Shadow Falls by Wendy Dranfield kept me guessing the story till the end. The author takes us through many possible suspects and gradually reveals the one. This story will stay with me for a long time.

Madison Harper is an ex cop who is out of prison and wants to restart her life by first finding the people who wrongly put her into prison. She joins Nathaniel Monroe, who is an excon on his own mission to find out his culprit. Both of them have similar pasts but they are so different. The case that comes to them is of Jennifer who has been missing from the summer camp. Her grandmother Esme feels the cops are not doing enough and hires Nate to solve find her grandchild. Revealing anything beyond this much will not be fair to your journey through the story.

The story has three parallel story lines going on in different chapters and the author has been able to all these stories separate and yet merge them at the correct moment. The story also talks to us about the pasts of our leading characters and their stories goes in sync with the case of Jennifer. Its amazing how the author has combined so many themes and stories through this one and she at the end manages to show us the real culprit but also keeps us wanting more of Madison and Nate's story. The development of the working relationship between Madison and Nate, their personal traits and also their ability to understand each other, give space to each other and solve the case in a synchronized manner is really worth reading. I enjoyed the story from the start to the finish. In between I had started having doubts as to where the the story was going but then it all made sense in the end with a very big reveal.

If you love crime thrillers and want to start to read a series where you have very real, jaded by life characters who make it their mission to help others and themselves then this is the story for you.
I for sure am going to keep a look out for the next in the series because I have come to love Madison and Nate.

I thank the author, the publisher, Bookouture and Netgalley for approving my request to review the story and the opinions expressed are entirely mine.

This is the first book, in a new series, to feature Investigator Madison Harper, a former detective wrongfully convicted of murder. I really enjoyed the plotting and there are some surprising twists but I failed to like Madison. She teams up with Nate, a former priest who was also wrongfully convicted, to try and locate a missing child. The book is well written with good character development and the series sets to be promising. My thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I was drawn to this book by the mysterious landscape depicted on the cover. I am a sucker for a landscape cover image!! I love that the title suggests darkness and mystery. The blurb also makes the book sound like a thrilling, original read!

I have been absolutely blown away by this book. I have been torn between rushing through to discover the outcome or slowing down and savouring every wonderful page.

I have to admit that I generally do enjoy a book where the main plot focuses around a missing child. This plot focus usually ensures that the narrative is highly charged with emotion and fast moving to reflect the danger to the child and the desperation for their safe return. This has definitely been an exciting and fast paced read!

I have also enjoyed meeting the characters in this book. The way the narrative focuses on Madison and Nate’s movements and choices meant that I developed a connection with them and was able to empathise with them at many points. The other, peripheral characters are mysterious and become questionable, some even unlikeable. Wendy Dranfield has definitely proved her ability to create fascinating characters.

The use of the motif of Anna’s personal diary is a great technique that also makes the book highly original. Alongside the main action of the story, we are able to follow Anna’s thoughts and feelings, and in some ways her descent into madness. It adds to the tension of the book and provided some great cliff hangers!

The ending of the book is explosive, shocking and completely unpredictable. I paid close attention to the clues throughout, and felt like an investigator myself at times, but I was not able to predict that ending at all! I was very excited that the ending left the narrative open for a follow up, and I was so glad to see the author confirm this in her note at the end. I am really looking forward to reading it!

Shadow Falls begins the Detective Madison Harper series with a chilling story that will hold you tightly in its grip and not let go. If that Cover Description Blurb doesn’t grab your attention then I guarantee the book certainly will. I received an ARC of Shadow Falls and also purchased it this morning when it went live – so, yeah I was completely captivated by the stories of Madison, Nate, and Jenny.

There are stories within the main mystery/thriller story as we get Madison’s and Nate’s backstories as well. Both were falsely accused of crimes, both spent time in prison, and both are actively trying to find out why and who framed them years earlier. Now they’re working together as private investigators while still pursuing their own personal cases.

As with any of my Mystery reviews, I’ll not be giving you details – those you should discover firsthand for yourself. I can say that Shadow Falls is one intense, page-flipping story that will draw you in very easily.

Jenny’s disappearance is most parents’ nightmare, yet Madison (and we) get a different feel about Jenny’s mom and dad. There is far more beneath the surface and we will begin to build anticipation from the start. Shadow Falls gave me chills. And not the good kind but the kind that will have you looking over your shoulder and staring deeper into the shadows kind of chills. There are twists, turns, and definitely red herrings here… and that conclusion. Simply amazing, with the added feel of icy shivers up your spine.

The second story, Cry For Help, is out in February 2021 so we don’t have long before we can dive back into this world once again. If you love a really good mystery with twists that you will not see coming, then Shadow Falls is perfect for you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Bookouture via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I own a Kindle edition of this title as well as an ARC.

My first psychological thriller of the year, and what a way to start. I must admit that it’s a bug-bear of mine whenever the book’s subtitle insists on calling the story unputdownable or absolutely gripping – because, all too often, that is not the case, for me, anyway – however, this is one book where such a claim is 100% valid.
That this is the first in the series is another reason to dive in, because the two main characters – Nate & Madison – have really interesting stories to tell, both having been imprisoned on murder charges and both keen to prove who set them up.

Shadow Falls sets the reader up for a fascinating ride if we’re to believe their own issues will be met head on in future books. But, back to the plot in question … Nate is hired by the grandmother of a missing 12-year-old girl, who feels police efforts to find her granddaughter have not been thorough enough. As a PI (without license), Nate is ready to investigate. His own experience of being wrongfully imprisoned has put justice centre stage in his life, and if he can also expose police corruption or negligence, then so much the better.

Madison, having served her time, is desperate to find out who set her up too, but she lacks the financial resources to start her own investigations. She persuades Nate that, as a former cop, she can help him with the investigation and asks that he then helps her out afterwards.

Both characters are wounded by their experiences and focusing on something else outside of their own lives helps them to function. At first, there is some awkwardness between them. Nate is way more sceptical of Madison’s cop-like methods, and her directness doesn’t sit well with him. As time goes on, though, they settle into their roles and complement each other.

In the pursuit of the missing girl, they head off to a summer camp where suspects seem to crop up all over the place. With the help of Brody, an ex-police dog, they start to eliminate options while finding more twists and turns that lead them temporarily off-track, until a series of mistakes by the girl’s abductor (now potentially her killer too) allows them to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Although, this is not without putting themselves in great danger first.

It’s a thrilling story that held my attention. An exciting plot with original main characters, whose own back stories will no doubt prove just as fascinating to follow in future books in the series. I’ll be keeping an eye out for book two.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC of Shadow Falls (previously titled Find My Child) in exchange for an honest review.

Wow Wow Wow! Thrilling from start to finish. An outstanding read. I am so glad this is the first of a series as I was bereft when the book finished. It so completely transported me. If you don't read this one you are missing out!

Shadow Falls, previously known as Find My Child, is the first instalment in the Detective Madison Harper series, set in Northern California. It's 2019 and in Malibu, California, ex-police officer Madison Harper is staying at a dive motel which is serving as a halfway house for those just released from prison; she's been there seven months after serving six years of a ten-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter. A recently released convicted cop murderer who was doing time in her hometown of Colorado, Madison is just managing to scrape enough money together to survive working at Big Bob's Diner. Nathaniel "Nate" Monroe has been out of prison for two years now after spending seventeen years on death row for the murder of his fiancée Stacey Connor in Austin, Texas, after new evidence came to light which exonerated him; he believes the town’s parish priest and Stacey's Uncle, Father Jack Connor killed her. He's currently trying to get back on his feet staying at the Majestic Hotel near Zuma Beach and has received compensation for his wrongful conviction. Both Madison and Nate share a common objective: to discover and prove who framed them and why as both are innocent of the crimes they were sent down for and Madison is desperate to clear her name and get her conviction overturned. Nate is an unlicensed private investigator (PI) and Madison decides to call him for help after reading about his case in the newspaper.

They meet at the Mango Bar where Madison tells him she believes her framing was an inside job. Initially, Nate has reservations about taking her case and when she begs him for a job he isn't sure. Eventually, he concedes and agrees to look into her case involving bent coppers in return for her help in any new cases that come in. Trusted associate and ex-convict Rex Hartley is responsible for putting plenty of business his way and he soon brings him a new case; twelve year old Jennifer Lucas has been missing for a fortnight after attending Camp Fearless, a summer camp in Shadow Falls situated in the Wildwood National Forest. Can they find the missing girl and bring her home as well as chasing the truth about both of their cases?; cases that stole a big part of their lives. This is a compulsive and intriguing procedural with two incredibly charismatic central characters whose backstories make up the majority of the book. It's fascinating going through step by step trying to find the evidence to prove who and why both Nate and Madison were callously framed. It's well plotted with lots of action and some startlingly good twists. It's difficult to shock me but I definitely was thrown and blindsided throughout the story. It's compelling and gripping and the reveals at the end really gave the book extra pizazz. Highly recommended.

Shadow Falls is the first book in a new series by Wendy Dranfield. Our two main characters, are Nate, who was wrongly imprisoned and put on death row for murder; and Madison who is an ex police officer who was framed for murder, and served her sentence. Their circumstances and situations are very different since their release.
Through the book we learn more of their back stories, and the details of the crimes they were accused. Their quest for their own justice, leads them to wanting to help others.
In Shadow Falls, they are contacted by a desperate Grandmother, whose 12 year old Grand-daughter, Jennifer, has gone missing during her stay at a Summer Camp. Alongside this, we have a separate story line, that we are given tantalising snippets of, I was intrigued to see where this would take us and why.
What we have is a police procedural, but from the flip side. If you are thinking that this a Jack Reacher type book, in my opinion, it’s better than that. I like Nate’s and Madison’s characters, and Brody, the intelligent, and fiercely loyal ex K9 dog is a lovely extra to the story for me.
The book is fast paced, with lots of action, twists and turns. The suspense keeps you turning the pages, and the twists keep you guessing. I was constantly changing my mind as to who I thought was responsible
I found the book a very well written, gripping read. The ending brings together all the unanswered questions in the Jennifer Lucas case, but leaves a glorious cliff hanger in the ongoing stories of Madison and Nate. Thankfully, Wendy’s follow up, Cry For Help, is being released on 22nd Feb. So we don’t have long to wait to catch up on the storyline.
I highly recommend Shadow Falls, a really strong 4* from me.

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour.

Wow! What a book! I am really starting to like these private investigator stories. I loved the backstories for both Maddison and Nate. They were very unique. They also made for a great pairing. I loved their working relationship and I can't wait to see it grow in the next book. I really liked both characters. Maddison is a great detective and Nate clearly cares about people despite everything he has been through.

The story was a mix of Nate's backstory and the case of missing girl Jenny Lucas. The case of Jenny is full of so many secrets and lies. Things could have been very different if the truth had been told.

I loved Wendy's writing style. I was racing through this book. Page after page I struggled too put this book down.

I'm dying to see where book two goes I can't wait to pick it up very shortly.

This was the start of the series, and it was well written with an interesting storyline. I would have appreciated more character development, but that may improve as the series goes on. There was a bit too much of Nate's backstory. It felt like an infodump instead of being organically worked in. There are some loose ends, and I will consider checking out the next book in the series.

Really great book. If ever you could say you were glued to a book this one is definitely one. Great characters in Madison and Nate both who had major trust issues and a lot of baggage, but really learned to gel as the book progressed. Gripping storyline. Oh anni can't leave out Brody.

This is a brilliant start to a new series and it has so much potential due to Madison and Nate’s past experiences.
Both of them were wrongly convicted of crimes they did not commit and now, both out of prison their paths cross and Madison asks Nate for his help.
Nate has set up a private investigation business and Madison persuades him to let her work for him as she’s an ex cop.
Their first case is that of a missing girl from summer camp. Her grandmother asks them to help find her as the Police are getting nowhere.
When they meet the girl’s parents they have a feeling something is not right, but it takes a while to get to the bottom of it.
I loved Brody, the camp dog who is left to his own devices, until he takes a shine to Nate.
This is a great crime thriller and I loved the way the story came together at the end.
I’ll definitely be reading more books in this series.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

What an interesting start to a new series. I do not believe I have read this author before but I really enjoyed the way she wrote.

In the first book we are introduced to Madison, once a police officer herself and who has spent the last few years in jail for a crime she did not commit. Now that she is out she wants to find out who framed her. She teams up with Nate, who spent almost 2 decades serving time in prison for a crime he did not commit. But something gets in their way as they go about the search for the person that set Madison up.

Jenny went missing and Madison and Nate Madison “knows” there is more to the story than Jenny’s parents are telling. And there is more to Jenny than everyone knows.

I found this really interesting. The backstory on Madison is well written and while it is not the main part of the story, which is about Jenny’s disappearance. I look forward to learning more about Madison and Nate and their next case.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

New series and different publisher, but familiar writing style and still many twists and turns (also, a dog again ☺). I'm glad I requested ARCs for both this book and the next (Cry For Help, to be published just one month later) as it means I'll be able to start the second one today. So, yes, I really enjoyed this first part of the Madison Harper series as much as the author's previous three novels, no matter how much I had wished for a fourth Dean Matheson one.
This time, the plot is centered on a family with a missing child (and the summer camp from where she disappeared), but first we meet two detectives with unresolved pasts that will obviously be addressed again as the series progresses (of course, now I want to know all about them). The story is told in multiple points of view alternating in very short chapters, which makes it easy to decide to read "one more" again and again. Not that the book needs that to be "unputdownable". When I had to stop reading for a while, the characters and events stayed in my mind and I was very distracted. You've been warned! 😉

Thank you Bookouture & Netgalley for this ARC.

This is the first book in a new series. I really loved this book. This is one of my favorite genres. The story is about ex Detective Madison Harper and ex con Nate Monroe. Nate is working as a PI, and Madison finds him to help her uncover the truth about her past and a crime she didn’t commit. Nate is hired by Esme, to find her grand-daughter Jenny, who has gone missing from summer camp.
There were so many twists and turns that I needed to find out what happened, and never wanted to put this book down. The author did an amazing job of drawing the reader into the story and keeping them intrigued. I can’t wait to dive into the second book and continue reading about Nate and Madison’s story!

Shadow Falls is the first book in a new series. I really enjoyed this book. I was intrigued by the characters and loved the twists and turns throughout. I look forward to reading more books in this series and I will also be looking out for more books by Wendy Dranfield.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

This is my first book by Wendy Dranfield. The title, the book cover and synopsis sounded really good. The story was suspenseful. I chuckled when she said San Jose, CA is humid… uh I’ve never in my life experienced a humid day in San Jose and I’ve lived here for 48 years. Other than that the story was believable and very intriguing. I liked how the POV changed from person to person. It carried the story. I loved the addition of the dog and the dynamics it added. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I do want closure on the loose strings left to be revealed in future books. I actually like it when authors close out one book but leave you hanging enough to make sure you want to read the next one. Thankfully it’s not a long wait!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

SUPER crime thriller debut for a new series, dealing with an investigation into the disappearance of a 12 year old girl (Jenny) missing from summer camp. The 2 investigators are ex cons( framed & wrongly convicted) hoping to to clear both names for their future benefits.. Well written with high suspense leading up to a stunning conclusion. Less 1 star due to not liking Nate being a cocaine snorter. Enjoyed the unusual plot & RECOMMEND. Will definitely look for #2 in this series. Thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Find My Child by Wendy Dranfield is the first of what I hope will be many more books in a new series. The series features a former police officer, Madison, who was framed for a crime she did not commit and is now out of prison on parole. Nate is a former priest student who was convicted of a crime he did not commit and was exonerated within a year of his death date.
Nate has become a private investigator of sorts and Madison contacts him asking for his help clearing her name and finding the son she left when she was sent to prison. Nate does not like or trust police officers and all Madison can think about is clearing her name and finding her son.
When Nate is contacted about a girl gone missing from summer camp he only takes the case because he begins to feel for the girls Grandmother who won't take no for an answer when she wants to hire him. Nate and Madison agree to check into things before heading to investigate Madison's case. The twists and turns will keep you reading long past your bedtime and I am really looking forward to another book about this pair.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this for a fair review.

Loved this book and cant wait for the second in the series. Definitely a must read in my opinion. Very well written. If your a fan of this genre then read it you won't be disappointed