Danse Macabre (Shadows in the Water, #3) by Kory M. Shrum

Danse Macabre (Shadows in the Water, #3) Reviews

• 
  Kristine

  This series has been one heck of a surprise for me. I have never before read anything from this author and when I read the first book in the series...well, I was hooked. After book 3, instead of liking this series less, I find that I am liking everything even more. Trying to put into words what exactly about this series is so compelling - I'm really not sure. I mean, this is about a woman with a secret power who basically kills bad men - lots and lots of men. Some horrifically, some without a second thought, and then she takes the bodies to a special place where there is a monster that takes care of the bodies (yes, that is right - the monster EATS the bodies.) BUT somehow...it works, it REALLY works. I know, right?
  
  One of the things that strikes me is the character development. There are not very many main characters - but the ones who are, they are extremely well developed. They each have distinctive personalities that make them likeable and somehow get the reader to root for them, regardless of circumstance. That is what is so crazy - the two main characters (Konstantine and Lou) are actually pretty dark. They are both what most modern society would probably classify as criminals, yet somehow the author has been able to get the reader to understand the reasons behind their actions
  and justify these things to ourselves. I actually flinched when in this book Dimitri mentions that Lou has killed 417 men that he can document - that was kind of eye opening. But, then Lou was experiencing her own internal crisis with trying to determine whether or not her actions trying to take criminals off the street was justified or not. So, see...she was trying to do right - kind of. Anyway. She is truly a one of a kind MC - so dark, so unemotional, so strong, yet you can not help but feel sorry for her because you know she is hurting. She is missing out on so much in life - friends, relationships - basically, a normal life.
  
  And man, can we just finally get these two together??? I'm patient, but this is even trying my patience. Konstantine has been MORE than patient (well, honestly, he is just terrified of making the wrong move and scaring her off) but he does know her better than anyone (again, that is also so sad because - well, it just is).
  
  Okay, I guess I haven't really talked about the story line of this book - but with the end of this book we will be seeing a big change in the direction of Lou's life and that is a good thing. So, this is the end of an era and the beginning of something new.
  
  Still - this was exciting, with moments of terror, and lots of humorous times in between.
  
  What more can you ask for?
• 
  Stan Hutchings

  When I first read and reviewed this, I didn't realize it was 3rd in the series. It stands on its own; but the two previous books add a lot of interesting background that greatly contributes to enjoyment of Danse Macabre, and greater insight into, and understanding of, the main characters and their relationships.
  Lou has a unique ability. She can shift from one dark place to another dark place. The Danse starts with her using this ability to kill all 20 drivers of a convoy transporting heroin, and destroying the entire shipment, trucks and all. But then something happens to her killer instinct, perhaps associated with a young man she killed. We find out she works with Konstantine and King to kill criminals who are above the law. But with her killer instinct on the blink, she is at a disadvantage. Her family had been brutally murdered, so she wants to avenge them. But vengeance only leads to more vengeance. Hence, the Danse Macabre. The challenge for Lou and her team is to somehow stop the Danse, without letting the guilty escape punishment, and without themselves becoming evil. Interesting psychological conundrums, difficult choices to make, evolvinging personal interactions, relationships, and bonds of friendship. It's a powerful story, with well-drawn characters, full of vengeance, violence and intense action.
  
• 
  Rosemary

  Danse Macabre - a review by Rosemary Kenny
  
  I really like the way this engaging and thrilling end to the Shadows in the Water trilogy was developed by the skill and imagination of Kory M Shrum.
  Danse Macabre refers to the strange and deadly 'dance', brought about when a possibly justifiable single act of revenge develops into an ever-increasing cycle of intrigue, evil and murderous madness.
  I was spellbound by the idea of the MC Lou(ie) Thorn's sinking into the depravity of lawlessness, while being stalked by the epitome of what she must attempt to avoid becoming herself, with only her sidekicks King and Konstantine to possibly steer her back into sanity and avoid a cycle of vendetta and rash judgements and actions that might put herself and her loved ones in deadly peril from her partners in the 'Danse'.
  Which of the antagonists will stop the 'music of Death' that will eagerly continue the saga of destruction, until no more 'dansers' are left to continue with their very souls still intact?
  Read all three brilliant books (though they can each be standalones), to get the answers and full satisfaction from Kory M Shrum's Danse Macabre, (the last in her 5-star winner of a series). But be warned - the characters within will stay with the reader for a very long time to come!
  
• 
  Bec

  Lou is faced with a most unusual problem: she has spent every day of her life tracking down and killing every person even remotely connected to her father's death, with the solo exception of the crime lord Konstantine. But now it's all over, the last one is dead... and she may have just murdered an innocent.
  
  The burning in her gut that had driven her to killing has died out, and she can't sleep without having nightmares about a young man begging her for his life as he crawls through the snow, painting it red with his life's blood.
  
  So what is a woman with her particular skill set supposed to do now?
  
  Kory's signature style of prose continues to define the characters and story-line and I'm just totally blown away with her talent. You will be too ... so if you haven't already, start with book #1 and be prepared to become immersed in the world of Louie Thorne.
• 
  Kaye

  ONE SLOW BURN!!!
  OMG! Wow! I'll get it out eventually. Maybe. Man, talk about a deal with the devil. All the drama, uncertainty, determination, fear, angst, danger and suspense increases steadily while tension spirials bringing this read roaring to life. Twists and turns abound with unexpected circumstances make for one thrilling experience. In a whirlwind of emotions and events really pulls those heartstrings. The characters and scenes are written with such realism it really pulls this little jewel together beautifully. Kory did an amazing job bringing together beautifully. Fantastic job Kory, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
• 
  Angela

  Lou Thorne continues to be one of my favorite anti-heroines! I do love snarky, sassy, kickass babes—but they tend to be a dime a dozen. Lou’s dark, predatory calm is a refreshing twist, though it was interesting to see it falter in this book. The vengeance that once fueled her wrath has been sated, and she’s left wondering what now? What does she have left to live—or kill—for? And what happens when the tables are turned and justice is demanded for her actions? Shrum delivers the answers to these questions in that fierce, poetic prose I’ve come to expect and adore of her work. I can’t wait for the next book!
• 
  Annemarie

  Lou's character keeps on evolving. Finding herself questioning her actions and unable to fire a gun in anger, Lou finally dies what Lucy asked her to do. She goes to see Ani. There is a new player in the mix, Danni, an investigative journalist in training. Having been sent by her boss to get intel on Lou, she finds herself kidnapped by a mafia boss who thinks she has more information on Lou than she actually has. Ani 5told Lou that she needed to find her own path. A new purpose that was hers, not her father's. After speaking with Danni, Lou thinks she has found her starting point.
• 
  Stan Hutchings

  When I first read and reviewed this, I didn't realize it was 3rd in the series. It stands on its own; but the two previous books add a lot of interesting background that greatly contributes to enjoyment of Danse Macabre, and greater insight into, and understanding of, the main characters and their relationships.
  Kory's style is sometimes choppy, sometimes with incomplete sentences to add emphasis, sometimes long run-on sentences, some words don't seem quite right; but the books are powerfully written, with lots of emotion. I was gripped by the story, and I had a hard time stopping once I got into it. There is a lot of violence, death, serious injury, loss of loved ones and other themes that definitely get a strong emotional response.
  Lou Thorne has a unique ability. She can shift from one dark place to another dark place. The Danse starts with her using this ability to kill all 20 drivers of a convoy transporting heroin, and destroying the entire shipment, trucks and all. But then something happens to her killer instinct, perhaps associated with a young man she killed. We find out she works with Konstantine and King to kill criminals who are above the law. But with her killer instinct on the blink, she is at a disadvantage. Her family had been brutally murdered, so she wants to avenge them. But vengeance only leads to more vengeance. Hence, the Danse Macabre. The challenge for Lou and her team is to somehow stop the Danse, without letting the guilty escape punishment, and without themselves becoming evil. Interesting psychological conundrums, difficult choices to make, evolvinging personal interactions, relationships, and bonds of friendship. It's a powerful story, with well-drawn characters, full of vengeance, violence and intense action.
  
• 
  Julia Vertiz

  Great series!
  
  This series has taken me on a roller coaster ride. I had tears rolling down my face at more than one point. I had to put the book down a couple of times because it had me so tense! Such good writing you are so there with Lou! Can’t wait for the next book to come out! What a good tv series this would make!!
• 
  Val Moss

  This is such a good series. I love when books set your imagination into overdrive. I can't help but think what would I do if I had Lou's abilities? How could I make the world a better place? I can't wait to see what she does next.
• 
  Phthon

  Oh. My. G—! This is such an amazing book! All full of danger, angst, emotion, and everything else! I loved it! I love Kory’s writing! She is so amazing!
• 
  Mark A Strong

  Excellent
  
  Each book keeps getting better. This one has been the best so far. Excellent character development and people you can care about.
• 
  Faith Sarfaty

  Lou Thorne continues
  
  Wonderful book, I can’t wait for the next installment. Lou, King, Mel, Piper, Konstantine and especially Jabbers are a great team.
• 
  Inklessvix

  I swear this book is addicting. I started reading and couldn't stop.
• 
  Lisa

  Great ending to the series!
• 
  April

  Loved it. Can't wait for the next one.
• 
  Niki Trento

  A must read series!