Saturday, September 20, 2008

Mystery Book Review: Diablo's Shadow by Mark W. Danielson

Mysterious Reviews, mysteries reviewed by the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books, is publishing a new review of Diablo's Shadow by Mark W. Danielson. For our blog readers, we are printing it first here in advance of its publication on our website.

Diablo's Shadow by Mark W. Danielson

Diablo's Shadow by
Non-series

Night Shadows Press (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 0-9799167-4-7 (0979916747)
ISBN-13: 978-0-9799167-4-8 (9780979916748)
Publication Date: September 2008
List Price: $29.95

Review: Inspired by an actual Colorado case, Diablo's Shadow is the third thriller by Mark W. Danielson. This moving and heart-wrenching novel tells the story of a parent's worst nightmare: a missing child.

Kerri is walking, running, laughing, playing – all the things all the things a happy six-year-old does while playing in a forest preserve with her father, Randy Connifer. One minute they are holding hands. The next she is running ahead imploring him catch her, all the time laughing and giggling. Then comes the game of hide and go seek. She runs and hides behind a tree. She sticks her head out so her dad can see her and she can see him. He begs her not to run too far ahead. But she’s just six-years-old. She wants to run and again see if he can catch her. She continues laughing and calling her dad to hurry around the next bend on the trail. He is only seconds behind her. When he gets to the bend, there’s no more laughter or giggles. There is just silence. Kerri is not there. He looks behind the trees. He looks on the trail ahead. He calls her name over and over. But the only sound he hears is that of his own voice. It has been raining and the trails are still wet. Could she have fallen and slid down a hill. If that had happened, why didn’t she scream for help? Could someone have abducted her in a matter of seconds? Where is Kerri Connifer? What has happened to his beloved daughter?

Randy and his wife Amanda are separated. Though Amanda has full custody of Kerri, Randy has visitation rights on Wednesday mornings and every other weekend. When Amanda learns that Kerri has vanished, she strikes out at Randy, blaming him. And the police have their doubts as well. Though Amanda despises her husband, she knows in her heart that Randy would do nothing to harm their daughter so she reluctantly agrees to show a united front to the public in hopes of finding her.

Diablo's Shadow is written with such passion that the reader is drawn into the story, so much so that they might feel regret they cannot be part of the volunteer search party. It is a story filled with aspiration, indignation, panic, anxiety, and fear, all emotions that make a good suspense novel better. But there is also a very personal aspect, with love and hate, accusation and forgiveness. This is a superb, amazing, and breathtaking story, but these superlative adjectives do not adequately convey how powerful this novel is.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Diablo's Shadow and to Night Shadows Press for providing a copy of the book for this review.

Review Copyright © 2008 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved.

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Synopsis (from the publisher): The girl’s silly laugh was like a beacon to the stalker. He slinked through the brush, gaining favorable position while she taunted her father. He froze to admire her, holding his breath, hoping the birds didn’t scare her away. He inhaled her fragrance and his vessels engorged. Her father’s shouts would help mask his ambush. It was a perfect setup. There was no turning back. When the timing was right, he made his move. A swift blow held her silence while he carried her off where no one would find her. Now she would be his.

Advertising executive Randy Connifer adored his six-year-old daughter, Kerri. He yearned to be with her. He could see her only on Wednesday mornings and every other weekend, and it was never enough. Despite his estranged wife’s court order limiting their time together, they looked forward to their time in the park, Kerri’s cherished spot. When he picked her up that particular Wednesday morning, Kerri was dedtermined to reach the lookout bench, buoyed by the thought of seeing snow on Mount Diablo. Randy sensed that someone was watching them. All of a sudden, Kerri sprinted ahead, knowing Randy couldn’t keep pace. She disappeared around a blind curve without a trace.

The media, police, and wife Amanda Schaefer were quick to accuse Randy of kidnapping Kerri. Amanda loathes her husband, but is forced to join him in finding their daughter. In doing so, they begin an unimaginable journey that rides waves of emotion.

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2 comments:

  1. Oh, thanks for posting this review here first. I'm in Colorado and love reading mysteries that take place in my home state. I'll pick this one up for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It actually doesn't take place in Colorado, but is based on a case that took place in Colorado. The author has moved the setting to the San Francisco Bay Area.

    ReplyDelete

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