In the Shadows

In the Shadows by Jane Isaac is a gripping thriller that intertwines terror with fear and confusion, as mentioned by Rebecca Bradley who said, "Isaac twists terror with fear and confusion and I couldn't put it down." Anne Coates describes it as a "perfectly plotted thriller."

In the suburban town of Hampton, the peaceful night air is shattered by the sound of gunfire. Outside a local pub, five are feared dead and the murderer has fled the scene. DCI Helen Lavery works alongside the counter-terrorism unit to investigate. Who is behind the mass shooting? Why target this town?

Meanwhile, Helen is preparing for the trial of Chilli Franks, an organised crime boss who holds a grudge against her family. But when Chilli's nephew befriends her son, and suggestions are made about Chilli's involvement in the shooting, past fears clash with the present. Under the spotlight of the world's media, Helen finds herself in a race against time to solve the case, protect her family, and track down the killer before they strike again.

The book is praised by Joy Kluver as "an authentic, powerful and gripping police procedural." Michael Wood calls it "Jane Isaac's finest novel yet; an addictive page-turner," noting that "DCI Lavery is an outstanding creation." A A Chaudhuri adds that it is "brimming with tension, suspense and colourful characters."