This is a dark, complex mystery with duel time periods and a plethora of atmospheric intrigue. Suspense and secrets abound and no one can be trusted, including the unreliable narrators. The narrator was excellent and the story flowed well and was outstanding on audio. The narrator did a great job of bringing the story to life. This will appeal to fans of Shari LaPena and David Bell.

3.5 stars


Two women, two timelines, what is their connection?

Alex has left an abusive relationship with two children in tow. They go to Pine Ridge, an eco-village to start over. It's in a rural area and Alex believes that she and her children will be happy and safe there. There is belief, then there is reality.

Renee is married to a farmer named Michael. They are having problems with their son...

These two women don't sound like they have anything in common, and yet....

This was a slow build, and I am not a slow build kinda gal, but this one grew on me. Initially I kept thinking when it this going to get going, is anything interesting going to happen? It does! Things begin to become creepy is this idyllic village. Slowly tension and dread begin to seep into the pages, and I had to keep going to see what the connection was and what was happening.


I found this to be creepy and captivating. Fans of Downes will not be disappointed. She is even one of the narrators of the audiobook.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 stars, rounded up
I listened to this audiobook, and loved that the narrators' Australian accents gave me a sense of place. Having the two narrators helps to differentiate between the two points of view--Renee and Alex.

Alex is a single mom of two who chooses to leave an abusive relationship and move to a remote eco-village with her teenage son Ollie and infant daughter Kara. As soon as they arrive there are creepy things that happen and Alex hears rumors about a "witch" that steals children. She does some investigating and finds out about Renee, who used to live in the now-empty farmhouse on the property, whose teen son Gabriel disappeared six years before. Is Ollie in danger? Are the rumors true?

I am happy to say that this book has a "real" solution to the mysteries, although it seems like there might be something supernatural involved, that is not the case. Since I'm not a fan of supernatural explanations for mysteries, this elevated the book for me. I didn't particularly care for Alex, I thought she made many stupid choices and the inclusion of a romantic thread for her was wholly unnecessary and made me grade the book down a half star, especially since it was insta-love and she was in no place to head into another relationship.

I liked how everything came together, how the past and present storylines merge and create a few surprises in the meantime. This isn't a perfect mystery, there are some clunky parts--like what was so "eco" about this village? It was commune-like, but definitely not off the grid as the kids go to a local school, there are electronics everywhere, etc. I had difficulty wrapping my brain around what this place was supposed to be. Yet overall it worked for me, it was an intriguing book that kept me listening in order to find out what would happen, and I got through it pretty quickly so that's a win.

Warning--there is a kitty killed in a gruesome way.

When Alex moves herself and her children to a small eco village she is looking for a fresh start. She notices things quickly start to get odd, weird are things happening and packages start showing up at her house. She soon hears of a local legend and realizes her family may be in danger. Alex is not sure who she can trust, but the one thing she does know is she will do anything to protect her family.
I was given a chance to listen to this audiobook from @netgalley. It was an absolutely phenomenal book, my favorite so far of 2022. The characters were very believable and the writing made you feel like you were right there with them.

This was such a fast read for me! I was so caught up in the story and what was going to happen. I loved the writing style and how easily the story flowed from start to finish. This was my first book by this author but definitely not my last. This is a great weekend read to keep your wondering all weekend long.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job. It was creepy, atmospheric, gruesome at times. I listened to it at night and that just increased the creep factor.

Alex is a single mother who moves her two kids to Line Ridge, an eco friendly community. She is determined to leave her past behind and begin fresh. From there moment they move in weird things begin happening. Packages containing dead animals, a creepy doll, blood.

Alex discovers the same series of events happened to the previous owners. To protect her family Alex must confront the evil lurking in the woods of Pine Ridge.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

3.75? stars

This one was categorized as a general fiction text, but as I suspected based on the cover and description, it was definitely more of a thriller. The story and characters had their ups and downs, but I liked most of it by the end. I wasn’t expecting the many elements that hinted at supernatural happenings, but they were surprisingly creepy (in a fun way) and ultimately enjoyable. I hadn’t heard of this writer before, but I think I will go back and check out her first book at some point.

So, I didn’t love this one. Maybe that’s on me for thinking this would be sort of a horror/thriller story when in reality it’s more of a domestic suspense with some romance thrown in. The narration was well done, but I had such a hard time getting into the story. The whole “overwhelmed mom” thing felt really forced and overdone. The premise of this story had great potential but the execution just wasn’t stellar. I adored this authors first book and will definitely read her future work, this one just didn’t do it for me.

This is a creepy thriller set in an eco-village in the middle of nowhere! There are two point-of-views and two timelines, as well as a local urban legend of a witch who kidnaps children from families.
I predicted a lot of the twists, but it was still a good thriller. I also thought the setting was original with the eco-village. There is a tiny dash of romance as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

The premise of this one sounded right up my alley: mother escaping her old life and moving her children to a rural neighborhood when she starts noticing creepy things in the house: sounds perfect to me! Unfortunately, I just couldn't feel attached to the main character which isn't always necessary, but the story never fully captured my attention either and I just wanted it to be over. There are a lot of good reviews out there, so be sure to read a variety of them and don't just take my word for it.

This audiobook is out now!

This was such an eerie and slightly unsettling read! While “witchy” and horror plots sometimes end up a little too far-fetched for me, this one definitely worked! It was super atmospheric and had a bit of a chilling cultish vibe to it!

It follows two mothers and two timelines, a mysterious connection and some bones, a creepy doll and blood. Disturbing but certainly intriguing. I was constantly questioning everyone and everything.

I’m excited to go back an read Downes debut, The Safe Place, which has been on my list for too long!

Alex is on the run from an abusive partner. She’s taken her two children to live at Pine Ridge, an eco community that focuses on sustainability and the “it takes a village” approach to community living. But Pine Ridge is far from a peaceful escape, Alex begins to receive packages with disturbing contents and then there’s the disappearance of a boy from the property. It’s been years and no one has ever heard or seen from the boy, but the locals whisper that a witch has claimed the boy. Alex thinks it’s ridiculous until she starts to see and hear things and her son begins to act out. Is the witch about to claim another victim? A tense, atmospheric story that Downes being to life on the page and via audio

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced audiobook copy.

I enjoyed the audiobook of this story. There is an Australian accent by both ladies were easy to understand.

This story is told in two different timelines by two different woman six years apart. I enjoyed the past and present. Overall, this was a really good read.

This was a creepy, suspenseful story, and I enjoyed it! There's the mystery of the house and the missing boy and all the terrifying things going on. it all mixed together to create a great thriller! There are so many secrets and surprises; it's quite the ride!

I enjoyed the audio version of this one. The narrator did a fantastic job!

I LOVED The Safe Place, but the main character in The Shadow House makes her sophomore book an absolute stunner. Alex is more grounded, rational & aware, in a world that certainly isn't making sense & events that are terrifying 👏👏👏👏

If you haven't read my review of The Safe Place on Novellives.com, please check it out. Both books are must-reads.

I had high hopes for this book as the first chapter gave me really creepy vibes. I wasn’t sure how the witchy element would play into it but I was excited to find out. It felt to me like the plot was all over the place and there were a lot of unnecessary storylines. I thought I had it figured out but the twist at the end truly got me. The authors note nicely explained where she was coming from while writing this.

Thanks to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for access to this ARC

Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Minotaur Books for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by Anna Downes - 4 creepy stars!

Alex is desperate to run away from her past, so she heads to Pine Ridge, an eco village in a remote section of Australia, with her teenage son and baby daughter. She's hoping that this new start will be just what they all need. However, she soon discovers that her family seems to be targeted in ways that are very similar to happenings that have been the topic of rumor and fear among the inhabitants for years. Are Alex and her children safe or has she led them into an even worse situation?

Told in alternate POVs between Alex and Renee, the former inhabitant of the farmhouse on the property. This book has all the creepy vibes - haunted woods, a creepy deserted house, people with lots of secrets, and mysterious happenings. But it also speaks to just what a parent would do to protect their child and how to let go of fear to trust again. I also loved the honest author's note at the end - don't skip reading that!