Shadow of the Gypsy

 Shadow of a gypsy review

Life has a way of sideswiping you just when you think you are on the right track. New name, new look and hopefully getting his act straight , Josh finds himself back where he was years ago in the clutches of a man he thought was no longer an issue. Zharko is his nemesis an amoral figure with no ability to play it honest or straight. Learning his trade from the Red Mafia and shared several times by the author how he got in difficult situations in his native country, Hungary with a rolling carnival knife act. Living in Waterbury an ethnic diversity In Connecticut , he ran his illegal trade, was deported and now to the chagrin of poor Josh , he returned armed with a strong hold on Josh he had over him and his mother . The flashbacks to his nightmares stem from something he witnessed out in the woods that caused Zharko to take action sending Josh away to boarding school in the Cumberland Gap of Tennessee. Added in when we learn more about the hold he has over Josh, the author relates about a promissory note he signed under duress which makes Zharko’s return more upsetting and his demands on Josh changes the his life causing him to have to pay back a debt in an unusual and most likely illegal way. 

Added in this would make it difficult for Josh and Molly to have a real relationship. Let’s not forget his mother who realizes did not want her son around and as a result she becomes more than involved with Zharko.

Zharko was deported and Josh now knows that Vlad his henchman were not far away. 

Josh glanced at the contract he unwittingly co-signed and he thought of intercepting some telling incriminating evidence to present to his boss ,Paul who he had to convince that there was a story to be told if he gets the information he needs. 

Calling his estranged mother leaving a message letting her know he would be coming by to discuss the bind Zharko had over him related to the note. First he’d make a list of things to do, next digging up background on Zharko’s criminal activity and dealings, scoping out the origins of the note and make a move. His meeting with the lawyer and his revelations let Josh wonder which side he’s on. Making him feel grateful to Zharko. 

In his room he booted up his laptop and hoped it would help him learn more about Zharko his deportation, his dealings and more. 

There were others involved like what Vlad did to JJ’s uncle Fredo on Zharko’s orders. Placating his boss to keep his job and dealing with Sal who made the rules at the warehouse and remembering Zharko did not want any connection to the mafia. Josh reveals some incriminating facts about  Zharko to his boss and we learn about the illegal trafficking and more. Calls from Raul and chapter 21 adds more information and Zharko wanting the information from Raul and more. Denials, lies and more threatening remarks and more research. 

But the threats are raised and Josh is attacked and Zharko learns that someone might be after him for eliminating the person’s nephew from the action .Just how will author Shelly Frome connect all the dots? Reminding himself of how he got started, who helped him an what is next move was. 

Things escalate and the truth behind what Zharko has planned but Josh is caught in the middle of what Sal has devised for him but will the special agent come to his rescue as Zharko is out of hand and those involved with him even more. 

When the final scenes are in place and the truth behind what was in the crates that Zharko had them cleaning and placing as if it was a store opening. A surprise ending but what happens to those involved remains to be seen as Josh Bartlett learns the true meaning of betrayals, deceptions, loyalty and hope. Shadows lurking everywhere but just which one is the Shadow of the gypsy?

Fran Lewis just reviews