This story had my attention from the beginning. Who has it out for the ranch? Who can one trust and who has a hidden agenda and wants to destroy the ranch's reputation for their own gain? Well written story and relatable characters. I kept guessing to the end who was good and who was bad other than 2 main characters.
This was an advance reading copy and all opinions are my own.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Carrie Stuart Parks, and Thomas Nelson for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

I am always eager when I see Carrie Stuart Parks has written another novel, having found myself fully enthralled with her Gwen Marcey series a number of years ago. While Parks has moved into writing standalone thrillers, she can still pack a punch and offers up some great storytelling in this piece. When a woman who is saddled with much PTSD from a horrific work event arrives in rural Idaho, all she wants is some rest and well-deserved relaxation. Darby Graham could not have known that this ranch had so many issues and someone causing massive amount of uproar. As things begin to happen, Darby is thrust into the middle of trying to solve them and determine if there is a killer targeting the ranch or someone on its grounds specially. Gritty and mysterious, Parks does well to lure the reader in with this story.

When she arrives in Idaho, all Darby Graham wants is some time to recharge her batteries and enjoy the wilderness. However, things begin with a bang (or more literally, a shake) and develop from there. In an area close to Yellowstone National Park, there are countless mini earthquakes that cause quite a stir. Graham encounters this, as well as two potential canine companions to join her as she makes her way up to Mule Shoe. Graham slowly tries to get herself acclimated, though she carries much baggage of her own.

Having arrived at the ranch from Clan Firinn, a program for law enforcement officers who have suffered severe PTSD, Graham hopes to put all her worries behind her. However, that is not always the case, as small things occur that trigger flashbacks and horrible fugue states. When these occurrences begin to pile up, Graham has no choice but to work with the locals to try uncovering what’s been going on.

A forensic linguist by training, Graham finds clues in language and how it is presented. She is able to use some notes from the past sent to ward others away and finds herself able to piece together a very loose profile. That may not help her now, as people are dying and destruction is rampant, though it does not deter Graham from trying her best.

Riddled with memories of the past that haunt her, Darby Graham will have to put all that behind her if she is to help find a killer before she becomes a victim herself. Much if riding on this, the least of which a chance to slay her own demons once and for all. A well-paced story that adds action and suspense throughout, proving that Parks has not lost her way with words.

I struggle after reading a series and the author turns to standalone novels. When I get into the groove of things, I can only see myself wanting to continue on the journey of a protagonist I know well, with dangling threads and new plot ideas formulated in the closing chapters of a book. However, Carrie Stuart Parks turned to writing novels that float on their own, equally as impactful to the attentive reader. These are still filled with the element of mystery and suspense, as well as utilising some unique forensic research, which is usually able to extinguish my longing for a series continuation.

Darby Graham does well in her role as protagonist, offering the reader a fair bit with which it work. Having suffered a great deal and still haunted with vast amounts of PTSD, Graham has tried to right herself and find a new path. Graham’s attempted escape to rural Idaho may not be the peace and quiet she needs, but it does showcase some of her wonderful forensic skills and keeps the reader guessing about how she will overcome it all. There is great growth and backstory construction in the piece, even if it is meant to go no further than the end of this novel.

Those Parks matches up with her protagonist also play key roles in keeping the story moving. While many flavour a particular aspect of the narrative, some drop clues throughout to help add depth to the story and provide insights into where things are going for the overall reading experience. Parks has a way of developing the rural authority figure effectively, which is not lost in this novel. Some of the characters help propel Darby Graham to a new level, while others are strictly there to impede her personal and professional progress throughout.

Things began somewhat slowly for me in this read. I needed some time to find myself interested in what was going on. Parks uses a slow reveal to really captivate the reader’s attention, but when it is found, the narrative picks up and finds its momentum. The various perspectives offered throughout provide the reader with an exciting tale, with decent backstory and mysterious twists. The plot advances in due time and keeps the reader guessing until all is revealed by the end. Short chapters push things along, though the information in them is essential, forcing the reader to play close attention. One of Parks’ great assets in her writing is presenting a typical criminal case through the lens of a less-known forensic profession. As with her Gwen Marcey series, the reader learns much through the eyes of Darby Graham, whose life as a forensic linguist offers some insights that may have been missed otherwise. While not my favourite piece by Carries Stuart Parks, I enjoyed it and would encourage readers to look into her other work, particularly that of the aforementioned Gwen Marcey.

Kudos, Madam Parks, on another solid piece of writing. You never cease to impress me with the new forensic angles presented in your writing.

Carrie Stuart Parks hit this one right out of the park (sorry didnt see that one coming until it was on paper). I have been reading for years but this is the first time I've had the pleasure of reading one of her books. Woman in Shadow was an interesting whodunit with a strong female main character who was very likable. When the characters started disappearing one by one I had no dea who the culprit was, it reminded me a little bit like Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians. Great location of nearby Yellowstone that accounted for some scary earthquakes. This was easily a five star rating from me.
I received a an Advanced Reader's Copy from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All opinions expressed were entirely my own
#WomaninShadow #NetGalley

A huge thanks to Thomas Nelson for my e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly this is my first Carrie Stuart Parks and I now look forward to reading more of her books because I enjoyed Woman in Shadow.Woman in shadow follows Darby Graham a woman that is recovering from a tragic event in her life who is sent to this specialized ranch to work through her struggles. While there she encounters "mysterious happenings" and if you think you will have everything figured out brace yourself because you will be knocked off your chair. This book was fast paced, intriguing, inspiring and so good.

Have you seen a show where people are trapped in a house with a murderer and don't know whom to trust? This book has the same creepy vibe. Darby Graham arrives at a ranch that has seen it's share of odd events lately. She's a forensic linguist who sees deception in words. It was fascinating to learn more about that. As events turn more sinister, the potential suspect list grows. It's a great mystery with lots of urgency and danger.

Darby is an interesting woman. She suffers from PTSD and is trying to make sense of events in her life. She is witty and I loved hearing the thoughts in her head as well as her conversations with a couple of dogs.

This was a hard book to put down. There were a couple twists. It was a great read and I'd highly recommend it.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Woman in the Shadow is Carrie Stuart Parks' newest stand alone suspense with a strong female protagonist. Darby Graham is sent to a high end lodge to help solve who is sabotaging it with having "accidents" happening at it. She is a former linguistic forensic detective healing from physical and emotional pain. Quickly after her arrival the "accidents" increase in frequency and become deadly. The story had me guessing who was good and who was the evil ones.
I like Carrie Stuart Parks and love her stories, but this one seemed to drag the story of them trying to escape was half the books and I would have liked to see more storyline leading up to it. But, it won't be my last Carrie Stuart Parks as she does write characters that are different from any other writer that I know.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Net Galley, but all opinions are my own.

From the beginning, this book intrigued me. Figuring out why Darby showed up and what she was hiding from captured my interest. Throughout the book, the questions were answered in a way that kept me engaged and wanting to know more.

Before I read this title, I had never heard of a forensic linguist before. This is a person who solves crimes using words. As a mom of teens, I think having the ability to detect the truth is an important one. Solving crimes by detecting variations in speech patterns was interesting. This quote explains the process.

"The truth will be full of detail - where they were, how they were feeling, what was going on around them. When they get to the deception, the story will be lean , little detail, and full of certain phrases like 'the next thing I knew,' or 'later on.' You want to listen to exactly what people say. You don't add or subtract from it."

This book takes place in the desolate portions of Idaho. The rugged setting adds a lot to the storyline. I liked how the author used the natural elements to make an impact on the plot.

I would call this one a suspense book with a bit of romance. Although there were definitely clues, I did not pick up on the different connections. Not only was there resolution for the current situation, Darby was able to determine the truth about a previous incident. I loved how the the title played into the plot. There were a lot of layers to this story, and I enjoyed experiencing the unfolding of the details.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for letting me read this book early through NetGalley. I wanted to write a review. All opinions are my own.

This is a book you don't want to miss! It's full of excitement, suspense and drama and will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. If you like romantic suspense grab this book. I loved it! Thank you Thomas Nelson via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Review Snippet:
A THRILLING SUSPENSE NOVEL

Former forensic artist, Carrie Stuart Parks, is back with another gripping novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Woman in Shadow spares no expense for the sake of mystery with this fast-paced thriller set in the rural mountains on Idaho. As one woman seeks to remain hidden, a chilling set of events at the ranch where she is staying forces her into action. A definite page turner that will keep readers engrossed until the very end!


★★★★/5 | Woman in Shadow delivers a terrifying, twisted series of events that captivated me from beginning to end! With her background as a forensic artist, author Carrie Stuart Parks pulls out all the stops to showcase her talent and capture her readers attention.

From the spectacular and mountainous setting, to a story that ebbed and flowed at a great pace, Stuart delivered a novel that easily kept me entertained. It read as if a horror movie met a game of Clue; multiple people trapped at a guest ranch while a serial killer roams on the loose with one woman trying to solve the mystery. Talk about edge of your seat!

I enjoyed Parks’ quick wit and sarcastic narrative. I found the story to be well-planned and delivered in a manner that kept the suspense and chill alive. I also loved her use of Holly and Maverick, two dogs who felt like secondary characters to me with their constant presence and role in the story.

While I liked the characters (Darby, especially), I craved relatability to them, feeling as if this novel could have used more character development. This fact made the romance portion of the novel feel forced and only surface deep. However, that is a personal preference and I feel that others may enjoy these characters much more than I!

The climax of this suspense novel was enjoyable, however the mysterious revelation at the end was only subpar. Overall, however, I really enjoyed the build and fast pace of the novel, enough to want to see it through to the end. I highly recommend readers try this one out for themselves, as I feel certain they’ll enjoy it for it’s thrilling suspense alone! Readers who enjoy authors such as Tom Threadgill, Dani Pettrey and Lynette Eason may also love this novel.

All Darby Graham wants is a much needed vacation. She's recovering from PTSD and her counselor has suggested a remote Idaho ranch as the perfect spot for her. He also wants her to check into some strange things that have been happening in the area. There she meets a deputy sheriff who is also investigating the strange fires in the area. When she gets to the ranch more strange things happen. And they are escalating into being dangerous. It all comes to a head when people at the ranch start being murdered.

Darby has to come to terms with her current situation in life and over come her stumbling blocks that cause her to have PTSD episodes.

A great mystery with some comedy and romance all in one book. I recommend this book to everyone.

I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

Forensic Linguistics Darby Graham suffers from PTSD after a difficult case while serving in law enforcement. She's at a remote Idaho resort to continue her recovery.

Rather quickly Darby sees that a number of things are amiss at the resort.

This novel delivers what I love best about Carrie Stuart Parks novels:
- Quirky main female character
- Dogs as key characters
- Engaging story line

I didn't guess what was going on until the reveal. I especially loved Darby's actions at the beginning of the novel to help canines Maverick and Holly. In addition, it was great that Darby had memorized scripture to pull from as she navigated the happenings at the resort.

I was so excited to receive an e-ARC for the newest book by Carrie Stuart Parks! Her books are always interesting and they make you sit on the edge of your seat while reading.

Darby is a forensic linguist with a traumatic incident in her past, and it was so interesting to see how she did her job! Her character growth was also great to see, and I liked how bits of her past were woven into the story. I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next and to get the next piece of info about Darby’s past!

Bram was a solid hero, though I didn’t find him as compelling to read about as Darby was. The first part of the book took a little while for me to get into, but I also was dealing with a lot of stress this week, so it’s entirely possible it was just the week, not the book that made it harder for me to concentrate on reading. The last half of the book reminded me of a thriller and I couldn’t put it down! I guessed part of the ending, but was shocked by another part of it; I always try to guess who the villain is in suspense novels, but I had no idea who it was leading up to the end of this one. It was a great ending!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Woman in Shadow will keep you guessing with all the accidents and misfortunes thai befall Mule Shoe Ranch while Darby and Bram try to survive. I enjoyed the book but was glad i was not a guest at the ranch.

Darby Graham’s graduation from Clan Firnann, an organization dedicated to helping former Law Enforcement Officers get back on their feet after experiencing on-the-job trauma, seems simple. Visit the Mule Shoe Ranch, an expensive resort in the Idaho wilderness, and look around for the owner. Darby craves anonymity—she’s tired of the stares, the questions, and all the things she no longer has.

Her assignment seems easy (other than knowing what to do with the three rocks her mentor gives her), but a series of small earthquakes, two homeless dogs, and a few near-fatal ‘accidents’ at the ranch make her wonder if she’ll make it out alive.

Sheriff’s Deputy Bram White finds himself intrigued by the compassionate Mule Shoe guest who pays double to get Shadow Woman’s dogs off the local store owner’s hit list. The more he gets to know her, the more questions he has. How can Darby read between the lines and get to the heart of what people are really saying? Why won’t she answer his direct questions?

When a cold-blooded killer stalks the ranch, Bram and Darby must work together to save the other guests before everyone ends up dead.

Why I Loved This Book

Stuart’s books have enough plot twists to keep readers engrossed from the first page to the last. Woman is Shadow won’t disappoint. Readers will relate to Darby’s struggles to overcome past trauma or Bram’s need for perfection. Both must learn to trust themselves as well as others. Parks introduces spiritual themes (anger with God, life purpose) without sounding heavy-handed or preachy.

An engaging and exciting romantic suspense tale. Interesting characters and two wonderful dogs. Some surprises along a few nail biting moments.

This read will keep you on your toes, ducking, falling, dragging, you never know. Such an ideal location, having been there I was picturing the views, and holding my breath at the happenings.

You will be wondering what is going on! There are so many unexplained fires, along with bodies turning up, and people missing! We are at an upscale resort in Idaho, and feeling earthquakes from Yellowstone, sounds wonderful, but? I love this author sense of humor, with the seriousness of what is going on, but there are some kind canines, and they go above and beyond, especially considering what has happened to them.

You don't want to miss this one, it sure kept me guessing and and was really surprised when the facts came to light!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

Carrie Stuart Parks always delivers an intense story that is uniquely hers...one of suspense, action, danger, and a mystery. Darby Graham is recovering from a tragic event in her life and has lived in a recovery group home to help her. She has graduated and now sent to a remote high price ranch/retreat in the wilds of Idaho near Yellowstone to work undercover to find out what is going on at the ranch. Thinking she would be able to get in and out of this remote site, she gets drawn into a situation where someone is sabotaging the ranch with unexplained accidents, near death experiences and tragic events. Armed with a Bible verse to remember to be courageous, she finds she needs to use it as events ramp up. She adopts a couple of stray dogs that play a big part in the story and help Darby out at times. She really doesn't know who to trust but Deputy Bram White is there investigating as events happen and she finds she trusts him. I was pulled into the story and found it hard to put down as the mystery unfolds and intensifies. I liked Darby and wanted to help her out at times. Bram was also likable and trustworthy. I found this an interesting story and setting with a unique plot with twists that kept me guessing until the ending, which was a satisfying ending with a great new beginning. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC from Thomas Nelson Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

I’m always fascinated with how Carrie Stuart Parks so cleanly meshes the world of forensics with thrilling story lines and beautifully flawed characters. She did it again with her latest, Woman in Shadow. I’m now totally intrigued by forensic linguistics. 😉

Darby is one of those characters that I cheered on the whole time I was reading, because she doubted herself so much and allowed circumstances and people dictate her behavior. But she grew throughout the story, gaining mental, emotional, and physical strength through each trial she faced. The hints of romance with Bram brought yet another welcome dimension to the plot, and the attraction triangle — or would that be quadrangle? pentagon? — with all of the younger men competing for Darby’s attention was a nice bit of comic relief. 🙂

One of my hallmarks for a good mystery/thriller/suspense novel is that you should not be able to easily figure out what is really going on. Woman in Shadow definitely fit that bill for me. There was a twist at the end that I would never have expected. She dropped hints along the way that I can see in hindsight, but did it so subtly that I didn’t pick up on them. I found myself getting annoyed at life, because it kept interrupting me while I was enjoying being lost in Darby’s investigation. Absolutely wonderful! I’d most definitely recommend you read Woman in Shadow, and I’d give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own. 🙂

Woman in Shadow by Carrie Stuart Parks is a Christian, thriller, mystery set in the beautifully described landscape of Idaho. I had a really good time with this book, this being my first Carrie Stuart Parks book I can say with certainty that this wont be my last. Ms. Parks does an amazing job with pacing throughout her entire story, I never really felt like it was dragging. The only problem (if you could call it that) I had with this book was that with it being labeled as Christian, there were not a lot of Christian elements to the story. I really wish there was more talk of God throughout, especially because my favorite parts were when our main character was thinking and talking about God, I just wish it went in more depth with her relationship with Christ. Overall a solid thriller, cant wait to pick up another novel by Carrie Stuart Parks!

Woman in Shadow grabbed my attention from the start when the main character Darby saves two dogs who appear to be abandoned. Darby is healing from PTSD as a result of her job as a forensic linguist. Darby has been sent to a ranch to investigate strange happenings while still receiving from the events that caused the PTSD. It is a complex story but a fast read because I wanted to see what happened next. Just when I figured it out, a new fact came to light keeping me reading.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced reader copy of this book, all opinions are my own.