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Chief Inspector Shadow Mystery #5
A Forgotten Shadow
If the past comes knocking, will you dare to answer?
When Detective Chief Inspector John Shadow is called to Kirkdale Castle to investigate the death of a handsome racehorse trainer during a shooting party, he’s immersed in painful childhood memories. His father had been shot in the line of duty at Kirkdale, but his killer was never apprehended. Shadow suspects the two deaths may be linked and is determined to discover the truth, but dealing with the aristocracy is more complicated than he bargained for and the inhabitants of Kirkdale Castle are as unhelpful as ever.
John Shadow is a man of contradictions. A solitary figure who notices the smallest detail about other people, but endeavours to avoid their company. A lover of good food, but whose fridge is almost always empty. Though he would prefer to work alone, he is assisted by his eager partner Sergeant Jimmy Chang.
Can the men work together through the web of deceit and corruption to find the killer, clear an innocent man’s name, and solve the mystery clouding Shadow’s past?
When Detective Chief Inspector John Shadow is called to Kirkdale Castle to investigate the death of a handsome racehorse trainer during a shooting party, he’s immersed in painful childhood memories. His father had been shot in the line of duty at Kirkdale, but his killer was never apprehended. Shadow suspects the two deaths may be linked and is determined to discover the truth, but dealing with the aristocracy is more complicated than he bargained for and the inhabitants of Kirkdale Castle are as unhelpful as ever.
John Shadow is a man of contradictions. A solitary figure who notices the smallest detail about other people, but endeavours to avoid their company. A lover of good food, but whose fridge is almost always empty. Though he would prefer to work alone, he is assisted by his eager partner Sergeant Jimmy Chang.
Can the men work together through the web of deceit and corruption to find the killer, clear an innocent man’s name, and solve the mystery clouding Shadow’s past?
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2022
45 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 20, 2025
Another fabulous story in this series which I am loving, this time Chief Inspector John Shadow and Detective Sargent Jimmy Chang are investigating a death of horse trainer Flynn FitzAllen who manages the Duke of Kirkdale’s horses this is Shadow’s old stamping grounds the place he was living before his policeman father was shot on the grounds of Kirkland Castle a case that was never solved, when another employee of the first victim is killed in the village Shadow is convinced they are both linked but his boss sees it otherwise and of course the inhabitants of the castle are not helping with his enquiries, but Shadow and Jimmy are determined to get the answers they need and as they dig deeper could he even uncover what happened to his father all those years ago?
I came to this series late and have nearly caught up one more to go and I have loved everyone of them Shadow and Jimmy are such awesome characters and I am loving my visits to York, I do highly recommend this book and the series.
I came to this series late and have nearly caught up one more to go and I have loved everyone of them Shadow and Jimmy are such awesome characters and I am loving my visits to York, I do highly recommend this book and the series.
August 6, 2022
It’s been so good to return to the familiar stamping grounds of Detective Chief Inspector John Shadow and his sergeant, Jimmy Chang. This time they have ventured into the countryside around York to investigate the murder of Flynn FitzAllan, Manager of the Duke Of Kirkdale’s stables. With another suspicious death following close on the heels of this one and an apparent link to the death of Shadow’s father years earlier, he and Jimmy have plenty to keep them on their toes. There are lots of red herrings, the interference of one of Shadow’s least favourite police officers, the Chief Constable, and a twisty plot to keep you guessing. I’ve really enjoyed this story!
August 6, 2022
This is book 5 in the Chief Inspector Shadow Mystery series and it's another great addition. We learn that John's father was killed at the Kirkdale castle. This is the same scene where Shadow's newest murder investigation is set. They now determine it was the same gun that was used in both murders. John and Jimmy have been warned not to upset the nobility but with race horses and illegal bets and murder on the line they decide to investigate without permission. I love this series, I learn a great history and the characters are fun and interesting. Can't wait for the next installment.
July 5, 2022
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
I only recently discovered this series and I’m so pleased I did.
This book was well-plotted, easy to read with some great dialogue. I really enjoyed how the current investigation linked in with DCI Shadow’s past and without giving anything away, the ending was terrific.
I will now go back and read the other books in the series.
I only recently discovered this series and I’m so pleased I did.
This book was well-plotted, easy to read with some great dialogue. I really enjoyed how the current investigation linked in with DCI Shadow’s past and without giving anything away, the ending was terrific.
I will now go back and read the other books in the series.
August 5, 2022
A Forgotten Shadow (Chief Inspector Shadow Mystery Book 5) by H. L. Marsay is the best book yet in this incredible cozy mystery series. Agatha Christie would be giving this series a thumbs up along with me. I wasn’t sure what this book would be about from the title but it surely fits. Detective Chief Inspector John Shadow is called to Kirkdale Castle to investigate a death. This is the area he lived in as a young child so the title is quite fitting. Read the book and you will understand. Besides Shadow’s past coming to light there is much about horse training, horseracing, and betting. I knew about as much as Jimmy so I learned much along side of him with every relevant and irrelevant question he asked.
Living in the States I know little and appreciate even less the aristocracies of the United Kingdom. This story did nothing to impress me about any of them. I’ll take Shadow and Jimmy any day of the week over them. My favorite part of the entire book is the day at the races. The group of four and the “undercover” men were terribly supportive of a fellow police officer. Now I eagerly look forward to the next case with Shadow.
While the series does not necessarily need to be read in order. Like the waitress Bet, I have come to develop a bit of a crush on Shadow from the first book until A Forgotten Shadow.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Living in the States I know little and appreciate even less the aristocracies of the United Kingdom. This story did nothing to impress me about any of them. I’ll take Shadow and Jimmy any day of the week over them. My favorite part of the entire book is the day at the races. The group of four and the “undercover” men were terribly supportive of a fellow police officer. Now I eagerly look forward to the next case with Shadow.
While the series does not necessarily need to be read in order. Like the waitress Bet, I have come to develop a bit of a crush on Shadow from the first book until A Forgotten Shadow.
An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 5, 2022
I received this arc of A Forgotten Shadow in exchange for my honest review. This is the fifth book in H.L. Marsay’s series, Chief Inspector Shadow Mystery. I have read each of the books in this most entertaining series. You don’t have to read all of them to be able to follow this story, however it is good to read them in order as you will see some of the main characters in each book. This book features Chief Inspector John Shadow who is at the York precinct. His partner is a young guy named Jimmy Chang. The two are very much opposites. Shadow is very old school and much older. He doesn’t drive, preferring to walk where he can, he doesn’t like electronic gadgets like phones and tablets. He prefers old fashioned note taking. Jimmy is very modern in how he dresses and his use of electronics. He is driver for the two of them.
Book 5 takes the pair to Kirkdale castle and the surrounding area. A body was located during a hunting party hosted by the Duke of Kirkdale. The victim is the castle’s racehorse trainer. The royals and their family and friends are not very helpful in helping to figure out what happened. There are quite a few people for Shadow and Jimmy to interview and they have to keep returning by car due to the distance. The horseraces are located at York so all of the people are going back and forth as well.
We learn that Shadow was born at Kirkdale. His father was the police chief and he and his parents lived there along with his grandparents. His father was killed one night when he had gone to castle woods after being notified of suspected poachers. The murder was never solved or the gun found that killed him. Shadow and his mother moved away and he hadn’t been back to this place since. The duke’s mother and the old gamekeeper remembered him and his family. As he learns more about both deaths Shadow wonders if there is a connection. There seems to be a mystery surrounding the guns used also.
The various members of the royal family, their friends and staff are all being looked at by Jimmy and Shadow as the killer. They discover all sorts of clues and there is an additional death of one of the stable hands at York, that has suspicious circumstances that the pair has to also investigate. I tried as always to figure out who was the killer and the motives but I always end up stumped. Chief Inspector Shadow once again solves the mystery. The author did a fabulous job with presenting the evidence and actions of the suspects.
The story was my favorite so far. I enjoyed hearing more about John Shadow’s past and liked how it was connected to the mystery he was called in to solve. I enjoy the conversations between Shadow and Jimmy as well as John’s thoughts about his forensics guys, his boss and the medical examiners. I noticed in this book too Shadow seems to have developed some patience at certain times when dealing with his coworkers. This is another 5 star book I highly recommend.
Book 5 takes the pair to Kirkdale castle and the surrounding area. A body was located during a hunting party hosted by the Duke of Kirkdale. The victim is the castle’s racehorse trainer. The royals and their family and friends are not very helpful in helping to figure out what happened. There are quite a few people for Shadow and Jimmy to interview and they have to keep returning by car due to the distance. The horseraces are located at York so all of the people are going back and forth as well.
We learn that Shadow was born at Kirkdale. His father was the police chief and he and his parents lived there along with his grandparents. His father was killed one night when he had gone to castle woods after being notified of suspected poachers. The murder was never solved or the gun found that killed him. Shadow and his mother moved away and he hadn’t been back to this place since. The duke’s mother and the old gamekeeper remembered him and his family. As he learns more about both deaths Shadow wonders if there is a connection. There seems to be a mystery surrounding the guns used also.
The various members of the royal family, their friends and staff are all being looked at by Jimmy and Shadow as the killer. They discover all sorts of clues and there is an additional death of one of the stable hands at York, that has suspicious circumstances that the pair has to also investigate. I tried as always to figure out who was the killer and the motives but I always end up stumped. Chief Inspector Shadow once again solves the mystery. The author did a fabulous job with presenting the evidence and actions of the suspects.
The story was my favorite so far. I enjoyed hearing more about John Shadow’s past and liked how it was connected to the mystery he was called in to solve. I enjoy the conversations between Shadow and Jimmy as well as John’s thoughts about his forensics guys, his boss and the medical examiners. I noticed in this book too Shadow seems to have developed some patience at certain times when dealing with his coworkers. This is another 5 star book I highly recommend.
September 26, 2024
A Forgotten Shadow is the fifth story by H. L. Marsay in her wonderful Chief Inspector Shadow Mystery series. I’m honored to offer this review. Shadow and Chang are tasked with investigating a fatal shooting on the grounds of Kirkdale Castle just outside of York. This will not be an easy journey for our Chief Inspector. Some parts of life are solitary. Others must be shared. John Shadow will need his friends as he steps back on familiar ground.
When John Shadow was a child, his family lived adjacent to the castle. His father was the area Wildlife Officer until the night he was killed in an unsolved shooting. As the investigation into the current shooting proceeds, Shadow’s mind can’t help but see parallels. Dare he follow the clues. As he goes deeper and deeper, Chang, Sophie, and all his friends fall in behind him to maintain that this time his journey will not be alone.
As he gets closer and closer to solving the current day murder, should he believe that he can solve both? In my opinion, A Forgotten Shadow is the pinnacle work of this series. The author has laid bare our hero. Not to unveil his weakness, but to show how strong and reliable he is. Even at his lowest human point. A Forgotten Shadow is a story that I will read often and repeatedly. Great writing should be cherished. Rating: 5+ STARS!
When John Shadow was a child, his family lived adjacent to the castle. His father was the area Wildlife Officer until the night he was killed in an unsolved shooting. As the investigation into the current shooting proceeds, Shadow’s mind can’t help but see parallels. Dare he follow the clues. As he goes deeper and deeper, Chang, Sophie, and all his friends fall in behind him to maintain that this time his journey will not be alone.
As he gets closer and closer to solving the current day murder, should he believe that he can solve both? In my opinion, A Forgotten Shadow is the pinnacle work of this series. The author has laid bare our hero. Not to unveil his weakness, but to show how strong and reliable he is. Even at his lowest human point. A Forgotten Shadow is a story that I will read often and repeatedly. Great writing should be cherished. Rating: 5+ STARS!
July 2, 2022
When Detective Chief Inspector John Shadow is called to Kirkdale Castle to investigate the death of a handsome racehorse trainer during a shooting party, he’s immersed in painful childhood memories. His father had been shot in the line of duty at Kirkdale, but his killer was never apprehended. Shadow suspects the two deaths may be linked and is determined to discover the truth, but dealing with the aristocracy is more complicated than he bargained for and the inhabitants of Kirkdale Castle are as unhelpful as ever.
An easy to read detective novel of three related mysteries with believable characters. The book described the different types of people involved, the aristocracy, the racing community, the naive younger set, the older generations with a good amount of detail throughout the story. A few red herrings and ideas helped by an eager young sergeant confused deciphering the clues but all was disclosed at the end.
I was given an advance copy and leave this honest review voluntarily.
An easy to read detective novel of three related mysteries with believable characters. The book described the different types of people involved, the aristocracy, the racing community, the naive younger set, the older generations with a good amount of detail throughout the story. A few red herrings and ideas helped by an eager young sergeant confused deciphering the clues but all was disclosed at the end.
I was given an advance copy and leave this honest review voluntarily.
June 25, 2022
I have been looking forward to reading the fifth Shadow book and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
It is summer and Shadow and Jimmy escape the heat and the crowds of race goers in York for an investigation in the countryside. A handsome horse trainer has been shot in the same village where Shadow’s father lost his life and that turns out not to be the only similarity between the two cases.
As the investigation continues the detectives encounter some colourful and not very helpful characters. I loved the way Shadow interacts with his younger colleagues and how they band together to help their friend.
If you are looking for a witty, well-paced, mystery this summer, A Forgotten Shadow is the book for you.
It is summer and Shadow and Jimmy escape the heat and the crowds of race goers in York for an investigation in the countryside. A handsome horse trainer has been shot in the same village where Shadow’s father lost his life and that turns out not to be the only similarity between the two cases.
As the investigation continues the detectives encounter some colourful and not very helpful characters. I loved the way Shadow interacts with his younger colleagues and how they band together to help their friend.
If you are looking for a witty, well-paced, mystery this summer, A Forgotten Shadow is the book for you.
June 27, 2022
It was so good to catch up with Jimmy and Shadow - like bumping into two old friends.
This time they have briefly left the city of York and are in the village of Kirkdale where a horse trainer has been shot dead but is it suicide, an accident or murder?
The village turns out to be where Shadow was born and I loved the way their current investigation was interwoven with the mystery of what happened to Shadow’s father.
As always our two detectives were helped (or hindered) by an array of interesting and entertaining suspects and witnesses.
In short, a classic, countryside caper reminiscent of the Golden Age detective stories.
This time they have briefly left the city of York and are in the village of Kirkdale where a horse trainer has been shot dead but is it suicide, an accident or murder?
The village turns out to be where Shadow was born and I loved the way their current investigation was interwoven with the mystery of what happened to Shadow’s father.
As always our two detectives were helped (or hindered) by an array of interesting and entertaining suspects and witnesses.
In short, a classic, countryside caper reminiscent of the Golden Age detective stories.
August 5, 2022
Once again we are with Detective Chief Inspector John Shadow and his partner Sergeant Jimmy Chang but this latest case brings back childhood memories for Shadow The killing at Kirkdale castle is very reminiscent of the killing of his father also at Kirkdale Is there a link You will have to read to see What you do get is a glance into the childhood that made Shadow the detective that he is To make things even more complicated Shadow will have to deal with the aristocracy that call Kirkdale home This another great mystery that draws you in and keeps you thoroughly engaged
January 28, 2025
This is a review of the Audiobook .
The Narrator has a great voice but not to perform voices. Every single charater seems like had brandy enough to have a sore throat. It hurts my ears for 3 days. Shadow's voice increase the amount of bulling Shadow do to is sergeant; who by the tone of is voice didn't seem smart enough to finish high school, let alone join the police and become sergeant.
But I liked the story , and the geese, and in the end I did want the murder to get away. It would be a stand to the people of that age group and gender.
The Narrator has a great voice but not to perform voices. Every single charater seems like had brandy enough to have a sore throat. It hurts my ears for 3 days. Shadow's voice increase the amount of bulling Shadow do to is sergeant; who by the tone of is voice didn't seem smart enough to finish high school, let alone join the police and become sergeant.
But I liked the story , and the geese, and in the end I did want the murder to get away. It would be a stand to the people of that age group and gender.
July 30, 2025
One of my favorites in the series. Being set in the countryside rather than in the city like most of the series gave it a different feel. It was more of your classic murder on a country estate mysteries. It was also nice to learn more about DCI Shadow's background and to see a different side to his personality. The mystery itself was well constructed and kept me guessing until the end.
July 21, 2022
HL Marsay is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and her curmudgeonly Chief Inspector, one of my favourite detectives.
A Forgotten Shadow is another well-paced read laced with humour and quirky characters. It kept me guessing until the end. A great addition to the series.
A Forgotten Shadow is another well-paced read laced with humour and quirky characters. It kept me guessing until the end. A great addition to the series.
June 8, 2024
In this book Chief Inspector Shadow discovers, unintentionally, about his father's murder. I really enjoyed that part. The cases were a interesting and fresh. I liked it. I had a pleasure to enjoy this mystery in audible edition. Great work so far.
October 23, 2022
In this instalment of the witty and wonderful Chief Inspector Shadow Mysteries, H. L. Marsay sends her detective to investigate a modern murder which resonates with Shadow's past. Previously the author has hinted at the tragic death of her hero's father which occurred when Shadow was a small child. Now the circumstances of the investigation uncover baffling similarities between past and present. The characters in 'A Forgotten Shadow' continue to grow in their self-awareness and in their relationships so that no one ever becomes a cliche. This, for me, is one of the most satisfying aspects of this series. As ever, the city of York and Yorkshire itself are beautifully described.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews