Title: Burying the Shadow
Author: James Thomas Byrnes
Publisher: Stoney Creek Press
ISBN: 979-8990760233
eBook ISBN: 979-8990760226
Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Espionage
Availability: Paperback or eBook
Language: English
Paperback: 332 pages
Item Weight: 1.08 pounds
Dimensions: 6 x 0.74 x 9 inches
Review:
When it comes to revenge, two quotes instantly come to mind. “To exact revenge for yourself or your friends is not only a right, it’s an absolute duty,” from Stieg Larsson, and “While seeking revenge, dig two graves – one for yourself,” from Douglas Horton. In Burying the Shadow, the sequel to Operation Arrow Fletcher by James Thomas Byrnes, the characters will come to intimately understand these two quotes.
The story begins with the deaths of an elderly couple in Livingston Michigan and returning protagonists from Operation Arrow Fletcher, discharged Army Corporal David Farris, and his friend, Sargent Tim who are in the middle of a mission in Canada. The heroine, Carly Fletcher, also returns after she receives a letter warning her that an old enemy has resurfaced. Despite her boyfriend Bo’s objections, Carly, alongside her friend Posche, makes her way to the United States to end things once and for all.
Burying the Shadow was a blast to read. The action scenes, character interactions, and motivations were beautifully executed, and there were several surprising twists and turns.
James Thomas Byrnes does an impressive job filling in the gaps for readers who didn’t read Operation Arrow Fletcher and readers who needed a refresher on that novel. He also does a splendid job with characterization, which is commendable as Byrnes manages to juggle multiple characters throughout the novel.
I want to give a special mention to Bo Harris.
At the start of the novel, I did not particularly care for Bo. He read as a mean, jealous drunkard who put himself, along with Carly’s mother, and eventually his friend Helga, in danger with his reckless actions in his pursuit of trying to leave the witness protection program. As the story continued, I identified with Bo and developed compassion for him until eventually, in my opinion, he grew into someone who deserved his happy ending.
Byrnes does a superb job with the location and settings. His descriptions feel authentic and natural, keeping the reader invested in the story. While there is the overarching plot of Slovak, there is also the plot of a serial killer that Carly’s sister, CIA Agent Stacey Canter, was assigned to solve. Byrnes juggles two complex storylines while also keeping them seamless and easy to follow.
Burying the Shadow is an exceptional read for not only fans of thriller and espionage but also romance readers. Burying the Shadow gains an enthusiastic recommendation from me. ★★★★★ – Elijah B. (Explore Authors Magazine)