The Shadows: A Novel
Written by Alex North
Narrated by Hannah Arterton and John Heffernan
4/5
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About this audiobook
"If you liked The Whisper Man, you’ll love this. Alex North has crafted a second novel which is just as gripping as his first and even scarier. Hugely atmospheric and deliciously creepy, it’s about how the past encroaches on the present, and how dreaming influences reality, until in the frightening world of The Shadows, it becomes harder and harder to tell one from the other... and the nightmare takes over."
– Alex Michaelides, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Silent Patient
The haunting new thriller from Alex North, author of the New York Times bestseller The Whisper Man
You knew a teenager like Charlie Crabtree. A dark imagination, a sinister smile--always on the outside of the group. Some part of you suspected he might be capable of doing something awful. Twenty-five years ago, Crabtree did just that, committing a murder so shocking that it’s attracted that strange kind of infamy that only exists on the darkest corners of the internet--and inspired more than one copycat.
Paul Adams remembers the case all too well: Crabtree--and his victim--were Paul’s friends. Paul has slowly put his life back together. But now his mother, old and suffering from dementia, has taken a turn for the worse. Though every inch of him resists, it is time to come home.
It's not long before things start to go wrong. Paul learns that Detective Amanda Beck is investigating another copycat that has struck in the nearby town of Featherbank. His mother is distressed, insistent that there's something in the house. And someone is following him. Which reminds him of the most unsettling thing about that awful day twenty-five years ago.
It wasn't just the murder.
It was the fact that afterward, Charlie Crabtree was never seen again...
A Macmillan Audio production from Celadon Books
Editor's Note
Delightfully creepy thriller…
Alex North’s follow-up to his bestselling “The Whisper Man” is another delightfully creepy thriller that will haunt you long after you finish. A grisly, ritualistic murder took place 25 years ago, all the more shocking because the victim and killers were friends. Now, a copycat crime sets the stage for an electrifying story that takes place both in the past and present, in dreams and reality.
Alex North
Alex North is the internationally bestselling author of The Angel Maker, The Whisper Man and The Shadows. He lives in Leeds, England, with his wife and son, and is a British crime writer who has previously published under another name.
More audiobooks from Alex North
The Whisper Man: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Angel Maker: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
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Reviews for The Shadows
367 ratings13 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a mix of positive and negative reviews. Some readers found the book enthralling and gripping, with a great atmosphere and suspenseful twists. The dual narration was praised, and the story was described as creepy in a good way. However, there were also negative reviews mentioning a disappointing ending, dull final chapters, and forced climactic reveal. Despite the mixed reviews, the book is recommended for those who enjoy mysteries and thrillers.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I haven't yet read Alex North's first book, The Whisper Man, but I found the description of The Shadows intriguing so took advantage of the opportunity to listen to a copy provided by Netgalley. I'm so glad I did - full of mystery and atmosphere, this was indeed an intriguing listen. North does an excellent job of setting the tone and sense of place, and both narrators did a fine job of voicing the characters and narrating the action. There are interesting, unexpected twists along the way, including the kind that make you back it up a bit to see if you just heard what you thought you did. All in all a most satisfying listen - one that's put The Whisper Man on my TBR list.
My thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a copy for an unbiased review.1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Twists and turns throughout the whole book. Couldn’t stop listening
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Meh…anti climatic, confusing characters. Good commentary about grief and loss and trauma. Not upset I read it but wouldn’t recommend it. Very forgettable.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great listen!!! Kept my attention right from the beginning! I mainly listen during my commute and I found myself driving slower and slower because I didn’t want to stop listening! Fast-paced, great twists! A great thriller indeed!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Well...that was not what I was hoping for. It started really good then the ending just didn't do it for me.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Very atmospheric! I think an improvement from his first book. Looking forward to more.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5It started great, but fizzled out by the last 1/4 or so. The final few chapters were especially dull and felt forced, which is a bummer because when I read a book like this it’s all about all of the pieces coming together for that big “omg” moment. The big climactic reveal was unexpected, but not in a good way. More like “…… ? really?” I was hoping for a nail biting/twist conclusion, but was left disappointed.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How one possibly think a remarkable mystery like this thanks
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Beautiful story, liked it very much
I loved the narrators - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Consider me officially creeped out.
After having read The Whisper Man, I knew I'd be getting my hands on this book, and sure enough, I selected it for my July 2020 Book of the Month pick as soon as it went up. Then I was graciously and awesomely provided a review copy of the Audiobook from the publisher via Netgalley, so I read along to the hardcover while listening to this one for total creeptastic immersion.
The book itself was great, and the dual narration was fantastic. We got a then and now timeline with our main character, Paul, and we got Detective Amanda Beck's present day narrative with some copy cat murders happening that pull them both back to that frightening place and time it all began.
You have, in the Then time, a spectacularly creepy kid, Charlie, who is written so well with this calm and eerily controlled demeanor, the way he smiles this smile like he knows something you don't. Then there's The Shadows, which are the woods by Paul's house that seem to move around you, like the woods itself were a character. There's a faceless man with bloody hands haunting their dreams, and of course, the murder victims.
In the present, you have Paul's dying mother he's finally come back to see when she goes into hospice, and she's rambling eery things from her dementia induced stupor. You have old voodoo dolls and dead kids' dream journals popping up, and red hand prints on walls, and the distinct feeling of being watched. Not to mention the people still alive back then slowly being picked off one by one in these gruesome ways.
Woo! It was a lot! I had to stop reading when it got dark out because I was legitimately spooked. The book was done so well, you could hear the sounds and see the sights. Amazing.
I really liked the narrators of the audio. I listened at 2.00 speed. Very well done. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5To Nicole. What the the fuck. "I listened to it at 2.0" - is that your way of flexing? Jesus. Anyway, it was a decent book.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Absolutely enthralling. Gripped you until the very end. I highly recommend, it is old fashioned scary. As the book was read I could picture the scene in my mind just as if it were a movie. Can't wait to read the next one!.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great read, does a nice job building suspense. Creepy in a good way
2 people found this helpful