In the Shadow of the Past

Shadow Series, Book 1

De: J.E. Leak

Narrado por: Abby Craden

A Sultry Historical Noir Packed with Espionage, Desire, and Sizzling WLW Tension

New York City, 1943. From jazz clubs to back alleys, passion and peril collide in this slow-burn sapphic love story that simmers through every twist and turn.

Nightclub singer–turned–OSS spy Kathryn Hammond has a past she can’t outrun and a mission she can’t afford to fail. But when fearless reporter Jenny Ryan becomes her assignment, sparks fly and everything starts to unravel.

Jenny is fire and fury seeking justice for her father’s murder. Kathryn is ice and regret behind a voice like sex and sin. Neither planned on the slow burn between them. Neither is ready for what it will cost them.

In a world where a lingering glance can be dangerous and a kiss can be fatal, their forbidden desire threatens Kathryn’s mission and places Jenny in the crosshairs of a ruthless enemy. When love becomes a liability, which woman will pay the price?

In the Shadow of the Past is a sapphic noir awash in Old Hollywood cinematic glamour that will delight fans of femme fatales, wartime subterfuge, and love that cuts like a knife.

This is the first book in the lush, sapphic historical fiction Shadow Series. Buy it now and lose yourself in Abby Craden’s unforgettable narration of Kathryn and Jenny’s epic love story, where the greatest threat might not be the enemy but the longing in their own hearts.

Buckle up … it’s going to be a deliciously bumpy ride!

©2021 J.E. Leak (P)2025 J.E. Leak

Amazing story

Nice story line. Can’t wait for the next book in the series. A great read. Thank you.

Elegant, skillful slow burn

It's a beautiful, slow-burn love story with buildups and payoffs. Narrator Abby Craden, long may she reign, delivers a 10/10. Tender, sexy, heartbreaking, funny, flawless.

J.E. Leak knows exactly what she is doing with this genre, the whole Shadow series is excellent. Genuinely funny with just the right amount of tension and intrigue to stay interesting. The character development and world building feel organic, the pacing and structure are on point, and I loved falling in love with it all.

Hurry with part 2 & 3!!!

I was so excited to have a new Abby Craden audiobook to listen to! She’s been gone from the WLW world for far too long. This one won’t disappoint!

The characters: OSS spy Kat (tall, dark-haired blue-eyed beauty with a brilliant strategic mind and a difficult past)
And newspaper columnists Jenny (short, blond-haired, green-eyed innocent with a proclivity to attract trouble and a wide eyed optimism) …. My absolute favorite type of duo!!! iykyk 😉

The story is filled with intrigue and secrets making it have a bit more focus on the OSS spy stuff than the romance but the romance doesn’t disappoint. Additionally, I loved the focus on love for country and patriotism.

This is definitely a slow, slow burn on the romance side, that doesn’t culminate in this book.

I could tell about halfway through that this was setting up a series of books which I am super excited about. I love that there was no consummation in the first book because it allows the connection and romance to breath and grow deep strong roots.

As for Abby Craden… what can I say? She’s a brilliant artist and an absolute gift to this genera and hopeless romantic lesbians everywhere. She played the voices perfectly (per usual). If she doesn’t narrate the next two books, it will be a tragedy.

I can’t wait for the next audiobook (although I will be buying it when it comes out) but I need to know what happens next, so I bought the next book on kindle. I’ll just have to put up with the sound of my own inner voice for the time being.

Happy reading!!!

Love it!

I wish there were more lesbian books out there like this! It’s a fantastic series! A must get!

Plot and character development were great and refreshing from other Sapphic novels.

Liked everything including narrator.
I love period novels and liked how author obviously had done her research on WWII period.