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Rating: 
Summary: Constant twists and a wonderful protagonist
Review: A Los Angeles plastic surgeon and his staff are brutally shot and killed and LAPD detective Jessie Drake is assigned the case. There are plenty of motives--a patient has threatened revenge over a botched job, a nurse was recently fired, and the doctor has a history of affairs. Of course the family is always suspected. Yet, even with plenty of suspects, the hard evidence to convict anyone isn't there. And the one suspect Drake most wants to talk to, the adopted son of the slain doctor, keeps slipping through her hands. Author Rochelle Krich has created a wonderful character in Jessie Drake. Her confused love life (she has recently ended an affair with her ex-husband), her history of abuse as a child, her fear of heights, and her exploration of her Jewish heritage add depth and interest. Like Drake, the mystery in SHADOWS OF SIN comes in layers of complexity with first one suspect, then another taking the primary position, with reality staying one step ahead of both Drake and the reader. SHADOWS OF SIN is a fast-reading and page turning adventure. The killer is smart enough to throw suspicion off, and to play with everyone's sympathy, yet Drake is a bulldog after the truth. Topical references to the LAPD Ramparts nightmare add to the immediacy of the novel.
Rating:
Summary: Another winner from Krich...bring on the next one!
Review: As an avid fan of Krich and her complex characters, I was not disappointed in the latest tale of Detective Jesse Drake. Once again Jesse is faced with solving not just the murders that are part of her job - but the mysteries of her own spiritual journey and that of her family. The conflicts between good and evil, parent and child, society and the individual - this carefully crafted novel explores them all - and in the midst of a gripping mystery! After catching my breath at the surprise ending, I could feel the smile on my face as Krich carefully set down the tracks for the next challenge our heroine will face.
Rating:
Summary: Murder and Mayhem in L. A.
Review: Everbody loved Los Angeles plastic surgeon, Ronald Bushnell. He was a devoted family man, good to his staff at work, and much loved by his patients. So why would anyone want to kill him? That's just what Detective Jessie Drake is determined to find out. When she and partner Phil Okum walk into the surgeon's office, and survey the carnage at the crime scene, one thing is obvious...this was very personal, a crime of passion. As the investigation begins, Jessie finds that all was not so perfect in the Bushnell household, nor at the office, and that she and Phil have too many tight-lipped suspects, stonewalling their case. But as they dig deeper, and secrets and lies begin to surface, Jessie realizes that the answers to this heinous crime are going to be found in the tragedies and mistakes of the past..... The first chapter of Rochelle Krich's latest mystery, is so vivid and harrowing, that once you begin reading, you won't be able to put this novel down until you've finished the last page. The plot is tight, tense, and compelling, and full of subtle twists, and surprises, the writing, crisp and entertaining and the characters, interesting, engaging, and true to life. But it's Ms. Krich's intelligent, complex and empathetic, Jessie Drake, that really makes this novel stand out, and the subplots about her own dysfunctional family and new committment to Orthodox Judaism, add depth and credibility to both the character and the story line. With its stunning climax and very satisfying conclusion, Shadows Of Sin is a well paced, terrific read, and definitely a book, mystery fans should put at the top of their "must read" lists.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointing mystery about dysfunctional families.
Review: I have enjoyed Rochelle Krich's books very much, particularly "Dead Air," which I described on Amazon as a "timely and engrossing mystery." Therefore, I opened Krich's new book, "Shadows of Sin," with great anticipation. "Shadows of Sin" deals with the brutal murder of Dr. Ronald Bushnell, a wealthy plastic surgeon, and two of his employees. There is no shortage of suspects. Bushnell had many enemies, including his foster son, Ethan, who has become rebellious and deeply troubled, a nurse whom Dr. Bushnell had recently fired and even a patient who was dissatisfied with her nose job! Jessie Drake, a recurring character in Krich's mysteries, is one of the investigating homicide detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department, and she delves deeply into the dysfunctional relationships of the Bushnell family. At the same time, Jessie continues to explore her Jewish heritage, taking tentative steps toward observing the Sabbath and a few Orthodox rituals. She is also trying to develop a relationship with her religious instructor, Ezra, whom she has come to admire deeply. Jessie knows about dysfunctional families, since for years, Jessie has held a bitter grudge against her abusive mother, Frances. She is now trying to find a way to mend fences with both of her parents, who have a number of unresolved issues of their own. Unfortunately, these intriguing plot lines are not well developed. Jessie spends most of the novel interviewing one or another of the suspects, throwing suspicion first on one person, then on another. The family relationships are alluded to, but they are not explored with any depth. Krich flits from one theme to another, but she does not bring the characters to life. Therefore, I was not emotionally invested in the outcome of the story. The ending is extremely weak, with one too many surprises thrown in at the last minute. More development of character and theme, and less concentration on elaborate twists and turns, would have made this a more readable and satisfying mystery.
Rating:
Summary: An Edge-of-Your-Seat Must-Read
Review: I'm a long-time fan of Rochelle Krich, and have always admired her intelligent writing in her finely crafted mysteries. Krich's ongoing development of Detective Jessie Drake, the "star" of many of her novels to date, has also added a deeper personal dimension to her mysteries, as Drake has uncovered some secrets of her own past (in previous novels) and continues to explore her own, previously unknown, Jewish identity. Other reviews here have given the basic storyline, so I'll just add that, having read nearly all Krich's other books, I felt that Shadows of Sin is among her very best, one that had me really on the edge of my proverbial seat. As with any good mystery, Krich packed a surprise ending, but one which was consistent with the rest of the story. It's a cliffhanger, to be sure. I don't think you'll be able to put it down!
Rating:
Summary: An Edge-of-Your-Seat Must-Read
Review: I'm a long-time fan of Rochelle Krich, and have always admired her intelligent writing in her finely crafted mysteries. Krich's ongoing development of Detective Jessie Drake, the "star" of many of her novels to date, has also added a deeper personal dimension to her mysteries, as Drake has uncovered some secrets of her own past (in previous novels) and continues to explore her own, previously unknown, Jewish identity. Other reviews here have given the basic storyline, so I'll just add that, having read nearly all Krich's other books, I felt that Shadows of Sin is among her very best, one that had me really on the edge of my proverbial seat. As with any good mystery, Krich packed a surprise ending, but one which was consistent with the rest of the story. It's a cliffhanger, to be sure. I don't think you'll be able to put it down!
Rating:
Summary: Un-put-down-able!
Review: In Century City, California, at the office of respected plastic surgeon Dr. Bushnell, a patient pulls out a gun and kills the receptionist, the nurse, and the physician. The police believe that this was a premeditated crime of passion because one of the bullets was fired directly into the man's scrotum.
As in any such crime suspicion falls directly on the immediate family. Homicide detective Jessie Drake and her partner Phil quickly focus on Dr. Bushnell's adopted son Ethan. The college student has been missing and it becomes obvious that he is on the run from the police, his biological family as well as his adopted one. By the time Jessie finds and arrests him, she is no longer sure that he is guilty of the crime. She thinks he's protecting somebody close to him and she intends to prove it.
This is a very complex and juicy police procedural starring a likable and independent protagonist who believes in both the law and justice. The author humanizes Jessie by showing her interactions with her dysfunctional family as well as her tentative steps towards embracing her Jewish heritage. Rochelle Krich is a gifted storyteller who knows how to capture the interest of her audience.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much in this shopping cart!
Review: My reading group read Shadows of Sin because it was nominated for an Agatha Award (cozies). I don't know how this book could ever be considered a cozy. We didn't feel the book met any of the tenets defining a cozy. It fit more along the lines of a police procedural/detective novel. Although the author had an exciting opening and an unusual approach, the book just didn't flow. There were too many themes and disjointed parallels. There were dysfuntional families, abuse, guilt, lies, adultery, the Holocaust, incest, etc. On a positive note, Jessie Drake was a strong detective and held her own with her partner and colleagues. There was not the dependency you often see with other female leads. Her police partner was very likeable. I enjoyed reading about Judaism and Jesse's interest in learning more about herself and her religion. It was an interesting approach. I've heard the author's other books were quite different but not necessarily better. There was just too much going on in the book.
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Summary: "Shadows of Sin" is a winner in every respect!
Review: Rochelle Krich's fifth in the Jessie Drake mystery series is a tautly constructed story with dynamic characters, a real mystery to be solved, and a stunning conclusion. What's more, this book left me with issues to consider long after I finished reading. Jessie Drake, Krich's female LAPD Detective, must solve the murder of a plastic surgeon and two of his office staff. She quickly finds a long list of suspects, and delves deep into the past to find motive and murderer. As she investigates, she unwittingly moves closer to personal peril. That's a very basic plot summary, which doesn't begin to do justice to the tension Rochelle Krich creates, or the characters and their personal conflicts. It is this quality of her writing that gives the reader a real stake in the solution of the crime. Jessie Drake is not only a detective solving a triple murder, but a very realistic character, with conflicts and concerns of her own, which Krich shares with the reader. Jessie grapples with her spiritual life, as she finds herself increasingly drawn to the practice of Orthodox Judaism. She endures conflicts with her family, who struggle to understand her new spirituality. Like so many of us, Jessie carries childhood emotional baggage, and her attempts to deal with its weight lead to scenes that are as intriguing as the solution of the murder. Jessie's budding romantic relationship with her teacher, Ezra, adds to the reader's understanding of the distinctions between her private and public lives. Jessie's struggles enhance not only plot and characterization, but contribute to a greater understanding of the problems faced by religious people living secular lives. This, for me, is a definite plus. Finally, "Shadows of Sin" races the reader through its pages to a very surprising conclusion. Tension mounts, and never eases. Rochelle Krich has mastered the art of writing the suspense-packed detective mystery, while giving us characters to care about and issues that remain with us long after the final page has been turned.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: this is one book that you wouldn't be able to put down. Suspenseful all the way through.
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