Death Casts a Shadow

Dave Cubiak #7

by Patricia Skalka

With Door County caught in the grip of a fierce winter storm, Sheriff Dave Cubiak agrees to do a simple favor for a friend of his wife: he stops by to check in on an affluent widow with a questionable new suitor. His initial disquiet is easily dismissed—until she is found dead the next morning in her home. Lying at the bottom of a flight of stairs, clutching a valuable bronze sculpture, she points her outstretched hand in the direction of a nearby, nondescript ring.
 
The scene bears all the characteristics of an accidental fall, not unheard of for a person of her age, but something is not adding up. Later that week, an explosion in an ice fishing shack on the frozen bay leads to the discovery of another body, burned beyond recognition. Was this the widow’s missing handyman? Could the two deaths be related? With what has become a hallmark for books in the series, past and present collide as Cubiak’s search for answers uncovers the sad legacy of loneliness and the disquieting links between wealth and poverty on the peninsula.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published October 22, 2024

Reviews

[Janna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish there were more books in the series.

[Laura Knaapen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick read. Last in the series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheriff Dave Cubiak is asked to check on the welfare of a rich woman. She seems perfectly fine, but Dave is afraid that she's being victimized by an internet dating scam. The next day, he learns she is dead--in an unwitnessed fall at her house. There's no specific pointer, but the death seems to have come at a convenient time for someone. As Dave investigates both the death and the internet scam--the scammer seems to know too much about the victim's life--his search is complicated when an ice-fishing hut explodes, killing the man within--who is not the owner of the hut. Then he learns that other women in the area were also victims of the dating scam.

The author has announced this will be the last Cubiak book--she's written seven--because Cubiak has completed the arc of his story in Door County.

[Lynn Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Skalka has given us a mystery that is more than a crime story—it’s a good novel. The characters, good and bad, are real, their motives authentic; and the unwinding of the crimes is full of suspense. Dave Cubiak, the sheriff, a character we’ve come to trust and enjoy from the first in Skalka’s series, is like an old friend. We want to spend time with him. He’s a good man. He’s generous to his family, his friends, and he’s a watchful, generous, and savvy guardian for his community. This community, Door County, Wisconsin, is wonderfully depicted. What’s particularly of-the-moment is that several of the crimes are rooted in internet exploitation. In the Acknowledgements, Skalka reveals that this is her final Dave Cubiak/Door County mystery. I’m sorry this series has ended, but I’ll forward to what Skalka writes next.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure- I love Door County so I went into this book with rose colored glasses. It was good. The mysteries were pretty simple to figure out but I still enjoyed reading how they played out. If it had not been set in the Door I might have dragged my heels on finishing it. This is the seventh and last book in the series. I remember not finishing the first one and I have not read the others except for this one. It would be a better review on my part if I had read the series and then commented so my apologies to the author. It’s not a book I would rush out and recommend to my friends. Just a relaxing read with descriptions of a place I enjoy. No tense nail biting or heart pounding scenes. I credit the author on some of her characterizations. Especially for what I consider more of a cozy mystery.

[Angela Sparhawk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this at the library on the new books shelf, and it looked interesting so I grabbed it. I didn't realize it was the last book in the series, so there were some things that confused me as I was reading. It was finally kindof explained at the very end. It was a good read, although the motives for the crimes were a bit pathetic/whiney unless the point was to make you like the antagonists even more! Also, there were a few disparities from page to page that bothered me. For example there's was part where a character says he had to skedaddle because another character was coming and on the very next page, he's denying even knowing who that character is. The sheriff was likable enough, at least. I've read some male detective books where they were just chauvinistic so at least this wasn't like that. Overall it was a decent story, but definitely had some small annoyances.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relative passed this book on to me as they had an extra copy. This is one of their favorite series/authors. The author writes mysteries that take place in Door County, Wisconsin. I just so happened to have recently taken a vacation in Door County so I could picture the places and areas in the book. This particular one takes place in the winter and I visited in the late summer. By the descriptions, I don't believe I want to visit during the winter - brrr and too much snow! I enjoyed the book and will look for the others in the series. The author has stopped writing this series - this book was the last one. I liked the main character so I'm interested in seeing how he started out in the series. The mystery was clever and kept me reading.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very sorry that this is the last book in this series. Unlike many series, time—sometimes years—passes between the books, with relationships growing and changing. During a particularly hard winter, just after the new year begins, a local matriarch, Regina Malcaster, requests that Cubiak look into her niece's questionable online romance. But the day after his visit, the woman is found dead at the bottom of a staircase—did she fall or was she pushed? Then an ice-fishing shack blows up, with someone inside—another accident or murder? Cubiak has his hands full as he tries to find the answers.

[Mollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series and am sad to have completed it now. It is always fun to read about a book where you are familiar with the setting. I also felt this book interesting because of the theme of internet scams on elderly wealthy women. Relevant in this time as well as themes of poverty and wealth and the privilege or lack of it for people in these circumstances. And finally how revenge and bitterness ruin lives. All curious themes at this time.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw this book at the library checkout and picked it up not knowing it was the last of a 7 book series.

It started off a little slow then picked up. The actual mystery plot for me is a bit played out, but in the end I enjoyed it. With that said, I’ll probably go back at some point and read the first book, as I did like the Dave Cubiak character and the style of writing.

My takeaway: This reads like a Lifetime Movie Mystery as to Grisham is a movie.

[Gail Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sorry to read that this series is ending; I have enjoyed watching Dave Cubiak not only solve mysteries, but discover a fulfilling life in Door County. This time he ruins up against internet romance scams -- and two accidents that could also be murders. Dave thinks they are all related and works to figure out how. I love the way the author makes the winter season a part of the plot; it feels very much like a Wisconsin winter to me!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh it's hard to read that a series you have loved is ending. Have loved visiting Door County and have enjoyed books written by authors who live there and others. This series has been one of my very favorites and I can understand why it is time to say goodbye. I can only hope Patricia Skalka has another series up her writing sleeve!! I'll be watching..........

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A competent and entertaining mystery. Turns out it is the final act of the Dave Cubiak Door County Mystery series. I pegged the whodunit aspect of the story fairly quickly but the book itself remained enjoyable for the confidence with which Skalka moves through setting and the character of her sheriff detective.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This LAST of the Door County mysteries is perhaps the most realized of the volumes I have read. Number 1 and 2 along with this make me wish I was reading the 4 in-between!! A perfect painting of Door County in winter when few of us experience it was quite nice to read about without suffering the frigid temperatures!!!

[Piya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading about Door County and a lot of places which are familiar. My first book in Dave Cubiak series.

The mystery was a bit contrived, and the criminal quiet obvious from around the 4th or 5th chapter. Nice read for a lazy winter afternoon

[Vicki Lanzendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book in this great series does not disappoint - aside from it being the last. Thoroughly enjoyed the books, set in my home state. Characters were realistic as were the mysteries in each book.

[Linda Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading these books that take place in Door County. I enjoyed this one b/c it is less graphically violent than the other books in this series. The main character is more introspective. And it involves internet scamming which seems to be more and more of a problem.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the first and last in this series because of the Door County location. Like the Dave Cubiak thread but this mystery was bland and predictable. Don’t feel the need to fill in the gaps by reading the rest.

[Michael Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the series, sad that it has eneded.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final chapter of this series was excellent and I really liked the ending. I will miss Dave Cubiak and the rest of the characthers, but I guess there's always a place to end.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting premise. Nicely structured but predictable early on. Decent beach read.

[Susan Apps-Bodilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last in this mystery series. I will really miss Dave, Cate, and the cast of characters in these novels!
Looking forward to whatever Ms. Skalka does next!

[Doug Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end of the series. I'll miss Dave and his cases.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the last of the 7-book Dave Cubiak series. I'll miss Dave. I liked how the author ended it.

[Cyn Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was interested because it took place in my state, but there were no surprises. Figured most of it out early.

[Bill Redinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enjoyable series she has written. Missing another book in the series already.

[Jane Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good series. This is the last book.

[Diane Radtke bezella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Skalka! Wish she could keep this story line going-

[Barb Tramte]

I like this series, sorry that this is the last one of the series.

[Maggie Dugan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am quite sad this series is ending.