Shadows of the Past

Detective Arla Baker #15

by M.L. Rose

DCI Arla Baker is back in a twisted, heart pounding mystery that will keep you all night…

The skeleton of a woman is discovered in one of London’s canals. Decades ago, she was wrapped up in a tarpaulin, tied with stones, and then her body was left to sink in the dark waters of the canal…

Today DCI Baker has to uncover the secrets of her terrible death…

But the more she investigates, the greater the dangers become. The missing woman was connected to one of London’s notorious gangsters, and this man had powerful connections.
As Arla peels back the secretive layers, she uncovers the work of a blood thirsty serial killer who is still hiding in the shadows today…

The people who are drawn into this web of deceit want to keep the past buried – but Arla wants to discover the truth. She faces a vicious web of treachery and lies that sucks her into mortal danger…

The killer is back on the streets, and this time, he is hunting for Arla…with her back to the wall, Arla has to fight back like never before…will she succeed?

If you like James Patterson, Harlan Coben, Patricial Cornwell, Michael Connelly, Lisa Regan, then discover the Arla Baker Series by ML Rose.

233 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 22, 2026

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Arla and Harry are on the hunt for a horrible abuser and, most likely, a serial murderer. When a body is discovered trapped in the mud of a canal, Arla and her team are tasked with the search for clues and suspects. When it is discovered that the body is the victim in an unsolved, long closed investigation, connections are uncovered involving gangsters, a very powerful, political family, and lots and lots of very uncomfortable secrets. Arla, Harry and the team uncover an incredibly sick bad guy who takes all of their talents to uncover and allow them to put together all of the long-hidden clues that lead to him; just a note - even though you believe you are safe from your crimes of the past, you are not safe when Arla and the team are after you. Great ending that leaves you scratching your head; what??? Thoroughly enjoyed this next story in this great series.

[Carol Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The long-awaited Arla is back in town so to speak. Still, people are living on barges as a hot dry summer the water levels are dropping and a big piece of tarpaulin is discovered with a body inside Arla is SIO at the moment she takes on the case but it's a cold case as the body had decomposed. Still, as the pathologist takes a closer look he spots certain markings, so Arla takes over and starts to peel back the layers to see who this poor person who was still young with the markings of being tortured.
Can she do it and who reported her missing and what were her sex preferences? Harry has applied and still training in firearms and although he can shoot he cannot take a gun home with him, and Arla nearly comes to losing him, but she is quick-witted and sharp, and keeps her eye on him.
Lots of levels to this story and is very cleverly put together, so M.L Rose has done it again.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 15th book in an incredible Arla Baker series that keeps you turning pages, while on the edge of your seat. With the canal levels low, a skeletal body, wrapped in a tarp, surfaces. It is a cold case and Arla, Harry and her team are tasked with investigating the case. Of course, this leads Arla into danger when she digs and finds ties to gangsters, powerful people who want things left alone, and a potential serial killer. With so many possibilities and secrets being unearthed, can Arla and Harry survive the dangers that they face? This is a fantastic mystery that keeps you glued through the twists and turns until the surprise ending. I highly recommend this entire series and this book is a great addition. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Cbyarling · Rating 5 out of 5]

ML Rose' "Shadow's Of The Past" continues the DCI Arla Baker series with extraordindary style.

DCI Arla Baker is well known for success in solving difficult cases. This time she is assigned to the case of a woman whose body was found in a London canal. It turns out that she had been there for many years. The interesting is the killer identifies Baker while she is at the scene.

As Arla begins to interview woman's friends (Kate, Melissa, Julia, Chris, and Cora), she concludes that the death of the woman was due to a serial killer. From then on, the interplay between Arla, the Underwood crime Family, and these characters keeps you drawn so that you can't stop reading. Indeed, ML Rose has written another great book!

[R J Mckay · Rating 5 out of 5]

With all the twists, turns and stomach dropping plunges of a giant roller coaster ride, ‘Shadows of the Past’ drags the reader into a 30-year-old missing person case when a body is discovered in a London canal. Connections to one of London’s notorious mobs and maybe a bad cop or two have DCI Arla Baker laser focused on finding the killer responsible for putting the body into the canal decades earlier. But she also has to watch her own back, because her dogged determination has caught the attention of the wrong person.

A fast-paced book that will leave the reader running to catch up.

[Christine Woinich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story kept me turning the pages. There was plenty of action, guesswork, and some luck to solve this case. I enjoyed following Arla's deductions as she worked out the evidence. Her team were brilliant, and I loved the camaraderie between them. As the author also included her usual glimpses into the background of all the suspects and witness, I tried to piece everything together along with Arla, didn't quite figure it out. A great read.

I received an ARC, and this is my unsolicited review.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant read this is! A multi layered, fast moving thriller, featuring Detective Arla Baker and her team of investigators. Arla is investigating a cold case, the murder of a young woman found in a canal, in this latest episode. The pace never lets up right from the start to the unexpected ending, with plenty of twists and suspense. I loved the characterisation, it was very believable, and I am sure fans will love this latest read which I can highly recommend.

[Alex Mellor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold cases are always complex…..DCI Arla Baker has a reputation for her use of forensic anthropology to solve cases and has now been asked to help with a new discovery of human remains.

Insights into what had happened years before are scattered throughout this compulsive, easy-to-read book. …….Who isn’t involved in this unsolved case of nearly 30 years ago? The importance of watching and waiting is apparent. My own wait ended, with an unexpected twist, as the story finished!

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadows of the Past (The Arla Baker Series Book 15), my first read from author ML Rose. 231-pages of outstanding police fiction. If you like Robert Dugoni you'll like this read. I received a Kindle copy & am voluntarily reading & reviewing it. The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author, Next up is The Lost Sister (The Arla Baker Book 1). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A drought and water levels are low, and a body is discovered wrapped in a tarp and weighted down. A cold case that someone does not want solved. A number of friends of the victim are not telling the police what they know. They are afraid of someone. Arla and Harry get close, and Harry gets attacked.
Another novel that was hard to put down.

[Colin Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a skeleton is found in a canal Arla and her team are called in to take over the investigation even though it is not in their area. The investigation is complex due to the time since the murder and the people involved in covering it up. A good police thriller with enough twists and turns in the plot to keep the reader guessing.

[Margaret Yelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadows Of The Past is the 15th book of the Arla Baker series, by ML Rose. This story line kept me turning the pages from start to finish, it was filled with plenty of twists and turns. Arla lets nothing stop her in her quest for answers. I would recommend this book to others. I received and ARC from the author, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[yvonne grannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

I've thoroughly enjoyed all the arla baker books,not sure if there are going to be anymore, i hope so. For some reason there are many words missed out in all the books,I don't know why,I'm sure whoever is supposed to check these things, aren't doing a good job.they need to try harder,it's very confusing

[Tina Fulcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 15th in the Arla Baker series and it's like welcoming an old family member home. Very well written, which kept me intrigued from start to finish. What an unexpected twist at the end. Brilliant.

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a awesome story about Arla going all out to solve a cold case about a body found and going all to find out who done it withaending you didn’t see coming and solving it with lots of suspense and action. Thank you for this excellent story.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great murder mystery, with UK law enforcement, by a master plot craftsman. I find the differences in the way law enforcement operates in other countries fascinating, and this author never disappoints.

[Jules G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent story

Definitely need to employ a better proofreader as there were so many errors, at least two per chapter. Wrong names, misspellings and missed words entirely. Very annoying.

[Geneva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was disappointed with the grammatical and spelling errors. Several times the wrong characters' names were used in the story. Such as : Rachel called Cora in the phone; Rachel is the deceased victim. Daniel being identified as the suspect, when it was Chris.

[Mrs. Dianna Wojda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and tense

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, the latest in the awesome series from this author. Really recommend reading this series of books

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

DCI Arla is on the job trying to solve a murder that happened a while ago Who is the person, who committed this dreadful crime, can they still be found. Suspenseful, not to be missed as always.

[Sheila Millar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read!!!

An excellent read commentary to finish! Couldn't put it down! Absolutely brilliant storyline! Hope there will be more DCI Arla Baker Books to come!!🙂👍

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent addition to this series. As always, it's so interesting to read how these characters work to figure out whodunnit. Looking forward to their next case.

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so love this series Arla is back. A body is found in the canal. Arla is on the case it's a young woman who was reported missing. And Arla is determined to bring the killer to justice. but someone does not want that happening and will do anything to keep her finding them. lies deceit. is so recommend this series and fans have waited a while for a new book so worth the wait.