Andrew Mackenzie’s Shadow Beneath the Lights is a gritty, mesmerizing dive into the untamed streets of Las Vegas, as seen through the eyes of a seasoned cabbie during one unforgettable night shift. From the first page, I was hooked by the rich, immersive details that brought the underbelly of Sin City to life—the smoky casinos, the neon-lit streets, and the eclectic mix of passengers who hop in and out of the cab like fleeting ghosts.

The story masterfully blends the cabbie’s external experiences with his internal musings. His ADHD and reflections on life, chance, and quantum physics add a unique, almost poetic dimension to the narrative. Each fare presents a new vignette—sometimes humorous, often poignant, and occasionally unsettling—shining a spotlight on the humanity (or lack thereof) that thrives in the shadows of Vegas.

Mackenzie’s prose is both raw and intimate, making you feel like a passenger in the front seat, privy to the cabbie’s thoughts and the microcosm of stories unfolding around him. The book offers a fascinating perspective on the city’s complex ecosystem, from the unspoken alliances between cabbies and hotel doormen to the invisible class divides illuminated by the choreography of tipping.

While some readers may find the repetitive nature of the cabbie’s shift a bit monotonous, I saw it as a reflection of the relentless grind of his job—a poignant metaphor for the cyclical nature of life itself. And just when you think the night might pass without incident, Mackenzie delivers an ending that is both surprising and thought-provoking, leaving you pondering the infinite possibilities that every decision—every turn of the wheel—can bring.

If you’re a fan of noir fiction or character-driven stories with a touch of existential musing, Shadow Beneath the Lights will not disappoint. It’s a short, impactful read that lingers in your mind like the afterglow of Vegas’s neon lights. Highly recommended!

Shadow Beneath the Lights explores the gritty underworld of Las Vegas, following a worn-out cab driver who’s seen it all—and then some. This isn’t just a story about Sin City’s neon glow; it’s about the people who live in its shadows, struggling to make ends meet while life spins out of control around them. I was hooked by the raw, unfiltered view of Vegas and the driver’s inner conflict. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Holy smokes, this book is like Vegas after dark—raw, messy, and impossible to look away from! Shadow Beneath the Lights gave me big noir vibes, with a cab driver who’s both jaded and oddly captivating. Between shady tourists, smoky casinos, and the sheer grind of surviving in Sin City, this story pulls you into the unglamorous heart of it all. If you’re ready for a wild ride (pun intended), buckle up—you’re in for a treat! 🎰🚖

Well written and an entertaining piece that is full of beautifully crafted ideas and concepts beyond driving a cab around Las Vegas on the ‘graveyard shift’.

If one jumps into a taxi, you become aware of the meter running; it’s all now on the clock, how far you travel, how long it takes, unless like day the fixed rate to the airport, will determine the cost of the fare.

The narrative here runs on the clock; each ride being given a time and the interactions of the driver and passengers detailed within their journey and reasons to be in town.

I loved the feel of Vegas, the other side of the vacation and the ups and downs, mirrored in the night the cabbie is having. I also enjoyed the insider knowledge expressed and the working life of those providing this service. I found this quite informative and left me more appreciative of this type of transport and taxi drivers themselves. Although some dark arts of mentioned, our narrator is an old hand, a veteran of some 15 years and would have us believe he is one of a few honest ones on the rank.

It is an expose of American life and culture. I would encourage everyone to read it if they get a chance. It is a short novella type account, from the first person, perspective. So it is really down to sharing a day in the life of this cabbie and how much we believe his own value and vision of Vegas nightlife.

There is an element of repetitiveness but it is addressed by a varied clientele, with different stories and journeys to make. The openness of some, contrasts the reticence of others. Winners or losers in a gambling town; no real clue to how much of a tip, if any will be made.

I loved the idea that his life could be a number of chance events, which each potentially could lead to another outcome in a parallel universe, resulting in an infinite number of possibilities. All depending on that first decision, which hotel to pull up at, where to start the shift and the randomness of the punter telling you where to go.

It leads nicely into the potential ending to this 12 hour shift as a number of outcomes have been suggested throughout the night. Where a bad decision could undermine all the good fortune and hard work.
We as the reader can almost imagine the ending we want for our taxi driver.