What happens when a rich client, threee beautiful women, a shifty businessman, a gambler and a missing spouse are all suspected of murder? The results are a merry-go-round of shadows and lies in a house of cards with clues almost as old as Carson.
Greed, blackmail, murder, infidelity, serial killers and a twenty year old crime spin a tale that is practically unbelievable - with the truth maked behind a story that no one wants told.
Excerpt
'Shadows & Lies'
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072Q3VKVP
The first bullet passed just under my nose - I swear I could smell it when it went by. I had just opened my car door and had one leg inside when the bullet narrowly missed my pretty face, went through my coffee and smashed into the passenger door of the Ford.
Before I could react, a second bullet slammed into the door frame just behind my head. The shooter was serious and my head was their target.
Aborting my idea of getting into the car, I dropped the coffee cup, drew my .38, knelt down behind the open door and searched for the shooter – without success. The shots came from somewhere near the outside entrance to the Down Under, and I just caught a glimpse of a figure disappearing around the corner. Then I heard an automobile engine roar to life and quickly speed out of the parking area and up the narrow street.
The parking lot and street were empty when I finally recovered and ran to the edge of the building. My ‘would be’ assassin had made their getaway, and I had no idea who had just tried to blow my head off.
Professional Reviews
https://creativecoach.in/shadows-and-lies/
This is for the second time I am reading Carson series, first one was “Murder and more” and the current one is “Shadows and Lies”. It is a detective story that binds its way through amazingly described settings; Memphis, Tennessee, in the 1960’s, and characters that come to life, in front of you. Darnell’s ability to describe and execute his virtual characters are superb. I got to know his main character, Carson Reno, as he is in the first person narrating the story. From the prologue, I felt as if, Author Darnell, had taken me into The Peabody Hotel’s lobby, where Carson has his detective office, next to the Down Under Bar. I didn’t have to guess what the characters looked like, no; I could see all of them, their quirks and mannerisms. It’s so damn real. The murder plot (or murders), is very intriguing, twist and turns, clues everywhere, multiple suspects— that make the amateur detective in all of us, ‘sleuth’ our way through the book. If you enjoy a detective and suspense novel, you’ll enjoy this one. Just when you think you figure it out, something happens. Full of intrigue and captivating characters, I loved this story. Reno is one of those unforgettable characters, and Darnell brings the pages to life, with his unique and formidable writing style. Reno grabs your attention and leaves you hanging on every single word. As always, I look forward to whatever comes next from Darnell’s pen and whatever hunt Reno will be on next.
I’m a big Carson Reno fan, and Shadows and Lies is one of the masterpieces! Alluring, suspects, intrigue… wonderful! I’m already excited at this moment for the next exciting mystery in this series. I received this book free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. And I would recommend this to you all with a big yes. Good job Mr. Darnell!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072Q3VKVP
Having read my first Carson Reno novel, ‘Dead End,’ the 13th in this hard-boiled, detective Mystery series, I eagerly selected another—‘Shadows and Lies,’ the 16th standalone book. Drawn to the hallmark ring tones of the Sixties, and the aura of actual places cited by the author, I willingly booked a room at the Peabody Hotel for my reading sojourn.
The prominent Dumont family, proprietors of the prestigious Dumont Hotel chain under the auspices of Matthew Dumont, provide a strong case for Carson Reno to take on via his Drake Detective Agency at the Peabody. For starters, Matthew’s son Brigham’s third wife is missing. The first one died under mysterious circumstances. You’ll find out if the second was murdered by a serial killer or not.
Besides the whodunit, like Reno, you’ll want to know what else is going on—and why!
If all of the tantalizing tidbits of this novel aren’t enough for you—serial killers, a twenty-year-old armed robbery, murders left and right, greed, infidelity, lies, Mob influence, bogus security reports, and false identities—there’s all the other hallmark ring tones of the Sixties you become privy to:
Constantly lighting up. Gumshoes wearing suits. Conducting biz inside a lounge or bar knocking back a few beers or Jack Daniels and coke. And, dig these character names: Cheese, Spider Webb, Tucker Baggett, Rags Tobin, and John Dho.
I highly recommend “tunneling” through ‘Shadows and Lies’! However, if Lydia Longstreet can’t get a straight answer from Carson Reno, I doubt any reader will either, as to why Marion Dumont’s pair of pantyhose was under his bed.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072Q3VKVP
This was my first Carson Reno detective novel, and I’m now a fan. A detective story that weaves its way through magnificently described settings; Memphis, Tennessee, in the 1960’s, and characters that come to life, in front of you. Darnell’s ability to described and develop his cast of players is marvelous. I got to know his main character, Carson Reno, as he, in the first person, tells the story, and lets me know his feelings and thoughts, in his own irreverent way. From the prologue, I felt as if, Author Darnell, had pulled me in by my shirt collar, into The Peabody Hotel’s lobby, where Carson has his detective office, next to the Down Under Bar. I didn’t have to guess what the characters looked like, no, I could see all of them, their quirks and mannerisms. The murder plot (or murders), is very intriguing, twist and turns, clues everywhere, multiple suspects— that make the amateur detective in all of us, ‘sleuth’ our way through the book. If you enjoy a detective –whodunit novel, you’ll enjoy this one. “Another Jack Daniels and Coke please, Andy,” said Reno.
This is my second Carson Reno novel and it was as well-written as the first one I read. Once again, the Drake Detective Agency becomes involved with a case loaded with murders, blackmail and deception in a case going back over 20 years. The characters are great and come to life with the detailed descriptions of each. At every twist and turn there is yet another murder adding to an already intriguing plot and allowing Carson Reno to chip away the details providing a clear picture of what 'may' have happened...his last meeting with family, foes, police and FBI is only half-way solved in his mind, hoping for illumination from others as he goes along with his story, awaiting a Perry Mason moment!
The fun the characters have regarding people's names is quite amusing, my favorite being 'rum and coke.' 'Shadows and Lies' is a fun, lighthearted mystery crime story. The included pictures are an added pleasure. Gerald W. Darnell has done it again...providing us with an entertaining read, uneasy to put down!!!
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