Wow! I read this in one sitting! Full of suspense from go to whoa, and I never saw ‘whodunnit’ coming!!! Such a great book!

I also loved the characters. Such interesting characters with complex backgrounds & unexpected twists in their stories. Loved every second of this! And it was a really interesting take to have a suspense MC with a prosthetic leg… definitely made for a different story because Darby had a lot different challenges from the usual suspense MCs…

But most of all, I loved her job! I’d never heard of a forensic linguist before, and I found it sooooooo interesting ! I love all things language and word-related and found her insights into the words and phrasing people use absolutely fascinating!! That’s one of the things I enjoy most about Carrie Stuart Parks’ books - her unique insights into the different forensic jobs there are, due to her history as a forensic artist.

Highly recommended!

Oh, and if you’re familiar with romantic suspense authors, make sure you keep an eye on those character names!! 😉😂

Thank you @tnzfiction @thomasnelson and @netgalley for the ARC, I was only required to provide an honest review in return and here it is!

In Woman In Shadow, author Carrie Stuart Parks transports the reader to the remote town of Targhee Falls, Idaho, for an intriguing suspense tale that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

The story centers around Darby Graham, a forensic linguist, who has been sent on an undercover assignment at Mule Deer Ranch, a primitive facility in Targhee Falls, Idaho, to test her progress towards getting back to wholeness after being on a long disability stay at Clan Firinn, a privately owned and funded facility located outside of Pullman, Washington, that specializes in offering hope and rehabilitation to law enforcement and first responders suffering from PTSD and other disorders arising from their work. Darby is being sent to Mule Deer Ranch at the request of the ranch owner, Roy Zaring, after a series of incidents that has left him concerned. Darby is to just observe and advise Roy on her findings, and let the authorities take over. But when more incidents begin to occur after her arrival, Darby finds herself teaming up with Sheriff's Deputy Bram White to not only get to the bottom of the incidents at the ranch, but also to find the serial arsonist who has been setting buildings on fire throughout town, and sending taunting letters to the Sheriff after each fire. Can Darby and Bram find out who is trying to run the ranch out of business, while hunting down the serial arsonist, or are both interconnected?

Author Carrie Stuart Parks weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale written in alternating first (Darby) and third person narrative (Bram) that follows Darby and Bram as their investigation into the incidents at the ranch and the fires throughout town reveals an interconnection that has a threat of danger around every corner, and where everyone is considered a suspect.

The reader is easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot and setting. It is filled with enough family drama and secrets, motives, possible suspects, action, a touch of unexpected romance, and intriguing twists and turns that definitely keeps the reader guessing until the surprising conclusion.

This was a really interesting story to read! The author does a wonderful job of providing enough clues to engage the reader, and I found myself so caught up on trying to figure out who is behind all the incidents at the ranch, and who the serial arsonist could be. I loved how Darby used her expertise as a forensic linguist to put all the pieces of the puzzle together, I was absolutely stunned by the conclusion! I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I also loved reading about Darby and Bram's backstory, both are broken people who have to overcome their traumatic pasts and learn to move forward out of the shadows.

Woman In Shadow will definitely take suspense readers on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/07/woman-in-shadow-by-carrie-stuart-parks.html

My Review: I knew from the first page that I was going to love this book. I instantly fell in love with Darby when she showed her love towards dogs. Darby is such a good person! She had a really traumatic past and it made me like her all the more. She is just such a strong character! I loved her phrase, “flapperdoodle”. It just cracked me up everytime she said it. Darby was super funny and I was laughing out loud a lot! I did listen to the audiobook while reading along and I was super impressed with the narrator! She did such a great job!!! She really brought Darby to life for me. I really loved everything about this book. I half guessed the “who done it” but I was pretty surprised in the end. I was able to imagine everything as it was happening and I could imagine the characters as well. This was definitely a book that I could escape into. It was very hard to put down and it took me less than a day to read!
✰✰✰✰✰/5 stars from me! This was the first book by Carrie Stuart Parks that I have read. I look forward to reading more. I recommend this book to everyone! Do you love a good mystery? Read it! Do you love a book with a hilarious main character? Read it! I promise you will not be disappointed!

I really enjoyed the two dogs in this story! They were extraordinary and a great "add" to the story. They were also amazing in their skills. I enjoyed Darby's backstory and why she had PTSD. She works for a company that takes former law enforcement who suffer from PTSD and have other issues. Darby is asked to visit a reclusive camp where "accidents" are happening and investigate. She meets a deputy who is also investigating a serial arsonist and the accidents at the camp. When the deaths begin to mount, so does the danger! I loved Darby's job as a forensic linguist - it was so interesting! I learned a lot! It did start a little slow but stick with it and it's a great story! (

Do you ever stumble across a new author and think “Well, Hello! Where have you been hiding? Or is it the opposite? Where have I been hiding?”

I’m not sure which is right but I’m so glad that I’ve found #carriestuartparks or that she has found me….whichever…you get it!

If you are a Suspense-Thriller fan, make sure to pick this book up.

Without saying too much so I don’t give anything away, I can say that I loved Darby, the protagonist. A female ex-Forensic Linguist Agent, recovering from a case gone terribly wrong finds herself in a beautiful mountain retreat but in the middle of a dangerous, deadly event. To live through it, she will need to wrestle with her demons and unravel the chilling mystery before it’s too late.

I loved the mystery, the characters and especially the two dogs that Darby adopts! So sweet!!

I think this is a stand-alone book but I loved Darby so much that I truly hope that this becomes a series centered on her. I need to know more about her! Pretty, pretty please?

Thank you to #ThomasNelson and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Woman in Shadow
By: Carrie Stuart Parks

Tom Nelson--Fiction

Thomas Nelson

Christian/Mystery & Thriller

Publish Date July 13, 2021

#WomaninShadow#NetGally

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"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

My copy from NetGalley and I am grateful to them and the publisher for receiving a copy.

I gave this book 5 stars. I loved it and couldn't put it down. I am a day late in posting my review by the publish date but that is due my work schedule not the book.

I have never read a book by this author before but heard great things about her so decided to see if I could get an E-Arc to give her try. I am so glad I did.

This book had me on the edge of my seat. There is a minor love story in this book but it isn't the main focus.

This book is about a resort that has come into some issues and the main character is assigned to look into it as a way of graduating from a program is in. The main character is dealing with PTSD from an incident that happened five years earlier. Other things are happening in the area like arson and murder. Are the three combined incidents or are they separate. You go on a wild ride to find out.

This story is dealing with PTSD and I thought the author did a great job. Then again I don't know a whole lot about this , but have heard about it.

I would highly recommend that you read this book because I am going to continue reading her new books and back list.

Thanks again NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me a the opportunity to read this book.

WOMAN IN SHADOW by Carrie Stuart Parks is a Christian mystery/suspense with a hint of romance set in rural Idaho with a female protagonist who is memorable for her intelligence, courage and grit as she works to find the cause of disturbing incidents on a resort ranch she is sent to, while working to overcome PTSD from a previous horrific case gone wrong.

Darby Graham has spent two years at Clan Firinn, a program for law enforcement personnel to work on dealing with their severe PTSD. Clan Firinn has sent her undercover to Mule Shoe Ranch to use her skills as a forensic linguist to gather information regarding accidents that are sabotaging the future of the ranch.

Deputy Bram White is aware of the problems at Mule Shoe Ranch, but he is also investigating a serial arsonist. As the accidents at the ranch turn to murder, Bram turns to Darby for assistance. Are they looking for an arsonist who is also a killer, or do the two cases have separate perpetrators?

Will Darby be able to unravel all the suspects and motives before she becomes one of the killer’s victims?

I enjoyed this story from start to finish. Darby is a strong protagonist who goes through so much emotionally and physically during this story. Her backstory and the cause of her PTSD is revealed in increments throughout the story as she works to overcome all the personal obstacles thrown in her way from the killer. I also loved Ms. Parks’ addition of the dogs, Holly and Maverick, to aid Darby in so many ways during the story. Bram is a romantic interest who has his own backstory to overcome so as much as he helps Darby, he also makes her doubt herself. This has a thread of romance with no sex scenes, but a growth of understanding and acceptance. The Christian references during the story are few. The red herrings and plot twists left me guessing until the resolution which I always like.

I recommend this standalone Christian mystery/suspense!

I am very ambiguous about Woman in Shadow. I had a hard time getting into this book because it seemed so unrealistic. On the other hand after getting about halfway through I was anxious to continue reading to see how the mystery was resolved. The author did do a good job of weaving clues together and dropping bread crumbs for the reader. I am anxious to hear how other readers felt about this book.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Woman in Shadow from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Darby arrives at the Mule Shoe Dude Ranch which is very rustic. No internet, cell phones which are collected when Darby is greeted. Just the great outdoors for relaxation and enjoyment. But something odd is occurring at the ranch, fires and missing people. She is sent there to observe and report back. As soon as she arrives Darby notices that two dogs are being mistreated and intends to intervene. She is met with hostility from Sam who got a court order to have the dogs put down. Darby quickly steps in and pays the money that was owed and claims ownership of the dogs. These dogs will be important for Darby's investigation and survival.

This story is slow to start but quickly gains speed with many accidents and mysteries to solve.

Parks does a good job of dropping us into a nightmare. It sounded so good, being off the grid in a remote location after healing from a traumatic experience. Except when bad things start happening. Darby is a good heroine with much to overcome. One theme of the novel is fighting through the shadows hounding us and that is what Darby has to do. Her character is a good example of being more then she ever thought she could be. The plot is complex with many murders and many suspects. Figuring out the villain(s) is difficult as motives are not revealed until close to the end. I would have liked more foreshadowing. The fires in the town seemed unessential and only to serve as a means for Darby to show her skill in her work. I would have liked a tighter connection to the basic plot.

I appreciate learning about a new profession and in this novel it is a forensic linguist. I now know how notes sent by villains can be analyzed for information. And the setting for the novel is very informative. Being close to the Yellowstone cauldron with all the geological unrest was exciting.

This is not my favorite from Parks as those are still the ones featuring Gwen Marcey, but it is an entertaining and suspenseful novel. I like how Parks writes and will be looking for the next from her.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

** “This is my command — be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. The verse was helping.” **

Carrie Stuart Parks delivers another incredible suspense thriller with her new standalone novel “Woman in Shadow.”

Herself recovering from PTSD and an horrific accident five years earlier, when forensic linguist Darby Graham is secretly sent to Mule Shoe Ranch to determine the reason behind a number of catastrophic events occurring at the resort, she quickly finds herself amidst several new tragic circumstances. While she and the local deputy Bram White work to figure out just what’s happening at the ranch, they must determine whom they can trust and the reasonings behind the accidents all while never knowing from where danger may come.

Parks does a great job creating relatable characters with very real issues and flaws, as both Darby and Bram must overcome past travesties to find the strength and courage to rout out the evildoer. She also throws in two adorable, abandoned dogs, Holly and Maverick, who show real heroism and devotion in the face of danger.

Besides being a great thriller, “Woman in Shadow” is filled with several great themes, like be strong and courageous because God is always with us; ground yourself in the present, and don’t hold on to the past; and what happens when we live in the shadow of fear and guilt.

Jeremiah 29:11 is a huge component running throughout this story, and is a great reminder that God has a plan for us all.

Reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None,” fans of author like Irene Hannon, Lynette Eason and Terri Blackstock will love “Woman in Shadow.”

Five stars out of five.

Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

This book was hard to put down! I sure didn’t guess who the culprit was! The twist about Darby’s husband was also a surprise. I am glad the focus of the plot was on the mystery and not so much on romance. This was a new author for me and I look forward to reading more of her books.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This author always writes a tight mystery!
I enjoy how this author sets up her plot and slowly builds the tension until the conclusion. Out of her books that I have read this one was one of the easier ones to figure out yet there was a bit of a twist I didn't see until the reveal.
A great read for someone who wants a absorbing mystery without being a romantic suspense. There is a slight romantic interest but it isn't strong.
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally and all opinions in this review are honest and completely my own.

