The Shadow House

Alex, a single mother on the run from an abusive ex, finds herself in a remote eco-village in a desperate attempt to protect her teenage son, Ollie, and infant daughter, Kara. As the stakes grow higher and she grows more desperate, Alex finds more than she bargains for in the seemingly idyllic community of Pine Ridge. Fact and fable mix together in this twisted tale of motherhood and suspense that shows the lengths to which Alex will go to protect those she loves. Downes’s (The Safe Place) well-done sophomore novel will leave listeners as desperate for answers as Alex and the rest of Pine Ridge. Narrated by the author and Natasha Beaumont, the desperation and resolve of each of the main characters is presented in such a way that it successfully sets the atmosphere for listeners. Of particular note, the author reads her acknowledgments, which detail the novel’s inspiration and her writing process early in the pandemic.