What do you think?
Rate this book
Shadowed
Gifted musician Catherine Clayton was born into a life of wealth and privilege. Following the death of her father, she makes a bold decision she hopes would make him proud: she’s using the family money to establish a music school and offer free lessons to the underprivileged. A providential suggestion from an old college friend leads Catherine to select Riley, New York, as the perfect location for her new school. Hit hard by the economic downturn, Riley personifies economic hardship: peeling paint, overgrown landscapes, and damaged buildings. But the damage runs much deeper than Catherine first realizes.
Two years ago, Riley was rocked by weeks of vandalism, followed by the brutal murder of beautiful elementary school secretary Olivia Perry. Everyone in town loved Olivia—but especially the two men with whom she was caught in a love triangle. Though the murder remains unsolved, Catherine receives ominous warnings that one of these men, Adam Becket, is responsible for her death. Unimpressed by the lack of evidence against him, Catherine is drawn to the shy but endearing Adam. Could he really have been involved in Olivia’s murder?
Just as Catherine is settling in and getting to know Adam, a vandal strikes again, and it’s eerily reminiscent of the events surrounding Olivia’s murder. The death threats splashed on the walls prove that the killer is back—and this time, it’s Catherine who wonders if she’s come to the wrong place at the wrong time.
Two years ago, Riley was rocked by weeks of vandalism, followed by the brutal murder of beautiful elementary school secretary Olivia Perry. Everyone in town loved Olivia—but especially the two men with whom she was caught in a love triangle. Though the murder remains unsolved, Catherine receives ominous warnings that one of these men, Adam Becket, is responsible for her death. Unimpressed by the lack of evidence against him, Catherine is drawn to the shy but endearing Adam. Could he really have been involved in Olivia’s murder?
Just as Catherine is settling in and getting to know Adam, a vandal strikes again, and it’s eerily reminiscent of the events surrounding Olivia’s murder. The death threats splashed on the walls prove that the killer is back—and this time, it’s Catherine who wonders if she’s come to the wrong place at the wrong time.
273 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
5 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Black
24 books276 followersStephanie Black has loved books since she was old enough to grab the pages, and has enjoyed creating make-believe adventures since she and her sisters were inventing long Barbie games filled with intrigue and danger or running around pretending to be detectives. She is a four-time Whitney Award winner for Best Mystery/Suspense novel.
Stephanie lives in California, in the Bay Area. She plays the violin in a community symphony (but never practices enough), enjoys homemade chocolate-chip cookies, and takes pictures of birds. Her favorite activity is spending time with her family, currently consisting of her husband, five kids, three kids-in-law, a cat, and three grandpets.
Stephanie lives in California, in the Bay Area. She plays the violin in a community symphony (but never practices enough), enjoys homemade chocolate-chip cookies, and takes pictures of birds. Her favorite activity is spending time with her family, currently consisting of her husband, five kids, three kids-in-law, a cat, and three grandpets.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 30, 2012
Action/Suspense is a bit outside my usual genre preference. So is “Mormon Lit”, at least when it is as specifically targeted as this book is*. Since I have a tenuous connection to the author, however, (note how carefully I didn’t say the word “old” there? When did I become someone who hung out with interesting people decades ago?) I thought I’d give this one a try—particularly as I managed to impose on an old (crap) friendship to cadge a review copy. I’m glad that I did.
Shadowed starts off a little rocky. It felt, to me, like Catherine was a bit too awkward with her friend-from-college, Danielle, and even more so with new acquaintances. It felt a little mechanical and forced, though only mildly so. Fortunately, that feeling went away pretty quickly as the story developed. A few chapters in and I wasn’t noticing anything but the characters and story—exactly as things should be in a well-told suspense tale. By the mid-point, you couldn’t have pried the book from my hands with a crowbar and two linebackers.
Catherine is a wonderful character, and one I liked a great deal. She’s nice without being cloying. She’s a genuinely good person, though with flaws and struggles like anyone else. You come to care about her and her desire to bring the joy she finds in music to the dying town of Riley.
I liked Adam, too, though he was harder to pin down—if only because we don’t spend time from his perspective. You can’t really suspect him as the killer of Olivia Perry two years ago and Black doesn’t really try to make that seem reasonable. At the same time, you can see (and sympathize with) the effect that being accused so openly and suspected by many (even if only a little) has had on him. The growing relationship between him and Catherine is sweet, even if they were as jumpy as two deer in a wood with tigers for trees and lions for grass. They had enough reason for their… caution... that I wasn’t too frustrated waiting for them to figure out that they really could trust and rely on each other.
The best thing about the book, though, is that it managed to keep me guessing all the way to the end. I wouldn’t say that’s exactly rare in a suspense novel, but it isn’t really common, either (which, by the way, is one reason I don’t spend a lot of time with the genre). Black kept me in suspense about who was behind the violence in the novel, and did so without any cheap tricks or hiding clues. Further, once everything came out, all the prior actions made logical sense in light of revealed knowledge. That’s harder to pull off than it looks, so kudos to Black for managing it and making it look so effortless.
I ended up enjoying the book thoroughly. It’s a solid 4.5 stars and would probably have rated the full five if it wasn’t outside my normal genre and hadn’t had that rocky start. I wish, too, that it wasn’t so solidly targeted at a specifically LDS audience (though read that asterisk below). I think Black’s talent is up to a mainstream audience and I don’t think it would have harmed the flow or pacing to add context to the LDS aspects of Catherine’s life. Indeed, it may have improved it some not to be able to resort to inside jargon for some of Catherine and Adam’s jittery dance. I’m not saying it would be easy, but I suspect it would have been worth it…
A note about old friendships: In the interest of full disclosure, and to help readers determine if I may be unduly kind in this review, here’s how I know Steph. A friend of mine dated Stephanie in college so we hung out a bit. I thought she was a great person though I was more than a little awed by her family. I’m afraid I didn’t get to know her very well, really, (a function of me being rather shallow and kind of self-involved) and we haven’t seen each other since then. I don’t think that knowing her has affected my judgment or evaluation here, though I’ll admit that if I really hated the novel I’d have simply not reviewed it at all rather than say mean things publicly.
* Shadowed works best if you know the details of faithful Mormon life. Black doesn’t bother explaining things like Relief Society, Hometeaching, or other aspects of living as a faithful LDS church member. This is a common, conscious choice by Covenant, her publisher, so that’s not a knock on the book. It is, however, something you’ll want to bear in mind if you aren’t familiar with that culture. Those references aren’t terribly frequent and they aren’t really intrusive or important to the plot so if you just push through the mild confusion you should be perfectly able to enjoy this solid, well-told suspense story.
Shadowed starts off a little rocky. It felt, to me, like Catherine was a bit too awkward with her friend-from-college, Danielle, and even more so with new acquaintances. It felt a little mechanical and forced, though only mildly so. Fortunately, that feeling went away pretty quickly as the story developed. A few chapters in and I wasn’t noticing anything but the characters and story—exactly as things should be in a well-told suspense tale. By the mid-point, you couldn’t have pried the book from my hands with a crowbar and two linebackers.
Catherine is a wonderful character, and one I liked a great deal. She’s nice without being cloying. She’s a genuinely good person, though with flaws and struggles like anyone else. You come to care about her and her desire to bring the joy she finds in music to the dying town of Riley.
I liked Adam, too, though he was harder to pin down—if only because we don’t spend time from his perspective. You can’t really suspect him as the killer of Olivia Perry two years ago and Black doesn’t really try to make that seem reasonable. At the same time, you can see (and sympathize with) the effect that being accused so openly and suspected by many (even if only a little) has had on him. The growing relationship between him and Catherine is sweet, even if they were as jumpy as two deer in a wood with tigers for trees and lions for grass. They had enough reason for their… caution... that I wasn’t too frustrated waiting for them to figure out that they really could trust and rely on each other.
