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Chief Maggie Riley #3
The Shadow Girl
The sun is rising on another brutally cold winter’s day in Coyote Cove when Chief Maggie Riley finds an unmarked envelope on the steps of the police station. Inside is a photo of a teenage girl, bound and bruised. Maggie’s heart constricts at the terror evident in her tear-filled eyes. Who is she? What has happened to her? And most importantly, can Maggie find her, before it’s too late?
Maggie moved to Coyote Cove for a quieter, safer life than her former high flying city detective work. The work that left her emotionally shattered, that one, terrible case she couldn’t close lying so heavily on her even now. But this feels more personal than anything she’s worked on since then. With no one reporting the girl missing, seemingly unloved and forgotten, Maggie vows to rescue her, and bring whoever hurt her to justice.
As Maggie mines the photograph for clues to hunt down the girl and her captor, her search takes her deep into the seedy, dangerous underbelly of the secretive logging camps. Hidden away in the woods, a law unto themselves, Maggie is in unchartered – and deadly – territory. Then, when she finds the body of a girl who was thought to have run away years ago, one with ties of her own to the loggers, Maggie knows she’s on the right track. But as her search for the truth intensifies, Maggie’s own safety is put in jeopardy. Can she save an innocent girl’s life and get out alive herself, or could this be the one investigation she won’t survive…?
Maggie moved to Coyote Cove for a quieter, safer life than her former high flying city detective work. The work that left her emotionally shattered, that one, terrible case she couldn’t close lying so heavily on her even now. But this feels more personal than anything she’s worked on since then. With no one reporting the girl missing, seemingly unloved and forgotten, Maggie vows to rescue her, and bring whoever hurt her to justice.
As Maggie mines the photograph for clues to hunt down the girl and her captor, her search takes her deep into the seedy, dangerous underbelly of the secretive logging camps. Hidden away in the woods, a law unto themselves, Maggie is in unchartered – and deadly – territory. Then, when she finds the body of a girl who was thought to have run away years ago, one with ties of her own to the loggers, Maggie knows she’s on the right track. But as her search for the truth intensifies, Maggie’s own safety is put in jeopardy. Can she save an innocent girl’s life and get out alive herself, or could this be the one investigation she won’t survive…?
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2023
860 people are currently reading
406 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Hollinger
30 books317 followersWith degrees in Crime Scene Technology and Physical Anthropology, Florida writer Shannon Hollinger hasn’t just seen the dark side of humanity—she’s been elbow deep inside of it! She’s an avid animal lover, reader, and hiker, and has been known to use her forensic skills to figure out who ate the last cookie in the house.
A multi-genre, Amazon charts top 20 best-selling author, Shannon writes psychological thrillers filled with jaw-dropping twists and shocking endings, the police procedural Chief Maggie Riley mysteries, where the darkness of the Maine wilderness is rivaled only by the deadly secrets it conceals, and the romantic suspense Cassidy Knox mystery thrillers, where the animals will steal your heart and the nights are as hot as the days.
Her novels have been translated into multiple languages, and her short fiction has appeared in Suspense Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and The Saturday Evening Post, among many other magazines and anthologies.
Shannon is a member of the International Thriller Writers and the Short Mystery Fiction Society.
To keep current on book news and to enter monthly giveaways, sign up for Shannon’s newsletter through her website, www.shannonhollinger.com.
Find Shannon on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/thiswritersays
https://www.instagram.com/thiswritersays
https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonhollinger
http://www.pinterest.com/thiswritersays
http://www.bookbub.com/profile/shanno...
https://www.amazon.com/author/shannon...
A multi-genre, Amazon charts top 20 best-selling author, Shannon writes psychological thrillers filled with jaw-dropping twists and shocking endings, the police procedural Chief Maggie Riley mysteries, where the darkness of the Maine wilderness is rivaled only by the deadly secrets it conceals, and the romantic suspense Cassidy Knox mystery thrillers, where the animals will steal your heart and the nights are as hot as the days.
Her novels have been translated into multiple languages, and her short fiction has appeared in Suspense Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and The Saturday Evening Post, among many other magazines and anthologies.
Shannon is a member of the International Thriller Writers and the Short Mystery Fiction Society.
To keep current on book news and to enter monthly giveaways, sign up for Shannon’s newsletter through her website, www.shannonhollinger.com.
Find Shannon on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/thiswritersays
https://www.instagram.com/thiswritersays
https://www.tiktok.com/@shannonhollinger
http://www.pinterest.com/thiswritersays
http://www.bookbub.com/profile/shanno...
https://www.amazon.com/author/shannon...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
September 3, 2023
Another gripping installment in the Chief Maggie Riley series by Shannon Hollinger! This book is full of secrets, tension, suspense, mounting danger, and interesting characters!
Chief Maggie Riley and her new lieutenant Kal have their work cut out for them in this book. The body of a pregnant teen is found in the trash. Could this be the body of a missing teen, one that was last seen two years ago? Maggie believes that it is. Maggie also receives an envelope with a disturbing image of a bound and gagged girl. No one has reported a missing teen. But Maggie believes she knows the identity of the teen.
That is just the beginning. Kal, like Maggie came to Coyote Cove for a fresh start. Both have secrets and both have felt resistance from the locals. The locals do not want a woman as chief, nor do they want a minority in their town or as her lieutenant.
Secrets are the name of the game in this book. Not only do Maggie and Kal have secrets, so do Maggie's fiancé, Steve, her mother who showed up out of the blue, and those who live in the deep woods of Coyote Cove.
Maggie is pulled in many directions in this book both personally and professionally. As she and Kal investigate, there is an underlying sense of tension, dread, and mounting danger. The setting in Maine and the woods create atmosphere and add to the overall feeling of tension in the book.
Maggie is a great character. She has a troubling past and came to Coyote Cove for a new beginning. She has handled herself very well while dealing with locals who do not approve of a woman being their Chief. She is strong, vulnerable, determined, and caring. Kal is an interesting new character who is no stranger to dealing with prejudice; but it is upsetting to see how he is treated. I look forward to more of him in future books. Steve is Maggie's fiancé and I have a feeling book 4 is going to center on him and his secrets.
As with the first two books in this series, this book was well written, well thought out and I enjoyed the character development. Hollinger has me wanting more and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Although, this could be read as a stand-alone, I do believe reading the first two books would make this book more enjoyable. Plus, they are fast reads! The first two books set the stage for Maggie, her past, why she came to Coyote Cove, and her relationship with Steve.
Well written, gripping, tense and hard to put down!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Chief Maggie Riley and her new lieutenant Kal have their work cut out for them in this book. The body of a pregnant teen is found in the trash. Could this be the body of a missing teen, one that was last seen two years ago? Maggie believes that it is. Maggie also receives an envelope with a disturbing image of a bound and gagged girl. No one has reported a missing teen. But Maggie believes she knows the identity of the teen.
That is just the beginning. Kal, like Maggie came to Coyote Cove for a fresh start. Both have secrets and both have felt resistance from the locals. The locals do not want a woman as chief, nor do they want a minority in their town or as her lieutenant.
Secrets are the name of the game in this book. Not only do Maggie and Kal have secrets, so do Maggie's fiancé, Steve, her mother who showed up out of the blue, and those who live in the deep woods of Coyote Cove.
Maggie is pulled in many directions in this book both personally and professionally. As she and Kal investigate, there is an underlying sense of tension, dread, and mounting danger. The setting in Maine and the woods create atmosphere and add to the overall feeling of tension in the book.
Maggie is a great character. She has a troubling past and came to Coyote Cove for a new beginning. She has handled herself very well while dealing with locals who do not approve of a woman being their Chief. She is strong, vulnerable, determined, and caring. Kal is an interesting new character who is no stranger to dealing with prejudice; but it is upsetting to see how he is treated. I look forward to more of him in future books. Steve is Maggie's fiancé and I have a feeling book 4 is going to center on him and his secrets.
As with the first two books in this series, this book was well written, well thought out and I enjoyed the character development. Hollinger has me wanting more and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Although, this could be read as a stand-alone, I do believe reading the first two books would make this book more enjoyable. Plus, they are fast reads! The first two books set the stage for Maggie, her past, why she came to Coyote Cove, and her relationship with Steve.
Well written, gripping, tense and hard to put down!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
February 3, 2024
4.5⭐️
This is the 3rd book by Shannon Hollinger that I’ve read and it’s the Maggie Riley series if you must know. The author has written a good, compelling mystery thriller I couldn’t put down. I was in from the first paragraph and I think this was her best book yet. It had drama and suspense that was believable and some other good things going on to keep a reader happy. I recommend this one and just so you know, it can be read as a stand-alone if you want.
Thanks Bookouture via NetGalley.
This is the 3rd book by Shannon Hollinger that I’ve read and it’s the Maggie Riley series if you must know. The author has written a good, compelling mystery thriller I couldn’t put down. I was in from the first paragraph and I think this was her best book yet. It had drama and suspense that was believable and some other good things going on to keep a reader happy. I recommend this one and just so you know, it can be read as a stand-alone if you want.
Thanks Bookouture via NetGalley.
August 11, 2023
I am really enjoying this series! From the start of this series, I have been stating that something is wrong with Coyote Cove; there is something seriously sinister going on in this speck of a town out in the wilderness of Maine. Don’t even get me started on all the secrets that everyone in this place is hiding either. Suffice it to say that Coyote Cove is the place where people go to hideout and keep their secrets from becoming exposed. The book summary introduces the primary storylines: the search for a missing girl, Cassie (16yrs old), who no one seems to be worried about and the discovery of the body of a pregnant, teenaged girl, Alicia, who was reported missing two years ago and who everyone thought just ran away.
There are secondary storylines too like the one where Maggie’s mother, who she hasn’t seen or heard from in more than five years, just suddenly shows up and who is harboring a boatload of secrets she’s not sharing either. There is also the one about the new officer (to replace Murphy), Kal, who is keeping some secrets of his own, one being why he had to leave where he was at and came to Coyote Cove to hide out. There’s also the story that Kal, who is Indian, is being subjected to a bunch a racist crap because Coyote Cove is practically all white with a considerable amount of racists @$$#*!%$. Lastly, there is Steve, Maggie’s fiancé, who has been keeping secrets throughout the entire series and now has a whole new secret that may be dangerous to Maggie.
Most of the story flips back and forth between Maggie, Steve, Kal, and Cassie, with a few random chapters from Cassie’s uncle and another character named, She, who appears to be a woman that seems to be helping Maggie find Cassie, but it’s not really clear until much later in the story. Most of the story revolves around the investigation of the missing girl. Maggie doesn’t really get to investigate the murder of the pregnant girl because the case has been taken over by the state police so there are the requisite turf war issues.
Well into the second half, after the discovery of another body, Maggie and Kal have narrowed down where the missing girl probably is but it’s going to be dangerous to go in and try and rescue her. In an all-out effort with many unlikely supporters, Kal and Maggie head off into the wilds that ends in a bit of a surprise for Maggie. It's the final discovery that was the real shock, at least to me it was. Didn't see that one coming, totally thought it was someone else!
A mostly satisfying ending. However, Steve’s secrets have wound him up pretty tight until he’s not thinking clearly and this can't be a good thing and will most likely lead to no good in the next installment. Initially, I liked Steve, but throughout the series, he has just crossed too many lines, in my opinion, and he is now just way too suspicious for my liking. I get the feeling that he is just going to turn out to be one of those fiancés that you don’t discover his double life until it’s too late.
I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #Bookouture #TheShadowGirl
There are secondary storylines too like the one where Maggie’s mother, who she hasn’t seen or heard from in more than five years, just suddenly shows up and who is harboring a boatload of secrets she’s not sharing either. There is also the one about the new officer (to replace Murphy), Kal, who is keeping some secrets of his own, one being why he had to leave where he was at and came to Coyote Cove to hide out. There’s also the story that Kal, who is Indian, is being subjected to a bunch a racist crap because Coyote Cove is practically all white with a considerable amount of racists @$$#*!%$. Lastly, there is Steve, Maggie’s fiancé, who has been keeping secrets throughout the entire series and now has a whole new secret that may be dangerous to Maggie.
Most of the story flips back and forth between Maggie, Steve, Kal, and Cassie, with a few random chapters from Cassie’s uncle and another character named, She, who appears to be a woman that seems to be helping Maggie find Cassie, but it’s not really clear until much later in the story. Most of the story revolves around the investigation of the missing girl. Maggie doesn’t really get to investigate the murder of the pregnant girl because the case has been taken over by the state police so there are the requisite turf war issues.
Well into the second half, after the discovery of another body, Maggie and Kal have narrowed down where the missing girl probably is but it’s going to be dangerous to go in and try and rescue her. In an all-out effort with many unlikely supporters, Kal and Maggie head off into the wilds that ends in a bit of a surprise for Maggie. It's the final discovery that was the real shock, at least to me it was. Didn't see that one coming, totally thought it was someone else!
A mostly satisfying ending. However, Steve’s secrets have wound him up pretty tight until he’s not thinking clearly and this can't be a good thing and will most likely lead to no good in the next installment. Initially, I liked Steve, but throughout the series, he has just crossed too many lines, in my opinion, and he is now just way too suspicious for my liking. I get the feeling that he is just going to turn out to be one of those fiancés that you don’t discover his double life until it’s too late.
I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #Bookouture #TheShadowGirl
July 26, 2023
WARNING: Before you even open this book, find a quiet spot, get comfy and settle down because you'll be in for the long haul!
I have to say that out of all three books in the series so far this is the one that had me in the tightest headlock and second guessing everything the whole way through and that's saying something as I absolutely loved the first and second installments and didn't think they could get any better!
The body of a young pregnant girl is found amongst piles of rubbish. Maggie feels certain that the body is that of a local girl who went missing two years ago at the age of fifteen. A suspected runaway, did Maggie miss something, did she investigate the case enough, has the girl actually been right under her nose all this time?
Another brutally winters day starts in the quiet town of Coyote Cove with Chief Maggie Riley finding a polaroid photo attached to her front windscreen, the photo of a young girl beaten and gagged. No girl has been reported missing, no one seems to be missing her so who is she and what has happened to her? Maggie thinks she's another local girl, Cassie but her Mum isn't worried, shes sent her away to stay with her uncle and she's done stunts before just for attention.. why is Maggie the only one worried?
In this book, no#3 of the series we start to learn a bit more about Maggie's new lieutenant Kal. Not being made to feel overly welcome due to his Indian heritage, Kal has to fight his way through the hatted to earn respect but can he earn it before he needs it the most ?
Alongside Maggie's workload, her relationships are also paramount to this series and this book starts to explore her relationship with her mother. Even though hard hitting and quite painful to read it really starts bringing these characters more to life and digs deeper into what makes them tick. The character development is already spot on but the drip feed and build up of information is just superb to read. Who doesn't love a bad ass main character with soft heart, a mysterious lieutenant who slowly starting to open up and the perky, cuddly Sue who seems to be the mother hen of the team.
Steve is still keeping secrets and is now starting to panic that his past has come back to haunt him. Can he keep it from Maggie any longer?
There is so much going on in one story but my God what a story it is. Everything runs alongside each other perfectly and seamlessly and is wrapped up just brilliantly at the end with that feeling of 'give me more immediately'
I CANNOT wait for book #4! Will we finally start learning what secrets are hiding below the surface?
The biggest thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
I have to say that out of all three books in the series so far this is the one that had me in the tightest headlock and second guessing everything the whole way through and that's saying something as I absolutely loved the first and second installments and didn't think they could get any better!
The body of a young pregnant girl is found amongst piles of rubbish. Maggie feels certain that the body is that of a local girl who went missing two years ago at the age of fifteen. A suspected runaway, did Maggie miss something, did she investigate the case enough, has the girl actually been right under her nose all this time?
Another brutally winters day starts in the quiet town of Coyote Cove with Chief Maggie Riley finding a polaroid photo attached to her front windscreen, the photo of a young girl beaten and gagged. No girl has been reported missing, no one seems to be missing her so who is she and what has happened to her? Maggie thinks she's another local girl, Cassie but her Mum isn't worried, shes sent her away to stay with her uncle and she's done stunts before just for attention.. why is Maggie the only one worried?
In this book, no#3 of the series we start to learn a bit more about Maggie's new lieutenant Kal. Not being made to feel overly welcome due to his Indian heritage, Kal has to fight his way through the hatted to earn respect but can he earn it before he needs it the most ?
Alongside Maggie's workload, her relationships are also paramount to this series and this book starts to explore her relationship with her mother. Even though hard hitting and quite painful to read it really starts bringing these characters more to life and digs deeper into what makes them tick. The character development is already spot on but the drip feed and build up of information is just superb to read. Who doesn't love a bad ass main character with soft heart, a mysterious lieutenant who slowly starting to open up and the perky, cuddly Sue who seems to be the mother hen of the team.
Steve is still keeping secrets and is now starting to panic that his past has come back to haunt him. Can he keep it from Maggie any longer?
There is so much going on in one story but my God what a story it is. Everything runs alongside each other perfectly and seamlessly and is wrapped up just brilliantly at the end with that feeling of 'give me more immediately'
I CANNOT wait for book #4! Will we finally start learning what secrets are hiding below the surface?
The biggest thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
September 6, 2023
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The Shadow Girl, book three in Shannon Hollinger's Detective Maggie Riley series, transports readers back to Coyote Cove, a small rural town in Maine. A town where persons with secrets seek solace. Hollinger weaved a tale filled with suspense and mystery to keep readers guessing from start to finish.
Firstly, I recommend reading the books in order of release. Although each book features a different mystery, there is an overarching series thread which needs to be followed sequentially. In this instalment, Maggie faces her biggest challenge since taking up the post as police chief in Coyote Cove. The discovery of the body of a teenage girl who went missing two years ago hook her to the core. Solving murders was out of her jurisdiction, leaving her to rely on the State police to solve the murder. However, the discovery of a Polaroid photo indicating that another teenage girl is missing led Maggie on a desperate search to find the teen before it's too late.
This was another intense and riveting tale. It featured a large suspect pool and wading through the lot proved a challenge. Fortunately for Maggie, she had help in the form of her new lieutenant, Kal. Although new to the series, he proved to be a great addition to the cast of characters. Like his boss and her fiancée, Steve, he too had his secrets. Secrets which fuelled his decision to accept the position as the new lieutenant in Coyote Cove. It would seem that Steve's secrets were about ready to explode in his face. The major questions on the mind of the reader were:
1. What impact will the revelation have on his relationship with Maggie?
2. What steps will he take for those secrets to remain hidden?
Hopefully it works out for him because secrets aside, I believe he is perfect for Maggie.
As Maggie steps up the search to find the girl in the Polaroid photo, she discovers a connection to the murdered teen. This case hit rather close to home for Maggi. This led to her engaging every possible method to find the missing teen. Unlike the first instalment, The Girl Who Lied, the mystery in The Shadow Girl was twisty and a challenge to solve. The story highlighted the impact of adults' failure to protect the children in their care.
The Shadow Girl was an addictive and fast-paced crime thriller. The unresolved issues from the secrets shrouding Maggie, Steve and Kal leaves no doubts in the reader's mind that there is more to come. As such, one will be waiting eagerly for the next book in the series. Fans of police procedurals will find this series intriguing.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
Firstly, I recommend reading the books in order of release. Although each book features a different mystery, there is an overarching series thread which needs to be followed sequentially. In this instalment, Maggie faces her biggest challenge since taking up the post as police chief in Coyote Cove. The discovery of the body of a teenage girl who went missing two years ago hook her to the core. Solving murders was out of her jurisdiction, leaving her to rely on the State police to solve the murder. However, the discovery of a Polaroid photo indicating that another teenage girl is missing led Maggie on a desperate search to find the teen before it's too late.
This was another intense and riveting tale. It featured a large suspect pool and wading through the lot proved a challenge. Fortunately for Maggie, she had help in the form of her new lieutenant, Kal. Although new to the series, he proved to be a great addition to the cast of characters. Like his boss and her fiancée, Steve, he too had his secrets. Secrets which fuelled his decision to accept the position as the new lieutenant in Coyote Cove. It would seem that Steve's secrets were about ready to explode in his face. The major questions on the mind of the reader were:
1. What impact will the revelation have on his relationship with Maggie?
2. What steps will he take for those secrets to remain hidden?
Hopefully it works out for him because secrets aside, I believe he is perfect for Maggie.
As Maggie steps up the search to find the girl in the Polaroid photo, she discovers a connection to the murdered teen. This case hit rather close to home for Maggi. This led to her engaging every possible method to find the missing teen. Unlike the first instalment, The Girl Who Lied, the mystery in The Shadow Girl was twisty and a challenge to solve. The story highlighted the impact of adults' failure to protect the children in their care.
The Shadow Girl was an addictive and fast-paced crime thriller. The unresolved issues from the secrets shrouding Maggie, Steve and Kal leaves no doubts in the reader's mind that there is more to come. As such, one will be waiting eagerly for the next book in the series. Fans of police procedurals will find this series intriguing.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
September 2, 2023
This is the third installment in a police procedural series where the characters show great growth, and I was engrossed in the story that had a nice flow, enough tension, twists and turns, secrets and everything beautifully written by the author that is new to me. I’m just sorry that I didn’t start from the first book, but I'm on my way to correct that. Excellent for readers of Angela Marsons and Lisa Regan.
September 1, 2023
There is something about this series that keeps me coming back. As I stated before I wasn’t sure I actually liked any of the main characters but I’m starting to change that. I’m definitely ready for more.
July 2, 2023
The body of a young pregnant girl is found among trash. Maggie is convinced that it is the body of a 15 year old runaway. If she never left the area, where has she been? Maggie is forced to hand the case over to the State police.
She now has her hands full after finding a polaroid photo that was left for her of a young local girl that has been beaten. The girl's mother insists that her daughter is staying with her Uncle in another town, and that her daughter is seeking attention, the 'bruises' are actually make up.
No one except Maggie is worried about Cassie.
On top of that, her new Lieutenant, Kal, has started work, and the fact that he is an Indian in a town that is intolerant of any newcomers, is a problem.
Maggie's partner, Steve, is worried that his hidden past has come back to haunt him, and he doesn't want Maggie to find out.
Her estranged mother also makes an appearance, forcing Maggie to realise that her mother will never respect her detecting skills.
The third in a series that I have grown to love. The main characters are fully developed, and Maggie is showing that she is one heck of a detective, with a love for the people that she serves, and a dogged determination to do her job. She runs rings around the State police with her detective skills.
There is so much to unpack in this police procedural, a new character who I think will fit in very well, as he has secrets of his own, and something in his past he is trying to outrun - just like Maggie and Steve!
I just hope Steve's past doesn't affect his relationship with Maggie, I think that they are suited to each other, he loves her, and loves her animals.
Anyone who loves dogs can't be all bad, can they?
I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series, and the disclosure of some of the secrets of the characters!
Well written, tense, and a page turner. What more can a reader want?
I recommend this series to fans of Angela Marsons and Lisa Regan.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
She now has her hands full after finding a polaroid photo that was left for her of a young local girl that has been beaten. The girl's mother insists that her daughter is staying with her Uncle in another town, and that her daughter is seeking attention, the 'bruises' are actually make up.
No one except Maggie is worried about Cassie.
On top of that, her new Lieutenant, Kal, has started work, and the fact that he is an Indian in a town that is intolerant of any newcomers, is a problem.
Maggie's partner, Steve, is worried that his hidden past has come back to haunt him, and he doesn't want Maggie to find out.
Her estranged mother also makes an appearance, forcing Maggie to realise that her mother will never respect her detecting skills.
The third in a series that I have grown to love. The main characters are fully developed, and Maggie is showing that she is one heck of a detective, with a love for the people that she serves, and a dogged determination to do her job. She runs rings around the State police with her detective skills.
There is so much to unpack in this police procedural, a new character who I think will fit in very well, as he has secrets of his own, and something in his past he is trying to outrun - just like Maggie and Steve!
I just hope Steve's past doesn't affect his relationship with Maggie, I think that they are suited to each other, he loves her, and loves her animals.
Anyone who loves dogs can't be all bad, can they?
I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series, and the disclosure of some of the secrets of the characters!
Well written, tense, and a page turner. What more can a reader want?
I recommend this series to fans of Angela Marsons and Lisa Regan.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2023
This story is told through multiple point of views but it works well. Like the other Maggie Riley book's this is more of an intelligent read with the back story which continues to come to the fore.
I do like the introduction of the new deputy and his backstory sounds really interesting.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
I do like the introduction of the new deputy and his backstory sounds really interesting.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
July 11, 2023
Welcome back to Coyote Cove, Maine, where Maggie Riley is the police chief. Maggie traded her old career as a high-powered detective for the quiet and isolation of this tiny town, but there’s been a surprising amount of action since she arrived. The third installment in this series follows the successful formula of the previous two books. A missing girl has just been found dead, and then Maggie finds a Polaroid photo tucked into the door of her Jeep depicting another missing girl, tied up and covered in bruises. Maggie is desperate to find the missing girl before it’s too late while also breaking in her new lieutenant Kal and dealing with her estranged mother.
This is another high-stakes crime thriller, with lots of cliffhanger chapters and potential suspects. The mystery is compelling but once again, the characters are what really make this series! Maggie is a total bad ass, tenacious and determined and taking no crap from anyone, all while struggling to recover from past trauma. Her fiancé Steve wants to protect her but has a secret past of his own (and you finally get to find out what it is in this book). Maggie’s admin Sue is fantastic, and Kal the new lieutenant is an appealing addition to this small police department. Maggie’s brother’s story isn’t wrapped up, so it’s a safe bet there will be at least one future installment of this series, and I am looking forward to it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me an advance copy of this book.
This is another high-stakes crime thriller, with lots of cliffhanger chapters and potential suspects. The mystery is compelling but once again, the characters are what really make this series! Maggie is a total bad ass, tenacious and determined and taking no crap from anyone, all while struggling to recover from past trauma. Her fiancé Steve wants to protect her but has a secret past of his own (and you finally get to find out what it is in this book). Maggie’s admin Sue is fantastic, and Kal the new lieutenant is an appealing addition to this small police department. Maggie’s brother’s story isn’t wrapped up, so it’s a safe bet there will be at least one future installment of this series, and I am looking forward to it!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me an advance copy of this book.
July 18, 2023
I can't get enough of this series. This author is amazing. Chief Maggie Riley gets a call they have found a scull will it be her brother.? and she has a new police officer Kal. Maggie is left a Photo. of a young girl her mum does not believe it is her as she is at her brothers staying but another girl went missing and never been found the town people are still being cold. Steve gets a phone call of someone he never wants to hear from. can Maggie find the girl before it is too late? I so hope there is more to come. I love this series.
August 29, 2023
Oh my gosh. I just cannot get enough of the Chief Maggie Riley series. This story is full of unlimited suspense and shocking twists, This is a gritty edge of your seat thriller that will leave you bone chillingly cold. Shannon Hollinger is one of my new favorite authors as she knows how to pull you into her story where you will live until you finish the book, even though living there is slightly creepy. Shannon Hollinger's background gives her a firsthand viewpoint into crimes and criminals, and her expertise shines through in this book and this series.
Chief Maggie Riley moved to Coyote Cove to get away from the big city detective life. As you read more of her story you will see that Maggie has not had an easy life. It has actually been quite tragic. Now she is fighting for respect as the Chief in the town of Coyote Cove. Some of the residents are not very happy about a woman being in charge. A young girl's body has been found. Everyone thought she left town, but apparently she never left. Now another girl is missing and Maggie has received a gruesome photo of this young woman which spurs her into action. She will have to go into parts of the town that she never wanted to go. Seedy places where she is not welcome. Time is not on her side. This is a critical situation of life and death proportions.
There are several back stories also going on in the background as we learn more about Maggie's past. We also are learning more about Steve, her future husband's, mysterious past. This one will keep you on your toes and possibly keep you awake as you power through the pages frantically trying to find out who is to blame for this tragedy. Whew! I really need a break after reading this thriller, but I cannot wait for the next one. Shannon Hollinger has written a blue ribbon winner in this book and this series. I cannot get enough of Maggie Riley. She is tough as nails and smart to boot. This reader anxiously awaits book #4.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Chief Maggie Riley moved to Coyote Cove to get away from the big city detective life. As you read more of her story you will see that Maggie has not had an easy life. It has actually been quite tragic. Now she is fighting for respect as the Chief in the town of Coyote Cove. Some of the residents are not very happy about a woman being in charge. A young girl's body has been found. Everyone thought she left town, but apparently she never left. Now another girl is missing and Maggie has received a gruesome photo of this young woman which spurs her into action. She will have to go into parts of the town that she never wanted to go. Seedy places where she is not welcome. Time is not on her side. This is a critical situation of life and death proportions.
There are several back stories also going on in the background as we learn more about Maggie's past. We also are learning more about Steve, her future husband's, mysterious past. This one will keep you on your toes and possibly keep you awake as you power through the pages frantically trying to find out who is to blame for this tragedy. Whew! I really need a break after reading this thriller, but I cannot wait for the next one. Shannon Hollinger has written a blue ribbon winner in this book and this series. I cannot get enough of Maggie Riley. She is tough as nails and smart to boot. This reader anxiously awaits book #4.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 31, 2023
This is a great read.
Maggie has a new deputy but he is not made to feel welcome by the community.
With a missing girl to find he has to try and ignore the locals and find the girl. This is made difficult as her family don't believe she's missing, but Maggie has been left photos that show otherwise.
As well as the case, Maggie's fiancé Steve had been keeping secrets from her and something is revealed that may mean danger for Maggie.
This is a gripping crime thriller.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Maggie has a new deputy but he is not made to feel welcome by the community.
With a missing girl to find he has to try and ignore the locals and find the girl. This is made difficult as her family don't believe she's missing, but Maggie has been left photos that show otherwise.
As well as the case, Maggie's fiancé Steve had been keeping secrets from her and something is revealed that may mean danger for Maggie.
This is a gripping crime thriller.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
January 12, 2024
Police Chief Maggie Riley feels like she is in a race against time when the body of one teen is discovered and a disturbing photo of another teen girl lands in her hand. This second girl just might have a chance if Maggie can find her in time. While she works this new case, she is also contending with a new lieutenant, a man of Indian descent in the town of Coyote Cove, a town that has mostly white residents. His name in Kal, and he experiences a lot of racism as he tries to do his job.
As far as Maggie's personal life is concerned, she is engaged to Steve, and it becomes quite apparent as this book progresses that Steve has a terrible secret that he is hiding from Maggie. So, you have Maggie's case with the missing girl, enhanced by the teen's perspective as she is being held captive. Then you have Kal trying to fit into his new job. Then you have the mystery of whatever it is that Steve is hiding from Maggie.
Because of where the first body was found, this is not even Maggie's case, but she can't let it go. She wants to find the missing girl, and if she has to claim plausible deniability, then so be it.
Maggie is a strong woman and a fearless police chief. She refuses to give up on finding the missing girl alive, even if it seems that no one else is as concerned as she is. The drama that went on with Steve was rather intriguing. I can't wait to see what more Maggie has in store. I also would love to see Kal staying in Coyote Cove and having an easier time of it.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
As far as Maggie's personal life is concerned, she is engaged to Steve, and it becomes quite apparent as this book progresses that Steve has a terrible secret that he is hiding from Maggie. So, you have Maggie's case with the missing girl, enhanced by the teen's perspective as she is being held captive. Then you have Kal trying to fit into his new job. Then you have the mystery of whatever it is that Steve is hiding from Maggie.
Because of where the first body was found, this is not even Maggie's case, but she can't let it go. She wants to find the missing girl, and if she has to claim plausible deniability, then so be it.
Maggie is a strong woman and a fearless police chief. She refuses to give up on finding the missing girl alive, even if it seems that no one else is as concerned as she is. The drama that went on with Steve was rather intriguing. I can't wait to see what more Maggie has in store. I also would love to see Kal staying in Coyote Cove and having an easier time of it.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
February 25, 2024
The Shadow Girl was yet another compelling book from the Maggie Riley series with twists, turns and equally captivating characters. It was great to see Kal's storyline in this book and have the curtain pulled back a bit more on Maggie's and Steve's past. While there's a lot in there to discover its enough to keep me hooked till the next books release. The plot was unique, with promising but not always pleasant characters I hope will make a return soon. I'm happy now that Maggie has one more person to lean on and I hope in the coming books that they're here to stay. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book to see what Maggie's up to next!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture & Shannon Hollinger for the arc!
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture & Shannon Hollinger for the arc!
August 6, 2024
"Secrets" can only be stretched out so long
Steve is really getting on my nerves. Sh*t or get off the pot, my guy. He's been building up to a huge reveal of a deep dark secret that his old friend Wesley is going to blow up his life with for three books now. Can we just rip off this extremely annoying band-aid already? His whining is doing my head in. I'm sure he'll find something else to whine about, though; dude is insecurity personified. His chapters are like being inside the head of a high school freshman.
If they got rid of Steve, this would be a much better series. Maggie does have that tinge of self-righteousness present in a lot of female protagonist crime procedurals, but it doesn't (mostly) come off as annoying. There are a few situations that make you say, "oh yeah, SURE," but it's a BOOK. That's the POINT. Here's hoping Steve gets a swift kick in the *ss before the next book.
Steve is really getting on my nerves. Sh*t or get off the pot, my guy. He's been building up to a huge reveal of a deep dark secret that his old friend Wesley is going to blow up his life with for three books now. Can we just rip off this extremely annoying band-aid already? His whining is doing my head in. I'm sure he'll find something else to whine about, though; dude is insecurity personified. His chapters are like being inside the head of a high school freshman.
If they got rid of Steve, this would be a much better series. Maggie does have that tinge of self-righteousness present in a lot of female protagonist crime procedurals, but it doesn't (mostly) come off as annoying. There are a few situations that make you say, "oh yeah, SURE," but it's a BOOK. That's the POINT. Here's hoping Steve gets a swift kick in the *ss before the next book.
August 31, 2023
4.25⭐
The Shadow Girl returns readers to the small town of Coyote Cove, Maine for another brilliant installment of the Chief Maggie Riley series and just like the previous two this one is told from multiple points of view including Maggie, her fiancée Steve and her new to town employee Kal. Who Maggie had employed as her new lieutenant after the last one was murdered.
And once again it's a story that's full of mystery and secrets.
As the body of a young pregnant girl is found amongst the rubbish and Maggie is sure she recognises her as a runaway she searched for two years ago.
But unfortunately for Maggie she has to hand the case over to local state police. However she is soon back involved when a photo is left for her of a young girl called Cassie who has been beaten and gagged. Only the girls mother insists she is safe, staying with her Uncle in a nearby town. And if Cassie does have any bruises they are fake, created by make up to gain attention.
Yet, Maggie isn't convinced and is sure something terrible has happened and is determined to get answers and she's soon proven right.
But, finding Cassie soon becomes the least of Maggies problems. As her Mum after years of silence has arrived in Coyote Cove with news of her brother Brandon. And her new lieutenant isn't exactly getting a warm welcome from the locals.
And with so many secrets, twists, turns and danger. This was a story that easily kept me reading and it's a series I want to read more from. Especially as there is so much to these characters that we are yet to learn and I'm excited for that.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Shadow Girl. 😊
The Shadow Girl returns readers to the small town of Coyote Cove, Maine for another brilliant installment of the Chief Maggie Riley series and just like the previous two this one is told from multiple points of view including Maggie, her fiancée Steve and her new to town employee Kal. Who Maggie had employed as her new lieutenant after the last one was murdered.
And once again it's a story that's full of mystery and secrets.
As the body of a young pregnant girl is found amongst the rubbish and Maggie is sure she recognises her as a runaway she searched for two years ago.
But unfortunately for Maggie she has to hand the case over to local state police. However she is soon back involved when a photo is left for her of a young girl called Cassie who has been beaten and gagged. Only the girls mother insists she is safe, staying with her Uncle in a nearby town. And if Cassie does have any bruises they are fake, created by make up to gain attention.
Yet, Maggie isn't convinced and is sure something terrible has happened and is determined to get answers and she's soon proven right.
But, finding Cassie soon becomes the least of Maggies problems. As her Mum after years of silence has arrived in Coyote Cove with news of her brother Brandon. And her new lieutenant isn't exactly getting a warm welcome from the locals.
And with so many secrets, twists, turns and danger. This was a story that easily kept me reading and it's a series I want to read more from. Especially as there is so much to these characters that we are yet to learn and I'm excited for that.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read an early copy of The Shadow Girl. 😊
July 17, 2023
A disturbing photograph takes Chief Riley on another journey through the darkness of the tiny hometown. No one is really willing to open up to her, and it does not help her to have a new deputy who is an outsider, as well as not being white. It does not exactly help that the case has something to do with a dodgy logging camp, and the police is most definitely welcome there.
Both Maggie and her fiance Steve are troubled by their past, and it becomes a huge problem for both of them since the past has really been catching on. Both of their mothers are around, and that is something neither of them wants. Steve's former best friend is also lurking in the bushes, and this means trouble.
The more I read about this town and all the people in it, the more I want to dig deeper into their pasts and minds. Absolutely fantastic character growth, in fact it is not easy to find this skillfully written. The characters are still holding back quite a lot though, so I am expecting more and more by each page I read. Hopefully Shannon Hollinger never stops writing!
Both Maggie and her fiance Steve are troubled by their past, and it becomes a huge problem for both of them since the past has really been catching on. Both of their mothers are around, and that is something neither of them wants. Steve's former best friend is also lurking in the bushes, and this means trouble.
The more I read about this town and all the people in it, the more I want to dig deeper into their pasts and minds. Absolutely fantastic character growth, in fact it is not easy to find this skillfully written. The characters are still holding back quite a lot though, so I am expecting more and more by each page I read. Hopefully Shannon Hollinger never stops writing!
October 3, 2023
The Shadow Girl by Shannon Hollinger is the third book in the excellent Chief Maggie Riley series and this book was another excellent read. Just like the last book I was hooked from the beginning till the very end.
The sun is rising on another brutally cold winter’s day in Coyote Cove Chief Maggie Riley finds an unmarked envelope on the steps of the police station. When opened she finds inside is a photo of a teenage girl, bound and bruised. Maggie’s heart constricts at the terror evident in her tear-filled eyes.
Who is she?
What has happened to her?
Most importantly, can Maggie find her, before it’s too late?
Tick Tock the clock is ticking!!!!
WoW another excellent book with brilliant twists and turns throughout.
I highly recommend you read the first two books first to learn more about Chief Maggie Riley background.
Big Thank you to Netgalley, the author Shannon Hollinger and Bookouture for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The sun is rising on another brutally cold winter’s day in Coyote Cove Chief Maggie Riley finds an unmarked envelope on the steps of the police station. When opened she finds inside is a photo of a teenage girl, bound and bruised. Maggie’s heart constricts at the terror evident in her tear-filled eyes.
Who is she?
What has happened to her?
Most importantly, can Maggie find her, before it’s too late?
Tick Tock the clock is ticking!!!!
WoW another excellent book with brilliant twists and turns throughout.
I highly recommend you read the first two books first to learn more about Chief Maggie Riley background.
Big Thank you to Netgalley, the author Shannon Hollinger and Bookouture for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 19, 2023
Wow I gotta just say Shannon Hollinger did it again! I absolutely love her writing it’s phenomenal and so easy to get into. I read this book so fast I seriously couldn’t put it down till I finished it. This is like the 4th book I’ve read by her and the 2nd book in the Chief Maggie Riley series and I’m absolutely blown away and I’ll try to wait very patiently for the next one!
Chief Maggie is an awesome character and glad I got to go along for the ride.
Something is very wrong with Coyote Cove will Chief Maggie be able to solve the case of the missing girl that was found dead 2 years after she went missing. Maggie's mother, who she hasn't seen or heard from in more than five years, just suddenly shows up and who is harboring a boatload of secrets she's not sharing either. Why is she listening to this so called investigator? Is she really living with Maggie’s mom?
There is also the new officer (to replace Murphy), Kal, who is keeping some secrets of his own, one being why he had to leave where he was at and came to Coyote Cove to hide out. There's also the story that Kal, who is Indian. We need to know what happened to Kal for him to want to move to the middle of nowhere. What happened to his ex girlfriend? Lastly, there is Steve, Maggie's fiancé, who has been keeping secrets throughout the entire series and now has a whole new secret that may be dangerous to Maggie. Will Maggie forgive him once she finds out the secret? Will Steve take care of the issue before she ever finds out?
Thank you Netgalley, Shannon Hollinger, and Bookouture for allowing me to read this ARC of The Shadow Girl. I’m so ready to read more of the series!!!
Chief Maggie is an awesome character and glad I got to go along for the ride.
Something is very wrong with Coyote Cove will Chief Maggie be able to solve the case of the missing girl that was found dead 2 years after she went missing. Maggie's mother, who she hasn't seen or heard from in more than five years, just suddenly shows up and who is harboring a boatload of secrets she's not sharing either. Why is she listening to this so called investigator? Is she really living with Maggie’s mom?
There is also the new officer (to replace Murphy), Kal, who is keeping some secrets of his own, one being why he had to leave where he was at and came to Coyote Cove to hide out. There's also the story that Kal, who is Indian. We need to know what happened to Kal for him to want to move to the middle of nowhere. What happened to his ex girlfriend? Lastly, there is Steve, Maggie's fiancé, who has been keeping secrets throughout the entire series and now has a whole new secret that may be dangerous to Maggie. Will Maggie forgive him once she finds out the secret? Will Steve take care of the issue before she ever finds out?
Thank you Netgalley, Shannon Hollinger, and Bookouture for allowing me to read this ARC of The Shadow Girl. I’m so ready to read more of the series!!!
August 30, 2023
Coyote Cove is a sort of Midsomer with murder rate higher than El Salvador, the hightest in the world according to Wikipedia, that and it's quite dangerous to go walking into the woods.
That said I find this book gripping, moving, and well plotted. A solid thriller that kept me reading and guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
That said I find this book gripping, moving, and well plotted. A solid thriller that kept me reading and guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 15, 2023
This is book three in the series. This was a really good read, and I couldn’t put it down. I look forward to reading the next book!
In the small town of Coyote Cove, Maine, Maggie Riley is the Chief of police. For a small town, it’s seen its share of crime. When Maggie receives an envelope with a photo of a teenager that appears to have been kidnapped, she is desperate to find out who it is.
Maggie approaches the local high school looking for clues. Nobody has reported the girl missing and they don’t seem too worried about her. Maggie can’t let the case go that easily. She needs to know that the girl is alive and okay.
Her search reveals a dangerous and secretive group of me in the logging camps. This could be a case that could get Maggie hurt or killed. Will she find the girl and solve the case?
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
In the small town of Coyote Cove, Maine, Maggie Riley is the Chief of police. For a small town, it’s seen its share of crime. When Maggie receives an envelope with a photo of a teenager that appears to have been kidnapped, she is desperate to find out who it is.
Maggie approaches the local high school looking for clues. Nobody has reported the girl missing and they don’t seem too worried about her. Maggie can’t let the case go that easily. She needs to know that the girl is alive and okay.
Her search reveals a dangerous and secretive group of me in the logging camps. This could be a case that could get Maggie hurt or killed. Will she find the girl and solve the case?
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2023
I came home late after work the other night to discover my wife watching some TV show in which, as far as I could gather, some blonde woman with fake breasts and the IQ of a pencil was accusing some man of having slept with some other woman. It turned out that the show in question was called Celebs Go Dating - so called, presumably, because the people that appear on it are too stupid to pronounce the word "celebrity", never mind spell it - and that my wife had spent the evening binge-watching it and was on her third episode.
This was enough for me to leave the room in despair at how bad television can get, and also at how low the human race can sink to still lap up this garbage. Seriously, who'd be an actor these days? Or a scriptwriter? Why should the makers of a TV show pay these people when all they need is to pay a camera crew to follow someone with no brains and an enormous ego?
Having left the room, the only thing to do was a little binge watching of my own. Except that in my case, it was binge-reading. I had just finished Their Angel's Cry, the second novel by Shannon Hollinger featuring Police Chief Maggie Riley, and was chomping at the bit to make a start on the third.
Good news: the character development goes from strength to strength. In Shadow Girl, the character development goes from strength to strength. Not only does Maggie have another race-against-time case to investigate, but we also learn a little more of the disappearance of her younger brother that caused her to leave her career, and her strained relationship with her mother that has resulted from it. The psychological effect that all of this is having on Maggie is explained nicely by Steve, who it must be said is proving himself to be a darn fine judge of character. I also loved the continued portrayal of Coyote Cove. The town itself is fictional and I have never been to the US state of Maine in which it is set. But I am starting to visualise it in my head. The remoteness from anything that Maggie used to consider 'civilisation', and the proximity to the logging camp, which are regarded as a law unto themselves and feared slightly by everyone else.
Maggie's new lieutenant Kal is also a wonderful addition. Being of Indian descent in a remote town full of mostly white Americans initially sees him portrayed as something of an outcast. But the way that he manages when necessary to get the locals on his side is fabulous. If I had been able to stand on a chair and cheer for him, I would have done.
Sort of neutral news: the plot. It's based on the body of a teenage girl who went missing some years ago turning up and another teenage girl disappearing. In other words, it's a variation on the same storyline that has already been the subject of many other crime novels, and I hope it's not too much of a spoiler to say that the ending came as no great surprise. But that said, just because it's been done before doesn't mean that it hasn't been done very well again here. Especially given that there are some chapters narrated by the girl herself, in which we are made to almost painfully share her over-riding feelings as they change from anger, to hope, to fear, to a sort of numb resignation that she isn't going to survive.
Bad news: there isn't much, but I do have a couple of issues. There's the point that the missing girl's mother and some of her school teachers seem quite unconcerned that she may have been abducted. This is something that I struggled to get my head around and I didn't think that it was particularly well explained. And the story, or rather the lack of it regarding Steve's background really is beginning to annoy me now. We're told a bit more about him in this book, but not enough. I stand by what I said in my review of the last one: I think Shannon needs to just reveal all and let the readers decide whether his fear of Maggie finding out about him is justified.
However, despite these points I'm giving Shadow Girl a solid four stars for one simple reason. In an author's note at the end of the book, Shannon tells us that she always has a great time when she finds herself in Coyote Cove, and that she hopes we enjoy our stay there just as much. Well, my answer, after no thought at all is that I absolutely did. And I look forward to returning there when I read Book 4.
My thanks to Bookouture for including me on the blog tour - and apologies that my review is late - and to Netgalley for the digital ARC. I will post my review on Goodreads, Amazon, my blog at www.mycosybooknook.wordpress.com and my social media pages.
This was enough for me to leave the room in despair at how bad television can get, and also at how low the human race can sink to still lap up this garbage. Seriously, who'd be an actor these days? Or a scriptwriter? Why should the makers of a TV show pay these people when all they need is to pay a camera crew to follow someone with no brains and an enormous ego?
Having left the room, the only thing to do was a little binge watching of my own. Except that in my case, it was binge-reading. I had just finished Their Angel's Cry, the second novel by Shannon Hollinger featuring Police Chief Maggie Riley, and was chomping at the bit to make a start on the third.
Good news: the character development goes from strength to strength. In Shadow Girl, the character development goes from strength to strength. Not only does Maggie have another race-against-time case to investigate, but we also learn a little more of the disappearance of her younger brother that caused her to leave her career, and her strained relationship with her mother that has resulted from it. The psychological effect that all of this is having on Maggie is explained nicely by Steve, who it must be said is proving himself to be a darn fine judge of character. I also loved the continued portrayal of Coyote Cove. The town itself is fictional and I have never been to the US state of Maine in which it is set. But I am starting to visualise it in my head. The remoteness from anything that Maggie used to consider 'civilisation', and the proximity to the logging camp, which are regarded as a law unto themselves and feared slightly by everyone else.
Maggie's new lieutenant Kal is also a wonderful addition. Being of Indian descent in a remote town full of mostly white Americans initially sees him portrayed as something of an outcast. But the way that he manages when necessary to get the locals on his side is fabulous. If I had been able to stand on a chair and cheer for him, I would have done.
Sort of neutral news: the plot. It's based on the body of a teenage girl who went missing some years ago turning up and another teenage girl disappearing. In other words, it's a variation on the same storyline that has already been the subject of many other crime novels, and I hope it's not too much of a spoiler to say that the ending came as no great surprise. But that said, just because it's been done before doesn't mean that it hasn't been done very well again here. Especially given that there are some chapters narrated by the girl herself, in which we are made to almost painfully share her over-riding feelings as they change from anger, to hope, to fear, to a sort of numb resignation that she isn't going to survive.
Bad news: there isn't much, but I do have a couple of issues. There's the point that the missing girl's mother and some of her school teachers seem quite unconcerned that she may have been abducted. This is something that I struggled to get my head around and I didn't think that it was particularly well explained. And the story, or rather the lack of it regarding Steve's background really is beginning to annoy me now. We're told a bit more about him in this book, but not enough. I stand by what I said in my review of the last one: I think Shannon needs to just reveal all and let the readers decide whether his fear of Maggie finding out about him is justified.
However, despite these points I'm giving Shadow Girl a solid four stars for one simple reason. In an author's note at the end of the book, Shannon tells us that she always has a great time when she finds herself in Coyote Cove, and that she hopes we enjoy our stay there just as much. Well, my answer, after no thought at all is that I absolutely did. And I look forward to returning there when I read Book 4.
My thanks to Bookouture for including me on the blog tour - and apologies that my review is late - and to Netgalley for the digital ARC. I will post my review on Goodreads, Amazon, my blog at www.mycosybooknook.wordpress.com and my social media pages.
July 22, 2023
Coyote Cove is a town on the edge of nowhere. It's an isolated and insular community that doesn't take to outsiders no matter how well intentioned they may be. But even small towns have secrets and sometimes only an outsider can uncover the truth.
OVERVIEW: After relocating to Coyote Cove for a fresh start, former detective Maggie Riley is now the chief of police. Half the town hates her and the other half hasn't made up its mind. But Maggie is determined to do the job right. After the body of a teenaged girl who was thought to have been a run away turns up, Maggie is second-guessing how she handled the investigation. Now she's determined to find out where the girl has been and how she wound up dead so close to home. At the same time, someone has left her an unmarked envelope with the photo of another teenage girl, bound and bruised, who may or may not be connected to the murdered girl. Can Maggie and her new deputy, Kal find out who killed the first girl and save the latest victim before it's too late?
SUMMARY: THE SHADOW GIRLS by Shannon Hollinger is the third book in the Chief Maggie Riley series, although it can be read as a standalone. The book has multiple storylines with some connecting and others seemingly random page fillers. First, there is the main case focusing on the girl in the photograph which connects with the murdered girl. However, there are also other mysteries, so many mysteries....too many in fact. Every chapter seems to end on a question mark; what is Steve hiding from Maggie what is Kal running away from, why does Nicole want to help Maggie? There are so many storylines that it's difficult to get invested in any of them. It's especially difficult to stay interested in the various narrative threads when none of the characters are thought out enough to be really interesting.
Maggie Riley, the main character is 'wishy-washy', indecisive about her choices both professionally and personally. Her fiancee, Steve is supposedly head over heels in love and determined to protect her at all costs, but it's never clear why he feels this way. There is nothing about Maggie or their relationship that seems to possess any passion or even interest. Kal, the new deputy suffers from the same fate as do most of the other players in the story. They are outlines rather than fully realized characters so their actions make no sense but readers won't know enough about any of them to really care.
THE SHADOW GIRL has a mystery at its core but it's not hard to figure out 'who done it'. There is no suspense or thrills to be found. But there are mysteries....oh so many.
OVERVIEW: After relocating to Coyote Cove for a fresh start, former detective Maggie Riley is now the chief of police. Half the town hates her and the other half hasn't made up its mind. But Maggie is determined to do the job right. After the body of a teenaged girl who was thought to have been a run away turns up, Maggie is second-guessing how she handled the investigation. Now she's determined to find out where the girl has been and how she wound up dead so close to home. At the same time, someone has left her an unmarked envelope with the photo of another teenage girl, bound and bruised, who may or may not be connected to the murdered girl. Can Maggie and her new deputy, Kal find out who killed the first girl and save the latest victim before it's too late?
SUMMARY: THE SHADOW GIRLS by Shannon Hollinger is the third book in the Chief Maggie Riley series, although it can be read as a standalone. The book has multiple storylines with some connecting and others seemingly random page fillers. First, there is the main case focusing on the girl in the photograph which connects with the murdered girl. However, there are also other mysteries, so many mysteries....too many in fact. Every chapter seems to end on a question mark; what is Steve hiding from Maggie what is Kal running away from, why does Nicole want to help Maggie? There are so many storylines that it's difficult to get invested in any of them. It's especially difficult to stay interested in the various narrative threads when none of the characters are thought out enough to be really interesting.
