Into the Shadows

Nemesis #1

by Cathy MacPhail

Ram has no memory of who he is, his background or where he has come from. He awakes in a darkened corridor of a block of flats with no idea of how he has got there. And then the lift doors nearby open and inside is a dying man...Ram is now the murder suspect and on the run. But there is something that draws him back - the dying man's last words. And as he discovers more about the murdered man, Ram becomes aware that somebody is following him, somebody with sinister intent ...Could it be something to do with his past? A tense thriller that is part of a 4-part series that will have Ram discovering more and more about his background and identity with each book.

Genres: Thriller Suspense, Young Adult, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2006

About the author

Catherine MacPhail

Reviews

[Antoine Lebel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ce thriller est captivant du début à la fin. Cependant, la fin m’a laissé un peu trop en suspens. Tant de questions sans réponse. Même si ce n’est que le premier livre de plusieurs, j’aurais bien aimé avoir quelques réponses sur le personnage principal puisque nous n’avons aucune idée de qui il est et d’où il vient car il a perdu la mémoire.

[Kadi P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot. Thrilling and suspenseful.

[Z.T. Soyoye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book quite a while ago. I remember the experience being very satisfactory. It didn't do anything incredibly. But had strong writing and a good foundation. It was a bit cliche but that is not a bad thing. In fact, most stories are. The execution of this cliche was done well and led to a decent overall experience.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book when I was a kid. I absolutely loved it. It was my first time reading a suspense story and it was a different to what I usually read. Would definately recommend to newer readers.

My opinion may vary now but it isn't for my age group. So totally understandable.

[Aaron]

I fell in love with this book from the very first page and I just love Cathy Macphail! I felt as if I was with Ram all the way and could not wait to move on to the next book in the series!

[Emma Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite book series hands down. I thought Gabby was a wonderful character because she was just so real and like a lot of the people I know.

[Zack Veer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the only series I enjoyed reading as a kid. I've never been a reader nowadays, either; although I wanted to start reading. I bought this book excitedly on amazon — I regained the same nostalgia that once appeared in childhood. I'm proud to say that the Nemesis series got me into reading again, but this time, as an adult.

[Connor's Library Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read these books when I was in high school and I felt so deeply in love with them but I've never read them since then.
So I decided to pick these up finally and read them again and I was really worried that the Childhood nostalgia would have made me remember it fondly and the book would be bad.

Luckily I fell in love with this series all over again and I cannot wait to continue!! I adore the story and the mystery, and seeing hints I missed the first time is amazing
Yeah it's a bit cheesy but it's YA and its fun!!

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Reread - 05/06/2025

Whilst this book is definitely for the lower YA, I just can't help but love it. It was the first book I ever read, the one that got me into reading and no matter what, I love it.

[Amends · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un thriller qui m'a fait penser, dans son écriture, à un roman de SF finalement ! J'ai bien aimer le personnage principal, il change des héros stéréotypés il n'est ni bête, ni trop courageux ou malchanceux. Il est humain et ne s'attarde pas trop sur les sentiments d'autrui comme tant d'autre. L'histoire est bien amené et, excepté l'ado que j'avais envie de baffer de temps à autre (comme en a également envie le héros d'ailleurs XD), chaque personnage que l'on suit a son importance.
Mention pour la révélation sur 'Le Loup' a laquelle je ne m'attendais pas du tout, j'ai vraiment été soufflé ! La fin est un peu rapide et frustrante car suite oblige mais je pense me laisser tenter ^^

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Into the Shadows’ by Catherine MacPhail is the first in the Nemesis series. This is a gritty suspense crime novel, centred on a homeless boy, ‘Ram’ who has lost his memory and is being pursued for a murder he didn’t commit. The sub-plots builds up steadily – is it really Ram’s father who is searching for him, or is it something more sinister. Will Zoe and Gaby continue to be his reluctant friends? The suspenseful ending leaves us hanging – literally – and the sequels will obviously continue the tale. If you enjoyed ‘Wolf’ by Gillian Cross, you should enjoy the ‘Nemesis’ series.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une magnifique série et une poursuite qui nous tient en haleine du début à la fin! Une fois qu'on a commencé ce livre, c'est impossible de s'arrêter! Je conseille la série "Némésis" à tous les fans de frissons et de rebondissements!!!:)

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced and full of action.