This book was OK but I wouldn't go as far as to call it a 'page turner' and I found the prose rather clumsy and try-hard in places. It's probably just me but I can't stand prose that tries to describe trivialities and details in an effort to make the story/characters more realistic, unless it's done just right. The Stig Larsson books are terrible at this, too - perhaps it's crime writers in general ..! In this case it just sounds contrived for example there's a line about one of the characters having just bought something from Safeways (or somewhere) and the fact they managed to get it on 'Buy One Get One Free'. Just dropped in there for no apparent reason which makes it stand out as try-hard. Summary - read it if there's nothing else and you're bored. But don't go out of your way. I love the way Ellis relates historic fact/fiction to the present day crimes in the Wesley Peterson books. In The Shadow Collector the historic content is the Civil War and one of its side effects to a town under siege which caused witch hunts. Lilith Benley spent eighteen years in gaol having been convicted (along with her elderly mother) of murdering two school girls. No sooner is she released and murder stalks the countryside once more. Lilith and her mother were rumoured to be witches.At the same time Wesley’s archaeological friend Neil Watson discovers a wax doll stuck with pins whilst overseeing work in a historical house. The doll dates back to the seventeenth century.As always, Ellis creates a wonderful puzzle for us to try and work out – nope, I didn’t get it right so the end was a terrific surprise. Definitely a well written 5* book.
An exceptional entry in an always-strong series. Full review at classicmystery.wordpress.com
—Piggyberry
Enjoyable as all the others I have read by this author. I didn't like the end though!
—animecrazed2468
Excellent as always. Full of twists, a real pleasure to read
—Looma
Another excellent read.
—butterflyprincess
