Customer Reviews

Shadow Woman

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the first few pages, Jane disables a very large bad guy in an elevator. He grabs her ankle as she exits (He's 'lying down.'). She says to him, "Think about it. Do you really want me alone with you in that elevator?" He lets go.

I'm in love.

Nobody outsmarts, outfights, or outlasts bad guys like Seneca adventurer Jane Whitefield. The first three books in Perry's wonderful series--Vanishing Act, Dance for the Dead, and this one--are the only books that can stand comparison to Tony Hillerman's "Navajo mysteries." And in some ways, Perry is the better writer. Don't miss these books.

This was my first Thomas Perry novel, and what an initiation! I can't recommend his novels enough, and I thought this one was incredibly well done. As far as intricacy of plot goes, I think this and the first one, vanishing Act, were the best ones. The way he interweaves Jane and the runner's interaction with one of the stalkers at the same as Cary's interaction with the other one, is brilliant. It will keep you breathless til the very last page. And seriously hoping that Jane won't quit!

Thomas Perry is a terrific writer, and I greatly enjoyed the first two entries in his Jane Whitefield series, but SHADOW WOMAN was a disappointment to me. The book suffers from long stretches of tedium and some serious lapses in plausibility. The two villains, supposedly ultracompetent supercriminals, seem amateurishly inept at times, and the good guys' narrow escapes often owe more to luck than skill. An awful lot of time is spent on Jane's marital problems, which might have been more interesting if we could figure out why she married this guy in the first place. Readers unfamiliar with the Jane Whitefield series would be better off reading VANISHING ACT and DANCE FOR THE DEAD, both of which are solid, five-star thrillers that show Perry at the top of his game.

I enjoyed the first two books in the Jane Whitefield series, but this, the third, was even better. Jane has helped a client "disappear" and now she thinks she's going to stop helping people get away and settle down with her new husband. But the client, Pete, is being hunted by some very clever, very persistent bad guys, and Jane finds herself having to help him elude them yet again. Meanwhile, someone is trying to find Jane by getting to know her husband . . . It's a good book and Jane is a very likeable heroine. I highly recommend it.

I am always intrigued by Thomas Perry's "Jane Whitefield" novels. "Shadow Woman", as with other "Whitefield" novels, never ceases to amaze me with the "training to survive" she provides to her clients. This particular novel was somewhat different in that she also became the "prey" as opposed to simply the "protector for the hunted".

I have read, and thoroughly enjoyed all of Thomas Perry's "Jane Whitefield" novels. I am looking forward to reading "The Face Changers".

Keep up the "intriguing writings" Thamas Perry.

Why did Thomas Perry turn the third novel of his entertaining series into a second rate romance novel? I could have done with a lot less of the character's agonizing over her marital obligations and a lot more of the action and suspense that made the first novels fun to read. I will pass on any more of this series that comes my way.

I really enjoyed this book. It is the first one in the series that I have read. I am going to purchase the previous Whitefield books to catch up. I also Recommend Virginia Lanier's Bloodhound books. Very strong female protagonist.

Jane Whitefield is a refreshing new face in the world of mystery. She calls herself a guide, and Thomas Perry 'guides' us deeper into her character with every book. A must read!

Pete Hatcher works at a Las Vegas casino, but has been doing some
moonlighting that has upset his employers, who decide he needs to be
iced. Knowing that he is in trouble, Pete hires Jane Whitefield to
hide him from the unknown hitman. Jane does her magic and helps Pete
escape from the wrath of his bosses by supplying him with a new
identity and location. This angers the assassins, Earl and Linda
Thompson, who earn their living killing people for their clients
(imagine reporting the source of your income on your joint return).
...... To Jane's chagrin, somehow the very capable Thompsons locate Pete.
She manages to re-hide him before they complete their mission. The
Thompsons are irate and decide to switch gear without missing a beat.
They come after Jane in order to at least obtain some satisfactory
revenge, making her wonder if it is not time for her to pull a
vanishing act before her life is forfeit to the incensed Thompsons.
...... SHADOW WOMAN is the third enjoyable Jane Whitefield thriller (the
first two being VANISHING ACT and DANCE FOR THE DEAD) and readers will
find the premise remains refreshingly unique. Jane is an intriguing
character who skirts on the edges of lawlessness and the story line is
fast moving (across a third of the country) and action-packed.
However, what makes this novel a notch above most books on the market
today is Thomas Perry's brilliant description of changing identities
and what it entails. If the Internet ever gets to nasty, this reviewer
now knows how to come back as someone else. Thank you Mr. Perry for a
beautiful novel and the great escape.

.....Harriet Klausner
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Shadow Woman is the third Jane Whitefield novel, coming after the brilliant Vanishing Act and it's equally good follow-up Dance for the Dead. This book isn't as good as the previous two. The beginning is electrifying (and also a very funny depiction of Las Vegas), the middle is slow and convoluted, but the ending--which redeems the book--is very suspenseful. The hired killers, Earl Bliss and Linda Thompson, are interesting villains, competent and tenacious but ultimately flawed. My biggest problem with the book--and the evolution of the series--is Jane's husband, Carey McKinnon. He's dull, and he's no help to Jane. I haven't read Perry's latest Jane Whitefield novel, but I'm hoping he dispatches with the husband. He's dragging down the whole series. Maybe Perry should unite Jane Whitefield with his fictional anti-hero, The Butcher Boy. Now that would make a slam bang thriller!