Customer Reviews

Shadow Dance

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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

I don't agree with previous reviewers who described the book as boring. I thoroughly enjoyed it and looked forward to my opportunities (rare with a young child) to actually sit down and read it. Yes, there were lengthy digressions as characters' thoughts were described, but I found them interesting.
My only complaint is that the background of Tristan, the Scottish-American detective is never fully explained. I kept expecting to find out how he ended up an orphan and how he became an American. OTOH, Andersen did a good job of pulling the reader into Amanda's background. Altho not one of her very best books, I thought it was a good read.

This book is no where near as good as her other books. There is so much rambling, that I skipped many pages and didn't miss a thing! I cannot recommend this book... The author spends so much time setting up the feelings of the characters, that she almost forgets to add a plot! The hero has a Scottish accent, which is never explained.... he is a US citizen, from an orphanage, and this makes no sense to me (although, to be honest, perhaps I missed this point when trying to find an interesting, well written passage!).... don't waste your time on this one... or if you must read it, check it out of the library, like I did... and save the money for something better...

The very first novel from one of my favorite authors and you can bet I was excited to read it and was surprised at the lagging pace it was set to and the more serious plot.
Andersen newer work is known for its witty dialog and funny, quirky scenes between the hero and usually clumsy heroine. So I was a little shocked to find this one was lacking in those departemnts, severely.
The characters are pretty forgettable and I didn't much like the heroine much. I would've liked her best friend and fellow dancer to have been the main character.

Amanda Charles lives as a showgirl in one of Reno's most glamorous casinos. She is beautiful, smart and unwittingly the target of an obsessed serial killer.
Detective Tristan MacLaughlin has been asked to come down from Seattle to help form a task force to catch the elusive Showgirl Slayer. What he doesn't expect is a gorgeous AND smart dancer to mix up his emotions from one look and make him stumble and remember he has to keep his mind on the murder not her.

Tristan soon realizes balancing Amanda and the case is more than this stoic cop can handle. The biggest mistake he will make is getting too close to her...he has unwittingly put her directly in harm's way...

If you're new to Susan Andersen, skip this one and try 'Baby I'm Yours', 'Be My Baby' for starters and leave this for last. Then you will see her talent at it's best and not be disapointed.

Tracy Talley~@

Amanda is a "classy" Reno showgirl who has been targeted by the "Showgirl Slayer" who has already killed several area showgirls. Tristan MacLaughlin - a Scottish transplant to Seattle is sent to Reno to head a task force to find the killer, and although they constantly clash, he eventually has eyes for Amanda, despite his misgivings about her career choice. Will he find the killer in time to save the lass he has come to love?

One of Andersen's earlier romantic suspense novels, it is actually not that great. It took forever for the romance to emerge, and frankly the character of Tristan and his Scottish brogue are so annoying that he grates on your nerves. It was a chore to finish this story. Her later comic romances are so much better, but she does have a cache of great romantic suspense novels (such as "Obsession"), this just isn't one of them.

I loved this early book of Ms Andersen. I was not disappointed. Amanda and Tristan were opposite characters but made for each other, both were interesting. Amanda was a gorgeous dancer, beautiful and fascinating, Tristan was not the same old hero.

I gave it four stars because I like my suspenses fast. I think the story line is a little bit slow paced yet terrific. There were some steriotype sections in this book which were drawbacks, however I like Ms Andersen's work and I'll keep reading her books.

Courtsey of A Romance Review

Susan Andersen has successfully brought two very different individuals together in Shadow Dance - a well-bred lady and an orphan cop, and blends them into a well-written story with romance and suspense. Although it is not difficult for readers to find out the identity of the Showgirl Slayer, it is still a good story for anyone who loves action and suspense in a romance.

Ms. Andersen's research for this story was excellent. The police work, serial killer and dancers (aka gypsies)portrayed here are excellent. This story is well done. I didn't find it to be slow as other reviewers stated. Although I do have to say anyone not knowing who the killer is well before the end of the book is not paying attention. The secondary characters are great. (When Randy finally gets his, I was cheering.) While it takes Mandy and Tristin awhile to get together, when they finally do the love scenes are hot!

This story is very different from Ms. Andersen's recent works, but well worth the read.