In the Shadow of Lies: An Oliver Wright WW II Mystery

by Mary Adler

Richmond, California. World War II. Marine Lieutenant Oliver Wright comes home from the war in the Pacific injured and afraid his career as a homicide detective is over, but when black soldiers are suspected of killing an Italian Prisoner of War, the Army asks Oliver to find out the truth.

He and his canine partner Harley join forces with an Italian POW captain and with a black MP embittered by a segregated military. During their investigation, these unlikely allies expose layers of deceit and violence that stretch back to World War I and uncover a common thread that connects the murder to earlier crimes.

In the Shadow of Lies reveals the darkness and turmoil of the Bay Area during World War II, while celebrating the spirit of the everyday people who made up the home front. Its intriguing characters will resonate with the reader long after its deftly intertwined mysteries are solved.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2014

Reviews

[Cyndy Bailes · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Shadow of Lies by Mary Adler is the first book in the Oliver Wright WWII mystery series. It is set in the Bay Area during World War II and gives a wonderful portrait of life at that time. While technically a mystery, it is more than that in its depiction of the life and prejudices of the time. There are many different characters which are well-developed. At first it was hard to keep track of them all, but a list of characters in the front was most helpful. Wright and his dog Harley were the central characters and most sympathetic. The two other men he works with to solve what is happening were also excellent characters. But beyond them the others, both good and evil, are certainly very realistic.

The story is sad in many ways because of the cruelties of the time, but the story will leave the reader with a powerful feeling. The thorough pictures painted by the author’s choice of words are unforgettable and will reverberate for a long time after the story is finished. There is already a second book in the series and I cannot wait to read it.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Phyllis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like historical fiction and murder mysteries so was looking forward to reading this debut novel featuring Oliver Wright, a homicide detective and WWII veteran. Much of the novel takes place in northern California and as the book jacket says, it "reveals the darkness and turmoil of the Bay Area during World War II, while celebrating the spirit of the everyday people who made up the home front."

There are so many characters in this novel that the author helpfully includes a list of characters and how they are related. Despite this resource, it was easy to confuse the characters and I found myself referring back to the list often.

Adler paints a vivid picture of racism in the 1940's, showing how it was blatantly common in the military, the police force, and civilian life. African Americans, Italians, Caucasians, and members of the Ku Klux Klan are grimly portrayed as victim or perpetrator.

Oliver and his German shepherd, Harley, are bright spots in this very dark novel. I found it extremely violent and one character in particular was just plain (and disturbingly) evil.

I received an advance reader's copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Bette Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In the Shadow of Lies” by M. A. Adler is the first book in the Oliver Wright WWII mystery series. Set along the Pacific in the San Francisco Bay Area during World War II, this novel has plenty of punch More than history and mystery, this book shines a spotlight on racial and ethnic prejudices of the time. Well-written and well researched, Adler’s book gave this reader insight into the inequity and corruption rampant across generations. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good mystery and look forward to following the series. ~Bette A. Stevens, author of award-winning children’s picture book AMAZING MATILDA and other books for children and adults

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In the Shadow of Lies” is an historical fiction set in the 1940s during World War ll. I loved all the carefully explored details that were weaved into the story--and it being set where I grew up was a bonus. I knew some of the information, but I learned a lot, too. Ms. Adler’s well-crafted writing easily got across the beliefs of those times. I was sad and disgusted how humans treated each other and unfortunately, some of those issues still linger. The characters were well-written and believable, and there were many story-lines going on, which was a bit confusing to keep track of--but not impossible. I normally would take a star off for any confusion, but the research, intriguing story-line, and thought-provoking emotions, brought it back up to a five star for me. I look forward to more from this author!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, explosive, horrific and true to life with
palpable energy makes this a complex, uniquely
plotted historical fiction mystery.
This book is an eye-opener, a page turner and
very strongly based on reality.
An interesting array of characters that drew me
in immediately. Set in the 1940’s in the Bay Area
of California. The story grips you from the very
beginning intensifying until the final word.
Tension. Drama, suspense, mystery plus plenty
of thrills, chills, twists and turns.
The story is so well written you will feel as if you
are in the mist of the action.
A Very Highly Recommended Read!!!
I volunteered to read In the Shadow of Lies. Thanks
to the Cozy Review Crew for the opportunity. My
opinion is my own.

[Marcha Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of butter, the writing style was so rich and smooth. It is one of the most skillfully written books I've read in a long time. The prose was like ambrosia, the imagery vivid and memorable. I always appreciate an author who can render emotions properly and thus draw the reader into the characters. Again, Adler did a stellar job.

This story is far more than a murder mystery. Its coverage of the early 1940s, i.e. the historical period during the early days of WWII, was outstanding. That was such a different time and so much has changed since then. I was particularly drawn in because I have personal connections to the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Area as well as that time period through family and in-laws.

Back to the story. Even though I was a teenager in the 60s, I had no idea how bad racism was a few decades before, much less that the KKK had been so active there. I also had no idea how badly Italians were treated during the war, due to their assumed sympathy toward Mussolini. I had in-laws who were Hungarian and some married Italians. Now I understand why some of them were so resistant to providing information when I was doing genealogical research back in the 70s. It's sad they didn't share their stories, but they may have been too painful for them to recount. On top of it all, some were Jewish, and had fled Europe just in time; some left behind were exterminated by Hitler.

I've never been a history buff. The way it was taught when I was in high school was a horrible bore. Even as a child, I preferred to learn about history through historical novels and this one definitely provided a treasure trove of information for a period I didn't know much about. For that I am most grateful to the author for her meticulous and comprehensive research. This made reading the book an actual experience that had a strong impact on my understanding of the world at that time.

There were a lot of different characters in the story. I mean LOTS. So many that they were a bit difficult to keep track of. Fortunately, the author included a dramatis personae. The one thing about having so many characters with their own prejudices and agendas is that it does make the story seem very real. My familiarity with the East Bay Area added to this, especially when references were made to streets and other areas with which I was familiar. This made it very easy for me to connect to this book.

This book would not be for everyone, especially those that want to whip through a story and not wander about, really getting into the time, place, and people. However, if you appreciate a well-written, complex story with considerable historical significance, I highly recommend it.

[Marylee MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oliver Wright, a detective with a long memory and a strong internal compass, wants to escape family entanglements, which means leaving Point Richmond where his father is a judge and his brother a police officer. Before Pearl Harbor, Klan activities have killed two children, with a witness possibly killed, too. Oliver's father wants him to find out who's behind the killings. The mystery unfolds from there, with Pearl Harbor intervening, Oliver absent for many years, and then returning, a vet who's drawn into a new set of community problems.

What sets this book apart from other mysteries is the presence of the outer world impinging on Oliver Wright, a believably sensitive and conflicted protagonist. I grew up in the Bay Area but had no idea the Klan had been active there, though I certainly knew there were whites-only enclaves. Adler really captures the atmosphere of paranoia after Pearl Harbor, the hysteria directed against the Japanese and Italians, the result of Mussolini being an ally of Japan. Against this backdrop of war and its aftermath, Adler's mystery unfolds. Crimes of every sort land in his lap, and he must follow the bread crumbs until he's got his man. This book reminded me of P.D. James and Elizabeth George, two writers who capture the silences in communities that allow heinous acts to go unreported.

[Olya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from a GoodReads First Reads giveaway.

I was very impressed with M. A. Adler's debut novel. World War II is my favorite topic, and I read a lot of historical fiction based around it. I thought this book was beautifully written, and I learned new information about World War II. You hear a lot about Japanese internment camps, but not much about how Italians were treated during the war.

This book keeps the reader interested with many short chapters featuring many points of view. Most of the book focused on the burning of the cross that killed two children and the Italian prisoner of war that was hanged, but there were so many subplots that kept me turning the page. There were a few spots where I thought it dragged a little bit, but overall I was impressed with the plot and writing style. My favorite character was Oliver and his dog Harley. I was really intrigued by the canine unit in World War II described in this book, and it made me want to do further research.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves World War II historical fiction. I hope M.A. Adler writes more in the future!

[Eric Borgerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Shadow of Lies by M. A. Adler is an engaging read with many dimensions. It is a fast-paced and suspenseful mystery. It is a moving portrayal of historical truths that must be recalled, even though they are painful and shameful. It is also a compassionate portrait of people locked in unjust, harmful, and violent relationships based on distorted perceptions and wounds of the mind.
The story is set in and around Richmond, California, during World War II. It is rooted in enough history of the war and region to give a real feel for the cruel irony of people who fled their homelands to escape oppressive regimes, only to meet oppression in America due to their association with the abusive governments they sought to escape.
Adler deftly addresses issues like violence and discrimination based on race and national origin amidst the devastating impact of World War II. Yet, she does so through a story full of love, kindness, and a basic affirmation of human goodness. As a Bay Area native, I found it refreshing to read such authentic details about the story’s setting: green hills turning to gold in early summer, the scent and feel of the fog and eucalyptus, the quality of light, the chill and murkiness of the bay water.
In a few places, I found it difficult to track the characters. Some reminders or more development would be helpful. Overall, though, I found the story very readable and easy to track.
I enjoyed this book very much, learned from it, and came away from it with respect for the author, her skill with the pen, her intelligence, and her heart.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abundant thanks to Mary Adler, through Voracious Readers Only, for the complimentary copy of In the Shadow of Lies. Leading up to and after his WWII service in the Pacific with his dog Harley, Oliver Wright works on solving crimes that have plagued his community. There is a large cast of characters and Adler develops each into a fine portrait by describing their appearance and developing their character, enabling the reader to get to know them and keep them straight.

A good historical mystery has something to teach me. Adler highlights prejudice against African American soldiers and the Italians and the service of dogs in the U.S. Army overseas. I appreciated the 1940s context, difficult though it was to imagine what people had to endure. We need to own the past in order to create a better future. The story has so many aspects that fascinated me because they are outside my experience. A very good read!

[Florentia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story - couldn’t put it down

Set in Richmond, California in World War II, “In the Shadow of Lies” is a brilliant tale of madness, corruption and deceit involving the courts, the police, the military and the Klan. Detective Oliver Wright, his dog Harley, and an assortment of allies in the Italian and African American community work to solve a series of apparently isolated incidents and deaths that connect ultimately to each other and to Oliver’s past. Adler has thoroughly researched the history of the area during that period and peppers her narrative with fascinating details about life in and around Richmond during the final years of the war. She keeps the reader on edge as our heroes fall into and survive one death trap after another on the way to the surprising conclusion. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

[Hillery · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and appreciated the attention to historical detail in trying to convey what it was like in the San Francisco Bay area during World War II. I won't go into plot points here, since they have been covered in other reviews. My only complaint about the book is that there were too many characters, and a few storylines that could have been cut out. Both made the book harder to follow than it should have been. Some editing, and losing a few backstories for (apparently) every single character mentioned, would have made this a more compelling and enjoyable read.

[Karen Ingalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were many characters and overlapping plots that left me confused at the beginning. As I got further along the stories and characters came together. I remember my parents and grandparents talking about WWII and its impact on their lives living in San Diego, not any different from where this story takes place in San Francisco. Ms. Adler's extensive research shows through which made reading the book very worthwhile. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

[Joy Lo-Bamijoko · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! So well researched and written with gusto. This author did not just write an extra-ordinary story about life and the happenings surrounding the people who lived in the Bay Area during World War II.

As will be expected, the characters in the story were many, and so were the happenings. Some characters took advantage of the war time to commit atrocities, some of these atrocities under the cover of their jobs. Women were raped by a serial rapist. And the Ku Klux Clan were out killing and maiming. Perpetrators of these crimes believed that they were above the law and would never be brought to justice. But everything hidden would eventually come light, and those who kill by the gun would come die by the gun.

I couldn’t understand why Oliver’s father could not love Oliver, but showered all his love on Peter, his oldest son. Even when everyone in town knew Oliver was a hero, the father still bore him grudge until the end. He accused Oliver of everything that went wrong in he, the father’s life. That Oliver solved the crimes that plagued their town didn’t impress him.

What about Frank, a homicide detective who was supposed to protect the people but instead took out his anger on everyone. This is a story of so many parts and turns that it is best to read it to savor it.

[Shivani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from a GoodReads First Reads giveaway.

I apologize for taking so long to write this review. I have been busy. However, I have quite a bit to say. Overall, I liked the book. The beginning was a little slow, but when Oliver really got into the cases I really wanted to know what he'd discover. Adler did a good job of developing the character, especially Slater and Oliver. Also on the topic of characters, Luca was a definitie favorite and the parts with him were enjoyable to read, especially his love of food and italian atmospheres. The storyline was really well thought out and I didn't expect the rapist to be who it was. I also liked that Adler wasn't afraid to discuss some of the more uncomftorable topics in the book. My favorite thing about the book is that it wasn't just one case that Olvier was investigating. The events in the book connected to each other in ways I didn't think of and it made it more interesting. The only con to this book is how long it took for the story to start and at some points, I was slightly confused. Mainly because I had a hard time remembering all the characters' names, but that could just me being bad with names. I would recommend this as a book to read.

[Carol Rennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy through the Goodreads Giveaway - many thanks.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was face-paced with different situations going on, but are ultimately all connected together. M.A. Adler seems to be the kind of author who is not afraid to cover all facets of life, be it good or bad.

In the Shadow of Lies is a mystery set during WWII, there is a cross-burning and two children lose their lives. There is a rapist running lose, raping women. American Italians disappear, and then shipyard workers are being beaten. Oliver Wright is a homicide detective investigates with his side-kick Harley, his dog,but then re-inlists in the army, returning injured towards the end of the war. He is asked to look into the murder of a prisoner of war.

What follows in an intriguing web that comes down to a few men, a young boy and Oliver.

This would make a great made-for-tv movie. I would definitely watch it if that were to happen.

I look forward to the next novel from M.A. Adler, as this was a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read.

[Judy Munoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a review copy of this book from the author through Voracious Readers.
I have never read anything by this author before and I don’t read a lot of WW II era mysteries, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I enjoyed this book immensely. The story contains a couple of different mysteries with many intriguing twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. The characters were all carefully created and likeable and engaging and some were a little bit quirky, but they all fit into the story nicely. The writing was sharp and moved at a decent pace and the dialogue witty and appropriate for the era. The story covers a couple of years and involves a lot of different people and I had to pay close attention to keep all the characters and story lines straight. This book contains a lot of history from that time period and the author did a great job intertwining historical moments with the story itself in a way that kept the story from becoming a boring history lesson. This is an intriguing and entertaining read.

[Jill Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a Goodreads first-reads winner.

This book is set in the Bay Area town of Richmond, California in the 1940s and tells the story of various characters at or around the time of the bombings in Pearl Harbor. A main theme throughout the book is the racism experienced by different groups especially in the military. Negros, Japanese and Italians faced extreme prejudice that is heartbreaking to read, especially when you are told at the beginning of the book that many of these events are based on actual historical accounts written by those who survived them.

The characters are all written in great detail and the reader really gets to know them well. My only issue with this book was the inclusion of too many characters. I had a hard time remembering who was who at various points in the story.

All in all I really liked this book and would recommend it to those who like historical fiction set during war time.

[Gwendolyn Plano · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a young child my parents often spoke of “the war”—the hardships, the injustices, the sorrows. My father’s prejudices were clear, though not understood by me or my siblings. Reading Adler’s book, In the Shadow of Lies, brought me back to my youth and filled in all the empty spaces created by dad’s war stories.

This is an amazing book; and if you are like me, it will prompt reflection much beyond the 1940s or the immediate San Francisco area. Adler’s historical research provides the groundwork; but, the suspense and intrigue are the result of Ader’s writing skill. I eagerly await the book's sequel.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery takes place in WWII era Richmond, CA. During this time period the city was heavily involved in the war effort. There are racial tensions resulting from the increase in African American residents, a result of the need for more workers in war-related work. Many of the long-time Italian-American residents find they are the victims of discrimination by their fellow Americans, and looked on as potential enemy spies by the government. Oliver Wright, is a local police detective is investigating several cases, a tragic fire caused by the KKK, a series of rapes, and several murders. All of the cases might be connected.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

M. A. Adler had me stumped at the start and midway through the read as to which character was which. The only standout character I could keep up with was Oliver. I had a really hard time trying to get the message and trying to keep up with each character and their role and connection to the story. Around the start of the chapters I started getting an understanding and it started getting more interesting. I almost gave up reading because of the author's writing style. I'm very much interested in WWII stories because my father was in Guam in the Navy during that period; and he was the recipient of so much mistreatment of the black enlistments. I gave Adler 3 stars because of the disconnect.

[Michelle Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

M.A. Adler does a great job of creating a noir setting in 1940's San Francisco. There are many plot lines running, populated by interesting characters, which she ties up neatly at the end, though there may be room for a sequel.(!) Oliver Wright as the main character/detective is likable and sympathetic, and I appreciated the fact that the book spanned many years. It was interesting, too, to not have the war be a focus of the book, but merely a background part of it. A great read!

[Susan Masygan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every tear cried for the senseless lose of lives. A fight within a war were there is misplaced honour and pride. Different social classes breaking barriers to become a community. They help each other at any cost. History and Fiction joined together making a real eye opening novel. If you enjoy mystery, history, crime,or war novels read this.

[Mildred Bromberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The story took place on the coast of California during WWII. I knew about the Japanese being moved into camps, but nothing about what happened to the Italians on
the west coast. The mystery involves murder, the Italian citizens, the Italian POWs and the treatment of the black enlisted men of the US Army.
This was a free book

[Trevor Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters were a little confusing to follow in the beginning and it was a little slow. It picked up toward the end and became more interesting.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fascinated with the setting of the San Francisco Bay Area during WWII. Much to learn about the treatment of blacks and Italians. So much of the history I knew was about the Japanese.

[Eva Newman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time reading this book. I thought it was hard to follow. The story line was good. I would try reading another of her books, but I just couldn't finish this one.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that IN THE SHADOW OF LIES: An Oliver Wright WWII Mystery by Mary Adler is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!