The Shadow Side

by Linda Castillo

There is a dark side to every passion . . .

Cases of random violence have erupted across the country—murderous acts committed by previously non-violent people. Detective Adam Boedecker, grieving brother to one of the suicide-murderers, has discovered that all the suspects had taken a new breakthrough anti-depressant, Valazine.

Elizabeth Barnes has devoted her heart and soul to pharmaceutical research. She’s at the top of her game and slated to be awarded top honors for her latest breakthrough drug. Until a detective contacts her about a recent wave of homicides.

At first, Eli dismisses it as the wild accusations of a grieving, burnt-out cop. But after another mysterious death, and some investigating of her own, Eli realizes that this intense, driven man may be the only one who can stop the killings . . . and save her from the dark side of her work.

Genres: Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Audiobook, Romance

388 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2003

About the author

Linda Castillo is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Kate Burkholder mystery series, set in the world of the Amish. The first book, Sworn to Silence, was adapted into a Lifetime original movie titled An Amish Murder starring Neve Campbell as Kate Burkholder. Castillo is the recipient of numerous industry awards including a nomination by the International Thriller Writers for Best Hardcover, a nomination for the Mystery Writers of America’s Sue Grafton Memorial Award, and a nomination for an “Audie Award” for best mystery audiobook. Her work has appeared on numerous bestseller lists and earned a spot on the Boston Globe’s shortlist for best crime novel.

In addition to writing, Castillo’s other passion is horses. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, three Appaloosas, and two feisty, but loveable Blue Heelers.

She loves hearing from readers. Contact her at books@lindacastillo.com.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the plot and suspense of this book but thought it spent too much time developing the relationship between the two leads. At times this was more like a romance novel. I kept wanting them to get out of bed and do something to solve the mystery. I would have preferred more action outside of the bedroom and less in it.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two-haiku review:

Drug she developed
Might cause murderous rages
Including cop's bro

Exciting thriller
Nice romance, well plotted twists
Enjoyable read

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

UGH! I am a big fan of the Kate Burkholder series by this author. But this was a huge disappointment. The first half wasn't bad. The storyline was intriguing but I couldn't stomach the sappy romance stuff. I had all I could do not to vomit.I don't mind a little romance but this was over the top .

[Travice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another MUST Read!!!

Linda Castillo fans, you're selling yourselves short of you believe the Kate Burkholder series is as good as this author gets. I know of no better way to pass the time waiting for Linda's annual Kate book than to read her other works. I'm blown away at the twists and turns one story can take. Her non-series books are a bit steamy but not at all trashy and for me, there's a big difference! This book has an amazing plot that you absolutely don't want to miss!!!! Grab it now and enjoy!!!

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story was not enough on its own and the explicit sex during last third does not add to story

[Tiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoy the Amish Murder mysteries. I accept that they are cheesy and ridiculous. This one though was worse than most of those and also no Amish to at least add cultural interest. (I am aware that it is not part of that series).

This story is a "thriller" and a "romance" and is set in the "medical" realm.
Being a fan of Patricia Cornwell and other masters of thriller genre this was lackluster on all fronts.
The science wasn't well researched, the story line implausible, the characters poorly written and the worst part? The repartee, the witty banter that EVERY CONVERSATION manages to be full of.. No one talks like this, especially with people they don't know. Every one of her characters seem to be sarcastic at every opportunity. Maybe one character, sure, but all of them? All the time? It is like she is trying too hard to be gritty and "real".
Then the love story. I could do without the sex scenes, but I get some people like them. However, the idea that the characters fall in love in such a short time? And become the only person the other has/cares about? Totally one dimensional.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book could be called a mystery with sex as the characters have sex or are thinking about it for most of the book. For a scientist Elizabeth Barnes called Eli isn't very smart. Barnes is a scientist who helped to test and develop a drug for depression. Her mother was depressed and killed herself so she has tried to develop the drug to help others. Adam Boedecker is a policeman on leave because he was shot in the head. He struggled to recover and then found that his partner and wife are together. Eli and Adam are very attracted to each other. They meet because Adam's brother killed his pregnant wife and them himself. He is sure it is because of the drug he was taking that Eli helped to develop.

[Kathy Waits · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book as an audiobook. I have always liked Linda Castillo‘s books, but this one fell short. SPOILER. It was a good story, but the sex scenes in the middle were too long and unnecessary.
For this lady to be a PhD, she was awfully stupid in some regards, when the phone call came wanting to meet her in and out-of-the-way place anybody with any sense would’ve turned him down. Sometimes both of the characters did things that were extremely stupid. How they got away with not being charged for some crimes I will never know, I know it’s just a story. The story was a good one, but could have been written a lot better. Leaving out a lot of stuff would make the story better.

[Peg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise was good: a Chicago cop on disability leave tries to find out what caused his brother to brutally murder his pregnant wife and then kill himself. Seems a new antidepressant drug may have some hidden side effects. Good characters but, of course, had to have some romance so after flipping through the third sex scene I was a bit frustrated. But a blood pumping ending, if not a bit predictable

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book, in my opinion. There were interesting characters, who were well developed as the story progressed, and the storyline - itself - was suspenseful. I was surprised by the ending, which kept this suspenseful throughout the story. There was a bit more romance than I'm usually okay with, but it didn't seem like filler, the way that some romantic suspense stories with a lot of romance appear - to me.

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed most of Linda Castillo’s books about crimes among the Amish, but this one made me not want to try any more of her other ones.
Maybe partly because I listened to it and did not like the reader.
And Adam’s longing and wishing for Eli was so repetitive, it got boring very fast, made me cringe.

[Sharon Harvey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a disappointment. I felt at times that this was a teenage author attempting to write a sex novel. How many times did the author write; "he can't remember how long it has been since he had been with a woman" I can't tell you how many eye rolls I did during this book when there was another sex scene.

[Barbara Fraley · Rating 4 out of 5]

something is causing depressed patients to become homicidal and suicidal. an injured detective on disability has been tracking the news around the country and has a theory. now a scientist stands in his way to getting research. he must convince her these are not isolated incidents.

[Laura Poppenwimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent thriller, fast moving easy to read.

[Ken Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Shadows

A nice read. We all live in the shadows of our pasts. Those shadows are not always kind. If we are not careful the negative ones can dictate our lives

[Sandy Gurile · Rating 4 out of 5]

All in all I did enjoy reading this book - I did miss the Amish aspect though. Super fast read!

[Kathy Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is my first time reading a book by linda castilo that is not part of the amish cop series. i really did like it.

[MaryLou · Rating 3 out of 5]

not one of my Linda Castillo favorites!

It was ok but too slow and not much of a good mystery. It should be classified as a romance novel rather than a mystery.

[Paulette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four for the story; 0 for the erotica which contributed nothing to the story.

[Jaylon · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 stars if I could!

I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! Very fast paced and kinda scary. This could possibly really become reality in this day and time.

[Lisa Newell]

Excellent read! Linda Castillo is a great storyteller!

[Lori Rohre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew! This will certainly make you think twice (or more) about the legitimacy of the clinical trials of the medications you're taking!

[Jmrees2gmail.Com · Rating 1 out of 5]

The relationship in this is totally unbelievable. The characters are stereotypes. Very unsatisfying.

[Dani Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam thinks his life is effectively over. His partner and his wife have betrayed him, while he was recovering from an on the Job traumatic Brain Injury. He still has crippling migraine headaches, moments of rage and dizziness that he is sure may never go away. He figures his career as a cop is over so hew might as well drink. then comes the knock on his door. His brother and sister-in-law are dead. The cops think it's an open and shut case of murder suicide. But Adam knows better. He starts out to prove his brother didn't do this, couldn't have done this! He would never kill his wife and their unborn child! As he investigates, a new drug keeps coming up in similar brutal crimes..Valazine. He compiles the research he has done and sets out to prove to the link to the scientist who is about to win an award for developing it. Eli Barnes is sure this violent, dangerous man is mistaken...but when she sets out to prove him wrong, things start to happen...dangerous things. An action packed, edge of your chair sort of book that will keep you reading. I literally read it in one day. Won't give away the end...you will have to read it for yourself!

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the romance angle of this book was predictable, I liked the couple and kept guessing at the thriller aspect.

Adam and Eli are about the 2 most different people there can be, so of course the have to end up together. Adam definitely is not like your typical hero in what happened to him in the past. Just the fact that he could come back from something like that and still be sane after the betrayals of those closest to him speaks volumes. Eli is your typical egg head doctor, but it works for her.

They have to figure out what happened to the drug that Eli spent the last 10 years of her life working on. At every turn people are there thwarting the effort. With the new introduction of each character you aren't sure who really is the bad guy.

In the end the bad guy does get his and Adam and Eli of course end up together.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Adam Boedecker gets a call to tell him his brother is dead and he has killed his wife in a murder, suicide. Adam cannot understand what has happened because his brother was never violent and would never do this. After researching his brother’s death, he finds that he was taking a new drug for depression. As you starts researching this drug, he finds other violent deaths associated with this drug. So he goes in search of some answers and meets Dr. Elizabeth Barnes who developed the drug. He discusses these violent deaths with Dr. Barnes and she starts questioning did her drug cause these deaths? Which leads us to the story of Shadow Side by Linda Castillo.
I have read many books by Castillo and enjoy them all but I will say that this was probably my least favorite. It seemed very predictable but it was a good story so I am giving it four stars.

[Jade17 · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mediocre medical-related thriller. I just don't know why the author felt the need to inject [bad pun, I know] several unecessary sex scenes in the story. But then again, it is within the romantic suspense genre.

[Terry Odell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book by Castillo that I read. I liked that she could show a relationship between two character without having to bring them together right up front in typical romance fashion. It's nice to see the genre's envelope expanding.

[CherylBCz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Kindle version has too many editing problems, missed words, paragraphs that run together, 1's mistaken for I's. The story was okay - this was closer to the author's Harlequin writing time as opposed to her most recent, which are better murder mysteries.