Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Shadow Girls by Alice Blanchard Series: Natalie Lockhart #4
Published by Minotaur Books on July 23, 2023
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 313
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Someone is playing deadly games. Lieutenant Luke Pittman lies in the hospital in a coma after being attacked by one of their own. Veronica Manes, Burning Lake’s most respected modern-day witch, is dead, her murder left unsolved. Natalie Lockhart has become embroiled in a case with threads that become increasingly difficult to untangle.
Now, a new horror is uncovered, one that shocks the town as never before, and the dark, shadowy path forward for Natalie is paved with challenges that haunt her past—Veronica’s unsolved case. Her sister’s traumatic murder. The long-lost disappearance of her old best friend. Natalie’s obsession with finding the truth leads to a twisted, elemental struggle between good and evil—and nothing will ever be the same again.
I listened to the first two books in the Natalie Lockhart series but the following books do not seem to have audio versions. The series follows the cases and personal growth of Natalie Lockhart, a detective in a smallish town.
Natalie is living with Hunter Rose but still has a connection with her childhood friend, Luke. Luke is also her supervisor, head of detectives. I started as Team Luke in the first book, and really have continued to be solidly Team Luke. I don’t like Hunter as he always wants her to quit her job and just spend all her time with him. Certainly, I am not against her having time off from her work because she has solved some huge cases and had some real personal tragedies.
The murders from The Witching Tree are still having consequences and being investigated and now there is a new murder. When they search the victim’s home they make horrific discoveries. Natalie does an excellent job of gathering evidence and pursuing smart strategies. She is in some danger and working longer as Luke starts this book in the hospital. I continue to be uncomfortable with her questioning suspects or even some witnesses without any backup.
Natalie also keeps wondering about her friend Bella who disappeared their senior year of high school, now about 15 years ago. She tries to connect her with an abduction case but learns some other interesting facts.
I am confused by how Natalie is smart and skilled at piecing together and deducing crimes and their perpetrators. She solves a lot. But personally, she is stupid in her relationships. She loves Luke, and doesn’t enjoy Hunter’s friends or his pushing her to make choices he wants. And the whole going it alone is dangerous.
The Shadow Girls has good pacing. It’s also satisfying with finishing up several mysteries and investigations. Her personal situation improves as well. I enjoyed this one while still worrying for Natalie’s safety. I could see this as the end of the series, although I would be happy to read more about these characters.
About Alice Blanchard
Alice Blanchard is the award-winning author of “Trace of Evil,” “Darkness Peering,” “A Breath After Drowning” and “The Breathtaker.” She has received a PEN Award, a New Letters Literary Award, a Centrum Fellowship, and the Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction.
“Trace of Evil,” the first of Alice’s new Natalie Lockhart series, was chosen as an IndieNext Pick, a Loanstars Top Pick, and an Amazon Best Mysteries/Thrillers for December 2019. “Darkness Peering” was on the New York Times’ Notable Books list, and her thriller, “The Breathtaker,” was an official selection of NBC’s Today Show Book Club. Her work has been published in 17 countries.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
Since you started this on audio, was the experience different now that you’re reading the eBook? Natalie sounds like a complicated character. Great review, Anne💜
Thanks Jonetta. Natalie is a very complex character and a bit confusing. She’s had some tragic losses. I’m comfortable with both the ebook and audio versions. It is always nice to start on audio to help with pronunciations and tone. There’s a lot of woowoo stuff with covens in town and an annual festival around a historical witch burning. So with either format there’s a bit of an unrealistic quality which contrasts with the vivid facts of the police procedures. To me Hunter was sort of that way with a delusional ease of ignoring the truth, like being drugged or using alcohol, while Luke is reality.
Him wanting her to spend all of her time with him and quit her job just sounds like one red flag after another. I wouldn’t like him either.
Exactly Mary. He creeped me out and I don’t know what she saw in him.
Bummer you couldn’t have the whole series in audio since that’s how you started. I think I’d prefer her not to be with Hunter and be safer in her interrogations, too. Still, sounds like a solid series.
yes. I am over the audio / ebook thing. Either format is fine for this genre and especially if it wasn’t a favorite narrator. The audio was good when available but it wasn’t one of my favorite narrators.
I didn’t know there was a new Natalie Lockhart mystery out. Good to know. I liked the previous ones. 😀
yes, I try to watch for things but I miss some too.
She sounds smart but self-sabotaging.
You could be right. She has gone through so much (family deaths) that she may just unable to push back on anything right now. She’s just focusing on her job.
I have a feeling that I would really enjoy this series. I have known a lot of really smart people that make dumb decisions when it comes to relationships.
No doubt, otherwise what would there be to read about I suppose. There are layers here which I do really like.
Natalie definitely sounds like a complicated character. Smart people who make dumb decisions always intrigue me and frustrate me, so I’m curious about whether or not I would like her. Great review!
Thank you Suzanne. Well as readers we get a more omnipotent view so maybe I’m just too critical. I do enjoy the stories regardless of her personal choices at times.
LOL, I knew a girl who was brilliant in math but a complete dunce with simple things…
Well I may be too critical of her personal choices because she has suffered some real tragedy and she does grow during the series.