Damage Control

by Kirsten Shuford

Genres: Fiction

375 pages, Paperback

Published October 27, 2025

About the author

Kirsten Shuford is a Washington, DC area-based writer of mystery and suspense. DAMAGE CONTROL is her debut novel, and winner of the 2026 Independent Publishers Bronze Medal for Best Mystery/Thriller eBook.

Kirsten is a retired intelligence analyst with more than two decades of service, including positions with the CIA, FBI, NSA, Department of Defense and US Navy. These qualifications inform and shape her writing, especially in the protagonist of DAMAGE CONTROL, amateur sleuth Andrea Sheffler.

Kirsten earned a BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a commission in the United States Navy. She completed postgraduate work at the University of Florida and Georgetown University and is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. Find her online at kirstenshufordauthor.com and @kirstenshufordauthor on Instagram.

Kirsten is a competitive crossworder and loves Star Wars, John Willias soundtracks, the music of Rush, and attending Revolutionary War History camps.

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! The plot is very believable and I found the main character Andi likeable and relatable. The pacing was fast and it was hard to put down. I truly hope she writes more and that maybe this is just the beginning of a series?

[Erin Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing debut novel! A suspenseful, engaging page turner, with complex characters, sprinkled with interesting insight into the world of a Washington DC insider/intelligence analyst.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow- really good. Fast and engaging. Total page turner and fun.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love about the author's characters is their real-life complexity. Smart and confused. Capable and needy. Funny and intense. Irritating and lovable. She covers all sides and masterfully recreates the dynamics and enduring appeal of life's great girlfriend groups. Layer in the mystery, suspense, action and blood ... pin it down with the author's exhaustive life experience and knowledge ... and well it's an irresistible read with a heart pounding ending.

[Teri Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great character development. I couldn’t put it down.. felt like these could be my friends. Also loved the tour of the DC area.. Round Robin bar.. Pershing Park.
Fantastic first novel.. I’m excited for the next with Andi’s research service 😃

[Swati Saxena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a riveting account of a group of friends that has you engaged from the beginning. The author expertly unravels the characters as one reads along in the book. Kirsten is a prolific writer and every scene is vividly described, letting the reader experience the story vicariously.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me engaged from start to finish with unexpected twists. Definitely a book I didn’t want to put down!

[Ashleigh Smyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful to the very end, an easy fun read!

[Laura Pitman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very good first novel. The story line kept me guessing as to what actually happened.

[Nan Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weak on plot and heavy on angst.