The Shadows by Alex North

"Graveyards might have housed the dead below the ground, but what lay above was always for the living; they were the places where people came to deal with what their lives had once been and what they now were." 

Paul Adams spent many of his school days protecting and hanging out with his best friend James. One fateful encounter during gym class intertwined their lives with Charlie Crabtree, a supposed expert in lucid dreaming, from that point forward. Charlie often talks about a shadow figure that lives in the shadows of the local woods named "Mister Red Hands" who can help them accomplish what they wish in their dreams. The only problem is that Mister Red Hands requires a sacrifice in order to manifest.

Paul ultimately separates himself from the group- but after his old friends become responsible for a murder he still flees the town he grew up in and only returns years later after receiving news that his mother is in hospice. Returning to Grittenwood means opening up old wounds and after a similar murder occurs in the area he can't help but wonder if the legend of Charlie's "Mister Red Hands" has really come to an end.

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If you read my post from last week you are probably familiar with my review of Alex North's first novel "The Whisper Man". I loved it so much that I was delighted when I discovered that North had released his second novel only a couple of weeks prior. "The Shadows" turned out to be just as thrilling as the first novel with a few major improvements. 

One of my biggest complaints about "The Whisper Man" was how rushed and sudden the book seemed to come to an end. "The Shadows" is paced wonderfully and doesn't feel rushed or drawn out in any areas. The novel frequently fluctuates between Paul Adams' past and present revealing the story in little bits and pieces as the book progresses. This method of storytelling keeps the reader engaged and yearning for more as the chapters progress.

Perhaps one of the biggest differences between "The Shadows" and "The Whisper Man" is how "The Shadows" builds in anticipation as the story unfolds. Instead of being in your face all at once, it becomes better and better the more you read. Sometimes you may have to remind yourself of which character is which and if you are in the past or present, but overall this method of storytelling serves the plot well and at no point does it become predictable.

There is also a hidden narrative behind this book focusing on growing up and splitting from your past. At times the main character Paul is so torn about whether to stay or go after learning about the new horrors in Grittenwood that the narrative becomes less of a murder story and more of a story about facing fears from your past.

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Overall "The Shadows" is another fantastic book and Alex North has officially become one of my favorite authors. I really look forward to reading his next release and would eagerly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something to read!