The Shadows by Alex North follows a man named Paul Adams and his return to his childhood hometown. Paul is drawn home by news of a murder that is unnervingly reminiscent of the death of one of his childhood friends. The murderer from all those years ago, Charlie Crabtree, was also one of Paul’s close friends. Along with this new shocking murder, his mother is distressed and convinced that there is something in the house with her. Against his own wishes, Paul decides it’s time to return home and settle what has been plaguing his mind for the past twenty five years.
The narrative shifts back and forth between Paul’s past and present. While the plot is relentlessly intriguing, the pace of the novel is slow and tense as the reader uncovers pieces of the truth. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but more dependent on the preference of the reader. I enjoyed the build-up and anticipation. Lucid dreams, ghosts, and mysterious and shadowy figures recur throughout the novel and give a supernatural side to the story. The characters are all interesting and their progression through the chaos of their lives is clearly illustrated and intriguing to the bitter end.
This book is far from predictable, and I was far from accurate on my guess of the present day killer. The Shadows is a great mystery, but what made it a memorable read for me was the other elements and feelings North brought to the story. This is a great choice for someone looking for a mystery with a little something more.
I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars.