Don't Look Down

Author: Hilary Davidson
Genre: Suspense, Canadian
Type: eBook
Series: #2 in the Shadows of New York series
Source: NetGalley
Publisher: Thomas and Mercer
First Published: February 11, 2020
Opening Line: Jo Greaver was ready to kill someone.


Book Description from GoodReads: Jo Greaver is a model of success. Young and ambitious, she’s built a thriving beauty business from nothing. But she has secrets she’ll do anything to keep buried. When her blackmailer offers to meet, Jo expects to pay him off—but gets a bullet instead. Bleeding and in shock, Jo flees with no one to turn to.

When NYPD detective Sheryn Sterling and her partner, Rafael Mendoza, find Andray Baxter murdered in his own home—shot through the heart—everything points to Jo as the killer. Her blood is at the scene, and so are disturbing photos of her taken as a young teen. But Sheryn has doubts. Was the kind-hearted Andray really a criminal? Why did he repeatedly report finding spyware in his apartment? Was there something shady about Jo’s sister dying a year earlier?

Something’s not right, and it’s up to Sheryn to piece together the sinister puzzle, no matter the cost.

My Rating: 4 stars

My Review: After reading and loving One Small Sacrifice in June 2019, I was excited to read this second installment of the Shadows of New York series. Using well-drawn characters, Sheryn and her partner Rafael, Davidson has created a suspenseful read with a smart, tension-filled plot that also touches on bigger issues. That's my kind of read!

Once again, I loved that Sheryn is the focus of the book. She's a smart, feisty and strong-willed female NYC detective (I picture her as the amazing Viola Davis) who balances home life with her demanding job. 

Multiple POVs are used to tell the story and I enjoyed how the reader is pulled into the initial crime which then morphs into something much bigger. I was intrigued in the beginning but found the middle slowed down and got a little repetitive. But as the pieces come together, readers get pulled back into the story which culminates in an action-packed ending that left this reader wanting more from this new series. 

While this is the second book of the series, it can be read as a standalone, but I'd recommend fans of suspense read One Small Sacrifice and keep an eye on this author.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.