Standing in the Shadows

Laura Principal #3

by Michelle Spring

The shocking murder lingered in the tabloids for weeks. A sweet elderly lady bludgeoned to death in a quiet corner of Cambridge by her eleven-year-old foster child, Daryll Flatt. Hideous as the crime was, the case was closed when the boy confessed to the murder. Now, two years later, Daryll's older brother hires private investigator Laura Principal to revisit the case--and to answer the baffling Why?

On the surface, Daryll fit the mold of a child murderer perfectly--a hopeless boy, abused and cast off by a wretched family. Yet as Laura Principal probes deeper, several curious facts reveal themselves. And with each step closer to the truth, Laura senses someone in the corner of her eye, a threatening presence . . . standing in the shadows . . . watching her every move.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 14, 1998

About the author

Michelle Spring was raised on Vancouver Island. She worked for many years as an academic in Cambridge where she lives with her husband and their two children. She has written several academic books and five Laura Principal thrillers.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, it's a boring read. There's no hook that drags you in to want to keep reading. I did finish it.

[Patricia Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

howard flatt hires private investigator laura principal to look into why his younger brother daryll who was a foster child to an older woman Geraldine king killed her. everyone knew what he did and how he did it but his brother wanted to know why is loving brother of 11 turn into a killer after howard left home.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book my first by tha on author but won't be my last. This book was full of suspense and twists and had me guessing until the final chapter. Very good.

[Samantha Gilbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a great storyline, but fell short for me with the actual writing and back story. Didn’t like this one.

[Nicky Warwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complicated case for PI Laura Principal when she is asked by the elder brother of an 11 year old boy accused of killing his foster mother to find out why he did it.
As she starts to dig she begins to question the validity of the conviction despite the fact that the boy confessed

[Cameron Wheeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is definitly suspensful because you dont know whats about to happen. The guy watching her every move is definitely creepy. I overall like the book for its mystery and suspense.

[Karry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this was a fine little mystery. Simple and interesting because I enjoy stories of private detectives, because we have one in our family and it gives us a peep into her job. The storyline was fine and the main character was well built. I will read more of this author.

[LJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

STANDING IN THE SHADOWS (
Spring, Michelle - 3rd in series

From Fantastic Fiction: Nothing is more disturbing than a child who commits murder. PI Laura Principal knows Daryll did it, but she wants to know why... 11 year old Daryll Flatt killed his elderly foster mother by dropping a large concrete block from his tree house on to her head. Apparently he was angry about a lost toy, about having to get dressed up for a meeting in town. It doesn't seem like a reason to kill and Daryll's older brother Howard - consumed by Guilt that he wasn't there when Daryll needed him - has to know why the boy acted as he did. Laura principal is on the case and faced by some disturbing questions. And someone with a particular interest in the case is standing in the shadows watching her every move.

A British PI investigating a child murderer. It had an interesting psyco.

[Mandie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it fast but I skipped a lot and I hated that it was such an English book but the publisher/editor decided that the word 'knickers' should read 'panties' because the American audience are too stupid to figure out what this meant. Then they forget to be consistent and leave in 'knickers'. It just bugged.

[Azuree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laura Principal is back in a 3rd mystery. This one finds her trying to figure out if an 11-year-old boy is guilty of the crime of which he's been accused. I still like the series, but I found this book a little on the slow side.

[Sue Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young boy accused of killing his foster mother. The social worker did it.

[Jilted Jhake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first novel I have read.. and it's great.

[Glenn Gard]

not bad

[Barbara Gard]

good