Death Leaves a Shadow

Marlowe Black Mystery #2

by Gabriel F.W. Koch

Then comes the brutal announcement that his pregnant fiancée has committed suicide. Marlowe simply cannot accept the official verdict, and as anguish and rage replace the love he once felt, he is driven by a madness that forces him to question his own integrity while he hunts an elusive killer.

Genres: Fiction, Novels, Drama, Book Club, Adventure, Mystery, Crime

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2020

Reviews

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Mourning her will have to wait until I can find her murderer’

Multiple award winning writer and photographer Gabriel F.W. Koch has published six books to date – the WOMEN WHO DEFY TIME MAKE HISTORY SET (PARADOX EFFECT and EMMA AND THE DRAGON TOOTH SWORD), NO ESCAPING THE STORM, and AND COME DAY’S END of his MICHAEL MCKAYBEES Mystery set, and BEHOLDEN and this novel, DEATH LEAVES A SHADOW, of his MARLOWE BLACK MYSTERY series. Of interest, the Michael McKaybees character is the son of his Marlowe Black character – suggesting the positive impact Marlowe Black created on Koch’s audience!

For readers unfamiliar with the lead character, the following is shared: Marlowe Black, a WWII combat veteran, walks the streets of New York with a PI license to serve justice, a .45 automatic and his fists to enforce it, and a steely determination to solve a case…regardless of the consequences in a grim picture of American city life, corruption, and death. And given that retrace, Koch opens this volume poetically: “June 1951 – A 32 caliber round robbed Lois of her life and me her. I stared numbly at Detective Paul Dunbar, while something my father said years earlier ran through my head: Death rides on all of our shoulders from the day we are born as if to inform us that only it knows its appointment. The abrupt end of Lois’ life burned like flames under my skin. The worst feeling since I first experienced death during war. Seeing someone die will never get easier. For some reason the thought surprised me. I’d come to believe that untrue after years of being a private cop.’

Where that event takes us is well explained in Koch’s terse synopsis: ‘Then comes the brutal announcement that his pregnant fiancée has committed suicide. Marlowe simply cannot accept the official verdict, and as anguish and rage replace the love he once felt, he is driven by a madness that forces him to question his own integrity while he hunts an elusive killer.’

Once again Koch blends romance – and its myriad effects of emotional commitment – with impressive mystery weaving, and the result is a memorable, involving story that grows even after finishing the book. Writing of this quality is a treasure: combining keen storyline with philosophical overtones makes it a true gem. Very highly recommended!!!

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was done reading this book, I , I am mediately went out and got the first book in this series. When Marlo black is told that his beloved Louise committed suicide, he doesn’t believe but not for a second. Not only was she expecting his child, but they had agreed to marry. He let this anger and grief push him to look for the killer. Along the way he meets Another Woman he is attracted to. Will hethem both killed before it’s over or can Marleau get his man before it’s over? This is a book I highly recommend! I love historical PI stories and this totally reminded me of Philip Marlowe PI and I loved it. Although the author put his own spin on it you can tell this is of the classic EI variety at its best. If you love historical crime books you will love this book, I know I did!

[Grymm Gevierre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Koch delivers another great story. This is my third book by this author, and I continue to find gems in every piece I read. He spans multiple genres, and it feels like rather than spreading himself too thin, he’s broadened his ability to craft a story in any genre.

This adventure kicks off with the death of the lead character’s lover. Marlowe Black embarks on a journey to solve the mystery of her death made to look like a suicide. This character is fun because he’s so incredibly human. He doesn’t give in to convention, and he’s flawed. He wasn’t built to be some perfect idol, but instead to embody a sense of realism that, although not always relatable, is always realistic. There are some pretty good twists here. I recommend you give this series (and this book) a read!

[Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This twisting and thrilling tale begins dark and only pulls the reader deeper. Marlowe cannot accept the ruling that his pregnant fiancé committed suicide, so he sets out to find her elusive killer. The pieces simply don’t fit, they were happy, they were going to get married, they were preparing for their first child, something else must be going on. And so begins Marlowe’s dangerous journey as he resolves to find the truth behind his fiancé's murder and get revenge. I really enjoyed how full of twists and turns this book was. It kept me on my toes. Author Gabriel F.W. Koch does a wonderful job of weaving together a complex plot and creating characters full of emotion and depth. I was able to fully immerse myself in this story. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author!

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit worried I wouldn't understand much in this book because it is the second in a series, but I was hooked. It makes me want to know certain characters more. Also, I was not expecting the pace of the book to be quick, and I felt like I was on the edge of my seat. 'Whats going to happen next?' 'Will he be safe?' 'What do they need to do now!?'.

It isn't a very long book too. I've needed a break from longer books, and this was perfect. The action, the suspense, and gosh... the excitement. A great read and I am surprised that not more people have read this.

[Lenor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one hell of a ride, the mystery behind the murder of Marlowe Black’s wife and unborn child is what really has him skeptical, he doesn’t believe for a second that his wife committed suicide and taking their baby with her. So now, he has to dig deeper, and he begins the path of discovering what truly happened and why.
This book is captivating and with an amazing story building, completely recommend it if you enjoy PI mysteries and a good story.

[Pegboard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death Leaves a Shadow is Gabriel F.W. Koch's second book in his Marlowe Black series. Marlowe Black is back in action, but these times he is driven by anger, grief, and revenge. His fiancée and unborn child were murdered but carefully planned out to look like suicide. This could never be, and Black is going to get to the bottom of what happened.

Gabriel F.W. Koch writes another hard-boiled mystery; Death Leaves a Shadow. At times I question whether I like the integrity and character of Marlowe Black. He is a maverick that is unique, brass, and unconventional, but that is also his charm. He steps out of the box and gets the job done in his way. Overall, the author works magic with his characters and leaves you stunned when the story unfolds.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death Leaves a Shadow by Gabriel F W Koch
Starts out with other works by the author, and praise for publisher and dedication to family.
Story starts in 1951 and you learn different things about others Black works with. Also glimpses of his war history with others that he is still in contact with when he needs a bit of extra help.
Things get out of hand at times but he remains in control of some situations. He is hot on the trail of a man and he needs to serve him his due justice.
He hits where it will effect the man rather then directly. He has lost his true love but finds passion in anothers arms. She also is helping him with some situations.
Love the locations and things that are brought to them.
Trains, hmm we had those a whole 8feet plywood display, they are ok but this story makes them sound like I need to get some again, at least for the bottom of the Christmas tree.
Like mystery, clues he finds, how he processes things, the action, adventure and unpredictable and how he stays calm through thick and thin.
Would enjoy more of this author's works, like the style of writing and he really captures your attention and makes you part of the story.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

[Louise Schliessman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marlowe Black is back!

I read Book 1 and was excited to see Book 2 was available. The author's style is captivating. I could not put it down.If you are looking for a great mystery look no further.

[Swati Tanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Death is the ultimate test of faith.”

If you are into historical crime stories, you've got to read this one. The story is set in the 1950s. The storyline includes the death of the protagonist's lover. It is declared suicide but Marlowe Black doesn't believe it. He refuses to accept the verdict that his pregnant fiancée committed suicide. They were happy, they were getting married, and they were getting ready to have their first child, so something else must be going on. So he decides to solve the mystery of her death. The journey described after that is interesting.

The author does an excellent job of weaving a complex plot and developing people with depth and emotion. He has crafted the whole thing very well.

I found myself to be completely engrossed while reading.

You might like to check out more similar books here.

[Ingolda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marlowe simply cannot accept the official verdict that his pregnant fiancé has committed suicide. They were in love and had planned to get married, and as anguish and rage replace the love he once felt, he is driven by a madness that forces him to question his own integrity while he hunts an elusive killer.

Death Leaves a Shadow is perhaps my favorite book yet from Gabriel Koch. Which is saying something as I have liked all I have read. Once again the characters are so awesome, the kind where you feel you want to spend time with them between books, if you know what I mean. Koch always provides enough history and backstory to help understand how characters are connected. The plot line is complex and full of suspense from the first page so it didn’t take me long to get drawn in at all. I found myself constantly guessing and sitting on the edge of my seat in the moments of heightened suspense. Death leaves a Shadow is very highly recommended by me.

[Aarion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been meaning to read Death Leaves a Shadow for a while now after reading some of the other reviews, and I have to say I was not disappointed. This scratched the same combination of literary and thematic and entertaining itches that previous books I’ve read by author Gabriel F.W. Koch have done.

I love hard-boiled PI stories and Koch is a darn good writer. Death Leaves a Shadow in my opinion is one of the most readable and enjoyable PI book I’ve read for a while.

There are several twists to the plot that kept me guessing, and I did not ultimately see what was coming. The chemistry between the characters was thrilling and I found I just could not put it down and read it in just a few sittings. Excellent!

[Will4m · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marlo Black is told that his fiancé Louise committed suicide, but he struggles to believe this is true. Not only was she expecting his child, but they were planning on getting married. They were happy, she was happy. This sends Marlo on an emotionally fuelled rampage to find out the truth.

Perfectly paced with a gritty and likeable main character, Death Leaves a Shadow is a gripping thriller which had me immediately immersed in the story and glued to my seat the whole way through. It is great writing from author Koch, and I’ll be looking out for more of his books in the future for sure. Highly recommended by me.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy PI pulp stories, you’re going to love this historical thriller. It hits all the marks for the genre, and I quickly fell in love with this unique take on it. Marlowe might be a war veteran, but he still has a fire burning in him, and when the woman he loves is murdered, he’s determined to find her killer after the police rule it a suicide and close the case. Marlowe is a bit of a gray area character, operating in neither black nor white, perfect for the lead in a pulp story. Although not a very short book, the pacing moves it along so quickly that before you know it, you’re chapters in and unwilling to put it down. Highly recommend!

[Shaunyy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marlowe simply cannot accept the official verdict that his pregnant fiancé has committed suicide, and as anguish and rage replace the love he once felt, he is driven by a madness that forces him to question his own integrity while he hunts an elusive killer.

This is the second book in the Marlowe Black series and I think it’s just as good as the first, if not better. Koch produces another PI mystery that is again engrossing with an easy to follow yet cleverly devised plot. It has surprising twists and turns that kept me doubting and wondering to the very last page. It is a stylistic triumph and a very good read.

[Racait · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story, an incredible book, I really love the plot.

[Christina F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death Leaves a Shadow is a great thriller with some historical fiction as well. The book opens with a bang- Marlowe finds out his fiancé is dead. He is being told that it was a suicide, but he cannot accept that and goes on a quest to discover the truth. There are many twists and turns during the plot that kept me guessing the whole time. Throughout the novel new people are introduced and you begin to wonder if they are a friend of Marlowe’s or one of the enemies. The novel is set in the 1950s which adds to the story as you hear about the war. You also realize there are no cell phones and such to help Marlowe track down people quicker and he must do things the old-fashioned way which sometimes just means waiting. The novel is fast paced, well-written, and fun to read. I didn’t realize it at first that this is part of a series, and my plan now is to read the first book in the series. I really enjoyed this book and loved the character of Marlowe. There were other characters I enjoyed as well but don’t want to give anything away by mentioning them.

[Douglas Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great throwback to the 1940s and 50s hard-boiled detective stories. Dames, dolls, shoot first and ask questions later. If at least four or five people aren't shot by sundown it's been a bad day. Marlowe's name is an obvious reference to Dashiell Hammett's Philip Marlowe. Moves like an out-of-control freight train.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death Leaves a Shadow is the first for me of the Marlowe Black Mystery series and this book is action packed. Marlowe is a Private Detective with someone after him, based in New York. First he loses his pregnant fiancé Lois and is determined to find her murderer. Every where Marlowe seems to go someone is shooting at him and those with him. As those around Marlowe get injured it starts to drive him crazy and he decides the only way to catch this person is to get ahead of him.
I recommend this book to those who enjoy a fast paced, shoot em out, get in your face kind of read. That is who Marlowe Black is and he gets the job done, well written by Gabriel F.W. Koch.

[Tiago Palhoto · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 4,5 stars.
Overall I really enjoyed the richness of the writing, especially the characters. This richness made the plot (quite simple) much more appealing and interesting to follow. However, there was clearly a change in the pace of the plot. The first half had much more action, which was necessary to create the canvas that supported the other half, which was more introspective and with less action and more character playing. I thing this was a bit unbalanced.
Still, definitely a recommendation!

[Maxiumus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Death Leaves a Shadow left me feeling a curious mixture of thrill and satisfaction. Koch weaves a tale of suspense and mystery that keeps you glued to the edge of your seat, and the journey of Marlowe Black, the book's gritty protagonist, resonated with me deeply.
Marlowe's raw humanity is striking - he's far from perfect, but that's what makes him real. His quest to unravel the truth behind his lover's suspicious death felt personal and urgent. The way he defies convention and faces the adversities is compelling and, at times, a stark reminder of the complex layers of the human spirit.
The plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, keeping you guessing till the very end. Koch's ability to deliver a fast-paced, engaging narrative without compromising the depth of the characters is remarkable. And the 1950s setting lends an intriguing historical dimension to the tale, enriching the narrative without overpowering it.
There were moments when I questioned Marlowe's integrity and methods, but these instances only served to make his character more nuanced and relatable. After all, aren't we all a mix of virtues and vices, with our own ways of dealing with loss and grief?
The conclusion I came to after reading this was that Koch has a knack for creating compelling, multi-faceted characters that stay with you long after you've turned the last page. His storytelling skill, evident in the finely crafted plot and vivid imagery, had me completely absorbed.
Reading this made me feel a spectrum of emotions - from suspense to surprise to a sense of cathartic resolution. If you're in the mood for a well-crafted mystery that explores the depths of human resilience and determination, I highly recommend Death Leaves a Shadow.

[Calibri · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Death Leaves a Shadow, Gabriel F.W. Koch crafts a pretty interesting narrative around the enigmatic Marlowe Black. A decorated WWII veteran turned New York City cop, Black now walks life's margins as a private investigator. His tough exterior and cynical demeanor on the outside, but a man yearning for a semblance of normalcy inside, a yearning that seems within reach when he falls in love​.
The sudden suicide of his pregnant fiancée, shatters this fragile hope. Koch masterfully conveys Black's emotional turmoil as love is supplanted by anguish and rage, pushing him to the brink of madness. The official verdict is unacceptable to Black, and so begins his relentless pursuit of an elusive killer​.
Koch's character-driven storytelling and the novel's hard-boiled mystery genre leanings make for an enjoyable read. The journey through Black's personal struggle and the unfurling mystery surrounding his fiancée's death create a satisfyingly complex narrative that pulls at my heartstrings while keeping me on my toes guessing at each next reveal.
At times the story did feel a bit overly reliant on Black's internal conflict, but despite that minor quibble it was an otherwise engrossing narrative.
Death Leaves a Shadow is a great dive into the human psyche's darker corners, wrapped in a detective story that definitely kept me guessing until the end. While it may not be perfect, I think it's a book that's well worth your time.

[Greenery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, where to begin? The 1950s setting, the gritty streets of New York, and a protagonist, Marlowe Black, who's as complex as my last attempt at a DIY home project. The book starts with a gut-punch - Marlowe's pregnant fiancée, a beacon of hope in his otherwise tumultuous life, is declared to have committed suicide. But Marlowe, with his WWII combat scars and a PI badge, isn't buying it. And neither was I.
Gabriel FW Koch paints a vivid picture of post-war New York, where the line between right and wrong is as blurred as my vision without my glasses. Marlowe's journey to find the truth behind his fiancée's death is filled with twists that had me yelling, "No way!" at my cat, who was equally invested.
The writing? It's like if Philip Marlowe PI met modern storytelling. There's a classic feel to it, but with a freshness that kept me turning pages. The characters are layered, and just when I thought I had them figured out, Koch threw in a curveball.
Now, it wasn't all rainbows and butterflies. There were moments where I wanted to grab Marlowe by the collar and shake some sense into him. But that's what makes him human. Flawed, determined, and driven by emotions that anyone who's ever lost someone can relate to.
Death Leaves a Shadow is a rollercoaster of emotions, with a plot that kept me guessing and characters that will stay with me for a while. Would I recommend it? In the words of my grandma, "Is a frog's butt watertight?" Yes, yes I would.

[Emacdt · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Death Leaves a Shadow, Gabriel F.W. Koch weaves a dark and gritty narrative around protagonist Marlowe Black. A forgotten wartime hero turned gritty New York City cop, Black now prowls the grimy underbelly of society as a jaded private investigator. He has a tough exterior, but inside is a yearning for normalcy.

The abrupt suicide of his pregnant fiancée shatters the shards of Black's fragile hope, plunging him into a chilling abyss of agony and seething rage. Koch masterfully plunges us into Black's tormented mind, where love turns to anguish and fury, pushing him ever closer to the precipice of madness. The official verdict may be acceptable to others, but not to Black. And so, his relentless pursuit of an elusive killer ensues.

Koch's character-driven storytelling delves deep into the darkest recesses of the human soul, while the novel's hard-boiled mystery genre sensibilities add an electrifying edge.

The story occasionally relies on Black's internal conflict, but as I found that pretty interesting it didn’t detract at all from the enjoyable reading experience. Death Leaves a Shadow immerses you in the chilling depths of Black's psychological descent, enveloping you in a detective story that kept me guessing until the final, shocking revelation.

[GrantedBooks Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grips your attention straight away.

The Author pleasantly takes you straight into the plot, that has been written with very realistic physiological aspects. The characters intertwine perfectly, keeping you guessing throughout.

It delves you straight in to the damagimg effects of denial of not only losing your loved one, and the effects this has on your emotions, but it also makes you appreciate how someone would feel when they are confronted with the sudden realisation that the person you are prepared to live the rest of your life with is potentially not the person you percieved them to be.

This book is a must for any physiological murder mystery fans that are looking for a gripping read that will leave you with a wow factor.

Highly recommended that will not leave you disappointed!

[Soochi Sandhiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

is hard to belive an untimely death of a loved one and the hardest of all is to accept that it is a suicide when everything was going well...
The story lead was living a blissfull life with plans of settling a beautiful and perfect family and this all gets shattered with one shocking announcement that his to be wed pregnant fiancee has committed suicide.
It was painful, heartbreaking and extremely painful for him to believe it...
What he did next would unveil the excruciating truth behind this murder mystery.

The author had delivered the complex plot in the most intrestingly grafted way and that would certainly keep you hooked.
If you love to accompany yourself with a murder mystery with nail bitting subplots, then this could be an ideal pick.

[A Williamz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to belive an untimely death of a loved one and the hardest of all is to accept that it is a suicide when everything was going well...
The story lead was living a blissfull life with plans of settling a beautiful and perfect family and this all gets shattered with one shocking announcement that his to be wed pregnant fiancee has committed suicide.
It was painful, heartbreaking and extremely painful for him to believe it...
What he did next would unveil the excruciating truth behind this murder mystery.

The author had delivered the complex plot in the most intrestingly grafted way and that would certainly keep you hooked.
If you love to accompany yourself with a murder mystery with nail bitting subplots, then this could be an ideal pick.

[Libertyread · Rating 5 out of 5]

On hearing the soul destroying news that his pregnant fiance, Lois, is dead, P.I. Marlowe Black embarks on a perilous journey to hunt down and destroy Lois’s killer. A verdict of apparent suicide enrages him and further fuels his desperation to obtain justice at any cost even when his own life hangs in the balance.

As Marlowe grieves Lois’s untimely death, multiple attempts on his life as well as on those who are bold enough to accompany him on his quest for justice will leave you invested till the end.

Gabriel F.W. Koch, in his captivating and action packed, murder mystery, Death leaves A Shadow, delivers a nail - biting plot which pulled me in, ensuring I venture further into this series. I highly recommended this well - written novel to those who enjoy the genre.

[Zeta Dionn · Rating 5 out of 5]

New York PI Marlow Black is back for a second mystery, only this time his search is not on behalf of a client, but fuelled by his own grief, the loss of of his fiancé. What first looks like suicide soon develops into a murder investigation, and Marlow will not stop until the killer is found and justice is served.

Death Leaves a Shadow well thought out concept with a great storyline to go with it. The characters are engaging and very likeable. While dark and tense at times, the book is also quite fast-paced and it got me hooked and immersed into the storyline very early on. Definitely worth the read for fans of the Noir and PI fiction genres.

[Darcy D · Rating 5 out of 5]

While reading Death Leaves a Shadow author Koch comes across as an experienced mystery writer. It showed here with the cunningly crafted levels of tension and suspense, and the incorporation of numerous unexpected twists in the immersive storytelling. I found this to be an entertaining read. Dark and intense, and Marlowe Black is a protagonist I couldn’t help care for and feel real jeopardy during the most tense moments.

If you are looking for a great mystery novel then I think you could do a lot worse than Death Leaves a Shadow. The second instalment of the Marlow Black Series, and I enjoyed it even more than the first.