Into the Shadows

by Brian Gibson

For fifteen-year-old David Collie, the woods of The Shadows represent tragedy. Four years ago, on a fishing trip, David’s father and brother drowned in the river just beyond these ominous trees, and it was David who discovered his brother’s body. Now in present day 1986, David is an outcast under constant torment from a bully named Brock. When an unseen person injures Brock, saving David, it triggers a series of events that leads David to befriend some enigmatic people, including a homeless man living in The Shadows. But his problems with Brock soon intensify, and his mother, desperate to stop the constant violence, meets with the school principal. He suggests scheduling sessions with the guidance counselor, only his motives are more focused on using David for an unauthorized psychoanalysis experiment. Under immense stress, David concocts an intricate plan with the help of his mysterious friends. While truths are being uncovered and David's traps have ensnared his adversaries deep in The Shadows, something unforeseen occurs—something fatal.

222 pages, Paperback

Published December 15, 2018

Reviews

[Elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Into the Shadows is a gripping, emotionally charged story about grief, isolation, and resilience. David’s pain is deeply felt, and his journey through loss, bullying, and hidden truths unfolds with haunting tension and quiet strength.

Brian Gibson weaves mystery and psychological depth into a coming-of-age tale that’s both unsettling and deeply human. A powerful, thought-provoking read that stays with you.