annieb123
Written on Jun 26, 2022
Shadow of a Doubt is a neo-noir fantasy murder mystery and the first book in the Mirabel Sinclair mysteries by Jeff Reynolds. Released 7th Dec 2021, it's 336 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is fantasy noir aimed at the folks who enjoyed the Garrett Files (Glen Cook) and Kevin Anderson's oeuvre. There's a mean streets vibe with a young female former cop working as a PI who gets drawn into a deeply unpleasant magical murder and corruption plot trying to get to the bottom of her mentor's death. She's angry, idealistic, and impulsive, and it nearly gets her killed on a daily bases.
I found more appeal and a stronger rapport with the book's secondary characters, Mirabel's ally and friend (and love interest) Ingy and the quarter pixie receptionist Petunia than with the main character. Still, the bones of a good story are there and I enjoyed the read overall. I have a special soft spot for PI noir and especially fantasy PI noir and I will definitely pick up and read any follow-ups to the series.
Three and a half stars rounded up for the good story. I'm looking forward to what comes next.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes