What do you think?
Rate this book
Exit Unicorns #4
In the Country of Shadows
From the author of the award-winning Flights of Angels comes the fourth book in the Exit Unicorns series.
It is the winter of 1975 in Northern Ireland and the Troubles are at their darkest hour. Casey Riordan is missing and Jamie Kirkpatrick has just returned home from two years in a Russian gulag.
Desperate to find her missing husband, Pamela Riordan makes a devil’s bargain with the one man she believes can help her, forming an alliance which will have grave consequences for her and those she loves.
For Pamela and her family, caught in the quagmire of eight hundred years’ worth of hate and betrayal, compromise, both that of body and soul—is inevitable. All of them face an uncertain future in Northern Ireland—a country of shadows, where nothing is as it seems and the slightest misstep can have deadly consequences.
Shimmering historical detail and masterful storytelling combine in a tale which sweeps us across continents and seas from the bloody events of the Troubles to the rough streets of post-Vietnam San Francisco, and make this fourth book a journey of both turbulent intensity and heartbreaking choices.
It is the winter of 1975 in Northern Ireland and the Troubles are at their darkest hour. Casey Riordan is missing and Jamie Kirkpatrick has just returned home from two years in a Russian gulag.
Desperate to find her missing husband, Pamela Riordan makes a devil’s bargain with the one man she believes can help her, forming an alliance which will have grave consequences for her and those she loves.
For Pamela and her family, caught in the quagmire of eight hundred years’ worth of hate and betrayal, compromise, both that of body and soul—is inevitable. All of them face an uncertain future in Northern Ireland—a country of shadows, where nothing is as it seems and the slightest misstep can have deadly consequences.
Shimmering historical detail and masterful storytelling combine in a tale which sweeps us across continents and seas from the bloody events of the Troubles to the rough streets of post-Vietnam San Francisco, and make this fourth book a journey of both turbulent intensity and heartbreaking choices.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
792 pages, Paperback
First published March 17, 2016
48 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
January 7, 2023
I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but why haven’t more people read this series?
I’m looking at you, my historical fiction friends.
And you, my romance friends.
Oh, you’re a fan of mythology and lore? Get this series on your TBR list asap. Seriously, I need to talk about it with someone.
I’m this close to doing something ridiculous like writing this review in All caps - and if book 5 is this masterful, I 100% will.
Audio Narration/kindle mix was perfect for this big series.
Filed Under: Ah.mazing audiobook, book boyfriends, series love, start gifting to friends, under-read/under-hyped book/series, love triangle, big a$& books, don’t judge a book by it’s cover
I’m looking at you, my historical fiction friends.
And you, my romance friends.
Oh, you’re a fan of mythology and lore? Get this series on your TBR list asap. Seriously, I need to talk about it with someone.
I’m this close to doing something ridiculous like writing this review in All caps - and if book 5 is this masterful, I 100% will.
Audio Narration/kindle mix was perfect for this big series.
Filed Under: Ah.mazing audiobook, book boyfriends, series love, start gifting to friends, under-read/under-hyped book/series, love triangle, big a$& books, don’t judge a book by it’s cover
May 2, 2016
If you are in need of actual physical proof that author Cindy Brandner is an expert in the art of storytelling, look no further than her latest piece of literature, In the Country of Shadows.
In the Country of Shadows is the fourth installment of the Exit Unicorns series, so I promise not to give too much away (my book reviews are all spoiler-free anyway), but I will say that tensions are high, and broken hearts cannot be so easily mended.
When I started In the Country of Shadows, I was pleased to see that Ms Brandner had not lost her magical ability to spin stories together in order to create a literary masterpiece.
What I didn't expect was to be so emotionally destroyed, I was incapable of starting a new book for several days after I finished it. I was emotionally destroyed in a good way, of course, in a way that only a true author is capable of accomplishing.
This book left me breathless, wrung out, and entirely overwhelmed in every way possible. Cindy Brandner has broken my heart, pieced it back together, and broken it again with her words.
I may say this every time I finish a new book of Ms Brandner's, but I'm confident in saying now that In the Country of Shadows is, by far, my favorite book in the Exit Unicorns series.
Ms Brandner has completely outdone herself with this latest installment of Pamela, Casey, and Jamie's story.
Bravo, Cindy Brandner. You've done it again.
In the Country of Shadows is the fourth installment of the Exit Unicorns series, so I promise not to give too much away (my book reviews are all spoiler-free anyway), but I will say that tensions are high, and broken hearts cannot be so easily mended.
When I started In the Country of Shadows, I was pleased to see that Ms Brandner had not lost her magical ability to spin stories together in order to create a literary masterpiece.
What I didn't expect was to be so emotionally destroyed, I was incapable of starting a new book for several days after I finished it. I was emotionally destroyed in a good way, of course, in a way that only a true author is capable of accomplishing.
This book left me breathless, wrung out, and entirely overwhelmed in every way possible. Cindy Brandner has broken my heart, pieced it back together, and broken it again with her words.
I may say this every time I finish a new book of Ms Brandner's, but I'm confident in saying now that In the Country of Shadows is, by far, my favorite book in the Exit Unicorns series.
Ms Brandner has completely outdone herself with this latest installment of Pamela, Casey, and Jamie's story.
Bravo, Cindy Brandner. You've done it again.
March 30, 2016
This series gets better and better with each book. Cindy Brandner is incredibly talented and, honestly, I can't really find fault in this book. It has just the right balance of mystery, suspense, romance and action. When I was about half finished with the novel, I couldn't believe how many story lines she had opened up and she ties everything together beautifully by the end. I could not put this book down.
I have been waiting for this book since I devoured the third one last August, and this did not disappoint. Every sentence in this book is perfectly crafted and she has a magical way of transporting me to these places as if I can smell, taste and touch them. She shows her characters' intentions, instead of just "telling me" and it makes me want to reread the series so that I can feel the flow directly from one book to the next.
Obviously, it will be impossible to wait another 4 years for the 5th book, however, if this is the type of quality she turns out, it will be very worth the wait. And, to be honest, she hones her craft with each book and I can't imagine topping this one, but she seems to do it every time. Now, stop reading my review and start reading the book!
I have been waiting for this book since I devoured the third one last August, and this did not disappoint. Every sentence in this book is perfectly crafted and she has a magical way of transporting me to these places as if I can smell, taste and touch them. She shows her characters' intentions, instead of just "telling me" and it makes me want to reread the series so that I can feel the flow directly from one book to the next.
Obviously, it will be impossible to wait another 4 years for the 5th book, however, if this is the type of quality she turns out, it will be very worth the wait. And, to be honest, she hones her craft with each book and I can't imagine topping this one, but she seems to do it every time. Now, stop reading my review and start reading the book!
August 7, 2016
I gave this four stars because I am invested in the characters and really like the writing style and story, but my goodness the characters make some TERRIBLE decisions. From a love triangle to a love square? Expect no resolution to the complicated relationships or heart ache from this book. I am just disappointed I have to wait for the next one!
July 10, 2016
I'm so frustrated! I was in such a hurry to finish (well, not THAT much of a hurry since it took me so long to finish it. When I get home from work in the morning, I'm too tired to read more than a few pages). And now that I'm finished, I feel lost. Another cliff-hanger ending.
I loved it, I love the characters, I feel their joy, their sorrows, their pain, and their love, all through your beautiful prose. I can see the lovely panoramic beauty of Ireland and the not so pretty underbelly and back alleys and violent streets of Belfast.
How fast can you write, Cindy Brandner? ;)
I loved it, I love the characters, I feel their joy, their sorrows, their pain, and their love, all through your beautiful prose. I can see the lovely panoramic beauty of Ireland and the not so pretty underbelly and back alleys and violent streets of Belfast.
How fast can you write, Cindy Brandner? ;)
March 21, 2016
First and foremost, brilliant! This is THE BEST kind of book series, where each book just seems to trump the last. Not that they all haven't been FANTASTIC. How rare to stumble upon an author who captivates you like Cindy Brandner with prose that draws you in with all your senses. In the Country of Shadows, we walk with the same cast of characters…Pamela, Casey, Jamie, Patrick…but we also get introduced to a few new members, who steal your heart in ways you never thought possible. No spoilers here, but let me just say if you don’t feel compassion and a special fondness for Noah, then keep reading. You will! And where oh where is Casey, Pamela’s beloved missing husband? And then there is Jamie. Each of these men own either Pamela’s heart or soul. There are twists and turns and plenty to learn historically and glean romantically. The “Irish Troubles” seem to follow, weaving in and out of the story line to make each plot just a little thicker. The ending will leave you satisfied yet clutching tight to the climax that has yet to come. Get ready for a beautiful bumpy ride. You will cry and laugh. I know I did.
April 5, 2018
This book is riveting, moving and emotional. I did not want it to end, but could not stop reading. If you love books that carry you away from this land, then this book is one to read. I hope there is more for these characters, I feel shorted by the ending. My husband laughed when I yelled, "no!" at the end. Great book, Great series, and wonderful author.
March 30, 2016
Best series I've read in a long time
I love this series more than I thought I would initially. What a cliffhanger ending on this one. I want to read the next one now. I suppose I have to wait until it is written though. Wonderfully written and impossible to put down!
I love this series more than I thought I would initially. What a cliffhanger ending on this one. I want to read the next one now. I suppose I have to wait until it is written though. Wonderfully written and impossible to put down!
June 17, 2020
Thank you, Ms. Brandner, for another wonderful read!!
I tried to take my time reading Shadows, I know how good the author is at gorgeous scenes and descriptions. She can pull you in and touch a place inside that you thought for sure you had well hidden....and how did she know anyway?!. But I needed to find answers to the hellish cliff hanger from Angels!! Got that answer and a whole lot more in the way of shocks, surprises and 'OMG that did not just happen' moments! A reread is definitely in order for me, to appreciate some of the detail and beautiful prose the author does so well!
I tried to take my time reading Shadows, I know how good the author is at gorgeous scenes and descriptions. She can pull you in and touch a place inside that you thought for sure you had well hidden....and how did she know anyway?!. But I needed to find answers to the hellish cliff hanger from Angels!! Got that answer and a whole lot more in the way of shocks, surprises and 'OMG that did not just happen' moments! A reread is definitely in order for me, to appreciate some of the detail and beautiful prose the author does so well!
August 15, 2017
I soooo love this series!!
This is such a well written well researched series! I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Her words just sing off the pages. I am an author too and I simply cannot heap the praise high enough for this writer. I have recommended her to friends to read, especially one that lived in Ireland during the troubles
This is such a well written well researched series! I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Her words just sing off the pages. I am an author too and I simply cannot heap the praise high enough for this writer. I have recommended her to friends to read, especially one that lived in Ireland during the troubles
June 12, 2018
I love this series! in some ways this book was my favorite, and in others it was my least favorite. At times it seemed almost as if the author had a great idea for another story and made it fit somehow into this book. Don't let that discourage you though. I am still oh-so-impatiently awaiting the next book. It cannot come fast enough!
September 11, 2017
Ugh!!
I love this series of books however the plot of this one dragged out for too long and aahhh I'm frustrated with the end. I know there will probably be another book but this is NOT how I want to be left .
I love this series of books however the plot of this one dragged out for too long and aahhh I'm frustrated with the end. I know there will probably be another book but this is NOT how I want to be left .
April 11, 2022
In the Country of Shadows is, by far, my favorite book in the Exit Unicorns series, which is saying a lot!! I love this series so much!!
Cynthia Brander has completely outdone herself with this latest installment of Pamela, Casey, and Jamie's story. Thank you Ms Brandner! ❤️
Cynthia Brander has completely outdone herself with this latest installment of Pamela, Casey, and Jamie's story. Thank you Ms Brandner! ❤️
July 28, 2023
This book damn near gave me a heart attack every three pages, I didn’t think I would survive finishing it. I don’t think I’ve ever been this attached to fictional characters before
Emotions, drama, action, politics; I love everything about this series
Emotions, drama, action, politics; I love everything about this series
December 21, 2017
4.5 but I will round up! Enjoyed the continuation of the story. Of course, there is enough unresolved to merit another book!
February 8, 2018
Wonderful and terrible! Another cliffhanger.
January 13, 2019
WONDERFUL SERIES!
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series, and regretfully it has ended. I would like to see another book!!! Put Casey and Pamela back together,please!
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series, and regretfully it has ended. I would like to see another book!!! Put Casey and Pamela back together,please!
May 7, 2019
Loved it
I just love this whole series. These characters are so real to me. I cannot wait for the next book. I need to know what happens next!
I just love this whole series. These characters are so real to me. I cannot wait for the next book. I need to know what happens next!
June 1, 2019
Exciting, easy to read, page turner, history, love the characters.i think they are real people!
February 26, 2020
Loved this book!!!
August 20, 2020
The whole series is excellent. Reading book five now, the writing just gets better with each book.
January 6, 2021
Loved it. Stayed up all night to finish it.
January 23, 2021
While still amazing this one was more heart-wrenching than the previous books and had me pretty sad through most of it. That doesn't mean I won't continue the series though!
July 29, 2021
Book
And so the story continues... Book 4 seemed a little bit contrived yo !e;but it kept me interested. Noe starting book 5. The series is worth the hours of reading
And so the story continues... Book 4 seemed a little bit contrived yo !e;but it kept me interested. Noe starting book 5. The series is worth the hours of reading
August 4, 2022
This series by Cindy Brandner are seriously the best books I have ever read and I have read ALOT of books. The Irish history mixed with her storyline is just too good to put down.
November 20, 2025
I’m so invested! Audible doesn’t have book 5, and I’m actually crying.
March 3, 2017
I WANT MORE!!!!!!!!
It's hard for me to verbalize how much I love this series of books. I simply could not put them down. I am a huge Outlander fan, and the Exit Unicorn series is right up there as far as the quality of writing and story line. I highly recommend them. The ending of book 4 leaves me to hope for a book 5. PLEASE?
It's hard for me to verbalize how much I love this series of books. I simply could not put them down. I am a huge Outlander fan, and the Exit Unicorn series is right up there as far as the quality of writing and story line. I highly recommend them. The ending of book 4 leaves me to hope for a book 5. PLEASE?
March 2, 2021
If you haven’t delved into the world of Exit Unicorns, then you are missing out on an epic work of Historical Fiction!
In the Country of Shadows is the fourth book in this phenomenal and award-winning series and continues the story of Casey, Pamela, Jamie, Patrick along with Noah, and a host of many unforgettable characters navigating the terrible tragedy that is The Troubles.
This part of the story has us traveling to Paris, San Francisco, Maine, and back across the sea to Ireland where the conflict in Northern Ireland continues to spill blood. This story is about truth, trust, loss, survival, and acceptance. It is full of love and heartache and is powerfully emotional.
I first read In the Country of Shadows in 2016 and again in 2020, just after the release of book 5 Where Butterflies Dream.
I have now read this fantastic book as an immersive experience (book+audio) and I can't fully describe the feelings this book leaves with you.
Gary Furlong has outdone himself once again. He delivered pure and powerfully raw emotion with this book, and he has done a spectacular job of bringing the story to life and making you feel as if you are experiencing it all firsthand.
The audiobook for book 5: Where Butterflies Dream is set for release later this year. I can hardly wait!!
The immersive reading experience with this series is so extraordinarily wonderful. I can’t imagine experiencing this series any other way. I highly recommend it! It is an amazing experience.
In the Country of Shadows is the fourth book in this phenomenal and award-winning series and continues the story of Casey, Pamela, Jamie, Patrick along with Noah, and a host of many unforgettable characters navigating the terrible tragedy that is The Troubles.
This part of the story has us traveling to Paris, San Francisco, Maine, and back across the sea to Ireland where the conflict in Northern Ireland continues to spill blood. This story is about truth, trust, loss, survival, and acceptance. It is full of love and heartache and is powerfully emotional.
I first read In the Country of Shadows in 2016 and again in 2020, just after the release of book 5 Where Butterflies Dream.
I have now read this fantastic book as an immersive experience (book+audio) and I can't fully describe the feelings this book leaves with you.
Gary Furlong has outdone himself once again. He delivered pure and powerfully raw emotion with this book, and he has done a spectacular job of bringing the story to life and making you feel as if you are experiencing it all firsthand.
The audiobook for book 5: Where Butterflies Dream is set for release later this year. I can hardly wait!!
The immersive reading experience with this series is so extraordinarily wonderful. I can’t imagine experiencing this series any other way. I highly recommend it! It is an amazing experience.
April 20, 2016
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
What an ending! What a book! I have just finished because I had to reread the other 4 books first before I could start this one. I honestly do not know how a book can make me feel so many different feelings in so short of a time. I laughed out loud, I cried... a few times, I had to put the book down I was so angry, I was scared, not to mention a few other emotions as well. All I know is that if Jamie is half as good of a story teller that Cindy is I would listen to his stories every night as well. (Cindy will you please put out a small book of the Tales of Barsoom? PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!) The ending, well let me say I hate cliff hangers... but this one fit the story so perfectly I understand why she left it the way she did. Tonight I am grateful I will get a good night sleep. Tomorrow I will start rereading... slowly this time savoring every poem and every perfect detail. Thank You Cindy for some of the best hours I have spent lost in Pamela's world.
What an ending! What a book! I have just finished because I had to reread the other 4 books first before I could start this one. I honestly do not know how a book can make me feel so many different feelings in so short of a time. I laughed out loud, I cried... a few times, I had to put the book down I was so angry, I was scared, not to mention a few other emotions as well. All I know is that if Jamie is half as good of a story teller that Cindy is I would listen to his stories every night as well. (Cindy will you please put out a small book of the Tales of Barsoom? PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!) The ending, well let me say I hate cliff hangers... but this one fit the story so perfectly I understand why she left it the way she did. Tonight I am grateful I will get a good night sleep. Tomorrow I will start rereading... slowly this time savoring every poem and every perfect detail. Thank You Cindy for some of the best hours I have spent lost in Pamela's world.
April 20, 2016
"In the Country of Shadows" is the 4th book in the "Exit Unicorns" series. Cindy Brandner is an absolutely wonderful author. All of her books in this series have been extraordinary. Her descriptions of the Irish countryside, Irish homes and the horrible time for the people in Belfast are right on the mark. The choices Pamela has to make to keep herself sane and her children safe are not always the wisest but she does what she has to do. Jamie, Patrick and Casey are all back and bringing their own "stories" to the book. The last page of the book is absolutely wonderful. It foretells the beginning of the next step in life for the Riordans. I'll be awaiting with much anticipation book #5.
These books are very large and seem daunting but once you are immersed in the story, you don't want to put them down. I tried to read this one slowly to savor the story line but it was hard. Cindy--you have told another great story and your fans can't wait to see what else you have in mind for these wonderful characters.
These books are very large and seem daunting but once you are immersed in the story, you don't want to put them down. I tried to read this one slowly to savor the story line but it was hard. Cindy--you have told another great story and your fans can't wait to see what else you have in mind for these wonderful characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews