A Shadow on the Lens

By: Sam Hurcom

Narrated by: John Telfer

Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

The Postmaster looked over my shoulder. As I turned to look I saw a flicker of movement from across the street. I felt unseen eyes peer at me.

He walked away without another word. I watched as he climbed onto his bicycle and sped away down the street. I turned back and looked over my shoulder.

Someone had been watching us.

1904. Thomas Bexley, one of the first forensic photographers, is called to the sleepy and remote Welsh village of Dinas Powys, several miles down the coast from the thriving port of Cardiff. A young girl by the name of Betsan Tilny has been found murdered in the woodland - her body bound and horribly burnt. But the crime scene appears to have been staged, and worse still: the locals are reluctant to help.

As the strange case unfolds, Thomas senses a growing presence watching him, and try as he may, the villagers seem intent on keeping their secret. Then one night, in the grip of a fever, he develops the photographic plates from the crime scene in a makeshift darkroom in the cellar of his lodgings. There, he finds a face dimly visible in the photographs; a face hovering around the body of the dead girl - the face of Betsan Tilny.

©2019 Sam Hurcom (P)2019 Orion Publishing Group

Incredible suspense with a twisted ending

Many decades before satellite notebooks and fiber-optic cable made even the remotest location accessible, forces of nature worked to isolate communities. Here, a monsoon-like storm has knocked out the finicky telegraph line, and halted train service to the town. Meanwhile, our hero realizes more and more that he needs to summon reenforcements as the plot grows thicker.

Not quite five stars as I found myself wanting to wrap things up a few chapters before the author does so. However, the writing itself held my attention well as we go from scene to scene. As luck would have it, during a bout of insomnia well after midnight I listened to one of the creepiest scenes I've run across (trapped in a makeshift crypt with a decomposing corpse). If you're a fan of horror (thriller), you'd love it! I'm hoping for another story from this author as the protagonist is one who'd be terrific for a series.

Speaking of terrific, the audio narration is first-rate. Reader truly brought the story to life - highly recommended!

Can’t finish this one

Normally I like to finish the books i start but this one was not for me. I figure if the book hasn’t really grabbed me by halfway through then I don’t need to waste my time on the second half. The premise was interesting but main character seemed almost hysterical- everything was pitched with high drama. I don’t enjoy the writing style - too old fashioned- and it doesn’t appeal to me. When I realized I didn’t care about what happened next it was time to quit.