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The Cassie Tam Files #4
Shadows of the Past
Shadows of the Past is the new novella collection set in The Cassie Tam Files universe! Enjoy two new stories that follow PI Cassie Tam and her girlfriend Lori Redwood as they deal with the fallout from LV48. This book is part of a series and needs to be read in sequence.
A Week in New Hopeland
When Lori Redwood agrees to help out her girlfriend, PI Cassie Tam, by going undercover at a local shipping firm, she gets more than she bargained for. Her ‘boss’ Mr. Graves is a misogynist and a bully, and has been targeting one girl in particular. Cassie is known to him, and he tends to be cautious around Tech Shifters. Which means that Lori may be the best person for the job.
Will Lori be able to help Cassie gather enough evidence for the police to act, or will she become the next target?
Shadows of the Past
PI Cassie Tam is not the only person who lives with regrets, and like most people, she just wants to get on with her life. But in New Hopeland, the past never remains buried. When she’s hired to track a stalker that’s been using some interesting tech to mask their identity on the city’s security cameras, Cassie ends up face-to-face with her darkest memory.
Can Cassie find out who’s responsible before her past mistakes tear her – and her friends – apart?
A Week in New Hopeland
When Lori Redwood agrees to help out her girlfriend, PI Cassie Tam, by going undercover at a local shipping firm, she gets more than she bargained for. Her ‘boss’ Mr. Graves is a misogynist and a bully, and has been targeting one girl in particular. Cassie is known to him, and he tends to be cautious around Tech Shifters. Which means that Lori may be the best person for the job.
Will Lori be able to help Cassie gather enough evidence for the police to act, or will she become the next target?
Shadows of the Past
PI Cassie Tam is not the only person who lives with regrets, and like most people, she just wants to get on with her life. But in New Hopeland, the past never remains buried. When she’s hired to track a stalker that’s been using some interesting tech to mask their identity on the city’s security cameras, Cassie ends up face-to-face with her darkest memory.
Can Cassie find out who’s responsible before her past mistakes tear her – and her friends – apart?
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First published November 4, 2019
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About the author
Matt Doyle
30 books128 followersMatt Doyle is a pansexual/nonbinary author, voice actor, and pop culture blogger from the UK. Matt specializes in horror and sci-fi fiction, sometimes in an unusual or experimental form.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 9, 2019
3.50 Stars. This was another solid read by Doyle. This is the fourth book in The Cassie Tam Files. I have read them all and think they all are a strong 3.5 stars. The best way to describe this series would be futuristic mysteries. You can put the sci-fi tag on this but futuristic is a better tag. It’s about 50-60 years in the future and the world has plausible tech for the times. I do want to stress that I think reading this series in order is really important. If you have to skip one, I would only skip the first because books 2, 3, and 4 are very connected.
This series is about Cassie Tam who is a professional PI. Cassie knows how to stay on the good side of the police and also the illegal underworld, while still being able to close cases that make her clients happy. With a gargoyle this is half guard-dog, half pet, and all robot to watch her back, and a girlfriend named Lori by her side, Cassie uses the newest tech and her brain to solve any mystery that comes her way.
This fourth book was a little different. It was actually broken up into two novellas. One shorter one called A Week in New Hopeland and a longer novella that was called Shadows of the Past. I actually liked having the two novellas. It was two cases, both were interesting and I actually think I enjoyed this more than reading just one story.
The first story A Week in New Hopeland was a real treat. This story was actually in Lori’s headspace. As I mentioned Lori is Cassie’s girlfriend. I actually like Lori a lot and was bummed she wasn’t in the third book all that much. So for her to get her whole little story, it was great and I would love more from her POV. Lori is a tech shifter. Think about if you wanted to be a werewolf, or in Lori’s case a werepanther, and think of how you could be one in the future. Well it means tech and robotics that plugs into your actual body so you can become this animal. As someone who loves paranormal and sci-fi, I love this mix of both called a tech shifter. It is super well imagined and it makes Lori sometimes even more interesting that the main character of Cassie. Doyle, if you read this, thank you for the Lori story and please more Lori in the future.
Shadows of the Past was the second and main novella taking up about two-thirds of the book. We are back in Cassie’s POV as we take on a case of her becoming a bodyguard for an acquaintance that is being stalked. While I enjoyed this story I do have to mention I was a little confused. I actually had to go and skim from the previous books because I was having trouble remembering a few things. And this right here is the big reason why I say read this series in order. You will just be too confused otherwise. Once I refreshed my memory more, things fell into place. I didn’t think the mystery was as strong as in many of the other book, but it does open up some possibilities for future books that make me interested for the next.
While I have to be honest and say that I don’t love this series, I do think it is solid and entertaining. The characters have really grown on me so I can’t see me not reading these books unless Doyle stops writing them. If you are looking for something completely different, futuristic mysteries with a very light romance, than this series might be worth a try. Just don’t start at this book if you are new to the series.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
This series is about Cassie Tam who is a professional PI. Cassie knows how to stay on the good side of the police and also the illegal underworld, while still being able to close cases that make her clients happy. With a gargoyle this is half guard-dog, half pet, and all robot to watch her back, and a girlfriend named Lori by her side, Cassie uses the newest tech and her brain to solve any mystery that comes her way.
This fourth book was a little different. It was actually broken up into two novellas. One shorter one called A Week in New Hopeland and a longer novella that was called Shadows of the Past. I actually liked having the two novellas. It was two cases, both were interesting and I actually think I enjoyed this more than reading just one story.
The first story A Week in New Hopeland was a real treat. This story was actually in Lori’s headspace. As I mentioned Lori is Cassie’s girlfriend. I actually like Lori a lot and was bummed she wasn’t in the third book all that much. So for her to get her whole little story, it was great and I would love more from her POV. Lori is a tech shifter. Think about if you wanted to be a werewolf, or in Lori’s case a werepanther, and think of how you could be one in the future. Well it means tech and robotics that plugs into your actual body so you can become this animal. As someone who loves paranormal and sci-fi, I love this mix of both called a tech shifter. It is super well imagined and it makes Lori sometimes even more interesting that the main character of Cassie. Doyle, if you read this, thank you for the Lori story and please more Lori in the future.
Shadows of the Past was the second and main novella taking up about two-thirds of the book. We are back in Cassie’s POV as we take on a case of her becoming a bodyguard for an acquaintance that is being stalked. While I enjoyed this story I do have to mention I was a little confused. I actually had to go and skim from the previous books because I was having trouble remembering a few things. And this right here is the big reason why I say read this series in order. You will just be too confused otherwise. Once I refreshed my memory more, things fell into place. I didn’t think the mystery was as strong as in many of the other book, but it does open up some possibilities for future books that make me interested for the next.
While I have to be honest and say that I don’t love this series, I do think it is solid and entertaining. The characters have really grown on me so I can’t see me not reading these books unless Doyle stops writing them. If you are looking for something completely different, futuristic mysteries with a very light romance, than this series might be worth a try. Just don’t start at this book if you are new to the series.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
October 26, 2019
Cassie Tam is back and Matt Doyle has created TWO novellas under one cover, because really, can you ever get enough of Cassie?
A WEEK IN NEW HOPELAND takes on workplace bullying as Lori goes undercover to help Cassie nail the boss who targets female employees for “favors” far beyond propriety. Will Cassie be able to keep Lori safe without tipping their hand?
Once again, Matt Doyle brings just the right amount of fantasy, romance and justice to this latest Cassie Tam tale without going over the top and keeping the tension running high. Cassie is an incredibly likeable character, strong, but human, willing to risk anything herself, but filled with a compassion and loyalty to others.
In SHADOWS OF THE PAST, Cassie is on the trail of a dark nemesis when she runs face first into a past that she will always regret. Now she must discover who is behind the stalker’s tech façade, but at what cost?
Short, but filled with the bones of a much longer tale, Cassie continues to have both inner strength and a sense of vulnerability that makes her one of my favorite characters! Filled with tech fantasy, truly human-feeling characters, complete with insecurities and bravery, Matt Doyle’s Cassie Tam series is both entertaining and well worth falling into this universe for hours!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Matt Doyle!
Expected publication: November 4th 2019 by Nine Star Press
Genre: Mystery
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
A WEEK IN NEW HOPELAND takes on workplace bullying as Lori goes undercover to help Cassie nail the boss who targets female employees for “favors” far beyond propriety. Will Cassie be able to keep Lori safe without tipping their hand?
Once again, Matt Doyle brings just the right amount of fantasy, romance and justice to this latest Cassie Tam tale without going over the top and keeping the tension running high. Cassie is an incredibly likeable character, strong, but human, willing to risk anything herself, but filled with a compassion and loyalty to others.
In SHADOWS OF THE PAST, Cassie is on the trail of a dark nemesis when she runs face first into a past that she will always regret. Now she must discover who is behind the stalker’s tech façade, but at what cost?
Short, but filled with the bones of a much longer tale, Cassie continues to have both inner strength and a sense of vulnerability that makes her one of my favorite characters! Filled with tech fantasy, truly human-feeling characters, complete with insecurities and bravery, Matt Doyle’s Cassie Tam series is both entertaining and well worth falling into this universe for hours!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Matt Doyle!
Expected publication: November 4th 2019 by Nine Star Press
Genre: Mystery
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 22, 2020
This book is split into two stories. The first is shorter and it's from Cassie Tam's girlfriend's POV. I like Lori, she's the more open of the two in their relationship. She's likeable. She's also a Tech Shifter -a panther named Ink - when she has some downtime. It was pleasant to get her POV for a change, nice to see how Tech Shifters are viewed through her eyes, but it's Cassie I enjoy the most. I'm used to her dry style and her pared back emotions. Her eye for detail. The cases that she works. Her AI Bert - Caw.
Story #2 is Cassie's POV and I liked that the most. There is a connection to a few of the cases Cassie has been involved in in the series so far. In particular LV48, the previous series book. I can't say much about the overall plot or primary storyline itself because it would give away way too much but Familiar Enterprises and the Kings of Utah play a definite part. Plenty of tech devices are in in use, one which starts in story one, and I just enjoy seeing Cassie and her interactions with those who have become pretty much her (non-biological) family.
Blog review to come.
Story #2 is Cassie's POV and I liked that the most. There is a connection to a few of the cases Cassie has been involved in in the series so far. In particular LV48, the previous series book. I can't say much about the overall plot or primary storyline itself because it would give away way too much but Familiar Enterprises and the Kings of Utah play a definite part. Plenty of tech devices are in in use, one which starts in story one, and I just enjoy seeing Cassie and her interactions with those who have become pretty much her (non-biological) family.
Blog review to come.
December 10, 2019
I love Cassie Tam, and I was thrilled to see a new one. It’s a terrific pairing of two separate stories, both of which hit the spot.
First, we get a real treat with a story from Lori’s perspective. Heed the warnings on this one. It’s especially relevant with workplace bullying and harassment continually in the news. Lori proves again just how brave she is. And then she delights us with a reminder that she’s also thoughtful and kind. We get the fast-paced action of taking down the baddie, and then we get the quiet tenderness of Lori and Cassie having a pretty ordinary moment afterward. I’d say this shorter story feels like it’s written for fans, purely to entertain us. And I’m absolutely cool with that.
The second part of the book is the longer and more complex story. I would say it’s necessary to have read at least one previous book to enjoy the first story, or else the tech and relationships won’t make sense. But to enjoy the second one, yes, it’s necessary to have read the series. There’s an ongoing arc, so beware of reading out of sequence.
