Shadows - Joan De La Haye

Shadows
by Joan De La Haye
published by Rebel e Publishing
Stand alone.

There is something very direct and a little stark about Shadows, the reader bears witness to a series of inevitable events as they unfold. The story is no less compelling for the reader being slightly distanced from events and things move swiftly forward drawing you in rapidly.

There are two main threads to the story that weave together at the beginning, part ways and then bind again later, both are creepy and disturbing in different ways. None of the characters, even the heroine are especially sympathetic, some are vile and all of them are effective. It's difficult to talk about this book without giving away significant plot points, but Joan has created a tale where both human and supernatural elements display an unnerving darkness.

The there is Jack, what to say about Jack. Sarah is tough and stubborn and Jack is her nemesis but the real struggles in her life come from people. Jack is particularly interesting because his development was so unexpected. I can't say more than that.

I found myself fixated, needing to know how the multiple schemes would finally play out and what would become of the largely unpleasant cast, who would get what they deserved. A quick and satisfying read.