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Thomas Shepherd Mystery #1
Grave Girl
Every mind holds a secret. Some are more deadly than others.
Nightshade County Sheriff Thomas Shepherd is a successful model for every law enforcement officer with autism. He leads an idyllic life in his uncle’s old home along Wolf Lake and is planning to marry private investigator Chelsey Byrd.
But when a star athlete’s girlfriend disappears while camping, everyone blames the boyfriend. He’s volatile and dangerous. Did he murder the girl and bury her in the woods?
The sheriff’s gut tells him there’s more to the story than the boyfriend is willing to admit. The more he digs into the case, the more he worries someone is hiding a dark secret.
Is the boy a killer. Or is he the next victim?
Nightshade County Sheriff Thomas Shepherd is a successful model for every law enforcement officer with autism. He leads an idyllic life in his uncle’s old home along Wolf Lake and is planning to marry private investigator Chelsey Byrd.
But when a star athlete’s girlfriend disappears while camping, everyone blames the boyfriend. He’s volatile and dangerous. Did he murder the girl and bury her in the woods?
The sheriff’s gut tells him there’s more to the story than the boyfriend is willing to admit. The more he digs into the case, the more he worries someone is hiding a dark secret.
Is the boy a killer. Or is he the next victim?
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2022
1007 people are currently reading
595 people want to read
About the author
Dan Padavona
101 books611 followersAuthor of the Wolf Lake and Darkwater Cove series.
Want a free thriller and mystery book? Please join my VIP thriller readers club at
www.danpadavona.com.
I'm a father, husband, dog lover, and an advocate for animals and the homeless.
My kryptonite is ice cream, and my super power is cranking heavy metal.
More than anything, I love a good story. Let me tell you one.
Want a free thriller and mystery book? Please join my VIP thriller readers club at
www.danpadavona.com.
I'm a father, husband, dog lover, and an advocate for animals and the homeless.
My kryptonite is ice cream, and my super power is cranking heavy metal.
More than anything, I love a good story. Let me tell you one.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 20, 2023
Very good
A great start to a new series. This series focuses on Sheriff Shepherd, a very interesting main character with a great supporting cast.
A great start to a new series. This series focuses on Sheriff Shepherd, a very interesting main character with a great supporting cast.
May 31, 2024
They aren’t complex thrillers but mixed with the character storyline that if you’ve moved from his prior series (10 book series) they are great. It’s the best of both worlds being really attached and invested in the characters and getting a nice little crime thriller mixed in
December 24, 2022
In my opinion if you are a Dan Padavona fan, he didn't disappoint. This is the first book of Thomas Shepherd Series. It continued on from the end of Wolf Lake Series with all the characters from previous series. If you are new to Dan Padavona you don't need to read previous books. Dan Padavona does a good job of making books so you can read if a first time reader. Dan Padavona gives you mystery, suspense and family. I really enjoy Thomas and his family and how they have each other's backs. I had some of the culprits right others I had wrong, that doesn't happen very often. So Dan Padavona gets a well done keeping guessing. In my opinion it's worth reading. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader's copy.
July 2, 2025
Good morning Goodreads Family, another day of the reading challenge my friends!! I love ❤️ Dan Pandanova’s books 📚 Especially, Thomas Shepard’s series!! I read the first series of his and I a loved it!! Matter of fact that series was what got me back into the reading challenge!! Although that was a long long time ago. Back to the beginning of my review. I gave the book 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!! It was a good book 📖 Of course I love all the characters!! They are all in this series from the first one 1️⃣ Thomas Shepards is the sheriff of Nightshade County. He is an AMAZING SHERIFF!! He has Asperger’s syndrome (which by the way those with this syndrome are extremely intelligent even more than the average person) My nephew well my ex husband’s nephew is Autistic and he is intelligent, loving and very independent!! Ok back to the book. Thomas’ girlfriend Chelsey is a private investigator and owns Wolf Lake Consulting and has other investigators and they are all friends. There’s even a 15 yr old girl who is Thomas’ neighbor who helps with investigation is probably going to work with the FBI in the future. Sorry guys I’m going off track. The book is good and they solved 2 investigations and both of them intertwine together. I wouldn’t say this book is exciting but it gives you a sense of what each character is about and how they all work together both professionally and personally!! This is a long series of about 12 books. I’m hoping that by reading these 12 books I’m going to be really close to complete my reading challenge.. If you read these book let me know what you think… See you at the next review….
December 11, 2022
Grave Girl, the first book in the Thomas Shepherd Mystery series, is a promising starter. Thomas Shepherd, Sheriff of Nightshade County has his hands full. Between a missing girl, a murder, and his love interest, private investigator Chelsey Byrd, Thomas is working overtime to get everything sorted. He will also have to unravel hidden secrets if he wishes to solve all the mysteries lurking in his county. I am delighted with this new series. I absolutely love the characters and how the story unfolds. This suspenseful and thrilling story had me glued to my seat. I was unable to put it down. I am looking forward to the next one in this series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 28, 2023
summary:
a perfect addition to the thomas shepherd universe. this book takes place after the wolf lake series, but is really just a continuation including the same characters. a high school aged girl goes missing after spending an evening stargazing with her boyfriend in the boonies. thomas races against the clock and chelsey races against her ptsd/trauma to find her. everything keeps leading back to her boyfriend, even though he maintains innocence. meanwhile, the snooty rich neighborhood in town has been burglarized several times and chelsey’s team is tasked with finding the intruders. they do stakeouts, chases, and drone surveillance to no avail, until finally they find out that there are 3 intruders. it ends up being the girls boyfriend and his two friends. the boyfriend used to run with the local gang, and was going to buy his way out of the gang for $50k. the gang leader kidnapped the girl because of her inheritance from her parents deaths. the gang leader buried her underground to try to break her into giving him the bank info, and she nearly died. thomas and his team were able to piece it together and dig her out just in time.
my thoughts:
i love how the author writes each book where you can pick it up without reading (or remembering) the previous books and understand what’s happening. i definitely recommend reading all of the previous books, but you wouldn’t really be too confused if you didn’t. i love all of the characters except for chelsey. she is just so annoying to me. i get that she has severe trauma but she acts like a pick me girl half the time. it’s so interesting to see how thomas’s team works with chelsey’s pi team, and the way they try to separate their work and their relationship.
i always forget how much i love these “mass market” style of murder mystery/thriller books, and i think dan padavona’s execution is definitely one of the bests!
a perfect addition to the thomas shepherd universe. this book takes place after the wolf lake series, but is really just a continuation including the same characters. a high school aged girl goes missing after spending an evening stargazing with her boyfriend in the boonies. thomas races against the clock and chelsey races against her ptsd/trauma to find her. everything keeps leading back to her boyfriend, even though he maintains innocence. meanwhile, the snooty rich neighborhood in town has been burglarized several times and chelsey’s team is tasked with finding the intruders. they do stakeouts, chases, and drone surveillance to no avail, until finally they find out that there are 3 intruders. it ends up being the girls boyfriend and his two friends. the boyfriend used to run with the local gang, and was going to buy his way out of the gang for $50k. the gang leader kidnapped the girl because of her inheritance from her parents deaths. the gang leader buried her underground to try to break her into giving him the bank info, and she nearly died. thomas and his team were able to piece it together and dig her out just in time.
my thoughts:
i love how the author writes each book where you can pick it up without reading (or remembering) the previous books and understand what’s happening. i definitely recommend reading all of the previous books, but you wouldn’t really be too confused if you didn’t. i love all of the characters except for chelsey. she is just so annoying to me. i get that she has severe trauma but she acts like a pick me girl half the time. it’s so interesting to see how thomas’s team works with chelsey’s pi team, and the way they try to separate their work and their relationship.
i always forget how much i love these “mass market” style of murder mystery/thriller books, and i think dan padavona’s execution is definitely one of the bests!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2023
Too much dialogue and too many references about the women in law enforcement being all kidnapped. Guess what, the story is about a teenager being kidnapped as well. That means, 4 women kidnapped, going to therapy and having ptsd. Something is not right with this...
This is the first book of the series, but I bet there will be books about these other 3 women kidnappings.
I believe it will be boring AF.
Note: i just read other people's reviews. This is a new series with the same people from another series. Most probably the kidnapping and rescue of the 3 women, one working in the sheriff's department and 2 being private investigators was already been written.
Sorry Dan Padavona, but you need to bring something better and diferent to catch my interest.
This is the first book of the series, but I bet there will be books about these other 3 women kidnappings.
I believe it will be boring AF.
Note: i just read other people's reviews. This is a new series with the same people from another series. Most probably the kidnapping and rescue of the 3 women, one working in the sheriff's department and 2 being private investigators was already been written.
Sorry Dan Padavona, but you need to bring something better and diferent to catch my interest.
February 21, 2024
So many characters. Like jigsaw pieces floating in my head…trying to fit…looking for a solution.
A kidnapped millionaire. An NFL prospect. A private investigator. An ex-gang banger. A sheriff with Aspergers. A burglary ring. A dead ex-con. An overbearing mother. AND a lot of baggage!!
How do we drive out the demons that haunt us? Does it help to throw ourselves headlong into work? Therapy? Avoiding relationships? Avoiding confrontation? How do these demons threaten our self worth? How do we let others in to help?
Pieces in the puzzle coming together. Common threads. Community. Family.
This is the first installment in a series of eight books by Dan Padavona.
More thoughts on books and stuff at mytossiecup.blogspot.com
A kidnapped millionaire. An NFL prospect. A private investigator. An ex-gang banger. A sheriff with Aspergers. A burglary ring. A dead ex-con. An overbearing mother. AND a lot of baggage!!
How do we drive out the demons that haunt us? Does it help to throw ourselves headlong into work? Therapy? Avoiding relationships? Avoiding confrontation? How do these demons threaten our self worth? How do we let others in to help?
Pieces in the puzzle coming together. Common threads. Community. Family.
This is the first installment in a series of eight books by Dan Padavona.
More thoughts on books and stuff at mytossiecup.blogspot.com
May 3, 2025
I had high hopes
The writing is poor, rife with inconsistencies, and the story was predictable. The author tosses in needless information. The characters have no dimension. I was mentally making corrections the whole time I was reading. With multiple unrelated abductions in what appears to be a small community involving main characters, gang members of rival gangs leaving the life, a sheriff in a relationship with a private investigator, home invasions occurring nightly with near misses nabbing the criminals, it was all just too much going on with no real development. One small detail that drove me nuts was the inconsistent use of first and last names - pick one or the other but don't mix and match. I was surprised to learn this author has written so many books.
The writing is poor, rife with inconsistencies, and the story was predictable. The author tosses in needless information. The characters have no dimension. I was mentally making corrections the whole time I was reading. With multiple unrelated abductions in what appears to be a small community involving main characters, gang members of rival gangs leaving the life, a sheriff in a relationship with a private investigator, home invasions occurring nightly with near misses nabbing the criminals, it was all just too much going on with no real development. One small detail that drove me nuts was the inconsistent use of first and last names - pick one or the other but don't mix and match. I was surprised to learn this author has written so many books.
October 24, 2025
A definite must read book and series
It's obviously been quite a while since I've read this series (thank Kindle for the lack of notifications, unfortunately this series wasn't the only one I didn't receive), but the one thing that I can be happy about is that I now get to read several books by this talented author at the same time. Definitely worth it! (Even though I would have liked to read them when they were released)
It's still a fantastic series with terrific characters, humor, drama, angst, mystery, suspense, and intriguing twists that will hook you from beginning to end. I can't wait to read more!
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and exceptional author.
It's obviously been quite a while since I've read this series (thank Kindle for the lack of notifications, unfortunately this series wasn't the only one I didn't receive), but the one thing that I can be happy about is that I now get to read several books by this talented author at the same time. Definitely worth it! (Even though I would have liked to read them when they were released)
It's still a fantastic series with terrific characters, humor, drama, angst, mystery, suspense, and intriguing twists that will hook you from beginning to end. I can't wait to read more!
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and exceptional author.
January 8, 2023
Awful. 1. Main characters pull up to a house and describe it as a 4 bedroom “with a convenient upstairs laundry.” Are they trying to sell it to me?
2. Character goes through a major psychological trauma from which she is rescued and is given CPR. She’s able to give a cogent statement immediately.
3. A character’s mother has held a grudge against his girlfriend for years. This is pointed out to her and she immediately apologizes and mends her ways.
I gave it two stars because some of it is fairly well written.
2. Character goes through a major psychological trauma from which she is rescued and is given CPR. She’s able to give a cogent statement immediately.
3. A character’s mother has held a grudge against his girlfriend for years. This is pointed out to her and she immediately apologizes and mends her ways.
I gave it two stars because some of it is fairly well written.
February 8, 2023
The author got one thing right!
Psychological pain is every bit as devastating as physical pain. Physical pain usually gets better during the healing process but depression and phobias are always waiting for us in the dark and the light.
Thomas is the sheriff in a small town in upstate New York. He’s the owner of a thriving business but prefers being a sheriff. A series of burglaries at a wealthy development, an apparent kidnapping and then a murder are making his life too exciting.
Psychological pain is every bit as devastating as physical pain. Physical pain usually gets better during the healing process but depression and phobias are always waiting for us in the dark and the light.
Thomas is the sheriff in a small town in upstate New York. He’s the owner of a thriving business but prefers being a sheriff. A series of burglaries at a wealthy development, an apparent kidnapping and then a murder are making his life too exciting.
January 11, 2024
i wanted to love this book but i'm so disappointed. i thought i was gunna be really good and juicy but the plot was predictable and honestly i wish there was a book before this book to talk about all the women in the story haven gotten kidnapped before the story takes place. I wanted to read about them and their stories more than the story in front of me. i also was sad that i didn't get a little more symptoms of the MMC's autism. i thought there would be a little more just wishing for more SORRRY
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2025
Just okay for me.
I found the relationship dynamics between some of the main characters to be forced. Not a spoiler... just backstory from the novel: I also didn't care for the fact that two of the mains female characters in the book had gone through a traumatic kidnapping of their own in their past.
Final nit to pick. The author talks repeatedly about how an upcoming football game has a conference championship on the line, but the game is being played in September, which is only three or four games into the season. It took me out of the story every time I came across it.
I found the relationship dynamics between some of the main characters to be forced. Not a spoiler... just backstory from the novel: I also didn't care for the fact that two of the mains female characters in the book had gone through a traumatic kidnapping of their own in their past.
Final nit to pick. The author talks repeatedly about how an upcoming football game has a conference championship on the line, but the game is being played in September, which is only three or four games into the season. It took me out of the story every time I came across it.
January 2, 2023
Dan has got the whole gang working together again both as official and unofficial investigators.
Sports and crime do not mix it seems. Friendships are strained and renewed.
Being overworked can cause relationships strain and they do. A few of our main characters are strained to almost a breaking points.
You need to see how old friendships can twist lives around and make lives miserable, again.
Sports and crime do not mix it seems. Friendships are strained and renewed.
Being overworked can cause relationships strain and they do. A few of our main characters are strained to almost a breaking points.
You need to see how old friendships can twist lives around and make lives miserable, again.
January 21, 2023
Grave Girl (A Thomas Shepherd Mystery Book 1) by Dan Padavona
A non-stop mystery with an amazing team. They would do anything for each other and are all in to find the evil.that is in their town. The team is a mismatch of wonderful eclectic people that work well together and are determined to end what does not belong in their town. There are a few love stories and friendships. Families that pitch in to help. It is a wonderful, hardworking group of people. Just read.
A non-stop mystery with an amazing team. They would do anything for each other and are all in to find the evil.that is in their town. The team is a mismatch of wonderful eclectic people that work well together and are determined to end what does not belong in their town. There are a few love stories and friendships. Families that pitch in to help. It is a wonderful, hardworking group of people. Just read.
December 30, 2022
Fantastic!!!
Another home run for Dan Padavona. Absolutely fantastic book. The first of many I hope. To those of you that love a book with twists, turns, loveable & hateable characters look no further. ALL of the books he has released are incredible reads. Just make sure you have time, because when you start reading you will NOT want to put them down.
Another home run for Dan Padavona. Absolutely fantastic book. The first of many I hope. To those of you that love a book with twists, turns, loveable & hateable characters look no further. ALL of the books he has released are incredible reads. Just make sure you have time, because when you start reading you will NOT want to put them down.
January 15, 2023
Another great novel!
The only question I have is why start another series? All these characters are part of an original series, and I loved those as well. Anyway, well worth reading. The characters are so well defined along with their roles in the story. Looking forward to the next one.
The only question I have is why start another series? All these characters are part of an original series, and I loved those as well. Anyway, well worth reading. The characters are so well defined along with their roles in the story. Looking forward to the next one.
January 27, 2023
Happy to read a great story about some of my favorite characters
I was so thrilled to see a new series around Thomas Shepherd! Reading this story felt like homecoming and getting back in touch with old friends. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more books in the series!
I was so thrilled to see a new series around Thomas Shepherd! Reading this story felt like homecoming and getting back in touch with old friends. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more books in the series!
February 7, 2023
Ho Hum
Disappointed 😞 more of the same. Predictable with a lot of chit chat that was irrelevant. Chelsea PTSD and nightmares got to be tedious and repeditive. She lives with Thomas but they are in a quandary over when and if to get married ? Please, and her skipping on therapy and everyone close of her don't really know if she is or isn't? Donecwith this series.
Disappointed 😞 more of the same. Predictable with a lot of chit chat that was irrelevant. Chelsea PTSD and nightmares got to be tedious and repeditive. She lives with Thomas but they are in a quandary over when and if to get married ? Please, and her skipping on therapy and everyone close of her don't really know if she is or isn't? Donecwith this series.
September 9, 2023
Love This Series
This story has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and continues characters developments that will warm your heart. Entertaining! Although this is a series, the storyline concludes. The only thing that leaves you guessing are where these marvelous characters will go now next.
This story has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and continues characters developments that will warm your heart. Entertaining! Although this is a series, the storyline concludes. The only thing that leaves you guessing are where these marvelous characters will go now next.
December 13, 2023
DNF - got to midway through chapter 53 and couldn't face reading any more.
All through the book references were made to past trauma/experiences in a way that made me double check that I was actually reading book 1.
Couldn't gel with any of the characters.
Some of the outcomes were a little too convenient.
All through the book references were made to past trauma/experiences in a way that made me double check that I was actually reading book 1.
Couldn't gel with any of the characters.
Some of the outcomes were a little too convenient.
January 10, 2023
Grave Girl
OMG. This is a fantastic book. I could not put this book down. I finished it at 5am. In the morning. I had to know how this book ended. Loved this book. Can't wait for the next book in this series. I highly recommend this book.
OMG. This is a fantastic book. I could not put this book down. I finished it at 5am. In the morning. I had to know how this book ended. Loved this book. Can't wait for the next book in this series. I highly recommend this book.
April 22, 2023
about time!
Great book and about time! You must have had a strange childhood t write about so many mental issues, cultural issues and neighborhood issues! Keep em’ coming please!
Seriously folks, start with the first book and read in order… will make way more sense.
Great book and about time! You must have had a strange childhood t write about so many mental issues, cultural issues and neighborhood issues! Keep em’ coming please!
Seriously folks, start with the first book and read in order… will make way more sense.
October 17, 2023
Enjoyed this book. While it says it can be read without reading the wolf lake series, there are a lot of references which appear to be from that series so I am going to back up and read it before continuing this set.
January 14, 2024
Great, thrilling,highly recommend
What can you say, as always non stop intrigue and page turning suspense, it's like your actually a third person watching the events unfolding, great read.
What can you say, as always non stop intrigue and page turning suspense, it's like your actually a third person watching the events unfolding, great read.
July 3, 2024
5-star
Love Padavona's books. You get so involved with the main characters and it's always fun to follow the clues to see if you can guess the right culprit. I highly recommend this book.
Love Padavona's books. You get so involved with the main characters and it's always fun to follow the clues to see if you can guess the right culprit. I highly recommend this book.
March 4, 2025
Not riviting
I struggled to finish this book. It was slow moving and quite repetitive. It’s supposed to be suspenseful as they look for the victim but the title has already given it away.
I struggled to finish this book. It was slow moving and quite repetitive. It’s supposed to be suspenseful as they look for the victim but the title has already given it away.
November 21, 2025
The story was OK, for me, too easy to figure out the "Who dun it." My biggest problem is this isn't Thomas Shepherd #1... it's number 11!! So there were a lot of subplots I just had no interest in at all. I found myself skipping over all those things.
December 28, 2022
Always s hit
A new series with the same unique, diverse and different group of characters. I'm sure this will be a great continuation but with the focus turned slightly.
A new series with the same unique, diverse and different group of characters. I'm sure this will be a great continuation but with the focus turned slightly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews