A Fleeting Shadow

Morningstar Chronicles #2

by Daniel Zeigler

A murderous monk. An ancient riddle. A man willing to pay any price to protect the people he loves.Nigel Baskervell has faced war, revolution, and plague—and survived. Now serving as county sheriff in 14th-century England, he’s determined to shield his family and closest friends from the horrors stalking the land. But when a monk seeking a lost relic collapses at his feet and dies in his arms, Nigel must walk away unscathed or dive headlong into danger to solve a centuries-old mystery.

Trusting his newfound faith, Nigel embarks on a high-risk quest for the missing relic. As power-hungry nobles and hostile clergy close in, the sheriff fears he’s putting his loved ones in mortal danger. Can he unravel the riddle in time to recover the relic—and save those he holds dear?

A Fleeting Shadow is the second installment in the Morningstar Chronicles. It follows the novel Daybreak, continuing Nigel’s journey through turmoil and hope. Here’s why you’ll love hero driven by loyalty and love, grappling with impossible choicesA gripping medieval mystery infused with faith and moral stakesHigh-tension confrontations with corrupt nobility and secretive clergyReady to begin the quest? Buy A Fleeting Shadow today in Kindle, paperback, or hardcover—and join Nigel Baskervell on his inspiring, faith-tested adventure!

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2025

About the author

Daniel R. Zeigler is a retired research scientist with laboratory experience spanning four decades. He holds a doctorate in Genetics from The Ohio State University. Daniel has published numerous journal articles and book chapters based on his research. He has served on the editorial boards for several scholarly publications. While a student, Daniel was confronted with the life and teachings of Jesus. Since then, his life’s passion has been the pursuit of what Dietrich Bonhoeffer described as “Discipleship” and “Life Together” and “religionless Christianity.” His fiction writing is a product of that passion as played out in the life of a trained scientist. Like some of the characters in his works, Daniel enjoys running in parks, eating meals with friends, and playing games with children. More importantly, he lives to immerse himself in a daily life shared with others, doing what he can to help them reach their full potential while gratefully reveling in their impact on his own life.

Reviews

[N.L. Mayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding novel not to be missed

This sequel and its predecessor are about to find a rare spot on my home bookshelf. After reading both books in Kindle, I plan to purchase both in tangible form so I can easily slide them from their places on the shelf and curl up in a comfortable chair to re-read. I don't buy many books in hard form. These are worth it.

Daniel Zeigler knows his way around the written word. His hero, Nigel Baskervell, is an honorable and amiable man of great faith. After two novels, he seems like a friend and someone I would feel honored to meet. His companions throughout both novels are well rounded, each with their own distinct personalities, and each fiercely protective of Nigel. Brother Edmond is a real standout character-by turns he exasperated and charmed me and never left me bored!

The theme of religion as an opposite to genuine faith in Christ was well presented and much appreciated by this reader.

By the time the novel ended, I was almost cheering. I hope we will see other stories about Sheriff Baskervelle. Amazon asks reviewers to also give a critical POV. Can't think of much. The worst I can say is that in a few spots the narrative would have benefitted from a few paragraph breaks for easier reading, but even those spots were far between. Good job. Glad Mr. Zeigler became a writer upon retirement.

[Susan Sloan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the men in the group will want to take a look at this book. I've always been interested in the history of Christianity and translations of the gospel, so it appealed to me even without the promise of romance. It's well written and engaging with several plot twists and the mystery of a supposed relic with special properties. This is the second book in Zeigler's Morningstar Chronicles, but I had no trouble following the story line without having read the first book.