This book was just amazing! I can't describe the wild ride it took me on right from the beginning. I liked the characters and can't wait to see where the next book goes.

Thanl you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this copy of Shadow Falls (Detective Madison Harper Book 1) by Wendy Dranfield. 

Shadow Falls is the story of two investigators, both having served time for a crime that they say they did not commit and their search for a missing girl from a summer camp. Nate Monroe is an unlicensed private investigator who claims that he was framed for the murder of the woman he loved. Madison Harper is a former police detective who claims to have been framed for a crime by her own police department. Between the two of them they have the investigative know-how and inside connections to find out what happened to the missing little girl if they aren't already too late. 

This was a solid first book in this new series. I found the characters to be interesting enough that I definitely want to read the next book to find out what happens to them next. The dialogue felt a little forced and unnatural at times but all in all it was really well-written, enjoyable mystery.

Ohmahgawd...

What a crazy, wild ride. I am not sure where to begin. But what a book. Interesting concept for main characters plus what a mystery. I can’t wait to see where this goes because man am I invested.

OMG Wendy what have you done to me. This was dark and twisty and just something else!! Frigging hell my mind and emotions are all over the place. What a powerhouse start to a new series. I need to catch my breath!!

Wendy is one of my favourite authors and I don’t even need to read the blurb. She knows I am the biggest fan of Dean in her other series, well a close first behind her of course. But I think that I will be clawing my way to the top with this series. Nate and Madison are an entirely new ball game.

Nate, sentenced to death row but got released after 17 years. But with one woman dead and another missing how long until his past catches up to him.

We then have Madison, who was a Detective but framed for a murder she didn’t commit. She lost her son and ex-girlfriend and she is out seeking the truth. Although, I think that we might get some answers in the next book.

These explosive characters are so flawed. Flawed in a way that I am enamoured with them but also slightly wary of the darkness that is within them. Nate has a dark side that I reckon we will see one day and that day all hell will rain down.

Back to the story, it has left me speechless. Boy, I didn’t expect it. It was such a terrifying look at what could go wrong. Past, present are intertwined. Nates past to being incarcerated, the case of the missing girl at Camp Fearless and a psychiatrist reading an unknown diary. A woman is struggling big time.

What I love is that this book focuses on one case, one disappearance. Just one. There is no senseless murder spree, we have a missing girl and we need to find her because things are dire. I mean they really were. Of course, we have our red herrings and I still liked one of them for it. However, when you learn the truth, I felt cold inside, I felt my eyes well up at the complete misjustice of it all. No one should have to suffer like this. It was dark and harrowing and it had me flicking the pages on the kindle so quickly as I needed to know how it would all end.

The dynamic of Nate and Madison is fascinating to watch. One who has had his faith rocked, his world is about to combust but he is still there trying to do what is right. The other, not use to being on the wrong side of the law, struggling to find her place as she struggles with whom to trust. From the opening pages, I was hooked as I craved to learn more about what makes them tick. What happened in this case and in their past and where they would go from here.

The short answer well its a dark and shadowy path, one I think both might miss the line completely, you know that one you should never cross.

As I said I am a huge fan of Wendy’s and I have always loved her writing. It is easy to lose yourself in, it’s conversational and it’s inclusive. We can see the scene through the other characters, we see what they see when they see it and sometimes being blinkered we are missing what was right in front of us!!!

It was shocking and riveting and nothing less than pure adrenaline and excitement. Not sure how I will cope with book 2!!!

This is the first in a new series featuring former police detective, Madison Harper. 

When twelve-year-old Jenny Lucas goes missing from Camp Fearless at Shadow Falls, the local police assume she’s run away. Unhappy with this assumption and lack of progress in finding Jenny, her grandmother hires unlicensed private investigator Nate Monroe. 

Nate and Madison share a common interest – an intense dislike of the police - having both been imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. When Madison contacts Nate looking for help to clear her name, she’s in a desperate situation with no money and no job she pleads with him to take on her case. Unable to pay for his services, she offers her help in investigating Jenny’s disappearance. This sees them travelling to Shadow Falls where they discover a wealth of suspects and deceit.

This was a fast-paced thriller filled with suspense and twists. Shadow Falls was the first Wendy Dranfield title I’ve read and it certainly won’t be the last. Highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys the mystery and thriller genre.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the review copy.

When Detective Madison Harper arrives at a remote summer camp in Shadow Falls, northern California, her heart breaks for Jenny, the sweet little girl last seen splashing in the lake with her friends before she vanished. Peering into the silent cabins filled with rows of neatly made beds, Madison knows this idyllic place is hiding a terrible secret.

The girl’s parents are distraught, and the local police have no leads—they desperately need Madison’s help. She’ll do whatever it takes to crack this case, because it’s the only way back to the son she lost to the care system years ago when she was framed for a crime she didn’t commit.

But with the camp staff keeping tight-lipped and her new partner on the edge of a breakdown, Madison can’t find any truth to her instinct that there is more to Jenny’s perfect parents than meets the eye. Until she discovers a disturbing family portrait Jenny drew at the local library. Was this angelic girl more troubled than anybody knew? Was she in danger from those she trusted most?

One thing is certain, if Madison doesn’t find the answers soon, the lives of more innocent children will be at risk…


Review

I absolutely loved this book!

Madison Harper is down on her luck. Although the blurb refers to her as a detective, Madison is actually not one. She used to be one before going to jail. Now out of jail and having lost everything including her son and obviously her career, Madison struggles to make ends meet. She decides to offer assistance to a Private Investigator, Nate, in exchange for his help in finding out who was behind her imprisonment. If that is not interesting enough, Nate is also a former prisoner who was exonerated after serving close to two decades for a crime he didn’t commit. Dubbed ‘The Killer Priest’ by the media, Nate is also looking for revenge against the people who set him up. Whew! Talk about interesting background stories!

Nate and Madison are hired to investigate the case of a missing 8 year old girl. Jenny went missing at a Summer Camp. Two weeks later, police have no new leads and the family is getting desperate. However, the investigators are hired by the girl’s grandmother although her parents are not too optimistic about that. They do not believe that the investigators, with their limited resources, can do more than the police.

I loved reading about Nate and Madison. I really liked the chapters incorporated throughout the story showing Nate’s journey from the night that he was arrested to his time on death row and finally his exoneration. The case at hand was complex with absolutely no leads and I couldn’t even guess the culprits. What happened to little Jenny? The reveal was shocking! I loved it!

I am so excited about this new series. Lucky for me, I already had the second book. I immediately pushed it up my TBR and 10 chapters in; I know it’s going to be another banger of a thriller. For fans of police procedurals, this series is not to be missed!

Shadow falls is centred around the disappearance of Jennifer Lucas, who goes missing from a summer camp. Her grandmother hires PI Nate Monroe to help find her as after a fortnight the small towns local police force haven't come up with any creditable leads . Nate finds himself with a partner to help him as ex detective Madison Harper needs his help and offers to work for him to pay her fees. The disappearance of Jenny gets stranger as each day passes and both Nate and Maidson suspect there is more to this than a simple missing child. 

This is my first time reading wendy Dranfield and  it won't be the last I am completely hooked by this series already and this is only book one. The excitement of hearing book two will follow shortly is unbearable I want to read it now. This crime thriller is written extremely well, we have several different points of view regarding Jenny's disappearance but they are structured in a way that reads extremely well. We also have a side story running parallel of someones therapist. 

I know the series is called the detective Maiden Harper series, but for me PI Nate stole the show. I found his character so down to earth and a little comical at times I could picture him perfectly. Plus his side story with the dog Brody is so adorable it shouldn't be allowed. Nate is a troubled man after spending 17 years on death row for being wrongfully sentenced for murdering his girlfriend. He is now obsessed with solving other peoples problems whilst making sure to keep his agenda of complete redemption. I am excited to see where his story goes and I can feel its going to be a few more books until I find out. 

Maidsln says she was set up for the murder of her partner and she unlike Nate, who knows the killer , appears to have suspicions which we aren't privy to. There is something slightly untrustworthy about Maidsln but that doesn't make her any less likeable. She clearly has her own agenda as well I just don't know why she is using Nate to complete it, book two may point us in the right direction. 

The fact this is a crime mystery but we aren't with police rather private investigators I think is genius. Crime books can get a bit clinical where as this book doesn't have to follow the same structure. I liked that even though we aren't reading about police we still get to know part of their investigation as we go along. 

The story mystery itself is rather interesting. If you read a lot of this genre you may find yourself making outrageous guesses throughout the book and I guarantee you one of them will be correct. I honestly thought by the latter part of the novel that nothing I thought made sense. But it is tied together so neatly there's no room for confusion. There are several twist along the way and although I guessed two of them I still gasped at the last few chapters. It is remarkable how reading this novel I got so committed in the outcome. I flew through this book over several hours as I couldn't put it down. 

Crime mystery is subjective and for me this was a home run. Not only will I be struggling to contain my excitement for the next in the series I think its time I read more of wendy Dranfield'w work. I think this type of book is everything I desire crime, mysterious and even a bit of thriller. Plus Brody the dog is about the best character pet I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. Such great writing and amazing characters Esme being a favourite side character. 

I would highly recommend this book it's a great way to get lost in a world that might be more messed up than ours at the moment. Both protagonist are great and I hope that PI Nate manages to stay on throughput this series. The book description isn't great and honestly I wouldn't of read this book from that alone, but trust me when I say do much has been missed there and its much better than the description give it credit for , happy to rate 5 stars especially after that last chapter what a great seaway, slightly predictable, to the next book. 

Thank you to Netgalley  the publishers and Wendy Dronfield fir the advanced digital copy in exchange for my fair and  honest review. You may have earlier copies of shadow falls that is called find my child.

This book had me hooked from the very first page. When you have two investigators who were both imprisoned for murders they didn't commit you know this is going to be a great story. Add to that a missing 12 year old girl whose parents are hiding something and tantalising excerpts from a journal and you have a book that will have you burning the midnight oil. The author even ensures that you will be scouring the bookstores for the next book.. I will definitely be looking out for it.

I absolutely LOVED this one! What a fantastic start to a new series!

I am generally not a fan of PI stories because I struggle with the idea of non-law enforcement working much more efficiently than the police. I do understand the reality of having a single dedicated person working a single dedicated case, but generally I find that PI characters always have cases that would be difficult if not impossible to solve but for a very convenient relationship with a person at the police and it loses me because if the police can solve it at the drop of a hat why do they need a PI?. Suffice to say I was skeptical. However, this book addresses that problem by using a character, Madison, who is EX police and a PI who (in the most unfortunate way) is independently wealthy, so there's not a lot of obstacles and they can work a lot harder and fast than police, since they can afford to work the one case at a time. Madison & Nate are both somewha9t disgruntled people but extremely, extremely, likable and sympathetic. 

As far as the story goes, it was brilliantly done and kept me guessing. I was very surprised by the end, and I kicked myself because as an avid crime fiction reader I should have seen it coming. I think it was just that carefully and artfully constructed. Extremely well done. 

Lastly, as a dog rescuer, I loved the dog story. :)

This is a story that stays with you long after you've read it . . . A page turner you won't want to put down until you've reached the shocking conclusion and so much is revealed but more questions are raised leaving you eagerly anticipating the opportunity to read the next story in this series to discover what happens.

I actually finished reading this the day before I started this review. I needed time to think about the story and my reactions to it, it is that sort of story. . . . and I'm still not certain how to portray just how amazing a read it is without giving spoilers away.

Detective Madison Harper is no longer a police detective. She's been released from jail after spending time there for a murder she did not commit, one that leaves her wary of trusting her ex-colleagues and determined to clear her name. Undaunted, she seeks the help of someone who has had his name cleared after spending seventeen years on death row for the murder of his fiancée. He's now working as an investigator, though he isn't licensed to do so. Madison wants his help to clear her name and will work with him on cases in the meanwhile.

Their first case is working for a grandmother who is distraught after her granddaughter goes missing whilst participating in a summer camp at Shadow Falls. . . . Get ready for a suspense filled, dramatic and emotive story, filled with so many twists and turns to keep you guessing and turning those pages. There are so many disturbing aspects to the whole story it really is a superb thriller and the start of a brilliant new series.

Whilst not appropriate for anyone looking for a cosy read, this is a story which explores relationships, highlights injustice and keeps you enthralled from the start to its shocking conclusion. I can't wait to continue reading more in this series and really hope that a couple of prison wardens get their just desserts before the series ends!

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this amazing book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

Nate Monroe and Madison Harper were both framed for crimes they didn’t commit. Madison served her time; Nate was exonerated, but both of them are still hungry for revenge and to bring to justice those who wronged them. Now they’ve teamed up as PIs, working together to find Jenny, a little girl who’s gone missing from her summer camp.

There’s an inbuilt conflict here as Madison is a former cop and Nate doesn’t trust cops (for good reason). Honestly, I thought Madison still having faith in the police when she knows she was probably framed by someone in her own department was naive, but her skills do come in very handy in their PI work, and it’s not long before Nate starts to see that. Nate’s own backstory as an almost-priest doesn’t really come into play much here - he could have gained someone’s trust by asking to pray with them, for example - but as this is obviously the first in the series, I’ll definitely be interested to see where it goes next.

Some chapters written from the point of view of a psychiatrist reading a patient’s journals are sprinkled throughout, and for a long time it seems that they don’t have any relevance to the case. It’s not until late in the book that it’s revealed the patient is a major player we’ve been reading about all along. Honestly, I think these could have been cut; they didn’t add anything significant to the story we didn’t find out elsewhere, and it was more satisfying to read about Madison and Nate uncovering the truth than the psychiatrist, who seemed more concerned about her own future career than anything else.

With that said, this is SUCH a good story. There are some genuinely fascinating twists and turns, I really liked both Madison and Nate and I’m fascinated to know more of both their backstories and hope they both find justice - and I hope Nate figures out how to handle Brody, the ex-cadaver dog he ‘accidentally’ acquired during the story properly!

Five stars for a really great read, and I’ll be looking out for the next in the series.

First, I want to thank Wendy Dranfield, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review. 

WOW!!! Shadow Falls by Wendy Dranfield’s new series Detective Madison Harper is incredibly fascinating and needs to be put on your must read list. Every storyline was so intriguing that I couldn’t put it down. 

Shadow Falls' cover is so picturesque! Kudos to the graphic designer who created this cover.

Immediately Wendy sucks you into the prologue with the shocking last few lines! 

Wendy discusses a lot of important topics and has some triggers in this book. Such topics are pedifilia, murder, drugs, suicide etc. 

Jennifer Lucas’s missing person case at the camp was one of my many storylines. To find out the truth what happened to her was eye opening! There were scenes that were intense, suspenseful, heartbreaking, shady events, etc. I would not send my nieces and nephews there. 

Nathan’s story was a heartbreaking one and a little taboo. Wendy took us into the past to see what he went through to where he is today. 

Madison and Nathan worked together as a great team trying to solve Jennifer’s case.

The climax at the end I honestly never saw coming! There were so many shocking revelations that were heartwrenching to read. 

Wendy has made me an instant fan and I look forward to her next book in the series.

BOOKWORMS Review:

The first book in the Detective Madison Harper series,and what a cracker it is. A terrific backstory for the main characters who team up to find missing 12 year old Jennifer Lucas. Detective Madison Harper and Private investigator Nate are searching for the missing girl who disappeared 2 weeks ago from Camp Fearless in Shadow Falls. Two weeks is a long time for a child to be missing and her parents are beside themselves. 

Madison and Nate have stories of their own having both been convicted of crimes they didnt commit...Nate actually spent 17 years inside before his case was overturned,and as a result of her wrongful conviction, Madison lost custody of her son,so they both have an axe to grind and find out who framed them. 

Can they find missing Jennifer and reunite her with her parents,as well as solving their own cases at the same time? A twistful action packed story with solid characters and plenty of shocks to keep you hooked! 

MY Rating: 📘📘📘📘📘

With thanks to Wendy Dranfield,the team at Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Be ready for lots of twists and turns as you get drawn into this tale of wrong accusations, a missing child and second chances.

When Madison Harper joins Nate Monroe, they find they have things in common, mainly having been wrongly accused of murder. Can they team up to help with a case of a missing young girl? Is she still alive or is there more to the case than first thought.

This is the first book I have read from this author, but it won’t be the last. The story and suspense build as you become hooked on what is happening. It is well written and gives away its secrets throughout the book.
As you get to know the main characters you find they are more likeable and wonder just what has happened in their pasts to lead them to where they are today.
Some twists you might see coming but others will jump out and surprise you!! 

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and most importantly the author, for the chance to read this book, in exchange for an honest review.

OMG! I just finished reading this book - did this book really just end like that?! ARE.YOU.KIDDING.ME?! Bravo, Wendy Dranfield! Your creativity, ingenuity, and gumption shone through and will leave readers just as dumbfounded as me, not to mention super eager for Book Two! Is it done yet???

Shadow Falls  is the first book in the Detective Madison Harper Series. Madison is an ex-cop that has been wrongfully accused of murder. She wants to clear her name, so she enlists the help of P.I. Nate Monroe. He reluctantly agrees to help, but only after they solve a case he's been recently been hired for, a girl has disappeared at camp. The girl's parents aren't being honest and no one at the camp seems to want Nate and Madison there. How will they find Jenny Lucas and will they find her alive?
    I really enjoyed this book. It had some plot twists I wasn't expecting. It kept the pace pretty well. You definitely want to read the second book after finishing the first. Would recommend. Thanks NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

Madison is an ex cop, falsely convicted of murder. She seeks out Nate, a former priest and former inmate on death row, exonerated of killing his fiancee, to help clear her name. Little does she know that offering to help with his latest case, a girl gone missing from summer camp, will put her in danger.

Shadow Falls is the first in the Madison Harper/Nate Monroe PI series that is a delightful mix of police procedural and psychological thriller.

Madison is an intriguing character. She's still recovering from her stay in prison and keeping a lot of secrets to herself, obviously not sure who to trust. Nate on the other hand is a very damaged character, clinging to his sanity in hopes of finding his fiancee's actual killer.

This story contains the old missing child trope common to detective fiction, something I'm not usually a fan of being a mother myself, but the author really did a good job with such an emotional subject.

For me, the first half of the book didn't quite grip me as much as I would have liked, but the shocking ending made up for that. Also, it doesn't end on a cliffhanger exactly, but it leaves you with questions that will hopefully be answered in the next book.

Shadow Falls is a well-written detective story with plenty of shocks and surprises along the way.

What a terrific start to a new series, this introduces ex Detective Madison Harper and PI Nathaniel Monroe/Nate. Both are ex convicts and Nate was previously training to become a priest before being wrongly sent to death row for the murder of his fiancée, who he had chosen over priesthood.

Knowing they were both framed they are on a mission of revenge as they also pool their combined skills to solve the case of twelve year old Jenny who has disappeared while at summer camp. Three stories and three cases to solve but not once confusing and I’m easily confuddled.

The main characters are two very broken but strong individuals who can now see crime and justice from both sides. It also shows how certain individuals can use religion as a get free from jail card, while being rotten to the core. Whereas the good who genuinely have faith but find love are seen as being tempted by the devil and are jailed even though innocent.

Hired by Jenny’s grandmother they travel to the family home and meet what seems a perfectly ordinary family, a distraught mother and a father burying his head in the sand assuming she’s just run away and will be back. Something however just doesn’t seem right.

These aren’t spoilers as it all comes out fairly early on, the rest of the book has a very skilled multi layered plot with some nice twists and unexpected surprises. I loved both Madison and Nate equally and the dynamic of their partnership worked perfectly. Good vs Evil is always a winner for me and this has it in spades. Already looking forward to the next book and a new series to be addicted to.

A great start to a new series. Packed full of twists, turns, lies and truths. Fabulous characters, exciting storyline. I'm really looking forward to the next in this series.