Carrie Stuart Parks always weaves a great story with unique characters, and she always keeps you on the edge of your seat until the last page. If you’ve enjoyed her previous books, you’ll love Woman in Shadow.

Omw. This book was fantastic!

I learned the hard way that it's not one to read at bedtime, for a few reasons:
- I will stay up late to "get to a good stopping point" (there never is a good stopping point!)
- When I do set it aside for the night, subject matter requires wind-down -- in a good way!

It's a fast-paced, intense whodunit. I love that I could not figure out the resolution until it was laid in front of me; Parks really kept me guessing until the end.

Other secondary plot points also had great resolution; they weren't all just "neatly tied up with a bow," but left some things open to the imagination.

Lovable and endearing protagonist (and dogs :D, too).

An excellent reminder of just why I love Carrie Stuart Parks as an author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really enjoyed reading Woman in Shadow, by Carrie Stuart Parks. The mystery and suspense elements reminded me of Ted Dekker, one of my favorite authors. I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis

While recovering from PTSD, forensic linguist Darby takes on a case at Camp Mule Shoe, where foul play has enshrouded the camp director’s efforts to maintain the team-building center.
Characterization

Main character Darby is both believable and likable, with a wealth of knowledge in her field. Prior to reading the novel, I had never heard of a forensic linguist, and I enjoyed learning about the job title. I also really appreciated Darby’s explanations of her work and the nuances of language. Darby explained things in layman’s terms, with her explanations tucked neatly into the storyline. These descriptions melded with the narrative, rather than feeling forced or awkwardly inserted. I also felt that these explanations showcased the knowledge of her subject matter. I couldn’t tell if the content was researched, or based on a background in the field.

Mystery

I really enjoyed the “whodunnit” aspect of the storyline. While I often read books mainly for the romance, the romance was very light, clean, and peripheral. It was the mystery that maintained my interest.

I took turns entertaining each of the characters as potential suspects, and while I had my stronger hunches, this definitely wasn’t a story that I had completely figured out.

Suspense

The suspense undercurrent made its dramatic entrance in the second half of the book, when the violence and the urgency intensified. Without giving away the details, I would definitely like to make a note about the violence in the story. While the details weren’t particularly graphic, there were quite a few deaths.

Critique

One element that felt a little forced to me were the flashbacks. The formatting of these also threw me off a little.

Spiritual Elements

The spiritual element felt like it may have been added after the storyline had been written. I think there were two (very popular) Bible verses included. While these are powerful verses, their popularity made me suspect that these were added after the fact. The character does experience a turning point in her faith, but this felt very minor to the story. For this reason, I wouldn’t recommend the story for its spiritual themes. Instead, I see it more as a “Christian alternative” within the suspense genre. I would almost recommend this as a book that non-Christians can also enjoy, because of how light the spiritual themes are. However, I would be remiss to neglect to mention that the spiritual implications of the last line of the book made me feel very uncomfortable. For this reason, I wouldn’t want to recommend this book to non-Christians, because I feel that that last line misrepresents our faith.

Overall Impression

This was an enjoyable read! I would recommend this book to fellow Christians, with a disclaimer that I do not agree with the implication of the last line. I’ll also be noting this reservation to the publisher.

Overall, this was enjoyable. I enjoyed the slow build to the drama. I also enjoyed that Darby was a forensic linguist. It was a different take on the experienced investigator angle from the usual former detective or former FBI agent, etc. I wished there had been a bit more on her abilities throughout the book.

I wasn't surprised by who the criminals turned out to be in this story. However, I was surprised by their connection to each other and also their motivation for the crime.

I do wish there hadn't been a love story component in this book. This is one of those books where the romance angle is completely out of place and actually takes away from the story. It is completely unbelievable that people would see someone die in front of them and then be thinking about how lovely someone's embrace is. It's completely ridiculous to be searching for missing people after finding a dead body and be pissed off that someone didn't say anything about your prosthetic leg. It's completely unbelievable that you're going to be shot at and then start kissing someone. Stop it. The book would've been much better without the weird romance, which felt incredibly forced.

Also the formatting on the ebook was terrible. I hope that it is fixed prior to the book's official release.

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

This stand-alone novel features Darby Graham, a PTSD survivor sent to a ranch to investigate weird happenings—death, destruction, accidents and more. I like Darby well enough, though I wasn’t too happy with the male lead—Bram. He seemed too interested in perfection to be appealing. Story seemed at bit far-fetched at times, but I kept reading because I wanted to see how it would all turn out. Parks usually has interesting heroines and Darby was “all that and more.” I really liked the dogs and Darby’s conversations with them.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I can always count on Carrie Stuart Parks for a high intensity mystery/suspense novel. Fraught with lots of mystery, this novel follows Darby Graham as she is sent by her employer to a ranch near Yellowstone to check out some unusual occurrences. It's supposed to be low-key and offer her some time for R&R as well as some art classes. From before her arrival, though, she finds that this is not all it seems and a series of events that cannot possibly be random has her trying to solve the mystery before anyone gets killed. There was a great deal of tension and suspense in this one as well as a lot of unfolding mystery, which made it extra intense! I really liked Darby's character and unraveling her past and the secrets to her PTSD was intriguing. There was a subtle spiritual thread as Darby's Christian employer provided her with a couple of Bible verses to help her through the week and she kept coming back to those. There was a hint of romance, but it was a minor element to the book (which is how I like it if it has to be there). And there were lots of twists and turns - I didn't know who the villain was until it was revealed towards the end of the book. I would definitely recommend this one to fans of mystery and suspense novels.

Special thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

Linguist Darby Graham is a quirky character in this suspense novel by Carrie Stuart Parks. I felt that it was a bit far-fetched and a little confusing at times, but it did keep my attention and I didn’t expect the ending. I found Darby’s profession to be quite interesting as random things relating to it were sprinkled throughout the story and the very tiny bit of romance was predictable but sweet. If you’re looking for a good suspense read by a tried-and-true Christian suspense author, you’ve found it.

Keeps you guessing to the end! So much excitement!!
I found it very refreshing that the main character had challenges that not many write about. I enjoyed the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-copy of this book. All opinions are entirely my own.

The pace of this novel is medium-intense: a group of tourists heads to a remote western camp on the edge of Yellowstone Park, only to be terrorized by person(s) unknown in some interesting and unusual ways. It is up to a very wounded heroine to figure out what is happening and save the day. The personalities of the characters are finely drawn and what is intriguing about this book is that all have both good and bad qualities that come through as the holiday turns out terribly wrong. We all have to fight our own shadow worlds and this book might help you understand your own personal conflicts and challenges in your past. The realism brought to this book is thanks to the background of the author, who is a forensic analyst for the FBI and has written numerous novels.

Woman in Shadow by Carrie Stuart Parks is one of those stories that begins with a trace of mystery that seems like it could come to nothing. Instead, one offbeat occurrence builds upon another until our protagonist realizes that yes, perhaps she really has been sent to Mule Shoe Ranch for a reason.

Darby Graham has been sent to the ranch from Clan Firinn, a program for law enforcement personnel who need help dealing with PTSD. As the book progresses, Darby’s history is revealed. What I found quite interesting was her career as a forensic linguist. The author has drawn on her own background as a forensic artist in creating this character. Since she is no longer in law enforcement, Darby relies on her observation skills, her training, and trying to stay under the radar as a guest at the lodge, attempting to learn just what kind of shady business is happening there.

It doesn’t take long. After earthquake tremors shake everyone up, the following events seem relatively minor, but when the first death occurs, Darby and the others realize that something is seriously out of whack at Mule Shoe. Things get hairy and scary really fast. Darby remembers a verse she was cued to think of in times of stress: “strong and courageous.” As a non-believer, she doubts it will help. Among those at the ranch, there are two men who seem most reliable, and they are both interested in Darby. Can she trust them? Can she trust the others? This book has a hint of romance and a smattering of Biblical references. I liked the characters, and I was intrigued by the person known as the Shadow Woman – so was Darby. Two of my favorite characters, however, were the two dogs, Maverick and Holly. They play key roles throughout the book.

Initially, Ms. Parks’ writing style struck me as pretty average, but wow, can she ramp up the excitement and suspense! The tension and danger just keeps going and going as she flips the scene between Darby’s viewpoint and Bram or any of the others in the group. Bit by bit, the cause of Darby’s PTSD comes to light; she has flashbacks as she deals with her current stressful situation and faces the dangers head on.

I had absolutely no idea who was behind any of the deaths and other crimes at Mule Sole Ranch! The author kept me turning page after page, wondering not only who the murderer was and what the motive was, but also who would be left standing at the end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. My thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and the author for this ARC copy of Woman in Shadow.

4 stars

This was an entertaining read but it was a bit too far-fetched for me. I thought adding a character with PTSD was an excellent choice. I also really liked learning about forensic linguistics. There wasn’t any particular character that stood out, they just didn’t have a lot of depth. The book was more about the events that happened and finding out who the “bad guy” was. I personally prefer characters that are more fleshed out, but if you like action packed suspense novels, you will definitely enjoy this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me with an ARC. I was not required to leave a positive review and all opinions are my own

Wow, just wow! This was my first Carrie Stuart Parks' book and I was riveted until the very end. Within the mystery so many other issues were uncovered with each chapter. I couldn't put this book down! I'm usually pretty good at solving the clues before the finale but the author wove such a complex tale I was stumped until she revealed the plot. A must read novel!

Woman in Shadow by Carrie Stuart Park is a good novel—but I wouldn’t go farther than that. This is the second novel of Park’s that I’ve read, and while I loved the first one, this one…didn’t quite do it for me. Something about it felt flat. An exciting plot but flat characters. I wanted to root for Darby. A woman struggling against PTSD who has suddenly found herself in the middle of a situation which exposes her to all her triggers. Mule Shoe has been having problems—erroneous reservations, hiking accidents, thefts, even deaths—and though Darby doesn’t want to become involved…she can’t help it.

The plot is interesting, but I didn’t feel it was particularly unique, outside of the heroine with the prosthetic leg. What I did love about this novel, though, was the imagery. The hidden meanings behind some of the phrasing—even the title doesn’t necessarily match up with what you might think. The symbolism, too, in what Darby carries with her—five stars. I enjoyed witnessing her face her triggers and move forward. But to be perfectly honest, my favorite characters in Woman in Shadow were the dogs, Holly and Maverick. Maybe it’s because I’m a dog person, but those canines were superheroes.

I couldn’t stand the main male character at all. Bram to me had zero personality, and all he seemed to focus on was how Darby wasn’t good enough due to having a prosthesis. His mother wanted him to be “perfect” and to “not make the same mistakes,” and Park repeated this multiple times. He also really didn’t read like a police officer—at least, not to me. I didn’t find him likeable. Not only that, it was almost like Park included Bram in the book because it was supposed to be a “romantic suspense” novel. No Bram, and Woman in Shadow would’ve been just fine. If not better, actually. Can you tell I didn’t like him?

Overall, Woman in Shadow by Carrie Stuart Park was entertaining, but it didn’t pull me in like her last book did. I didn’t have the same connection with the characters; maybe that was because there were too many in Woman in Shadow? Instead of deeply developing a few main characters, Park included multiple individuals that didn’t seem like real people to me—just those minor characters in the movies you see but never know their names. They may have some lines, but you forget their purposes as soon as you reach the credits.

I enjoyed Woman in Shadow to a certain extent. I will read Park’s next book whenever it is published, but this one just…missed the mark. Not by a mile, but maybe by a yard.

This is the first book I’ve read by Carrie Parks and it’s a wonderful suspense edge of your seat mystery thriller.

Carrie Stuart Parks is a fantastic writer but in this novel she goes from fantastic to amazing! I could not put this book down and thoroughly enjoyed every suspenseful twist. Parks has added herself to the masters of Christian suspense such as Dee Henderson and Colleen Coble!

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley--all opinions are my own.

Talk about thriller! This book will leave you on the edge of your seat for the entirety! I was page turning quickly because the plot never stopped with mystery and crime.
Darby, the main character has some PTSD to overcome and I loved how the author wove that into the plot as well. I don’t know if it’s entirely possible to overcome PTSD but the redemption and healing Darby found by walking through the memories gives me hope.
I would recommend this book to teenagers because it’s not very graphic.

As always I love her books and writing style . This reads like a mystery not Christian fiction which I like as that genre really turns me off . It is a good read with fast paced plot

Woman in Shadow is a story that starts off with a missing woman and the mystery of what might be happening at Mule Shoe. It's steeped in questions, mysterious "accidents" that all seem to have a purpose for a reason no one can determine. Darby Graham is intent on hiding her brokenness as she completes her final test for Clan Farnin, proving she is no longer bound by the physical and emotional scars that took her from the forensic linguistics job she loved.

It's a mystery that must be solved while everyone at the camp is cut off from any civilization or access to help. Can Darby work through her scars and let them go in order to figure out who is targeting Mule Shoe and the little town of Targhee Falls?

This story was filled with intrigue, danger, and mysteries that will have your brain swirling as you turn every page. I loved every minute of this story!

Woman in Shadow by Carrie Stuart Parks is a phenomenal thriller with deeply rendered, flawed characters. Ms Parks' expertise truly comes through in how she can craft a story about criminal activity. Here, she shines with her storytelling as strongly, if not better, than her previous works. I loved the character of Darby, with her very real struggles and emotions. The ultimate culprit of the crimes in this book-- that really surprised me and I am usually quite good at figuring out mysteries in books. I loved this book and hope the author continues to write novels with this fascinating character in the beautiful environment of the camp. I loved everything about it and think that further novels set her would be amazing. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Woman in Shadow by Carrie Stuart Parks Intriguing suspense mystery with a detective using the unusual skills of art and forensic linguists to solve the crime. Believable relatable characters with hints of romance and snippets of humor with a surprising ending.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.