Chasing Shadows by Robert Bryndza: A Gripping Return to Form
There’s something comforting yet thrilling about picking up a new addition to a beloved series. When I saw that Chasing Shadows, the ninth installment in Robert Bryndza’s Detective Erika Foster series, was available for review, I felt those familiar butterflies of anticipation. Bryndza has a knack for crafting intense, emotionally charged narratives, and my excitement only grew as I delved into this latest mystery that tethers present danger to a haunting past.
In Chasing Shadows, we reunite with Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster, a character whose journey I’ve followed closely since the beginning. The story kicks off with a collapsed ceiling and a cold body, launching Erika into a case that unearths long-buried traumas tied to her husband’s murder a decade ago. Having navigated the complexities of her PTSD and the fallout from the disaster that saw her lose both her husband and her colleagues, Erika’s resolute spirit is palpable throughout the narrative. Bryndza captures the weight of her burden beautifully, making her pain visceral and deeply relatable.
One of the standout themes in this book is the inescapable nature of the past. The way Bryndza weaves flashbacks into the present-day investigation enhances the emotional depth without sacrificing the relentless pace he’s known for. The juxtaposition of the calm, almost serene dead body at the outset against the chaos that follows creates an unsettling tension that makes it hard to put down. Erika’s investigation into a parcel locker leads her to the very person she hoped never to face again: the drug dealer who shattered her life.
Bryndza’s writing remains taut and tightly woven, with dialogues that crackle with authenticity. The pacing is nothing short of relentless, keeping readers on their toes as Erika thrashes against both external obstacles and her internal demons. I found myself rooting for her, feeling the pressure she faced from her superiors and colleagues, who questioned her sanity in the aftermath of traumatic events. A particular moment that struck a chord was when one of her colleagues voices doubts about her state of mind, causing the reader to feel Erika’s isolation in a world that feels hostile and unforgiving.
The exploration of trust and friendship against a backdrop of deceit and betrayal adds layers to the narrative. Bryndza does not shy away from the uncomfortable truths that accompany tragedy, leading readers to question who is truly on Erika’s side. As she stumbles through old newspapers and encrypted messages, the tension mounts, and I couldn’t help but hold my breath—what will she uncover?
As I turned the final pages, I felt a mixture of satisfaction and longing. Bryndza’s author notes promising more adventures for Erika Foster delighted me, knowing that this resilient detective has more stories to tell.
Chasing Shadows is not merely a crime thriller; it’s a profound exploration of loss, resilience, and the shadows that linger long after the lights go down. I’d recommend this book to longtime fans of Bryndza and newcomers alike who appreciate a formidable protagonist fighting her way through personal darkness. This installment left me reflecting on my own shadows—reminding us all that the past can color our present, but it doesn’t have to define our future.
Thank you to NetGalley, Raven Street Publishing, and Robert Bryndza for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. 📖✨
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