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The Last Shadow
The woman in the alley scratches a symbol into the pavement, then vanishes from the video. Now her desperate father is begging Bas Milius to accept one last case.
In 1991, strange things are afoot in Boston. Bas is on the verge of hanging up his hat, until his final client—the missing woman’s father—suddenly claims to be someone else entirely. Someone without a daughter.
Across town, Dee Khalaji finds herself seeing visions of someone in the shadows watching a recorded video—one that changes each time it’s played back.
In a downtown compound, a secretive couple promises healing to lost souls through compulsory sessions of meditation and dance. But how have they been monitoring each member without the use of cameras? And why does the very first tape in their extensive surveillance collection focus on someone Bas lost a decade ago?
A man on a mission to put the pieces together. A nonverbal autistic girl with the ability to see through others’ eyes. A story of identity, connection, and magic, set in a Boston that never was.
In 1991, strange things are afoot in Boston. Bas is on the verge of hanging up his hat, until his final client—the missing woman’s father—suddenly claims to be someone else entirely. Someone without a daughter.
Across town, Dee Khalaji finds herself seeing visions of someone in the shadows watching a recorded video—one that changes each time it’s played back.
In a downtown compound, a secretive couple promises healing to lost souls through compulsory sessions of meditation and dance. But how have they been monitoring each member without the use of cameras? And why does the very first tape in their extensive surveillance collection focus on someone Bas lost a decade ago?
A man on a mission to put the pieces together. A nonverbal autistic girl with the ability to see through others’ eyes. A story of identity, connection, and magic, set in a Boston that never was.
452 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2020
13 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Robinson
7 books15 followersJ.D. Robinson writes intimate, humanist science fiction, speculating on the human condition as fallible characters face the most exotic existential questions.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 29, 2026
Another enjoyable read from J.D. Robinson, where the reader is assured an immersive and layered story, and a world that feels lived in and real. Throwing back to the 1990's, in a setting that is relatable from roll-down car windows to VCR tapes, it opens as an intriguing mystery - locating a missing woman. The story soon evolves, delving into the complex world of autism, the challenges and limitations, but also the unique gifts. In the case of Dee, her gift is paranormally unique, yet believably presented. As each confounding element in the mystery of the woman who had disappeared is uncovered, the story evolves from mystery to paranormal to science fiction. A meaty read for anyone who wants a book to shift and turn without losing the main body.
January 7, 2022
I read this as part of a judging team for the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC).
I was initially rubbed the wrong way by yet another detective unable to move on from personal tragedy trying to solve a mystery, but I was eventually pulled in by strong storytelling and plenty of intriguing mystery. It honestly felt a bit like a Fringe episode, with weird stuff happening in Boston and only a small group having any idea about it. There was no Walter equivalent (although there is another Walter!), and the book left it open whether it was science or magic for most of the narrative (but trust me, we definitely get some science fiction here), but I had that atmosphere with knowing there was an explanation for the bizarre happenings and just sitting with the characters trying to figure it out.
This is another book where I enjoyed the middle the most, with the mystery itself being more enthralling than the solution/confrontation (although it certainly does come together), but a good mystery setup, professional prose, and solid characterization made for a fun read. There is a major autistic character that was sometimes described in ways that made me uncomfortable, but I understand that preferences for language around neurodiversity are changing rapidly, and I do believe the author was making a good faith effort to be respectful with the representation.
First impression: 15/20. Full review and official SPSFC score to come at www.tarvolon.com
I was initially rubbed the wrong way by yet another detective unable to move on from personal tragedy trying to solve a mystery, but I was eventually pulled in by strong storytelling and plenty of intriguing mystery. It honestly felt a bit like a Fringe episode, with weird stuff happening in Boston and only a small group having any idea about it. There was no Walter equivalent (although there is another Walter!), and the book left it open whether it was science or magic for most of the narrative (but trust me, we definitely get some science fiction here), but I had that atmosphere with knowing there was an explanation for the bizarre happenings and just sitting with the characters trying to figure it out.
This is another book where I enjoyed the middle the most, with the mystery itself being more enthralling than the solution/confrontation (although it certainly does come together), but a good mystery setup, professional prose, and solid characterization made for a fun read. There is a major autistic character that was sometimes described in ways that made me uncomfortable, but I understand that preferences for language around neurodiversity are changing rapidly, and I do believe the author was making a good faith effort to be respectful with the representation.
First impression: 15/20. Full review and official SPSFC score to come at www.tarvolon.com
August 27, 2022
Read for SPSFC Semifinalists!
Overall Thoughts
This story has a lot to love! Think the TV show Atypical, crossed with The Sinner, crossed with Dr. Strange. There’s a deep mystery in the plot, the characters are amazing, and I was astounded by the ending. Also, it’s set in the 1990’s which, for a mystery, reduces some of the instant gratification of a constant internet connection. I also have to give a lot of respect to the author for writing a non-verbal autistic POV character. It’s a great opportunity to see inside the head of someone whose inner thoughts don’t necessarily reflect what her outside is doing. The other POV character is an older man—a retiring detective, and though his character is more of a trope, there are lots of cool twists in the plot.
Plot
The book does have a bit of a slow start until we really get into the heart of the story. However, there’s an immediate fight between the older detective, Bas, with a mysterious assailant who seems to be able to use magic. We are soon shown the other character, Dee, and introduced to her autism and how it affects her. I think the book does a really good job of sliding the reader into how autism (and relatively severe autism) affects people, with the main concept still being that they are people, and not plot devices.
As to the actual plot, I don’t want to go into too much detail, but things ramp up between missing people, people who lose their memories and assume other lives, and strange effects of magic that seem to be multiplying and expanding. It quickly becomes apparent that someone must be behind these different things, though how they are connected is unclear. At the same time, using magic, Dee discovers she can communicate telepathically with other people, and also has the ability to do unexplained things. I thought there was going to be a second book, but things were wrapped up and explained at the end (and yes, this is science fiction). I wouldn’t mind another story in this universe, though!
Setting
The story is set around 1990, and that affects almost everything that happens in the detective, Bas’, ability to track down what’s happening. Images have to be printed from VHS cassettes, people have to be tracked down from address books, and characters can’t instantly tell each other where they are with cell phones. When people assume new lives, where they may suddenly live in different houses, or have different families, and everyone around them forgets them, it’s a lot harder to find them than it would be today.
Character
The characters in this story are great. Bas has a lot of real-world experience, and fulfills the trope of the tired detective whose seen all of this before (until he hasn’t). Dee has a lot of growth in front of her, starting as a non-verbal person with trouble controlling her own actions (executive dysfunction), and depends on stimming, or repetitive motion, to control herself. She is never cured of autism, but she is given new opportunities that enable her to deal with some of the challenges she faces in life. There is great representation of neurodivergent people and LGBTQIA people, and good development of the main characters. All around a well written, enjoyable, mysterious story.
Score out of 10 (My personal score, not the final contest score)
An engaging mystery, developing magic that doesn’t always seem to follow rules, LGBTQIA content, and excellent characters, including a non-verbal autistic girl. 9/10.
Overall Thoughts
This story has a lot to love! Think the TV show Atypical, crossed with The Sinner, crossed with Dr. Strange. There’s a deep mystery in the plot, the characters are amazing, and I was astounded by the ending. Also, it’s set in the 1990’s which, for a mystery, reduces some of the instant gratification of a constant internet connection. I also have to give a lot of respect to the author for writing a non-verbal autistic POV character. It’s a great opportunity to see inside the head of someone whose inner thoughts don’t necessarily reflect what her outside is doing. The other POV character is an older man—a retiring detective, and though his character is more of a trope, there are lots of cool twists in the plot.
