Death Leaves a Shadow (Marlowe Black Mystery #2)
Published June 9th 2020, Kindle Edition
Then comes the brutal announcement that his pregnant fianc�e has committed suicide. Marlowe simply cannot accept the official verdict, and as anguish and rage replace the love he once felt, he is driven by a madness that forces him to question his own integrity while he hunts an elusive killer.
"Koch is an author who has his priorities in order. First and foremost he's constructed an intriguingly complex plot. From the beginning, he pulls readers in with intense scenes of suspense. Little by little he then provides just enough information to keep them guessing as to who's pulling the strings and why. When the loose ends are eventually tied and revelations ensue, Koch still manages to add a surprise or two." --Jake Bishop, Hollywood Book Review (And Come Day's End: A Michael McKaybees Mystery)
"The contrast of what is right and what is wrong within Black's own conscience added even more to this mystery. Overall, I found Beholden: A Marlowe Black Mystery to be a five-star page turner!" --Michel Violante for Reader Views
User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
When I was done reading this book, I , I am mediately went out and got the first book in this series. When Marlo black is told that his beloved Louise committed suicide, he doesn’t believe but not for a second. Not only was she expecting his child, but they had agreed to marry. He let this anger and grief push him to look for the killer. Along the way he meets Another Woman he is attracted to. Will hethem both killed before it’s over or can Marleau get his man before it’s over? This is a book I highly recommend! I love historical PI stories and this totally reminded me of Philip Marlowe PI and I loved it. Although the author put his own spin on it you can tell this is of the classic EI variety at its best. If you love historical crime books you will love this book, I know I did!
Rating: really liked it
‘Mourning her will have to wait until I can find her murderer’
Multiple award winning writer and photographer Gabriel F.W. Koch has published six books to date – the WOMEN WHO DEFY TIME MAKE HISTORY SET (PARADOX EFFECT and EMMA AND THE DRAGON TOOTH SWORD), NO ESCAPING THE STORM, and AND COME DAY’S END of his MICHAEL MCKAYBEES Mystery set, and BEHOLDEN and this novel, DEATH LEAVES A SHADOW, of his MARLOWE BLACK MYSTERY series. Of interest, the Michael McKaybees character is the son of his Marlowe Black character – suggesting the positive impact Marlowe Black created on Koch’s audience!
For readers unfamiliar with the lead character, the following is shared: Marlowe Black, a WWII combat veteran, walks the streets of New York with a PI license to serve justice, a .45 automatic and his fists to enforce it, and a steely determination to solve a case…regardless of the consequences in a grim picture of American city life, corruption, and death. And given that retrace, Koch opens this volume poetically: “June 1951 – A 32 caliber round robbed Lois of her life and me her. I stared numbly at Detective Paul Dunbar, while something my father said years earlier ran through my head: Death rides on all of our shoulders from the day we are born as if to inform us that only it knows its appointment. The abrupt end of Lois’ life burned like flames under my skin. The worst feeling since I first experienced death during war. Seeing someone die will never get easier. For some reason the thought surprised me. I’d come to believe that untrue after years of being a private cop.’
Where that event takes us is well explained in Koch’s terse synopsis: ‘Then comes the brutal announcement that his pregnant fiancée has committed suicide. Marlowe simply cannot accept the official verdict, and as anguish and rage replace the love he once felt, he is driven by a madness that forces him to question his own integrity while he hunts an elusive killer.’
Once again Koch blends romance – and its myriad effects of emotional commitment – with impressive mystery weaving, and the result is a memorable, involving story that grows even after finishing the book. Writing of this quality is a treasure: combining keen storyline with philosophical overtones makes it a true gem. Very highly recommended!!!
Rating: really liked it
This twisting and thrilling tale begins dark and only pulls the reader deeper. Marlowe cannot accept the ruling that his pregnant fiancé committed suicide, so he sets out to find her elusive killer. The pieces simply don’t fit, they were happy, they were going to get married, they were preparing for their first child, something else must be going on. And so begins Marlowe’s dangerous journey as he resolves to find the truth behind his fiancé's murder and get revenge. I really enjoyed how full of twists and turns this book was. It kept me on my toes. Author Gabriel F.W. Koch does a wonderful job of weaving together a complex plot and creating characters full of emotion and depth. I was able to fully immerse myself in this story. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author!
Rating: really liked it
Death Leaves a Shadow by Gabriel F W Koch
Starts out with other works by the author, and praise for publisher and dedication to family.
Story starts in 1951 and you learn different things about others Black works with. Also glimpses of his war history with others that he is still in contact with when he needs a bit of extra help.
Things get out of hand at times but he remains in control of some situations. He is hot on the trail of a man and he needs to serve him his due justice.
He hits where it will effect the man rather then directly. He has lost his true love but finds passion in anothers arms. She also is helping him with some situations.
Love the locations and things that are brought to them.
Trains, hmm we had those a whole 8feet plywood display, they are ok but this story makes them sound like I need to get some again, at least for the bottom of the Christmas tree.
Like mystery, clues he finds, how he processes things, the action, adventure and unpredictable and how he stays calm through thick and thin.
Would enjoy more of this author's works, like the style of writing and he really captures your attention and makes you part of the story.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
Rating: really liked it
Death Leaves a Shadow is Gabriel F.W. Koch's second book in his Marlowe Black series. Marlowe Black is back in action, but these times he is driven by anger, grief, and revenge. His fiancée and unborn child were murdered but carefully planned out to look like suicide. This could never be, and Black is going to get to the bottom of what happened.
