The Secrets of the Shadows

Annie Graham #2

by Helen Phifer

Sophie was afraid of the man in the shadows. He terrified her, but he would always disappear when someone else came. But one day in June 1984, she didn't escape. He took her. When a young woman is found draped over a gravestone in a chilling murder, police officer Annie Graham experiences a familiar sense of dread. A new killer is out there, and her senses tell her there is something eerily different about this case. When she spots the little girl standing outside her window, she knows that the past is about to catch up with all of them. But can she help right the wrongs of thirty years ago, and stop the killer before it's too late? Praise for HELEN PHIFER 'an atmospheric, spooky read, ideal for the season.' - I Heart Reading 'The Ghost House is the most exciting book I have read in a very long time, and would make an absolutely perfect Halloween read! Amazing debut from Helen Phifer and I eagerly await more from her!' - Judging Covers"

Genres: Thriller, Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Paranormal, Audiobook, Ebooks

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 8, 2014

Reviews

[Maddie]

The Secrets Of The Shadows is a second book in Annie Graham series by Helen Phifer and I feel like it's now coming into its own.
I love character development in this book. We get to know and understand Annie better but also other people who important to her.
The story itself is gripping and I love that blending of nowadays with the past. That paranormal element definitely adds to the story.
I'm really enjoying this series and I'm off to start book three.

[Jeanine]

Good story.. Loving this series!

[Suze]

Sophie is scared because of a creepy man in the shadows. The man terrifies her and he smells really bad. He wants something from her and he isn't going to leave her alone. Father John is taking her family in as soon as he finds out about the reeking man in the shadows, but unfortunately Sophie isn't strong enough to fight against what she doesn't understand and the man in the shadows manages to take her.

When Annie Graham sees a little girl she has the feeling something is wrong. Annie instantly knows the girl is a ghost. Her colleagues at the police station are working on a murder case. A young woman is being found at a cemetery. Her murderer took the time to artificially drape her over a gravestone. What's the motive behind this horrible act of violence? Annie is doing something else to get some rest, but somehow she still finds herself involved in the frightening new case. Why is Annie seeing that little girl all of a sudden, what message does the ghost have for her? Will Annie be able to stay safe this time or is her life in danger again?

The Secrets of the Shadows is another gripping book about Annie Graham. Annie has some personal problems and therefore she isn't actively involved in the case her team is working on, but something isn't right and she has to find out what it is. I was intrigued from the start and was anxious to find out more about both the shadow man and the mysterious murder. Annie Graham is a brave and tough woman. She has such good instincts, she always finds a way out of dire situations and she's incredibly clever. Her cases are fascinating and eerie at the same time.

Helen Phifer writes in a fabulous descriptive way. I could almost smell the man in the shadows and it was easy to picture every single detail of the story. I was genuinely afraid because of the evil that can effortlessly find access to someone's house and take whatever he wants. It's a fantastic subject for a story and I liked the execution very much. The Secrets of the Shadows is a scary story both set in the past and the present and I found each of these parts equally compelling. There are many surprising elements, which made me want to keep reading without pause. I absolutely loved this amazing haunting crime story.

[Cindieslibrary]

🪦 Cemetery stakeouts, a sinister Shadow Man, and ultimate betrayal...

​I just finished this 5-star sequel and wow—the author delivered another absolute masterpiece! The blend of chilling paranormal folklore, intense crime solving, and heavy relationship drama had me completely hooked. 5/5 stars! 🪦👻

​The Setup: Annie and Will (the police station’s former playboy) are finally together, but trouble is brewing. Will’s coworker Laura is obsessed with him and determined to tear them apart. After a drunken night out with her friend Jake ends in a chaotic cemetery stakeout encounter, Annie goes to Will’s apartment the next morning—only to find him on the couch with a scantily clad Laura, shattering Annie's heart. 💔🥃

​The Plot: Meanwhile, the team investigates a string of horrific murders where women are found staged on old graves, leaving zero forensic trace. The mystery ties directly back to 1984, when a young girl encountered a foul-smelling entity known as "The Shadow Man"—a demonic presence that claimed her life and drove her mother to suicide. ⛪🕯️

​The Catch: As the body count rises and the police struggle to find answers, the supernatural threat creeps closer to home. It isn't until Annie relies on her own terrifying encounter and unique knowledge that the team gets their first real break. But with Will desperately trying to figure out if he was set up and Annie's trust completely broken, saving lives might cost them everything. ⏳⚡💥

​An incredible 5-star paranormal thriller with dynamic characters you'll fiercely love (and a few you'll love to hate)! 👏✨

​⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars
​📌 Tropes: Paranormal Thriller, Police Procedural, Love Triangle Drama, Haunted History, Serial Killer, Small Town Secrets

My full review on this book can be found here; https://cindieslibrary.com/secrets-of...

[Gina Britten]

Really enjoyed the second book in the Annie Graham series as much as I enjoyed the first! Detectives and supernatural occurrences combined is just brilliant and thrilling. Now onto the third in the series and looking forward to what mysteries it holds.

