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Rating: 
Summary: If you like your women dumb, you'll love Cassidy McCabe
Review: Alex Matthews says that she wrote this book because she doesn't think women are accurately portrayed in most mysteries. Women should sue her for defamation of character. Cassidy McCabe takes stupidity to new lows. There were several times when I had to restrain myself from throwing the book across the room in disgust at her actions, or lack thereof.It's too bad, because the writing is good and the story decent. But McCabe is beyond hope and that ruins the book.
Rating:
Summary: If you like your women dumb, you'll love Cassidy McCabe
Review: Alex Matthews says that she wrote this book because she doesn't think women are accurately portrayed in most mysteries. Women should sue her for defamation of character. Cassidy McCabe takes stupidity to new lows. There were several times when I had to restrain myself from throwing the book across the room in disgust at her actions, or lack thereof. It's too bad, because the writing is good and the story decent. But McCabe is beyond hope and that ruins the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Secret's Shadow
Review: An excellent first mystery story; the protagonist is believable in her description of a clinical psychologist who genuinely cares for her patients and yet does not consider herself omnipotent. However, she is very upset when she learns that a patient has committed suicide and she did not see the signs; she is unable to believe she could have missed such signs. Worse, the patient had brought up a new subject at the end of his last session and she decided to ask him to wait for next meeting and then he dies. When his estranged brother meets her and states he does not believe his brother is a suicide, urges her to work with him to disprove this she reluctantly agrees. A little romance, some serious threats and a very surprise ending made this an interesting read.
Rating: 
Summary: Snappy prose, quick moving plot.
Review: Genre: Mystery Alex Matthews has created a masterful beginning to her mystery series with Secret's Shadow. All lovers of mysteries take note: Cassidy McCabe will keep you entertained and guessing till the end. Cassidy is not the typical heroine. The story begins with a charming calico cat adopting the 37-year-old psychotherapist. Throughout the book, we are privy to Cassidy's inner thoughts as she talks to the nameless feline. And when the going gets rough, Cassidy's peanut butter cups become a tell-tale sign of stress and hope. Secret's Shadow has a tight plot that's guaranteed to delight. Cassidy has divorced a charmer who has nearly caused her bankruptcy. When her ex borrows money from the mob, against an old deed with both their names on it, the mob comes to Cassidy for collection. Further, her malpractice insurance lapses, and when her favorite client commits suicide, the family sues. Worse, she's forced to face her feelings for the deceased patient Ryan, as well as question her clinical abilities -- all while coping with a blossoming romance with Ryan's black-sheep brother Zach. When her life is endanger, she's not sure if it's the mob or someone worse after her. Alex Matthews has a big hit with this quirky, engaging heroine. The author's prose is snappy and sharp, and the quick moving plot is meticulously detailed. All mystery lovers are sure to enjoy the fast-paced Secret's Shadow. Cindy Penn, Reviewer
Rating:
Summary: Snappy prose, quick moving plot.
Review: Genre: Mystery Alex Matthews has created a masterful beginning to her mystery series with Secret's Shadow. All lovers of mysteries take note: Cassidy McCabe will keep you entertained and guessing till the end. Cassidy is not the typical heroine. The story begins with a charming calico cat adopting the 37-year-old psychotherapist. Throughout the book, we are privy to Cassidy's inner thoughts as she talks to the nameless feline. And when the going gets rough, Cassidy's peanut butter cups become a tell-tale sign of stress and hope. Secret's Shadow has a tight plot that's guaranteed to delight. Cassidy has divorced a charmer who has nearly caused her bankruptcy. When her ex borrows money from the mob, against an old deed with both their names on it, the mob comes to Cassidy for collection. Further, her malpractice insurance lapses, and when her favorite client commits suicide, the family sues. Worse, she's forced to face her feelings for the deceased patient Ryan, as well as question her clinical abilities -- all while coping with a blossoming romance with Ryan's black-sheep brother Zach. When her life is endanger, she's not sure if it's the mob or someone worse after her. Alex Matthews has a big hit with this quirky, engaging heroine. The author's prose is snappy and sharp, and the quick moving plot is meticulously detailed. All mystery lovers are sure to enjoy the fast-paced Secret's Shadow. Cindy Penn, Reviewer
Rating: 
Summary: Just okay
Review: I loved the cat. Unfolding family secrets reminded me of Ross McDonald. Always brings in an extra child by a previous marriage as a plot twist (total of three). Menacing telephone calls to inject suspense surely went out when caller ID and *69 came in (publication date is '96). Reasons for not calling in the police are not very plausible (never are in most amateur sleuth novels). The obligatory (for female sleuth books) "heroine in peril rescued in nick of time" climactic scene creaked, with 100 word speeches by the villain. No great dialog. Sounds a negative review - but it kept me reading and I'll check out her next.
Rating:
Summary: I missed something
Review: What do you do when one of your clients commits suicide and leaves a note saying you are to blame and now the family is suing for malpractice? This is just part of Cassidy McCabe's problems. Cassidy is a psychotherapist that runs her practice from her home. The latest disaster to enter her life is just one in a long series of disasters. She is being stalked by the mob for her ex-husbands debt. She is broke and struggling to make ends meet, due mostly to his prior disasters in which he always seemed to get her involved. She comes home one day and there, sitting on her porch looking like she owns the house, is a small calico cat. Big problem, Cassidy doesn't like cats, or so she claims, but she can't just turn her back on the kitten. Zachary Moran is the brother of Cassidy's client that committed suicide. He is an investigative reporter and doesn't believe that his brother committed suicide, despite the evidence. He contacts Cassidy and convinces her that it is in their best interests to investigate and discover the truth. As they uncover hidden skeletons in the Hollister past that Zach didn't even know about, Cassidy receives more threatening phone calls and an attempt on her life. She keeps this information to herself though because she isn't sure how much she can trust Zach, or her growing attraction to him. Secret's Shadow is a great book. Ms. Matthews has done an excellent job. It has mystery and suspense, danger and excitement, all with a touch of romance. There are places where the conversation and dialog is a bit hard to follow, but all in all, a very good read. Tracy Eastgate Reviewer
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