Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Shadow Island #3

Shadow's Deadline

Rate this book
The late Sheriff Alden Wallace has barely been laid to rest when another body is found on Shadow Island. Once again, former FBI agent turned interim sheriff Rebecca West’s vacation plans will have to wait.

This time, the victim is the son of one of Shadow Island’s privileged elite. Found gruesomely posed at a picnic table in the park—suffocated, choked, and shot, with a cryptic note shoved in his pants—his death is as personal as it is disturbing.

And he’s the first one on the killer’s list.

When a second young man is murdered in a similar fashion, the questions and the stakes increase. Who had so much rage against these men? A girl they treated poorly? Or were the murders somehow connected to the secretive and exclusive organization of rich men no one on the island wants to talk about?

The deeper Rebecca digs, the more certain she is the Yacht Club is involved in the spate of crimes on the island...and the late Sheriff Wallace may have been covering for them. The club members will stop at nothing to keep their secrets. But Rebecca is determined to expose them, regardless of the cost.

From the provocative beginning to the edge-of-your-seat conclusion, Shadow’s Deadline —the third book in the Shadow Island Series by Mary Stone and Lori Rhodes—will remind you to choose your friends wisely.

Scroll up to grab your copy today!

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 11, 2022

2211 people are currently reading
563 people want to read

About the author

Mary Stone

227 books2,167 followers
To download my FREE BOOK, click here: https://authormarystone.com/free-book...

Nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee, Mary Stone has transformed her peaceful home, once bustling with her sons, into a creative haven. As her family grew, so did her writing career, evolving from childhood fears to a deep understanding of real-life villains. Her stories, centered around strong, unconventional heroines, weave themes of courage and intrigue.

Mary's journey from a solitary writer to establishing her own publishing house marks a significant evolution, showcasing her commitment to the literary world. Through her writing and publishing endeavors, she continues to captivate and inspire, honoring her lifelong fascination with the mysterious and the courageous.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
5,697 (67%)
4 stars
2,237 (26%)
3 stars
412 (4%)
2 stars
49 (<1%)
1 star
16 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
Profile Image for Lisa.
316 reviews52 followers
March 15, 2024
I just finished this, the third book in the SHADOW ISLAND series, and I loved it. The books just keep getting better and better! Rebecca West, our protagonist, is a fabulous character who confronts her investigations full force, doesn’t give a damn whom she might offend, and never backs down!!
In SHADOW’S DEADLINE, she goes head-to-head with some very powerful, ruthless individuals, all the while trying to solve some very grisly murders.

Mary Stone and Lori Rhodes know exactly how to write so that once you pick up one of their books, you simply cannot put it down! And I’m becoming more and more invested in these wonderful characters, as well as their lives on Shadow Island! There’s so much to like about this series, and I can’t wait to start Book 4!! ☺️
Profile Image for Meghan.
3,435 reviews8 followers
November 9, 2022
I couldn’t put it down. This series gets better with each book. West is a great character and her humor, dedication and internal dialogue build the storyline and world so well. Hoyt and the other deputies are interesting and I love how the build the backstories and overarching community. Romance took a slight tip toe forward and so did Wests view of staying permanently. The town members were more present in this story instead of just the victims family and I loved their insight. The gun shop owner and the cafe owner had me smiling and laughing. The killer was someone I did not figure out until the storyline chose to say who it was which I always love! Great read and I can’t wait for the next book to see how all the evidence they found about the Yacht Club comes into play and to see who the leak is!!!
Profile Image for The Humble Jess.
388 reviews29 followers
February 21, 2023
Another fantastic add on to book two

I am really liking this series. The characters were on point except Trent. His name was mentioned only a few times, kinda disappointed. I'm thinking maybe he's a part time character not a full time. I would like to maybe get to know him better. I'm also curious if Rebecca will have a chat with him to either keep him on or fire him.
I liked this book a little more than the others just because this had some more humor. We had humor, jokes, investigation and a killer. The mystery was always, never fails. Mary Stone succeeds with that.

The only thing I was truly disappointed in was we didn't get to see a closing for the Yacht club so maybe the next book?? I'm also curious to know who or where the leak is coming from. Hopefully it's not obvious.
Profile Image for Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs'.
2,801 reviews43 followers
November 7, 2022
Well Mary Stone and her coauthors do write an addictive page turning book. I just devour them when I start reading them.

Although it can be read as a stand alone I think you would get more from it by reading the series from the start. This way you can really understand the yacht club

I was given an advance copy by the author but the review is entirely my own.
162 reviews1 follower
November 5, 2022
Mary Stone has a knack for page-turning mystery writing. I started reading Shadow’s Deadline Friday evening; could not put it down! Was I able to determine the “bad guy” prior to the denouement? Nope! And you won’t either…. Happy reading!
559 reviews12 followers
November 6, 2022
Another killing on shadow Island. The characters revealed more about the mysterious yatch club. You'll get caught up in following the clues and learning more about the mystery.
Profile Image for Naisinkoi.
387 reviews
December 29, 2025
*3.75 Stars

Rebecca left her life behind just to go on a 3 month vacation but clearly that isn’t cut out for her. Another mystery needs to be solved and as each dead body is discovered, there seems to be more and more secrets in this island. Rebecca has to determine who she can and can’t trust as the team in the Sheriff’s office also decides whether they can trust her. The plot thickens with each book of this series. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Carla Black.
350 reviews89 followers
October 29, 2025
It's a very good mystery. If you love mysteries you'll like this Shadow Island series of books. I recommend you try them if you haven't already.
Profile Image for Judy Churchill.
2,567 reviews32 followers
March 16, 2023
I’m becoming more acquainted with these characters and I love the small town island vibe. The murders were horrendous.
30 reviews
March 21, 2025
I am enjoying this series and really like Rebecca West!
Profile Image for Twobchelm.
1,011 reviews19 followers
March 31, 2023
The island heats up with murders and questions about the exclusive Yacht club.
Profile Image for DianaRaven.
1,323 reviews8 followers
November 10, 2022
Intense and Suspenseful Murder Mystery. SHADOW'S DEADLINE is the third installment in the Shadow Island Series by Mary Stone and Lori Rhodes. Not as spine chilling as some of Ms Stone's other series, but just as good in capturing your attention in the first few pages and keeping you engrossed to the beginning to the end with with intrigue and suspense.

Former FBI Special Agent Rebecca West just wanted a quiet vacation while doing some soul searching. But, there's sex trafficking, the sheriff is killed, a kidnapping, and now ... well the bodies just seem to keep coming. So much for a quiet, beach vacation.

I was hooked from the beginning and had a hard time setting the book down for even a few minutes. The mysterious Yacht Club is front and center as some town people are asking if the new Sheriff will have what it takes to find out what has what it takes to stop the murders and bring peace back

If you haven't read any of Mary Stone's books and enjoy thrillers, start now. This series is a little less dark than the others, but still chilling. 

I do recommend this newest series. I did received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Carl.
636 reviews1 follower
September 20, 2023
I only recently discovered Mary Stone's books; however, in this series there is a small growing problem with verisimilitude or credibility. Those types of murders in small towns can happen, but one after another becomes more questionable. Happily, I do like Mary Stone’s writing, so I am able to swallow the unrealistic element and just enjoy the mystery. These books can be read as a stand-alone book; however, I delight how each successive storyline builds upon some element from a previous book and delves deeper. This is an enjoyable mystery series, but it is disturbing plot wise at times.

“Shadow's Deadline” opens with a particularly nasty murder in a park. The victim is found gruesomely posed at a picnic table in the park — suffocated, choked, and shot, with a cryptic note shoved into his pants. The murder victim is the son of one of Shadow Island’s privileged elite. This killing is as personal as it gets. A killer is on the loose and people with ties to the group the "Yacht Club" are dying. But hampering the police investigation, the "Yacht Club" members are keeping their club and membership a secret. When a second person is found murdered in a similar fashion, the questions increase. Who had so much rage against these men? Or were the murders somehow connected to the secretive and exclusive organization of rich men about which no one on the island wants to talk?

This book is a real page turner with an unpredictable plot and interesting characters. The plot was well crafted. Although I enjoyed the first two books in this series, the plot of “Shadow's Deadline” was even more carefully thought out which led to a satisfying conclusion. Stone is a good story teller, and I am interested in exploring some of her other mysteries. If you enjoy a good story and a good contemporary mystery, then the Shadow Island series is highly recommended. So now, on to book four: “Shadow’s Force.”
Profile Image for D.L..
182 reviews2 followers
November 14, 2022
Revenge leaves you breathless

Interim Sheriff Rebecca West received a call of another dead body while attending Sheriff Wallace’s post funeral get together. The quiet peaceful island is anything but peaceful. She and Senior Deputy Hoyt Frost head to the crime scene. The victim was identified as Bryson Gilroy, the son of Albert Gilroy, a wealthy D.C. Lobbyist. Mr. Gilroy had shown up at the crime site demanding to see his son even before he had been identified. Is Bryson Gilroy’s death related to the Yacht Club?

Rebecca is not backing down in trying to uncover a connection to Bryson’s death to the Yacht Club. Her investigation of the Yacht Club is ruffling feathers and she is given a warning to back off. How many more people will die before the killer is found?

Deputy Frost informed Rebecca that Sheriff Wallace kept written files locked away that may provide information on the Yacht Club. What information will be found?

Shadow’s Deadline keeps you interested as there are twists and turns as to who the killer may be. Of course there is now hurricane Boris which appears to be heading their vway. What is going to happen?
41 reviews
December 1, 2022
Rebecca West is one of the most interesting characters that I have come across in a while. She is sharp, witty, dedicated and real and when she is upset she even lets a curse word or two escape her lips. She does not wallow in self pity or doubt like so many female sleuths and I’m rooting for her and Ryker to get together even if for one romantic evening without a murder spoiling their intense chemistry.

In this book Rebecca must solve the murder of not one but three rich boy pimps who are members of the “Yacht Club” and it wasn’t until near the very end that I thought I might know who done it so kudos to the writers.

There is much evil and corruption on Shadow Island and it’s going to take Rebecca and her deputies some fancy footwork to figure out who the bad guys are and survive at the same time and I for one can’t wait to read how they do it but do me a favor, give Rebecca a day or even a night off so she and Ryker can release some of that heat between them.
Profile Image for JigsawGirl.
4,198 reviews
March 16, 2025
This book wasn't too hard to follow. I felt like it provided enough information that if I started with it, I would not be too lost.

I did not understand some of the details about his high school days being shared about Bryson, who was the victim in this book. I wasn't sure if the information was shared so the reader would feel sorry for him. Or, was the information shared in order to explain his very negative behavior. Either way, since it was nor brought up later in the book, I thought it could have easily been left out.

I like the relationships Rebecca is developing in the sheriff's department and with some members of the community. I thought the ending was intriguing and I will be interested to see what direction things take on Shadow Island. This was a pretty easy, no stress read for me. I have been doing some binge reading/listening lately, so I will more than likely move on to the next book. Rating: 3.5 stars
1,161 reviews27 followers
November 15, 2022
This is an ARC book and the third book of the Shadow Island series. I personally think this is a start to one of Mary Stoned better series. That is saying a lot because I love all of her books. Interim Sheriff, Rebecca West, is still trying to make up her mind about this job and if she wants to stay. As she is trying to make a decision after the child trafficking case the Department just solved, another case hits her desk. The son of one of the most prestigious families is found murdered. As Rebecca and the department start investigating, things point to some connection to the mysterious Yacht Club. Will they get the information they need to take this club down or will their investigation lead in another direction? Will Rebecca finally make a decision whether to stay on Shadow Island or leave?
Profile Image for Ann.
2,132 reviews51 followers
May 19, 2023
4.0 stars. Good, but frustrating. After 2 murders another person is supposedly killed, but you never read it actually happening. It's just mentioned later. And the case gets little resolve until the story's suddenly over and the author leads you to read the next book.

I wish the author would actually finalize the existing case(s) before stringing you along to read the next book.

I realize the main goal here is to take down "The Yacht Club". The main villian(s) behind all these other murders in each book. The most evidence so far is revealed in this story. I'm sure it will be much of the same in future books until the author gets them caught or off the hook. But it's frustrating hell to get caught up in the existing murder case before it's swept to the side and on to the next book. This could've been a 5 star read for me, but knocking off a star due to the above.
Profile Image for Julie Born.
96 reviews
August 22, 2023
Good book with a couple of issues

I really like Mary Stone's books, however, in this series as in the Stella Knox series I have a problem with the timeline. Those types of murders in small towns/areas don't happen one after another like this. Also, not just this author but the genre - is there some kind of contest to make the murders more gory and disgusting? And always multiples - more people must die!! In my opinion why not follow a tried and true approach as used in NCIS and Law and order. Average people find body, maybe two, the cops investigate, find evidence, follow evidence and solve the crime. Fluff it out with supporting characters and if done well no need for gorier and gorier murders to get reads. Her plots are very good and stand on their own without the other issues.
Profile Image for Dawn.
380 reviews2 followers
November 11, 2022
Mary Stone’s Shadow’s Deadline is book three in the Shadow Island series. Rebecca West has been in the role of lead sheriff after the death of previous Sheriff Wallace. She continues to show her tremendous skill set and gain the respect of her coworkers and the community. As Wallace is laid to rest, a call comes in about a murder that seems to have links to “The Yacht Club” elite. Threats are made, ranks are closed and another murder occurs. This novel keeps your interest as you grow to enjoy what West brings to the table. The only drawback was the ending. I was a bit disappointed in it as it fell a little flat for me. Overall, a good book that I can recommend. I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for my opinion. All thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Tee loves Kyle Jacobson.
2,536 reviews180 followers
January 6, 2026
Great Mystery

I can't say enough about this series. I fall in love with each book I read. In this one Sheriff West has to solve a murder of a rich kid. She knows he died a horrible death but she is not sure why he was killed. As she starts to dig around town for some answers she is met with more questions than answers. Then she stumbles on some evidence that points to The Yacht Club being involved and she is threatened by the dead boys father for her to mind her own business or she will regret it. But Sheriff West is not taking the threat seriously because she has a crime to solve. That is when a second body turns up dead just like the first. Then she knows for sure the yacht club is involved. What will she find out? Will she catch the killer before he strikes again?
Profile Image for Tami.
213 reviews5 followers
November 15, 2022
Deadlines looming!

Sheriff Rebecca has her hands full again. She went to the island for a vacay that never not a chance to start. She's sitting at a gathering for the old sheriff when yet another case lands in her lap. And it involves the Yacht Club, yet again. She has to investigate while the father of her first victim keeps getting in her way, bullying her, threatening her, trying to tie her hands and the investigation but she finds what she needs to proceed and really can get this case off the ground! Where will she take it next?!? Will she find the killer before they strike again? Another great read! Loving this author and series!
Profile Image for Angela.
8,769 reviews123 followers
December 31, 2025
4 - 4.5 Stars

Shadow's Deadline is the third book in the Shadow Island series by Mary Stone. This collection of twenty books (so far) is a gripping ride through mystery, suspense, and human darkness.
With former FBI agent Rebecca West at the helm, the books masterfully weave high-stakes investigations, layered characters, and island secrets that kept me on edge.
Each installment balances chilling crimes with deeply personal stakes, rendering Shadow Island both a paradise as well as a nightmare.
This is a fast-paced, twist-filled, and psychologically compelling series - a page-turning must for fans of thrillers and atmospheric mysteries.
Happy Reading…
157 reviews
November 11, 2022
Another outstanding book in the Shadow Island series by Mary Stone and Lori Rhodes.
Shadow Island Interim Sheriff Rebecca West finds herself hunting a killer and butting heads with the powerful and mighty rich men of Shadow Island. Rebecca is a very savvy investigator. She can create some very clever traps for these arrogant men to fall into. Of course all this creativity is the result of 2 amazing authors. Their collaboration for this series is brilliant! Thank you for another great read.
35 reviews1 follower
November 14, 2022
I voluntarily reviewed this advance reader copy and have not been compensated in any way.
Shadow's Deadline by Mary Stone and Lori Rhodes is an excellent read. The Gilroys are a very powerful family on the island. Is Rebecca West ready to take them on. After all, she is on her extended vacation! What is the Yacht Club? When several people are found dead how are they all tied together, or are they? Intrigue, suspense, exciting, descriptive are just a few words to describe this book. Highly recommend.
74 reviews
July 12, 2024
And the fast paced action continues!

Before Sheriff West can even grab a bite to eat at the celebration picnic, another dead body has been found! Seems like she will still be sheriff as they try to solve this next murder. She's also starting to feel like, just maybe, she wants to stay being the sheriff. There are some good people in Shadow Island too. She's been helping them. Why not stick around and see what's next? End of this book says a hurricane is to hit the coast! Oh boy! What's next?
Profile Image for Bev.
3,275 reviews98 followers
November 8, 2022
The story continues on Shadow Island. This time there is someone or someones murdering some very high-powered people and their family, on the day that they laid the previous sheriff to rest. Can Sheriff West find the connection? It doesn't help that a lobbyist from D.C. is threatening her at every turn. He may think he can push her around, but he has no idea what Sheriff West is capable of. I eagerly await the next installment.
Profile Image for Mary Mitchell.
1,032 reviews8 followers
November 11, 2022
Wow, what a fast read!! I absolutely could not put this down. The sheriffs funeral is on the schedule but a murder has happened so they all run to the scene. The elite group is stunned when one of their sons is murdered but they don’t want anyone to check because they might find out some of their secrets. Can this be connected to the Yacht club? Can they connect the dots before more dangerous situations happen? Wow o wow this is a very good mystery and the murderer is very surprising!!
40 reviews
November 11, 2022
The Yacht Club has been the de facto enemy of Shadow Island for decades. No one in the sheriffs department ever had the courage to take them on, until interim Sheriff Rebecca West came to town. The Yacht Club was responsible for the previous sheriff’s death, as well as prostituting countless young girls on the Island. Rebecca West has faced down powerful men in the past. The tide is turning for the boys at the Yacht Club. Sheriff West is focused and unafraid.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.