[Robert Coache]

Whoever edited this should be fired. There are far too many missing words and spelling issues. Had to fill in a lot of “his” “had” “the” words as they were missing from the text. Just sloppy.
As far as the book goes, it’s a typical Phiffer. Engrossing because it’s an easy read on the brain and formulaic. That’s not to say it’s bad. I genuinely like her books, but they are the reading equivalent of having cereal for dinner or watching a comforting film you don’t need to pay attention to.

[Heather Miller]

Countrylibrarian

I couldn't wait to read this book and it didn't disappoint. My only complaint was that you knew who the killers the whole time so took out the guess work but still a really good book worth reading

[Kelly]

Better than the first one and the ghost bits made much more sense this time. Still not a rave read, but at least the author kept the TM and R trademarks out this time.

[Malcolm Fox]

Secrets of the Shadows

I have read all of Helen’ DS Morgan books and thoroughly enjoyed them.

This one wasn’t my cup of tea

[dawn nelson]

I read number 2 in this series immediately after finishing the first one and again I really enjoyed it. Its unbelievable, and a little cheesy in parts with Annie and Wills relationship but an easy read and thoroughly enjoyable. Again, it has a supernatural theme running through it with more Ghosts another serial Killer and a plot that keeps you page turning until the end. I really like this author and am enjoying this series.

[Geraint griffiths]

Fantastic

Yet another fantastic read .Read this book in two days couldn't put it down .Couldn't wait to see what happened next . Another cracking plot great characters . Really pleased Wills and Annie's romance coming on. That is all I am going to say as I hate to give any plots away . Guaranteed reader will enjoy this series absolute page turner .

[A J Underwood]

Love Helen Pfifer books, can’t get enough of them, this series is the best so far, this book the best in this series, so far. One criticism, the first 4 books are available on kindle unlimited, but the last two are not! in my opinion, all should be available, or none. I pay a monthly subscription for this service, so I will not buy books separately.

[Wen]

After reading her first book, which was good but a bit hard to follow, being her first time at writing. Now for her second book, much better writing, some misspelled words, but I loved it! Suspenseful and could not put it down.

[Denise Parker]

Helen Phifer's Ghost stories featuring Annie Graham

Honestly, I love the characters, the romance (NOT overdone!), the ghosts, the murders (NOT overly gaphic!); the story lines are excellent. Ms. Phifer books are on my permanent read list, and yes, I'm following her! 😀

[Jo Ann Tyler]

Spooky but romantic

As I said traumatic spooky without being over the top, the police were funny and close nitted, the romance was enough, I' would recommend it to anyone, it's a easy read that made you feel good 👍

[Sue Windsor]

First book I’ve read in Annie Graham series and by Helen Phifer. It grew on me but gradually as the story went on I was more gripped and got to like the character of Annie very much. Will definitely read more.

[denise francis]

fantastic read

Brilliant I couldn’t put it down it kept me on the edge of my seat I love the way Helen Phipher catches your interest from the very first paragraph till the very last

[Lara]

Second in the series of DI Annie Graham. After a head injury, Annie is now able to see ghosts which have helped her track down a serial killer. With the assistance of Father Jack at her side and a burly policeman it's a climactic ending.

[Diane]

I enjoyed the first Annie Graham book and so glad the second lived up to that! Couldn’t read at night as it was too disturbing for me, but I’m not too good with scary things. Good satisfactory ending! Onto number 3!

[Donna]

Great read once started couldn't put it down. Love this author & can't wait to read the next book in this series.

[Liz Mcdonagh]

Excellent

Love this series, didn't want to put it down once I started reading. Very good story and very well written. Looking forward to reading the next book

[peter drew]

Another amazing book can not wait to read book 3

[Joyce]

Another great book by Helen Phifer would gave given it more stars if I could. Loved the first Annie Graham book and this one didn't disappoint either now can't wait to read the next one.

[Kiri]

I’m a fan of the Annie Graham books. I’m a fan of her. I loved the murderer, was intrigued by the ghosts and adored the love story. This was a really good read, and I can’t wait for the next one.

[Michelle]

Loved this book, quite eerie and chilling,great characters

[Daniel Simon McConnell]

Amazing

Amazing author amazing series this is my second time reading this series keep up the good work thanks so much

[Linda Cullen]

My new Best Author!

Excellent read. Believable or characters, quirky and endearing. Best series ever. Can't wait to read the next one in this series.

[SHEILA A STOKER]

Great series

This is the second book in this series.I really enjoyed the story and the characters. I will now download book 3

[Gillian Howe]

a ghostly tale

I was looking for something a bit different to the usual police detective and this was it. Serial killers, ghosts and romance. What’s not to like.

[MrsYvonne Neely]

The secrets of the shadows

Really enjoyed this book it got better as I read through it and love the characters a very enjoyable book.