Shadow of the Gypsy by Shelly Frome (Review, Excerpt)

July 14, 2022 Becky Willis 83 Views 1 Comment

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Publisher: Boutique of Quality Books (May 3, 2022) Category: Amateur Sleuths, Crime Thriller, Love Story Tour dates: June 9-July 15, 2022 ISBN: 978-1952782572 Available in Print and ebook, 330 pages

Description Shadow Of the Gypsy by Shelly Frome

A nemesis out of the past suddenly returns, forcing Josh Bartlett to come to terms with his true identity.

Josh Bartlett had figured all the angles, changed his name, and holed up as a small-town features writer in the seclusion of the Blue Ridge. Only a few weeks more and he’d begin anew, return to the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut and Molly (if she’d have him), and, at long last, live a normal life. After all, it was a matter of record that Zharko had been deported well over a year ago.

The shadowy form Josh had glimpsed yesterday at the lake was only that—a hazy shadow under the eaves of the activities building. It stood to reason his old nemesis was still ensconced overseas in Bucharest or thereabouts well out of the way. And no matter where he was, he wouldn’t travel thousands of miles to track Josh down. Surely that couldn’t be, not now, not after all this.

My Review of Shadow of the Gypsy

I struggled during the first few chapters, but once parts of Josh’s past started to unfold. I was able to find my interest renew. All of the characters you will find good and evil with very few shades of gray.

Just like his infamous characters, the author also gives the landscape an atmospheric feeling of anxiety. The story moves at an ever-increasing pace, (once you get going) yet I never felt as if I knew what would be revealed or what was about to happen right up to the high point of the story. Shelly definitely has his own ways in his novel, which gives the story a nit feeling to this crime mystery.

Josh is hiding from his past by working on a small-town weekly paper. In the mysterious beginning of this story, we learn of his difficult raising and the girl with the blonde hair that he dreams about that he hopes to return to soon.

Soon his past catches up to him, even though he has changed his name. He learns he was tricked into debt to the man he is hiding from, the gypsy, Zharko.

So many twists and turns, and every clue and detail is essential at some point during this story. There are secrets, deception, things that are not what they seem, memories, reminisces, familial connections, crimes committed, and the good and bad guys.

Trouble seems to find Josh where ever he goes, mainly because he is doing his investigating on his own. However, his journalism background and working at a newspaper in North Carolina seem to help him in his quest for answers.

I recommend this ‘give-it-a-chance, once you get into it, crime mystery.

Praise Shadow Of the Gypsy by Shelly Frome

Sharp writing, and a keen pace keep this story rolling.”– Lee A. Jacobus, author of Crown Island and Hawaiian Tales “Shadow of the Gypsy is intriguing, complicated, and mysterious. . . ”– Tina M. Zion, award winning author and international teach of intuition “By turns charming and chilling, Shadow of the Gypsy is that rarest of gems, a crime novel that curdles the blood, even as it tugs on the heartstrings. . . “– Jaden Terrell, author of A Taste of Blood and Ashes, River of Glass, A Cup Full of Midnight, and Racing the Devil “Once you start, you won’t want to stop reading . ..”– Jana Zinser, author of The Children’s Train: Escape on the Kindertransport and Fly Like a Bird Winner of Readers Favorite 2021 for Miranda and the D-Day Caper: Mystery

About Shelly Frome

Award winning author, Shelly Frome is a member of Mystery Writers of America, a professor of dramatic arts emeritus at the University of Connecticut, a former professional actor, a writer of crime novels, cozy mystery novels, and books on theater and film. He is also a features writer for Gannett Media’s Black Mountain News. His fiction includes Sun Dance for Andy Horn, Lilac Moon, Twilight of the Drifter, Tinseltown Riff, Murder Run, Moon Games and The Secluded Village Murders. Among his works of non-fiction are The Actors Studio and texts on the art and craft of screenwriting and writing for the stage. Miranda and the D-Day Caper was his last foray into the world of crime and the amateur sleuth, until now. He lives in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Excerpt from Shadow of the Gypsy

With his mind revving like crazy, he minded himself that his old nemesis had been booted out of the country. Josh had, in fact, recently flown back to New England once or twice to make sure, to touch base with his estranged mother and, most of all, to see Molly, his erstwhile childhood sweetheart. He’d been harboring thoughts of dropping his cover, starting over and living a normal life. That is, if he still had a chance with her and their relationship wasn’t a lingering fantasy. If he could hold out a bit longer to make sure.

Yet, as the figure pivoted and headed back in Josh’s direct, it was no use. He noted the black denim, shiny cowboy boots, and red blouse, protruding from an open Levi jacket. If nothing else, the twisted, sparkling earring gave him away. His thin, chiseled face and high cheekbones were also a dead giveaway, though it had been a few years since Josh had actually laid eyes on him.

As a youngster, gazing out the window of his mother’s cabin in the woods, he’d frequently caught sight of the gypsy van and that thickset, baldheaded companion called Vlad.

And once, surreptitiously catching snatches of dialogue as he berated his mother in that awkward speech pattern of his: “Your boy still tractable for sure, tell me true? He is like well-behaved dog?…Day is coming when he will be useful. Not now but maybe soon because feds hounding me worse than ever.”

But Josh had it on the highest authority that Zharkohad been deported. Threats of Zharko finding him useful had abated over the years, except in nightmares now and then, and hopes and daydreams of becoming free and clear had taken their place.

But now, Zharko Vadja was close by.

Website: http://www.shellyfrome.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shellyfrome Twitter: https://twitter.com/shellyFrome

Giveaway Shadow Of the Gypsy by Shelly Frome

This giveaway is for 3 copies with the winners choice of print or ebook. Print is open to Canada and the U.S. only and ebook is open worldwide. a Rafflecopter giveaway