Shadow Of the Gypsy by Shelly Frome
Publisher: Boutique of Quality Books (May 3, 2022)
Category: Amateur Sleuths, Crime Thriller, Love Story
Available in Print and ebook, 330 pages
Description
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, 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.
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Guest Review by Sal
Shelly Frome is a writer who can switch gears very effectively. Having read some of his work before, I was definitely not expecting the direction that this book went in, and it made for a thrilling reading experience from start to finish! If you love mysteries with amateur sleuths and an undercurrent of romance, I can say with absolute certainty that you will love this fantastic book!
The main character, Josh Bartlett is a Romany man who used to be part of a community of his people in Connecticut. However, something happened when Josh was a boy that changed the entire trajectory of his life. See, back then he was known as Sonny Korda and he was the witness to a murder committed by a man named Zharko.
Sonny/Josh’s mother thought it was best to change her son’s name and ship him off to boarding school in Tennessee to avoid Zharko finding him. This was when Sonny became Josh—and Josh became a man who always felt the need to look over his shoulder.
After years of living in hiding, Josh finally realizes that he has been found by Zharko and that his only option is to go along with what the man says so. that he can avoid his family and girlfriend getting hurt. Josh’s girlfriend, Molly is a friend of his from childhood whom he has been in a long distance relationship with for several years. Molly knows nothing about why Josh left town all those years ago, and in order to protect her, Josh must keep his secret even when Zharko asks him to return to Connecticut to collect on the debt that he owes the man.
Frome’s writing is superb and must be experienced to be believed. Add this one to your To Be Read list today!
About the Author
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.
Website: http://www.shellyfrome.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shellyfrome
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shellyFrome
Giveaway
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.
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Praise
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
Bound 4 Escape 