*Review* Delia's Shadow by Jaime Lee Moyer

*My Thoughts*

Set in 1915 San Francisco, Delia's Shadow is a ghost/murder mystery that follows two distinct characters in Delia Martin and Lieutenant Gabe Ryan. I loved that this story was set in 1915. If you are a history major, you would know that it was right before World War I started and Women were still wearing Victorian fashions which included hats, gloves, and long gowns that covered their ankles.

It's 9 years after the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire left the city devastated, and the year that the Panama-Pacific International Fair came to San Francisco and proof that the city was picking up the pieces and moving on. I loved the fact that Moyer used real world events to intermingle with her story about a serial killer who continues to haunt the police leaving taunting messages and tempting them to catch him before he kills someone close to the investigation.

Delia can see ghosts and has been able to since she lost her parents in the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. She knows that the city is flooded with the remnants of those who perished on that fateful day but is unable to speak to them. After living in NYC for 3 years and taking up a teaching position, she returns home where tries to uncover the mystery surrounding her shadow and what she really wants from her. 

Gage has some large shoes to fill. He's a Detective Investigator like his father, but now it is his turn to try and stop the serial killer before he targets someone close to the investigation. Gage wears the death and memories of his wife Victoria and son on his sleeve like a crutch. 

I not loved Delia and Gabe, but Sadie, Jack Fitzgerald, and Madame Isadore Bobet as well. I loved that the romance angle wasn't a forced issue, and that Gabe and Delia became friends first, and later it lead to them fall in love. I loved that the mystery of the serial killer was laid out in pieces and not rushed into introduction. It left me guessing every step of the way. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story, BUT, would definitely love to see more of Delia, Gabe and the crew. I would like to learn more about Isadore and her past. I would love to see Isadora teach Delia the ins and outs of ghost whispering, as it were. Still, I highly recommend this story.

*Recvd via NetGalley 07/02/2013* Expected publication: September 17th 2013 by Tor

Author - Jaime Lee Moyer
Title - Delia's Shadow
Released by Tor
Expected Publication: September 17, 2013
Genre - Historical Fiction, Mystery, Ghosts