Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your time&money
Review: Actually, I have just checked some other reviews and I have been wondering whether I read the same book. I wasted too much time reading this novel and have not understood yet what the author was thinking? This one was my first from Linda Castillo, and I was eager to read it since the story seemed to me so different.
There are lots of logical and editorial mistakes in the book, after some time I just gave up. I must say that I forced myself to finish it. As I pointed out, the plot was very promising, however page by page became higly predictable. This book is not terrible but I would not recommend it. The chemistry betweeen Dr Eli Barnes and Adam Boedecker seems really forced and almost 3/4 of the book there is nothing regarding that. I also would like to raise some questions if Eli is a real doctor? As far as I know medical doctors should be more clever and cautious. The first half of the book is unnecessarily long and the plot suffers. The villain was an unconvincing one.
I have still lots of questions: What happened to Roth Pharma and Peter Roth, was Kevin really in this play? If so, why he helped in the end? Please Ms. Castillo enlighten us.
In conclusion, save the money and time.
Rating: 
Summary: A terrific romantic suspense....
Review: Dr. Elizabeth Barnes has spent her whole life trying to find a way to help people battle depression. A tragedy in her own past has driven her to do all she can to help the people that are plagued by depression. After spending ten years researching and developing a new drug, Valazine is finally out on the market, and studies show her it's thriving. Which is why she is so shocked when burnt out cop, Adam Bodecker forces himself into her office and tells her that her drug is responsible for turning people taking Valazine into violent monsters.Det. Adam Bodecker thought he lost it all on the night that he was shot. He had no idea what lost was until the day he learned that his brother murdered his pregnant wife and then turned the gun on himself. Not believing for a second that Michael could do that, Adam digs deeper, and what he finds, infuriates and well as shocks him. All he wants are answers, and the one person who could give them to him is the woman who is partly responsible for the drug being on the market at all. The Shadow Side shows Castillo's extrodinary writing skills once again as these two people race to uncover the truth before any more lives are taken. You have danger, suspense, romance and sex, along with a plot that will keep you spellbound in all his horrifying glory.
Rating:
Summary: Rollicking good fun!
Review: Due to a head injury on the job three years ago, Chicago police detective sergeant Adam Boedecker remains on the inactive list. Adam is in no rush to return to work where he knows he will sit at a desk rather than do field work. However, everything changes when his peers inform him that his brother Michael killed his wife and then himself. Adam refuses to believe non-violent Michael who loved his wife could commit such atrocities. Adam sneaks into his sibling's home, violating a crime scene, to find the only odd thing a prescription for Valazine. He learns that the drug is a miracle worker used to battle depression and its creator Dr. Elizabeth "Eli" Barnes just received a prestigious award for her efforts. He soon finds seven other violent deaths in the past year by users of the drug. Desperate to learn the truth, he travels to Roth Pharmaceuticals to talk with Eli. Skeptical, Eli soon becomes a believer that her magic elixir can trigger violent behavior in otherwise calm peaceful individuals. As the two some fall in love, someone kills her mentor and wants them dead too. THE SHADOW SIDE is an exhilarating romantic suspense that focuses on the action for much of the plot. The story line is fast-paced and never slows down until the final moment of rescue is completed though a key deliberate act (left vague deliberately by this reviewer) by the villain seems too horrific and out of place. Still fans of romantic suspense starring a female scientist with no social life and a male cop with no life will want to read this thriller. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Exhilarating romantic suspense
Review: Due to a head injury on the job three years ago, Chicago police detective sergeant Adam Boedecker remains on the inactive list. Adam is in no rush to return to work where he knows he will sit at a desk rather than do field work. However, everything changes when his peers inform him that his brother Michael killed his wife and then himself. Adam refuses to believe non-violent Michael who loved his wife could commit such atrocities. Adam sneaks into his sibling's home, violating a crime scene, to find the only odd thing a prescription for Valazine. He learns that the drug is a miracle worker used to battle depression and its creator Dr. Elizabeth "Eli" Barnes just received a prestigious award for her efforts. He soon finds seven other violent deaths in the past year by users of the drug. Desperate to learn the truth, he travels to Roth Pharmaceuticals to talk with Eli. Skeptical, Eli soon becomes a believer that her magic elixir can trigger violent behavior in otherwise calm peaceful individuals. As the two some fall in love, someone kills her mentor and wants them dead too. THE SHADOW SIDE is an exhilarating romantic suspense that focuses on the action for much of the plot. The story line is fast-paced and never slows down until the final moment of rescue is completed though a key deliberate act (left vague deliberately by this reviewer) by the villain seems too horrific and out of place. Still fans of romantic suspense starring a female scientist with no social life and a male cop with no life will want to read this thriller. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: good medicine for suspense addicts
Review: Linda Castillo caught my attention with "The Perfect Victim". Her new novel, "The Shadow Side" has truly won my respect. Dr. Elizabeth Barnes has devoted her life and her extraordinary talents to developing a cure for the depression that led her mother to commit suicide at age thirty five. Detctive Adam Boedecker, a burnt out cop on disability after being shot in the head three years earlier, needs to prove that his brother's murder suicide was the result of taking Valzine the new drug developed by Dr, Elizabeth Barnes released by Dr. Barnes employers. Adam's research uncovers a string of similar cases all tied to Valzine. At first angered by Adams accusations, Elizabeth soon suspects that one or more of her colleagues cannot be trusted. After the murder of Elizabeth's friend and mentor she finds herself on the run with only Adam to help her. Together they must pursue a killer and help eachother to heal. This is a well written and suspenseful tale that is perfect for a day at the beach or pool.
Rating:
Summary: good medicine for suspense addicts
Review: Linda Castillo caught my attention with "The Perfect Victim". Her new novel, "The Shadow Side" has truly won my respect. Dr. Elizabeth Barnes has devoted her life and her extraordinary talents to developing a cure for the depression that led her mother to commit suicide at age thirty five. Detctive Adam Boedecker, a burnt out cop on disability after being shot in the head three years earlier, needs to prove that his brother's murder suicide was the result of taking Valzine the new drug developed by Dr, Elizabeth Barnes released by Dr. Barnes employers. Adam's research uncovers a string of similar cases all tied to Valzine. At first angered by Adams accusations, Elizabeth soon suspects that one or more of her colleagues cannot be trusted. After the murder of Elizabeth's friend and mentor she finds herself on the run with only Adam to help her. Together they must pursue a killer and help eachother to heal. This is a well written and suspenseful tale that is perfect for a day at the beach or pool.
Rating:
Summary: 2.5 stars: Not as good as "Perfect Victim"
Review: Linda Castillo's characters in "The Shadow Side" start off looking like they might be interesting. The classic anti-hero: a cop on disability unsure if trusts his own judgment anymore. The Heroine: a brilliant scientist who has devoted her life to her work because of personal tragedy. Neither are looking for love.
But as the book wears on, they stay stagnant and somewhat two-dimensional. I've noticed a lot of repetition when it comes to the thoughts of the characters - especially when it comes to their attraction for one another.
Now the plot is somewhat unique and interesting, though the characters themselves seem to drag it down in the prose.
If you buy it, get it used. Don't pay full-price
Rating:
Summary: Gripping!
Review: THE SHADOW SIDE is an awesome novel of romantic suspence with an intriguing plot and characters that I found I could really relate to. I simply couldn't turn the pages fast enough, but also didn't want it end. Fans of romantic suspence will love it as much as I did! Linda Castillo is an author who will go very far, and I will be eagerly awaiting the release of her next novel!
Rating:
Summary: What an awesome novel!
Review: THE SHADOW SIDE is an awesome novel of romantic suspence with an intriguing plot and characters that I found I could really relate to. I simply couldn't turn the pages fast enough, but also didn't want it end. Fans of romantic suspence will love it as much as I did! Linda Castillo is an author who will go very far, and I will be eagerly awaiting the release of her next novel!
Rating:
Summary: Lifeless....
Review: The Shadow Side is dead. No other word for it. Just dead. The characters are paper-thin, the suspense is too little too late, and the plot, while interesting is underdeveloped.
In Dr. Elizabeth Barnes, we have the do-good, on the rise, medical researcher out to change the world with an anti-depressant drug. Adam Boedecker is a burnt-out homicide detective on leave after a serious brain injury. Both characters are drawn together when the drug Elizabeth is responsible for putting on the market is suspected to cause random acts of violence (murders and suicides) in the people who take it. This in and of itself is a pretty good idea, but the execution leaves much to be desired.
The relationship between Eli and Adam was elementary at best, reading like soft-core porn. The only interesting relationship in the entire book was the triangle between Adam, Shelly, and Chad. Indeed, the most interesting part in the novel described Adam's recovery after his injury.
The Shadow Side offered an interesting premise but never seemed to take off.
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