Title: Delia's Shadow
Author: Jaime Lee Moyer
Publisher: Tor
Publication Date: September 2013
Length: 336 pages
Series: Delia Martin (#1)
Reason for Discovery: John Scalzi's Big Idea Post
From GoodReads:
It is the dawn of a new
century in San Francisco and Delia Martin is a wealthy young woman
whose life appears ideal. But a dark secret colors her life, for Delia’s
most loyal companions are ghosts, as she has been gifted (or some would
say cursed) with an ability to peer across to the other side. Since
the great quake rocked her city in 1906, Delia has been haunted by an
avalanche of the dead clamoring for her help. Delia flees to the other
side of the continent, hoping to gain some peace. After several years in
New York, Delia believes she is free…until one determined specter
appears and she realizes that she must return to the City by the Bay in
order to put this tortured soul to rest. It will not be easy, as
the ghost is only one of the many victims of a serial killer who was
never caught. A killer who after thirty years is killing again. And who is now aware of Delia’s existence.
Delia is being haunted by a ghost that she has named Shadow. Out of desperation, Delia decides to return home to San Francisco, because Shadow seems to want to go there. With the help of her friend Sadie, Sadie's fiance (and cop) Jack, and Jack's partner Gabe, Delia attempts to discover what is haunting her ghost and solve a series of recent murders at the same time.
Before I talk about this book, we need to talk about this cover. Isn't it gorgeous? I found myself looking at this book cover on a regular basis. My husband also thought the cover was great. His exact words were "It's nice to see a heroine on the cover who doesn't have a loser back tattoo or leather pants." There are lots of heroines in fantasy novels who are awesome and have tramp stamps or leather pants, but it is nice to see a fantasy heroine in what can technically be called urban fantasy book (she is in a city and is a fantasy book) that is fully clothed.
Okay, on to the book. This was a lovely historical mystery with ghosts. The mystery was solid, and a reader who wants to piece the clues together can figure it out. At the same time, the mystery isn't obvious. This is a huge bonus to me. I hate mystery books that are not "traditional mysteries" (aka cozy mysteries or Agatha Christie-type mysteries) that decide not to give the reader enough clues to figure out the mystery. I think mystery stories should have clues for the reader.
This book flip flopped between two POV characters, Delia and Gabe. Although I didn't notice it straightaway, Delia's chapters were written in first person and Gabe's chapters were written in third person. It didn't bother me, but your mileage may vary. I liked Delia and Gabe and the rest of the characters in the book. They really cared about each other, and it felt genuine. These characters felt like ordinary people thrust into an extraordinary situation. In addition, I
liked how the ghost was incorporated into the mystery. Shadow was
definitely haunting and a bit scary at times. I found her to be a unique
character in a large world of books with ghosts. At the same time, this is not a horror book. I didn't feel scared reading it at night.
My one critique of this book was that everyone believes that Delia sees ghosts. Only a handful of secondary characters quietly questioned Delia's ghosts. This really surprised me. I would have thought that even Delia's close friends would have felt a little uncertain about the situation. Granted, the blind acceptance allows us to skip over the proving ghosts are real situation; however, it just seemed a bit too easy. I would have been okay with the blind acceptance, if there had been a built of world building that suggested that ghosts were a real part of this universe. There was a small suggestion that hinted that in this universe ghosts are real (Delia and the gang hang out with a psychic for a while); however, I needed just a bit more. Maybe in book two, the world building will be strengthened.
Overall, I liked this quiet mystery. The mystery was interesting, there was a little bit of horror and scare, some adventure and thrills, and a touch of romance. It wasn't an action-packed story by any means, but I enjoyed my time with this book. I am a bit disappointed that this story is the first in a series. I thought it was going to be a stand alone book. To be honest, I think I like this book less because it is the start of a series. Is that weird? You can read this book as a stand alone book; there is no cliff hanger. I didn't discover it was the first in a series until after I read the book. I will probably pick up the next book in the series, but I am not going to run out to get it.
I give this book a 3 out of 5.
13 comments:
What an interesting review and I really enjoyed your little ramble about the cover :) I know exactly what you mean about finding out its a series and not a stand alone! I have felt the same at times, I just wanted a book that was 1 book and not part 1 of 3.
Greta review girl!
Chanzie @ Mean Who You Are.
I loved this more than you, as for it being a series, it will be more like companion novels, each involving a new case, so no cliffhangers. Great review Pamela!
Ehh - man that means I have two bloggie buddies now that have conflicting feelings on this one. Well since I don't have a copy for review I guess it'll go on the backburner of "if when and ever I have free time that isn't already allotted to some other squee worthy book" rare that it happens though haha.
Yeah I usually need some proof that whole suspend disbelief things doesn't usually work out well if its not done believably.
Also nice to see a woman's face on the cover. No headless woman!
I have wanted to read this one! I've seen mixed reviews might not jump to read it that quickly now.
Great review! I still love the cover it's so haunting :)
Michelle
Because reading is better than real life
I agree it was a good story, but the characters irked me some. I also agree with you and your husband, the cover is completely fabulous. It keeps drawing the eye :) Good point about the Agatha Christie - I like her mysteries but many of them just don't have clues to guess for yourself.
I read too many series! Sometimes I just need a book to have a conclusion. :)
I guess I am just wondering, if a new ghost is going to pop up every "week". It just feels a bit weird to me. Moyer will probably have a clever way of introducing it; I just can't picture it right now.
I remember liking it when I was reading it. It was nice to read a mystery with a ghost theme. I liked how Shadow was written. It was just that some of the world building was missing. The second book might be better though!
Isn't that the truth?! I really liked seeing a lady in sensible clothing on the cover of an "urban fantasy" book.
The cover is just so great. It is even better in person. I don't regret reading the book. It was good. It just wasn't great.
Even if I don't read the next book, I definitely want to see what the cover looks like!
Exactly!
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