Shadow of Grace

Willow Grace FBI Thriller #1

by Anya Mora

They say we live in harmony –– but I know better. For men like Father Benjamin, harmony is just another word for control… In the dense and isolated forests of the Pacific Northwest, a gruesome discovery is a lifeless body, and signs of something far more sinister. A young girls’ abduction unveils a chilling connection to a previous case. The FBI is called to investigate her disappearance, but finding her is only the beginning. To save her, they must first uncover the disturbing secrets she's been forced to keep. Enter Willow Grace, a renowned psychology professor with a unique expertise in cult indoctrination and manipulation. As the investigation intensifies, FBI Agent Paxton Holt enlists her help in breaking through the girl's psychological barriers and uncovering the truth she's desperately hiding. But the mission proves more daunting than anticipated, and Willow Grace is hiding secrets of her own… Set against a backdrop of relentless suspense, this riveting page-turner is perfect for fans of Mary Stone, Lisa Regan, Elle Gray, and AJ Rivers.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller

232 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 2023

About the author

Anya Mora relies on her experience as a wife and mother to form her creative expression. Her novels, while leaning toward the dark, ultimately reflect light, courage, and her innate belief that love rewards the brave.

You can discover more about the author at https://anyamora.com

Reviews

[Jack Hance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a compelling story, and a good first adventure for an interesting main character. Willow Grace is a damaged person trying to build stability as a teacher as she lives in a remote cabin. Much of the story revolves around the childhood trauma that shaped her personality, even as she confronts a current crisis involving an abused child. The details of her own abuse, revealed cryptically, are a letdown, leaving a disconnect with their effect on the adult Willow. Still, she is a sympathetic character who handles adversity well as she fights to save a young girl from a cruel and abusive cult.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really worked on so many levels. The characters were interesting but you were left with wanting to know more. How is this going to work going forward. I want to say more but spoilers so won't. All in all a great read .

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Sheldon · Rating 3 out of 5]

thought provoking read

Looking forward to the next book in the series — quite promising. First book deals with two siblings who had been kidnapped several years before they escape capture. Won’t say more as to not give away any specifics.

[Christy Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

editing

Such a good book and if not for the errors I would have given it 5. I was then reading the start of the next book and there is an error on pg 1 !! So distracting.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of the Willow Grace FBI Thriller series and it’s an absolute cracker! Willow lives a somewhat lonely life by choice, living in an isolated cabin in the woods, and teaching at Conifer College as a psychology professor with an unorthodox teaching method. Her childhood was a hard one and has impacted her lifestyle and her future, including the topics she specialises in. A dead body is found in a ravine close to where she lives and she awoke to see flashlights and noises in the woods a short distance away. Early the next morning she is awoken by her perimeter alarms and then a very slight knock on her front door, repeated until she answered, to find a young girl of about ten standing there soaked to the skin and clearly scared for her life! The dead boy is identified as seventeen year old Kevin Talbot, who went missing some seven years ago from Seattle with his three year old sister Megan. This leads the local deputy sheriff to call the FBI and Agent Paxton Holt is assigned the case, having investigated the initial missing person’s case seven years ago and failing to find them! Clearly if the boy has just been found, his sister might be somewhere close by. Agent Holt meets the Deputy Sheriff to search the area at the top of the ravine for clues.

When the girl is found, she is clearly afraid of the police and any stranger, but seems to have an affinity for Willow and Agent Holt hopes her expertise in psychology and in particular cults, may help them question the girl, Megan. Megan is pretty much refusing to even speak to any of the police officers trying to question her and only Holt manages to get s few syllables out of her. Willow can guess a lot about what seems to have happened to Megan, having a dark and secret past that she refuses to share with others. But someone is trying to hide their part in the girl’s forced living situation and Willow is an easy target. A loner with all the skills required to carry out such a crime and who lives near the crime scene! Willow’s life starts to spiral out of control and while she knows how she should be reacting through her studies of psychology, it is much harder to put into practise when put in the position of a suspect with seemingly irrefutable evidence chucked in your face that makes you look guilty! A hard hitting start to a series with a new character who is very complex with a difficult past and an FBI agent who learns a bit too much about the depravity of mankind in this case. I can’t wait to see more from them and thoroughly enjoyed this book. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the dense and isolated forests of the Pacific Northwest, a gruesome discovery is made: a lifeless body, and signs of something far more sinister. As the evidence unfolds, a horrifying truth emerges – the victim was not alone. Now, a young girl has vanished, and the case unveils a chilling connection to a previous abduction. The FBI is summoned to join forces in the desperate search for the missing girl but finding her is just the beginning. To save her, they must first uncover the disturbing secrets she's been forced to keep.
Enter Willow Grace, a renowned psychology professor with a unique expertise in cult indoctrination and manipulation. As the investigation intensifies, FBI Agent Paxton Holt enlists her assistance in breaking through the girl's psychological barriers and uncovering the truth she's desperately hiding. But the mission proves more daunting than anticipated, not only due to the girl's impenetrable defenses, but also because of a dark secret Willow herself has long concealed.
To protect the girl and bring her tormentors to justice, Willow and Agent Holt must confront a deeply entrenched and far-reaching cult, where danger lurks around every corner. As the case unravels, Willow's own life begins to spiral out of control. Her hidden past threatens to consume her and revealing it could cost her everything she holds dear – including her life.
Embark on a heart-pounding journey in this pulse-pounding thriller that will leave you breathless and glued to the edge of your seat. Immerse yourself in a world where the line between good and evil is blurred, and the price of survival is a secret that could shatter even the strongest bonds.

This is a thrilling read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Andra Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow of Grace is the first book in the Willow Grace FBI Thriller series. The characters in this book are complicated yet relatable. The storyline is gritty but becomes dramatic because a child is involved. There is a hint of romance to come, but there is so much else going on that the romance rightfully becomes something that will definitely be a slow build.

You will try to read this fast, but it is not that type of story. In Shadow of Grace, the clues become important, so reading the details is essential. There were things I picked up early on that allowed me to figure out a few things early on. This is a not-so-typical crime drama, with elements of suspense, drama, action, and a hint of romance until it really happens.

Condition of Grace is fittingly the next book in the series. I can hardly wait for it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Robin Reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good and bad points - read on KU

This series has its pros and cons. The characters are likeable. However, there could be more character development. The worst con is there isn't much to the investigation. I've read through book 3 and they don't do much clue following. And you don't get to guess at who the bad guy is. Well, there's a secondary bad guy that you do get to guess about in this one.

Overall, there just needs to be more meat to the stories. There are inconsistencies between the books, too. There is a reporter in this book named Veronica Young. In book two, the last name of the bad guy is Little. That isn't a spoiler because you don't meet him until you know he is the bad guy and his name is told. In book three, the author seems to accidentally rename the reporter Veronica Little.

There are some grammar errors that free software would have easily caught.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow of Grace is book one in the Willow Grace FBI Thriller series and what a page turning, psychological thriller. The story is full of intrigue, suspense, mystery, drama, and fascinating and complex characters that made this a great read. I loved that the series is set in the PNW and how the author's descriptive writing made it feel like I was right there and if I closed my eyes I was. This is a great start to the series and I look forward to reading the rest of the books. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Deb Le · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am getting hooked on Anya Moore books. I fell down the rabbilt hole with this one. A twisted tale of cults, abduction, control and corruption. I loved the main characters, especially Willow - very complex and layered, and very much three dimensional. Great character work, an intricate and well constructed plot and beautifully written. Loved this one.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

a boy finds the courage to try to escape to save himself and his sister

unraveling the connections between cult and community might prove difficult if bad actors are among those who should help to defend the weak

psychological thriller, action drama with twisted and tangled plots and loyalties

[Linda Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

willow has built a soft wall between her past and present

Willow has built a soft wall between her past and present. She is afraid of someone tearing that wall when a small ten year old smashes it. The girl is Megan and she needs help. Her brother was killed trying to get her away from the cult. Now the FBI has joined the fray to help the local sheriff

[Nicole Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

I'm not sure if I've ever fallen in love with book characters like this before. I wanted to sit and talk with Willow at her cabin! Safe to say I have a new favorite author. Downloading next one in series now!

[Brandi Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

The plot could have been great if it was detailed and thought out better. The story felt rushed like the author didn't want to add details. This has the potential to be a great series but with no details or thought out plots ill move onto something better.

[beverly harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensitive!

I liked Willow Grace, she's definitely not the norm. The situation with Kevin and Megan tore at my heart strings. The peak I to the world of cults is eye opening. The trauma and suspense keeps you turning the pages. Looking forward to the next book!

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Current

In today's news or headlines this is an all too common Occurrence in our society. It is sad to think That the author has touched on the dark side Of our society Rather than the fictional…..

[Joanna Stokes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the premise of this one, but I had a few issues - the typos were distracting, the book switched between way too many different perspectives, and sometimes the dialogue and inner monologue (especially of a ten year old) weren’t believable.

[Bettye J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It reads fast. It's a good story and well written. I like the characters and it has a lot of potential to hold my interest in future books. It's nice to read a book where criminals are not always brilliant and out smarting the law. It's reassuring when they're as stupid as their crimes.

[trudy]

Had me at the edge of my seat !!!!!!!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

Don't you just love it when you find a book and an author you just can't stop reading? That's how I feel about Willow Grace and Any a Mora.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great beginning to this series

This was an intense, complex, and intriguing story with many unexpected twists. It was a great beginning to the series, and I can't wait to see where it goes from here.
I would recommend this book, series, and author.

[Andrea M Letizia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing

The book was good but The character switches got a little bit confusing Overall I think I may Want to check out the second book

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Melinda Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

I enjoyed this book. It progress into the story quickly. Kept my attention. Not as exciting as I had hope but still good.

[Conrad Mo]

Interesting story, loved the pacific northwest settings.

[Joanne whitby · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

A good introduction into willow grace series. Will look forward to reading the next books to follow, and finding out what happened to willow in her past

[Janeree Gann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A kindle-suggested book, this was a great story. Clean and a good ending.

[MARIE-CLAIRE DEBONVILLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you

[gwen graves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good

What a great story, and so very well written. I love the character of Willow Grace and will read more and hope it explains her story.

[Heidi Pearson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me!

Too weird! very confusing narration. Never know who is talking. Searching without telling the property owner? Not hardly. Too many typos as well