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Shadows on Sidewalks: A Novel
A cinematic and propulsive thriller from the author of Six Days Of The Condor and American Sky.
Bob Dylan once declared that "Sex and politics and murder is the way to go if you want to get people's attention," and readers won't be able to look away from Shadows on Sidewalks, the new erotic thriller from James Grady.
James Traven returns home to his small Montana town in autumn 2024 to care for his mother after a devasting fall. He quickly finds himself trapped in a life-threateneing web of lies and lust. With the clock ticking, Traven must save the savvy and beautiful Lana LaBuff from almost-certain murder. Complicating things is her monstrous husband and the fact that their only ally is Cody, the mysterious former Marine who runs the local gun shop and regularly ghosts on ordinary life.
Fresh and fast-paced, Shadow on Sidewalks takes us on a roller coaster ride through old age, racism, anger, sorrow, lust, and love. From the click of a cocked pistol to the distress signal—an "S.O.S."—emitted as James and Lana fight amidst a swirl of personal and political struggles, James Grady demonstratses his mastery of the noir form and shines a light on the modern condition.
Bob Dylan once declared that "Sex and politics and murder is the way to go if you want to get people's attention," and readers won't be able to look away from Shadows on Sidewalks, the new erotic thriller from James Grady.
James Traven returns home to his small Montana town in autumn 2024 to care for his mother after a devasting fall. He quickly finds himself trapped in a life-threateneing web of lies and lust. With the clock ticking, Traven must save the savvy and beautiful Lana LaBuff from almost-certain murder. Complicating things is her monstrous husband and the fact that their only ally is Cody, the mysterious former Marine who runs the local gun shop and regularly ghosts on ordinary life.
Fresh and fast-paced, Shadow on Sidewalks takes us on a roller coaster ride through old age, racism, anger, sorrow, lust, and love. From the click of a cocked pistol to the distress signal—an "S.O.S."—emitted as James and Lana fight amidst a swirl of personal and political struggles, James Grady demonstratses his mastery of the noir form and shines a light on the modern condition.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published May 5, 2026
About the author
James Grady
95 books198 followersJames Grady is a longtime author of thrillers, police procedural and espionage novels. He graduated from the University of Montana School of Journalism in 1974. During college, he worked for United States Senator Lee Metcalf of Montana as an staff member.
From 1974 - 1978 he was an investigative journalist for the famous muckraker Jack Anderson. Best known as the author of Six Days of the Condor , which was adapted to film as Three Days of the Condor starring Robert Redford in 1975.
James Grady has gone on to write almost a dozen more novels in the thirty-eight years since Six Days of the Condor was published.
In the past James Grady has written under the pseudonyms of James Dalton and Brit Shelby.
From 1974 - 1978 he was an investigative journalist for the famous muckraker Jack Anderson. Best known as the author of Six Days of the Condor , which was adapted to film as Three Days of the Condor starring Robert Redford in 1975.
James Grady has gone on to write almost a dozen more novels in the thirty-eight years since Six Days of the Condor was published.
In the past James Grady has written under the pseudonyms of James Dalton and Brit Shelby.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 15, 2026
I was gifted this book as part of BookSparks Summer Reading Challenge.
I'm going to preface this with I am clearly not the intended audience for this book, and am not a fan of the noir genre 😅
I was not a fan of the prose - it was meandering, and didn't make a whole lot of sense.
From what I can tell this is a standalone book, but it feels like we're just thrown into the middle of a story with no background or context.
The plot was just ridiculous; and not in a good way.
I'm going to preface this with I am clearly not the intended audience for this book, and am not a fan of the noir genre 😅
I was not a fan of the prose - it was meandering, and didn't make a whole lot of sense.
From what I can tell this is a standalone book, but it feels like we're just thrown into the middle of a story with no background or context.
The plot was just ridiculous; and not in a good way.
May 17, 2026
I read (listened) to the book before seeing any reviews. Glad I didn't see the other reviews first. I found the noir style enjoyable and engaging. I can see why it's not for everyone, however this book was engaging from start to finish. The social commentary of the present-day setting combined with the crimes, desires, and motivations that are as old as humanity made for a thoughtful and entertaining read.
May 17, 2026
Format: Gifted Hardback & Audiobook
Themes & Messages: 2/5
Writing & Execution: 1.5/5
Story Overall: 1.5/5
Narration: 2.5/5
Enjoyment: 1.5/5
I was excited to read this book as part of my ambassadorship with the BookSparks summer reading challenge. It was the first of four titles I’ve been gifted and I was intrigued by the concept. Unfortunately I don’t have much more to say about this read. Well, nothing positive at least….
Themes & Messages: 2/5
Writing & Execution: 1.5/5
Story Overall: 1.5/5
Narration: 2.5/5
Enjoyment: 1.5/5
I was excited to read this book as part of my ambassadorship with the BookSparks summer reading challenge. It was the first of four titles I’ve been gifted and I was intrigued by the concept. Unfortunately I don’t have much more to say about this read. Well, nothing positive at least….
May 16, 2026
Absolutely terrible dialogue
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews