Shadow's Reckoning

Shadow Island #20

by Mary Stone

This isn’t revenge. It’s reckoning.

When Sheriff Rebecca West answers a late-night dispatch about a fatal car accident on the bridge, she fears the worst. The victim isn't just any driver—he’s her informant. The man who risked everything to send her a thumb drive exposing the monster who shattered her life. He was on his way to Shadow Island, seeking her protection.

Instead, he found death.

The strangulation marks covering his neck underscore the grim truth. This was no accident. It was an execution. And Rebecca knows exactly who’s behind it. He’s silenced anyone who’s dared to stand against him—her parents, an inventor who once worked for him… and now, her final connection to the truth.

Now, he’s coming for her.

Every act of violence is a warning. Every victim that falls is a message. He doesn’t just kill—he makes examples. And unless Rebecca finds a way to stop him, she’s his next lesson.

The game is set. The pieces are moving. And the stakes? Everything.

Safety is an illusion, and Shadow’s Reckoning—the pulse-pounding twentieth installment of the Shadow Island Series by Mary Stone and Lori Rhodes—will have you checking over your shoulder long after you turn the last page.

Genres: Mystery

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2025

About the author

To download my FREE BOOK, click here: https://authormarystone.com/free-book...

Nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee, Mary Stone has transformed her peaceful home, once bustling with her sons, into a creative haven. As her family grew, so did her writing career, evolving from childhood fears to a deep understanding of real-life villains. Her stories, centered around strong, unconventional heroines, weave themes of courage and intrigue.

Mary's journey from a solitary writer to establishing her own publishing house marks a significant evolution, showcasing her commitment to the literary world. Through her writing and publishing endeavors, she continues to captivate and inspire, honoring her lifelong fascination with the mysterious and the courageous.

Reviews

[DianaRaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been a wild storm of murders, human trafficking, drug running, suspense and mysteries, even some romance. Now, it's time to say goodbye to characters that have become family. The authors have brought the Shadow Island series to a satisfactory conclusion. May calm water be in their future.

SHADOW’S RECKONING is the twentieth installment in the Shadow Island Series by the team of Mary Stone and Lori Rhodes. You'll have a hard time setting this roller coaster ride finale' of suspense, chills and tearful book down for even a few minutes.  

We open to an accident on the bridge. The victim? Sheriff Rebecca's informant that gave her a thumb drive that exposes the monster who shattered her life. As Rebecca and her deputies start investigating the scene she warns them to watch their backs, anyone of them could become the next victim. Oh, how prophetic.😢

Former Senator Morely is coming for Rebecca and the thumb drive of evidence. Every victim that falls is his  warning to her.  Morely dreams of the pleasure he'll feel watching the light leave her eyes as he destroys everyone that she cares about. 

This series has been an exciting  adventure from the start. Filled with  suspenseful edge of seat moments, fast turning pages, and even tears. Thank you Mary and Lori for this amazing experience!

Maybe an Epilogue/Postquel? Personally, I'd like to know what is happening one year later. Does Shadow Island finally become the peaceful place it should be? Is Frost finally retired? Does Rebecca finally get her peace, and love?

I did receive an ARC of this book from the author, and this is my freely given and honest review.  I recommend this book and the entire series.

I do agree with others, this series would make a great TV series.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An okay conclusion to the series. I enjoyed the series as a whole, but didn’t quite get to the LOVE stage. I think that, for the most part, I was very attached to the characters and 1) the author killed off too many of the good ones, and 2) the rest of them always seemed to be miserable. The author didn’t give enough of the good to balance the bad. So, while the plots were clever and I didn’t always figure out the bad guy, you never got that feel good moment. Even the epilogue for the entire series was just kinda meh. Like, there was potential there for a happy ending, but it wasn’t really showing you the happy ending. Which is pretty typical of the series. When compared to In Death by JD Robb, or Rockton/Haven’s Rock by Kelley Armstrong, it just falls short.

But, if you like murder mystery / police procedural stories, and you’re not that bothered about the characters having literally ANY happy, then I expect you’ll like this. The cases themselves were quite good.

[Jacquetta Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon Lankford was running, running away from danger and his home to Shadow Island and Sheriff Rebecca West. He had already given Rebecca all the information she needed to begin finding out who killer her parents and who knows how many more people. But the person responsible already had someone waiting for him at the Shadow Island bridge. 

Death, house ransacked, a bomb or maybe two, shootings, what is going to happen next? All over Sheriff Wests past? Or over the possibility of what she would do in the future. Is Senator Morely involved, is he the one behind her parents deaths, is this the reason she's no longer in the FBI? What is the reason and is anyone on Shadow Island safe now?

This series is great, I have enjoyed every book and can't wait for the next Mary Stone book.

[Evelyn Childs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chocked full of darkness, murder and intriguing situations. Keeps on edge.

I rated five stars for the entire series. I read straight through. I loved the characters and Sheriff Rebecca West, who would fight to the death for her deputies and community. She came to Shadow Island where she had vacationed with her family every year as a child. She returned there to find peace and rest after the murder of her parents and almost being killed. She was drawn in to helping the towns sheriff to find a missing girl. Because she was ex FBI, he knew she could help. Unknowingly she stepped into a darkness called the Yacht Club. This series is a fast read once you start reading you will be hooked. Great for mystery lovers.

[margaret waniska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent way to close out the series!

Although it makes me sad to know that this is the last book, I do want to thank the authors for a good ending. Wasn't at all happy with everything that happened...senseless killing of another main sheriff's staff? Guess the way it's left, you can continue to create more stories for yourself, huh? This book is probably the one that the author spoke of, giving the main character a break to lead a normal life. Thanks for this Shadow Island series. It was unique with the setting and now is, just maybe, a place where characters can relax and enjoy life.

[Bonita Barbick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always sad to say goodbye to characters that you love! Mary Stone and Lori Rhodes have brought the Shadow Island series to a very satisfying conclusion. Shadow’s Reckoning is filled with thrills and chills as we find Sheriff West and her staff facing mortal danger. This has always been one of my favorite Mary Stone series. With Lori Rhodes as coauthor Shadow’s Reckoning proves why…it is filled with edge of seat reading, pages turning quickly and even tears shed. Thank you Mary and Lori for these amazing adventures!!

[P J Van Benthusen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow Rebecca is going head-to-head with Senator Morley. She is tough but he is rich and downright evil. And he has an illegitimate son who has come into the picture. Just when Shadow Island thinks it's safe to come out and enjoy their island, these guys show up. And they are killing anyone who gets in their way. Another major loss in the Shadow Island Sheriff's Office is just one of the surprises the book holds. This has been a great series about a very tough ex-FBI turned Sheriff woman. Has she finally found her niche? This was a good book and a fitting finale.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadow Island series was a whirlwind of murders, romance, mystery & even lovable dogs thrown in. Sheriff Rebecca West is called to an accident on the bridge that, of course, turns out to be murder. The informant that gave her a thumb drive containing all the information against the murder of her parents is dead. Will her nemesis ex-senator Morley be coming after her? A fast paced read you won’t want to miss!

[Becky Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheriff Rebecca West responds to a wreck on the bridge only to determine it is a murder and it is the informant who gave her the information that Senator Morley has been after since he killed Rebecca's parents. The story is fast moving and involves all of the characters in the story, even though another member of her crew loses their life. The ending is written wonderfully, and I really hope Mary Stone continues the series with one of its other characters, such as Vivienne joining the FBI~

[Sue Sandifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

After an accident on the bridge to Shadow Island is found to actually be a murder, things become clearer that Morley has not given up in his quest to find the thumb drive. Rebecca has hidden it where she believes it is safe. Morley and his group are very determined to find the drive and put an end to Rebecca.
Great story with lots of twists and turns

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful ending of Shadow Island series. Morley is ready to finish his revenge on Rebecca and her deputies. He has no No more patience ,only to get to the flash drive every possible way he can. fRebecca’s tries to stay one step ahead of Morley ‘ group. The situation is so tense and getting. twisty, nobody is sure of his own safety. Situation becomes so wild , The end of the book is amazing,, all the ropes come together and the last battle with the horrific moments is on the sea amazing. I finished the book in one sitting. Well , this is a book full of actions emotions anger , crime and at the end, there is a promise of love. . Bravo.

