Ghost Shadow (Bone Island Trilogy #1) by Heather Graham
June 29, 2010
Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Paperback, 368 Pages
Mira

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: "I think I waited my whole life for you."

Katie O’Hara has a special gift-she can see the dead. As she’s drawn deeper and deeper into a gruesome decade old murder, whispered warnings from a ghostly friend become more and more insistent. But Katie must uncover the truth. Could David Beckett really be guilty of his fiancée’s murder? Worse, the body count’s rising on the Island of Bones, and history seems to be repeating itself. As Katie finds herself irresistibly drawn to David, will she become one more statistic on the Island of Bones?

David Beckett left Key West ten years ago after he discovered his ex fiancé murdered and displayed in the family museum. Looked upon as a suspect, he had an air tight alibi but the islanders had their suspicions. When David returns to the island to try to find answers to his ex fiancées murder, he stirs up a hornets nest asking questions that someone doesn’t want answered. He also finds himself drawn to his best friend’s sister, Katie O’Hara, who is all grown up now.

Katie O’Hara has always seen and interacted with the dead. Upon seeing David after all these years she is stunned by how attracted she is to him. But she knows that his fiancé’s murder haunts him and she and her side kick, Bartholomew try to help. As she and David begin to dig deeper into his fiancé’s murder, the past and present merge together. When all the players from ten years ago come back to town, forces realign and a macabre tableau is set in motion.

In the first of a new trilogy by Heather Graham, we are taken on a journey in to the past to solve a classic "who dun it" paranormal style. The last few books from Heather Graham have left me wanting. But this one reads like one of her earlier ones. Plenty of mystery, suspense, a little history lesson, and a sweet touch of romance to top it all off.

The premise, a decade old murder where the "suspect" comes back to solve it, is an old story. But Ms. Graham gives it a fresh twist with a likable ghost, strong protagonists, and intelligent secondary characters. The plot is solid with plenty of suspense to keep you hooked. Current events are woven with the past to create an intriguing storyline.

The chemistry between David and Kate sparked right off the bat for me. The romance is secondary in the storyline but makes an indelible mark on the outcome. I liked the fact that David and Kate focus more on the town and the problems at hand then their love life. We get some serious love scenes but they are made more sensual because you have to use your imagination.

The secondary characters each play an important part and aren’t just padding to the story. Ms. Graham takes you into their lives and lets you get to know them.I love how she blends the daily life of Key West into the storyline. I admit I giggled a bit at Katie’s job. She hosts karaoke at her uncle’s bar. She calls it Katie-oke. Kate’s relationship with Bartholomew comes off genuine and provides some humorous and sweet moments in the story. I liked the fact that Kate is comfortable in her gift. She accepts it and has the attitude of like it or not, this is who she is.

The ending was dramatic and satisfying. MS. Graham once again delivers an enjoyable suspense romance that is sure to satisfy a little of something in every reader and bring some previous readers back to the fold.

Rating: 4/5

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