I really enjoyed the fast pacing of this crime thriller. I did go in to it thinking the focus would be a bit more on Danica, but I still enjoyed the read.

I liked how Topher & his sister, Lynn team up to figure out why a string of women have been killed in a similar manner. How some women were connected to other minor characters really had me guessing who was to blame for the killings. I was surprised with the ending!

I did find some details took away from the story & would've been fine without. (ex: naming all the news stations/sources, Topher's car "name")

I knocked this one out in less than 2 days and found it easy to follow with minor characters having a reason for being in the plot. I'm looking forward to reading more from Brian Copeland!

Thanks to Black Odyssey Media for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review! 🩷

This was a 3.5 stars for me.

When I read the synopsis of this book I was intrigued. Once I started reading and saw that Kristen an affluent white woman turns up missing and there is so much press surrounding her disappearance, meanwhile there is Danica, a missing black woman which the police didn't make any efforts to find,, it really shined a light on how much racial disparity there is which is a little unnerving when you think about it.

As the story goes on, I wanted to see where it was going to to and what the connection was with the two missing women. As we learn they were both murdered in the same way, it turned into a game of whodunit for me and definitely had me side eying a few of the characters mentioned in the book. It was interesting to see all the theories Topher and his sister Lynn came up with and it almost made me forget he was an investigative journalist as it seemed he was more of a detective. When it was revealed who the killer was and the reasons why they killed, it made sense on one hand but it was also a little disheartening when it came to Danica and I almost wished it would have been something else that was the "connection" between the two women because she had so much going for her.

Although I enjoyed the mystery aspects of the book, I felt there were some unnecessary details brought into the book, especially with Topher's car, that took a little away from the story and I found myself rushing past them so I could get back to the main storyline. While I enjoyed the book and I would want to read more from Brian Copeland, I would have enjoyed it more without some of the details that didn't have to do with the actual storyline.

This is my first read by the author and I will be reading more. This is a must-read for fans of smart, socially driven thrillers that blend gripping suspense with real-world relevance. It’s a 5/5 for me. With razor-sharp pacing, chilling realism, and a cast of deeply human characters, Shadows of Justice is more than a crime thriller—it’s a mirror held up to society’s blind. shadow of justice will be one of those talked about books that gets all the rave and I’m looking forward to get the paperback.

This mystery kept my attention the whole time. I must admit I wasn't sure where it was going to go because I was trying to make the connections, but the author did a great job of keeping the mystery of who had done it. I really enjoyed the emphasis he put on the two women from two different sides of life because some people do get more attention than others. The ending felt a little rushed, but I was still surprised at the end.

If you love the mystery, thriller genre then you will love this book. This book is an adrenaline, gripping rush that will grip you from the first page and have you flipping pages until you get to the very last page.

This book is part of the Topher Davis series which follow Kristen Promes as she leaves her family's annual 4th of July BBQ, in the Upscale Bay Area, to pick up her daughter. When Kristen never shows up to pick up her child and is never seen again flags start to arise. Not only is Kristen missing but her car is found abandoned on the side of the road. We then meet Topher Davis San Francisco's investigative reporter, who has dedicated his life's work to solving high profile cases. When other victims start to disappear Topher will stop at nothing to help find these women who have gone missing. Alongside his detective sister Lynn Sloan, Topher attempts to go to great lengths to retrace the missing women's steps and find out what happened to them. This leads the reader on an uphill roller-coaster of unearthing secrets and interconnecting the two women's cases.

I love the sibling banter between Topher and Lynn and how they worked together as a team even though they worked in two different professions. This novel helps to shed light on the frustrations and heart wrecking issues of missing black people being shunned by the media.

Overall, Shadows of Justice can be described as a novel that contains well-developed characters and a complex plot that left the right number of clues throughout the story leading up to several surprising twists and the ultimate big reveal.

Thanks to Ash the Bookworm on IG and Black Odyssey Media I saw this book showcased and thought....why not try it 🤷🏽‍♀️
Fours hours later I am done and pleased that I picked this one up.

This is a good, fun, modern day whodunit, with an investigative reporter and his sister, a homicide detective, unraveling a case that snags your full attention at the end of Chapter One.

The chapters are short. It took me a couple minutes to read Chapter One and even less time to cancel the rest of my day. This is an easy, enjoyable read, even though at the center there are some gruesome murders. You do not feel it though. As the banter and humor between the siblings keep the story moving and light enough that you do not feel heavy while reading.
Instead you are overcome with curiosity. You just want to know, who did it and why. Because with every twist the mystery deepened. In the end though it was smartly wrapped up and left me satisfied and ready to read more of this series and more from Brian Copeland.

Thanks to Net Galley and Black Odyssey Media for allowing me access to this intriguing arc.

It certainly was my pleasure!

Brian Copeland's Shadows of Justice: A Topher Davis Thriller is a gripping and thought-provoking read, earning a 5-star rating. As a first-time reader of Copeland's work, I was immediately drawn into the complex case of Kristin Promes, a woman from an affluent Bay Area community who vanishes during a 4th of July celebration. Simultaneously, the disappearance of Danica Walker, a Black woman from East Oakland, goes largely unnoticed by the media and authorities. The connection between these two seemingly disparate cases forms the central mystery, and Copeland masterfully weaves together the threads of their stories.

The plot is incredibly compelling, keeping me engaged and constantly guessing. I was genuinely surprised by the killer's identity, a testament to Copeland's skill in crafting a suspenseful narrative with well-placed clues and surprising twists. Beyond the mystery, the novel effectively shines a light on the disparity in media attention given to missing Black people, a crucial social commentary that adds depth and resonance to the story.

The relationship between Topher Davis, an investigative reporter, and his sister Lynn Sloan, a homicide detective, is a highlight of the book. Their banter and collaborative spirit, despite their different professions, felt genuine and endearing. The glimpses into their shared childhood, like the "Lincoln Logs" reference, added warmth and authenticity to their dynamic. I also appreciated Topher's openness about his mother's death and his advocacy for therapy, particularly his suggestion for Danica's son D'Vante. Even his affection for his dog Sophia and his car, "Black Beauty," added layers to his character.

Copeland's writing is rich in detail, effectively painting a vivid picture of the California environment. From the temperature and scenery to the reputation of Los Positas junior college, the descriptions are immersive without being overwhelming. Topher's investigative skills are so sharp that it's easy to forget he's a reporter and not a police officer. I also enjoyed the author's use of more uncommon vocabulary, which added a touch of sophistication to the writing.

Overall, Shadows of Justice boasts well-developed characters, a complex and unpredictable plot, and a powerful message. Brian Copeland doesn't just tell a story; he immerses his readers in the characters' world, making for a truly captivating and memorable reading experience. I'm eager to read the first book in the series and explore more of Topher and Lynn's investigations.

A really enjoyable read that had me hooked right from the very start. The pacing was good and the story was full of suspense and tension.

Topher Davis is slightly aggy as the main male character but continues to prove himself as the top investigative reporter that he is. I didn't know how this book was going to go and was the twist was good!

I am loving Brian C and his ability to pull me into his world. I am obsessed with the characters and the way I feel like o personally know them and have grown to love them both books so far have been full of suspense and thrill .5/5

I cannot get enough of the Mystery and Thriller Genre! This gripping novel gave me an adrenaline rush that kept me engaged and continuously guessing until the very end.

Kristin Promes leaves her home in the upscale Bay Area during a 4th of July celebration and she never returns. The media goes crazy and the Promes family can’t leave their home without questions being hurled at them by all the reporters camped out at their home.

Over in East Oakland, Danica Walker has been missing much longer than Kristin Promes with no media attention or help from the authorities. Josie, Danica’s mother pleads to an investigative report, Topher Davis, to look into her daughter’s disappearance.

Shadows of Justice by Brian Copeland (Pub. Date: Apr 29, 2025) is part of the Topher Davis Thriller series and follows the charismatic, San Francisco investigative report Topher Davis. While covering the high profile case of Kristen Promes, Topher and his “force to be reckoned with” sister/homicide detective Lynn discover that Danica Walker’s disappearance is linked to the highly publicized Promes case. Together they uncover dirty secrets, strange connections, and disturbing similarities while trying to piece together this unsettling mystery.

