The Shadow Element

Candle Maker #2

by W.L. Knightly

Ever since Kinsey Ellerman leaned who the mysterious girl was who broke into her house, she has been determined to find out why. But when questions push the girl away, Kinsey uncovers what could be a disturbing truth about the young girl.
As Detective Nolan Ricks searches for the identity of the Candle Maker, new discoveries look promising, until the killer strikes again, this time taking someone close to him.

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2023

About the author

WL Knightly is a thriller/murder mystery co-writing pen name for two USA Today Best Selling Authors. "W" when not writing can be found dealing in Antique Jewelry and hanging out with her awesome hubby and three kids. And "L" is a full-time writer that lives near Nashville, TN and spends her time cooking, hanging out with her hubs and 3 kiddos, or wrangling new ideas as they float by!
Their love of a good mystery novel caused them to combine forces and go after their dream of telling stories that sent a shiver down your spine. I'm thinking they figured it out!
These two friends met years ago when they both started writing and publishing in various young adult genres and needed a critique partner.
The rest is history...They'd love for you to join the fun!
Website-http://thezodiackillerseries.com/
Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/wlknightlyau...
Insiders Group- https://dl.bookfunnel.com/j1rryhvu53

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like THE HAUNTED COUNTER (Book 1 of this series), THE SHADOW ELEMENT (Book 2) does not disappoint! Firstly, the cover art is fantastic and sets the eerie tone of the series. Being Book 2, the reader may have forgotten some of the happenings in Book 1 (Book 2 takes off from where Book 1 left us). But the author does a great job recapping what happened in Book 1 through the narrative without being overly repetitive and boring the reader. Very well done!

Kinsey, our very likable protagonist, still takes center stage as we learn more about her, as well as other characters in the novel. Additional and troubling information is revelaled about the murders, which complicates the mystery further, providing more questions than answers. But assuming the role of protector for his community, Detective Nolan, whom we met in Book 1, is undeterred, convinced that the Candle Maker has been killing much longer than originally believed. And Nolan will stop at nothing to catch this serial killer, who continues his reign of terror very close to home this time.

The alternating POVs in the book, just like in THE HAUNTED COUNTER, skillfully allow the reader to get a glimpse into the mind's of certain characters, some who are hiding secrets or something even more sinister. And the ending of the book comes all too soon, leaving you wanting more, anxiously waiting for Book 3, THE GRACEFUL SILENCE!

Again, I want to extend a huge thank you W.L. Knightly for gifting me the ARC of this book! I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!! It was a privilege to be able to read THE SHADOW ELEMENT before publication.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "THE SHADOW ELEMENT" WOW!!! What an intense, riviting, wild crazy rollercoaster ride full of mystery, secrets, deception, danger, twists & surprises you didn't see coming addicting page turner to the end.
Cheif Holbrook has his hands full with Detective Sonnier & Detective Nolan Ricks constantly at each other while trying to figure out who's doing the killing especially after they find the bones of a woman
Detective Sonnier just rushed off saying she just ran off Dr. Carducci confirmed who she was, while Detective Nolan Ricks spoke to the parents & got alot more info on her.
Tina from Adenridge PD calls Nolan saying a woman is there her daughter is missing, wants to talk to someone & Cheif Holbrook is gone & she doesn't know where Detective Sonnier is, so Nolan heads to the station shocked to find out who the woman is that's missing.
I definitely recommend to get this on the edge of your seat story Kinsey worries now that Quinn Larson the very strange girl that lived in her house is also now missing, so much mystery behind this girl, Kinsey lets Nolan know she's missing as well, the suspense is building & Chandler is a little off as well.
I'm so looking forward to the next book "GRACEFUL SILENCE" ASAP after that shocking cliffhanger to see what's going to happen next.
AWESOME DARK HAUNTING, TWISTED, RIVITING, MYSTERIOUS SERIES I LOVE IT 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[Vicki Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of a murder mystery...and the author once again has the reader on the edge of their seat. Detective Nolan is deep in the middle of police politics while investigating a serial killer. He can't seem to get thru the nonsense to get his job done, and continues to find problems with the way his superior managed cases.
Kinsey refuses to believe that she is in danger as she looks very similar to the Candlemaker's other victims. She thinks she's figured out that a young woman, Quinn, is behind what is happening in her house. The big question is why does Quinn feel that house is so dangerous? Could it be what Kinsey suspects?
This book has the right level of creep and suspense, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
I received this book as an ARC for my voluntary review.

[John Hansford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadow Element

This is a review of Book 2 in The Candle Maker series. Book 2 (Shadow Element) starts off right where book 1 left off. Kinsey figured out who she saw that night in her bedroom doorway and confronted her, but she denied ever being there. While all of this is playing out at school Nolan (Detective Ricks) discovers the body of the missing nurse. Chandler makes a gift for Kinsey and Cors seems to think that he wants to be mor than just friends. Following his promotion to Detective, Ricks reaches out to the ME for help in persuading Detective Sonnier to hand over the file on a missing girl that may help to identify the bones that were found. The ending leaves us with another cliffhanger in which Adenridge now had two missing women, a young woman and a teenaged girl.

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the second book in the Candle Maker series. In this book, things are heating up and Nolan is trying to find more evidence to catch the killer before he kidnaps another woman. Kinsley started teaching at the school and learns Quinn, the young girl that was in her house, is one of her students. Quinn tried to warn Kinsley that she is in danger, but won't tell her from who. Nolan is attracted to Kinsley and feels protective of her, but he knows he doesn't have the time for a relationship with the case heating up. I really am hooked on this story, i think i know who the killer is, but i also think i will be wrong. I love the suspense and can't wait to read more.

[Donita Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE SHADOW ELEMENT The Candle Maker Series Book 2 by WL Knightly
This second book picks up where the first one leaves off. I was so invested in this story I could not put it down until I had finished it!I The suspense is ramping up, more girls disappearing, Detective Nolan Ricks is working diligently to find the Candle Maker in spite of being harassed by his superior. He finds proof that the Candle Maker has been active much longer that previously thought. Kinsey is teaching, and realizes the girl that broke into her house is one of her students. This addictive read brings plenty of mystery, intrigue, angst. I am totally looking forward to book 3! This is a 5 star read.

[Sheri Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I really don't care for mysteries, but I really enjoy W.L. Knightly's writing technique. It's more like a spooky, scary that turns into a mystery. She is very good. I feel like I know the characters, and I'm able to follow and keep up with everything going on, and literally can't wait to sit down to read more. She finishes her books so that you NEED to get to the next one because you can't just stop there, you have to find out what's going to happen next.
Starting book 3 and things are getting intense. Good thing I bought the series after the first book.
Can't wait to delve into other books W.L. has written.
Thanks,
MomHal4

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has led me on a merry chase. I don’t have a clue what’s going to prove important from the things we’ve just learned and what were bright, shiny red herrings the author has placed in my path to lead me to all the wrong conclusions. Some of the dead have identities now, but with more missing, that might not be the step forward it appeared. I’m left pondering who’s not what they seem and what secrets are still waiting to be revealed?
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We continue with the mystery.
Kinsey figures out who was in her house, a young student in one of her classes. She's just not sure of the why.
Nolan continues to butt heads with Det Sonnier. Capt Holbrook is tired of their constant arguing. When Nolan is able to identify the bones of a missing girl, the animosity gets worse, since Sonnier didn't identify them.
Chandler makes Kinsey a gift. Cora thinks he wants to be more than friends, but Kinsey says No.
There are still only a few clues as to who the seriel murderer is.
Another can't put down book.

[Munira Vahed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts with a recap of what occurred in the first book and continues on.
The author loves to provide red herrings along the way so its hard to distinguish which piece of the information is the red herring and which is a clue towards unravelling the whole mystery.
We get a little bit more information in addition to some danger.
Im loving this series like i do all the books this author writes.
I cant wait to read the next book in this series.
I received an ARC from the author. I voluntarily read and review this book. This is my honest review.

[Sheri Corriero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kinsey wanted to start fresh and moved to Adenridge. It didn’t go well. Girls are missing. A girl breaks into her house. She finds out some things not so settling. More girls go missing. It seems like the killer is ramping things up. I love the series so far. WL Knightly weaves suspense into the stories, keeping the reader hooked. I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the series continues, more questions come to mind. The book presents an interesting cast of characters and a serial killer with a specific type. Through in what may be a haunted house and a possibly unrelated missing teen and just like that, this book gives a lot to think about without any real answers. I'm enjoying the mystery presented here and look forward to moving closer to the truth as the series continues.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second book in the series. It peaked my interest in giving several people possible as being the killer. And the secret that Kinsey's student is keeping is driving me crazy in the best way! I can't stop reading each book until I finish and the author smartly and sneakily puts in a "Oh my God"moment right at the end!!!

[Colin Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the series continues the story nicely. Kinsey's relationship with her neighbour and the policeman develop as does her relationship with the mysterious girl who she saw in her house. Some interesting threads are starting to develop and I look forward to seeing how the story evolves in the coming books in the series.

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The suspense builds in this series. A body and parts are found of a young woman that has been missing for a while. Another young woman goes missing and is believed to have been taken by the Candle Maker. The novel ends with you wanting more.

[Robert McDougall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best stories I have read in awhile. My interest was piqued from the opening paragraph to the last sentence....a fantastic sentence at that. The character interaction are genuine and very plausible. Great book, great series, great author!!!

[Shazzie Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series, and it was brilliant. From the first to the last page, the book keeps you guessing. Is the detective on the case getting any closer to finding the killer. There are so many questions and very few answers. I highly recommend this book.

[Corin · Rating 4 out of 5]

candle maker series

This book was a little better than the first, in my opinion. More action was happening, for sure. This series is starting to grow on me and I’m excited to continue it.

[Michael Nethery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well dam! Another first rate, first class story by one of my favorite authors.
Easy to read style makes it a joy to follow the story and the writing.
Yes, just another great book you really have to read.
Don't forget, this is book 2 of a series and there will be more to come! Get it. read and be ready for the next one!