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Kate Marshall #2
La casa nella nebbia
La professoressa di criminologia Kate Marshall è in gita con suo figlio, quando insieme fanno una scoperta scioccante: il corpo senza vita di un adolescente, impigliato sotto la superficie del bacino idrico di Shadow Sands. L’ipotesi di un tragico annegamento non quadra, e quando Kate comincia a indagare si trova davanti a una verità ancora più oscura: la vittima è solo l’ultima di una serie di morti legate alla brughiera. Circolano strane voci, infatti, di un fantasma che si nasconde nella nebbia e fa strage delle sue vittime. Quando un’antropologa scompare senza lasciare traccia, Kate sa che è solo questione di tempo prima che venga uccisa. Per lei e il suo socio Tristan Harper ha così inizio una drammatica corsa contro il tempo. Quello che Kate non sa è che l’inafferrabile serial killer a cui sta dando la caccia non è l’unico a esserle un passo avanti. Qualcun altro sta facendo in modo che i segreti di Shadow Sands rimangano sepolti…
320 pages, Hardcover
First published November 3, 2020
2222 people are currently reading
6657 people want to read
About the author
Robert Bryndza
36 books7,200 followersRobert Bryndza is an international bestselling author, best known for his page-turning crime and thriller novels, which have sold over seven million copies.
His crime debut, The Girl in the Ice was released in February 2016, introducing Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster. Within five months it sold one million copies, reaching number one in the Amazon UK, USA and Australian charts. To date, The Girl in the Ice has sold over 1.5 million copies in the English language and has been sold into translation in 30 countries. It was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery & Thriller (2016), the Grand prix des lectrices de Elle in France (2018), and it won two reader voted awards, The Thrillzone Awards best debut thriller in The Netherlands (2018) and The Dead Good Papercut Award for best page turner at the Harrogate Crime Festival (2016).
Robert has released a further six novels in the Erika Foster series, The Night Stalker, Dark Water, Last Breath, Cold Blood and Deadly Secrets, all of which have been global bestsellers, and in 2017 Last Breath was a Goodreads Choice Award nominee for Mystery and Thriller. Fatal Witness, is the seventh Erika Foster novel.
Most recently, Robert created a new crime thriller series based around the central character Kate Marshall, a police officer turned private detective. The first book, Nine Elms, was an Amazon USA #1 bestseller and an Amazon UK top five bestseller, and the series has been sold into translation in 18 countries. The second book in the series is the global bestselling, Shadow Sands, the third book is, Darkness Falls and the fourth, Devil’s Way has just been published.
Robert was born in Lowestoft, on the east coast of England. He studied at Aberystwyth University, and the Guildford School of Acting, and was an actor for several years, but didn’t find success until he took a play he’d written to the Edinburgh Festival. This led to the decision to change career and start writing. He self-published a bestselling series of romantic comedy novels, before switching to writing crime. Robert lives with his husband in Slovakia, and is lucky enough to write full-time.
You can find out more about Robert and his books at www.robertbryndza.com
His crime debut, The Girl in the Ice was released in February 2016, introducing Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster. Within five months it sold one million copies, reaching number one in the Amazon UK, USA and Australian charts. To date, The Girl in the Ice has sold over 1.5 million copies in the English language and has been sold into translation in 30 countries. It was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery & Thriller (2016), the Grand prix des lectrices de Elle in France (2018), and it won two reader voted awards, The Thrillzone Awards best debut thriller in The Netherlands (2018) and The Dead Good Papercut Award for best page turner at the Harrogate Crime Festival (2016).
Robert has released a further six novels in the Erika Foster series, The Night Stalker, Dark Water, Last Breath, Cold Blood and Deadly Secrets, all of which have been global bestsellers, and in 2017 Last Breath was a Goodreads Choice Award nominee for Mystery and Thriller. Fatal Witness, is the seventh Erika Foster novel.
Most recently, Robert created a new crime thriller series based around the central character Kate Marshall, a police officer turned private detective. The first book, Nine Elms, was an Amazon USA #1 bestseller and an Amazon UK top five bestseller, and the series has been sold into translation in 18 countries. The second book in the series is the global bestselling, Shadow Sands, the third book is, Darkness Falls and the fourth, Devil’s Way has just been published.
Robert was born in Lowestoft, on the east coast of England. He studied at Aberystwyth University, and the Guildford School of Acting, and was an actor for several years, but didn’t find success until he took a play he’d written to the Edinburgh Festival. This led to the decision to change career and start writing. He self-published a bestselling series of romantic comedy novels, before switching to writing crime. Robert lives with his husband in Slovakia, and is lucky enough to write full-time.
You can find out more about Robert and his books at www.robertbryndza.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,299 reviews
December 6, 2020
3.5 stars
Shadow Sands is a tense procedural about a mysterious death and an investigation that leads to the uncovering of a serial killer.
This is book #2 in the Kate Marshall series, and I must say it is much better than book #1! It can be read as a standalone.
When former DC Kate Marshall discovers the body of a young man in a reservoir, she inserts herself into the police investigation. Although the police rule the death an accident, Kate believes otherwise. Hired by the boy’s mother to investigate, Kate and her research assistant, Tristan, delve deeper and unearth a sick and twisted killer who takes pleasure in hunting his prey.
The narrative is split between Kate, Tristan, the killer, and the killer’s latest victim, Magdalena. The killer’s chapters were intriguing, but Tristan’s chapters were my favorite.
Shadow Sands is fast-paced and easy to read. There is a lot of action, but also a lot of time is spent on character development, especially on Tristan’s character, which was lacking in book #1.
Tristan’s coming to terms with his identity were some of my favorite moments in this book. I also thoroughly enjoyed Kate’s confrontation with Peter Conway--those two have an interesting history and an even more interesting chemistry.
Overall, when it came to the killer and mystery, there weren’t many surprising twists or turns or crazy developments, but Kate and Tristan's characters made this an enjoyable read. I was ready to give up on this series after book #1, but the reviews of this book sucked me back in. I think this series will get even better with book #3.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review.
Shadow Sands is a tense procedural about a mysterious death and an investigation that leads to the uncovering of a serial killer.
This is book #2 in the Kate Marshall series, and I must say it is much better than book #1! It can be read as a standalone.
When former DC Kate Marshall discovers the body of a young man in a reservoir, she inserts herself into the police investigation. Although the police rule the death an accident, Kate believes otherwise. Hired by the boy’s mother to investigate, Kate and her research assistant, Tristan, delve deeper and unearth a sick and twisted killer who takes pleasure in hunting his prey.
The narrative is split between Kate, Tristan, the killer, and the killer’s latest victim, Magdalena. The killer’s chapters were intriguing, but Tristan’s chapters were my favorite.
Shadow Sands is fast-paced and easy to read. There is a lot of action, but also a lot of time is spent on character development, especially on Tristan’s character, which was lacking in book #1.
Tristan’s coming to terms with his identity were some of my favorite moments in this book. I also thoroughly enjoyed Kate’s confrontation with Peter Conway--those two have an interesting history and an even more interesting chemistry.
Overall, when it came to the killer and mystery, there weren’t many surprising twists or turns or crazy developments, but Kate and Tristan's characters made this an enjoyable read. I was ready to give up on this series after book #1, but the reviews of this book sucked me back in. I think this series will get even better with book #3.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2020
Robert Bryndza's follow up to Nine Elms, his crime series featuring ex-Met Detective Constable, Kate Marshall, is a dark, intense and fast paced number. Kate has a traumatic past, damaged by a relationship with serial killer, Peter Conway, her ex-boss and DCI, that resulted in a pregnancy and the birth of a son, Jake, now 16 years old, whose growing up years were with her parents, awarded custody of him. Kate went through some dark years, her demons driving her to drink, that meant she was in no position to look after Jake, although she has since cleaned up her act, spending time with Jake and attending AA meetings. She is now a Ashdean criminology lecturer, returning to using her investigative skills as a part time PI, assisted by Tristan Harper.
It's summer, Kate and Jake are diving in the man-made Shadow Sands reservoir with its drowned village, when they make the gruesome discovery in the water, the body of a young man with serious injuries. The victim turns out to be 18 year old Simon Kendal, an Olympic level swimming hopeful, who had been camping with his 20 year old mate, Geraint Jones. Simon's mother, Lyn, begs Kate to find out what really happened to him as the police and coroner have ruled his death as accidental, which she doesn't believe. Kate and Tristan know there is something fishy at the alacrity with which the police moved to declare it an accident and further issues are raised with anomalies in the post-mortem results that eventually push the police to view Simon's death as murder. Tristan is horrified to find he is viewed as a suspect in the disappearance of Italian professor, Magdalena Rossi, who has been abducted. Kate and Tristran find themselves in a harrowing and dangerous investigation that slowly begins to connect with Magdalena's abduction and a powerful local family determined to be obstructive.
Bryndza develops Tristan's character wonderfully further here, living with his sister, unable to be open about who he is with her, too fearful of her rejection if he is truthful. Kate is more than taken aback when Jake expresses a desire to meet his incarcerated serial killer of a father, she is deeply hurt, Conway never wanted Jake, and she comes perilously close to falling off the wagon, the demon drink an ever present temptation. This is a riveting crime read, the parts with Magdalena's horrifying experiences with the killer are particularly hard to stomach, although her courage is a shining light. This will undoubtedly appeal to many of Bryndza's existing fans and to those crime readers who have yet to discover this series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
It's summer, Kate and Jake are diving in the man-made Shadow Sands reservoir with its drowned village, when they make the gruesome discovery in the water, the body of a young man with serious injuries. The victim turns out to be 18 year old Simon Kendal, an Olympic level swimming hopeful, who had been camping with his 20 year old mate, Geraint Jones. Simon's mother, Lyn, begs Kate to find out what really happened to him as the police and coroner have ruled his death as accidental, which she doesn't believe. Kate and Tristan know there is something fishy at the alacrity with which the police moved to declare it an accident and further issues are raised with anomalies in the post-mortem results that eventually push the police to view Simon's death as murder. Tristan is horrified to find he is viewed as a suspect in the disappearance of Italian professor, Magdalena Rossi, who has been abducted. Kate and Tristran find themselves in a harrowing and dangerous investigation that slowly begins to connect with Magdalena's abduction and a powerful local family determined to be obstructive.
Bryndza develops Tristan's character wonderfully further here, living with his sister, unable to be open about who he is with her, too fearful of her rejection if he is truthful. Kate is more than taken aback when Jake expresses a desire to meet his incarcerated serial killer of a father, she is deeply hurt, Conway never wanted Jake, and she comes perilously close to falling off the wagon, the demon drink an ever present temptation. This is a riveting crime read, the parts with Magdalena's horrifying experiences with the killer are particularly hard to stomach, although her courage is a shining light. This will undoubtedly appeal to many of Bryndza's existing fans and to those crime readers who have yet to discover this series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
September 8, 2020
Let me say right off the bat, I’m a huge Robert Bryndza fan. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read and I’ve read all his mysteries. This is the second in the Kate Marshall series.
Kate follows Erika Foster as another strong female protagonist. Now serving as a university lecturer, she still maintains a strong interest in solving crimes. So, when the mother of a deceased young man asks her to investigate his death, she doesn’t hesitate to say yes. Right from the get go, there appear to be flaws in the police investigation. When Kate starts to investigate, they quickly change their ruling from accidental drowning to accusing his best friend.
The book moves at top speed. A woman goes missing. Kate and Tristan uncover several other young people who have disappeared near the reservoir over the years. And the police appear incompetent, if not involved in a coverup.
I found Kate to be a very realistic MC. Her struggles with alcoholism are well portrayed. We learn more about both her and Tristan in this book. And Peter Conway even makes an appearance.
Once again, Bryndza delivers a great mystery that’s as taut as piano wires. The scenes with Magdalena had my skin crawling. This is great entertainment. I was thrilled to read there will be a third in the series.
My thanks to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book.
Kate follows Erika Foster as another strong female protagonist. Now serving as a university lecturer, she still maintains a strong interest in solving crimes. So, when the mother of a deceased young man asks her to investigate his death, she doesn’t hesitate to say yes. Right from the get go, there appear to be flaws in the police investigation. When Kate starts to investigate, they quickly change their ruling from accidental drowning to accusing his best friend.
The book moves at top speed. A woman goes missing. Kate and Tristan uncover several other young people who have disappeared near the reservoir over the years. And the police appear incompetent, if not involved in a coverup.
I found Kate to be a very realistic MC. Her struggles with alcoholism are well portrayed. We learn more about both her and Tristan in this book. And Peter Conway even makes an appearance.
Once again, Bryndza delivers a great mystery that’s as taut as piano wires. The scenes with Magdalena had my skin crawling. This is great entertainment. I was thrilled to read there will be a third in the series.
My thanks to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book.
October 25, 2020
**CRACK** That is the sound of Robert Bryndza hitting it out of the ballpark yet again! Kate Marshall and her assistant, Tristan Harper are back again in book two of the Kate Marshall series.
Kate is diving with her son when she finds the body of a young man floating in the Shadow Sands Reservoir. When his death is ruled a drowning, things do not add up for Kate. She was once a police officer and knows how to look at clues, evidence and forensics. When she is asked to investigate things, she knows she cannot refuse.
Shadow Sands sucked me in right away. This was not a slow to start-and-got-better-as-the-book-went-along type of book. This book started strong, stayed strong and ended strong. Woohoo!!! Robert Bryndza delivered and has me anxiously waiting for book three in the series.
For those who have read the first book in the series, Nine Elms, you will know Kate's backstory and that of her son. Her son is back and so is his father, if briefly but his appearance is significant. If you have not read that book, do so. You will thank me. Then read this one! And yes, this book would work well as a stand-alone but if you have read the first book, you will be privy to more information and perhaps, like me, will enjoy the characters development of both Kate and Tristan. Both characters and very likable and both have their own subplots going on along with their investigation.
The main plot, the subplots all helped keep this book moving at a refreshing pace. Once I picked this book up, I did not want to put it down. I found it to be a brilliant page turner. I really enjoy Bryndza's writing. Perfectly paced and nothing felt rushed or drawn out. I also appreciate that nothing seems to come from left field. It is all plausible.
Riveting perfectly paced and heart pounding, a terrific installment in a very promising and captivating series.
Thank you to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 16, 2023
EXCERPT: Lyn closed her eyes. 'It's bad enough my son has been taken from me. I want to know why he was in that water in the middle of the night. I'm not the kind of woman that begs, but please.' Her eyes filled up with tears. 'Please. Will you help me?'
ABOUT 'SHADOW SANDS': When Kate Marshall finds the bloated body of a young man floating in the Shadow Sands reservoir, the authorities label it a tragic accident.
But the details don't add up: why was the victim there, in the middle of the night? If he was such a strong swimmer, how did he drown?
Kate is certain there is more to this case than meets the eye. As she and her research assistant Tristan Harper dig deeper, they discover a bloody trail that points towards an active serial killer hiding in plain sight. People have been silently disappearing for years, and when another woman is taken, Kate and Tristan have a matter of days to save her from meeting the same fate.
MY THOUGHTS: After the excellent beginning to this series in Nine Elms, I felt a little let down by Shadow Sands. There was considerably less tension and suspense and, although I still enjoyed it, I wasn't consumed by the story and its characters.
The plot itself didn't flow, and the writing seemed simplistic a lot of the time. However, the characters are well depicted and continue to grow. I loved Kate's thoughts on DCI Henry Ko: 'You're nice to look at, but you're not the sharpest tool in the box.'
We learn a lot more about Tristan in Shadow Sands. Kate continues to build up her relationship with her son, Jake, and does something that really surprised me.
Shadow Sands is easily read as a stand-alone, as the author provides enough background to enable this.
While I may not have enjoyed Shadow Sands as much as Nine Elms, I did still enjoy it, and have the next in this series, Darkness Falls, lined up ready to read.
⭐⭐⭐.7
#ShadowSands #NetGalley
I: @robertbryndza @amazonpublishing
T: @RobertBryndza @AmazonPub
#contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #murdermystery #mystery #privateinvestigator #serialkillerthriller #suspense #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Robert Bryndza was born in the UK and lived in America and Canada before settling in Slovakia with his Slovak husband Ján.
When he's not writing Rob is learning Slovak, trying to train two crazy dogs, or watching Grand Designs all in the hope that he'll be able to understand his mother-in-law, build his dream house, and get the dogs to listen.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thomas &Mercer via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Shadow Sands by Robert Bryndza for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon,Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT 'SHADOW SANDS': When Kate Marshall finds the bloated body of a young man floating in the Shadow Sands reservoir, the authorities label it a tragic accident.
But the details don't add up: why was the victim there, in the middle of the night? If he was such a strong swimmer, how did he drown?
Kate is certain there is more to this case than meets the eye. As she and her research assistant Tristan Harper dig deeper, they discover a bloody trail that points towards an active serial killer hiding in plain sight. People have been silently disappearing for years, and when another woman is taken, Kate and Tristan have a matter of days to save her from meeting the same fate.
MY THOUGHTS: After the excellent beginning to this series in Nine Elms, I felt a little let down by Shadow Sands. There was considerably less tension and suspense and, although I still enjoyed it, I wasn't consumed by the story and its characters.
The plot itself didn't flow, and the writing seemed simplistic a lot of the time. However, the characters are well depicted and continue to grow. I loved Kate's thoughts on DCI Henry Ko: 'You're nice to look at, but you're not the sharpest tool in the box.'
We learn a lot more about Tristan in Shadow Sands. Kate continues to build up her relationship with her son, Jake, and does something that really surprised me.
Shadow Sands is easily read as a stand-alone, as the author provides enough background to enable this.
While I may not have enjoyed Shadow Sands as much as Nine Elms, I did still enjoy it, and have the next in this series, Darkness Falls, lined up ready to read.
⭐⭐⭐.7
#ShadowSands #NetGalley
I: @robertbryndza @amazonpublishing
T: @RobertBryndza @AmazonPub
#contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #murdermystery #mystery #privateinvestigator #serialkillerthriller #suspense #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Robert Bryndza was born in the UK and lived in America and Canada before settling in Slovakia with his Slovak husband Ján.
When he's not writing Rob is learning Slovak, trying to train two crazy dogs, or watching Grand Designs all in the hope that he'll be able to understand his mother-in-law, build his dream house, and get the dogs to listen.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thomas &Mercer via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Shadow Sands by Robert Bryndza for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon,Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
October 25, 2020
I enjoyed this more than I did book one, probably because Kate has a better grip on life now and the author only referred to her alcoholism a few times. I really like the working relationship she has with Tristan which seems to be an ongoing thing.
This book is action packed and tense, especially the chapters about Magdalena. Will she survive or won't she? It was difficult to guess who the guilty party was - there were so many possibilities to choose from and I did not work it out in advance. A visit to Peter was interesting and it was nice to see prison was not working out well for him.
So all was good and I will be looking forward to seeing what happens in book three.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This book is action packed and tense, especially the chapters about Magdalena. Will she survive or won't she? It was difficult to guess who the guilty party was - there were so many possibilities to choose from and I did not work it out in advance. A visit to Peter was interesting and it was nice to see prison was not working out well for him.
So all was good and I will be looking forward to seeing what happens in book three.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 14, 2021
"Ik kan zeggen dat dit deel me veel beter lag dan 'Zonder gezicht', hoewel ik het allebei dezelfde beoordeling zal geven, zou ik dit boek meer laten neigen naar een 4,5 sterren. De Erika Foster verhalen zijn nog altijd meer mijn ding, dat is wel een feit."
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2021...
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2021...
December 3, 2020
In this second book in the 'Kate Marshall' series the former police detective looks into a death and a disappearance. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Kate Marshall was a Metropolitan Detective Constable until she discovered that her boss, DCI Peter Conway - with whom she'd been romantically involved - was a serial killer.
The subsequent scandal, plus the fact that Kate was pregnant with Peter's child, got her fired. Since then Kate became an alcoholic, lost custody of her (and Peter's) son Jake to her parents, started going to AA, and became a criminology lecturer at Ashdean College in southern England.
Jake is now 16-years-old, and Kate - who's on the wagon - has partial custody.
In addition to teaching and looking after Jake, Kate puts her cop instincts to good use as an 'unofficial' private detective, in collaboration with her academic assistant Tristan Harper.
Over summer break, Kate and her son Jake are scuba diving in Shadow Lakes Reservoir near Ashdean, when they discover the body of 19-year old Simon Kendal.
The police call it an accidental drowning, but Kate sees signs on the body that suggest otherwise. Thus, when Simon's mother - insisting her son was a champion swimmer - asks Kate to investigate, the former police constable agrees to look into the matter.
While Kate and Tristan make inquiries about Simon, they continue their duties at Ashdean College. There hunky Tristan catches the eye of Professor Magdalena Rossi, an exotic beauty from Italy.
Rossi is writing a paper about mysteries in the Ashdean area, including a giant pawprint and a slate of disappearances.
Magdalena is also curious about bodies found in the Shadow Sands Reservoir, a man-made structure that feeds into a hydroelectric plant. Rossi's been exploring the area on her Vespa, taking photos and interviewing residents, to get information for her study. After Magdalena tells Tristan about her project she asks him out on a date, but then she doesn't show up.....and seems to vanish into thin air.
The police are oddly reluctant to investigate Magdalena's disappearance, suggesting she voluntarily left town. When Kate pressures the cops to search the reservoir, the police make excuses not to, and investigate (what Kate considers) the wrong things.
So Kate and Tristan make it their business to search for Magdalena themselves. This puts the amateur sleuths on the wrong side of the region's dynastic family, the Bakers, who own a large portion of the reservoir and don't want anything to shut down the hydroelectric plant.
In the midst of all this hoopla Kate's son Jake says he wants to meet his serial killer father, Peter Conway, which Jake is allowed to do now that he's sixteen. Peter is incarcerated in Great Barwell Hospital for the criminally insane, and will only agree to see Jake if Kate visits him as well.
So mother and son trek to the hospital and (individually) speak to Peter, who sits behind a window of unbreakable glass. The conservations are surprisingly current and relevant...but you'll have to read the book to see what everyone discussed. 🙂
As the story unfolds Kate and Tristan are caught in dangerous situations, made worse by the fact they have no official standing to probe into criminal activity.
In addition to the investigations, we observe Tristan's sister Sarah plan her wedding; see Kate lamenting her son's increasing independence; watch Kate struggling with sobriety; learn some long-held secrets; and more.
My main quibble with the novel is the use of plot devices I've seen many times before, but this is a solid thriller with engaging characters. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Robert Bryndza), and the publisher (Thomas and Mercer) for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at Barb's Book Reviews (reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com)
October 20, 2020
If you've read the first book in this series Nine Elms, then you'll know that University criminology lecturer Kate Marshall has a complex background in both her previous professional life as a detective in the Met and in her personal life. As a result her parents were awarded custody of her young son Jake when she was in a bad place earlier in her life, but now that he is 16 and she is doing well, they enjoy spending time together. They have recently completed a scuba diving course and it is during a dive at a submerged village in a local dam at Shadow Sands where they come across a body of a young man in the water.
The police are quick to claim that the boy, Simon Kendal a student and champion swimmer, who was camping with a friend at the dam, died from drowning. However, Kate has some misgivings about their findings, so when Simon's mother asks Kate if she will look into Simon's death she agrees. Kate misses all the databases and forensics facilities that she had as a detective, but as in the previous book, she does have the help of her academic assistant, Tristan. During the investigation, Kate and Tristan also become concerned that the disappearance of a visiting University lecturer near the dam may in some way be connected with their case and the powerful family who own the land around Shadow Sands.
The plot moves along at a good pace and is quite chilling in places. Both Kate and Tristan are developing well as characters, each with their own hurdles to overcome which assists in building strong bonds. In some ways this feels like a transitional episode with Kate and Tristan now poised to move into the next phase of their lives.
With thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for a copy to read
The police are quick to claim that the boy, Simon Kendal a student and champion swimmer, who was camping with a friend at the dam, died from drowning. However, Kate has some misgivings about their findings, so when Simon's mother asks Kate if she will look into Simon's death she agrees. Kate misses all the databases and forensics facilities that she had as a detective, but as in the previous book, she does have the help of her academic assistant, Tristan. During the investigation, Kate and Tristan also become concerned that the disappearance of a visiting University lecturer near the dam may in some way be connected with their case and the powerful family who own the land around Shadow Sands.
The plot moves along at a good pace and is quite chilling in places. Both Kate and Tristan are developing well as characters, each with their own hurdles to overcome which assists in building strong bonds. In some ways this feels like a transitional episode with Kate and Tristan now poised to move into the next phase of their lives.
With thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for a copy to read
October 12, 2020
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Robert Bryndza, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Adding to his successful new thriller series, Robert Bryndza delivers another Kate Marshall novel that will keep readers turning pages well into the night. Not only is the plot one that has great potential, but the characters come to life in a mystery that spans many years. Recommended to those who know and love Bryndza’s past work, as well as the reader looking for high quality police procedurals.
Kate Marshall is a former cop with the Met who’s been trying to reinvent herself. A full time lecturer who went out on a limb as a private investigator, Marshall keeps herself busy and away from some of the vices that cost her custody of her son years ago.
When Kate and her son, Jake, go diving in the Shadow Sands reservoir, they find more than they bargained for. The body of Simon Kendal is drifting deep in the water, covered in various scratch markings. After calling the authorities and being interviewed by DCI Henry Ko, Marshall and her son continue on with their lives, unable to do much else.
When Marshall’s approached weeks later by the boy’s mother, she listens to the impassioned plea of a woman who needs her help. While the death was ruled an accidental drowning, something does not add up for Marshall, who pulls some strings and has a medical examiner review the notes. The oddity is there in black and white, leading the police to reopen the investigation. A quick arrest of the boy’s camping companion all but puts the case to rest.
While Kate and her university colleague (and sometimes investigative assistant), Tristan Harper, discuss the case, they wonder if Shadow Sands could be as dangerous as past media accounts suggest, where a number of people have drowned over the years. Tristan meets a new professor as part of his daily work and learns that she has an interest in Shadow Sands as well, based on some of the urban legends. Magdalena Rossi and Tristan seem to hit it off and he begins to wonder if there might be a link to the aforementioned drownings.
While Magdalena is out furthering her research, she is attacked and taken captive by a man who seeks to drug her and let her “touch the stars”. The disappearance is noted by others and Tristan is concerned that something might have happened. Working with Kate, they try to retrace her steps, only to learn that there have been other disappearances around Shadow Sands, as well as a few bodies that emerged decades ago. When one victim speaks of getting away from an attacker, Kate and Tristan take her word for it. No one else is keen to listen, including DCI Ko, who had her locked away in a psychiatric facility for months.
As Kate wonders about a killer around Shadow Sands, she also has to worry about crooked cops, yet again, who may be trying to sweep this all under the rug. It will take all her skills to find Magdalena and get to the root of these past disappearances, all while dodging those with the power of the force behind them. What’s out there and how can the cops turn a blind eye?
Robert Bryndza has kept his fans enthralled with a previous series that took crime investigation to a new level. Now, with this series, Kate Marshall is trying to fill some large shoes and doing well. Only two books into this series and Bryndza has already done a masterful job of things.
Kate Marshall is a great protagonist, balancing a busy work life with a personal history she would rather forget. Her life at the Met was going so well, until an affair with a superior (while learning he was a serial killer) turned all that on its head. She battles the bottle and lost her son because of it. However, even as she has put police work behind her, Kate has it in her blood and helps as she can. Her off the cuff investigative work keeps her busy and the reader can see her passion blossoming in this second novel, with more to come.
A great set of secondary characters keeps the story on point. With Tristan Harper’s return, the reader is able to learn a little more about him. There are some poignant moments in one of the subplots that enrich the larger story and keeps the reader connected to him. The entire cast does well and propels the narrative forward, in a case that spans decades, with much to hide.
Bryndza dazzles readers with this piece, offering great plot development throughout the novel. The story takes many twists, growing from the location of a simple body during a dive into a larger mystery and an apparent serial killer. The narrative builds throughout, as the reader is pulled deeper into the story. The subplots that occur throughout help the reader to see the larger and more personal side of those characters to take centre stage.
Bryndza offers a mix of chapter lengths, helping to push the story along and then keep the reader hooked with more detailed aspects of the case at hand. All this is done with such ease that the reader soon finds themselves devouring the story and losing track of time. This is the sign of a superior novel handled by a great writer. I can only hope that Robert Bryndza’s next Kate Marshall thriller packs just as much punch.
Kudos, Mr. Bryndza, for another stellar piece of work. Fans, new and longer-term alike, will find something worth sharing with others.
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re...
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Adding to his successful new thriller series, Robert Bryndza delivers another Kate Marshall novel that will keep readers turning pages well into the night. Not only is the plot one that has great potential, but the characters come to life in a mystery that spans many years. Recommended to those who know and love Bryndza’s past work, as well as the reader looking for high quality police procedurals.
Kate Marshall is a former cop with the Met who’s been trying to reinvent herself. A full time lecturer who went out on a limb as a private investigator, Marshall keeps herself busy and away from some of the vices that cost her custody of her son years ago.
When Kate and her son, Jake, go diving in the Shadow Sands reservoir, they find more than they bargained for. The body of Simon Kendal is drifting deep in the water, covered in various scratch markings. After calling the authorities and being interviewed by DCI Henry Ko, Marshall and her son continue on with their lives, unable to do much else.
When Marshall’s approached weeks later by the boy’s mother, she listens to the impassioned plea of a woman who needs her help. While the death was ruled an accidental drowning, something does not add up for Marshall, who pulls some strings and has a medical examiner review the notes. The oddity is there in black and white, leading the police to reopen the investigation. A quick arrest of the boy’s camping companion all but puts the case to rest.
While Kate and her university colleague (and sometimes investigative assistant), Tristan Harper, discuss the case, they wonder if Shadow Sands could be as dangerous as past media accounts suggest, where a number of people have drowned over the years. Tristan meets a new professor as part of his daily work and learns that she has an interest in Shadow Sands as well, based on some of the urban legends. Magdalena Rossi and Tristan seem to hit it off and he begins to wonder if there might be a link to the aforementioned drownings.
While Magdalena is out furthering her research, she is attacked and taken captive by a man who seeks to drug her and let her “touch the stars”. The disappearance is noted by others and Tristan is concerned that something might have happened. Working with Kate, they try to retrace her steps, only to learn that there have been other disappearances around Shadow Sands, as well as a few bodies that emerged decades ago. When one victim speaks of getting away from an attacker, Kate and Tristan take her word for it. No one else is keen to listen, including DCI Ko, who had her locked away in a psychiatric facility for months.
As Kate wonders about a killer around Shadow Sands, she also has to worry about crooked cops, yet again, who may be trying to sweep this all under the rug. It will take all her skills to find Magdalena and get to the root of these past disappearances, all while dodging those with the power of the force behind them. What’s out there and how can the cops turn a blind eye?
Robert Bryndza has kept his fans enthralled with a previous series that took crime investigation to a new level. Now, with this series, Kate Marshall is trying to fill some large shoes and doing well. Only two books into this series and Bryndza has already done a masterful job of things.
Kate Marshall is a great protagonist, balancing a busy work life with a personal history she would rather forget. Her life at the Met was going so well, until an affair with a superior (while learning he was a serial killer) turned all that on its head. She battles the bottle and lost her son because of it. However, even as she has put police work behind her, Kate has it in her blood and helps as she can. Her off the cuff investigative work keeps her busy and the reader can see her passion blossoming in this second novel, with more to come.
A great set of secondary characters keeps the story on point. With Tristan Harper’s return, the reader is able to learn a little more about him. There are some poignant moments in one of the subplots that enrich the larger story and keeps the reader connected to him. The entire cast does well and propels the narrative forward, in a case that spans decades, with much to hide.
Bryndza dazzles readers with this piece, offering great plot development throughout the novel. The story takes many twists, growing from the location of a simple body during a dive into a larger mystery and an apparent serial killer. The narrative builds throughout, as the reader is pulled deeper into the story. The subplots that occur throughout help the reader to see the larger and more personal side of those characters to take centre stage.
Bryndza offers a mix of chapter lengths, helping to push the story along and then keep the reader hooked with more detailed aspects of the case at hand. All this is done with such ease that the reader soon finds themselves devouring the story and losing track of time. This is the sign of a superior novel handled by a great writer. I can only hope that Robert Bryndza’s next Kate Marshall thriller packs just as much punch.
Kudos, Mr. Bryndza, for another stellar piece of work. Fans, new and longer-term alike, will find something worth sharing with others.
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re...
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
September 21, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Ex-Police Detective turned University Lecturer and Private Detective Kate Marshall is back in the second instalment of her thriller series.
This time a young man’s body has been found by Kate whilst she was diving in the Shadow Sands reservoir with her son Jake. The police rule it as an accidental drowning but the boy’s mother is sure there is more to it and asks Kate to investigate.
Her investigation, with her young colleague Tristan, takes them on a frightening path, one that might just put their lives in danger. They are also looking for a missing lecturer from the university whose disappearance may just have something to do with the case they are working on.
I first came across Kate Marshall at the start of the year in Robert Bryndza’s book ‘Nine Elms‘. The book was so dark and terrifying in places and yet I couldn’t put it down, so when I heard Kate was back I just had to continue her story.
Whilst this book can be read as a standalone I do personally think that you miss out on Kate’s backstory and the hard relationship she has with her parents and her son, who her parents have custody of. You also miss out on a great story.
This time Kate reluctantly helps out the mother of a boy found dead in the reservoir, he was a champion swimmer and there was no way that he just drowned. She is convinced that his friend killed him and wants Kate to help. She feels sorry for the woman and also a little guilty at being the person who found his body. Under pressure from herself she agrees but what started as a simple case turns far more deadly and sinister.
Again I was captivated by the plot which just kept on giving. The main part of the story is Kate and Tristan trying to piece together what is happening in a place called Ashdean, where the Shadow Sands reservoir is. There are also sections from the missing lecturer Magdalena and her capture. You do get to understand that her kidnapping is related to the case Kate is working on and to a local family who owns much of the area but I hadn’t worked out who the person was by the time it was revealed, which doesn’t happen often.
Shadow Sands had me glued to the pages, I didn’t want to put in down once I had begun. In fact, I read it in just two sittings as I needed to know what was going on and who the culprit was. I now can’t want to delve back into Kate’s world and see what new cases come her way.
Ex-Police Detective turned University Lecturer and Private Detective Kate Marshall is back in the second instalment of her thriller series.
This time a young man’s body has been found by Kate whilst she was diving in the Shadow Sands reservoir with her son Jake. The police rule it as an accidental drowning but the boy’s mother is sure there is more to it and asks Kate to investigate.
Her investigation, with her young colleague Tristan, takes them on a frightening path, one that might just put their lives in danger. They are also looking for a missing lecturer from the university whose disappearance may just have something to do with the case they are working on.
I first came across Kate Marshall at the start of the year in Robert Bryndza’s book ‘Nine Elms‘. The book was so dark and terrifying in places and yet I couldn’t put it down, so when I heard Kate was back I just had to continue her story.
Whilst this book can be read as a standalone I do personally think that you miss out on Kate’s backstory and the hard relationship she has with her parents and her son, who her parents have custody of. You also miss out on a great story.
This time Kate reluctantly helps out the mother of a boy found dead in the reservoir, he was a champion swimmer and there was no way that he just drowned. She is convinced that his friend killed him and wants Kate to help. She feels sorry for the woman and also a little guilty at being the person who found his body. Under pressure from herself she agrees but what started as a simple case turns far more deadly and sinister.
Again I was captivated by the plot which just kept on giving. The main part of the story is Kate and Tristan trying to piece together what is happening in a place called Ashdean, where the Shadow Sands reservoir is. There are also sections from the missing lecturer Magdalena and her capture. You do get to understand that her kidnapping is related to the case Kate is working on and to a local family who owns much of the area but I hadn’t worked out who the person was by the time it was revealed, which doesn’t happen often.
Shadow Sands had me glued to the pages, I didn’t want to put in down once I had begun. In fact, I read it in just two sittings as I needed to know what was going on and who the culprit was. I now can’t want to delve back into Kate’s world and see what new cases come her way.
August 29, 2020
We've got a heavy-duty suitcase here bursting at the seams with the weight of its contents. So let's unpack all the vital articles that make this one a sure-fire winner.
If you've had the pleasure of reading the first book in this series, Nine Elms, then you've been introduced to Kate Marshall. Bryndza likes his characters complicated and so do we. Case in point, Kate had been a detective constable for the Metropolitan Police back in 1995. She was a dedicated officer until she stepped over the line and had a relationship with her superior, Pete Conway. I'll let you read the details about ol' Pete. Kate left the force pregnant and later took to the bottle for comfort. Her parents fought and won custody of her son, Jake.
Fast forward to 2012 and Kate has a handle on her life and works as a lecturer in Criminology at Ashdean University. Her assistant, Tristan Harper, has a steeltrap mind and sidelines with Kate as an investigator. I commend Bryndza for deepening Tristan's character and widening his presence in this one.
Bryndza swings the storyline over to a mother/son outing. Both Kate and Jake have gained their diving licenses. They've chosen to dive in a reservoir near a hydroelectric plant where a small village is now under water. There in the midst of an old church steeple hangs the body of a young man. Nothing prepares them for a devastating shock like this.
It is this uncanny discovery that will set the stage for the rest of the book. Kate and Tristan will take it upon themselves to find out what happened to this young man. The story becomes more compounded when a young professor from the university goes missing. Are the two connected?
Robert Bryndza even tops off his own superb writing in this latest edition in Shadow Sands. Hence, that ol' suitcase crammed with good stuff that you can't ever leave out. We're treated to more layers in the Kate/Tristan duo and a more bumpy, rolled up relationship between Kate and her son.
Bryndza creates scenes that boggle the mind. Without droppin' a sock out of that suitcase, Bryndza has us living vicariously through that missing professor. Yowzers! Big boys and big girls can legitimately be scared of the dark.....with good reason.....with poppin' terror. You've got to lift the lid on that suitcase.....to see for yourselves what is, indeed, inside.
I received a copy of Shadow Sands through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer Publishers and to the talented Robert Bryndza for the opportunity.
If you've had the pleasure of reading the first book in this series, Nine Elms, then you've been introduced to Kate Marshall. Bryndza likes his characters complicated and so do we. Case in point, Kate had been a detective constable for the Metropolitan Police back in 1995. She was a dedicated officer until she stepped over the line and had a relationship with her superior, Pete Conway. I'll let you read the details about ol' Pete. Kate left the force pregnant and later took to the bottle for comfort. Her parents fought and won custody of her son, Jake.
Fast forward to 2012 and Kate has a handle on her life and works as a lecturer in Criminology at Ashdean University. Her assistant, Tristan Harper, has a steeltrap mind and sidelines with Kate as an investigator. I commend Bryndza for deepening Tristan's character and widening his presence in this one.
Bryndza swings the storyline over to a mother/son outing. Both Kate and Jake have gained their diving licenses. They've chosen to dive in a reservoir near a hydroelectric plant where a small village is now under water. There in the midst of an old church steeple hangs the body of a young man. Nothing prepares them for a devastating shock like this.
It is this uncanny discovery that will set the stage for the rest of the book. Kate and Tristan will take it upon themselves to find out what happened to this young man. The story becomes more compounded when a young professor from the university goes missing. Are the two connected?
Robert Bryndza even tops off his own superb writing in this latest edition in Shadow Sands. Hence, that ol' suitcase crammed with good stuff that you can't ever leave out. We're treated to more layers in the Kate/Tristan duo and a more bumpy, rolled up relationship between Kate and her son.
Bryndza creates scenes that boggle the mind. Without droppin' a sock out of that suitcase, Bryndza has us living vicariously through that missing professor. Yowzers! Big boys and big girls can legitimately be scared of the dark.....with good reason.....with poppin' terror. You've got to lift the lid on that suitcase.....to see for yourselves what is, indeed, inside.
I received a copy of Shadow Sands through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer Publishers and to the talented Robert Bryndza for the opportunity.
June 19, 2020
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: November 3, 2020
Private detective Kate Marshall is scuba diving with her son when they come across the bloated body of a young man. Kate immerses herself into the investigation around young Simon’s death, and when it is ruled accidental, the police immediately drop the case. However, Kate is hired by the young man’s mother to find evidence that the death was not accidental, so Kate and her partner, Tristan, delve into Simon’s past, and pursue their own investigative paths. Kate and Tristan discover that similar deaths have occurred in Shadow Sands, the stretch of land near the dam where the bodies were discovered. When people who are related to the case start dying, Kate realizes that someone has a secret to keep- even if they have to kill to keep it.
I am a big Robery Bryndza fan and even though I have not read the first Kate Marshall novel in this series (“Nine Elms”), I instantly took the chance to enjoy this one. Kate Marshall is not unlike Erika Foster, Bryndza’s crime fighting character from his other novels (which I have read….each and every one), in that she is brazen, broken but exceptionally spunky and independent. She is trying to rebuild a relationship with her teenage son, Jake, and move on from the mistakes she made in her past.
I was fascinated with Kate’s relationship with her former boss-turned serial killer Peter, and I am even more intrigued to read “Nine Elms” now. However, it was not necessary to read the first novel to follow along, as “Shadow Sands” was enough of a gripping and entertaining crime drama on its own.
Bryndza narrates the story from Kate’s perspective, yes, but we also get snippets from Magdalena, the young woman our suspect kidnaps and assaults. This, of course, adds to the intrigue and mystery but also delves a little bit into the mind of a serial rapist and murderer, which of course is right up my alley.
Bryndza delivers another stellar police procedural, and I enjoyed every twisting, turning minute.
Expected publication date: November 3, 2020
Private detective Kate Marshall is scuba diving with her son when they come across the bloated body of a young man. Kate immerses herself into the investigation around young Simon’s death, and when it is ruled accidental, the police immediately drop the case. However, Kate is hired by the young man’s mother to find evidence that the death was not accidental, so Kate and her partner, Tristan, delve into Simon’s past, and pursue their own investigative paths. Kate and Tristan discover that similar deaths have occurred in Shadow Sands, the stretch of land near the dam where the bodies were discovered. When people who are related to the case start dying, Kate realizes that someone has a secret to keep- even if they have to kill to keep it.
I am a big Robery Bryndza fan and even though I have not read the first Kate Marshall novel in this series (“Nine Elms”), I instantly took the chance to enjoy this one. Kate Marshall is not unlike Erika Foster, Bryndza’s crime fighting character from his other novels (which I have read….each and every one), in that she is brazen, broken but exceptionally spunky and independent. She is trying to rebuild a relationship with her teenage son, Jake, and move on from the mistakes she made in her past.
I was fascinated with Kate’s relationship with her former boss-turned serial killer Peter, and I am even more intrigued to read “Nine Elms” now. However, it was not necessary to read the first novel to follow along, as “Shadow Sands” was enough of a gripping and entertaining crime drama on its own.
Bryndza narrates the story from Kate’s perspective, yes, but we also get snippets from Magdalena, the young woman our suspect kidnaps and assaults. This, of course, adds to the intrigue and mystery but also delves a little bit into the mind of a serial rapist and murderer, which of course is right up my alley.
Bryndza delivers another stellar police procedural, and I enjoyed every twisting, turning minute.
March 18, 2023
*4.25. E o papi acerta mais uma vez ✨
May 19, 2020
A damaged body floating deep in a reservoir, strange disappearances on foggy nights, a wealthy local family fiercely protective of its privacy and hints of a police cover up in a range of investigations - these are the elements of Robert Bryndza’s second Kate Marshall mystery. A visiting academic from Italy, a young woman called Magdalena, disappears while investigating local legends and mysteries. Kate and her assistant, Tristan, pick away at these threads and discover an unnerving conspiracy while the young woman’s life hangs in the balance.
I thought this had a bit more realism than the first book in the series and it was certainly an engaging mystery. The tension was palpable throughout. We also got a lot more insight into Tristan’s character and Kate’s relationship with her son gets more complicated. I enjoyed this story a lot and will be keen to see where the author takes the series next.
I thought this had a bit more realism than the first book in the series and it was certainly an engaging mystery. The tension was palpable throughout. We also got a lot more insight into Tristan’s character and Kate’s relationship with her son gets more complicated. I enjoyed this story a lot and will be keen to see where the author takes the series next.
May 18, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, Author Robert Bryndza, and the Publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review
Shadow Sands is the second book in the Kate Marshall Series. Kate Marshall is a former police detective, turned University Lecturer and Private Detective. This story begins with a body being found, while she is diving in a reservoir with her teenage son. The police initially rule it as an accidental drowning, but the boy’s mother is sure there is more to it and asks Kate to investigate.
Both Kate and her assistant Tristan are like able characters, who are well developed further in this installment. Their investigation, takes them on a frightening path, putting their lives in danger. In addition to the boy’s death, a university lecturer disappears, related or not? As they dig deeper, they uncover several other young people who have disappeared over the years near the reservoir. Each time the police either appear to be incompetent or involved in a cover-up.
While you can read this as a standalone, personally I recommend you read the first installment “Nine Elms”, first. Apart from learning about Kate’s backstory and the hard relationship she has with her parents and her son, why her parents have custody of her son, you will miss an incredible story that I read in one sitting.
This is a fast-paced serial killer thriller that is a very readable addition to a new series. I hear rumours that a 3rd installment is on its way, I personally can’t wait.
Shadow Sands is the second book in the Kate Marshall Series. Kate Marshall is a former police detective, turned University Lecturer and Private Detective. This story begins with a body being found, while she is diving in a reservoir with her teenage son. The police initially rule it as an accidental drowning, but the boy’s mother is sure there is more to it and asks Kate to investigate.
Both Kate and her assistant Tristan are like able characters, who are well developed further in this installment. Their investigation, takes them on a frightening path, putting their lives in danger. In addition to the boy’s death, a university lecturer disappears, related or not? As they dig deeper, they uncover several other young people who have disappeared over the years near the reservoir. Each time the police either appear to be incompetent or involved in a cover-up.
While you can read this as a standalone, personally I recommend you read the first installment “Nine Elms”, first. Apart from learning about Kate’s backstory and the hard relationship she has with her parents and her son, why her parents have custody of her son, you will miss an incredible story that I read in one sitting.
This is a fast-paced serial killer thriller that is a very readable addition to a new series. I hear rumours that a 3rd installment is on its way, I personally can’t wait.
May 1, 2023
The three stars says it all - not exactly wowed by this one. First of all, the central protagonist, Kate Marshall, despite having an interesting background is sadly lacking in a great deal of personality. I want to like the central character or have a reason to root for them, I feel neither here. Secondly, several aspects jarred such as a lot of the dialogue is either very odd or just meh and the plotting keeps going off on tangents. There are some extremely strange characters Kate encounters, some feel like stereotypes. Finally, there’s very little tension or suspense and certainly no jaw droppers. That’s it - I’m done with the series.
A KU read.
A KU read.
December 8, 2020
This is my first book by Robert Bryndza and I loved his writing style so much that I already ordered a copy on Nine Elms, the first book in Kate Marshall Series. While I really don't mind spoilers, I have to admire the author's skill in giving just enough background information to get me hooked on the series and not revealing any crucial details about Kate Marshall's previous case.
Shadow Sands starts with a bang. A young man is swimming for his life, trying to get away from a killer boat. The story picks up two days later and Kate and her teenage son Jake find a dead body deep down in a man-made water reservoir called Shadow Sands. Understandably, Jake is shocked, while Kate has to give details of their gruesome discovery to the local DCI Henry Ko. Although I didn't know her background, which was revealed later, I was struck by how professional she sounded. Kate Marshall, a university lecturer and a former police officer, may be struggling with her own demons, not least of which are hoding to her sobriety and dealing with her guilt over not being there for Jack during his childhood, but she is a tenacious investigator. Although the young man's death is pronounced to have been an accidental drowning, Kate is suspicious of the haste with which the case was closed. There are other things that don't add up such as Simon being a very strong, Olympic level swimmer.
Meanwhile , Kate's assistant Tristan is asked out on a cinema date by a beautiful visiting university lecturer, Magdalena Rossi. Magdalena's research focuses on strange disappearances around the area of Shadow Sands. Magdalena herself never makes it to her date with Tristan. Her yellow scooter is found next to a water drain. She might have been dragged by a flash flood and ended up falling into the sea...But what if she is alive and has been abducted? Can Kate and Tristan solve the puzzle of Simon's case and find Magdalena before it is too late?
There were many things I liked about this novel. The plot is tight, and while there are a lot of characters (something that usually confuses me), they all serve to show how deep the roots of the evil described in the book were. There are several twists, and it isn't easy to work out the identity of the killer. Magdalena's storyline was full of vivid details and kept me on the edge of my seat. As if there was any doubt that this book neatly falls into the thriller category!
At first, I was a bit unsure about Kate Marshall's life story- there are so many books with detectives or private investigators battling addictions. Well, although it would be nice to meet a well-adjusted, successful, happily married detective for once, and Kate can't be called any of these, she is a well-developed, strong character, and I would like to read more books featuring her. Tristan is also extremely likeable and it was great to get to know his family background and get a glimpse of his private life.
The pace was excellent with a great sequence of dramatic scenes and quieter investigative work that is the foundation of any successful police procedural. Roberta Bryndza's writing style draws you in straightaway and makes you read compulsively until you reach the end.
I'll be looking forward to reading the first book and all subsequent ones as well. Recommended to all lovers of police procedurals who enjoy gripping plots and great detective work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas&Mercer for the review copy. all opinions ar my own and were not influenced in any way.
4.5 stars
Shadow Sands starts with a bang. A young man is swimming for his life, trying to get away from a killer boat. The story picks up two days later and Kate and her teenage son Jake find a dead body deep down in a man-made water reservoir called Shadow Sands. Understandably, Jake is shocked, while Kate has to give details of their gruesome discovery to the local DCI Henry Ko. Although I didn't know her background, which was revealed later, I was struck by how professional she sounded. Kate Marshall, a university lecturer and a former police officer, may be struggling with her own demons, not least of which are hoding to her sobriety and dealing with her guilt over not being there for Jack during his childhood, but she is a tenacious investigator. Although the young man's death is pronounced to have been an accidental drowning, Kate is suspicious of the haste with which the case was closed. There are other things that don't add up such as Simon being a very strong, Olympic level swimmer.
Meanwhile , Kate's assistant Tristan is asked out on a cinema date by a beautiful visiting university lecturer, Magdalena Rossi. Magdalena's research focuses on strange disappearances around the area of Shadow Sands. Magdalena herself never makes it to her date with Tristan. Her yellow scooter is found next to a water drain. She might have been dragged by a flash flood and ended up falling into the sea...But what if she is alive and has been abducted? Can Kate and Tristan solve the puzzle of Simon's case and find Magdalena before it is too late?
There were many things I liked about this novel. The plot is tight, and while there are a lot of characters (something that usually confuses me), they all serve to show how deep the roots of the evil described in the book were. There are several twists, and it isn't easy to work out the identity of the killer. Magdalena's storyline was full of vivid details and kept me on the edge of my seat. As if there was any doubt that this book neatly falls into the thriller category!
At first, I was a bit unsure about Kate Marshall's life story- there are so many books with detectives or private investigators battling addictions. Well, although it would be nice to meet a well-adjusted, successful, happily married detective for once, and Kate can't be called any of these, she is a well-developed, strong character, and I would like to read more books featuring her. Tristan is also extremely likeable and it was great to get to know his family background and get a glimpse of his private life.
The pace was excellent with a great sequence of dramatic scenes and quieter investigative work that is the foundation of any successful police procedural. Roberta Bryndza's writing style draws you in straightaway and makes you read compulsively until you reach the end.
I'll be looking forward to reading the first book and all subsequent ones as well. Recommended to all lovers of police procedurals who enjoy gripping plots and great detective work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas&Mercer for the review copy. all opinions ar my own and were not influenced in any way.
4.5 stars
October 29, 2020
Robert Bryndza books are just so darn addictive! His Erika Foster series is one of my favourite police procedural series and then Kate Marshall books are just as good. Once you get started you won’t want to stop reading.
Shadow Sands begins with Kate and her son Jake, scuba diving in the Shadow Sands reservoir when they come across a body. It is a young man and police are quick to rule it an accidental drowning. Kate and her teaching assistant and amateur private detective, Tristan are. It convinced. They look into it closer and find that this is not the first time a body has been found at Shadow Sands under suspicious circumstances. But somebody is determined to keep their secret and they are playing a dangerous game. Can they stop this killer before they strike again.
I really enjoyed the development of Kate, Jake and Tristian in this one. Their relationships with each other are growing and we are learning more about them all.
Thanks to Thomas and Mercer for my advanced copy of this book to read.
Shadow Sands begins with Kate and her son Jake, scuba diving in the Shadow Sands reservoir when they come across a body. It is a young man and police are quick to rule it an accidental drowning. Kate and her teaching assistant and amateur private detective, Tristan are. It convinced. They look into it closer and find that this is not the first time a body has been found at Shadow Sands under suspicious circumstances. But somebody is determined to keep their secret and they are playing a dangerous game. Can they stop this killer before they strike again.
I really enjoyed the development of Kate, Jake and Tristian in this one. Their relationships with each other are growing and we are learning more about them all.
Thanks to Thomas and Mercer for my advanced copy of this book to read.
December 31, 2020
Shadow Sands by Robert Bryndza is the second book in the Kate Marshall series but also works well as a standalone mystery. Kate is a professor and part-time private investigator. While scuba diving with her teenage son, they discover the body of a young man floating in the Shadow Sands reservoir on the moorlands. When police declare this to be an accident, Kate disagrees and puts on her investigator cap to determine if this death might be a murder. She soon realizes that several young people from the area have disappeared without a trace. A serial murderer is on the prowl on the moors. This is an original mystery and the lead character is flawed but sympathetic. The setting serves the story well and adds atmosphere. The ending is unexpected and a true surprise. All in all a very satisfying read. I look forward to reading more books by Robert Bryndza. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2020
Thank You to Net Galley, The author and of course Bookouture for an ARC Copy of the new Kate Marshall, Book 2 by Robert Bryndza.
Firstly let's just mention Erica Foster is one of my favourite Police Detective characters, and Robert Bryndza has backed it up with a powerful new series with Nine Elms with Kate Marshall, here we have Shadow Sands a strong second in the series books.
When Kate Marshall finds the bloated body of a young man floating in the Shadow Sands reservoir, while diving with her son in the Shadow Sands reservoir, the authorities label it a tragic accident.
But the details don't add up: why was the victim there, in the middle of the night? If he was such a strong swimmer, how did he drown?
Kate is certain there is more to this case than meets the eye. As she and her research assistant Tristan Harper dig deeper, they discover a bloody trail that points towards an active serial killer hiding in plain sight. People have been silently disappearing for years, and when another woman is taken, Kate and Tristan have a matter of days to save her from meeting the same fate.
A wealthy local family fiercely protective of its privacy and hints of a police cover up in a range of investigations, A visiting academic from Italy, a young woman called Magdalena, disappears while investigating local legends.
Many mysterious deaths and disappearances linked to the moorlands and a mythical phantom said to be hiding in the rolling fog. When a researcher of urban legends vanishes without a trace, Kate and her associate Tristan Harper must act fast and look deep if they hope to find her alive.
I found this a more powerful book then the first, we get to know the two lead characters in Kate and Tristan, well paced, gripping and tense.
Highly recommended, an easy four star book.
Firstly let's just mention Erica Foster is one of my favourite Police Detective characters, and Robert Bryndza has backed it up with a powerful new series with Nine Elms with Kate Marshall, here we have Shadow Sands a strong second in the series books.
When Kate Marshall finds the bloated body of a young man floating in the Shadow Sands reservoir, while diving with her son in the Shadow Sands reservoir, the authorities label it a tragic accident.
But the details don't add up: why was the victim there, in the middle of the night? If he was such a strong swimmer, how did he drown?
Kate is certain there is more to this case than meets the eye. As she and her research assistant Tristan Harper dig deeper, they discover a bloody trail that points towards an active serial killer hiding in plain sight. People have been silently disappearing for years, and when another woman is taken, Kate and Tristan have a matter of days to save her from meeting the same fate.
A wealthy local family fiercely protective of its privacy and hints of a police cover up in a range of investigations, A visiting academic from Italy, a young woman called Magdalena, disappears while investigating local legends.
Many mysterious deaths and disappearances linked to the moorlands and a mythical phantom said to be hiding in the rolling fog. When a researcher of urban legends vanishes without a trace, Kate and her associate Tristan Harper must act fast and look deep if they hope to find her alive.
I found this a more powerful book then the first, we get to know the two lead characters in Kate and Tristan, well paced, gripping and tense.
Highly recommended, an easy four star book.
September 12, 2020
Robert Bryndza follows his first Kate Marshall detective novel with probably an even better sequel Shadow Sands.
Kate and her son discover a body of a young male while they are diving in Shadow Sands reservoir in Devon. The local police conclude his death was an accident but Kate thinks otherwise as the young man was an aspiring Olympian swimmer. When his grieving mother hires Kate to investigate his death, Kate and her assistant Tristan don't hesitate to take the case but they start to quickly realise the waters of Shadows Sands hide more secrets than meet the eye.
While the first book gave us an insight into the Kate's past, in this second installment we get to know her assistant Tristan a bit better who himself personally gets tangled in the Shadow Sands mystery. Dark, twisty, set in beautiful Devon, I don't think many readers will struggle to get sucked into this novel.
As much as I miss Erika Foster and would love to read more of her crime investigation stories, I'm progressively growing fond of Kate Marshall too and look forward to the next book.
Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Kate and her son discover a body of a young male while they are diving in Shadow Sands reservoir in Devon. The local police conclude his death was an accident but Kate thinks otherwise as the young man was an aspiring Olympian swimmer. When his grieving mother hires Kate to investigate his death, Kate and her assistant Tristan don't hesitate to take the case but they start to quickly realise the waters of Shadows Sands hide more secrets than meet the eye.
While the first book gave us an insight into the Kate's past, in this second installment we get to know her assistant Tristan a bit better who himself personally gets tangled in the Shadow Sands mystery. Dark, twisty, set in beautiful Devon, I don't think many readers will struggle to get sucked into this novel.
As much as I miss Erika Foster and would love to read more of her crime investigation stories, I'm progressively growing fond of Kate Marshall too and look forward to the next book.
Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, Author Robert Bryndza, and the Publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review
Shadow Sands is the second book in the Kate Marshall Series. Kate Marshall is a former police detective, turned University Lecturer and Private Detective. This story begins with a body being found while she is diving in a reservoir with her teenage son. The police initially rule it as an accidental drowning, but the boy’s mother is sure there is more to it and asks Kate to investigate.
Both Kate and her assistant Tristan are like able characters, who are well developed further in this installment. Their investigation, takes them on a frightening path, putting their lives in danger. In addition to the boy’s death, a university lecturer disappears, related or not? As they dig deeper, they uncover several other young people who have disappeared over the years near the reservoir. Each time the police either appear to be incompetent or involved in a cover-up.
While you can read this as a standalone, personally I recommend you read the first installment “Nine Elms”, first. Apart from learning about Kate’s backstory and the hard relationship she has with her parents and her son, why her parents have custody of her son, you will miss an incredible story that I read in one sitting.
This is a fast-paced serial killer thriller that is a very readable addition to a new series. I hear rumours that a 3rd installment is on its way, I personally can’t wait.
Shadow Sands is the second book in the Kate Marshall Series. Kate Marshall is a former police detective, turned University Lecturer and Private Detective. This story begins with a body being found while she is diving in a reservoir with her teenage son. The police initially rule it as an accidental drowning, but the boy’s mother is sure there is more to it and asks Kate to investigate.
Both Kate and her assistant Tristan are like able characters, who are well developed further in this installment. Their investigation, takes them on a frightening path, putting their lives in danger. In addition to the boy’s death, a university lecturer disappears, related or not? As they dig deeper, they uncover several other young people who have disappeared over the years near the reservoir. Each time the police either appear to be incompetent or involved in a cover-up.
While you can read this as a standalone, personally I recommend you read the first installment “Nine Elms”, first. Apart from learning about Kate’s backstory and the hard relationship she has with her parents and her son, why her parents have custody of her son, you will miss an incredible story that I read in one sitting.
This is a fast-paced serial killer thriller that is a very readable addition to a new series. I hear rumours that a 3rd installment is on its way, I personally can’t wait.
May 18, 2020
Shadow Sands, the second novel in Byrndza's Kate Marshall amateur sleuth series, is a fast paced exciting serial killer read sure to have wide appeal because of its readability and accessibility. Marshall is not quite an amateur. She's a former police detective whose lover was her superior and turned out to be a crazed serial killer. Now, recovering from years of alcohol abuse and emotional turmoil, Marshall is a mother and a university lecturer. But, she gets involved in murder cases like any amateur does, stumbling over a body while diving with her 16-year-old son in the reservoir and, despite appearances, doesn't accept that it's an accidental drowning.
There are a lot of spoilers with regards to Bryndza's earlier novel, Nine Elms. So, probably best to read that one first. As noted, it's one of those cases where it feels an amateur sleuth and her trusty assistant Tristan are in over their heads, but it was still an easy enjoyable read.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
There are a lot of spoilers with regards to Bryndza's earlier novel, Nine Elms. So, probably best to read that one first. As noted, it's one of those cases where it feels an amateur sleuth and her trusty assistant Tristan are in over their heads, but it was still an easy enjoyable read.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
September 12, 2020
I’ve read an thoroughly enjoyed the whole Erika Foster series by Robert Bryndza but somehow missed the first on this new series featuring Kate Marshall, so I went into book two in the series blind.
Kate an ex cop who spent a small time as a private investigator is now a university lecturer. When she goes diving with her teenage son at a local reservoir, they uncover the body of a young man.
The police quickly rule it as an accidental drowning but Kate isn’t so sure and when she, along with her sidekick Tristan do some more research they find that there have been plenty of missing person cases in the local area that have been unexplained over the years and they fear the may have a serial killer on their hands.
When another woman goes missing they race against time to find her and uncover the killer before it is too late.
I enjoyed this one to a point without being wowed by it. Even though I haven’t read the first in the series, this one feels a bit like a filler book in the series. I won’t go into as I would be going into spoiler territory but that’s the conclusion I’ve reached after the ending and the heavy references here to the first book. Btw there are huge spoilers here about the first book so try to read that one first.
The story is a fairly simple one. You get the feeling it is more complicated than it is. Kate is an interesting character. I wish I had read the first one first as a lot happened in that one it seems.
This one had more than a hint of Silence Of The Lambs about it on more than one occasion. Not the story itself but there a a few scenes which if not an exact copy, certainly heavily influenced and dare I say lifted.
I’m a huge Bryndza fan. I wanted to enjoy this more than I did. It’s fine. It’s a decent read, just not a great read. I have a feeling if I go back and read book one I will enjoy it much more and I’d say the same for book three when that comes about. This felt like a bit of a holding or transition book in the series and perhaps suffers a little from that, even if it is needed in its evolution.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Thomas and Mercer and Robert Bryndza for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Kate an ex cop who spent a small time as a private investigator is now a university lecturer. When she goes diving with her teenage son at a local reservoir, they uncover the body of a young man.
The police quickly rule it as an accidental drowning but Kate isn’t so sure and when she, along with her sidekick Tristan do some more research they find that there have been plenty of missing person cases in the local area that have been unexplained over the years and they fear the may have a serial killer on their hands.
When another woman goes missing they race against time to find her and uncover the killer before it is too late.
I enjoyed this one to a point without being wowed by it. Even though I haven’t read the first in the series, this one feels a bit like a filler book in the series. I won’t go into as I would be going into spoiler territory but that’s the conclusion I’ve reached after the ending and the heavy references here to the first book. Btw there are huge spoilers here about the first book so try to read that one first.
The story is a fairly simple one. You get the feeling it is more complicated than it is. Kate is an interesting character. I wish I had read the first one first as a lot happened in that one it seems.
This one had more than a hint of Silence Of The Lambs about it on more than one occasion. Not the story itself but there a a few scenes which if not an exact copy, certainly heavily influenced and dare I say lifted.
I’m a huge Bryndza fan. I wanted to enjoy this more than I did. It’s fine. It’s a decent read, just not a great read. I have a feeling if I go back and read book one I will enjoy it much more and I’d say the same for book three when that comes about. This felt like a bit of a holding or transition book in the series and perhaps suffers a little from that, even if it is needed in its evolution.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Thomas and Mercer and Robert Bryndza for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2020
This is a great serial killer thriller full of tension and dicey situations! It is the second book in the Kate Marshall series, but I haven't read the first one - yet - and I can easily say the book could stand alone, so you wouldn't have to read the first one before diving into this.
Kate Marshall and her son find a dead body while diving at the Shadow Sands reservoir. The detective chief inspector quickly ruled the death a drowning; however, to Kate things didn't add up and she suspected foul play. Apparently there had been a series of deaths and missing persons in the same area around the Shadow Sands reservoir; then a researcher from the university Kate lectures at goes missing. Kate and her associate Tristan Harper start investigating and uncover some disturbing information. The become increasingly desperate to find the truth.
Truly I couldn't put this book down and read it quickly following the information and wanting to know more. I really like the character Kate Marshall who is dealing with some problems of her own. The plot was paced just right to keep me turning the pages and devouring the book. Hats off to Robert Bryndza for a great read!
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Kate Marshall and her son find a dead body while diving at the Shadow Sands reservoir. The detective chief inspector quickly ruled the death a drowning; however, to Kate things didn't add up and she suspected foul play. Apparently there had been a series of deaths and missing persons in the same area around the Shadow Sands reservoir; then a researcher from the university Kate lectures at goes missing. Kate and her associate Tristan Harper start investigating and uncover some disturbing information. The become increasingly desperate to find the truth.
Truly I couldn't put this book down and read it quickly following the information and wanting to know more. I really like the character Kate Marshall who is dealing with some problems of her own. The plot was paced just right to keep me turning the pages and devouring the book. Hats off to Robert Bryndza for a great read!
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer through Netgalley for an advance copy.
May 23, 2020
Shadow Sands by Author Robert Bryndza is the second book in the Kate Marshall Series
This fast paced serial killer thriller is a very readable addition to a new series.
Kate Marshall is a former police detective, and this story starts off with a body being found while she is diving in a reservoir with her teenage son.
Kate Marshall and her assistant Tristan are likeable characters, and are well developed in the script
Thank you to NetGalley, Author Robert Bryndza, and the Publisher for my advanced copy to review
This fast paced serial killer thriller is a very readable addition to a new series.
Kate Marshall is a former police detective, and this story starts off with a body being found while she is diving in a reservoir with her teenage son.
Kate Marshall and her assistant Tristan are likeable characters, and are well developed in the script
Thank you to NetGalley, Author Robert Bryndza, and the Publisher for my advanced copy to review
March 3, 2021
Kate Marshall is a former police detective and now a university lecturer. Her career in law enforcement ended when she discovered that her former boss, Peter Conway, was the Nine Elms serial killer. She had developed a relationship with Conway and he was the father of her son. The media had a field day with that story and Kate lost her job with the police department. Today she is a lecturer at a university, a recovering alcoholic, and a mother trying to establish a relationship with her sixteen year old son before he becomes an adult and moves out of her life.
Kate and her son, Jake, are diving in a man made reservoir called Shadow Sands when they discover the body of a young man, Simon Kendal. The local police are quick to rule the death an accident but Kate has questions. When Simon's mother asks Kate to investigate she agrees. Simon was a strong swimmer. There were unexplained marks on the body and questions on how he wound up in the reservoir.
When Kate and her research assistant, Tristan Harper, investigate they learn of other people who disappeared, an abandoned nightclub, and a wealthy family with secrets and connections. Then a visiting professor, Magdalena Rossi, who was researching local legends and myths disappears. Last seen near Shadow Sands. Her Vespa scooter found in a ditch but no trace of Magdalena.
The story begins to alternate at this point. One chapter revolves around Magdalena and her fight to live. The next chapter revolves around Kate and Tristan's search for the truth about how Simon died, the secrets Shadow Sands reservoir refuses to give up, and the connection to a wealthy family who don't welcome people asking questions.
There are several subplots in this story ... Kate's struggle with her recovery and relationship with Jake, resentment about losing her job with the police department and what might have been, Tristan's struggles with his sexuality and relationship with his sister. I found the chapters revolving around Magdalena after she goes missing some of the most intense. Will she survive? Will Kate and Tristan find her in time? The reader will find out at the conclusion of this thriller.
Kate and her son, Jake, are diving in a man made reservoir called Shadow Sands when they discover the body of a young man, Simon Kendal. The local police are quick to rule the death an accident but Kate has questions. When Simon's mother asks Kate to investigate she agrees. Simon was a strong swimmer. There were unexplained marks on the body and questions on how he wound up in the reservoir.
When Kate and her research assistant, Tristan Harper, investigate they learn of other people who disappeared, an abandoned nightclub, and a wealthy family with secrets and connections. Then a visiting professor, Magdalena Rossi, who was researching local legends and myths disappears. Last seen near Shadow Sands. Her Vespa scooter found in a ditch but no trace of Magdalena.
The story begins to alternate at this point. One chapter revolves around Magdalena and her fight to live. The next chapter revolves around Kate and Tristan's search for the truth about how Simon died, the secrets Shadow Sands reservoir refuses to give up, and the connection to a wealthy family who don't welcome people asking questions.
There are several subplots in this story ... Kate's struggle with her recovery and relationship with Jake, resentment about losing her job with the police department and what might have been, Tristan's struggles with his sexuality and relationship with his sister. I found the chapters revolving around Magdalena after she goes missing some of the most intense. Will she survive? Will Kate and Tristan find her in time? The reader will find out at the conclusion of this thriller.
May 27, 2020
This is the 2nd book in the Kate Marshall series by author Robert Bryndza. I have loved reading the Erica Foster series for sometime and this series looks to be to the same high standard. Kate Marshall is on a scuba trip with her son when they make a shocking discovery. On one of their dives they discover the body of a teenage boy entangled below the surface of the Shadow Sands reservoir. Detective chief inspector Kate Marshall doesn't go along with the tragic drowning theory and decides to dig deeper to find the truth. The boy turns out to be one of many mysterious deaths and disappearances linked to the moorlands and a mythical phantom said to be hiding in the rolling fog. When a researcher of urban legends vanishes without a trace, Kate and her associate Tristan Harper must act fast and look deep if they hope to find her alive. But the elusive serial killer they’re hunting isn’t the only one a step ahead of Kate and Tristan. Someone else is making dead certain that the secrets of Shadow Sands stay buried.
This is another winner for author Robert Bryndza, the character Kate Marshall is everything you want when reading a book series. Excellent writing, strong characters and a plot full of suspense.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Thomas and Mercer for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This is another winner for author Robert Bryndza, the character Kate Marshall is everything you want when reading a book series. Excellent writing, strong characters and a plot full of suspense.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Thomas and Mercer for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
November 6, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this second book in Robert Bryndza's Kate Marshall series. The plot is multi-layered and twisty, a slow build of tension to a gripping edge-of-your seat conclusion.
Two years after the action of Nine Elms (Kate Marshall #1), former police officer Kate is again drawn away from her work as an academic into a real life crime. While diving in the Shadow Sands reservoir with her 16-year-old son, Jake, Kate comes across the recently deceased body of a young man. After becoming aware of a series of worrying discrepancies in the police investigation, and having been approached by the mother of the young man, Kate and her assistant Tristan again take on their private investigator mantle and begin trying to uncover the truth. The stakes are raised when an Italian academic, Magdalena, who has recently befriended Tristan, goes missing on a stretch of the A1238 notorious for disappearances of young women over recent years.
Kate and Tristan's investigation into the disappearances, and the discovery of several bodies in the reservoir over the years, is ruffling many feathers, and they face constant obstruction from both the landed Baker family, on whose land the Shadow Sands reservoir is located, and the curiously disinterested DCI Henry Ko. Meanwhile, the narrative periodically shifts to the perspective of Magdalena, and her experiences at the hands of her shadowy captor, ratchetting up the tension as time ticks away.
I feel that Shadow Sands is a step up from its predecessor, Nine Elms, both in terms of plot and character development - the previous book perhaps suffered from the weight of the lead character's backstory which, while essential to understanding her motivations, sometimes detracted from the main plotline. I still find some of Bryndza's prose and dialogue a bit awkward - he also seems to frequently fall foul of the "show, don't tell" maxim. Nevertheless, this was an enjoyable and stimulating read, with great characters and a gripping finale.
My thanks to the author, Robert Bryndza, publisher Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title in advance of its publication on 3 November 2020.
Two years after the action of Nine Elms (Kate Marshall #1), former police officer Kate is again drawn away from her work as an academic into a real life crime. While diving in the Shadow Sands reservoir with her 16-year-old son, Jake, Kate comes across the recently deceased body of a young man. After becoming aware of a series of worrying discrepancies in the police investigation, and having been approached by the mother of the young man, Kate and her assistant Tristan again take on their private investigator mantle and begin trying to uncover the truth. The stakes are raised when an Italian academic, Magdalena, who has recently befriended Tristan, goes missing on a stretch of the A1238 notorious for disappearances of young women over recent years.
Kate and Tristan's investigation into the disappearances, and the discovery of several bodies in the reservoir over the years, is ruffling many feathers, and they face constant obstruction from both the landed Baker family, on whose land the Shadow Sands reservoir is located, and the curiously disinterested DCI Henry Ko. Meanwhile, the narrative periodically shifts to the perspective of Magdalena, and her experiences at the hands of her shadowy captor, ratchetting up the tension as time ticks away.
I feel that Shadow Sands is a step up from its predecessor, Nine Elms, both in terms of plot and character development - the previous book perhaps suffered from the weight of the lead character's backstory which, while essential to understanding her motivations, sometimes detracted from the main plotline. I still find some of Bryndza's prose and dialogue a bit awkward - he also seems to frequently fall foul of the "show, don't tell" maxim. Nevertheless, this was an enjoyable and stimulating read, with great characters and a gripping finale.
My thanks to the author, Robert Bryndza, publisher Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title in advance of its publication on 3 November 2020.
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