Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours Book Review: Shadow By The Bridge

Shadow by the Bridge by Suzanne Zewan

Publication Date: November 1, 2017

No Frills Buffalo

eBook & Paperback; 368 Pages

ISBN-13: 9780998881188

Genre: Historical Mystery

11-year-old Fritz Reynolds recalled his father telling him that man is the only creature who can find amusement in killing. Little did he realize that those words would become the theme for his teenage years growing up in the rural hamlet of Linden, New York. In this coming-of-age story, Fritz takes us back to a simpler time when neighbors gathered at the general store to listen to radio shows, drank barrel-aged cider, a,,nd worshiped at the Baptist church every Sunday. All was picturesque in his close-knit farming community until terror was unleashed on them.

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Review: Shadow by the Bridge is a historical mystery based on the Linden murders that happened in the early part of the 1900's in Linden, NY.

The first murder is witnessed by 11 year old Fritz, who runs from the scene of the crime in fear for his life. 

A good many of the characters are based on real people. The main character, Fritz is fictional, but he is perfect for bringing all the events together. We watch him go from a scared little boy, who is getting over the loss of his father, who witnesses the first terrible crime, to a teenage boy experiencing his first love.

This was a quick read, one of the few I actually read in a little over a day which for me is really difficult, but I quickly became attached to the characters and the events of the small town. 

Suzanne really brings the town to life with the feelings of fear start to build as the murder victims start hitting closer to home. I found myself googling "the Linden murders" to see what really happened. Suzanne really seemed to follow the events really well. It made the book a great mix of fact and fiction.

It is hard to imagine the fear that these people went through in those years, especially as these crimes went unsolved.

If you are a fan of historical mysteries, you really won't want to miss this one.

Rating: 5 flowers

About the Author

Suzanne is coordinator at Genesee Valley Educational Partnership and is an adjunct professor at Buffalo State College. She has a M.A. in English and Creative Writing and a M.S.Ed. in Career and Technical Education. Other publications include a poem in Jigsaw (2014), a short story and two poems in Jigsaw (2016), and a short story in Amaranth Review (2016). For more information, please visit Suzanne Zewan's website. You can also find Suzanne on Facebook and Twitter.

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, February 19
Feature at Beth's Book Nook Blog
Thursday, February 22
Interview at The Book Junkie Reads
Tuesday, February 27
Feature at A Literary Vacation
Thursday, March 1
Excerpt at What is That Book About
Saturday, March 3
Interview & Excerpt at T's Stuff
Wednesday, March 7
Review & Excerpt at WS Momma Readers Nook
Friday, March 9
Feature at So Many Books, So Little Time
Tuesday, March 13
Excerpt at My Reading Corner
Thursday, March 15
Review at Donna's Book Blog
Tuesday, March 20
Review at Locks, Hooks and Books
Thursday, March 22
Excerpt at Buried Under Books
Friday, March 23
Review at Broken Teepee
Monday, March 26
Interview at Passages to the Past
Wednesday, March 28
Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views
Friday, March 30
Review & Excerpt at A Chick Who Reads
Saturday, March 31
Review at Cup of Sensibility

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two paperback copies of Shadow by the Bridge to one lucky winner! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on March 31st. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US residents only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. Shadow by the Bridge