Gabriel F.W. Koch writes another hard-boiled mystery; Death Leaves a Shadow. At times I question whether I like the integrity and character of Marlowe Black. He is a maverick that is unique, brass, and unconventional, but that is also his charm. He steps out of the box and gets the job done in his way. Overall, the author works magic with his characters and leaves you stunned when the story unfolds.
Rating: really liked it
Koch delivers another great story. This is my third book by this author, and I continue to find gems in every piece I read. He spans multiple genres, and it feels like rather than spreading himself too thin, he’s broadened his ability to craft a story in any genre.
This adventure kicks off with the death of the lead character’s lover. Marlowe Black embarks on a journey to solve the mystery of her death made to look like a suicide. This character is fun because he’s so incredibly human. He doesn’t give in to convention, and he’s flawed. He wasn’t built to be some perfect idol, but instead to embody a sense of realism that, although not always relatable, is always realistic. There are some pretty good twists here. I recommend you give this series (and this book) a read!
Rating: really liked it
Marlowe Black is back!I read Book 1 and was excited to see Book 2 was available. The author's style is captivating. I could not put it down.If you are looking for a great mystery look no further.
Rating: really liked it
I was a bit worried I wouldn't understand much in this book because it is the second in a series, but I was hooked. It makes me want to know certain characters more. Also, I was not expecting the pace of the book to be quick, and I felt like I was on the edge of my seat. 'Whats going to happen next?' 'Will he be safe?' 'What do they need to do now!?'.
It isn't a very long book too. I've needed a break from longer books, and this was perfect. The action, the suspense, and gosh... the excitement. A great read and I am surprised that not more people have read this.
Rating: really liked it
This book is one hell of a ride, the mystery behind the murder of Marlowe Black’s wife and unborn child is what really has him skeptical, he doesn’t believe for a second that his wife committed suicide and taking their baby with her. So now, he has to dig deeper, and he begins the path of discovering what truly happened and why.
This book is captivating and with an amazing story building, completely recommend it if you enjoy PI mysteries and a good story.
Rating: really liked it
Marlowe simply cannot accept the official verdict that his pregnant fiancé has committed suicide. They were in love and had planned to get married, and as anguish and rage replace the love he once felt, he is driven by a madness that forces him to question his own integrity while he hunts an elusive killer.
Death Leaves a Shadow is perhaps my favorite book yet from Gabriel Koch. Which is saying something as I have liked all I have read. Once again the characters are so awesome, the kind where you feel you want to spend time with them between books, if you know what I mean. Koch always provides enough history and backstory to help understand how characters are connected. The plot line is complex and full of suspense from the first page so it didn’t take me long to get drawn in at all. I found myself constantly guessing and sitting on the edge of my seat in the moments of heightened suspense. Death leaves a Shadow is very highly recommended by me.
Rating: really liked it
I’ve been meaning to read Death Leaves a Shadow for a while now after reading some of the other reviews, and I have to say I was not disappointed. This scratched the same combination of literary and thematic and entertaining itches that previous books I’ve read by author Gabriel F.W. Koch have done.
I love hard-boiled PI stories and Koch is a darn good writer. Death Leaves a Shadow in my opinion is one of the most readable and enjoyable PI book I’ve read for a while.
There are several twists to the plot that kept me guessing, and I did not ultimately see what was coming. The chemistry between the characters was thrilling and I found I just could not put it down and read it in just a few sittings. Excellent!
Rating: really liked it
“Death is the ultimate test of faith.” If you are into historical crime stories, you've got to read this one. The story is set in the 1950s. The storyline includes the death of the protagonist's lover. It is declared suicide but Marlowe Black doesn't believe it. He refuses to accept the verdict that his pregnant fiancée committed suicide. They were happy, they were getting married, and they were getting ready to have their first child, so something else must be going on. So he decides to solve the mystery of her death. The journey described after that is interesting.
The author does an excellent job of weaving a complex plot and developing people with depth and emotion. He has crafted the whole thing very well.
I found myself to be completely engrossed while reading.
Grab your copy here.
Rating: really liked it
Marlo Black is told that his fiancé Louise committed suicide, but he struggles to believe this is true. Not only was she expecting his child, but they were planning on getting married. They were happy, she was happy. This sends Marlo on an emotionally fuelled rampage to find out the truth.
Perfectly paced with a gritty and likeable main character, Death Leaves a Shadow is a gripping thriller which had me immediately immersed in the story and glued to my seat the whole way through. It is great writing from author Koch, and I’ll be looking out for more of his books in the future for sure. Highly recommended by me.
Rating: really liked it
If you enjoy PI pulp stories, you’re going to love this historical thriller. It hits all the marks for the genre, and I quickly fell in love with this unique take on it. Marlowe might be a war veteran, but he still has a fire burning in him, and when the woman he loves is murdered, he’s determined to find her killer after the police rule it a suicide and close the case. Marlowe is a bit of a gray area character, operating in neither black nor white, perfect for the lead in a pulp story. Although not a very short book, the pacing moves it along so quickly that before you know it, you’re chapters in and unwilling to put it down. Highly recommend!
Rating: really liked it
A fantastic story, an incredible book, I really love the plot.