Darby Graham is suffering from PTSD and her employer has sent her to a ranch near Yellowstone to relax. It is also an undercover assignment for Darby. There are strange unexplained “accidents” that are sabotaging the ranch, a woman has up and moved away leaving her dogs behind with no food and a serial arsonist is on a rampage. I really enjoyed this book, with its many red herrings, well developed characters and mystery development. Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publisher for an early copy. The comments and review are my honest opinion.

Title: Woman in Shadow
Author: Carrie Stuart Parks
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Woman in Shadow" by Carrie Start Parks

My Opinion:

What will happen when Darby Graham, a forensic linguist, is sent to a ranch that helps her deal with her PTSD? We find she is sent from Clan Firinn, a law enforcement program that needed help with this issue, completing her final test.

The setting is new Yellowstone with frequent earthquakes adds to this story with the author giving us an intriguing story of what all had happened to Darby as the story weaves back and forth till the end. Even though Darby was no longer in law enforcement, we find that her training skills will help with all that is happening at 'Mule Shoe Resort and the little town of Targhee Falls.' How will the verse that was sent to her...'Be strong and courageous...Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go' be able to help Darby since she had been a non-believer? The read gets even more exciting as there was a hint of romance. How will that all turn out? Who was this 'Shadow Woman', and let's not leave out those beautiful dogs, Holly and Maverick, in how they came into play? For the most part, the characters were well-developed and defined, giving the reader a good read to the end. To find out the who, what, and why, you will have to pick up this book to see how well this author delivers it to the reader.

Be ready for a mystery-thriller and suspenseful story with some Christian aspects as you read through 'Woman in Shadow.' It gets even more so as we find out what had happened as Darby's PTSD flashbacks come out, giving us all that we needed to know about what had happened earlier in her life that would help her in the situation she was now in. Would this be a redemption and healing process for Darby?

'Women in Shadows' was one of those reads that one will find hard to put down until the end. And yes, I was left surprised by who this wrong person turned out to be!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I’m always blown away by the detailed suspense written by Carrie Stuart Parks. What an adventure!
I loved the setting. Yellowstone Park and the surrounding area is just beautiful. I had the privilege of visiting there last summer, and so I especially enjoyed reading this story that happened right there in that locale.
Darby is an all-around great heroine. I love Carrie Stuart Parks' voice, and it takes me just a bit to figure out the heroine when I start a new book or series. But this one was just topnotch.
Darby is dealing with PTSD due to scars from the past. So she agrees to go to this ranch out in the wilderness of Idaho, just to have eyes there for a friend, try to figure out what is going on.
There is lots of mystery, murder, mayhem and a whole lot of action going on in this novel.
I was kept guessing from the first page until the very end.
But as always, very well written, tight suspense, and so much more!
This is a novel that any lover of suspense will want to read!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Darby is an interesting character. She's a little quirky and her mind works different than most, but I liked reading the story from her perspective. All the characters were a little eccentric, which pretty much sums all of us up. Getting to the bottom of the mystery kept me glued to the page. I became more and more impressed with Darby's tenacity. The end was a surprise, which all mysteries should be. I enjoyed the pacing and the path the story took to get to the bottom of everything. The ending provided a satisfying resolution. I will be looking for more books by Carrie Stuart Parks. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I don't know why I thought I would like a book that is labeled Christian, and I definitely missed that when requesting this book. I saw Mystery and Thriller and read the description and thought I would enjoy it. However, I found myself dnfing this at about 35%. I just found the writing style very young and just sort of dull. The plot was sort of nonexistent to me and I was confused right at the start. Perhaps this was my fault for even requesting it in the first place and I always like to give books at least a quarter of the way through before fulling dnfing, in hopes that the plot will get better and the pacing may pick up. I was just disappointed in this book and I have to say it is my fault for even picking it up in the first place. However, with 4.3 rating on Goodreads, it definitely has a target audience that it is impressing and this is more of a taste issue if anything.

