Shadow Stalker

Finders Keepers Mystery #1

by Barbara Ann Derksen

An ominous shadow hangs over her, as Christine Finder, alias Melissa Rompart, visits the brutal slaying of her parents most nights in a dream. The threat of discovery propels her to search for the whereabouts of the killer to see the man brought to justice. In the meantime, the killer stalks her mind while she operates Finder's Keepers, an agency that searches for the people her clients hire her to find. Nathan Brent is only four years old and missing. Will she find him in time or will the killer find her first?

320 pages, Paperback

Published May 2, 2013

About the author

Seeking to encourage, inspire, and invite, Barbara Ann Derksen writes about Kingdom living characters who live in a not-so Kingdom world. She has been scrambling letters into enjoyable fiction and non-fiction for over 20 years and a published writer since 2003. Her readers share how the books are hard to put down, keep them up at night reading long after lights out, and spur them on to a closer walk with their Lord.

Her favorite genre is mystery so, to thrill her readers, she composes a new one every year, She has just completed the four book series, The Wilton Strait Mystery Series, now available through her website, on Amazon in Canada, Europe, and the US, and through Amazon's Kindle store as e-books as well as Smashwords for e-book readers other than Kindle. Vanished, Presumed Dead, Fear Not, and Silence are a series that provides hours of entertainment, food for thought, and keep her readers wanting more. The first book in the Finders Keepers Series, Shadow Stalker, was released May 5, 2013 and is available on Amazon http://amzn.to/13pABhF. with mostly 5 star reviews. In 2014, Book 2, Essence of Evil made its appearance with mostly five star reviews and now the sequel, Wicked Disregard, released February 2016 is making its debut. A 4th book in this series is in the works with plans to publish in 2017.

Barbara has also penned a devotional series with six books, 4 children's stories and two other non-fiction books. Dance With a Broom and Second to None.

Barbara Ann Derksen has written 19 books, mystery, children's and devotions. She and her husband, Henry, have been married for 46 years, have four children, and eleven grandchildren. Henry is a singer/songwriter with 8 CDs to his name, working on his 9th.

Reviews

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow Stalker is the first in the FINDERS KEEPERS Mystery Series by Barbara Ann Derksen. I don't remember when I received this book or ordered it but it was not sent to me! Whoever suggested this book to me originally-Thank You!

Having lost her parents to a brutal murder which she witnessed at 4 years of age she was brought up by friends of her parents on a ranch where she became very independent! Now an adult she decides to move back to the country of her birth, Canada, and attempt to find out what really occurred back then. She contacts the lawyer who has been handling her estate all these years hoping maybe he can shed light on her past. Christine and Chief, her dog who is a trained search animal, work at her newly formed company Finder's Keeper's.

The lawyer's son is also a private investigator and oil and water is the best way to describe the relationship that forms between these two! When a case Christine is working on somehow intertwines with one of Jeremy's--things get interesting-not to mention someone from her distant past is attempting to kill her.

Yes, I will be getting the next in this series--the way this book ended--I have no choice!!Shadow Stalker: The Finders Keepers Mystery Series - Book One

[Elle Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't enjoy a cute mystery? Okay, "cute" may not be the word you normally associate with the Mystery genre but with this book, I think it's a good fit. I'm not saying this book is babies and puppy dogs cute. It does cover a few serious topics. However, it's not presented in a rated R format, more like PG 13. Leaving more of a "cute and well done" taste in my mouth as opposed to an "Intense and messed up" one.

If I were to tell you when and where to read this book, I'd say wait until you have a rainy weekend to curl up in your favorite spot and crack this case. Maybe even grab a large mug of your hot beverage of choice. Then, with the sound of the rain tapping on the window, open this book and indulge. Yes, I said open this book. As in get yourself a good hard copy, print edition, real pages, new book smell, book and curl up with it. There is just something different about the feel and smell of a "real" book.

This author is quite talented at providing a tale with several different stories going on at once and, wait for it, tying it all together seamlessly. She catches you at the beginning, draws you in with her story, and then you have no choice but to watch it play out. Sure, you can guess what will happen next, but you may be wrong, it is a mystery after all...

As well as providing a mystery with 1, 2, 3, and more, things going on, the author provides a Christian theme. Not to mention, she does an excellent job of portraying the Christian life as a relationship with Christ, not a routine, and NOT a checklist. Something we can all be reminded of in our busy lives.

All of this and more is tied together and finished with a...Wait, MOST of this is tied together and finished with a...Well, you'll just have to read to find out!

If you plan to read this book, I encourage you to. It provides a good weekend tale. Just keep in mind, it is part of a series, and it very obviously sets up for the sequel. Enjoy.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Shadow Stalker" by Barbara Ann Derksen gets 5 stars from me.

This book is about Christine Finder, alias Melissa Rompart, who dreams about her parents brutal murder every night. This murder happens when she is just a young child. At the start of the story Christine ( now an adult) returns to her old hometown with an adopted name (she was adopted after the murder) and sets up a business as a PI to find missing children along with her dog Chief.

The first case has her partnering with her lawyer's son Jeremy Goodman who is also a PI and there cases are interwoven.

While trying to found the 4 year old boy who was kidnapped, Christine is also trying to found her parent's killer but he is still trying to kill her.

This is the first book in the "Finders Keepers Mystery Series" and the ending will leave you wanting to read the next story in this series. This stories leaves you asking questions such as what was in the box left on the porch? And will Jeriamiah and Fanny get together as well as Jeremy and Christine and will Christine's parents killer ever be caught

If you like mystery you will like this book! This is a story that readers who like and readers who don't like religion in their stories will like even through Jeremy and his father are Christians and let you know it they don't shove it at you ( and yes I am a Christian and I added this sentence because I am thinking of friends who likes mysteries and would like this book but doesn't like to read Christian Fiction).

I would be reading more of Barbara's books in the future.


I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.

[Sidney W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would bet no one could read the prologue without finishing this book. The author hooks the reader on the first page and doesn't let go until the end of the book. For me, I would have liked it to continue a little longer, but I understand from the subtitle, a sequel will follow.

Christine Finder (aka Melissa Rompart, aka Christine Smith) was a young child when she witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. She managed to escape and was taken from her home in Winnipeg to a ranch in Texas where she grew up with relatives and took the Finder name.

The book begins when she is grown and back in Winnipeg working as a detective who finds missing children. She still has nightmares about her parents.

In Winnipeg she meets Jeremy Goodman, a detective hired by Christine's Texas parents to watch out for her safety. Jeremy's father was the attorney for Christine's parents and now their estate. Christine learns more about them from him.

She also learns the killer is searching for her and had tracked her to Texas and possibly back to Winnipeg.

A case Jeremy is working on turns out to be related one she is working on. This brings them closer together and there is a hint of romance in the air.

The suspense is strong throughout, but there is a subplot dealing with Jeremy's Christian strength and Christine's lacking in Christian belief. I enjoyed learning more about the use of dogs trained to find missing people.

[Kellyreads04 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by author, Barbara Ann Derksen, it was a marvelous read - as intriguing and suspenseful as a good mystery should be!

Shadow Stalker is a twist and turn mystery with colorful characters and an adventurous plot. Christine Finder, alias Melissa Rampart, was the lone survivor when her parents were killed when she was just a small child. She was adopted into a family that raised her as if she was their own. She starts an agency called The Finders as detective agency and the story plot follows her searching for a missing young boy.
With her wonderful canine companion, Chief, and the interesting relationship with Jeremy, this book owns the title of a page turner.

Ms. Derksen writes with an amazing sense of description! To save she uses a vast vocabulary to vastly describe the scenes, emotions and feel for a character would simply be an understatment. She is truly a gifted artist and writes with a passion and clarity! I thoroughly enjoyed reading Shadow Stalker! I so look forward to future novels. This is a first in a series of Finder's Keepers Mystery books and await the reading of the sequel and hopefully the return of Christine and Jeremy!



* Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not
required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.

[Naty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you guys remember the movie Jerry McGuire, when Jerry declares his love for his wife and she tells him “you had me at hello” That’s the best way to describe this book. As a crime mysteries lover, this book just sucked me in. I dare you to read the prologue and not read the rest of the book. A little spoiler if you allow me. In that prologue there’s a scene and the author says something like…and she saw her mother’s head explode in front of her eyes. I was sold. I know, it sounds morbid, but it is that good.

I sat patiently for hours at a doctor’s appointment without complaining because I was so into the book that I was in no rush to be called in. I think has been a long time since I have been upset that a book ended, but the good news is that it’s a series so I’m definitely going for book 2, because I need to know what happens. So I take this opportunity to tell the author to hurry up and write it…LOL!

[Lori Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow Stalkers is one the the best recent mystery books I have read. The book keeps you on your toes wondering what is going to happen next from the very beginning. And just when you think you have it all figured out, another curveball is thrown. The book revolves around a girl who witnessed her parents murder when she was little. The murderer is following her without her knowledge. She is currently a private detective looking for a lost little boy. She joins forces with another private detective who was her protector. They together look for the lost boy and a lost elderly man.
I will be reading more of Barbara Derkson's books in the future.

[Angela Voris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not get past the first ten chapters. Seldom stop reading a book until it is finished but find it is occurring more often lately.

[Tracy Krauss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Shadow Stalker by Barbara Ann Derksen and look forward to reading more in the series.

[Terri Nighswonger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book drew me in from the prologue. At every turn in the story I was wondering what was going to happen next. Ms. Derksen did a wonderful job in framing a story that will have you on the edge of your seat. Being a dog lover and trainer, I was also intrigued by the canine character Chief.

In Shadow Stalker you are introduced to Christine, her search and rescue dog Chief and fellow investigator Jeremy. Christine is being stalked by the madman who killed her parents some 20 years earlier. At the same time, she is starting her detective agency and has an assignment that is causing her more enemies. Jeremy is supposed to be guarding her, as well as conducting his own detective agency. What are his real thoughts toward her? Will he be able to protect her?

My first response to closing the book on Shadow Stalker was, “when is the next book coming out?” This is a book series so don’t expect closure on everything at the end. You will be wanting more of Christine, Chief and Jeremy, I can guarantee. I can’t wait for the next installment and I think I will be downloading some of Ms. Derksen’s other books as well.

[ChrisGA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thriller with strong Christian message. A small child, an old man, and a young woman stalked by the murderer of her parents all need help. Christine witnessed her parents murder as a five-year-old and has been hidden and protected by friends and family under an assumed name for the past twenty years. Meanwhile, she has set up a search and rescue investigation agency with the help of her service dog, Chief. She is hired to find a missing child when she crosses paths with the lawyer and his PI son, Jeremy, who have been part of the ring of secrecy to protect her for all these years. Jeremy is investigating the disappearance of senior citizen, Jeremiah. All of the characters end up interacting and the result is a suspenseful roller coaster ride.

One fun detail was the heroine picking up the latest Barbara Derksen novel to read. Another was having Andrea and Brian, the characters in that previous series mentioned as Jeremy's friends. I didn't like the fact that not all the mysteries were solved in the end. In fact, the last page left a whopper of a cliff hanger. Fortunately, I have the next book coming to me, ESSENCE OF EVIL.

[Robin Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a good cozy mystery, Shadow Stalker is for you. It's amazing how Barbara Derksen took some very gritty, disturbing subjects--from a woman who witnessed her parents' murder as a child to another child kidnapped by a very bad man--and somehow wrote a feel-good book that will leave you smiling. I hate gritty books that glory in all the ugly details of the bad side of life. Derksen gives you enough to let you know the seriousness of her characters' situations, but doesn't rub your nose in the nasty details. And good triumphs in the end!

Shadow Stalker is also the start of a series. Not every loose end was completely tied up, but that was all right. I especially like that changes in the characters' attitudes and beliefs weren't forced, so that everyone was a perfect believer by the end of the book. I like that the author is giving the characters time to grow and mature, in their relationships with each other and with God.

[Robin Fuson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book I gave to my mother who liked it and handed it back to me to read. I enjoyed the intrigue and cannot wait to read the sequel. This is a great read and Barbara catches your attention on the first page! You will find yourself not wanting to put it down!