THE SHADOW GIRLS by Alice Blanchard is the fourth book in the Natalie Lockhart mystery series set in Burning Lake, NY. Detective Natalie Lockhart is called to a local Halloween costume store where an employee was brutally murdered. As Natalie delves deeper into the dead man’s life, she uncovers unspeakable horrors that have a connection to earlier cases.

What Natalie uncovers is the abduction and confinement of seven different women over the years who have come to be called The Shadow Girls. As she delves deeper into the mystery, Natalie finds connections to a 1970s high school coven, the recent death of Wiccan Priestess Veronica Manes, a corrupt police officer, an attack on Lieutenant Luke Pittman, and other strange events occurring in Burning Lake. Can Natalie uncover the source of evil that permeates through the town? Or will this place she calls home remain shrouded in darkness and violence?

Dark, gritty, and totally engrossing, THE SHADOW GIRLS, provides all the answers to the mysteries plaguing Burning Lake, NY. Filled with serial killers, secret covens, violent crimes, and missing people, there is so much in this novel to keep readers invested. Alice Blanchard’s writing is immersive and atmospheric. From vacant amusement parks, secret basements, black magic, and secret covens, Burning Lake, NY is an ominous place to live. Blanchard does a great job of pulling readers into the despair and darkness of the town and the conflicts Natalie faces while trying to be a light in a community of darkness. As Natalie continues a relationship with millionaire entrepreneur Hunter Ross, she tries to deny her feelings for her long-time friend and soulmate, Lieutenant Luke Pittman. The relationship tension, feelings of desperation, longing, and loss are well portrayed. Natalie is a perfect combination of a complex flawed character whose personal life is a tangled mess while her professional life is taking off.  Hopefully, this is not the end for Natalie Lockhart and Burning Lake, NY.