Shadow Falls

Detective Madison Harper, Book 1

By: Wendy Dranfield

Narrated by: Gigi Burgdorf

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

You thought your little girl was safe at summer camp. You were wrong.

She drags her eyes open, realizing she’s starting to fade. Did she imagine the voices, or were they real? She tries calling out - “Daddy?” - using all her remaining strength. But she’s too late, and her little voice just isn’t loud enough.... 

When Detective Madison Harper arrives at a remote summer camp in Shadow Falls, Northern California, her heart breaks for Jenny, the sweet little girl last seen splashing in the lake with her friends before she vanished. Peering into the silent cabins filled with rows of neatly made beds, Madison knows this idyllic place is hiding a terrible secret. 

The girl’s parents are distraught, and the local police have no leads - they desperately need Madison’s help. She’ll do whatever it takes to crack this case, because it’s the only way back to the son she lost to the care system years ago when she was framed for a crime she didn’t commit. 

But with the camp staff keeping tight-lipped and her new partner on the edge of a breakdown, Madison can’t find any truth to her instinct that there is more to Jenny’s perfect parents than meets the eye. Until she discovers a disturbing family portrait Jenny drew at the local library. Was this angelic girl more troubled than anybody knew? Was she in danger from those she trusted most?  

One thing is certain, if Madison doesn't find the answers soon, the lives of more innocent children will be at risk....

Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni, and Melinda Leigh.  

©2021 Wendy Dranfield (P)2021 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Language is an issue

story and plot was soo good but it was ruined by all the cursing and bad language ruined it.

An ex-con turned PI...interesting...

Nate was wrongfully accused and railroaded to prison for a crime that he didn’t commit. Now the former almost-cleric is running his own PI company. When a 12yo girl goes missing from summer camp, Nate is hired by the grandmother to investigate. He reluctantly pairs up with former police detective, also ex-con, Madison Harper, who is on her own quest to exonerate her name. As the pair investigate, what they uncover will astound.
I must admit that, for me, the story started off a bit slow but it picked up after a few chapters. I will be moving to the next book to find out more of Nate and Madison’s stories.

The narrator sounded like a robot!

The story was good, it's the only reason I continued to listen. All of the characters sounded alike and robotic. Not worth it!!

good story , narrator a little slow but decent

like I said story was great, had lots of twist and turns. hope next book is just as good.

Great Book

The narration was just a tad fast so I listened in .9 speed and it was perfect! Great story!

Great start for a series!

Great plot twists and characters. I look forward to more in the series. I love the dog especially

Amazing book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! From the first chapter you’re invested in the characters. I like how flawed and imperfect they are, yet you’re rooting for Madison and Nate to succeed. Now I can’t wait to get into the next book in the series

Entertaining

I enjoyed the characters although a few parts of Nate's background didn't ring true (e.g. priesthood is a vocation rather than a career and rosary beads are not meant as a necklace). Good plot. Worth listening to.

I was amazed at the ending. so loved this book!

The narrator was wonderful. Her voice was so believable. Great listening voice! she should do a thousand more books.

Fast paced & minimally interesting...

This story kept me listening to see what happens in the end, but my interest level was at the 'minimum'. Certain details around the circumstances of the story were glossed over, as if the Author didnt wnat to do reasearch at all so she kept things in general terms. Narrator was just okay. Just 'meh' overall:-) Not continuing the series.

Brilliant start to a series!

Having read and enjoyed Wendy Dranfield's latest book, the Birthday Party, I decided I had to start reading her back catalogue. Shadow Falls is the first in the Madiison Harper series and it's a proper detective story. The two protagonists, Madison and Nate Monroe are both brilliant but flawed characters with very interesting backstories.

The story, involving a missing child, is multi-layered, exciting and fast paced and ended with a cliffhanger that left me wanting more! I've just bought book 2 in the series!

I really enjoyed the narration by Gabi Burgdorf.

Absolutely amazing

I loved this and can’t wait for next book
The characters are great, the writing gripping I just couldn’t stop listening definitely recommend

I loved this book , no messing straight in

What a riveting book, just LOVED the way it started, had me hooked from the very beginning. Loved the play between the main characters. Played it every single day whenever i could get a chance. Brilliant and looking forward next one in series. Cant wait!

narration is terrible

The narration of the story is terrible, sounds like a robot with no feeling or emotion. the story line is good though

Really good to listen to

Story line is good and it makes you want to know more about the characters