Shadowed was an enjoyable read.  While the author did not use especially unique or notable prose, she managed to keep the reader uncertain and doubtful.  Black casts doubt on almost every character in the story.  It was great that even the characters with whom the main character shared religious beliefs came under scrutiny.

Although the premise for the story was disturbing in and of itself, it also kept things interesting.  Much of the plot centers around a woman whose unsolved murder of two years has left a town scarred and suspicious.  Catherine Clayton moves to town and is immediately thrust into this tense environment.

Catherine Clayton was an interesting main character.  Sometimes she seemed especially naive, other times thoughtless in her quest for answers and at other times a very thoughtful individual. As a reader, it was hard deciding how to feel about her. 

This great who-done-it novel also inserts a bit of romance.  This aspect of the book was especially well done.  (None of the typical, ‘she shivered or tingled at his touch’, scenes.)  Very impressed in this department!

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Covenant Communications

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: None

Violence/Gore:  Many references to a murder from the past, including speculation about the killer; characters theorize about being strangled, stabbed, shot or killed; characters attack other characters and injure them, two scenes lasting more than one page; some intense, scary scenes; characters report killing others.

Sex/Nudity:  Character says flirtatious things; character put hand on another’s back; non-married characters embrace, hold hands and kiss, a few times.

Mature Subject Matter:

Murder, death of immediate family members, terminal illness, domestic abuse.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Report of character drinking; character rumored to be addicting children to drugs and then turning them into dealers.