Murderer in Shadow

by Ralph E. Vaughan

Everyone in Knight’s Crossing shuns the abandoned Stryker farmstead, even the village’s most powerful magicians. Thirty years earlier, young Dale Stryker butchered his family, including his much-feared grandfather, Wizard Ezekiel; then he vanished, but not quite forever. When a lost boy propels the cold case back into the news, DCI Arthur Ravyn and DS Leo Stark of the Hammershire Constabulary find themselves pitted against not only a murderer who has long hid in shadow, but villagers wary of strangers and for whom magic, both dark and light, is a part of everyday life, and death.

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 15, 2018

About the author

Ralph E. Vaughan is the author of several books combining the worlds of Sherlock Holmes and HP Lovecraft, such as "The Adventure of the Ancient Gods" (first story to combine Holmes & Lovecraft), "The Dreaming Detective." and "Sherlock Holmes and the Terror Out of Time." A longtime fan of the steampunk movement, he expressed that fondness by writing "Shadows Against the Empire," an epic Victorian interplanetary adventure, followed by its sequel "Amidst Dark Satanic Mills." He is also the author of "HP Lovecraft in the Comics," an exhaustive examination of the works Lovecraft's works as they were adapted into the medium of comic books, and "Reflections on Elder Egypt." a collection of essays about various aspects of Ancient Egypt and how that lost civilization is viewed by modern culture. He is the author of "Paws & Claws: A Three Dog Mystery," first in the Paws & Claws Series, in which three amazing dogs protect their neighborhood, thwart the evil plans of the nefarious Feral Gang, and occasionally save the world. This was followed by additional books, including "K-9 Blues" and "The Death and Life of an American Dog." He is a long-time resident of Chula Vista, California, which is the setting of the Paws & Claws Series. He has been married for more than 40 years, and has two children, a daughter who is a playwright, and a son who is a conductor for the BNSF.

Reviews

[Gerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murderer In Shadow is the fourth book in the DCI Arthur Ravyn mystery series. I loved it. Although written by an American, the author has used enough English slang to draw you into the story. He has also again used the fictional county of Hammershire, that shire famous for the weird, odd, and strange population and their beliefs, for the scene of the crimes. It all begins with the murder of a family, six lives taken, with the seventh person believed to have committed the horrific crimes. His body wasn't found, no one has seen him, so he's believed to have killed his family and run away. End of investigation. Forward thirty years and a young boy goes missing, and the old case is reopened when new evidence comes to light.
DCI Arthur Ravyn and DS Leo Stark are called into the case. Their working relationship is furthered in this book, their understanding of each other growing. We learn more of the working of their minds and thoughts. Other relationships are mentioned, some from tantalizing snippets from the past. Superintendent Giles Heln is present, as always, doing what he can to undermine DCI Ravyn's success. Making you wonder, why? What the heck is his deal? But a little of the past is revealed, and you put that together with other bits from the past. Other characters from the first three books are also brought in, clearing the picture of what is going on in the background.
On occasion the author does go from one viewpoint to another and back again, but I don't really mind that. Some words are misspelled and punctuation is missing, almost as if it had to fit on that line. Again, it didn't bother me. It was the story I wanted to read, and it was a good one. The mystery was a good one. I can't wait for book five in this series. As I said, I loved this book.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited when I saw that there was a 4th book out in this series. Once again, it was a great read. I really feel like I am watching a great PBS Mystery program. The characters are interesting, the story was steeped in mystery and magic that seem to always be found in the small villages that the series is set in. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

[Marie Shirley Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much fun

I really enjoy the DCI Arthur Ravyn series. The characters are well fleshed out and they make you think.

Hoping there will be many more of these books to come.