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A Walking Shadow (Backstage Mystery Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 67 ratings

To achieve her heart’s desire, a novice actress may very well have to sell her soul.

In 1871, Lillian Nolan accepts a small role in Macbeth, and finally fulfills her dream of becoming an actress. That is until the renowned, but venomous, female star of the production is murdered onstage opening night. When her enraged spirit haunts the theater, Lillian is shocked to discover she can communicate with her. Offered a Faustian bargain in which she will be given talent and expertise way beyond her ability in exchange for uncovering the killer, Lillian can’t resist.

Her quest for the truth causes her to descend into the Underworld, the den of inequity below the streets of Chicago. What Lillian finds soon embroils her in a battle between her passion for performing and sovereignty over her own body as it all plays out in a supernatural game of good and evil.

A Walking Shadow is the first standalone book in the Backstage Mystery series. If you enjoy stories with a touch of the paranormal that blend historical fact with fiction, then you’ll love Elizabeth Ireland’s tale of history, mystery and theater.

Note: This book is an edited and revamped new edition of a novel that was previously published as Death Takes Center Stage.

Buy A Walking Shadow and discover how life upon the wicked stage can be deadly….

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Editorial Reviews

Review

I was captivated from the very first pages. Historical fiction isn't something I would normally read but this was a wonderful book that isn't really your typical historical fiction as it has the paranormal aspect, which worked really well. I thoroughly enjoyed this latest offering from Elizabeth Ireland and I look forward to reading more in the series. Babydolls and razorblades babydollsandrazorblades.wordpress.com/2019/05/10/book-review-a-walking-shadow-by/
Absolutely Amazing! An excellent beginning to The Backstage Mystery Series.
A Walking Shadow successfully creates a palpable environment of mystery and intrigue. The 1st book in The Backstage Mystery series has done a marvelous job of making me attached to the unfolding of the rest of the series. I will be coming back with the review of the following books in the series. Trails of Tales trailsoftales620253622.wordpress.com/2019/05/10/book-review-a-walking-shadow-by-elizabeth-ireland/
A Walking Shadow
by Elizabeth Ireland is historical fiction, but with a twist......there's murder and mystery...It gradually unfolds into a very clever and engaging read....The Bookwormery orlando-books.blog/2019/05/06/a-walking-shadow-by-elizabeth-ireland-book-review/

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07NQM27YG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ; 2nd edition (February 13, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 13, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1310 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 282 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1794557385
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 67 ratings

About the author

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Elizabeth Ireland
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Elizabeth Ireland

Liz discovered her passion for theater early. Having always enjoyed the pleasure of telling other people what to do, her goal was to become a theatrical director. After finishing graduate school, she embarked upon a career as an Instructor in the Performing Arts Center of a liberal arts college in northern Illinois. For ten years Liz taught, directed and managed house operations for a vibrant performing arts program and wrote or re-wrote a number of plays. She lived, breathed and celebrated in her theatrical life. After receiving tenure and an Associate Professorship, she promptly took a well-deserved sabbatical. She discovered she was suffering from burnout, and decided her passion was no longer in teaching. Her real passion was for writing. She turned her talents to screenwriting, eventually writing and/or collaborating on fifteen screenplays. One of her own scripts was a quarter-finalist, another a semi-finalist, for the Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowship in screenwriting sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

THE BACKSTAGE MYSTERY SERIES was written out of the fascination she has with 19th century American Theater History. It is set against the backdrop of the Gilded Age, and stars Lillian Nolan, an unconventional member of Chicago's upper class who dreams of a career of fortune and fame in the theater. Talented and ambitious, she possesses a hidden skill which she is extremely reluctant to use--the ability to communicate with those who have died and now live in the world of "The Beyond."

The series chronicles her adventures in which she continually becomes enmeshed in solving mysteries which often require her accessing the realm of the paranormal. Filled with an incredible cast of characters--factual, fictional, and sometimes non-physical--who either help or hinder her quest for the truth, the stories take place during a period considered to be the golden age of both acting and spiritualism in America.

Her nonfiction work, WOMEN OF VISION: ORDINARY WOMEN, EXTRAORDINARY LIVES was published in 2008. Her work has also been published in a collection of paranormal short stories, PARAMOURTAL: TALES OF UNDYING LOVE AND LOVING THE UNDEAD. Born in Chicago, she now lives in metro Atlanta with her ever-patient husband, and two quirky dachshunds.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
67 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the characters interesting and likable. They describe the story as captivating, with a satisfying ending. The book is described as a quick read with fast-paced action.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the character development. They find the characters interesting and likable. The protagonist's narration makes them feel like they are sitting with her as she tells the story.

"...The story is captivating, the characters well drawn, and a scenery of the period done as good as one can imagine...." Read more

"...The attitudes and behaviors of the characters appeared realistic and true to the times...." Read more

"...dragged a bit at times, but the characters were interesting and likable. It was difficult to put down, but was a relatively quick read...." Read more

"...If you enjoy the paranormal mixed with fast paced action, exceptional characters I highly recommend this book...." Read more

4 customers mention "Story quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the story engaging with well-developed characters and vivid scenery. They appreciate the satisfying ending without a cliffhanger.

"...It is a finished book, no cliffhanger, but I would like to know what happens next ! I probably will buy the next book." Read more

"...So that's how they did it!" All in all, definitely an intriguing and interesting historical mystery." Read more

"...big role, from the first shocking murder scene to the fiery, cinematic ending. Well done. Looking forward to the next in this series." Read more

"HISTORY. MYSTERY. SUPERNATURALISM. ALL BEAUTIFULLY WRAPPED UP IN AN EXCITING STORY. I could not stop reading. Got to cheering for the heroine...." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find it an enjoyable, quick read with fast-paced action and exceptional characters.

"...It was difficult to put down, but was a relatively quick read. Highly enjoyable." Read more

"What a Fantastic book! If you enjoy the paranormal mixed with fast paced action, exceptional characters I highly recommend this book...." Read more

"...ALL BEAUTIFULLY WRAPPED UP IN AN EXCITING STORY. I could not stop reading. Got to cheering for the heroine. Loved the unfolding of events...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2019
    This book is nowhere near what I usually read. Theater, superstition, spirits, I seldom read anything like that. But luckily, I continued reading, and found this book is really good. The story is captivating, the characters well drawn, and a scenery of the period done as good as one can imagine. It is a finished book, no cliffhanger, but I would like to know what happens next ! I probably will buy the next book.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2022
    I don't actually know a great deal about the history of the period encompassed by this novel (the Great Chicago Fire), or about the theatre during that period, but I would venture to say that this book is pretty well-researched. The attitudes and behaviors of the characters appeared realistic and true to the times. I especially enjoyed the fact that the book is written as the memoir of a 90-something former stage actress; someone who has seen it all in a long lifetime. The story had more of the paranormal to it than what I generally read, yet that aspect was deftly spun into the tale so that it didn't overwhelm the story. I will not give potential readers a spoiler, but let me just say that I especially appreciated the fact that, when the murder is first described, I thought, "That couldn't happen!" Yet later, that aspect of the murder is made quite clear--"Oh! So that's how they did it!"

    All in all, definitely an intriguing and interesting historical mystery.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2022
    The narrative dragged a bit at times, but the characters were interesting and likable. It was difficult to put down, but was a relatively quick read. Highly enjoyable.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2019
    A ninety something year olds recollection of her theatrical career, exposure to the under world and paranormal. In character story rambled, included alternate life styles, Chicago fire and inside workings of the theater. References to “Macbeth” were reflected in the story.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2020
    What a Fantastic book! If you enjoy the paranormal mixed with fast paced action, exceptional characters I highly recommend this book.
    Lillian the main character defiantly is a strong leading lady.
    From page one to the last you'll be holding your breath.....Now it's time for me to enjoy Lillian's next adventure......😀
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2019
    *I received a free copy of this book with thanks to the author and Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources blog tours. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

    A Walking Shadow is a cosy murder mystery with a few differences.

    The obvious one is the ghostly aspect, as Lillian is sensitive to the spiritual world and therefore her amateur investigation into death at Macbeth is helped, or hindered by visions, voices and actual physical possession.

    The narration is given to us directly in Lillian’s own words via her written account to a younger relative. So the Lillian at the time of writing is elderly and is reminiscing about her youthful misadventures. This is a really interesting technique as it gives the reader intimate access to Lillian’d thoughts and feelings both at the time of the action and in retrospect. It does, however, detract a little bit from the tension during high-danger points, as the reader knows that Lillian will literally ‘live to tell the tale’!

    There was plenty of other, less fatal, peril though to keep the reader anxious, from family estrangement to the horrifying prospect of a life of perpetual assault in Roger’s Barracks (trigger warnings for rape and violence). The plot is packed with action and intrigue, and yet easy to follow and with just the right number of characters to be interesting without overwhelming.

    I would recommend this story to fans of classic mystery stories with added paranormal activity and am excited to find out where Lillian takes her talents in the next book in the series…!

    This reminded her how disappointed she was in this, the opening night performance. She simply did not comprehend what was going on. Strange mistakes were being made, props were misplaced, and cues were off. There had been a problem with the downstage trap doors and the appearance of the three witches had been late. The elevator mechanism ran unevenly lending the emergence of the witches an almost laughable quality. She felt she had to make up for it and was giving a tour de force performance of what was an already illustrious career. Lady Macbeth was her favourite role; she adored playing it and loved the way the audience worshipped her in response. But tonight, everything that could possibly go wrong had.

    – Elizabeth Ireland, A Walking Shadow

    Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2023
    ...during the 1870s. A time when population was explosive, construction was quick, proprietary was observed by the fortunate but suffered by those who sheltered in Conley's Patch. The BACKSTAGE MYSTERY SERIES begins with the memories of Rosemary journaling the experiences of her grandmother and her family and her love for the theater. She is writing to her granddaughter and through Rosemary the reader will go from comfort to passion, from excitement to threats, from safety to loss in THE WALKING SHADOW.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2019
    The author's experience with and love for theater comes through on every page. Narrated by the protagonist, I felt like I was sitting at her side while she told the tale of her first big role, from the first shocking murder scene to the fiery, cinematic ending. Well done. Looking forward to the next in this series.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not for me
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2019
    This is enjoyable enough. Not spellbinding, but we'll written and moves along in a pleasant enough manner. However, it wasn't what I had expected from the description. I like to finish a book if I start it. But I really didn't care by the end. Which incidentally was a bot rushed,.

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