Member Reviews

I'm so happy. I read Alex North's The Whisper Man earlier this year and it blew me away. So, naturally, I was super hyped for its follow up, The Shadows. But so far this year, I've been pretty disappointed by all of my "most anticipated" reads. I wanted to be cautious with my expectations going into The Shadows, but ultimately THAT didn't happen because I have literally no chill.

The Shadows was so good that I finished reading it and immediately started the audiobook. Which was also perfect. This book, you all, this book. I'm still not over it.

The story is not exactly what I was expecting, and that's a good thing. It builds very slowly, and I realize that's not appealing to everyone, but I love books like that. And I cannot express to you how worth it it is. The way everything plays out, the way information is given just a little bit at a time, it all builds up to a stunning twist and a fantastic finale. The whole time I was reading, I could just feel it. The tension, the excitement, the need for answers. It was one of those instances where I had to cover the page ahead of where I was reading or else I would spoil myself. I couldn't take in the words fast enough.

And then there was THAT TWIST. OH MY GOD. WHAT THE ACTUAL HECK. I, um, I definitely did not see it coming. I'm still shocked by it. It made listening to the audiobook even more fun, because I was able to listen and look for clues that I missed. And it was still shocking the second time. The foreshadowing in this book was excellent. I'd be truly impressed by anyone who could figure out exactly what is going on before it's all revealed. But once you know, it's so so much fun to go back and think about all of the sly hints left. The re-readability is strong with this one, let me tell you.

I loved the characters! I was afraid I wouldn't get as attached as I did to the ones in The Whisper Man, but turns out I didn't need to worry about that, and I realized it pretty quickly after I started reading. I don't want to say too much about the characters themselves, because of some interesting marketing choices and the fact that I think it's best to go into this one pretty blind. So I'm asking for trust here, but these characters are very easy to get behind. Their voices are distinct, their stories are thoughtful and play together very well, and they're just plain entertaining to read.

I love this book. I love this book so much. I feel like I use the phrase 'instant favorite' a bit loosely sometimes, but I truly mean it here. The Whisper Man left me floored; The Shadows left me reeling. I would even recommend it to people who don't usually read crime thrillers because it's. Just. That. Good. Masterful storytelling that leaves you guessing at what's real and what isn't, and makes you question putting trust in your own dreams. I was just so impressed the entire time I was reading. The audiobook narrators are spot on, perfectly capturing the feel of this book and the voices of their characters. I'm already trying to figure out a way to squeeze this back into my reading schedule. If you like crime thrillers, you'll love The Shadows. If that's not your normal type of read, let this be the book that gets you out of your comfort zone. I promise it will be worth it. You may not sleep well for a few nights after reading, but it's worth it.

Was this review helpful?

I read The Whisper Man last year and it was haunting to the point I was double checking my doors and windows were locked. While The Shadows was not as haunting as he debut novel, the plot build up and plot twist was evolutionary. I thought the novel was slow to build at first, but the ending was fast paced and kept on twisting and turning in an unexpected way. I can usually predict the turns (hello psychology major degree), but he took the novel in so many unexpected ways which kept my on my toes. Highly recommend for individuals interested in thrillers.

Was this review helpful?

Alex North has brought back the terrifying energy of the Whisper Man in his new book, The Shadows. Twenty-five years ago, a case shook the small village of Gritten, and Paul and his friends were never the same.

North's ability to make you distrust almost everyone, including the narrator themselves, without outright disliking a character is incredible. You never know who did it, or if it was the supernatural, or all of the above. This story had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Macmillan and Netgalley gave me the audiobook for an honest review, which I will now be addressing the audiobook portion of the story. I enjoyed the reading of this, and both of the narrators. I will say, Netgalley's audiobook player is pretty terrible, and I'm hoping that with time they make some improvements to it. This did take away from my listening enjoyment. That aside, the readers do a fantastic job at keeping you intrigued in the story, and are well spoken.

**Review will be posted on 7/22/2020

Was this review helpful?

This was the first time I finished an audiobook straight through that was a normal length (not a novella, for example)! I really loved the narrators, and their acting was top-notch throughout. They really lended to the atmosphere and altogether just made the experience great. Will be looking into more spooky audiobooks now.

Was this review helpful?

This book was entertaining. I read Alex North's first book and enjoyed it as well, but I did not LOVE it as much as a lot of the public. This novel had a similar effect on me. Though I have not read a lot of reviews for it yet, I know how highly anticipated it is.

If you liked North's first novel, this one is also enjoyable (enjoyable in a horrific and creepy way).

Was this review helpful?

I was very excited to get to listen to this audiobook. Unfortunately it missed the mark for me overall. So on the positive side I really did like the narrators as there was two different one. Each one was easy to understand and the tone was upbeat enough that it was entertaining to listen to. I also really liked the premise of lucid dreams as I have experimented with this before and I have never heard this topic come up in a fiction book before. In addition, I think the ending of the book was very well done and the story was wrapped up neatly. In terms of the challenges for me, I just found the story a bit confusing to follow at times especially with the jumping back and forth in the timelines.

Was this review helpful?

Well, it does begin with a rather disturbing scenario in the prologue which prepares you for a wild story. A detective 25 years later facing a similar disturbing crime scene. This crime scene is oddly staged with a tableau and red hand prints carefully placed around it. What is one to make of such a coincidence? Or is it? A man visits his mother after 25 years away where she is in hospice dying from dementia and cancer. What does she say when she wakes up and sees her son after 25 years? “You shouldn’t be here!” “There are red hands everywhere!”
If that isn’t enough to get your heart racing then I think you need to finish reading this thriller!

I received a complimentary audiobook from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an unbiased review.

The prologue begins with a bloodied playground and the narrator being driven to the police station by his mother. At 15 yo he felt “responsible” for Charlie Crabtree and the tragedy that followed.

It’s 25 years since that brutal crime was committed by troubled teens. It seems their legacy lives on with the recent onset of copy cat killings. Detective Amanda Beck fights her own nightmares being the daughter of a former police officer. She makes her weekly visits to Rosewood Gardens Cemetery to connect with her father and seek guidance.

When Elliot Hick and Robby Foster are found bloodied and carrying a knife, the police are led to the crime scene in the quarry. There they discover a teenage boy on a circular stone floor surrounded by bloodied handprints.

Paul Adams returns to his hometown when contacted about his mother’s ailing health. Daphne was his mother’s hospice caretaker since her fall, cancer and worsening dementia. He sadly remembers it’s been 25 years since he last visited his mother and hometown. Although, he would call his mother he never really invested much effort in maintaining contact. He preferred to leave the past just as he left it in the shadows all those years ago.

Paul is startled when he visits his mother and discovers she had been reading a book he borrowed many years ago, The Nightmare People” with the red devil face in the cover. Suddenly, his mother boots up in bed and warns Paul that she should never have come. She screams as she recalls something from the past yelling about red hands everywhere.

As he is in town, Paul confers with a friend and former crush Jenny Chambers who had lent him “The Nightmare People”. They reminisce about the past and try piece together the dreadful events that divided all the friends. Back then, it seemed Charlie Crabtree had a following who were desperate to believe his claims of lucid dreaming. Paul was a loner who followed along until Charlie’s suggestions became to incredulous and dangerous.

It takes Paul returning to his family home to make sense of his mother’s ramblings. As Paul is trying to piece together events from the past, Detective Amanda Beck makes a visit to Billy Roberts who had been released from prison for the crime many years ago. It seems the only one who seemed to escape the scene was Charlie who was never seen again. Rumors spread that perhaps his lucid dreaming theory was true which led to copy cat killers.

This is a wild story which keeps you in the edge of your seat. There are several stories from past and present that seem to be swirling around. It was at times difficult to keep track of the many characters. Everyone wonders what happened to Charlie. What really happened that night? Why does Paul’s mother seem to have a collection of articles regarding the crime and every copy cat murder since? This book will keep your mind spinning until the end.

Was this review helpful?

This was a new author for me and I have been hearing a lot about him. This book has a cool cover and description. It was told in 2 different timelines. I listened on audible and found it difficult to keep track especially because there were also scenes with lucid dreams. The last 20% was better and wrapped everything up. Though this book wasn't a home run for me I will try this author again.

Was this review helpful?

I was very curious about this book having read a preview. Unfortunately I found hard to follow the plot and it didn't keep my attention.
I didn't like the narrator as I found the voice a bit too monotonous.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc copy of the audiobook.

I kept going back and forth between 2 and 3 stars. This is my first Alex North book even though I’ve wanted to read The Whisper Man for ages (still do)

I had a few issues with this. It didn’t really make much sense and the past and present chapters didn’t help. I found the characters weren’t very memorable, especially the group of boys so it was tricky to keep up with who was who.

The present chapters read like a completely different book. I just couldn’t keep up with what was happening.

This was high up on my most anticipated list so I’m pretty gutted that I didn’t enjoy it much

Was this review helpful?

Book Review: The Shadows by Alex North
(Published by Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio, July 7, 2020)

4.25 Stars to both the Audiobook (ARC) and the Kindle Edition

I read the Celadon book and was given the Macmillan audiobook to review.

Excellent audiobook production and presentation.

Great storyline.

Paul Adams, reasonably successful, visits his ailing mother and seemingly re-lives horrific events of his youth, along with foes and friends, old and new, alive - and dead...

-----

The author excels in exploiting a non-linear presentation of elements of the plot to subtly spring unexpected twists; and the absence of clear delineations of time, which may be confusing to some, enhances expectations and kindles an awareness to be on the alert lest subtleties be missed.

What did he just say?

A ghost or a person. Living, breathing, in a dream, haunted by spirits, blood and guts, childhood, the present - not necessarily in sequence.

Not preternaturally horrific, nothing that grips you by the throat, but pretty creepy.

All in all, a great read!

Review based on an Audiobook ARC from Macmillan Audio, Celadon Books, and NetGalley.

Was this review helpful?

The Shadows by Alex North audio version was exceptionally intriguing.

The narration was in two voices and both did exceptional jobs. The recording had a couple of rough spots where the voices were not clear but the narrators were very easy to listen to and very clear.

The Shadows Is about a group of kids that are thrown together living in the same neighborhood and going g to the same school. Charlie Crabtree is the bully of the group and gets everyone to listen to his tales about the ghosts of the forest and how they am just disappear. No one really believes it until it happens but only after a horrible murder with red hand prints left all over the crime scene. Two boys are arrested for the murder and the community is relieved until more identical murders start happening which sends Detective Amanda Berk searching through all the evidence again.

Paul Adams returns to town to visit his dying mother. As a former group member that had left town to get away from the drama he is drawn back into it because of these murders.

The Shadows is a great mystery thriller and Alex North keeps you on the edge of your seat.
#Netgalley #TheShadows #CeladonBooks

Was this review helpful?

Twenty-five years ago, a boy is killed, another disappeared, and yet another is found guilty of murder. In the present, a teenager is killed in the same manner. Is it a copycat? Or has the boy who disappeared years ago returned from The Shadows?

I hate to base a rating on an author’s prior book. However, The Whisper Man was so great, I had high expectations for The Shadows. Unfortunately, my expectations were not fulfilled.

Part of this issue is mine. I requested this book not realizing how much dreams were a part of the plot. Ever since the “dream” season premiere on Dallas, I have always disliked dreams used in stories. While I dislike using dreams as a plot device, I’m not scared of them. In this story, the characters are.

However, part of the issue is the author’s or perhaps the editor’s. I wasn’t always clear whether a chapter was set in the past or in the present. This may be partially because I’m listening to an audiobook. Still, just adding a date in front of every chapter—not just some of them—would have solved this issue.

The book also dragged a bit in the middle. Overall, read The Whisper Man first as it is a much better thriller with horror overtones. If you do decide to read The Shadows, go in with zero expectations. 3 stars.

I will still look for the author’s future books as a sophomore slump is a pretty common issue with new writers.

Thanks to Celadon Books, MacMillan Audio, and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book gave me Silent Patient vibes for some reason. The beginning is eerie and suspenseful and the setting is in England. I could definitely feel like atmosphere! However, I thought the ending was slightly lackluster. It felt like it was missing a key fact. Also, may be it is just because I guessed the ending early?

I still recommend if you're looking for an atmospheric thriller with a reasonably likeable character (which is surprisingly difficult to find in books).

Was this review helpful?

Another great suspense/thriller! The Shadows starts off so strong it sucks you right in. The first scene is a child driving past a murder scene as the driver slows down to make sure the child gets a good look. It goes back and forth from past to present. I like this type of book because it gives insight into why things happened or what things mean. There were a lot of good twists and turns and I didn’t expect everything that happened. I’ve read a lot of thrillers so one that keeps me on my toes is always good! I own Alex North’s other book and haven’t had time to read it but I will bump it up on my list now. Thank you netgalley and MacMillion audio for an Arc in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This was my first book by Alex North and I was memorized from chapter 1. The audio narration was incredible and atmospheric. Now, pardon me while I go and order the rest of Alex North's novels.

Was this review helpful?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a must read for 2020 for any thriller, horror or suspense reader! I was in and hooked and couldn’t put it away. I was given an advance audio copy of this from #netgalley. After the first thirty minutes or so of listening I knew I had to have the book, so I went to the local shop and purchased a copy to read along while listening. Amazing. Not only did the narrators do a great job narrating, but I could see the book coming alive.

I will point out that the narration differs from the book a little. The book is printed in the U.S. but the audio sounds like the U.K.. Just some of the regional differences in word usage.

As for the book there are twists and turns galore in this book. I want to point out some of my highlights from reading but I don’t want to give anything away. Just know that if you read it I believe it will be worth it.

After Whisperman I was waiting to see what Alex North came out with next and from my reviewer standpoint this was much better. Don’t get me wrong I am a fan of Whisperman but The Shadows has much more grit and texture.

Happy reading!

Was this review helpful?

After many years Paul Adams is forced to return to his home town when his mother is placed in hospice care. He has some good memories of home, mostly related to his first love Jenny, with whom he reconnects. However, those memories are overshadowed by his memories of the murder of one of his friends by 2 of his other friends when they were all teenagers. The ringleader of their little clique was Charlie Crabtree who introduced them to lucid dreaming. Charlie vanished right after the murder, but his influence lingers in the form of copycat killings. The story is told from the points of view of Paul and Amanda, a police detective investigating a recent copycat murder.

I loved the author’s prior book “The Whisper Man”. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by this one. The lucid dreaming theme was both unlikely and confusing. Not much was made of the copycat killings. For long stretches of the book I forgot they were even an issue and they weren’t resolved. I didn’t think the book was the slightest bit creepy or frightening. No matter how many times Paul was threatened, I wasn’t feeling it. There was a neat twist 3/4 of the way though the book that made me increase my rating by half a star. It’s possible that my timing was a little wrong for this book because it was my second book in 2 days that involved teenagers under the control of a manipulative bully. Maybe thriller authors need to expand their horizons a little. 3.5 stars

I received a free copy of this audio book from the publisher. The audio book narrators did a good job.

Was this review helpful?

Charlie, Paul and James were friends in school. Charlie was a dark soul. He had convinced others regarding escape into their dreams. Speaking as if it was true and he had achieved it. Now as an adult, Paul came back to the town that had a copycat of the same murder that was committed by his friends.

The story was so captivating. It's was written in a way that's more of true crime rather than from the author's imagination. The characters all had backstories. The story toggle back and forth between the past and present in Paul's voice. The twists and turns to the story had me guessing until the end. The more the story developed it did make me wonder if Charlie had been right, is there a way to achieved and withdraw into your dream.

The narrators had a nice calming voice and read at a steady speed. Their voice had a lot of emotions in certain parts of the story. I find that gives me a more realistic listening experience.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this amazing ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I’m reviewing the audiobook version of this book. This is worth noting because I think, with this particular book, it might .be easier to follow if you’re reading it versus listening to it. The book covers events from both now and 25 years ago and it’s easy to miss the transition from one time period to the next if you’re not listening super closely. I also found that there were multiple times that I wanted to go back and review something that had been mentioned earlier, which is not easy to do in audio. The story itself is interesting, although I’m still not sure I fully understand what happened, both in the past and in current day. I never felt a connection to any of the characters and still don’t feel like I really knew much about any of them. It feels like lots of things were touched on or mentioned and then just never developed or mentioned again. Mostly, I still felt kind of confused when it was over. The narration team did a credible job, although it could sometimes be a little difficult to determine who was speaking. I would recommend with the caveat that it might be better to read this particular title rather than listen to it.

Was this review helpful?