This story had my attention from the beginning. Who has it out for the ranch? Who can one trust and who has a hidden agenda and wants to destroy the ranch's reputation for their own gain? Well written story and relatable characters. I kept guessing to the end who was good and who was bad other than 2 main characters.
This was an advance reading copy and all opinions are my own.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Carrie Stuart Parks, and Thomas Nelson for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

I am always eager when I see Carrie Stuart Parks has written another novel, having found myself fully enthralled with her Gwen Marcey series a number of years ago. While Parks has moved into writing standalone thrillers, she can still pack a punch and offers up some great storytelling in this piece. When a woman who is saddled with much PTSD from a horrific work event arrives in rural Idaho, all she wants is some rest and well-deserved relaxation. Darby Graham could not have known that this ranch had so many issues and someone causing massive amount of uproar. As things begin to happen, Darby is thrust into the middle of trying to solve them and determine if there is a killer targeting the ranch or someone on its grounds specially. Gritty and mysterious, Parks does well to lure the reader in with this story.

When she arrives in Idaho, all Darby Graham wants is some time to recharge her batteries and enjoy the wilderness. However, things begin with a bang (or more literally, a shake) and develop from there. In an area close to Yellowstone National Park, there are countless mini earthquakes that cause quite a stir. Graham encounters this, as well as two potential canine companions to join her as she makes her way up to Mule Shoe. Graham slowly tries to get herself acclimated, though she carries much baggage of her own.

Having arrived at the ranch from Clan Firinn, a program for law enforcement officers who have suffered severe PTSD, Graham hopes to put all her worries behind her. However, that is not always the case, as small things occur that trigger flashbacks and horrible fugue states. When these occurrences begin to pile up, Graham has no choice but to work with the locals to try uncovering what’s been going on.

A forensic linguist by training, Graham finds clues in language and how it is presented. She is able to use some notes from the past sent to ward others away and finds herself able to piece together a very loose profile. That may not help her now, as people are dying and destruction is rampant, though it does not deter Graham from trying her best.

Riddled with memories of the past that haunt her, Darby Graham will have to put all that behind her if she is to help find a killer before she becomes a victim herself. Much if riding on this, the least of which a chance to slay her own demons once and for all. A well-paced story that adds action and suspense throughout, proving that Parks has not lost her way with words.

I struggle after reading a series and the author turns to standalone novels. When I get into the groove of things, I can only see myself wanting to continue on the journey of a protagonist I know well, with dangling threads and new plot ideas formulated in the closing chapters of a book. However, Carrie Stuart Parks turned to writing novels that float on their own, equally as impactful to the attentive reader. These are still filled with the element of mystery and suspense, as well as utilising some unique forensic research, which is usually able to extinguish my longing for a series continuation.

Darby Graham does well in her role as protagonist, offering the reader a fair bit with which it work. Having suffered a great deal and still haunted with vast amounts of PTSD, Graham has tried to right herself and find a new path. Graham’s attempted escape to rural Idaho may not be the peace and quiet she needs, but it does showcase some of her wonderful forensic skills and keeps the reader guessing about how she will overcome it all. There is great growth and backstory construction in the piece, even if it is meant to go no further than the end of this novel.

Those Parks matches up with her protagonist also play key roles in keeping the story moving. While many flavour a particular aspect of the narrative, some drop clues throughout to help add depth to the story and provide insights into where things are going for the overall reading experience. Parks has a way of developing the rural authority figure effectively, which is not lost in this novel. Some of the characters help propel Darby Graham to a new level, while others are strictly there to impede her personal and professional progress throughout.

Things began somewhat slowly for me in this read. I needed some time to find myself interested in what was going on. Parks uses a slow reveal to really captivate the reader’s attention, but when it is found, the narrative picks up and finds its momentum. The various perspectives offered throughout provide the reader with an exciting tale, with decent backstory and mysterious twists. The plot advances in due time and keeps the reader guessing until all is revealed by the end. Short chapters push things along, though the information in them is essential, forcing the reader to play close attention. One of Parks’ great assets in her writing is presenting a typical criminal case through the lens of a less-known forensic profession. As with her Gwen Marcey series, the reader learns much through the eyes of Darby Graham, whose life as a forensic linguist offers some insights that may have been missed otherwise. While not my favourite piece by Carries Stuart Parks, I enjoyed it and would encourage readers to look into her other work, particularly that of the aforementioned Gwen Marcey.

Kudos, Madam Parks, on another solid piece of writing. You never cease to impress me with the new forensic angles presented in your writing.