In a world of played out silver mines and dry riverbeds, Deputy Casey Lang must find a missing six-year-old. As the temperature rises, three unlikely heroes emerge to help.
After moving to the California High Desert for a new start, Deputy Casey Lang faces a hard truth: She must work through her fear of shooting another child or kiss her career goodbye. The disappearance of a six-year-old girl from a concert in the park puts Casey's resolve to the test. The only member of the local force with experience working a kidnapping, Casey knows she is the department's best chance for finding the child.
Set in a scorched landscape of played out silver mines and dry riverbeds, Clementine's Shadow tells the story of a child snatched by a predator and the desperate hunt to find her.
Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
10:30 A.M.
The old biddy nearing him in the supermarket aisle looked sharp-eyed and cranky. He didn’t recognize her, but still averted his face. After she passed, he studied the candy selection. Dolly craved bright-looking treats with wild colors. A lollipop of swirled blue and pink drew his gaze, the candy disk as big as his palm. Dolly would want it. The concert in the park started at seven o’clock. He would try to hold off until 7:15 before he gave Dolly her treat. Hard to resist those big green eyes.
A shopping cart rattled. He looked toward the sound. A young mother approached. Her daughter clutched at the woman’s leg, the girl’s fingers scrabbling without success along the skin-tight denim. The mother brushed away the girl’s hand, her attention focused on the package-lined shelves.
Another brainwashed drone who thought she could buy the ingredients for happiness. He knew better. Happiness didn’t nest in material things.
The woman moved away, pushing her basket toward the frozen food section. Her daughter trailed behind. He lingered by the candy display, peering at them through mirrored sunglasses, unobtrusive in his studies. Little girls, age five or six, moved like young deer, awkward and graceful by turns. This one’s sticklike legs made him think of a fawn first learning to run. Lovely. Vulnerable. The vibrations began to rise inside him.
“No!” The little girl spun away from her mother. “You promised candy.” She ran straight at him.
No sudden moves. Remain calm. The girl neared. He strolled from the candy aisle toward the baked goods section.
“Brittany. Get back here. I don’t have time for this.” The woman abandoned her half-full cart, marched after the girl and grabbed her shoulders. “Want candy? Then behave. Don’t make me chase you all over the damn store.”
The girl stared at the array of sweets. Her lower lip and voice trembled. “You promised.”
“Jesus Christ. We’ll pick something out when we’re done shopping. Now, come on.” The woman tugged her daughter’s hand.
The girl’s lower lip retreated. “OK.” She sniffed then trotted along beside her mother. The two returned to their shopping cart.
He stared after them. The young mother so confident she and her daughter had nothing to worry about except wasted time. Foolish – like most mothers. He took a deep breath, trying to quiet the hum inside his brain. He needed to stay focused for tonight. Nothing could go wrong. Stick to the plan. Make it happen.
Tonight he would offer Dolly her treat. When Dolly saw it, she’d smile and come to him.
Dollies always did.
Professional Reviews
Oh My Darlin, Clementine's Shadow
This is one terrific read, fresh and original, a steady drumroll of mystery and suspense with a twisty, serpentine plot from a doyenne of the genre. I'm mad for atmospheric whodunnits, and have read a ton. So Peggy Rothschild, where have you been all of my life?
Thriller with a Heart
"Rothschild has given us a thriller with heart. The anger and fear hides the truth of the heart in her characters. The prickly surface hides a maelstrom of emotion only hinted at through the actions that guide them. You will find yourself their cheering section as they allow their emotions and actions to lead them into danger in an effort to strengthen their own psyche. The rescue of the little girl will either make them or break them. There is sadness, horror and humor threaded through the action, and the ending will keep you guessing.
If you enjoy mysteries you will fill your needs with this novel. It is clever and interesting, with a dangerous off kilter ending. This would be a great book for your library; Peggy Rothschild is an author to watch for."
Leslie Wright, "Wrighton-time"
Old Secrets
"Set in California, over the course of one night, this thriller is about the search for a child abducted by a killer. Deputy Casey Lang is on the case to find the missing child. There is much to enjoy about this novel. During the search, old secrets come out of the shadows! The author's prose is elegant without being turgid. She draws beautiful pictures with her words. This book has a sober and reflective tone that makes you really care for the main characters. I believe that fiction is in some way its own reality which is just as important as the mundane world we live in. "Clementine's Shadow" verifies this for me. This book was a joy to read."
The most difficult thing that two humans can attempt is to communicate. No, not talk, communicate! Most relational problems are either caused by or aggravated by a failure to communicate properly. Learn how to do just that, communicate. See how much
The Commander and the Chief take on the rogue Deep State: the Gunfight at the UK Corral, missing Redcoats in the Nevada Triangle, and nuclear blackmail!
Will Justice overcome the Ford Valley Corruption!
Ford Valley is corrupt because of the Fords. Newly elected Sheriff Todd Mercer has improved the Sheriff Department. However, can Sheriff Mercer and his committee fight to change the corrupti
