Find out the latest indie author news. For FREE.

ADVERTISEMENT

Joseph Rielinger
Author
Shadow House
An unexpected visit from the daughter of an old mentor launches private detective Terry Luvello into one of the most intriguing cases of his career. Margaret Reasoner, the matriarch of one of Cleveland’s wealthiest and most politically connected families, has recently passed away. Not trusting any of her children, Margaret had added a clause in her will requiring a private inquest should her death take place under suspicious circumstances. Hired to investigate, Terry spends a week at the Reasoner’s sprawling estate dealing with the increasingly hostile family as he unravels the mysteries of the mansion known as the Shadow House. Terry recruits his partner and girlfriend, Cleveland police detective Hannah Page to aid in the investigation. The two uncover a web of secrets and lies that stretch beyond anything they have ever experienced. As the deceptions pile up along with the body count, a killer plans the ultimate revenge. Terry’s ingenuity and uniquely wry sense of humor help him navigate this complex case while juggling the demands of his clinical transition about to enter its final phase. In a household where no one is innocent, Terry must decide just how far he is willing to go to find the guilty party.
Plot/Idea: 8 out of 10
Originality: 7 out of 10
Prose: 8 out of 10
Character/Execution: 8 out of 10
Overall: 7.75 out of 10

Assessment:

Plot/Idea: Shadow House is an intriguing murder mystery novel in which a pair of private detectives uncover a dark web of secrets. The storyline unfolds in a direct and straightforward manner, with well written characters and a tense and involving atmosphere.

Prose: Rielinger's text is simple, concise and effective, written in a confident, direct and accessible manner. Occasionally diaristic, the first person narrative is acutely realized, consistently engrossing and quietly effective.

Originality: Shadow House is a confidently written murder mystery novel which is regulalry endearing, without ever being startlingly original. Rielinger displays a solid, skillful writing style that is easy and enjoyable to read.

Character/Execution: Rielinger's protagonist, Terry Luvello, is an intelligent private detective with a sharp sense of humor. The first person narrative creates a more personal and intimate dynamic, resulting in the sense that Luvello is talking directly to the reader, which works effectively throughout.

Date Submitted: August 15, 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

Loading...