What do you think?
Rate this book
Umbra: Shadows Over Hinge
***Previously Published as Umbra: A Post-Apocalyptic Mystery***
Returning from an exasperating bride train run, Vera Lynde senses growing tension in the town of Hinge. First, she finds the Kick’s men clearing land outside the Wall, threatening her house. Then comes the shocking, violent murder of the amiable Brother Adams of the Hosts. With his senseless death came the theft of a relic priceless to their order, reducing Hinge not into a refuge from the dregs of inhumanity—but into a prison.
Maverick Vera must slide into the role of detective, enlist the help of allies old and new. She must break the facades of Hinge’s denizens to peel back the shadows, uproot the scandals and plots that reach far beyond Hinge, beyond the Circuit, maybe beyond the Margin.
Risking her home, her livelihood and even her life, can Vera find the relic—and justice—for the town of Hinge?
Welcome to the world of Umbra
No one knows how long ago the Visitation occurred, but the catastrophe left mankind with little more than memories and ruins. The Circuit insulated a ring of communities scrabbling to maintain civilization in the midst of looters, slavers, robbers, murderers, promising a revival of a semblance of civilization. Hinge sits at its heart, a thriving hub of trade, industry and even spirituality, serving as home to the Hosts of the Visitation and their patron, Umbra.
The Visitation lingers in no man's memory, but a new shadow is about to be cast over the world.
Returning from an exasperating bride train run, Vera Lynde senses growing tension in the town of Hinge. First, she finds the Kick’s men clearing land outside the Wall, threatening her house. Then comes the shocking, violent murder of the amiable Brother Adams of the Hosts. With his senseless death came the theft of a relic priceless to their order, reducing Hinge not into a refuge from the dregs of inhumanity—but into a prison.
Maverick Vera must slide into the role of detective, enlist the help of allies old and new. She must break the facades of Hinge’s denizens to peel back the shadows, uproot the scandals and plots that reach far beyond Hinge, beyond the Circuit, maybe beyond the Margin.
Risking her home, her livelihood and even her life, can Vera find the relic—and justice—for the town of Hinge?
Welcome to the world of Umbra
No one knows how long ago the Visitation occurred, but the catastrophe left mankind with little more than memories and ruins. The Circuit insulated a ring of communities scrabbling to maintain civilization in the midst of looters, slavers, robbers, murderers, promising a revival of a semblance of civilization. Hinge sits at its heart, a thriving hub of trade, industry and even spirituality, serving as home to the Hosts of the Visitation and their patron, Umbra.
The Visitation lingers in no man's memory, but a new shadow is about to be cast over the world.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2014
2 people want to read
About the author
T.R. Neff
10 books1 followerHead on over to her blog (link below), or sign up for the free newsletter here to get all of the latest, including updates on her current WIP, the sequel to Umbra: Shadows Over Hinge.
T. R. Neff, "Torrie" to her friends.
She refuses to be pigeonholed as a writer, and prefers the following genres:
Post-Apocalyptic Mysteries
Black-Humored, Roman-flavored and/or Eschatological Fantasy
Psychodramatic, Atavistic Horror (the more Lovecraftian / Barkerish, the better)
In other words, whatever the hell she feels like writing.
She loves Jesus/God/Holy Spirit, her parents and grandparents, peeps (the baby birds and her friends), opals (black, fire, milky!), MMA fighting, guns, Mustangs (all three kinds), her US Navy and shipmates, goats, rhinos (animal themes here, hm...), etc.
Contrary to popular belief (and outrageous* rumors), she's been VERY female all of her life and intends to keep it that way.
*Credit goes to John Cleese and the rest of the Monty Python crew for use of his Holy Grail pronunciation of "outrageous." I am ever indebted...
T. R. Neff, "Torrie" to her friends.
She refuses to be pigeonholed as a writer, and prefers the following genres:
Post-Apocalyptic Mysteries
Black-Humored, Roman-flavored and/or Eschatological Fantasy
Psychodramatic, Atavistic Horror (the more Lovecraftian / Barkerish, the better)
In other words, whatever the hell she feels like writing.
She loves Jesus/God/Holy Spirit, her parents and grandparents, peeps (the baby birds and her friends), opals (black, fire, milky!), MMA fighting, guns, Mustangs (all three kinds), her US Navy and shipmates, goats, rhinos (animal themes here, hm...), etc.
Contrary to popular belief (and outrageous* rumors), she's been VERY female all of her life and intends to keep it that way.
*Credit goes to John Cleese and the rest of the Monty Python crew for use of his Holy Grail pronunciation of "outrageous." I am ever indebted...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 23, 2024
This one is definitely not one you finish in a day. It's a slower paced mystery then most but the storyline is really engaging. I definitely had trouble finding the guilty party.
It's a futuristic, dystopian like where the workd is mostly desert like, dead land broken up into walled "cities" on a circuit. Vera Lynde or Detective Vera usually works the bride trains, think mail order bride. After the violent murder of her frien Vrother Adams, Vera is assigned to solve the case. Most of the book is the investigation and apprehension of the murderer as well as some other murders to distract from the real case. The relic. It went missing when Brother Adams was shot. With coded messages, weird apparitions, Umbra, their god, lots of drinking, and much more.
The plot may move a little slower than others but that just helps build up the anticipation. I was totally floored at the ending and the short blurb at the book has me so excited for the sequel. There are very few books I rush to check for sequels and this was one of them! Looking for a mystery this is it! Happy reading!
It's a futuristic, dystopian like where the workd is mostly desert like, dead land broken up into walled "cities" on a circuit. Vera Lynde or Detective Vera usually works the bride trains, think mail order bride. After the violent murder of her frien Vrother Adams, Vera is assigned to solve the case. Most of the book is the investigation and apprehension of the murderer as well as some other murders to distract from the real case. The relic. It went missing when Brother Adams was shot. With coded messages, weird apparitions, Umbra, their god, lots of drinking, and much more.
The plot may move a little slower than others but that just helps build up the anticipation. I was totally floored at the ending and the short blurb at the book has me so excited for the sequel. There are very few books I rush to check for sequels and this was one of them! Looking for a mystery this is it! Happy reading!
January 5, 2023
A good read. I enjoyed the post-apocalyptic world created by the author. Some strong characters and a convoluted story kept me engaged from the start. anyone who enjoys dystopian or apocalyptic novels will love this one. There is certainly room for a follow-up.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews