In Her Shadow

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Pub Date 04 Oct 2018 | Archive Date 16 Oct 2018
Amazon Publishing UK | Thomas & Mercer

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Description

Isabel’s life seemed perfect. Successful business, beautiful house, adoring husband. And then she was dead.


For four years Jessica has never doubted that her sister Isabel’s death was an accident. But when Jessica’s young daughter seems to know long-forgotten details about her aunt’s past, Jessica can’t shake the feeling that there’s a more sinister truth behind the tragedy.


As Jessica unearths disturbing revelations about her sister, and about the people she loved and trusted most, it becomes clear Isabel’s life was less than perfect and that Jessica’s might also be at risk.


Did someone murder Isabel? Are they now after Jessica and her family? The key seems to lie in the hands of a child. Can Isabel reveal the truth from beyond the grave, or is the answer closer to home?


In Her Shadow is a gripping tale of family secrets, lies and obsession from the two million copy bestselling author Mark Edwards.

Isabel’s life seemed perfect. Successful business, beautiful house, adoring husband. And then she was dead.


For four years Jessica has never doubted that her sister Isabel’s death was an...


A Note From the Publisher

Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers in which scary things happen to ordinary people, and is inspired by writers such as Stephen King, Ira Levin, Ruth Rendell and Linwood Barclay.

He is the author of seven previous novels, six of which were #1 bestsellers, including Follow You Home (a finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards), The Lucky Ones (shortlisted for a Dead Good Award) and The Retreat. He has also co-written six novels with Louise Voss.

Originally from the south coast of England, Mark now lives in the West Midlands with his wife, their three children, two cats and a golden retriever.

Mark loves hearing from readers and can be contacted via his website, www.markedwardsauthor.com.

Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers in which scary things happen to ordinary people, and is inspired by writers such as Stephen King, Ira Levin, Ruth Rendell and Linwood Barclay.

He is the...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781503948082
PRICE $15.95 (USD)

Average rating from 324 members


Featured Reviews

Congratulations to Mark Edwards, another spine tingling page turner, plot twists keep you guessing to the very end. Izzy and Jessica are sisters, but, Izzy has passed away in a terrible accident (or was it?) Jessica's daughter has been acting strangely at school. Has she really been contacted by the ghost of Izzy or is it something more sinister. Mark Edwards has surpassed himself with this gripping tale, strongly recommend you read it!!!

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Thank you to Thomas and Mercer for the Arc of this book, and what a book!
I really enjoyed this book, so many twists and turns all leading you to the amazing ending.

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Jessica has never really gotten over the loss of her sister. Izzy, who fell to her death from her balcony. Still, as a mother to a four year old little girl, she keeps her days full and concentrates on making her daughter happy. But Jessica begins to feel uneasy when her little girl starts talking about her departed aunt, telling Jessica things about Izzy that the little girl can’t possibly know. Ghost, possession, reincarnation? Edwards is a master at creating the perfect thrills and twists his fans have come to expect

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A great read in one go couldn’t put it down kept me guessing all the way through a great author it was a really good plot with well developed characters

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I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. I used to be a seriously Mark Edwards fan girl, but I can't say I love the direction he's taken witness last two. This book wasn't bad, it just felt like it wanted to be too many things, not doing any of them with precision. Not a bad thrill, just not great.

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Mark Edwards never fails to have you staying up way past your bedtime to finish his books... this one was no different! Very big fan of his books and if you haven't read any of them yet - why not!!

Jessica is a stay at home mum to four year old Olivia. She has never really gotten over the death of her sister Izzy, who fell from her balcony nearly 5 years ago. The police ruled it to be an accident - but was it really? And how does her daughter know things about her aunt that she could not possibly know?

This book is definitely a page turner, and at times creepy. Is the aunts ghost haunting her niece? What possible explanation is there?

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book to read and enjoy. Easily a 5 star read for me.

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Mark edwards has done it again once I think I've figured out what's going to happen next he pulls the rug from under me and changes it. I read this title within 2 days which for me is normal with one of Marks books.
The characters were interesting and detailed. He says the scene well.
Would highly reccomend this book. I won't go into details as I don't wish to give anything away as the book hasn't been released yet. I will update this review in depth once it's been released later in the year

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Loved this book. Lots of twists and turns designed to keep the reader unsettled and guessing. Another great book by Mark.

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Really enjoyed this latest novel from Mark edwards. Full of all the usual twists and turns that you would expect from him, read this book in 2 days, I've now got a long wait for the next one!

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Mark Edwards does not disappoint. If you are a fan of his, you must read this.
And if you're not, you will be after this!

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Another page turner by Mark Edwards. Thank you for introducing me to his books . My first was The Retreat, l have since gone back and read others. Once you start In Her Shadow you won't put it down till it's finished. None of the nice people in this book could possibly done It, so by the end of the book I accused everyone, even thinking maybe there was a bad seed. The only bad thing about this book was it had to end.

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I really enjoyed this dark tale and it kept my interest enough to read it in two sittings.

Another great book by Mark Edwards.

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Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for such a great read!!!

Jessica's daughter, Olivia, is 4 years old and has started school. After only six weeks of the school year passed, Olivia has not been all that great, socially. Mum is called in. Apparently, Olivia tells her teacher that "Izzy" does or does not like certain things about school. Izzy (Isabel) was Jessica's sister who died 5 years ago.
The rest of Jessica's immediate family are he mum, her husband (Will), and her son (Felix) who is 10.
Will and Jessica and their children still spend time with Darpak (Izzy's widower) and his sister, Nina. Darpak gives Olivia some of Izzy's costume jewelry when she next visits. Olivia immediately puts on the bat necklace (well, it IS almost Halloween). As Olivia sat on the balcony rail, she went backward but her mum grabbed her by the arm. Olivia, " Don't be silly, mummy, you can't fall, you have to be PUSHED."
Prior to this, Izzy's death had been deemed as accidental - she fell off a (rather weak) balcony and there was a mixture of drugs in her system at the time. Mum never really believed it - she was convinced that Darpak had done the deed. She even wanted the police to reopen the case!
Isabel had enjoyed a great life, as so it all seemed. She owned 51% (Darpak - 49%) of her "Blissful Marriage" business, worked there and Darpak and her were devoted to each other. (Their finances weren't bad, either). Gavin Lawson was one of Izzy's clients at her business. Nina, an aspiring model, worked there part time and would do anything to have him for her photographer!
Jess' mum had a boyfriend, Pete. He was OK, but a bit of a bigot. After visiting at mum's house Olivia looked to Pete and said, "Get well soon." Pete wasn't sick. Also on Halloween, Olivia arrived for treats at her "dinner lady's" house and asked her if it hurt to die. Of course, Pete gets sick and the dinner lady does die. A former Poltergeist had ravaged Jess' house when she was 10, and Jess claims that this is all a remnant of that experience.
2012 - Izzy was noticing a change in Darpak. She found a selfie on his phone of a woman's breasts. She began drinking more and self-medicating. Izzy tells Nina - Nina has trouble believing it.
Now - Jess is quite sure that a gray car (Hyundai) is following her. Also, Jess finds drawings in Olivia's book of someone falling off a balcony - and they aren't alone. Olivia wonders if Olivia isn't "possessed".

Finally, Darpak explains to Jess that the entire poltergeist thing from long ago was a hoax by Izzy. This makes Jess think that perhaps mum is the one making Olivia have strange happenings. Things begin to unravel as Jess finds 2 bat necklaces... Also, Ryan (the teacher's assistant) has been feeding things into Olivia's mind about Izzy. "We're going to talk to Izzy", "Izzy says a bad man pushed Izzy and made her die", and hints that Will pushed Izzy. Now that Jess knows this, she NEEDS to see Ryan NOW. She visits where his mom lives and sees that his old bedroom is more or less a replica of her and Izzy's years ago. Ryan was obsessed with Izzy, we find out. Spurned by her, Ryan goes to Thailand and returns to stalk Izzy. He tells her she should call the police - he has Will's confession on tape. He then shows Jess where Will is - beaten up at Ryan's house! Ryan gets contained and both he and Will end up in the hospital. Will swears he did NOT kill Izzy - Jess believes him. She then visits Ryan's hospital room. After conversation with him, Jess realizes that there is another person in the final photo that Ryan took while stalking Izzy. In this photo, the arm is raised showing the back of the hand...

Twists and turns abound in this really great read. I highly recommend this book - and the startling conclusion!

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Loved this book from the start and read it in a day. It's one of those books that you think you have it figured out but then it goes in a different direction.
We see the story unfolding through Jessica in the present and her sister who died in the past building up to her death. Did she fall or was she pushed! Jessica is determined to find out and we are kept guessing right until the end with her.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 sparkling stars! Mark Edwards has done it again.

I’ve read all the author’s books, they are all great but this is my second favourite after Follow You Home.

The writing is brilliant - the story hooks you in straight away and I was gripped.

It had twists and turns, chapters told from different character perspectives and I have to say, I wasn’t sure who the bad guy was till near the end.

When’s the next book out?!

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I look forward to reading Mark Edwards books and was delighted to receive an advanced copy of his latest book In Her Shadow.
In this psychological thriller Jessica's four year old daughter Olivia starts to talk about her dead aunt Isobel. Jessica always thought that her sister Isobel's death was an accident but now she's not so sure. Olivia knows things she shouldn't and is saying Isobel talks to her.
This book is spooky and has many twists and turns. Another excellent read from Mark Edwards.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

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In Her Shadow was another home run for me and of course I stayed up into the late hours reading this. Although, I was halfway through when our power went out in the middle of the night....not the book to be reading when this happens....especially at 3:15am. (Sleep didn't come easy after that).

Jess is a mom of two kiddos, one who is like every creepy kid in horror films, and is still grieving from the death of her older sister Izzy. When strange things begin to happen and her daughter Olivia starts saying "REDRUM, REDRUM"(just kidding), Jess wonders if Izzy's death actually was an accident or if her sister is using Olivia to communicate the truth from beyond the grave...

Queue eerie horror film music.

If you have not read a Mark Edwards book, do yourself a favor and get on it!

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Another brilliant book from Mark Edwards! So addictive, so many twists that kept me guessing right until the end!!

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I am a big fan of Mark Edwards' books and this book does certainly not disappoint. The book is thrilling and chilling in equal measures.

Everything about it is perfect, from the plot to the characterization. If you have not read a book by Mark Edwards then you need to and you need to ensure that this book is on your to read list.

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In Her Shadow

I’ve read all of Mark Edwards books apart from the last one (The Retreat) because I found the one before that (The Lucky Ones) to be more police procedural than any of his others, so thought maybe this is where he was going with his writing now. Well I was wrong. In Her Shadow is exactly what I love about Marks writing. Gripping, edgy, suspense, it’s all there. The only tiny thing I would say is that the names of the 3 main females names are quite alike. Izzy, Jessie, Olivia (Livvie) but maybe that’s just me. Great read with twists and turns galore. Would highly recommend. Now I will be gong to read The Retreat.

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I always enjoy Mark Edwards books. They are well written and have story lines which keep my interest. I would certainly recommend them to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers. Keep it up!

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I was very excited to be approved for this early release of Mark Edward’s book, In Her Shadows! It is a story of two sisters, Jessica and Izzy. Jessica is married and has a 4 year old daughter and Izzy is deceased. Jessica’ s daughter, Olivia starts talking about her aunt and details that no one has told her. Jessica begins to wonder how she is finding out information. Is Izzy haunting her daughter? Is she trying to let them know something that was missed about her death? This book had me guessing until the end. If you enjoy a good psychological thriller you have to read this book!

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Solid 4.5 stars!

In Her Shadow is a well written, enjoyable story that was difficult for me to put down. The main character is Jessica who is a mom of a 4-year-old Olivia who seems to be communicating with Jessica's dead sister Isabel. Isabel died 4 years ago when she fell from the balcony of her house. At the time the fall seemed to be an accident but Olivia thinks auntie Izzy might have been pushed.

The story is mostly told from the perspective of Jessica with some flashback chapters from Isabel's life. This combination of POVs and two timelines works really well. While Jessica keeps us updated on the current situation, the flashbacks provide an insight to the events taking place before Isabel's death ensuring that the suspense is slowly and steadily released throughout the book.

The last few chapters had me hanging on every word as I was hurriedly turning pages to find the answers. I would definitely recommend to check this one out!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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I was definitely drawn into this book right away. I found the hints of the paranormal fascinating.
This book was a bit creepy. (And I loved it!)
I liked the nod at current events and the #metoo movement.
I was a fan of Mark Edwards before I read this book, and I am an even bigger fan now.

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In her Shadow was a brilliant, creepy thriller that kept me gripped throughout, I really enjoyed it.

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BIG FAT 5 STARS.....BOOM…. Mark Edwards does it again, in my opinion this man can do no wrong when it comes to writing books! As per Mark’s style, this book reels you in from page 1 and had me reading into the early hours as I just could not put it down.

This book had the hairs on my arms standing up, Jess whose sister, Izzy died 5 years previous (from a fall from a balcony which the coroner classed as death by misadventure) before her second child Olivia was born appears to be making contact with Olivia. Can this be the truth? Is she trying to talk through Olivia, what happened to her, was it an accident or was she pushed? Are there such things as ghosts? This one really plays with your mind, a real page turner! If you are a fan of psychological thrillers that will make you hold your breath, THIS IS FOR YOU, can’t recommend it enough… for fan’s of Mark Edwards, no words are needed!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Mark Edwards, Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

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A remarkable book. It always amazes me how far the ripples do spread when you drop a rock into a pond. When you do something to a person it affects everyone in their circle, family, friends, people they've only met once even; and in fact children who weren't even alive at the time.

This is a book about the ripples. At times it is painful to read, but always interesting and just when you think that everything has been explained - logically - there's that little breeze of doubt blows across the story.

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4.5 stars. I was instantly gripped reading this book, the paranormal always interests me (and creeps me out) as it’s something I believe in. I was always up later than I wanted to be as I couldn’t put the book down! Another great one by Mark!

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Mark Edwards is easily becoming one of my favorite authors. His book In Her Shadow had me up reading until all hours of the night. Jessica feels like she is always in Isabel’s shadow. This feeling is accentuated after Isabel dies from a tragic accident. When their mother starts saying Isabel was murdered, strange stuff starts happening. The key to this all may just be Jessica’s daughter. Was Isabel murdered or was it a tragic accident? These characters were easy to get attached to. I could feel their emotions and Jessica was, by far, the most relatable. For those that love psychological thrillers, this book does not disappoint. In Her Shadow leaves you yearning for more, and it keeps surprising you when you think you have figured it out. I highly recommend this book to fans of B.A. Paris, Gillian Flynn, and Ruth Ware.

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Firstly, thankyou to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Mark Edwards for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of In Her Shadow.
This is not the first novel by Mr Edwards that I have read. I can honestly say that In Her Shadow is hands down the best book he has written. There were so many OMG moments while reading this novel. It was full of twists and turns until you get to the stunning conclusion. I had to read this book in one sitting as I could not put it down.
If you enjoy unpredictable, page turning thrillers like I do, then you will love In Her Shadow.

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In Her Shadow is the second book by Mark Edwards that I've read in the last couple of weeks and he's quickly becoming a firm favourite! Creepy, intriguing and totally unputdownable - I thoroughly enjoyed this suspense thriller! A very well deserved 5 stars!

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I was positive I had this book all figured out about a quarter of the way in, I couldn't have been more wrong. This book will draw you in right from the start and then take you down a twisted path that keeps you guessing right to the end. The story had just the right amount of haunting creepiness to take this book right over the top.

The story revolves around two sisters, Isabel, dead from an accidental fall and Jessica, still alive and left dealing with the aftermath. Four years after the accident that took her sister life, Jessica's young daughter Olivia, begins insisting she knows things about her dead aunt Izzy that she should have no way of knowing and Jessica begins to question the circumstances of her sisters death. The story, developed with the help of different perspectives, gives a complete picture of events. It also serves to reminds us that we don't always know the reason people act as they do or understand what lies behind the choices they make.

The characters are all interesting and the story so well written you will find it difficult to put this book down. A must read book and definitely a must read author.

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#InHerShadow#Netgalley.
This is my first time reading anything by Mark Edwards and it's a gripping and compelling read that had me hooked right to the end. It says that this is an unproofed copy and honestly there's nothing that should be changed. It's convinced me to read his other books. Thanks to the publishers and netgalley for approving me to read the book.

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Mark Edwards never disappoints. Yet again we are given a story with well developed characters who’s story you want to follow till the very end. This book has lots of twists and turns and keeps you guessing until the last page

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Another awesome book from Mark Edwards. Kept me thinking and wondering what was going on.
Not quite could't put downable but close.

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I've read most of this authors books and he sure knows how to tie your head in knots. He very celverey gets you thinking one way and then turns it around and slaps you in the face with it.

In her shadow is a convoluted tale about Jess and her 4 year old daughter Olivia, who begins to exhibit signs of communicating with Jess's dead sister Izzy and reveals a mystery surrounding Izzys death which had me suspecting every character in the book, in turn. We get flashbacks to Izzy's life and back and forth we flit, getting more and more puzzled about who has done what to whom!

I liked the twisty mystery, I loved little Olivia, but Izzy's job as a new age sex therapist seemed to be purely gratuitous and didn't sit well with me. It seemed out of character and pointless and served merely to give the story a bit of edge, a touch of titillation that didn't ring true and the story would have worked just as well if she'd been a dentist or ordinary therapist and I would have actually preferred it.

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Definitely a book that stays with you! Could not put it down!

Highly recommended if you enjoy suspense genre! Thank you for my review copy, which I received through Net Galley.

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Mark Edwards has to be one of my favourite authors and I have read all of his books so I was looking forward to reading his latest novel. Once again he delivers a fast paced, creepy in places storyline with plenty of twists and turns. I thought I had it figured out more than once but I was wrong so it keeps you guessing until the end. If you like the psychological thriller genre then this book is for you. If you haven’t tried any of Marks books then start now as he is just a brilliant writer.

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Wow, I was surprised how into this book I became and quickly. The story was phenomenal and the world building was outstanding. I decided to try a few pages and before I knew it I had devoured the entire book. This book flowed so easily I didn't realise I had read the entire thing until I had turned the last page. Wow!! Will definitely be following this author from now on.

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Another great book from Mark Edwards! A gripping storyline, relatable characters, unexpected twists and a great ending made this a fantastic read!!

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A spine chilling thriller that has everything. Poltergeist, ghost, a four year old and that’s just some of the characters. A great read

With thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for ARC in return for an honest review

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I’m already a fan of Mark Edwards, I’ve read and enjoyed his previous books so I was looking forward to this latest release.
From the beginning I found myself hooked as the story and characters were so well written. Mark Edwards is a great storyteller, he unravelled details over time and I had no idea which way the storyline would go.

In Her Shadow is an intruiging creepy read that will have you turning the pages and staying up late at night to read more. With an incredible plot line and lots of tension, this is a must read!

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I am a huge fan of Mark Edwards having read all of his superb books,i was a little disappointed with his last book The Retreat so was a bit apprehensive about In Her Shadow,but i shouldn't have been because believe me Mark Edwards is back to his brilliant best with his latest book !! Jessica is mum to Olivia who is seemingly having conversations with her dead auntie Izzy who fell from a balcony 5 years ago in a tragic accident.This sets Jessica wondering what did really happen to her sister and was it an accident or not ? Once again Mark excels in telling a story that will have you gripped from the very first page and i highly recommend his latest book and if you've not read any previous books of Mark Edwards do it now i promise you will not be disappointed..5 stars.

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First and foremost I would like to thank Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced copy.
In her Shadow by Mark Edwards (release date 4th October 2018)

The story follows Jessica mother of two who is struggling with the death of her sister Izzy four years previous, who fell to death from her balcony.
Jessica's daughter Olivia starts acting strange and vocalising information that online Jessica and Izzy knew when they were growing up - and things over time start to get more and more strange. I am not going to go anymore in depth cause I really want people to enjoy and savour this book as much as I did.

Mark Edwards is amazing at what he does, this book is another of my top titles from him.
In her shadow is a spine tingling page turner, I stayed up way to late two nights in a row just wanting to find out more and more.
Fans of thrillers and paranormal will absolutely love this book, if you haven't heard or read anything by Mark Edwards please go and check out one of his books and make sure this one is on pre-order.

Easily 5 STARS!! from me.
Once again thank you Mark for this amazing book and AMAZON Publishing and NETGALLEY for the advanced copy..

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When I read this book I was stunned it was a fantastic book .
I really enjoy Mark Edwards so anything I read is fabulous .
I was given an ARC

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**Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon publishing for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.**

This is my first Mark Edwards book and I’m impressed. I started reading this once before but stopped because of the ‘paranormal’ story line. That’s not a genre I usually read. But then I took this up as a challenge and decided to expand my horizons. And boy am I glad that I did!! The book is outstanding. Brilliantly written and very engaging. The paranormal part initially is written so well that I had goosebumps. It felt so real and even scary, chilling to the bone. I’m glad the book isn’t a ‘ghost’ story. It has a complete whodunnit aspect to it and has many twists that lead you down a path to the truth. As the story moves on I was genuinely equally interested in the how and the who. The story has a nice logical conclusion and it was convincing. The slight mystery remains in the end but I’m happy to live with that thought hanging. Enjoyed reading this book!

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An interesting read. One I struggled with initially as I found it difficult to get into, but I’m glad I continued.

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This is the first Mark Edwards book I have read, but it won’t be the last. Interesting and intriguing from the first chapter to the very end, I read well into the early hours as the psychological twists and turns kept me engaged throughout. An excellent book well worthy of 5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Excellent story. Wonderful characters and plot line. I really enjoyed it. I would recommend this book.

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Another brilliant book from Mark Edwards. This book had me gripped the whole way through. I did not guess the ending at all. Brilliantly written, superb plot and to me the short chapters add to the suspense. I want to go and read it again now.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

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I would like to thank Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘In Her Shadow’ by Mark Edwards in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Jessica’s four-year-old daughter Olivia has started saying strange things about her Auntie Isabel who died five years ago. Jessica always believed Izzy’s death was accidental but things Olivia’s been saying which she couldn’t possibly have known about makes Jessica think maybe it wasn’t an accident and that someone deliberately pushed Izzy off the balcony. Has Olivia been possessed by the spirit of Izzy to get people to find out the truth about her death, or is someone secretly telling Olivia what to say?
‘In Her Shadow’ is a gripping psychological thriller with a cleverly thought-out plot, twists and turns, a number of credible suspects to keep me guessing, and a nail-biting conclusion. The final chapters became so tense that I had to keep reading to find out what happened. This is an enjoyable read that I can recommend.

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This book was excellent, the first time in years that I got so into a book that I had to stick with it for the day. Absolutely loved it, full of suspense, the paranormal, twists and turns, I ended up being suspicious of everyone! Non stop action all the way through, ended up holding my breaths in several places along the way, really clever writing.
#InHerShadow #NetGalley

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An out of the ordinary whodunnit

Jessica lives with Will and is mum to Olivia who is four and her older brother Felix. It’s pretty much typical of a run-of-the-mill existence of a middle-class family. Jessica may be a little more unusual in that she lost her older, more glamorous, sister, Isabel, to what was determined to be an unfortunate accident and she has never been able to overcome feelings that she was the less attractive and less exciting sibling. Life continues normally though after Isabel’s death until Olivia starts acting strangely and certain things come to light that suggests Isabel’s death was no accident.

And so starts yet another novel about the mundane life of a typical 21st family. At least that is what I thought when, with a heavy heart, I read the first few pages. I am not a great fan of that type of novel and to read that the theme also very much involved the paranormal did not set my pulse racing either. However, I was mistaken and was pleased that I took the plunge.

Mark Edward’s writing style is open and straightforward. The characters he portrays are very human and act and react exactly as you would expect of your friends and colleagues. He gradually builds the tension and then heads off in a different direction. This sounds confusing, but it isn’t as it’s beautifully crafted and the plot is easily followed, as are the characters who are well-defined and individual.

This is the first of Mark Edward’s novels I have read. I enjoyed it very much, would recommend it and will be looking out for his name in future.

mr zorg

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

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I've been a huge fan of Mark Edwards since I read Follow You Home a few years ago, and loved his most recent release, The Retreat so much. This one just wasn't as good for me. It was my first time reading a book of his from a female protagonist's perspective.

I didn't really like the whole thing involving the dead sister and the child and didn't really connect or engage with the story.
The writing felt different to his other books too, more 'telling' instead of 'showing', which was unfortunate.

I'll continue to read Mark Ewards' books though because he's brilliant at writing thriller/mystery stories.

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I would like to thank Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘In her Shadow by Mark Edwards’ for a honest unbiased review.

Where have I been. Yet another author that I have not heard of but who after reading this book will be read more of his works.

This book got me all excited. The story is well written your unsure which way the story is going. It certainly keeps you guessing. Which are the type of books I do enjoy.

Great book. Highly recommended.

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Wow where do I start! another fantastic book by Mark.

Just when you think he can't do any better out comes another five star book!

This book contains lots of twist and turns and leaves you wanting more, Marks style of writing makes it so easy to be draw into the book and its characters. This book has both lovable characters and some not so but you could fell each one of them.

I don't want to say to much apart from IT'S A MUST READ!!!!!!!!! I can not wait for the next one.

Thank you net galley for giving me a chance to read this fantastic book,

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With thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this - the perfect mix of tension and potential supernatural elements. Another fab read from Edwards.

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I’ve read all Mark Edwards’ books to date and have enjoyed them all until his last one, which for me fell short of his usual standard. Consequently, I was apprehensive about reading this one, but I’m pleased to say that In Her Shadow was back to Mark’s usual standard.

It was gripping, creepy and kept me hooked till the end. The chapters alternated between the points of view of several characters and this worked well. The story was full of twists and turns and had a touch of the paranormal, but just enough, to not make it ridiculous.

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What a book!
Mark Edwards has fast become one of my favourite authors and this new novel is brilliant.
The writing is fast paced and there’s lots of twists and turns that you won’t see coming. You will want to cancel all plans to get to the end of it.
It’s definitely worthy of 5 stars and I’d recommend to anyone.

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A very fast paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I thought that I had predicted the ending but I was so far off which is exactly how I like my thrillers! Edwards did an awesome job of having the reader connect with his characters. I enjoyed them all and the switch between different time period was awesome.

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Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy of In Her Shadow by the talented author Mark Edwards.
First let me start with this is my second book by this author and I loved it just as much as I did The Retreat, which I read earlier this year.
The author is an excellent story teller. His book is intriguing, interesting and captivating. I couldn’t put this book down, there was a period of time when I read for 3hrs non stop, I didn’t want to put it down.
I loved the ghost aspect of the story. I’ve never read anything like it before so it was a nice change to the other mystery thrillers I’ve read recently. I liked the flow of the events, they were intertwined very well. The story line was developed perfectly.
Overall great job. I’m looking forward to his next book.

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Oh my!! This was brilliant!! Lots of twists and turns. Loved the poltergiest angle. So enjoyable and life had to be put aside so I could find out how it would finish. Mark is now one of my favourite authors :0)

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Mark's books never fail to disappoint me and "In Her Shadow" is of the usual brilliant standard.
From the first page I could not put this down. Twists that you don't see coming and suspenseful throughout. One of my favourite reads of this year.
Many thanks for this ARC via Netgalley

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As ever Mark Edwards doesn't disappoint. I think his books just get better and better. It has many twists and turns and everything links together well at the end: the clues were there - we just don't connect them at the time.

I look forward to his next book.

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This b00k is ab0ut Jessica, mum of two. Jessica's sister Isabel died in an accident 4 years ago. Jessica's 4 year old daughter Olivia who had never met her aunt starts telling her mum that her dead aunt is talking to her and telling her things that she could not have possibly known.

I am a big fan of Mark Edwards work. I have read nearly all his books and I have to say that I think that this is his best yet. Mark manages to make this story spooky but believable. We have the mystery of Izzy's death. Was it really an accident? Is Izzy really talking to Olivia from beyond her grave? This book kept me reading well into the night and would be a perfect book to read around Halloween.

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As usual, Mark Edwards has managed to perfectly blend the potentially supernatural with the desire to find perfectly reasonable explanations for the seemingly unexplainable during a page turner of a thriller. Jessica’s sister fell off a balcony years ago, but now Olivia, Jessica’s daughter is coming to her with messages from beyond the grave. Information she shouldn’t know. Is her sister, Isabel, communicating with her? Jessica bounces from one suspect to another, her certainty increasing with each person as to who could have pushed her sister from the balcony, or did her sister simply fall? Mark Edwards pulls us into the tension and whirlwind inside Jessica’s mind as she desperately tries to figure out what happened to her sister. This was another un-putdown-able from Edwards, great read. Thank you Netgalley & Amazon UK for the ARC!

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In Her Shadow was my first read of a Mark Edwards book and my first reaction is, "Wow! I need to read more of his books!"
In this gripping tale we go along for the ride with Jessica, a mom of 4 year old Olivia, as she seeks to know if her sister Izzy died from an accident or was she murdered and does Olivia hold the key?
I finished this story in a day. I couldn't put it down! Every time I thought I had everything figured out, I was so very wrong.
This book stood out for me because it included some paranormal twists and I could not guess what had happened. Every time I thought I knew the answers something else happened to make me change my mind. Is Olivia talking to a ghost? Was Izzy murdered? Was it just an accident? I didn't know!
The book is very well written and I love that Mark Edwards used modern themes that will resonate with a lot of people.

Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

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Wow absolutely brilliant, I couldn't put this down it constantly had me guessing right up until the end. Loved how Mark has added in some paranormal with this psychological thriller it really did work well.. another one to be recommending to my family and friends

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I started this book this evening and within 3 hours I had completed it. It is the first I have read from Mark Edwards and it was chilling. I jumped to conclusions, changing my mind constantly about the twist but only realised when it was revealed. The characters were completely believable and it was easy to feel the fear that was felt.

This is a must read!

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While I do love this author and this book started very strong I found that while I did enjoy it my excitement just couldn't be maintained to the same extent.

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Another fantastic book by Mark Edwards. I really enjoyed the idea behind the story - a dead sister using a four year old child to communicate with the adults so that they question the circumstances surrounding her death. It makes you question whether the spirits of loved ones do linger until they resolve any issue that stops them moving on. Or, is there an explanation for everything that happens. There are many twists that make you suspect everyone. I did have my suspicions as to who the culprit was, but not until very late in the book.
An excellent read. Highly recommend.

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Another incredible book by mark Edwards! This one, like all the others I have read by him kept me reading into the night and ignoring the world around me.
The characters were well thought out, and relatable, the plot was wonderful, and some aspects gave me chills.
In her shadow kept me guessing to the very end. Was Olivia really communicating with her aunt Izzy? And if not how would she have known so much? Was Izzy really pushed off of her balcony if so who would have done it?
The ending gave me all the answers I was looking for and neatly wrapped up the story. I'm usually quite good at predicting the end of thrillers before the reveal, but I was kept eagerly waiting until the end to get the answers I was seeking. This was a wonderfully written thriller and will be on my list of recommendations.

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Mark Edwards does an excellent job of keeping all the points of his story board juggling in the air. Olivia is the daughter of Jessica - she goes to school, loves her parents, and seems to be in contact with her aunt Izzy. Problem is Izzy is Dead!! How or If this is really happening is the question of the story and if it is true WHY? Characters are well developed as is the plot. "A copy of this book was supplied by Amazon Publishing UK/Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion."

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Mark has pulled it out of the bag again.

For me I found this book slightly different to his others but it doesn't pull any punches or let you go until the very end. This is one of those books that creeps into your mind and then sits there for a few days once read.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to all reading more from Mark.

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First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Mark Edwards, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Mark Edwards is back with another spine-chilling novel that takes the reader inside the eerie world of communication with the afterlife, yet another branch of psychological thrillers. Jessica is the proud mother of two children, though it would seem her youngest has begun acting out at school. When she arrives to speak with the teacher, Jessica learns that Olivia has been making many comments about her friend, Izzy, who’s died. Although Olivia is only four, Jessica refuses to take any chances and soon learns that her daughter is speaking about a member of the family. It would seem that Izzy, Olivia’s aunt, died after leaping from her balcony at home, not long after little Olivia was born. How might Olivia be communicating with her aunt, save through some sort of spirit portal? Thoughts of this nature remind Jessica of a situation from her own youth, when she and Izzy were visited by an uncle’s spirit who was highly disruptive. Jessica refuses to believe that Olivia has any contact with her dead sister and pushes the limits to find out who might be feeding her daughter such information. However, the evidence keeps piling up that Olivia has a way to speak to ‘Izzy’ and there are things that few others ever knew, yet they seem to be coming from Olivia’s mouth with ease. The entire situation opens up new fears in Jessica when Olivia admits one night that Izzy was pushed and murdered by someone. Could there be some truth to this? If so, how much does Olivia know and can her connection with Izzy help re-open a police investigation? Edwards uses his skills to lure the reader deep into the story and soon the story has taken over their entire brain, forcing them to race forward and discover what’s happened before turning off the light at night. Perfect for those who love Mark Edwards’ work, as well as the reader who enjoys blindsides throughout.

I have long enjoyed Mark Edwards and his writing, finding myself susceptible to his style of narration so much that I lose track of time. Even when I want to read only a few pages, I find it hard to put down one of his books until I have resolution to the mystery at hand. Edwards has a wonderful way of connecting the reader to his characters, especially a strong-minded protagonist like Jessica. The reader learns much about her throughout, both her backstory and current development as she fights to get to the bottom of both the Izzy and Olivia situations. There is much to discover and the story peels things back slowly enough as to keep the reader flipping pages, but not too quickly as to be a let-down. Alongside Jessica are a handful of other characters, all of whom bring their own flavour to the story, particularly those who crossed paths with Izzy in the days and weeks before her death. Edwards keeps the reader wondering if it could have been murder and who might have the most plausible motive to end the life of this interesting woman. That also serves to promote Izzy into the role of secondary protagonist, as flashbacks and extensive dialogue throughout resurrect her personality throughout the entire piece. Edwards effectively weaves past and present into a seamless plot and keeps everyone guessing until the very end. The story was brilliantly executed and the reader will surely find themselves surrounded by possible culprits and mysteries they ask themselves, all while the narrative forges onwards. With clipped dialogue that keeps the story realistic, Edwards leaves little time to ponder, as each chapter presents new and interesting perspectives to keep things from going stale. I have yet to find a dud when Mark Edwards is at the helm and hope many readers will follow me and get hold of this book in short order.

Kudos, Mr. Edwards, for another winner. I hope those who have yet to discover your writing style do so soon, for you have a great deal to offer the genre and those who love it so very much!

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I love Mark Edwards work but particulary enjoyed the touch of the supermatural in this one. Recommended.

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Wonderful story, I love Mark Edwards' books, especially The Magpies. This was very reminiscent of that - I really had no idea of the ending until I was there. Great book!

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Fab Fab Fab Fab Fab Fab Fab - so loved this book. What can I say -fast paced, edge of your seat - gripping and atmospheric - he does it again!!!

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I eagerly await any new book by Mark Edwards. He’s not let us loyal readers down. Do you believe in ghosts? Is deceased Izzy coming back through her niece Olivia? Was Izzy’s fall an accident or was she pushed? Olivia seems to know far more than a 4 year old should. Read and find out for yourself.....

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Mark Edwards is one of my favourite authors so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to read this advance copy of his new book. Jessica lost her sister Izzy 5 years ago in what was considered an accident, however Jessica's young daughter Olivia seems to be getting messages from her dead aunt telling her that she was murdered. I am a terrible wuss when it comes to paranormal and ghost stories, so it is safe to say that this one kept me awake last night!
Plenty of twists and turns and there are some seriously dodgy characters in this book! Secrets and lies are uncovered as the backstory is slowly revealed. I really couldn't put it down, I had to know what had happened to Izzy and why.
Excellent book as always from Mark Edwards.

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I loved The Magpies, and was expecting a similar kind of read, Unfortunately I don't feel that this lives up to its predecessor.

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Oooooooo love all Mark Edwards books and this one did not disappoint either!....

What a corker I totally loved it and stayed up al night racing through it, to be devastated when it ended haha!

Basically Jessica’s sister Izzy died and yet her daughter olivia seems to be talking to her dead aunt and knows far too much about her and her life, they said it was suicide but Jessica never believed this and now Olivia is saying her dead aunt says different....

A seriously good book that had me guessing all the way through and I cannot way for his next book, a 5 star read as per usual 😊

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Loved it! I read it while relaxing on a sun lounger in Turkey. It’s a real page turner, I flew through it!

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Hooked from start to finish. Definitely recommend this author, from The Magpies to the Lucky Ones, all are great reads. Dont want to say too much about the story as i dont want to give anything/spoilers away. Cannot wait to read more ***** Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this copy.

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I have read all Mark's books and I loved this one, even though I found it very different from his other books. Jessica lost her sister a few years ago when she fell off the balcony at her house. Jessica’s daughter Olivia, who is only four, is saying rather strange things about Izzy as if she is her imaginary friend. However, there are things she couldn’t possibly know or have heard at her age - so how does she know them?
This is a great read which poses loads of questions: What really happened to Izzy? Why is Olivia talking to her and hanging off the end of a balcony herself?
Mark Edwards is so talented. His addictive narrative sweeps you up and carries you away for hours. This book is a compelling read with good characterisation and a fabulous plot. It's a mystery meets supernatural ghost story. This book will creep you out, I did find the hairs standing on the back of my neck a couple of times and the story stayed in my head long after I'd turned the light out to sleep. If you haven’t read a book by Mark yet (and you must read them all) choose this one. It won't disappoint. I would highly recommend In Her Shadow.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my pre-publication copy.

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This is another sure winner for Mark Edwards. Jessica's sister Isabel has died in suspicious circumstances. Her four year old daughter, Olivia, appears to be communicating with her aunt from beyond the grave. A chilling psychological thriller which will keep you totally engrossed right from the first page. Not so much a thriller but more of a ghost story, fans will not be disappointed. Thanks to Net Galley for my copy. Reviews on Goodreads, Amazon and Facebook

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A great thriller as we head into October. Jessica, the main characters, young daughter starts reciting details of her aunt Isobel and the days leading to her death. A page turner as what Jessica once thought about Isobel might not be so.

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I am a fan of Mark Edwards, "The Retreat" was one of my favorites earlier this year. "In Her Shadow" is the story of Jessica, Izzy and Olivia. Izzy and Jessica are sisters. Izzy has died, by her own hand, and Jessica still grapples with her grief. Olivia is Jessica's daughter who starts behaving strangely...often referencing Izzy, as if she is still present.

Edwards creates a tense world where family secrets are hanging heavy in the air. Is Olivia really seeing Izzy or is someone playing a cruel joke on Jessica?

I don't want to go much further into the plot because as with "The Retreat", Edwards has given me the thriller that I needed to read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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A perfectly readable family drama. Jessica is a young mum who's youngest child Olivia, has started to say and do peculiar things relating the to the death of her aunt Isobel. Isobel fell from a balcony in her house four years ago however, there are a few people who didn't think it was an accident. With the obsession with death and bizzare knowledge Olivia seems to have, history seems to be repeating itself. As children Jessica and Isobel had a poltergeist and there is a worry it has returned, but we all know poltergeists aren't real right? The story is told from Jessica's point of view, and uses flashbacks to complete the story of what actually happened to Isobel. A very easy read with plenty going on to keep your interest, even if you don't believe in poltergeist!

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So hard to write a review for this book without spoilers!
I liked the way the book kind of changes genre half way through, the author keeps you guessing all through the book as to “who did it”. Recommended read for people who like thrillers.

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Another fantastic read by Mark Edwards, I'm a huge fan of his books and this one was no exception. Brilliant read, great characters.

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Praise for Mark Edwards In Her Shadow. A grippING Whodunit that I couldn't put down, I was on the edge of my seat in parts. Well developed characters and a story line that flows , it kept me guessing right to the end.

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Absolutely brilliant, an exciting knicker gripper in my opinion, just love the way Mark Edwards writes. I have read all his books but this is definitely one of my favourites, easy reading, full of suspense and an exciting page turner.

Nothing negative to say about this book, can thoroughly recommend, you will not be disappointed.

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I’ve read and enjoyed several of Mark Edwards books and this one doesn’t disappoint! It was a real page turner... every time I thought I had figured out how it was going to end there was another twist and turn. It was also interesting how he incorporated the paranormal into this thriller. I received a free copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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Let me start off by saying Mark Edwards is my third favorite author of all time. (That’s saying a lot as I am an avid reader) I love all of his books and recommend them to everyone I know. I’m so sad to say this one has been my least favorite. It wasn’t bad, far from it in fact, but for some reason I just couldn’t connect to the characters like I always do with his stories and the BAM factor that is usually there just wasn’t. I did enjoy it though and I’ll still give it 4 stars. I love all of Marks books, for whatever reason this one just didn’t click for me. I can’t wait for his next though!

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In Her Shadow was a powerful new book by established author Mark Edwards. The main character, Jess, is haunted by the death of her sister four years earlier and memories surface when Jess’s young daughter starts an unhealthy interest in her dead aunt.

This is a compelling page turner that was very enjoyable.

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Well, okay, but not really my cuppa tea. Psychological tension but lots of disbelief to suspend. Others are bound to enjoy it, though.

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Reading this novel alone at night is not a good idea. The story of a little girl haunted by the ghost of her aunt is unbearably spooky. Jessica, the little girl's mother and still grieving the death of her sister Isabel, is not sure whether there really is something supernatural going on, or if there is a simple, rational explanation. When Isabel seems to be saying that she was murdered, Jessica starts digging into her life and discovering very unsettling secrets. These female characters are facing very real female problems and Mr. Edwards gets it right. Now, obviously it is possible for an author to write a good book about something that they haven't experienced in real life, but the way that he portrays these purely female issues without sounding forced shows how talented he is. About the plot I can't say anything because the twists were so unexpected and surprising that giving anything away would be a crime. I can just say that it is creepy... very, very creepy, surprising and impossible to put down.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer!

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In Mark Edwards’s book In Her Shadow, Jessica is still trying to move on from her sister Isabel’s death five years earlier. As Jessica works to learn what really happened to Isabel, she is faced with the ghosts of her childhood, the mystery of her daughter’s abilities, and the possible betrayal of the people she holds dear.

This book was not as thrilling to me as Mark Edwards’s previous book The Retreat, primarily because I found the main character hard to identify with and a bit annoying, but I am a huge fan of Edwards’s writing style, descriptions, and character development. I will keep coming back for more.

I am grateful to NetGalley, Mark Edwards, and publisher Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Another fabulous read from Mark Edwards!

Full of twists, so many suspects and still couldn’t guess the outcome even though I was sure I’d got it right!

Don’t want to say to much as may spoil for others

If you’ve read Marks other novels you need to get this!

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Wow! What a book...literally sat on the edge of my seat reading it! Twists and turns until the very end! Definate 5 star book!!!!

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Another good one from Mark Edwards! He's definitely on my must- read-as soon as they come out list!

Five years ago Jessica's older sister Isabelle died from an accidental fall. Now, her 4 year old daughter is behaving strangely. She's saying creepy things about Isabelle's fall, things that only the Jessica and Isabelle know, singing Isabelle's favorite song, and other creepy things that she does in the middle of the night. Jessica doesn't believe it when Olivia says she's "talking" to Isabelle, though something happened when Jessica was a young girl involving a ghost. So her mother wants to bring in a paranormal investigator because she believes Isabelle was murdered. So this definitely has the creepy factor, paranormal vibe in the story. Which is something that I love in my stories. As things start escalating, Jessica starts to believe there is more to Isabelle's fall & begins investigating. I will say Mark Edwards knows how to write books that keep you glued to the pages. I haven't been disappointed by him, so give him a try if you like thrillers.


*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I've yet to come across a book written by Mark Edwards I do not love.
Such a fantastic thriller with so many twists and turns I never saw coming. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good thriller!

Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this book.

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Book Review - ‘In Her Shadow’ by Mark Edwards ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, Amazon Publishing UK and Mark Edwards for the chance to read an ARC of this novel.

“Isabel’s life seemed perfect. Successful business, beautiful house, adoring husband. And then she was dead”.

When the story starts it’s been four years since her sister Isabel’s death and Jessica has never once doubted that it was anything other than a tragic accident. But when her daughter Olivia, who never met her Aunt, suddenly knows long forgotten details of Isabel’s life and talking about “a bad man” and secrets she mustn’t share, Jessica starts to wonder if maybe Izzy didn’t fall from the balcony after all. So, she starts to investigate; trying to garner information from her reluctant and frightened daughter and family members who mostly believe she should let it lie. All the while going between belief and denial that Olivia is telling the truth, fearful of what it means if Olivia really is communicating with her dead Aunt and if Isabel was murdered.

Mark Edwards is the King of the psychological thriller with a eerie twist. When I read ‘The Retreat’ a few months ago I instantly became a fan and this is the 5th of his books that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. When you open a Mark Edwards book you expect a rollercoaster ride of heart pounding anticipation, gut-wrenching turmoil and shocking plot twists; which he has delivered yet again in this unputdownable book that sizzles with suspense and had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happened next.

In Her Shadow is a story about family, loss, a thriller, a who dunnit, and a culturally relevant novel all rolled into one.

Available October 4th.

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Jessica’s sister Izzy died five years ago when she fell off a balcony. Or did she? Years before, Izzy was visited by a ghost, and seems to be communicating to Jessica through Jess’s daughter. Jess wants to get to the bottom of her sister’s death, and will use any means to do it. Things are not what they seem throughout this page turner. Edwards follows “The Retreat” with this fast paced and enjoyable ghost story.

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Mark Edward is an incredible story teller and my favourite author, so when he releases a new book I have high expectations. Unfortunately In Her Shadow did not live up to my expectations. I found this to be the most boring Mark Edwards book so far. I hated the ending and I found the main character incredibly boring 😴😴 But to be fair it was still more enjoyable than most books I read, it's definitely not a bad book, i just didn't enjoy it as much as The Magpies or Follow You Home. Every other review I have read for this book has been 4 or 5 stars so I'm definitely in the minority on not being too impressed, but that's not unusual for me when it comes to books 😂
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honnest review

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A totally addictive and another spine chilling read by Mark Edwards. I've loved each and every one of Mr Edward's book and would highly recommend them all. 5* from me. My thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

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Thank you to Netgalley, Mark Edwards and Amazon Publishing UK for my arc of In Her Shadow.

I'm a huge fan of Mark Edwards books, they're a really unique combination of creepy/thriller. In her Shadow is no different. The other bonus is that they absolutely always keep you guessing!

Jessica is still trying to get back to some kind of normality 5 years after her sister Isabelle fell to her death. But now Jessica's four year old daughter Olivia is dredging up the past, talking above the aunt she never met, as if she knew her. Asking questions like, did Izzy fall or was she pushed? Is Olivia acting up or is Izzy's spirit using her to tell the truth about her death?

The story follows an interesting pathway, the creepy/horror/thriller element is intertwined with the everyday problems of marital issues, trying to be a good parent, and dealing with death. As well as abuse of power and touching on the issues of sexual assault from people in positions of celebrity power. Not to mention the theme of ghosts, spirits and poltergeists.

A rollercoaster of a ride, which kept me turning the pages in a race to the end.

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I am a loyal Mark Edwards fan. I adore psychological thrillers and he is a master at this genre. "In her Shadow" tells the story of Jessica who lives in the "shadow" of her sister, Isabel's death. Although she accepted it was an accident long ago, now she's not so sure. As Jessica's little girl begins to reveal details that she couldn't possibly know from experience, the truth about her sister's "accident" is no longer clear.

Highly recommended to all thriller lovers!!

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#InHerShadow #NetGalley

Family secrets and pure mystery, Mark blends well the emotions and keep the reader attentive until the last page. Excellent work!

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Thank you to Net Galley and Amazon Publishing UK for allowing me to read and review this book. 

Being a fan of Mark Edwards I was delighted to be given the chance to read his new upcoming novel. It features the shivering tale of four year old Olivia who is seemingly communicating to her dead Aunt, Isabel, five years after her death. 

Just a young child playing games? Or is there some truth to what Olivia claims as she knows secrets that only Isabel and Jessica would know. Reading through the story my mind switched from "there must be some explanation" to "could ghosts be real" and I started to really wonder how Mark Edwards would get to the end of the gripping story. I loved the fact that even at the end, when everything unravels, the reader is still left thinking "maybe" about everything left unturned. 

From my own point of view I liked that the book was based around strong female lead characters, and he really played out a five year olds voice. The story touched on current sensitive issues such as sexual abuse from people in power, and abused trust in professionals. 

Definitely recommended, as always Mr Edwards.

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I much preferred the first part of this book,where it was all talks of ghosts and how Olivia knew about her aunts things. You didnt know if the ghost was real or not.
It started to go downhill when practically each character ,one after the other,was accused of murdering Issy.
The whole unrequited love story seemed way over the top.
An easy enough read,and entertaining,though not very believable.
Nothing hugely amiss,I just wouldn't be recommending Edwards books based on this.

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Aaahhh this was brilliant. As always Mak has knocked it out of the park.
I really enjoyed this book and it's many twists and turns. I really didn't suspect the culprit until it was revealed.

The characters were really good and I felt so much like Jessica and could totally understand why she was going about things the way she did.

Absolutely fantastic.

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I have only recently discovered Mark Edwards as an author and have enjoyed the few books I have read so was pleased to receive a copy of this book. It is, as expected a book with a lot of twists and turns. It keeps you reading and guessing. I enjoyed it a lot but cannot help but feel that it tries to twist and turn just a little bit too much. That said I liked the basic plot, an inttriguing story. I thought the characters were well drawn, interesting and well developed.

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In Her Shadow by Mark Edwards is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. Our protagonist Jessica lost her sister Izzy to an unfortunate accident. Izzy fell to her death from a fall from a balcony. We are thrust forward 5 years later and Jessica’s daughter, Olivia, knows things about her dead aunt that she could not possibly know. Edwards does a great job at hinting at such things as the paranormal, Could Izzy be talking to Olivia? It is hard to find a true thriller that will keep you hooked and actually scared yet still wanting to continue reading so that you can find out what the truth actually is. I was hooked with this one. The characters were well developed and the story had so many great twists that I believed everyone was suspect. All I can say to the reader is, hold on tight you are in for one hell of a ride. The only bad part of this book was......... the fact it hand to end. I have read othe books by this author and they all are brilliant in their own way but this one, I would say, is my favorite.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.


5++++ stars ⭐️ out of 5

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With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
In Her Shadow by Mark Edwards was a very clever book, it covered death or was it murder or an accident. Paranormal activity and child possession or were they? Stalking and obsession, love and hate.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and the complex issues discussed throughout the story.
Highly recommended

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This is a very ambitious, topical novel with so many threads like loss, betrayal, obsessive love, inappropriate behaviour & harassment and psychic experiences. This was executed in a slightly mocking, satirical but logical fashion that it would intrigue a hardened sceptic. There's a murder or is it suicide or an accidental death all wrapped up with alcohol and drugs. There are so many "moments" when everything goes out of control. It's extraordinary that a hoax can cause a river of blood that echoes down the years when it backfires and affects so many lives. Another moment is a split second of panic that changes everything. There's an obsessive, unrequited love which has serious consequences. A lascivious photographer who takes advantage of his position and whom no one dares report. Jessica is the main character with her husband Will and children Felix and Olivia - and not forgetting the adorable Caspar, the dog. When Olivia, aged four begins to act strangely and say odd things the temperature rises and escalates to an astonishing degree of tension. Several alarming, inexplicable incidents occur. Trying to extract the "secret" from Olivia is like pulling teeth. They do say children can "see" things that adults can't and this thread is particularly interesting and food for thought. When the novel back to the past it turns everything upside down. The novel has such a fluid, compelling natural style. It neatly presses you to know the characters and what is going on. The dialogue is perfectly manicured, and every word is relevant and plausible. Is Jessica getting steamed up over nothing or is someone following or watching her? Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing.

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2.5 Stars

Reading the synopsis for this book didn't make it clear that, in addition to being a possible murder mystery, this is a ghost story at heart. Had I realized this, I would have never chosen it to read. The creepy-kid-talks-to-ghost-and-relays-information-the-child-couldn't-possibly-know is a tired premise and one that I've never enjoyed.

The story follows Jessica, mother of said creepy child and sister to Isabel, the possible victim, on her crusade to find out the truth of what happened to her sister five years prior.The characters, while fleshed out just enough to keep the story moving, were ALL irritating and not at all realistic or relatable. As the story unfolds, each character takes his/her turn at being a suspect in the demise of Isabel. While I didn't figure out the end, without giving any spoilers, it was nevertheless over the top and implausible.

This is my first book by the seemingly popular Mark Edwards and it seems I find myself in the minority. Fans of his writing will no doubt enjoy this book, it just wasn't for me.


I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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A rather confusing start to this story, has one thinking that you’re about to read a spooky tale of the supernatural as one continues into the story it transpires not to be the case, and turns into an intricate tale of suspense. A good read.

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Having previously read and enjoyed a couple of Mark Edwards' books, I was delighted to receive an e-arc of In Her Shadow for review.

The story starts off with Jessica, married to Will and with two children, Felix and Olivia. A few years earlier, Jessica's older sister Izzy fell to her death from a balcony at her home. The death was ruled an accident however, Jessica and Izzy's mother has never accepted this and always held the belief that she was murdered. Olivia, 4 years old, starts to act strangely and is apparently, and unbelievably to Jessica, receiving messages from Izzy from beyond the grave, trying to get a message across. Having been at the centre of a perceived haunting in their home when they were younger, Jessica is very dubious about Olivia's actions. However, as time goes on Jessica starts to believe that perhaps Olivia is receiving messages from Izzy and that perhaps Izzy's death wasn't an accident after all.

This book unfortunately was not for me. I do enjoy a good paranormal style thriller but I found this to be quite tedious and boring. I found it hard to believe the storyline and the side story of Izzy's business and several other references of a similar nature throughout the book, I thought were irrelevant to the story and just put me off. I thought Jessica and her mother were over the top characters and by the time I got to 71% of the storyline with the revelation that one of the central characters was known to Izzy previously, I found I really wasn't too interested in continuing the book and unfortunately did not finish it.

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This book was gripping from the start. Is Jessica’s daughter Olivia really being haunted by Jessica’s dead sister Izzy? Full of tension and suspense, the story had me spellbound. The twists and turns throughout the book were so good, I had no idea what was coming at the end. A wonderful style of writing by the author. I highly recommend this book.

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In Her Shadow is the latest thriller by Mark Edwards. Mr Edwards manages to make the reader feel an immediate connection with our heroine, and make her feel like a friend. Some back and forth in time is woven in as we learn things that have previously happened. I was given an early copy to review.

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Mark Edwards book never fit into one particular genre with elements of a psychology thriller, horror and supernatural the reader is never sure what the author has planned, and that’s one of the reasons I’m such a huge fan of this authors work, he turns the most ordinary events into an extraordinary tale. In Her Shadow is spine-chilling creepy, it’s one of those books where your nerves are frayed, the slightest noise will make you jump, there’s a sense of impending doom which only intensifies as the plot thickens.

Jessica is mum to four year old Olivia who appears to be communicating with Jessica's sister Isabel, but that’s where things take a creepy and disturbing turn as Isabel died four years ago when she fell from the balcony of her house. At the time the fall was seen to be a tragic accident but Olivia has other ideas and soon Jessica is convinced that there is something far more sinister behind her sisters accident. In Her Shadows reminded me a little of the film The Sixth Sense, it’s the one where a young boy talks to dead people, I got the same sense of unease whilst reading this book. Olivia’s character is definitely the star of In Her Shadows, I had permanent goose bumps as Olivia’s behaviour became more disturbing, in fact this book would make one hell of a creepy film.

Familiar themes run through this book family secrets, lies and obsession but Mark Edwards adds his unique voice making the themes his own. I loved the way the author always manages to make his books multi genre, and even with elements of the supernatural In Her Shadows felt frighteningly credible. Add into the mix unreliable characters, that as the reader you find yourself constantly doubting how trustworthy they actually are, the author also leaves little time to contemplate, as each chapter ends the plot thickens, which all help to make this book a intriguing read. I love the fact you never know what story will be hidden in the pages of a new Mark Edwards books, but one thing you can be guaranteed it will be a highly entertaining read. Definitely one for fans of psychological thrillers and the paranormal. Highly recommended

Review will be edited prior to being published on my blog

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I have never read anything by tnis author before so was unsure what to expect........what I got was a well written, book full of tiwists and turns,very enjoyable and will defintely read more from this author

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I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book. I read it slowly trying to make it last forever.

Mark Edwards always knows how to keep his readers enthralled in a book. This one is no exception. In Her Shadow kept me up way past my bedtime on the second night of reading it. I had to stay up and finish it because I couldn't wait until morning to find out if Olivia really was in contact with her aunt. It has all the twists and turns that Mr. Edwards fans have come to expect, and love!

Another hit from one of my favorite authors! Fans of his writing will not be disappointed with this one!

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Mark Edwards has this remarkable talent for taking ordinary people and turning their lives and experiences into something extraordinary and "In Her Shadow" is no exception to this rule.

A creepy tale that had me having to turn the light on in the middle of the night and sent my dreams into meltdown mode! There's something extra creepy when children are involved in tales that reach beyond the grave and I had a real feeling that this book would translate so well onto the big screen just in time for Halloween!

At times, I struggled a little with the read, it isn't a criticism of the writing. As with all of Mark Edwards books this was very well written and plotted out, I just felt for a while in the middle it dragged a little for me before picking up speed and hurtling me towards a brilliantly twisted conclusion.

Highly topical, as well as tackling otherworldly experiences, Edwards also covers the issue of abuse and rape in the film and media industries and does so extremely well and authentically. A whole host of clues and hints are given, snatched away and dropped in your lap again! Although I finally did work out the gist of what was going on, I was not without my Cluedo looking-glass to get there!

Another fantastic and intriguing psychological thriller from one of the best authors in the genre. Perfectly spooky and delightfully chilling this one will have you shivering with fear!

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Jessica lost her sister a few years ago when she fell off the balcony at her house. When they were children something happened that made them minor celebrities for a short time- all to do with ghosts and spirits, which Jessica now can’t stand and doesn’t believe in. Her mother however is a bit of a believer in such things and has a spiritualist friend. Jessica’s daughter Olivia, who is only four, is saying rather strange things about Izzy as if she is her imaginary friend, however somethings she couldn’t possibly know or have heard. What really happened to Izzy? Jessica’s curiosity gets the better of her and as she finds out more the more she needs to know.
Sometimes I wish Mark Edwards wasn’t an author (just kidding) as he has the talent (or is a power?) to make time and real life disappear. He is one of my go-to authors and this book reflects this, I couldn’t put it down. A mystery and almost a ghost story. I’m not into ghost stories but this had me hooked. Mark’s style of writing is such that it grabs you from the outset, twists you around a little and makes you want more and more. It’s one of those that you want to get to the end to find out what happens but at the same time you don’t want it to end as it is so enjoyable. It made me a little anxious and a little chilled and kept me on the edge of my seat. If you haven’t read a book by Mark and you enjoy psychological thrillers then I would highly recommend trying one- but be warned- you might not put it down!
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
(rest of links on publication day)

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This was my first read of Author Mark Edwards and what a book this was. Jessica and Will have 2 children, Felix 10 and Olivia 4 years old. All of a sudden, Olivia starts acting out in school and she tells her mother that her Aunt Izzy is talking to her. Jessica's older sister, Isabel, died after she fell from her upstairs balcony railing 5 years earlier. The death was ruled an accident but the family always suspected that maybe it wasn't. As the story unfolds, there are many twists, turns and surprises in it. This is a very well written book and the characters are solid and likable. This book was hard to put down and I really enjoyed it. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this fascinating book in exchange for an honest review.

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Jessica’s sister Isabel died in a tragic accident. Jessica’s daughter Olivia never got to meet her aunt, so when she starts talking about snippets from Isabel’s past that she could not possibly have known, Jessica’s suspicions are raised about Isabel’s life and untimely death.
My husband spoke to me at one point while I was reading this and I jumped out of my skin! This read was absolutely chilling.
I thought I had it all figured out but I was wrong, the twists and turns kept coming.
As a regular reader of Mark Edwards I believe that this is his best work yet! I have yet to read a book by this author that I did not enjoy but he has truly raised his game here.
Thank you so much to Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read In Her Shadow.

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Mark Edwards has been one of my favourite authors for some years now and this is one of my favourite books. The story was deliciously creepy and I suspected everyone at some point. I th I o this would be an excellent story to curl up with on a cold winters night but keep the lights on.

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This was a good read. I admit, it wasn’t as I expected going in. But it kept me intrigued. I wanted to know what was really going on. There were times in the book that I thought, “oh no, there’s no way they could be giving away the killer now!”. But then more would unfold and I couldn’t put the book down. I liked how the answer unfolded in multiple parts and it wasn’t just ONE person responsible for what was going on. I didn’t know if I would like a “ghost story”, but it was a very suspenseful book that keep me on my toes.

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I requested In Her Shadow after thoroughly enjoying Edwards' previous release titled 'The Retreat'. There's actually a cheeky little easter egg amongst the opening scenes of In Her Shadow that links the two of them together, if you do read both be sure to keep an eye out for it. I also own 'Follow You Home' but have yet to read it.

The main focus of the plot is to discover how Isabel really died. Was it an accident? A suicide? Perhaps she was murdered?

The pacing is steady to begin with, if not a little jerky. 66% into In Her Shadow I thought I'd guessed the entire ending and felt a little put-out. Thankfully I didn't have the details entirely right and so when the story ramped up at 75% I clawed back a little of my earlier investment. I say a little because looking back I realise I never really felt any desperation to find the answers.

The third person perspective switches back and forth between Jessica in the present, another character I don't want to spoil by revealing and her dead sister Isabel in the past.

Perhaps the time passing between Isabel's death and Jessica's discoveries was too long, maybe it was because I found Isabel to be shallow and uninteresting, but I think it's more the lack of emotional response in the living characters that made me lose interest. They didn't seem to care all that much so neither did I.

When adding to this an unrealistic car chase and some basic plot twists, even the question of supernatural involvement and a whodunnit wouldn't convince me to recommend this. In Her Shadow tries to be too many different things and ends up being nothing in particular.

If you haven't read Mark Edwards before please don't be put off entirely, just read The Retreat instead.. I promise that one's better.

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3.5 stars. Solid book with a few page turning moments. Mark Edwards is one of my favorite authors and I would pretty much read anything that he writes.

Basic Plot: Mom Jessica begins to believe that her 4yr old daughter is communicating with her dead sister (mom's sister, daughter's aunt). The sister "Izzy" died 5 years earlier from what everyone believed was an accidental fall. But, the daughter begins to behave strangely and seems to know things that she shouldn't know and starts to make everyone believe that maybe Aunt Izzy's fall was not an accident. Jessica beings to believe that maybe her daughter is communicating beyond the grave and sets out to try to figure out what really happened to her sister. Things get a little crazy as she basically suspects everyone of having caused Izzy's death.

This book is not as good as most of his other books. The thing that makes Mark Edwards' writing so good is his ability to make ordinary life creepy, without quite being a horror story. This book just didn't have the creep factor that is so excellently done in his other books. There were maybe one or two moments where I felt a little on edge about what was going to happen (that edge of your seat, have to keep reading feeling).

The writing is solid and the book is certainly readable and has its entertaining moments. I would still recommend reading it because it is a good story. And actually, I think if this book is taken more as a "whodunit" mystery, it is more successful.. I went into it expecting a psychological thriller, and the psychic aspect of communicating with the dead, just did't quite bring in enough creep factor. But, this is definitely entertaining as a mystery.

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It's no secret that I am a huge fan of this author's psychological thrillers, never read a bad one. Thing is though, as the story contained within this book started to unfurl I had this horrible thought that maybe this one would buck that trend as it began to go somewhere I wasn't really wanting it to go. But, I trusted in the author, something told me that he wasn't about to let me down so I read on. Was my trust repaid? Heck yeah - and then some!
Jessica is married with two children, her sister, Isabel, died in an accident several years ago and the hurt around that has never left her, so it was with shock and horror when her youngest child, Olivia, appears to know much more about Isabel than she should. Olivia's behaviour gets even more bizarre when it also appears that Isabel is using her to try to speak to Jessica, and the message she is trying to convey is that her death was no accident. But the dead can't come back, or can they?
Whilst not as chilling to me as his previous books have been, maybe cos I don't have children, don't know, this book relied instead on its intricate plotting to keep me reading. And it did that very well. Along with Jessica, I took what was happening at face value and then delved deeper as we both tried to make sense of what was going on. I thought I had it all worked out quite early but, yeah, wrong; very wrong! Then, as things went on, I started to expand my list of suspects, but I never managed to rule anyone in or out until right up to the final reveal. Shocked! But, with the wonderful power of hindsight, yep, clues were there, the author just done me like a kipper; again!
As I write my reviews I mentally list all the things I need to make a good book a great read and, again, full house on that score. Characterisation - spot on; pacing - perfect; twists, turns and redherrings - spot on; secrets and lies - check. And a motive/reason/explanation that, well, very original indeed. I simply don't have the words to fully explain the amazing journey this book took me on. Suffice to say, his other fans will love it and, if you've never read him before, where have you been?
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

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Did she fall or was she pushed? That is the question underlining the whole of In Her Shadow by Mark Edwards. Jessica was devoted to her sister and her death hit her hard. She has always believed it was nothing more than a tragic accident although her mother has always insisted there was more to Isabel's death than that. When Jessica's daughter Olivia starts telling Jessica all about things that happened to the aunt she has never met, the line between what is thought to be known and what is suspected start to blur.

It is fair to say that this book is quite creepy. Not in an obvious 'oh look there's a ghost' kind of way but in the slow building sense of unease that you get as you progress through the chapters. At first it is easy to dismiss Olivia's behaviour as the actions of a child with an imaginary friend. Would it be so unbelievable for that friend to be her aunt given how much Jessica adored her sister? Probably not. But when she starts to say things that she cannot possibly have known, sing songs that she has never heard and even foretell of tragedies which are soon to occur ... well you have to wonder if the child might just be haunted. 

There are no all out spook moments in this novel. It's not that kind of book. But Mark Edwards has created an unsettling atmosphere even in the most routine of actions, the simplest of conversations. It is always hard to tell with young children as they often say things in the most innocent of ways without understanding what they are saying or the impact it has, but the story is written in such a way that you always feel there is something just a little bit more than that.

Although largely written from Jessica's point of view the book is littered with chapters filling in Isabel's life in the months leading up to her death. Explaining the reasons whey she turned to drink, the very thing that made it so easy to believe her death was an accident. These passages are quite telling and lead you to a whole host of suspects if, in fact, it does turn out that her death wasn't quite so straight forward. And then there is Jessica's own investigation, her determination to get to the truth of how Olivia can know so much about a person she never met.

There are a lot of twists and turns in this book, elements that you may or may not see coming. Certainly I was suspicious of one or two characters quite early on. Perhaps not in the way they were written but there was enough to get my senses tingling and not to trust them completely. You will definitely be led up quite a few garden paths until you find the right door to go knocking on, and the person it reveals may well surprise you. And then there's that killer ending. Just when you think that everything is sorted, that you know what really happened ... Well, it wouldn't be a Mark Edwards book if he didn't deliver that last moment of uncertainty now would it?

As you would expect, the story flows smoothly, the tension ramping up and dying down as the action dictates. You now you re in for a great read when you pick up a Mark Edwards novel, and while the pacing may not have felt as fast as some of the other books I have read, the story is truly compelling and I still found myself at the end of the book really quickly. Now I'm a gal who loves ghost stories, the spookier the better, and this wasn't perhaps as skin crawlingly creepy as I like, but it did make me wonder, with enough suspense to keep me on edge until the very last page.

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Another fantastic book by Mark Edwards!
I thought this book was really different to his other stories, but I enjoyed it just as much. So many twists and turns in this book, I didn’t trust any of the characters but still didn’t expect the ending!
Five stars!

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I’m new to Mark Edwards and his books and this was a great book to start! I loved the suspense in this book and once I started, I couldn’t stop reading this book because I felt a real connection to the characters and how the story was not only going to end, but how it was going to unravel as well. I’ll definitely be reading more books by this author because this book was a great read! 4.5 Stars

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Wow, my first book from Mark Edwards is a solid winner!

A tale of two sisters. Isabel is young and successful, and one day, she is found dead after an accident. Years later, Jessica is still reeling from her sister’s death when her young daughter, Olivia, mentions secrets about Isabel’s past, things she shouldn’t know.

With that discovery, Jessica senses that there has to be something more to the story, and perhaps her sister has been murdered. She also has to reason to believe that she and her family are in danger. And just what does her daughter know? And how on earth does she know it?

I read In Her Shadow quickly, absorbing the tension and feeling anxious for Izzy, Jessica, and Olivia. I liked how Izzy is present within the story through flashbacks. There was breathing room in the writing for me to make my own theories, while that tension continued to ramp up and up. Red herrings and many possible culprits left my head spinning in the best possible way.

I’m cutting this review short so you can explore this treat of a read for yourself. I can easily see why this author has so many fans. In Her Shadow is a spine-chilling, smart, and overwhelmingly engaging psychological suspense that I recommend to ALL thriller readers.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer/Amazon Pub UK for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

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Jessica and Isobel are sisters, that is until Isobel falls from a balcony at home and passed away at the scene, that was some years ago and it was classed as a tragic accident until Jessica's daughter Olivia starts to say things that only Isobel and Jessica would know. Olivia tells her mum that Isobel is telling her these things but Jessica doesn't know whether to believe her or not as she does seem to know things that at 4 she could never have remembered.When Olivia says that Isobel didn't fall from the balcony but she was pushed it sends Jessica reeling as there had never been any doubt about her sisters accidental death. Surely Olivia can't be talking to Isobel from beyond the grave but then there was a time in the past that made Jessica unsure of what was happening but she was concerned about her daughters welfare and has to get to the bottom of this no matter what secrets she uncovers. This
was all brought together seamlesly with a couple of false leads and twists on the way. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Thank you to NetGalley for my copy

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Mark Edwards proves once again that he is one of the most talented crime writers today. After the excellent ''Retreat'' that I greatly enjoyed, I was eager to read his new book and I was not disappointed. ''In Her Shadow'' is a superb psychological thriller playing with the notion of the supernatural element without eventually embracing it and also has an absorbing plot which makes it hard to put the book down. | read it almost in one sitting as I couldn't resist the urge to turn the pages in order to find out what happens next. The first half of the book hints on supernormal phenomena, thus making the reader believe that he is reading a ghost story but Edwards has lots of twists in store and the book turns to a mystery/thriller as it progresses. The development of the plot is well-crafted and it follows a steady not too fast, not too slow, tempo without becoming tedious at any time. The whodunit element is also present and you will constantly be trying to find the culprit as you are bound to change your mind many times throughout the novel. The narration shifts from present to past in a truly successful way, something that we rarely encounter in contemporary crime fiction books and this fact empowers my initial statement about the gifted writing abilities of the writer. I will not write anything specific about the plot, as it would spoil a great reading experience. Mark Edwards is on my top-10 crime writers and he is more than worth it.

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Another triumph from this author.
I have been thoroughly entertained and enthralled by his books and I am glad to say that this one does not disappoint.
As you would expect from this author you spend most of your time sitting on the edge of your seat constantly turning the pages.
This story is full of twists and turns. A rollercoaster of a read.
If you have not this author shame on you.
Can't wait to read his next offering, hope I don't have wait too long.
I would like to thank the author Mark Edwards, Amazon Publishing UK and Net.galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for giving an honest review.

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Firstly I'd like to start by saying that I adore Mark Edwards as an author he has this ability to keep me engaged from the beginning to the end of all of his books though matter how good the actual plot turns out to be.

In this novel we follow Jessica our main character and her four year old daughter Olivia who happens to say that she has been communicated with by her dead aunt isabel whom fell of a balcony in her house five years ago but did she really fall or was she pushed?

Like most Mark Edwards novels there was a supernatural feel to this however unlike his other books I found this very dark and eerie but in a good way and this continued throughout. What did I not like about this? There was a little to much going on towards the last part and some parts were easy to guess but with that being said I still highly enjoyed myself reading this book. It discussed important issues that I feel are currently being raised in the media recently and it's important to tell this type of story.

Will I be reading more Mark Edwards books? Of course he's one of my favourite authors and I look forward to seeing what he comes out with next.

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IN HER SHADOW by Mark Edwards is a great suspense novel. I had never read any of Edwards's novels before but I will be on the hunt to read more from this great author.

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In Her Shadow by Mark Edwards is a great story with many twists. I couldn't put it down, it was so good.

The story is about two sisters, Jessica and Isabel. But guess what? Isabel died 5 years ago, As the story goes on we get nearer to the day Isabel died.
Jessica is a mother of two. Things go normal when until her daughter starts to act strange. That is when things start to go out of control. Because the daughter knows thing she couldn't possibly know. And Jessica starts to wonder what really happened to Isabel 5 years ago. It was ruled as an accident but was that it really...

A huge thank you to NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book for an honest review.

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What can I say other than Mark Edwards is a phenomenal story teller! I have read four or five of his other books to date and each one is better than the last!

In Her Shadow is the story of Jessica and her sister Izzy who died four years ago. Jessica’s daughter who was unborn when Izzy died seems to have lots of knowledge about her Aunt but no one has shared this information with little Olivia so how does she know all of these things. Jessica is trying to process what is going on and wondering what really happened to her sister the day she died.

Edwards has a way of throwing a plot twist in the perfect spot to grab your attention and then leave you hanging and wanting more. The twists in this book are devine! The ending leaves you breathless once the truth is revealed!

A must read for fans of Edwards of thrillers with a slight paranormal twist!

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Mark Edwards has done it again, he is a truly remarkable author. His new books has a supernatural feel to it and is very dark compared to his other books, for this reason alone I love this book.

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Wow, this book literally grabbed a hold of me and sucked me right in. I was gripped and sitting on the edge of my seat in eager anticipation as to what would happen next with ever chapter, right to the very end.

I thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters are all so very well portrayed and believable. There are times when I literally didn't know who to trust, who was telling the truth and who was lying.

I was truly captivated and enthralled with this book and throughout reading it, I kept trying to piece everything together in my head, and figure it all out, and wondering how it would all end. Suffice to say I couldn't have been more wrong if I tried.  There were twists a plenty, that I literally didn't see coming.

This is one spooky and creepy psychological thriller that I won't be forgetting anytime soon.

Mark was a new author to me, but given how much I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this, I will definitely be looking to read his other books.

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Jessica lost her sister isabel 4 years ago, never had any doubts about it being an accident. Until her young daughter knows some long forgotten details that makes Jessica think that her sister’s life was perfect as it seems.
The second book I’ve read of Mark Edwards and simply one of the best thrillers I’ve read.

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A great book by Mark Edwards. I was hooked from page 1. Ghosts, poltogyst, murder mystery, it's got it all. Shows how easy it is to get into a child's mind. Was Evies death, murder, suicide or an accident. Keeps you guessing all the way through. The whole family is affected by her death. Loss of trust affects their relationship. Even the answers keep you guessing. So is there an afterlife or not. Do the dead come back to make you look for the truth?

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A good screenwriter could wring three or four Lifetime movies out of this book. There is a murder mystery, a young child who think she can see a ghost, affairs, obsession, stalking, sexual harassment, sister rivalry, and an unbelievable sex therapy business. I enjoyed the alternating points of view from the past and present but overall, it was just too much. If you are in the mood to binge on a jam-packed melodramatic read, this book could be for you.

Thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and the author Mark Edwards for an advanced electronic reading copy.

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For four years Jessica has never doubted that her sister Isabel’s death was an accident. But when Jessica’s young daughter seems to know long-forgotten details about her aunt’s past, Jessica can’t shake the feeling that there’s a more sinister truth behind the tragedy.

As Jessica unearths disturbing revelations about her sister, and about the people she loved and trusted most, it becomes clear Isabel’s life was less than perfect and that Jessica’s might also be at risk.

Did someone murder Isabel? Are they now after Jessica and her family? The key seems to lie in the hands of a child. Can Isabel reveal the truth from beyond the grave, or is the answer closer to home?

This book is a page turner about family secrets, obsession, and manipulation. If you like classic horror films, suspense, mystery, or other thrillers, this book is for you.

This is cleverly detailed and cleverly written. Used to build strong horror and strong crime thriller. The overall concept of the book is strong and Mark Edwards is successful with his concept.

I am interested in reading some of his other books now that I have seen Mark Edwards’ writing. He has a distinct voice and a distinct storyline that is really interesting.

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Another page-turner by the unstoppable Mr. Edwards. Deliciously creepy, disturbing and all-absorbing. Mark Edwards books are just getting better and better.

Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this ARC for which I have given my voluntary and unbiased review.

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Another Mark Edwards masterpiece with the characteristic chill factor. He is the master of weaving a complex plot which will have you on the edge of your seat.
Jessica has lived her life in the shadow of her extremely successful older sister Izzy. Izzy seemed to have everything- money, the perfect husband, house and job. Until one day she falls off the balcony and dies - or was she pushed?
When Jessica’s daughter starts talking about (and to) her Aunt, and relaying information she can’t know, Jessica wonders if Izzy is trying to tell her something.
Amazing book and highly recommended.

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I just finished In Her Shadow by Mark Edwards and am sorry to say that this book wasn’t my cup of tea. I never read anything that deals with the paranormal and the first three quarters of the book was full of it.

It took me forever to get to the latter part of the book and I must admit that after that I started enjoying the book but for me that was a little too late.

I wouldn’t recommend the book but only because of the paranormal happenings. I rate it 3 stars because as said it was very good in the end.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

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Three and a half star rating.
Jess and her sister Izzy are very close so it's shocking when she's found on the ground after falling from her balcony. Even more sinister when Jess's young daughter starts saying things - things she shouldn't even know about. This is a story of parts - part creepy, part family, part crime and part supernatural. Once started you have to go right to the end but there's plenty to keep you glued to the plot. The sisters were a bit bossy, always wanting their own way, but the dog was nice! It was an enjoyable read and I'm sure the author's fans will be very happy with this book.

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Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me. I only managed to get 27% in before giving up. It was quite slow and I didn't feel very invested in the story.

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Isabel's life seemed perfect. A successful business, a beautiful house, an adoring husband.

Isabel and Jessic were sisters. Jessica has two children, Felix and Olivia. Isabel died in a tragic accident. She fell from a balcony at her home before Olivia was born. When Olivia starts misbehaving at school, she tells her teachers that it's her friend Izzy that is making her do these bad things. Jessica is shocked when she learns this, but it seems that Olivia is able to communicate with her dead aunt. Olivia knows things that only Isabel and Jessica knew. So just how is Olivia getting her information? Can she really communicate with the dead? Jessica set out to find out the truth.

The story is told mostly by Jessica's perspective but we also get flashbacks from Isabel. I was totally captivated by this story. With the usual suspects st the top of my list, I still had no idea whether I was right or wrong. The twists just kept coming and it now seems the vital ones I had ignored or did not recognised them as clues. All my thought processes were wrong. I admit, I never saw that end coming. Mark Edwards, you have a wonderful talent in writing. I highly recommend this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author Mark Edwards for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I enjoyed this book very much, thanks for giving me the opportunity to read it.
A sister that died, why did she die. Was she killed, who killed her. Did she jump,from the balcony, why , was she drunk.
Her sister that thinks she has come back as a spirit, and her daughter that talks to her.
Is it true, or is there another reason, Do spirits really come and talk to you, maybe not.
Will not say any more do not want to spoil the book for you.

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Another whirlwind of a book by Mark Edwards! It sees Jessica's 4yo daughter Olivia start to mention things that her Aunt Izzy has told her, things that only Izzy and Jessica would know, except Izzy died before Olivia was born, in what police ruled as an accident. As Olivia comes out with more and more bombshells, now about the day that Izzy died, Jessica starts to think that there was more to her sister's death than meets the eye. She starts to re-examine everything from the time of Izzy's death, trying to find out what everyone has missed. Then Olivia starts to make predictions about people and places around her, predictions that start to come true...
And the truth? It's even creepier than you'd imagine...
This is a chilling, gripping suspense novel, as I've come to expect from Mark Edwards. It races out of the blocks and the pace doesn't slacken until the last page. I was, as usual, oblivious to everything going on around me until I'd come to the final conclusion. I recommend this book to all lovers of psychological fiction and domestic suspense.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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i’m finding it hard to review this latest offering from mark edwards. ive read his previous books and loved them however, this one i neither loved nor hated. the first half was slow but the second halfway does take a more gripping turn however i didn’t feel it matched his previous books.

many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Jessica’s sister Isabel had it all, she had a successful business, a stunning house and a husband who adored her. But the. She was dead. Jessica accepted that her sisters death was an accident. It when Jessica’s four year old daughter suddenly seems to know long forgotten details about her aunt and it seems Isabel is trying to tell her that it wasn’t an accident after all.
Did someone murder her sister? Are Jessica and her family in danger? Everything seems to be in the hands of Jessica’s daughter Olivia and now Jessica needs to find out what happened that day.

A very good story with Isabel still being involved by flashback chapters. All of the characters were well developed and every time I thought I’d worked something out I was thrown off again by something else happening. I really enjoyed this creepy psychological thriller and highly recommend it to others.
Many thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy for my honest review.

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This is my least favourite book of Mark Edwards. It's more of a ghost story than a thriller. I prefer the more psychological thriller rather than books about children in touch with ghosts!

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When In Her Shadow first popped up on Netgalley, it didn’t have a cover or a book description. Yet, after just having finished Mark Edwards’ previous book, The Retreat, I jumped at the chance to request it. His psychological thrillers with a slightly paranormal vibe to them are always hugely entertaining.

Four years ago, Jessica’s sister Izzy fell to her death from a balcony at her home. Jessica never questioned that this event was nothing more than an unfortunate accident. Until the day her four year old daughter starts acting a wee bit creepy, seemingly coming up with memories and details about an aunt she’s never known. Was Izzy’s death an accident or was she murdered?

Through a few flashback chapters and Jessica’s search for the truth, the reader discovers that Izzy’s life was, despite appearances, anything but perfect. This is also the point where I got lost a little. There was so much going on, from drugs to infidelity to stalkers, from quite an odd business to the #metoo movement. While it all made sense in the end, there seemed to be quite a lot to try and keep track of.

Even though I was unable to figure out the who or the why, which is always a bonus, In Her Shadow lacked a little something for me. It wasn’t as thrilling as I expected it to be and I felt the chapters dealing with Izzy’s past broke the flow of the story. And while Olivia’s words and actions were a tad creepy, they never quite chilled me to the bone.

Nevertheless, I stayed up way past my bedtime, again, to finish it because that’s just what Mark Edwards does to you. And that’s also why, even though this maybe didn’t quite work for me as well as The Retreat did, I will most definitely be picking up one of his other books in future. Because they are entertaining and enjoyable and they are addictive page-turners. Mark Edwards is a fantastic writer and tells a great story but for me, this thriller needed just that little bit more thrill to it.

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Jessica’s sister, Isabelle, died years ago in what was deemed an unfortunate accident. But was it? Now, years later, Jessica’s young daughter, who never knew her Aunt Isabelle, suddenly knows things about her Aunt that she should have no way of knowing. Things that imply that her death might not have been as accidental as it originally seemed.

This book was a very engaging mix of psychological thriller and paranormal mystery. It kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what was going on, and if anything was really as it seemed. The is-it-or-isn’t-it paranormal aspect was a pleasant and unexpected surprise.

The book itself alternated between Jessica’s point-of-view in present day, and a couple of other character’s points-of-view from the past to help flesh out what was really going on and full in the missing pieces for the reader.

I must say the book was just a tad predictable at times, but not entirely. Although I was able to put some of the puzzle pieces together before the ultimate reveal, some things still came as a surprise.

Finally, the last quarter of the book did seem to drag on a bit. Once one of the main reveals was done, the last chunk, which I think was meant to be the final unexpected twist, just felt a little anti-climatic and long-winded.

Overall, despite a couple of minor issues, this was a very entertaining and thrilling book. I would recommend to anyone who likes a fast paced thriller with a side of the paranormal!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a free advance review copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. This review appears on GoodReads and my Facebook page, and will be posted to retail sites once published.*

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Jessica Gardner lost her sister Isabel (Izzy) five years ago to a bizarre freak accident. Since that time she has immersed herself in motherhood doting on her two children Felix and Olivia. The children don't know much about aunt Izzy as they have been spared the details of her death. Felix was rather young at the time and Olivia was not even born yet.

Suddenly Izzy becomes a daily topic of conversation for four year old Olivia. Jessica is bewildered as to how Olivia seems to know details of Izzy's life. Unsettling details of an aunt that she never knew. The thing is nobody has told Olivia about these things and they are extremely accurate. So you can imagine Jessica's further shock when Olivia implies that aunt Izzy was murdered. Is her daughter actually communicating with her dead sister? How else could she knows these things? If she is and it is true that she was murdered, that means the culprit is still on the loose.

Jessica finds herself searching for the truth about her sister and what is going on with her daughter. She begins to question the motives of everyone in her inner circle. Trying to unravel the details of that fateful night her sister lost her life.

I have been hearing so much about Mark Edwards and how fantastic his books are. A truly suspenseful read that kept me wondering what the heck happened to Izzy. I began to wonder if Olivia really did have the power to talk to her aunt. I found myself on edge wondering what Olivia was going to reveal to us next. Would she lead us to the killer? Or was this simply a case of a child repeating things they have heard. Hmmm I going to say no on that. See what you think!

Thank you so much to Mark Edwards, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC.

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Jessica's sister, Isabel, “Izzy" died four years ago and Jessica has never doubted the coroner's finding that her sister's death was an accident. But when her four-year-old daughter, Olivia, begins mentioning things, things that only Jessica and her sister knew, Jessica becomes concerned. Is her daughter interested in death because of her age and she is beginning to understand what that means? Is she curious about the Aunt she never knew? As the tension mounts, Jessica begins to wonder if her sister's death was really an accident? How does her daughter know so much about her dead aunt? Is her daughter getting messages from beyond the grave? What was going on in his sister's life leading up to her death?

Mark Edwards has created a creepy psychological thriller that does not disappoint. I questioned what was real and what was not real while reading this book. This book has a feel of dread and apprehension. Are ghosts real? Is Olivia talking to a ghost? How does she know everything she knows? As Jessica becomes more concerned about her daughter, I did as well. As Jessica becomes obsessed with learning the truth, it is easy to feel her emotions, her anxiety, her suspicion, her fears, her concern for her family and her need to know the truth. I came up with several theories and guesses while reading. Edwards does a good job at throwing out some possibilities but keeps the truth just out of the reader's grasp.

I read this book in one day as I was fully invested in learning the truth. There are twists and turns which I did not see coming. There is an interesting, yet plausible reveal at the end. Edwards has created interesting and fully developed characters who are dealing with a lot of issues in this book. The story-line touches on several things such as sex, love, loss, infidelity, grief, the #MeToo movement, trust, guilt, family secrets, lies, relationships, drug use and obsession. There is a paranormal element which I thought he worked flawlessly into the story.

Another solid book by Edwards.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK/Thomas Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com

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When Mark Edwards publishes a book, I read it. It’s that simple really. He’s an author whose writing I am happy to return to again and again. To prove my point, here are my reviews of Mark’s previous books; Follow You Home, The Devil’s Work, The Lucky Ones and The Retreat. I’ve also read ‘The Magpies’ which started it all for me a few years back. All wonderful, immersive pieces of fiction and highly recommended.

Making a start on Mark Edwards’s latest book is a strangely nerve-wracking experience for me. I have loved everything I have read by this author so far. Will this be the first book to disappoint? Will I love it as much as the others? Well, the answer to those two questions is that it did NOT disappoint but I maybe didn’t love it as much as his previous releases. Let me explain. Once again, Edwards has penned a highly readable, family focussed psychological thriller. What he does best in my opinion. However, this book has an overarching paranormal element to it, and the inclusion of any kind of paranormal ‘activity’ in a novel tends to leave this reader feeling cold. But that’s me. Your feelings on the matter may be completely different to mine and that, I find, is one of the joys of reading, and books in general. Saying that, the paranormal elements to the story were extremely well done and at points I felt shivers run down my spine – particularly in the first half of the book. Little Olivia really did freak me out.

Edwards really knows how to write a fully formed, living, breathing character. I was drawn to Jessica and her deceased sister, Isabel. In fact, I would go as far as saying Isabel was my favourite character in the book. There are wonderful flashback sections throughout so what I’m saying isn’t completely crazy (read the blurb if you’re not sure what I’m talking about). I loved her feistiness, her boundless self-confidence and her ambition. Also her strong sense of right and wrong. Jessica very much pales in her sister’s shadow. Olivia was also a firm favourite, despite the fact she did send shivers down my spine at points. I couldn’t get over how authentic Edwards made her voice.

Would I recommend this book? I would but why recommend one when you can recommend them all! I felt there was a stronger lean towards the ‘women’s fiction’ genre in In Her Shadow which I have nothing against but it’s really NOT my thing. It’s also a little sexy which again, I could have done without. However, Mark Edwards is a supremely talented writer and if you haven’t read any of his books yet then we need to have serious words. A strong family driven thriller which I enjoyed. Recommended.

Four out of five stars.

I chose to read and review an eARC of In Her Shadow. The above review is my own honest unbiased opinion.

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Mark Edwards does it again. I’m a big fan of his books and this one is possibly his best yet.
I loved the angle of the book and the twists and turns. I thought I’d worked out what was going on but I was wrong.
The main characters are easy to relate to and likeable.
Found the book gripping and easy and quick to read.
A must read

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I have read all Mark Edwards previous books & thoroughly enjoyed them however I was a little unsure about this one initially. It was the hint of paranormal that made me hesitant.
That aside though I’m glad I completed this book as it all seemed to come together in the end.
Already looking forward to Mark’s next offering.
3.5 stars

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In Her Shadow by Mark Edwards is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My Synopsis:
Jessie is starting to wonder about her sanity. Her 4-year old daughter seems to be in contact with Jessie’s older sister Izzy, who died 5 years ago. How can Olivia know the things she does? Why is she suddenly obsessed with death, and why does she insist that Izzy had been pushed off the balcony when it had been ruled an accident?

Jessie’s mind travels back to “Uncle Larry”, who haunted them for a while when she was growing up. The poltergeist activity and telephone calls had them so freaked out that her Mom called in a psychic, and the newspaper stories ended up wreaking havoc on all their lives. Jessie thought all that was behind them, but now she is questioning things again.

So was Izzy really murdered? Jessie is going to find out. As she starts trying to question her daughter, she finds some startling information. As she keeps digging, it becomes evident that there is a lot about Izzy's life that she didn't know, and she ends up putting her own life in danger.

My Opinions:
The author told the story from different points of view, including Jessie, and Izzy. In this manner, we found out a little more about their childhood and things that were going on with Izzy for which Jessie knew nothing.

Although I felt it started out a little slowly, it definitely picked up speed – to the point that it was hard to put down. There were a number of twists, and I thought I knew what had happened, but I was pleasantly wrong.

I only wish I had liked the characters a little more. I didn’t particularly like Jessie or Izzy, or Will, (or Olivia for that matter). I think my problem with Izzy was the drugs and booze, but I’m not sure why I wasn’t a real fan of Jessie. I just felt Will was weak, and Olivia was a little bratty. On the other hand, I really liked a few of the secondary characters. Darpak and Nina were great individuals.

On the whole, and as always, Mark Edwards wrote a great story, with a good plot and a lot of twists...with a little creepiness thrown in.

Definitely recommend it.

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I loved many things about this book. The story is gripping and the characters are well-drawn. I felt that I would recognise the main characters if I met them in real life. The cultural references both in the present day and the parts about Izzy’s childhood were spot on. I particularly liked how he drew his female characters as strong and successful. I’m not usually a fan of ghost stories but I like the way Mark Edwards makes them believable but at the same time explicable. A great book.

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Another amazing book by Mark Edwards, resulting in another sleepless night for me. This super creepy and haunting thriller touches on many deep subjects, grief, love, paranormal and many more.

When Jessica’s young daughter Olivia starts becoming obsessed in the death of her late aunt Izzy who died in a mysterious accidental fall before she was born, Jessica starts to question whether her sisters death was truly the accident the coroner declared it to be. Was Olivia’s morbid fascination a normal part of being a child or was she communicating with Izzy.
Five very well deserved stars.

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This book was more of a ghost story that was just too unbelievable for me . Some of the inconsistencies in this book were the idea of a five year old being duped by a teacher assistant at her school.It was too far fetched and unethical. Also so many women being sexually exploited by this photographer and not one having the nerve to expose him in this time of the MeToo movement. Finally the ability of a young Izzy being able to convince her mother and sister of a spirit called Larry was so unrealistic . With websites, Facebook , iPhones etc being a part of this book the ability of young children being able to deceive and convince intelligent adults of physic encounters was not connecting with me.

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You can always rely on number one bestselling author Mark Edwards to write a hugely thrilling, edge-of-your-seat rollercoaster ride, and this book is no exception. There's no doubt that this is destined to become another top seller. I have been a fan for a long time and have read every one of his published works - they are all incredible! If you appreciate psychological thrillers then put this guy at the top of your list. You will not be disappointed!

This book uses one of the well-worn tropes of the genre as its main premise - the inference that you don't know close family and friends as well as you think you do. It leads to a chilling and memorable read that fizzles with kinetic energy as you speed through it! Well written, as always, and with characters that are interesting - you simply want to know more about each of them. As with all of his books, I was immersed from the first couple of pages, it almost felt as though I was living in the same fictional world as the Jessica et al. A large part of the plot involves the supernatural which I wasn't expecting, but it worked very well actually. Following on from that point, there were a few instances where events were simply not believable, but if you can suspend your disbelief about those, this is a fabulous and well-crafted story. Creepytastic and released just before Halloween is an inspired move as this book definitely gives the requires chills and thrills readers are looking for at this time of the year. I wouldn't expect anything less from Mr Edwards!

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

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Each new novel by Mark Edwards just beats the last one. Reading The Retreat earlier this year, I was convinced he will never be able to deliver better story and here we go again. What an amazingly written thriller, with usual creepiness you get from his stories and jet again he makes you believe unbelievable.

Story follows Jessica’s life after life changing and tragic event, losing her sister Isabel in incident at her home. 4 years later, Jessica’s daughter Olivia is going through hard time at school and her behaviour becomes very strange, creepy at times. She seems to know about her aunt Isabel’s life, who she never met, more than she has ever been told by anyone. Is her aunt trying to tell her something from beyond the grave? Pass on the message? Was her death just an accident or was there more behind?

Don’t we all just love guessing and trying to work out what is going on in the book? All the ‘facts’ that make you even question your own beliefs. I’m now again convinced In Her Shadow is the best novel by Mark Edwards to date but deep down I know he will bring even better one again in the future. His books never let me down!

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Creepy, spooky, gripping, thrilling and haunting. Bloody brilliant. Another belter of a book from Mark Edwards! Another well worthy five stars. A must read! Highly recommend.

Books like this that contain a child as a main character tend to creep me out a little more than they should as children are so cute and innocent (Usually). Poor Olivia! I felt so sorry for everything she went through and had to experienced. Also the family as a whole…

At some point during the story everyone was a suspect! Jessica didn’t know who to trust, who was lying and who was telling the truth. She just wanted answers but things start to go too far and the damage has already been done.

This story will keep the reader on their toes and on the edge of their seat… Wondering, waiting and trying to figure out what did actually happen (I failed badly at that one). So unexpected! A jaw dropper of an outcome and cleverly thought out.

I absolutely loved it, enjoyed every minute of it. Would love to see this turned into a film! Brilliantly written. Fast paced! I am already looking forward to his next book! Mark Edwards has a reputation to keep up with these five star reads. A must buy.

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I received this book "In Her Shadow" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.
This book has the twists and turns and will keep you guessing throughout. I didn't really care for the storyline though. The book seems to be very popular but just wasn't for me.

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Isabel’s life seemed perfect. Successful business, beautiful house, adoring husband. And then she was dead. In Her Shadow is a gripping tale of family secrets, lies and obsession from the two million copy bestselling author Mark Edwards.

Ooh this was a creepy one... I loved it! I read Mark Edwards' book Follow You Home, there's a similar spooky feel that you get when you read In Her Shadow as you do in Follow You Home. I've only read these two but I can't wait to read his other books!

#InHerShadow #NetGalley
Thanks for this ARC in exchange for my honest review and thanks to Mark Edwards for such a creative story!

Pub Date: 04 Oct 2018 (Tomorrow!!)

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Another great read from this excellent author. Solid 4*

This is a story of two sisters, Jessica and Izzy and when glamorous Izzy falls from a balcony at her home, it was ruled an accident, but, was it? Then, when Jessica's daughter, Olivia, begins to talk about things only Izzy knew the tension really begins and Jessica wonders if her sister is speaking to her through her niece?

Mark Edwards weaves a complicated thread that points the finger at the husband / widower and more and I thought I'd sussed it early on, but, he keeps you guessing and the added thrill of a young child who either has special powers, or, the question of is she being manipulated really held my attention.

Another excellent read from this accomplished author.

I'm very grateful to NetGalley and publishers Thomas & Mercer as well as Mark Edwards for the opportunity to preview this fabulous read.

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I'm a bit of a sceptic when it comes to things of the paranormal in real life but when it comes to reading it in fiction, I'm more game. So the thought of Jessica and her family being haunted by her late sister gave me the chills but knowing Mark Edwards, there is always an explanation of the human variety but it's matter of working out who and why.
The author has managed to create a sinister feel to the book with Olivia talking to her dead aunt and the unexplained events that take place in Jessica's life. With young Olivia knowing things that she really shouldn't know, I felt for her mum wanting to know how she knew them. It would make me go out of my mind! For me personally, this is a return to form for Mr Edwards. I got the heebie jeebies as I read the story and as I turned over in my head the events I was learning about.
I love how Edwards slips in references to his other books and characters.  It's subtle and brief but for those who have read his books, it brings a little smile to a fan's face.
Edwards has woven a highly topical tale into a story of bereavement and the search for truth. The story shows that nothing is quite what it seems and to trust no-one!!

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I love a book that makes me wonder if ghosts, spirits and an after life really do exist and if they do are they stuck here until unfinished business comes to a close? Well it had been four years since Jessica’s older sister Isabel had died in a tragic accident when she fell from the balcony of her home. No-one had seen what had happened, as no-one was there but now Jessica’s daughter is telling a different story about what happened. Aunt Izzy says that a man pushed her!
Oh wow! This felt like a book that was going to play with my mind. Olivia was only just turned four, a spitting image of her dead aunt and one of the youngest in reception class at school, so there was no way that she could know the things she knew about the secrets shared between the two sisters way before she was even born. But she did. Jessica couldn’t let this rest. If someone had killed her sister she wanted to know who and why, she wanted justice but most of all she wanted her little girl back.
The deeper I got into the story the more complicated the dynamics became, things had gone bump in the night a long time ago, when the sisters were young. Their mum was a bit of a believer and a bit of a purvey ghost buster that enters the girls lives leaves a lot to be desired. The story falls back into the past, through quite an array of characters, where the very deceased sister makes some rather surprising mouth dropping moments. After all no-one is just one character, we become different people depending who we are with, mother daughter, lover. Each part of our character is unique to different people we interact with. So we never really fully know a person, even someone really close.
Mark Edwards is one hell of an entertaining story-teller that takes the family next door and bares all. He really made me think about how much we all keep secrets. Jessica becomes quite a super sleuth besides walking on tender egg shells with her daughter. Push too much and little Livvy may retreat just too far inside herself, not enough and she may lose her to Izzy forever. This is a stand alone novel and another riveting read from Mark Edwards.
I wish to thank Midaspr for inviting me to read and review this e-book which I have done honestly.

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I had never read a Mark Edwards novel. The name rang the crime bell, of course, but I was afraid the hype would kill the book. You know how seeing someone’s work praised everywhere can create such expectations that despite being good, what you read never entirely fills the shoes it was supposed to.

Still, I took a bet. I mean, look at this cover! And the title? It screams ‘Read me, I’m creepy!’

Creepy. Disturbing. Completely and utterly riveting.

I don’t think I can do In Her Shadow justice. I will try, I will blabber all emotions and thoughts I had while reading, but don’t expect me to make sense. The novel knocked me off my feet. I fell in love, high over heels. I relished the fear. I passionately turned the pages.

Jessica is a mother of two, wife, mother, and sister of deceased Isabel. Yes, this detail is important. If you have already read a few reviews from this blog, you know that I believe that once you’re gone, you’re gone. But… You know the feeling when you are watching X-Files and your brain says ‘no’ but your senses say ‘OMG could it be?’? Well, Mark Edwards reminded me of this beautiful and terrifying truth. We don’t know. I am down-to-earth, so when Jessica’s daughter started saying her dead aunt was around and talking to her, I rolled my eyes.

Once.

I only did it once.

I can’t explain how Mark Edwards managed to rewire my entire system so I could start standing on the fence and rocking back and forth between ‘no way’’ and yes way’!!! The way the author deals with this little fragile girl believing Isabel, someone she has never met, is communicating with her, is freakingly good and had me walk down a path I thought I’d never set foot on.

What if she was telling the truth?

It worked so terribly well for numerous reasons. First of all, Mark Edwards never ever overdoes it. There is just enough information, just enough doubt, like the shadow of something you catch at the corner of your eye. Chilling doesn’t describe it. I couldn’t help but ask for more. I was completely hooked. The narrative skillfully uses the – Oh I hate the word but I’ll use it anyway – ‘supernatural’ side you can meet sometimes in psychological thrillers. It took me by surprise, but I am grateful for it! My heart and mind started to fight, just like our main character, Jessica. She is the second reason why this novel and all its pieces work so well. Jessica hasn’t had the perfect childhood and remains from the past taint today’s events in such a powerful way that you can’t help but be on her side. What kind of mother wouldn’t be worried to see her daughter insisting she is seeing dead people, witness her behavior change, and … predict things that actually happen. I would have been dead cold and might have thought about running far away! But Jessica loves Olivia and believes this is only a four years old’s phase that will pass.

Until unnerving details begin to nag at Jessica and she begins to wonder if her sister’s reappearance means that her death was wrongly deemed accidental. From there, we pull threads of both women’s lives into our hands as the book intensifies and events unfolds with such force that you find yourself looking for answers, wondering, and shivering.

What I loved the most in Mark Edwards’ In Her Shadow is that he never pushes you to believe, he hints, and he stays authentic, real, and his razor-edge brilliant style enhances every feeling, every shadow, every thought so you are fully immersed and completely unable to think of anything else but the truth. Was Isabel killed? Who did it? Why? Is she back? Are Jessica and her daughter in danger? What the hell is going on?

On top of this, you discover the relationship of two sisters (makes me very happy to be an only child!), this of a family torn by lies and secrets, and what it means to be a parent. Remark from Jessica about parenting stayed with me, and her thoughts on how her life turned out and where her freedom has gone made me feel for her more than for anyone else in the book, no matter how well-crafted! Because they all are, and they all sound suspect at one point or the other! I simply loved it.

Did I say I truly enjoyed this novel? Because I did!

I’ll tell you a secret. I usually nibble at something while reading. I did not this time. In Her Shadow was so addictive and filled with secrets tasting like candy that I didn’t need real sugar. I got crime sugar. It is still running in my veins as I am writing this review.

In Her Shadow is one of the best psychological novels I have EVER read. And boy the list of psychological stuff I’ve ingested is long so it tells you something! It combines fears that we can’t control, sprinkles the best kind of chilling suspense on every page, and keeps you guessing until the very last word. I am tremendously happy I jumped into the world of Mark Edwards and I will definitely do it again!

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Another winner by Mark Edwards. Immediate one click for this author. Immersive story, every page equally enjoyable.

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Mark Edwards has a huge fan base and his books inevitably garner hundreds of five star reviews of the “Mark Edwards has done it again!” variety. While I’ve read and mainly enjoyed most of his novels, I think I’m a bit more ambivalent than many, as there were also certain aspects I really didn’t like, to the extent that I’ve on occasion vowed not to read any more. However they’re just so darn readable that I always find myself doing so anyway... so that must tell you something!

In Her Shadow felt like a book of two halves, though it’s hard to expand on that without spoilers. There’s a strong supernatural feel running through it, as Jessica becomes increasingly convinced her sister Isabel, who died in an apparent accident five years earlier, is communicating with her (Jessica’s) four year old daughter Olivia. It certainly seems hard to explain exactly what’s happening to Olivia any other way. Is Isabel really trying to get a message, via Olivia, about what really happened to her? Could Isabel really have been murdered and if so, who is responsible? Literally everybody comes under suspicion....

The plot is far-fetched in the extreme but a very enjoyable read; as I said above, Mark Edwards’ books are always incredibly readable and definitely keep you guessing as to what’s really going on. A good escapist read.

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WOW! I absolutely loved reading this book. It was so well-written and engaging, I was absolutely absorbed in the story from start to finish. I couldn't put it down. Rarely do I rate a book above 3 stars, as it takes a lot to really blow me away. I read a lot, and most of the books touted as "thrillers with a great twist" are pretty anticlimactic and predictable. This book was part ghost story, part murder mystery, and ALL suspenseful and surprising. I had so many doubts about everyone's innocence, and the ending surprised me very much. The imagery was spooky and made me feel paranoid and confused, as intended. I loved Mark Edward's writing and will absolutely be seeking out more of his books! I also loved how the story was told from alternating timelines and points of view, piecing together the puzzle for you as you read. This one is a must-read!

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This is a great story.
It leads you one way and when you’re starting to believe the impossible, it’s turned on it’s head.
Jessica is still dealing with the death of her sister, Isabel, so when things start to happen which makes her suspect her death was not an accident, she has to investigate.
The main problem is that it’s her daughter that seems to be receiving clues about her auntie’s death and is becoming more and more troubled by it.
Jessica is soon suspecting those closest to her of terrible things and this leads to a nail biting final few chapters.
This is a great read.
Thanks to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

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It’s a good day for Mark Edwards fans! Publication day for his latest, eagerly anticipated book, and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Jessica had always adored her older, glamorous sister Isabel. She preferred to stand back and bask in Izzy’s light until the day Izzy dies in a tragic accident. She inexplicably falls from the balcony at her luxury apartment, leaving her husband, sister and mother heartbroken.

It’s almost 5 years later and as much as Jessica has tried to move on she finds it difficult. She desperately misses her sister, but finds comfort in being a mother to her gorgeous 4-year-old little girl, Olivia, fondly called Livvy. But then Livvy starts behaving a bit strangely, and bizarrely she seems to know things about her Aunty Izzy that she surely couldn’t possibly know.

Jessica is adamant that there must be some rational explanation, but her mother willingly goes along with what she wants to believe: her daughter has returned in the form of her granddaughter. Old family history is dredged up and Jessica is forced to relive so much that she was determined would never resurface.

For those of us who are willing to contemplate the existence of the paranormal and an afterlife, Edwards deals with these topics more than acceptably. I have no doubt that he will also satisfy the sceptics out there, so if you fall into the category of cynics and doubters, don’t disqualify this book too quickly; there’s plenty to suit your appetite here too.

Once again, Edwards has written a book that will keep you awake long into the night – firstly because you won’t be able to put it down until it’s finished, and then once it’s done you’ll be mulling over it for a long time after that. There are certainly many, many questions that will be brought to mind.

4.5 big glittery stars for this one, and as usual, I can’t wait for the next one from one of my favourite authors!

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A spine tingling addictive psychological thriller. A must read
An amazing thriller. Anyone who loves this genre should read this book

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Another brilliant offering from Mark Edwards, a story that draws you in from the start. The storyline had me very early on, as it touches on a subject that has interested me for a long time. I was keen to find out what was happening next. The characters were interesting and mostly likeable, with a couple of horrid ones thrown in, the type that gives you the creeps. I loved this book and can't wait for Mark's next one. Highly recommended.

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Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Mark Edwards for the opportunity to read and review his latest thriller - does not disappoint! 4.5 stars!

As I started reading this book, I thought how appropriate to read a ghost story as we head into the Halloween season. Then this book took twists and turns right out of today's headlines to make it even more relevant.

Jessica and Will are busy raising their two children. Jessica is still mourning the loss of her older sister, Izzy, five years previously. Izzy's death was ruled an accident but the sisters' mom was never convinced of that. Then Olivia, Jessica's 5-year-old daughter, starts channeling Izzy and somehow knows things that only Izzy could know. Is Izzy working through Olivia somehow to avenge her death?

This one was hard to put down and there are so many twists and turns that will have you questioning everyone. A great read!

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3.5 stars

This is a frustrating review to write because there’s so much I want to say, but can’t because I don’t want to give anything away.

Jessica has always believed in ghosts, so much so she believed that she was being haunted when she was a child. So when her 4-year-old Olivia daughter starts relaying messages from her deceased Aunt Izzy, Jessica is beyond spooked. Jessica’s sister Isabel died 5 years and her death was ruled an accident. As Olivia continues sharing messages from her dead Auntie, Jessica begins to wonder if her sister’s death was truly an accident. Jessica not only begins to question the cause of her sister’s death, but she also must grapple with whether or not her 4-year-old daughter is psychic. Is Olivia really communicating with her dead Aunt or is someone playing a cruel hoax?

As always, Mark Edwards took me on a journey that I wasn’t quite expecting. I loved the spooky atmosphere of the first half, but the tone changes rather dramatically in the second half of the book. I felt things unraveled in the second half of the book. It didn’t feel as tightly wound as some of his other novels. Edwards usually reels me in, even when the storyline lacks believability, and while I enjoyed In Her Shadow, it was a bit anticlimactic. But I did enjoy the times when Jessica got her revenge and final say.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK in exchange for an honest review.

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Can I just state that I have never really been a fan of paranormal/spiritual novels as I have always found them a bit too farfetched. However, and I cannot believe I am about to say this, 'In Her Shadow' had me leaning more towards the 'ooooooo what if?!' than the 'errrrr how about nah?'. Honestly, I was genuinely surprised by my own reaction to the book! It just goes to show that stepping out of your comfort zone, even if its unintentional, can often be a brilliant experience. This, I am very glad to say, was one of those brilliant experiences. Although I now feel sorry for the author as he has now set the bar incredibly high for himself!!

Jessica is still grieving for her sister, Isabel, who passed away several years prior. According to the paperwork, her death was ruled accidental but Jessica's mother isn't so sure. Is it fair to re-open the case despite the official ruling? Is it fair on the family to bring the devastating event to the surface again? Unfortunately for Jessica and her mother, the day that they lost their beloved sister and daughter comes back to haunt them, and this time it's getting personal....

I need to be very careful with what I say here as I don't want to give anything away - yes, vague, I know! The storyline switches between the past and present, as well as different points of view, one being Isabel's. I was impressed that the different viewpoints on their own didn't complete the puzzle, even though it frustrated me in a good way because I just wanted to find out the truth. 'In Her Shadow' requires you to be patient!

In a roundabout way, I found a few of the situations in the book rather emotional because they involved Jessica's daughter who is very close in age to my own daughter. It was weird as on one hand I was like 'woaahhhhhhhh' to certain things, yet on the other hand I felt my heart-break for the little girl.

For me, the storyline kept getting better and better as it progressed, with the level of suspense going through the roof. I could have sworn I had just eaten a bunch of sawdust - my mouth was that dry from it dropping open!!

I am so, so, SO glad that I was given the chance to read a book out of my comfort zone, one which I may not have picked on my own. Mark Edwards is such a brilliant, gripping author who seems to be in tune with his readers and what it takes to keep them on the edge of their seats. His descriptive, intense, and highly believable writing took me so far out of my comfort zone, it was as though I was in a completely different time-zone - and no, I certainly am NOT complaining!! My only regret where 'In Her Shadow' is concerned, is why I haven't picked up this authors books before now! 

A 'OMG!!!' read which kept my jaw unhinged for a large portion of the book. I am so impressed by what I have read and I absolutely cannot wait to read more from this author, especially now that I have had such a brilliant introduction to his books!!

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I decided to request an advance reader's copy of this book after finishing The Retreat by Mark Edwards which I found exciting and wanted to analyse his writing in greater depth. He has the ability to combine intense and dramatic moments with hints of paranormal activity in a unique and gripping way and I admire his bravery to incorporate this method in his books as a way of peaking the reader's interest. Unfortunately, I felt that the plot lost focus for me due to the emphasis on the supernatural elements which I think were too excessive here, especially when Jessica's daughter, Olivia, claimed to know the details surrounding Isabel's death without ever having met her. I was impressed with the way Jessica was portrayed as a multilayered character with secrets and regrets but simultaneously I would have liked to explore the other minor characters such as Darpak further.

The other drawback from my perspective was the intense change in pace halfway through the book. It starts off at a relatively slow pace and quickly picks up after one of the many secrets is revealed. I realise that this was perhaps done intentionally to draw the reader's attention back to the main suspects while discarding several others but I also felt that it disrupted the natural flow. Further on this note, I found the ending exhilarating and was kept on the edge of my seat until the last few chapters which I believe was partly due to the fast pace and plot twists disclosed at the very end. Exposing the murderer was a complete surprise and I appreciated the flashbacks leading up to this point to reveal Isabel's killer as a different and fresh writing technique.

Overall, I found this book more difficult to follow and dig into in comparison with The Retreat but liked the fast-paced unexpected ending. If there had been a deeper focus on the characters and less of an emphasis on the paranormal elements from Olivia's perspective I would probably have enjoyed this book more.

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Jessica has dealt with the loss of her sister, Isabel, for nearly five years. As the anniversary of loss approaches, questions surrounding the nature of Isabel's death are raised and Jessica's young daughter seems to have some answers....

This was an enjoyable read which kept me guessing until the very end. I kept thinking I had it sorted out and then something popped up telling me otherwise. An intriguing, and even at times spooky, read!

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The trouble with a Mark Edwards’ book is that it stops you in your tracks. Explain? Well, I don’t want to do anything else but carry on reading and this was no exception. The thing is, I am so comfortable with his writing and I know as soon as I see his name that I quickly become totally absorbed in the tale that he is spinning.

So, I settled down to learn all about two sisters, Isabel and Jessica (the main protagonist). When they were young they became the subject of a newspaper article that detailed their encounter with a poltergeist which was to then lead to unpleasant repercussions. Fast forward to present day, and Jessica is happily married with two children, her life is good with the exception of the death of her sister, Isabel, over four years earlier. Isobel had fallen from the balcony of her beautiful house, leaving her husband, and her family and friends distraught. Cause of death? A tragic accident.

Jessica receives a summons from her 4 year old daughter’s school, Olivia is talking about her friend Izzy and slowly it emerges that she can see her dead auntie and she has related a secret to the child. No more plot, you will have to read it.

What follows is a fine example of Edwards’ skill in drip feeding information; presenting the expected twists and turns; manipulating the reader into guessing, and guessing again. Like an obedient puppy, I followed the trail he left, right until the end. Now about the end – I’m not completely sure about that because it all felt a bit tortured, whether that is because I was racing to find out what happened, whodunit, or what? I don’t know. What I do know is that I have no hesitation in recommending it. Is it his best, I don’t think so? Even so, it is a fine example of his very fine work.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

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This was my first book by Mark Edwards and I found the writing to be excellent and the characters well developed. I'm not an avid crime reader but the premise of this story caught my attention and the idea of it being supernatural.

The story is based around the death of Jessica's sister Isabel who seemed to have the perfect life and died tragically when she fell from her balcony. When Jessica's daughter begins to talk about Isobel being pushed and that someone has killed her, the story really begins and we go on a journey to find out the truth.

There are quite a few twists and turns but I wasn't overly fond of the ending and at 83% of the book, I really didn't care who had done it. The supernatural element was well played but fell flat towards the end too. There seemed to be a bit too much going on at times. I think in the end, the book just wasn't for me but the writing was excellent so I'm giving it 4 stars.

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Four years ago, Jessica’s sister Isabel died after falling from a balcony – a tragic accident. Nobody has ever doubted that her death was anything other than an accident. But now, Jessica’s 4 year old daughter, Olivia begins talking about her Aunty Izzy and she knows things about her that she couldn’t possibly know. Jessica and Isabel’s mother begins to think that Isabel is talking from beyond the grave through Olivia. Jessica doesn’t want to believe it, but when Olivia begins to say that Isobel didn’t fall from the balcony she was pushed, it makes Jessica look more closely into her sister’s death.

I had heard such good things about this book before I started to read it and I was literally itching to get started on it! Everything that had been said about this book went along the lines of ‘gripping’, ‘chilling’ and ‘spooky’ and I’m pleased to say that they weren’t wrong - It’s all of those things and more! It begins as a very spooky read with Olivia seemingly ‘possessed’ by the spirit of her Aunt Izzy, who had died some years before. All throughout these moments where Olivia was saying ‘Aunty Izzy says this’ and ‘Aunty Izzy wouldn’t like that’ and where Olivia is whispering to an empty space next to her made my teeth, hair and everything else stand up on end! There were lots of these moments throughout the first half of this book and it had me reading it from behind a cushion for fear of seeing dark shadows cross the room!

As the story moved on, it began to take on a more sinister tone. I thought Jessica’s character was great and loved the fact that she constantly tried to find a rational explanation into how Olivia was behaving. I also felt for her, as still missing her sister some years since she died, she now has to face the fact that Isabel’s death may not have been an accident. As I was grabbed and dragged further into the story, I found myself questioning and suspecting everyone. The plot twisted and turned and kept me guessing at what was happening right until the very end. I loved the inference that there is a logical answer to everything, but then there was this little part that gets you thinking ‘what if…..’

A fantastic read which had me feeling spooked, unsettled and scared all in one go. Part murder, part thriller, part paranormal with lots of tension, suspense and shock….what more could you want! Highly recommended!

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This is the story of two sisters, Isabel (Izzy) and Jessica. One dead, and one very much alive.

Jessica is still mourning the loss of Isabel who died when she fell from a balcony in her home five years ago. Since she was drinking and had drugs in her system, the death was ruled an accident. Isabel was always the prettiest one, the smartest one, the one with so much going for her... Jessica had always felt to be in the shadow of her older, more beautiful sister.

Now Jessica is married to Will, and the mother of ten-year-old Felix and four-year-old Olivia. The family live in the London suburb of Beckenham with their aging golden retriever, Caspar.

Since Izzy died just weeks after Jessica told her of her pregnancy with Olivia, her young daughter had never had the opportunity to meet her aunt Isabel. Yet lately, Olivia has seemed obsessed with the auntie she never knew... She suddenly seems to intuit things that only Isabel would have known. She seems.... possessed. Jessica wonders if her little daughter has chosen Isabel as an imaginary friend. Can she credit all that is going on to the overactive imagination of a four-year-old? But would that explain all the weird coincidences and Olivia's disturbing behaviour? Olivia seems to predict certain dire events. The death of the school's dinner lady, the burning down of another school, the illness of a goat, etc. How CAN she know this stuff??? There seemed no rational explanation... Olivia is acting out at school. Her room looks as if it had been ransacked and her soft toys have their eyes gouged out.

Jessica has always leaned toward belief in spirits. Could Izzy be trying to tell her that she didn't fall from the balcony five years ago? Could she have been pushed??? Is Isabel using her young daughter as a conduit to communicate?

Also, Jessica has felt that she is being watched. Several times she spotted a grey Hyundai following her or parked up outside her house.

Could Jessica's entire family be in the shadow of her late sister?

MY THOUGHTS

Once again, Mark Edwards has served a cunning cocktail of genres to his readers. At any one time you are uncertain if this is a mystery? a thriller? domestic noir? or, as is easily assumed, a paranormal thriller. Though I would never spoil it for future readers so you'll have to discover the truth for yourself.

What I do know is that the author has a way of keeping the reader engaged. His devious plotting and very real characters make for an enjoyable read. His use of short chapters moves the narrative along.

The story is told mostly from Jessica's point of view with a few chapters told by Isabel in the weeks leading up to her untimely death.

Having just read another of his novels "Follow you home" I feel I am well versed in his writing technique and can recommend his work to others. Others who, like me, enjoy a good fast-paced thriller.

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This is a clever psychological thriller, different from anything I’ve read before. It’s beautifully written and kept me guessing most of the way. Did Isabel (Izzy) fall off her balcony to her death? Or was she pushed? No-one suspected foul play until Izzy’s small niece, Olivia, hints that her aunt is sharing secrets with her. Perhaps this would have been instantly dismissed had the family not had prior experience with ghosts … Is Isabel really reaching out from beyond the grave to bring her killer to justice? It seems more and more likely. Olivia’s mother, Jessica, tries teasing out what her daughter knows, and is horrified to discover she knows things she could only have been told by Isabel’s ghost (such as what they called their car when they were children). As if that’s not enough, Mark Edwards also adds doses of sex therapy, poltergeists and affairs to the mix. At its heart, the book also examines the plague of powerful men that continue to abuse women – very topical as the “me too” movement continues to gather support worldwide. Well worth a read.

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Another dark and disturbing novel from the brilliant pen of Mark Edwards. He has such a fabulous imagination, and manages to get the reader thinking about what is possible, what to believe? I thought Jessica was a great character, and the relationships between her and Will, her children, her Mum and the others were believable and realistic. A gripping story line, which moves along at a brisk, consistent pace, questioning everybody and everything and never quite getting any satisfactory answers. The truth is out there, but until we know what 'The Truth' is, I'll keep my options open and continue to read Mr Edwards excellent books.

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2.5 stars I love a good spine tingling ghost story and I think this book had the promise of being just that except for the genre shift about midway through. It starts off strong. Jessica’s sister Izzy died from falling off her balcony at home about 4 years ago. It was ruled accidental by police. There has been no reason to suspect otherwise until Jessica’s 4 year old daughter Olivia suddenly starts claiming that Izzy’s ghost is living with her.. Olivia seems to know details about Izzy’s death and life that she has no business knowing. Having already experienced a poltergeist while growing up, Jessica is terrified and wonders if it’s really her dead sister back for justice and was Izzy’s death truly accidental?

At about the halfway point, the plot changes from creepy paranormal to full on mystery who-done-it. Personally, I would have preferred to keep going with the ghost story as that was much more intriguing. The mystery was just so-so for me. Truth be told, it felt a bit klunky and the ending lacked surprise. There were definitely glimpses of great storytelling, which kept me going. I can see why Edwards is a favorite for many readers. However, I wanted to like this book more than I did. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and as the story progressed, it felt far fetched and unbelievable. It was hard to buy in and the two genres didn’t mesh all that well.

In Her Shadow is a fitting October read with notes of haunting and ghosts. Fans of mystery genre may enjoy this book more than I did. Thank you to Amazon Publishing and Mark Edwards for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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In Her Shadow begins five years after Isabel’s death. Her niece, Olivia,is suddenly talking about the aunt that she never met. She knows things about Isabel’s life such as her favorite music, the name of her childhood pet. Things that her family hadn’t shared with her This definitely spooks everyone. How does she know all this? Is Isabel visiting her from the next world? In addition, Olivia has now brought suspicions about Isabel’s death. Was it really an accident as everyone believed or did someone else have a hand in it?

Through the dual narrative, readers get to unravel the mystery surrounding Isabel’s death and Olivia’s behavior. Isabel’s narrations presented clues that had me guessing what could have happened to her. However, I couldn’t guess what was going on with Olivia. Having read Mark’s previous books, I knew that there would be an explanation but I was still spooked by some of the stuff the little girl said.

This is a well-paced thriller that had me guessing to the last page. The character development of the sisters was impeccable. I like how Isabel’s character was so well developed even though she only appeared in the story through the past timeline, flashbacks and Olivia’s revelations. I also like the fact that the story was unpredictable which is something that I enjoy in thrillers.

However, like I mentioned in the first paragraph, my experience with this story was a bit different compared to the author’s previous title. Maybe my expectations were too high? I still loved this story though, just not as much I thought I would. Still, I have nothing but love for Mark’s writing. The vivid imagery, addictive storytelling and even his ability to make things that I don’t believe in, actually seem plausible definitely makes me a big fan of his writing.

Family secrets, obsessions, deception and a mysterious death, perfect cocktail for this disturbing, enthralling thriller that will keep you turning pages in search for answers.

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If Mark Edwards were a wine he’d be fast flowing and smooth, strong and chilling, turbulent in patches and finish with a flourish. It’s always easy to read a Mark Edwards book. There’s a light touch to his writing that quickly immerses you in his characters and their stories, and makes it easy for you to accept his premise, even when that premise has you looking askance to begin with.

At the heart of his books are stories of loss, loss and family secrets; that’s what makes them so universally popular. In In Her Shadow, we meet Jess, Will and their 4 year old daughter, Olivia. Jess starts to get a bit worried when Olivia begins acting up in school. Usually a cheerful child, Olivia’s imaginary friend seems to be the cause of her change in behaviour.

But when Jess discovers that this imaginary friend is Izzy, her older and more glamorous sister who died in an accident just before Olivia was born, she begins to think she may be losing her mind.

Jess’s concerns are not helped by her slightly dotty mother, who is a believer in the paranormal and who has always been convinced that her eldest daughter’s death was no accident. She has never really liked Isobel’s grieving husband, Darpak since that day, though he remains true to Isobel’s memory and still grieves her loss.

When Olivia whispers to Jess that Izzy’s death was not an accident, Jess starts to search for answers to her daughter’s behaviour and in the process to find out the truth about her sister’s death. In her quest to discover the truth, she will question everything she knows about her close family and more than one member will fall under suspicion as she delves into Isobel’s secrets and lifestyle.

What she finds reveals a picture of her sister she didn’t really know as well as she thought, and she puts her own life under threat as she retraces her sister’s last days.

Told predominantly from Jessica’s perspective, with flashbacks to Izzy’s past, Mark Edwards skillfully weaves paranormal elements into a well told story that involves love, obsession, sex and drugs. His twists are frequent and surprising and though there are a number of false leads, the conclusion is both logical and surprising.

Mark Edwards will always be a writer I turn to when I want an addictive, easy read. This book, whilst enjoyable and engrossing didn’t quite hit the 5 star mark for me, partly I think because there was so much going on that the chilling elements got a bit lukewarm, but it was still a solid, engrossing and enjoyable read. Can’t ask for more than that!

Verdict: An enjoyable, engrossing read

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Eerie, unsettling, and intense—I have come to look forward to the new Mark Edwards books the way I look forward to Fridays or crawling in bed after a long day. They are always tantalizing and well-written, and they captivate my interest until the very last page. Mark Edwards is a master of the suspense genre! His books always have that vague sense of uneasiness over them—wondering what exactly is going on. And I love the spooky ghost-shadow that lurked over this! It blurs the line between mystery and paranormal, where it made me wonder if maybe there was something otherworldly going on!!

About the Book

Nearly five years ago Jessica’s older sister Isabel feel off of her balcony in a tragic accident. But Jessica’s mother Mo has never been convinced it was truly an accident. She is certain that Izzie’s husband Darpack was to blame, and it’s a topic she won’t let up on.

Jessica’s daughter Olivia never met Izzie, but recently she has begun to talk about her more. Olivia claims that Izzie has been communicating with her. Though Jessica initially brushes this off as the whims of a child, she finds it hard to explain how Olivia is able to sing a song that was a favorite of Olivia’s from childhood, or how she knows the name of their childhood pet or their car. And then things become even more sinister—Olivia seems to know things about others that haven’t happened yet.

Is it possible that Olivia is able to communicate with Izzie? And if so, will Jessica finally get answers to what happened to her sister all of those years ago?

The darker things get, the less certain Jessica is that this is merely coincidence. Someone knows something about Izzie’s death, and they aren’t letting Jessica forget it. Jessica needs to find the truth before something horrible happens to Olivia, or even to herself!

Reflection

Unsettling and haunting are what I’ve come to expect from Mark Edwards, and this was no exception! I had absolutely no clue what to make of the strange events of this novel. I wondered how it could be possible for Olivia to know some of the things she knew, or believe the things she said. Though Jessica wants to be skeptical, she can’t help but remembering her own haunted past. She knows it is possible, because she herself experienced it too.

I think most of us have found ourselves surprised at the things children say sometimes. The words and thoughts that come out of there mouths, that often seem much beyond their years. Children have a mix of innocence and naivety and wisdom. They often are more perceptive than adults believe them to be, and that makes this the perfect set up for this story.

This book is filled with many amazing characters, and the female characters were particular standouts. I think that can be difficult to do—to write a breadth of characters so different from yourself. But this is an area that Edwards consistently surprises and delights in. Every novel of his I read, I find myself captivated again by the characters.

And then the ghost story itself is so wonderful! I love the idea of someone trying to communicate something. What happens in this book is the story of not how something is being communicated, but what is being communicated and why. Why go through Olivia? What did happen that day Isabel fell? The delivery on this mystery will make your mind buzz with excitement and energy. It is so well-crafted, with dozens of twists and turns along the way.

Thank you so much to the amazing team at Amazon Publishing for my copy of this book to review.

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Jessica is struggling to make sense of her four-year-old daughter’s (Olivia) strange behaviour at school. Jessica’s sister, Isabel, was killed a few years previously. From small beginnings, Jessica’s life starts to be overtaken by the idea that Olivia might be communing with her dead aunt Isabel, and that Isabel’s death was not an accident.

This is complicated by the fact that the family was visited by a poltergeist during the teenage years of Jessica and Isabel. Jessica’s mother is still a firm believer in communication with the dead. A few spooky incidents with Olivia are enough to send Jessica’s mother back into her beliefs.

Jessica becomes more and more convinced her sister was murdered. She suspects everyone in turn in her small, inner circle as Olivia says more and more outrageous ‘secrets’ supposedly passed on to her by her aunt.

There is plenty of depth to the story. The characters are well written and believable.

The reader goes back in time to the final months of Isabel’s life and we see what actually happened to her. This works very well because, at the same time, we are reading about Jessica’s current turmoil and her discoveries about the people around her.

Jessica also makes discoveries about herself. Jessica was always the less popular sister and Isabel was the one everyone liked. Jessica overcomes plenty of hurdles that have threatened her self-confidence. She is relentless in pursuing the truth, however unlikely it all seems to be. In fact, she turns out to be a first-class detective.

The writing style is conversational and easy-going and this makes the pages fly past. The ghostly element feeds into a mounting murder-mystery.

The ending is clever and unexpected and only a few ghostly questions remain…

In short, it was a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

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First of all not only am I a massive fan of paranormal stories but I am also a massive fan of Mark Edwards so has you can imagine I couldn't wait to get my teeth into this story.

In Her Shadow we follow a story told in two parts which alternates between the past and present where we meet Jessica sister of Isabel The author takes us on a dark a creepy road when Jessica's daughter seems to know a lot about Isabel's past.

I have to say that I loved the first part of the story, then we move on to the second part and I wasn't so sure in comparison. This was mainly due to the context and references of Isabel's business for me I found it rather strange and I was starting to wonder where the whole story was going. But then low and below the author throws a twist in and I felt like we were back on track again.

Once again Mark Edwards has written a story that will have you hooked from start to finish, with each chapter leaving you wanting to know what is going to happen next. I loved the whole paranormal element mixed with crime. This is a story that will make you question if there is really life after death.

So if you're looking for something a little different this is the book for you.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for a copy in exchange for an honest unbiased review.

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Jessica's sister Isabel, or Izzy as she was affectionately known, died 4 years ago after a tragic accident but when Jess's young daughter Olivia starts acting strangely and talking about her dead auntie like she is there with her Jess starts to question what really happened on that fateful day, was it an accident or did something more sinister occur.  Is Izzy trying to reach out from beyond the grave to reveal to Jessica that it wasn't an accident after all....?

In true Mark Edwards style, this latest book has you hiding under the duvet from the beginning.  It's very creepy and if you believe, like I do, that death isn't the end of a life it will draw you in too.  Olivia's behaviour had me convinced that Izzy was talking via her to let Jess know what had really happened  and each time I thought I'd figured out what went on the story veered in the opposite direction and left me floundering.

Another cleverly written thriller from this author, with some paranormal thrown in for good measure.  Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for the auto approval, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.

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Imagine your daughter has an imaginary friend. And the imaginary friend seems to be your sister, that has been dead after an accident several years ago. First you ignore it as being a children will be children. But then the friend reveals information that the poor daughter couldn't possibly know.....
Julia starts investigating her sister's death and soon it turns deadly. Highly recommended.

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A new author for me, but I'm so glad I discovered his books when I did!
Such an edge if the seat twists and turns!!!

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This is a great book that I didn’t want to put down. It’s set in two time frames. In current day we encounter Jessica and Will who are parents of Felix and Olivia. Jessica was pregnant with Olivia in 2013 when her sister Izzy died by falling off a balcony. The coroner declared that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death but now in 2018 four year old Olivia suddenly appears to know a lot about Izzy’s life and death even though she was not born.so when Izzy died.

The other thread is set in 2012/13 and follows the last few months of Izzy’s life with her husband Darpak and sister-in-law Nina as she ran her successful Blissful Massage business.

This is a great psychological thriller that I didn't want to put it down. I thought it was a ghost story at first but I enjoyed the way the story evolved. It’s hard to say more without spoilers. My only complaint being that there were a few events such as what happened to Pat, the school and Pete that were not explained.

With thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I am a huge Mark Edwards fan and I would read anything that he writes. His ability to weave paranormal and haunting elements into his books in a gripping and believable way is remarkable. I enjoyed his last book “The Retreat” very much. So I was excited to get my hands on his new book.

The story begins very strong and it holds the suspense for quite a while. But somehow the story turns into a hectic race. I enjoyed the part with the paranormal thing and watching Jessica’s ordinary live become creepy. I love it when it looks all so supernatural but there also is the chance of a logical explanation. But as soon as Jessica decides that there is more to the dead of her sister the story goes downhill. Jessica really got on my nerves with her jumping around and accusing one after the other to be a murderer. Actually, I did not mind that the book suddenly turned into a whodunit-story. It was more that it seems to me that the second part of the book was done with less preciseness. It felt that the story needed further elaboration. Everything is just happening very conveniently. I just did not buy how this all worked out.

Mark Edwards writing is solid and he drew me again into his story. But I did not love this book as much as his others. It still is a good book but it feels like it wanted too many things and failed to elaborate some parts. But I still would read more from Mark Edwards because he is still a very good writer.

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I enjoy Mark Edwards writing on a whole and although I'm not sure he can ever top The Magpies, In Her Shadow is most definitely worth a read. There are most certainly paranormal elements to the plot and although I tend to avoid books of this subject, all is not what it seems in the book and if anything, this added to the mystery as a whole. Pretty much every character is a suspect throughout the book so you never really trust any of them (nor necessarily like them), an element I really enjoy in books because I want to be surprised by the outcome. Although the truth wasn't quite the high drama I would have prefered to read, it was still enjoyable none the less and I will always read Mark's books in the hope of coming across a book to rival The Magpies.

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I love Mark Edwards Books and just love the way he writes. So when this book came up to read and review I jumped at the chance and requested it. So please when I downloaded this book, got comfy and opened my Kindle. But Sadly, this one In Her Shadow did not grip me. I felt it was lacking something for me. I got to chapter five and put it down made a coffee went back to it got to Chapter seven Closed my Kindle. Sorry. It wasn't for me.

Thank you so much to Mark Edwards, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC.

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I wasn't sure about this book initially as it seemed almost paranormal but i'm so happy i stuck with it, because it was overall incredible. I'm a huge fan of Mark's books anyway so I should have known better! This was shocking, gripping and I thoroughly enjoyed it

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This is my first book I've read by Mr. Edwards. I genuinely enjoyed it. Its was easy to keep up with and not too many random characters. I highly recommend.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Mark Edwards always writes brilliant psychological thrillers and this one is no exception, it does however have a twist as it has a paranormal and psychic element to it which I absolutely love. The story has lots of intrigue and once you start reading you won't want to put it down.

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Mark Edwards has written a whole slew of books and this is the 5th one of his that I have read. I received it as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. I must admit firsthand that I wasnt sure about it because there was some reference to psychic happenings in the book, but the more I read (which is why you should give a book more than a few pages) the more I wanted to turn the page to see just what was happening.

Jessica lost her sister, Izzy, to what the police termed as an accident. But she wasnt so sure it was, and five years after her death Jessica's own daughter (who wasnt yet born when Izzy died) is now coming up with statements that Izzy is talking to her about that time.

Wanting to get to the bottom of this Jessica goes ahead and tries to find out who "killed" her sister, only to be pulled into more scenarios surrounding her sister's death that she never knew. I ended up finding myself wanting to finish this book to see if this was a murder, or accident and just how psychic Jessica's daughter was.....very happy I did - didnt expect the ending....looking forward to more books by Edwards.

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This is the second of Mark Edwards' books that I have read, and like The Retreat, I thought it was a spooky well-plotted thriller, that kept me gripped, but ultimately for me it lacked the wow factor to push it into the 5-star zone.
I think it's because I'm not really a fan of supernatural fiction, and the 'is it or isn't it?' puzzle throughout both books turned me off a bit, although I found the resolution satisfying.

Jessica has never really gotten over the accidental death of her older sister, Isabel, five years earlier. When her four year old daughter, Olivia, starts making comments and predictions about things she couldn't possibly know about, and saying her aunt Izzy told her, she begins to question her sanity, especially when Olivia tells her that Izzy was pushed by the bad man...

A lot of books get labelled as psychological thrillers, to the point where I sometimes wonder what the term actually means, but this one did have characters on the edge, being manipulated, and having experiences that couldn't possibly be real... Or could they? I liked the large array of possible suspects, and red herrings galore, even if I didn't particularly like the heroine, her gullible mother, or her spoiled daughter. I didn't guess the denouement, but liked that the important threads were tidied up, leaving a little mystery unexplained. Many of my friends have given this rave review, and I certainly enjoyed this enough to read more of Edwards' work in future.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a voluntary honest review. In Her Shadow is available now.

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Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review. I feel like all my christmases have come at once as I love Mark Edwards books. I wanted to lock myself away so I could read this book without being disturbed!!

Another amazing psychological thriller that kept me spellbound from beginning to the end, I could not predict how this would end and you kept me on my toes trying to fathom it out.

Jessica and will have 2 children Felix 10 and Olivia 4. When Olivia appears to be passing messages on from her dead Aunt.Jessica starts to think maybe her sisters accident was something more sinister.

Cleverly written thriller with a paranormal twist.

If you haven’t read a Mark Edwards book then where have you been? He is a must read author who just gets better and better!!!

If you was only going to read one book this year, this should be it!!!

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If you want a creepy, psycho/supernatural thriller that will get your heart pounding just that little bit harder then look no further than this latest offering from Mark Edwards.

Highly recommended read!

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This is my first Mark Edwards read. In Her Shadow was scary good. From the Title to the Cover to the Story, I enjoyed this read.

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Really enjoyable book with some good twists and turns. It had an element of paranormal in it which I don’t tend to enjoy but this one was well written.

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I have read all of Mark Edwards books except Because She Loves Me and have liked all of them, my favourites being The Magpies and The Devil's Work. This one is unfortunately not a favourite of mine and in fact, I would say it is my least favourite Mark Edwards book. Okay, I still raced through it and couldn't stop turning the pages because, of course, I had to find out what was going on BUT... the first half of the book was basically a ghost story (and I'm not a fan of them really, I don't usually read paranormal books :/) and I found Jessica's daughter Olivia very irritating :/ I felt like the story was quite repetitive as well. Second half was better, less of all that ghost stuff, but here the problem was that I had guessed the ending. In fact, I had guessed it all pretty much in the beginning. I don't know, I mean I did kind of enjoy this but I think it's just that I find Edwards' writing style very easy to follow and gripping, but as for the story itself - I am sorry, it wasn't up there with the other Mark Edwards book (for me). I would still buy his future books though!

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excellent, just excellent!!

Another book by Mark Edwards which is just unputdownable!!

Love his way of writing and the way he unfolds the story is just superb!!

Don't miss this one out!

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3.75 Stars - Four years ago Jessica’s sister, Isabel, died. Seemingly it was an accident. She had fallen off the balcony. They think she was drunk/on drugs when she was there. Now Jessica’s four-year-old daughter, Olivia, talks about her auntie Izzy! The aunt that she has never seen. Olivia knows about her aunt’s past, the details that no one told her! And apparently, she knows about the day Izzy died!
Did someone murder Isabel? Are they now after Jessica and her family? The key seems to lie in the hands of a child. Can Isabel reveal the truth from beyond the grave, or is the answer closer to home?
My first read by this author and it was good! At first, I thought it lost me at the supernatural part but well, I was wrong! It’s slow but the short chapters were in my favor and I couldn’t guess it right! The story alternates between the past and the present. Told in multiple POV (Mostly dual), 3rd person. It’s a standalone novel and a really good read for Halloween! Overall, enjoyed it and hope you like it as well!
Thanks to Mark Edwards, Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer/Amazon Pub Ukf or the advanced digital copy in exchange an honest review.

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I have been enjoying a return to reading ghost stories over recent months but I wasn’t expecting In Her Shadow to have a ghostly element.

Yet spooky is what I got and it was so well done.



Izzy is young, successful and full of life. Her business was taking off and she had everything to live for. Until a tragic accident brought things to a premature end. Her sister Jessica was devastated at Izzys death and struggled to accept how she could possibly have fallen over a balcony accidentally.

