has items for each of the men’s religions. Wow. I’d like to believe that the world doesn’t have people like this, and I certainly don’t want to read about them in books. It’s absolutely bizarre/disgusting/weird/trashy etc. and I can’t believe someone would even put a character like this in a book and do that crap.
Dani was mostly admirable and I could respect her for not being easily led around or treated like she was helpless. She was strong and held her own with Feng, questioning him and digging for answers about the silk instead of being duped. She also didn’t let Shane baby her; she insisted she could run on her own and keep up with him. She suggested carrying her and she said she wasn’t a piece of luggage to be dragged across the landscape. He also didn’t give in to her attraction for him and turn into an empty-headed idiot that couldn’t concentrate on anything but his looks. She wanted to know what was going on, where they were going, and who Shane really was. And I like Shane too. He was protective and concerned about her, and he made the decision immediately to save her life instead of the silk. It was so sweet knowing he did everything he did, getting the truck and hiring his friend to risk his life, and getting a helicopter that cost a lot just so she could get out of the county safely. It was also nice how he insisted that she didn’t owe him or Risk Limited anything. Dani did want to repay that debt though and that was another admirable quality to her.
Redpath and Gillespie were very strange to me. I felt like I was missing out on a lot by them, like their story had been going in greater detail in a previous book or something and I had missed out. Idk if they had their own book before this, or if the author just didn’t think it was necessary to provide readers with any background info, but whatever the case I didn’t really know anything about their relationship and felt so lost. The way they talked was hard to figure out and I get the Gillespie was from another country and so had different sayings and phrases, but the author didn’t even say what any of them meant! I was like what the heck are they saying? I didn’t know much about Redpath either, and Idk if she picked up the words from Gillespie or what. “We will go softly, softly, here and mebbe catchee monkee, don’t you see?” When she said that I just reread it over and over thinking I had missed something, and tried to figure out what in the world she was saying. It was so weird and it went completely unexplained. Gillespie said things like “tickety-boo,” “bugger me” and “wankers.” No idea what they mean. There should have been a translator, one of the other characters saying what it meant, or a dictionary in the beginning of the book.
I found it really ironic that the author had Shane say “there’s nothing worse for a covert operation than sex” and “it’s going to be hell, lady. I promise that you’ll roast in the fires with me.” Because the author didn’t deliver at all. They’re on vacation at a tropical location and all I got was rusty fences and video cameras. That’s all they did. The author mentioned in an aside—Shane was thinking about it—that sleeping with Dani and feeling her breathe was tough on him, and that was it. She just blew over it without letting us experience it. As they’re leaving they have a moment in the bushes, where he touches her, but it wasn’t hot. Not nearly hot enough as a romance novel should be. Then when they get back Dani stretches and her blouse pulls tight and buttons come undone, or something, and I think it was supposed to be hot, but again, it wasn’t. And she’s licking the spoon again and again after she ate her soup, goes back to get the remaining drops, and licks the spoon repeatedly again. Anyone thinking that’s hot? Cuz I’m not. It’s been almost 350 pages and there’s really been nothing much between these 2 and I’ve had it. I understand that he can’t have sex because he made a vow to not have sex for 3 years. And are you sure the 3 years didn’t happen in this book? Because it sure felt like it. They could’ve had so many romantic moments that didn’t involve going all the way, and they didn’t.
It was a total waste of time and nothing was utilized to its full potential. It’s sad when the side characters are having sex, twisted though it is, and the main characters are doing than nothing more sneaking glances or touching a little. While they were in Aruba Gillespie had packed Dani a “butt-floss bakini” and I was waiting for Dani to wear it and them go out on the beach together to have some romantic moments, if only to keep up the appearance of being a happy couple, but of course, it didn’t happen. I was so disappointed because that could have been really good.
Dani was pretty ruthless at times and her sense of humor really rubbed me the wrong way. Her mouth at times went too far and it was usually when Shane hadn’t said anything to really provoke it. It’s good to stick up for yourself but it’s unlikable and irritating when you do it with no cause. She kept calling him a Zen cyborg which I didn’t really know what it meant, it sounded like geeky, nerdy language to me. Then she knows what a “Charlie Foxtrot” means, and mentions a “circle-jerk” to Shane and Gillespie. Both of these phrases I had to look up. Nothing quite like doing research while you’re reading a book. The author could make it easy and actually tell readers what they’re saying but I guess that’d be too much trouble. A circle-jerk is when guys get around in a circle and masturbate themselves or each other. What a nice, classy joke for her to make. And there’s no explanation to how she knows that either. Oh that’s right, being an archaeologist suddenly qualifies you to know everything. And Shane and Gillespie are talking about Katya’s sex life and Dani pipes up with is this like a “look Ma, no hands thing?” I didn’t really get it, but it was inappropriate.
Redpath was mean, judgmental and sarcastic. I thought she was interesting before that, particularly her relationship with Gillespie and I wanted to see if she had her own story, but when she went to the bookstore and was critically studying the gothic girl behind the counter I didn’t like her at all. She noticed that the girl was anorexic and it wasn’t in a sympathetic way. Then she judges her on the way she speaks, dresses, acts and reads. And she insults the girl repeatedly and gets smart with her and then just kind of seems smug that the girl doesn’t even realize it! Was that supposed to make us like her? What was the author thinking with putting that in there?!
When Shane got to Katya’s house it got a little sleazy and I didn’t like the thoughts he was having. It was out of character and disgusting. There was a whore having sex with one of Katya’s men, and Shane thought “Ride ‘em, cowgirl. That’s one guest I won’t have to worry about tripping over.” And he thought that the whores will have their work cut out for them tonight, because the men couldn’t get it up with a splint. And Katya leans over to show her cleavage off. “Promises, promises, Shane thought cynically. Is it the money or her tits that turns on the bankers? Either way, she has them eating out of her ice-cold little crotch.” That was disgusting. He could’ve said those things in a better way, or better yet, not said them at all. The word tits is so gross and classless to me. Why didn’t the author just have him stay outside and watch the whores go to work, the way he seemed so approving of it. Yuck.
The author changed perspectives and gave thoughts of all the characters with no warning whatsoever. We’d be in the narration of one character and then suddenly be privy to the thoughts of another. In my opinion that’s bad writing and it leaves the reader on rocky ground with uneven footing as we try to figure out whose thoughts we’re going to be in next. And she gave the thoughts of Tony Lieu a lot; I don’t really care what he was thinking.
It was boring in so many places and easy to put down. I didn’t even feel like reading the wordy parts, and there were lot of those. There were so many conversations that lasted page after page after page and most were hard to follow and understand. It was bogged down with too much political lingo and I just didn’t have any clue what she was talking about. There were so many intelligent characters and my brain struggled to comprehend what they were talking about. I wondered if the author herself knew what she was talking about, or if it really was just confusing like I thought it. Either way, the novel was way more complicated than it needed to be. I felt like I was reading a seminary piece of work on the downfall of the Soviet Union, crime syndicates, drug cartels, Buddhism, monks, and ancient textiles. Not exactly the light romance novel I was expecting.
Every single chapter she had to state where they were at and what month it was, even if it the same location and time for more than one chapter in a row. I don’t need to be reminded constantly where they’re at and what month it is.
The ending was so disappointing. They didn’t have until so late in the book I didn’t even think they were going to. And it lasted less than a page and had so little details it barely even registered that they were having sex. I wait for over 400 pages for 2 people to have sex—it feels like a lifetime—and then I get that? I HATE when romance authors don’t give any romance! Sex scenes should be hot and steamy, they should describe every action, look, touch, not completely blow over it. And he broke his vow on a technicality—the International date line made it tomorrow where they were at, so technically he had been celibate for 3 years. Really. You drug out that celibacy vow for over 400 pages and then on the last day they can’t wait so you throw out a technicality so it’s ok. And Dani still believes he doesn’t like her so she’s all heartbroken, and then he appears and the Prasam Dhamsa gives them the silk and wraps it around them. Real good stuff. And there wasn’t enough of a wrap-up on their relationship. Shane made the comment that even if they don’t get married they’ll still be connected, and Dani didn’t even really correct it. There should’ve been a proposal right there and then. And Redpath and Gillespie, I’m not even sure what to make of that relationship. And I guess the author didn’t either because she didn’t make 1 thing happen between them the entire book.
This author does sadistic and twisted relationships all too well. And omg, the ending with Katya and Kasatonin... what a colossal copout. She has Kasatonin kill Katya, and worst of all, he kills himself! Are you freakin kidding me? I guess she didn't have any idea how to take them down and so took the easy way out. I hate when authors do that. I can barely even talk about their relationship because I was in complete and utter shock that Katya was turned on by cold vodka bottles and having her private part bitten until it drew blood, and turned on the sight of Kasatonin bleeding and there being a struggle during sex. She apparently loved him, which was just weird. The author didn't even keep up that pretense with Kasatonin. He mocked her all the time, calling her poor, sad mink and cut her, and threatened to kill her all the time. And he even wanted Redpath more and wondered how she was during sex. This author is twisted to even come up with something like this. It takes a sick individual to think of something like this much less publish it. I'd scare myself if I thought of this and I'd be afraid of what people would think of me if I wrote it.
I’m not impressed with the author, and I bought this book for $1 along with another of hers so I’m really dreading that one after this thing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2022
MY RATING GUIDE: 4 Satisfied Stars. This continues to be a favorite title which has held up well over time.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
SHADOW AND SILK is bk#2 in Ann Maxwell’s “Risk Limited Inc” duo (both titles written jointly by Elizabeth Lowell and her husband Evan) and was originally published in 1997. Over the years I’ve read most Lowell/Maxwell novels; certain titles and series are among my favorites. SHADOW AND SILK is one of these and this was a reread for me. While WHIRLPOOL, #1 involves the same private investigator firm, Risk Limited Inc, (as in SHADOW AND SILK) both books can be read separately or in reverse order. The main characters (other than Risk Lmt’s business owners and another employee) are separate.
SHADOW AND SILK ~
Recently divorced from her abusive ex, FMC Danielle Warren, a field archeologist and expert in textiles has been in Tibet along the Silk Road region for the past 6wks tracing and studying ancient silk textiles. Following a tip that a particularly valuable silk is being stolen from a Buddhist monastery to be sold abroad, Dani rushes in hoping to prevent the exchange. Instead, she finds herself mixed up in a power struggle involving a number of violent global criminal organizations. MMC Shane Crowe is a seasoned former military, deep-cover operative now employed by Risk Limited Inc, a private investigator and security firm with international contacts and clients. Crowe is in Tibet on a mission regarding an ancient artifact when Dani steps into his crosshairs. While he is pondering which side she’s on, shots are fired and Shane makes a gut decision, pulling Dani from danger and backtracking over the rooftops quickly. With killers from two countries on their heels, Crowe and Dani flee.
What I Liked ~
1) SHADOW AND SILK is a fast moving Suspense Thriller Romance in a Proximity-Danger setting; my favorite trope.
2) I found the characters believable and likable. Crowe seems very much the weary, seasoned operative who has lived through too much reality yet still hopes and fights to make a difference for good. Dani has a backbone, cultural experience in the region, is physically capable and intelligent while understandably way over her head in the danger, greed and violence of the situation. She is neither a wimp nor a bore (and intelligently) allows Crowe to take the lead assisting as she is able.
3) The action moves quickly with no boring or slow sections with a satisfying ending and HEA.
4) I enjoyed SHADOW AND SILK very much and will undoubtably read it again. The antagonists, who are corrupt, violent and evil, reap their just reward in the end. Yay. Justice is served in fiction.
READER CAUTION ~ not recommended to those who prefer Clean fiction or to YA readers.
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used on occasion.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. The MCs intimate scenes (2) are open door yet somewhat brief. The 2 main antagonists’ intimacy scenes border on violent. These 2 characters are involved in a violent world which invades their bedroom. These scenes (2?) also begin in the later half of the novel.
VIOLENCE - Yes. PG-13/R. SHADOW AND SILK deals with stolen artifacts, illegal collections of such, drug cartels, corruption, prostitution and other shady business practices. There is an underlying sense of danger with a few examples (rather than a novel which entirely “wallows” in it). I don’t enjoy dark or graphic novels but I enjoy this Adventure Action Thriller.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
SHADOW AND SILK is bk#2 in Ann Maxwell’s “Risk Limited Inc” duo (both titles written jointly by Elizabeth Lowell and her husband Evan) and was originally published in 1997. Over the years I’ve read most Lowell/Maxwell novels; certain titles and series are among my favorites. SHADOW AND SILK is one of these and this was a reread for me. While WHIRLPOOL, #1 involves the same private investigator firm, Risk Limited Inc, (as in SHADOW AND SILK) both books can be read separately or in reverse order. The main characters (other than Risk Lmt’s business owners and another employee) are separate.
SHADOW AND SILK ~
Recently divorced from her abusive ex, FMC Danielle Warren, a field archeologist and expert in textiles has been in Tibet along the Silk Road region for the past 6wks tracing and studying ancient silk textiles. Following a tip that a particularly valuable silk is being stolen from a Buddhist monastery to be sold abroad, Dani rushes in hoping to prevent the exchange. Instead, she finds herself mixed up in a power struggle involving a number of violent global criminal organizations. MMC Shane Crowe is a seasoned former military, deep-cover operative now employed by Risk Limited Inc, a private investigator and security firm with international contacts and clients. Crowe is in Tibet on a mission regarding an ancient artifact when Dani steps into his crosshairs. While he is pondering which side she’s on, shots are fired and Shane makes a gut decision, pulling Dani from danger and backtracking over the rooftops quickly. With killers from two countries on their heels, Crowe and Dani flee.
What I Liked ~
1) SHADOW AND SILK is a fast moving Suspense Thriller Romance in a Proximity-Danger setting; my favorite trope.
2) I found the characters believable and likable. Crowe seems very much the weary, seasoned operative who has lived through too much reality yet still hopes and fights to make a difference for good. Dani has a backbone, cultural experience in the region, is physically capable and intelligent while understandably way over her head in the danger, greed and violence of the situation. She is neither a wimp nor a bore (and intelligently) allows Crowe to take the lead assisting as she is able.
3) The action moves quickly with no boring or slow sections with a satisfying ending and HEA.
4) I enjoyed SHADOW AND SILK very much and will undoubtably read it again. The antagonists, who are corrupt, violent and evil, reap their just reward in the end. Yay. Justice is served in fiction.
READER CAUTION ~ not recommended to those who prefer Clean fiction or to YA readers.
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used on occasion.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. The MCs intimate scenes (2) are open door yet somewhat brief. The 2 main antagonists’ intimacy scenes border on violent. These 2 characters are involved in a violent world which invades their bedroom. These scenes (2?) also begin in the later half of the novel.
VIOLENCE - Yes. PG-13/R. SHADOW AND SILK deals with stolen artifacts, illegal collections of such, drug cartels, corruption, prostitution and other shady business practices. There is an underlying sense of danger with a few examples (rather than a novel which entirely “wallows” in it). I don’t enjoy dark or graphic novels but I enjoy this Adventure Action Thriller.
December 2, 2025
Dentro do estilo da autora, para quem já conhece. Me lembrou personagens e tramas da série "Rarities Unlimited", e outro(s) livro(s) dela que lidam com preciosidades, históricas ou não, vilões poderosos, heróis musculosos e inteligentes (uso o sentido usual da palavra), e heroínas fortes, inteligentes e espertas, perfeitamente capazes de se nivelar com o presumido salvador de donzelas que não é somente isso. Preferia que houvesse mais romance entre os dois personagens principais, e não gostei da citação pejorativa sobre o Rio de Janeiro. Muito rígida - mesmo se tratando de um livro publicado pela primeira vez em 1997 (segundo o Google), ainda olha uma cidade que acolhe turistas do mundo inteiro sem preconceito de uma forma que faz pensar o leitor incauto que se trata de um local selvagem (ainda usando termos com o sentido usual). Ou, como uma pessoa ignorante que uma vez encontrei num trem na Europa, achava que cobras andavam pelas ruas no Rio. Bizarro.
Aliás, também achei a conclusão meio "jogada". Num capítulo estamos no meio de uma situação extremamente tensa, e de repente se passa ao último capítulo amarrando (quase) todas as pontas soltas. É como se tivessem cortado cenas do filme. Para minha ansiedade foi bom. Para a lógica da narrativa, não.
Aliás, também achei a conclusão meio "jogada". Num capítulo estamos no meio de uma situação extremamente tensa, e de repente se passa ao último capítulo amarrando (quase) todas as pontas soltas. É como se tivessem cortado cenas do filme. Para minha ansiedade foi bom. Para a lógica da narrativa, não.
June 3, 2025
Ancient, sacred Tibetan silk is the catalyst for the events in this another great book by Elizabeth Lowell (aka Ann Maxwell).
Dani Warren, an archeologist specializing in ancient textiles is setup to take a fall when she is offered a piece of azure silk. But she isn't the only one at the meet, Feng, the seller (or is he), the Russian, the Chinese army and Shane Crowe, the American. Shane had been sent to save the silk, but when push came to shove, it was Dani or the silk, he chooses Dani. Now they are on a harrowing adventure to save their lives and the silk, before the ungodly destroy both.
Dani Warren, an archeologist specializing in ancient textiles is setup to take a fall when she is offered a piece of azure silk. But she isn't the only one at the meet, Feng, the seller (or is he), the Russian, the Chinese army and Shane Crowe, the American. Shane had been sent to save the silk, but when push came to shove, it was Dani or the silk, he chooses Dani. Now they are on a harrowing adventure to save their lives and the silk, before the ungodly destroy both.
April 25, 2022
So, got back to Elizabeth Lowell / Ann Maxwell years later. Decent suspense and adventure story, with a pretty good slow-burn romance. Action wasn't as steamy as I remembered her writing but it's only one book; maybe others were more intense. I wasn't enraptured with the conclusion and denouement. Maybe next time. Still, I enjoyed it well enough.
December 9, 2023
There are definitely some flimsy plot points, a little too much detail into the villians backstory, and I can see the progression the author has taken to her more recent books. But there was a decent amount of witty banter, just enough drama and intrigue to keep me invested, and plenty of strong, intelligent women to lead the way. It wasn't perfect, but it wasn't awful.
February 16, 2017
A Risk Limited story in the orient. With Fabric this time.
I read this book when it first came out and LOVED it. I quilt so a story about fabric just hit the spot. Elizabeth Lowell is a lovely writer. This story is worth every penny.
I read this book when it first came out and LOVED it. I quilt so a story about fabric just hit the spot. Elizabeth Lowell is a lovely writer. This story is worth every penny.
September 5, 2020
Před lety to bývala jedna z mých nejoblíbenějších knih. Když se k ní nyní vracím, zjišťuji že mi vadí styl překladu, přesněji časté vysvětlující vsuvky, které při čtení zbytečně narušují plynulost vyprávění. Z nostalgie uděluji čtyři hvězdičky.
October 7, 2017
Outstanding detail
Romance woven throughout the story of Shadow and Silk. Just enough adventure and terror to keep the reader guessing till the finish
Romance woven throughout the story of Shadow and Silk. Just enough adventure and terror to keep the reader guessing till the finish
August 8, 2018
very good
November 29, 2019
Good story and intrigue, lots of twists and turns, nice romance.
January 11, 2023
too much filler so had to scan a lot
November 14, 2025
The intrigue, foreign country politics, and the inner workings of an industry. I am not familiar with. Kept me on my toes. And the romantic and sexual tension was intense.
September 30, 2012
This is cotton candy reading for me - I'm not too invested in the characters, I'm not crazy involved with the story, but it's interesting enough and entertaining enough that I'll likely keep reading. I'd like, just once, in a romance novel for the heroine not to be 'the good guy'. I'd like her to switch at the end and have been working for the 'bad guys' all along. But then it probably wouldn't be a romance novel.
Anyway, it's fun, light reading, if you like romance novels, and it follows along with the Risk Limited stories by Elizabeth Lowell - I've read several of them and they're all very good, because they focus on one or another precious thing and it's clear that Lowell does her research about that thing. There's one about diamonds, one about rubies, sapphires, weaving/tapestries, you get the gist, so the subplot (if we're assuming the primary plot is about dude and dudette getting together) is usually pretty engrossing. It's beach reading, but that's why I'm reading it, so there you go.
Anyway, it's fun, light reading, if you like romance novels, and it follows along with the Risk Limited stories by Elizabeth Lowell - I've read several of them and they're all very good, because they focus on one or another precious thing and it's clear that Lowell does her research about that thing. There's one about diamonds, one about rubies, sapphires, weaving/tapestries, you get the gist, so the subplot (if we're assuming the primary plot is about dude and dudette getting together) is usually pretty engrossing. It's beach reading, but that's why I'm reading it, so there you go.
July 26, 2013
Ugh.
SPOILERS AHEAD.
NO, REALLY...
This books is about a mercenary/wanna-be monk as he tries to save a sacred bit of scarf while resisting the whiles of an innocent archeologist as he nears the end of his vow of celibacy. It's also about a diabolical prostitute madame and her nearly penis-less assassin masochist lover.
Thats it in a nutshell.
Several twisted sex scenes with the man who lost most of his penis to torture and the vodka swilling russian whore, some heavy make-out sessions with the monk and the archeologist, more sexism than one can shake a stick at and a bunch of conversations about the history of silk.
I...have wasted so much of my life.
SPOILERS AHEAD.
NO, REALLY...
This books is about a mercenary/wanna-be monk as he tries to save a sacred bit of scarf while resisting the whiles of an innocent archeologist as he nears the end of his vow of celibacy. It's also about a diabolical prostitute madame and her nearly penis-less assassin masochist lover.
Thats it in a nutshell.
Several twisted sex scenes with the man who lost most of his penis to torture and the vodka swilling russian whore, some heavy make-out sessions with the monk and the archeologist, more sexism than one can shake a stick at and a bunch of conversations about the history of silk.
I...have wasted so much of my life.
June 17, 2015
I have reread this wonderful story over and over. Dani and Shane are wonderfully thought out characters. As you travel from Tibet to the US to the Caribbean to Puget Sound to Washington DC, the adventure follows this pair.
Dani is a textile expert, who by touch can tell a material and the age by touch. Shane is a security specialist that has taken a vow of no sex for a year. When he saves Dani and travels with her to get back to the US, he has to try and tame his baser instincts to keep his vow. There is action and love and suspense.
All in all this is a great read and wonderful book. I loved the characters and their personalities. I always look forward to books by Elizabeth.
Dani is a textile expert, who by touch can tell a material and the age by touch. Shane is a security specialist that has taken a vow of no sex for a year. When he saves Dani and travels with her to get back to the US, he has to try and tame his baser instincts to keep his vow. There is action and love and suspense.
All in all this is a great read and wonderful book. I loved the characters and their personalities. I always look forward to books by Elizabeth.
October 6, 2015
I really enjoyed reading another Risk Limited novel. It may not seem like a series but the introduction of Shane Crowe and Dani Warren along with Gillespie and Redpath definitely make it seems so. I am open to more of Risk Limited adventures and maybe an update of previous characters. This was action packed with some sexual undertones.
September 15, 2016
A great romantic suspense read. Even though it's dated, it still works (only minus the internet). It would have been nice if Shane hadn't been so hard-headed, and like all Lowell novels seems to focus an awful lot on the bad guys.
September 27, 2008
i was okay...i never got into it.
June 5, 2009
Every now and then I have to try a romance genre, just to see if there is anything I can appreciate now that I'm past the teenage years....This one? Not so much.
April 24, 2012
Okay...I guess. I just wasn't that interested ;)
February 15, 2013
I had a difficult time getting into this book.
January 3, 2015
I enjoyed the book and want to read more!
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