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Ellie Kline #6

Cold Shadows

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The deadliest monsters live outside the shadows...

Katarina, The Master’s protégé, is making a comeback one mark at a time, but she’s slowly losing her razor-sharp edge. Seeking revenge, she’s making bloody mistakes that just might cost her the one true desire of her heart.

When The Master—aka Dr. Kingsley, the monster who kidnapped Cold Case Detective Ellie Kline as a teen—surfaces, Ellie and Special Agent Clay Lockwood track him to Florida. Each new horrifying clue adds a new whirl to the circle of evil that’s growing wider and wider. Now, it’s circling back on itself.

When Ellie was a beat cop, she saved a child from Katarina’s clutches. Little Harmony is missing again. This time, a secret is being exposed one terrible illegal adoption at a time. The circle’s evil fingers are wrapping tighter aroun

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2020

2322 people are currently reading
531 people want to read

About the author

Mary Stone

218 books2,136 followers
To download my FREE BOOK, click here: https://authormarystone.com/free-book...

Nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee, Mary Stone has transformed her peaceful home, once bustling with her sons, into a creative haven. As her family grew, so did her writing career, evolving from childhood fears to a deep understanding of real-life villains. Her stories, centered around strong, unconventional heroines, weave themes of courage and intrigue.

Mary's journey from a solitary writer to establishing her own publishing house marks a significant evolution, showcasing her commitment to the literary world. Through her writing and publishing endeavors, she continues to captivate and inspire, honoring her lifelong fascination with the mysterious and the courageous.

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5 stars
2,973 (66%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
Profile Image for Joyce Westmoreland.
186 reviews17 followers
May 21, 2021
Cold Shadows

I can’t read each book in the Ellie Kline series fast enough. They get more intense with each book. Ellie and Clay make a great team as they fight to end human trafficking in Charleston and Florida. Ellie’s life is in danger and she can’t even still recognize her foe. This book is so exciting and totally a thriller of epic proportions. They get better and better. Thank you Mary Stone.
25 reviews1 follower
March 22, 2022
main character a rich spoiled brat

With every new book in this series I keep waiting and hoping for character development for Ellie. She’s just a spoiled rich brat. No matter how good of a detective she is she really shouldn’t be on the job. She’s too emotional and too much of a hothead. Her inability to look beyond her own desires puts everyone in danger. She would never survive the real world
698 reviews2 followers
November 28, 2023
I really like Mary Stone’s Ellie Kline character. I have enjoyed her books, but the story line and main characters have the same qualities and I have read 6 in this series. Ellie Kline ‘s story should have been completed by now.

I no am not sure if I’ll finish the series.

4 reviews1 follower
November 9, 2020
Cold shadows

Sorry this series is too long. It should have ended 2 or 3 books ago. I will not read a 7th book. The story is getting old.
225 reviews2 followers
June 13, 2021
Interlocking Webs and Lies.

Both The master, Dr Kingsley , and his protege, Katrina, manage to disappear as Detective Elle Kline and the FBI Special Agent Clay Lockwood and the ACT team close in on their human trafficking scheme. While Kingsley heads off to recover from the damage he suffered at the hand of Kline, Katrina is set to take over his operation.
The Master has used his underground contacts to secure total facial reconstruction and changes to a younger Latino persona, followed by recuperation in the mountains.

Meanwhile, Katrina and her new assistant, Eden, have become a death force focussing on rich marks to fund their latest quest. Katrina has her sights set on finding Harmony Jackson, the little girl Ellie rescued from a previous kidnapping attempt.

Hatred for Ellie Kline has reached a peak for Dr Kinsley and he plots her elimination. When a contract killer fails a car bomb attempts, Kingsley is livid and decides to take matters on himself. As a result of Agent Lockwood and Detective Kline's investigations, Ellie is placed in a protective FBI net.

Of course, it doesn't take long for Ellie Kline to find connections to all the players and to convince Lockwood that she is needed on site for a 'take down'. With target on her back, can Ellie keep her loved ones safe and find Harmony in time? At what cost will the investigation proceed, how many will be sacrificed?
Profile Image for Dawn.
377 reviews2 followers
October 29, 2020
Cold Shadows by Mary Stone and Donna Berdel is another fantastic book in the Ellie Kline series! Off to a roaring start, the story starts 15 years in the past then comes forward to the present. The novel follows Ellie and FBI agent Clay as they work together to find those who took part an illegal adoption ring and the children who were kidnapped and/or sold to the highest bidder. Meanwhile, the FBI is looking for Kingsley, sociopath and psychologist who continues feeding his “evil” side via various murders and abuses. He and Katerina, working separately, seem to be hunting Ellie who in turn is hunting them. I especially loved the slow development of Katarina who is “a puppet of the master” and a master in her own right. The interplay and support between Ellie and Clay is fun and endearing, as we start to see how their romantic tension will unfold. Once again the author has done a wonderful job in furthering her characters and their cases. The surprises just keep coming and I, for one, cannot wait for more! I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I highly recommend this novel!
Profile Image for D.L..
182 reviews2 followers
March 20, 2023
Emotional Roller Coaster Ride

Cold Shadows by Mary Stone and Donna Berdel is book six of the Ellie Kline series. It starts out 15 years in the past and draws you into the horror happening to a young girl. I will not say anymore about this chapter except it will have your emotions all over the place at least it did for me. Ellie Kline is working cold cases when she is paired with FBI agent, Clay Lockwood, to continue investigating Dr. Kingsley aka the Master and Katarina. During their hunt for Katarina, they find out about a child trafficking ring.

Cold Shadows brings to light more information about Katarina and and her relationship with the Master. Most of the time, it was very disturbing.

Once you start reading this book, you will not be able to put it down until finished. The ending was unexpected and I am going to be on pins and needles until the next book comes out so I can see what happens.

If you have not read the Ellie Kline series, I recommend you start with book one so you will know all the characters and storylines. This series along with the Winter Black and Autumn Trent series are some of the best that I have read. Mary Stone’s books have complex characters
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for DianaRaven.
1,314 reviews8 followers
October 27, 2020
COLD SHADOWS the sixth book and another amazing thriller in the Cold Case series. The authors Mary Stone and Donna Berdel are amazing and always manage to capture your attention in the first few pages. As usual, I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't put this book down. The interaction between characters is intense making this a true nail-biting, page turner.  There is even a nod to Justin and Winter Black somewhere in this story.

Ellie's stalker is still unknown and continues haunt her, but he will have to wait for now. Lawrence Kingsley's mother has died and Ellie is off to Florida, sure that Kingsley is somehow involved. She soon finds herself deep in cold case files leading to very old child trafficking cases, some may even lead to Kingsley's early days. 

If you haven't read the "Cold Case" series by Mary Stone and Donna Berdel I suggest you check it out.

The ending is another cliffhanger leaving you on pins and needles waiting to find out what comes next in the Cold Case series. 

I am an ARC member and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Meghan.
3,378 reviews7 followers
October 31, 2020
I don’t know how Ellie is not just cussing at everyone!! Haha The story picks up shortly after the last book and the action is as fast paced and vivid.

Along with the overarching story of the Master and Ellie, this book focuses in on Katarina and Ellie’s first interaction. It is interesting bc there is some discussion on how all bad or villain types may not be bad. The story does a great job building the world and showing history and present. Several criminals are caught, more emerge , secrets are shared, corruption looked at, and of course the Master remains elusive. There is a fascinating twist of the adoption aspect and I hope to see more in it.

Ellie’s relationships are not doing great in this book, but this is partly due to her backing away for their safety and due to her disappointment/anger with one. I hope they all work out as I love all their dynamics and interactions!

Another great cold but active case. .. can’t wait for the next😄
21 reviews
June 16, 2021
WOW!

Mary Stone does not disappoint!
Cold Shadows was crazy and had my head spinning.
When will Ellie feel genuinely safe, something she hasn't felt since she was 15?
Her nightmare never ends and she deserves her justice, her way!
The Katarina info and background story provided ALOT of insight in what and how this psychopath was created.
Without spoiling it, the "end" of Katarina had my head spinning, jaw dropping and blood boiling. However, it does give way to more books, mystery, Ellie & Clay (🔥 Chemistry much better than any science project 🔥) and the only outcome for Ellie.... FINAL JUSTICE!
I say, let her go rouge & take the perverted killer out her way, then walk away. She deserves to be the one who puts an end to her nightmares and gets her "final justice". Not a bad name for a book that takes Ellie out of the hell her nemesis threw her in her adolescent and entire adult life 😉
16 reviews
October 29, 2020
Book 6 of the Ellie Kline series will NOT disappoint you. In "Cold Shadows", Det Ellie Kline is back at her finest in trying to find her arch nemesis, Dr. Kingsley. After their last meeting, Dr. Kingsley (or the Master as he likes to be referred to) has had much needed medical attention and now unrecognizable seems to have vanished. While working the case, Ellie finds numerous small things that seemingly are unconnected. However the deeper she digs into the case on Dr. Kingsley and his primary assistant these seemingly innocent items start to come together. Thus bringing Ellie, the Charleston Police Department, the Miami, FL Police Department and the FBI into the maze. Read how these multiple disconnects are related and the extraordinary out come of events will baffle your mind. ENJOY!!!!!!
Profile Image for Ski Croghan.
609 reviews5 followers
January 25, 2022
A truly scary book!!!!

What you do in life will come back to haunt you! If you let yourself do evil things you will pay for them one way or the other. Even if you do no wrong but it's done to you, that will haunt you to! That's what Ellie has learned. No matter what, Kingsley will not leave her or her luved ones alone. When she tracks down Katerina and arrests her, even that doesn't go right! Saving Harmony a second time may be in vain. Will the Master even destroy her new luv with Clay or manage to kill Jillian? The answers are in this excellent book! Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Darla Taylor.
1,852 reviews
October 27, 2020
Ellie and FBI agent Clay are tracking down clues relating to Dr Lawrence Kingsley, aka the Master, when they come across clues about his protege, Katarina, and a child trafficking ring. It seems that Katarina is after a young girl named Harmony whom Ellie rescued when she was a beat cop.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review and I honestly enjoyed this book which is a great addition to the series. Well-written with well-rounded characters, this book will capture you from the beginning and keep you on your toes. I'm looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order for the best benefit.
Profile Image for Sammye.
4,395 reviews30 followers
October 28, 2020
This is the 6th book in the Ellie Kline series. In this addition, Ellie is paired up with FBI agent Clay Lockwood. They are still working to solve the child trafficking ring headed by Dr Kingsley, aka “the master”. These are some evil people they’re hunting. There are so many twists and turns it’s hard to keep up. I could never guess what would happen next. Drama, suspense, a little romance sprinkled in. I cannot wait to see what happens next. This review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy from the author.
Profile Image for Scarolet Ellis.
7,445 reviews53 followers
October 27, 2020
Cold Shadows (Ellie Kline Series Book 6) by Mary Stone, Donna Berdel is a story that I have loved reading very much. This is book number six in this amazing series that I have been hooked on since the beginning. I has wonderful characters and story line I loved reading it. I highly recommend this story to everyone.

I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
43 reviews5 followers
October 28, 2020
I don't think I've ever read a book where I end up feeling sorry for the villain!
We finally get a look at Katarina's roots and how she developed into the monster that she is.
This book kept me enthralled until the very end and left me waiting for more. I can't wait to read the 3rd book......How does Kingsley finally capture Ellie? or does he?
Will Ellie and Katarina tangle again? When will Ellie and Clay make a commitment to each other? Holding my breath for the next installment!!
Profile Image for Paula.
217 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2020
This is book six in the Ellie Kline series. It deals with child trafficking and aka “the Master”. Ellie and Clay are once again partnered together to solved the crime and will stop at nothing to solve the mystery. The plot is very suspenseful, at times chilling, there are many twists and turns and the story always leaves you wanting more. I highly recommend you read the whole series from the beginning to get the complete feel of the story. This one was a WOW! Can’t wait for the next book.
179 reviews
October 30, 2020
The 6th book of the Ellie Kline series is a real page turner. A fast-paced read, the story gripped me from the first page to the last. We learn more about the villains and their past history. Ellie and FBI agent Clay are determined to put a stop to the corruption. Kudos to Mary Stone & Donna Berdel for another great book. Can't wait to read the next book in the series. I am an ARC member and this is my honest review.
90 reviews2 followers
November 1, 2020
So good

I waited patiently for this book to be released and enjoyed it as I did with all the rest of the books in this series. I expected this to be the last one and for everything to be tied up like a bow but not so. There will be another one that I now have to wait for and what cliffhangers this book left us with. These two Authors really know how to lead a reader on. Still all in all their books are great so I will wait with baited breath for the next one. Happy reading!
Profile Image for ci.
475 reviews
January 23, 2021
I loved the Ellie Kline Series!!! Each book had the same great characters with a different plot, so what's not to like??

Ellie can be so frustrating, but she's good at what she does. We have great characters, we have evil characters, with action packed, page turning, twists / turns, that keep you on the edge of your seat! There's plenty of everything for everyone.

I don't know what took me so long, but I'm really glad I decided to read this series!
Profile Image for Patricia A. Biba.
395 reviews1 follower
September 14, 2024
Illegal Adoptions

Active and interesting story. Finding more information about the adoption of children was handled plus finding out that the Master was alive and visited his mother. Pictures being sent to Ellie of places she had been to and with whom. Ellie feels and knows that the Master will at some point try to kill her. Couldn't put book down needed to know what happened.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Kitchen.
70 reviews
April 2, 2025
Another Mary Stone hit out of the park

I could read books by Mary Stone constantly. Well, I guess I already am just depends on when I run out of series and I have to wait for her to catch up with me. I love her books. They are engrossing. I cannot put them down and I just admire the way she writes if you even think about checking her out just do it you will be pleasantly surprised
Profile Image for Margarita Rose.
1,182 reviews11 followers
October 28, 2020
Another heart pounding spine tingling read from this great team of writers. This is one series that leaves you with chills and thrills. Terrifying you by how true the storyline can be. This is one hell of a psychological thriller. Better than some Stephen King books. Unable to sleep after reading this book. Terrifyingly great read. Received ARC copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Annelies Kappe.
23 reviews2 followers
November 3, 2020
First thing I wanna say is that one way or another in the first few pages your attention is captured and you don't want to put down your book until it's finished and when you do the question is and What Now and What's Next, personally I can't wait. This series is a great read.
A big thumbs up for Mary Stone and Donna Berdel
Profile Image for Margaret Yelton.
2,138 reviews44 followers
November 14, 2020
Cold Shadows is the sixth book in the fantastic Ellie Kline series. Just when you think the book can't get more interesting, another fact comes to life and we keep reading to see how it will work out. Once again I love the chemistry between Ellie and Clay, yet I wonder if that chemistry can survive this series. I would definitely recommend this wonderful book to others.
11 reviews
December 21, 2020
Awesome read

This series is fantastic. Ellie is turning into a wonderful character, each new challenge is making her strong. I have really enjoyed seeing the different aspects of her life unfold and of course I want her to understand Clay and what he has to do in his job. She’ll figure it out.
665 reviews6 followers
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December 24, 2020
Another thrilling story

All Ellie Kline stories are thrilli6. This has Ellie focused on Katarina . And Harmony , the girl Ellie rescued from her . Cold case files are ELlie's current assignment . She finds a thread and the chase is on. The ending is interesting and leads to a cliffhanger .
Profile Image for Linda Thomas.
842 reviews8 followers
February 23, 2022
Ellie Kline, detective, and Clay Lockwood, FBI, hunting for children

Ellie Kline, CPD Detective, and Clay Lockwood, FBI, have broken into an old case of children being sold for adoption. But it bring Ellie right back into the sights of Katerina and the Master. This puts all her family and friends at risk also and the stress is breaking her and him.
14 reviews
March 13, 2023
I am addicted to Mary Stone’s Books. The reason is that Mary’s writing style makes me really fall for her main characters. I can hardly put a book down once I start reading as I want to know what will happen next.

The Ellie Kine series has a fascinating villain. It is a just a fun mystery series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews

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