“Her Forgotten Shadow” with its fast paced and intense storyline will immerse readers into a dark, mysterious and suspenseful world. A world where Detective Delaney Pace strives to unravel a decade-old mystery linked to a series of recent disappearances. Alongside the investigation, she finds herself dealing with the troubling possibility of a close friend’s involvement in the mysterious disappearances.

A violent storm erupts over the small town of Kearny, bringing a devastating mudslide. Amongst the debris the worn threads of a child’s blanket her long dark hair matted with the fallen earth that killed her.
When the rescue team find rope marks around the ankles of the teenage girl, they call in Detective Delaney Pace. Fourteen-year-old Marilyn Littlewolf went missing five years ago after moving to Kearny from a local reservation. Fearing she was dead, nobody expected Marilyn to ever come home. So where has she been? And why is her body covered in bruises?
Delaney thinks Marilyn was held captive in the mountains that tower above the town, but with acres of remote wilderness to search, the investigation seems impossible. Diving into Marilyn’s case, one name stands out that makes her blood turn cold as her friend and longstanding babysitter to her two adopted daughters, Skeeter Rawlins.
Racing to his home, she finds it in disarray, it’s clear he left in a hurry. In disbelief, Delaney takes in the empty whisky bottles and wonders if she was wrong to trust her reliable old friend with her darling girls?
As evidence piles up against Skeeter, Delaney’s heart shatters when another girl is reported missing. Tracing her to a remote cabin deep in the woods, she fears she’s about to finally uncover the truth about her once-trusted friend. But when she bursts into the disheveled shack nothing could have prepared her for what she finds. Was she wrong to suspect Skeeter as the twisted mind behind the missing girls? And is she already too late to save another innocent life?
If you’re a fan of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine, Kendra Elliott and Melinda Leigh, you will absolutely love this totally addictive crime thriller from
USA Today
bestselling crime author, Pamela Fagan Hutchins.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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“Her Forgotten Shadow” marks the fourth installment in the riveting Detective Delaney Pace series. While each novel presents a unique mystery, making them enjoyable on their own, the characters’ personal journeys continue to evolve throughout the series. For a richer experience, it’s beneficial to read them sequentially.  

In the aftermath of a storm and mudslide, the body of a young girl turns up. Upon investigating, Delaney discovers that the corpse was that of a young girl of Crow ethnicity.  She went missing five years ago. Not sure if her death could be classified as a murder Delaney and her boss, Leo decides to investigate her whereabouts in the last five years. However, when another girl of the same ethnicity turns up dead in a similar fashion, Delaney realized there was more to the case than she first imagined. She finds herself in more of a turmoil when evidence uncovered points to her friend private investigator Skeeter Rawlins.

In my opinion, a great mystery is one that keeps you guessing right up to the final page. “Her Forgotten Shadow” does just that, providing a riveting and thrilling tale.  Dark elements, particularly concerning the young age of the victims and their grim experiences permeates the story. Moreover, the crimes are steeped in intense religious beliefs. The story compelled me to keep reading, eager to learn the perpetrator’s identity. The novel strikes a fine balance between the mystery and the personal lives of the characters. Readers see Delaney not just as a detective but also as a mother. Additionally, one observes her inner turmoil over her feelings for Leo and her reaction to his presence on various dating platforms.

“Her Forgotten Shadow” weaves a tale that masterfully blends elements of the mystery and thriller genres. Its centered around a complex investigation that promises to keep readers guessing right up to the final page. The story written within the pages of this book is designed to captivate readers, holding them in suspense and leaving them questioning whether the truth come to light before time runs out.

 

Story Evaluation
Plot	5
Characters	5
World Building	5
Writing Style	5
Pacing	5
Cover	5
Enjoyment	5
Ending	4.5
Overall:

 

About Pamela Fagan Hutchins

I’m a USA Today bestselling crime fiction author and a big horse and sled dog enthusiast. I’m published by Bookouture and independently.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2024 Netgalley and Edelweiss