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Without A Trace #4
A Cloud of Suspicion
"What's he doing back in town?"
With his black leather jacket, Patrick Rivers looks every inch the bad boy the townsfolk believe him to be. Ten years ago, he left Loomis, Louisiana, under a cloud of suspicion. Back to settle his stepfather's estate, Patrick knows he isn't welcome and can't wait to leave. Until Shelby Mason gives him a reason to stay. Because Shelby knows a secret…and someone in Loomis will do anything to keep her quiet.
With his black leather jacket, Patrick Rivers looks every inch the bad boy the townsfolk believe him to be. Ten years ago, he left Loomis, Louisiana, under a cloud of suspicion. Back to settle his stepfather's estate, Patrick knows he isn't welcome and can't wait to leave. Until Shelby Mason gives him a reason to stay. Because Shelby knows a secret…and someone in Loomis will do anything to keep her quiet.
202 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
70 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Davids
142 books404 followersI was born and raised in Northcentral Kansas. I'm a farmer's daughter, but I now make my home in the city of Wichita. I'm an RN. Neonatal nursing has been the main focus of my career. What can I say? I love babies. I was invited to the highschool graduation of a baby I took care of. Talk about making me feel old!
In June of 2011 I became a widow after my husband of 36 years and 11 months died from multiple brain tumors. It was a very sad time, but thanks to the three f's, my faith, my family and my friends, life is moving forward. I have four brothers, one daughter and two grandchildren who all work at making me feel loved.
I'm the author of more than 30 books and I'm currently writing a series called The Brides of Amish Country for Love Inspired.
In June of 2011 I became a widow after my husband of 36 years and 11 months died from multiple brain tumors. It was a very sad time, but thanks to the three f's, my faith, my family and my friends, life is moving forward. I have four brothers, one daughter and two grandchildren who all work at making me feel loved.
I'm the author of more than 30 books and I'm currently writing a series called The Brides of Amish Country for Love Inspired.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 7, 2024
Good book in a good series.
February 5, 2022
I was given this book by a friend. When I picked this book up I saw the author and she’s one I really enjoy. I loved the book. The story was the kind that keeps you on the edge of your seat. However, I got to the last page, so excited to see who done it, and it’s a to be continued book. I hate that. So because it’s from 2009 I had to go to my favorite used book website, ThriftBooks, and low and behold, they have the next two books in the series. This is the first book in this series I read but it is book #4. I’m excited to see who the murderer is. Since there are only two books left after this, I ordered them used. Can’t wait to to read the next 2 books.
It’s cool because each book in the series is written by a different author. I would highly recommend this book.
It’s cool because each book in the series is written by a different author. I would highly recommend this book.
August 15, 2016
This was hard to read... I have to wonder if writing this barely took an effort. The characters weren't very developed, the romance was instant (which of course is okay as this is a love inspired book) and the killer is over the top evil. The girl was completely perfect (she was no longer chunky, but had perfect beautiful curves, long red hair, long lashes, and so on) the guy was perfectly imperfect (a bad guy look, with a hooded gaze, leather jacket, powerful muscles and abs) and yeah, they are naturally attracted to each other (DUH THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL WHY WOULDN'T THEY FALL IN LOVE). All in all, a decent quick read for those of you who thrive on romance and the following scenes: "He swept her into his arms..." "She trembled in his strong embrace..." "He never wanted to let her go..." "Her lips trembled..." Yup. She's very delicate. He's very strong.... But you know, the author is making money off of this, so what can I say? And people enjoy reading this stuff, I'm just one of the rare few who enjoy other means of entertainment. A quick easy read for a rainy day and enough suspense to keep you interested.
January 3, 2024
A new author to me who was a fun new find. I liked this story of a former bad boy coming back to reckon with his past and finding more than he bargained for--a lot more, with the current danger in town. Shelby was a fun character to get to know with her librarian ways and the way she relates to people in the town.
July 22, 2024
A Cloud of Suspicion
A rapist has come back to town, but did he do it? Ten years ago he was accused of rape, there was not enough evidence, but he left town. Now he is back. Good clean romance.
A rapist has come back to town, but did he do it? Ten years ago he was accused of rape, there was not enough evidence, but he left town. Now he is back. Good clean romance.
September 2, 2024
One step closer
This one was scarier yet. But I loved that Leah's friend Shelby also got her happy ending. Also, I loved that Patrick and Wyatt repaired their friendship. I am definitely not a fan of the sheriff in this town. But the sneak peak at the killer was fascinating.
This one was scarier yet. But I loved that Leah's friend Shelby also got her happy ending. Also, I loved that Patrick and Wyatt repaired their friendship. I am definitely not a fan of the sheriff in this town. But the sneak peak at the killer was fascinating.
February 6, 2018
Awesome read, really enjoying this series
January 24, 2019
Best book of this series.
February 12, 2019
A Cloud of Suspicion review
A Cloud of Suspicion is the fourth romantic suspense book in the Without a Trace series written by author Patricia Davids.
A Cloud of Suspicion is the fourth romantic suspense book in the Without a Trace series written by author Patricia Davids.
October 11, 2020
I really enjoy this author's work, but having a series written by different authors is not my favorite idea.
December 18, 2020
Waste of time
This book has no ending —and the beginning and middle are a waste of time. A hard pass for me.
This book has no ending —and the beginning and middle are a waste of time. A hard pass for me.
August 7, 2021
I liked the characters but was so disappointed when I got to the end because nothing is wrapped up. I was left with so many questions.
August 21, 2021
Book 4 of a series! I didn't know when I started this book, but I was a little suspicious that I was missing earlier information. Now I have to find book 1!
January 10, 2023
At the end of the book I received a shock. The killer is not revealed. Even before I got that far I wanted to read the rest of the books in the series. So now I am determined to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2023
lots of good suspense!
Wow, what an ending! Such a good suspense. Lots of things going on. People arrested. Truths told. I am loving this series!
Wow, what an ending! Such a good suspense. Lots of things going on. People arrested. Truths told. I am loving this series!
December 29, 2024
Really good read but we still don't know what happened to Leah.
June 21, 2025
Twists and turns through out this series has me back and forth on what is going on.
February 16, 2015
Without a Trace
Book 4
In this book, we meet Leah's best friend who is also a librarian. Town bad boy, Patrick Rivers, returns after his step-father dies and requests he returns to settle his estate. Patrick was accused of rape ten years ago, and the accuser and witness is still part of Loomis. Meanwhile, somebody is after Shelby.
I really enjoyed watching Patrick and Shelby get together. I enjoyed the bad boy on a motorcycle turn into a big teddy bear and jump to Shelby's protection. The story surrounding Patrick was really good. The ending to this story was really surprising. I like how it all came together and how things turned out for Shelby and Patrick (thought the where are we going to live was stupidly resolved a bit too easily).
And at the end of the book, we get some revelations that put new twists on this plot. I can hardly wait to read the last two books in this series to learn how everything turns out. I'm excited that FINALLY the brother gets his own story!
One annoying thing about this book was the "y'all." Living in Arkansas, we use this word some but I didn't understand why it was used have the time. You all should mean "all of you" not "one of you..." I finally had to substitute that word for another in my reading just to deal with it, LOL
But I really, really, really liked this couple!
Book 4
In this book, we meet Leah's best friend who is also a librarian. Town bad boy, Patrick Rivers, returns after his step-father dies and requests he returns to settle his estate. Patrick was accused of rape ten years ago, and the accuser and witness is still part of Loomis. Meanwhile, somebody is after Shelby.
I really enjoyed watching Patrick and Shelby get together. I enjoyed the bad boy on a motorcycle turn into a big teddy bear and jump to Shelby's protection. The story surrounding Patrick was really good. The ending to this story was really surprising. I like how it all came together and how things turned out for Shelby and Patrick (thought the where are we going to live was stupidly resolved a bit too easily).
And at the end of the book, we get some revelations that put new twists on this plot. I can hardly wait to read the last two books in this series to learn how everything turns out. I'm excited that FINALLY the brother gets his own story!
One annoying thing about this book was the "y'all." Living in Arkansas, we use this word some but I didn't understand why it was used have the time. You all should mean "all of you" not "one of you..." I finally had to substitute that word for another in my reading just to deal with it, LOL
But I really, really, really liked this couple!
July 30, 2023
This installment of the 'Without a Trace' series moved along fairly quickly for me. (I think a large part of that is that I'm quite familiar with the author's writing, so I didn't need any time to 'get into the groove' of their style.)
I liked getting to know Shelby more. She has been a background character for the entirety of the series so far, so understanding her heart and motivations was good. I enjoyed her heart for trying to be a blessing to others, and that she tried her best to trust God in even the most trying circumstances.
I wasn't so sure of Patrick at first, but he 'grew on me' quickly. I understood why he wanted to be in and out of Loomis as quickly as he could, but also loved that Shelby's kindness to him softened his heart, not only to her, but to the God he thought had abandoned him.
We still don't know what has happened with Leah, and with the other murders in Loomis, but I think this book went a long way to answering some of the questions, and cementing in my mind my theory on 'whodunnit'.
3.5 stars
I liked getting to know Shelby more. She has been a background character for the entirety of the series so far, so understanding her heart and motivations was good. I enjoyed her heart for trying to be a blessing to others, and that she tried her best to trust God in even the most trying circumstances.
I wasn't so sure of Patrick at first, but he 'grew on me' quickly. I understood why he wanted to be in and out of Loomis as quickly as he could, but also loved that Shelby's kindness to him softened his heart, not only to her, but to the God he thought had abandoned him.
We still don't know what has happened with Leah, and with the other murders in Loomis, but I think this book went a long way to answering some of the questions, and cementing in my mind my theory on 'whodunnit'.
3.5 stars
January 24, 2015
I read book 3 in this series out of turn, not knowing that it belonged in a series; so, I was privy to "spoilers" when I began to read the first two books. Fortunately, there was plenty to hold my interest, anyway. Those books did have their own stand-alone plots as well as the elements that are woven into the series as a whole. Now, I am where I should be reading in the series and I'm happy not to know what's going to happen as the plot unfolds.
Considering my dislike of unresolved endings, I am glad I have the next book in this series ready to start reading, today.
Gotta hand it to the author, though; it takes great talent to create a stand-alone story within the greater plot of the series' murder mystery without revealing more than a new clue or two.
Considering my dislike of unresolved endings, I am glad I have the next book in this series ready to start reading, today.
Gotta hand it to the author, though; it takes great talent to create a stand-alone story within the greater plot of the series' murder mystery without revealing more than a new clue or two.
November 20, 2010
Shelby Mason is Leah's best friend. Leah has been missing for over 3 months only days after her husbands murder.
Patrick Rivers who looked like the bad boy people thought he was has returned to Loomis after the death of his step dad. The will said he needed to come home to go through everything himself if he wanted the money. He did want the money to buy his own business.
Shelby was no longer the overweight girl Patrick remembered from 10 years before but a beautiful woman. Patrick just wanted to get out of town as he had been falsely accused of rape 10 years ago and people still looked at him as he was guilty.
This is book 4 in the Without a Trace series.
Patrick Rivers who looked like the bad boy people thought he was has returned to Loomis after the death of his step dad. The will said he needed to come home to go through everything himself if he wanted the money. He did want the money to buy his own business.
Shelby was no longer the overweight girl Patrick remembered from 10 years before but a beautiful woman. Patrick just wanted to get out of town as he had been falsely accused of rape 10 years ago and people still looked at him as he was guilty.
This is book 4 in the Without a Trace series.
June 9, 2011
I really liked the fast pace story, though the ending left me going...."WHAT?!" a quick read with a good characters. I didn't realize it was part of series (this one is number 4). i have read a couple others in the series but now i am rereading in order.
December 24, 2013
Patrick returns to town after his step-father passes away and he must arrange all of his estate. Leah's friend Shelby is so very worried but has some information that may help the case. Can she help Patrick survive the old accusations of rape?
202 pages
202 pages
July 28, 2009
Part of the "Without a Trace" story line, centering around Shelby Mason and Patrick Rivers, a man who left town under a cloud of suspicion during college.
Read
January 9, 2010good book
August 23, 2010
Ok so I had no idea this was part of a series. Now I want to read the rest of the books. This is a VERY quick read, but it was interesting enough at the end that I wanted to know more.
October 21, 2010
Good suspense. I enjoyed the story and didn't put the book down till I finished it. Clean Christian, easy to read book!
May 21, 2012
Book 4 Without A Trace
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews