Shadow Dance [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Susan Andersen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2, 2003

A New York Times Bestseller

Most men who see Amanda Charles dance worship her from afar. But one "admirer" is getting too close to the glamorous showgirl . . . perilously close. The looks, style, and grace that make Amanda sparkle on stage have now made her something else: the target of a serial killer.

Detective Tristan MacLaughlin has drawn the case that is pulling him deep into a world of pageantry and dazzle -- and closer to the stunning, violet-eyed beauty who keeps her secrets and emotions locked tightly inside. Tristan never thought he'd be bewitched by Amanda's charms, never thought he'd care. And he never imagined that by wanting her, by trying to protect her, he'd place her in the gravest danger of all.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Susan Andersen lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of a really long time and their kitty boys Boo and Mojo.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 479 pages
• Publisher: Wheeler Publishing; 1 edition (February 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587243822
• ISBN-13: 978-1587243820
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,990,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Susan Andersen writes contemporary--some claim humorous--romantic suspense. Her books have spent many weeks on the USAToday and New York Times bestseller lists, and have twice been included in RWA's Top Ten Favorite Books of the Year. the proud mother of a grown son, she's a native of the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her husband and two cats.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sexy and good for a quick read., November 8, 2002

By 

Beverley Strong (Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow Dance (Mass Market Paperback)

I found Shadow Dance to be an unusual kind of murder-thriller in that it involves just as much sex and romance as murder and mystery. A crazed killer is mutilating and murdering show girls at casinos around Reno.
Scot-American detective, Tristan MacLaughlin, is sent from Seattle to help the local police with their investigations and meets, and clashes head-on with Amanda Charles, a tall, beautiful dancer with a definite touch of class, and the sparks between them start to fly at once.
When Amanda's life is threatened, Tristan moves in with her as her bodyguard and the inevitable love affair begins. The mystery aspect of the book is negligible as the murderer is easily spotted and the book really revolves around the sexual tension between them. M/S Andersen writes very well about the sex part and, perhaps in later books, she will hone her skills as a mystery writer.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Slow To Start But Still Worth Reading, October 3, 2002

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow Dance (Mass Market Paperback)

This was Ms. Andersen's first story and although it was slow to start it is still a good story. More suspense then Romance but the story is still very good.

This is a story about a serial killer that is killing dancers in Reno. Amanda is a friend of one of his victims and is forced to identify her body. Tristan is a Seattle cop that has been brought to Reno to head the task force. He does not know how to handle himself around beautiful women and is shy. These two people have a hard time coming together but they finally do despite the fact or because of the fact that the killer has decided to worship or idol Amanda.

As stated earlier and by other reviewers this story was slow going and it took over 100 pages for the two main characters to even warm up to each other. This is really more of a suspense novel with a little romance on the side. Don't look for this book to be like Ms. Andersen's later books. Still this was a good story worth the time it took to read it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars strong blending of mystery and romance, September 7, 2002

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow Dance (Mass Market Paperback)

Experienced with ending the careers of serial killers, Seattle detective Tristan MacLaughlin is sent to Reno to head the task force trying to stop the Show Girl Slayer who has killed three local chorus line dancers. Tristan finds himself not wanting the job because he detests hoofers believing they are high-class hookers.

Dancing has been Amanda Rose Charles' life, however currently she is afraid of the killer who murdered a close friend. When Amanda meets Tristan, they immediately share a mutual dislike for one another. He thinks she is a whore and she believes he is a terse egotist. As they become acquainted, they begin to realize their stereotyping is way off base. Tristan sees refined elegance and Amanda observes a caring soul. Soon the couple falls in love, but the show stopping Show Girl Slayer still stalks the ballrooms.

Albeit a serial killer thriller, the lead couple's distinct and opposite personalities turn SHADOW DANCE into a strong police procedural romance. The investigation is fun to follow, but the relationship between the cop and the dancer lightens yet also intensifies the mood, which leads to the chase to stop the killer seemingly real. Readers will adore the intrepid yet reticent Tristan and cherish the lively Amanda. Though a reprint of Susan Anderson's debut novel, the tale remains a strong blending of mystery and romance that fans of both genres will appreciate.

Harriet Klausner