Massage therapist Libby Madsen lives with her Labrador puppy Shadow in Mesa, Arizona where she co-owns Dharma Inspired Day Spa. When one of her clients tells her she’s concerned about her twenty-year-old daughter Isobel, who did not return from a camping trip when she said she would, Libby agrees to keep a lookout for her when she travels to the campground the following weekend. While she is not successful in locating Isobel, her visit reveals enough clues to make Libby fully invested in the case.

Jennifer J. Morgan’s cozy mystery, SHADOWS IN THE FOREST, includes all the elements of a well-structured whodunit—an interesting hook, captivating characters, suspenseful scenes, many red herrings, and a satisfying conclusion. The chapters are just the right length to break up the action with several cliff-hanger endings that propel readers into the next one. The hint of a potential romance between Libby and forest ranger Greg Lawson provides a diverting subplot but does not distract from the main storyline (Greg’s endless blue eyes capture Libby’s attention from the beginning, and his apparent interest in her keeps her wondering where this relationship could be headed).

While a well-defined beginning, middle and end in SHADOWS IN THE FOREST are suitable for a standalone storyline, the characters, plot, and setting lend themselves to future books in a series. Protagonist Libby has a fitting personality for an amateur sleuth who could become involved in a myriad of mysterious circumstances, and her burgeoning relationship with Greg has the capacity for going in a number of different directions. The primary setting—a large campground and series of hiking trails—establishes an excellent backdrop for clues and dramatic scenes that help to create interest. This, along with a cast of questionable characters, contribute to the atmosphere and mood of the story and deepening of the plot. SHADOWS IN THE FOREST allows readers to play an active part in trying to piece together various clues embedded in the narrative. The well-placed red herrings scattered throughout the novel heighten curiosity and escalate the tension and suspense.

Author Jennifer J. Morgan’s SHADOWS IN THE FOREST weaves together a series of intriguing events that develop into a compelling and well-written cozy mystery.

~Florence Osmund for IndieReader