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A Whisper in the Shadows
Layla is a devoted mother and wife, but when someone from her past is gunned down and left for dead, she returns to her previous life that her family knows nothing about.
Now Layla must keep her secret safe from her family, and find the people who shot the man who rescued her from living on the streets and who turned her into a professional hitwoman.
Layla races against time while navigating twists and turns before her dark past catches up to her and her family becomes a target.
Now Layla must keep her secret safe from her family, and find the people who shot the man who rescued her from living on the streets and who turned her into a professional hitwoman.
Layla races against time while navigating twists and turns before her dark past catches up to her and her family becomes a target.
100 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2022
1 person is currently reading
348 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 11, 2023
In A Whisper in the Shadows, author Scott Macfadyen has created a very enjoyable, albeit very short, read that is exciting from the first page to the last and I would recommend it highly to anyone who enjoys a great mystery or action-filled story.
On the first page, we meet Layla, a very dedicated wife and mother, and a very strong female lead to the story. Layla has a past that her family knows nothing about and she would very much like to keep it that way. As she and her husband Matt sit in the living room planning a family vacation for their daughter, the phone rings and Layla’s past appears front and center. Her “uncle” Tony has been shot and left for dead and the doctors want Layla there as soon as possible since she is listed as his next of kin.
What follows is eighty-five thrilling pages as Layla returns to her life on the streets as a professional hit woman, determined to find out who shot the man who saved her so many years ago, why, and to make sure the guilty party pays. Sending her husband and daughter away on their vacation to keep them safe, Layla goes “home” and after that, the action never stops until the very last page, which came way too soon for this reader.
I love a story that catches you on page one and keeps you enthralled until the final page and this is definitely one of those. I also adore a lead female character that is strong, smart, and lets nothing get in her way when she is determined, and Layla is undeniably just that kind of character. I honestly wasn’t expecting the depth of the plot that was presented given the length of the book, but I have to say that this author really succeeded. The reader is able to stay involved throughout. There are so many surprising twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages in order to find out what could possibly be next.
It is very well-written and the characters, each one of them, are such a huge part of the story. Even when the story may seem a bit confusing, and I quickly realized that was done on purpose, you are drawn in without realizing it… that, in my opinion, is excellent writing. If I had to give one criticism about the book, it would be that it could have used another round of proofreading before publication, but this in no way takes away from the plot or the exciting read.
A Whisper in the Shadows is the type of book that makes you want more from this author and, hopefully, more about this character. Perhaps next time we could get a longer story. If Mr. Macfadyen could keep up these amazing twists and turns in the storyline, a longer novel about Layla would be just a joy to read. Excellent job and I really do hope to see more from this author in the future. I just became a big fan and I think you will too!!
On the first page, we meet Layla, a very dedicated wife and mother, and a very strong female lead to the story. Layla has a past that her family knows nothing about and she would very much like to keep it that way. As she and her husband Matt sit in the living room planning a family vacation for their daughter, the phone rings and Layla’s past appears front and center. Her “uncle” Tony has been shot and left for dead and the doctors want Layla there as soon as possible since she is listed as his next of kin.
What follows is eighty-five thrilling pages as Layla returns to her life on the streets as a professional hit woman, determined to find out who shot the man who saved her so many years ago, why, and to make sure the guilty party pays. Sending her husband and daughter away on their vacation to keep them safe, Layla goes “home” and after that, the action never stops until the very last page, which came way too soon for this reader.
I love a story that catches you on page one and keeps you enthralled until the final page and this is definitely one of those. I also adore a lead female character that is strong, smart, and lets nothing get in her way when she is determined, and Layla is undeniably just that kind of character. I honestly wasn’t expecting the depth of the plot that was presented given the length of the book, but I have to say that this author really succeeded. The reader is able to stay involved throughout. There are so many surprising twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages in order to find out what could possibly be next.
It is very well-written and the characters, each one of them, are such a huge part of the story. Even when the story may seem a bit confusing, and I quickly realized that was done on purpose, you are drawn in without realizing it… that, in my opinion, is excellent writing. If I had to give one criticism about the book, it would be that it could have used another round of proofreading before publication, but this in no way takes away from the plot or the exciting read.
A Whisper in the Shadows is the type of book that makes you want more from this author and, hopefully, more about this character. Perhaps next time we could get a longer story. If Mr. Macfadyen could keep up these amazing twists and turns in the storyline, a longer novel about Layla would be just a joy to read. Excellent job and I really do hope to see more from this author in the future. I just became a big fan and I think you will too!!
January 17, 2025
This debut novella for Scott Macfadyen was super interesting. Being a Canadian, it was refreshing to read a story based in locations that I have lived and currently live in. Knowing exactly what smell this author was trying to depict (faint smell of mini donuts at the PNE) brought back so many memories for me.
This story is a gang/crime/vigilante trope and not my usual interest, but he captivated me with what was dormant in Layla's sordid past and why she was so convicted in needing to avenge her Uncle.
Scott had an interesting plot twist at the end of the story that I didn't see coming, but was rather perfect.
I can't wait to see what else this author releases in the future.
This story is a gang/crime/vigilante trope and not my usual interest, but he captivated me with what was dormant in Layla's sordid past and why she was so convicted in needing to avenge her Uncle.
Scott had an interesting plot twist at the end of the story that I didn't see coming, but was rather perfect.
I can't wait to see what else this author releases in the future.
August 31, 2024
A short, fun book about a woman who assassinates bad guys in downtown Vancouver. It reminded me of The Equalizer movies.
It had a good build up to the climax, and very good character development. It relied a little too heavily on Hollywood clichés though.
It had a good build up to the climax, and very good character development. It relied a little too heavily on Hollywood clichés though.
August 28, 2024
This story takes place in Vancouver, British Columbia and it centers around a former hitwoman, Layla, called back into action, after finding out the her mentor was struck down.
Layla, wife and mother, fights with herself and her identity when called back to action as she had thought she had left that lifestyle behind, but when she is called back, she remembers how much she loves it and all the feeling it made her feel while being the bad ass woman that she is.
As she hunts down her targets, she finds out all the pieces that she needs to know to get to the top of the 'food chain' and avenge her mentor. Along the way, she finds secrets that are absolutely life changing, and she will protect her family at all cost.
While this story was short, it was AMAZING! Full action pack from start to finish that it was hard to put down! 100% recommend.
Layla, wife and mother, fights with herself and her identity when called back to action as she had thought she had left that lifestyle behind, but when she is called back, she remembers how much she loves it and all the feeling it made her feel while being the bad ass woman that she is.
As she hunts down her targets, she finds out all the pieces that she needs to know to get to the top of the 'food chain' and avenge her mentor. Along the way, she finds secrets that are absolutely life changing, and she will protect her family at all cost.
While this story was short, it was AMAZING! Full action pack from start to finish that it was hard to put down! 100% recommend.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews