The Man Trapped By Shadows

Rooker Lindström #2

by Pete Zacharias

A journalist. A serial killer. An invitation to the dark side. The risks are beyond imagining in the heart-racing sequel to The Man Burned by Winter.

Rooker Lindström is a reluctant consultant for the Minnesota PD. He can provide a window into evil. His horrifying past gives him the edge. When the body of a woman—missing for eight years—is pulled from the lake, evil comes knocking again. This time with a note meant just for Rooker: Won’t you come out and play?

A request from the police. A dare from a killer. And now a plea from a distraught mother whose daughter has suddenly vanished too. If only Rooker could say no. Instead, partnered with Millie Langston, his friend turned private investigator, he’s compelled to find a connection between the missing and the dead. It’s drawing them into the dark web, conspiracy theories, and an unsolved mystery reaching back thirty years.

The deeper into the investigation Rooker and Millie go, the more exposed they are to a dormant serial killer whose motives—and next moves—are unlike anything Rooker has ever encountered.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Thriller Suspense

311 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 11, 2023

About the author

Pete Zacharias received a BA in English with a concentration in creative writing. He is a lover of Nordic noir, dark thrillers, and anything spy, and credits Michael Connelly’s The Poet as the novel that inspired him to become a writer. The Man Burned by Winter is Pete’s first novel.

Pete grew up in Milford, Connecticut, received a BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, and now bounces around between Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Reviews

[Darryl Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Man Trapped by Shadows" is the second in what might well become a series of Rooker Lindström thrillers by relatively new author, Pete Zacharias. In fact, the first in the series, The Man Burned By Winter was his debut novel. Lindström is a reluctant consultant to the Minnesota Police Department but since the end of the story in the first of the series, he has joined forces with an ex-cop and IT whiz, Millie Langston to form a private detective agency. In this story, the body of a woman missing for eight years is pulled from a lake and with it a note that reads: “Won’t you come out and play?” The taunting note is clearly meant for Lindström. Soon another woman goes missing, her distraught mother pleading for help. Lindström sets out to find a link between the missing women and the dead, and at the same time, he needs to watch his own back or he too, will become a victim.

Pete Zacharias continues the theme of the first novel in the series – dark, Kafkaesque scenes, graphic detail, blood and gore. As with his debut work, "The Man Trapped By Shadows" is not for the faint hearted. His characters are well developed and there are familiar faces from the first novel. Lindström himself is a complex character some will warm to, some won’t but whatever the reader makes of him, he is painted by the author in technicolour, with no sign of monochrome. Millie doesn’t have her partner’s complexity but she provides a balance to the dynamic sleuthing duo. As for the villain, be prepared for a dark, menacing, deranged creature who’d probably not be out of place in an asylum for the criminally insane. The story twists and turns its way to the surprising dénouement with some frantic page-turning along the way.

[Karin Sakacs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Man Burned by Winter last year, so as soon as I saw this I knew I had to grab it! Let me tell you, it did not disappoint!
The Man Trapped by Shadows is book two in the Rooker Lindström series and picks up where the first book leaves off. It felt like with everything that happened in the first book Rooker is even more tortured now than he was before... and yet Rooker has this charisma that draws you in. This book literally had me in a chokehold! Book two found me liking Tess Harlow less and less, but loving Millie Langston even more. Just when I thought that the webs of the first book had finally been unraveled and we had answers Pete Zacharias threw in plot twists that left me feeling like I had more questions than answers. All I do know is that I am fully invested in this series and book three can't get here fast enough!!

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two in the Rooker Lindstrom series. Mille has quit the police force and decided to be a PI and she and Rooker decide to start their own PI Agency.
Their first case they are hired by a mother who wants them to find her missing adult daughter. They are soon aware they are drawn into another serial killer case. The two work very good together and have figured out who the killer is. Now, working with the police, they are zeroing in on the murderer, and now the ending twist comes in. A twist that took me by surprise and saddened me.
The final page makes it clear there will be another book to the series.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so many good things to say about this book! The main character Rooker is such a charismatic, yet stubborn man with many layers to his story; it just makes the book all the more interesting. The imaginary through out this novel was astounding. The darkness this author embodies when the story is told through the killer’s point of view is chilling to say the least. This book takes the reader to the darkest of places which in turn makes the lighter, sweeter moments all the more meaningful. I highly recommend this book series to anyone who loves a good gruesome mystery!

[Jordyn Kastlunger · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first book in the series almost a year ago, I’ve been waiting anxiously for the second. I was fortunate to read an ARC of this book as the release is not until July 2023. This book exceeded expectations. The author did a fantastic job of continuing plot points from book one while showing us familiar characters. A dormant killer resurfaces to challenge Rooker to ‘come out and play’. What ensues is dark and twisted.

Unlike the first book, the killer was made known to us much earlier, however this worked well with the story. The end of the novel was an epilogue leading into book 3. I will be anxiously awaiting the release of the final book in the series.

[Timiddy Jaymes · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧: 4.5/5⭐️
Very quick audiobook!! This one flew for me! I liked the tie-ins but I’m a little shocked he’s somehow going to twist it into fitting into a 3rd book as well. Pretty pissed about Millie tho.

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book and continuation of The Man Burned by Winter! Can't wait for the third.

[Lacee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

I was honestly a little worried that I might be lost reading this book since I hadn’t read the first one in the series, but that was not the case. It does take a little bit to get going, which allows you to figure out the back story and become familiar with the characters. This was a suspenseful murder mystery, or rather, the uncovering of a serial killer. I’m still upset over some of the individuals that got caught in the crosshairs of the investigation. I’d really fallen in love with their characters or thought they were potentially turning their lives around. Don't get too attached, because you never know who is going to be the next casualty in this investigation.

Rooker, who was a journalist but now assists the police department in Minnesota, seems to be the muse for a serial killer who has recently resurfaced after eight years. The body of a girl who has been missing for 8 years resurfaces in a lake with a letter found on her body that’s for Rooker. With a past unimaginable to most, Rooker can shed light on the inner workings of a serial killer. Since it just so happens that he grew up with one.

After the discovery of this Malin Jakobsson's body, another goes missing. The mother of this victim comes to Millie, who previously worked for the police but is now working as an investigator, to see if she can help. Millie entrusts the help of Rooker in her investigation to bring the missing girl home alive. A deep dive into two previously missing girls turns up clues never discovered in their disappearance, which might just connect them to the disappearance of Nora Vandenberg. It seems like Itasca has a serial killer on the loose, and he is more patient and planned than Rooker has ever seen. As Rooker and Millie get further into their investigation, they begin to uncover more and more details, making these missing person cases inconceivable. These girls have all literally gone through witch trials and been burned, beaten, and stoned. This serial killer's message to each of his victims, past, present, and future, is I SEE YOU.

Thank you so much to Pete Zacharias and Goodreads for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jacquelyn Dohoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t snatch this one up fast enough! I loved the first book in this series and am using it as a comp for the book I’m querying. I was so excited to see the sequel is finally coming out! Despite Rooker being an unlikeable character, it’s so hard for me to not like him. He’s so damaged you can’t help but feel for him. I did find myself liking Tess less in this book than the first one, but I can’t really blame her for her attitude. I definitely didn’t expect the outcome of the last chapter, and I’m surprised it headed that way for *reasons*! I don’t want to spoil it. But the next one is going to be a wild ride and I can’t wait to read it!

Huge thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

[Gatorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid second entry in the Rooker Lindstrom series about the hunt for another potential serial killer whose victims span over thirty years and who leaves marks at the crime scene that may or may not relate to the past killing of witches. Once again, Zacharias employs a quirky writing style that can either add an interesting style to the proceedings or come across as just plain odd. It works better than in the last entry. The characters are the strong point here. The ending definitely sets up another entry while leaving some loose strings untied from these proceedings. Looking forward to the next one. 3.5 stars bumped to 4 for the overall satisfaction with the series.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

There's a grotesque serial killer, and a detective with PTSD and his partner/secretary, who is apparently on the spectrum are trying to find him out.

I think this is inspired by various Nordic thrillers.

[Laurie Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story

I enjoyed this second Rooker Lindstrom book. Never quite sure where it was going, which is nice. Looking forward to the next one.

[Tania · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF made it to chapter 13

[Maham Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thriller had me hooked from the start (as did the first one in the trilogy- "A Man Burned by Winter")- a real page turner! I'm already so excited for the next one!

[Jim Zacharias · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the first book was amazing and the sequel didn’t disappoint. The author does a great job of describing a scene so you can really picture the story. The ending sets up the third and final installment of the trilogy which you can sign me up for!

[kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

“The man froze, as though liquid nitrogen had been force-fed through a feeding tube.”

People understand what froze means my dude

[Paul Sutter]

THE MAN TRAPPED BY SHADOWS, is the reported sequel to THE MAN BURNED BY WINTER. Don’t fret over the fact that if you have not read the first book, the second would be hard to follow. I had not read the first book, but got right into the tone of the tale, and did not feel as if left in the dark. Rooker Lindstrom is a fascinating character. His father Gunner, was a very notorious serial killer, which of course causes police to ponder whether it could be “like father, like son.” It is difficult for Rooker to escape his troubled past, doing his best to cope with alcohol and lots of guilt.
Now the past seems to creep up on him, when a woman is found dead, someone who has been missing for many years. There is a note on the corpse that has been written with Rooker in mind, as if taunting him, making him remember all the evil perpetrated by Gunner.
Because of this, police obviously associate it with Rooker, as if he is picking up where his father left off. Rooker does team with Millie Langston, who was previously a police officer, but is now a private investigator. In fact they are in business together, getting to the root of crimes in the community.
But there is much more to come, as there are more missing women that could be connected to the latest murders. The fact that the identity of the killer is found part-way through the book, does not deter from the suspense and the tension of the story. In fact, it enhances the story, as you know the killer and their mindset, what they are capable of, pondering just how much further they will advance in their kill crusade.
Rooker and Millie draw up their own list of suspects, and are called upon to try and find other missing women, with the hope they are still alive. Pete Zarcharias has created a most empathetic character with Rooker, as tortured as they come, fighting his past, fighting for respect, but most of all wanting set the record straight in finding missing persons, along with solving crimes where fingers could potentially be pointed at him.
Readers are definitely looking forward to more books in the Rooker Lindstrom saga.

[Ivory · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Man Trapped by Shadows , Pete Zacharias plunges readers into a chilling game of cat-and-mouse that feels like walking a tightrope over an abyss. Rooker Lindström, the reluctant yet compelling protagonist, finds himself pulled back into the shadows he so desperately wants to escape. When a woman’s body surfaces after eight years—and a cryptic note addressed directly to him—Rooker knows the past has come calling again. With his friend-turned-private investigator Millie Langston at his side, they unravel a labyrinthine mystery linking missing persons, decades-old conspiracies, and a dormant serial killer whose motives are as enigmatic as they are terrifying.

Pete Zacharias writes with a masterful hand, crafting stories that crackles with tension and urgency. His words don’t just tell a story—they trap you in it, forcing you to turn each page faster than the last. And then there’s Rooker Lindström: likable, flawed, and achingly human. He’s the kind of character who stumbles through life as though fate itself is conspiring against him, yet somehow manages to keep getting back up. You can’t help but root for him, even when his luck seems perpetually cursed. Paired with Millie’s sharp wit and unshakable determination, their dynamic adds depth and heart to a tale steeped in darkness.

This series continues to be an intense, pulse-pounding exploration of evil—not just the kind that lurks in the world, but the kind that festers within us all. As the stakes rise and the web tightens around Rooker and Millie, you’ll find yourself holding your breath, wondering how—or if—they’ll make it out alive. If this latest installment is any indication, Zacharias isn’t done pushing boundaries or testing nerves. Buckle up; this ride is far from over.

[Dani Boise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Thomas & Mercer for the ARC to read & review!
The opposite of 'thank you' to Pete Zacharias FOR THAT ENDING (insert broken heart emoji)

Maaan, can Mr. Zacharias write his ass off or what!? Answer: he totally can. As with book 1 this is super descriptive. It is easy to see, hear, smell, feel, taste...? (lol) what the characters are experiencing because of the writing. The chapters from the killer's perspective were appropriately creepy (being in the mind of a psychopath would be) yet mesmerizing. (does that make me weird?)

I really liked this story. I'm glad we get more of Rooker, Millie, Tess & the team's lives from book 1. The mysteries are well-investigated by Rooker & Millie who've just created a PI business (Manor Investigations). Their 'simple' missing person case turns into SO much more. As other reviewers have said, I found myself not liking Tess' character as much in this book, which actually sort of worked with this story, in a strange way.

I saw that this will be a trilogy so I will 100% be grabbing Rooker Book 3! (yes, even after you did that to us at the end)

I'd recommend for those that love dark mysteries, troubled characters with troubled pasts & some police procedural-ish but make it PI.

[Ski L. Laughing-Bear Gutowsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. One Night Read!

Peter Zacharias does not disappoint with book two of the Rooker Lindstrom series: “The Man Trapped by Shadows” the reads excellent as a stand alone because I haven’t read book one yet, LoL, but I will most definitely be reading book one next! This is a most taunt crime thriller that reads very much like Jeffrey Deaver or Thomas Harris collaborating with the likes of Karen Slaughter. (Harris and Michael Connelly are brought up several times throughout the story and I really enjoyed the contrast and comparison that Rooker reflects on; love how Zacharias uses them) There are the obvious similarities and story plots for anyone who’s on a steady diet of crime thrillers and suspense horror- good guys bad guys, haunted and guilt felt protagonists, overbearing law enforcement with their over the top personalities and hard ass chiefs, Captains, “Shiny Shoes” but some very cleaver twist and one that most will not see coming- if someone tells me they did; I’ll smile and say: “GOOD FOR YOU! Do you feel better now that your ego is confidently stroked?” Because they never didn’t see it coming either! LoL! Read it in one night, it’s a page burner! Audible Narration A+ FIVE STAR BOOK AND LISTEN!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The body of a woman who had been missing for eight years washes up on the bank of a lake. She was stoned, burned, hung, drowned, and preserved in ice. Horrible! An envelope was taped to the body addressed to Rooker Lindstrom. The note says "Won't you come out and play".

Millie Langston has quit the police department to become a private investigator and Rooker decides to go into business with her. Their first case involves finding a woman who has recently disappeared. She had received a text that said "I see you". That gets Rooker's attention.

I read the first book by Zacharias, The Man Burned by Winter, about six weeks ago. If you haven't read this book, I'll tell you a little about Rooker. His father was a serial killer who left Rooker a dilapidated cabin in Minnesota. Rooker's life has further been marred by tragedy with the murder of his son. He's still drinking too much and having awful hallucinations. He's made a couple of improvements to the cabin but it's still a dump.

Detective Tess Harlow and her team are back in action. She is not happy that Rooker is getting so far ahead of her in the case. The last 1/4 of the book was a dandy. Three pages before the end I was sure Rooker was done. By the last sentence I know he is not.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

After the case in book one, both Rooker and Tess are deep in angst. Wounds are still healing from the Gregory Sadler ordeal.

Everyone is dealing with various forms of PTSD.

Another serial killer on the loose: The Peekaboo Killer.

Creepy dude—obsessed with the occult.

Rooker has made some slight improvements to Lindström Manor.

Millie Langstrom is now a private investigator. She’s by far the most interesting POV here.

Rooker’s alcoholism is not written in a sympathetic way.

How is it that women throw themselves at Rooker? He comports himself like an unkempt vagrant on a bender…yet he is God’s gift to women??

Pacing is good; flow is variable.

Nasty political and ideological lines. ⬇️

Caroline Lind and Lindström…is this a lack of creativity, or just laziness?

Several instances of violence veer towards splatter punk.

More POV switches might help this book.

Vicky Reynolds.

Strong villain selection.

Main character death—in an avoidable shootout—is fucking tasteless.

The senseless death at the end detracts heavily.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pete Zacharias does it again! He wrote another twisted tale that had me on the edge of my seat and reading way past my bedtime. The author writes in such a way that makes you feel like you are right there experiencing everything in person. He makes the story come alive even in the most horrifying moments. And just when you think it's all said and done, he leaves you with a cliffhanger wanting more.
This book is great for anyone who is a fan of serial killer novels or books with a police/private investigations for abductions. It is the 2nd book in a series. I highly recommend reading the 1st book, but it's not required. There are a lot of references to the 1st novel. I enjoyed this book overall. there were times I felt the excitement died down too much, and the plot deflated. But realistically speaking, in a police investigation, it's not always pure excitement. I did feel a few times the storyline seemed a bit exaggerated or unlikely. especially when trying to tie rookers past to his present life. I rate this book 7/10. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Marion Sheppard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25. “In the time to come, they would call him a number of distasteful names. Serial killer. Monster. Murderer. Freak. And then two monikers that would be published in the newspapers: Wiccan. The Peekaboo Killer.”

This book is the 2nd in the Rooker Lindstrom series, and it is a good as the first one. We have an engrossing and complex protagonist who continues to be impacted by his dark and tragic past. Rooker is an investigative reporter who had previously been enlisted by the police to help with a case that unfortunately revolved around his father. Now, he is intrigued by the new set of circumstances and drawn into the mystery along with a former police associate Millie. The killer has invited Rooker to “come out and play”, so reluctantly, he engages in initially researching a death from eight years ago that somehow leads to another missing person case from 30 years ago and a current missing woman. The time period between these seemingly related cases is perplexing. The story grabs you immediately to follow into the basement with Rooker to see what lies beneath. The writing is taut, intelligent, and creates an environment and characters fit for a murder or two. I have the 3rd book in this series on my TBR read.

[Joy Shelton-York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nonstop edge of your seat action

Wow. This is how you write a 5-star mystery thriller you can’t put down. Strong, slightly broken but likable characters you can get emotionally invested in. Fast moving multi-layered plot with surprising twists and turns. Nonstop action.

The author has a way of subtly adding a scene that not only helps put the pieces together, but exposes the empathy and humanity of the protagonists. He is also willing to take a risk in actions that could be unpopular, but will hopefully change the dynamics of the series going forward in a new and exciting way.

This was my first read in the Rooker Lindström series. I really enjoyed this complicated character with so many facets to his personality.
I look forward to the next novel in the series, and in the mean time will skip back to Book 1. I highly recommend.

[Joy York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is how you write a 5-star mystery/thriller you can’t put down. Strong, slightly broken but likable characters you can get emotionally invested in. Fast moving multi-layered plot with surprising twists and turns. Nonstop action.

The author has a way of subtly adding a scene that not only helps put the pieces together but exposes the empathy and humanity of the protagonists. He is also willing to take risks in the actions that might be unpopular but could change the dynamics of the series going forward in new and exciting ways.

This was my first read in the Rooker Lindström series. I really enjoyed this complicated character with so many facets to his personality. I look forward to the next novel in the series, and in the meantime will skip back to Book 1. I highly recommend.

[Christa Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Journalist Rooker Lindstrom has a disproportionate amount of serial killers in his life- his father was one, his son was murdered by one, and he has managed to help track down and arrest one. This seems statistically improbable but makes for great reading. In this second novel in the series the body of a woman who went missing years ago turns up with a note from the killer addressed to Rooker. After recently assisting the local police catch a killer, Rooker is now working with friend and former cop Millie to start their own detective agency. When they are hired by the parents of another missing woman, Rooker and Millie find connections between three 3 different cases and also to Rooker himself. Although Rooker is an alcoholic mess, he is an interesting character and I can't wait to read the next book in this series. #NetGalley #TheManTrappedByShadows

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

In The Man Trapped by Shadows by Pete Zacharias, Rooker Lindström is a reluctant consultant for the Minnesota PD. His past gives him an edge. When the body of a woman, missing for eight years, is pulled from the lake, evil comes knocking again. This time with a note meant just for Rooker: Won’t you come out and play?

I did not read the first book in this series. I don't feel I missed anything by not reading book 1.

The story and mystery were okay. It took me a while to get invested in the characters and the story. I'm not sure I would recommend this book. However, I may check out other books by this author to see if I like other stories.

#TheManTrappedbyShadows #NetGalley @AmazonPub

[Tommie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in a three book series named after the MMC “Rooker Lindström”. Rooker is the son of a serial killer who was convicted of killing and beheading over 13 women before finally being caught. He was once a popular investigative journalist until “The Madman”, a serial killer he helped catch, kidnapped and killed his son. Since then, Rooker is divorced and become an alcoholic with a death wish. Much like in the first book, Rooker is reluctantly pulled into helping the police catch a serial killer. This time a note from the serial killer taunts Rooker: “Won’t You Come Out And Play?” With the help of his friend Millie, who is no longer with the police department, they search for a killer whose killings span over 30 years. This book blends noir with police procedural and I’m here for it. Looking forward to book three.

[Dessa Song · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me preface this review with saying I did not read the first book in this series and that definitely impacts my perception of this book because there many references to things that I was not familiar with. You don't need to read the first one, this book is somewhat of a standalone, but you won't have all of the information and context to some of the events and relationships.

With that said, I still wasn't a big fan. All of the characters felt extremely flat, there was no emotional connection to any of them. Yeah this is an easy, page-turner novel but there still should be some connection the reader has to, well, something. That just didn't happen for me.

Also, the police (Tess specifically) seem like such idiots. And they hold a grudge against Rooker for... well, I don't even know. I don't understand their relationship.

I won't be reading the other two.