The Shadows

By Alex North

Book Overview

"This is absorbing, headlong reading, a play on classic horror with an inventiveness of its own... As with all the best illusions, you are left feeling not tricked, but full of wonder."
- The New York Times

The haunting new thriller from Alex North, author of the New York Times bestseller The Whisper Man

You knew a teenager like Charlie Crabtree. A dark imagination, a sinister smile--always on the outside of the group. Some part of you suspected he might be capable of doing something awful. Twenty-five years ago, Crabtree did just that, committing a murder so shocking that it's attracted that strange kind of infamy that only exists on the darkest corners of the internet--and inspired more than one copycat.

Paul Adams remembers the case all too well: Crabtree--and his victim--were Paul's friends. Paul has slowly put his life back together. But now his mother, old and suffering from dementia, has taken a turn for the worse. Though every inch of him resists, it is time to come home.

It's not long before things start to go wrong. Paul learns that Detective Amanda Beck is investigating another copycat that has struck in the nearby town of Featherbank. His mother is distressed, insistent that there's something in the house. And someone is following him. Which reminds him of the most unsettling thing about that awful day twenty-five years ago.

It wasn't just the murder.

It was the fact that afterward, Charlie Crabtree was never seen again...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250876303
• ISBN13: 9781250876300
• Release Date: November 2022
• Publisher: Celadon Books
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.1" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

Would highly recommend The Shadows

I was skeptical of the plot at first, worried that it was going to be just another retelling of a Reddit creepypasta that has been told a thousand times. But that was absolutely not the case. I was constantly trying to figure out what was going on, going back and rereading past chapters to make sure I wasn't missing something, and there were multiple plot twists I did not see coming. I'm very particular about horror, but I would highly recommend this book.

I Wish There Was More

I read both The Shadows and The Whisper Man and both were such fun reads. A mystery that keeps you on your toes and changing your theory consistently. I wish that there was more of these to read.

Great!

There are no spoilers in this review. This book was great! It was just the right amount of creepy thriller and murder mystery combined. The only reason it is not a 5 star book to me, personally, is that I felt like there were just a couple of loose ends left but, honestly, those may have been a very intentional choice on the authors part. There are moments where you start to question if this is really a case of the supernatural or just a man. The answer to the question of "who done it?" caught me very off guard. I always enjoy a book that keeps me guessing until it is actually laid out in the plot. I felt like this book was just as good as "The Whisper Man", which I thoroughly enjoyed as well.

The Shadows is another winner!

I really loved The Whisper Man and this next book by Alex North does not disappoint! I think it is cool that the books are linked as well. It was a nice nod to the first book to have the Detective Amanda from Featherbank. Most of the book takes place in Gritten and the story is split into before and after. The before is when Paul is a kid and friends with James, Charlie, and Billy. They are trying the succeed in lucid dreaming and connecting with each other in dreams. It is fascinating and that part (since it is quite detailed) has actually inspired me to start my own dream journal. They grow apart though, especially when there is a murder in Gritten and Billy and Charlie are guilty. Charlie however disappears and is never seen again. The after part is 25 years later and there are copycat murders happening. Could it be Charlie, or something else? I don't want to give any spoilers, but it is a good story and has many twists to keep things interesting. I highly recommend it!

Dark, twisty and terrifying

The Shadows' main character is Paul Adams who returns to his home of Gritten Wood after an absence of 25 years because his mother is in hospice, near her end. Paul left because of the horrifying murder of one of his friends by very disturbed teenagers, Charlie Crabtree and Billy Roberts. Billy confesses and is convicted, but Charlie, the instigator, disappears, never to be seen again. There are rumors that Charlie is hiding in The Shadows, the dark, sinister woods surrounding the town. There have been copycat murders over the years which fuel the idea that Charlie is still out there. This book is told through Paul's point of view but also that of Detective Amanda Beck who is investigating one of the copycat murders. The Shadows is an absolutely compelling read with multiple twists, turns and revelations. It is chilling, spooky, creepy and terrifying and impossible to put down.

Dreams and Murder

This story was a solid 4.5 stars for me. While I still find the first of Alex North's book my favorite this one was just as good and the mystery was solid. The story starts off with a crime and grabs the reader's attention immediately and it keeps going the whole time. There was a mix of solid thriller and horror and those are the best kinds of stories in my opinion. I loved the ending. I really didn't see it coming and it honestly was pretty shocking which is all I will say for fear of giving things away. The setting was a nice creepy dark feel to it with a neighborhood that has forgotten humanity which sets the perfect place for the story. If you are looking for a dark creepy summer read, this is the book for you.