Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Frank's Shadow by Doug McIntyre revolves around Danny McKenna, whose recent loss of his father, Frank, occurs on the same day as Frank Sinatra's death. Danny is tasked with delivering his father's eulogy, but Frank, a WWII veteran, is a man Danny struggles to fully understand. Danny's emotional state worsens, and he finds solace in watching Frank Sinatra on TV. At Frank's funeral, Danny, under the influence of alcohol and medication, becomes belligerent, leading to chaos and physical confrontations with family members. Later, Danny becomes implicated in the death of a woman he met. The narrative alternates between Danny's experiences and his father's wartime journey, juxtaposed with Frank Sinatra's rise to fame on US soil. As Danny deals with numerous problems, dark secrets from his father's past are revealed, adding to the complexity of their family history.

Doug McIntyre weaves a lot of themes through his novel Frank's Shadow, and while the story is titled in a double-entendre of the Franks, this is a story that is truly about Danny. It is also a symbol of war, whether that is fought on the front lines or against addiction. Both force the combatant into a place where they see the same thing through a different lens: death and destruction. McIntyre does an excellent job of describing the journey of each man. Frank McKenna is taken from the people he loves, and how McIntyre depicts the horrors of war is visually incredible. The fact that the war follows Frank home and the legal battles is beautifully contrasted with Danny's return home and his own legal battles. Both are innocent of what they are accused of, and knowing that makes us as readers feel deeply for them. When we connect with the characters emotionally, an author has crafted something really special. Meanwhile, Frank Sinatra is safe at home, lingering in the shadows of his own journey. Overall, this is a piece of literary fiction worth reading. Very highly recommended.