#markofshadows

Today is the shortest day of the year. For Reina, it might be her last.

When the drums surge and the city sleeps, the Winter Solstice isn't about the return of the light… it's about surviving the dark.

Nico Navarro is locked in a race against time and ancient rituals, finding out the hard way that some secrets were meant to stay buried in the Chicago underground.

​The Mark of Shadows — the darkness is deeper than you think.

Tomorrow is the shortest day of the year. For Reina, it might be her last.

When the drums surge and the city sleeps, the Winter Solstice isn't about the return of the light... it's about surviving the dark.

Nico Navarro is locked in a race against time and ancient rituals, finding out the hard way that some secrets were meant to stay buried in the Chicago underground.

​The Mark of Shadows — the darkness is deeper than you think.

The agent stepped closer, his voice dropping. “Search your soul, Mr. Navarro. Even the darkest of shadows can’t hold back the brightest of lights.” ~ The Mark of Shadows, by H A Bustos

The Mark of Shadows A Noir Mystery Releasing Spring 2025

Nico Navarro knows darkness all too well. A recovering addict and a private investigator on the mean streets of Chicago, Nico's life is a constant battle between the demons of his past and the unsettling visions that torment his nights. But when a mysterious woman draped in black walks into his office, her desperate plea for help pulls him into a case with far-reaching consequences—secrets so dangerous, they may be worth dying for.

Cryptic symbols, long-lost faces, and a tattoo he doesn't remember getting—each clue pushes Nico further into a world of crime, corruption, and a puzzle that seems to be tied to his very soul. In order to solve the case, Nico must confront the darkness within, risking everything he's fought to rebuild: his sobriety, his sanity, and the lives of those closest to him.

The Mark of Shadows is a riveting story of redemption, psychological suspense, and supernatural mystery. Perfect for fans of hard-boiled detectives, twisty mysteries, and stories that linger long after the last page is turned.

Will Nico uncover the truth before it’s too late, or will the shadows claim him for good?