Reviews for Shadow of a Doubt

The average rating for Shadow of a Doubt based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2009-02-09 00:00:00 Andy Johnson Ernest "Shadow" Thompson is a teenaged social outcast of the self-imposed variety. He dresses all in black. Yet this is not why he insists upon being called "Shadow." He insists upon this moniker because, until seven years prior, he followed his older brother everywhere, becoming his virtual "shadow" (get it?). Seven years prior, Shadow's brother ran away after Mom and Dad laid down the law with him, and the boy was never heard from again... until he calls from prison, accused of having killed a man in Denver. On its own, the plot sounds like a winner - the deeper look into a family both split and rejoined on several levels. However, it is not an enlightening read. This is due to several factors: - Shadow is a whiner. He cannot accept simple rules without receiving a detailed explanation as to why something is the way it is (for example, why he must remove his sunglasses for a photo I.D., or why a certain school project is pertinent to him specifically, etc.). So when his brother comes home for the first time in seven years (on bail, remember), Shadow prefers to spend his time alone in his bedroom, or after school hitting on the first female student he encounters that school year. - Shadow's parents are two-dimensional caricatures of the Modern American Parent. They're strict, but not so much as to give them any depth of character. They're flexible to the point of being "shadows" themselves. Wholly predictable in nature, these parents are interchangable with most any other generic parent in television or in the movies. - The situation itself, being almost downright surreal for the majority of readers, is treated in a decidedly blase manner. No one discusses the homicide case directly, save for Shadow's sarcastic barbs (of the "How come I get to be punished when he goes to jail for murder?" variety). Instead, everyone watches rental movies, or eats take-out pizza, or hangs out at the local pool house for hours, or... - In fact, it is Shadow's extra-curricular activities (and proclivities, with the girl who seemingly wants nothing to do with him yet fits in with every other teenage storyline stereotype) which receive the most focus. Shadow joins the forensics team, for lack of anything better to do. He shrugs his way through debate preparations, and the reader is apparently supposed to take up the slack for his own apathy. Yawn. Shadow of a Doubt - Shadow of an After-School Special would seem more appropriate a title.

Review # 2 was written on 2008-05-11 00:00:00 El-ad David Amir Reviewed by Mark Frye, author and reviewer for TeensReadToo.com In SHADOW OF A DOUBT, author S. L. Rottman tackles several issues superbly, weaving the plot and subplots into a multi-layered novel teens will love. While the main issue is family reconciliation, other subjects include alienation, friendship, and the stigma of having a relative in the criminal justice system. The main character, Shadow, has had to deal with the absence of his older brother for nearly half his life. But when Daniel returns, the entire family's life is turned upside down. Their mom and dad have many questions but tread softly, not wanting to alienate their returned prodigal son. Shadow resents the warm welcome and the "molly-coddling" Daniels receives from them, particularly in light of the murder charge hanging over his head. As the parents try to allow Daniel to come and go as he pleases as he waits for his trial, Shadow feels overprotected and resents his lack of freedom. He has joined the Debate Team at school and gradually finds a sense of belonging. But the questions linger about Daniel's guilt or innocence and tension builds in the home as the trial draws near. In the end, Shadow must confront his parents, his brother, and his own suspicions and fears in order to grow as an individual. This proves to be extremely challenging, making SHADOW OF A DOUBT an engaging read. The characters are well-rounded, the dialogue quite realistic, and the raw emotions of a family in turmoil ring true. Rottman has accurately portrayed a family's pain as they cope with loss and recovery, two roads exceedingly difficult for parents and their children. Recommended.