Cassie Maddox is a newbie private investigator struggling to get her business going. Her father, Dylan Maddox, is a legendary detective, but she has no plan to mooch off his legacy. Besides, his presence feels more controlling than helpful. While investigating a (suspected) cheating husband, Cassie realizes there’s a lot more going on. The good news? The case is bigger than she thought, so this could be a huge opportunity. The bad news? The case is much, much bigger than she thought, so this could be a huge mistake. Set in Lenape City, Timothy R. Baldwin’s Shadows of Deceit follows Cassie as she navigates an increasingly large conspiracy.

A fast-paced mystery filled with head-spinning twists, Shadows of Deceit won’t disappoint thriller fans. The story grows more complex with each chapter, and you’ll want to pay close attention and maybe take notes. You can still enjoy the action and interactions in a casual read, but this novel is a treat for readers with an eye for detail. On the personal side of things, Cassie’s relationships are just as tangled as the case. Between duties to different clients, doubts about who to trust and rely on, and unresolved feelings and conflicts, she finds herself questioning her every move. Timothy R. Baldwin does a great job of switching between the investigation, drama, and lighthearted moments, which helps make the story more compelling and ups the personal stakes. In fact, my favorite scenes were those where Cassie’s professional and private lives clashed, leading her to make tough choices in impossible scenarios. If any of this sounds appealing to you, I’d definitely recommend Shadows of Deceit.

Shadows of Deceit by Timothy R. Baldwin is a twisty crime thriller that opens the Cassie Maddox mystery series. The story unfolds in the city of Lenape. Cassie Maddox is an ambitious rookie private investigator, the daughter of the city's famous police detective, and determined to make her own name, independent of her father's laurels. She is excited to land her first client, but what initially looks like an easy case of a cheating husband turns out to be a deep rabbit hole full of intrigue, danger, corruption, and murders. As Cassie investigates, she finds herself in a complex web of corporate standoffs and financial transactions where everyone seems to be a suspect. With life-threatening danger looming over herself, her friends, and family, Cassie keeps investigating. But will she succeed?

Reminiscent of John Grisham’s The Firm, Timothy R. Baldwin’s Shadows of Deceit kept me in its grip from the first to the last page. Breathtaking intrigue, suspense, and a fast-moving storyline made it an absorbing read. I liked the defiant, ambitious, and brave Cassie and enjoyed following her in her quest for the truth. I also thoroughly enjoyed the technology Cassie resorted to in her investigations. In addition, the dilemmas of family loyalty and Cassie’s withholding information from her father were thought-provoking. And most of all, I liked how Cassie’s relationship with her father evolved. Finally, the theme-driven cocktail recipes were the unique cherry on this delightful mystery cake! I highly recommend this novel to crime mystery fans and look forward to my reunion with Cassie in her next case.