I usually love thrillers set in creepy, atmospheric settings such as haunted houses, but this one didn't give me enough of that eeriness to feel like it was a haunted thriller. I will say though that despite the lack of hauntedness, I was very pleased this did not have a paranormal explanation ending because I feel those are too easy and convenient. I was happy to see this had a logical conclusion. I felt like the characters weren't developed fully so I had a hard time connecting with all of them. Overall, I thought this was just an okay thriller but had a good ending. I did find myself losing attention and having to rewind the audiobook several times though. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There were some good twists and turns in this book, especially the big one at the end that I admittedly didn't see coming. However, I felt like the novel wasn't quite sure what it wanted to be. Was it strictly a mystery? A semi-horror novel? If it was the latter, I didn't quite get full on horror vibes, more just things that were creepy. They were definitely compelling, but once things started to get explained, I didn't feel the need to read each and every word of the last several chapters. In fact, I skimmed most of them and got the idea of what was happening.

Also, I feel like some elements were either rushed or not fully explained. It's interesting that Anna Downes added Kara as a character to offer readers the juxtaposition between handling a baby and a teenager at the same time, but it was weird how the baby always seemed happier with everyone else except her mother. At one point, I wondered if there was something truly sinister going on with her -- that she was being harmed by someone in the village or possibly even Alex herself -- and was happy that wasn't the case. It still just felt odd.

Also, Alex makes several references to her own tough childhood, but we never really get to know enough about her to see how that would fully impact her life choices. The inciting incident with Stuart, too, seemed promising, but I felt like that whole part of the book was under developed. Honestly, I don't think Stuart was even necessary (except for one subplot point that I won't fully share here because it would be a spoiler, but for those of who you have read the book I'm referring to the Tupperware.) Most of the book has nothing to do with him; it has to do with Alex's insecurities and suspicions regarding the village. The whole revealing conversation with Kit, too, felt like it kind of barreled through the last few chapters.

Regardless, Anna Downes did an excellent job of setting the stage with the village, and it's always fun to read a book set in Australia. This would be a good one to pick up for the creepiness factor that's dialed up to just the right level.

This is a story about shadows.

This book was a solid, creepy mystery. I most definitely thought it was leading up to something supernaturally nefarious, but it was really an exploration of people. I also appreciated seeing a single mother in the MC role!


Thank you so much Netgalley & Minotaur Books!

Ooh time goes by and if i don't write the review right away...sigh. I'm trying to be better. The best i can do right now is give a star count...

Loved this and the Safe Place. i look forward to something new from Anna Downes.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. It's creepy, suspenseful, and the mystery is pretty interesting. I will say, I did find Alex (main character) a bit grating at times. Also, this can feel like a woman's fiction story at times. Which both takes you out of and throws you into the thriller...so maybe it's a good thing? This is told via dual timelines, which I love in thrillers, and definitely adds to the suspense. Again, enjoyable and engrossing. Great read for a hot summer afternoon.

The mystery and suspense were solid, but at times I found the protagonist to be such a pushover that it was incredibly annoying. There was one part of the plot that was left completely unresolved and the ending was saccharine and somewhat silly. There were too many cringe-worthy moments for me to fully enjoy it. I will give the author props for a unique storyline. I also did not know how the mystery was going to play out so that kept the book fresh and interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this eARC.

I love a good witch-in-the-woods story, and the premise of it all happening on a hippie compound in the "wilds" of Australia (is it really wilds if it's like 90 minutes from civilization at most?) was even better. However, I felt like this got a little wild and far fetched near the end. There were a LOT of puzzle pieces trying to all come together at the same time and it felt like some of the solutions were less thought out than others. A little too much "hey look over here" to distract you from the end culprit.

The book did an excellent job of twisting my expectations so that I was guessing the outcome until the very end. The ending was very satisfying and Alex as a main character teeters beautiful between sympathetic and irrational.

The Shadow House by Anna Downes is about a mom and her two children looking to start fresh in a new place. Escaping from a dark past, their idyllic new community looks like the perfect place to begin again. But things in the new place are not as nice and perfect as they appear on the surface.

I thought this was an entertaining and interesting story. It was definitely creepy and kept me wondering what was going to happen next. I did feel like it grew to be kind of far-fetched and wacky at the end. But it was still fun to go along for the ride and see where this story woudl lead.

3.5 stars

I love me a gods witchy cozy mystery. I feel like this is the perfect rainy day book!! I flew through this one

Thank you NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I always love a good witch story and this book got the setting just right for some witchiness. The description of the English forest and town was appropriate for a mystery. This is a cozy mystery for a rainy day.

This one was very interesting. Characters looking for a fresh start usually takes you on a wild journey. I was very intrigued about the house that overlooked what was considered the safe place.

Loved the creepy which in the woods vibe but was a little let down overall Was hoping for more mystery and less explainable events.

Set in England, this mystery was one that kept my attention. I at times felt like I was watching one of my favorite British shows as the characters traveled through their community. It was interesting that the story followed a group of people who were now elderly but were once close friends and when they were youngest attempted to solve a murder mystery. Years later the mystery has come to light and the group of older friends is receiving gifts from their past and now one by one they are dying. Kate has become friends with some of this group and begins attempting to figure out the current mystery and the one from the past.

You will enjoy this book if you enjoy cozy reads or mysteries set in an english setting.

Thank You Crooked Lane Books and Connie Berry for the gifted ebook.
#TheShadowofMemory #NetGalley

This was another great story by Anna downes. It was hard to figure out what was happening which is something I look for in a thriller read.

Alex always runs. This time she is taking her two children to PIne Ridge. Pine Ridge is unlike any other place. It's a community where everyone works together. They are on a trial period, after you are either accepted or told to leave. Once they are there weird things start to happen. Stuff gets sent to their doorstep. Alex finds out years before a kid went missing in this exact location, under some of the same circumstances. All the kids talk about the witch in the woods. Once she sends you these things....you are hers. She will come for you. Alex will stop at nothing to keep her kids safe, but is she too late?

This book had me questioning who I could trust and who I couldn't. I think the author did such a good job at making most of the people seem suspicious. I also enjoyed the two different POVs, Renee's from the past and Alex from the present. The author did a great job at making those two different timelines merge into a complete story.

I really liked the creepiness of this book. A witch in the woods? Yes, please. I thought the book was good, it had some good twists. However, the story didn't hook me. I wasn't 100% invested in it.

The Shadow House was very eerie. Alex is a single mom with two children wanting to start her life over again. She moved into an Eco-Friendly housing development. Weird things start happening. Dead animals in boxes, blood, dolls, and a witch in the woods. Back and forth between the past and the present. I couldn't put it down!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books for the early copy.

A creepy story with a witch in the woods. That may be the best part! However I’m not a fan of deaths of animals. A thriller with a ton of romance. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but confuses a reader when expecting a certain type I think.

This book was sooo good!!! It’s dark and twisty and you won’t be able to put it down! Highly recommend it!

A creepy, heart pounding psychological read!! I was hooked from the first chapter and was at the edge of my seat the entire book.