What do you think?
Rate this book
Sinister Shadows
Who is Duncan Reynolds? Pierce, the man claiming to be my husband says that’s me.
A racing heart and a need to breathe are my only memories when I wake in an unfamiliar room surrounded by strangers. With nothing else to go on, I have to trust the people around me to help me remember.
As days stretch into weeks, I know the reoccurring dreams of dark alleys and sinister shadows can’t be ignored, and the only person I have to help me is Pierce. With my memory slowly starting to return, I know things aren’t always as they seem. Will searching for the past lead me closer to my husband or toward the danger that’s lurking just out of sight?
A racing heart and a need to breathe are my only memories when I wake in an unfamiliar room surrounded by strangers. With nothing else to go on, I have to trust the people around me to help me remember.
As days stretch into weeks, I know the reoccurring dreams of dark alleys and sinister shadows can’t be ignored, and the only person I have to help me is Pierce. With my memory slowly starting to return, I know things aren’t always as they seem. Will searching for the past lead me closer to my husband or toward the danger that’s lurking just out of sight?
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2019
24 people are currently reading
77 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 45 reviews
February 10, 2020
This was a decent read, by a new to me author. In all honestly though... I really started to drag about halfway through for me and that’s usually not a good sign for such a short book.
Spoiler below... like full blown spoil... like... imma spell it out for you spoil...
The big reality of this book for me was... I wanted the bad guy to get the romance... it’s true. In all honesty I thought both Pierce and Duncan were assassins or something but Pierce couldn’t risk telling “Duncan” until his memory came back. But when I realized that it was just Pierce that was psycho I was kind of rooting for him, I thought “how can this author make Lucas love him?? But obviously with the book almost over I knew it would never happen.... Would have been killer if it did though.
Spoiler below... like full blown spoil... like... imma spell it out for you spoil...
The big reality of this book for me was... I wanted the bad guy to get the romance... it’s true. In all honesty I thought both Pierce and Duncan were assassins or something but Pierce couldn’t risk telling “Duncan” until his memory came back. But when I realized that it was just Pierce that was psycho I was kind of rooting for him, I thought “how can this author make Lucas love him?? But obviously with the book almost over I knew it would never happen.... Would have been killer if it did though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2019
omg perfection... like sometimes brittany's mind scares me.. what does her mind really think in there haha.. this was suspenseful and amazing.. it was sexy and wonderful.. it was interesting omg soo interesting.. fast paced and creepy haha. i loved it
October 29, 2019
Sinister Shadowsis an suspenseful psychological thriller by Brittany Cournoyer. Duncan Reynolds wakes up in the hospital surrounded by strangers and being told hes married to a man he does not remember. Pierce seems to trying to take care of his husband but is there more going on than meets the eye. All memories Duncan is recalling involves another man and Pietce seems to have a temper Duncan isnt sure he wants to see fully emerge. Is he really Duncan Reynolds? Is Pierce really his husband? And why is he all of a sudden getting sick?
This story was thrilling, exciting and definitely captured my interest and held it. Well written, entertaining and interesting, the story captivates and keeps you needing more and wondering where the real danger lurks.
This story was thrilling, exciting and definitely captured my interest and held it. Well written, entertaining and interesting, the story captivates and keeps you needing more and wondering where the real danger lurks.
June 18, 2020
Firstly I want to say that I did enjoy reading this book and would love to have been able to give it more stars but I just don't like it when I have worked out the plot from the very begining. I also found the writing quite repetitive and simple and to be honest it felt like I was reading fan fiction rather than a 'proper' novel. Not that there is anything wrong with fan fiction of course. There are some superb stories out there on fan sites and I love reading them. In fact a few of my favourite authors began their lives posting on these sites.
I am prepared to give this author another try though as she has said that this is a departure from her usual so I am interested to see how she writes something she feels a bit more comfortable with.
I am prepared to give this author another try though as she has said that this is a departure from her usual so I am interested to see how she writes something she feels a bit more comfortable with.
October 31, 2019
Catch a tiger by the tail
What are husbands for, indeed, and the question of the year with this book. This was a roller coaster read, one heck of a mindscrew, and I devoured it! Duncan wakes up lost and his only connection to his life is a mysterious man named Pierce. Not a typical MM romance but it does end with a hard-fought HEA.
Full of chills and suspense this book will keep you guessing. You won’t know what’s up or down and if you’re like me, you’ll hang on to the edge of your seat and not let go until the end. I don’t want so spoil anything but this book is so good and you’re very clever, Brittany Cournoyer, with the assist at the end. If you are looking for the ultimate creepy psychological thriller to read at Halloween or at night, then this is the book for you.
What are husbands for, indeed, and the question of the year with this book. This was a roller coaster read, one heck of a mindscrew, and I devoured it! Duncan wakes up lost and his only connection to his life is a mysterious man named Pierce. Not a typical MM romance but it does end with a hard-fought HEA.
Full of chills and suspense this book will keep you guessing. You won’t know what’s up or down and if you’re like me, you’ll hang on to the edge of your seat and not let go until the end. I don’t want so spoil anything but this book is so good and you’re very clever, Brittany Cournoyer, with the assist at the end. If you are looking for the ultimate creepy psychological thriller to read at Halloween or at night, then this is the book for you.
July 24, 2020
Duncan cannot remember his name or anything. Pierce says he is his husband, but something feels off. Instead of loving feelings when Pierce is near Duncan has an odd feeling. The longer it takes for Duncan to remember Pierce the more impatient he gets and who is Pierce anyways? His stories to Duncan just don’t add up then small memories start to surface, and they are not the same as Pierce says.
OMG is this book good. There are so many twists and at times I began to wonder if perhaps it was Duncan with the problems, then more twist and as the story unfolded, I began to fear for Duncan myself. Al I can say about the ending is wow oh wow!
Maxx Power is new to me narrator and at first, I wasn’t sure how I felt but as the story picked up, I quite enjoyed it. The book would be a good read, but I think the audio really brings it to life and amps up the suspense factor.
If you like chilling phycological thrillers, nail-biting suspense, twists, and a good page-turning read… You never go wrong with Brittany Cournoyer and Sinister Shadows is amazing.
OMG is this book good. There are so many twists and at times I began to wonder if perhaps it was Duncan with the problems, then more twist and as the story unfolded, I began to fear for Duncan myself. Al I can say about the ending is wow oh wow!
Maxx Power is new to me narrator and at first, I wasn’t sure how I felt but as the story picked up, I quite enjoyed it. The book would be a good read, but I think the audio really brings it to life and amps up the suspense factor.
If you like chilling phycological thrillers, nail-biting suspense, twists, and a good page-turning read… You never go wrong with Brittany Cournoyer and Sinister Shadows is amazing.
November 6, 2019
Wow! Brittany Cournoyer is one of my favorite authors and all the stories I read before were romantic and emotional so I expected the same from this book. But no, not even close... the plot is intense, so intense that I couldn’t leave it until I turned the last page, and then I re-read it because the complexity of the narrative was captivating. I mean, you got 2 voices in the book one from the victim and one from the villain so you can see 2 versions. OMG, all the dialogues and situations were masterfully managed, leading you to doubt your instincts in differentiate evil from good. A brilliant thriller with an unexpected HEA. Wonderful!!!
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
November 6, 2019
This was my first read by this author, and I was blown away. I don't usually read thrillers, so I wasn't really sure if I would like this story. Boy, did I. It was so exciting, suspenseful, and unexpected. From the start, I couldn't help putting myself in Duncan's place and imagining how terrifying it would be not remember who you are and having to rely on others and their good (or not) intentions. How would you trust anyone? Needless to say, I was hooked and wanted to learn more about Duncan and the people around him. It was a wild ride with so many surprises. Great ending. Along the way, I definitely wondered if it would come to an HEA or not. I would definitely try another of this author's books.
I received an ARC and an voluntarily leaving this honest review.
I received an ARC and an voluntarily leaving this honest review.
March 19, 2020
Originally, I meant to allocate 2.5 stars for this unsettled and disturbing drama/mystery ... I didn't feel drawn to any of the characters, and the plot seemed stuck in one setting with endless dialogue between Duncan and Pierce. Then I realized my increasing sense of anxiety, paranoia, frustration was precisely what the author intended for readers to feel ... which thereby bumped the ratings up by one star. The plot is plausible insofar as a Kathy Bates/James Caan movie is plausible. The creepy menace of one MC is well set off against the confused but far-from-helpless other MC. I can't help but wonder what if the author took this down a different 'watery path' e.g. a Goldie Hawn/Kurt Russell route.
November 2, 2019
WOW, that's all I can say about this book. It had me guessing and on the edge of my seat from start to finish. A thrilling book that will have you saying to yourself what the world is going on. Brittany Cournoyer did a tremendous job with one. Duncan wakes up in the hospital but doesn't remember anything about himself or the man claiming to be his husband. Pierce is a PI and claims he is Duncan's husband. Duncan has no emotional or physical connection to this man and every time he questions him he ignores him or gives vague answers. The book is emotional, exciting, no romance, mysterious, and I loved it.
November 1, 2019
Awesome read from start to finish. Just wow I don't know how much to say because I don't want to spoil anything, but this is a crazy thriller that had me guessing the whole time. Duncan waking up and not knowing anything can be a terrifying situation; adding in are the things people are telling him actually true. I loved that this wasn't a typical MM romance, felt fresh and unique. Exciting and interesting and I want to re-read it already. I voluntarily reviewed an 'Advance Author’s Copy' of this book.
November 4, 2019
I read and voluntarily reviewed an arc of this story. Duncan wakes to find himself in a antiseptic, cold hospital room with amnesia. He is surrounded by nameless people and told he’s married to a man named Pierce. Pierce is alright and caring but there’s a ton of unanswered questions and why is Duncan getting flashes of memory about another man? Pierce has a temper that Duncan doesn’t think he’s fully experienced. Are they really married? This book will take you on a psychological minefield and back again. This one is definitely not going to be for everyone but I loved it.
November 10, 2019
3 ½ Stars
***Spoilers***
Sinister Shadows is the first I've read by this author.
The plot, while not new, is interesting and kept my attention until the end because I like to see a bad guy fail. I was invested in the situation these characters found themselves in for a good part of the book but ended up not feeling invested in the characters themselves. I was rooting for Duncan to persevere and win the day, but I found it hard to maintain affection for him because he was, oft times, supremely stupid. He was always giving in to Pierce and discounting his own thoughts and feelings about things. And all this before he found out Pierce’s true nature.
From the first, I found Pierce to be creepy and quite easy to dislike. I was continually trying to figure out who and what he is. I liked that part.
Some of the thoughts and actions of the characters were so implausible that I felt cheated by the author. This made it hard for me to finish the book. But I did.
The ending was a letdown. I enjoyed the fight scene and the reunion with Duncan and his true husband, but I needed MORE from the conclusion. I needed more satisfaction from the bad guy getting his just due. It wasn’t there.
Sinister Shadows had the bones to be a good, suspenseful read, but the flesh was lacking.
***Spoilers***
Sinister Shadows is the first I've read by this author.
The plot, while not new, is interesting and kept my attention until the end because I like to see a bad guy fail. I was invested in the situation these characters found themselves in for a good part of the book but ended up not feeling invested in the characters themselves. I was rooting for Duncan to persevere and win the day, but I found it hard to maintain affection for him because he was, oft times, supremely stupid. He was always giving in to Pierce and discounting his own thoughts and feelings about things. And all this before he found out Pierce’s true nature.
From the first, I found Pierce to be creepy and quite easy to dislike. I was continually trying to figure out who and what he is. I liked that part.
Some of the thoughts and actions of the characters were so implausible that I felt cheated by the author. This made it hard for me to finish the book. But I did.
The ending was a letdown. I enjoyed the fight scene and the reunion with Duncan and his true husband, but I needed MORE from the conclusion. I needed more satisfaction from the bad guy getting his just due. It wasn’t there.
Sinister Shadows had the bones to be a good, suspenseful read, but the flesh was lacking.
November 7, 2019
This is a true page turner book. You HAVE to know what happens next and for that reason this book was hard to put down. Brittany Cournoyer is a newer to me author and her ability to create dark worlds is an exceptional one. I was sure this wouldn't disappoint and I was right. This book, definitely not for the faint of heart or looking for a warm love story, brings excitement, thrills and is fast paced to keep you anxious for what is to come. Great dark read!!
November 11, 2019
This was one hell of a fantastic, grab-you-by-the-feels, keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat, nail biting, gritty, intense, enthralling, gripping, dark, creepy, and totally awesome psychological thriller. Filled with more twists and turns than a roller coaster, mystery, and where nothing and no one are what they appear to be, this new-to-me author had me hooked from beginning to end, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
February 3, 2021
Story : ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Narration : ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The supense in this one had me sitting at the edge of my seat!
The plot twists had me reeling and I was captivated how this story unravelled.
Maxx Power performed a powerful audio delivery and narration.
He made the characters thrilling and compelling to listen to.
This book was everything!
Dark, emotional with an element of mystery and a dash of suspense.
Narration : ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The supense in this one had me sitting at the edge of my seat!
The plot twists had me reeling and I was captivated how this story unravelled.
Maxx Power performed a powerful audio delivery and narration.
He made the characters thrilling and compelling to listen to.
This book was everything!
Dark, emotional with an element of mystery and a dash of suspense.
December 8, 2022
So this book is what I thought it was and that is not a bad thing. The plot is a little predictable but I liked it over all, I liked that the main character “Duncan” knew stuff wasn’t right and looked into things himself and caught when he had too. I also loved how the author had both POVs in the book cause usually this type of story just has the one. But the end disappointed me a lot like after everything it seemed like a throwaway.
October 30, 2019
From the first word this book kept me on my toes, asking questions, and glued onto the book. If you want a book that's different from most romances in the M/M community. You need to grab this book, make a bag of popcorn and read it with a blanket. It does have a HEA, which I have to admit surprised me. This also shows, don't judge a person by the cover.
October 31, 2019
Couldn’t put it down!
Buckle up and hang on for a ride that only Brittany Cournoyer can give. Honestly, this book gave me the creeps and chills. Not for the feint of heart. The characters are gripping and jump off the page. Truly a book welcomed for those who enjoy a good heart stopping thriller.
Buckle up and hang on for a ride that only Brittany Cournoyer can give. Honestly, this book gave me the creeps and chills. Not for the feint of heart. The characters are gripping and jump off the page. Truly a book welcomed for those who enjoy a good heart stopping thriller.
November 1, 2019
Sinister Shadows might be a bit of a departure from Brittany Cournoyer's usual style but, wow, it's a great read. It's full of suspense & intrigue. I want to keep this spoiler free, so I'll just encourage people to read it & see for themselves how this author's skills keep having the capacity to surprise us. Sinister Shadows is an excellent thriller!
November 4, 2019
Brittany Cournoyer has wrote another book that has me on the edge of my seat. I got to say that this book had me guessing throughout this whole story. I didn't know what to think and my heart rate was climbing as I kept reading. Even as I am writing this review I just can't get over help utterly amazing this story is. This is exactly what a psychological thriller is supposed to be.
November 5, 2019
Mind melt
Wow what a deliciously dark mind melting book. I definitely think brittany Cournoyer has found her her niche in this thriller, all the way through i though I had it figured out only to have me second guessing everything on the next page. This book gripped me from the very beginning and kept hold right to the very end. A definite must read
Wow what a deliciously dark mind melting book. I definitely think brittany Cournoyer has found her her niche in this thriller, all the way through i though I had it figured out only to have me second guessing everything on the next page. This book gripped me from the very beginning and kept hold right to the very end. A definite must read
October 31, 2019
Wow
This is brilliant. Full of suspense and ( no spoilers) it’s a brilliant storyline. Keeps you wondering and guessing . If you like darker stories this is for you . Highly recommended
This is brilliant. Full of suspense and ( no spoilers) it’s a brilliant storyline. Keeps you wondering and guessing . If you like darker stories this is for you . Highly recommended
November 9, 2019
Perfect chilling thriller book to curl up with on a rainy weekend or cold night! Just make sure you leave a light on.
I am not going to spoil the book with the plot. Just dive right in and be ready for a ride with twists and turns!
I am not going to spoil the book with the plot. Just dive right in and be ready for a ride with twists and turns!
November 9, 2019
This book bursts out of the gate with pulse pounding action. It takes you on a rollercoaster ride of psychological minefields and doesn't let up as you race to the finish line.
This is a dark, thrilling mystery that kept me guessing as I played armchair detective.
This is a dark, thrilling mystery that kept me guessing as I played armchair detective.
November 10, 2019
OMG this was sooo good!
Such an amazing, suspenseful, and somewhat chilling ride. With little hints and hmm thinking moments you are kept on the edge of your seat. The author skillfully keeps you wondering until the end. I was so sure this wouldn’t end like it did.
Such an amazing, suspenseful, and somewhat chilling ride. With little hints and hmm thinking moments you are kept on the edge of your seat. The author skillfully keeps you wondering until the end. I was so sure this wouldn’t end like it did.
November 12, 2019
I love Brittany Cournoyer! Another home run! I was drawn in by Duncan. What would it be like to wake up and not know who you are? Who do trust? You will not be disappointed reading. I highly recommend reading anything by this author
November 13, 2019
Cournoyer kept me guessing the whole time I read this book. I never knew was going to be happening with Pierce and Duncan. I mean, I didn't know if Pierce was who he said he was or if Duncan was really who Pierce said he was. It really kept me engaged because of that.
October 22, 2020
3/3.5*
I like a good amnesia story and this one had a twist as well.
Duncan is piecing together his life after an accident, except he is ‘sleeping’ all the time. We know early on all is not right with Pierce.
It is generally ok but at times the dialogue was quite basic.
I like a good amnesia story and this one had a twist as well.
Duncan is piecing together his life after an accident, except he is ‘sleeping’ all the time. We know early on all is not right with Pierce.
It is generally ok but at times the dialogue was quite basic.
October 30, 2019
WOW..... What a book!! So suspenseful, mysterious & mind altering moments. So twisted & dark. I read it in one sitting. It's a must read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews