Shadowlands by Kate Brian

Published: Jan 2013

Publisher: Hyperion

Pages: 336

Copy Provided by: NetGalley

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Rory Miller had one chance to fight back and she took it. Rory survived and the serial killer who attacked her escaped. Now that the infamous Steven Nell is on the loose, Rory must enter the witness protection program. Entering the program alongside her, is her father and sister Darcy. The trio starts a new life and a new beginning leaving their friends and family behind without a goodbye. 

Starting over in a new town with only each other is unimaginable for Rory and Darcy. They were inseparable as children but now they can barely stand each other. As the sisters settle in to Juniper Landing, a picturesque vacation island, it seems like their new home may be just the fresh start they need. They fall in with a group of beautiful, carefree teens and spend their days surfing, partying on the beach, and hiking into endless sunsets. Just as they’re starting to feel safe again, one of their new friends goes missing. Is it a coincidence? Or is the nightmare beginning all over again?

Review:

This book was not what I expected. Rory Miller escapes from a brutally scary encounter with a killer and is put into a relocation program with her family.  The killer is intelligent, stealthy and always one step ahead.  I was suspicious about his whereabouts every time I turned the page.  Ms. Brian built up the suspense so that it was nearly palpable.  

The characters, Rory and Darcy are just normal teenagers who don't want to miss out on other teenage events.  (Darcy more so than Rory).  They think they're safe from the killer but they aren't and they begin to let their guards down every so slightly.  It had me on the edge of my seat wanting to yell out - YOU AREN'T SAFE!!  WHAT ARE YOU DOING??

What I did not understand - Steven Nell had killed a number of girls before.  He was a serial killer.  If this was such a high profile FBI case, then why was her family not escorted to her new location and why didn't someone assist them better?  How could her family (sister and dad) be so focused on how the relocation affected their work and social lives rather than their safety?  Eventually, my questions were answered. 

What I loved most about this novel is just when I thought I was figuring things out, I was wrong.  

Sometimes I complain about books that make me question motives, scenarios, inconsistencies within a novel and character reactions. But sometimes, just sometimes, the more questions you have, the better the book becomes.  Kate Brian had me guessing all the way to the end of the book.  I realize that this is a series but honestly, it would have been great as a stand-alone title.  It was completely and totally not what I was expecting. Well done!