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Things Half in Shadow Alan Finn Books

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Things Half in Shadow Alan Finn Books

My Review: A sign of a good book is when you're engaged right from the beginning. This happened for me with the debut novel, Things Half in Shadow. I loved how the book opens with the foreword written by Edward 'at the behest' of his granddaughter who has quite the macabre disposition and love of ghost stories. In order to please his granddaughter Edward writes down the ghost stories that he knows. It's one of these ghost stories that makes up Things Half In Shadow which was a very atmospheric historical fiction, suspense, paranormal and mystery all blended into a really enjoyable read.

Finn writes about an era that I admittedly didn't know much about. But he deftly brings the reader into life in post-Civil War Philadelphia and delves into the emotional waters of the PTSD that the soldiers faced. He also focuses on the increase in spiritualism and people's desire for psychic intervention to 'reach' their lost loved ones after the war which I found fascinating. It was a time of great loss and people reached out in many different ways to ease their pain and likewise there were many charlatans who were eager to take their money and give the answers they yearned for (sometimes using quite intricate means).

Edward was an interesting character that I could get behind. He's an independently wealthy crime reporter for one of the local Philadelphia newspapers which gives him ample reasons for further exploits. He's a rather quiet leading man but it's his hidden identity and his family background made him quite compelling as a main character. He has a lot on his plate with trying to maintain his relationship with a society debutante while being thrust into an uncomfortable assignment and being forced to deal with a woman he finds quite detestable. But it's this bantering with Mrs Lucy Collins, the detestable woman aforementioned, which was refreshing and brought a levity and an energy to the book. She was a great balance to Edward's more subdued character making her my favourite character in the book. Her energy and humour reminds me of Lady Julia Grey (Deanna Raybourne's heroine) which made her easy to adore. She was feisty, stubborn, forthright, funny and doesn't apologize for what she does to make a living.

There is a romance angle in the book but it was thankfully not overdone. But it was also easily foreseeable too. It's not that I'm knocking the way it was done because I did, for the most part, enjoy that aspect but it was a little to predictable for my liking.

This was a very impressive debut novel. Finn has an enjoyable writing style and a gift for putting his readers into the mindset and atmosphere of the post Civil War era with great ease. This is a great stand-alone read but it also opens the door for further exploits for Edward and Lucy which I am most eager to read.

My Rating: 4/5 stars

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing me with a complimentary e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

**This book review can also be found on my blog, The Baking Bookworm (www.thebakingbookworm.blogspot.ca) where I share hundreds of book reviews and my favourite recipes. **


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Things Half in Shadow Alan Finn Books Reviews

It has been a day since I finished this book, and I keep thinking about when I can read the next one. I enjoyed the plot, intrigue and character development. I loved having the story unfold and to not be able to know what was going to happen until the end. I guess I can finally catch up on my sleep because I stayed up way too late reading it. I just could not put it down.
I can usually figure a book out by the half way point, but this one kept me guessing. I loved the mix of history, suspense, and supernatural. I also loved the characters. Very well developed and interesting and I kept wanting to know more about them. I hope more books follow, I will definitely purchase!
Wonder writing style. Captivating characters and edge of my seat drama! Set in the Victorian Era the writer makes ghost hunting thrilling.
One of the best books I've ever read! Well written, interesting characters. Entertaining mix of history, characters, mediums, seances, and murder mystery! I love reading historical fiction and want more from this author.
I loved this well written book. The story is unique and the characters are interesting and loveable. I can't wait for another book by this man. I want to read about the rest of this thrilling tale. Hurry up Mr.Finn-I can hardly stand it. Nancy Beard
I loved the characters and the time period of the book. Great story. I hope the author has a sequel in mind or another book with the same characters. Creepy
I didn't want this story to end! Right from the beginning I was hooked. It never got dull, the pace was perfect the characters were human, no over the top hero, but real reactions to situations involved. Love the historical time frame. Kept me wondering what was real and what wasn't. A really well written 'who done it'. Not sure about the ending as it doesn't really say who Edward ends up with....though I hope it was Lucy. Would love for this author to continued with other books about these 2 characters having teamed up to investigate paranormal situations. Started reading slower as I noticed I'd gotten 3/4ths through the book. But, alas I did finish it and my only hope is that the author will write another all encompassing historical one.
Warning!!! This book will make you lose weight. Eating? Sleeping? Page 1 to 436 afforded me very little of that.

Immediately upon finishing this remarkably absorbing novel I had a sandwich. Then I went to to find its sequel or other offerings by Alan Finn the author. I’m sorely disappointed to report I could find none. More, I wanted more, surely there must be more. There are so many twists and turns in this captivating roller coaster ride of who did what to whom a back brace may be in order at its end. Who done it you ask? Well which one????

Edward Clark is a successful newspaper crime reporter in 1869’s Philadelphia. Despite his hidden past, Edward now enjoys a comfortable pleasant life. The winds of change begin to blow however when he is assigned to expose the city’s abundance of fraudulent mediums. Grieving families from the Civil War dead prove to be a perfect mark. But are they all tricksters? And how is it that Edward can spot them so easily?

If magic, paranormal, séances, murder, secrets, & lies are your passion, than I strongly urge adding this title to your “to read” list. Add into that recipe appealing characters who seem not unlike your own neighbors yet upon deeper inspection turn out to be anything but is what made this a 5+ star rating for me.
My Review A sign of a good book is when you're engaged right from the beginning. This happened for me with the debut novel, Things Half in Shadow. I loved how the book opens with the foreword written by Edward 'at the behest' of his granddaughter who has quite the macabre disposition and love of ghost stories. In order to please his granddaughter Edward writes down the ghost stories that he knows. It's one of these ghost stories that makes up Things Half In Shadow which was a very atmospheric historical fiction, suspense, paranormal and mystery all blended into a really enjoyable read.

Finn writes about an era that I admittedly didn't know much about. But he deftly brings the reader into life in post-Civil War Philadelphia and delves into the emotional waters of the PTSD that the soldiers faced. He also focuses on the increase in spiritualism and people's desire for psychic intervention to 'reach' their lost loved ones after the war which I found fascinating. It was a time of great loss and people reached out in many different ways to ease their pain and likewise there were many charlatans who were eager to take their money and give the answers they yearned for (sometimes using quite intricate means).

Edward was an interesting character that I could get behind. He's an independently wealthy crime reporter for one of the local Philadelphia newspapers which gives him ample reasons for further exploits. He's a rather quiet leading man but it's his hidden identity and his family background made him quite compelling as a main character. He has a lot on his plate with trying to maintain his relationship with a society debutante while being thrust into an uncomfortable assignment and being forced to deal with a woman he finds quite detestable. But it's this bantering with Mrs Lucy Collins, the detestable woman aforementioned, which was refreshing and brought a levity and an energy to the book. She was a great balance to Edward's more subdued character making her my favourite character in the book. Her energy and humour reminds me of Lady Julia Grey (Deanna Raybourne's heroine) which made her easy to adore. She was feisty, stubborn, forthright, funny and doesn't apologize for what she does to make a living.

There is a romance angle in the book but it was thankfully not overdone. But it was also easily foreseeable too. It's not that I'm knocking the way it was done because I did, for the most part, enjoy that aspect but it was a little to predictable for my liking.

This was a very impressive debut novel. Finn has an enjoyable writing style and a gift for putting his readers into the mindset and atmosphere of the post Civil War era with great ease. This is a great stand-alone read but it also opens the door for further exploits for Edward and Lucy which I am most eager to read.

My Rating 4/5 stars

Disclaimer My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing me with a complimentary e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

**This book review can also be found on my blog, The Baking Bookworm (www.thebakingbookworm.blogspot.ca) where I share hundreds of book reviews and my favourite recipes. **