Description: Adira and the Dark Horse, by award-winning and Amazon best-selling author, Susan Marshall, is suspenseful as both a slow burn and a fast paced, lyrical journey of Romantic spirit, courage, community and love in danger. A fusion of metaphysical mystery and small town romance, it is an atmospheric and gripping page turner in search of truth and justice.
In hiding from the dangerous dark horse in Redbank, Private Detective Adira Cazon's spirit is restless in memories of her origin, Mira: upheaving sand and heart; panic and sweat; traumatic tragedy and her missing mother, Maricelle's light in tallow. Somewhere in the present poetry of fallen red, green and gold; forest custodian, Jacqueline's close connection with nature; as well as the weathered letters from Empress Celine of Mira, lies a deep dark truth.As Redbank faces the threat of an illegal trade operation and Girl flees from persecution in Mira, Adira's own two worlds collide. On the run, Adira swears to protect Girl and soon discovers a much deeper connection to land, silk, a pleading people and the spirit of Girl's ancestor, Aisha, in danger and romantic love. Under the constant constellation, Orion, Adira seeks refuge and remnant love. As the dark horse lures, her spirit is scarred by the estrangement of her husband Mitch. Has he betrayed her?Adira is determined to outwit the dark horse ...Brief description: Susan L. Marshall is an international bestselling Australian author, poet, theatre practitioner, illustrator of visual metaphysics and a literary architect. A multi-award recipient for business, education, civics and authorship, she works as an independent contemporary experimentalist, coining the framework of Soulful Formalism through her monumental essay: The Speculative Craft and her visionary essay: Fragmentique: Susan L. Marshall's Signature Technique. Her lyrical and mystical writing utilises metaphysical minimalism to channel fluid reality into relatable, minimalist sanctuaries. Literary Revolution and The Non-Linear Labyrinth: Susan revolutionised Contemporary Metaphysical literature, moving away from chaotic avant-gardism and over-emotionalism of traditional Romanticism. Favouring the introspective Late Romantic era as it transitioned into Impressionism and Minimalism, she reconstructs fragments and builds text like a multi-layered labyrinth. Guided by her speculative craft, these pathways enable readers to discover profound metaphysical truths and a sanctuary for the contemporary romantic spirit. The Painterly and Architectural Approach: Approaching the page dynamically, Susan's methodology is deeply painterly, layering ideas on a multi-dimensional canvas to create fluid harmony. Her architecture is renown for its active void: using gaps on the page to promote reader reflection. Her unique style is deeply informed by Ancient Greek studies, 17th century Metaphysical Poetry, Japanese Metaphysical Philosophy; also during her extensive travels throughout Europe, including: France, Italy, and Spain and her native Australia. Story Playscapes and Global Standing: Drawing a vast audience through early études, Marshall established Story Playscapes to pioneer the metaphysical genre. An internationally acclaimed bestseller and Top Story Award recipient at Vocal Media for Wild Love at Christmas Eve and Love's Arena, her publications are distributed across more than 210 countries, with bestsellers including: Bare Spirit, Wild Soul, Princess Zyra's Lost Storm and Adira and the Dark Horse. Theatre Playscapes: Susan established Theatre Playscapes, a theatrical style operating as a living architecture for the stage. Introduced in Fleur of Yesterday and preceded by All the Hope We Carry, this innovative style channels shifting contours to support the cognitive and energetic development and wellbeing of young adults through structured, intentional spaces.
Review Quotes:
"Susan Marshall is a Metaphysical Empress. In a dark world of resistance, she masterfully sets Private Detective Adira Cazon's pure feminine spirit alight. Deeply intelligent, courageous, raw and sensual, Adira, the woman, is a tour de force."
-Maggie Vasalla, Independent Reviewer.
"Susan Marshall's strong ability to peel back the intricate layers of Private Detective Adira Cazon and alight her feminine spirit in a dangerously dark world, is a stroke of metaphysical genius. Admirably, we have a pure woman sleuth: her courage, sensuality, fragility, care and conviction make us love her and yearn for her success against the dark horse. Adira is by far my favourite woman detective to date."
-Hendrick Jorgensen, Independent Reviewer.