Secret's Shadow: The First Cassidy McCabe Mystery

by Alex Matthews

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1890768030
• ISBN13: 9781890768034
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Intrigue Press
• Length: 347 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Secret's Shadow is a great book!

What do you do when one of your clients commits suicide and leaves a note saying you are to blame and now the family is suing for malpractice? This is just part of Cassidy McCabe's problems. Cassidy is a psychotherapist that runs her practice from her home. The latest disaster to enter her life is just one in a long series of disasters. She is being stalked by the mob for her ex-husbands debt. She is broke and struggling to make ends meet, due mostly to his prior disasters in which he always seemed to get her involved. She comes home one day and there, sitting on her porch looking like she owns the house, is a small calico cat. Big problem, Cassidy doesn't like cats, or so she claims, but she can't just turn her back on the kitten. Zachary Moran is the brother of Cassidy's client that committed suicide. He is an investigative reporter and doesn't believe that his brother committed suicide, despite the evidence. He contacts Cassidy and convinces her that it is in their best interests to investigate and discover the truth. As they uncover hidden skeletons in the Hollister past that Zach didn't even know about, Cassidy receives more threatening phone calls and an attempt on her life. She keeps this information to herself though because she isn't sure how much she can trust Zach, or her growing attraction to him. Secret's Shadow is a great book. Ms. Matthews has done an excellent job. It has mystery and suspense, danger and excitement, all with a touch of romance. There are places where the conversation and dialog is a bit hard to follow, but all in all, a very good read.Tracy Eastgate Reviewer

Snappy prose and a quick moving plot.

Genre: Mystery Alex Matthews has created a masterful beginning to her mystery series with Secret's Shadow. All lovers of mysteries take note: Cassidy McCabe will keep you entertained and guessing till the end. Cassidy is not the typical heroine. The story begins with a charming calico cat adopting the 37-year-old psychotherapist. Throughout the book, we are privy to Cassidy's inner thoughts as she talks to the nameless feline. And when the going gets rough, Cassidy's peanut butter cups become a tell-tale sign of stress and hope. Secret's Shadow has a tight plot that's guaranteed to delight. Cassidy has divorced a charmer who has nearly caused her bankruptcy. When her ex borrows money from the mob, against an old deed with both their names on it, the mob comes to Cassidy for collection. Further, her malpractice insurance lapses, and when her favorite client commits suicide, the family sues. Worse, she's forced to face her feelings for the deceased patient Ryan, as well as question her clinical abilities -- all while coping with a blossoming romance with Ryan's black-sheep brother Zach. When her life is endanger, she's not sure if it's the mob or someone worse after her. Alex Matthews has a big hit with this quirky, engaging heroine. The author's prose is snappy and sharp, and the quick moving plot is meticulously detailed. All mystery lovers are sure to enjoy the fast-paced Secret's Shadow.Cindy Penn, Reviewer

Hard to believe that this is a first novel

Secret's shadow is unbelievably good, especially for a first novel. Cassidy, the protaganist, is in so much trouble, it seems like there's no hope she'll ever get out of it. Cassidy and her cat are lovable characters. They both find themsleves fascinated with Zach, a sexy man who won't take "no" for answer. The mystery is compelling and keeps one guessing until the end. One of the things that I liked best was that Ms. Matthews ties up all the loose ends with plausable explanations for everything.

Great debut mystery!

Cassidy McCabe is a therapist who should have everthing going her way, but doesn't. Cass is receiving threatening phone calls, demanding that she pay a large debt owed by her ex-husband. Ryan Hollister, her favorite client, has just committed suicide, and his family is threatening to sue, claiming the reason for Ryan'suicide, was the result of her negligent therapy. Her malpractice insurance has lapsed, and a determined cat has moved in with her, against her will. What else could go wrong? Cassidy can't believe that Ryan killed himself, there was never any indication he was suicidal, in any of their therapy sessions. Cass is soon contacted by Ryan's brother Zach, who doesn't believe that Ryan's death was a suicide, either. He insists that they work together to prove that Ryan was murdered. Cass reluctantly agrees, and their investigation leads to many mysterious twists and turns, as they unravel family secrets that have been buried for years. The cat, who Cassidy keeps threatening to take to the pound, plays a wonderful role as Cass's therapist. Cass tells the cat all her problems, gives herself advice, and generally ends up doing just the opposite. The plot moves swiftly along, with many red herrings thrown in to keep the reader guessing who the murderer is, until the thrilling conclusion, when all the pieces neatly come together. This is an excellant debut novel, and I eagerly await it's sequel! JoAnne M. Bowers