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If Shadows Could Tell: an Aurora Steller mystery novel
***A highly complex and multi-layered psychological thriller | Fascinating twists and turns | Unexpected and shocking twist ending***
When Janet Clay's body is found in a local gym pool, every authority dismisses it as just another case of drug-overdose.
Ridden by the guilt of not being able to save the young journalist while she still had a chance ― Aurora Steller visits the memorial service ― only to end up suspecting that things aren't as simple as they appear. Her determination to find out the truth, only draws her further into an intricate web of greed and deceit ― where some will stop at nothing to protect their well-crafted masks.
With several events unfolding around her, it becomes terrifyingly clear that more lives might have been lost already. Suddenly, her beautiful, sleepy little town seems to be harvesting some sinister secrets; every fact seems tainted with lies; everyone she loves is in mortal danger.
With no evidence, no witness and very few allies, Aurora must risk everything, including her own life, to uncover the truth and bring justice to the numerous shattered lives, before it's too late...
-----------------------------
***From the author of several brilliant psychological thrillers like 'The Unrelated Murders', 'Where Did He Go?', 'Addressed To Her' and more...comes this fascinating, intriguing and suspenseful mystery novel that will keep you hooked until the very end!***
When Janet Clay's body is found in a local gym pool, every authority dismisses it as just another case of drug-overdose.
Ridden by the guilt of not being able to save the young journalist while she still had a chance ― Aurora Steller visits the memorial service ― only to end up suspecting that things aren't as simple as they appear. Her determination to find out the truth, only draws her further into an intricate web of greed and deceit ― where some will stop at nothing to protect their well-crafted masks.
With several events unfolding around her, it becomes terrifyingly clear that more lives might have been lost already. Suddenly, her beautiful, sleepy little town seems to be harvesting some sinister secrets; every fact seems tainted with lies; everyone she loves is in mortal danger.
With no evidence, no witness and very few allies, Aurora must risk everything, including her own life, to uncover the truth and bring justice to the numerous shattered lives, before it's too late...
-----------------------------
***From the author of several brilliant psychological thrillers like 'The Unrelated Murders', 'Where Did He Go?', 'Addressed To Her' and more...comes this fascinating, intriguing and suspenseful mystery novel that will keep you hooked until the very end!***
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2020
79 people want to read
About the author
Granthana Sinha
6 books53 followersGranthana Sinha has studied English Literature and is a certified Graphic-Web designer and Digital painter.
Forever fascinated by the idea of being able to pen down imagination, the author started writing poems and stories since her childhood. She is the author of the much loved gripping mystery novel ‘If Shadows Could Tell’. Her psychological thriller short, 'The Unrelated Murders' – was a winning contest entry, and was selected for Juggernaut SELECTS program in 2019. She has also penned the supernatural mystery short 'Fading in a Hade', which got selected as the Editor's Pick (Juggernaut Books) and the sci-fi mystery short, ‘Addressed To Her'.
Her books are now available on Amazon, Amazon kindle, Smashwords and all other major platforms. Some of her soulful poems have been published as part of ‘Sea – an anthology of poems', that is currently available worldwide.
She lives in Kolkata with her family, and in her spare time, enjoys painting, travelling and solving cryptography puzzles.
You can connect with and follow updates about Granthana and her books on:
🔹Instagram:
https://m.instagram.com/granthana_s_108
🔹Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/granthana.sinha/
https://www.facebook.com/GranthanaSin...
🔹All other links:
🍀https://beacons.ai/granthanasinha
🍀https://lnk.bio/granthanasinha
Forever fascinated by the idea of being able to pen down imagination, the author started writing poems and stories since her childhood. She is the author of the much loved gripping mystery novel ‘If Shadows Could Tell’. Her psychological thriller short, 'The Unrelated Murders' – was a winning contest entry, and was selected for Juggernaut SELECTS program in 2019. She has also penned the supernatural mystery short 'Fading in a Hade', which got selected as the Editor's Pick (Juggernaut Books) and the sci-fi mystery short, ‘Addressed To Her'.
Her books are now available on Amazon, Amazon kindle, Smashwords and all other major platforms. Some of her soulful poems have been published as part of ‘Sea – an anthology of poems', that is currently available worldwide.
She lives in Kolkata with her family, and in her spare time, enjoys painting, travelling and solving cryptography puzzles.
You can connect with and follow updates about Granthana and her books on:
🔹Instagram:
https://m.instagram.com/granthana_s_108
🔹Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/granthana.sinha/
https://www.facebook.com/GranthanaSin...
🔹All other links:
🍀https://beacons.ai/granthanasinha
🍀https://lnk.bio/granthanasinha
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
May 28, 2021
If Shadows Could Tell
by Granthana Sinha is a mystery set in a small town in Montana featuring web designer Aurora Steller. Aurora’s life isn’t going well. Her car is having trouble again, she quits her job, and she crashes a funeral. But that is only the beginning. When authorities dismiss Janet Clay’s death as a drug-overdose, Aurora attends the memorial service and suspects things aren’t as simple as the authorities claim.
Aurora is a likeable character, but the guilt she felt that drove her amateur sleuthing felt somewhat contrived to me. Nevertheless, she had courage, hope, and a drive to find the truth. There are several supporting characters that provide interest and/or conflict.
The first 60 percent of the book was somewhat slow and the interludes with an unknown girl and an unknown woman broke up the flow for me. Despite this, I understand the value they provided. However, the pace picked up in the last part of the book. Several plot twists added interest and complexity. The ending was remarkable and surprising. Will you be surprised?
Overall, the book was suspenseful despite my guessing who the killer was before the reveal. Will this remain a standalone novel or become a series? Time will tell. This isn’t your standard murder mystery. 3.5 stars rounded to 3 stars.
Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this novel and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Aurora is a likeable character, but the guilt she felt that drove her amateur sleuthing felt somewhat contrived to me. Nevertheless, she had courage, hope, and a drive to find the truth. There are several supporting characters that provide interest and/or conflict.
The first 60 percent of the book was somewhat slow and the interludes with an unknown girl and an unknown woman broke up the flow for me. Despite this, I understand the value they provided. However, the pace picked up in the last part of the book. Several plot twists added interest and complexity. The ending was remarkable and surprising. Will you be surprised?
Overall, the book was suspenseful despite my guessing who the killer was before the reveal. Will this remain a standalone novel or become a series? Time will tell. This isn’t your standard murder mystery. 3.5 stars rounded to 3 stars.
Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this novel and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
August 23, 2021
I enjoyed this murder mystery! Thank you to the author for asking me to read this book. It was full of twists and turns so I had to pay attention but wrapped up real good. Local journalist is found dead at the pool and authorities dismissed it as an overdose. Aurora starts investigating as her friend is convinced it wasn’t a suicide. She ends up discovering a few more murders and in the end the truth is revealed. It was slow to start but warms up and keeps you til the end of the book.
June 9, 2021
Janet Clay, a journalist, is found floating in the local gym's pool. Local police classify it as a case of drug over-dose ... but was it?
Aurora Stellar, someone who vaguely knew the journalist, suspects that there's more to the story than what's being said. Her own investigation leads to more deaths. This little town seems to be rooted in secrets, lies, and just plain evil.
The more she discovers, the more questions she has. And when her friend's apartment is a target for arson and when a car heads straight on for her, she knows she's getting close to the truth. But what is the truth .. and how many more lives will be lost?
A complex plot, suspenseful mystery, and multi-layered characters make this a must-read. it's a fast-paced action-filled page turner. This is the author's well-crafted debut psychological thriller. I can't wait to see what she does next!
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of IF SHADOWS COULD TELL. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Aurora Stellar, someone who vaguely knew the journalist, suspects that there's more to the story than what's being said. Her own investigation leads to more deaths. This little town seems to be rooted in secrets, lies, and just plain evil.
The more she discovers, the more questions she has. And when her friend's apartment is a target for arson and when a car heads straight on for her, she knows she's getting close to the truth. But what is the truth .. and how many more lives will be lost?
A complex plot, suspenseful mystery, and multi-layered characters make this a must-read. it's a fast-paced action-filled page turner. This is the author's well-crafted debut psychological thriller. I can't wait to see what she does next!
Many thanks to the author for the digital copy of IF SHADOWS COULD TELL. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 28, 2021
Thanks to the author for providing me with an electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
When the body of journalist Janet Clay is found in a pool, dead of an apparent drug overdose, Aurora Stellar, overwhelmed with guilt that she did not save the woman when she had the chance, decides to attend the woman’s memorial to pay her respects. After speaking with many of the young woman’s friends, Aurora realizes that many people suspect Janet died from something other than a drug overdose and soon, Aurora is caught up in a web of lies, deceit and mistaken identity.
“If Shadows Could Tell” by author Granthana Sinha feels like it should be a sequel or part of a series, as right off the bat I felt like I was missing some deeper connections between the characters. With the exception of the main character, Aurora, and her best friend, Suz, the other characters in the novel seemed to be loosely-formed acquaintances at best. It seemed anyone Aurora spoke to became her instant friend, and she would drop everything to assist them.
The story is told in sections as opposed to chapters, intermixed with snippets from a young girl and her sister (identity unknown until the very end of the novel) who had fled as refugees and found safety with an as-of-yet-unknown stranger. As each section was clearly marked, with different fonts in some instances, it was easy to identify who was narrating, which made the story easy to follow.
The plot starts as Aurora investigates the possible murder of Janet Clay, but then several more mysteries unfold around her and she begins to investigate those, too. Her one-time-acquaintance turned love-of-her-life Nicholas starts to have his own family drama, and then the investigation focuses on an old woman and her will. There seems to be a lot going on in Aurora’s little world, and the plot requires careful attention in order to follow along.
There is an unexpected twist at the end of the novel which is unique, but I didn’t feel it fit with the novel’s genre.
I can definitely tell Sinha has a unique writing talent, as overall the story itself was well-written (with the exception of a few grammatical and spelling errors which I haven’t included in my overall rating due to the fact that it is a manuscript copy) but I would’ve loved more character development, and a more centred plot, with one mystery at its core, instead of several.
When the body of journalist Janet Clay is found in a pool, dead of an apparent drug overdose, Aurora Stellar, overwhelmed with guilt that she did not save the woman when she had the chance, decides to attend the woman’s memorial to pay her respects. After speaking with many of the young woman’s friends, Aurora realizes that many people suspect Janet died from something other than a drug overdose and soon, Aurora is caught up in a web of lies, deceit and mistaken identity.
“If Shadows Could Tell” by author Granthana Sinha feels like it should be a sequel or part of a series, as right off the bat I felt like I was missing some deeper connections between the characters. With the exception of the main character, Aurora, and her best friend, Suz, the other characters in the novel seemed to be loosely-formed acquaintances at best. It seemed anyone Aurora spoke to became her instant friend, and she would drop everything to assist them.
The story is told in sections as opposed to chapters, intermixed with snippets from a young girl and her sister (identity unknown until the very end of the novel) who had fled as refugees and found safety with an as-of-yet-unknown stranger. As each section was clearly marked, with different fonts in some instances, it was easy to identify who was narrating, which made the story easy to follow.
The plot starts as Aurora investigates the possible murder of Janet Clay, but then several more mysteries unfold around her and she begins to investigate those, too. Her one-time-acquaintance turned love-of-her-life Nicholas starts to have his own family drama, and then the investigation focuses on an old woman and her will. There seems to be a lot going on in Aurora’s little world, and the plot requires careful attention in order to follow along.
There is an unexpected twist at the end of the novel which is unique, but I didn’t feel it fit with the novel’s genre.
I can definitely tell Sinha has a unique writing talent, as overall the story itself was well-written (with the exception of a few grammatical and spelling errors which I haven’t included in my overall rating due to the fact that it is a manuscript copy) but I would’ve loved more character development, and a more centred plot, with one mystery at its core, instead of several.
September 7, 2021
Veritas Numquam Perit'. Committed to finding truth, wherever it leads
If Shadows Could Tell: an Aurora Steller mystery novel by Granthana Sinha begins with an eerie, ominous prologue. However, it struck me as though the author was trying too hard, as there was so much descriptive language that it seemed almost melodramatic and over-the-top.
As we meet Aurora Steller – what a great name – she’s an interesting character, but I had difficulty figuring out who she was and what she was about initially. Throughout the book she is consistently intelligent, very quick to trust, caring, persistent, and a people pleaser. I liked her; but her tendency to want to help solve everyone’s problems cannot possibly end well all the time. Can it?
She gets involved with two strangers in trying to prove that Janet Clay’s death was not an accident, and she winds up playing amateur sleuth. In the process, she meets an alluring man, Nicholas. I found him confusing as well.
Adding to the mix are the brief, intervening chapters depicting an unidentified child, woman, and man. The former appears to be in turmoil and some kind of danger; the latter is portrayed as dangerous, perhaps even evil. This all plays out at the end, but I found it quite unsettling, and I was never comfortable with the plot.
As the story continues, I did settle in enough to become curious about what was actually behind Janet’s death and how these other persons figured into the story, but I also did not fully enjoy this either. The plot is complex, but there were too many factors that just had no explanation.
I received a PDF copy of this book from the author in return for my honest review. My opinion and thoughts are my own.
3 stars
If Shadows Could Tell: an Aurora Steller mystery novel by Granthana Sinha begins with an eerie, ominous prologue. However, it struck me as though the author was trying too hard, as there was so much descriptive language that it seemed almost melodramatic and over-the-top.
As we meet Aurora Steller – what a great name – she’s an interesting character, but I had difficulty figuring out who she was and what she was about initially. Throughout the book she is consistently intelligent, very quick to trust, caring, persistent, and a people pleaser. I liked her; but her tendency to want to help solve everyone’s problems cannot possibly end well all the time. Can it?
She gets involved with two strangers in trying to prove that Janet Clay’s death was not an accident, and she winds up playing amateur sleuth. In the process, she meets an alluring man, Nicholas. I found him confusing as well.
Adding to the mix are the brief, intervening chapters depicting an unidentified child, woman, and man. The former appears to be in turmoil and some kind of danger; the latter is portrayed as dangerous, perhaps even evil. This all plays out at the end, but I found it quite unsettling, and I was never comfortable with the plot.
As the story continues, I did settle in enough to become curious about what was actually behind Janet’s death and how these other persons figured into the story, but I also did not fully enjoy this either. The plot is complex, but there were too many factors that just had no explanation.
I received a PDF copy of this book from the author in return for my honest review. My opinion and thoughts are my own.
3 stars
July 27, 2021
I received a free Ecopy of the book in exchange for an honest review
I really liked the characters. Aurora, Suz, Candice, John, and Nicolas. The development and conversations were believable and well done.
I think for me I did not enjoy the format of the book. It was confusing at first because the two stories didn't seem to connect and it just wasn't making sense why this additional plot was happening at the end of each chapter. The last 50 pages it all came together and I understood.
The book was entertaining but, it was not really my thing. I think others will love it and it was definitely worth reading.
I really liked the characters. Aurora, Suz, Candice, John, and Nicolas. The development and conversations were believable and well done.
I think for me I did not enjoy the format of the book. It was confusing at first because the two stories didn't seem to connect and it just wasn't making sense why this additional plot was happening at the end of each chapter. The last 50 pages it all came together and I understood.
The book was entertaining but, it was not really my thing. I think others will love it and it was definitely worth reading.
August 28, 2021
It is difficult to decide into which genre to place this book. It could be a crime novel – there are certainly crimes (murder, fraud, …) – but it is not a police procedural. The police have very little input. It is not exactly a thriller – though certainly has suspense in abundance. The ending – which I really appreciated (a totally unexpected twist) – puts it right outside what you would normally expect in either of these genres. It is more a story of friendship, of family and of loss – with some mystery and crime thrown in.
The book starts, in the third person, with a brutal murder witnessed by a friend of the victim. Then a switch of scene, to first person narration by Aurora Steller, who has just lost her job, and who is asked by her best friend, Suz, to look into the disappearance of a journalist, Janet Clay.
There are at least two (seemingly) separate stories (differentiated by point of view, and italics), which are only brought together right at the end. People go missing, possibly dead – some, like Nicholas, reappear. But, often there seems to be no rhyme or reason.
I did really enjoy the book, but spent a lot of my reading time rather confused. The ending did explain most things, but I felt I had to reread the first half, to see where I had missed any hints as to the eventual outcomes. I then discovered that I had completely forgotten the brutal murder that opened the book! Yes, it is important, but I had just become so engrossed with the other threads.
Aura is not always a good judge of character – sometimes seeing malice where it does not in fact exist. However, almost everyone trusts her, and believes in her ability (and willingness) to help them solve their mysteries. And she does. It helps that she no longer has a job, as her investigations soon take over her life.
The main characters – Aura, Suz and Nicholas – were well drawn, and very likeable. I appreciated that Aura put neither herself, nor her friends and allies, at serious risk – something that seems to happen far too often in crime/police/thriller type novels. That is not to say that all remained safe.
This is a novel that requires you to pay attention – something that I discovered a bit too late. It is unusual, in the way the stories pan out – and particularly in the ending. If you like your stories to be completely realistic, this may not be for you – but I liked it a lot, and found it well worth a read.
I received a copy of this book at no cost from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by the author.
The book starts, in the third person, with a brutal murder witnessed by a friend of the victim. Then a switch of scene, to first person narration by Aurora Steller, who has just lost her job, and who is asked by her best friend, Suz, to look into the disappearance of a journalist, Janet Clay.
There are at least two (seemingly) separate stories (differentiated by point of view, and italics), which are only brought together right at the end. People go missing, possibly dead – some, like Nicholas, reappear. But, often there seems to be no rhyme or reason.
I did really enjoy the book, but spent a lot of my reading time rather confused. The ending did explain most things, but I felt I had to reread the first half, to see where I had missed any hints as to the eventual outcomes. I then discovered that I had completely forgotten the brutal murder that opened the book! Yes, it is important, but I had just become so engrossed with the other threads.
Aura is not always a good judge of character – sometimes seeing malice where it does not in fact exist. However, almost everyone trusts her, and believes in her ability (and willingness) to help them solve their mysteries. And she does. It helps that she no longer has a job, as her investigations soon take over her life.
“I had willingly dived in with Candice and John to do something as grave as solving someone's death. I hadn't even stopped to consider that I barely knew them. I didn't even know if they really were Janet Clay's friends.”
The main characters – Aura, Suz and Nicholas – were well drawn, and very likeable. I appreciated that Aura put neither herself, nor her friends and allies, at serious risk – something that seems to happen far too often in crime/police/thriller type novels. That is not to say that all remained safe.
This is a novel that requires you to pay attention – something that I discovered a bit too late. It is unusual, in the way the stories pan out – and particularly in the ending. If you like your stories to be completely realistic, this may not be for you – but I liked it a lot, and found it well worth a read.
I received a copy of this book at no cost from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by the author.
June 27, 2021
I would like to thank the author for a review copy of If Shadows Could Tell, a stand-alone featuring involuntary amateur sleuth Aurora “Aura” Steller, set in the small Montana town of Zircon Drops.
When the body of journalist Janet Clay is found drowned in the local pool, a syringe at the poolside, her death is written off as a drug overdose. Aurora, upset at not being able to help Janet or Jen as she is known, soon realises that there is more to the death and starts investigating with the help of Jen’s friends.
I enjoyed If Shadows Could Tell as it has a twisty plot that held my attention. It is told mostly from Aura’s point of view in the first person, interspersed with the history of two sisters in the third person. There is a reason for this history, but it doesn’t come out until the denouement, so for the bulk of the novel it is a cryptic tale of mental abuse and coercion. I can see what the author is trying to do with it, build a plausible backstory for present day events, but it is overdone and distracts from the main narrative. In this case less would have been more.
Aura’s investigation is very much in the cosy, amateur sleuth vein with a scattergun approach and facts conveniently landing in her lap, be it a fortuitous connection with a hacker or people willing to confide in her. Still, it’s interesting and, while not compulsive, it certainly engages the reader and encourages them to read on. And it’s definitely worth the journey for the final twist, which I definitely didn’t expect and don’t know what to think about. It adds a certain something, although what that something is will depend on the individual reader.
I understand that If Shadows Could Tell is a debut full length novel. It is a credible effort with a good plot and likeable characters. The polish will come with experience as it needs a bit of a change of emphasis in parts, nothing major, just small tweaks. I’m happy to recommend it. 3.5*
When the body of journalist Janet Clay is found drowned in the local pool, a syringe at the poolside, her death is written off as a drug overdose. Aurora, upset at not being able to help Janet or Jen as she is known, soon realises that there is more to the death and starts investigating with the help of Jen’s friends.
I enjoyed If Shadows Could Tell as it has a twisty plot that held my attention. It is told mostly from Aura’s point of view in the first person, interspersed with the history of two sisters in the third person. There is a reason for this history, but it doesn’t come out until the denouement, so for the bulk of the novel it is a cryptic tale of mental abuse and coercion. I can see what the author is trying to do with it, build a plausible backstory for present day events, but it is overdone and distracts from the main narrative. In this case less would have been more.
Aura’s investigation is very much in the cosy, amateur sleuth vein with a scattergun approach and facts conveniently landing in her lap, be it a fortuitous connection with a hacker or people willing to confide in her. Still, it’s interesting and, while not compulsive, it certainly engages the reader and encourages them to read on. And it’s definitely worth the journey for the final twist, which I definitely didn’t expect and don’t know what to think about. It adds a certain something, although what that something is will depend on the individual reader.
I understand that If Shadows Could Tell is a debut full length novel. It is a credible effort with a good plot and likeable characters. The polish will come with experience as it needs a bit of a change of emphasis in parts, nothing major, just small tweaks. I’m happy to recommend it. 3.5*
June 8, 2021
This definitely was not my cup of tea.
Right from the start the writing style felt too jarring and overly descriptive; I simply couldn't bring myself to enjoy a novel where every single action, no matter how banal or trivial, is mentioned. Add to that the superficialilty and shallowness that pervaded the text, which prevented me from empathizing with the characters or feeling anything more than utter annoyance with the ridiculous things they thought and did.
I'm desperately trying to rack my brain for something positive to say, but I'm coming up with a blank.
An unconvincing and contrived love story ✔
A vaguely tragic background ✔
Subpar writing ✔
Flat and aggravating characters ✔
Predictable, pedestrian, and mind-numbingly boring plot twists ✔
A vapid "mystery", a one-dimensional villain, and a pathetic heroine ✔
A ludicurous and asinine ending ✔
Referring to suicide as "the easy way out" ✔✔✔
The only "stellar" thing about If Shadows Could Tell was the number of eyerolls and yawns I experienced, believe me, it was staggering. Reading this novel was sadly a complete waste of my time.
Right from the start the writing style felt too jarring and overly descriptive; I simply couldn't bring myself to enjoy a novel where every single action, no matter how banal or trivial, is mentioned. Add to that the superficialilty and shallowness that pervaded the text, which prevented me from empathizing with the characters or feeling anything more than utter annoyance with the ridiculous things they thought and did.
I'm desperately trying to rack my brain for something positive to say, but I'm coming up with a blank.
An unconvincing and contrived love story ✔
A vaguely tragic background ✔
Subpar writing ✔
Flat and aggravating characters ✔
Predictable, pedestrian, and mind-numbingly boring plot twists ✔
A vapid "mystery", a one-dimensional villain, and a pathetic heroine ✔
A ludicurous and asinine ending ✔
Referring to suicide as "the easy way out" ✔✔✔
The only "stellar" thing about If Shadows Could Tell was the number of eyerolls and yawns I experienced, believe me, it was staggering. Reading this novel was sadly a complete waste of my time.
September 5, 2021
The body of Janet Clay was found in a local pool. An autopsy showed a drug overdose. Local authorities assumed she took the drugs then accidentally fell into the pool. Aurora Steller didn't buy that story. She met Janet for the first time just last week. Nothing about the meeting made her think that Janet used any type of drugs. When a stranger asks Aurora to help find out exactly what happened to Janet, she jumps at the chance to find out.
The first half of this story had a slow pace. I liked Aurora, but I was never sure why she was driven to solve this crime. Aurora met various people while asking questions about Janet's life. While doing this, she discovers a few more murders and lots of secrets in this small Montana town. My rating: 3 Stars.
Thank you to the author for send me a copy of the book for an honest review.
The first half of this story had a slow pace. I liked Aurora, but I was never sure why she was driven to solve this crime. Aurora met various people while asking questions about Janet's life. While doing this, she discovers a few more murders and lots of secrets in this small Montana town. My rating: 3 Stars.
Thank you to the author for send me a copy of the book for an honest review.
July 11, 2021
This was a riveting read and an excellent first debut novel. We start of with one layer that leads to more layers that the reader will want to continue to ravel.
The end of the book as an unexpected end which will be a surprise for readers.
Its central character is Aurora whom we will soon want to see in more books. She is strong, compassionate and caring who has her own demons to contend with.
I will definitely be reading more this author
The end of the book as an unexpected end which will be a surprise for readers.
Its central character is Aurora whom we will soon want to see in more books. She is strong, compassionate and caring who has her own demons to contend with.
I will definitely be reading more this author
June 18, 2021
A young journalist ends up dead in a local gym pool with no trace of foul play. A skilled swimmer drowned – suspicious? Oh yes!
Aurora Steller - a young web designer with a curious and intuitive mind, knows there are secrets when she gets involved in the mystery.
The more she investigates the more secrets are brought out, more lives are lost, her own life is put in danger.
The story is muti-layered, jumping between timelines, which by the way was a bit difficult for me to grasp in the beginning. I mean the sub-plots narrated by an unnamed woman and girl (Ivee and Vio) don't have a time stamp. But once I started to understand who the characters actually were and their pivotal importance to the plot, I was glad the year wasn't mentioned. That would've ruined the surprise. The switch between the timelines was effortless. Those who've read the book would agree the immense value of the sub-plots and how much those added to the whole story.
Aurora is a well-written character. She is brave, strong and shows ample determination. I don't know if this is going to be a series. If it does she will make a wonderful protagonist for more complex mysteries.
My favourite though is going to be Ivet. Her journey is full of storms. Her own story could've made a separate book on its own. By the end of this novel, her arc comes to a full circle. It's really sad she wouldn't probably be there in the next book!
I liked the world building since the story is set in two fictional towns in Montana. The descriptions reveal quite a detailed picture of the place. A little bonus was the glimpse into the history of the town. It gives me great pleasure when writers include history for their fictional places. It makes it so much more real. I would've loved to know more about 'the Princess' Evelyn Zircon. Maybe, in the next book?! Maybe.
This debut thriller has so many twists I was kept on edge. The story is suspenseful, multi-layered with fully dimensional characters. Skilled writing has allowed a symphonic presence of different emotions in this fast-paced thriller.
Special mention is the twist at the end. After the big reveal an additional twist was unexpected. How could I never see that one coming????
It was so good it me blew me away. Reminds me of famous movies with clever twist-endings which shock the wits out of you!
Worth reading? Yes! Absolutely!
I would recommend this book and will clearly enjoy more work by the same author!
Note- The author had send a digital complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Aurora Steller - a young web designer with a curious and intuitive mind, knows there are secrets when she gets involved in the mystery.
The more she investigates the more secrets are brought out, more lives are lost, her own life is put in danger.
The story is muti-layered, jumping between timelines, which by the way was a bit difficult for me to grasp in the beginning. I mean the sub-plots narrated by an unnamed woman and girl (Ivee and Vio) don't have a time stamp. But once I started to understand who the characters actually were and their pivotal importance to the plot, I was glad the year wasn't mentioned. That would've ruined the surprise. The switch between the timelines was effortless. Those who've read the book would agree the immense value of the sub-plots and how much those added to the whole story.
Aurora is a well-written character. She is brave, strong and shows ample determination. I don't know if this is going to be a series. If it does she will make a wonderful protagonist for more complex mysteries.
My favourite though is going to be Ivet. Her journey is full of storms. Her own story could've made a separate book on its own. By the end of this novel, her arc comes to a full circle. It's really sad she wouldn't probably be there in the next book!
I liked the world building since the story is set in two fictional towns in Montana. The descriptions reveal quite a detailed picture of the place. A little bonus was the glimpse into the history of the town. It gives me great pleasure when writers include history for their fictional places. It makes it so much more real. I would've loved to know more about 'the Princess' Evelyn Zircon. Maybe, in the next book?! Maybe.
This debut thriller has so many twists I was kept on edge. The story is suspenseful, multi-layered with fully dimensional characters. Skilled writing has allowed a symphonic presence of different emotions in this fast-paced thriller.
Special mention is the twist at the end. After the big reveal an additional twist was unexpected. How could I never see that one coming????
It was so good it me blew me away. Reminds me of famous movies with clever twist-endings which shock the wits out of you!
Worth reading? Yes! Absolutely!
I would recommend this book and will clearly enjoy more work by the same author!
Note- The author had send a digital complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2020
'If Shadows Could Tell' ― it would expose all those horribly dark secrets.
What an apt title!
And the whole book ― God! It was brilliant!
As someone who thorougly enjoyed short stories by Granthana Sinha, I eagerly devoured the novel as soon as it was released.
Summary:
A journalist, Janet Clay, is found dead in a local gym pool. When the media breaks the news as a case of drug-overdose, a young web designer, Aurora Steller, feels the guilt for not being able to save her. Hoping to convey her apology in front the dead woman's grave, she visits her memorial service and ends up suspecting there might be more to the story than what meets the eye.
Be prepared for an irresistible page-turner.
This is one twisted tale of deceit, where everyone is hiding secrets. Even those closest to Aurora can't be trusted for who they seem. ***I'll stop right there. Or I might give out a major spoiler!***🤐
Also, at the end of each chapter there's a tiny subchapter that makes it all the more intense. I enjoyed it a lot!
What an apt title!
And the whole book ― God! It was brilliant!
As someone who thorougly enjoyed short stories by Granthana Sinha, I eagerly devoured the novel as soon as it was released.
Summary:
A journalist, Janet Clay, is found dead in a local gym pool. When the media breaks the news as a case of drug-overdose, a young web designer, Aurora Steller, feels the guilt for not being able to save her. Hoping to convey her apology in front the dead woman's grave, she visits her memorial service and ends up suspecting there might be more to the story than what meets the eye.
Be prepared for an irresistible page-turner.
This is one twisted tale of deceit, where everyone is hiding secrets. Even those closest to Aurora can't be trusted for who they seem. ***I'll stop right there. Or I might give out a major spoiler!***🤐
Also, at the end of each chapter there's a tiny subchapter that makes it all the more intense. I enjoyed it a lot!
May 17, 2021
Few People are what They Seem...
No spoilers. 3 1/2 stars. While seeking solace in a church, Aura Stellar mistakenly crashes a funeral in progress...
During the service Aura crossed paths with a stranger. Later they met again leaving the church...
... the stranger, Nicolas Davenport, wants to help Aura solve the suspicious death of Janet Clay, an expert swimmer who drowned in the pool of a gym...
The eyes of a stranger can be deceiving and few people are what they seem...
This was a whodunit murder mystery and before you know it many more bodies pile up. This story has a little of everything in it including a twist at the end and it was a good effort for a first novel.
This would be a good little Agatha Christie style novel with the help of a good editor and proofer. It also suffered a little due to the many people introduced into the story but overall, if you're looking for a whodunit mystery, this story has it all.
No spoilers. 3 1/2 stars. While seeking solace in a church, Aura Stellar mistakenly crashes a funeral in progress...
During the service Aura crossed paths with a stranger. Later they met again leaving the church...
... the stranger, Nicolas Davenport, wants to help Aura solve the suspicious death of Janet Clay, an expert swimmer who drowned in the pool of a gym...
The eyes of a stranger can be deceiving and few people are what they seem...
This was a whodunit murder mystery and before you know it many more bodies pile up. This story has a little of everything in it including a twist at the end and it was a good effort for a first novel.
This would be a good little Agatha Christie style novel with the help of a good editor and proofer. It also suffered a little due to the many people introduced into the story but overall, if you're looking for a whodunit mystery, this story has it all.
October 12, 2020
This book is full of twists. It has a lot going on with multiple murders, secrets, lies, people living dual lives.
Additional kudos to the author for introducing a parallel narrative that describes events which happened even before the timeline of the actual story. If you are mindful of the information shared in those parallel segments (at the end of each chapter) you can actually figure out the murderer. But still I doubt it. The hints are too subtle and cleverly concealed.
The entire story is full of suspense. I kept changing my guess of who could be the actual killer. But I was completely blown away by the ending. It was so innovative and unpredictable. I never saw that one coming.
I was glued to the book till the end. I hope there's a sequel to this!!
Additional kudos to the author for introducing a parallel narrative that describes events which happened even before the timeline of the actual story. If you are mindful of the information shared in those parallel segments (at the end of each chapter) you can actually figure out the murderer. But still I doubt it. The hints are too subtle and cleverly concealed.
The entire story is full of suspense. I kept changing my guess of who could be the actual killer. But I was completely blown away by the ending. It was so innovative and unpredictable. I never saw that one coming.
I was glued to the book till the end. I hope there's a sequel to this!!
June 8, 2021
I loved this book! Interesting, soooooo many good plot twists, remarkable ending!
I liked Aurora and Nicholas. Their trust for each other won my heart.
The plot is really complicated. Meant for ardent bookworms who love a mind-blowing mystery. (Tip for readers: Watch out for the ending! Never guessed that one coming!)
~~~4.7 stars rounded to 5~~~
~~~Recommended~~~
~~~Author had send a free review copy for an honest review~~~
I liked Aurora and Nicholas. Their trust for each other won my heart.
The plot is really complicated. Meant for ardent bookworms who love a mind-blowing mystery. (Tip for readers: Watch out for the ending! Never guessed that one coming!)
~~~4.7 stars rounded to 5~~~
~~~Recommended~~~
~~~Author had send a free review copy for an honest review~~~
June 8, 2021
Thank you Granthana Sinha for the kindle copy of this book in exchange for a review. When Aurora hears of journalist Janet Clay's drug overdose death she suspect foul play. Aurora starts to investigate with the help of her new friends. A well written page turner with several plots that had me hooked from page one.
August 14, 2021
Holy cow! This book is yet another example why mysteries and thrillers happen to be my favorite genre! This book is a psychological mystery thriller with lots of twists and interesting characters. Most of the story is told from the perspective of a young web designer named Aurora 'Aura' Steller. What appealed to me is how the story is laid out in a multi dimensional way. I loved that this novel incorporated multiple perspectives, following Aurora and two other unnamed characters (who are later revealed of course). This style of storytelling isn't something I've read before in any other thriller story. I thought it made the whole book stand out from the lot and added further intrigue. The chapters and mini chapters go back and forth between two separate timelines, one set in the present day with the latter set years and months ago. I wasn't quite sure of what to expect from the mini chapters in the beginning. But it turned out to be the actual back story of the main plot. Toward the end of the story it all made sense and everything played out perfectly. I enjoyed the pacing of the novel, specially how the clues were revealed little by little with each chapter.
However this book can be really really hard for many readers. This is a pretty serious story with complicated characters, timelines and plot. The storyline is complex if not paid proper attention to. The twist at the end was remarkable to say the least but I'm certain no one will see that coming (trust me on this!) I liked Aurora. She was someone I would love to be friends with in real life. The story doesn't show her as someone who does everything right. She makes mistakes, takes risks, does stupid and reckless things in order save those she loves. She felt very real to me. I loved going through the events through her eyes. This is an addictive and entertaining thriller, a real page-turner for sure. Honestly, it's such a good book it will keep you guessing all the way through.
Easy 5 stars from me. I'll keep a look out for the next by Ms. Sinha.
However this book can be really really hard for many readers. This is a pretty serious story with complicated characters, timelines and plot. The storyline is complex if not paid proper attention to. The twist at the end was remarkable to say the least but I'm certain no one will see that coming (trust me on this!) I liked Aurora. She was someone I would love to be friends with in real life. The story doesn't show her as someone who does everything right. She makes mistakes, takes risks, does stupid and reckless things in order save those she loves. She felt very real to me. I loved going through the events through her eyes. This is an addictive and entertaining thriller, a real page-turner for sure. Honestly, it's such a good book it will keep you guessing all the way through.
Easy 5 stars from me. I'll keep a look out for the next by Ms. Sinha.
April 26, 2021
Stunning ending!!!!
This was a little different than the average mystery. It took me a bit of time to get really into the story, but I was really glad I stayed with it.
Aurora has stumbled into a mysterious murder that needs to be solved and she is the only one who seems intent to solve it. It is her mission to find the truth that leads her down a dangerous path and cost more lives. Aurora’s friends are lending her help to uncover secrets, while new acquaintances are also being pulled into this strange circle of mystery.
3.75 stunning stars.
This was a little different than the average mystery. It took me a bit of time to get really into the story, but I was really glad I stayed with it.
Aurora has stumbled into a mysterious murder that needs to be solved and she is the only one who seems intent to solve it. It is her mission to find the truth that leads her down a dangerous path and cost more lives. Aurora’s friends are lending her help to uncover secrets, while new acquaintances are also being pulled into this strange circle of mystery.
3.75 stunning stars.
August 14, 2021
I have to say If Shadows Could Tell by Granthana Sinha has one of the most unusual covers I've come across. That's saying something since my bookshelf is stuffed with mysteries and thrillers. The enlarged image of the blood stained fingerprint was a sure eye catcher.
I had heard so much about this book from a friend and ended up purchasing a copy.
The book was intense, twisty, thrilling and fully captivating. It had all the elements of a good psychological thriller with a great ending.
This was my first book by this author and she did a great job with the twists.
I would recommend it as a must-read thriller!
I had heard so much about this book from a friend and ended up purchasing a copy.
The book was intense, twisty, thrilling and fully captivating. It had all the elements of a good psychological thriller with a great ending.
This was my first book by this author and she did a great job with the twists.
I would recommend it as a must-read thriller!
dnf
June 9, 2021I’m DNFing this because I’m not sure if I can endure the stilted dialogue and overly descriptive text, not to mention the incorrect grammar use. Seems like this book was in need of an editor. I can’t speak in the plot because I didn’t make it very far, but from what I read it looks like it still needs work.
February 27, 2022
My book club made me read this book (special thanks to my nerdy friend for singing its praises!)
Holy Moly! What an intense story. I was glued to it from start to end.
This story is mostly told from the perspective of a young designer Aurora Steller, who's strong, independent and brave.
I loved how her curiosity and the shadows of her own personal guilt made her seek out answers. The unfolding mystery leads her on a journey that transforms her from being someone minding her own business to the one seeking answers and justice. This transition felt really smooth and organic. I could absolutely understand why she needed to continue on her quest and do all that she did.
There are multiple twists and so much heartbreak (The end sure made me teary). Very well written though.
It has so many captivating characters (even the bad ones!). I felt so connected to Aura that I found myself trying to solve the mystery with her.
The plot is a roller coaster of twists and emotions where each turn grips you more than the one before. This is a great book to read especially for thriller readers! 5 glorious stars from me!!
Holy Moly! What an intense story. I was glued to it from start to end.
This story is mostly told from the perspective of a young designer Aurora Steller, who's strong, independent and brave.
I loved how her curiosity and the shadows of her own personal guilt made her seek out answers. The unfolding mystery leads her on a journey that transforms her from being someone minding her own business to the one seeking answers and justice. This transition felt really smooth and organic. I could absolutely understand why she needed to continue on her quest and do all that she did.
There are multiple twists and so much heartbreak (The end sure made me teary). Very well written though.
It has so many captivating characters (even the bad ones!). I felt so connected to Aura that I found myself trying to solve the mystery with her.
The plot is a roller coaster of twists and emotions where each turn grips you more than the one before. This is a great book to read especially for thriller readers! 5 glorious stars from me!!
August 6, 2021
This was a fascinating twisty novel of suspense! Set in a small Montana town, it chronicles Aurora and her friend Suz's attempts to figure out why a young woman, Janet Clay suddenly disappears. And when she turns up dead, things get dicey as nothing is as it appears. Lots of characters and red herrings in this one, and also goes back and forth from present to past (with a young girl's voice that isn't identified). So there are plenty of mysteries here and they all tie together but your head may be spinning trying to figure it out! So don't try...just get on this roller-coaster ride and enjoy the dips and crazy turns as you will be satisfied at the end!
Thanks to the author in exchange for an honest review!
Thanks to the author in exchange for an honest review!
February 27, 2022
QOTD: When you search for the truth, you try every means to unearth the lies, you look into every shadowy corner for answers. But the path you follow, depends on what you believe the truth really is.
This past weekend, I finished reading this book and what a riveting and thrilling mystery this was! I absolutely loved it!! I was so in on the mystery I couldn't put it down just so I could find out what were the answers.
This book kept me on the edge. It made me curious and invested in the story. There's an added amazing twist at the end that I did not see coming! My mind was blown and I'm still not sure how Sinha has managed to make this book unputdownable. The author has an uncanny ability to keep the readers engaged. That's super hard to do in my opinion.
Key Highlights:
📚 Mystery, Suspense and Thriller elements
📚 Alternating time periods
📚 Subchapters
📚 Female lead character
📚 Interesting twists and turns
📚 Unique story
📚 Strong characters
If you are into twist-filled, haunting psychological suspense and mysteries I highly recommend If Shadows Could Tell.
This past weekend, I finished reading this book and what a riveting and thrilling mystery this was! I absolutely loved it!! I was so in on the mystery I couldn't put it down just so I could find out what were the answers.
This book kept me on the edge. It made me curious and invested in the story. There's an added amazing twist at the end that I did not see coming! My mind was blown and I'm still not sure how Sinha has managed to make this book unputdownable. The author has an uncanny ability to keep the readers engaged. That's super hard to do in my opinion.
Key Highlights:
📚 Mystery, Suspense and Thriller elements
📚 Alternating time periods
📚 Subchapters
📚 Female lead character
📚 Interesting twists and turns
📚 Unique story
📚 Strong characters
If you are into twist-filled, haunting psychological suspense and mysteries I highly recommend If Shadows Could Tell.
August 1, 2021
Twists, twists and more twists. This book has so many unexpected twists and turns that I never thought the 'twist-ending' it promotes could've surprised me more. It not only surprised me, it blew me away.
The characters are all nicely written. The investigation is carried out by a young web designer named Aurora Steller (not a professional detective). She is a fiercely determined and strong character, with her own personal history of guilt and pain. The timelines were hard to follow in the beginning, but everything fits fabulously in the end.
There should be a mention though that this isn't an easy read. Not for readers who expect an easy murder mystery. I found the story mind blowing but it's complicated with a list of characters and layers. Special part is the 'subplot'. That added more meat to the book.
Applaudable debut! Looking forward to the next in the series.
||Recommended||
The characters are all nicely written. The investigation is carried out by a young web designer named Aurora Steller (not a professional detective). She is a fiercely determined and strong character, with her own personal history of guilt and pain. The timelines were hard to follow in the beginning, but everything fits fabulously in the end.
There should be a mention though that this isn't an easy read. Not for readers who expect an easy murder mystery. I found the story mind blowing but it's complicated with a list of characters and layers. Special part is the 'subplot'. That added more meat to the book.
Applaudable debut! Looking forward to the next in the series.
||Recommended||
December 8, 2021
Once you crack open this book, you won't want to stop reading. It really speeds up in the second half of the book, although there are plenty of twists to keep you guessing throughout. I loved Aurora - she might not be a professional detective, but she isn't afraid to dig for the truth when she suspects something is off. Sinha does a great job of bringing the scenes to life, and really draws the reader into the story itself quite easily. If you like murder mysteries where the sleuth isn't a cop, and don't mind a few chills along the way, you're going to love this book!
October 12, 2020
I thought it was just a regular murder mystery. But...oh no!
This is one of the most exciting psychological thrillers I've read in a really really loooooong time. This literally kept me hooked till the very last word.
"Truth.
When you search for the truth, you try every means to unearth the lies, you look into every shadowy corner for answers. But the path you follow, depends on what you believe the truth really is.
When you realize your belief has been misled, when all the answers you collected only hide a greater lie ― that's when the definition of truth changes. That’s when it seems unattainable. That’s when you know you aren't even close."
Now that's deep.
The story has quite a lot of characters and you'll end up suspecting everybody. (At least I did. But I still got it wrong!😕). I loved the explaining part in the end and the conclusion given to each character.
From page one it's suspenseful, fast paced, and full of twists. But the end twist beats the lot! It's outstanding.
This is one of the most exciting psychological thrillers I've read in a really really loooooong time. This literally kept me hooked till the very last word.
"Truth.
When you search for the truth, you try every means to unearth the lies, you look into every shadowy corner for answers. But the path you follow, depends on what you believe the truth really is.
When you realize your belief has been misled, when all the answers you collected only hide a greater lie ― that's when the definition of truth changes. That’s when it seems unattainable. That’s when you know you aren't even close."
Now that's deep.
The story has quite a lot of characters and you'll end up suspecting everybody. (At least I did. But I still got it wrong!😕). I loved the explaining part in the end and the conclusion given to each character.
From page one it's suspenseful, fast paced, and full of twists. But the end twist beats the lot! It's outstanding.
July 7, 2021
First off a big thank you to the author for inviting me to read and review her book.Normal I don't accept books for the author themselves but this one was in the genre that I actually do read which is thriller and I'm so glad that I said yes. This book had every thing I love about thrillers : lots of tension and danger mounting, non stop from the very start, secrets, lies, and you have no idea who to trust or what is going to happen next.Its the type of book that you can just set down and read and not want to stop until the very last page.
May 8, 2021
This was a stunning murder mystery novel with a psychological twist. Thank you so much to the author for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Full review on my blog here:
http://bookshelfadventures.home.blog/...
Full review on my blog here:
http://bookshelfadventures.home.blog/...
January 11, 2022
“If Shadows Could Tell” introduces Aurora Stellar, a young woman living in a small town in Montana, who finds herself in the middle of a bad day that does nothing but get worse. She accidentally crashes a funeral and then finds herself close to a woman who goes missing.
Overall, I enjoyed this mystery. The structure of the story was well done and kept the tale moving forward. I thought the flashback/alternative voice portions added suspense and intrigue. The first third of the story was a little slower than the rest, but provided a lot of introductions and characterization for the rest of the book. While I felt that I had a good handle on Aurora’s character by the end of the story, I thought the attention paid to Nicolas and his background was actually much more thorough and relatable. Find the rest of the review at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Overall, I enjoyed this mystery. The structure of the story was well done and kept the tale moving forward. I thought the flashback/alternative voice portions added suspense and intrigue. The first third of the story was a little slower than the rest, but provided a lot of introductions and characterization for the rest of the book. While I felt that I had a good handle on Aurora’s character by the end of the story, I thought the attention paid to Nicolas and his background was actually much more thorough and relatable. Find the rest of the review at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
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