WOMAN IN SHADOW by CARRIE STUART PARKS is a thriller that will keep you guessing right to the end.
The story starts at Targhee Falls Idaho with Darby Graham, a forensic linguist, on her way to the Mule Shoe Dude Ranch. She finds two malnourished dogs, Holly and Maverick, who she saves from being shot by Bram White, the good looking deputy sheriff. The dogs belonged to the Mystery Woman, who seems to have disappeared. Darby takes them with her to the ranch. I love her interaction with them, especially the conversations she has with them.
Darby is suffering from PTSD after an unfortunate mistake she made five years ago which led to her husband being shot and her losing her leg. She is recovering at Clan Firinn. Her counselor has sent her on this holiday to check out what is going on, as a special favour to the owner who is a friend of his. She is to remain incognito and try and work out who is responsible for the strange goings on at the ranch, which is isolated, without electricity, internet or cellphone coverage or modern ways of transport. It is as though the whole place is drowned in shadows and mystery, from the ever present earthquakes, the literally two-faced people in the Shadow Woman's drawings, the abandoned mine, the traps set for Darby and the unsuspecting guests, a serial arsonist, and the murderer or murderers at large.
I want to add that I find the idea of forensic linguists and forensic artists fascinating.
This is a really enjoyable and exciting novel with a great Christian message of redemption. I like to see Darby holding onto the two scriptures that her counselor at Clan Firinn gave her to encourage her.
I highly recommend Woman in Shadow to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.