“There is power in dangerous love. You can be so focused on the forbidden nature of it, justifying your choices to the world—me falling in love with Griffin while still legally married to Nate, Griffin giving me all his attention instead of trying to find a workable custody agreement with Margot, instead of doting on his devastated sons—that you miss the fact you’re completely wrong for each other.”
― Luanne Rice, The Shadow Box
Oh, the ravens, the shadow boxes, the mystery and suspense, the deaths, the complexities of the human elements of corruption, and so much more makes this neatly packed thriller a blast to read.
I'm not sure where to start to do this powerful book justice but what I can offer is this, “Justice was its own art, shining light into the shadows, complex yet ultimately as simple as can be: bringing balance, making things right.”
― Luanne Rice, The Shadow Box
True, and Luanne Rice knows the exact formula in serving up justice to her readers.
It's with a bit of hard core truths, followed by deep old fashioned thrills, and wrapped up with some edge of your seat action and why wait...toss it in right from the start and go full throttle.
This boat is rocking but you best not bother knocking because there's no time to play catch up.
I've been a fan ever since reading Last Day and this new work adds to that moment in time when you're not sure who to believe, what to believe, or why to believe it's occurring.
There's so much detail, the setting was dark and disturbing, the visual cues were on point with the crabs clawing away at the flesh, the coves full of coldness, the beaches being deserted unless you recall that moment in time years earlier.
This flops back and forth with numerous characters in play so don't get lost in the shuffle. Griffin is our main man with a heck of a childhood past with his abusive parents and yes, the apple don't fall far from this tree.
He marries Claire and they set sail for this splendid life together as a prosecutor convicting violent offenders but he fails to mention he's one himself.
The tangled webs of narcissism but first we must process this new found death and before I do let me ask this, "Do you believe in evil?"
You know Griffin abused Claire and she eventually went missing but it doesn't take a brain scientist to know why...it's the reason many abused women go into hiding. For protection, for safety, for security, for a sense of self awareness.
Ellen is our dead gal and she's been located in this cove while others were looking for crabs with a fractured skull.
Now, you might ask how does a women mystery die of a fractured skull and wind up in this location?
Good question, but I can't give up spoilers.
Keep in mind both parties were married before - Griffin to Margot with twin boys Ford and Alexander while Claire married Nate (separated) when he feel out of the picture.
Griffin was the last person to see her alive so of course he's the first on the list of suspects however, the good 'ol boys network is in play.
The twins never liked Claire because of her step mom status and so resentment was a hinderance.
As this story plays out we find so much backstory that it's like the backwash on the hot tubs. It swirls in and out with so much force.
Which reminds me - most people- love to enjoy a glass of wine or two from time to time. Whether out boating, on a beach, having a picnic, heck even soaking in the hot tubs or baths.
True to the word we have here a beach party scenario that will make you think twice about drinking and partying and mixing fun with it.
Oh, boy --A woman named Anne has entered the picture and she's carrying some hefty information and it's about to blow this operation out of the water.
Spencer is revealing some serious sexual allegations that may muddy the water and bring down several men all at once.
Sloane meanwhile is being led astray with allegations of her husband's affair (Edward) to another woman Sallie by non other than one of the twins.
Did you know about 'merman' as the male version of the mermaid? How did I not come about this new terminology till now...
Well, fear not I'm on it and this is just what we need to finish this tale of two lives. A man was just shot. He's the brother of Connor. He's now lying up in the hospital while everyone is out fighting for their lives by the sea.
There's a little yellow boat, a brother spirited away by this merman, and now some deeply rooted and disturbing trouble by this mansion.
When the dust settles the truth comes out and the men responsible are finally brought to justice.
Meanwhile, Nate returns and just in the nick of time you could say.
This was rather interesting and quite complicated as I began reading this back in February but took a break to really give this more time because when you read 300 books since January you get memory fox.
To be honest I was roughly 65% done and re-read it all to truly get a feel for the author's writing style and what angle she was trying to convey to her readers.
I'm so glad I didn't give up on this one because while it was a wonderfully developed plot and storyline it was very demanding of one's time and it requires some careful thought processes.
Bringing your own sense of style was a breath of fresh air and Luanne is that cool breeze I needed.
Thank you to Luanne Rice, the publisher, NetGalley, and Amazon Kindle for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.
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