Woman in Shadow by Carrie Stuart Parks

Woman in Shadow is the latest release by award-winning author Carrie Stuart Parks. Visit all the stops along the Partners in Crime Book Tour!

Review + Book & Author Info

Woman in Shadow

Carrie Stuart Parks combines her expertise as a forensic artist with her ability to craft a gripping story in this page-turning web of light and shadow.

A woman off the grid.

Darby Graham thinks she’s on a much-needed vacation in remote Idaho to relax. But before she even arrives at the ranch, an earthquake strikes—her first clue that something is amiss. Then when a cabin on the edge of town is engulfed in flames and problems at the ranch escalate, Darby finds herself immersed in a chilling mystery.

A town on fire.

A serial arsonist sends taunting letters to the press after each fire. As a forensic linguist, this is Darby’s area of expertise . . . but the scars it’s caused her also the reason she’s trying to escape from her life.

A growing darkness.

As the shadows continue to move in, the pieces of the town around her come into sharper focus. Can she trust the one man who sees her clearly?

Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Published by: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: July 13th 2021
Number of Pages: 336
ISBN: 0785239847 (ISBN13: 9780785239840)
Series: Woman in Shadow is not a part of a series.

Praise for Woman in Shadow:

“Unique, witty, and hilarious, Carrie’s voice shines throughout Woman in Shadow. The perfect mix of intrigue, mystery and danger, this is most definitely a book for my keeper shelf.”
—Dani Pettrey, bestselling author of the Coastal Guardians series

To purchase Woman in Shadow, click on any of the following links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

My Thoughts on Woman in Shadow

Parks’ latest novel starts off with a bang. Literally.

Arriving in Targhee Falls, protagonist Darby Graham experiences an earthquake from nearby Yellowstone National Park. The ground beneath her is unsteady, an echo of her own situation—life knocked her off her feet and she’s doing everything she can to find her balance.

A forensic linguist, Darby was sent to a remote resort in Idaho—part dude ranch part art retreat—to do a little research. She’s also completing her stint with the mysterious Clan Firinn, an organization designed to help law enforcement personnel recover from PTSD. This assignment will finish her treatment and help her return to the real world.

Despite the warning to stay low-profile, Darby quickly places herself front and center as she prevents a sheriff deputy from putting down two stray dogs. Raising the curiosity of the locals, she now has the two dogs in tow as she makes her way from the last outpost in civilization to the very isolated Mule Shoe Ranch in a horse drawn wagon.

Told that “something’s not right” at Mule Shoe, Darby anticipates a quick and easy visit, using her unique set of skills to solve whatever ails the place. Instead, she finds herself in the midst of a dangerous situation. Accidents, vandalism, and a close encounter with a grizzly bear have insightful Darby digging further into the strange happenings.

Parks writes additional scenes in the point of view of Bram White, the sheriff deputy Darby saves from having to shoot the dogs. Not a task he wanted to do, he finds himself swept up in Darby’s charismatic—if somewhat sarcastic—and magnetic personality. He’s instantly smitten, but unaware of all the complications in Darby’s life. Recovering from a serious injury and a tragic event, Darby’s past may be more than Bram can handle. Parks does an excellent job of weaving the romantic thread throughout the suspense and mystery of the rest of the plot.

Darby’s job as a forensic linguist adds another captivating dimension to the story. A forensic artist herself, Parks infuses the narrative with examples of how Darby does her job. Her ability to parse meaning from how a person says or writes something is fascinating, but it’s some of her other skills that she relies on to solve the mystery. I like the balance Parks creates in the character, her life is about more than any one relationship or skill set, she’s a well-rounded character with flaws and a sharp mind.

Despite the inclusion of the dogs, this is not for cozy readers, though not excessive, there is some violence on the page, but for those of us who love a taut mystery, dynamic characters, and a touch of romance, Woman in Shadows makes for a terrific read.

Carrie Stuart Parks

Carrie Stuart Parks is a Christy, multiple Carol, and Inspy Award–winning author.

She was a 2019 finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence in mainstream mystery/suspense and has won numerous awards for her fine art as well. An internationally known forensic artist, she travels with her husband, Rick, across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law-enforcement professionals.

The author/illustrator of numerous books on drawing and painting, Carrie continues to create dramatic watercolors from her studio in the mountains of Idaho.

To learn more about Carrie, click on her name, photo, or any of the following links: Goodreads, BookBub – @CarrieStuartParks, Instagram – @CarrieStuartParks, Facebook – @CarrieStuartParksAuthor & Twitter – #CarrieStuartParks

Elena Taylor is the author of All We Buried, available now in print, e-book, and audio book format at all your favorite on-line retailers. And don’t forget many independent bookstores can order books for you and have them shipped to your home or for curbside pickup.

For more information on All We Buried, click on the link here to visit the home page.

Foreword INDIE Award Finalist, Best Mystery 2020