Time has passed but Jessica’s young daughter Olivia has started speaking with an imaginary friend. She calls her Izzy. Jessica realises that “Izzy” seems to tell Olivia lots of things about her Aunt Izzy which Olivia could not be expected to know. Could it be possible that the Jessica’s dead sister is able to communicate with Olivia?

In Her Shadow is a terrific twisty tale. Mark Edwards perfectly captures the paranoia and disbelief that Jessica displays. She knows there is no way Olivia could be communicating with Izzy. Yet…

Once we get into the story we have some flashback scenes. There is a hint that Izzy may not have died accidentally. We see the weeks leading up to her death and the author will make readers start to doubt all their preconceptions as to events they have read. A murder tale? A domestic thriller? A ghost story? All three?

Perfectly perplexing and wonderfully readable. I can see In Her Shadow sticking a chord with many readers, it is the ideal story to keep you reading in these dark autumnal evenings.

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4,5 stars. Again.

Is this the month of 4,5 stars books??
If it is, maybe I should quickly grab another two or three novels, because really I've been lucky until now and I hope it doesn't stops here!

I have to admit: with Mark Edwards you can't go wrong. I have yet to find one of his books that's worth less than four stars, and he his in my auto-buy (or request, whatever..) list.
Also, maybe I would have given five full stars to "In Her Shadow" if I wasn't still thinking about the last Edward's novel "The Retreat" which was so perfect that is was virtually impossible for anything to compare. Probably that's also just me, both books are about ghosts (but, is there any real ghost? Maybe there are when you think there aren't and vice-versa..you will know what I mean), but while "The Retreat" was set in the countryside, with a spooky atmosphere, this is more "urban", everyday life, more like "the Devil's Work" if you're familiar with the author.

The plot was well thought, believable and not far fetched in any way, the ending too made sense in all her different progressive revelations. There's a strage thing that happened to me. At exactly 2/3 of the book, I read a short sentence and suddenly I knew who was "the culprit" even if I didn't know how, let alone why.. Strange thing because I can never guess anything at all about mystery books, and there was really no reason I should suddenly have that strong feeling.. I mean, there mas nothing on the page.. what if it was suggested me by.. a ghost? Lol, read it if you want to know what I mean!

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me ARC of that book in exchange for an honest review.

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This book started well, strong characters and a good storyline.

It lost its way in the middle and I felt we went round in circles.

The ending was average which I had already guessed anyway.

A steady average book, but nothing amazing.

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Okay, so today is my stop on the tour for In Her Shadow. Earlier this year I read my first Mark Edwards book called The Retreat and it is my highlight five stars read of 2018 – You can read that review by clicking here. So when In Her Shadow came up I jumped at the chance. Now whilst The Retreat had a thread of eeriness that I could cope with In Her Shadows is packed to the brim with scare the life out of you goodness.

I managed 50% of the book but my nerves and anxiety couldn’t take anymore. This is purely a reflection on ME and not Mr Edwards book. I love his writing and the characters he brings to life. Mr Edwards is sublime at setting the scene and arousing your senses. I am just not good with the paranormal and I should have read more about it before I said yes.

If you love a good scary and heart-thumping read then In Her Shadows should be your next read.

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This is my first book by Mark Edwards and it will for sure not be my last ! Jessica’s sister Isabel died four years ago. The coroners finding was ruled an accident. But when her daughter Olivia whose four starts mentioning things that only Jessica and her sister knew Jessica becomes concerned. Is it just curiosity about her dead aunt or something more? Plus how does her daughter know so much about her dead aunt? As tension begins to mount she starts questioning the death of her sister? Are ghosts real is that who Olivia is talking to? So many questions and it just builds this psychological thriller I enjoyed every page of this book and highly recommend!

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I have enjoyed all of Mark Edwards's books, and this is no exception.

It is an intricately plotted little tale, with just a touch of the supernatural (important for me - I don't like to suspend belief in that way too much). The portrayal of the child is excellent. Creepy children always work well! The combination of detective work and hunches is very effective.

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Jessica has a poltergeist in her past and a possessed four-year-old in her present, not to mention the possible murder mystery of her sister Isabel. What a GREAT premise for a novel. Let me tell you this was not the right book for me to start on a late night of constant wake ups with my own 3-year-old. Reading about creepy kids in the dark is a big no-no!

The first half of this book is devoted to a huge creep factor that was so well written. I had everyone pegged for the murder at one point or another, but then at the half-way mark the book took a hard-left turn. The latter half of the book is very of the moment, but felt out of place in what started out as a supernatural thriller.

I enjoyed the first half more than I could possibly say, but the wrap up left me craving an alternate ending. Giving this one three stars overall and putting Mark Edwards backlist on my TBR.

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Requested this book the day it was to be archived and did not get to my kindle to download it quick enough so unable to give feedback

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After reading The Retreat, I jumped on the opportunity to get Mark Edwards' new book from NetGalley, and was not disappointed!

Jessica, mother of a preteen boy and a four year old girl, lost her sister while she was pregnant with her youngest. She's always believed that Izzy fell from the balcony of her lavish home, and the death was ruled an accident. Until one day, when Olivia, her daughter, begins talking to the aunt she never knew. Olivia says people don't fall from balconies, bad men push them. This sets Jessica on edge, and when other weird and creepy things start to happen, she goes into a full blown panic and begins to investigate. Everyone is a suspect, and the twists and turns are just impossible to figure out. I haven't been this frightened by a novel in a very long time.

The only negative is that there are a few too many things going on as far as the ending is concerned, but overall, this was an intense and highly entertaining read. I am definitely a Mark Edwards fan now, and look forward to reading more from him in the future.

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I’ve always been a Mark Edwards fan so was really looking forward to reading In Her Shadow. But I have to admit that when I started it, I really wasn’t sure what was going on as it seemed to have a very different feel to it. The paranormal plays such a large part in the narrative here and that both intrigued and surprised me. But I was more than willing to dive in and see where this book would end up taking me!

Having lost her sister Isobel in an accident four years ago, Jessica is now trying to come to terms with what happened. But when her youngest child starts talking about things that it’s impossible for her to know about, Jessica realises she needs to dig deeper into her sisters perfect life. Was Isobel’s death really just an accident and if not then who is keeping secrets and why?

The supernatural element was a surprise for me within this storyline but one that worked really well! And using a child as the vessel for the unraveling of revelations about Isobel’s past was creepy as hell!! There’s just something spine chilling about spooky kids isn’t there? Olivia knew things that it was impossible for her to have knowledge of and she was unshakable in her belief that the aunt who had died before she was born was the one giving her the information.

There were some twisty shockers along the way here that kept me completely on the edge of my seat right up until the final pages. And I really loved this sinister storyline especially as it kept me guessing throughout! Mark Edwards really does a brilliant job of creating an ominous and tense atmosphere in his books and this is a particularly compelling example.

Definitely recommended by me-just read it in the daytime!

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Title was archived before I could get to it, unfortunately. Looked forward to reading it, perhaps I will look into buying it instead.

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In Her Shadow by Mark Edwards

Set in Beckenha, London, this is the story of Jessica and her sister Isabel. Isabel, married, happy and ran a successful business, then one day, she is found dead after an accident.

5 Years later, Jessica, still grieving her sister’s death and her 4 year old daughter, Livvy, mentions things from Isabel’s past that she couldn’t possibly know. She tells her mum, Izzy was pushed by the bad man.

There is so much tension in the story, with possible ghosts and murder, you wonder what’s going to happen. Real fear for Livvy and Jessica and plenty of suspects keep you on the edge.....Mark Edwards has created a nerve wracking, real psychological thriller. Well written and clever, I loved every minute.....

I would like to thank the Author/the Publishers/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

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Excellent book ! Read it in a day ! So unexpectedly good ! Great characters ! Very original story line. You think you know what happened, you think you know who did it, trust me...…………… you do not ! Loved the main character, Jessica ! Strong, determined and pushed to the limit ! What will she do when she finds out who killed her sister ? Fast paced and a true thriller ! You will love this book !

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Great read. I’m not normally a fan of paranormal books but this is a believable plot with lots of twists and turns and relatable characters.

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I enjoyed the writing style and the first half of the book was ok because of that. I could not finish the book. I lost interest and stopped about 40%. I do believe the premise of the child-talking-to-ghost is one that I've never enjoyed. So, while I didn't enjoy this book, I do like Mark Edwards' writing style, so, I may try a different novel by him.
I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Not a book to read when you are alone in the house. Very creepy and spooky premise which doesnt go too far (thank goodness) The twists and turns came up on when you were least expecting it and I was kept guessing right to the end.

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Dear Mr. Edwards,

Well, Mr. E, I have to hand it to you. I have read 7 of your 8 novels, and number 8 is the best of all! That’s saying a lot, as The Magpies and Follow You Home are pretty magnificent. Actually 6 of your books have earned 5 big gold stars from me. Now before you get all pleased with yourself, this one was only perfect, not perfectly perfect.

First some good stuff. I have to say I have never dissected anyone’s books like I dissect yours. In fact, I get help from my book buddy Jan. We rip ‘em apart on Google Docs, chapter by chapter. This time around we knew we could nail it, as after all, we know you really well. We know how that brain works. We could write your stuff. Maybe. Anyway, we smugly picked out the baddie about 9 times each. Yeah, it was someone different all 9 times. Then we ran out of characters on our cast list. It was like 90% in, and we had to concede that there was NO baddie as we had eliminated every one of them. I can’t remember ever going so far in a book and running out of suspects. Gotta give you that one. And yes, you readers out there, there is a baddie! Sort of.

I really should dock you for this next one, but I can’t. Gosh, there are so many weird things happenings in this book that it was impossible to gather them up in one nice ball and assign a nice cohesive explanation to it all. We even wrote all these events down and analyzed them to death—all for naught. In a way, that was fun. Like rolling down a long hill as a kid and standing up all sick and nauseated, but happy, as that’s fun, right? However, despite all that joy, I was getting really irritated that I had to write, “I’m confused” to my buddy about 15 times. I don’t like writing that, Mr. Edwards. It is painful thing to admit. But kudos for you for weaving all these things perfectly (almost) together by the end.

Sorry, but I have to call you out for cheating a few times. Or as my buddy would say, “Mark’s being convenient again.” Being convenient by making stuff happen that gets you through a potentially tough section to write. I let most of that stuff pass because you and I have a many-year relationship now and I know you just can’t help yourself, but really—do you actually think a 31- year-old woman wouldn’t recognize a high school classmate whom she shared a pretty awesome kiss with when both were 17? Come on, Mr. Edwards, tongue was involved, and not only that, but people’s looks just don’t change that much during that age range! Much as I love you, I just can’t let that one go, Mister.

OK, some people will ding you for making Jessica somewhat wild and crazy the second half of the book. Not me. To me she was rightfully panicking and reacting accordingly as you were pulling some nasty strings on her. Poor Jess.

Now others for sure are going to nick you for this story lacking the usual unrelenting creepy crawly suspense that seems to be your hallmark. I have to agree that was partially lacking, but this was such an engrossingly darn good whodunit that I kinda didn’t notice that too much at the time. Since I am a major fan of darn good whodunits, I’m giving you a pass on this one. But you know, Mr. Mark, you are on my “best suspense writer ever” pedestal, so maybe you could sharpen up that part of your game for your next book.

Props for the shout out to the “Me Too” movement. I liked that immensely!

And how about that ending? Some people will hate it. I loved it. Particularly how you dealt with Olivia, Jess, and Izzy. Smokin’ good!

So, in summary, this book is a winner, a home run, and fabulous use of my reading time. I have to remind you though, Mr. Edwards, that you messed with my head twice this year. That means I am twice as determined to break you next time. So bring it on and beware--my buddy and I are ready to get even!

All my love,

Your fan now and forever,

Christine XO

Thank you to Net Galley, Thomas Mercer, and Mark Edwards for an advanced copy of this novel. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

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Thank you NetGalley for this book.
It's my first Mark Edwards's book and it won't be the last. The book is a supernatural/crime/ psychological thriller that kept me gripped from the first pages.
The story and the characters .....just excellent! loved it from the start till the end.

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Did she fall or was she pushed? Jessica’s older sister, Izzy, died four years ago in what the family thought was a tragic accident when she fell from the balcony of her home. Olivia, Jessica’s four year old daughter, imforms her that her Aunt is telling her that she was pushed. Doubts about Izzy’s death makes Jessic determined to find out the truth. The story is told mainly from Jessica’s perspective but with chapters from events leading upto Izzy’s death. This is a superb psychological thriller, full of suspense and tension.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

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Thank you to Net Galley, The Publishers and to Mark Edwards for an ARC copy of this fabulous book.

OMG.... A Gripping, Tense, psychological thriller that keeps you guessing all the way!

Isabel's life seemed perfect. Successful business, beautiful house, adoring husband. And then she was dead.

For four years Jessica has never doubted that her sister Isabel's death was an accident. But when Jessica's young daughter seems to know long-forgotten details about her aunt's past, Jessica can't shake the feeling that there's a more sinister truth behind the tragedy.

As Jessica unearths disturbing revelations about her sister, and about the people she loved and trusted most, it becomes clear Isabel's life was less than perfect and that Jessica's might also be at risk.

Did someone murder Isabel? Are they now after Jessica and her family? The key seems to lie in the hands of a child. Can Isabel reveal the truth from beyond the grave, or is the answer closer to home?

I personally to not like books on the paranormal activities, but it goes on to more than that and at first " Oh not not my type of book", but I was so wrong, this is a great book, with an intrigue, tension and suspense that is hard to get with a psychological thriller, slow burning it is not, fast paced it is, with an incredible supply of characters, red herrings. With a clever storyline that switches between the past and present, as well as different points of view, one being Isabel's, the past and present giving just small pieces of the puzzle, but just also teasing you and keeping so many secrets to near the end...

In Her Shadow is a gripping tale of family secrets, lies and obsession from the two million copy bestselling author Mark Edwards.

I have read most of Mark Edwards books, and I think this is his best so far, I really could not book this book down.

A clear five star book.

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In Her Shadow seems slightly different to other books I've read by Mark Edwards, however this doesn't make it less brilliant, just slightly less chilling.
There are many twists which turn the story on its head, and I thought I'd worked out what was happening a few times, but couldn't have got it more wrong if I tried!
I'm glad Mark stepped outside of his comfort zone with this, because the end result was certainly worth it!

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*Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* I have been a fan of Mark Edwards' writing for some time now and this latest publication, 'In Her Shadow' does not disappoint. Four years ago, Jessica's sister met an untimely end by falling off her balcony at home. Jessica has always thought that this was nothing more than a tragic accident, a life cut short. Not murder. Not suicide. However, Jessica's four-year-old daughter begins acting strangely at both home and school. She claims 'Aunt Izzy' is talking to her and passing on messages. She says that the death was not an accident. Thus begins a story that will have you suspecting everyone and believing nothing at face value. A gripping and enjoyable read.

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This is my first Mark Edwards novel, more that I have just not got around to reading anything by him rather than never having heard of him.

Jessica has never got over the loss of her sister, but when her daughter Olivia starts blaming things on Izzy, and then states that Izzy didn’t fall to her death, she was pushed, Jessica has to face the reality that her daughter seems to know a lot more about Izzy’s death than she should.

I really enjoyed this, in that the plot twists and turns, and Jessica has no idea who she can trust.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy. I am only sorry it took me a while to get round to reading it.

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EXCERPT: Olivia lifted her head from Jessica’s shoulder and stared at Pat.

"Will it hurt?" she said.

"Pardon?" Pat looked from Olivia to Jessica and back again.

Jessica knew Olivia was going to say something terrible. She could feel it. She tried to hurry away, nodding an apology to Pat, but she was too slow. Olivia was still staring at the dinner lady.

"When you die," she said to her. "Will it hurt when you die?"

ABOUT THIS BOOK: Isabel’s life seemed perfect. Successful business, beautiful house, adoring husband. And then she was dead.

For four years Jessica has never doubted that her sister Isabel’s death was an accident. But when Jessica’s young daughter seems to know long-forgotten details about her aunt’s past, Jessica can’t shake the feeling that there’s a more sinister truth behind the tragedy.

As Jessica unearths disturbing revelations about her sister, and about the people she loved and trusted most, it becomes clear Isabel’s life was less than perfect and that Jessica’s might also be at risk.

Did someone murder Isabel? Are they now after Jessica and her family? The key seems to lie in the hands of a child. Can Isabel reveal the truth from beyond the grave, or is the answer closer to home?

MY THOUGHTS: This is slightly different from anything I have previously read by Mark Edwards, but I can't tell you why for fear of spoiling it for you. I found the first half of the book a little slow, but that was just Edwards laying the groundwork for a gripping second half.

Edwards had me suspecting any and everyone of causing Isabel’s death. As Jessica unearths disturbing revelations, we see the same events through Isabel’s eyes. An intriguing and satisfying read.

😊😊😊😊

THE AUTHOR: I write psychological thrillers. My influences include writers such as Stephen King, Ira Levin, Ruth Rendell, Ian McEwan, Val McDermid and Donna Tartt and movies like Rosemary's Baby, Single White Female, Fatal Attraction and anything in which scary things happen to ordinary people.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas and Mercer via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of In Her Shadow by Mark Edwards for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

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Oh. My. Flipping. God!
What a belter. Another belter. Another creepy as hell offering from Mr Edwards that had me questioning everything and everyone in this book!
Jessica’s sister died five years ago … it was an accident. A tragic accident.
Wasn’t it?
Olivia, Jessica’s four-year-old daughter, never met her aunt Isabel, she was conceived just a few short weeks before the accident, so how is she now talking about things she shouldn’t know? Things from Isabel and Jessica’s childhood that no one else knew.
As things start to take a sinister turn, Jessica has no choice but to rethink the conclusion that Isabel’s death was an accident.
This is a hard story to talk about in terms of the plot, but rest assured, there are twists and turns and revelations that will leave you gasping for breath!
Edwards is on form again with In Her Shadow, not that I expected anything else! Bringing us another psychological thriller with a supernatural twist, he expertly draws you into the world and lives of the characters, characters who are perfectly developed and a plot that is well thought-out and executed to perfection.
I loved Jessica. Disturbed by what is going on, she is drawn into a web of secrets and lies she had no idea about, her world is being rocked to its very core, but she stays strong, she does what she needs to protect her family, and she stays true to herself while doing it.
With a stellar cast of supporting characters, all of whom are believable and realistic, In Her Shadow is an all-consuming thrill-fest that will completely captivate you!
Highly recommended by this Little Bookworm!

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Absolutely unputdownable. Loved it. This isn’t the first of his books I’ve read and have many more on my kindle to read in the hopefully near future.
The twists and turns that this story takes , the characters that grow on you. It’s all a winner as far as I am concerned.

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5 amazing stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Mercer, and Mark Edwards for letting me read a copy of this book.

This is a frustrating review to write because there’s so much I want to say, but can’t because I don’t want to give anything away. I have read a few of Mr Edwards' books before and this one might just be the best one I have read, although I have still got a few of his books left to read.

I was gripped to this book from a few sentence's in and as I was making progress and nearing the end I had to do anything I could think of to make the book last just that little bit longer, hence why it has taken me a while to finish it.

Just when I thought I had figured out whodunit Mr Edwards thought it would be a good idea to make the atmosphere that little bit darker and throw me off the scent and chamged things round, I am glad that he did this because I dont think the ending that I had figured out would make quite as much sense as his did, he is after all the author.

Well Done Mr Mark Edwards on another amazing book. You have continued to keep me interested and I shall definitelybe remaing as a fan of yours.

I would highly recommend this book.

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Another excellent read!!! Isobel had a fantastic life, a gorgeous husband and a successful business. Then she fell from her balcony or was she pushed? It is assumed it is an accident and 4 years later everyone is slowly coming to terms with it. Then her sister Jessicas' young daughter starts to act strangely. She starts to say things about Isobel that she shouldn't know. is someone feeding her this information or is she being contacted by Isobel? Jessica and Isobel have some history with the ghostly side of things. Is there a message somewhere in this? Jessica needs to find out.
I loved this story, there are so many twists and turns and everyone has their own story to tell. Thanks to Mark Edwards, the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Jessica always looked up to Izzy her older sister. Izzy was glamorous, married to a rich handsome husband & ran a successful business. She was devastated when Izzy fell to her death from the balcony of her house. Years on she is still struggling to come to terms with her loss.

When Olivia, her young daughter starts getting into trouble at school & talking about Izzy- her 'friend' Jessica is concerned. Her mother is a great believer in the supernatural & is convinced Izzy is trying to tell them something from beyond the grave.

This book creates a really spooky atmosphere. Is it really Izzy trying to tell her family something? How did she know even before they happened? How can Olivia know things about Izzy that happened long before she was born? Is Izzy really getting in touch through her neice or is someone using her for their own ends.

I loved this book & couldn't put it down. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review it.

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I have loved all of Mark’s books and this was one of the great ones. The story twists and turns leaving the reader unsure of whether Izzy’s death was an accident or a murder - and if murder who did it. A gripping story that from start to finish drew me in and I did not want to put it down at all until I had finished. The characters and their life styles are so realistic. The story is gripping throughout. Thank you Mark for writing yet another blockbuster story and thank you Netgalley for letting me read it for an honest review.

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Oh where to begin with this one????

I guess I can start by saying I have to proclaim my complete adoration for all things Mark Edwards...

I have many spent hours being completely entertained by his writing, which most often consists of a whole lot of creepiness, a whole bunch of interesting characters and a whole lot of crazy plot twists.
He has become a staple buddy read for my good friend Christine and I, both of us eagerly anticipating the journey that Mark will take us on. Each time we start out confident that we know his writing style well enough by now to not get blindsided. Yeah, you know where I'm going with this--of course we had to admit defeat once again.

This time the story revolves around Jessica Gardner. A devoted Mother and wife who lost her sister Izzy to a bizarre accident 5 years ago. Nothing unusual going on in her life until her 4 yr old daughter Olivia starts acting strange and mentioning memories of Izzy that she couldn't possibly know about. As additional odd and creepy scenarios continue to occur, Jessica soon starts to wonder if her sister's death was truly an accident or something more sinister.

Told from multiple POV's through flashback chapters, the story starts to unfold. And this is where Mark shines! With his usual pocket full of characters, he once again kept us off kilter and guessing the entire way. What really had us running in circles were the supernatural elements that were thrown in: How were these odd things happening? Was there a simple explanation, or was there something more dark behind them?

While this was another fun read to rip apart and dissect, I did have some issues with it. I found myself a bit frustrated with some of the pat explanations or gloss overs that were used to help move the story along. There were a couple of circumstances where emotions weren't played out realistically, questions that should have been asked never were, or suspicions jumped from one to another too quickly.
It's this that held me back from giving Mark my usual 5 star rating. It's also because of Mark that this is still a 4 star rating versus less. The way this man's brain works and the intricate plots he creates, I forgive him for taking a few liberties here and there. ;)

If you haven't taken a Mark Edwards journey, I highly recommend you grab any one of his books and buckle up--you are in for quite a bumpy ride!

Looking forward to our next encounter...

ARC provided by NetGalley

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Mark Edwards did it again with In Her Shadow. I loved the way he brought all of the events together to create this psychological thriller. I am one who believes in the after life so this book was quite interesting to say the least. I’d highly recommend this book.

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Jessica’s sister, Izzy, was young and successful but was found dead 4 years ago after an accident. When Jessica’s 4 year old daughter, Olivia, starts relaying messages from her Aunty Izzy, stuff that she couldn’t possibly know, Jessica becomes spooked and starts questioning whether Izzy’s death was an accident after all.

This leaves Jessica with two things to deal with. Was her sister killed or was her death just an accident? And is her 4 year old daughter really talking to the ghost of her dead Aunty or is someone out to get them?

I finished this book in one day and I honestly couldn’t put it down. I can’t remember the last time I read a psychological thriller that had a paranormal aspect to it. Throughout this book, I had feelings of dread and apprehension because I didn’t know what was real and what wasn’t. I was continuously question whether Olivia was really talking to a ghost. Surely, she must be because how would she know everything she knows?

I did come up with a few theories while I was reading it and I’m SO pleased to say that all of them were wrong! I was not expecting the twists in this book and I loved every minute of reading it.

This book was an easy read, yet it covered so many topics such as: Family dynamics, grief, the paranormal, mental illness, infidelity, drug addition. The list goes on!

It honestly was a great read and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes fast paced thrillers.

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Another brilliant read from Mark Edwards! I've not read a bad or even mediocre book so far and this didn't disappoint either. I couldn't wait to keep picking it up and keep reading. There is the dual mystery of what happened to Izzy and whether she is really "talking" to Olivia. Both subplots drive the tension and intrigue. Absolutely loved it and highly recommend it!

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I love Mark Edwards! What more can I say lol. His style of writing builds and just makes you sit-on-edge waiting to see what happens. I like his slow build leading to what happens. It isn’t a bad slow build, but one that gets your mind thinking, and just when you honk you’ve solved it.. Bam! He throws in a wrench! He’s become one of my favorites and this book did not disappoint. It’s exactly the psychology thriller you want to read to get under your skin.

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I Loved this book. Everything Mark Edwards always gives to his books was there
Twists Turns, making you think one thing then it changes, excitement
The Characters were great you could really make them fit to life and portrayed well in the book

Kept going right to the end true mark Edwards style

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A really intriguing read, hooked from the beginning a great story told well, really enjoyed, I do feek it maybe could have ended a chapter or two earlier, but that may be because I guessed halfway through, but still a fab read

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What an interesting read this turned out to be.
I really don't know what I was expecting from this book, it feels so different from the last book I read by Mr Edwards, but just as darn good.
This is one of those books that really does make you think, it tests your beliefs, and leaves you thinking about it long after you have finished reading it.
Don't read this book late at night, lol.
For 4 years Jessica has known her sisters death was a terrible accident. Jessica was very close to her beloved sister and misses her terribly. Although Jessica has believed it was an accident, her mother certainly hasn't believed it. Her mother has always believed there was a lot more to her death.
When Jessica's young daughter starts talking about her dead aunt, Jessica starts to think, how can her young daughter know things from Isabel's past? It really creeps Jessica out, there is no way her young daughter should or can know the things she knows. Jessica really does start to think that, just maybe there was more to Isabel's death than she first thought. Is Isabel trying to talk to Jessica through her daughter?
Creepy, spooky it's everything you want from a great read. This book really does make you think about the afterlife, Ghosts, do they really exist? If you are a believer or not, this book really gives you something to think about. It's the ability to get you thinking about such things that adds to this book being creepy, the fact it makes you think so much.
​I don't know any words that is going to do this book the justice it deserves. A first class thrilling read. I can highly recommend this book. It would be a great book for a book club as there are so many things you sit and discuss about the book, it would be a great conversation starter.

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A great book with a gripping story that keeps you engaged right to the end. Loved the style of writing, the characters and the plot. Superb read!

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Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.3.5*

For four years Jessica has never doubted that her sister Isabel’s death was an accident. But when Jessica’s young daughter seems to know long-forgotten details about her aunt’s past, Jessica can’t shake the feeling that there’s a more sinister truth behind the tragedy.
Another well written story from this author. This book is a psychological thriller veering into a ghost story. I am not a fan of that genre but it did add a certain creepiness to this tale.

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Jessica Gardner once had an older sister, Isabel, who died in a fall from a balcony almost 5 years ago. Jessica and her family have tried to move on, believing that the death was an accident. The agony had "dimmed to a dull ache" until her 4-year-old daughter, Olivia, starts having some serious issues at school and home. It seems that Olivia is recalling memories and details about Izzy that she can't possibly know and even insinuates that Izzy is telling her some secrets. Jessica is no stranger to haunting as she experienced a series of events in her childhood remiscent of the things that are happening to the family now. Is Izzy trying to send a message about her killer from beyond the grave? NO SPOILERS.

If you like your domestic drama with a bit of supernatural then you will enjoy this book. The mystery begs to be solved and Jessica is determined to release her daughter from this seeming "possession" and get to the bottom of it once and for all.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the e-book ARC to read and review.

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This seems to be a book that has people divided; they either love it or hate it. Personally I thought it was a great read, a little different to other Mark Edwards books in that it doesn't keep you on the edge of your seat. However it IS a great read and keeps you reading to find out what happens. A little paranormal but totally believable and one not to miss.

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So this is my first Mark Edwards book and after I finished I really wondered why I hadn’t picked up any of his books sooner!

It’s been four years since Jessica’s sister fell from the balcony of her house. She never once doubted that it was accident until her four year old daughter Olivia starts saying things about Isabel she shouldn’t know. She claims she’s talking to her Auntie Izzy and she wants to tell her something, a terrible secret.
Jessica is torn, should she believe her daughter is talking to Isabel from beyond the grave or is there something more sinister going on...

Wow, what a book! For those who read this blog on a regular basis you may know that I love anything remotely ghostly and adding the psychological thriller aspect, well, I just couldn’t put it down!
I really enjoyed that the story was told from Jessica’s perspective in the present and also Isabel’s from four years previously. The back and forth between the timelines really created some good tension throughout the book.

I do like when an author takes a character that seems so ordinary and puts them in an extraordinary situation. Jessica is a highly strung mum, still grieving for her sister, who gave up a high flying career for her kids, cheeky ten year old Felix and little Olivia.

Olivia was super creepy at times and I think the author got her voice almost perfect, although it is a long time since my son was four, I feel like there could have been a few more babyish/made up words that would have just added a bit more authenticity.

Overall In Her Shadow is a fast paced, twist packed, suspenseful read that you won’t want to put down!

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A great page turner. I havent read any of Marks books yet but i will definately be reading more. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and i highly recommend to anyone.

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This is one of those stories that will chill you to the bone. Absolutely chilling and very suspenseful to read. You keep wondering what’s next and are surprised by what happens. An author I will be looking forward to reading more from!

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3.5 stars. I definitely enjoyed the first part more than the second. I don’t normally like books with a paranormal element but I enjoyed the twist this gave the plot and it had me turning the pages but then things seemed to descend into chaos and became a bit farcical. The second part and the ultimate reveal felt like a bit of a let down. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I realised that my review of his book didn’t save so I managed to cut an paste from my blog.
Thanks to Netgalley I managed to get my greedy claws in this latest Mark Edwards book. If you have read Edwards before you will understand why I was so delighted.
Edwards delivers just the right about of suspense and thrill and I adore his style so much. It literally was un-put-downable (yes I made that up).
Wonderful work!

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This reminds me of the early Mark Edwards books which I really enjoyed. It was a great story and was slightly different to the other books out there at the moment, which was a refreshing change.

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I thought that this book was brilliant!

It is a gripping storyline, very well written with some excellent characters. They were really well developed and had excellent characterisation, I loved the flow and how well they all interacted.

I am a massive fan of true life paranormal and fictions books too and this one hit the spot for me on so many levels – I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish!

This was definitely a book that left me thinking – it was a really enjoyable story and I haven’t hesitated to give it 5 stars – another cracking book from Mark Edwards and I am very much looking forward to seeing what he releases next now!!

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What a great read! Such a lovely style of writing! I found myself gripped from the start with well developed clear characters who I was quickly involved with.
The story was intriguing and developed at pace, putting enough ideas out there to keep my head puzzling and thinking. The blind alleys kept appearing but didn’t quite solve the queries, continually gathering momentum as it raised suspicions. I loved the ending, bringing it all together but still leaving a final thought to jiggle around in my head.
My 1st book by Mark Edwards but definitely not my last! Amazing read!

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This was good! I have not had the opportunity to read any of Mark Edwards writing before picking up this book so I really had no idea what to expect. I now know that I want to read a lot more of his work. This was a book that pulled me in right away and kept me guessing until the very end. I was completely entertained by this wonderfully woven story.

Jessica is a happily married mother of two children. Jessica’s sister, Isabel, died in a tragic accident years ago. Or did she? Jessica’s young daughter, Olivia, seems to know things about her aunt that just isn’t possible since she is too young to remember Isabel. Did someone kill Isabel? If so, who could have done it? Is Isabel’s ghost really speaking to young Olivia or is something else going on?

The mystery in this story was pretty complex and it really seemed like just about anything could have happened. I loved the fact that it kept me guessing until the very end. It was really interesting to spend time with Isabel in the time leading up to her death. I thought that the things happening with Olivia was just creepy enough to give me a small case of the chills. I enjoyed watching Jessica desperately work to put the pieces of her sister’s death together. There were really a lot of things that came up that may have played a role in what happened.

This was my first experience listening to Ester Wane’s narration and I thought she did a great job with this story. She really had the perfect voice to tell this story. I thought that she added a lot of intensity and emotion to the story. She handled the cast of characters very well and the dialogue in the story felt very authentic. She had the kind of voice that was very easy to listen to for hours at a time.

I would recommend this book to fans of mystery thrillers. This book had a lot of great elements that came together to tell a story that was hard to put down. I look forward to reading more from Mark Edwards soon!

I received a digital review copy of this book from Amazon Publishing UK via NetGalley and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from Kindle Unlimited.

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Four year old Olivia has an imaginary friend - Izzy, her glamorous aunt who died in suspicious circumstances just before she was born. Everyone believes that Izzy’s death was a tragic accident, but is she trying to let her grieving family know that she was really murdered, and if so, by whom? Is Olivia really channelling the dead or is she being manipulated by Izzy’s murderer?

In Her Shadow is an excellent book. A creepy, exciting, twisty whodunnit that held me gripped until the very last page. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Best ‘Mark Edwards’ since The Magpies.

Very well done indeed.

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I'm a huge Mark Edwards fan and yet again he didn't disappoint. A chilling read that kept me guessing until the end. I've recommended it to my book club. Thanks for the advanced copy.

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MY THOUGHTS:
British. Creepy. Whodunnit. Feminist themes.

What was it exactly that made this book feel so very British? I have no clue! Maybe just words like "flat" instead of apartment? But either way it felt British and I love a British book. Like it easily adds one star just for the fact that it is written by a British author.

And the author? The author is a man. And over and over I kept thinking, he totally gets women. I thought he wrote female characters really well! He was writing about some things like a mother feeling like she's a bad mother all the time (even if she's not), like the relationship between sisters, infidelity, sexual assault and I just felt like he hit the nail on the head.

This book will definitely will give you the creeps in some parts. Like the ghostly creeps because it is kind of a ghost story... Kind of. I'm not always a fan of the paranormal in books (which is a ridiculous thing to say since I literally read and re-read Stephen King's books, but Stephen King is just on a whole other level amiright? Like no matter what weird crap he pulls in his novel I will defend it and simultaneously cringe as I recommend my mother read a book about rats becoming possessed by the corpse they ate....) but I felt like the entire time in this book the main character was trying to talk herself out of believing in ghosts - and into believing in ghosts - and it was a very relatable reaction.

Last, I didn't know who did it until the end of the book - which basically is the mark of a whodunnit done well.

In the end, I really, really liked this book! I really wasn't sure going in - because of the ghost story thing - but I really enjoyed it! But really, how many times can I say 'really' before it really starts to get really annoying? Or before it really starts to sound like a made-up word? About 8.

MY RATING:
Entertainment Value: 4.5
Characters: 5
Voice: 5 (I mean he <i>is</i> British)
Plot: 4
Overall: 4.75 (I know the math on that isn't right but that's why I'm on Goodreads and not Goodmath - we can't be good at everything).

<i>Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.</i>

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Another great Mark Edwards book ,! When Jessica’s daughter starts to talk to her auntie who died 4 years ago in a tragic accident , Jessica starts to question what really happened. A creepy thriller with some paranormal thrown in .! My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my chance to read. 4 stars ⭐️

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I bloomin love Mark Edawds - NEVER disappointed with one of his books and this is no exception. A true thriller, with an element of spirits and ghosts chucked in for good measure. Made me check the back seat of my car on more than one occasion!

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Hello and thanks for ARC copy of this book.
I had a little trouble getting into this book, but once I got through a few more chapters, I could not put this book down. It was a great, there were some chapters that I found a little dragged out. I am giving this book 4 stars and I will be on the look out for more from this author.

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Wow, how have I missed out on Mark Edwards novels until now? This was a fantastic psychological thriller with just the right amount of "spooky". Headed out to find my next Edwards book right now!

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Here's what I love about Mark Edwards, you never know what to expect, but yet you do. You can expect his novels to deliver an eerie, unpredictable, unsettling, satisfactory read. Mark Edwards isn't afraid to try new ideas, which I appreciate. He's given us the stalker, the serial killer, the boogeyman, UFOs, the crazy neighbors, and now, a child who can talk to the dead. HELLO CREEPY!

I love when Mark Edwards uses children to enhance the level of macabre. After all, children are innocent and pure. There's something about a child that can communicate with the dead that chills you to the core. Think about it, Poltergeist, The Shining, The Sixth Sense, all these novels/movies are well known, and all of them have two things in common, a child, and something sinister.

Now, a Mark Edwards novel wouldn't be a Mark Edwards novel without a twist. Albeit, this one was a bit anticlimactic for me, but still, far from a disappointment.

I want to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and Mark Edwards for allowing me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my review.

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I love all Mark Edwards books. This one was excellent, a dark chilling thriller that had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up as I was reading parts of it! Highly recommended. Five stars

Many thanks to Netgalley and Mark Edwards for the advanced copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

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Love Mr Edwards books! Never been disappointed and that holds true with this one as well. His finales are always a twist.

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It’s official I am a huge fan of Mark Edwards. This is the second book I have read. I love how this is completely different than the other that I have read. This couples daughter knows things about her moms sister, Isabel without ever knowing her. They think it’s possible she sees spirits. This unfolds some secrets that were never meant to come out. So many things you find out along the way that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I love the possible paranormal situations so much. 4 stars! Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this book.

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I would like to thank Thomas & Mercer Publishing for this partnership and the Netgalley website.

Being a big fan of this author, I absolutely had to read his latest novel.

We find Jessica there who for four years absolutely did not think that her sister's death was an accident, she will try to find the truth and discover Isabelle's past. Which could put him at risk. Everything seems to be focused on a child.

I immediately became hooked on the story, loving reading psychological thrillers, so captivating, moving, full of suspense and twists and turns. Looking forward to reading more of this author's books.

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A psychological thriller with a supernatural twist in which EVERYONE is a suspect (I suspected myself at one point) this is classic Mark Edward's. Plenty of twists and turns plus enough red herrings to fill an ocean. Very enjoyable.

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Mark Edwards is an exceptional author and I would write anything that he wrote. This book was no exception and it is to my detriment that it took me so long to finally write my review. But I do know for a fact that I loved this book from start to finish and will do better next time to review his future books in a more timely manner.

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I received a digital arc of #InHerShadow by #Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was the first book I've read by Mark Edwards so I wasn't sure what to expect. I really enjoyed it. I was hooked from the first page. This book had so many twists and turns - just when I thought I had it straight in my head, something else would be revealed and it would change everything! Elements of this were creepy but I will definitely read more by this author in the future - just not on my own late at night!

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Another brilliant book by one of my favourite authors. I ended up buying the audio book as I love the narrator's style. I've read all of Mark's books and this one did not disappoint. Another twisty five star read.

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I have read a few of Mark’s books and I am a big fan, but I definitely found this one to be a touch creepier than others I have read. In fact, to begin with I was totally freaked out by it (although as friends will tell you, I scare pretty easily). As always with Mark, the book is excellently written, and I was gripped from the first page – in fact I read most of the book in one sitting, and not just because I was too on edge to go to sleep! Despite the lack of sleep caused, Mark remains firmly at the top of my list of favourite thriller writers.

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Gripping and fast-paced, this book grabs you and never lets go! With very believable characters and a plot that makes you question everything you believe, this was another twisty page-turner for Mark!

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Jessica is a happily married mother of two children. Jessica’s sister, Isabel, died in a tragic accident years ago. Or did she? Jessica’s young daughter, Olivia, seems to know things about her aunt that just isn’t possible since she is too young to remember Isabel. Did someone kill Isabel? If so, who could have done it? Is Isabel’s ghost really speaking to young Olivia or is something else going on?

The mystery in this story was pretty complex and it really seemed like just about anything could have happened. I loved the fact that it kept me guessing until the very end. It was really interesting to spend time with Isabel in the time leading up to her death. I thought that the things happening with Olivia was just creepy enough to give me a small case of the chills. I enjoyed watching Jessica desperately work to put the pieces of her sister’s death together. There were really a lot of things that came up that may have played a role in what happened.

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A quick and enjoyable read. I was able to correctly predict who did it pretty early, but none of the whys until pretty late. And the supernatural element had me confused until answers were revealed. A good choice if you'd like a quick mystery.

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What can I say but - creepy from the start! As children Jessica and Isabelle were visited by a poltergeist “Larry” now grown - history appears to be repeating. Jessica still mourning the loss of her sister Isabelle five years after her death hears disturbing things from her 4 year old daughter. Little Olivia seems to know things about her dead auntie - whom she had never met - things that only Isabelle could have told her. Olivia has secrets that tell of happenings of the past. Could Isabelle’s spirit be back?

Loved this from the start to the very last page.

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3.7⭐/5
This was my first Mark Edwards book, and I am sure I will be checking other books by the author soon too.

I loved thr writing, it was mysterical and thrilling and turned supernatural paranormal & creepy too.

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I've read almost everything this author has written at this point. Sometimes I'm more critical than at other times, but I think the reason I keep reading is that despite a quibble here and there, his work is as intended: very suspenseful. This one was no different. Here's the set-up: Your sister dies from a fall, there are hints, five years later that it may not have been accidental, and to add further complications, your youngest child seems to be channeling messages from your sister. The suspicion, as well as the pool of likely suspects widens with each new revelation.

I was kept guessing. I'll say that much. You will be too. An entertaining read, and a good mystery from a more-than-competent author.

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Mark Edwards skillfully weaves paranormal elements into a well told story centring around love, obsession, sex and drugs. The twists are frequent and although there are a number of false leads, the conclusion is both logical and surprising.
Mark Edwards will always be a writer I turn to when I want an addictive, easy read. This book, whilst enjoyable and engrossing didn’t quite hit the 5 star mark for me, partly because there was so much going on that the chilling elements got a bit lukewarm, but it was still a solid, engrossing and enjoyable read. You can’t ask for much more than that!
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

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Fantastic book....loved every minute of it. Kept me hanging wondering where it was going and wondering how it was going to end. Very well written!

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I was very happy with this book. A good pace, a few unexpected revelations and overall a pleasant read. I think I would have liked it to be a little longer but can't put my finger on what was missing to make it so, perhaps a little more background description. As the first book of this author I've read I was definitely not disappointed and would certainly consider reading more of his writing.

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While it wasn't a bad book I'm not a huge fan like the rest of the reviews were. It seemed to lag and somehow just didn't draw me in completely. I found the characters kind of "wishy-washy" and simplistic. Just couldn't connect all the dots on this one.
3 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the author and publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

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Absolutely enjoyed from start to finish, u didn't want the book to end. Highly recommended, if you like books that keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat.

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Another awesome read from the master of psychological thrillers. It was creepy , with a supernatural feel and explored family ties and relationships. Highly recommended

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Another fabulous book by the talented Mark Edwards. Never has any of his books let me down and this one was no exception. A brilliant five star read with lots of twists and turns.

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A great book from this highly talented author. Dark and creepy, I freaked out on several occasions when reading - and little Olivia steals the show. Highly recommended if you like your thrillers, dark, creepy and psychological!!!!

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Another winner from Mark Edwards! I discovered him a few years ago and now devour everything he puts out. In Her Shadow is another winner; I mean, who doesn’t love books about creepy kids??

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I read this a long while back and wasn't sure how I felt about it as I noticed all the rave reviews so I recently went back and skimmed it again.
I found it an easily predictable story, I don't like the paranormal stuff that was quite confusing and didn't work for me at all.

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I received an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley and publisher Amazon Publishing UK in exchange for an honest review.

In Her Shadow turned out to be a very different book than I was expecting, which isn't necessary a bad thing. The blurb describes it as the story of a woman, Jessica, whose sister died four years ago. She always accepted it as an accident but when her daughter starts behaving strangely, she wonders if it might have been murder instead.

This is still definitely a thriller but the strange behaviour the daughter experiences gives the whole story more of a horror edge as she appears to be communicating with the ghost of Jessica's sister. This is the main bulk of the story and I was a little surprised that it wasn't more explicit in the blurb. Most of the tension and uneasiness comes from never being quite sure if her daughter really is communicating with a ghost or if there's something more sinister at play.

On the whole, this is a decent thriller and has a plot with some interesting elements and a solid sense of tension. Unfortunately I felt like it had a couple of flaws which stopped it being much more than that. Firstly, it is pretty long for a thriller and I felt like it could have been cut down without losing much. Perhaps more importantly, the ending suffers greatly as it falls into the folly of having every character suspected in turn, meaning when you reach the actual suspect you are not surprised because they are literally the only character left who hasn't been dismissed. This makes for a dull and tedious ending as you can tell by the pages left when it is a fakeout reveal.

Elements I liked however: the characters were pretty good. In particular I liked learning about Isabella, the dead sister, and I felt she was a very unique and interesting character to read about. Her job as a sexual therapist was something I've not seen before and it was handled extremely well. I also liked Jessica's relationship with her daughter and that was written very well compared to a lot of thrillers. Her daughter felt like an actual part of the story rather than a plot device that disappears whenever she stops being immediately important.

Overall, there was a lot going on in this story and I appreciated the depth and focus given to some of the side characters and plots. I think it was a shame about the ending as I was enjoying it a lot more until then, and I think trimming that down would have also helped with the overall feel of the book being too long. There is some nice creepy imagery and good characterisation to be found here, it's just a shame that some of the elements fell a bit short.

Overall Rating: 3/5 stars

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This is a great read and a well detailed plot that kept me engaged from the very start. I really liked the well thought out characters and found them to be believable. I cannot wait to read what the author brings out next.

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This book had me hooked from the start. The scenes with Jessica’s daughter were incredibly well-written, and the realism of Mark Edward’s writing only added to the levels of creepiness.

The book is carefully paced, teasing out the plot. Jessica is a fantastic character and you really want her to get to the truth. I finished this book in two sittings. I couldn’t wait to have all my questions answered.

Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers.

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Another cracking read from Mark Edwards, who is a master of dark psychological thrillers, and never fails to have the reader on the edge of their seat, trying desperately to solve the crime before the end of the book.

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Another whirlwind of a book by Mark Edwards! It sees Jessica's 4yo daughter Olivia start to mention things that her Aunt Izzy has told her, things that only Izzy and Jessica would know, except Izzy died before Olivia was born, in what police ruled as an accident. As Olivia comes out with more and more bombshells, now about the day that Izzy died, Jessica starts to think that there was more to her sister's death than meets the eye. She starts to re-examine everything from the time of Izzy's death, trying to find out what everyone has missed. Then Olivia starts to make predictions about people and places around her, predictions that start to come true...

And the truth? It's even creepier than you'd imagine...

This is a chilling, gripping suspense novel, as I've come to expect from Mark Edwards. It races out of the blocks and the pace doesn't slacken until the last page. I was, as usual, oblivious to everything going on around me until I'd come to the final conclusion. I recommend this book to all lovers of psychological fiction and domestic suspense.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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