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Racing through the Shadows
Can Kirbie trust the hot guy who's also hot on her missing sister's trail? Frantic, Kirbie searches for Laken, her missing party-girl sister. She collides with Evan, who’s also hot on Laken’s trail. He’s convinced that Laken crashed her car, dumped his brother’s body in the river, and fled. He’s determined to find the girl, mowing down anyone who’s unwary enough to get in his way, and throttle the truth about his brother’s disappearance out of her. Out of options and time, Kirbie joins forces with the attractive and mysterious Evan. She can’t trust the man who’s determined to make her sister pay for a crime Kirbie is sure Laken didn’t commit. At the same time, her treacherous heart melts like sweet chocolate in Evan’s heated presence. She vows to keep her traitorous heart safe, even though it’s determined to throw itself into Evan’s flames. She forces herself to concentrate on finding her sister . . . and saving Laken from Evan’s vengeful wrath. The unlikely allies track Laken to The Amazing Erase, a secret, underground show with desperate misfits as the performers. Does The Amazing Erase represent hedonistic depravity, or does it hide an even darker, final performance?
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2017
21 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Jada Ryker
29 books51 followersKINDLE SCOUT WINNER Jada Ryker snagged the Kindle Press publishing contract for her book, Take the Body and Run, through Amazon’s Kindle Scout program. The book is a “goofy thriller” about a hunted woman hiding behind a dead friend’s identity, a handsome lawman, a death doctor with fart machine-will travel, and a cranky cat with a nose for crime.
Jada is the author of Dog Days of Karma, the first Carr-Maah Consulting mystery/paranormal novel; A Pink Zombie, with a Mist, a Shaken, Not Stirred, mystery/horror adventure; and Murder Takes a Dare, the first book in the Takes a Dare mystery series. The books combine humor and murder in a total package of entertaining and fun southern adventures. At the same time, Jada sketches in addiction/recovery issues and childhood angst with a deft and compassionate touch.
Jada spent the first twenty-odd years of her life in rural Kentucky, many of those years without electricity or running water. In her writings, Jada draws upon her early years of deprivation.
She now lives in central Kentucky with her wonderful husband and their cat, rescued from the animal shelter. In her day job, Jada works in higher education. She holds a masters degree in public administration.
Jada's mystery adventures are available on Amazon in electronic and paperback formats.
Macey Malloy Mysteries with a Chick-Lit Twist:
Prequel: Two Tickets to Paradise (FREE in Winter Solstice, an anthology by Kindle Press authors)
Take the Body and Run
Take a Walk on the Dead Side
Short Story (takes place after Book Two): "What the Cat Dragged In" (FREE in Vernal Equinox, an anthology by Kindle Press authors)
Novelette (takes place after "What the Cat Dragged In"): Cat Scratch Fever
Kirbie Stone Mysteries:
Die and the Family Stone
The Shaken, Not Stirred, Mystery/Horror Series:
A Pink Zombie, with a Mist
Gimlet and Other Stories: The collected short stories run the gamut from mystery to horror to science fiction.
The Takes a Dare Series:
Murder Takes a Dare
Mayhem Takes a Dare
Arson Takes a Dare
The Carr - Maah Consulting Agency Series:
Dog Days of Karma
Equi Knocks of Karma
Soul Stice of Karma (expected release 2017)
Jada loves feedback from readers, both one-on-one and through customer reviews on Amazon.com. Connect with Jada to share your thoughts about her books by emailing her at jada_ryker@yahoo.com or by visiting her website at JadaRyker.com.
Jada is the author of Dog Days of Karma, the first Carr-Maah Consulting mystery/paranormal novel; A Pink Zombie, with a Mist, a Shaken, Not Stirred, mystery/horror adventure; and Murder Takes a Dare, the first book in the Takes a Dare mystery series. The books combine humor and murder in a total package of entertaining and fun southern adventures. At the same time, Jada sketches in addiction/recovery issues and childhood angst with a deft and compassionate touch.
Jada spent the first twenty-odd years of her life in rural Kentucky, many of those years without electricity or running water. In her writings, Jada draws upon her early years of deprivation.
She now lives in central Kentucky with her wonderful husband and their cat, rescued from the animal shelter. In her day job, Jada works in higher education. She holds a masters degree in public administration.
Jada's mystery adventures are available on Amazon in electronic and paperback formats.
Macey Malloy Mysteries with a Chick-Lit Twist:
Prequel: Two Tickets to Paradise (FREE in Winter Solstice, an anthology by Kindle Press authors)
Take the Body and Run
Take a Walk on the Dead Side
Short Story (takes place after Book Two): "What the Cat Dragged In" (FREE in Vernal Equinox, an anthology by Kindle Press authors)
Novelette (takes place after "What the Cat Dragged In"): Cat Scratch Fever
Kirbie Stone Mysteries:
Die and the Family Stone
The Shaken, Not Stirred, Mystery/Horror Series:
A Pink Zombie, with a Mist
Gimlet and Other Stories: The collected short stories run the gamut from mystery to horror to science fiction.
The Takes a Dare Series:
Murder Takes a Dare
Mayhem Takes a Dare
Arson Takes a Dare
The Carr - Maah Consulting Agency Series:
Dog Days of Karma
Equi Knocks of Karma
Soul Stice of Karma (expected release 2017)
Jada loves feedback from readers, both one-on-one and through customer reviews on Amazon.com. Connect with Jada to share your thoughts about her books by emailing her at jada_ryker@yahoo.com or by visiting her website at JadaRyker.com.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 21, 2017
Jada Ryker was a Kindle Scout winner for her mystery TAKE THE BODY AND RUN... Her latest novel THE FREAK SHOW BELOW is the first book in an intended series...I like the flow of the book and the story line..a lot of ups and downs...twists and turns...and many surprises that the most avid mystery reader will be surprised by...when reading a mystery one always hopes on one hand their deductions concerning solving the crime are true while on the other hand they deep down really want to be comepletly fooled by the author over who done it...an engaging and enjoyable read plus keeps you thinking and pondering until the very end....
July 29, 2017
Kindle Unlimited and yes at the bottom both books seem to be #1 of the series, don't know if this is issue with amazon, goodreads or ? or possible it's a redo of the same book {been a while since read it but seems to be}. Have read a lot of her books, and every time have to try to overcome the chick lit ick factor {never really works} but if chick lit etc is your thing you'd probably rate it higher. As far as mystery or anything else, sorry, I got bogged down in the chick stuff.
Can Kirbie trust the hot guy who's also hot on her missing sister's trail? Frantic, Kirbie searches for Laken, her missing, party-girl sister. She collides with Evan, who's also hot on Laken's trail. He's convinced that Laken crashed her car, dumped his brother's body in the river, and fled. He's determined to find the girl, mowing down anyone who's unwary enough to get in his way, and throttle the truth about his brother's disappearance out of her. h
Out of options and time, Kirbie joins forces with the attractive and mysterious Evan. She can't trust the man who's determined to make her sister pay for a crime Kirbie is sure Laken didn't commit. At the same time, her treacherous heart melts like sweet chocolate in Evan's heated presence. She vows to keep her traitorous heart safe, even though it's determined to throw itself into Evan's flames. She forces herself to concentrate on finding her sister . . . and saving Laken from Evan's vengeful wrath.The unlikely allies track Laken to The Amazing Erase, a secret, underground show with desperate misfits as the performers.Does The Amazing Erase represent hedonistic depravity, or does it hide an even darker, final performance?
The Freak Show Below (A Kirbie Stone Mystery Book 1)
Die and the Family Stone (A Kirbie Stone Mystery Book 1)
Macey Malloy Mysteries with a Chick Lit Twist -Take the Body and Run 1 - Take a Walk on the Dead Side 2
Carr — Maah Consulting Agency Book 1) Dog Days of Karma 2 - Equi Knocks of Karma
Carr - Maah Consulting Agency (2 Book Series)
The Marisa Adair Mystery Adventures - Murder Takes a Dare 1 Mayhem Takes a Dare 2 - Arson Takes a Dare 3
Marisa Adair Mysteries (3 Book Series)
Shaken, Not Stirred, Mystery/Horror Series - A Pink Zombie, with a Mist 1 - Gimlet, a Shaken 2
Can Kirbie trust the hot guy who's also hot on her missing sister's trail? Frantic, Kirbie searches for Laken, her missing, party-girl sister. She collides with Evan, who's also hot on Laken's trail. He's convinced that Laken crashed her car, dumped his brother's body in the river, and fled. He's determined to find the girl, mowing down anyone who's unwary enough to get in his way, and throttle the truth about his brother's disappearance out of her. h
Out of options and time, Kirbie joins forces with the attractive and mysterious Evan. She can't trust the man who's determined to make her sister pay for a crime Kirbie is sure Laken didn't commit. At the same time, her treacherous heart melts like sweet chocolate in Evan's heated presence. She vows to keep her traitorous heart safe, even though it's determined to throw itself into Evan's flames. She forces herself to concentrate on finding her sister . . . and saving Laken from Evan's vengeful wrath.The unlikely allies track Laken to The Amazing Erase, a secret, underground show with desperate misfits as the performers.Does The Amazing Erase represent hedonistic depravity, or does it hide an even darker, final performance?
The Freak Show Below (A Kirbie Stone Mystery Book 1)
Die and the Family Stone (A Kirbie Stone Mystery Book 1)
Macey Malloy Mysteries with a Chick Lit Twist -Take the Body and Run 1 - Take a Walk on the Dead Side 2
Carr — Maah Consulting Agency Book 1) Dog Days of Karma 2 - Equi Knocks of Karma
Carr - Maah Consulting Agency (2 Book Series)
The Marisa Adair Mystery Adventures - Murder Takes a Dare 1 Mayhem Takes a Dare 2 - Arson Takes a Dare 3
Marisa Adair Mysteries (3 Book Series)
Shaken, Not Stirred, Mystery/Horror Series - A Pink Zombie, with a Mist 1 - Gimlet, a Shaken 2
November 18, 2017
A bit of an amateur effort that has its moments but ends up being disappointing. I thought the idea of a secret reality “freak show” had potential and nominated it in its Kindle Scout run, but the storyline turns out to be completely silly and not very interesting.
Fresh out of rehab, Laken Stone is a party girl who can't stay sober and out of trouble. To buy her way out of her latest drunken betting disaster, she agrees to spend six months working for the casino owner to whom she owes a lot of money. By the conditions of the contract, she cannot leave the building's basement for the duration of the term. She finds that dozens of other young people are trapped in the same situation, bullied and controlled by a strange, dumb woman who communicates via songs on a phone. Laken makes friends and enemies. Her hard-working, ultra-conservative older sister Kirbie joins forces with an attractive HR director to try and find Laken and rescue her.
Pacing is problematic. So slow for the first half that I nearly stopped reading. Then the pace picks up and goes haywire in a wild gallop to the end that goes off in multiple directions, making very little sense and ultimately falling short of my expectations. Characterization is poor. Lots of supporting players are barely sketched, but the main actors are also very shallow and unrelatable. Even after we are told repeatedly of the sisters' abusive childhood, it's difficult to feel empathy or interest in them because they are so cardboard and, frankly, unlikeable. A romantic spark is completely underused and ultimately superfluous. The writing is so-so, better when advancing the plot, but awkward any time the author tries to stir any deep emotions.
For me it's a neutral okay rating. I did not find the book compelling or enjoyable enough to make me want to read any sequel.
For those who are wondering: the book I am reviewing is called The Freak Show Below, which I thought was intriguing enough. It appears to have now been renamed Die and the Family Stone. I believe it is the same book.
Fresh out of rehab, Laken Stone is a party girl who can't stay sober and out of trouble. To buy her way out of her latest drunken betting disaster, she agrees to spend six months working for the casino owner to whom she owes a lot of money. By the conditions of the contract, she cannot leave the building's basement for the duration of the term. She finds that dozens of other young people are trapped in the same situation, bullied and controlled by a strange, dumb woman who communicates via songs on a phone. Laken makes friends and enemies. Her hard-working, ultra-conservative older sister Kirbie joins forces with an attractive HR director to try and find Laken and rescue her.
Pacing is problematic. So slow for the first half that I nearly stopped reading. Then the pace picks up and goes haywire in a wild gallop to the end that goes off in multiple directions, making very little sense and ultimately falling short of my expectations. Characterization is poor. Lots of supporting players are barely sketched, but the main actors are also very shallow and unrelatable. Even after we are told repeatedly of the sisters' abusive childhood, it's difficult to feel empathy or interest in them because they are so cardboard and, frankly, unlikeable. A romantic spark is completely underused and ultimately superfluous. The writing is so-so, better when advancing the plot, but awkward any time the author tries to stir any deep emotions.
For me it's a neutral okay rating. I did not find the book compelling or enjoyable enough to make me want to read any sequel.
For those who are wondering: the book I am reviewing is called The Freak Show Below, which I thought was intriguing enough. It appears to have now been renamed Die and the Family Stone. I believe it is the same book.
Read
August 18, 2017As a fan of Jada Ryker’s books, I picked up the first book in her new series, Die and the Family Stone. I love a good, light-hearted mystery, but I got that and so much more in this story.
Kirbie is angry when she realizes her party girl sister, Laken, has taken off for parts unknown. An alcoholic and gambling addict, Laken has issues, but those paled in comparison to when she found herself faced with Rankin, a casino boss and the creator of The Amazing Erase, an underground freak show of sorts.
Kirbie joins forces with Evan, a man who blames Laken for his brother’s death, so he can find her and bring her to justice. He, Kirbie, and Kirbie’s friend, Abby, track Laken to the secret underground ‘freak’ show, and they'll need all their skills to get everyone out alive.
I won’t give a full synopsis in this review, because it will be hard not to give spoilers, but I will say, ‘Holy twists and turns, Batgirl!’. Once Kirbie realizes what’s going on, they’re in a race to not only save Laken but the rest of the performers in this twisted performing troupe. While I had parts of it figured out, Ms. Ryker surprised me with other parts I didn’t see coming.
If you’re looking for a book that races you from beginning to end, leaving you wondering what will happen when you turn the page, then Die and the Family Stone is a book you must check out! While the book was tied up somewhat at the end, I hope the brevity in explanation leaves us open to a second book in this series very soon!
Kirbie is angry when she realizes her party girl sister, Laken, has taken off for parts unknown. An alcoholic and gambling addict, Laken has issues, but those paled in comparison to when she found herself faced with Rankin, a casino boss and the creator of The Amazing Erase, an underground freak show of sorts.
Kirbie joins forces with Evan, a man who blames Laken for his brother’s death, so he can find her and bring her to justice. He, Kirbie, and Kirbie’s friend, Abby, track Laken to the secret underground ‘freak’ show, and they'll need all their skills to get everyone out alive.
I won’t give a full synopsis in this review, because it will be hard not to give spoilers, but I will say, ‘Holy twists and turns, Batgirl!’. Once Kirbie realizes what’s going on, they’re in a race to not only save Laken but the rest of the performers in this twisted performing troupe. While I had parts of it figured out, Ms. Ryker surprised me with other parts I didn’t see coming.
If you’re looking for a book that races you from beginning to end, leaving you wondering what will happen when you turn the page, then Die and the Family Stone is a book you must check out! While the book was tied up somewhat at the end, I hope the brevity in explanation leaves us open to a second book in this series very soon!
June 16, 2018
The Freak Show Below has an interesting premise. Kirbie finds out her sister, Laken, is missing, and is on a frantic search to find her. Kirbie meets up with Evan, who wants to find Laken for his own reasons. Without spoiling anyting, Laken has ended up mixed up in an underground show, called The Amazing Erase, that she is trying to escape from. I liked that the sisters' bond was strong, even with the issues between them. Laken's character's journey of growth is done very well. I though the end felt adrupt. It felt like some of the answers were mashed into the last few pages, and glossed over quickly. There are some strange character jumps, as well as character introductions, that didn't feel wholly organic. Overall, the story is an interesting one that shows promise as a series.
July 6, 2017
The Freak Show Below Review
Not my favorite. Now this is on me but with that title I really thought this was going to have some paranormal or fantasy twists and it did not.
The first half was really slow. I was halfway through the book and still had no idea what The Freak Show Below actually was. The second half went so fast I felt like it was skipping important details and backstory just to get finished. Then it just ended at what felt like mid chapter to me. No wrap up or closure.
Overall it was an interesting plot idea but I am not a fan of loose ends so it just wasn't for me.
Not my favorite. Now this is on me but with that title I really thought this was going to have some paranormal or fantasy twists and it did not.
The first half was really slow. I was halfway through the book and still had no idea what The Freak Show Below actually was. The second half went so fast I felt like it was skipping important details and backstory just to get finished. Then it just ended at what felt like mid chapter to me. No wrap up or closure.
Overall it was an interesting plot idea but I am not a fan of loose ends so it just wasn't for me.
June 25, 2017
I was not sure what to think of this book at first. Once I began reading it was a thrill ride to the end. I was never sure if things were going good or bad for Kirbie. I believe this will be a good series with Kirbie's character coming out even more.
June 14, 2017
Not great
Disjointed and confusing in places. Plot moved too quickly without enough explanation. Had to 're read pages to be certain of what was going on.
Disjointed and confusing in places. Plot moved too quickly without enough explanation. Had to 're read pages to be certain of what was going on.
July 14, 2018
Die and the Family Stone
Very entertaining storyline incorporating humor, mystery and violence in a strange kind of way that keeps the reader interested to the very last page.
Very entertaining storyline incorporating humor, mystery and violence in a strange kind of way that keeps the reader interested to the very last page.
November 1, 2017
Wealth is a source of power that allows for those with the means to obtain practically anything they desire, including rewriting aspects of their lives. Jada Ryker's The Freak Show Below depicts the extreme means behind an operation to make those changes possible.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Laken Stone is a party girl fresh out of rehab after a DUI stubbornly trying to prove to herself that she can refuse alcohol by simply dancing and having a good time a nightclub. When events take a turn and leave Laken in the nearby casino with no memory of getting there and under the impression that she has no other choice, she signs herself over to casino owner Rankin and the Freak Show Below in an effort to make her past crimes disappear. Kirbie, Laken's responsible older sister, worries when she doesn't hear from Laken and begins her search and collaborates with Evan, who is also searching for Laken, thinking that she might have something to do with his missing brother. As Kirbie and Evan investigate, they learn some disturbing things about Rankin and his dealings; Laken learns more about the Freak Show Below and the alarming fate awaiting all the Freaks. With the same goal of getting Laken free, the two sisters make plans to get out her out of the casino's subbasement.
The set up for the narrative took a bit and was a slow build as there were a few too many pieces of the puzzle to present in an effort to offer a more complex story; however, as the action started kicking off events moved quite quickly, arguably too quickly as needed explanations were omitted (where previously there were too many explanations for unnecessary things) in favor of moving the story along to its rather abrupt conclusion, leaving too many questions unanswered and loose ends unresolved. Conceptually, this story was intriguing and filled with opportunities to develop into something more, but what readers are presented with is a mere scratching of the surface to the story's potential.
Overall, I'd give it a 2.5 out of 5 stars.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Laken Stone is a party girl fresh out of rehab after a DUI stubbornly trying to prove to herself that she can refuse alcohol by simply dancing and having a good time a nightclub. When events take a turn and leave Laken in the nearby casino with no memory of getting there and under the impression that she has no other choice, she signs herself over to casino owner Rankin and the Freak Show Below in an effort to make her past crimes disappear. Kirbie, Laken's responsible older sister, worries when she doesn't hear from Laken and begins her search and collaborates with Evan, who is also searching for Laken, thinking that she might have something to do with his missing brother. As Kirbie and Evan investigate, they learn some disturbing things about Rankin and his dealings; Laken learns more about the Freak Show Below and the alarming fate awaiting all the Freaks. With the same goal of getting Laken free, the two sisters make plans to get out her out of the casino's subbasement.
The set up for the narrative took a bit and was a slow build as there were a few too many pieces of the puzzle to present in an effort to offer a more complex story; however, as the action started kicking off events moved quite quickly, arguably too quickly as needed explanations were omitted (where previously there were too many explanations for unnecessary things) in favor of moving the story along to its rather abrupt conclusion, leaving too many questions unanswered and loose ends unresolved. Conceptually, this story was intriguing and filled with opportunities to develop into something more, but what readers are presented with is a mere scratching of the surface to the story's potential.
Overall, I'd give it a 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Read
June 22, 2017“The Freak Show Below” is, at its heart, a story about images and perceptions, and about the disconnect between our own self-images, the images we want to project, how others view us and how we think others view us – amplified by our obsession with social media.
The story offers a Byzantine plot filled with unexpected twists and a cast of unique and unusual three-dimensional characters, who are flawed and vulnerable.
The book is well written and proves a quick and easy read.
The story offers a Byzantine plot filled with unexpected twists and a cast of unique and unusual three-dimensional characters, who are flawed and vulnerable.
The book is well written and proves a quick and easy read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews