From the opening pages of Shadow Girls, it’s easy to be lulled into thinking author Carol Birch is embarking on a nostalgic story about girls on the cusp of womanhood at the time of her own teenaged years in 1960s Manchester.

But the deeper in you go, a haunting, supernatural darkness begins to seep into the pages, twisting it well clear of a simple coming of age story.

It opens harmlessly enough: the teenaged narrator Sally and her rebellious best friend Pamela are part way through a music lesson at their all girls’ school. Other elements of their everyday lives are vividly unveiled through Sally’s running commentary: all the well-worn activities of adventurous girls of their age at the time.

Ever so gradually, however, ominous threads begin to appear – little creepy events that are perturbing in themselves, but don’t truly prepare you for the psychological roller-coaster that unfolds, as the novel resolutely morphs into a paranormal horror story.

Experienced author Birch – who has penned 12 previous novels, including Booker Prize finalist Jamrach’s Menagerie – deserves praise for the crescendo of suspense created in Shadow Girls.

But, while the tension and eeriness is palpable, I did feel at times the pacing was a bit off. And, while I’m not one to crave a neat ending, I felt there were quite a few ends that remain a little too loose. In fact I’m still quite confused by some of the paranormal activity in the novel and also so many side-story details that seemingly have very little – or no? – relevance to the plot.

But then, when does logic or neat endings really ever play a part in horror stories?

They’re always more about the lingering anxiety and atmosphere, rather than plot.

And, just like those other time-worn ghost stories of old, the dark shadow of this novel clings for some time after the final page.


Thanks to Net Galley and Head of Zeus for this early copy to review.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

I loved this one. Very fast paced, had me turning pages as I tore through it – I had to see how it would end. The characters were well rounded and the narrative felt believable. Gave me chills. Solid five

Normally I love novels like this but for some reason I couldn’t get into it. I picked it up and put it down so many times that it left me frustrated.

This novel is extraordinarily absorbing- a slow burn of a tale that gets to you without you even realising it until you find that you can't stop thinking about it.

Looking back after coming to the end I found Shadow Girls to be quietly terrifying really. A girl literally haunted by a tragedy that occurred when she was at school, the shadow hanging over her entire life with ghosts around every corner. In a lot of ways interpretative, beautifully written and dripping with atmosphere from first page to last.

Very much recommended.

I really struggled to get in to this book. It was extremely slow at the beginning and did not grip me. I persevered though and it just seemed to get more and more strange. The plot is unrealistic and the characters just lacked depth.

I’m afraid I couldn’t get on with this book at all. The first quarter was ok and I loved the sense of atmosphere, but after that it became more and more unbelievable and difficult to follow. Really sorry that I can’t give this a better review, but I appreciated the opportunity.

Sally is a typical school girl of 1960s Manchester. The 15-year-old believes herself a lot cleverer than her class mates and also her family. With her new best friend Pamela, she tries to extent the rules, takes her freedoms and over and over again gets into trouble. Most fun both have tormenting Sylvia Rose, a shyish, old-fashioned girl of their class. Even though Sally and Sylvia do have some common interests, she follows Pamela’s example and makes fun of her, some of their tricks go quite far, humiliating their class mate in front of the whole school. Common among the girls of their school is the attraction by superstition and an ouija board they secretly use during their breaks. When it predicts some bad luck, they do not want to believe it even though they are clearly warned by one of their teachers. But then, the unthinkable happens and will haunt Sally for the rest of her life.

Carol Birch’s novel is an addictive combination of school girl, coming-of-age and ghost novel. She cleverly turns the carefree, boisterous girls into fearful and edgy young women. The story is told from Sally’s point of view so we often get to know her thoughts which are convincingly portrayed: it is not easy to be a teenager, conflicting feelings, knowing what is right but doing what is wrong, making the wrong decisions and regretting them later.

The novel is divided into three chapters named “penumbra”, “umbra” and “anteumbra”. I was trying to make sense of this, but I am not sure if I really got the meaning. Maybe it reflects Sally’s mental state which deteriorates throughout the plot. Maybe this is linked to the idea of the ghosts and seeing or not seeing things, being tricked by the eye.

There is an uneasy feeling looming over the story, you know it is not going to run out well, yet, you cannot be sure what is real and what is only imagined. Is there some supernatural power making sure that there is some kind of pay back for the evil done? Or is it just all the imagination of a young woman at the edge? Captivating once you have started with some unexpected twists.

This book really makes you think! I was totally wrapped up in it and I really enjoyed it. It was a fast read despite being a bit of a slow burn. Good read!

Quite the slow burn for the first half of the book.
Setting the scene,and for me,bringing all sorts of feelings of nostalgia.
Then the book takes a turn,and it became a whole different thing.
Slightly unsettling,and tense.
It's always hard to describe without giving too much away.
I read it in one sitting though,and that's a good recommendation as far as I'm concerned.
I'll look out for this author again.

Shadow Girls is a beguiling story that transports the reader into the protagonist's school and teen life of yesteryear. It is redolent with the sights, sounds, tastes, fashions and culture of the time. Thus, there is a familiarity that will appeal to readers of a certain age. Yet, it is equally sure to engage and resonate with a younger audience, given its timeless themes and mix of humorous, bittersweet and haunting narrative.

My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh wow, where to begin with this read? Its powerful, thought provoking and unusual (for the right reasons). One that will stay with me and really makes you think. Read in one sitting, I just got so absorbed.