Maureen M. McMahon: Shadows in the Mist

Avid Press, LLC, ISBN 1-929613-36-9 (Trade Paperback), 1-929613-37-7 (Ebook)

p Lyric, enchanting, chilling, and never exactly what you expect it to be, Shadows in the Mist most resembles a romantic suspense, with strong overtones of supernatural thriller, imbued with a sense of immediacy and real (or imagined) danger. I read the book in one setting, and got so involved that I forgot to take notes. McMahon pens an intelligent, first-person narrative. She beguiles her readers with a knotted, twisted, snarled labyrinth of a plot, fascinating, but flawed characters, a true sense of place, and just maybe a ghost or two.

Budding romance author and daughter of a very rich man, Suzanna Dirkston rents an isolated cabin to work on her second novel. Shortly thereafter, she sees a dark figure in the mist.

Suzanna’s former fiancé arrives to announce her father’s death. Presumably, the senior Dirkston died when he hit his head on an edge of the pool. Suzanna finds that difficult to believe, but her father’s will stuns her even more. If she doesn’t marry his lawyer, the entire estate will be broken up and given to various charities. Her half-brother begs her to marry the lawyer, enumerating all the dire consequences if she doesn’t. Suzanna sees another figure where one can’t be and almost wrecks her car. Then the plot really heats up.

If you love Mary Stewart’s romantic suspense, which I do, this author represents a rare find. In essence and flavor, Shadows in the Mist echoes the best Stewart, but the work itself exhibits flair and elan that belong to McMahon alone. After this marvelous book, I look forward to reading more of this Australian author’s works.

Patricia Lucas White

Patricia Lucas White’s latest historical novel, To Last a Lifetime, was an Eppie finalist for 2003. To Last a Lifetime and two of her fantasy romances, the Sapphire Award-winning A Wizard Scorned and The Godmother Sanction, can be ordered through Hard Shell Word Factory. Her recent contemporary, PS, I’ve Taken a Lover, is available from Lionhearted Books.