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celtic67's review against another edition
5.0
I have read Robert's Erika Foster series and enjoyed them all. This is the second book in his Kate Marshall series which I've read out of order. It worked quite good as a standalone; but if you could read book one in the series.
This book starts when Kate and her son discover the body of a drowned teenager. But is it a simple case of drowning or something more sinister. The young man in question is a strong swimmer , recently trying out for the Olympic swimming team.
As Kate and her research assistant Tristian dig deeper they have a lot of unanswered questions but things seem to point to a serial killer who is still active.
Robert not only manages to write a convincing hunt for a killer but he also throws up and highlights the frailties of his lead characters. A good picture of how human beings are mixture of complex and contradicting emotions. This book contains various themes, serial killers, alcoholism, sexuality all of which Robert handles with aplomb. His well rounded characters are facing a dramatic present, an uncertain future and also to unravel an dark and murky past. This is a book I enjoyed and that I have no hesitation in recommending to you.
This book starts when Kate and her son discover the body of a drowned teenager. But is it a simple case of drowning or something more sinister. The young man in question is a strong swimmer , recently trying out for the Olympic swimming team.
As Kate and her research assistant Tristian dig deeper they have a lot of unanswered questions but things seem to point to a serial killer who is still active.
Robert not only manages to write a convincing hunt for a killer but he also throws up and highlights the frailties of his lead characters. A good picture of how human beings are mixture of complex and contradicting emotions. This book contains various themes, serial killers, alcoholism, sexuality all of which Robert handles with aplomb. His well rounded characters are facing a dramatic present, an uncertain future and also to unravel an dark and murky past. This is a book I enjoyed and that I have no hesitation in recommending to you.
tnhayes's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mevrouwboek's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
sslovesbooks_1's review against another edition
4.0
This is Kate Marshall (book 2) who works with her assistance Tristan Harper, another really enjoyable pairing who are trying to solve crimes.
gabmc's review against another edition
4.0
My only criticism of this book is that I read it too quickly! I've really enjoyed getting to know Kate Marshall and her assistant Tristan Harper. Robert Bryndza is a gifted writer with a knack for believable stories and authentic characters. Part of the reason I enjoy his series so much is his character development - his characters are real - they grow and have problems and flaws just like real people. Kate and her son Jake are diving in the Shadow Sands Reservoir (what an evocative name) when they discover a dead body. The death is quickly ruled an accident by the police. Kate is approached by the victim's mother to investigate - her son was a strong swimmer and she can't believe that he drowned. Once Kate and Tristan start looking into the case, they come across a number of other people who disappeared on foggy nights around the Reservoir. They also find themselves entangled with the powerful Baker family who own all the land around the Reservoir. Then someone really close to home goes missing - a fellow professor at Ashdean University (Magdalena) who was on her way to meet Tristan for a drink. Kate and Tristan are now in a cat and mouse chase against the person who is holding Magdalena.
keberwick's review against another edition
5.0
“Although, how could a strong swimmer like Simon drown?”
Kate Marshall and her son Jake set out on a lovely day in August for a quick dive in Shadow Sands Reservoir. Unfortunately, those plans go awry when Kate finds the body of Simon floating by the submerged church. A couple of days after giving her report to the police, she is contacted by Lyn, Simon’s mother, to once again work as a private detective and uncover what actually happened to her son. Soon, Kate and her research assistant Tristan are entangled in the case and the mysterious disappearances of men and women around the Shadow Sands. Are these just coincidences? Or is it something more sinister?
I absolutely loved this book! While I haven’t read the first book in the Kate Marshall series, I didn’t feel as though I was completely lost when reading Shadow Sands. The characters are incredibly realistic. I loved seeing how Kate and Tristan had personal lives outside of the case, as well as the way that they struggled with doubt. I found them to be very relatable. I really enjoyed the corruption element and the way Kate butted heads with DCI Henry Ko. It made everything feel so much more real--not all police officers are good, and this book really highlighted that.
The book definitely made me anxious at times, but I enjoyed that as it means I felt deeply connected to the story and the characters. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves strong female leads, creepy serial killers, and realistic characters.
Kate Marshall and her son Jake set out on a lovely day in August for a quick dive in Shadow Sands Reservoir. Unfortunately, those plans go awry when Kate finds the body of Simon floating by the submerged church. A couple of days after giving her report to the police, she is contacted by Lyn, Simon’s mother, to once again work as a private detective and uncover what actually happened to her son. Soon, Kate and her research assistant Tristan are entangled in the case and the mysterious disappearances of men and women around the Shadow Sands. Are these just coincidences? Or is it something more sinister?
I absolutely loved this book! While I haven’t read the first book in the Kate Marshall series, I didn’t feel as though I was completely lost when reading Shadow Sands. The characters are incredibly realistic. I loved seeing how Kate and Tristan had personal lives outside of the case, as well as the way that they struggled with doubt. I found them to be very relatable. I really enjoyed the corruption element and the way Kate butted heads with DCI Henry Ko. It made everything feel so much more real--not all police officers are good, and this book really highlighted that.
The book definitely made me anxious at times, but I enjoyed that as it means I felt deeply connected to the story and the characters. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves strong female leads, creepy serial killers, and realistic characters.
imalwayswrite's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
isaacrm's review against another edition
4.0
As with the first on in the series, I give this one 4 stars meaning that if you are into thrillers, you will want to read this book.
The second book on the Kate Marshall series starts a couple of years after the first book. To my surprise, Kate didn't make the jump to Private Detective like it hinted at the end of the first one. Instead, she gets involved on a new investigation after discovering a body while scuba diving with her son in a reservoir near by.
There are a few things that seem very convenient in the plot, but they move the story along. At least, Kate is a strong female character that pursuits to right some wrongs against all odds and obstacles.
Her "sidekick" Tristan has a bit more relevance on this story, which is a good thing in my opinion. And her relationship with her son starts to develop in unexpected ways that might become interesting in future books.
Overall and entertaining book that will keep you turning pages.
The second book on the Kate Marshall series starts a couple of years after the first book. To my surprise, Kate didn't make the jump to Private Detective like it hinted at the end of the first one. Instead, she gets involved on a new investigation after discovering a body while scuba diving with her son in a reservoir near by.
There are a few things that seem very convenient in the plot, but they move the story along. At least, Kate is a strong female character that pursuits to right some wrongs against all odds and obstacles.
Her "sidekick" Tristan has a bit more relevance on this story, which is a good thing in my opinion. And her relationship with her son starts to develop in unexpected ways that might become interesting in future books.
Overall and entertaining book that will keep you turning pages.
izzyproudfoot's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bellsb00ksandwritings's review
5.0
This book was AMAZING. I hadn't read anything by Robert Bryndza before, but I am definitely a fan now! I can't wait to read his other books!!