Stevie had come into the party store for her morning shift but something is very wrong. Her coworker Randy was supposed to close up last night. She starts walking around and that’s when she finds him dead in the store with a clown nose on.
Detective Natalie is the first one on the scene and something about this case is feeling funny. After a while she is remembering another case involving a missing woman and someone saw a man dressed up as a clown. There are several women missing from this small town in the Adirondacks. While investigating Randy’s death the detectives discover a secret room in the basement where the unimaginable seems to have taken place.
Could all of this also lead to answers of what happened years ago after a Graduation Party where Natalie’s best friend Bella turned up missing and no leads.
The twists and turns in this mystery are so engaging. The ending will leave you totally drained.

Detective Natalie Lockhart cannot catch a break.  Just as soon as she thinks she's making some headway, something else goes wrong.  Every time she breaks a big case, another is thrown at her.  This time, however, it's personal because her longtime friend, Luke, is attacked and left for dead.   

Natalie is a fierce woman.  She fights for the things she wants, even when she knows the odds are against her.  The way she throws herself into a case, even when she's strung out and ready to quit, really drives the story.  In addition, she has a lot of character growth over the course of the series and finally finds her feet in this final novel.  

I discovered this series several years ago when the second book - The Wicked Hour - arrived in a book box.  The story immediately drew me in and I became hooked.  Between the characters, the setting, and the seemingly paranormal, witchy elements, this series has everything I could want.  I was alarmed when I discovered that this is going to be the last in the series, however it wraps up nicely without leaving any loose ends or unanswered questions.   While I'll miss Natalie and Burning Lake, I do like how it all ended and can be content with that.

Loved it!!! It's been almost two years since I read the The Witching Tree, so I couldn't remember everything that happened in the previous books. As soon as I started reading this, everything came back and the book did a great job of recapping earlier events. Detective Lockhart managed to wrap up all her previous cases and finally figured out who was behind everything. Hopefully this isn't the end of the Natalie Lockhart series. There's got to be more murders for Natalie to solve. I hated Hunter and Natalie together. It was all lust and no love. She never seemed happy and he was simply creepy. I always thought he wouldn't be happy unless he had Natalie locked in a house far, far away and all to himself. I knew he had to be hiding something and was happy when he finally spilled all his secrets. It was huge. I thought he might be the mastermind behind all the murders. The people behind everything went to great lengths to keep everyone quiet. When the truth was finally revealed about everything, I was shocked. I loved how everything was tied together and related. It was crazy. From the start, I always wanted to know the mystery behind Bella's disappearance. Was she alive, locked in someone's basement or dead? There were so many questions and everything was finally answered. Everything about Bella's whereabouts were surprising. I thought something different happened to her, I'm pretty sure Natalie did too. Burning Lake is a huge crime/murder magnet. How can so much bad stuff happen in one little place? Hopefully a lot more happens so there's more books in the series!!! Loved the ending! I no longer hate Luke and I'm glad he finally came to his senses.

Definitely recommend the book and the entire series. It was a great mystery/thriller with so many twists and turns. Loved the characters, story and writing style. Hopefully there will be more murders in Burning Lake that she will need to to investigate. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a detective mystery that is best read in order, as there are major plotpoints from previous books that you need to understand to really feel comfortable with this storyline. The whole story is very intense, and there is a lot packed into one book. It was fun to read but I think I would have enjoyed it much more if I had read the previous books. If you're into quite intense mysteries with lots of interpersonal drama mixed in, you may really enjoy this. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

This was a bit of a twisted story. It’s fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat. It has some surprises along the way. You won’t be able to put it down!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

This was a fun read with a good atmosphere. I liked the spookiness of it as well. I thought the author did well with the prose and character development.

Let me start off with that I love the Natalie Lockhart novels. Natalie is a character that is strong willed and determined, sometimes to her detriment. This novel changes none of that.

Natalie's best friend Bella has been missing for years. It deeply affects how Natalie views cases. When she's called to a murder scene in a costume shop in Burning Lake, it is a reminder of the last two crimes she solved. Natalie has become something of a celebrity in her town and further beyond for her ability to find the culprits in serial killings. Will she be able to do it again?

Add in that her longtime best friend Luke is comatose in the hospital, due to a confrontation with a deputy gone rogue, and the murder of a local witch who was researching a string of unsolved murders, Natalie's plate is currently very full. Her partner, Hunter, is in the midst of a huge business deal, and he'd like to whisk Natalie out of Burning Lake. It's a lot for Natalie to process.

I will continue to read these novels as long as Alice Blanchard keeps writing them. What I love about series is that you get completely invested in the characters. While a particular story arc may end, there is usually another arc that follows through the whole series. In this one, it's the relationship between Luke & Natalie. What is going to happen next?

A gripping romantic suspense that is part of a series and would be best enjoyed as such. Alice Blanchard writes an intriguing storyline leading readers through a suspenseful murder investigations while incorporating interesting bits of of the MC's personal life. The writing and characterization are excellent with a dynamic plot and well-crafted story.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #TheShadowGirls

This is an intriguing psychological drama. It is an interesting and gripping story from start to finish. Set in upper New York State in a town with a background in witchcraft, the stage is set for an exciting story. Natalie is a detective who has become famous for solving major crimes. Luke is a Lieutenant who has her complete trust. Together they are on the case of solving a new murder as well as a cold case. Readers will be held in suspense as all the parts of the case come together. There is action as well as romance involved in the plot. This is a well written book that will be enjoyed by readers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When I requested this book, I saw that it was #4 in the series but expected that the author would provide a brief 'catch up' for those of us readers new to the series. It took awhile for me to understand that the lead character had 2 prior large cases, and this new case was somehow connected. The 'catchup was a little confusing for me. It seemed as though I was missing something and clearly I was. Take note that this book does not do well as a stand-alone and you need to have read the prior 3 books to get the full experience from this one.

I wanted to like this book and the blurb sounded like it ticked my boxes but for me, it just did not deliver. I found that I did not really connect to Natalie. Also, I could have done with less information about her love life as I am in it for the murder and thriller aspect. The ending seemed rushed as the author tried to tie up the story as an end to the series. The plot involving the actual case seems well thought out.

Overall, this one was hard to finish and not a favorite of mine.

I love books in a series, being that I am binge reader, this book is a continuation of the previous one and it has already been built to read the other books to be able to understand this one, since it wraps everything up. So I recommend reading the others before this one. I never read the other books but one thing I really enjoyed about the book is the female MC, the plot is gruesome, and I couldn’t read this book before bed. As crazy as that sounds, I really like books like this. I couldn’t put it down but at times I got confused when things were mentioned clearly from the other books. But other than that I enjoyed the read.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Unfortunately I didn't love this book as much as I loved the last book in the series, The Witching Tree, but I still really enjoyed it. While The Witching Tree had a lot more action and ended on a cliffhanger, this one really wrapped everything up, which is a good thing, just not as exciting. I also could have done with a lot less time spent on Natalie's love life because I'm here for the murder. I still need to go back and read the first two books in the series, which I will do even though Blanchard does a great job of recapping Natalies first two cases, The Violist and The Crow Killer, because they just sound awesome. I love how on the surface, Blanchard's novels seem like cozy mysteries, and then you hit some really graphic and disturbing violence, ala Karin Slaughter. I'm here for it.

Exciting scenes, a twisty plot, and an engaging protagonist will keep readers rapidly turning the pages in The Shadow Girls by Alice Blanchard. The fourth book in this police procedural series continues to feature Detective Natalie Lockhart with the Burning Lake, New York police department. This is a town that makes the most of its history with witchcraft and has a large tourist trade around it that culminates with the Halloween celebration. It’s March, so the town is quieter until police lieutenant Luke Pittman is attacked, Veronica Manes, a modern-day witch is murdered, and a new body is discovered in a costume shop. What is happening in this small tourist town?

Natalie is a protagonist that solved several high-profile murder cases and is questioning her career and her love life. She is strong when she is pursuing leads and has insights that others miss, but she is also overworked. Her character felt real with clear goals for solving the case and believable motivations for why she is questioning her lifestyle. Hunter, the wealthy man she moved in with four months ago, loves her deeply, but is also overprotective and somewhat vulnerable. While he is a successful and shrewd owner of a technology company and exhibits a strong determination to succeed, his vulnerability around his relationship with Natalie seemed uncharacteristic. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhanced the story.

As in the previous books, the prologue easily hooks readers. The writing is fluid, atmospheric, and descriptive. The world-building enhanced the setting and gave me a clear sense of place. I felt transported to Burning Lake as though living through the events with Natalie.

This novel shines a light on corruption, love, power, friendship, murder, trust, and much more. Blanchard is a superb storyteller who provides compelling characters, a fantastic plot, and gripping scenes in this disturbing story. The tension is high throughout and the suspenseful narrative kept me fully engaged from the beginning to the end.

Overall, this has a riveting and dynamic plot and is a well-crafted story. It is a page-turner with its complex characters, twisty story line, and fantastic writing that keep me coming back to this series for more. I can’t wait to see what is next for Natalie and the town of Burning Lake. To get the most enjoyment from it, the first three books in the series should be read before starting this one. That will give readers a better understanding of Natalie’s situation.

St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Alice Blanchard provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for July 25, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

This is book 4 in the Natalie Lockhart series. In this book, Luke Pittman is lying in the hospital in a coma. Natalie is called to the scene of a murder that ;leads her in places she never thought would happen. She sees clues to unsolved cases as she tries to solve the murder than takes her away from her friend's hospital bed. Can she solves the case and maybe make some headway on the unsolved cases as well?

I've read all the books in this Natalie Lockhart series and this is the fourth - they are addictive. You really should read these books in order - I don't think it would be good as a stand alone, but it's great if you've been following the story. This is a good police procedural with a strong female lead, and there's a good mystery here as well as a romance triangle involving Natalie and her ex-boyfriend and her current boyfriend. This book seemed like an ending to me and I hate to think Natalie the series has ended, but they have to end sometime, right?

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on July 25, 2023.

Detective Natalie Lockhart kicks off the fourth in her series by investigating the murder of a Halloween costume store employee while dealing with her romantic feelings for Luke, a colleague who was injured during the events of the previous installment. The town, with its connection to witch trial executions, and the occult themes make this series stand out from other police procedurals.

Natalie makes a great lead in that she’s smart and committed to solving the cases she’s assigned. Her connections to victims and suspects alike keeps things interesting.

Usually, I have no issues with jumping around in a mystery series, but later books in this series have strong connections early books. For example, based on the reviews stating that the previous book ended on a cliffhanger, some of the major threads carried over to THE SHADOW GIRLS.

While I found the atmosphere of the town and the nature of the crimes interesting, there were some things that kept me from fully enjoying this book. A great deal of backstory was shared about the crimes in each of the previous books, which makes me more interested in reading a future installment of the series rather than an earlier one. Often things were told rather than showed, multiple coincidences were employed, and some threads were resolved with minimal conflict/detective work. The final confrontation takes place in a fascinating location, but it felt underutilized. The thing that bothered me the most was the frequent repetition of information, for example a character being related to another character was mentioned four times over the course of three short and sequential chapters. This type of repetition seems to imply a lack of confidence in the reader.

I’d recommend this book, but suggest that the series be read sequentially.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Minotaur Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. Fourth in a series, and while I often read mysteries as stand alones, this one had some gaps by having not read the other three books first.

Date is for review not for reading.

The fourth book in the Natalie Lockhart series, The Shadow Girls pulls from past books as the detective works her current police investigation. Natalie is a great strong female detective character and I liked her style of working the case. The story has action and a bit of romance to add flavor. The story wraps up the series nicely and I liked how the story deviated from what I was expecting to happen.
I recommend reading these in order to get the most out of the experience.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur books for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the electronic preview. I really enjoyed this book; however, I didn't realize that it was the last book in a series, which bummed me out because this book wrapped up everything in a nice little bow, so there's no need to go back and revisit the others. There's a lot to grasp going in, which would have made reading the previous 3 books helpful as it is definitely not a stand alone book.


It reminds me a lot of the Emma Griffin series by AJ Rivers. I thought the characters were well-developed, and, as I mentioned, since this was the last book in the series, there were a TON of characters to keep up with- but it was easy to do so, and didn't get confusing. There was good suspense, and it had the right amount of twists and turns that made it interesting but not far-fetched. This story kept me riveted and the subject matter fell right into the realm that I so enjoy of police/detective procedurals and a little bit of witchcraft.

It was a quick read, and left me wanting more from the author. I hope she adds another Natalie Lockhart book to her repertoire, as she has a fan in me.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I listened to the first two books in the Natalie Lockhart series but the following books do not seem to have audio versions. The series follows the cases and personal growth of Natalie Lockhart, a detective in a smallish town.

Natalie is living with Hunter Rose but still has a connection with her childhood friend, Luke. Luke is also her supervisor, head of detectives. I started as Team Luke in the first book, and really have continued to be solidly Team Luke. I don't like Hunter as he always wants her to quit her job and just spend all her time with him. Certainly, I am not against her having time off from her work because she has solved some huge cases and had some real personal tragedies.

The murders from The Witching Tree are still having consequences and being investigated and now there is a new murder. When they search the victim's home they make horrific discoveries. Natalie does an excellent job of gathering evidence and pursuing smart strategies. She is in some danger and working longer as Luke starts this book in the hospital. I continue to be uncomfortable with her questioning suspects or even some witnesses without any backup.

Natalie also keeps wondering about her friend Bella who disappeared their senior year of high school, now about 15 years ago. She tries to connect her with an abduction case but learns some other interesting facts.

I am confused by how Natalie is smart and skilled at piecing together and deducing crimes and their perpetrators. She solves a lot. But personally, she is stupid in her relationships. She loves Luke, and doesn't enjoy Hunter's friends or his pushing her to make choices he wants. And the whole going it alone is dangerous.

The Shadow Girls has good pacing. It's also satisfying with finishing up several mysteries and investigations. Her personal situation improves as well. I enjoyed this one while still worrying for Natalie's safety. I could see this as the end of the series, although I would be happy to read more about these characters.