My rating: 4 of 5 stars
GENRE: Paranormal
THEME: Historical, Ghost, Mystery
RECEIVED: Publisher
AUTHORS BLOG: Jaime Lee Moyers' Blog
BLURB:
A dark, romantic fantasy set against the backdrop of San Francisco devastated by the Great Quake
It is the dawn of a new century in San Francisco and Delia Martin is a wealthy young woman whose life appears ideal. But a dark secret colors her life, for Delia’s most loyal companions are ghosts, as she has been gifted (or some would say cursed) with an ability to peer across to the other side.
Since the great quake rocked her city in 1906, Delia has been haunted by an avalanche of the dead clamoring for her help. Delia flees to the other side of the continent, hoping to gain some peace. After several years in New York, Delia believes she is free…until one determined specter appears and she realizes that she must return to the City by the Bay in order to put this tortured soul to rest.
It will not be easy, as the ghost is only one of the many victims of a serial killer who was never caught. A killer who after thirty years is killing again.
And who is now aware of Delia’s existence.
It is the dawn of a new century in San Francisco and Delia Martin is a wealthy young woman whose life appears ideal. But a dark secret colors her life, for Delia’s most loyal companions are ghosts, as she has been gifted (or some would say cursed) with an ability to peer across to the other side.
Since the great quake rocked her city in 1906, Delia has been haunted by an avalanche of the dead clamoring for her help. Delia flees to the other side of the continent, hoping to gain some peace. After several years in New York, Delia believes she is free…until one determined specter appears and she realizes that she must return to the City by the Bay in order to put this tortured soul to rest.
It will not be easy, as the ghost is only one of the many victims of a serial killer who was never caught. A killer who after thirty years is killing again.
And who is now aware of Delia’s existence.
REVIEW:
Delia’s Shadow was a surprise find; it’s a haunting story that connects each character to a mystery that has been going on for a long time. I loved how the plot unfolded secrets, brought about growth in each character, and connected ghosts to help unsolved murders.Delia’s Shadow follows a young woman named Delia who would seem normal to those that pass her, but she is someone who is gifted with seeing spirits. After a terrible earthquake and fire that happened when she was a child, the dead always come seeking help to move on. But after years of peace from them, a woman who is more haunting that any of the other ghost, seems to need her help. Delia is brought back on to San Francisco only to have the ghost connect her to a long line of murders. The murderer has been in hiding for 30 years, but why has he now retuned and why is one of victims seeking Delia?
Deila is a smart and unique woman who has a lot to learn about her gift. She has been teaching ever since she left San Francisco and has tried to leave the ghosts behind. After the loss of her parents in the great quake she was raised by a family friend Esther and gained a sister Sadie. Esther’s illness has caused her to return and be with her sister Sadie during Esthers final days. As well as the haunting of a female ghost who seems to be stronger than anything she’s ever encountered. Delia’s family knows about her seeing ghost and Sadie is the one person who is supportive. But when Delia’s ghost whom she names “Shadow” connects to a case that Sadie’s fiancé and partner Jack are working on, Delia discovers the importance of her gift and that she could help stop a very dangers person.
I loved the mystery in how Delia’s ghost brought her back home, how it connects to this murder case, as well as the people who are now apart of her life. Moyer created twists that I didn’t see coming, along with some chilling writing during the eerie murders scenes that only added to how creepy the villain is. Delia’s character is extremely fascinating and the only piece that I couldn’t grasp is how easily everyone accepted her seeing ghost. Nonetheless I really enjoyed how all the dots connected and that each person introduced in the story was apart of the whole picture.
Detective Gabriel Ryan is the hero and victim of this long murder mystery that he has been connected to since he was a child. His father worked the case years ago, making this a very personal one. Delia is a mystery to him and the one woman whom he feels nervous around, the other was his late wife whom died in the great quake. Together they make a great pair, trying to put the pieces of her dreams together; which are sent from her ghost “Shadow. They discover her dreams and ghost are connected to the case. He’s a good man with a sad past but I loved how he was such a good detective, he is passionate about his job and keeping people safe.
Overall this was an excellent murder mystery with paranormal elements that add that special spark to the plot line. The characters are easy to connect too; I was fascinated with how Delia’s gift would bring everything together. There is slight romance that is developed and grown throughout the plot. As well as splashes of humor from her sister Sadie and friend Dora to add some much needed light tones. I also loved the change of point of view from Gabe to Delia getting both of the paranormal slide and the police side, this made me feel like I was solving the case with both of them. Overall this was a great debut novel from Moyer and I look forward to her upcoming books.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult novel with an eerie storyline that will have you solving the case along with the characters. Fans of A.A. Aguirre’s Apparatus Infernum series and Susan Dennard’s Something Strange and Deadly series will enjoy Delia’s Shadow by Jaime Lee Moyer.
No comments:
Post a Comment