Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Revell (2014), 352 pages
Description
Fiction. Romance. Suspense. Christian Fiction. Psychology professor and criminal profiler Taylor Martin prides herself on being able to solve any crime, except the one she wants most desperately to solve-the disappearance of her father twenty years ago. When she finally has a lead on his whereabouts, Taylor returns home to Logan Point, Mississippi, to investigate. But as she works to uncover the truth, someone else will do almost anything to keep her from it. Nick Sinclair pens mystery novels for a living, but the biggest mystery to him is how he can ever get over the death of his wife-a tragedy he believes he could have prevented. Now that his estranged brother is the only family he has left, Nick sets out to find him. But when he crosses paths with Taylor, all he seems to find is trouble. Join the chase as Taylor and Nick search the murky shadows of the past for the keys to unlocking the present-and moving into a future they never imagined.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member PianoLady831
Shadows of the Past by debut author Patricia Bradley has it all - sharp prose, intriguing setting, well-developed characters, and a fast-moving plot that will grab and hold your attention from the beginning. As much as I love a good murder mystery, I'm not a fan of suspense, but I was drawn to
While the suspense element was strong, I enjoyed this story so much because it seemed more character-driven than other suspense novels I've read. Taylor Martin's specialty is victimology - figuring out how and why the victim was chosen, and creating a profile of the victim as well as the offender. Because of a case in which she was involved, Taylor comes back to home and family in Logan Point, Mississippi - a place with an unsolved mystery in her personal life and a place where she never felt good enough.
I was immediately drawn to Nick Sinclair, popular mystery writer who is still grieving the loss of his wife, Angie, in a senseless robbery/murder. "Grieving had become familiar, almost comfortable" to him. Yet Taylor sensed that he was a good, caring man who would never fail to stand by those he loved.
But it's Aunt Kate, with her genuine faith and willingness to open her home to whoever God might send, that is at the heart of this narrative. Kate is a potter who works out of a transformed carriage house behind her home, a true southern setting: "As Taylor drove the winding, tree-lined drive to the hundred-year-old house . . . the two-story Victorian looked like a bed and breakfast with its three-gabled roof and wraparound porch."
Patricia also created a beautiful and fascinating setting in the Martin family home place. With its tunnels connecting to caves in a nearby river bluff, Oak Grove was once used to aid slaves escaping to the North as part of the Underground Railroad. Its basement is also the source of terrifying "shadows of the past" memories for Taylor.
The romance between Nick and Taylor is believable and sparkles with good chemistry. The mystery is developed very nicely, with good clues scattered throughout - and I didn't have to skim through too many scary parts!
I also liked how spiritual elements seemed a natural part of the narrative. While Taylor believes in God, she struggles with unanswered prayers in her life, and that's something to which many Christians can relate. And I think it's Nick's honest words that speak to all of us: "I struggled with my faith when Angie died. . . . But in the end, my faith is what sustained me."
I look forward to whatever Patricia has in store for us next - hoping, of course, to see more of these characters. Shadows of the Past is a wonderful debut that I highly recommended to fans of mystery and suspense.
Thank you to Revell for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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Shadows of the Past because of its southern setting and interesting description. And once I started reading, it was hard to put down!While the suspense element was strong, I enjoyed this story so much because it seemed more character-driven than other suspense novels I've read. Taylor Martin's specialty is victimology - figuring out how and why the victim was chosen, and creating a profile of the victim as well as the offender. Because of a case in which she was involved, Taylor comes back to home and family in Logan Point, Mississippi - a place with an unsolved mystery in her personal life and a place where she never felt good enough.
I was immediately drawn to Nick Sinclair, popular mystery writer who is still grieving the loss of his wife, Angie, in a senseless robbery/murder. "Grieving had become familiar, almost comfortable" to him. Yet Taylor sensed that he was a good, caring man who would never fail to stand by those he loved.
But it's Aunt Kate, with her genuine faith and willingness to open her home to whoever God might send, that is at the heart of this narrative. Kate is a potter who works out of a transformed carriage house behind her home, a true southern setting: "As Taylor drove the winding, tree-lined drive to the hundred-year-old house . . . the two-story Victorian looked like a bed and breakfast with its three-gabled roof and wraparound porch."
Patricia also created a beautiful and fascinating setting in the Martin family home place. With its tunnels connecting to caves in a nearby river bluff, Oak Grove was once used to aid slaves escaping to the North as part of the Underground Railroad. Its basement is also the source of terrifying "shadows of the past" memories for Taylor.
The romance between Nick and Taylor is believable and sparkles with good chemistry. The mystery is developed very nicely, with good clues scattered throughout - and I didn't have to skim through too many scary parts!
I also liked how spiritual elements seemed a natural part of the narrative. While Taylor believes in God, she struggles with unanswered prayers in her life, and that's something to which many Christians can relate. And I think it's Nick's honest words that speak to all of us: "I struggled with my faith when Angie died. . . . But in the end, my faith is what sustained me."
I look forward to whatever Patricia has in store for us next - hoping, of course, to see more of these characters. Shadows of the Past is a wonderful debut that I highly recommended to fans of mystery and suspense.
Thank you to Revell for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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LibraryThing member Robin661
Shadows of the Past (Logan Point Book #1)
Patricia Bradley
Book Summary: Psychology professor and criminal profiler Taylor Martin prides herself on being able to solve any crime, except the one she wants most desperately to solve--the disappearance of her father twenty years ago. When she finally has
Review: While Taylor took a little time for me to warm up to I really did come to understand her character and root for her. She grew as a character throughout the story by admitting her weaknesses and wrongs. Her coming back in to the faith was welcomed. Livy and Nick were great additions to the story of the stalking & missing father story. It was well blended and easy to follow. I read it quickly from page 15 onward. I am looking forward to the next books in the series and would like to see one about Taylor’s brother and his missing wife along with Livy. I loved Taylor’s mom and their home which seemed so breezy and comfortable even if Mississippi/Tennessee is hot and humid in the summer. Liked how well things were woven together throughout the story that the ending was believable. I found Scott’s character to be believable and amazingly resilient throughout all his problems. Worth the read and am looking forward to the next in the series.
Patricia Bradley
Book Summary: Psychology professor and criminal profiler Taylor Martin prides herself on being able to solve any crime, except the one she wants most desperately to solve--the disappearance of her father twenty years ago. When she finally has
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a lead on his whereabouts, Taylor returns home to Logan Point, Mississippi, to investigate. But as she is stalking the truth about the past, someone is stalking her. Nick Sinclair pens mystery novels for a living, but the biggest mystery to him is how he can ever get over the death of his wife--a tragedy he believes he could have prevented. With his estranged brother the only family he has left, Nick sets out to find him. But when he crosses paths with Taylor, all he seems to find is trouble. Join the chase as this determined duo search the murky shadows of the past for the keys to unlocking the present and moving into a future filled with new hope and love. Readers will be swept into the sultry South in this debut novel from a promising and already award-winning writer.Review: While Taylor took a little time for me to warm up to I really did come to understand her character and root for her. She grew as a character throughout the story by admitting her weaknesses and wrongs. Her coming back in to the faith was welcomed. Livy and Nick were great additions to the story of the stalking & missing father story. It was well blended and easy to follow. I read it quickly from page 15 onward. I am looking forward to the next books in the series and would like to see one about Taylor’s brother and his missing wife along with Livy. I loved Taylor’s mom and their home which seemed so breezy and comfortable even if Mississippi/Tennessee is hot and humid in the summer. Liked how well things were woven together throughout the story that the ending was believable. I found Scott’s character to be believable and amazingly resilient throughout all his problems. Worth the read and am looking forward to the next in the series.
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LibraryThing member vintagebeckie
Shadows of The Past is Patricia Bradley’s first novel. Set in Memphis and northern Mississippi, I have had this one on my TBR list for a while (my husband is a Mississippi native). When I was chosen to review Bradley’s second book in this series, I knew it was time to dig in. Glad I did! If you
Taylor Martin left her childhood home and painful memories far behind. Now a sought after professor and police profiler she becomes involved with a case a little too close for comfort. A stalker, new clues in her father’s disappearance and a popular suspense writer bring her back to Logan Point to find the truth. Nick Sinclair wants to protect his brother and clear his name. Nick is sure that Scott could not be involved in kidnapping, assault and murder, but evidence continues to mount. When Taylor and Nick get together to get to the bottom of the mystery they discover more than they bargained for, including a growing romantic attraction.
Bradley explores addiction, greed, and obsession in Shadows of The Past. As the story develops the reader is given clues. I liked the puzzle pieces that had to be shifted around to figure out just what the whole truth was. The romantic thread is credible; the characters are reluctant to open their hearts to one more heartache and don’t rush into romantic involvement. I also liked that several characters struggle with trusting God. Past experiences keep them from trusting His goodness and love. The growth in their spiritual life seemed natural, and the truth presented by other characters was never preachy.
Similar in writing style to Terri Blackstock, Patricia Bradley is a good choice for fans of romantic suspense. I am looking forward to returning to Logan Point in book 2 in the series, A Promise to Protect.
Recommended.
Audience: Adults.
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like romantic suspense, be sure to put Patricia Bradley’s books at the top of your list. She has it all — complex characters, twisting mystery/suspense and a hard-fought romance.Taylor Martin left her childhood home and painful memories far behind. Now a sought after professor and police profiler she becomes involved with a case a little too close for comfort. A stalker, new clues in her father’s disappearance and a popular suspense writer bring her back to Logan Point to find the truth. Nick Sinclair wants to protect his brother and clear his name. Nick is sure that Scott could not be involved in kidnapping, assault and murder, but evidence continues to mount. When Taylor and Nick get together to get to the bottom of the mystery they discover more than they bargained for, including a growing romantic attraction.
Bradley explores addiction, greed, and obsession in Shadows of The Past. As the story develops the reader is given clues. I liked the puzzle pieces that had to be shifted around to figure out just what the whole truth was. The romantic thread is credible; the characters are reluctant to open their hearts to one more heartache and don’t rush into romantic involvement. I also liked that several characters struggle with trusting God. Past experiences keep them from trusting His goodness and love. The growth in their spiritual life seemed natural, and the truth presented by other characters was never preachy.
Similar in writing style to Terri Blackstock, Patricia Bradley is a good choice for fans of romantic suspense. I am looking forward to returning to Logan Point in book 2 in the series, A Promise to Protect.
Recommended.
Audience: Adults.
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LibraryThing member sparkleandchico
This was free on kindle. It wasn't outstanding but it kept my interest and I finished it! The "good" characters were well developed and likeable. I felt there needed to be more detail about some of the fringe characters especially those who ended up with primary roles. There were a fair number of
The book was clean and free of bad language/graphic violence/sex scenes. I liked the Christian theme but felt it could have been enhanced as the main character doesn't come to a firm conclusion about God. Maybe in a sequel she will. I would read another book by this author. Recommended for light reading as the plot is not too complex.
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twists which kept me reading as I wanted to know what happened. The book was clean and free of bad language/graphic violence/sex scenes. I liked the Christian theme but felt it could have been enhanced as the main character doesn't come to a firm conclusion about God. Maybe in a sequel she will. I would read another book by this author. Recommended for light reading as the plot is not too complex.
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LibraryThing member SarahGraceGrzy
Not really my thing.
I didn't find the motive for the villain super convincing, and the romance drove me crazy. Overall, well written, but a bit weak.
I didn't find the motive for the villain super convincing, and the romance drove me crazy. Overall, well written, but a bit weak.
LibraryThing member Vesper1931
Psychology professor Taylor Martin believes she is being stalked by student Scott Sinclair. But his brother Nick doesn't believe so. Information and Taylor's desire to find out what happened to her father twenty years ago leads them both back to Logan Point, Taylor's home.
It was interesting enough
It was interesting enough
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but I got irritated by the 'Christian theme'. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
352 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
9780800722609