Smoke and Mirrors

Sloane Monroe #8

by Cheryl Bradshaw

New York Times bestselling mystery series.

Grace Ashby wakes to the sound of a horrifying scream.

She races down the hallway, finding her mother's lifeless body on the floor in a pool of blood. Her mother's boyfriend Hugh is hunched over her. At first glance it seems Hugh is to blame, but is Hugh really her mother's killer?

As revelations about Caroline Ashby's secret life unfold, private detective Sloane Monroe takes the case, but it won't take long to find the killer. He's been watching, carefully tracking her every move. And now Sloane's own life is in grave danger.

If you're a fan of Sue Grafton and Mary Higgins Clark, you'll enjoy the Sloane Monroe series.

Praise for the Sloane Monroe Series:

"While I've found most mystery/thrillers to be rehashes of the same old plot line, this was refreshingly new/original." - Jack Murphy, New York Times bestselling author of Reflexive Fire ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I can officially declare that I am now a Cheryl Bradshaw fan and look forward to reading the other books in the series over the summer. - Mel Comley, New York Times bestselling author of the Justice series ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Bradshaw writes a great thriller, with likeable characters, and a taunt timeline that keeps you reading way past lights-out." - Amazon Vine Voice Top 500 Reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Only once in a while do you come upon a novel that sweeps you literally off your feet. The pot-boiling tension in this story is out of this world. Cheryl Bradshaw can write like the pros did at the turn of the 20th century." - Glen Cantrell, Author of The Resume ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Adult, Ebooks, Crime

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2019

About the author

Cheryl Bradshaw is a New York Times and 11-time USA Today bestselling author writing in multiple genres, including mystery, thriller, romantic suspense, supernatural suspense, and poetry. She is a Shamus Award finalist for best private eye novel of the year, an eFestival of Words winner for best thriller, and has published over fifty books since 2011.

Raised in Southern California, she now lives in North Texas. When she's not writing, she loves jet-setting to new countries, exploring the outdoors, and playing with her grandbabies.

For a free eBook, click here: http://cherylbradshaw.com/get-a-free-...

Book series in order by Cheryl Bradshaw:

Georgiana Germaine (Mystery Series)

1. Little Girl Lost - USA Today Bestseller
2. Little Lost Secrets
3. Little Broken Things
4. Little White Lies
5. Little Tangled Webs
6. Little Shattered Dreams
7. Little Last Words
8. Little Buried Secrets
9. Little Stolen Memories
10. Little Empty Promises
11. Little Hidden Fears

Sloane Monroe Mystery/Thriller Series

0. Silent As the Grave (prequel to series)
1. Black Diamond Death
2. Murder in Mind
3. I Have a Secret
4. Stranger in Town - Shamus Award Finalist
5. Bed of Bones - USA Today Bestseller
6. Hush Now Baby - USA Today Bestseller
7. Gone Daddy Gone - USA Today Bestseller
8. Smoke and Mirrors - USA Today Bestseller

Sloane Monroe Stories - Mystery Novella Series
(with characters from the main series)

1. Deadly Sins: Sloth
2. Deadly Sins: Wrath
3. Deadly Sins: Lust
4. Deadly Sins: Greed
5. Deadly Sins: Envy
6. Deadly Sins: Pride

Sloane & Maddie Peril Awaits - Mystery Series
(Spinoff Series with Sloane Monroe & her sidekick Maddie)

1. The Silent Boy
2. The Shadow Children
3. The Broken Soul
4. The Widow Maker
5. The Familiar Stranger

Addison Lockhart Ghost Mystery Series

1. Grayson Manor Haunting
2. Rosecliff Manor Haunting
3. Blackthorn Manor Haunting
4. Belle Manor Haunting
5. Crawley Manor Haunting

Stand Alone Mystery/Thriller Novels

1. Eye for Revenge - USA Today Bestseller
2. The Perfect Lie
3. Hickory Dickory Dead - USA Today Bestseller
4. Roadkill - USA Today Bestseller

Reviews

[Debbie Chatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheryl Bradshaws delivers yet again with this book 8 of the Sloane mystery thrillers. This time she’s in Australia tracking a killer with morals apparently, albeit twisted morals. Sloane begins to peel back the onion of the many layers of half truths to get at the truth so she can find the killer before he finds her. While everyone seems to be more concerned with protecting the past, than revealing the truth. This one is sure to keep you up wanting to finish it. I was hooked from the beginning. I’m just glad I read it on a snow day so I could get it finished quickly.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gem of a story in this series. And Sloane got married, although it was glossed over so quickly you might blink and miss it ! What a pity. We've spent a great deal of time with her if, like me, you've read all the books till now, so it would've been nice if we got to enjoy her nuptials a little more than we did !! And everyone loves a wedding, let's face it......I did have myself a little cry when she told us how Boo participated.
She did do that "thing" she's done before where she adds 'hmmm' to the end of a sentence. It's highly irritating, though in this story it was only the once, thankfully. We heard a description of a bloke that was the kindest person one minute and would then explode over something insignificant....Sloane's observation ? He sounded perfectly bipolar !!! I've heard some guff before, but come on, Sloane ! He's just got a short temper ! We also never got to know how old both Grace and Tommy were.....so when Tommy had a conversation with Sloane it seemed way too grown-up to me, but then it may not have been, depending on how old he was. She also referred to one character as a boy and I had thought he was an adult and we come to learn later that he was 34 !! So she didn't help with confusing matters.
There were a couple of dodgy mistakes, spelling idle as idol (!!) and flair as flare and this line speaks for itself, "James and Noel were talking on the back patio, talking."
I like how the smoke and mirrors of the titles DOES actually feature in the book. That's a rare thing these days. So many times I finish a book and look at the cover and title and wonder what the hell either thing had to do with what I'd just read !
This was a really intriguing story and I flew through it so I hope we have a new Sloane story soon !

[Jodi Pomerleau · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say I was confused at the start of the book...who is Caroline that she is afraid to leave her bed? A child? Then it is clear she is developmentally delayed, is she an adult? Then we discover that she is a teen with Down's Syndrome. Bradshaw clearly needed to do some research in this area, because having worked with Down's teens, even high functioning ones, they cannot carry on the sophisticated conversations she has written for both Caroline and Tommy. The mystery itself was okay, and the book readable. But the killer's actions are a bit perplexing, even if he does have a conscience. Sloane is far too capable as a fighter, and seems to have nine lives. It's a quick read, and if you can suspend some belief, then you might find this a 5 star book. I found it interesting enough to read, but pretty mediocre all in all.

[DorieLou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great from Cheryl!!!

I am amazed by Cheryl's writing. I am a huge fan... I was part way through the book and a twist and it changed my thoughts of "who done it" Wow!!! I am always on my edge when I read one of Cheryl's book and this one did not disappoint. Amazing book.. I want to...

[Kevin Reeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

A killer down under

Sloane takes off for Australia to help find a killer only to find herself being chased. Gore does she handle being bait, turn the pages and find out. Great read!!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/15/2020)! 🎁

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, quick read. Liked the characters and felt the book moved at a nice pace.

[David Freas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This latest entry in the Sloane Monroe series was a slight improvement over the prior one. But not enough to earn it 3 stars.

The story overall was good but a lot of little glitches kept it from being better.

Sloane returns to Australia to look into the murders of a man and woman. Bradshaw tells the tale as if we should know the man who called on her for help. Yet he was (to this reader at least) a total stranger and the backstory of his relationship with Sloane is weak and ill-defined. Perhaps there is a novella between the last book and this one that makes it clearer.

While the story is set in Australia – I can’t understand why Bradshaw felt it needed to be –nothing in it makes the reader feel as if he is ‘in’ Australia with the characters. The only way we know the story is set there is Bradshaw telling us periodically that we are there. Otherwise it could have just as easily been set in the U. S., sparing Bradshaw telling us we’re in Australia.

Bradshaw again gives us several chapters from the bad guy’s POV that really add nothing to the story except to show what a loony he is. And his motivation for the murders is as ill-defined and confusing as the relationship between Sloane and the man who hired her.

I may give Bradshaw another chance, but if the next book is as disappointing as these last two were, I’ll cross her off my ‘To Read’ list.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say, it's been a long wait for another Sloane book, but it is well worth the wait!! I love how Cheryl Bradshaw incorporated her own hair-style in with Sloane. At least in all the pictures, I have seen it in the same style. Sloane is still the Sloane we all know and love, fiesty, independent, her own boss no matter who her client is. Here she does show her softer side when it comes to Grace, the girl who's mother was murdered. Grace has Downs Syndrome, and Sloane is very good at talking and getting information out of her. Can Sloane solve this terrible murder? There are secrets that are unveiled, and a murderer who will stop at nothing to keep some secrets kept. I love this series!!!! I voluntarily reviewed a free ARC of this book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke and Mirrors ( Sloane Monroe - Book 8 )
By; Cheryl Bradshaw
Smoke and Mirrors is book eight in Sloane Monroe series. Ms. Bradshaw gives us a big happening that we have been waiting for. Sloane is called in to help on a murder case. This one is full of action and suspense right from the start till the end. Sloane as we all know is her own boss, will she listen to what they want her to do? Will she go to far and put her life on the line?
There are secrets that Sloane will have to uncover. Love the story and the characters, both are well written. The author keeps you guess till the end.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book , but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the "saga" of Sloane Monroe as she gets married and receives a phone call from an acquaintance in Australia who wishes Sloane to solve the murder of his sister. Many twists and turns again as the laws in that country are quite different from the USA's. The caller's niece may be involved in the murder and as Sloane tries to solve this murder, others occur until she can finally identify the killer. A great, great read. So happy for this new book.. Keep 'em coming!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Sloane Monroe novel yet! This is an exceptional novel, filled with unexpected developments that held my interest and kept me from guessing how all the many facets fit together until the end. The thing I appreciate about this series is that Sloane Monroe, the protagonist, grows and evolves as each new novel presents her with new challenges. With some series books, each is just a new plot, yet with unchanged characters. Not so with Sloane and I am already looking forward to Book 9!!

[J. Florence · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Cheryl Bradshaw and have loved all of her books except this one.
I could not get into this book. I didn't like this book. The only book I have read written by her that I didn't like. I didn't like the story line or anything else about it.
Sorry. I read all of your reviews. I'm glad you liked it.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sloane reluctantly heads back to Australia to help with a murder that seems to be unlike any other's she has helped solve in the past. The murder(s) themselves as well as the killer seem to go against what everyone knows about the hows and why's of the crime. Keeping Sloane a bit perplexed. The more she learns, the more perplexed she becomes. Of course the more she learns, the more she is at risk of being his next victim. There are a lot of facets to the mystery. Many variables, each playing a part. Sloane is smart and good at her job as a PI, but her mouth can get her in trouble sometimes. She isn't really a snarky kind of girl, but she doesn't like to be played and isn't afraid to say whats on her mind. She can be a bit sarcastic when she gets frustrated. She can be hard when on the job, but she is also sympathetic and can see reason. The book is written primarily from Sloane's POV, but there are a few chapters from the killers, which, while his identity is still hidden, we get a glimpse of his mentality, and a few answers as to why he did what he did. It's an easy read and moves quickly. There isn't any fluff to fill pages. There is no sexual content, and very minimal violence (just a little when Sloane finally confronts the murderer... The crimes are not played out in the pages.) Even with the 'cleanness' of the book, it's not what I would call a cozy read, though not a thriller either. Just a nice little mystery with some suspense. Though this is part of a series, each book can be read as a stand alone. (There may be some mention of things that have happened in previous books, but it doesn't affect the story, and you can still keep up even if you are unfamiliar.) It's a well crafted and thought out mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.

*I received an ARC of this book.

[KayLynn Zollinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I've read the previous Sloane Monroe books. It was rather a good time to get back into the story. Things are very different for Sloane, she's marrying Cade (finally!) and things seem to be good for the first time in a long time. Sloane travels to Australia to help an acquaintance solve the murder of his sister. It was fascinating, the bits and pieces of Australia law versus USA law. I always find different country legal systems interesting. The bad guy was seriously weird. I also find it strange when such majorly fucked up people have their weird moral codes about right and wrong and why it's ok to play God in certain scenarios. Excellent addition to the series.

Quote
How fleeting life was, and how fragile. One day we’re alive and free, the next we’re turned to dust, evaporating into an afterlife I wasn’t even sure existed. Some days I felt larger than life, like I meant something and like I mattered. Today I felt small and insignificant, like I could exit life’s door tomorrow, and in a hundred years, there would be little left of me to remind anyone of my existence. Thinking about it now, I vowed to make my mark in some small way. I wanted to be better—to make a difference—not just for myself, but for all those around me.

[Robert Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her eighth adventure private eye Sloane Monroe finds herself in Australia, working for a senator whose sister has been murdered, as has her partner. She’s left behind a daughter with Downs Syndrome, who the senator is determined to protect.

The killer, however, has his own agenda. He doesn’t like to be misrepresented and takes action to punish anyone who lies or speculates wrongly about what he did.

It’s all set for another pulsating case where Sloane disregards her own safety to track down and apprehend the killer.

As this is one my favourite private eye series, I wondered whether moving the story to Australia would make any difference. Not at all. Sloane’s her usual tenacious self, risking life and limb, putting herself in danger and disregarding those who try to get in her way. It means this is another pulsating, edge of seat investigation, filled with suspense, danger and a few more insights into her troubled past.

While you could read this as a standalone, like any series, you’ll miss much of the character development and some great investigations along the way.

Highly recommended.

[Jerry B · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Smoke” is the latest in Bradshaw’s now eight-book set to feature PI Sloane Monroe. Now in our fifth reading of these tales at random, we like the author’s writing style but have not always been that endeared to her plot crafting nor frankly her protagonist. Both of these gripes seem somewhat overcome in this one, unusually set in Cairns Australia, which happens to be where the American writer currently resides in real life. Sloane is called there by a local senator to investigate the death of his sister and her boyfriend, and a complicated unraveling of whodunits soon follows, especially involving the senator’s niece Grace.

What made the story more compelling were short chapters narrated by the perp himself and his focus on gaining just the correct credit for his deeds. He was an intelligent and clever man who eventually found Sloane too dangerous an adversary as she honed in on the solution to the case, leading to a nice tidy dessert after several bowlfuls of suspense.

While a bit of a short read, we found this one our most enjoyable to date – and most likely will continue with various other works by this prolific author with lots of series and novels to her credit.
{3.5}

[Terhi Tatjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic end to this series! Though I've since learned that there's a spinoff featuring her and her bestie medical examiner Maddy. Totally going to check that one out! In this story, Sloane comes full circle with her emotional growth, as she works to help a friend learn the truth about his sister's murder. Though she's in her mid-forties now, Sloane still runs off at the mouth and puts herself in dangerous situations. But that's just her personality and part of what makes her stories so intriguing to follow. There's a big jump in time with this book, seven years after the last one, but somehow Bradshaw makes it work so that you don't really feel you've missed out on a lot. Great story and looking forward to starting the next series!

Favorite Line ~ "I've recently come to realize my life was the most fulfilled when accompanied by a moderate amount of danger."

[Jean M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sloane returns from her adventurous honeymoon in Africa, to several missed calls on her business line from a Senator in Australia. She had met him several months earlier in Cairns while she was there investigating the disappearance of a friends wife. The message said “ Call me Something has happened here & I’d like to hire you. I need your help.”
Sloane wasn’t sure she was ready to travel back to Australia so soon but after talking to the Senator, hearing his sister & her boyfriend had been murdered she decided to go.
Once I started reading, It was very hard to put the story down. I have loved everyone of Cheryl Bradshaw’s, Sloane Monroe mysteries & this one, as the rest, did not disappoint.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A call from James in Australia, his sister Caroline has been murdered.
Who to trust that is why he wanted her to come. Upon arriving it is the half truth, questions not answered, couln’t questioned Gracie, the child. Was it one person or two, who killed the boyfriend, or was that suicide. The plot goes one way, she is getting frustrated, when she finds an envelope in Caroline drawer that shifts it another way. Caroline wanted to make a name for herself, a fellow psychiatrist said, and was Into hypnosis regression , with deeply disturbed people. Sloane is determined, sets herself up as bait, would that do it to catch a killer. The plot is tense, James and Sloane good main characters. Another story that readers will want to read.

[Jilly]

I love Cheryl's books particularly the ones in the Sloane Monroe series. This was another brilliant one.

Grace Ashby wakes to the sound of a horrifying scream.

She races down the hallway, finding her mother's lifeless body on the floor in a pool of blood. Her mother's boyfriend Hugh is hunched over her. At first glance it seems Hugh is to blame, but is Hugh really her mother's killer?

As revelations about Caroline Ashby's secret life unfold, private detective Sloane Monroe takes the case, but it won't take long to find the killer. He's been watching, carefully tracking her every move. And now Sloane's own life is in grave danger.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's just not possible for a series to continue without a bad one slipping in every now and then. So far, for the Sloan Monroe series, it still hasn't happened.

Sloane Monroe is headed down under to help Senator James Ashby find the man responsible for the murder of his sister. This one is very different for Sloane. In Australia, she's not allowed to have a weapon, not even a knife if it's intended purpose is as a weapon. But of course, once Sloane is on the case. She won't stop until the bad guy has been taken down.

[Bob Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sloane goes to Australia to help a Senator look into the death of his sister and her boyfriend. The sister has a child with Downs. The girl found her mother, just after she was killed with the boyfriend standing over the body. When Sloane goes to the house, the neighbor comes over and then is killed. Sloane is out to dinner with the Senator to discuss the case, and he is attacked and left for dead. with no clues as to the identity of the killer, Sloane starts looking into the background of the Senator and his sister. This is good book.

[Stephanie Herron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lies

This story in the series seemed different to me and perhaps it was the setting or maybe the lack of the main characters from previous books. Sloane goes to help out a friend and finds all has not what it seems. It seems like just when she uncovers one lie another pops up and you are left wondering if anyone is telling the truth. The ending is a bit more abrupt than others but it will be interesting to see where things go from here.

[Peggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

First issue, there was no need to throw in an opinion about our current President of the United States. This was a disappointment to me.

Second, one of the characters (Petey) was not explained. Did he die of suicide? Why was he still in the book as a friend to John? I don't like loose ends like this.

Third, I read the 8 book series and somewhere between book 7 and 8, Nick's wife was murdered! ???

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story featuring Joslyn Jax, a crime writer. I don't know why it's labeled a Sloane Monroe mystery. It was a good story. Maybe the intro to a new series. However, I was completely thrown out of the story every time the massive backstory was included in the mindset of two other dead characters, not Joss's. I would have preferred that the author incorporate this information some other way or at least a shorter backstory.

[C. Mercie M Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sloane can't stop looking for, and catching killers, even after her sisters murder is solved.

Finally, she is able to get married to her sweetheart, and go on her honeymoon. Then she gets a message from someone she's worked with in the past, with another bizarre murder. So Sloane she packs herself some necessities, and its back to Australia, on the path to a killer. Fast paced, action packed mystery, with well written characters I enjoyed.

[B J Galaday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

Over the past few years, I've picked up free books from this series as they were offered. They've been in my library until I realized I had collected all eight! During this horrible pandemic, I figured what a better way to entertain myself than by reading these in order they were written. I'm sorry to have finished, but will definitely be watching for more from Ms Bradshaw.

[Carol A. Ewing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps you reading

You know how sometimes in a murder mystery story, you read a detail that you find out later is important but you have to go back and check because you don't quite remember what it was? This is that kind of story. Now I remember seeing something about that somewhere. Where was it? A good author often has dilemmas like that written in. You will enjoy this plot if you like that sort of thing. It's all in the details.

[Kerry H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling

As the last book in this series it does not wrap up the story of Sloane Monroe as you would expect. I am SO happy to find that her story continues in 2 more series that I'm eager to start. Each book could be read as a standalone as the cases are solved by the end. The characters continue to next case/book.
The extraordinary writing style is compelling and the characters are fully fleshed out, flaws and all.