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The Shadow Box Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 68,706 ratings

An Amazon Charts bestseller.

The Amazon Charts bestselling author of Last Day delivers a haunting thriller about how far one wife is willing to go to expose the truth—and the lengths someone will go to stop her.

After artist Claire Beaudry Chase is attacked and left for dead in her home on the Connecticut coast, she doesn’t know who she can trust. But her well-connected husband, Griffin—who is running for governor—is her prime suspect.

Just before the attack, Claire was preparing for an exhibit of her shadow boxes, one of which clearly accuses Griffin of a violent crime committed twenty-five years ago. If the public were to find out who her husband is, his political career would be over. Claire’s certain her husband and his powerful supporters would kill her to stop the truth from getting out.

When one of Claire’s acquaintances is murdered, the authorities suspect the homicide is linked to the attack on Claire. As the dual investigations unfold, Claire must decide how much she’s willing to lose to take down her husband and the corrupt group of elites who will do anything to protect Griffin’s interests and their own.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Rice’s compelling heroine and crisp prose lift her brisk thriller…” Kirkus Reviews

“[A] gripping psychological thriller…Prepare to be up all night reading.” Publishers Weekly

“Decades-old crimes lead to current murder in a case unwound through the efforts of strong women. With a core of appealing characters, bestselling author Rice—known for domestic fiction and romance—has the makings of a promising mystery series here.” Booklist

The Shadow Box is a heart-stopping yet enthralling breath of sea air, with as much dark beauty as one of Claire Beaudry Chase’s own shadow boxes. It’s also a resolute testimonial of inner strength, no matter how far from our plots and plans life takes us.” The Big Thrill

The Shadow Box is a captivating read as much for its illuminating portrayal of domestic disenchantment as for its requisite, and robustly handled, mystery elements. Ultimately, Luanne Rice has given us a deeply affecting meditation on how we both lose and find ourselves, proving once again that she’s a luminary in any, and all, literary realms of her choosing.” —Criminal Element

The Shadow Box is Luanne Rice at her dazzling best. Filled with dark family secrets and wells of deep emotion, this novel will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading.” —Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Run Away

“As always, Luanne Rice gives us characters so real they feel like family and families so flawed they give us chills. Shocking, compassionate, and told with the unerring eye of a true and gifted observer, The Shadow Box will keep you turning the pages long past your bedtime.” —Tami Hoag, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Boy

“A clever protagonist in extreme danger pitted against a cruel and powerful circle made the stakes in The Shadow Box so high I could barely stop reading for a drink of water. Luanne Rice creates a thrillingly compelling tale of common cruelty, high ambition, and the courage it takes to oppose them. Well done!” —Barbara O’Neal, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids

“Every family has secrets, but in Luanne Rice’s clever thriller, The Shadow Box, the truth won’t set you free—it will put you in a shallow grave…particularly if you live in the posh Connecticut enclave of Catamount Bluffs, where corruption, kidnapping, and murder are only a few of the community’s hidden sins.” —Lee Goldberg, #1 New York Times bestselling author

From the Publisher

After the brilliantly twisty and nuanced Last Day published a year ago, I wondered how Luanne Rice could top herself. But she has done just that, proving she is the maestro of family drama that builds and builds and builds with suspense.

Set in Luanne’s beloved Connecticut coast,
The Shadow Box centers on Claire Chase, an artist who creates intricate shadow boxes using natural elements like shells, stones, carapaces, and bones. When we first meet her, she is fighting for her life in the garage of her oceanfront home. Left for dead, Claire escapes with her life but has no idea who to turn to. She finds shelter in the land surrounding her—since it is really what she knows best.

It will take everything she’s got left to find out who wanted her dead, all the while fearing that her politico husband and his powerful entourage of supporters are behind it.

To the very end of this book, I was blown away by the seamless twists and turns. It’s no exaggeration to say Luanne is in her prime with
The Shadow Box, and once you start reading, I dare you to try to set this book down.

- Liz Pearsons, Editor

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B082SX9CXQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas & Mercer (February 1, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 1, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.4 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 367 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 68,706 ratings

About the author

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Luanne Rice
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Luanne Rice is the New York Times bestselling author of 35 novels, which have been translated into 25 languages. The author of Last Day, Dream Country, Beach Girls, Pretend She's Here and others, Rice often writes about love, family, nature, and the sea. She received the 2014 Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award for excellence and lifetime achievement in the Literary Arts category.

Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television, including Crazy in Love for TNT, Blue Moon for CBS, Follow the Stars Home and Silver Bells for the Hallmark Hall of Fame, and Beach Girls for Lifetime. Rice's four cats are her muses, and she speaks their language. She lives in Old Lyme, Connecticut.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
68,706 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book suspenseful with many twists and turns, describing it as a page-turner from start to finish. Moreover, the book features well-developed characters, particularly strong female characters, and maintains a fast pace throughout. Customers appreciate the writing quality, with one noting the vivid details, and find it an easy read that holds their attention from the first chapter. Additionally, they value the book's intelligence, with one review highlighting its perspective on human soul complexity.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

1,912 customers mention "Suspenseful"1,759 positive153 negative

Customers find the book suspenseful, describing it as an intense thriller with great twists that keeps readers engaged until the end.

"...This novel is full of suspense, page turning interactions, intense dialogue, character growth, and a strong female protagonist...." Read more

"...character of its own, and the bit of the mystical entwined in the tale was interesting. I liked Claire, but she made some stupid decisions...." Read more

"...It was so interesting and thought provoking. I loved it. It had me guessing till the end. I am now a fan and can’t wait to read another of her books." Read more

"Luanne Rice is simply the best!! Great story! Ms. Rice makes you “see” the story unfold as you follow along!" Read more

1,446 customers mention "Readability"1,407 positive39 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a thrilling and wonderful read, with one customer mentioning they finished it in just 10 hours.

"...if you are not triggered by these topics, then “The Shadow Box” is a great read...." Read more

"...The fast pace kept my interest. Good, but not exceptional prose...." Read more

"I really enjoyed reading this book, even though I have been reading a number of this type of book lately and am ready for a change...." Read more

"...This read was my sanctuary if only for a chapter at a time. Thank you!" Read more

674 customers mention "Character development"582 positive92 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, particularly noting the strong female characters that are beautifully captured, and how the story is told from multiple perspectives.

"...is full of suspense, page turning interactions, intense dialogue, character growth, and a strong female protagonist...." Read more

"...The Connecticut coastal setting was a compelling character of its own, and the bit of the mystical entwined in the tale was interesting...." Read more

"...Complex plot with plenty of characters on either side of the good versus evil divide. The fast pace kept my interest...." Read more

"...This one really had believable characters, and it was easy to believe based on the stereotypical beliefs of the different cultures represented,..." Read more

595 customers mention "Writing quality"493 positive102 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it well-crafted and easy to read, with one customer noting how the author vividly describes scenes.

"...I really enjoy her writing style and her creativity. Her last 3 books have shown a shift in her writing and the stories told...." Read more

"...a groundbreaking story but a nice diversion, and I do like the author’s smooth, engaging writing style." Read more

"Good story set in old-moneyed Oceanside Connecticut. Vivid setting descriptions augmented with well-researched area history...." Read more

"...This one really had believable characters, and it was easy to believe based on the stereotypical beliefs of the different cultures represented,..." Read more

344 customers mention "Pacing"296 positive48 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing, describing it as a fast-paced, quick read with good flow, and one customer notes how the author effectively skips around time.

"...Fast paced, page turning, emotional, and encouraging … The Shadow Box is a great psychological thriller to read...." Read more

"...The fast pace kept my interest. Good, but not exceptional prose...." Read more

"...This book was a quick read and I didn't dislike it, but I never quite connected with the characters and certain details of the story left me..." Read more

"I enjoyed this book and loved the fast paced action. You think you have it figured out and then some other person would be involved." Read more

331 customers mention "Intelligence"272 positive59 negative

Customers appreciate the book's intelligence, describing it as savvy and informative, with one customer noting its great perspective on the complexity of the human soul.

"...Fast paced, page turning, emotional, and encouraging … The Shadow Box is a great psychological thriller to read...." Read more

"...It was so interesting and thought provoking. I loved it. It had me guessing till the end. I am now a fan and can’t wait to read another of her books." Read more

"...Vivid setting descriptions augmented with well-researched area history...." Read more

"...Another nice thing is it's not all about the cops figuring everything out, although there are various cops as part of the story, and they have "..." Read more

235 customers mention "Attention retention"217 positive18 negative

Customers find the book engaging from the first chapter, keeping them turning the pages and wanting to continue reading.

"...She moves the story along quickly to keep you captivated. Cheering for the good guys and hoping good conquers evil." Read more

"A mystery that captures your attention in the beginning...." Read more

"An excellent psychological thriller that kept me up past my sleep time, so I could read one more page...." Read more

"...This one was so powerful and kept you going throughout till the very end! Great writing!!!!" Read more

144 customers mention "Page turner"144 positive0 negative

Customers describe this book as a page-turner from start to finish, with one customer noting how they eagerly turned pages to see what happens next.

"...This novel is full of suspense, page turning interactions, intense dialogue, character growth, and a strong female protagonist...." Read more

"...An intense thriller that kept me turning pages. 4.5 stars." Read more

"Love this book ! What a page turner! I will recommend to all of my friends! So full of suspense" Read more

"...It will keep you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages to see what happens next...." Read more

An exciting thriller!
4 out of 5 stars
An exciting thriller!
This story starts off with a gripping scene that leaves the reader needing to know what in the actual world is going on. It was a chapter that had me at the edge of my seat, needing to know what happened next! The Shadow Box is a mystery and thriller that creates an exciting story told through different character POVs as well as different timelines. I really liked Claire’s POV as she worked to prove her husband’s attempt at her murder as well as a 20+ year old crime. The mystery and crime-solving in this story is really great. I enjoyed trying to figure out what was actually happening, who did what, and who was going to survive! The pacing of the book, at times, did cause me to stumble while reading. The timeline jumps around, and I would get a big confused about where we were, however, I was always able to recover and get back into the story. Overall, it was an engrossing story that truly captured my attention, and it was a joy to read!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2021
    I have been reading Luanne Rice’s books for over 20 years. I really enjoy her writing style and her creativity. Her last 3 books have shown a shift in her writing and the stories told.

    Fair warning: “The Shadow Box” is full of trigger issues. If it is difficult for you to read about domestic abuse, serial killers, alpha male antagonists, boys club topics then this book is probably not for you.

    However, if you are not triggered by these topics, then “The Shadow Box” is a great read. This novel is full of suspense, page turning interactions, intense dialogue, character growth, and a strong female protagonist.

    This story takes place after Claire is brutally attacked and left for dead. She feels her husband is the prime suspect. Claire is an artist whose primary medium is creating Shadow Boxes. At the beginning of the novel, Claire is about to have a show of her work at her friend’s Art Gallery. When Claire is a no show, her friends and the police begin looking for her. Throughout the novel, we learn about her relationship with her husband and his former relationships with women and his boy club friends. When a homicide occurs and the wife of her husband’s friend is killed, the two investigations spark the eventual looking into the husbands for the crimes.

    The Shadow Box is everything I expected it to be from Luanne Rice.

    Fast paced, page turning, emotional, and encouraging … The Shadow Box is a great psychological thriller to read.

    The Shadow Box releases on February 2nd.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2021
    I enjoyed this thriller focused on abuse of power and domestic abuse, mainly because of the strong female lead who fought for her life.
    Claire is a strong woman who fights for survival against an abusive, power-hungry husband. She’s willing to risk her life to expose Griffin’s dark past even after he tries to kill her. This isn’t a spoiler. She knows who her attacker is right from the start. The suspense is how she goes about taking him down.
    Conor is a detective trying to find the truth. He has to overcome obstacles from powerful people protecting the guilty. He was a typical good-guy cop. Would have liked to see at least one flaw.
    I was rooting for Claire, and most of the plot twists kept me guessing until the end. The shifts in time from different POV characters was a little confusing at first, but I got through it. The subject matter seems torn from the news headlines of corrupt rich white people, domestic violence, and environmental issues, but the story kept my interest anyway. The Connecticut coastal setting was a compelling character of its own, and the bit of the mystical entwined in the tale was interesting. I liked Claire, but she made some stupid decisions. She weds a guy she has some reservations about, and she leaves a guy who treats her well. She does make up for this, but it’s almost too late for her. I realize this wasn’t a romance, but I would have liked to see something spark between Claire and Conor at the end. I also hoped that it wasn’t Griffin who tried to kill her. There were other suspects that could have done it, and it might have made the story more interesting. It’s not a groundbreaking story but a nice diversion, and I do like the author’s smooth, engaging writing style.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2025
    I have seen Luanne Rice books but this is the first one I have read. It was so interesting and thought provoking. I loved it. It had me guessing till the end. I am now a fan and can’t wait to read another of her books.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2025
    Luanne Rice is simply the best!! Great story! Ms. Rice makes you “see” the story unfold as you follow along!
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2022
    Good story set in old-moneyed Oceanside Connecticut. Vivid setting descriptions augmented with well-researched area history. Complex plot with plenty of characters on either side of the good versus evil divide. The fast pace kept my interest. Good, but not exceptional prose. Though I can't really blame Luann Rice, I'm getting a bit tired of stories that jump back and forth in time relative to an seminal event. A number of books I've read in past year invoked similar temporal gymnastics in story structure. Maybe it is just a current stylistic mandate, but I'm growing weary of it. Though I, myself, am significantly of the tree-hugger persuasion, the heavy-handed environmentalist subtext was often distracting and occasionally annoying. The final few pages were quite preachy to the extent that the environmentalist messaging really took away from the story. Not a good final impression. I won't shun this author, nor am I inclined seek out her other works.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2021
    The Shadow Box opens in the midst of a brutal attack on the main character, Claire Chase; the remainder of the novel, told from alternating characters' perspectives, details the actions and intrigue taking place in the days immediately before and after the crime. Claire believes from the start that her attacker is her abusive husband Griffin, a powerful and well-connected attorney and local politician. As the story unfolds, details from the past are revealed that seem to support Claire's beliefs; meanwhile, a seemingly-unrelated tragedy on the same day as Claire's attack begins to appear linked in multiple ways. We get a lot of strong backstory on some of the characters and I found the author's take on the world of New England's monied elite both interesting and timely.

    This book was a quick read and I didn't dislike it, but I never quite connected with the characters and certain details of the story left me seriously questioning the narrative - for example, Claire spends several days following her attack camped out in the woods in a rudimentary shelter with little food or water and no medical supplies. The description of her attack suggests that her injuries are substantial - the fact that she recovers with no nourishment or medical assistance was a bit far-fetched for my taste. Some reviewers have complained that the time and perspective jumps were confusing, but I had no issues with those aspects of the narrative. I just didn't really connect with either the characters or their stories. 3 stars.
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kate's comment
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great storyline
    Reviewed in Australia on February 20, 2021
    Loved this book. Great story and couldn’t put it down.very easy to read and couldn’t wait for the ending.
  • Benu
    4.0 out of 5 stars Beyond formulaic thriller
    Reviewed in India on October 19, 2021
    This book marinates thrilling mystery with an interesting mix of characters. It is the kind of book that keeps the reader saying "just one more chapter" until they realize they've been up all night reading it.
  • Fitz
    5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific read!
    Reviewed in Canada on February 2, 2021
    This story grabbed my attention from the first paragraph and didn’t let go. It was suspenseful and fast-paced. I loved the strength of the main character, and found many of the supporting characters interesting and likeable. (Or, in the case of the bad guys, fun to hate.) The time-changes, from present to past, added to the story’s excitement, as the tension and mystery continued to build. I read until 3:00 am as I couldn’t put it down. I have a new favourite author in Luanne Rice. Fans of the mystery/crime fiction genre, will definitely enjoy The Shadow Box.
  • Rock&Ecc
    5.0 out of 5 stars I love these books sooooo much x
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 8, 2024
    The characters are super relatable and the books are so well written I feel I’m living along side them x looking forward to the next one x well worth the read! So glad I’ve found this author x thanks for another wonderful twisty turny adventure that kept me reading all day x
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very engaging and readable
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 19, 2021
    I’m not sure enjoyable is the right word to describe the reading of this book as the material is a little dark - possibly triggering for those sensitive to abuse of women or domestic violence. However, it is well written, thoughtful provoking, and has interesting details about nature, wildlife, birds etc while being a engaging story. It was nice to see some familiar characters from another of this author’s books which I had previously read and references to it without any spoilers. Highly recommended.

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