I adored Topher and Lynn’s relationship, their banter and how they worked together as a team even though they worked in two different professions. This novel sheds light on the frustrating and painful issues of missing black people being shunned by the media. Overall, Shadows of Justice possessed well developed characters and a complex plot that left the right amount of clues throughout the story leading up to several surprising twists and the ultimate big reveal.

This is my first time reading this author’s work and I will definitely be reading book one of this series!

I’d like to give special thanks to Black Odyssey Media, NetGalley, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Great book that kept me at the edge of my seat wanting more. This book shined a light on the racial differences when dealing with injustices, I was not ready for the book to end and I can't wait to see what else Topher has in store.

My second book from Copeland and baby I am A FAN. This was such a good read. I had A TIME going back and forth trying to figure out what the hell was going on 😭 the plot was good, of course I love the main characters and the new/side characters I loved as well. Topher and sister Lynn are investigating the murder of two missing/murdered women who seemingly live in two different worlds. The twist, turns and secrets revealed how they were connected and baby… let me just say … the culprit shocked me cuz why would someone go through all of that for that??? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 i highly recommend this series. Book I and II were amazing! I need book III asap.

Thank you NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for this eARC!

Really good. Engaging and thrilling. You won't want to put it down!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This is my first Topher Davis novel and I liked it. It's entertaining and a solid crime novel and I could see myself reading more about Davis. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Shadows of Justice, Brian Copeland

I had no idea this was the 2nd installment in a new series. Brian Copeland (Author) did a wonderful job at not giving lots of details about the characters.

I would give this a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to 4.5 stars. I was impressed with the keep you guessing suspense and murders. Topher Davis (Reporter) works closely with his Homicide Detective Sister, Lynn. The story starts with the murder of Kristen Promes (Caucasian, wealthy, pregnant). The media frenzy making this unsolved murder all anyone can talk about. Meanwhile, a grieving mother’s only daughter Danica (Black, not wealthy, pregnant) has disappeared and it seems nobody cares enough to look into her disappearance. Josie, Danica’s mother, reaches out to Topher for his help. Topher with the help of his sister Lynn discover details link the two cases but how?

I enjoyed this book. I’m glad I discovered it and had the opportunity to read such a great book.

Dislikes: Hearing about Topher’s The Black Beauty (car). There were quite a few mentions and my personal opinion I didn’t think it was necessary. However, that was my only dislike and not a big deal OR a reason not to purchase the book.

I look forward to reading “Outraged” the 1st installment in the Topher Davis series and future books by this author.

This was a strong entry in the Topher Davis Thriller series, it had that element that I was looking for and was engaged with what was happening. The characters had that element that I was hoping for and was engaged with the thriller concept that they worked with. Brian Copeland has a strong writing style and am excited for more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for my copy of Shadows of Justice by Brian Copeland.
Topher Davi’s is a well known investigative television journalist, and is among all the other crews waiting for an update on the disappearance of Kristen Promes a member of one of the elite families in San Francisco. The feeding frenzy among the press is immense. Also in the city a young black woman has also gone missing. There’s no press there!
A fabulous start to a new series. Very well written.

Thank you, Black Odyssey Media for the copy of Shadows of Justice by Brian Copeland. This is the second book in the Topher Davis series. I loved the first book and this one is even better, if that’s possible. Thank you, Black Odyssey Media for the copy of Shadows of Justice by Brian Copeland. This is the second book in the Topher Davis series. I loved the first book and this one is even better, if that’s possible. You can read this as a standalone, but it isn’t released until April 2025 so you have plenty of time to buy and enjoy the first book. The story is set in the San Francisco Bay Area and if you live here it feels comfortingly familiar. I loved the little insights into Topher’s life; from being a dog-dad to being a public figure and dating. This time, Topher and his sister are investigating how the women's deaths are connected, and the connections unearth many secrets that add up to an intriguing story. I’m not sure I could have guessed the culprit, but I loved the conclusion. I can’t wait for book three! 5 stars