The best thing about the book, though, is that it managed to keep me guessing all the way to the end. I wouldn’t say that’s exactly rare in a suspense novel, but it isn’t really common, either (which, by the way, is one reason I don’t spend a lot of time with the genre). Black kept me in suspense about who was behind the violence in the novel, and did so without any cheap tricks or hiding clues. Further, once everything came out, all the prior actions made logical sense in light of revealed knowledge. That’s harder to pull off than it looks, so kudos to Black for managing it and making it look so effortless.
I ended up enjoying the book thoroughly. It’s a solid 4.5 stars and would probably have rated the full five if it wasn’t outside my normal genre and hadn’t had that rocky start. I wish, too, that it wasn’t so solidly targeted at a specifically LDS audience (though read that asterisk below). I think Black’s talent is up to a mainstream audience and I don’t think it would have harmed the flow or pacing to add context to the LDS aspects of Catherine’s life. Indeed, it may have improved it some not to be able to resort to inside jargon for some of Catherine and Adam’s jittery dance. I’m not saying it would be easy, but I suspect it would have been worth it…
A note about old friendships: In the interest of full disclosure, and to help readers determine if I may be unduly kind in this review, here’s how I know Steph. A friend of mine dated Stephanie in college so we hung out a bit. I thought she was a great person though I was more than a little awed by her family. I’m afraid I didn’t get to know her very well, really, (a function of me being rather shallow and kind of self-involved) and we haven’t seen each other since then. I don’t think that knowing her has affected my judgment or evaluation here, though I’ll admit that if I really hated the novel I’d have simply not reviewed it at all rather than say mean things publicly.
* Shadowed works best if you know the details of faithful Mormon life. Black doesn’t bother explaining things like Relief Society, Hometeaching, or other aspects of living as a faithful LDS church member. This is a common, conscious choice by Covenant, her publisher, so that’s not a knock on the book. It is, however, something you’ll want to bear in mind if you aren’t familiar with that culture. Those references aren’t terribly frequent and they aren’t really intrusive or important to the plot so if you just push through the mild confusion you should be perfectly able to enjoy this solid, well-told suspense story.
October 19, 2021
Another winner! :)
Read
September 21, 2019Catherine inherits some money from her father and decides to start a music school with free lessons for those who can't afford it. She goes to a small town in New York, where her college friend lives. There was a murder there a few years ago, along with some vandalism. Things seem to pick up again when Catherine arrives and starts receiving threats, but no one knows who is behind it all.
This book seemed a little slow in places, but I think it fit the story just right. It was creepy--a good Halloween novel. The twists were surprising.
Content: mild violence; otherwise clean.
This book seemed a little slow in places, but I think it fit the story just right. It was creepy--a good Halloween novel. The twists were surprising.
Content: mild violence; otherwise clean.
January 1, 2013
I actually would give this book a 2.5 rating. I was suspicious of who the murderer was and turned out that I was right. I didn't think that it was as good as the previous books that Stephanie Black as written. Hopefully, her next books will be better and have more suspense in them.
August 17, 2024
Stephanie Black does suspense really well. There's always an element of psychology you miss or overlook but it is obvious looking back. This one has a lot of LDS elements that may not make sense to those of other denominations but are not central to the story and can be mostly figured out through context. Clean. Scary. Well written. Catherine really has a lot she could have been freaked out by and the whole book made me want to check over my shoulder. Definitely recommend.
July 29, 2017
Thinking she'll really make a difference in Riley with her music school and program, Catherine Clayton is immediately challenged by the town's warnings and the murder of school secretary Olivia Perry. The story is written in a way that even I began to question Catherine's acquaintances. There's death threats, vandalism, and a love triangle.
March 5, 2021
I enjoyed this mystery/suspense/romance and was surprised to discover who the murderer was at the end of the book.
July 7, 2021
This was a fun book with twisting mysteries and enjoyable characters. For my taste, there was too many clarification dialogue after scenes, but it was an overall enjoyable read.
January 19, 2023
Such a great read! This book was full of suspense and definitely kept you guessing who was trying to get rid of the new music teacher in town!
Read
March 28, 2024A fast audiobook listened that's was nice to have while at work. 🎧📖
September 11, 2013
(Genre:LDS fiction/mystery) 3.5 stars. Plot: Catherine Clayton has just moved to Riley, New York to start a music school, using funds from her personal inheritance. She choose Riley because her friend Danielle is a principal at the elementary school there and they have had to cut all art and music programs due to budget deficits. Catherine is very excited to give free music/instrument lessons to the people in Riley with the hope of helping less fortunate individuals realize their dreams and improve their lives via music. But from her very first day in Riley it becomes apparent that something is terribly wrong in this town and it all seems to be related to a mysterious vandal and the murder of a young woman that happened 2 years earlier. Soon Catherine becomes convinced that nothing with settle down in Riley until the murderer/vandal is caught. Her own life becomes entangled in the mystery of the murder and her music teaching dreams are threatened when it becomes obvious that someone wants her gone from Riley. Perhaps permanently. And there is no shortage of suspects.
I listened to the audio version of this book while canning/cooking and it was a real sanity saver. Canning is just really boring. I was able to figure out the murderer very early on, but not the full reason behind their rage, so it was a pretty well done plot line. The author does a good job of filling the story with plenty of red herrings to distract our attention which gives a little more surprise to the plot line. All in all, it was an enjoyable mystery/adventure book and I am glad that I picked it up from the library.
I listened to the audio version of this book while canning/cooking and it was a real sanity saver. Canning is just really boring. I was able to figure out the murderer very early on, but not the full reason behind their rage, so it was a pretty well done plot line. The author does a good job of filling the story with plenty of red herrings to distract our attention which gives a little more surprise to the plot line. All in all, it was an enjoyable mystery/adventure book and I am glad that I picked it up from the library.
January 12, 2013
great mystery/suspense read! Most mysteries are really easy to guess the ending and the culprit to the crime, this is not one of those. It keeps you guessing and re guessing. Loved the characters and the depth of their personalities.
Catherine Clayton has never wanted for anything and wants to help because she can. She uses her inherited money to set up a free music program in Riley, New York where there aren't many jobs and the school music program has been cut along with a lot of other programs. At first, people are slow to take advantage of the "free" offer, but they come around. Then a past unsolved murder comes to haunt the good that Catherine is trying to do. She meets some of the suspects and has a hard time trusting her own judgement or the new people that are coming into her life. Adam the ex-boyfriend of Olivia the murdered, is one of those people, that she wants to trust, but is unsure. Over more time, vandalism becomes more apparent, then an attack on one of her adult students who was wearing her jacket. The suspense of the unknown culprit heats up the worry in this small town and the scare keeps parents from sending their kids to lessons. False rumors about Catherine having ties to the drug cartel, really send the students parents running. She hires a night security guard, but an attack still happens. It's not who she suspected or the real killer out for revenge from a past jealousy issue that Catherine didn't even know about. I love the ending between adam and Catherine. it is sweet!
Catherine Clayton has never wanted for anything and wants to help because she can. She uses her inherited money to set up a free music program in Riley, New York where there aren't many jobs and the school music program has been cut along with a lot of other programs. At first, people are slow to take advantage of the "free" offer, but they come around. Then a past unsolved murder comes to haunt the good that Catherine is trying to do. She meets some of the suspects and has a hard time trusting her own judgement or the new people that are coming into her life. Adam the ex-boyfriend of Olivia the murdered, is one of those people, that she wants to trust, but is unsure. Over more time, vandalism becomes more apparent, then an attack on one of her adult students who was wearing her jacket. The suspense of the unknown culprit heats up the worry in this small town and the scare keeps parents from sending their kids to lessons. False rumors about Catherine having ties to the drug cartel, really send the students parents running. She hires a night security guard, but an attack still happens. It's not who she suspected or the real killer out for revenge from a past jealousy issue that Catherine didn't even know about. I love the ending between adam and Catherine. it is sweet!
March 26, 2014
Stephanie Black captures the reader's complete attention throughout this suspenseful, enthralling novel!
A wealthy young woman is led to a small. economically depleted town to offer free music lessons for anyone interested. Her sole desire is to bring meaning to and develop talent in the participants who could, otherwise, never afford. Invited into the community her former college roommate is principal over a school there. After arriving, Catherine finds the community holds many unsettling secrets...secrets that evolve again after lying dormant for two years. Catherine finds herself caught in the middle of a haunting situation which flares into an inferno of problems.
In this thrilling, suspenseful tale, the reader continues to question, "Who did it?" until the very end of the story!
The characterization is defined well and the atmosphere is set producing a visual clarity. The scenes and chapters smoothly progress from one to another. Th book cover does not do the book justice and although acceptable, the title is vague in its relationship to the storyline.
My review of this book offers a strong Four and a Half Stars rating.
A wealthy young woman is led to a small. economically depleted town to offer free music lessons for anyone interested. Her sole desire is to bring meaning to and develop talent in the participants who could, otherwise, never afford. Invited into the community her former college roommate is principal over a school there. After arriving, Catherine finds the community holds many unsettling secrets...secrets that evolve again after lying dormant for two years. Catherine finds herself caught in the middle of a haunting situation which flares into an inferno of problems.
In this thrilling, suspenseful tale, the reader continues to question, "Who did it?" until the very end of the story!
The characterization is defined well and the atmosphere is set producing a visual clarity. The scenes and chapters smoothly progress from one to another. Th book cover does not do the book justice and although acceptable, the title is vague in its relationship to the storyline.
My review of this book offers a strong Four and a Half Stars rating.
March 15, 2013
Read this for a book club. The only other murder mysteries I have read and I can compare this to is "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie and all the Sherlock Holmes books. It didn't measure up.
The writing style wasn't engaging. I found myself reading scenes and feeling like they were hollow and full of unnecessary conversation, and like I was way too aware of the words and far from being "lost in the story."
The main character was not relatable. She and the other characters weren't very developed - the author spends most of the time on internal dialogue speculating who could or couldn't be the murderer. It got to the point that I couldn't imagine reading the last 75 pages, so I skipped ahead and read the end, then went back to finish the rest of the book. I never do that as a matter of principle, but it was just killing me to read through useless internal dialogue and know that we were going to speculate that the murderer was at least two more characters before we found out whodunit.
The writing style wasn't engaging. I found myself reading scenes and feeling like they were hollow and full of unnecessary conversation, and like I was way too aware of the words and far from being "lost in the story."
The main character was not relatable. She and the other characters weren't very developed - the author spends most of the time on internal dialogue speculating who could or couldn't be the murderer. It got to the point that I couldn't imagine reading the last 75 pages, so I skipped ahead and read the end, then went back to finish the rest of the book. I never do that as a matter of principle, but it was just killing me to read through useless internal dialogue and know that we were going to speculate that the murderer was at least two more characters before we found out whodunit.
December 28, 2012
I really like how Black, doesn't put the LDS them heavy in her books. The LDS views are in her books, but she isn't preaching to the readers.
Over all I do like this book, but I do think that 3.3/4 stars should be an option.
Ester is living with the killer, you'd think she'd know who killed Olivia. The younger sister Ester in her own way was trying to help her sister, but manage to get herself into trouble.
As for Catherine's character, wow, she was going crazy there at the end. She couldn't think straight. When you'd think Catherine's character would get things right, she'd just dismiss it. At the end she was questioning almost everyone she meets.
Then the collage roommate Danielle. I think that Danielle is Blacks best antagonist yet. She was the embodiment of cool, collective, organized, very respective, with a dark side, very dark side that only Ester knew about, but Olivia figured it out by accident. It made you question who was trying to help who?
Over all I do like this book, but I do think that 3.3/4 stars should be an option.
Ester is living with the killer, you'd think she'd know who killed Olivia. The younger sister Ester in her own way was trying to help her sister, but manage to get herself into trouble.
As for Catherine's character, wow, she was going crazy there at the end. She couldn't think straight. When you'd think Catherine's character would get things right, she'd just dismiss it. At the end she was questioning almost everyone she meets.
