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Shadow Dragon
FBI victim specialist Kyle Andrews is heading to snowy Montana to prove to himself, and others, that he can handle the duties of his dream job-to become a special agent. Assigned to a multiple homicide case on federal land in Flathead National Park along with Special Agent Lewis Edwards, Kyle arrives in Kalispell, Montana, the scene of three gruesome murders. Someone-or something-is on the loose on Shadow Mountain. It is not long before Andrews meets Carrie Daniels, a grieving reporter who is attempting to solve the mystery behind her grandparents' murder in their lakeside cabin. While Kyle helps Carrie deal with her heartache, both quickly realize that nothing is as it seems. Legends of monsters persist and begin to spread throughout the tiny town, and the bizarre and brutal murders continue. Someone is hiding a secret so toxic that they are willing to kill to protect it. In this gripping thriller, Kyle and Carrie must embark on an arduous trek into the depths of the forest to uncover the mystery behind the murders. But only time will tell if they will survive long enough to find the answers that have the potential to change their lives forever.
424 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2012
9 people are currently reading
955 people want to read
About the author
Lance Horton
1 book15 followersLANCE HORTON is a member of the SMU Creative Writing Program, The Writer's League of Texas, Backspace, and an associate member of the International Thriller Writers. In 2013, Shadow Dragon was selected as the best Suspense Novel in the Readers' Favorite annual contest. Lance resides in Dallas, Texas, where he is at work on his next novel. For more information see: www.shadowdragon.info
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 3, 2012
Final review:
Like the talons of the title's namesake, this book snags you in quickly, deeply, right from the beginning. This isn't a genre that I typically read, but because it is set in the area of NW Montana where I reside, it piqued my interest, and it certainly did not disappoint.
I was drawn in from the first few words, and lost several nights of sleep... I just couldn't stop reading!
The authour did a great job researching and describing the mountainous wilderness where much of the action takes place. In fact, those very mountains are practically in my backyard.
After finishing "Shadow Dragon", I can't help but to look a little closer at the mountains now, as I peer out through my windows as the evening twilight falls.
That movement caught out the corner of my eye... was it really a dark, shadow gliding over that nearby peak?
It couldn't be... all of the creatures were confirmed destroyed.
It must be just my imagination... right?!
Read the book..... Then you decide.
-CC.
----------------------------------:::::---------------------------------
Like the talons of the title's namesake, this book snags you in quickly, deeply, right from the beginning. This isn't a genre that I typically read, but because it is set in the area of NW Montana where I reside, it piqued my interest, and it certainly did not disappoint.
I was drawn in from the first few words, and lost several nights of sleep... I just couldn't stop reading!
The authour did a great job researching and describing the mountainous wilderness where much of the action takes place. In fact, those very mountains are practically in my backyard.
After finishing "Shadow Dragon", I can't help but to look a little closer at the mountains now, as I peer out through my windows as the evening twilight falls.
That movement caught out the corner of my eye... was it really a dark, shadow gliding over that nearby peak?
It couldn't be... all of the creatures were confirmed destroyed.
It must be just my imagination... right?!
Read the book..... Then you decide.
-CC.
----------------------------------:::::---------------------------------
April 2, 2016
Why publishers weren't lining up to nab Lance Horton's Shadow Dragon is beyond my comprehension, but you can find more about that on the author's website. Point is, this book is a wonderfully conceived and skillfully formulated page turner that I couldn't put down.
I don't want to give too much away, but I really like the balance Horton struck between mystery and suspense. He never throws so much at the reader that you go into overload but he maintains the momentum cover to cover. This is an essential component in this genre and I am more than a little impressed to see such mastery of it in a debut release.
Another thing that impressed me was the diversity of Horton's cast. He has seamlessly incorporated characters from different ethnic backgrounds and walks of life. In some cases, Carrie and Kyle particularly, I would have liked to see a little more depth, but that in and of itself isn't much of a criticism. Horton's characters were so realistic that I as the reader was left wanting more. It is a hallmark of good fiction.
Finally I want to acknowledge Horton's use of setting. Most who utilize Montana as a backdrop hone in on the big sky and once they've beaten that horse six ways to Sunday, they ignore the local entirely. Its annoying. Very annoying. If you can't tell yet, I have a soft spot for the state, which is why I really appreciated Horton's description of small town life. This isn't Mayberry, but its not Los Angeles either. I liked that Horton recognized that and sought to capture it in his work.
Forget your preconception of debut authors and self-pubs. Shadow Dragon is a first-class thriller that will keep you hooked till the final page.
I don't want to give too much away, but I really like the balance Horton struck between mystery and suspense. He never throws so much at the reader that you go into overload but he maintains the momentum cover to cover. This is an essential component in this genre and I am more than a little impressed to see such mastery of it in a debut release.
Another thing that impressed me was the diversity of Horton's cast. He has seamlessly incorporated characters from different ethnic backgrounds and walks of life. In some cases, Carrie and Kyle particularly, I would have liked to see a little more depth, but that in and of itself isn't much of a criticism. Horton's characters were so realistic that I as the reader was left wanting more. It is a hallmark of good fiction.
Finally I want to acknowledge Horton's use of setting. Most who utilize Montana as a backdrop hone in on the big sky and once they've beaten that horse six ways to Sunday, they ignore the local entirely. Its annoying. Very annoying. If you can't tell yet, I have a soft spot for the state, which is why I really appreciated Horton's description of small town life. This isn't Mayberry, but its not Los Angeles either. I liked that Horton recognized that and sought to capture it in his work.
Forget your preconception of debut authors and self-pubs. Shadow Dragon is a first-class thriller that will keep you hooked till the final page.
September 24, 2014
This is by far the best "first-reads" book thus far! Something about the writing had me hooked from page one. I loved the suspense of the first half of book before things started to come together. What was most interesting was the book started as fairly typically crime novel (bodies found, FBI called in, and a hired assassin attempting to clean up a mess), however, as the story progressed the story teetered on the edge between mystery and science-fiction. It kept me wondering when/if the book would cross that line and how far would it go? Who/what killed these people? What will it take to stop the murders?
Only drawback was the ending felt a little rushed and not quite as impressive as the rest of the book, which is interesting because the acknowledgment talks about the story being shortened from earlier versions. It makes me wonder what an earlier version's ending would have been like. Either way, it was a great book that was hard to put down!
Only drawback was the ending felt a little rushed and not quite as impressive as the rest of the book, which is interesting because the acknowledgment talks about the story being shortened from earlier versions. It makes me wonder what an earlier version's ending would have been like. Either way, it was a great book that was hard to put down!
April 19, 2013
A great thriller with a little bit of something for everyone--action, government intrigue, wilderness trekking, a creepy batch of creatures, and even a bit of romance! Also, it's set in my home state of Montana, and the author did a fine job of capturing my state, and the personalities of the locals.
February 1, 2013
From the beginning, the reader will be drawn in and enticed. The book will keep you guessing as the conspiracy unravels. Horton embraced the essence of a murder mystery meets the genetic engineering of science fiction. This is definitely a must read for those who enjoy thrillers and mysteries!
August 30, 2012
"Shadow Dragon" is outstanding, sophisticated plot, well developed characters, fast-paced, suspenseful, one of the few truly good suspense novels to be published in the past few years.
June 4, 2013
Shadow Dragon is a super-good read!
It is so true that there are not new plots, just new ways of spinning them. Lance Horton does it brilliantly in this book. HIs characters are interesting, and the plot is never predictable or boring.
It's hard to talk about this storyline without giving it away. I liked Kyle Anderson, a believable guy who ends up in the middle of a dark conspiracy. HIs developing relationship with Carrie Daniels, granddaughter of two of the victims of the mysterious deaths, is done skillfully and never usurps the rest of the story.
Highly recommend this book for suspense and thriller lovers!
It is so true that there are not new plots, just new ways of spinning them. Lance Horton does it brilliantly in this book. HIs characters are interesting, and the plot is never predictable or boring.
It's hard to talk about this storyline without giving it away. I liked Kyle Anderson, a believable guy who ends up in the middle of a dark conspiracy. HIs developing relationship with Carrie Daniels, granddaughter of two of the victims of the mysterious deaths, is done skillfully and never usurps the rest of the story.
Highly recommend this book for suspense and thriller lovers!
November 11, 2012
I would like to thank Goodreads and Lance Horton for Shadow Dragon.
"Fantastic, this book has everything you want in a thriller and more.Once you start reading you will not want to put the book down. If you only buy one thriller this year the Shadow Dragon should be it."
"Fantastic, this book has everything you want in a thriller and more.Once you start reading you will not want to put the book down. If you only buy one thriller this year the Shadow Dragon should be it."
December 28, 2013
The Flathead Valley in Montana, in the winter, is as much of a character as any person in this well-composed mystery, action, thriller. It has boots on the ground, or snow, as the case may be. Even with supernatural and sci-fi elements, it is the characters' story that receives the focus. In the end, it is easy to imagine Kyle Andrews as a new Special Agent for the FBI, continuing on his path. With all his neuroses and childhood wounds, he has some growing to do. Carrie Daniels is spunky enough to make the cut. Who knows? It could happen. But even just this one book has action and romance enough. A worthy read.
May 22, 2013
I didn't actually finish this book because I gave up reading it about 10 chapters in. This book jumps around so much with new characters appearing in each chapter, which are all barely 2-3 pages long, it was just too hard trying to keep everything straight. What character was being featured? What town we were in? What state were we in?! Who had died this time? I'm sure for a first novel this is a good effort but for me it was just so much hard work and I like complicated mysteries!
December 13, 2012
I enjoyed this book, The only reason for the four stars over five was the over descriptions of characters not even important to the storyline or over descriptions of landscape.
December 29, 2017
When I got this book, I had no idea it was as much science fiction as detective/mystery thriller. No matter, I really liked the story and author's style and the short chapter set-up loaned itself to keeping the reader involved for a quick read. It was quite suspenseful, I found myself sometimes reading 50 pages or more at a time. The male protagonist could be a little wimpy and irritating at times, and the female counterpart was much more sympathetic and interesting. The other characters were fairly well developed for a fast paced book. I'd read a sequel, which is complement enough.
May 23, 2021
As a retired English teacher, with almost 30 years of classroom experience, I tell you this: I can, and others like me can, teach people where to put commas and periods and when to start new paragraphs, but I can't teach creativity. An individual either has it, or not, and Lance Horton has it.
December 19, 2023
Not my thing. A waste of valuable reading time.
January 17, 2016
If you’re looking for an atmospheric thriller with a touch of suspense and a fresh concept, this book is just what you need.
I generally avoid monster stories because of how overused some ideas are and how they repeat each other; but I believed the reviewers and decided to give this one a try, and I wasn’t disappointed. The author’s idea was fresh and believable, and it’s the first thing I especially liked about this book.
The second was the setting and chilly, mysterious atmosphere of the story. There’s something about wilderness that makes any horror story especially thrilling.
The third thing that I liked was the two main characters’ relationship, which is often too unrealistic in books and movies. They’ve just met, and here they are fighting evil together and falling in love at first sight. But in this book, the romance was done tastefully and never overtook the plot. The fact that the characters themselves had very attractive personalities made it even better – you know how any relationship is more intriguing when you actually want or don’t want things to happen between the two. Characters that can make you care about them are essential to any story and all parts of it, whether it’s action or romance or drama.
Overall, Shadow Dragon is a great debut novel that deserves 5 stars!
I generally avoid monster stories because of how overused some ideas are and how they repeat each other; but I believed the reviewers and decided to give this one a try, and I wasn’t disappointed. The author’s idea was fresh and believable, and it’s the first thing I especially liked about this book.
The second was the setting and chilly, mysterious atmosphere of the story. There’s something about wilderness that makes any horror story especially thrilling.
The third thing that I liked was the two main characters’ relationship, which is often too unrealistic in books and movies. They’ve just met, and here they are fighting evil together and falling in love at first sight. But in this book, the romance was done tastefully and never overtook the plot. The fact that the characters themselves had very attractive personalities made it even better – you know how any relationship is more intriguing when you actually want or don’t want things to happen between the two. Characters that can make you care about them are essential to any story and all parts of it, whether it’s action or romance or drama.
Overall, Shadow Dragon is a great debut novel that deserves 5 stars!
May 24, 2016
Great read! It will pull you in immediately. The characters are well written and you will like the likeable ones. The setting is fantastic, in the mountains of Montana, very cold, snowy and hard to get around in. I really enjoyed this.
January 27, 2015
I enjoyed this book. It did get a
little lengthy, though. I felt that
it seemed to drag a little bit
about 3/4 of the way through.
Would definitely check out future
books by Mr. Horton.
little lengthy, though. I felt that
it seemed to drag a little bit
about 3/4 of the way through.
Would definitely check out future
books by Mr. Horton.
January 22, 2014
A bit unbelievable, but kept me wanting to turn to the next page.
Read
May 15, 2014I did enjoy this one!
August 28, 2014
I liked the book, especially the plot premise. It kept me interested throughout. On the negative side, it could have used a bit more editing and I found a couple of the plot choices unrealistic.
December 30, 2015
I like the idea, but the language was so bad, I couldn't finish it. I just skipped the middle and jumped to the end to see what happened...
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews