Shadows of Deceit by Timothy R. Baldwin

A compelling introduction to a relentless and relatable private investigator eager to cut her teeth, Shadows of Deceit (A Cassie Maddox Mystery Book 1) by Timothy R. Baldwin unveils a shadowy city where the lines of truth, power, and justice blur at every turn. Cassie Maddox’s first stakeout is to catch a cheating spouse, which quickly spirals into a deadly tangle of financial fraud, corporate sabotage, and desperate forces willing to kill to keep their secrets safe. Relying on wits, instinct, and a trusted group of allies, she discovers the danger of digging into the darkness of the past, which could have dangerous repercussions for her own life. The inconsistent editing and connect-the-dot simplicity of the clues undercut the story’s impressive potential, but the hard-edged first-person narrative and fast-moving plot give this noir-inspired novel a gritty sense of momentum.