[Linae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great final book

This has been an intriguing journey thro this book series. The authors have transformed the characters into my neighbors. Along with the drama, intrigue and suspense, a person will find themselves pulled along in the stories. From the first page to the last, the words will suck you in and keep you.

[Teresa Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow's Reckoning( Shadow Island FBI Mystery Series Book 20)

OMG!!!!!!!!! This book was exceptional and totally amazing. I couldn't put it down, Rebecca finally gets to solve her parents murder and put the murderer behind bars, but it was also very sad, two innocent people lost their lives. Rebecca and her team, got justice for them in the end. I can't wait for the next book.

[Mrs C · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic

This is a fitting climax to the series but I am so very sad for it to end. I have been engrossed in Shadow Island for so long now I feel like I have lived there with them. I read several other series by this author but none have had quite the impact of this one and now my husband is reading them as well. Well done and thank you

[Joyce Huffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book series

This series as all of Mary Stone's are well written and you have a very hard time putting the books down. Each character of the differt series is unique, and well worth the time to enjoy each one.Looking forward to her next series.I highly recommend this
author.

[Sue Palmer Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morley has decided that he’s going to end the meddling of Rebecca West once and for all. In the process he has caused terror on the island. Something Rebecca and her crew won’t and will not accept. Can they finally put an end to this madness or will Shadow Island become a battleground again?

[Eleanor Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down, I was engrossed from the start. Went to bed but couldn’t sleep so started reading. It’s now 4.55, and I’ve just finished. I think this is the best Shadow’s Island story, even had to use some tissues.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly terrific thriller that I could not put down. Gripping from beginning to end. An edge of your seat nail biter. This book will not disappoint. Sad #20 is the last story. Thank you, Mary Stone and Lori Rhodes, for such a wonderful series.

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book twenty in the Shadow Island FBI Mystery series. It’s full of edge-of-your-seat drama, action and suspense. This has been an excellent series and the authors did an outstanding job of wrapping up. Highly recommended reading

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a awesome story about Rebecca and team going all out together who is responsible for killing people and I all goes back to her past .she goes all out and gets him with lots of suspense and action and I am sorry to see this series end. Thank you Mary and Lori.

[Cheryl Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice ending for Rebecca and friends, albeit not before the loss of family and coworkers. This was a great story, and enjoyed every book. Rebecca had her heart broke on so many levels, but she survived. A strong, determined woman.
And Humphrey….OMG! What a clown

[Kathy Nyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I breezed through all 20 of this series. I laughed,I cried, I wondered and worried about each and every character.
When a series ends I’m often concerned that I’ll still have questions. Mary Stone wrapped this up better than I could have imagined. Can’t wait to start another of her series.

[bonnie kirchner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows Reckoning

OMG Loved this book. I could not put it down. This has always been one of my favorite mystery series. This book was full of excitement and suspense. I highly recommend this series and especially this book.

[Carol Dickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows Reckoning

It's a great book. Wonderful characters, plots, and twists that grab you and refuse to let go. I read that this might be the last of this series. I hope not, I would like to floor these characters a little further.

[Linda G. Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow Series

The whole Shadow series was great. Each one stood alone but with the commonality of characters, they became part of my family as well. Mary Stone and her helpful writers made terrific series. Thank you so much for keeping at the edge of my seat through it all.

[Mary Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

bitter, bitter pill

Morley’s campaign of intimidation, terror and homicide reach a high point when the critical, damning flash drive becomes the sole focus of his minions.

Homicide, burglary, robbery and kidnapping are utilized in the no-holds-barred push to recover the data.

[Pamela Grabek · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride!

From the beginning of this series it never wavered in its intensity. It keep you going from beginning to the end of each story. This was a nice end to the series. That the good guys won in the end.

[LAURA WAICUL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series and characters


I'm sad for it to end, I really enjoyed all the books and the storyline. I have read most of Mary's books, she always has great female leads and other characters. Ill miss Sheriff West and the rest of her team

[Gracie Bustillos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow’s Reckoning is book twenty in the Shadow Island series. I enjoyed the series and the characters especially that they all protected each other and became one big family. The twist and turns this series took was amazing. A must read series.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being attacked at home and at the station, Rebecca and team have their hands full. Is the senator behind everything? Can Rebecca get her life back and protect the island? Read the book and find out. Great ending to a fantastic series!