Shadows and Sins

The Falconer Files #13

by Andrea Frazer

The body of a woman has been discovered in Castle Farthing Woods, and it appears that although she had been dead for years, nobody had ever reported her missing. DI Harry Falconer of the Market Darley police is perplexed - and not only in his working life. He has recently resumed his relationship with psychologist, Dr Honey Dubois - but while visiting a local village in the course of his investigations, unsettling memories of a former love are revived. Then the bodies start to come thick and fast...

Genres: Mystery

252 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2016

About the author

An ex-member of Mensa (bored!),Andrea Frazer is married, with four grown-up children, and lives in the Dordogne with her husband Tony and their seven cats. She has wanted to write since she first began to read at the age of five, but has been a little busy raising a family and working as a lecturer in Greek (she has a Fellowship Diploma in Greek), and teaching music.
Apart from writing, Andrea continues to teach music, and now also teaches French to ex-pats.
Her interests include playing several instruments (but not all at the same time!), reading, and choral singing (she sings with two choirs in a nearby town). In her spare time, she breathes!

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four and a half stars!
I was SO excited for this new Falconer Files book! And it was jam-packed with action!
I recently re-read the first twelve books of the series, so I was prepared for the detectives to finally piece it out that there had been a rash of young females disappearing in the surrounding villages for some time. The answer to the mystery kept me guessing right up to the end, but I found the climax and denouement a bit frustrating. It wasn't that easy to figure out who the perpetrator was without the knowledge that Falconer had discovered. Also, I am not a fan of Honey Dubois. I think that Rev. Florrie should be the one in her position. (I'm purposely not saying what this position is, so as to not spoil anything.)The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger which is also frustrating.
I was, however, very excited and glad to be reading about DI Falconer and DS Carmichael and their friends and family again! Sad times and good times, I love these characters, and I'm already looking forward to the next book!

[Balthazar Lawson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a distinctly differently structured book to all the others in the series. Where as the other books start with a round of introduction to the village and it's residents, this starts with the discovery of a body by Carmichael while walking his dogs. I thought it was going to be a more enjoyable crime read.

And then it goes down hill. Very quickly there are a rash of bodies being discovered across multiple locations, none of them very recent. There is are cameo appearances of most of the previously mentioned villages and villagers. But the fact all these bodies are suddenly found it beyond a good story.

The character of Falconer has been firmly cemented in as a mix of a frigid old woman, repressed priest, horny teenage boy and petulant toddler. He is weird and not likeable at all.

[R.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a much better book than I imagined it would be. I guess the title threw me. It didn't seem as substantial as the story line ended up being. That's opinion. The story was great. I really loved the characters, especial the man with the new twins. The serial killer has been operating for a very long time without anyone realizing it. Interesting.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

the body of a woman is discovered in the woods. Soon there are more reports of missing women and they keep finding bodies. Carmichael's wife gives birth to twins so Falconer works with a new policeman for a bit plus he is reveling in his relationship with Dr. Honey Dubois.

Good writing. Makes me laugh.

[Lesley Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read

These books are really good I enjoyed reading all the series. As you read each one you get to know the characters quite well. Carmichael and Falconer have to solve the murders of young women who have gone missing. I do hope there will be more books.

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman's body is discovered in the woods near Castle Farthing and even though she has been dead some years she was never reported missing. Other bodies, in various states of preservation soon follow and DI harry Farthing and DS Davey Carmichael are forced to confront the unwelcome truth that a serial killer is on the loose on their patch. Soon they have more evidence than they actually need but no one they really suspect.

Both Falconer and Carmichael have other things on their minds. Falconer has resumed his relationship with Dr Honey Dubois and one of his cats has gone missing. Carmichael's wife, Kerry is about to give birth to twins prematurely. Neither of them are concentrating on their jobs as much as usual.

I thought this was a well plotted and interesting mystery with some likeable characters and plenty if humour in spite of the grisly subject matter. Some of the characters from previous books in the series reappear and Harry Falconer shows he has a human side. This is the thirteenth book in the series though each book can be read as a standalone novel. If you want to follow the relationship between Falconer and Carmichael then the books are best read in order of publication.

[LISA COLE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun murder mystery!

I have enjoyed all of the Falconer series. They have such a unique group of characters. These are fun to read. I find myself laughing out loud all the while wondering who did it.

[Ani Teter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable Read

Well written, and held my interest throughout. It reminded me of all my favorite British mysteries on PBS. Fun, but not simplistic.