Then the collage roommate Danielle. I think that Danielle is Blacks best antagonist yet. She was the embodiment of cool, collective, organized, very respective, with a dark side, very dark side that only Ester knew about, but Olivia figured it out by accident. It made you question who was trying to help who?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2012
Shadowed is loaded with great characters, suspense, and just the right amount of romance. Stephanie Black is a master of keeping the reader guessing right up to the very end. Her characters have depth and believability, and her writing style is clear and easy to read. You get drawn into the story and it's hard to put the book down until you reach the exciting conclusion.
The protagonist, Catherine, is strong and smart, but because of her privileged life she's also a little naive. Her personal struggles and flaws bring a nice realness to her character. Adam brings a starkly different element to the story as the man accused of murdering Olivia. I loved the way he dealt with the accusations.
I have many favorite parts and plot twists I want to mention, but I can't because it would be a spoiler. You'll just have to get yourself a copy. Then, let's talk!
Anyone who enjoys a good suspense novel along the lines of the Mary Stewart classics will love Shadowed.
The protagonist, Catherine, is strong and smart, but because of her privileged life she's also a little naive. Her personal struggles and flaws bring a nice realness to her character. Adam brings a starkly different element to the story as the man accused of murdering Olivia. I loved the way he dealt with the accusations.
I have many favorite parts and plot twists I want to mention, but I can't because it would be a spoiler. You'll just have to get yourself a copy. Then, let's talk!
Anyone who enjoys a good suspense novel along the lines of the Mary Stewart classics will love Shadowed.
Read
October 17, 2022I listened to the audio version of this on a recent road trip. It kept my husband and I guessing until the end—we kept saying “it’s him” or “it’s her” about nearly every character in the book. Like the other novels I’ve read by Stephanie Black, it all came together in the end and answered my questions about who and why and how.
I didn’t love the narrator/reader. She wasn’t awful or anything, just not my favorite. Hubby said she sounded like the actress who plays Luna in the Harry Potter movies.
I recommend the book for LDS readers who enjoy a mix of mystery and romance.
I didn’t love the narrator/reader. She wasn’t awful or anything, just not my favorite. Hubby said she sounded like the actress who plays Luna in the Harry Potter movies.
I recommend the book for LDS readers who enjoy a mix of mystery and romance.
January 24, 2013
What a refreshing read! My husband and I have been listening to this book as we travel around town, or drive to a nearby town. Today we finished listening, and both felt satisfied with the conclusion. This was the first book we have read from this author. She did a good job developing the characters and making the plot not so easy to figure out. We really enjoyed the people in the story and the part of their life occupied in this novel. It is not great literature, but a good way to spend time experiencing someone else's life. I would read/listen to another of her books, in fact I think we will start a new one. What made this book even more enjoyable for me was that the narrator sounded just like my friend, Nikki Hoyt, who has a very pleasant voice. I liked the way her r's rolled off her tongue, and the light, airy tones were very easy on the ear.
February 23, 2024
“Shadowed” is slightly thrilling and…awkward. The main character and her “love interest” are the blandest people in the narrative; every other character has a personality. Also, the “love interest” does not sound attractive at all. Awkward.
Black’s writing is stiff and grammatically correct. I like that she knows proper structure, but her dialogue is also proper. Black’s writing is too structured that the dialogue is robotic and unrealistic.
One unrealistic thing that seems to be consistent with the story is the characters are mind-readers? One character would think of something and then another character would mention that thought. But I did enjoy the twists and the ending that it made up for the painful parts in the story.
Black’s writing is stiff and grammatically correct. I like that she knows proper structure, but her dialogue is also proper. Black’s writing is too structured that the dialogue is robotic and unrealistic.
One unrealistic thing that seems to be consistent with the story is the characters are mind-readers? One character would think of something and then another character would mention that thought. But I did enjoy the twists and the ending that it made up for the painful parts in the story.
September 15, 2012
If you like really good suspense...then you will LOVE this book!
Catherine is just trying to find a nice town who is in need of her musical talents.
She is trying to give the gift of music to those who cannot afford it on their own.
But when she arrives in Riley, New York she is immediately drawn into the vandalism that has just taken place...
And the town is drawn up into the murder case that happened two years earlier.
Suspicions fly, feelings get hurt, and the hunt for the true killer is on.
Catherine is just trying to find a nice town who is in need of her musical talents.
She is trying to give the gift of music to those who cannot afford it on their own.
But when she arrives in Riley, New York she is immediately drawn into the vandalism that has just taken place...
And the town is drawn up into the murder case that happened two years earlier.
Suspicions fly, feelings get hurt, and the hunt for the true killer is on.
May 18, 2016
Surprisingly (since I'm not a fan of most LDS authors), this was a fairly intense mystery and kept me guessing until close to the end. Several things fall into place in the last few chapters and the murderer becomes evident in spite of attempts by the author to still throw you off track. A few inconsistencies here and there, and if you're not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are a few Mormon references that would be a little confusing. Not enough to spoil the story, however, even if you are not a member. Probably 3 1/2 stars.
January 22, 2013
Another great suspenseful Stephanie Black mystery. This was definitely a page turner but I was not as emotionally involved as I have been with her other books. The connection I felt with the characters was not as strong this time around. She still had me guessing until the end. I thought I had it figured out but I was wrong. Close but wrong. I love the why and how in all her stories. By the end it all wraps up and makes sense but I would have never guessed it.
May 8, 2014
Who even knew I read LDS lit? I didn't know this book was LDS based, but it was recommended by a friend. I enjoy a good murder mystery and this one wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. I enjoyed the actual plot and the suspense of finding out who the murderer was, but the actual writing was kind of cheesy and many of the scenes felt a little forced. So, overall, good plot (I was surprised at who it was if that says anything) but lacking in writing style.
October 15, 2016
I'm not normally a murder mystery type, but I had a friend recommend this and thought I'd give it a try. It was intriguing and interesting. Stephanie Black was clever at keeping me guessing. I about went crazy trying to decipher who it was all through it. A nice breezy read that took me out of my life and into another in a strangely relatable way. A safe not too scary but not too bland choice. The Mormon twist reminded me of (a book Breanne let me borrow
February 1, 2017
Probably one of the most important things to me when I am reading a story is that I like AT LEAST the protagonist in the story. In this book, I did not like a single character. Zero. For that reason, I am surprised I finished this book at all. I have a "mandatory minimum score" of two stars if I finished the book (regardless of whether I liked it or not), so two stars it is.
January 11, 2013
Good suspense in this sister of my wonderful friend, Dianna, novel! Catherine moves to a small town to give the citizen's free music lessons and open a music studio. (She is independently wealthy.) A good thing to do but she finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation-or I should say that SHE is the investigator because the leads had gone cold. Who did it and who is next is the theme.
January 4, 2013
Oh my! Started it last night and could not put it down until finished, so intense it took me several minutes to get to sleep afterwards. I forgot how griping her books are!
I liked how Catherine would think about what her dad would say about a situation and then follow his advice - good advice too.
I liked how Catherine would think about what her dad would say about a situation and then follow his advice - good advice too.
June 25, 2013
Another fun mystery by Stephanie Black. I liked this book, but it wasn't my favorite Stephanie Black mystery. I guessed who the villain was pretty quickly, but it was fun to see how all the clues came together at the end. There were enough twists and turns to keep me interested and reading. Really like this LDS author.
July 17, 2013
I really liked this book. I needed something to lose myself in for a few nights and this did the trick. It was deliciously creepy without ever having graphic violence or any objectionable content. I will admit that I was a bit apprehensive to go to bed the night I finished it. The author did a great job keeping me guessing. A really satisfying read!
September 17, 2012
Another great novel from Stephanie Black! Wow, it is a little intense and even a little bit creepy, but thrilling! I couldn't put it down! She once again had me changing my mind 100 times about who the murderer was. Great read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews