THE SHADOW WRITER

by

ELIZA MAXWELL

Genre:  Psychological Suspense / Domestic Thriller

Publisher: Lake Union Press

Date of Publication: May 1, 2019

Number of Pages: 348

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Every writer has a story. Some are deadlier than others. 

Aspiring author Graye Templeton will do anything to escape the horrific childhood crime that haunts her. After a life lived in shadows, she’s accepted a new job as protégé to Laura West, influential book blogger, and wife of an acclaimed novelist. Laura’s connections could make Graye’s publishing dreams a reality. But there’s more to Laura than meets the eye.

Behind the veneer of a charmed life, Laura’s marriage is collapsing. Her once-lauded husband is descending into alcoholism and ruin and bringing Laura nearer to the edge.

As the two women form a bond that seems meant to be, long-buried secrets claw their way into the present, and the line between friendship and obsession begins to blur, forcing each to decide where her loyalties lie. Running from the past is a dangerous game, and the loser could end up dead.

Murder by the Book

This book will take you on a ride much like a roller coaster.  It is filled with heart-pounding action and just when you think everything will be ok, along comes another turn that throws you for a loop.

I have only read a few of Eliza Maxwell’s books, but each one has left me wondering how in the world she (or any other author) can derive such diabolical scenarios.  And very few characters are who they purport themselves to be in this book.  Graye is the biggest mystery and the things we learn about her childhood says so much about her personality and thought process.  Surprised is such an understatement for what I felt as her background was revealed to us over the course of the book.  I think I can safely say that Graye is a master manipulator and she has had decades of training from life.  Since I am trying to keep this spoiler-free, let’s just say that her childhood was more than I expected and as more stories were revealed it explained so much about her personality and actions.

Laura is the other main character and I have to admit I thought one thing about her and then was gobsmacked to realize perhaps she too wasn’t all that she portrayed herself to be in this book.  Was her relationship with her husband on the rocks or would they pull through?  How much pull did she really have as a blogger or was it her ties to the publishing industry through her family?

This book mixes a fairy tale with the actual events, but is it actually a fairy tale?  Is it a peek into Graye’s past?  The author did a marvelous job mixing in “fantasy”  with reality.  Or is it all reality and we just don’t know it yet?

There is quite a cast of characters that feed into the story and each adds their own twist to the story.  Some characters held surprises for us and others just supported what we might have already known.  There are a few parts that had me chuckling in regards to a love/hate relationship with another character that also happened to be an author.  Apparently, she is not held in high regard by many that know her.

There is one section of the book that tickled my funny bone and that is the murder mystery dinner held at the hotel as part of Laura’s event.  Some of the comments by those that were “murdered” cracked me up and they were quite dramatic in their “deaths”.

We have to give this book 5 paws up, it is just too good at keeping me in the dark and not guessing what might be revealed at the next turn.

Eliza Maxwell lives in Texas with her ever-patient husband and two kids. She’s an artist and writer, an introvert, and a British cop drama addict. She loves nothing more than to hear from readers.

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

TWO WINNERS: Signed Copy + $25 Amazon Gift Card

ONE WINNER: Signed Copy 

APRIL 30-MAY 10, 2019

(U.S. Only)

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