So well written, and made me feel as though I was back in Cali! This author is all that is good about Lehane and Michael Connelly.

I am going to review the book "Shadow Man: A Novel," by Alan Drew. This book is hot off the press as it was published on May 23, 2017 by Random House Publishing Group. For those of you who would like to purchase a copy of this book CLICK HERE. This is Alan Drew's second book, his debut novel was "Gardens of Water." This book is about a police detective investigating a serial killer. During his investigation the death of a 17 year old boy brings his past back to life. This is about how he copes with his past and his failing marriage while capturing the serial killer.
Overall I rated this book four stars out of five. This book caught me off guard, in that I was surprised in how much I liked it. Reading the back cover of this book was not a typical book I would have picked out to read. But boy I am glad I did. The character development was extremely enriching. This book captured my attention from the very beginning all the way to the end. The only thing I would eliminate would be the pages written from the serial killer's point of view as I thought it took away from the book instead of adding to it. I enjoyed the mystery as well as the personal growth of the characters. I would highly recommend reading this book.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Alan Drew, and Random House Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Great book but sad in so many ways. From deaths to rape to suicide, this story can definitely hit you where it hurts when you're least expecting it. To those not overly sensitive it's a great detective story with a good ending. I absolutely loved Emma's character and would be thrilled to read more about her as she gets older! Thank you so much to Netgalley and Alan Drew for the ARC!!

So I literally didn't make it past the first paragraph of the blurb before I was hitting the request button on netgalley....Dennis Lehane (love him), gritty thriller, serial killer and a dark secret...done, done, and done... I needed this book. Also, what the blurb doesn't tell you is that it's set in the 80's which is another must read factor for me so I was all about this book needless to say. After the first forty pages or so I began to realize something, however...this really wasn't a thriller in the sense that I expected it to be. After an interesting prologue which is wrote from the serial killer's perspective the pace of the book slowed WAY down. We meet Ben, his daughter Emma, his ex-wife and Natasha and little by little, piece by piece, we get to know each of them as well as the small town of Santa Elena. The author did a wonderful job of fleshing out each of these characters along with creating a duel storyline with the serial killer. Along with realistic characters I also enjoyed the powerful sense of time and place Drew created with his use of strong, descriptive prose. I could easily visual this small Southern California town.

I have to say I really liked Alan Drew's writing style although I would compare it more to John Hart than Dennis Lehane, in my opinion. Lehane creates a sense of tension or menace in his writing that I didn't find here. What I did find was very likable characters in Ben and Natasha. I appreciated her confidence and intelligence and while I thought her use of technical medical terms for body parts was over the top, I did find her to be spunky and wondered if Ben would ever pick up on her attraction to him! Let's talk about Ben because when I started this book I really thought it was going to be focused on the serial killer mystery but what it seemed to be focused on was Ben...his demons, secrets, and extreme desire to avoid something from his past. Don't get me wrong, I liked Ben...alot...but I wanted and expected a faster paced thriller as well as the mystery to be a little more intricate. The narrative does include shifts to the serial killer's perspective detailing his childhood which, while awful and heartbreaking, I found myself not really caring too much about that aspect of the story. It seemed to lack that edge of your seat something. I'm not sure if it was the slower pace, the focus on the killer's past or something else but I wasn't as invested in that part of the story and in the end it seemed pretty straightforward and underwhelming. What did work extremely well, however, was the "dark secrets" aspect which, although I did figure one out before the end, I found to be compelling and worked to keep the narrative flowing.

Overall, if you're in the mood for an atmospheric, character driven mystery that slowly evolves I think you might really enjoy this one. Those looking for a fast paced thriller may be disappointed.

“Shadow Man” contains many of the familiar components of police procedurals - an unhappily divorced cop raising a daughter with his ex-wife, the lingering effects of a shooting, cross-jurisdictional conflicts, and glimpses inside a serial killer’s mind. But Alan Drew presents them in an entirely fresh (and welcome) manner. Since the absorbing plot is described well in other reviews, my review focuses on what made “Shadow Man” a standout in other areas. Drew’s sense of place in writing about 1980’s Southern California is an important under-pinning to the novel. On the horseback rides Detective Ben Wade takes with his daughter Emma in the hills where he grew up, place comes to the forefront. “His daughter’s childhood was measured by the same topography that had measured Ben’s, and sometimes he had the strange feeling that they were living their childhoods simultaneously, as though the hills were some fold in time where their youths intersected.” Drew writes evocatively of his childhood and all the changes in that particular place with a real sense of loss and a desire to restore something which will never come back.

Many crime novels have plots in which the killer poses a personal threat to the investigator. The threats to Ben Wade are of a different sort - much more intimate and emotional, and only peripherally related to the serial killer he is hunting. This adds significant depth and power to the novel. While “Shadow Man” fits into the category of police procedural, it is also a book about the power of place, coming to terms with the past, and trying to find a way forward. I recommend it highly, and sincerely hope Alan Drew is planning to write more about Ben Wade.

My review was posted on Goodreads on 5/28/17

An okay read. The pace could have been a bit faster. Just enough going on to keep it from being boring.

I started this book with the expectation of reading a thriller and while there was suspense and drama, to call this a thriller is quite the stretch. There is a serial killer on the loose and we get to see inside the killer's mind in the very beginning, but that quickly became more side story than anything else. The story does become dark with child abuse being a big part of the story and the personal life of lead character, Ben, is the focus of most of the book. Alan Drew is a talented writer and Ben's story is interesting, but I found myself a bit disappointed with what I got as opposed to what I expected.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an ARC of “Shadow Man” by Alan Drew, in exchange for an honest review.

After getting shot, Detective Ben Wade moved from Los Angeles back to his hometown in Orange County, where crime is dramatically lower, and where he hoped to save his strained marriage. But there is a killer who has been relying on the community’s sense of safety to slip unseen into homes with open doors and windows, relishing the look of fear on his victims’ faces as he chokes the life out of them. When local law enforcement reluctantly acknowledge the string of murders may be the work of a serial killer, they call Ben to help catch him. While investigating the case, Ben is dealing with the separation from his wife and daughter, and it becomes evident that Ben is also struggling to confront demons he thought he fled long ago.

Set in the 80s, this has a well-written plot that doesn’t rely on the conventions of modern society, instead focusing on fluidly intertwining the hunt for a serial killer with the protagonist facing his past. While this has been categorized as a crime novel, or police procedural, I think that is a disservice to this book, as that appears to be the secondary to the main character’s internal struggle to deal with events from his childhood, and how those events have affected his life since. The characters are well developed and the landscape is described in such detail, it transports the readers to the rural pockets of So Cal’s coast. I really enjoyed this book, and would love to see Detective Ben Wade return as part of a series. In the meantime, I’ll definitely be checking out other books by this author! 4.5 stars

Shadow Man by Alan Drew is a crime novel set in the 1980’s in the Los Angeles area. Ben Wade is tracking a serial killer in this area with the help of forensic specialist Natasha Betencourt. This story is told from the perspective of both the police and the serial killer and at times these descriptions are chilling. The twists and turns in the plot make this a definite page turner that you will not be able to stop reading. This was my first novel by Alan Drew, and I was impressed by his ability to achieve a such a distinct setting/sense of place. Also, even though it was a crime novel tracking a serial killer, this novel also did a good exploration of deeper family issues like divorce and sexual abuse. I really enjoyed this novel and would highly recommend it! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Shadow Man for the most part was a solid read. The story did not draw me in as much as I would have liked. I really liked Alan Drew's writing style so I would be interested in reading other works. This was the first time I have read this authors work. I will admit that most of the novels I enjoy tend to have a some form of eerie creepiness, borderline sci-fi element, so it could be that others would really enjoy this novel more than I did. Overall, the novel was enjoyable and I am glad I was given the opportunity to read.

This book is too scary for me. I had to stop reading it.

In 1986, set against the backdrop of a peaceful Southern California town (Rancho Santa Elena), police officer Ben Wade confronts past and present monsters that are intent on terrorizing the people of his quiet hometown—a place perceived to be a safe haven from the atrocities of the outlying world that surround them.

While hot on the trail of a serial killer, Ben’s investigation leads him to the suicide of a teenage boy that just might have a connection to his own tortured past. While the two cases appear to be unrelated, it brings to light that monsters lurk even in the most unlikely of places. And when people turn a blind eye to the truth at hand, more innocent people will fall prey to the dangers that could be lurking right in their own backyard.

For Ben, the demons of his past played an intricate part in the breakdown of his marriage and added strain to his relationship with his teenage daughter. Forging new romantic relationships was also fraught with difficulty, as Ben battled with complex emotions rooted in the history of his teenage years.

“Shadow Man” is an engaging story with a powerful message that was also a bit too detailed for my own personal liking. Too much descriptive prose about the Southern Cal land had me zoning out and skimming pages. But the portions of the story related to the serial killer, the teenage suicide and Ben’s secret past, easily held my interest throughout. So, while I thoroughly enjoyed many aspects of this book, the author’s overly zealous attention to detail really made the story drag.

This is an impossibly realistic story with interesting and in-depth characters. The first chapter threw me a little as it was a visit into the head of a psychotic killer. Occasionally the narrative slips back into the killer's head, while the balance of the narrative is VOG. The killer is the common thread, but the story is about Ben, the detective pursuing him, and the demons within his life. I've got to love any character that enjoys bodysurfing in the cold waters of the Pacific. The plot covers a lot of territory, but the elements that provide both warmth and realism are the little vignettes that set mood and create imagery without advancing the narrative. This is a very well-written book with many characters I could really relate to. Drew does a great job of capturing the environment of Southern California in the transition from ranching to plat housing, I want to read it again just for the simple pleasure the writing provides.

Shadow Man crept up on me. At first it seemed a bit ordinary, but as I got immersed in the story, it really got my attention. Set in the mid 1980s in Southern California, Shadow Man features police officer Ben Wade. A spate of murders suggest that a serial killers is at work in this usually quiet community. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Ben is deeply enmeshed in the some complex and disturbing dynamics in the town. What makes this book stand out is Ben's character, and some of the moral and emotional dilemmas the story explores. I can't say more to avoid spoilers. Recommended to anyone who likes character driven mysteries. An added bonus is that there isn't much graphic violence. I look forward to seeing what this author writes next. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

This book wasn't what I expected at all. In a good way. Shadow Man is a contemporary drama and a mystery as well, although I wouldn't say that is the main aspect of the story. Those looking for a fast-paced thriller won't find it here. But if you're willing to give this story a chance, I think you could end up really enjoying this little gem.

I warmed up to Ben Wade from the very beginning. Since that first scene with his daughter, I was sold. I just loved their interactions. I deeply enjoyed reading about Ben and his family, too: their struggles, their obvious love for each other. It was heartbreaking and realistic and I really felt for them. Wade was a tortured man, still fighting demons every day, but that made him even more interesting in my opinion. The story was set in the 80s, but it could've also happened today, as the themes portrayed in this novel are equally important now.

I don't want to say much about the plot, especially because I read a review on Goodreads where they spoiled the main idea. I think it's not that hard to figure it out after a while, but I would've loved it if I hadn't known what the book was about before reading it. And believe me, it was not an easy book to read, but it was beautifully written and everything was treated with delicacy.

There are two cases going on in Shadow Man, one featuring a serial killer and the other revolving around a potential teenage suicide. I'm not saying the serial killer aspect wasn't interesting, but I didn't think it was the main focus (which seems like it if you read the blurb). I preferred reading about the other case, which was the one that made me more emotional. I remember feeling angry when the main character chose to do something that left me utterly confused. Fortunately, as it usually happens with great novels, it all makes sense in the end.

It is not a book that should be rushed through but rather savoured. I found it compelling and unforgettable and I'm still thinking about it even after a few days. Tragic and beautiful.

I wanted to like this book, but I kept losing interest, and finally gave up. I usually expect this kind of book to be fast paced and suspenseful, but my impression was that it was plodding and didn't have enough action related to the plot.. I couldn't maintain interest, no matter how I tried. I didn't find the main characters interesting, and had trouble envisioning the settings. I found I just didn't care if these poor people were killed.
I appreciated receiving this ARC, but believe you were sincere when you asked for an honest review. However, since I didn't finish, I won't post this online.

It was a thriller than never really thrilled about a serial killer that was sideline material at best. Good writing style but my mind was knocked off by what was advertised and what was actually in the book. Maybe I felt too much of the author's political views were bleeding through the plot. Anyway, an okay book for me

This is not your typical police procedural. One of the first things I read about Alan Drew is that he graduated from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and teaches creative writing at Villanova. It shows. This book may be pegged as a mystery, but it's a beautifully written one. His phrasing takes you right to the various places, whether it's the ridge of an Orange County mountain overlooking the ocean or the Beach itself. “...these were swells that seemed to carry the whole weight of the Pacific in their walls, and they exploded onto the beach like trucks dropped fro. The sky.” Ditto for giving you a sense of the characters. “She hadn't been to Mass in years, but being on the scene always brought out the Catholic schoolgirl in her.”

Drew takes you back to 1986, when the areas outside of LA are growing up with new developments, one after another. These areas were supposed to be safe. Folks left windows open and doors unlocked. And all of a sudden, there's a serial killer. He makes you feel that time, when air conditioning wasn't a given; when being told to keep your doors and windows closed was a hardship.

In addition to the serial killer and a possible suicide of an illegal immigrant student, there is a lot of background about Ben’s life. The death of the student brings up some hard memories for Ben. He is a well developed character. And as the father of a teenage girl, he is definitely a sympathetic character.

This is not a fast paced novel but it is steady and keeps your interest. No downtime here.

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys William Kent Krueger. There is a similarity to the depth of character development.

My thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Shadow Man. I didn't know what to expect when I was reading it but I enjoyed it. I look forward to more books from Mr. Drew