Plot
The book does have a bit of a slow start until we really get into the heart of the story. However, there’s an immediate fight between the older detective, Bas, with a mysterious assailant who seems to be able to use magic. We are soon shown the other character, Dee, and introduced to her autism and how it affects her. I think the book does a really good job of sliding the reader into how autism (and relatively severe autism) affects people, with the main concept still being that they are people, and not plot devices.
As to the actual plot, I don’t want to go into too much detail, but things ramp up between missing people, people who lose their memories and assume other lives, and strange effects of magic that seem to be multiplying and expanding. It quickly becomes apparent that someone must be behind these different things, though how they are connected is unclear. At the same time, using magic, Dee discovers she can communicate telepathically with other people, and also has the ability to do unexplained things. I thought there was going to be a second book, but things were wrapped up and explained at the end (and yes, this is science fiction). I wouldn’t mind another story in this universe, though!
Setting
The story is set around 1990, and that affects almost everything that happens in the detective, Bas’, ability to track down what’s happening. Images have to be printed from VHS cassettes, people have to be tracked down from address books, and characters can’t instantly tell each other where they are with cell phones. When people assume new lives, where they may suddenly live in different houses, or have different families, and everyone around them forgets them, it’s a lot harder to find them than it would be today.
Character
The characters in this story are great. Bas has a lot of real-world experience, and fulfills the trope of the tired detective whose seen all of this before (until he hasn’t). Dee has a lot of growth in front of her, starting as a non-verbal person with trouble controlling her own actions (executive dysfunction), and depends on stimming, or repetitive motion, to control herself. She is never cured of autism, but she is given new opportunities that enable her to deal with some of the challenges she faces in life. There is great representation of neurodivergent people and LGBTQIA people, and good development of the main characters. All around a well written, enjoyable, mysterious story.
Score out of 10 (My personal score, not the final contest score)
An engaging mystery, developing magic that doesn’t always seem to follow rules, LGBTQIA content, and excellent characters, including a non-verbal autistic girl. 9/10.
March 20, 2024
The Last Shadow grabbed my interest from the off, pulling me into the recognisable world of the 1990s, yet juxtaposing such a familiar timeline with a tightly plotted yet personal story of discovery and redemption. To some the tropes will be as comfortable as the initial setting, but with characters and events you can both relate to and, with such superb emotional prose, feel for as the trials of discovery are laid out before them, you are transported into a world where your expectations are turned upon their head. This is a mystery at heart, strongly entwined with an urban fantasy vibe that veers towards science fiction as everything unravels in a carefully constructed, yet flowing arc towards the final denouement. What struck home, a place close to my heart, was the depiction of an autistic main character, someone mute and unable to express their spark of understanding. Locked into rituals, stress and anxiety beautifully explored, the author must be applauded for their bravery and the quality of understanding. Autism is a spectrum, and to my experience, one of three dimensions, where children and adults don’t fit a simple catch-all. Yet here we have such a superbly portrayed character, you not only believe in what the author is doing, but engage powerfully with their storyline. A superb read. If I had a hat, I’d tip it. Five stars.
February 24, 2022
Apart from the first few pages when I thought I had another middle aged damaged/sorrowful male detective story, this was a great and different beginning. The other key character, Dee was a treat to read. A strong young woman who knew her own neurodiverse mind and body, and grew into her story and new skills well. I particularly liked that she dismissed the opportunity for a ‘normal’ body. There was nothing wrong with the one she had!
A good plot with some interesting twists, and a last minute reveal.
Characters were all ages, engaging and annoying which got me invested in their welfare (except for Bas, I wanted to give him a stern chat - which he would have ignored, of course).
The ending? Well, I'll let you decide.
A good read.
A good plot with some interesting twists, and a last minute reveal.
Characters were all ages, engaging and annoying which got me invested in their welfare (except for Bas, I wanted to give him a stern chat - which he would have ignored, of course).
The ending? Well, I'll let you decide.
A good read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews