The Seeker's Facade

Shadows of Wonderland #2

by Isadora Brown

Magic starts weeping into Wonderland and it spells nothing but trouble.

Thanks to her growing reputation as an unofficial private investigator, Alice Wynter gets a visit from Rory Stone, a young woman interested in figuring out who her birth parents are. She lives with her three maternal aunts and they refuse to say a word. Unfortunately for Alice, she’s not as good at finding people as she is at solving crimes, which means she has to recruit Jack Lupine. They haven’t gotten along before Alice’s best friend was murdered.

At the same time, Rumplestilskin is back with more information on Beast’s wrongful imprisonment and wants Alice to help figure out why a man would sign his life away for a crime he didn’t commit. All they have is a name - Belle - and the fact that she’s the only person he’s been writing to, besides his sister.

When clues lead her to unraveling the truth about the Mad Mage, about whether he’s really back, she realizes she could potentially be putting herself and her small town in danger.

Alice may not possess magic, but she’s in a world of it. Wonderland is like an onion; the more she peels back, another more sinister layer is there, ready to threaten everything and everyone she loves. She must press forward and continue to uncover everything about the town’s sordid history if she ever wants to learn what really happened to her best friend - and why Alice is at the center of everything.

With the magic of Once Upon A Time
and the mystery of Veronica Mars, The Shadows of Wonderland series is highly addictive.

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 28, 2020

About the author

Isadora Brown loves all things dark, dangerous, and deadly. Things that go bump in the night and send shivers down backs are things she adores. She loves (and writes) sexy, forbidden romance, usually with some bite and a hint of magic. She is the author of The Somerset Series, The Dark Paradise Trilogy, The Stranger Trilogy, and The Neverland Trilogy.

Reviews

[sherri jones-teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets, secrets, secrets.
Alice is still working with Rumple to find Anna’s killer, and she’s getting closer. She also has a new case, find out about Rory’s parents. But the more she looks into both, the more she finds out people she trusted have been keeping secrets, and covering up what happened twenty five years ago and recently. The only one who seems to be telling her any truths is Rumple. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in wonderland and carrying on from book one! Still investigating her best friends murder Alice is working with Rumple but also gets another missing persons case! This addictive series has definitely got Once upon a time vibes and I am loving it. The author just grabs you from the very start and like Alice I found myself falling down the rabbit hole and got lost in this fairytale like story!

[Kacy L. Kennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picking up from the events of Book 1, Alice Wynter is still looking into the cover-up of her best friend's murder while taking on investigations for her former classmates. In this book, Alice investigates Rory Rose's past to find out the identities of her parents, prompting questions into her own father and some of the most affluent families in Wonderland. Struggling with her feelings about both Rumpelstiltskin and Jake, Alice follows the clues where they lead, discovering secrets about her father and his past that may have been better off staying there. And just when she thought she finally understood things, mentions of the Mad Mage seem to keep popping up.

I enjoyed this book, but I found some of this novel confusing. The main overarching series plot of uncovering more information about Anna's murder was much more at the forefront of this book, but it is still shrouded in a lot of mystery which feels strange for being the second book. Readers still barely understand the motives of Alice, Rumple, Jake, and even Alice's dad for covering things up or not really investigating Anna's death despite details not exactly lining up. I also felt like a lot of Alice's arguments with Jake, her dad, and Peter were repetitive and annoying and Alice lashes out a lot despite being 23 or 24. Alice confused me and I can't figure out whether I like her or not because she constantly acts younger than her age and that distracts from her job in the records department of the police department and conducting her own investigations of things independently as well. I also found something really strange; Alice mentioned in the first book of the series that she wanted to find her biological parents, but in this book, she constantly fought with everyone and said she didn't care about knowing her real parents. This linked directly to the investigation into Rory's biological parents and that plot seemed to be easily solved. It wasn't particularly hard to find information and it almost felt like Rory would have been able to find it easily even if her aunts were telling her nothing. But I suppose it was to further Alice's investigation into Anna's death and the cover-up by her father, as well as prompt her to think about her own abandonment and adoption. Overall, this book felt a lot like filler in uncovering more about the overarching series plot without definitively saying anything for sure, and it almost seemed like this could have been merged with other books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cath · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book two of the Shadows of Wonderland series and continues to follow the life of Alice Wynter, an unofficial investigator and records clerk for the small police station, where her adoptive father is the chief. He wants her to take a full time post with the station, but Alice likes her part time hours and the chance to get out of the office, which is a pretty boring and lacklustre job. Plus the chance to do all these little investigating jobs for people in the town. Now she has been asked by Rory Rose, if she can find out who her birth parents were, having been raised all of her life by her three maternal aunts, who all live in the same house and have never married. None of them will tell her anything about her mother, nor about who her father might have been. Everyone she tries to ask about this case, including her father, seem to think Alice is asking about her own birth parents, both human, who left her in Wonderland for some reason. She also has Rumple (Rumpelstiltskin) calling on her at odd times, making others wonder what her relationship is with him.

She ends up having to ask Jack for help, but they haven’t spoken since her best friend Anna was killed and the Beast was jailed for her murder, even though they were all supposed to be friends! Rumple has information about Anna’s murder and believes the Beast to be innocent, yet he confessed to the crime and has been sent away for life. He has been writing to someone called Belle, with secret messages within the letters. Everything she is investigating seems to point to the Mad Mage and their use of Shadow Magic. But there was also Tom Charming who raped Ella and also used Shadow Magic, who Alice was responsible for uncovering his crime. She almost died during that case, as she is the only person in Wonderland without magic and even though Shadow Magic is illegal, as is any magic, some still make use of magic to get what they want. Is the Mad Mage back again, or was the wrong person locked up as the Mad Mage? Her recent case makes her peel back layers of secrets within the town, over the years and it seems there may well be more behind some of the recent crimes and murders.

Alice is getting herself closer to danger, the more she pokes her nose into the affairs within the town. Questioning the powerful Royal families can cause her problems, especially since she was responsible for the imprisonment of Tom Charming, and is continuing to ask awkward questions. She can’t defend herself any sort of magic, but there are many more sordid secrets about this town and about its history, that still need to be revealed. Somehow Alice is right in the middle of everything that has been happening and has happened in the past. This storyline ran at quite a slow pace for me and it has so many complicated sideline stories going on, none of which really get concluded as yet. I hope the next one picks up the pace a bit, as this was almost painfully slow to try and get through at times, taking much longer than expected to get through, than it should. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I put myself on a budget I simply got every book I wanted (you can see why that didn't work out in the end...). Nowadays I count down the days until I have the money to do a big book order or to finally order the sequels to series I have started. And this was such a series. I got the first book last month, when I had just enough for the first book, and then had to wait to get the rest. And now I could finally get it! I had to dive in right away of course.

And I really really love this series. Maybe this Wonderland isn't as mad as I prefer my Wonderlands to be, but the world is in a way also endlessly richer. And that's mostly because it's not JUST Wonderland and not just the Wonderland characters. All my favorite fairytale characters are living in this version of Wonderland and therefore it feels like I'm not reading one retelling. No, I'm reading quite a lot! And I love how everything seemed to work out so well together!

In this book the individual mystery our heroine focusses on is the story of Sleeping Beauty. Of course, from the moment I read the name I knew which fairytale this was, but just like with Cinderella the author uses some basic elements of the original tale and then twists them into something entirely new and original. And it seems that with this mystery we really really dove into the bigger storyline of this series. We got answers, but we mostly got more questions! I can't wait to continue reading!

That's also because I really like Alice. Alice is a magicless girl in a world where magic is forbidden. However, the more we read, the more we discover that there is much more to the story and that Alice might be special. She already is special if you ask me. She's the kind of girl getting answers by simply asking for them. The more personal those answers become, the more she loses her cool, but I really like that. It makes her human, it makes her realistic and it makes her interesting.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

☄️☄️ONE INCREDIBLE THRILL RIDE☄️☄️
Web wackers! Isadora weaves a cocoon around us so intricately and precise drawing us deeper into this tangled web until everything else ceases to exist, roping the treads and skimming the rails luring you into a boundless realm, hooking you from start to finish, skyrocketing this gem to staggering heights. Negotiating unfamiliar territory chocked full of riveting drama, gripping intrigue, devious schemes, hidden agenda, heinous deeds, hampering misgivings, escalating danger, electrifying suspense and nailbiting situations ensue in epic proportions, putting our characters through their paces, fusing this bad boy together seamlessly. Misfortune and havoc descend in a tempest of brilliant calculations and canny strategy, blurred perimeters and dissolved barriers solidify as restrictions are amplified and tested, exposing the separate struggles and momentous triumphs, noting the deadly twists and stunning turns, bursting this baby to life brilliantly. The characters are complex, genuine and realistic with traits and qualities that balance and blend, with amazing depth and diversity and enough spice to add an extra kick to the mix. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels as though you're part of the story instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Remarkable job Isadora, thanks for sharing this amazing thrill with us.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderland is a place of violence, especially against women. Royals are far more privileged than any others, and though all but the weakest possess magical skills, it is forbidden to use them

In this tragic land of really not Mouseworld fairytales and legends, our Alice is a non magical human with a knack for investigation. She is facing losing faith in trusting those around her.

What happens when those who might call themselves your friends fail to protect you when you’re in actual jeopardy, and subsequently try to protect you from asking questions for yourself or others? Who are her truest friends?

Alice finds herself faced with either telling painful truths under threat of harm to her adopted father, or limiting the info she shares with another orphan.

An ongoing series following the painful growing up of a young woman who might just find herself important to the well being of her realm. She is perhaps not magical, yet possesses an innate inquisitive nature that leads her to queries and possibly relevant results, no matter the cost to her personally

With friends and father bearing somewhat tarnished images and histories of support of her, intriguing and challenging new possibilities seem to lie ahead for Alice. I both dread and am eager to see what happens next for the poor young woman

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Myreadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would especially like to thank the author and the booksprout website for allowing me to read this book.

It features the pretty Alice Wynter who is still a private detective, she is going to be visited by a woman who would like to find her biological parents: Rory Stone and her aunts refuse to tell her anything about her parents. But Alice is not as good as she seems, she will have to call Jack Lupine with whom she didn't get along very well during the investigation of her best friend's murder.

Alice is going to find out more about the mad wizard and is going to want to know if he is really back and if she is in danger, as well as the city where she lives.

Meanwhile Rumplestiltskin returns with a lot of information about a wrongful imprisonment of a beast and he wants Alice to help him find out more about this man who would sell his life for a crime not committed.

Alice may not have any gift for magic, but she has to deal with living in a world of magic. She needs to move on if she ever wants to learn more about the murder of her best friend.

A book read in one go, so much so that I hooked into the story, so moving in some passages, addictive, captivating, full of suspense and twists and turns with characters that are as endearing as ever. Looking forward to reading the complete series in paperback.

[Jennifer Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books picks up where Book 1 left off, Alice is still working with Rumple to find the truth about Anna’s killer but has picked up a new case as well. Let’s just say, between the two … WHOA so many secrets, trust issues become a real thing! Alice is asked to investigate Rory Rose's past and to find out the identities of her parents; she lives with her 3 Aunts and no one there is talking! Rory Rose wants answers and Alice’s reputation has preceded her! Let’s just say, between the two cases she is working … WHOA so many secrets, trust issues become a real thing!

Alice also has to deal with feelings for Jake and Rumple of all people … inconvenient to say the least in the middle of 2 mysteries! How will this one turn out? Will she choose one? Neither or BOTH?

The secrets she keeps discovering about her father have thrown her way off; just when she thought she finally understood, the Mad Mage keeps popping up to keep things fresh & terrifying!

Looking forward to seeing how this plays out!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[R.K. Tejaswi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second installment of shadow of Wonderland, Alice continues her investigation for Anna's real murderer with help of Rumplestilstkin. In the Seeker's Facade, Ella's friend Rory Rose reaches Alice for a favour. And when Alice finds the answers for Rory Rose, she is left out with more mysteries to be solved to know about herself. To solve Rory's case Alice first seeks Jack's help, who though first rejects to help her later agrees to help her. In this book Alice finds herself confused between her feelings for Jack and Rumple. The one main flaw in this book is that facts between book 1 and book 2 varies. In book 1, it was said Alice wants to find her parents but in book it's give on she doesn't care for the one who doesn't care for her. In book 1, Jack will tell Alice that he is a White Rabbit but in book 2 he is addressed as cat. Though repeating things happened in book 1 helps to read this book as a standalone, it made me to skip the pages or paragraphs, other than that the book was good.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Topsues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Alice won’t you ever learn? When you uncover one answer 10 more questions will occur and unfortunately in The Shadows Facade book.2. In The Shadows of Wonderland series. Isadora Brown won’t give you chance to even take a breath before she assaults you more twists and turns literally making your head spin. What starts as a paternity case, ends up turning her life upside down and fracturing her personal relationships. All except one and this relationship is odd at best and keeps growing as friendship turns slightly more gripping as the story unfolds, however is loosing all her friends because she ignores their warnings worth it ? Or will she finally see who’s been betraying her trust all along..This book is full of mystery, magic and danger..... And that’s it, I can’t give anything more away of this storyline because I don’t want to spoil a second more for all the readers after me...it’s certainly a book that will fill your vision from start to finish, get your heart beating faster and keeps you guessing. Now I need book.3. To find out some answers.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Alice investigates Rory’s background, several revelations come to light that hint at the answers we didn’t know in the previous book. However, they also spark even more questions than before. I love the funhouse mirror kind of look this book takes at Alice in Wonderland and fairy tales in general. I consider it part of the fun to try and pick which characters have come from which tales. And then kick myself when it’s taken me far too long to identify them. It might be because I read a lot of mystery fiction so I pick up on the small clues, but it frustrated me that I figured out the answer that Alice was searching for so much earlier than she did. At least I’m finally starting to realize why the cat might be important, but I’m still wondering just what the heck really is the deal behind him being considered a “missing person”.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever read a mystery where you get more questions than answers? Well, our heroine is living that very life.

This is book two of the series. There is a lot of backstory to be had, so I recommend starting at the beginning.

This is an urban fantasy story with many of the trappings of the classic Alice in Wonderland story. That being said, it is also very different and unique unto itself. The story is well written and has a lot going on which can be a bit confusing at times. There are also lots of characters, some vaguely familiar while others are completely new. Overall, the story moves along at a fast pace and certainly kept my interest. I am definitely interested to see where it goes in the next book.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have grown up with Lewis Carroll's, "Alice in Wonderland" and was always told there were levels upon levels of intrigue and mystery in that story. Well, this version is even more confusing than the original, and that is hard to admit to. The main characters are intriguing, and some hold onto secrets with a death grip. Nobody seems to want to tell the complete truth and the main refrain seems to be "You cannot handle the truth". The plot is not easily followed at all, at least for me, and the premise seems to be finding out who Rosey's parents are and most of the ones who could provide the truth are magically forced to refrain from telling. So, the answers are quite vague along with some bombshells. I hope you will be able to make a lot more sense out of it.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Wynter, a private detective, gets a new case when Rory Stone seeks her help in discovering the identity of her birth parents. Rory’s three aunts refuse to say anything about it. She is also still working with Rumpelstiltskin to find Anna’s killer, and she may be getting near the truth. He has additional information on Beast’s wrongful imprisonment and wants Alice’s help with that. Why would Beast throw his life away for a crime he didn’t commit? But the more she looks into things, she is finding more secrets kept by those she had trusted. And those secrets are affecting her investigations. Who can she trust?

[Shweta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice is still a human, but wonderland is not down a hole, it's a place where many paranormal species reside and where magic has been banned by the red queen.

Still grieving from the pain of having lost her best friend, Alice is looking for answers that it seems no-one wants found. When a girl approaches her to investigate who the girl's birth parents were, Alice finds herself in the middle of a bigger secret than she could ever have thought.

Who is it that everyone around her including her adoptive father is protecting?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Seeker's Façade - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Another drop takes the reader further down the 'rabbit hole' of Isadora Brown's modern fantasia on Alice In Wonderland and sees Alice discover more about her mysterious parentage, while carrying out a search for Rory Stone.
The usual characters, Rumpelstiltskin, Jack and others from Book 1 appear in appropriate scenes, but there's some confusion in continuity from that novella, which clouds who's who and why Alice is now invested in finding her parents, which is a 180° about turn, since she previously disowned them, as she assumed they'd abandoned her.
Why not try The Seeker's Façade for yourself to see what you think!

[Linda Rorex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Wynter is a private investigator hired by Rory Stone to find her birth parents. Rory’s three maternal aunts will not tell her anything about her parents. As Alice investigates information on Rory’s parents she uncovers sinister secrets about Wonderland. The Mad Mage returns and Rumpelstilskin finds information on Beast’s wrongful imprisonment. Alice must uncover the truth and protect her loved ones while navigating through a world filled with magic. This is a kind of retelling of Alice in Wonderland , Beauty and the Beast and Rumpelstilskin. I really enjoyed this fantastic fairy tale fantasy novel.

[Anne Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice is still helping Rumplestilskin find out who really murdered Anna. And Rory want Alice to help her find out who her birth parents are, and why she is being raised by her three Aunts. Alice needs help, but Jack doesnt seem keen to help her - and he did just drop out of her life when Alice died.
There is wierd magic around evrywhere - is the Mad Mage really back? How much danger is Alice - and maybe the rest of the town in? Loving it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice and Wonderland are back. I loved visiting with everyone again. Alice is investigating another issue and during the investigation learns more secrets about the past that raises more questions. It was an entertaining read full of a bit of danger, intrigue and questions. I loved it and it kept me reading to the end to see what would happen. And I had to see what Alice would go through this time. I loved all the characters and what I learned about them this time around. I really enjoyed the story.

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking into account that I am reading an ARC copy of this book, I presume the published copy will have less grammatical and storyline errors so will review on the story. The beginning is a bit confusing but as you read through it gets better. There are many twists I didn’t see coming. I love the romantic tension between Aly and the two guys Jack and Rumple. Her father is a surprise, look forward to the next book to see where that goes.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Seeker's Façade is book two of the Shadows of Wonderland series and Alice is investigating a new case. Rory Stone needs Alice's help finding her birth parents. Alice is still working with Rumpelstiltskin to find her friend's killer. This is a well written story with intriguing characters, crazy twists, suspense, mystery, secrets, and so much more. This is a great continuation of the storyline and I look forward to reading more about Wonderland. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many secrets!

Now that Alice has solved her first mystery and brought a criminal to justice it doesn't take long before she has a new client. Rory desperately wants to know about her parentage but her three aunts will tell her nothing. As Alice searches for answers, she finds secrets. Dangerous secrets.

There are so many twists and intertwined subplots! It makes my head spin but I can't stop reading. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fab story, as Alice gets more of a reputation as P.I. more people ask her for help in solving crimes. Rumplestilskin is still trying to help her figure out if the Beasts committed a murder. Great Characters twists and turns plots, A very good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mysterious and suspenseful, the story continues right after the previous book. I loved how the author crafted a believable story in an imaginative world. Well written and thoroughly entertaining, I am more than happy to go on the ride. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

I requested a copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Seeker's Facade by Isadora Brown is an amazing story to read. This is book number two in this amazing series that I have been so hooked on and can not wait to read the rest I loved it. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about mystery, fantasy and paranormal romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[William Vegvari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I binge read the three stories leaving me wanting to read book 4.

A new take on on some fairy tales which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Once you start to read you will not be able to stop

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Taaibah · Rating 5 out of 5]

still loving this series…. this book included

Wow.. a few cans of worms opened in this book….
And what an ending…
I’m still loving the characters and Alice’s journey…
To solve the case/s and finding the truths that are trying to be hidden…
I cannot wait to read the next book, which I hope to start either tonight or tomorrow….
Really such a great read that keeps you guessing….

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Tera Comer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Shadows of Wonderland series and Alice Wynter gets a visit from Rory Stone, which throws Alice down a spiral of mystery and intrigue. While still trying to investigate the murder of Anna.