The Shadow Box
by Luanne Rice

Amazon | Books-A-Million | B & N

Hardcover: 368 Pages

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (February 1, 2021)

After artist Claire Beaudry Chase is attacked and left for dead in her home on the Connecticut coast, she doesn’t know who she can trust. But her well-connected husband, Griffin, who is running for governor, is her prime suspect.

Just before the attack, Claire was preparing for an exhibit of her shadow boxes, one of which clearly accuses Griffin of a violent crime committed twenty-five years ago. If the public were to find out who her husband is, his political career would be over. Claire’s certain her husband and his powerful supporters would kill her to stop the truth from getting out.

When one of Claire’s acquaintances is murdered, the authorities suspect the homicide is linked to the attack on Claire. As the dual investigations unfold, Claire must decide how much she’s willing to lose to take down her husband and the corrupt group of elites who will do anything to protect Griffin’s interests and their own.

My Rating:

My Review:

This masterfully crafted tale was disturbingly realistic and thrummed with tension from beginning to end. The pacing and storylines were cunningly conceived and shrewdly constructed for maximum impact with cringe-worthy depictions and blood-chilling reveals. My curiosity was well and truly tipped. I fell right into this distressingly addictive story and was fully absorbed and ensnared by the horror of the victim’s conundrum as well as awed by Ms. Rice’s clever and evocative phrasing and brain-tickling narrative. This was devastatingly intriguing storytelling as it hurdled toward either discovery or impending doom for all involved. It was marvelously disorienting. I am now a rabid fangirl.

About the Author

Luanne Rice is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-five novels that have been translated into twenty-four languages. In 2002, Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree, and she also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Saint Joseph. In June 2014, she received the 2014 Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award for excellence as a literary artist.

Several of Rice’s novels have been adapted for television, including Crazy in Love, for TNT; Blue Moon, for CBS; Follow the Stars Home and Silver Bells, for the Hallmark Hall of Fame; and Beach Girls, for Lifetime.

Rice is a creative affiliate of the Safina Center, an organization that brings together scientists, artists, and writers to inspire a deeper connection with nature, especially the sea. Rice is an avid environmentalist and advocate for families affected by domestic violence. She lives on the Connecticut Shoreline.