The Shadows was my first book to read by Alex North. This is not my typical genre, but this book was recommended to me by a friend. I enjoyed listening to this book. The story was exciting and held my attention. The narrators did a great job with the story. I would recommend this book to friends and customers.

After having read and loved The Whisper Man by Alex North I was super excited to see where he would go next. And I was not disappointed.

The story follows our main character Paul who returns to his hometown of Gritten to see his dying mother after 25 years of staying well away. The reason for that is the horrific murderwhich happened there all those years ago committed by people he thought of as friends - mainly the leader of their friendship group, Charlie Crabtree who afterwards was never seen again. Back in present day there now seems to be a copy cat killer on the loose making Detective Amanda who is investigating the case question if there is a possibility that Charlie is still alive.
‘The Shadows’ is a super atmospheric book which is incredible as I sometimes find that element is easily lost when it comes to audiobooks. This thriller explores lucid dreaming which is a big reason why I wanted to read this book as it’s something I’m very interested in but haven’t read much about.
As an avid thriller reader I was pleasantly surprised I couldn’t predict any of the plot twists - this book had me gasping in shock on public transport! North has a talent of building tension, making you not want to put his books down until you know what has happened and I really appreciate that.

Unfortunately I didn’t love the narrators of this but that is by no means the books fault.
Overall this was a solid thriller I’ll definitely be recommending to fellow thriller lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for and advanced readers copy!

Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook I received in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first Alex North novel, and I cannot wait to go back and read “The Whisper Man” next. The audiobook had me engaged. I thought the narrators were fantastic, and the story even better. I had many questions throughout the story, and they were all answered by the end, which I did not see coming. I recommend this thriller to anyone. I can’t wait to read what else Alex North comes up with.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC of The Shadows. It is a great, twisty thriller & I truly enjoyed it. The narrators & the production of the audio was great. Since there were so many twists & turns, I was glad that I had a physical copy of the book from the library to refer back to. I found myself having to flip back or rewind to make sure that I didn't miss something. The Shadows is a great read, but I would say that I enjoyed The Whisper Man more.

Alex North is a master storyteller. I absolutely loved the Whisper Man, and The Shadows proves Alex North is much more than just a stellar debut novel.
Like The Whisper Man, The Shadows is told from multiple points of view, though not as many. There is a good bit more language in this book than the other book - lots of F-words, mostly at the beginning where there are lots of conversations between teenage boys. The two books are not connected, however Detective Amanda Beck is back on the case. This time she's looking for the root of a copycat killing that appears to have grown from a decades-old murder shrouded in mystery and urban legend.
Paul Adams is returning to his hometown of Gritten where memories best left buried threaten to overwhelm him. He hasn't been back since college, and wouldn't be now except that his ailing mother has taken a turn for the worse. In her fog and confusion, the past and the present intertwine. But as current events start to spiral out of control, Paul begins to realize his mother may be the sane one and that the past is far from buried and gone.
This story has twist after twist that I didn't see coming.
As for the technical aspects - I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator of this audiobook. He reads naturally and gives each character distinction. My major issue was that due to some initial hiccups with the NetGalley Shelf App, I kept losing my place when I would hit pause, and it was difficult to find it again because the chapter numbers did not match up with the section numbers on the audio. I think introduction was "1", and prologue was "2", making chapter one "section 3". I would prefer a format where the the audio breaks match the chapter breaks in number. Other than that, I highly recommend this as an audiobook.
All in all, Alex North is now in the "If he writes it, I'll read it!" category.

(I want to thank NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and the author for this ARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review.)

Paul Adams goes back to his hometown after 25 years because his elderly mother has health issues. The reason why he hadn't come back for so long is that he had terrible memories about a murder that occurred in his teenage years, and this haunted him. In high school, Paul and his best friend, James, started hanging out with Charlie Crabtree, a dark and mysterious teenager with a twisted imagination, who insisted on the truth behind the ghost stories of the woods and the connection between this place and their dreams. The group started to develop a strange hobby, and things quickly escalated... Then, a horrible crime was committed by Charlie Crabtree, and afterward, he mysteriously vanished. What did really happen 25 years before? Detective Amanda Beck is wondering the same, as she has to investigate a new murder that followed the same pattern because some copy cats have kept the legend of Chalie's twisted story alive.

The narration: I have to say that this was the first audiobook I have ever listened to, so I chose a mystery book to keep me interested (I am a better reader than listener). This was a good choice, not just because of the story, but because the narration was great. The chapters from Paul's perspective are narrated by John Heffernan and the ones from Amanda's point of view are narrated by Hannah Arterton; so it was easier to follow. I believe both of them did a great job, as the only confusing part was when Amanda was reading some chats on an online forum because the usernames had several random letters and numbers. I enjoyed the peace of their narration and how it got faster during the most exciting parts of the book. The intonation, voices, and speed seemed great to me. I really liked this experience because it was not flat at all.

What I liked: This story was also perfect for my first experience with an audiobook as the book has many surprises and turns. Most chapters end with a cliffhanger, so I just wanted to keep listening one more, and then another, and so on. The mystery is well constructed and creepy enough, especially when they talk about that awful doll. The author had a good idea when he decided to alternate some chapters about the present and some about before, as that kept the feeling of a thriller, but it also showed the connections between both times and highlighted important symbols for the plot. I loved the character of Jenny, she was definitely my favorite because she felt like the most realistically made. The character's development was interesting and not forced, especially Amanda's. It was also pretty cool that all of my questions were answered and the ending had some details that made it a nice/disturbing symmetrical closure.

What I didn't like: The part of the ending regarding Paul and the woods seemed to me kind of rushed or forced, and this was precisely a moment that could have been very exciting, but it wasn't as much. I felt the story had some creepy elements that could have frightened me a lot, but it did not happen. So, overall I liked the book, but there was a little extra missing for me.

I listened to this audiobook in Libby from my local library before the new app was released. I absolutely loved this audiobook. I am not really even a huge fan of audiobooks, but this one had me gripped. Man, it was creepy! The cover and description alone give off that vibe, but the story is just gripping and weird. One of my fav elements of this story was the element of flashbacks. This is something that is either executed very well or can detract from the overall feel of the flow of the story. This was done so well!!

I'm really excited about how well this psychological thriller turned out. In fact, it's turned me on to the genre and led me into discovering some new excellent reads.

I was provided a copy of the audiobook via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed both of the narrators. It helped to keep track of which perspective and plot line we were following. They both did a good job building the suspense and adding emotion when necessary and distinguishing between the characters.

The premise of this is really cool, Paul and the group of boys he is hanging out with start dabbling with lucid dreaming. Charlie, the leader of the dream investigations, truly believes he can manifest things while dreaming and convinces the other boys of the same. Paul leaves the group to their own devices, but eventually their town is rocked to its core when two of the boys commit murder and Charlie disappears never to be heard from again. The case becomes somewhat of an urban legend until we fast forward 25 years and an eerily similar murder occurs. Paul happens to be back in town visiting his ailing mother and during a few moments of clarity she makes some strange remarks that lead him to start digging around his childhood home.

This is told from alternating timelines of past and present from main character Paul's perspective and we also get the perspective of Detective Amanda Beck who you may remember from [book:The Whisper Man|41940236]. Both books are 100% standalone, but there she returns as a detective and some place names are mentioned. You do not need to read either book to read the other, but I do recommend The Whisper Man, it was one of my favorite thrillers of 2019. This has the same creepy feel as North's previous work, which only builds as the mystery unfolds. I did feel that the ending felt a bit rushed as everything came together in a hurry. Everything is sort of revealed all at once and it is alot to absorb. I will say this is the rare case where I had no idea what was happening until I was told.

Overall, I enjoyed this and flew through the audiobook in about 3 days. I'm looking forward to whatever creepy ominous thriller Alex North comes up with next!

Ewww! Creepy, dark, chilling! YES Please, I’ll take some more! Kids in this book are FREAKY disturbed so let me tell you, be ready. If you don’t like creepy, unsettling, tension then this one isn’t for you, but man, I couldn’t get thru this one fast enough and was then bummed I tore thru it so fast. Oh well.....good read, well written!

"The Shadows" is an intriguing, twisty read from Alex North. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Hannah Arterton and John Heffernan. Both narrators do a grand job of bringing the characters and story to life. I was particularly entranced by the concept of lucid dreaming and its place in the story. My favourite character was Marie; although not a main player as such I really warmed to her. I also loved the cover design on this book.

After just recently reading North's debut, The Whisper Man, I knew I needed to get my hands on a copy of his newest release, The Shadows. Told in duel timelines, this novel follows a group of friends and two towns that are suddenly stuck in a nightmare. In both timelines, a child is brutally murdered in a ritualistic and eerily familiar way. We explore the connections between the cases, deal with the fallout, navigate the complexities of lucid dreaming and are introduced to a being simply called "red hands". North is able to maintain a level of tension that has you nervous to turn the lights out and also intrigued and concerned by the possibilities of our own dreams.

This was very creepy and would be an excellent halloween read. The Slender Man vibes are heavy, but in a good way. North does a great job of merging fast passed thriller with old school horror and I can't seem to get enough. My big complaint was that the reveals didn't have a lot of fanfare and I found myself rereading because I was a little confused and I thought I had missed something. They are still great reveals, I just felt like the build up wasn't as dramatic as I tend to like. Also, the author blatantly spoils several Stephen King books, which just feels sort of crappy in general. Overall, I did very much enjoyed this book. I was genuinely spooked and was nervous to have nightmares after reading some of the sections. I would definitely recommend saving this for the fall when the dark forest feels will be at an all time high and really add to the spine tingling nature of the story.

I listened to Alex North's previous book - The Whisper Man - and really enjoyed it. I was eager to listen to his newest - The Shadows.

The covers of both titles feature handprints - with a bit more when you look closely. I liked the elongated shadows and the figures making their way into .....?

The Shadows opens with a horrific crime in a small English village. Now, it's one you've read in the papers before. Or so I thought. I was wrong - there's so much more to this crime.

Paul Adams was a schoolboy when it happened. It involved the boys he thought were his friends. One died, one went to prison - and one - Charlie - was never seen again. That was twenty five years ago. Paul left the village and never returned, until now. And only because his mother is dying. And then - another boy is killed in a neighbouring village - and his death seems to be a copy of that old crime. Is Charlie back?

I'm not going to spoil things for you - the method of murder is frightening - and very, very creepy. (I love creepy!) Things start happening to Paul - someone following him, flashes of the past and what's in his mother's attic. (Attics or basements always house the gotcha stuff, don't they?) What's happening now? And what really happened then?

North does subtle creepy really, really well. A sound, a name, a memory, a possibility. The reader knows there is something bad out there and it is the anticipation that ramps up the creepiness factor over and over again. I loved the building tension. The Shadows are the woods behind Paul's boyhood home. The description of the woods themselves is enough to give you goosebumps.

I appreciate not being able to predict a plot. There was no way to know where North's story was headed and how it would end.

I chose to listen to The Shadows. The readers were Hannah Arterton and John Heffernan. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I become much more immersed in a tale when I listen. The Shadows absolutely was better for me in audiobook format. Both readers have lovely British accents that are easy to understand. They both enunciate well and speak clearly. Heffernan has a wonderfully expressive voice that captured the tone and tenor of the plot. The gravelly tone of his voice was perfect for the uncertainty, the danger and the spookiness of the book. Arterton did a good job as well - she too has an expressive voice that's easy on the ears. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of The Shadows.

Another atmospheric listen from North. I'll be watching for his next book.

I loved The Whisper Man and jumped on the audiobook of The Shadow Friend when I saw it on Netgalley. I'm just getting into audiobooks and what better way than with an authors whose previous book I really enjoyed.

However, this was a DNF for me. It simply couldnt hold my attention and I found my mind wandering every time I put it on. A bit repetitive and dragged out, I'm sorry to say it wasn't for me.

Thank you the opportunity and I look forward to more from this author.

The Shadows by Alex North is a thriller novel, where we see in present detective Amanda Beck who visits Gritten to solve a copycat killing case of Michael Price. This leads her to the house of Paul Adams, who is a childhood friend of Charlie Crabtree.

25 years ago, a murder took place the same way with murderer being Charlie Crabtree. A murder with red hand prints, lots of red hand prints around. The same story repeats now. Paul Adams returns to her childhood town to meet her mother who is suffering from dementia.

Talking about the plot, it wasn't moving. I was waiting for the plot to pick up until I realised I am already reaching the end of the book. I wanted more thriller. The book definitely did not meet my expectations according to the hype it has been getting around.

I listened to the audiobook, which was very well narrated so I suggest you to check that out. The end wasn't satisfying at all either. It's a psychological thriller which talks about lucid dreaming, and a ritualistic murder by a group of friends. We see Paul Adam's narration alternatively between his past and present.
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Thank You to NetGalley and Publisher for providing me with the e-copy in exchange for a honest opinion.

Thank you SO MUCH to Netgalley, Alex North, Hannah Arterton, John Heffernan, and Macmillan Audio for giving me this audiobook in exchange for a review.

Overall, The Shadows was a relatively intriguing novel that I found myself thinking about between listening sessions. I enjoyed the concept of horror surrounding dreams, but I wished this aspect was given more attention! I am very thankful I listened to this book on audio, I struggled to keep straight which character was narrating within which timeline, and as soon as the narrators became unreliable I really started to lose my bearings. However, the actual narrators of the book were incredibly well cast and kept the story moving and flowing well!

I struggled to particularly connect to any of the characters, and that may have been my own doing as I did not realize this was a companion to The Whisper Man. I think this novel would translate incredibly well to a screenplay, however, I wish it had been a little more fleshed out in bookish form: the characters, the dreaming, and some of the plot points that I felt were left unresolved.

Creepy and atmospheric. Haunting and dark. This was a decent story made more chilling by the excellent audiobook narration. I hate to minute but I think there’s some thing about Alex North’s writing that just does not work for me. I really found this book confusing, convoluted, and dare I say boring. However the story was redeemed for me by the stellar audiobook narration. Hannah Arterton and John Heffernan really amplified the tension, atmosphere, and creep factor in this story. I usually prefer to listen to my books than read them, but in the case of this one it was imperative for my enjoyment. I really hate to give less than a stellar review, but this was just not the right fit for me, but I’ve seen many wonderful reviews.

*** Big thank you to Macmillan Audio for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

This is rather difficult to review. I loved the writing. The two main characters are well drawn, relatable, and sympathetic. The story is told in two time periods. Twenty years ago a group of boys began experimenting with lucid dreaming. The end result was a murder, but were the boys delusional, or were they truly able to affect reality from inside their dreams. In the present day, another murder occurs, mimicking the earlier one, bringing nightmares to one of the boys who has returned to the village for the first time.

The problem is that the story can't quite decide what it is. Is it a mystery? A Stephen King offshoot? I didn't notice until I had finished it that it bills itself as a *novel*, committing to no specific genre. I wanted to love it, but in the end, I felt let down. Questions left unanswered, plot holes left unfilled.

I received this through NetGalley for review as an audiobook. Technically, it was perfect. There are alternating readers, both of whom are excellent.

Personally I didn’t vibe with this story at all I tried physically reading it as well as the audio and it just didn’t work. I barely know what happened and it was boring and confusing. I don’t even know what else to say because I’m so underwhelmed and glad to be done.

I enjoyed this book, although I did get a bit lost at times. The book is set in two timelines and with a lot of characters between both. There was a good level of tension and mystery that kept me interested right to the end.
I would definitely like to read more from this author.

Thank you so much NetGally for an opportunity to listen to this audiobook. I love the story already, but an amazing narration made this book even better. You won't be able to put it down. Great and both captivating and thought provoking. This is a story of a notorious murder case that haunted Paul Adams for 25 years, a story of missed chances, lifelong loneliness, and dealing with unbearable guilt.