The nice part about it is that the author doesn’t waste time re-explaining things. It’s just assumed that we’ll have read the books and know what’s what. I appreciate that because even if it’s a while between books, or between my reading of them, I don’t want everything re-built for me. Cassie’s world is detailed and fascinating, and each dive takes us deeper.
It’s a mystery, so of course, I don’t want to spoil anything. But this is definitely where it’s vital to have a good grasp of the running plot and some of the side elements so far. And because it is a mystery, those details matter more than otherwise. That said, I love how things came together.
There’s a lot to praise here. The storytelling is excellent. I think each installment has gotten better. The world building and the way we’re led further in is wonderful. And in the middle of it all, Cassie and Lori’s relationship is refreshingly ordinary, despite their extraordinary circumstances.
For a combination of great storytelling and great world building, a dynamic duo of awesome women, and ultimately a pair of terrific novellas, this gets 5 stars.
First, we get a real treat with a story from Lori’s perspective. Heed the warnings on this one. It’s especially relevant with workplace bullying and harassment continually in the news. Lori proves again just how brave she is. And then she delights us with a reminder that she’s also thoughtful and kind. We get the fast-paced action of taking down the baddie, and then we get the quiet tenderness of Lori and Cassie having a pretty ordinary moment afterward. I’d say this shorter story feels like it’s written for fans, purely to entertain us. And I’m absolutely cool with that.
The second part of the book is the longer and more complex story. I would say it’s necessary to have read at least one previous book to enjoy the first story, or else the tech and relationships won’t make sense. But to enjoy the second one, yes, it’s necessary to have read the series. There’s an ongoing arc, so beware of reading out of sequence.
The nice part about it is that the author doesn’t waste time re-explaining things. It’s just assumed that we’ll have read the books and know what’s what. I appreciate that because even if it’s a while between books, or between my reading of them, I don’t want everything re-built for me. Cassie’s world is detailed and fascinating, and each dive takes us deeper.
It’s a mystery, so of course, I don’t want to spoil anything. But this is definitely where it’s vital to have a good grasp of the running plot and some of the side elements so far. And because it is a mystery, those details matter more than otherwise. That said, I love how things came together.
There’s a lot to praise here. The storytelling is excellent. I think each installment has gotten better. The world building and the way we’re led further in is wonderful. And in the middle of it all, Cassie and Lori’s relationship is refreshingly ordinary, despite their extraordinary circumstances.
For a combination of great storytelling and great world building, a dynamic duo of awesome women, and ultimately a pair of terrific novellas, this gets 5 stars.
March 31, 2021
Thrilling Adventure!
Cassie and her girlfriend Lori are dealing with the aftermath following on from the last mission they faced. Agreeing to help Cassie, Lori goes undercover in a potentially difficult situation to try and gain evidence to help Cassie get more help from the police. Cassie finds herself facing the past as she embarks on a mission to track down a stalker with serious tech skills that threatens her relationships with not only her friends, but herself.
Matt took us to a new level in the Cassie Tam Files with Shadows Of The Past. I adored how it was two stories, novella’s that formed one bigger story and how Lori and Cassie both got their own starring role in a way. I was intrigued, firstly to get to know Lori more intimately but also by the thrill of the chase in these stories. Time was against both Lori and Cassie so it added a pressure to them figuring out what was going on that was exciting.
As usual with these stories, as they are part of a series you will benefit from having read the previous Cassie Tam files stories, especially this time as there is a lot linking back to previous references. The plot and its twists and turns this time were most unexpected but also really clever (and scary). Honestly, if anyone does ever develop tech like this it would be amazing but the things it would allow people to get away with are enough to haunt you! Cassie really experienced that in this story, and as the reader you did too. At times I wondered if her mind was playing tricks on her and it really got me thinking.
That’s what is so clever about the Cassie Tam Files, some of it doesn’t even seem logically possible and so just like Cassie you end up questioning how, why, and if any of it is even possible to the extent she finds herself embroiled. I was on the edge of my seat with this one, just hoping all would be explained and okay! So excited for more of this series, it’s a great sci-fi series and can’t wait to see what Cassie and Lori will face next!
Cassie and her girlfriend Lori are dealing with the aftermath following on from the last mission they faced. Agreeing to help Cassie, Lori goes undercover in a potentially difficult situation to try and gain evidence to help Cassie get more help from the police. Cassie finds herself facing the past as she embarks on a mission to track down a stalker with serious tech skills that threatens her relationships with not only her friends, but herself.
Matt took us to a new level in the Cassie Tam Files with Shadows Of The Past. I adored how it was two stories, novella’s that formed one bigger story and how Lori and Cassie both got their own starring role in a way. I was intrigued, firstly to get to know Lori more intimately but also by the thrill of the chase in these stories. Time was against both Lori and Cassie so it added a pressure to them figuring out what was going on that was exciting.
As usual with these stories, as they are part of a series you will benefit from having read the previous Cassie Tam files stories, especially this time as there is a lot linking back to previous references. The plot and its twists and turns this time were most unexpected but also really clever (and scary). Honestly, if anyone does ever develop tech like this it would be amazing but the things it would allow people to get away with are enough to haunt you! Cassie really experienced that in this story, and as the reader you did too. At times I wondered if her mind was playing tricks on her and it really got me thinking.
That’s what is so clever about the Cassie Tam Files, some of it doesn’t even seem logically possible and so just like Cassie you end up questioning how, why, and if any of it is even possible to the extent she finds herself embroiled. I was on the edge of my seat with this one, just hoping all would be explained and okay! So excited for more of this series, it’s a great sci-fi series and can’t wait to see what Cassie and Lori will face next!
November 25, 2019
Well, we're back with our favorite emotional armadillo, AKA Cassie Tam. I've been eagerly awaiting what came next for my favorite PI as of late, and the newest installment did not disappoint. The novella is broken up into two cases, one with Lori as the character we see everything through, and man did the beginning of this one have me grinning like an idiot. There's something special about seeing Lori and Caz's relationship behind closed doors. It's just so...real. Real reservations, real embarrassments, real motivations. I'd be hard pressed to find another fictional couple I've enjoyed reading this year more than these two, despite how little I've read of them. I missed them, and Shadows of the Past let me see a little bit more of them, and for that alone this one is a must read.
That's not to say that the two cases being worked aren't great, because they are. Doyle does a great job of giving us two cases that have nothing to do with each other, yet still have consequences for both Lori and Caz. I loved seeing things from someone's eyes other than Caz's, so I'm hoping this isn't the last time the CT Files does this. I love being in Lori's head; it lets us see New Hopeland differently than Caz does. Both cases kept me interested throughout, and I was a little sad once I made it to the end of the book. I always hate getting to the end of a good book, and that's always the case with Matt Doyle. Always a good book. I guess I have to go back to waiting for the next book.
P.S. We need merch of Bert to be made. I would rock the hell out of that!
That's not to say that the two cases being worked aren't great, because they are. Doyle does a great job of giving us two cases that have nothing to do with each other, yet still have consequences for both Lori and Caz. I loved seeing things from someone's eyes other than Caz's, so I'm hoping this isn't the last time the CT Files does this. I love being in Lori's head; it lets us see New Hopeland differently than Caz does. Both cases kept me interested throughout, and I was a little sad once I made it to the end of the book. I always hate getting to the end of a good book, and that's always the case with Matt Doyle. Always a good book. I guess I have to go back to waiting for the next book.
P.S. We need merch of Bert to be made. I would rock the hell out of that!
December 11, 2019
Very nice addition to one of my favorite series: a little bit romance, good mystery and cool near-future sci-fi setting. I liked A Week in New Hopeland (4 stars) a little less. I don’t carry about Lorry as much as for Cassie. And the case, thought raises interesting and important issue, in overall was a bit boring. I see it more as a bonus story, than part of the book. Contrary Shadows of the Past (5.5 stars) I loved. Very strong continuation to story started in previous books. Some answers got answered, some twist were quite a revelation. Thought, now that I know it all, things look very logical and fall right to their place. I can’t wait for the next book, because the story ended with many new questions… The story only gets more and more interesting with each new installation.
December 14, 2019
I love Doyle’s Cassie Tam with all my heart, and was so glad to see more stories here. I enjoyed seeing Cassie through Lori’s eyes in the first story, but absolutely fell into the second short story with Cassie’s latest case, and BERT!! CAW! Cassie’s POV is where Matt Doyle really shines and this little mystery is very cool. I love the cyberpunk world this author has created and the way it allows the author to build some very cool tech related villains. I can’t say too much without spoilers, but I loved this story. We got to see the side of Cassie she doesn’t show and meet some of her estranged family. Pick this up. The Tech-noir detective is probably one of my favorite book characters, next to Bert. Did I mention Bert?
February 6, 2020
The first story did take a bit of getting used to, with it being from Lori’s point of view, not Cassie’s. I had to keep reminding myself that. It was nice to see a different side to Cassie, to also see more how Lori’s mind worked. The second novella had me hooked. Near the end, I literally had zero clues about what was going on. Who was what, who was the bad guys, what was Cassie going to do?
September 10, 2020
Cassie Tam's fourth book is intriguing. There are two novellas. The first, shorter one is through Lori's eyes. It was fun to see how she feels about Cassie and basically to see the world through her eyes instead of Cassie’s. Lori is the star of this novella, even going undercover for Cassie.
The longer novella is back in Cassie’s perspective. The longer novella is back in Cassie’s perspective. She is tracing a stalker who is harassing someone at the company that created Bert, her mechanical and somewhat sentient gargoyle familiar. This takes us back to the people involved in earlier novels and is built on the same premise. I liked Angela a lot as a character. She was an interesting enigma.
The longer novella is back in Cassie’s perspective. The longer novella is back in Cassie’s perspective. She is tracing a stalker who is harassing someone at the company that created Bert, her mechanical and somewhat sentient gargoyle familiar. This takes us back to the people involved in earlier novels and is built on the same premise. I liked Angela a lot as a character. She was an interesting enigma.
February 9, 2020
At first, when I accepted an ARC of Matt Doyle's Shadows of the Past, I didn't realize I'd be getting two stories; I thought it would be another novel. Am I disappointed?
Certainly not.
While the story in shorter works sometimes seems rushed, to my delight, the pacing in both novellas was the same as in the novels that came before them. However, there's one big improvement: while in my other reviews I've had some complaints about Lori, I absolutely loved her in the first novella - A Week in New Hopeland, which is from her POV.
I don't know if being in her head is what helped, but I really enjoyed the experience and I even liked this novella better than the second one - Shadows of the Past, in which we hop back into Cassie's mind.
The second novella is more similar to the novels in one other aspect - it's more mystery-oriented than the first one, but in both of them we get that believable slightly futuristic sci-fi aspect that's easy to understand.
I would recommend this set to people who've already read the previous Cassie Tam Files books. If you haven't read the other three, but a mystery with light sci-fi and romantic elements sound appealing to you, I'd suggest you start from the first book - Addict.
Certainly not.
While the story in shorter works sometimes seems rushed, to my delight, the pacing in both novellas was the same as in the novels that came before them. However, there's one big improvement: while in my other reviews I've had some complaints about Lori, I absolutely loved her in the first novella - A Week in New Hopeland, which is from her POV.
I don't know if being in her head is what helped, but I really enjoyed the experience and I even liked this novella better than the second one - Shadows of the Past, in which we hop back into Cassie's mind.
The second novella is more similar to the novels in one other aspect - it's more mystery-oriented than the first one, but in both of them we get that believable slightly futuristic sci-fi aspect that's easy to understand.
I would recommend this set to people who've already read the previous Cassie Tam Files books. If you haven't read the other three, but a mystery with light sci-fi and romantic elements sound appealing to you, I'd suggest you start from the first book - Addict.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews