Customer Reviews

Secret's Shadow: The First Cassidy McCabe Mystery

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I can't help but wonder if I read the same book that the other reviewers did. This is an okay book, great if you'd like some light reading, but I certainly wouldn't classify it as a must-read. I found the main character to be flighty, and her actions a bit silly at times. I certainly didn't buy the independent, strong-willed woman bit. If Cassidy McCabe were such a spunky lady, why would she continually leave her doors unlocked when she was fully aware of the fact that she was being watched, harassed, etc., by members of the mob, or worse? Wouldn't such an independent thinker put every possible safe-guard and obstacle in place to ensure her safety?

That was just one aspect of the book which didn't ring true. The book seemed to ponder the exact same questions over and over, never really going anywhere. The mystery was, in fact, finally solved through pure coincidence.

Genre: Mystery Alex Matthews has created a masterful beginning to her mystery series with Secret's Shadow. All lovers of mysteries take note: Cassidy McCabe will keep you entertained and guessing till the end. Cassidy is not the typical heroine. The story begins with a charming calico cat adopting the 37-year-old psychotherapist. Throughout the book, we are privy to Cassidy's inner thoughts as she talks to the nameless feline. And when the going gets rough, Cassidy's peanut butter cups become a tell-tale sign of stress and hope. Secret's Shadow has a tight plot that's guaranteed to delight. Cassidy has divorced a charmer who has nearly caused her bankruptcy. When her ex borrows money from the mob, against an old deed with both their names on it, the mob comes to Cassidy for collection. Further, her malpractice insurance lapses, and when her favorite client commits suicide, the family sues. Worse, she's forced to face her feelings for the deceased patient Ryan, as well as question her clinical abilities -- all while coping with a blossoming romance with Ryan's black-sheep brother Zach. When her life is endanger, she's not sure if it's the mob or someone worse after her. Alex Matthews has a big hit with this quirky, engaging heroine. The author's prose is snappy and sharp, and the quick moving plot is meticulously detailed. All mystery lovers are sure to enjoy the fast-paced Secret's Shadow.

Cindy Penn, Reviewer

Secret's shadow is unbelievably good, especially for a first novel. Cassidy, the protaganist, is in so much trouble, it seems like there's no hope she'll ever get out of it. Cassidy and her cat are lovable characters. They both find themsleves fascinated with Zach, a sexy man who won't take "no" for answer. The mystery is compelling and keeps one guessing until the end. One of the things that I liked best was that Ms. Matthews ties up all the loose ends with plausable explanations for everything.

I loved the cat. Unfolding family secrets reminded me of Ross McDonald. Always brings in an extra child by a previous marriage as a plot twist (total of three). Menacing telephone calls to inject suspense surely went out when caller ID and *69 came in (publication date is '96). Reasons for not calling in the police are not very plausible (never are in most amateur sleuth novels). The obligatory (for female sleuth books) "heroine in peril rescued in nick of time" climactic scene creaked, with 100 word speeches by the villain. No great dialog. Sounds a negative review - but it kept me reading and I'll check out her next.

An excellent first mystery story; the protagonist is believable in her description of a clinical psychologist who genuinely cares for her patients and yet does not consider herself omnipotent. However, she is very upset when she learns that a patient has committed suicide and she did not see the signs; she is unable to believe she could have missed such signs. Worse, the patient had brought up a new subject at the end of his last session and she decided to ask him to wait for next meeting and then he dies. When his estranged brother meets her and states he does not believe his brother is a suicide, urges her to work with him to disprove this she reluctantly agrees. A little romance, some serious threats and a very surprise ending made this an interesting read.

Secret's Shadow, the first Cassidy Mccabe mystery, takes us into a world of hidden family secrets, murder and betrayal. Although humorous at times, Matthews delivers an ominous and frighteningly realistic story that will stay with you long after you put it down. It's a story about Ryan, a man haunted by a horrible family secret who is found dead in an apparent suicide, and his therapist, Cassidy, who is determined to uncover the shocking truth in Ryan's past, even it means risking her own life and reputation. With an unforgettable cast of characters and set in a quiet suburban midwest town, Secret's Shadow is a rivetting fast-paced mystery that will linger in your mind long after you've finished. A must read!

Cassidy McCabe is a therapist who should have everthing going her way, but doesn't. Cass is receiving threatening phone calls, demanding that she pay a large debt owed by her ex-husband. Ryan Hollister, her favorite client, has just committed suicide, and his family is threatening to sue, claiming the reason for Ryan'suicide, was the result of her negligent therapy. Her malpractice insurance has lapsed, and a determined cat has moved in with her, against her will. What else could go wrong? Cassidy can't believe that Ryan killed himself, there was never any indication he was suicidal, in any of their therapy sessions. Cass is soon contacted by Ryan's brother Zach, who doesn't believe that Ryan's death was a suicide, either. He insists that they work together to prove that Ryan was murdered. Cass reluctantly agrees, and their investigation leads to many mysterious twists and turns, as they unravel family secrets that have been buried for years. The cat, who Cassidy keeps threatening to take to the pound, plays a wonderful role as Cass's therapist. Cass tells the cat all her problems, gives herself advice, and generally ends up doing just the opposite. The plot moves swiftly along, with many red herrings thrown in to keep the reader guessing who the murderer is, until the thrilling conclusion, when all the pieces neatly come together. This is an excellant debut novel, and I eagerly await it's sequel! JoAnne M. Bowers

Genre: Mystery Alex Matthews has created a masterful beginning to her mystery series with Secret's Shadow. All lovers of mysteries take note: Cassidy McCabe will keep you entertained and guessing till the end. Cassidy is not the typical heroine. The story begins with a charming calico cat adopting the 37-year-old psychotherapist. Throughout the book, we are privy to Cassidy's inner thoughts as she talks to the nameless feline. And when the going gets rough, Cassidy's peanut butter cups become a tell-tale sign of stress and hope. Secret's Shadow has a tight plot that's guaranteed to delight. Cassidy has divorced a charmer who has nearly caused her bankruptcy. When her ex borrows money from the mob, against an old deed with both their names on it, the mob comes to Cassidy for collection. Further, her malpractice insurance lapses, and when her favorite client commits suicide, the family sues. Worse, she's forced to face her feelings for the deceased patient Ryan, as well as question her clinical abilities -- all while coping with a blossoming romance with Ryan's black-sheep brother Zach. When her life is endanger, she's not sure if it's the mob or someone worse after her. Alex Matthews has a big hit with this quirky, engaging heroine. The author's prose is snappy and sharp, and the quick moving plot is meticulously detailed. All mystery lovers are sure to enjoy the fast-paced Secret's Shadow.

Cindy Penn, Reviewer

Alex Matthews says that she wrote this book because she doesn't think women are accurately portrayed in most mysteries. Women should sue her for defamation of character. Cassidy McCabe takes stupidity to new lows. There were several times when I had to restrain myself from throwing the book across the room in disgust at her actions, or lack thereof.

It's too bad, because the writing is good and the story decent. But McCabe is beyond hope and that ruins the book.

I read the reviews for this author and thought I would order one of her books to see if I liked it. Usually, I can agree with the other reviewers, but this one was very hard to get into. I don't know what it was, but I just found I could easily put it down and not care about picking it up. When I choose housework over a book, I know the book is not good. I tried to keep with it, but skimmed the last couple of chapters just to get to the end. I did enjoy the cat, but that was all I enjoyed.