A fascination with death very quickly transforms into a twisted addiction.
Professor Ian Delaney is single-minded in his determination to document scientific evidence to prove his theory that one can measure and discover the moment that the life force leaves a body. His interest begins to get out of hand after he witnesses the accidental death of a human and analyses it instead of trying to save the life. He is dismissed from his university position for his callousness. Delaney seems blind to all around him, he is compelled by his drive to continue this macabre research at any cost.
Across the globe another individual is seeking revenge. A dumped boyfriend believes that the taking of his ex-girlfriend's life will give him the upper hand, a means to seize back control following her rejection. After accidentally killing the wrong girl, Wayne carefully bides his time; determined that he will one day show his ex-girlfriend, Charlene that he is the only one who can end their relationship. To kill Charlene would give him a sense of completion and justice. The lesson that she must learn will be fatal. It is the start of a downward spiral for a man who is already clearly delusional.
A Cry of Shadows is a paranormal thriller that will keep you on edge; the plot and many of the Professor's warped observations are so plausible and frightening that they are as convincing as this character himself. The tale opens with a violent crime scene in the US, and then leaps across the world to the ground-breaking studies of a university professor in Australia. Both of these stories are told in small steps; each chapter, in turn, devoted to building a solid basis for the development of both males and their links to death. Circumstances lead this pair of misfits together to create a serial killer who will baffle authorities. Readers are given quite a scary insight into each of the killer's minds and that of the detective who was assigned right from the discovery of the first brutal murder.
Most of the deaths are vicious, all are cruel. The description of these acts is necessary for readers to feel the total impact of the psychotic mind. Even so, you will need to have a strong stomach, especially towards the conclusion as the pace picks up. The flow is quite fast in the second half of the book and I was unwilling to tear my eyes off the pages. There are many shocks and interwoven themes that will make this book unforgettable. Max Overton's skill will place you at the scene of the crime, surreptitiously looking back over your shoulder. A Cry of Shadows is definitely recommended for readers who like to be shaken out of their comfort zone.
Reviewed by: Naomi
Fallen Angel Reviews
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