3.5 star

Credit is deserved by author for rooting psyche of a modern day criminal into fantasy of a mythological half-man, half-beast creature, reflecting the duality within us all. Introducing riddles in form of maze, reflecting the intricate passages of the human mind. A protagonist who is a dwarf, rejected by his father & is aware of the daily life challenges due to his stature, but nowhere shies away to accept his reality, reflecting, that determination can lead us out of the darkest mazes.

Prologue, gives just enough to keep reader wondering on what exactly is the book about. There are continuous references to Greek myths and ancient scripts, but again credit is due, as all concepts related to Hieroglyphics and mythology is explained very well for the layman reader. Liked the writing style and command on language. Even with so many jargons, its a fast paced story with multiple investigation theories, suspects and a growing tension which is uncomfortable in a good way.

'Seeing a sparrow meant that secrets would soon be brought to light', and surely they do. Here is where I felt the story got bit weak. I feel the mystery revelation could not live up to the hype promised by the blurb. The mysterious letter with the challenging riddle, Cretan coin (even on cover page), various symbols, slipped through when knot was tied on the whodunnit part of the mystery.

This is the third book in a series that has surprisingly caught and kept my interest. The setting is in Chicago. We have the female MC (Addie), a Homicide Detective who happens to be best friends and sometimes a working partner to Dr. Evan Wilding, who is a renowned linguistic expert. This duo has worked together on several cases and they are a pleasure to follow.

This book has a surprise visit from Evan's younger brother Dr. River Wilding, an "Indiana Jones" type of archeologist who is famous in his own right. The three of them find themselves right in the middle of a murder case that immediately points to the Drs. Wilding as targets.

As usual, the action begins and is fast paced and non stop. I really liked seeing the brothers together, the relationship that they have was heart warming. The two have obviously had only each other to count on as they grew up and it was wonderful to see River's love and respect for his older brother. He didn't see Evan as lesser and actually does wonders to help him build up his confidence.

This book finally takes those final steps into furthering the relationship between Addie and Evan. In the previous books, we knew that Evan had feelings for her, but to his mind, Addie only had "friendship" feelings for him. We actually see a response from her to this possibility. Is she interested? You'll have to read the book to find out. :)

This was another great and interesting story. A bit implausible, but I was willing to overlook a few things because the overall story kept me intrigued.

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.

I feel like I’m the outlier here, but this book was not for me. I really wanted to like it but I couldn’t get into the story, I kept feeling like I was missing something. I do think that this book will be a hit for some people, but sadly not me.

I do want to extend my thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Play of Shadows is part of a series though I feel could be read as a standalone but Evan rocks so read the series. A renowned semiotician, Dr. Evan Wilding is an expert at deciphering symbols who often helps out the Chicago PD. Evan’s brother, River drops in for a visit just as someone leaves a mysterious package on the front step. The same man that leaves the package turns up dead. Evan and River must help Evan’s friend, Detective Addie Bisset uncover a mythical based killer by following an indecipherable code in a page turning thriller that plays Evan’s skills against a true monster. Unique characters and a unique story drive a fast paced mystery that keeps you coming back for more. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

cryptography, Corgi, dwarfism, semiotics, siblings, family-dynamics, sly-humor, labyrinth, fiction, criminal-acts, crime-thriller, suspense, detective, friends, friendship, frustration, unputdownable, local-law-enforcement, civilian-consultants, mythology, myths-legends, historical-research, historical-places-events, history-and-culture, serial-killer*****

Can you believe in coincidences?
Civilian consultant Evan Wilding PhD is surprised by an apparently random visit by his brother River, a mysterious package left on his doorstep, and a phone call by Evan's friend Chicago Police Detective Addie Bisset. What follows is a fantastic game of cat and mouse by an apparent serial killer who pits himself against the brilliant Wildings and the detective. What they do is well beyond due diligence and an opportunity for readers to learn so many things! Loved the intense mental exercise!
I requested and received an EARC from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. Thank you!

"Play of Shadows"
by Barbara Nickless
Third book in Evan Wilding series.

Another great story by Barbara Nickless!!.
I loved getting to know River Wilding in this book. The mystery is intriguing and the action is non-stop. The threat/challenge this time is directed at the Wilding brothers. They must crack the code to stop further sacrifice. River, Evan, Diana and Addie are all involved in finding the Minotaur before he kills again.

Throw in a little romance and it's a perfect escape for me. I recommend this series and this installment does not disappoint.

This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites! I love that you get to learn about ancient cultures while also reading a fascinating murder mystery filled with well-developed characters. They are all so well-done they almost feel real. Also, the banter is always great and frequently makes me laugh. River was a welcome addition, and I hope he sticks around. I highly recommend this series and I already can't wait to read the next one!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC! Expected publication is November 14, 2023.

Enjoyable read, well developed characters. This is book #3 of the series Dr. Evan Wilding. The mysteries in the series always 'grab you'. However it really is the characters who are so well developed its like you know them. The bad part about the series is when the book ends, I miss the characters and can't wait to read them again. So happy that River is in this one. Looking forward to the next one Barbara Nickless. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

BIG thanks to both Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Play of Shadows, by Barbara Nickless. This is the third book in the Dr. Evan Wilding Series and the expected publication is  November 14, 2023.

On a stormy Chicago night, renowned semiotician Dr. Evan Wilding and his brother, River, who’s back from an archaeological dig, reunite in a mystery. A package addressed to both of them contains a hand-drawn maze, an ancient Cretan coin, and a cryptic greeting: Let the game begin.

I love every book in this series even more than I did the previous one!  In the author's own words: Play of Shadows is about sibling rivalry, domineering fathers, and the question of how early in life humans show a penchant for evil. It’s also about mazes and the minotaur and the undeciphered hieroglyphic script of Crete.

I love all of the characters and it was fun having Evan's brother involved in this book.  As always, I loved having Evan's sweet Corghi, Perro, involved, as well.

There are always parts of this series that make me laugh, like when Evan and River's dad is hospitalized and the nurse says to Evan "Your father is doing just fine.  He's been moved to a private room.  Would you like to see him?" and Evan thinks to himself, "About as much as I'd like to be bitten on the nether regions by a scorpion."

I highly recommend Play of Shadows!!

Play of Shadows by Barbara Nickless is the third installment in the Dr.. Evan Wilding series, following At First Light and Dark of Night. Dr. Wilding is a professor of semiotics (the study of signs and symbols), a genius, and a consultant to the Chicago Homicide Police Department. He is also a dwarf which is an integral part of both the character and plot points.
In an age where ADA accommodations are routinely instituted and full inclusion for young people with significant disability, Nickless has created a compelling character in Dr. Wilding. He acknowledges his dwarfism, referring to himself as dwarf rather than person of short stature, and while rueful of the limitations (not being able to reach preferred items on the grocery shelf) he focus on his other extraordinary abilities with humor and charm.
Play of Shadows utilizes the trope of police detective partnered with brilliant civilian, in this case with possibility of romance. What makes this series, and Play of Shadows, unique is the exploration of a character with physical disability. Play of Shadows explores Dr. Wilding's emotional insecurities with his police partner Addie, his equally brilliant brother River, who is fully introduced in this book, and his father who rejected him because of his stature. The growth of Dr. Wilding and his relationships with people close to him is compelling and fascinating. The mystery of a serial killer who models himself as the Cretan Minotaur is fairly prosaic and is leaving clues of Cretan hieroglyphs. was pretty easy to guess, nevertheless the mystery is fascinating.
Highly reccommend Play of Shadows; suggest reading at least At First Light first.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Play of Shadows is a nonstop murder mystery until the last page. It's a riveting book that the reader will be unable to put down. Nickless has done her homework on the Minoan civilization. I will definitely look forward to Barbara Nickless' next novel!!