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A Walking Shadow
To achieve her heart’s desire, a novice actress may very well have to sell her soul.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2013
48 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Ireland
8 books40 followersElizabeth Ireland discovered her passion for theater early. After receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees in Theater, she accepted a teaching position in a vibrant performing arts department at a college in northern Illinois. For ten years, she taught, directed and ran front-of-house operations. American Theater History—particularly that of the 19th century—has always been of particular interest to her.
She has been a quarter-finalist and a semi-finalist for the Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowship in screenwriting sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Two of her screenplays have been optioned. Her nonfiction work, Women of Vision: Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Lives, was published in 2008. Her work has also been published in a collection of paranormal short stories, Paramourtal: Tales of Undying Love and Loving the Undead. She lives in metro Atlanta with her ever-patient husband, and two quirky dachshunds.
Learn about her upcoming work and the next installment in the Backstage Mystery series at: http://www.backstagemystery.com/
She has been a quarter-finalist and a semi-finalist for the Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowship in screenwriting sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Two of her screenplays have been optioned. Her nonfiction work, Women of Vision: Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Lives, was published in 2008. Her work has also been published in a collection of paranormal short stories, Paramourtal: Tales of Undying Love and Loving the Undead. She lives in metro Atlanta with her ever-patient husband, and two quirky dachshunds.
Learn about her upcoming work and the next installment in the Backstage Mystery series at: http://www.backstagemystery.com/
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 10, 2019
A Walking Shadow is a compelling historical novel with murder mystery and a bit of a paranormal twist. I am really starting to love well written historical novels and this one is fabulous!
It’s written like a memoir of Lillian’s first performance on stage with the famous Irene Davenport, who subsequently dies on stage. I loved hearing the story from Lillian’s point of view. She is headstrong and not afraid to go after what she wants.
Elizabeth Ireland has created a really compelling novel. Set in in Chicago in the 1870s, I really felt like I was there. I love the descriptive areas of the novel where you can really get a feel of what it was like while Lillian was going through this.
The murder mystery with paranormal aspects is really fantastic. I love how it gently draws you in and keeps your attention all the way through. This is the first in the series and I am really looking forward to reading the rest! Highly recommended!
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
It’s written like a memoir of Lillian’s first performance on stage with the famous Irene Davenport, who subsequently dies on stage. I loved hearing the story from Lillian’s point of view. She is headstrong and not afraid to go after what she wants.
Elizabeth Ireland has created a really compelling novel. Set in in Chicago in the 1870s, I really felt like I was there. I love the descriptive areas of the novel where you can really get a feel of what it was like while Lillian was going through this.
The murder mystery with paranormal aspects is really fantastic. I love how it gently draws you in and keeps your attention all the way through. This is the first in the series and I am really looking forward to reading the rest! Highly recommended!
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
May 14, 2019
A Walking Shadow opens with a prologue which briefly introduces Irene Davenport, a celebrated actress who is making a return to Chicago, the city she despises and in which she began her career. Her opening night performance of Lady Macbeth is a triumph but the evening ends in a shocking tragedy which is observed by a young extra, Lillian Nolan, whose life is about to change in the most unexpected way.
The remainder of the book takes an epistolary form as the now eighty year old Lillian writes to her great-grandniece, Agnes who has insisted that she should record the events and memories of her life. It's a very cleverly used device to introduce what looks to be an unmissable series of A Backstage Mystery books. Lillian recalls her introduction to the theatre as twelve year old, Rosemary Hampton when her beloved grandmother takes her to see a performance of Henry VIII in New York. One of the aspects of A Walking Shadow which I particularly enjoyed was the inclusion of real-life actors of Gilded Age and so here she admired Charlotte Cushman as Queen Katherine in what we learn was one of her many farewell tours. These little vignettes throughout the novel add a fascinating authenticity to the proceedings.
Her visit sparks a love of theatre which results in her being forced to make a devastating decision. The book is a reminder that acting was once viewed as a dishonourable choice of career with actresses in particular considered to be women of disrepute. It certainly wasn't a job for a young woman from a wealthy, reputable family and the fear of scandal leads her parents to take drastic action. In deference to their wishes, she takes the stage name of Lillian Nolan but their extreme reaction doesn't dim her desire to be on the stage.
Her grandmother remains supportive and it is through her that she gains her first role in a play but it is a steep learning curve for the young woman. In those days touring companies had limited engagements with local actors being employed to fill in the majority of the company. They were expected to learn their lines and the stage business according to the star's demands, often with limited rehearsal time. Nevertheless, Lillian is thrilled to be given her first role as the Gentlewoman in Macbeth, especially as it allows her the opportunity to watch the immensely talented Irene Davenport at such close quarters. However, she soon becomes much closer to Irene than she could ever have imagined as she discovers she has spiritual abilities which lead to her reluctant introduction to the paranormal world. Lillian agrees to what looks like an amazing opportunity - if she attempts to solve a murder, she will be assisted on stage and allowed to shine in a way no new actress could ever dream to achieve. It's an irresistible proposition but ultimately leads her into dangerous situations as she ventures into the darker underbelly of Chicago's society.
The action is allowed to unfold gradually until the truth is finally revealed and I really enjoyed Lillian's asides to her great-grandniece and her recollections which often led her to wandering from the point of her letter but which ensure it reads as a realistic missive from one relative to another. Readers are given a real insight into theatrical life; the various egos at play, the enduring superstitions and the terrifying, compelling exhilaration of being on stage. It effortlessly evokes the attitudes and societal mores of the time and the incorporation of actual events works really well and offers further drama towards the end of the novel. I thoroughly enjoyed A Walking Shadow, it is an engrossing supernatural murder mystery interlaced with engaging historical fiction and I look forward to reading the next story in the series, Foul Deeds Will Rise very soon.
The remainder of the book takes an epistolary form as the now eighty year old Lillian writes to her great-grandniece, Agnes who has insisted that she should record the events and memories of her life. It's a very cleverly used device to introduce what looks to be an unmissable series of A Backstage Mystery books. Lillian recalls her introduction to the theatre as twelve year old, Rosemary Hampton when her beloved grandmother takes her to see a performance of Henry VIII in New York. One of the aspects of A Walking Shadow which I particularly enjoyed was the inclusion of real-life actors of Gilded Age and so here she admired Charlotte Cushman as Queen Katherine in what we learn was one of her many farewell tours. These little vignettes throughout the novel add a fascinating authenticity to the proceedings.
Her visit sparks a love of theatre which results in her being forced to make a devastating decision. The book is a reminder that acting was once viewed as a dishonourable choice of career with actresses in particular considered to be women of disrepute. It certainly wasn't a job for a young woman from a wealthy, reputable family and the fear of scandal leads her parents to take drastic action. In deference to their wishes, she takes the stage name of Lillian Nolan but their extreme reaction doesn't dim her desire to be on the stage.
Her grandmother remains supportive and it is through her that she gains her first role in a play but it is a steep learning curve for the young woman. In those days touring companies had limited engagements with local actors being employed to fill in the majority of the company. They were expected to learn their lines and the stage business according to the star's demands, often with limited rehearsal time. Nevertheless, Lillian is thrilled to be given her first role as the Gentlewoman in Macbeth, especially as it allows her the opportunity to watch the immensely talented Irene Davenport at such close quarters. However, she soon becomes much closer to Irene than she could ever have imagined as she discovers she has spiritual abilities which lead to her reluctant introduction to the paranormal world. Lillian agrees to what looks like an amazing opportunity - if she attempts to solve a murder, she will be assisted on stage and allowed to shine in a way no new actress could ever dream to achieve. It's an irresistible proposition but ultimately leads her into dangerous situations as she ventures into the darker underbelly of Chicago's society.
The action is allowed to unfold gradually until the truth is finally revealed and I really enjoyed Lillian's asides to her great-grandniece and her recollections which often led her to wandering from the point of her letter but which ensure it reads as a realistic missive from one relative to another. Readers are given a real insight into theatrical life; the various egos at play, the enduring superstitions and the terrifying, compelling exhilaration of being on stage. It effortlessly evokes the attitudes and societal mores of the time and the incorporation of actual events works really well and offers further drama towards the end of the novel. I thoroughly enjoyed A Walking Shadow, it is an engrossing supernatural murder mystery interlaced with engaging historical fiction and I look forward to reading the next story in the series, Foul Deeds Will Rise very soon.
May 10, 2019
*I received a free copy of this book with thanks to the author and Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources blog tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
A Walking Shadow is a cosy murder mystery with a few differences.
The obvious one is the ghostly aspect, as Lillian is sensitive to the spiritual world and therefore her amateur investigation into death at Macbeth is helped, or hindered by visions, voices and actual physical possession.
The narration is given to us directly in Lillian’s own words via her written account to a younger relative. So the Lillian at the time of writing is elderly and is reminiscing about her youthful misadventures. This is a really interesting technique as it gives the reader intimate access to Lillian’d thoughts and feelings both at the time of the action and in retrospect. It does, however, detract a little bit from the tension during high-danger points, as the reader knows that Lillian will literally ‘live to tell the tale’!
There was plenty of other, less fatal, peril though to keep the reader anxious, from family estrangement to the horrifying prospect of a life of perpetual assault in Roger’s Barracks (trigger warnings for rape and violence). The plot is packed with action and intrigue, and yet easy to follow and with just the right number of characters to be interesting without overwhelming.
I would recommend this story to fans of classic mystery stories with added paranormal activity and am excited to find out where Lillian takes her talents in the next book in the series…!
This reminded her how disappointed she was in this, the opening night performance. She simply did not comprehend what was going on. Strange mistakes were being made, props were misplaced, and cues were off. There had been a problem with the downstage trap doors and the appearance of the three witches had been late. The elevator mechanism ran unevenly lending the emergence of the witches an almost laughable quality. She felt she had to make up for it and was giving a tour de force performance of what was an already illustrious career. Lady Macbeth was her favourite role; she adored playing it and loved the way the audience worshipped her in response. But tonight, everything that could possibly go wrong had.
– Elizabeth Ireland, A Walking Shadow
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
A Walking Shadow is a cosy murder mystery with a few differences.
The obvious one is the ghostly aspect, as Lillian is sensitive to the spiritual world and therefore her amateur investigation into death at Macbeth is helped, or hindered by visions, voices and actual physical possession.
The narration is given to us directly in Lillian’s own words via her written account to a younger relative. So the Lillian at the time of writing is elderly and is reminiscing about her youthful misadventures. This is a really interesting technique as it gives the reader intimate access to Lillian’d thoughts and feelings both at the time of the action and in retrospect. It does, however, detract a little bit from the tension during high-danger points, as the reader knows that Lillian will literally ‘live to tell the tale’!
There was plenty of other, less fatal, peril though to keep the reader anxious, from family estrangement to the horrifying prospect of a life of perpetual assault in Roger’s Barracks (trigger warnings for rape and violence). The plot is packed with action and intrigue, and yet easy to follow and with just the right number of characters to be interesting without overwhelming.
I would recommend this story to fans of classic mystery stories with added paranormal activity and am excited to find out where Lillian takes her talents in the next book in the series…!
This reminded her how disappointed she was in this, the opening night performance. She simply did not comprehend what was going on. Strange mistakes were being made, props were misplaced, and cues were off. There had been a problem with the downstage trap doors and the appearance of the three witches had been late. The elevator mechanism ran unevenly lending the emergence of the witches an almost laughable quality. She felt she had to make up for it and was giving a tour de force performance of what was an already illustrious career. Lady Macbeth was her favourite role; she adored playing it and loved the way the audience worshipped her in response. But tonight, everything that could possibly go wrong had.
– Elizabeth Ireland, A Walking Shadow
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
March 25, 2019
This is a great historical read with a twist of murder and mystery. I have to say that I enjoy Historical reads because I love History and this book takes you on such a ride that as your reading it you can't believe what is unfolding and you keep reading because you have to know what is going to happen next.
Lillian accepts a part in the Macbeth play and she is so excited. That is until the leading lady is murdered. It is then that Lillian's life is going to change because she can see and hear the leading lady's ghost. At first it scares her but then she is given an offer that she can't refuse so she decides to investigate and find out who the killer is.
Boy oh boy does this story take you on a roller coaster ride that will have you on the edge of seat needing to see what is going to happen next and to see if Lillian can solve the murder.
Lillian accepts a part in the Macbeth play and she is so excited. That is until the leading lady is murdered. It is then that Lillian's life is going to change because she can see and hear the leading lady's ghost. At first it scares her but then she is given an offer that she can't refuse so she decides to investigate and find out who the killer is.
Boy oh boy does this story take you on a roller coaster ride that will have you on the edge of seat needing to see what is going to happen next and to see if Lillian can solve the murder.
May 6, 2019
A Walking Shadow by Elizabeth Ireland is historical fiction, but with a twist……there’s murder and mystery…
It gradually unfolds into a very clever and engaging read….
Lillian is so excited, she has been offer a part in the Shakespeare play, Macbeth. But, then tragedy strikes as the leading lady is murdered.
Lillian can see her ghost and while terrified, she starts to investigate……who is the killer? And why?
This is told from Lillian’s perspective and is a memoir of her thespian life, the life backstage, the murder and the investigation, a whirlwind of a mystery and ghost story right to the Great Chicago Fire making its debut at the fiery end…..
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
It gradually unfolds into a very clever and engaging read….
Lillian is so excited, she has been offer a part in the Shakespeare play, Macbeth. But, then tragedy strikes as the leading lady is murdered.
Lillian can see her ghost and while terrified, she starts to investigate……who is the killer? And why?
This is told from Lillian’s perspective and is a memoir of her thespian life, the life backstage, the murder and the investigation, a whirlwind of a mystery and ghost story right to the Great Chicago Fire making its debut at the fiery end…..
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
May 16, 2019
Thank you to the Author and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Now this is a different sort of book then I usually go for but I’m sure glad I got the opportunity to read this! Written as a memoir we follow Lillian and her love for the theater before it takes a supernatural/murder mystery sort of twist. This did take me a bit to get into but this may of been due to this not being my typical sort of book. I enjoyed the writing and the pacing of the book though for some reason I couldn’t connect with Lillian as much as I wanted to. This didn’t however diminish my enjoyment for the book at all and I’m already excited to read the next!
Rating: 4/5
Would I read again: No
Would I Recommend: Yes
Would I read another book from this author: Yes
Now this is a different sort of book then I usually go for but I’m sure glad I got the opportunity to read this! Written as a memoir we follow Lillian and her love for the theater before it takes a supernatural/murder mystery sort of twist. This did take me a bit to get into but this may of been due to this not being my typical sort of book. I enjoyed the writing and the pacing of the book though for some reason I couldn’t connect with Lillian as much as I wanted to. This didn’t however diminish my enjoyment for the book at all and I’m already excited to read the next!
Rating: 4/5
Would I read again: No
Would I Recommend: Yes
Would I read another book from this author: Yes
March 29, 2019
Took a bit to get into but once I got involved, it was a heck of a ride. The spiritual aspect added some thrill to the backdrop of the Great Chicago Fire. I enjoyed how the story was told in a memoir. Lillian/Rosemary grew up during this story, and I look forward to her further adventures. She was such an innocent and helped solve a mystery that brought her into a great understanding of love, family, and life.
I received an ARC through Enticing Journey Book Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
I received an ARC through Enticing Journey Book Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
May 11, 2019
I loved this book and the author’s knowledge of the theatre flows through the book as she tells the story of Lillian Nolan. A girl whose love for the stage, forced her family to disown her.
At the beginning of the book a great stage actress Irene Davenport dies on Lillian’s first night working in the theatre. It is ruled to be a tragic accident but Lillian soon learns that she has a role to play in finding who killed the actress.
A great read which covers lots of different genres, historical, mystery and supernatural. I can’t wait to read the others in the series.
At the beginning of the book a great stage actress Irene Davenport dies on Lillian’s first night working in the theatre. It is ruled to be a tragic accident but Lillian soon learns that she has a role to play in finding who killed the actress.
A great read which covers lots of different genres, historical, mystery and supernatural. I can’t wait to read the others in the series.
March 13, 2019
The author's experience with and love for theater comes through on every page. Narrated by the protagonist, I felt like I was sitting at her side while she told the tale of her first big role, from the first shocking murder scene to the fiery, cinematic ending. Well done. Looking forward to the next in this series.
June 16, 2019
Not for me
This is enjoyable enough. Not spellbinding, but we'll written and moves along in a pleasant enough manner. However, it wasn't what I had expected from the description. I like to finish a book if I start it. But I really didn't care by the end. Which incidentally was a bot rushed,.
This is enjoyable enough. Not spellbinding, but we'll written and moves along in a pleasant enough manner. However, it wasn't what I had expected from the description. I like to finish a book if I start it. But I really didn't care by the end. Which incidentally was a bot rushed,.
March 23, 2020
WONDERFUL WONDERFUL WONDERFUL!!!!
What a Fantastic book! If you enjoy the paranormal mixed with fast paced action, exceptional characters I highly recommend this book.
Lillian the main character defiantly is a strong leading lady.
From page one to the last you'll be holding your breath.....Now it's time for me to enjoy Lillian's next adventure......😀
What a Fantastic book! If you enjoy the paranormal mixed with fast paced action, exceptional characters I highly recommend this book.
Lillian the main character defiantly is a strong leading lady.
From page one to the last you'll be holding your breath.....Now it's time for me to enjoy Lillian's next adventure......😀
March 18, 2019
A story told as a memoir and seems it will continue into different parts of Rosemary/Lillian's life. A good enough ghost/mystery story taking place backstage of a theater, but when the mystery is solved it moves the character into the great fire of Chicago, which made me mostly skim through it.
June 10, 2022
Who killed Irene Davenport and why??? Keep your friends close and your enemies… I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.
June 3, 2019
(Note: I read this book under a different title - "A Walking Shadow").
I found the backdrop of a theatre in Chicago in the 1870s fascinating. It was interesting to see how little actresses were thought of in those days (which is such a difference from our celebrity culture now).
Irene Davenport, the leading lady of the times (and murder victim) was, to put it nicely, a vain, mean-spirited diva, but even so, the suspect list isn’t as forthcoming at the start of the story.
I really enjoyed seeing the story from Lillian’s viewpoint, which is written as a memoir for her great-grandniece. Lillian, who is now 96, writes about how she caught the acting bug as a teenager. Her nice, upper-class family is horrified and promptly disown her for wanting to purse a stage career. They offer to take her back, provided she gives up acting and marry the man of their choosing, but determined as any 17-year-old can be, Lillian follows her heart onto the stage.
I liked that we get to see all the different characters that can make up a stage cast and crew – they were a varied bunch and I wish we had gotten to know them a bit better. You can tell the author is intimately familiar with the theatre as her description are detailed, but in a way that makes the entire story come to life. Even I, who has never had any interest in theatre, found myself wanting to immerse myself in this world.
And WOW – that climax. I can’t really say much without giving too much away but let me just say that the climactic confrontation was intense. I don’t know if I’ve ever read so fast – I just NEEDED to find out what happened. And it was just incredible pacing – the description will leave you breathless.
I was initially hesitant about accepting a book that included paranormal aspects, as that’s not generally something I enjoy very much, but honestly, the inclusion of the vengeful spirit of Irene Davenport felt very natural and quite in character. I’m really glad I took a chance on this book as I enjoyed it a lot and I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series!
*** Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. ***
You can read my full, non-spoiler review on my blog: https://www.bookfrolic.com/book-revie...
I found the backdrop of a theatre in Chicago in the 1870s fascinating. It was interesting to see how little actresses were thought of in those days (which is such a difference from our celebrity culture now).
Irene Davenport, the leading lady of the times (and murder victim) was, to put it nicely, a vain, mean-spirited diva, but even so, the suspect list isn’t as forthcoming at the start of the story.
I really enjoyed seeing the story from Lillian’s viewpoint, which is written as a memoir for her great-grandniece. Lillian, who is now 96, writes about how she caught the acting bug as a teenager. Her nice, upper-class family is horrified and promptly disown her for wanting to purse a stage career. They offer to take her back, provided she gives up acting and marry the man of their choosing, but determined as any 17-year-old can be, Lillian follows her heart onto the stage.
I liked that we get to see all the different characters that can make up a stage cast and crew – they were a varied bunch and I wish we had gotten to know them a bit better. You can tell the author is intimately familiar with the theatre as her description are detailed, but in a way that makes the entire story come to life. Even I, who has never had any interest in theatre, found myself wanting to immerse myself in this world.
And WOW – that climax. I can’t really say much without giving too much away but let me just say that the climactic confrontation was intense. I don’t know if I’ve ever read so fast – I just NEEDED to find out what happened. And it was just incredible pacing – the description will leave you breathless.
I was initially hesitant about accepting a book that included paranormal aspects, as that’s not generally something I enjoy very much, but honestly, the inclusion of the vengeful spirit of Irene Davenport felt very natural and quite in character. I’m really glad I took a chance on this book as I enjoyed it a lot and I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series!
*** Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. ***
You can read my full, non-spoiler review on my blog: https://www.bookfrolic.com/book-revie...
June 20, 2013
An engrossing historical mystery. Enjoyed it thoroughly!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews