Niall’s never known anything but betrayal. All Mat wants is Niall’s heart. What will it take for him to coax Niall in from the cold?
Mat’s connection with Niall is tenuous; one step forward, two steps back. Since that night on the beach Niall’s been avoiding Mat like a bad case of the flu–which, ironically, most of his deputies have come down with. What will it take for Niall to truly believe … believe Mat wants him for who he is?
Mat’s overworked, Niall’s unnerved, and then things really go sideways.
Will a killer destroy everything before Niall realizes they are stronger together than apart?
Long Shadow is a dual POV about a broody introvert and a somewhat patient Sheriff. Mat’s going to have to prove to Niall he’s the man for him. The Hamarsson and Dempsey series follows the same couple as they find their way to their happily ever after.
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I fell in love with the first book in this series, and I was thrilled beyond words to have Mat and Niall back. Mat is steadfast and sweet, Niall is grumpy, snarky, and secretly a total softy. Watching Mat coax Niall into the relationship they both desperately want (with the help, of course, of Niall’s giant wolf dog) is super satisfying. The tension and suspense of the mystery unfolding around them is also pretty engrossing, but their one-on-one time is the best thing ever. As in the first book, Mat’s family are great supporting characters, as are the other inhabitants of Piedras, a place that is insular, distinctive, and just really fun, as a reader, to get lost in. I highly recommend this book, and am eagerly waiting for the next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was fantastic!! This story takes place after the first book. Niall is heading back to Piedras Island, home. Mat is the small-town sheriff. I loved how Niall was stoic and silent, afraid to express himself. He was the perfect foil for Mat. Mat has an awesome family, very supportive. The story has an amazing secondary cast of characters. Long Shadow is full of mystery, suspense and hot steaminess! I seriously loved this story!! I received an advanced copy from Booksprout. This is my honest review.
Loved book two and bummed I have to wait for book three!
Was so happy to see book two in this series as I loved the first book. Unfortunately it’ll be several mo this until book three is out and I’m not a patient person!
Niall and Mat are back after their rough beginnings in book one. It helps to have read book one in order to fully understand what is happening in this book. Technically the mystery in this book is a standalone but as the relationship between the MCs plays a big part in the story having all the info is best to fully grasp the importance of what is happening here.
In this book Niall is back on the island and contemplating exploring a friendship and maybe more with Mat. Mat knows he wants Niall but knows he has to let Niall set the pace. The gradual development of their relationship and Niall’s reckoning with himself are well done. You really have to ache for Niall. This is a man who just has not been given a break in his life when it comes to family, love or relationships. Watching his walls gradually come down is a pleasure and the writing is lovely.
The mystery element of the story centers on continuing arsons on the island as well as a mysterious RV and questionable budgetary issues in an off shoot of the sheriff’s office. Trying to figure out what things are connected and what things aren’t in a fun guessing game for mystery fans (and when Agatha Christie’s name is invoked it seems apropos.) The red herrings are plentiful and there are lots of loose strings left dangling which will no doubt be addressed in future books.
The writing is crisp, the story arc moves well and the character development is well done. The secondary characters are fully developed and play important roles in both the story arc and the MCs’ character development. There is wit, humor, snark, action, fear, worry and above all love. It’s a great job of melding all of those things. I can’t wait for book three (though unfortunately I have to!) but I will see if there are any of the author’s other works that I have missed in the meantime.
After reading book 1, I was waiting for Niall and Mat’s romance slowing progressing but I got a nice surprise. I don’t want to spoil it for you but, this book is amazing. First another interesting mystery, then a family secret and finally and intense and emotional romance, in the middle of a difficult case full of danger. After all this complex and interesting story, the wonderful epilogue is just the cherry on top. The best on the series so far…. I can’t wait to read what is coming next.
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
Long Shadow is a continuation of Conspiracy Theory. We pick back up where the last left off and while we continue with the mystery and pick up new characters in this installment there is simply not enough romance for my taste. I was hoping to see more from Matt and Niall. The mystery aspects are interesting and the main draw for me because the romantic aspect is disappointing. Alsooooo, there is a book 3.
I loved part one of this story and fell in love with the characters from the get go. I am very glad to say the continuation here is at the same amazing level of craft in both language and storybuilding! Amazing!
This book is a continuation of the previous book in the series, I highly recommend reading it first as the series is interconnected.
Niall and Mat are back and once again tgey just can’t seem to catch a break.
I loved the dual pov, it really helped cement the characters thoughts.
There was a great secondary cast of characters which added great depth to the story.
An intriguing storyline with plenty of mystery and suspense which kept me on the edge of my seat as the author walked me through weeding out the suspects.
The epilogue was really sweet.
I can’t wait to see what the guys get up to next
This is a second installment in one of the best series I’ve read lately and it can’t be read as standalone, so you should read Conspiracy theory first. Although it’s written in doual pow, Niall steals the spotlight, but it’s not a bad thing. His struggle to believe that someone thinks he’s worthy of love and trust and accepting kindness so freely given is heartbreaking. He has trouble putting his feelings into words or even acknowledging them internally but the walls he built to protect himself are crumbling. Mat can see just through him, beyond his prickly exterior and he’s not giving up. He’s not the only one. What I missed in this book was maybe more interaction between Mat and his mother, because she must be struggling too, and more interaction between Shay and Niall – some things were just brushed over. Some mysteries from previous book got resolved in this one but not all of them and the new one appears (make sure you read the teaser from book three!) , but that’s not a bad thing either, because I want to read much more about this couple. Good things should last. There are some characteres in this series that deserve a book of their own and I hope we’ll be getting one in the future. Humor is an added bonus. Epilogue put a huge grin on my face. I hope Ms Keaton won’t let us wait too long.
This was a great second book in the series. I loved all of the characters and how they keep developing. Mat and Niall are great characters and you can’t help but want to see them get their stuff together and figure a way to be together. I can’t wait for book 3 to come out next year so that I can see what new adventures await them!
From the first time I got to review an ARC for “Storm Season” from Elle Keatons “Accidental Roots” series there was something special about her story telling and characters. She introduced us to Adam Klay and Micah Ryan and many new characters that kept me wanting more. After this long series and novels in between she brought readers a new series “Hamarsson & Dempsey” with “Conspiracy Theory”. Niall Hamarsson and Mat Dempsey, who are opposite in so many ways are back with this new and exciting novel. With this second installment to the series, Keaton has definitely brought a tale of baffling mysteries that all lead to: danger, shock, heart breaking moments and a roller coaster ride of emotions.
Niall, after finishing up some business, is returning to the small peaceful island of Piedras. He can’t wait to get back to Fenrir and as much as he doesn’t want to admit, Mat. Niall has lot’s of issues that haunt him: cold cases, Ana his mother, information from a most unlikely person and his feelings for Mat. But Piedras Island doesn’t stay peaceful for Niall and Mat. They find themselves involved in some of the most convoluted and dangerous investigations.
Along with Mat, Niall finds the love of family with, Alyson, Mat’s Mom. Then Mat’s sister, Ella and niece Riley come into the fold. There’s Birdy, whose really a big plus to the investigations and get’s better each time. With Marshall, Trevor and Caleb there’s a potential for a new story, I hope. There’s the small Piedras island, itself, where everybody knows your business. And, of course, there will always be Fenrir, without him the tale is not complete!
I enjoyed that Elle Keaton gave Niall some moments of humor, some heart felt decisions to make and the idea of the yurt. She certainly puts Niall and Matt through the ringer with this explosive new novel. Excellent read, I can’t even imagine what Elle will cook up next!
This is a great second book to the series. Crime is going way up in their small town. Mat and Niall relationship is progressing slowly until something happens. I love these guys.. It’s a great read and I cannot wait for the next book.
I love this series, and its mix of mystery/detective, suspense, and romance. The characters are fabulous, and the small town setting is a character in its own right. Plus there’s Fenrir, a wolfhound who steals every scene he’s in.
Niall and Mat play off each well, and complement each other, which is a good thing considering how damaged Niall is, and how he takes one step forward and two back where relationships are concerned. I did love the way this book progressed with their relationship, and the final scene was wonderful.
This story also has a strong family vibe, with not just Mat’s family playing a substantial role. I love Alyson, Mat’s mother, and how Fenrir knows what and who he wants and just goes for it, and bonds. I like how Ella and Riley are now playing more of a role in their lives. Birdy totally rocks, and I was very happy with how Marshall’s story is progressing. I hope we see a lot more of Trevor in future books. I loved the town’s reaction when Mat starts parking his cruiser outside Niall’s motel room. Perfect.
The mystery unfolds at a good pace with a very satisfactory balance between solving the book mystery, yet keeping threads open for the series. And that scene outside the police station! No spoilers, but I had to kept reading. Wow. Edge of seat, and traumatic for both of them. I did not see that coming! I really liked how it impacted, and had consequences moving forward, which made it both scary and realistic.
I’m already hanging out for the next book in the series.
Nice slow burn with lots of mystery.
Long Shadow is book two in the Hamarsson and Dempsey series with the main couple continuing throughout the series. Book one had a very satisfying HFN and this one even more so. The author does a great job of giving us information from book one that we need to enjoy this story. So, I kind of think you could read this without having read Conspiracy Theory but then you’d be missing a great book.
There is a lot of mystery and intrigue going on in Long Shadow and it kept me on the edge of my seat in places. A couple of things happened that I didn’t see coming which is always nice when reading romantic suspense. Mat and Niall’s relationship moves along at a steady pace, with Niall pretty much fighting it at every turn until he finally gives in.
I’m a big fan of slow-burn romance and this is a great one. If you’re looking for hot and spicy time being front and center this might not be the book for you. What it is though, is a wonderfully crafted story with interesting characters and enough suspense to keep you engaged until the end.
Some mysteries are solved in this book but there are still underlying issues that aren’t resolved. I really wouldn’t call this a cliffhanger because we definitely know that Mat and Niall are a couple and I didn’t feel like I was left hanging so much that I’ll die if I can’t read the next one tomorrow.
Don’t take that to mean that I didn’t love this, or don’t want the next one as soon as possible, because I do. But the story was complete enough to leave me very satisfied and not unhappy that I’ll have to wait until next year to read it. There’s also a nice teaser for the next book, Black Moon, which I enjoyed.
A copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***