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IN HIS SHADOW is a very compelling story written by Dave Zeltserman. It is a different, and unusual PI novel. I have never read one quite like it, and was so completely absorbed in the plot that I completely lost track of time while reading it. Although IN HIS SHADOW is definitely not for the squeamish, or faint of heart, the writing flows, and the characters are so well developed and intriguing, you cannot look away. The scenes, the plotting, the dialogue, although sometimes very disturbing, are absolutely fascinating and real. IN HIS SHADOW overflows with lies, violence, betrayal, murder, all with a psychological twist. It is a descent into the darkest levels of human nature, which is just so fascinating that you cannot take your eyes from the pages. In my opinion, IN HIS SHADOW is hardboiled fiction at itís best. Johnny Lane has it all. He runs a detective agency that is so successful that he canít handle all the business himself. And so to compensate for this he contracts out some of the cases that just arenít that big, thus keeping the major ones for himself. He also keeps 60% of the fees that are collected on those he contracts out. This split isnít exactly that well appreciated by at least one of the PIís that he contracts out to, but Johnny has a way of justifying it to himself that makes perfect sense. At least to him it does, as does everything that Johnny does. Johnny is also a columnist for the Denver Examiner, where he turns his cases into intriguing articles. This has made Johnny Lane into quite the celebrity around town. And Johnny does love his celebrity status. Not only does he love it, but he also believes it himself. Life is good for Johnny. Until the day when a young woman walks into his office wanting him to find her birth parents. When Johnny's approached by Mary Williams he finds himself taking the case on, although she canít even come close to paying his normal fees, because he wants a break from the mundane, and depressing cases that have been crossing his desk lately. Besides, Mary is a very, very beautiful young woman. And this case shouldnít be that difficult. Little does Johnny know. This case could be the end of not only his career as a private detective, but it could also be the end of Johnny. It isnít long before Johnnyís life is completely turned upside down, and if discovered, the truth could destroy his life. Then it only gets worse. There are so many dramatic twists and turns in the life of Johnny Lane that it would be difficult to keep up with them if it wasnít for the superb writing skills of Mr. Zeltserman. You follow along without even a hint of confusion, even though this is a very dark, complex story. Mr. Zeltserman shows the dark side of Johnny Lane in such a way that even the most disgusting parts are not only explained, but also in the end understood. As Johnnyís dark side emerges, the distance between reality and fiction grow even further apart in his mind. The past and the present seem to become one entity of itís own, undistinguishable from each other, and all condensed together into one mass. IN HIS SHADOW is full of excitement, intrigue, mystery, and even dark humor. It is superbly written and absolutely hypnotizes you. You find yourself on a roller coaster ride that you want to get off of, but you canít. No matter how terrorized you are you just have to find out what that next hill is going to be like, even if it does kill you. Thus you are in free fall, free fall into the insanity that also finds Johnny Lane. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to be completely taken over by the terror, mystery, thrills, and superb writing of an excellent author. Mr. Zeltserman gives you all of that, and much more in this wonderful novel. IN HIS SHADOW is a winner, in my opinion, and I very much think that will be your opinion also.
Reviewed by Sue Hartigan, March 2002
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