Nate and Madison are former cons, both having served considerable time for crimes which they didn't commit. Both would like to find solid proof of whom the guilty parties really were.  Nate has opened a private eye business, and since Madison is a former police officer, she begs Nate to let her work for him. Just as he tries to tell her "no  way", a new case opens up of a missing teenager, and he lets her come along. 

The two of them band together to try to find the girl, whom they are already sure is dead, and discover who is responsible. There are enough surprises to keep one interested, for sure. Apparently, this is the start of a series, so we'll have to keep reading to see if they find the proof they need for themselves.

Warning:  Objectionable language, which seemed rather strange, since, before incarceration, Nate was studying for the ministry.

This book has a lot going on and the title has changed to Shadow Falls, instead of Cry for Help from when I first read it.  Lots of interesting characters with messy backstories.  First, is Madison Harper, a detective we meet as she is being arrested for murder.  Then we have Nate Monroe who was studying to be a priest but got sidetracked when he fell in love and who further has his life’s trajectory changed when he is arrested and convicted for his fiancé’s murder. 

After serving 20 years on death row, Nate is exonerated and now determined to find his fiancé’s killer who he believes is her uncle, himself a priest.  Madison is released after serving her sentence for a crime she claims to have been framed for and is determined to find out who set her up.  Believing Nate might be just the person to help her clear her name, she convinces him to help her while he is on his own name-clearing quest.  Along the way, they manage to get themselves involved in other mysteries as they come closer to the truths about their own situations. 

Never a dull moment in this delightful new series which I never would have found without NetGalley.  So, again, my thanks to them for their wonderful choices available to all readers of all genres.

Great new series. Two ex cons who were wrongfully convicted turned PI. Hired to find Jenny, 12 years old, who goes missing at her summer camp outside a small community. Nate, convicted of murdering his fiancee & Madison, ex cop who was convicted of murdering another police officer. Both on a path to clear their names. Working together to solve the case of the missing girl. I really enjoyed this novel. It is different then most of the PI, mystery books I have read lately. This is definitely a good start for this series. Kept me guessing on where this case was heading and who was behind the missing girl. Nate & Madison both have trust issues so working together has been a challenge but I am sure they will come together to help clear both of their names. A real page turner. I look forward to see how this story will play out.

I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

A brilliantly written gripping book! This is definitely going to be a great series and I can't wait to read the next installment! I'd never heard of this author before so didn't know what to expect but I can honestly say I totally loved it.
The story is predominantly about a teenage girl that goes missing from a summer camp and when the police efforts don't she's any light the girls grandmother hires a PI.

I love the relationship between the two main characters, Nate and Maddison and can't wait to get to know them more. A really good 5 star book!

A young girl Jennifer missing from the camp and a Detective determined to find her, despite meeting with roadblocks in the form of non-cooperative people. Having read many of author Wendy Dranfield books, I knew I would get some fun reading down.

The cop, Detective Madison was most unusual. She had spent years in prison, being falsely accused, and her partner, in this case, was PI Nate, another person who had seen how unjust charges could warp you. It just took him seventeen years to get his freedom back. The author sure had striking main characters, who had seen both sides of the law and were still committed to finding out the truth.

The story of this disappearance kept a steady pace, moving fast in the last few pages, when the twists caught my attention, most unexpected. The missing child arc had been my favorite for quite some time, and the author made it most interesting with the suspense and mystery in the writing. Secrets. Secrets. Secrets. The race against time was on when the child left some clues in the library.

The ending ripped me apart and left me shocked when I read the truth. Book 1 of the series, I felt it was a very good beginning to rocking new murder investigations. GRIPPING AND ENTERTAINING.

This is the first book in a brand new series and it started off really well.

It was fast paced, full of twists and turns from the very first page!

The story flowed well and the characters were intriguing and cannot wait to read book 2!

I love new series that start out with a bang!  Shadow Falls is the first in Wendy Dranfield's Detective Madison Harper series.  Detective Madison Harper has just been released from prison after serving 9 years for a crime she did not commit.  Her conviction cost her everything in her life, including the custody of her son.  She is determined to find out who framed her and clear her name, but she first has to have a job and a place to live.  Madison interviews with Nate Monroe, a private investigator with his own past.  He spent 17 years in prison for the murder of his fiancé before new evidence proved his innocence.  Now he is searching for the real killer.  These two share a back story that will run through multiple books in the series as they work together to settle their pasts and find a way forward.  An excellent first step into a multi book series.
The first case these two work together is the disappearance of a young girl from a summer camp at Shadow Falls.  The local police have not found any trace of her, so Nate & Madison are hired to investigate.  The story has been building as we are introduced to the MCs and now it is truly chilling.  Their investigation into a seemingly mainstream family and community will bring out secrets meant to be forever buried.  What a story!!!!  Wendy Dranfield is now on my "followed" list and her books added to me TBR pile.

Shadow Falls is the first instalment in the Detective Madison Harper series set in Northern California. Ex-police officer Madison Harper is staying at a motel which is serving as a halfway house for those just released from prison. she's been there seven months after serving six years of a ten-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter.

A recently released convicted cop murderer who was previously doing time in her hometown of Colorado, Madison is just managing to make ends meet working at Big Bob's Diner. Nathaniel (Nate) Monroe is a PI who has been out of prison for two years following the murder of his fiancée Stacey Connor in Texas. New evidence came to light which exonerated him and he believes Stacey's uncle, Father Jack Connor killed her. He's currently trying to get back on his feet and is staying at a hotel near Madison. Both Madison and Nate need to find out who framed them as both are innocent of their crimes and Madison is desperate to get her conviction overturned. Madison decides to call Nate for help after reading about his situation. Nate is initially reluctant to take on Madison's case but agrees in return for her help with any new jobs he takes on.

Twelve-year old-Jennifer Lucas has gone missing from Camp Fearless, a summer camp in Shadow Falls situated in the Wildwood National Forest. Nate and Madison set out to learn the truth about their own cases as well as find the missing girl.

Shadow Falls is my first novel by Wendy Dranfield and I loved learning more about both of the charismatic main characters. An intriguing and compelling procedural, I found myself reading late into the night. With plenty of action, it was cleverly plotted and I was caught out by the misdirection on a few occasions. The author's gritty and razor-sharp style meant I was never bored and the final revelations gave the story a last-minute boost. I can't wait to read the second instalment, Cry for Help and in the meantime, I may well make a start on Wendy Dranfield's 'Dean Matheson' series. Very highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my request, from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I was drawn into the story very quickly! And it was a compelling story at that. Each character is well written. Even the ones you wind up hating.I do feel that a lot of the book was spent setting up the next book in the series. I definitely want to read the next book. I would definitely recommend this book to those that enjoy a story with intrigue!

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley for my voluntary,honest review.

Shadow Falls :Find My Child by Wendy Dranfield is the 1st book in the Detective Madison Harper mystery series, and my first book by this author.  I enjoyed this book so much, that I started reading book two in the series, Cry For Help, as soon as I was done with this book.  I have definitely found a new author to enjoy.  Two people who were falsely imprisoned for murders they did not commit, are now working together as unlicensed private investigators.  Nate was on death row, and won a large settlement after his conviction was overturned.  Nate now helps other people, and he hates policemen.  Madison, a former police officer, asks Nate for help to see who framed her.  Madison agrees to help Nate, solve a missing girl case.  I loved this book with it's non stop action, and range of emotions it brings out. I strongly recommend this book it you enjoy a good mystery. 
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Shadow Falls by Wendy Dranfield kept me guessing the story till the end. The author takes us through many possible suspects and gradually reveals the one. This story will stay with me for a long time. 

Madison Harper is an ex cop who is out of prison and wants to restart her life by first finding the people who wrongly put her into prison. She joins Nathaniel Monroe, who is an excon on his own mission to find out his culprit. Both of them have similar pasts but they are so different. The case that comes to them is of Jennifer who has been missing from the summer camp. Her grandmother Esme feels the cops are not doing enough and hires Nate to solve find her grandchild. Revealing anything beyond this much will not be fair to your journey through the story.

The story has three parallel story lines going on in different chapters and the author has been able to all these stories separate and yet merge them at the correct moment. The story also talks to us about the pasts of our leading characters and their stories goes in sync with the case of Jennifer. Its amazing how the author has combined so many themes and stories through this one and she at the end manages to show us the real culprit but also keeps us wanting more of Madison and Nate's story. The development of the working relationship between Madison and Nate, their personal traits and  also their ability to understand each other, give space to each other and solve the case in a synchronized manner is really worth reading. I enjoyed the story from the start to the finish. In between I had started having doubts as to where the the story was going but then it all made sense in the end with a very big reveal.

If you love crime thrillers and want to start to read a series where you have very real, jaded by life characters who make it their mission to help others and themselves then this is the story for you. 
I for sure am going to keep a look out for the next in the series because I have come to love Madison and Nate. 

I thank the author, the publisher, Bookouture and Netgalley for approving my request to review the story and the opinions expressed are entirely mine.

This is the first book, in a new series, to feature Investigator Madison Harper, a former detective wrongfully convicted of murder. I really enjoyed the plotting and there are some surprising twists but I failed to like Madison. She teams up with Nate, a former priest who was also wrongfully convicted, to try and locate a missing child. The book is well written with good character development and the series sets to be promising. My thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I was drawn to this book by the mysterious landscape depicted on the cover. I am a sucker for a landscape cover image!! I love that the title suggests darkness and mystery. The blurb also makes the book sound like a thrilling, original read!

I have been absolutely blown away by this book. I have been torn between rushing through to discover the outcome or slowing down and savouring every wonderful page.

I have to admit that I generally do enjoy a book where the main plot focuses around a missing child. This plot focus usually ensures that the narrative is highly charged with emotion and fast moving to reflect the danger to the child and the desperation for their safe return. This has definitely been an exciting and fast paced read!

I have also enjoyed meeting the characters in this book. The way the narrative focuses on Madison and Nate’s movements and choices meant that I developed a connection with them and was able to empathise with them at many points. The other, peripheral characters are mysterious and become questionable, some even unlikeable. Wendy Dranfield has definitely proved her ability to create fascinating characters.

The use of the motif of Anna’s personal diary is a great technique that also makes the book highly original. Alongside the main action of the story, we are able to follow Anna’s thoughts and feelings, and in some ways her descent into madness. It adds to the tension of the book and provided some great cliff hangers!

The ending of the book is explosive, shocking and completely unpredictable. I paid close attention to the clues throughout, and felt like an investigator myself at times, but I was not able to predict that ending at all! I was very excited that the ending left the narrative open for a follow up, and I was so glad to see the author confirm this in her note at the end. I am really looking forward to reading it!

Shadow Falls begins the Detective Madison Harper series with a chilling story that will hold you tightly in its grip and not let go. If that Cover Description Blurb doesn’t grab your attention then I guarantee the book certainly will. I received an ARC of Shadow Falls and also purchased it this morning when it went live – so, yeah I was completely captivated by the stories of Madison, Nate, and Jenny.

There are stories within the main mystery/thriller story as we get Madison’s and Nate’s backstories as well. Both were falsely accused of crimes, both spent time in prison, and both are actively trying to find out why and who framed them years earlier. Now they’re working together as private investigators while still pursuing their own personal cases.

As with any of my Mystery reviews, I’ll not be giving you details – those you should discover firsthand for yourself. I can say that Shadow Falls is one intense, page-flipping story that will draw you in very easily.

Jenny’s disappearance is most parents’ nightmare, yet Madison (and we) get a different feel about Jenny’s mom and dad. There is far more beneath the surface and we will begin to build anticipation from the start. Shadow Falls gave me chills. And not the good kind but the kind that will have you looking over your shoulder and staring deeper into the shadows kind of chills. There are twists, turns, and definitely red herrings here… and that conclusion. Simply amazing, with the added feel of icy shivers up your spine.

The second story, Cry For Help, is out in February 2021 so we don’t have long before we can dive back into this world once again. If you love a really good mystery with twists that you will not see coming, then Shadow Falls is perfect for you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Bookouture via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I own a Kindle edition of this title as well as an ARC.

My first psychological thriller of the year, and what a way to start. I must admit that it’s a bug-bear of mine whenever the book’s subtitle insists on calling the story unputdownable or absolutely gripping – because, all too often, that is not the case, for me, anyway – however, this is one book where such a claim is 100% valid.
That this is the first in the series is another reason to dive in, because the two main characters – Nate & Madison – have really interesting stories to tell, both having been imprisoned on murder charges and both keen to prove who set them up.

Shadow Falls sets the reader up for a fascinating ride if we’re to believe their own issues will be met head on in future books. But, back to the plot in question … Nate is hired by the grandmother of a missing 12-year-old girl, who feels police efforts to find her granddaughter have not been thorough enough. As a PI (without license), Nate is ready to investigate. His own experience of being wrongfully imprisoned has put justice centre stage in his life, and if he can also expose police corruption or negligence, then so much the better.

Madison, having served her time, is desperate to find out who set her up too, but she lacks the financial resources to start her own investigations. She persuades Nate that, as a former cop, she can help him with the investigation and asks that he then helps her out afterwards.

Both characters are wounded by their experiences and focusing on something else outside of their own lives helps them to function. At first, there is some awkwardness between them. Nate is way more sceptical of Madison’s cop-like methods, and her directness doesn’t sit well with him. As time goes on, though, they settle into their roles and complement each other.

In the pursuit of the missing girl, they head off to a summer camp where suspects seem to crop up all over the place. With the help of Brody, an ex-police dog, they start to eliminate options while finding more twists and turns that lead them temporarily off-track, until a series of mistakes by the girl’s abductor (now potentially her killer too) allows them to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Although, this is not without putting themselves in great danger first.

It’s a thrilling story that held my attention. An exciting plot with original main characters, whose own back stories will no doubt prove just as fascinating to follow in future books in the series. I’ll be keeping an eye out for book two.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC of Shadow Falls (previously titled Find My Child) in exchange for an honest review.

Wow Wow Wow! Thrilling from start to finish. An outstanding read. I am so glad this is the first of a series as I was bereft when the book finished. It so completely transported me. If you don't read this one you are missing out!

Shadow Falls, previously known as Find My Child, is the first instalment in the Detective Madison Harper series, set in Northern California. It's 2019 and in Malibu, California, ex-police officer Madison Harper is staying at a dive motel which is serving as a halfway house for those just released from prison; she's been there seven months after serving six years of a ten-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter. A recently released convicted cop murderer who was doing time in her hometown of Colorado, Madison is just managing to scrape enough money together to survive working at Big Bob's Diner. Nathaniel "Nate" Monroe has been out of prison for two years now after spending seventeen years on death row for the murder of his fiancée Stacey Connor in Austin, Texas, after new evidence came to light which exonerated him; he believes the town’s parish priest and Stacey's Uncle, Father Jack Connor killed her. He's currently trying to get back on his feet staying at the Majestic Hotel near Zuma Beach and has received compensation for his wrongful conviction. Both Madison and Nate share a common objective: to discover and prove who framed them and why as both are innocent of the crimes they were sent down for and Madison is desperate to clear her name and get her conviction overturned. Nate is an unlicensed private investigator (PI) and Madison decides to call him for help after reading about his case in the newspaper. 

They meet at the Mango Bar where Madison tells him she believes her framing was an inside job. Initially, Nate has reservations about taking her case and when she begs him for a job he isn't sure. Eventually, he concedes and agrees to look into her case involving bent coppers in return for her help in any new cases that come in. Trusted associate and ex-convict Rex Hartley is responsible for putting plenty of business his way and he soon brings him a new case; twelve year old Jennifer Lucas has been missing for a fortnight after attending Camp Fearless, a summer camp in Shadow Falls situated in the Wildwood National Forest. Can they find the missing girl and bring her home as well as chasing the truth about both of their cases?; cases that stole a big part of their lives. This is a compulsive and intriguing procedural with two incredibly charismatic central characters whose backstories make up the majority of the book. It's fascinating going through step by step trying to find the evidence to prove who and why both Nate and Madison were callously framed. It's well plotted with lots of action and some startlingly good twists. It's difficult to shock me but I definitely was thrown and blindsided throughout the story. It's compelling and gripping and the reveals at the end really gave the book extra pizazz. Highly recommended.

Shadow Falls is the first book in a new series by Wendy Dranfield. Our two main characters, are Nate, who was wrongly imprisoned and put on death row for murder; and Madison who is an ex police officer who was framed for murder, and served her sentence. Their circumstances and situations are very different since their release. 
Through the book we learn more of their back stories, and the details of the crimes they were accused. Their quest for their own justice, leads them to wanting to help others.
In Shadow Falls, they are contacted by a desperate Grandmother, whose 12 year old Grand-daughter, Jennifer, has gone missing during her stay at a Summer Camp. Alongside this, we have a separate story line, that we are given tantalising snippets of, I was intrigued to see where this would take us and why. 
What we have is a police procedural, but from the flip side. If you are thinking that this a Jack Reacher type book, in my opinion, it’s better than that. I like Nate’s and Madison’s characters, and Brody, the intelligent, and fiercely loyal ex K9 dog is a lovely extra to the story for me.
The book is fast paced, with lots of action, twists and turns. The suspense keeps you turning the pages, and the twists keep you guessing. I was constantly changing my mind as to who I thought was responsible
I found the book a very well written, gripping read. The ending brings together all the unanswered questions in the Jennifer Lucas case, but leaves a glorious cliff hanger in the ongoing stories of Madison and Nate. Thankfully, Wendy’s follow up, Cry For Help, is being released on 22nd Feb. So we don’t have long to wait to catch up on the storyline. 
I highly recommend Shadow Falls, a really strong 4* from me.

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. 

Wow! What a book! I am really starting to like these private investigator stories. I loved the backstories for both Maddison and Nate. They were very unique. They also made for a great pairing. I loved their working relationship and I can't wait to see it grow in the next book. I really liked both characters. Maddison is a great detective and Nate clearly cares about people despite everything he has been through.

The story was a mix of Nate's backstory and the case of missing girl Jenny Lucas. The case of Jenny is full of so many secrets and lies. Things could have been very different if the truth had been told. 

I loved Wendy's writing style. I was racing through this book. Page after page I struggled too put this book down. 

I'm dying to see where book two goes I can't wait to pick it up very shortly.

This was the start of the series, and it was well written with an interesting storyline. I would have appreciated more character development, but that may improve as the series goes on. There was a bit too much of Nate's backstory. It felt like an infodump instead of being organically worked in. There are some loose ends, and I will consider checking out the next book in the series.