As children we are told to use our imaginations, lest we close our minds off to all the wondrous possibilities of the world. As adults, we learn to use this in moderation for living solely in dreams does not generally equate to a happy and fulfilling life. Consider, for a moment, your own childhood....did you have a lot of friends? Were there times that you were alone and wanting a playmate, created an imaginary friend? What if that friend was not so imaginary, but specifically choosing to whom he will reveal his existence? Now, you've got a "friend" to pass the long hours of summer, and chase away the shadows in the night. But what if this "friend" was one of the very shadows you feared, indeed one of the worst?

In "Shroud of Beckoning" by Deb Woody, we are introduced to Carla through unfortunate means. She is not alone in the world, having both parents, an elder sister, and for a time, a younger brother. Still, most of her loved ones do not make any time for her and so she creates a "friend" on whom she can depend. Schatten, as he prefers to be called, is a shadowy creature to say the least. Perhaps most disturbing though is that fact that he appears old and decrepit when Carla is most happy, but young and gleeful when she is in deepest despair....facts that do not escape her eyes, but manage to evade connection in her thoughts. Throughout her life, Schatten is there for her, but only to his meet his own means. He is looking for a lost soul, and Carla is just the person to help lead him to it for he is able to catch glimpses of the future and foretells of a time she and it will be in close contact. Her childhood passes with so much loss and grief that many would have succumbed, but not Carla. No, she is strong and although her "friend" desires may be tainted with evil, her own are not. Her life is touched by many...Jarred, a cop whose destiny has yet to be revealed but unyielding love thrives within; Ty, a young charge assigned to Jarred with a past sealed from others as well as himself, and Mac, a police lieutenant who stands tall in the face of evil with the help of Kyle his still-born brother. All of their fates are intertwined, connecting them to a greater battle yet to be told. Who will survive the influence of pure hate? To what lengths will both sides have to go to ensure a better future?

As the first installment in a potential series, the story draws you in from beginning to end. The twists and turns of the plot create connections between the characters that are carried throughout the book. The age old tale of good triumphing over evil can be seen, but it is also shown that the struggle is sometimes greater than first anticipated and children can fall prey to its guised acts of supposed kindness. I'd recommend this book for adults as it is filled with rich detail and heart-felt emotion, but can be too graphic at times for a younger audience. The message, however, can be shared by all.