People often ask me how I maintain my lofty goal of reading at least one book each week. The answer is pretty simple actually. I read whenever I can. In the past five years or so, audiobooks have become an integral part of meeting that weekly quota. Before the outbreak of COVID-19 forced me to work from home, I would listen to books as part of my daily commute to work. Working from home has seen me be a little more creative about my listening. Now I'll crank on a book as I cook, clean, or walk the dog. Pretty much anytime I have the chance to listen, I try to pop in my headphones and give it a go. Naturally, I was very excited when NetGalley (the website I receive many advanced copies of books from) introduced audiobooks to review. I quickly snagged a copy of Alex North's followup to his fantastic debut, The Whisper Man, and settled in for the creepy suspense of The Shadows. It has been twenty-five years since Paul was in his home town of Gritton Wood. All this time later, the horrific events from that time still haunt his dreams. Paul fell into a friend group with Charlie Crabtree. Crabtree used his darkly magnetic personality to influence his peers. The kids were drawn to Crabtree's mystical control of his dreams, seemingly not only connected to his own mind but the dreams of others too. Like the other boys, Paul was entranced by the possibilities that Crabtree presented. He stood in awe of the potential of inhabiting different dreamscapes. When Crabtree's sinister intentions were revealed, Paul left the group, but the other boys were already too invested in the magic of the dream world. Shortly after Paul parted ways, Crabtree convinced one of the boys to gruesomely murder the other. The murderer was arrested, but Crabtree disappeared, never to be seen again.
Paul's reluctant return is motivated by his mother's late-stage dementia. The pair have stayed in touch, but this is the first time they have faced each other in the last two decades. Mental decay aside, she has been doing okay physically. A recent fall changed all of that. As Paul visits her bedside, his mother's physical frailty finally matching that of her mind, she begins to speak to him. She's not making much sense, but her words are filling Paul with unease. These words coupled with an ominous discovery in her attic leave him reeling with a dread he hasn't felt since those interactions with Crabtree.
Coupled with the story of Paul is that of Amanda Beck, a hot-shot young detective from the nearby town of Featherbank (fans of North's other novel The Whisper Man will know this town well). Amanda is investigating a string of murders that are eerily familiar to the crimes that Charlie Crabtree inspired. As she investigates these apparent copy cat crimes, she begins to fear that Crabtree may not have vanished after all. Paul is the only person left who is familiar with Crabtree's rationale, so Amanda turns to him. As the book proceeds, the line between imagination and reality is blurred, making the events ahead all the more dangerous.
The Shadows sees author Alex North follow up his massively successful debut with another novel that plays on both the horror and suspense genres. All the elements that made The Whisper Man a success are here too. There's the prodigal son figure returning home after years away. There a creepy legend that haunts the town because it might actually be true. There's a detective investigating crimes that are strangely reminiscent of crimes that happened in the past. Still, there's something about this new book that just didn't move me in the same way that the other one did. Both John Heffernan Hannah Arterton, who narrated the audiobook, did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life (even at a 1.75x speed), but something about the story itself rang a bit hollow to me. The Inception-like idea of entering dreams is intriguing enough, providing a level of the supernatural that wasn't as prominent in North's previous effort. For some reason, I just couldn't engage with this story in the way that I wanted to. Perhaps the plot and structure were just all a bit too familiar for me. Whatever the case may be. Everything about The Shadows is perfectly fine as a serviceable thriller. After the stellar debut of The Whisper Man, this one just left me wanting something more.
For more information visit Amazon and Goodreads.
(2020, 39)
Wow, Crabtree sounds like Manson. Neat that you were able to spot a sequel you wanted.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, audios have been an amazing way to get to more books when I don't have the leisure to sit and read. Glad you were able to adjust with life changes and find a way.
I hadn't made the Manson connection before, but yes, he very much was that cult like leader.
DeleteI think you commented on my review of this one , as I recall, Ethan, and as you know I didn’t
ReplyDeleteEnjoy this one as much as I thought I would too. For me Amanda didn’t sit quite right with everything else.it’s a pity as the rest of it was, I thought, quite good.
It was such a shame because this was one of the books I was most looking forward to this year. I really hope his next one blows me away!
DeleteI am trying to wrap my head around how you listen to the book at that high a speed (I cannot exceed 1.25X). I am sad that the book left you wanting. That's always disappointing, but especially so when it's an anticipated book.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely took time to work my way up to that speed. Also, the speed really depends on the narrator. Sometimes I have to take it down a bit. But going back to 1x sounds like a sloth is reading now hahaha.
DeleteI think I really liked it as I listened to it and that often changes what I would have thought from the written version. All depends on the reader.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I just couldn't separate my option of this one from my expectations that were built after The Whisper Man.
DeleteCrap, I'm so far behind...I still haven't read The Whisper Man. This one's on my list, too! I need more time in my life to read. If only I could win the lottery so I could quit my time-consuming job! ;D
ReplyDeleteThat's where the audiobooks have always helped me out. I've become pretty good at multitasking them into other tasks throughout the day.
DeleteI haven't read it but I saw great reviews for it.
ReplyDeleteThere really is plenty to love about this one, I just had very high expectations based on the author's previous work.
DeleteOkay fine, I might have to try The Whisper Man so I can read this one. I should have just read it when I had the chance the first time around!
ReplyDeleteIt isn't a direct sequel, just takes place in the same world. So you can read them without reading the other.
DeleteOkay good, that helps a lot! Just put in the request for the ebook.
DeleteYay!
DeleteI’m literally reading the Whisper Man, I started it this afternoon! I didn’t actual recognise this book as the UK cover is totally different and it’s called The Shadow Friend here. Amanda Beck I’ve met in the story so it’s good to know she appears in this.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how they'll change the titles in different countries? I've noticed this with C.J. Tudor's books too.
DeleteWhoa that's a fast speed lol I bounce around depending on the narrator. 1.25 or 1.50 but I'ms till fairly new with audiobooks. They take me forever though. Weeks. But they do increase my reading overall since I usually have one audio and one physical/ebook going at the same time.
ReplyDeletei used to be able to read a book a day but it's been months since I could concentrate enough for that.
Sorry this one wasn't as good as you were hoping.
Karen @ For What It's Worth
I try to have a 'real' book and audio going at the same time too. My speed usually varies depending on the narrator.
DeleteI enjoyed it, but I think the listening app made it harder to completely slip in. The dream narrative was freaky.
ReplyDeleteIt had all the makings of something great. I do wonder if the faulty audio player impacted the way I connected with it.
DeleteMy commute used to be longer before Covid so I don't get through as many books as I used to, but I listen while doing chores or exercising too. I haven't read Alex North yet, but I'd probably go with The Whisper Man instead.
ReplyDeleteThis Whisper Man is a great listen!
DeleteSorry to hear you didn't LOVE this one. I actually have both that I still need to read, which will hopefully be soon since this is the best time for spooky reads. hah
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I hope you enjoy them!
Delete