Review: A GHOSTLY SHADOW, H. L. Marsay

• 
  This edition, format Kindle (Amazon)
  
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0973LJSTX
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tule Publishing (October 14, 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 203 pages
• #3 Chief Inspector Shadow Mystery

Synopsis  (Amazon)

Sometimes the past comes back to haunt you…

This Halloween, the notorious rivalry between York's iconic ghost walk tour guides spirals out of control when the body of one guide dressed as the infamous highwayman Dick Turpin is found hanging from a tree. A few days later, his partner, who plays Guy Fawkes, is killed by an explosion of gunpowder at their office.

Detective Chief Inspector John Shadow is a man of contradictions. A solitary figure who notices the smallest details about other people, but endeavours to avoid their company. A lover of good food, but whose fridge is almost always empty. Although he would prefer to work alone, he is assisted by his eager and easygoing partner Sergeant Jimmy Chang. Despite a sprained ankle, a stray cat and an impromptu trip to Oxford, the two men investigate the shocking murders that have York on edge. Are the murders the work of a madman or a business feud?

And then the killer strikes again.

My Take

I am thoroughly enjoying this series of cozies set in modern day York, so much so that I have pre-ordered the next, A ROMAN SHADOW, due to be published in just a few days time.

There is a lovely blend of tourist events in York, a believable plot with enough clues and red herrings, and a cast of well drawn characters. In particular John Shadow and Jimmy Chang are developing well. Shadow is one of those detectives who uses a mixture of hard work, pounding the beat, logic and intuition to solve the crimes. He is always under pressure from the Chief Constable to work more efficiently and quickly.

Recommended, but do read the titles in order.

My rating: 4.4

I've also read

• 4.4, A LONG SHADOW -#1
• 4.4, A VIKING SHADOW - #2