A gruesome murder linking to a famous painting sends FBI Criminal Profiler Eli Archer down a path of lies, deceit… and infatuation.Eli Archer has been called many things at the Bureau, but carefree and light-hearted aren’t two of them. As one of the FBI’s top criminal profilers, Eli spends his days inside the minds of sadistic serial killers, and he’s got the brooding eyes and permanently packed … eyes and permanently packed suitcase to prove it. Days, murderers, and dead bodies blend together until he gets a call about a homicide that’s shockingly similar to a case that haunts him. He catches the next flight to the small, southern town of Berry Springs even though there’s no way the cases are connected because he already caught the killer… unless he didn’t.
Payton Chase grew up in a family rich in money, dysfunction, and secrets, leaving her with a mountain of cash and emotional brick wall to match. Determined to gain independence from her past, Payton buries herself in work, chasing her dream of becoming a network news anchor. When a young woman is found tortured to death, Payton is certain that this is the opportunity to catapult her into the spotlight… she just has to figure out how to work with the secretive—and incredibly sexy—federal agent who’s on the case.
As Payton’s and Eli’s chemistry steams hotter than the heat wave blazing through the mountains, another victim is found that looks eerily like Payton, and Eli fears she may just get her lead story… with her name as the headline.
THE SHADOW is a standalone romantic suspense novel.
Praise for the Berry Springs Series:
“One of my favorite novels of 2018.” -Confessions of an Avid Reader, The Fog
“The Woods is a sexy, small-town murder mystery that’s guaranteed to resonate with fans of Nora Roberts and Karin Slaughter.” -Best Thrillers
“Danger, mystery, and sizzling-hot romance right down to the last page.” -Amazon Review, The Creek
“Amanda McKinney wrote a dark, ominous thrilling tale spiked with a dash of romance and mystery that captivated me from start to finish…” -The Coffeeholic Bookworm, The Lake
“The Storm is a beautifully written whodunnit, sprinkled with suspense, danger, and hot romance. Kept me guessing who the murderer was. I couldn’t put it down!” —Amazon Review
THE STORM is a 2018 Maggie Award for Excellence Finalist, 2018 Silver Falchion Finalist, 2018 Beverley Finalist, 2018 Golden Leaf Finalist, and 2018 Passionate Plume Honorable Mention Recipient
THE FOG is a *2019 Golden Quill Finalist
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The Shadow is a phenomenal romantic suspense by Amanda McKinney. Ms. McKinney has provided readers with yet another well-written book populated with a stellar cast of characters. Eli is an FBI profiler called to Berry Springs when a body of a young woman shows up with familiar wounds. Payton is in the news business and willing to put herself in danger to get her story. Eli and Payton’s story is packed with edge of your seat suspense, bits of humor, spice, drama and action. Be warned, once you start this book, you won’t want to put it down. I enjoyed reading The Shadow and look forward to my next book by Amanda McKinney. The Shadow is book 6 of the Berry Springs Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
This book is so good that when I opened it to write the review, I ended up reading it all over again!
This book is True Detective meets a HEA which is my idea of a suspense-filled and sexy as hell book. I didn’t even think I would like the romantic suspense genre, but this book made me a believer!
The heroine’s love interest, Eli, has strong silent type down to a “T.” He’s an old school classic alpha. I can almost see him in black and white wearing a suit and a fedora. Yes, he has a complicated past but he doesn’t spend all day worrying about it. He does what he can in the present moment and kisses the smart and savvy Payton like his life depends on it. That’s all I need to make my toes curl and sleep tight at night.
I’ll be reading the rest of the Berry Springs Series ASAP.
Ms. McKinney created a gripping, suspenseful story that will keep you turning pages. A sexy profiler, a curious journalist, and the killer’s next victim make it a mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. There are enough twists and turns to keep you wondering whodunnit and all the while it’s seasoned with the perfect touch of romance. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
A captivating, intense murder mystery.
A terrifying brutal murderer is out there, with so many possibilities of who the bad guy might be kept me engaged to the end. A well written book with a very interesting and intense plot with a great serving of heat. Graphic details of a crazy villain makes it a tough job for Eli to profile, I have always found FBI profilers very interesting in how they come up with a “type” of person to be on the lookout for. I love all the great connections to the name of the book, there are a lot of different shadows weaved throughout the book. Both of the main characters have their share of baggage to work through, Eli is a loner for the most part and Payton is one who tries to distance herself from her dysfunctional family. The two have great chemistry from the beginning causing Eli to go into protection mode. I have loved reading this series because they all have strong characters, detailed and interesting plots. This is a stand alone book, but there are characters from the other books of the Berry Springs that are really good too. You do not have to read in order since nothing is really given away about the other characters and stories. Highly recommend this read.
Another winner!
If you haven’t read any of Ms. McKinney’s books before you’re in for a treat, and if you have you don’t need any reviews to motivate you. As always you’ll be “on the edge of your chair” from the beginning until the very end. Payton and Eli are compelling characters that are so realistic you’ll feel like you know them and want them to be safe.
Enjoy! (I was hooked on her books with the first one I read!)
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Another winner from Amanda McKinney! You better be sure you have time to finish the book before you turn to the first page. Her characters chemistry is always off the charts – sexy and steamy. The plot keeps you on your toes, and I wish there were more Berry Springs on the way! A must have.
Will the darkness take over?
Eli has been fighting the darkness for years, every day more of it seeps into his soul, stealing his peace, his humanity and his life. But meeting a sassy red head leaves him captivated, consumed and shaken…can he hope to have light in his life again? To enjoy life and feel peace?
Not anytime soon! This killer is hauntingly sick and twisted and he has Payton in his sights. With each page you turn there is an uncomfortable mix of fear and revulsion edged with a desperate need to know that Eli finally finds him…but will it be soon enough to save Payton’s life and Eli’s soul?
I read this on Kindle Unlimited, I love the whole series so far and look forward to book seven.
Berry Springs is a great small town, with a caring community and wonderful people. Just stay out of those damn woods; that location seems to attract body-dumping serial killers! The Shadow’s killer tortures his victims in hideous ways, stretching out the torture over hours, even reviving them with cocaine when they lose consciousness. Pure Evil. FBI agent Eli (hunky, of course) arrives in town, following the killer from another state. Unfortunately, TV reporter Payton Chase is investigating, too — not knowing that the killer’s victims all look just like her! Suspense, great characters, even a love story, this book has it all! Amanda McKinney delivers another addictive Berry Springs mystery. I loved it!