Maggie Riley, the main character is 'wishy-washy', indecisive about her choices both professionally and personally. Her fiancee, Steve is supposedly head over heels in love and determined to protect her at all costs, but it's never clear why he feels this way. There is nothing about Maggie or their relationship that seems to possess any passion or even interest. Kal, the new deputy suffers from the same fate as do most of the other players in the story. They are outlines rather than fully realized characters so their actions make no sense but readers won't know enough about any of them to really care.
THE SHADOW GIRL has a mystery at its core but it's not hard to figure out 'who done it'. There is no suspense or thrills to be found. But there are mysteries....oh so many.
October 11, 2023
The Shadow Girl by Shannon Hollinger
Chief Maggie Riley #3
Dark, gritty, and compelling ~ Could not put this book down!
What I liked:
* Chief Maggie Riley: brilliant, capable, skilled detective, listens to her gut instincts, moved to Coyote Cove, Maine after a personal loss and going rogue at work, engaged to Steve, upholds the law, works with minimal staff, has a difficult relationship with her parents, brother disappeared when he was young, has a missing girl to find in this series while still dealing with a population that is less than accepting
* Steve Winters: Maggie’s fiancé, financial wiz who lost his fire and moved to the country, understands and loves Maggie, protective, loving, caring, loves his mother and sister though they are not always easy, has secrets from the past that are beginning to emerge – do hope he can figure out what to do about Wesley,
* Kal Kishore: New lieutenant hired by Maggie at the end of the last book, wants a change of scene, has dealt with racial bigotry, broke up with his fiancé before moving to Coyote Cove…seems there is a secret that may come out later, strong, reliable, intelligent, does what it takes, gets the job done, want to know more about him
* Sue: Maggie’s assistant at work, wears interesting clothes to work, a bit of a mother-hen
* The mysteries to be solved: a deceased “runaway” teen that has been gone a couple of years, an abused teen, and a potentially abducted teen to be found – the killer(s) need to be found
* The issues related to Maggie’s brother and parents, Steve’s old “friend” that shows up in this book – imagine he will have a part in the next, wondering how the issue of Maggie’s brother will be resolved, and how the town is beginning to come around and accept the Chief and her team
* The setting, plot, pacing, and writing that was emotive, visceral, visual, immersive, emotive, and at times humorous
* How all the pieces fit together seamlessly
* That it made me think and feel and care and consider the “what-ifs”
* Wondering what will happen next
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about predators and the harm they do
* Being so upset by the adults who kept glossing over and blaming the teens rather than believing them
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Chief Maggie Riley #3
Dark, gritty, and compelling ~ Could not put this book down!
What I liked:
* Chief Maggie Riley: brilliant, capable, skilled detective, listens to her gut instincts, moved to Coyote Cove, Maine after a personal loss and going rogue at work, engaged to Steve, upholds the law, works with minimal staff, has a difficult relationship with her parents, brother disappeared when he was young, has a missing girl to find in this series while still dealing with a population that is less than accepting
* Steve Winters: Maggie’s fiancé, financial wiz who lost his fire and moved to the country, understands and loves Maggie, protective, loving, caring, loves his mother and sister though they are not always easy, has secrets from the past that are beginning to emerge – do hope he can figure out what to do about Wesley,
* Kal Kishore: New lieutenant hired by Maggie at the end of the last book, wants a change of scene, has dealt with racial bigotry, broke up with his fiancé before moving to Coyote Cove…seems there is a secret that may come out later, strong, reliable, intelligent, does what it takes, gets the job done, want to know more about him
* Sue: Maggie’s assistant at work, wears interesting clothes to work, a bit of a mother-hen
* The mysteries to be solved: a deceased “runaway” teen that has been gone a couple of years, an abused teen, and a potentially abducted teen to be found – the killer(s) need to be found
* The issues related to Maggie’s brother and parents, Steve’s old “friend” that shows up in this book – imagine he will have a part in the next, wondering how the issue of Maggie’s brother will be resolved, and how the town is beginning to come around and accept the Chief and her team
* The setting, plot, pacing, and writing that was emotive, visceral, visual, immersive, emotive, and at times humorous
* How all the pieces fit together seamlessly
* That it made me think and feel and care and consider the “what-ifs”
* Wondering what will happen next
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about predators and the harm they do
* Being so upset by the adults who kept glossing over and blaming the teens rather than believing them
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
August 29, 2023
The Shadow Girl is the third book in the Chief Maggie Riley series. I have read the 2nd and the 3rd books in the series. I am going to double back and read the first. Each one is a stand-alone read and very strong on its own. But the series is worth reading in its entirety.
This one starts with Maggie getting a new Lieutenant, Kal, to help her with policing the town. They head out as Maggie shows him around when they get a call about the body of a young girl being found. Maggie believes she knows who it is.
Later Maggie finds an unmarked envelope on the steps of the police station. Inside is a photo of a teenage girl, bound and bruised. Maggie is determined to find the young girl she believes is in danger, and wonders if this is connected to the other girl that they found.
Meanwhile, Steve, Maggie's fiancé, is getting calls from his long-lost friend and told he needs a favor. This strikes terror in Steve as we slowly learn more about his "friend." Steve has been keeping things from Maggie and its clear he doesn't want to share this with Maggie.
Also, Maggie's mother comes to town to show her the evidence that her private investigator found regarding Maggie missing brother. Maggie's mother adds to the stress level she feels from the cases she is currently trying to solve.
This story is an intensely riveting story from the beginning to the end. The story is told from multiple points of views. In the second book I didn't feel as if I learned a whole lot about Steve. Now as we learn more about Steve in this one there clearly is more to learn and when it is revealed will the truth compromise the relationship he has with Maggie, only time will tell.
We also get to meet Maggie's mother. There is a lot of drama there as she appears to be frozen in time since her son went missing. All these stories unfold simultaneously making this a very intense mystery. The drama is kept at a fever pitch peeling back the layers of an onion one at a time. The writing is descriptive when it needs to be, but it also tells the story slowly leaving the reader turning the pages wanting to know more.
I highly recommend this series if you love mysteries that keep you guessing. You won't be disappointed.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
This one starts with Maggie getting a new Lieutenant, Kal, to help her with policing the town. They head out as Maggie shows him around when they get a call about the body of a young girl being found. Maggie believes she knows who it is.
Later Maggie finds an unmarked envelope on the steps of the police station. Inside is a photo of a teenage girl, bound and bruised. Maggie is determined to find the young girl she believes is in danger, and wonders if this is connected to the other girl that they found.
Meanwhile, Steve, Maggie's fiancé, is getting calls from his long-lost friend and told he needs a favor. This strikes terror in Steve as we slowly learn more about his "friend." Steve has been keeping things from Maggie and its clear he doesn't want to share this with Maggie.
Also, Maggie's mother comes to town to show her the evidence that her private investigator found regarding Maggie missing brother. Maggie's mother adds to the stress level she feels from the cases she is currently trying to solve.
This story is an intensely riveting story from the beginning to the end. The story is told from multiple points of views. In the second book I didn't feel as if I learned a whole lot about Steve. Now as we learn more about Steve in this one there clearly is more to learn and when it is revealed will the truth compromise the relationship he has with Maggie, only time will tell.
We also get to meet Maggie's mother. There is a lot of drama there as she appears to be frozen in time since her son went missing. All these stories unfold simultaneously making this a very intense mystery. The drama is kept at a fever pitch peeling back the layers of an onion one at a time. The writing is descriptive when it needs to be, but it also tells the story slowly leaving the reader turning the pages wanting to know more.
I highly recommend this series if you love mysteries that keep you guessing. You won't be disappointed.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
August 19, 2023
🏞Tense hunt for the girl in the 🖼 Polaroid: enjoyably unpredictable😲
4.5🌟stars
This was my second time reading a Maggie Riley thriller and I was happily misled and taken on a tense, winding adventure in rural northern Maine. For me, the central part of the story involving missing teenage girls was the thing that I could not put down. The side plots involving Chief of Police Maggie Riley and her fiance Steve were okay but a bit frustrating; they have more secrets and fears than two people should endure!
The insular small town and the antipathy most of the residents show for Maggie make for heavy atmospheric unease, especially when Maggie's new-hire lieutenant appears and turns into a new target for their hatred. Kal, born and bred in Maine but of East Asian heritage, sticks out like a sore thumb in a community devoid of diversity. I particularly liked the arc of Kal's first week dealing with a challenging case and overt personal threats.
The investigation into a missing girl, who her own mother and boyfriend deny is either missing or in danger, dovetails into some other great stuff involving abuse of authority and a trail of mistreatment of other young women going back for years. Author Shannon Hollinger did a fantastic job keeping me guessing about the villain. I wouldn't actually label Maggie as particularly reckless but she sure does get into dangerous situations and adds to the suspense by heading out on her own to investigate in the backwoods nooks and byways, creating thrills and unease that I loved.
Great location and plot, good secondary characters and a successful police team in the making made this a strong story. Fiance Steve's mysterious background and activities were, for me, the weakest element and left me with an unsatisfying cliffhanger. And I was baffled about what, if anything, this guy does for a living and to fill his days! Apart from that, I found The Shadow Girl a total winner of a thriller.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
4.5🌟stars
This was my second time reading a Maggie Riley thriller and I was happily misled and taken on a tense, winding adventure in rural northern Maine. For me, the central part of the story involving missing teenage girls was the thing that I could not put down. The side plots involving Chief of Police Maggie Riley and her fiance Steve were okay but a bit frustrating; they have more secrets and fears than two people should endure!
The insular small town and the antipathy most of the residents show for Maggie make for heavy atmospheric unease, especially when Maggie's new-hire lieutenant appears and turns into a new target for their hatred. Kal, born and bred in Maine but of East Asian heritage, sticks out like a sore thumb in a community devoid of diversity. I particularly liked the arc of Kal's first week dealing with a challenging case and overt personal threats.
The investigation into a missing girl, who her own mother and boyfriend deny is either missing or in danger, dovetails into some other great stuff involving abuse of authority and a trail of mistreatment of other young women going back for years. Author Shannon Hollinger did a fantastic job keeping me guessing about the villain. I wouldn't actually label Maggie as particularly reckless but she sure does get into dangerous situations and adds to the suspense by heading out on her own to investigate in the backwoods nooks and byways, creating thrills and unease that I loved.
Great location and plot, good secondary characters and a successful police team in the making made this a strong story. Fiance Steve's mysterious background and activities were, for me, the weakest element and left me with an unsatisfying cliffhanger. And I was baffled about what, if anything, this guy does for a living and to fill his days! Apart from that, I found The Shadow Girl a total winner of a thriller.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
September 4, 2023
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of The Shadow Girl, the third novel to feature Maggie Reilly, Chief of Police in the small town of Coyote Cove, Maine.
The body of a young girl, who supposedly ran away two years ago p, is found in a rubbish dump. As it’s a murder the State Police will handle the investigation and Maggie is more interested in the photo left in her car. It shows a teenager tied to a chair, having suffered a beating and Maggie is determined to find her and arrest her abductor.
I loved the premise of The Shadow Girl as it promises so much, but I really didn’t like the execution and that’s after reading the previous novels - they obviously made a big impression on me as I don’t remember the way they are written. I struggled to get through it and it took me days rather than hours to finish.
Everyone has a secret, Maggie, her fiancé, Steve, and her new lieutenant, Kal Kishorne, so frequent references are made to these secrets, but no substance, and it gets old really quickly, so by about 30% in I had lost what little interest I had in what they are hiding. It didn’t entice me to read on, instead I found it annoying.
The narrative is told from several points of view, all in the first person so I quickly learned to read the chapter headings to know who was speaking. I didn’t like it and found it unnecessarily confusing, especially as the characters aren’t particularly well developed and it is more a different way of pushing the plot forward than a real examination of the situations they find themselves in and their reactions to it.
I found most of the novel quite slow until the final chapters where it erupts with a flurry of action and resolution, not enough to make me feel better about the read, but more than enough for readers who like the format and will look forward to more secrets on the personal side, because resolution doesn’t stretch that far.
The Shadow Girl is not for me.
The body of a young girl, who supposedly ran away two years ago p, is found in a rubbish dump. As it’s a murder the State Police will handle the investigation and Maggie is more interested in the photo left in her car. It shows a teenager tied to a chair, having suffered a beating and Maggie is determined to find her and arrest her abductor.
I loved the premise of The Shadow Girl as it promises so much, but I really didn’t like the execution and that’s after reading the previous novels - they obviously made a big impression on me as I don’t remember the way they are written. I struggled to get through it and it took me days rather than hours to finish.
Everyone has a secret, Maggie, her fiancé, Steve, and her new lieutenant, Kal Kishorne, so frequent references are made to these secrets, but no substance, and it gets old really quickly, so by about 30% in I had lost what little interest I had in what they are hiding. It didn’t entice me to read on, instead I found it annoying.
The narrative is told from several points of view, all in the first person so I quickly learned to read the chapter headings to know who was speaking. I didn’t like it and found it unnecessarily confusing, especially as the characters aren’t particularly well developed and it is more a different way of pushing the plot forward than a real examination of the situations they find themselves in and their reactions to it.
I found most of the novel quite slow until the final chapters where it erupts with a flurry of action and resolution, not enough to make me feel better about the read, but more than enough for readers who like the format and will look forward to more secrets on the personal side, because resolution doesn’t stretch that far.
The Shadow Girl is not for me.
June 24, 2024
Chief Maggie Riley book 3.
Maggie finally has a new Deputy. And just in time. Because this case quickly turns bad and she needs all the help she can get. With it's trademark twists and everyone keeping secrets this book kept me reading late into the night. Great read.
The sun is rising on another brutally cold winter’s day in Coyote Cove when Chief Maggie Riley finds an unmarked envelope on the steps of the police station. Inside is a photo of a teenage girl, bound and bruised. Maggie’s heart constricts at the terror evident in her tear-filled eyes. Who is she? What has happened to her? And most importantly, can Maggie find her, before it’s too late?
Maggie moved to Coyote Cove for a quieter, safer life than her former high flying city detective work. The work that left her emotionally shattered, that one, terrible case she couldn’t close lying so heavily on her even now. But this feels more personal than anything she’s worked on since then. With no one reporting the girl missing, seemingly unloved and forgotten, Maggie vows to rescue her, and bring whoever hurt her to justice.
As Maggie mines the photograph for clues to hunt down the girl and her captor, her search takes her deep into the seedy, dangerous underbelly of the secretive logging camps. Hidden away in the woods, a law unto themselves, Maggie is in unchartered – and deadly – territory. Then, when she finds the body of a girl who was thought to have run away years ago, one with ties of her own to the loggers, Maggie knows she’s on the right track. But as her search for the truth intensifies, Maggie’s own safety is put in jeopardy. Can she save an innocent girl’s life and get out alive herself, or could this be the one investigation she won’t survive…?
Maggie finally has a new Deputy. And just in time. Because this case quickly turns bad and she needs all the help she can get. With it's trademark twists and everyone keeping secrets this book kept me reading late into the night. Great read.
The sun is rising on another brutally cold winter’s day in Coyote Cove when Chief Maggie Riley finds an unmarked envelope on the steps of the police station. Inside is a photo of a teenage girl, bound and bruised. Maggie’s heart constricts at the terror evident in her tear-filled eyes. Who is she? What has happened to her? And most importantly, can Maggie find her, before it’s too late?
Maggie moved to Coyote Cove for a quieter, safer life than her former high flying city detective work. The work that left her emotionally shattered, that one, terrible case she couldn’t close lying so heavily on her even now. But this feels more personal than anything she’s worked on since then. With no one reporting the girl missing, seemingly unloved and forgotten, Maggie vows to rescue her, and bring whoever hurt her to justice.
As Maggie mines the photograph for clues to hunt down the girl and her captor, her search takes her deep into the seedy, dangerous underbelly of the secretive logging camps. Hidden away in the woods, a law unto themselves, Maggie is in unchartered – and deadly – territory. Then, when she finds the body of a girl who was thought to have run away years ago, one with ties of her own to the loggers, Maggie knows she’s on the right track. But as her search for the truth intensifies, Maggie’s own safety is put in jeopardy. Can she save an innocent girl’s life and get out alive herself, or could this be the one investigation she won’t survive…?
September 10, 2023
This is book three in the series and usually in police procedural series, the cases being personal are over. But that is not the case for this series. Chief Maggie and her fiancé Steve still have a lot of secrets. Quite a few things they are keeping from each other and even some of the details are not clear for the reader. Each case stands alone, but a bit of the book also focuses on how these secrets are impacting the case and their lives. And Maggie has a new detective that seems to have a lot of secrets of his own in addition to fitting in in the community he is trying to protect. I think his character fits into the flow well.
I flip flop on how well I like the main characters, but they are deeply developed and no matter if I am in a moment of like or dislike, I still want to know more about them. There is still a bit of mystery to their backstories. And I can’t say Maggie isn’t determined to serve and protect. She is dogged in protecting the town and solving whatever case comes her way.
The case in this one is complex and for it being a somewhat small town, the bad guy isn’t obvious. I really like the mix of the case and personal lives and since Maggie’s story isn’t over, I feel there is a next installment coming.
I think this one is best read as a series in order, but if you are one to focus more on the case and less on the characters, then it can definitely be a stand alone. I’ve grown to really like this series and recommend it to anyone that loves a good crime series.
I flip flop on how well I like the main characters, but they are deeply developed and no matter if I am in a moment of like or dislike, I still want to know more about them. There is still a bit of mystery to their backstories. And I can’t say Maggie isn’t determined to serve and protect. She is dogged in protecting the town and solving whatever case comes her way.
The case in this one is complex and for it being a somewhat small town, the bad guy isn’t obvious. I really like the mix of the case and personal lives and since Maggie’s story isn’t over, I feel there is a next installment coming.
I think this one is best read as a series in order, but if you are one to focus more on the case and less on the characters, then it can definitely be a stand alone. I’ve grown to really like this series and recommend it to anyone that loves a good crime series.
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