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Shadow Play
Slava Kadun, an FSB agent and one of Vladimir Putin's hitmen, discovers a lucrative sideline. Instead of killing Putin's critics, he disappears them with the help of a fourteen-year-old Ukrainian computer whiz who sets them up with fake identities.
But when Slava gets a call to arrange a contract hit on an Ottawa realtor, Susan Winchester, he worries Putin may be on to him. And when he arrives in Ottawa to find the woman already dead in what looks like a professional hit, he has to track down the killer before the killer finds him. The problem is the Ottawa police are after the real killer too, and all the evidence points to Slava.
Detective Jamie Wallace is back at work after a forced two week vacation, her punishment for punching another homicide detective, Michel Tremblay, in the face. When she's ordered to partner with Tremblay to investigate Winchester's murder, she knows it's going to be tough. She and Tremblay hate each other and this one's political. The mayor owns the unit where the woman was murdered, and there's a municipal election underway.
But Jamie has no idea just how tough things are going to get. Haunted by the ghosts of the murder victim and a little boy she can't identify, she has dark family secrets that will be exposed as she and Tremblay track down a cold-blooded killer.
Not in bookstores - only available through Rebound Press!
But when Slava gets a call to arrange a contract hit on an Ottawa realtor, Susan Winchester, he worries Putin may be on to him. And when he arrives in Ottawa to find the woman already dead in what looks like a professional hit, he has to track down the killer before the killer finds him. The problem is the Ottawa police are after the real killer too, and all the evidence points to Slava.
Detective Jamie Wallace is back at work after a forced two week vacation, her punishment for punching another homicide detective, Michel Tremblay, in the face. When she's ordered to partner with Tremblay to investigate Winchester's murder, she knows it's going to be tough. She and Tremblay hate each other and this one's political. The mayor owns the unit where the woman was murdered, and there's a municipal election underway.
But Jamie has no idea just how tough things are going to get. Haunted by the ghosts of the murder victim and a little boy she can't identify, she has dark family secrets that will be exposed as she and Tremblay track down a cold-blooded killer.
Not in bookstores - only available through Rebound Press!
338 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2023
5 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Peggy Blair
9 books108 followersPeggy Blair was a lawyer for more than thirty years. A recognized expert in Indigenous law, she worked as both a criminal defence lawyer and Crown prosecutor before going into real estate. Blair is a Level 5 Boxer, an artist and a renovator. She is named in the Canadian Who's Who and is probably best known for her #DearestMartha tweets during the Freedom Convoy. She lives just outside Ottawa with a friendly cat and a TV watching dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 30, 2023
I have been waiting for SHADOW PLAY for seven years! Peggy Blair first hooked me with her excellent Inspector Ramirez series (concluding with UMBRELLA MAN, Simon & Schuster, 2016), and left me hungry for more. SHADOW PLAY brings back two of my favourite characters from the earlier series, introduces a stellar new cast and location with a 'ripped from the headlines' story that delivered one surprise after another. I loved every page of this book - a terrific, twisty story, full of people I truly cared about. So … was Shadow Play worth the wait? Absolutely! And I have it on good authority there's another book in the works. Bring it on, Peggy!
August 31, 2023
I was delighted to be one of the first to buy Shadow Play, having waited years for this favourite author to publish a new book. It does not disappoint! A deftly plotted mystery set in my beloved Ottawa - Blair’s Shadow Play weaves several storylines in and around familiar locations, some iconic and some pedestrian in nature. Her colourful characters are compelling- and some will be familiar to Blair fans. It’s humourous, intriguing and beautifully written. I raced through it in a day and was left wanting more . I call that a win.
Merged review:
I was delighted to be one of the first to buy Shadow Play, having waited years for this favourite author to publish a new book. It does not disappoint! A deftly plotted mystery set in my beloved Ottawa - Blair’s Shadow Play weaves several storylines in and around familiar locations, some iconic and some pedestrian in nature. Her colourful characters are compelling- and some will be familiar to Blair fans. It’s humourous, intriguing and beautifully written. I raced through it in a day and was left wanting more . I call that a win.
Merged review:
I was delighted to be one of the first to buy Shadow Play, having waited years for this favourite author to publish a new book. It does not disappoint! A deftly plotted mystery set in my beloved Ottawa - Blair’s Shadow Play weaves several storylines in and around familiar locations, some iconic and some pedestrian in nature. Her colourful characters are compelling- and some will be familiar to Blair fans. It’s humourous, intriguing and beautifully written. I raced through it in a day and was left wanting more . I call that a win.
September 3, 2023
Shadow Play is a crisply written mystery and police procedural that incorporates a multitude of ideas and current events, yet manages to make them complement each other without overwhelming the reader. All of them are essential to the story.
The heroine of the story is Detective Jamie Wallace, who is complicated and has crossed the line once or twice. I loved that, while she is good at her job, she was allowed to have some failings. But we learn what’s in her life that’s led her to this point.
Ottawa is the background, a city that many don’t know and underestimate as a grey government town, but that’s not true at all. I loved that the city i call home was also allowed to be complicated and have secrets. The local colour and sense of place really spoke to me.
The best part of a mystery for me is when I think I’ve got it figured out and it couldn’t resolve any other way- then it throws a curveball that I only get in retrospect. Much more fun. Highly recommend, looking forward to the next one in the series.
The heroine of the story is Detective Jamie Wallace, who is complicated and has crossed the line once or twice. I loved that, while she is good at her job, she was allowed to have some failings. But we learn what’s in her life that’s led her to this point.
Ottawa is the background, a city that many don’t know and underestimate as a grey government town, but that’s not true at all. I loved that the city i call home was also allowed to be complicated and have secrets. The local colour and sense of place really spoke to me.
The best part of a mystery for me is when I think I’ve got it figured out and it couldn’t resolve any other way- then it throws a curveball that I only get in retrospect. Much more fun. Highly recommend, looking forward to the next one in the series.
Read
August 30, 2023This is the first book I have read by Peggy Blair. I had no idea what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. She does a good job at fleshing out the characters and adding unforeseen twists and turns. The book is very topical given the issues with the LRT in Ottawa. It’s a quick and enjoyable read.
September 5, 2023
This stand-out book is so good that it took me awhile to read something else afterward. Peggy puts together her vast experience and works them into this book—both world, Canadian, and municipal politics, COVID, homelessness, Indigenous issues, real estate, Ottawa’s troubled LRT, boxing, LGBTQS+. A mystery with twists and turns that will keep you guessing.
September 2, 2023
What a fun book to read! The twists and turns, the characters, and the distinctly Ottawa setting all added up to a "can't put this book down" weekend! Now I'm looking forward to going back to Blair's previous books...
May 23, 2025
Terrific mystery with surprises throughout. Excellent yarn!
Author clearly spent so much time researching police procedure to make the story as authentic as possible. Always refreshing to read a procedural set in Canada rather than the US. Loving the perspective!
Would recommend to anyone who loves a mystery. I will be reading it again!
Author clearly spent so much time researching police procedure to make the story as authentic as possible. Always refreshing to read a procedural set in Canada rather than the US. Loving the perspective!
Would recommend to anyone who loves a mystery. I will be reading it again!
September 21, 2023
Loved Shadow Play. Loved that it’s based in Ottawa and I know all the locations. It flows beautifully and all the characters are interesting. The silent victims add a nice touch and I look forward to Peggy’s next book.
Molly
Molly
March 14, 2025
3.25 stars. So, I truly enjoyed reading this book, but objectively there were some issues, and I think it being set in my home town of Ottawa swayed me to a more positive view than it might for others. The book probably would have benefited from another round of editing. There were a few typos, and some occasional sentence structures that could have been tightened up. I also feel some of the sub plots could have been cut.
Having said all of that, I don't regret having read the book, and would consider reading another by this author.
Having said all of that, I don't regret having read the book, and would consider reading another by this author.
March 22, 2024
Full review to be posted on https://miramichireader.ca/ but I found this to be a convoluted mishmash of newspaper headlines mixed with a promising story and array of characters.
November 11, 2023
I’ve just finished reading “Shadow Play” by Peggy Blair. There are two great stories - the book itself, and the backstory around the difficulty she encountered in getting the book published.
In my opinion, Peggy is Canada’s best crime writer. She has written five previous books, including three in the renowned Inspector Ramirez series (and one non-fiction book “Lament for a First Nation). Her earlier books have been critically acclaimed and have received enthusiastic reviews in all major Canadian newspapers as well as many American publications, including the New York Times.
Her earlier books were published by top tier publishers – Penguin, and Simon and Schuster. However, after taking a lengthy break from writing before producing “Shadow Play”, she found the big publishers would not take on her latest work. They now require certainty on sales numbers that are beyond the reach of any but the best known authors. So Peggy took matters into her own hands and has established her own company to publish the book. It is quite a story. She provides a good overview of the effort involved https://peggyblair.wordpress.com/2023...
An article in the Ottawa Citizen also provides a good overview https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainme...
I first encountered Peggy on Twitter (@peggy_blair). She is a genuine “renaissance woman”with an incredible array of talents. She was a lawyer for thirty years, with a doctorate in indigenous law, and at present is a leading real estate agent in Ottawa. She is a level five boxer, and an accomplished artist. She is a community leader in supporting good causes and good deeds - led efforts to he help Ukrainian refugees settle in Ottawa, and she organizes an annual sock drive at Christmas to supply socks to the homeless.
Shadow Play is a triumph, her best book to date. A clever story of international intrigue, set in Ottawa. A fun, delightful page turner, linking Putin’s assassins to the murder of an Ottawa real estate agent. With some devilment she makes the notorious problem-plagued Ottawa LRT one of the central backdrops to the story. She pokes fun at certain of Ottawa’s idiosyncrasies like drab architecture (“even dreary Moscow seemed colourful compared to this”), traffic jams, the freedom convoy and potholes. It is no surprise that through the perspective of her main character, she conveys compassionate understanding of the disadvantaged, such as a homeless man who has considerable positive qualities.
I highly recommend this book. In fact buy a couple of copies - one for yourself and one or two more as a terrific stocking stuffer. Available from www.reboundpress.com
In my opinion, Peggy is Canada’s best crime writer. She has written five previous books, including three in the renowned Inspector Ramirez series (and one non-fiction book “Lament for a First Nation). Her earlier books have been critically acclaimed and have received enthusiastic reviews in all major Canadian newspapers as well as many American publications, including the New York Times.
Her earlier books were published by top tier publishers – Penguin, and Simon and Schuster. However, after taking a lengthy break from writing before producing “Shadow Play”, she found the big publishers would not take on her latest work. They now require certainty on sales numbers that are beyond the reach of any but the best known authors. So Peggy took matters into her own hands and has established her own company to publish the book. It is quite a story. She provides a good overview of the effort involved https://peggyblair.wordpress.com/2023...
An article in the Ottawa Citizen also provides a good overview https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainme...
I first encountered Peggy on Twitter (@peggy_blair). She is a genuine “renaissance woman”with an incredible array of talents. She was a lawyer for thirty years, with a doctorate in indigenous law, and at present is a leading real estate agent in Ottawa. She is a level five boxer, and an accomplished artist. She is a community leader in supporting good causes and good deeds - led efforts to he help Ukrainian refugees settle in Ottawa, and she organizes an annual sock drive at Christmas to supply socks to the homeless.
Shadow Play is a triumph, her best book to date. A clever story of international intrigue, set in Ottawa. A fun, delightful page turner, linking Putin’s assassins to the murder of an Ottawa real estate agent. With some devilment she makes the notorious problem-plagued Ottawa LRT one of the central backdrops to the story. She pokes fun at certain of Ottawa’s idiosyncrasies like drab architecture (“even dreary Moscow seemed colourful compared to this”), traffic jams, the freedom convoy and potholes. It is no surprise that through the perspective of her main character, she conveys compassionate understanding of the disadvantaged, such as a homeless man who has considerable positive qualities.
I highly recommend this book. In fact buy a couple of copies - one for yourself and one or two more as a terrific stocking stuffer. Available from www.reboundpress.com
August 30, 2023
SHADOW PLAY is one of the best books I have ever read - and I read 2-3 a week. I started this book at 1pm and literally could not put it down - finishing it 6 hours later. As someone who previously served as a Citizen Transit Commissioner for the City of Ottawa, I can tell you that Peggy Blair absolutely nails the nuances and complexities of the political landscape and all the intrigue that can bring.
The storyline is fast-paced and engaging, the characters complex and well-developed, and the twists and turns never stop! If you read one book this year, let SHADOW PLAY be the one. You won't be disappointed.
Merged review:
SHADOW PLAY is one of the best books I have ever read - and I read 2-3 a week. I started this book at 1pm and literally could not put it down - finishing it 6 hours later. As someone who previously served as a Citizen Transit Commissioner for the City of Ottawa, I can tell you that Peggy Blair absolutely nails the nuances and complexities of the political landscape and all the intrigue that can bring.
The storyline is fast-paced and engaging, the characters complex and well-developed, and the twists and turns never stop! If you read one book this year, let SHADOW PLAY be the one. You won't be disappointed.
The storyline is fast-paced and engaging, the characters complex and well-developed, and the twists and turns never stop! If you read one book this year, let SHADOW PLAY be the one. You won't be disappointed.
Merged review:
SHADOW PLAY is one of the best books I have ever read - and I read 2-3 a week. I started this book at 1pm and literally could not put it down - finishing it 6 hours later. As someone who previously served as a Citizen Transit Commissioner for the City of Ottawa, I can tell you that Peggy Blair absolutely nails the nuances and complexities of the political landscape and all the intrigue that can bring.
The storyline is fast-paced and engaging, the characters complex and well-developed, and the twists and turns never stop! If you read one book this year, let SHADOW PLAY be the one. You won't be disappointed.
September 2, 2023
Shadow Play is a fantastic read!
The pacing is brisk; it is peopled by characters you enjoy spending time with -- old favourites and new. It's well-written and smart, but quite extraordinary is how it is set in present-day Ottawa:
post-convoy, post LRT debacle, with all the key issues facing the city now. It clearly reflects the city in which it is set, as well as the politics and society of our times. This book is a must-read for those who live in Ottawa, for Canadians, and for all those looking for a mystery set in the here and now.
There are several mysteries in this book, which kept me fully engaged until the very last page.
It was such a satisfying and enjoyable read that it is hard to put down. Shadow Play makes you yearn for more books from Peggy Blair.
The pacing is brisk; it is peopled by characters you enjoy spending time with -- old favourites and new. It's well-written and smart, but quite extraordinary is how it is set in present-day Ottawa:
post-convoy, post LRT debacle, with all the key issues facing the city now. It clearly reflects the city in which it is set, as well as the politics and society of our times. This book is a must-read for those who live in Ottawa, for Canadians, and for all those looking for a mystery set in the here and now.
There are several mysteries in this book, which kept me fully engaged until the very last page.
It was such a satisfying and enjoyable read that it is hard to put down. Shadow Play makes you yearn for more books from Peggy Blair.
September 19, 2023
Highly recommend Shadow Play by Ottawa author Peggy Blair. Suspense, humour, corruption, murder, real estate (of course). A Russian assassin who stays at the Chateau Laurier and notices "a lot of big potholes and cracked, uneven sidewalks" while strolling to the National Gallery of Art!
Her narrative is fast-paced, punctuated by wickedly delightful characters, nods to the 'hard boiled dick' genre, winks to her Ottawa audience and flashes for her previously-established fan base.
Peggy has created ReBound Press to publish Shadow Play on her own and if it's a success other authors may give it a go. For this, much admiration and best wishes. And thanks for a good read!
Her narrative is fast-paced, punctuated by wickedly delightful characters, nods to the 'hard boiled dick' genre, winks to her Ottawa audience and flashes for her previously-established fan base.
Peggy has created ReBound Press to publish Shadow Play on her own and if it's a success other authors may give it a go. For this, much admiration and best wishes. And thanks for a good read!
October 31, 2023
I so enjoyed this mystery by Peggy Blair. Not only was it based in my area which kept it so interesting because you were waiting to see what area she would place her characters in next, but it also related to the politics going on in our city. Even though she wrote the murder mystery around our nations capital, the story was so interesting as to give you pause as to believing that it was true. You had to remind yourself it was fictional. Great job Peggy - I hope we will be meeting all the characters again in the next book. Don’t leave us waiting too long.
November 18, 2023
This was such good fun, a great entertaining read. Although I miss Inspector Ramirez, we have Canadian female investigator Jamie who also sees dead people and is dogged in her determination to look beyond the obvious in investigations. A combination of The Wire real estate and local government corruption, mixed in with a spy thriller/hired assassin story, it has the right combination of humour, action, sass and poignancy to keep you reading well into the night. I did start suspecting who the killer might be... but just when you think it's all over, there's another little twist.
January 19, 2024
This is the fourth book by Canadian crime writer, Peggy Blair. Set in Ottawa, there's been a murder that might be connected to political corruption. It's up to the Homicide investigators of the Rideau Regional Police Service to solve the crime.
This book is a compelling read. Fast-paced, interlaced with humour and intrigue, its twists and turns make it fun to read. Its currency touches on events going on in the world, and with issues in the a masterful writer. headlines today. An eye-opener that makes Peggy Blair a masterful writer.
This book is a compelling read. Fast-paced, interlaced with humour and intrigue, its twists and turns make it fun to read. Its currency touches on events going on in the world, and with issues in the a masterful writer. headlines today. An eye-opener that makes Peggy Blair a masterful writer.
August 30, 2023
Shadow Play by Peggy Blair, was the best book I read this summer, it's a murder mystery, it caused me to pause and think, chapter by chapter, it really challenge me to identify the "killer", it made me laugh, it brought tears to my eyes, it surprised me, each chapter excited me, I really couldn't stop reading, in my opinion Shadow play is an award winning book., shadow Play is definitely a must read. Congradulations Peggy
September 10, 2023
Thank you Peggy for writing such a wonderful Murder mystery! Your unexpected plot twists kept me guessing till the end. I was captivated by the incredible characters and their back stories not allowing me to put the book down. The story was smart with each character having their own spotlight and still bringing it all together with out losing the main story line. I cannot recommend Peggy’s latest novel enough! I just can’t wait for another!
November 8, 2023
Shadow Play--you must pay close attention--will lead you on a merry chase through the twists and turns of a spy thriller, and the mystery of a murder with international alarm bells ringing in Ottawa, capital of Canada. Peggy Blair builds tension into every development. As in the Ramirez series, Peggy has created characters that come alive on the page. The plot is tightly woven, the writing excellent. Highly recommend it!
October 30, 2023
Peggy Blair’s Shadow Play is a mystery novel based in my hometown of Ottawa, Canada! I had a hard time putting it down once i started reading it! The characters are well developed and the storyline is suspenseful with lots of twists and turns that kept me engaged from start to finish!
This was my first time reading this author and I can say with certainty it will not be the last!
This was my first time reading this author and I can say with certainty it will not be the last!
December 17, 2024
I liked this book because it was set in my hometown. Which tells me it might not be 4-stars to someone else.
I think it could have used another read-through by an editor. I think I caught at least one typo, and there were too many references to Ottawa (no one is excited to see the CF Rideau Centre sign out their window), Covid-19, and the Freedom Convoy.
I think it could have used another read-through by an editor. I think I caught at least one typo, and there were too many references to Ottawa (no one is excited to see the CF Rideau Centre sign out their window), Covid-19, and the Freedom Convoy.
August 31, 2023
Such a great read just like her previous 4 books. Highly recommend if you enjoy complex plots, elegant resolution of the various story lines & wonderful character development. Great as a stand alone book or you can treat yourself like I did & read all 5 over a couple of weeks. Enjoy!
September 11, 2023
What a great book! Seriously this is an extremely well written and engaging novel with great characters and a plot that keep you guessing!
Super fun novel set in Canada for a change. How cool is that!
Super fun novel set in Canada for a change. How cool is that!
May 16, 2024
A fast-paced novel with intertwining characters, a disturbingly real storyline with recent Canadian political history to add to the mix, made this an excellent read. This was my first Peggy Blair novel and now I'm hooked to go back and read her other novels.
October 28, 2023
Riveting.
From start to finish. Ottawa is more interesting to me, now.
This book made me make time to read. Thankyou, Peggy!!!!!
Valorie
From start to finish. Ottawa is more interesting to me, now.
This book made me make time to read. Thankyou, Peggy!!!!!
Valorie
November 13, 2023
Excellent book! Peggy Blair did an amazing job bringing characters to life. I loved this book!
November 26, 2023
This is a fast paced, superbly written, blockbuster! Full stop!
December 1, 2023
A most intriguing murder investigation set in Ottawa Ontario complete with colourful and distinctive characters.
March 4, 2024
Excellent fast paced reading, well written murder mystery with great characters and a great story. Looking forward to her the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews