Lingering Shadows

by Kate Aukes

Lucia Pierce killed her mother, or so she thought. She is racked with guilt and nightmares, and marked with scars that remind her of her sin every day.



Thirteen years later, in the wake of her father's death, Lucia takes ownership of the family home they left behind years ago – traveling hundreds of miles to start a new life in an old house. She finds the property in a disastrous state, a result of both neglect over time and active destruction by any number of people.



With a massive job ahead of her, Lucia gets to work right away. Cleaning, sorting, and moving occupy nearly all of her time. As she sifts through what remains of her childhood, Lucia makes a discovery that hints at her mother’s leading dangerous double life and the long-held deadly grudge that remains over her own head.



Isaac Young finds himself caught in the crossfire as he attempts to be a good neighbor, helping Lucia to both rehabilitate the property and learn to let go of a past created for her by the adults in her life. Will Lucia be able to move forward and forgive herself, or will she double-down on loathing herself in light of what she’s learned about the most important person in her life?

143 pages, Paperback

Published June 14, 2025

About the author

Kate Aukes is a writer hailing from Central Illinois. With a background in psychology and social work, she brings a unique perspective to her writing.

When she's not crafting captivating stories, Kate can be found cuddling her dog and chinchilla. Her hobbies include crochet, reading, and enjoying quality time with friends.

She works in the non-profit sector by day, and spends her evenings buried in a book or developing stories of her own.

Kate's passion for writing began in grade school and she even earned a spot in a published poetry book during junior high through a national contest.

Reviews

[Anya Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good storyline! Captivating characters and an easy read make for a great thrill! One you don’t want to put down and are looking for more when it’s over.

[Destiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I loved this so much!

First, I want to share that I found this book, hand signed by the author, in a Little Free Library in the small town where I live.

I was very intrigued by the description on the back of the book and couldn't wait to dig in. and then, I could hardly put it down!

The characters, the mystery, all of it, was fantastic. I loved the entire story and I felt that it was wrapped up perfectly. I will definitely be thinking about this story and characters for years to come.

I want to mention the incredible call back nearing the end of the book, to something that happened in chapter 2. I love it when authors include something like this (no spoilers) to go back to after you've finished reading.

I would love to read more from Kate and I will be on the look out for more releases.

As much as I would love to keep this copy, it only feels right to pass it along to a friend or back into a LFL.

I may have to purchase a copy for my personal collection.

5/5 stars!

[Rachel Hollis · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a book that goes beyond suspense and dives deep into guilt, grief, and self-forgiveness, this is one to read. Lucia Pierce is a character you won’t forget flawed, haunted, and deeply human. The emotional weight she carries and the mystery surrounding her past kept me completely hooked. As she returns to her childhood home and starts to uncover buried secrets about her mother’s double life, the story grows darker, more intense, and surprisingly moving. There’s also a strong emotional core in her relationship with Isaac a kind neighbor who doesn’t try to fix her, just walks with her. That part was handled so well and gave the book a lot of heart. I absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys stories of psychological depth, strong character development, and suspense grounded in real emotion. This isn’t just a book you read it’s one you feel.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lingering Shadows by Kate Aukes was such a fun thriller read. I seriously couldn’t put it down! It kept me on my toes from start to finish with just the right amount of suspense, and I loved how quickly I got pulled into the story. The writing was clear and easy to follow, which made it a super smooth read, but what really stood out were the characters—they each felt intentional and layered, like every detail had a purpose. If you’re looking for a gripping, fast-paced book that still feels thoughtfully written, this one’s definitely worth picking up! I fully recommend 1000/10!✨📚🐕💵🚑🚗🌽

[Ryley Aukes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing short story theiller that has me wishing there was more. I would 100% recommend this book to anyone especially if you are looking for a quick and easy read that you can’t put down.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting, atmospheric, and emotionally gripping. Lucia’s journey into her family’s secrets pulled me in from the very first page. A perfect blend of psychological suspense and slow-burning mystery.

[Suzy Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put the book down. I read it in a day. It has a great story line that pulls you in from the start.