Dr. Samantha (Sam) Owens is an expert forensic pathologist
the FBI would love to have working for them. After turning
down their job offer, Sam wants nothing more than a normal
life teaching at Georgetown University. She's deeply in
love and building a life with Xander Whitfield, a former
Army Ranger, and content with her decisions. That
contentment crumples when she receives a strange letter
from a man named Timothy Savage begging her to solve his
murder, even though his recent death has been ruled a
suicide.
Things become even more bizarre when Savage's will names
Sam as executor, as well as a benefactor, compelling her to
autopsy his body to learn the truth. Her findings verify
his death was murder, not suicide, but there's also foreign
DNA on him that belongs to a girl who was found dead years
ago. That's impossible, or is it?
Each step taken in the investigation turns up even more
questions. Who is Thomas Savage, and how did he know he was
going to be killed? How did he get a dead girl's DNA on his
body? Is the DNA wrong? The mystery unfolds and intensifies
with many shocking twists and turns leading to a totally
incredible conclusion.
J.T. Ellison's WHEN SHADOWS FALL is a cleverly
devised forensic thriller with multifaceted characters and
a compelling storyline. Even though it's part of a series,
WHEN SHADOWS FALL is an excellent stand-alone novel giving
all the background information that's needed for its total
enjoyment. Ellison is a master-craftsman at developing
superb forensic thrillers!
Dear Dr. Owens, If you are reading this letter, I am
dead and I would be most grateful if you could solve my
murder.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Samantha Owens thought life was
finally returning to normal after she suffered a terrible
personal loss. Settling into her new job at Georgetown
University, the illusion is shattered when she receives a
disturbing letter from a dead man imploring her to solve
his murder. There's only one catch. Timothy Savage's
death
was so obviously the suicide of a demented individual
that
the case has been closed.
When Sam learns Savage left a will requesting she autopsy
his body, she feels compelled to look into the case.
Sam's
own postmortem discovers clear signs that Savage was
indeed
murdered. And she finds DNA from a kidnapped child whose
remains were recovered years earlier.
The investigation takes Sam into the shadows of a 20-
year-
old mystery that must be solved to determine what really
happened to Timothy Savage. Nothing about the case makes
sense but it is clear someone is unwilling to let anyone,
especially Samantha Owens, discover the truth.