Another fantastic Kate Marshall read, love Roberts books, wasn't sure he could top Erica Foster, but he's smashed it with Kate, a great story from start to finish, couldnt put it down

This new one by Robert Bryndza is fantastic! Kate and her son Jake stumble upon a body while scuba diving in the Shadow Sands reservoir. She and her associate Tristan find that this is not the first tragedy related to this area and body of water. Not only that, but there seems to be some type of cover-up, as it's written off as a typical drowning, when it becomes clear it is anything but that.

There's a mysterious family, The Bakers, tied to this area who are not keen to speak to anyone about local disappearances and what could be more deaths. But Kate and Tristan are determined to find out what's really happening here and why their local police force is only too willing to yield to the whims of the Baker family. Yes, the family holds great wealth, but is law enforcement really that corrupt? And is the recent disappearance of a lecturer at Kate & Tristan's college also tied to this family?

It's a great mystery with a sinister family that you just know are deeply involved. It's hard to see how Kate and Tristan will be able to crack the case when everyone is determined to keep them away and the Bakers are allowed to do as they please. There's also a sweet sub-plot involving Tristan and his sister that provides more insight into his character. It's another great chapter in what I hope will become a long series!

This is book 2 in Kate Marshall series and this books just makes me anxious for book 3!! Kate has been a detective, had an affair with a serial killer, became a criminal lecturer and private detective. In this book she is 'looking' for a missing young woman after she goes diving with her son (by the serial killer) and finds a body. People disappear. YES Robert Bryndza writes an enjoyable read. Great characters, a twist or two in a mystery and of course I'm up for the ride. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Keep on writing Robert!

Shadow Sands, the second novel in Byrndza's Kate Marshall amateur sleuth series, is a fast paced exciting serial killer read sure to have wide appeal because of its readability and accessibility. Marshall is not quite an amateur. She's a former police detective whose lover was her superior and turned out to be a crazed serial killer. Now, recovering from years of alcohol abuse and emotional turmoil, Marshall is a mother and a university lecturer. But, she gets involved in murder cases like any amateur does, stumbling over a body while diving with her 16-year-old son in the reservoir and, despite appearances, doesn't accept that it's an accidental drowning.

There are a lot of spoilers with regards to Bryndza's earlier novel, Nine Elms. So, probably best to read that one first. As noted, it's one of those cases where it feels an amateur sleuth and her trusty assistant Tristan are in over their heads, but it was still an easy enjoyable read.

Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.

I have really enjoyed Robert Bryndza's other books so I was really excited to read Shadow Sands. I enjoy meeting the characters again and how the books are linked and this was no different.

An ex-cop stumbles upon a crime scene and senses something is not right and uses her expertise and a companion to solve the case herself. At times absolutely terrifying, and with great detail around the crime scenes but this is something I enjoy in a thriller. I would not recommend reading this home alone.

I love the way the writing flows and the set up of the chapters, flicking from different perspectives and how a second crime is always introduced, somehow linking to the main plot - I love the "a ha!" moment when the subplot links up. I enjoy how the writing seems to "speed up" towards the end of the book, I finished the second half a lot quicker than the first half.

A highlight for me was that I did not work out the "twist" until the plot was unfolding at the end, I often work out the twists or endings of a book well before the end, but Robert always leaves me guessing until the last moments.

I would say that the link to Nine Elms was not massively important - it didn't add anything to the experience for me but it was nice as a reader to see what came of Kate Marshall. You could still easily read Shadows Sands without having read Nine Elms, it makes complete sense as a standalone book.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a slightly gruesome, genuinely frightening book and a darn good mystery (but be prepared to google "what noise do night vision googles make?")

3 and 1 / 2 stars

This book introduced me to a new character in the form of former police detective Kate Marshall. She now takes on an occasional private detective gig.

She and her teenage son are scuba diving in a reservoir when they discover the badly damaged body of a young man. The locum pathologist put the death down to accidental drowning. However, the young man's mother pleads with Kate to look into his case. He was training to join the Olympic team. He couldn't have drowned and he didn't drink.

Reluctantly, Kate takes the case and starts by visiting her favorite pathologist. He was on a day off when the autopsy was done. He is very dissatisfied with the cause of death and says he will look into it.

The young man was murdered.

Kate and her graduate student Tristan embark on an investigation and discover that there are several people who have been reported missing. Some of the bodies have been found. Their investigation leads them into danger and and takes some surprising turns.

This book is fairly well written. It doesn't measure up to Mr. Bryndza's previous novels, however. It didn't have the action or the punch. I think I'll stick to his other characters.

I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review.

Fantastic second book in this series! From page 1, I could not put this book down. Lots of suspects that kept me guessing until the very end.

Can’t wait for book 3.

This is a must read series!!!! Loved it.

Thank you #netgalley and #thimasandmercer for the eARC.

Omg i am so pleased i was given the opportunity to read this book before it was published. Brilliant second book in series. Chilled me to the bones i could think of nothing else than being stranded on the moors.