Reviews of Chasing Shadows

‘One of the stories of the year [2008] that reveals most compellingly why migrants settled in [Liverpool] without quite becoming part of it is J Carmen Smith’s Chasing Shadows…The result is not just a piece of family history but an account of a complex series of lives over a period of a hundred and fifty years shared between two countries…’
(The University of Liverpool’s Reader Magazine, Issue No 33, Spring 2009)

‘Having just finished [Chasing Shadows], I had to write and let you know how much I enjoyed it – every minute of it! I was reluctant to finish it and read the last few pages very slowly! The characters became people I really cared about…fascinating, warm and very real…’ (J.O., Isle of Man)

‘I feel as though I already know these people…’ (D.R., Lancashire)

‘Couldn’t put it down, stayed up until 5am reading it…’ (M.G., Lancashire)

‘Just a quick note to let you know how much I loved reading [Chasing Shadows]! Once I had started to read it, I couldn’t put it down and was desperate to get to the next chapter each time I finished one. I knew my mum would love it so I gave it to her to read and she finished it in two days!!’ (A.M., Wigan)

‘It’s the kind of book I want to pick up again as soon as I’ve put it down…the queen of the cliffhanger, prose that slips easily past the eye, characterisation to make you care…’ (J.G.O., London)

‘I love the way [Chasing Shadows] has a chapter about your searches and then a chapter where you live out the story of your family…I feel I am in Spain throughout with your excellent descriptions and feeling for character…’
(Loretta Proctor, author of The Crimson Bed, www.lorettaproctor.co.uk)