A review by asourceoffiction
The Shadow Box by Luanne Rice

dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I loved how this felt like a unique set up to a thriller; the victim survives and she's pretty sure she knows who her would-be murderer is. From where she goes into hiding, she has to piece together what she needs to take him down. It kept the book interesting, as did a parallel case that also subverted expectation.

I also enjoyed the way flashbacks and the different characters' perspectives started to flesh out the story. It built up a picture where Claire couldn't tell who to trust, even as I began to see that some of the players were (thankfully) on the right side. There were some predictable areas (hard to avoid when you have a suspect from page 1), but plenty of surprises alongside.

By the end the drama is ramped right up and it's very cleverly done. The corruption ran deep, and the resolution was possibly a little clean given how many people suffered, but I enjoyed getting sucked into the narrative and the gorgeous New England setting.
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