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Sanctuary City
There is something terribly wrong in Sanctuary City, and Maggie is the only one willing to uncover the truth—no matter how high the price.
When Maggie Bychowski starts her job as a police officer in Sanctuary City, the small northern California town seems as bucolic as its name. Too soon, she discovers the thin blue line is as crooked as a drunk walking heel to toe. When Maggie tries to shed light on what's really going on under the surface in the town, the powers that be mobilize to protect their own.
But when Shadowman, an online fantasy character, starts luring local girls into doing his deadly bidding, concerns about shady dealings in the town take a back seat to a powerful evil that threatens to destroy everyone in its path.
Maggie has an impossible choice: risk it all or lose it all.
When Maggie Bychowski starts her job as a police officer in Sanctuary City, the small northern California town seems as bucolic as its name. Too soon, she discovers the thin blue line is as crooked as a drunk walking heel to toe. When Maggie tries to shed light on what's really going on under the surface in the town, the powers that be mobilize to protect their own.
But when Shadowman, an online fantasy character, starts luring local girls into doing his deadly bidding, concerns about shady dealings in the town take a back seat to a powerful evil that threatens to destroy everyone in its path.
Maggie has an impossible choice: risk it all or lose it all.
- GenresMystery
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2018
174 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Kristi Belcamino
98 books421 followersKristi Belcamino is a USA TODAY bestselling author, an Agatha, Anthony, Barry & Macavity, award finalist, a newspaper cops reporter, and an Italian mama who makes a tasty biscotti.
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FULL LIST OF BOOKS:
Gia Santella Crime Thrillers:
Related to Gia Santella Crime Thrillers:
Gia (prequel novella)
Lone Raven (novella)
Taste of Vengeance
Queen of Spades Thrillers
Related: Eva (prequel novella)
Vigilante Crime Series:
Stand Alones:
Nonfiction
Gabriella Giovanni Mystery Series:
Blessed are the Dead
Blessed are the Meek
Blessed are Those Who Weep
Blessed are Those Who Mourn
Blessed are the Peacemakers
Blessed are the Merciful
Related:
The Saint (prequel novella)
Misc:
City of Angels
Tomb of the Queen
Crush Your Query
Newsletter Sign up: https://www.subscribepage.com/KristiB...
FULL LIST OF BOOKS:
Gia Santella Crime Thrillers:
Related to Gia Santella Crime Thrillers:
Gia (prequel novella)
Lone Raven (novella)
Taste of Vengeance
Queen of Spades Thrillers
Related: Eva (prequel novella)
Vigilante Crime Series:
Stand Alones:
Nonfiction
Gabriella Giovanni Mystery Series:
Blessed are the Dead
Blessed are the Meek
Blessed are Those Who Weep
Blessed are Those Who Mourn
Blessed are the Peacemakers
Blessed are the Merciful
Related:
The Saint (prequel novella)
Misc:
City of Angels
Tomb of the Queen
Crush Your Query
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 18, 2018
Maggie is hired as police officer and everything goes well until dark forces come into the picture. An amazing suspense story that has you gripped until you’re finished. Don’t miss out when the book is released.
December 23, 2017
Police officer Maggie Bychowski is a new tough, smart and kickass female protagonist to root for!!
March 8, 2018
Kristi Belcamino hit a home run with Shadow Man. I have liked all her books I have read so far, and I can guarantee, there will be one more ... at least.
I had the pleasure of attending a session given by Ms. Belcamino at the Minnesota Writers Conference last year. Among other things, she said the first sentence of a book is intended to get you to read the book. The last sentence is intended to get you to read the next. Well, Kristi, I can't wait.
Like so many of her books, Shadow Man kept me on the edge of my seat. The story seems to be based on the "Slender Man" murder in southeastern Wisconsin. from a few years back. However, Ms. Belcamino brings it to life in a way that would never be tolerated on TV newscasts.
I had one problem with the arch of the story. That is that Maggie, the protagonist, is a police officer in Apple Valley (Yep, Kristi is a Minnesota author) California. She goes from a timid newbie to a strong-willed police detective essentially overnight.
In the first few pages, she encounters a cop who seems to be ready to kill a Mexican woman while her husband is in the police are waiting for his turn to die. This becomes a standoff which ends with the Mexican couple staying alive, as far as we know. However, Officer Earl, a member of a powerful family in the area, takes it upon himself and his cronies to make life miserable for Maggie.
After some initial reprimands and desk duty, Maggie is back on duty and takes a 911 call from the daughter of a powerful judge, also a member of the Earl family. From here the storylines braid themselves a really gripping book.
For those of you who like such books, I can wholeheartedly recommend it.
I had the pleasure of attending a session given by Ms. Belcamino at the Minnesota Writers Conference last year. Among other things, she said the first sentence of a book is intended to get you to read the book. The last sentence is intended to get you to read the next. Well, Kristi, I can't wait.
Like so many of her books, Shadow Man kept me on the edge of my seat. The story seems to be based on the "Slender Man" murder in southeastern Wisconsin. from a few years back. However, Ms. Belcamino brings it to life in a way that would never be tolerated on TV newscasts.
I had one problem with the arch of the story. That is that Maggie, the protagonist, is a police officer in Apple Valley (Yep, Kristi is a Minnesota author) California. She goes from a timid newbie to a strong-willed police detective essentially overnight.
In the first few pages, she encounters a cop who seems to be ready to kill a Mexican woman while her husband is in the police are waiting for his turn to die. This becomes a standoff which ends with the Mexican couple staying alive, as far as we know. However, Officer Earl, a member of a powerful family in the area, takes it upon himself and his cronies to make life miserable for Maggie.
After some initial reprimands and desk duty, Maggie is back on duty and takes a 911 call from the daughter of a powerful judge, also a member of the Earl family. From here the storylines braid themselves a really gripping book.
For those of you who like such books, I can wholeheartedly recommend it.
January 18, 2018
Krist Belcamino is one of my favorite authors. She has the gift of bringing fierce and flawed female characters to life in contemporary stories that engage, entertain and most importantly draw the reader in from the first page to the last. Her new release Shadowman is no exception.
Shadowman features a new Belcamino character, Maggie Bychowski. Maggie is a new police office in the California town of Sanctuary City- a placid and peaceful place - or so she thought. Maggie doesn't have much time to enjoy her new position as she soon discovers life in Sanctuary City is not at all what it appears to be. Soon she discovers herself thrown into jeopardy and danger that put her into professional and personal danger.
I hesitate to share more- hoping to have piqued interest in this gripping and very well crafted and developed story. This may be the first time readers meet Maggie; I certainly hope it will not be the last. I highly recommend this 5 star plus read.
Shadowman features a new Belcamino character, Maggie Bychowski. Maggie is a new police office in the California town of Sanctuary City- a placid and peaceful place - or so she thought. Maggie doesn't have much time to enjoy her new position as she soon discovers life in Sanctuary City is not at all what it appears to be. Soon she discovers herself thrown into jeopardy and danger that put her into professional and personal danger.
I hesitate to share more- hoping to have piqued interest in this gripping and very well crafted and developed story. This may be the first time readers meet Maggie; I certainly hope it will not be the last. I highly recommend this 5 star plus read.
January 21, 2018
A twist-filled thriller set in a small California town...nepotism abides in the Sanctuary City Police department...as if new police officer Maggie Bychowski needed that on top of everything else...Maggie powers through to right wrongs, but it doesn't quite seem to be over yet. I couldn't put the book down!
January 17, 2018
In “Shadowman”, we’re introduced to Maggie Bychowski who recently joined the police force in a small Northern California town. Dealing with small town bias against “outsiders”, she struggles to fit in, but quickly finds her job in jeopardy. But there are darker forces at play, both in her department and the town, and young people are caught up in the harrowing events. It takes everything she’s got in order to find out what’s going on.
February 24, 2018
Another awesome thriller from Kristi Belcamino. Maggie takes a job with a police department that has a town corrupted by one family. She has to fear for her life from one of the men in blue. A team of two girls gets lured into the Shadow Man's influence. Emily is the daughter of an influential judge, who influences her close friend Sienna to help to try kill their friend Charlie. Maggie has to endure obstacles throughout her investigation of Emily and Sienna.
This is a novel that keeps you asking for more. I am hoping for a sequel.
This is a novel that keeps you asking for more. I am hoping for a sequel.
December 30, 2017
I absolutely loved it. Great characters and storylines. The ending sent a chill down my spine. Highly recommend it.
October 21, 2019
Another fab, fast read!
Kristi Belcamino has done it again. I could hardly put this book down. So sorry its over.
Write faster, Kristi!
Kristi Belcamino has done it again. I could hardly put this book down. So sorry its over.
Write faster, Kristi!
February 19, 2018
I would have read this book in one sitting, but I made myself get a few hours sleep. When you read Shadowman, you will understand just how hard it was to put down this book even when I knew I had to. As it was, I didn't acquiesce to the needed sleep until 4 in the morning. There is just no good stopping point in Shadowman, as it grabbed me hard with its prologue and just kept on grabbing and grabbing. Kristi Belcamino creates female leads who blaze across the page as passionate in their loyalty to those they love as they are about justice for those wronged. Already established as an author of kick-ass characters with Gabriella Giovanni and Gia Santella, Belcamino now gives us Maggie Bychowski in the Sanctuary City Mysteries.
Maggie has moved to the hills of northern California to take a job as the lone female on the Sanctuary City Police Force. Her work place is an unfriendly atmosphere at best. At worst, well, that comes later. Maggie is willing to put up with the town nepotism, the behind-her-back name calling, the police cruiser that smells like vomit, and other general lack of respect to be close to her twelve-year-old daughter who must live in a care home nearby. The job is essential for Maggie to pay for the quality care her daughter receives, and so she tries to not stick out too much and blend into a routine of doing her job without making waves.
However, Maggie rather quickly gets on the wrong side of the dominant Earl family, whose positions include everything from police chief to D.A. to mayor. She sees Sgt. Earl doing something nobody was supposed to see. It becomes as much a matter of keeping her job as doing it, and then a matter of much more severe consequences. Maggie is not without allies on the police force, with a couple of law abiding as well as law enforcing co-workers who take her seriously. But, the well is poisoned in the town of Sanctuary City by the Earls and those who fall under their influence.
And, there is another poison infiltrating the community, an unseen source of evil and secrecy. A trio of twelve-year-old girls are in online communication with a dark fantasy figure called Shadowman, who works on the insecurities and fears of the young to corrupt them. Shadowman’s lure of leaving all their troubles behind to join him in living at his castle where life is all video games and freedom comes at the price of a barbarity of unimaginable horror. Not unlike the Earl’s family hold on many of the residents of Sancturary City, Shadowman threatens retaliation for non-compliance with his commands. When Shadowman’s urgings result in tragedy, will Maggie be able to uncover the truth as the wagons of Sanctuary City circle? Will Maggie be able to save herself in the process?
I can only add that Shadowman is a book readers don’t want to miss. It is sure to be on “must read” lists throughout 2018 and in contention for awards. Kristi Belcamino is an author with deep resources of the imagination, and she knows how to put pen to paper to bring them to life. The suspense of this novel is constant, an edge-of-your-seat experience that is as thrilling as it is frightening. And, the ride is only over when it’s over, and it’s not over.
Maggie has moved to the hills of northern California to take a job as the lone female on the Sanctuary City Police Force. Her work place is an unfriendly atmosphere at best. At worst, well, that comes later. Maggie is willing to put up with the town nepotism, the behind-her-back name calling, the police cruiser that smells like vomit, and other general lack of respect to be close to her twelve-year-old daughter who must live in a care home nearby. The job is essential for Maggie to pay for the quality care her daughter receives, and so she tries to not stick out too much and blend into a routine of doing her job without making waves.
However, Maggie rather quickly gets on the wrong side of the dominant Earl family, whose positions include everything from police chief to D.A. to mayor. She sees Sgt. Earl doing something nobody was supposed to see. It becomes as much a matter of keeping her job as doing it, and then a matter of much more severe consequences. Maggie is not without allies on the police force, with a couple of law abiding as well as law enforcing co-workers who take her seriously. But, the well is poisoned in the town of Sanctuary City by the Earls and those who fall under their influence.
And, there is another poison infiltrating the community, an unseen source of evil and secrecy. A trio of twelve-year-old girls are in online communication with a dark fantasy figure called Shadowman, who works on the insecurities and fears of the young to corrupt them. Shadowman’s lure of leaving all their troubles behind to join him in living at his castle where life is all video games and freedom comes at the price of a barbarity of unimaginable horror. Not unlike the Earl’s family hold on many of the residents of Sancturary City, Shadowman threatens retaliation for non-compliance with his commands. When Shadowman’s urgings result in tragedy, will Maggie be able to uncover the truth as the wagons of Sanctuary City circle? Will Maggie be able to save herself in the process?
I can only add that Shadowman is a book readers don’t want to miss. It is sure to be on “must read” lists throughout 2018 and in contention for awards. Kristi Belcamino is an author with deep resources of the imagination, and she knows how to put pen to paper to bring them to life. The suspense of this novel is constant, an edge-of-your-seat experience that is as thrilling as it is frightening. And, the ride is only over when it’s over, and it’s not over.
February 4, 2018
In this great suspenseful new novel and likely new series by Kristi Belcamino, Maggie Bychowski struggles to fit-in in her new job in the all-male police force of the northern California town of Sanctuary City. Maggie needs to keep her job if she’s going to afford the costs to keep her daughter Melody in the nearby Apple Valley care home. She quickly learns that the Earl family seems to run the town and she unfortunately accidentally gets on their wrong side.
Some of the girls of Shadow City are being influenced by an on-line unseen evil presence who calls himself, Shadowman. He appears to be offering these girls a fantasy future in exchange for some daring deeds.
Maggie is challenged to work on solving crimes while not getting too much on the wrong side of the Earl family. She needs her job, but she also needs to do what’s right.
I really enjoyed reading about many of the characters in the book, especially Maggie, but also some of the other members of the City and County police, some of whom are willing to work against the Earl Family. Also, some of the story is told from the believable perspective of the girls of Sanctuary City which adds to the suspense as one girl appears to be easily influenced by Shadowman. Kristi Belcamino does an excellent job of creating a suspenseful story that kept me interested from the beginning to the end.
Kristi Belcamino is mostly known for her two series of strong Italian-American women, first for the Gabriella Giovanni series and for the more recent series about Gia Santella. Although I’ve been collecting her books for several years now, I just started reading her books last year, starting with the Gia series. I’m enjoying what I’ve read, but Shadow Man is the best I’ve read so far and I’m hopeful that this is the start of a new series.
Thanks to the author for providing me an early copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
Some of the girls of Shadow City are being influenced by an on-line unseen evil presence who calls himself, Shadowman. He appears to be offering these girls a fantasy future in exchange for some daring deeds.
Maggie is challenged to work on solving crimes while not getting too much on the wrong side of the Earl family. She needs her job, but she also needs to do what’s right.
I really enjoyed reading about many of the characters in the book, especially Maggie, but also some of the other members of the City and County police, some of whom are willing to work against the Earl Family. Also, some of the story is told from the believable perspective of the girls of Sanctuary City which adds to the suspense as one girl appears to be easily influenced by Shadowman. Kristi Belcamino does an excellent job of creating a suspenseful story that kept me interested from the beginning to the end.
Kristi Belcamino is mostly known for her two series of strong Italian-American women, first for the Gabriella Giovanni series and for the more recent series about Gia Santella. Although I’ve been collecting her books for several years now, I just started reading her books last year, starting with the Gia series. I’m enjoying what I’ve read, but Shadow Man is the best I’ve read so far and I’m hopeful that this is the start of a new series.
Thanks to the author for providing me an early copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
April 7, 2019
Is evil born, or is it developed in a person? That's an age-old question, which is again brought to light in “Shadow Man”, by Kristi Belcamino. This is a chilling thriller which will keep you on the edge of your seat, guessing throughout the book. It has a strong protagonist, Maggie Bychowski a rookie Police Officer in the small town of Sanctuary City, which seems to have been controlled by the Earl family for the last three generations. For instance, Sgt Doug Earl is as crooked as they come and he is the nephew of the Chief of Police. Maggie caught him in the process of a criminal act when she first joined the Force, and he is determined to have her ousted from the Force through a series of lies, slander, and killing her, if it comes to that!
The main plot is centered around the friendship between three pre-teen girls and the influence, or degree of influence, they are subjected to by an evil entity via the computer. Can an evil person/force within a computer See you? Can it Know you? Can it Kill you, or Make You Kill? Or, are all these just excuses to just be yourself – whatever that self Is?
You can't let yourself miss this thriller! “Shadow Man”, by Kristi Belcamino is an absolute 5-star winner! I found it hard to put down from the minute I began it. There seemed to be a couple of plots in the beginning, and I couldn't see the merging. But Wow did they merge!You just don't expect it!
The main plot is centered around the friendship between three pre-teen girls and the influence, or degree of influence, they are subjected to by an evil entity via the computer. Can an evil person/force within a computer See you? Can it Know you? Can it Kill you, or Make You Kill? Or, are all these just excuses to just be yourself – whatever that self Is?
You can't let yourself miss this thriller! “Shadow Man”, by Kristi Belcamino is an absolute 5-star winner! I found it hard to put down from the minute I began it. There seemed to be a couple of plots in the beginning, and I couldn't see the merging. But Wow did they merge!You just don't expect it!
March 23, 2023
Frightening! Troubling! Disturbing! Unbelievable! How can a town with a name like that be so full of corruption? Easy to understand when one family rules the entire town. So imagine the frustration when a single mother, with a mentally handicapped daughter tries to make a go of it there as a rookie police officer. It would be difficult under the best of circumstance, but when Maggie finds herself in the middle of a case that will tear everything apart, imagine what is going to happen.
Strange things have happened in Sanctuary City for several years. Some young girls have tried to be friends, but something sinister lies right beneath the surface of their relationships. And when a malevolent force appears from cyberspace and starts haunting the girls, matters get much, much worse. Normal kids would have a difficult time differentiating make-believe from reality, but if you are a child with some kind of psychological issues, hell can be unleashed.
Maggie risks everything to solve the case, going against the powers of the community, and thankfully has a few honest people on her side to give her valuable support. Getting at the facts is difficult, and threats against her become life-threatening! The ending is tense, but eventually rewarding. I almost gave up on this book when I thought I couldn't take any more of the despicable behavior of so many characters, but I had faith in the author (one of my favorites) to deliver a great tale.
Strange things have happened in Sanctuary City for several years. Some young girls have tried to be friends, but something sinister lies right beneath the surface of their relationships. And when a malevolent force appears from cyberspace and starts haunting the girls, matters get much, much worse. Normal kids would have a difficult time differentiating make-believe from reality, but if you are a child with some kind of psychological issues, hell can be unleashed.
Maggie risks everything to solve the case, going against the powers of the community, and thankfully has a few honest people on her side to give her valuable support. Getting at the facts is difficult, and threats against her become life-threatening! The ending is tense, but eventually rewarding. I almost gave up on this book when I thought I couldn't take any more of the despicable behavior of so many characters, but I had faith in the author (one of my favorites) to deliver a great tale.
August 22, 2019
What a ride! Once I started this book I got so caught up I had to finish it even when it took the rest of the night. I am such a huge fan of this authors Gia series. But this book pulled me in and wouldnt let go..Maggie is the lead character not exactly a kick ass type hero but a determined one. Forced by circumstances to leave her home so as to find a place to take care of her disabled daughter. She thought she was fortunate to find work in a nearby town on their police force. Too late she found out that some on the force were more dangerous than the criminals. As if that wasnt enough 1 family in power owned the town and everyone seemed to be related including judge and d.a. People not related were being rewarded to not search for certain truths. (Sort of like d.c. in the u.s.a. right now with the false president that wasnt elected by the people but by Russia) Maggie quickly became a target. Seeing something she could not unsee. Now in fear of her life from one of her own. Desperate to make things work because of her daughter. But she just doesnt feel right about not properly investigating who tried to kill a young girl. What will she decide?
This is not a book you want to pass up!!
This is not a book you want to pass up!!
March 26, 2021
Sanctuary City - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Officer Maggie Bychowski is in a bad way, too little sleep, too many bills, a sick daughter, Melody who needs professional residential care, which doesn't come cheap.
The novel is cleverly split into different storylines, each with its own narrator - one being Maggie, her worries about how her job is going, Melody, her mounting bills and a feeling of isolation.
The other is about twelve year old Ellie, daughter of Judge Hatton...who's the Shadowman, messaging her with vile and violent orders?
What is she planning for her step-mom, Janet?
After a run-in with her Nemesis, Sgt Earl, Maggie ends up targeted by him and is terrified she'll lose her job. What dreadful event takes place next?
Whom can Maggie trust?
A brilliantly intriguing suspense-thriller, Sanctuary City (which is where the story is set), is a masterpiece of a crime-thriller, by the sensational Kristi Belcamino, with believable, well-developed characters and a shocking yet absorbingly fascinating plot, that grabs your imagination and doesn't let go for an instant. Don't miss it!
Officer Maggie Bychowski is in a bad way, too little sleep, too many bills, a sick daughter, Melody who needs professional residential care, which doesn't come cheap.
The novel is cleverly split into different storylines, each with its own narrator - one being Maggie, her worries about how her job is going, Melody, her mounting bills and a feeling of isolation.
The other is about twelve year old Ellie, daughter of Judge Hatton...who's the Shadowman, messaging her with vile and violent orders?
What is she planning for her step-mom, Janet?
After a run-in with her Nemesis, Sgt Earl, Maggie ends up targeted by him and is terrified she'll lose her job. What dreadful event takes place next?
Whom can Maggie trust?
A brilliantly intriguing suspense-thriller, Sanctuary City (which is where the story is set), is a masterpiece of a crime-thriller, by the sensational Kristi Belcamino, with believable, well-developed characters and a shocking yet absorbingly fascinating plot, that grabs your imagination and doesn't let go for an instant. Don't miss it!
February 22, 2018
OMG!! If you want a strong female personality, then Maggie Bychowski is your girl!!! Not only is she fighting to keep her job from the corrupt thin-blue line persons, now she has someone who is lures girls online to do as he wishes with hopes of living in a mansion. This person is known as Shadowman, but just who is this person? Maggie is going to find out exactly who this person is and bring them in if it's the last thing she does! This is a wild ride people, so buckle not only your seat belt....you better strap in that shoulder harness as well, you will need it. What a story!!!!! Krisit's best one to date!!!!
February 22, 2018
WOW!!!
Very good read. I liked everything about it, especially the ending. Once again the author gives a strong main character that you can understand and believe in. You see how she is handling her problems and find yourself wanting to help her. But the book is much more than watching Maggie grow. It’s the story of a twisted mind and children at risk. It’s complex, and layered. I don’t want to get too detailed because I don’t want to give any spoilers away. I seriously think it’s the author’s best book so far. Trust me. It’s good. Read it and thank me later. Just wondering, how is she going to top this book?
Very good read. I liked everything about it, especially the ending. Once again the author gives a strong main character that you can understand and believe in. You see how she is handling her problems and find yourself wanting to help her. But the book is much more than watching Maggie grow. It’s the story of a twisted mind and children at risk. It’s complex, and layered. I don’t want to get too detailed because I don’t want to give any spoilers away. I seriously think it’s the author’s best book so far. Trust me. It’s good. Read it and thank me later. Just wondering, how is she going to top this book?
July 14, 2019
A mixture of young adult and spooky serial killer with a badass female rookie police officer
Really enjoyed this stand alone thriller from Kristi Belcamino. Three 12 year old girlfriends prove that three's one too many if one is selfish, spoiled and sick in the head and the other is a follow the leader. It's definitely an impressionable age where girl's want to have that best friend and along comes a person hiding behind the digital world enticing them to kill. All this and a woman in a misogynistic police station with several rotten apples in the hierarchy. It kept me on the edge if my seat and wrapped up nicely
Really enjoyed this stand alone thriller from Kristi Belcamino. Three 12 year old girlfriends prove that three's one too many if one is selfish, spoiled and sick in the head and the other is a follow the leader. It's definitely an impressionable age where girl's want to have that best friend and along comes a person hiding behind the digital world enticing them to kill. All this and a woman in a misogynistic police station with several rotten apples in the hierarchy. It kept me on the edge if my seat and wrapped up nicely
August 23, 2019
This novel is one of thirty-something freebies I downloaded en masse. It is an interesting read, but it is badly in need of editing for grammar, usage, and punctuation. There are vocabulary misuses: access instead of assess; discrete instead of discreet to name a couple. Verb tense errors are frequent: had laid awake; she and Melody was; he glance to the side. The three young girls’ names were confused with each others’ several times. Commas were sprinkled around for no distinguishable reason. There were numerous misplaced modifiers that lent an adolescent tone to the writing style. The plotting of the story, however, was logical and interesting.
September 27, 2019
Story creeps up on you
One of the author’s scarier books, since it involves such real characters.
The writing was a bit sloppy in the first couple of chapters with poor punctuation, not typical for Belcamino. But that either improved, or I was so engrossed in the story I no longer noticed!
Great job with characters, as always, even the one’s that aren’t likable! The very real seeming characters add to the storyline, which includes, unfortunately, the type of violence that has or very likely could occur.
I probably shouldn’t have started this at bedtime, I not only couldn’t put it down until the end, but I was also disturbed enough not to be able to sleep.
One of the author’s scarier books, since it involves such real characters.
The writing was a bit sloppy in the first couple of chapters with poor punctuation, not typical for Belcamino. But that either improved, or I was so engrossed in the story I no longer noticed!
Great job with characters, as always, even the one’s that aren’t likable! The very real seeming characters add to the storyline, which includes, unfortunately, the type of violence that has or very likely could occur.
I probably shouldn’t have started this at bedtime, I not only couldn’t put it down until the end, but I was also disturbed enough not to be able to sleep.
March 19, 2018
It Doesn't Get Any Better than This!
This is the fourth book of Kristi Belcamino's that I've read and am even more amazed at her masterful creativeness that just doesn't let up from page one to the end! No one could possibly read one of her books without falling in love with the"good guys" and absolutely hating the twisted "bad guys!" All scenes and characters are vividly portrayed so reader's feel we're right there.
This is the fourth book of Kristi Belcamino's that I've read and am even more amazed at her masterful creativeness that just doesn't let up from page one to the end! No one could possibly read one of her books without falling in love with the"good guys" and absolutely hating the twisted "bad guys!" All scenes and characters are vividly portrayed so reader's feel we're right there.
March 22, 2020
Hooked
Indeed I must admit Kristi has a new fan....really hated how this last page ended..but I figured there would be more to come with shadowman and detective maggie....i really wish I could afford to continue this series...but I don't have the funds...bit Kristi if your reading this I truly enjoyed it and I'm going to at least follow you on amazon and goodreads....thanx again for sharing this with me👍👍
Indeed I must admit Kristi has a new fan....really hated how this last page ended..but I figured there would be more to come with shadowman and detective maggie....i really wish I could afford to continue this series...but I don't have the funds...bit Kristi if your reading this I truly enjoyed it and I'm going to at least follow you on amazon and goodreads....thanx again for sharing this with me👍👍
February 12, 2019
A first-class thriller.
Gritty, Gripping an edge of your seat thriller.
omg tween girls are just horrible...lol this one made me want to curl up under the covers and hide from the mean girls wow, just wow.
Great drama, awesome twists, fantastically scary characters and majorly awesome ones to and the ending hmmm well I eagerly await the next book.
Gritty, Gripping an edge of your seat thriller.
omg tween girls are just horrible...lol this one made me want to curl up under the covers and hide from the mean girls wow, just wow.
Great drama, awesome twists, fantastically scary characters and majorly awesome ones to and the ending hmmm well I eagerly await the next book.
July 16, 2019
Great read!
This story is told from a police women's pov and also twelve yearolds. The author took me into the 12 year old mind like I was in middle school again! The mystery unraveled at a fast pace and I had to keep reading to find out what was happening next. How have I missed this one up to now????
This story is told from a police women's pov and also twelve yearolds. The author took me into the 12 year old mind like I was in middle school again! The mystery unraveled at a fast pace and I had to keep reading to find out what was happening next. How have I missed this one up to now????
August 10, 2019
An absolute Thriller
Wow, this is a fast paced, thriller that kept me up at night. Belcamino takes a different direction with this serial killer series than what I have become accustomed to in her books. It is a haunting, unable to put down read, until the very end, which turns out to be the beginning!
Wow, this is a fast paced, thriller that kept me up at night. Belcamino takes a different direction with this serial killer series than what I have become accustomed to in her books. It is a haunting, unable to put down read, until the very end, which turns out to be the beginning!
October 16, 2019
Fast paced. Easy reading.
I enjoyed the book .. looked forward to getting back to it. Four stars because in a few places I thought "oh, c'mon, that wouldn't happen." Like no one else outside the town knew of the Shadow Man. No Federal involvement? But... I liked it week enuf to give it a 4 and would recommend it for light read in between heavier reading.
I enjoyed the book .. looked forward to getting back to it. Four stars because in a few places I thought "oh, c'mon, that wouldn't happen." Like no one else outside the town knew of the Shadow Man. No Federal involvement? But... I liked it week enuf to give it a 4 and would recommend it for light read in between heavier reading.
June 4, 2021
This was my first book by Kristi BelCamino (I don't know why but I love her name :) ), and man was it a fun read. I've been trying not to give too many books five stars, wanting to save that rating for the very best. However, I enjoyed this book so much that any rating less than five would be just wrong.
July 22, 2018
Love Maggie!
I’ve read several of this author’s books, and I’ve loved all of her main characters. However, Maggie is likely the most “real” one yet. I will look forward to the next book.
I’ve read several of this author’s books, and I’ve loved all of her main characters. However, Maggie is likely the most “real” one yet. I will look forward to the next book.
May 12, 2019
Awesome read!! Yet another great book fro
Kristi! We are introduced to Maggie, another kickass, detective. We become immersed in a dark world involving the elusive "Shadow Man" & the depth of human behavior involving young girls Don't miss this page turner! You will love it!
Kristi! We are introduced to Maggie, another kickass, detective. We become immersed in a dark world involving the elusive "Shadow Man" & the depth of human behavior involving young girls Don't miss this page turner! You will love it!
July 20, 2019
Slow moving
I almost gave up at the half way point. The book had it's moments, but not enough action for my taste. I'm sure many people would enjoy it, it had some great characters. It just wasn't my cup of tea.
I almost gave up at the half way point. The book had it's moments, but not enough action for my taste. I'm sure many people would enjoy it, it had some great characters. It just wasn't my cup of tea.
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