Shadow of Murder: Book Review & Giveaway

Shadow of Murder

My Rating: 4.5

Genre: Mystery

Format: eARC*

Publication Date: March 30, 2022

Author: Lauren Carr

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Shadow of Murder Blurb

“This newest title in the author’s Mac Faraday murder mystery series offers Carr’s most intricate plot to date – full of twists and turns guaranteed to keep readers up until the wee hours. While still full of the humor, fun critters and touch of romance that are her trademark, the author has also woven in a dark supernatural element that whispers through to the startling ending.” – review by Marilyn R. Wilson, best-selling author and speaker, Olio by Marilyn.

You can’t move to the next chapter of your life, without tying up loose ends in the previous.

True crime blogger, Erica Hart starts a new chapter in her life with a bang when a dark shadow darts into the mountain road to send her SUV off a cliff and to the bottom of Deep Creek Lake. Spencer’s newest addition to the police force, Dusty O’Meara assumes it was a bear. Erica is not so sure.

Soon afterwards, contractors discover Konnor Langston’s body at the bottom of an abandoned swimming pool at the new summer home of Mac Faraday’s son.

With Police Chief David O’Callaghan away on paternity leave, Deputy Chief Dusty O’Meara must lead the investigation in his first murder case since moving to Spencer. Not only does Dusty have to work under the shadow of the legendary Mac Faraday, but he also has to match wits with Erica, who is determined to find justice for Konnor, her childhood friend.

Mac isn’t so difficult. Even Gnarly, the town’s canine mayor, is manageable if his authority is well-respected and he is kept entertained.

Erica Hart, Dusty finds, is more of a challenge. It wouldn’t be so difficult if she wasn’t so irresistible.

Shadow of Murder Review

As a quick reminder, here is my rating structure:

• 1 star: Did not finish
• 2 Stars: Finished but I do not recommend
• 3 Stars: Liked but could use some improvements
• 4 Stars: Loved this book!
• 5 Stars: Rare. The unput-down-able, binge read obsession.

My star ratings are also based also genre based. I compare all books with books of the same genre. While I would love to believe that my love of books in general transcends all bias, there are genres I prefer over others.

I’m human.

Example: If I read a mystery novel and think it deserves a 5-star rating, then I have compared it to other mystery books, and determined it to be one of my absolute favorites. The unputdownable mystery.

This will hopefully keep me from comparing Outlander, a personal obsession of mine, with the experience of reading The Hate You Give. Both 5 star books for me, but completely and totally different. I couldn’t even try to rate them against each other, so I don’t. Makes my life easier. 🙂

My Thoughts

Another charming cozy mystery by Lauren Carr. I didn’t realize until I got into the audiobook how long it has been and how much I missed her characters.

The Mac Faraday series is chock full of quirky, original, and undeniably lovable personalities, even those of a furry persuasion. Infact, as usual, Gnarly steals the show in almost every scene he’s in. Found myself listening to the book while cuddling my pup just because.

I particularly loved the multiple murder mystery plot lines. Not only was Mac solving a new murder, but a cold case as well. Then the cold case turns red hot with new information and some new characters. Erica and Dusty quickly became a favorite couple of mine.

A cold case blogger and a detective, what could be more perfect?

I have to tell you this book is a bit, the audiobook clocking in at over 17 hours. However, this story had me guessing every minute and the twists came out of seemingly mundane scenes. Sometimes funny, sometimes murderous, but always entertaining.

Conclusion

Shadow of Murder is another great cozy mystery by Lauren Carr. Sometimes funny, sometimes murderous, but always entertaining.

*Special thanks to Lauren Carr and iReadBookTours for providing a copy of Shadow of Murder in exchange for an honest review.