Shadow Books

I have worked professionaly with Mr. Silber and I believe him to be a truthful storyteller without ulterior motives. Reading this book is like listening to his stories just as he has recounted them to me. I enjoyed the fact that this book is not "as told to", nor is it glossed over with happy endings and filled out with sordid details. The photographs are marvelous, the majority being taken by the author himself while on the job. This book reminds the reader that an era is gone and what passes for entertainment these days is sad in comparison.

I like this book because the author, Arthur Silber Jr., was actually there during the so called "Rat Pack" days, and witnessed these events first hand. Also, I come from a long entertainment background, and his show-biz vernacular is right on! It is interesting to get a bird's eye view of this history, and this is a fabulous book.

This is an easy read and an excellent book defining the struggle of Sammy Davis Jr. as he worked to become a superstar, written by his best friend who shared the life experiences with Sammy. No one else has written a book on Sammy Davis Jr., that I am aware of, who has actually experienced a relationship with Sammy. The book has over 300 photographs most of which are obviously from the personal photo album of the author. They give a wonderful validity to everything written in the book. People of Co lor today may be surprised to learn just how much Sammy did to make their freedoms possible. This book is an excellent read. By the way, I notice on your website that you list publisher as unknown. In fact, the publisher is Samart Enterprises, as stated in the book, the company formed by Sammy and the author and still owned by Mr. Silber.

Me and My Shadow is a story filled with all the joy, love, pain, happiness and sorrow one could possibly live in a lifetime. Being a black women and growing up in the era of racism and Jim Crow, I could feel the pain I was reading about. To color Sammy's love for another and to label humans for sharing, showing and giving their love is the demarcation line that ran through Sammy's life.
Through it all Arthur Silber gave me a glimpse of what true but sometimes complicated, unconditional love was all about.
My first thrill when I opened the book was to see all the spectacular photo's. I got a clear picture of Arthur and Sammy's life. The pictures were a treat for my eyes and it provided me with a window into their soul's.
Thank you Arthur for letting me in on the good, the bad and the ugly. Thank you for showing and telling me about Sammy's persuit of love and acceptance, in a world where being the proper color was everything and no matter how much talent Sammy had, he still was not able to walk through the front door.
To see two people share a relationship that was as close as a family member's without being blood is a true testament to Arthur and Sammy's character, in a time when being black meant, you stay on your side of the trackes.
The read was tasty, the pictures delectable and the story is Golden.

Shadow is the best book I have read in a while. My dad fought in the Korean war and this story took me back in time to the 50's and 60's when war movies were so popular. There were those that were love stories as well as war stories. Shadow reminds me so much of those movies where stories were told and acted out of not just the action of the war, but the trauma on a soldier's life and his family and friends as well. I am a 50+ year old woman who couldn't put this book down. It pulled at my heart strings and kept tears running down my cheeks. Anyone close to a soldier of Any War should read this for a true to life perspective from a soldier, his wife, and his comrades.

On one level, Shadow, by "Tuck" Tucker is a story about the Korean War by someone who was there; someone who lived it. It is also a story about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and how it affected one man's life. On a deeper level, however, Shadow is a story about courage, perseverance, and hope. It is about the indomitable spirit that fuels the heart of every man or woman who has faced adversity alone -- not only faced it, but conquered it. Tuck's writing tools are experience, compassion, conciseness, and a love for the English language. They are tools that are held by capable hands.

A war story is usually considered for male interests, but this book is also poignant and romantic. It gave me a better understanding of the horrow of war and the trumatic effects it has on its survivors and family.

Eloquently written, Gordon Tucker grips the reader from page 1 and you will cry--in anguish but also joy as you walk in the footsteps of LT Mike Ryan.

In my opinion Shadow should be made available in every veterans facility in the country. I've never read a story dealing with the horrors of war, told with such sensitivity and beauty. It should be required reading for anyone that feels we should always "Support Our Troops" even if we don't support a war. Supporting our troops doesn't end when they return to American soil.

Mr. Tucker has done an incredible job of telling the story of Lt. Mike Ryan, a man without memory and having wounds of the mind (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) who was found living in the mountains of North Korea by a crash site recovery team. In a military hospital, Ryan learns that he was a much decorated infantry soldier who escaped from a North Korean POW camp. Searching for American lines, he was shot by the North Koreans and by the Americans he tried to approach. Confused, disoriented, he found sanctuary in a series of abandoned caves until he was discovered and evacuated. His story emerges painfully, heroically, and is told with great passion. It's impossible to read with a dry eye.

Susan C. Haley
Author, "Rainy Day People"

An erudite and fascinating look at the role shadows played in the development of philosophy, psychology, astronomy, the hard sciences, and the arts.

The target audience for this book is unclear to me. There is something of interest here for psychologists, artists, art historians, science historians, classical historians and perhaps others. As a professional scientist, I mainly enjoyed the few sections dealing with the history of astronomy. Although the writing is generally clear, the style could be more engaging. Is this because the original Italian text was like that, or did it lose its spark while being translated into English (?) I suspect that the latter is more likely. Anyway, because the book contains such a hodge-podge of information, all centering around shadows, at least parts of it should be of interest to almost anyone; I'm giving it as much as four stars mainly because of this.

Roberto Casati's Shadow Club about shadows goes far beyond their usual definitions to probe shadow's legends, influence on myth and religious beliefs, and changing scientific concepts of the shadow both on Earth and in space. Shadow Club is very highly recommended as an intriguing blend of history, science and anthropology which presents unusual insights into shadows and their lasting impact on mankind.

Ignore the hideous subtitle forced on the book by some idiot editor; "The greatest mystery of the universe" --- give me a break.

We've all read pop science books that include a mixture of anecdotes and history along with their main subject matter. This book is of that genre, but is far superior to most of them, largely because of the intelligence, scepticism and wit of the author, an accomplished scientist. Unlike most writers, rather than simply informing us of each anecdote or historical fact, he frequently then explains issues around the fact, and concludes with a summary as to why the supposed fact, the received wisdom, is nonsense. This could be tiresome in the wrong author's hands, but is really works well here.

As other reviewers have noted, the subject matter is indeed something of a random mixture, perhaps a third dealing with cognitive issues surrounding shadows (things like how do babies perceive shadows, or how does the language we use to discuss shadows tell us something about how we naturally classify the things and the naive physics of the prescientific mind), perhaps a third deals with how shadows (for example eclipses and transits) helped advance the science of astronomy, and a third is misc other things like how shadows helped renaissance artists come up with a theory of perspective. It's rather a strange mixture, but if, like me, you're broadly interested in psychology, history, astronomy and just the world at large, every chapter is fascinating.

Ms. Pinard's story of Emma Kate's journey to New York to join a ballet company is a fascinating study, merging the author's keen insights into the world of ballet and the coming-of-age of a midwestern raised young woman.

The author starts the story with Emma Kate's break from her parents, and moves on to her difficulties in adapting to life in New York City. Her main character struggles not only in her relationships in the ballet company, but also in trying to shift from a homogeonous midwestern lifestyle to the melting pot of New York.

Emma Kate is a brave young woman, and surprising capable in getting used to her new situation. But she is also naive in many respects, especially in dealing with men. She has a rough time understanding what the men in her new environment want from her, and sometimes has to pay a high price for her lack of savvy.

This is a fun book to read: a fine insight into the mirrored cloister of the dance studio, and a touching tale of a young woman's struggle to achieve her dream to be a ballet dancer.
By E. Hazel, author of "Tarot Decoded"

Emma Kate is a teen ballerina who has left her small midwest home to join a ballet school in New York City, against her father's wishes. There she confronts her talents, their limits, and three male mentors who each make very different demands on her life. Can she change her name, dance style and very soul to please them all? The world of dancing and its demands - especially its emotional challenges - is realistically portrayed in Shadow Dancingp, a fine novel for older teens and adults alike.

It was a little strange reading a novel by someone I know. Several times I put the book down wondering how that woman who stood up in front of the classroom gained so much knowledge about so many things and made it sound so real. Nancy is a teacher of Creative Writing. (I passed her course so this isn't really necessary.)

I admit my male machismo played a part in my hesitancy to pick up and read a book about a ballet dancer. There was also my lack of knowledge for ballet, and other personal prejudices. (I have two left feet permanently imbedded in wet clay and I don't speak French.) The story took me deeper than I ever thought I would go into the mind of a dancer and her profession. And I enjoyed it. And I learned. I also gained a greater insight into Nancy's ability as a writer. The few snippets of her writing she let out in class only gave a small clue to the scope of her talent.

I especially admire her characters and their development. She did what she tells her students to do; dig into the cracks and find the diamonds in the dirt. The quality and consistency of the writing carried through the entire book. She left no loose ends, doing a great job on the ending. That took guts. It's a surprise and yet true to the whole story. Although she wrote about a dancer, I can see the same story in most professions, male and female.

Lots of authors take on the challenge of shining bright lights on moments of passage, moments when the real truths of life are revealed. That's what Nancy Pinard tackles in her deftly written SHADOW DANCING.

Through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Emma Kate Thomas, the reader gets a first class excursion through the world of a New York ballet school and the not-so-mean streets of the big city itself.

Pinard sets her story at the time when the sixties were about to mellow into the seventies, a time when females were being encouraged to find their own drummer and follow that beat.

Emma Kate is a Midwestern-bred gal who hears the promise of that new era, shucking off the fears and dreams of her parents and the possible marriage to her small ballet company partner to experience the chance of a lifetime, a chance for celebrity, a chance to shine big-time.

What Emma Kate finds is that she may not be Cinderella after all.

"Among Daniel's chosen I looked childish and chubby, an ungainly puppy disrupting his swanlike corps de ballet. Even my name was wrong. The dancers in front of me had names like Kendra and Camille and Patrice, which spoken in Daniel's voice sounded like rare species of orchids. He moved among them, tending his hot house, purring and pruning at their loviness, sovereign god of his personal Eden. Emma Kate was a geranium name."

Pinard is an insightful storyteller whose style is easy and comfortable. She handles images and emotions with great maturity considering this is her first piece of fiction.

SHADOW DANCING is an interesting trip into the late sixties, a time when everything seemed so possible, but like Emma Kate, everyone must find what's really lurking in the shadows.

A poignant and touching story woven together from journals and notes. It speaks of true Christian faith, love of family and sacrifice for others. It is rich in desription and brings back many memories of living in a small town and attending a local Methodist church.

This book offers the reader hope, understanding, and how the Robertson's faith saw them through so many hardships. The Robertson's suffered pain, sorrow, and adversity, but their steadfast love and abiding faith in the Lord always prevailed throughout the turmoil in their lives. Even though it was a simpler era of time, the hardships that they endured then is still prevelent today. I would strongly suggest that anyone suffering these adversities to read this book in order to gain a stronger appreciation for what we have and to gain faith and understanding for tomorrow.

Shadow Dawn is a one-year diary/journal kept by a pioneer "steel magnolia" during the mid-thirties. Mary Adelaide Webb and her Methodist minister husband, Doctor Webb, take the reader on a journey of faith of the shadows before miracle drugs or bypass surgery as well as the joys of their "holy vow" kept throughout a forty-year Christian marriage. The reader is swept up in the optimism Mrs. Webb exhibits even under dire circumstances and the grace she imparts through her thoughts and actions. I wish I could have known Mary Webb; what an inspiration she is!

This is a truly inspirational book and extremely well written. It focuses on the life of two people after the Civil War and the struggles they endured and gives the reader hope and encouragement for a better tomorrow in the world we live. Those principles applied at that time as well as today. The book is a comfort to the hurting in today's world.

This is a great reading for school age kids, who like mysteries, and it can also help those who do not feel welcome at a new school. I think Joan Aiken is a wonderful writer, and I wish there was a sequel, so I can read more about Cosmo and his friends.

Cosmo applies to each person. We all have "Shadow Guests" and his illusions are like corners of mind. Aiken has written a lovely break from the Wolves series and written something very powerful. Death and love are the two components that appear to battle endlessly in Cosmo's mind, and that of his predecessors. Everybody should read this.

I really liked this book because it is a realistic story about Cosmo and his deceased mother and older brother. this book somewhat relates to my life and my grandfather because I feel that he is watching over me at all times and makes sure I get through life easily. That is what I think happens in this book and that is why I liked it so much, also it is a very realistic story so I think that is what I think makes this book a graet one.

Probably the best reprints by Starscape books are the little-known Joan Aiken fantasies. Her "Dido" series is easily found, but only recently books like "Cockatrice Boys" and "Whispering Mountain" have been made available. "Shadow Guests" is the latest of these -- it isn't quite as good as the others, but still quite enjoyable.

After his mother and older brother mysteriously vanish, Cosmo Curtoys is sent to live with an eccentric mathematician relative in England. While Aunt Eunice is pleasant (though odd), Cosmo rapidly makes enemies of almost every other kid in school. What's more, strange things have begun lurking nearby, including a tadpole-like thing that fell off of his sleeve -- and grew.

Soon Cosmo finds out about something linked to the disappearance of his mom and brother -- a family curse that dooms every eldest brother to die in battle, and every mother to die of grief. Because of this curse, he is visited by "shadow guests," a Roman gladiatior, a naive Crusader... and a sinister force that threatens to kill him.

It's definitely above the average ghost story, and makes good use of Cosmo's social isolation to let him encounter ancestors who are also burdened by the curse. Cosmo is a likeable hero, who alternates between not understanding what's happening, and knowing all too well what is going on. Cousin Eunice is a nice (mathematician) twist on the usual weird relative; the kids at school often seem like their friendliness or hostility has some bearing on the story, but ultimately that peters out.

Aiken's writing is pleasant, although the pacing is a bit odd -- one minute we're reading about kids snubbing him at school or playing jokes on Bun, then we're reading about ghosts and ancient warlocks and family curses. Moreover, some of the details in the book must have passed me by, because I didn't quite understand a few parts of the ending. But the haunting (pun intended) atmosphere and mix of the unearthly and the solidly, likeably British is very fresh-feeling.

While this book isn't quite as stellar as "Cockatrice" or "Mountain," it's a solid ghost story with a pleasant storyline and hero. Well worth the read.

In Wyoming ATF Agent Conner Hawk is attracted to fellow agent Abigail Wells, but she refuses to mix work with pleasure as her last assignment ended poorly because of that. She goes so far as to make Conner believe she loathes him though he cannot ascertain why.

However, personal feelings aside, they work together with other Feds on a raid that goes completely wrong leading to a massacre. They realize they were set up, but the agency believes Hawk sold them out in spite of his taking a bullet. He desperately tries to stay free and keep Abigail safe as he assumes she has to be eliminated as she knows too much. Thus until he can uncover the identity of the real culprit, he handcuffs Abigail to himself. She assumes she is his hostage; his gut insists he keep her out of harm's way.

The above is just the first few pages of a one sitting police procedural romantic suspense that hooks the audience the moment the lead couple is handcuffed together and never slows down until the final confrontation. This exhilarating thriller will blow away readers as Hawk and Wells battle one another and an unknown common enemy who wants him dead and she might be collateral damage; no witnesses.

Harriet Klausner

ATF agent JT Hawk knows he has been set up by one of his own. As he flees trying to prove his innocence, he takes fellow agent Abby Wells along for the ride. He knows she is in danger also, but convincing her of that takes persuasion and proof on his part. Follow them on a very exciting journey!!

These are two very complicated, and likeable characters. They have great chemistry that will draw you from the beginning, and keep you interested throughout the entire book. The secondary characters Logan and Callen were very well written, and you end up rooting for them as much as you do Hawk and Abby. The mix of action, suspense, and romance makes this a very good read.

Jill Shalvis pens another sexy and suspenseful story in Shadow Hawk.

ATF Agent Conner Hawk latest mission has him on the run for his life. Something has gone terribly wrong and his partner Logan is fighting for his life. To find out who set him up as the fall guy he takes fellow Agent Abby Wells as his unwilling hostage. As Hawk works through the clues to find out the mastermind he realizes Abby's life is in danger as well.

ATF Agent Abigail Wells is used to being a field agent. When she almost loses her life several months ago, she transfers to a much safer desk job as a computer tech. Abby is assigned to work with Hawk. There is just something about Hawk that pushes all her buttons, buttons she thought were long dead.

As more facts come to the surface Abby is forced to rethink who she should trust. And she has to face the terror from almost losing her life. Her heart is opening up to Hawk and Hawk is realizing the treasure he has found in Abby.

Shadow Hawk weaves the right blend of romance, snappy conversations and high stakes suspense. Jill Shalvis has written another keeper.

Take one strongly capable male and one fiercely independent but completely feminine female, add some bad guys, suspense and intrigue, and then top it all off with smoldering sensuality and you've got the makings of SHADOW HAWK, the latest Blaze offering from the talented Jill Shalvis.

When a mission to recover over 300 rifles stolen from ATF storage goes to pieces while agent Abby Wells listens from a mobile communication center, she can't help but rush out into the action to see if she's needed. Abby was formerly active in the field herself, until an earlier mission went wrong and left her emotionally scarred. Someone within the agency is assisting the criminals, and as soon as Conner Hawk grabs her and forces her to go on the run with him, Abby thinks that he is the rogue agent and she is determined to escape him. When Hawk tells her that he suspects their director is involved, Abby is disbelieving, as the man who has raised Hawk's suspicions is the very man who rescued her several months before. Almost as quickly as Abby is convinced that Hawk's suspicions are true, the two have an incredibly passionate encounter that leaves both of them a little confused, yet wanting much more.

Hawk realizes that he has deeply frightened Abby by kidnapping her and that he's asking a lot in wanting her to believe him. He realizes that Abby's life is also in danger and that the race is on to find the true bad guy while fighting to keep them both alive. Hawk has always been attracted to Abby, but never dreamed that the two of them would actually get together. Hawk now needs to get Abby to drop her defenses so she can open herself up and accept his feelings for her.

Jill Shalvis has penned a fast-moving romantic suspense with intriguing lead characters that readers will quickly become attached to. Secondary characters are equally important and a sensual side romance is an added bonus. SHADOW HAWK is a bit of a change from the humorous, quirky characters that Jill Shalvis often gives her readers. Abby and Hawk aren't the light and fluffy characters you might associate with a Blaze. Each is dealing with serious issues; current dangers for Hawk and indescribable horrors in Abby's past, give this book the bones of an excellent suspense.
COURTESY LAURIE/ROMANCE JUNKIES

A woman seeking a quieter existence . . .

Shelby Cort found that she was a victim caught up in the chaotic lifestyle of a big city police department. Seeking a quieter environment, she accepts a position to be the local Sheriff in the quiet lakefront town of Shadow Bay, Michigan. Shadow Bay
was suppose to offer her a peaceful opportunity to gain the solace her soul so desperately needed. Unexpectedly, the local privy digger discovers a series of dead bodies. It is up to Shelby to find the culprit that is responsible for wreaking
havoc on her peaceful little town. She enlists the help of the new Medical Examiner, Ric De Chaux. In Ric she finds an ally and deep down she knows there is so much more to be discovered.

A man ready to explore the living . . .

Richard De Chaux, had the notorious reputation of being known as le docteur la mort and ex-Paramont for the Undead in France. He has been avoiding human existence for centuries and slowly makes his way back into society by becoming Overlord of the local undead in Shadow Bay. His hidden lifestyle is masked by his position as the local Medical Examiner. When he discovers evidence that links the latest murder victims to one of the undead, he knows he must keep this secret from the local
Sheriff, Shelby Cort. In Shelby he sees someone who is a threat to not only his society but also to his heart.

With each book I read in this captivating series, I find myself quickly needing more of this extraordinary writer's talent. The author intertwines her own police background to lay the foundation needed to create very realistic elements. Paranormal fans world-wide, be sure to commit the name Jaye Roycraft to memory - she is quickly blazing a fiery trail in the romance industry with her superb writing style.

Shelby is the Sheriff of a small town in Michigan, mainly an area for tourists. A man is found in a shallow grave and she calls the new ME to examine him. The new ME, Ric is really the Doctor of Death to the vampire community. He is the new overlord for the local small and messed up group of vamps in the area. He generally despises humans and has to cover up a vampire's part in the murder, but finds himself drawn to Shelby.

This was a fast moving novel. Though very short, it is packed with enough action for a much longer book. Good read.

Shadow Bay is a small, peaceful town in Michigan where murder is not supposed to happen, but still, Sheriff Shelby Cort examines a body discovered in an old privy hole. Meeting her at the crime scene is the new county medical examiner Ricardo "Ric" De Chaux. He immediately finds blunt force trauma on the back of the victim's head but when he does a thorough autopsy, he finds that the victim is drained of blood.

Ric is the new Overlord of the local vampire community consisting of six other creatures of the night. He has to figure out if one of them got too careless or if this was the work of a rogue. While trying to assert his authority over the group Ric also has to make sure that the beautiful sheriff is kept in the dark about the possible existence of vampires. While Ric and Shelby work close together they begin an intimate relationship, one that might not last when she discovers her lover is one of the undead and didn't tell her.

The undead society in Jaye Roycraft's vampire series is a paradoxical one because they look at humans with contempt yet they live among mortals in secret. The hero of this book changes from despising humans to loving one of them so much he is willing to end his existence for her. SHADOW IMAGE is a fantastic vampire romance.

Harriet Klausner

A woman seeking a quieter existence . . .

Shelby Cort found that she was a victim caught up in the chaotic lifestyle of a big city police department. Seeking a quieter environment, she accepts a position to be the local Sheriff in the quiet lakefront town of Shadow Bay, Michigan. Shadow Bay was suppose to offer her a peaceful opportunity to gain the solace her soul so desperately needed. Unexpectedly, the local privy digger discovers a series of dead bodies. It is up to Shelby to find the culprit that is responsible for wreaking havoc on her peaceful little town. She enlists the help of the new Medical Examiner, Ric De Chaux. In Ric she finds an ally and deep down she knows there is so much more to be discovered.

A man ready to explore the living . . .

Richard De Chaux, had the notorious reputation of being known as le docteur la mort and ex-Paramont for the Undead in France. He has been avoiding human existence for centuries and slowly makes his way back into society by becoming Overlord of the local undead in Shadow Bay. His hidden lifestyle is masked by his position as the local Medical Examiner. When he discovers evidence that links the latest murder victims to one of the undead, he knows he must keep this secret from the local Sheriff, Shelby Cort. In Shelby he sees someone who is a threat to not only his society but also to his heart.

With each book I read in this captivating series, I find myself quickly needing more of this extraordinary writer's talent. The author intertwines her own police background to lay the foundation needed to create very realistic elements. Paranormal fans world-wide, be sure to commit the name Jaye Roycraft to memory - she is quickly blazing a fiery trail in the romance industry with her superb writing style.

Harriet Ford was a reporter/columnist for the Rockford Labor News in Rockford, Illinois. She covered Ted Kuhl's trial for the murder of his girlfriend. At the time Ms. Ford, as well as many others, felt that the investigation into the murder was sloppy and many other possibilities were overlooked. Along with Joe Lamb, an investigator, she delves more deeply into the case and even has an expert criminologist look at all the evidence, interviews done prior to the trial and interviews Ms. Ford conducted. All the evidence pointed to the very strong possibility that Ted Kuhl was not guilty but no one in the Illinois justice system including Paul Logli, IL State's Attorney, will support a retrial.

When they started their investigation Harriet asked Joe, ' what're we going to do if no one pays any attention to all of our efforts here?' and he said, 'Well then we go to plan B. We write a book.'" Joe died shortly before the investigation was completed but Ms. Ford completed `Plan B' with Shadow in the Rain - a fictionalized version of Ted Kuhl's case.

As the fictionalized reporter, Tia Burgess, pursues finding the truth about Ben Krahl (Ted Kuhl) or at least as much evidence as she can to show the need for a new trial, amazing lapses in investigative procedure, police coercion in interviewing witnesses as well as Ben himself and the suppression of some witnesses information come to light.

All of the documentation Ms. Wood included at the end of the book which makes for an even more interesting read. It is appalling that such a travesty of justice was carried out to begin with but even more so that there has not been a retrial with the new evidence coming to light.

Intertwined into the real story is a fictional story that keeps readers turning the pages with a lot of excitement. The combination of the fiction and the non-fiction is entertaining but also an enlightening look at our justice system.

Based on a true situation, Harriett Ford's book brings to the forefront a man, not just a number, who is a victim of a legal system that has turned a deaf ear to true justice. The intermingling of fiction with the realities of this case was interesting as well as an eye-opener. As a college instructor, I find it a must read for students doing a persuasive essay about the need for reform in the criminal justice system. Criminal justice students, as well as those already employed in the area of law enforcement, would find this book not only a great read but a valuable reminder as to how the system holds a person's life in its hands and why that system must be thorough in investigative practices. The author did a fantastic job of investigation. Too bad the authorities did not.

Great read, scary that we put so much trust in our law and judical system
and a sad outcome

I want to begin this review with one word, DISTURBING! The further I read this book the more I shook my head and thought, how could this be happening in the land of the free? The story you will find between the pages of this work will keep you absorbed from beginning to end. Part fictional story aided by the truth, our author takes us into the world of murder, one that hangs in my opinion unsolved and very disturbring.
In 1999 a young woman was shot in the parking lot of a local Bar & Grill, seemingly for no other reason than a jealous ex-boyfriend. He is arrested, tried and put in prison for her murder; but the question that has not been answered without considerable doubt is this - did he really pull the trigger? Is he truly a cold-blooded killer? Many say yes, others no and as far as I can see by the evidence shown within this read; the proof is definitely not in the pudding that he is guilty.
This entire story is wrapped about the true case of Ted Kuhl who has been imprisoned for the murder of his ex-girlfriend. However according to the evidence presented something is definitely amiss in this entire investigation. From the beginning it is running over with Police blunders, no DNA testing, alibies not checked, suspects let go, the entire working of this case was like that done by the Keystone Cops of yesteryear, and should be an embarrassment to our justice system. How can this be ignored? Someone in authority must step up to the plate and reopen this case for further investigation. If they don't, it certainly would seem a solid question to ask, why not? Cases have been reopedend for less than what you have here.
Listen, I'm all for putting the bad guy behind bars or worse, but when the evidence in a case is so lacking and so many questions are left unanswered as in this one you just have to wonder, who doesn't want what uncovered? And who has the power to make sure it isn't? We have the best Justice System in the world, and the best country as far as I am concerned, but even at that there are always times when something just doesn't add up. This is definitely one of those times. I am but one small voice, but this voice is yelling, "what are you thinking?" If the man is truly guilty, prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt, reopen the case and answer the unanswered.
Read this book, it may scare you because we all can only pray this type of nightmare never darkens our door or those we love. America is justice for all, remember, for all; let her bell ring.
Shirley Johnson

When I got the email from Amazon.com telling me that the latest book from Katharine Kerr was about to be published, I immediately pre-ordered it and then counted the days until it arrived. For the first few days I just studied every part of the cover, front, back, inside and out. Then I dove in and just a few days later I am about to finish. The Shadow Isle explores in more detail story threads started in earlier books. The characters have their flaws, they are so fleshed out, and have been over many years for some, that one can see real growth and development. This book is not filled with battles and dramatic magics, it takes a more leisurely pace to fill in gaps, and set the scene and to give us time to get to know more about the players. As usual my big problem with these books is that they are just not long enough, i.e. they end. I just want them to go on forever. Thank you Ms Kerr for never disappointing.

I won't go into all the details in the book but it was a great read. I don't think Kerr is recognized enough for this great series. Though it is different from most fantasy series it is a very intriguing story that I have enjoyed for over 12 years when I first discovered Daggerspell.

I was under the impression this was the last book in the Deverry setting but luckily I was wrong after reading the Author's note regarding the upcoming Silver Mage series.

My first reaction when seeing the note that The Shadowed Isle is not the last book in the great Deverry cycle was angst that I had to wait again for another book, then a great flood of relief, as I could not figure out how even the almighty Kit could have brought this series to a satisfactory ending in just one book after The Spirit Stone.

I wholeheartedly recommend the entire Deverry saga, and if you have not read them all, you are missing a great deal. It seems to me that DAW is trying to have the Silver Wyrm segment "stand alone" a bit, but that is practically impossible when you consider the lovely complexity of the entire set of works. The Shadow Isle is building up to another climax in a series that has already contained three impressive climaxes. Conflicts that span many lifetimes are coming to a head or being brought to a close, with new "knots" arriving in this novel that I certainly did not see coming, even having read and re-read every other book.

If you've read any of the other Deverry books, you already know you want this book - and probably pretty badly! If you have not read a Deverry book, start with Daggerspell and enjoy the journey. It's worth it.

The island of Haen Marn has been located off the coast of Albe for years. Its inhabitants have been waiting for it to move through the dimensional barrier once again and into the world of Deverry and the Westfolks. This happens as Angmar's eldest son Enj gives the ruined trumpet to the dragon Rori who gives it to a powerful dweomor user. Valanrdorio appeals to the spirit of the Lady of the North upon Earth to fix it which she does. Enj blows it and the island returns home.

Their world is a different place than the one Argmar left. Her husband Jori is a dragon who secures the inhabitants' lands to make sure the Horsekin don't lay seige to the populated towns in their religious zeal to convert everyone to the cult of the goddess Alshandra. Jori isn't sure he wants to be turned into a human and since the Horsekin plan to invade, the rulers can use an ally like him in his dragon form. People are fleeing their homes because they are not safe from Horsekin raids. The islanders wonder what will become of them in this new world with its war strategies, new alliances and the threat of the Horsekin invading their lands.

The third Silver Wyrm tale has many more subplots than written above as almost every character has something going on, which can overwhelm the reader with switching perspectives. Laz the thief is the most fascinating of the vast cast as he landed on the island to escape punishment for stealing magical gems. He has one chance left to make amends by righting wrongs and eliminating much of the bad karma he caused over several lifetimes. His chance for redemption depends on the choices he makes; readers will wonder which way he goes as Jori and the people of Haen Marn return home in THE SHADOW ISLE. Katherine Kerr has written a great epic fantasy.

Harriet Klausner