North, Alex-- The Shadows informal buddy read starts July 13, 2020

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss The Shadows by Alex North.



Synopsis
The haunting new thriller from Alex North, author of the New York Times bestseller The Whisper Man

You knew a teenager like Charlie Crabtree. A dark imagination, a sinister smile--always on the outside of the group. Some part of you suspected he might be capable of doing something awful. Twenty-five years ago, Crabtree did just that, committing a murder so shocking that it’s attracted that strange kind of infamy that only exists on the darkest corners of the internet--and inspired more than one copycat.

Paul Adams remembers the case all too well: Crabtree--and his victim--were Paul’s friends. Paul has slowly put his life back together. But now his mother, old and senile, has taken a turn for the worse. Though every inch of him resists, it is time to come home.

It's not long before things start to go wrong. Reading the news, Paul learns another copycat has struck. His mother is distressed, insistent that there's something in the house. And someone is following him. Which reminds him of the most unsettling thing about that awful day twenty-five years ago.

It wasn't just the murder.

It was the fact that afterward, Charlie Crabtree was never seen again...

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Brooke]

I’ll make it to my mailbox this weekend so we can start Monday. 😜

[Geri]

Brooke wrote: "I’ll make it to my mailbox this weekend so we can start Monday. 😜"

LOL Don’t rush! You might get your August shipment too. 😁

The book looks good. I will try not to rush. I know reading print can take longer. I just need to log it in as finished in the next 2 weeks. Doable.

[Brooke]

True. LOL But man, with a "feels like" temperature of 104 today and 110 this weekend, even a trip to the mailbox requires extra motivation.

2 weeks is definitely doable. I'm hoping I'll get sucked into the story quickly so I can finish before next weekend, but I won't stress if it doesn't happen.

[Geri]

Ugh! It’s been hot here too. We are getting a break for the weekend. So I plan to enjoy before the heat comes back next week. Don’t melt getting your books!

[Geri]

Hey Brooke, I read Home Before Dark. You were right, it was a great ghost story! I had my husband listen to it too. He really enjoyed it too!

[Brooke]

I'm glad you liked it! You were the first person I thought of when I finished it. I think each Sager book gets better. I wonder what he has in store for us next year...

[Geri]

Brooke, I’ll start this tonight!

[Brooke]

Geri wrote: "Brooke, I’ll start this tonight!"

Me too!

[Geri]

I made it through part 1, stopped at chapter 7. It is difficult to stop. I can tell this will be another great scary story, just like Home Before Dark. I won’t make too many comments until I know how far you got.

[Brooke]

I didn't make it far last night - only through ch 4. I didn't start until late and then could tell if I didn't force myself to stop I'd be up way too late reading. I agree that it will be a good story. The mother screaming in the hospice facility was creepy!

I should have a little more time to read tonight.

[Geri]

Yes, there is a really good creepiness and supernatural feel to the book. I started another book last night too. The Last Flight I had to stop after a few chapters. It was too good and had me on the edge of my seat. Not a good book to relax to at night! LOL I will read it during the day. And recommend it to you if you haven’t read it.

[Brooke]

Ooh - it's on my list! It was a BoTM option in May, I think, or maybe June. There is only 1 digital copy available at my library with a 6 month waiting list, but at least they have it. Many of the other new releases aren't even owned by my library. (I think they are behind on ordering since they were closed for so long...) I might have to break down and buy a copy of that one.

[Brooke]

Through ch. 15:

(view spoiler)[ This is getting good! I've got to admit, I'm pretty creeped out by the lucid dreams in the flashback. And Charlie Crabtree! I think that kids/teens make the creepiest bad guys in books.

I'm interested in finding out more about Paul. Something happened he obviously doesn't remember, but I have a feeling that will be one of the big reveals toward the end. Maybe something to do with his old friend Jenny? North writes in a way that makes it easy to suspect all of the characters. I love it.

Did you catch the reference to The Whisper Man? (hide spoiler)]

I don't know if I'll have a chance to read much tonight, but because it is so hard to put down I know I'll finish it before the weekend. :-)

[Geri]

I caught up to you. Yes, I’m still enjoying too.

(view spoiler)[
I didn’t catch the reference to his previous book. But I found it funny that Jenny and Paul mentioned and both loved Stephen King. I think North was probably influenced by King.

Have you heard of The Slenderman case? This book reminds me some of that true event. A little different in that the friend stabbed did survive.

I do find the lucid dreaming thing interesting. Kids will believe many things. I don’t believe Crabtree disappeared. He may be dead or maybe lurking still?

Yes, I do think there will be a secret revealed by Paul in the end. And Jenny has come back for a reason... (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Brooke wrote: "Ooh - it's on my list! It was a BoTM option in May, I think, or maybe June. There is only 1 digital copy available at my library with a 6 month waiting list, but at least they have it. Many of the ..."

I did use a credit on audible for this book. It was listed on the best books so far list on Amazon. I don’t always agree. But this time I do!

[Geri]

I did finish today. It was so good! There were definitely some surprises. I’ll wait to say more when you are done.

[Brooke]

I finished it last night! I will come back later this afternoon to post my thoughts when I have more time.

[Brooke]

Okay, a few random thoughts...

(view spoiler)[Well, I didn't think Jenny was going to be a ghost. When that reveal happened I had a "I see dead people" flashback. LOL I liked the shop keeper. She was sweet and a nice addition to the cast of characters that was otherwise creepy or untrustworthy. I didn't guess who was leaving the creepy red hands everywhere. (hide spoiler)]

I do get Stephen King vibes from his writing, so I would agree with you that he is probably an influence for North.

[Vicki Willis]

I am listening to this one right now.
I was a little confused with the timeline switching and the lucid dreams.
I think I am at 60% .
I caught the reference to Whisper Man, but I haven't read that one yet.
Glad to hear you liked the ending. Will read your spoilers when I get there!

[Marla]

I just finished this book and I was creeped out, but not enthralled. And I had some questions, so I'm going to post some of my questions on some of these old buddy reads and hopefully some of you will come back and comment.

James ~ (view spoiler)[ Why would James lure other boys into killing? Billy or Charlie, yes. But James? I realize he's messed up, but he avoided the original assault, probably as the victim.

I definitely thought that James had been killed. And I realize that we were supposed to make that assumption.

James's mother was involved with Charlie's father?! Charlie's father didn't sound like a very nice guy, so you have to wonder at these women staying involved with him.

I almost wondered if James's father was somehow involved besides disposing of the body. He persecuted Paul. (hide spoiler)]

Paul ~ (view spoiler)[ I don't know if I was adequately convinced of why Paul would not come home in 25 years, since he was on good terms with his mother. Especially after his father died. I felt really sorry for his mother, though it sounded like she had many good friends.

Why did Paul's mother take Charlie's dream journal? What was the actual relationship between Paul's mother and James's father? (hide spoiler)]

Charlie ~ (view spoiler)[ I could not decide if Charlie was the online instigator or a serial killer in his own right somewhere or dead.

I was very impressed with Charlie's dream journal trick.0
(hide spoiler)]

Red Hands ~ (view spoiler)[ Who did the red hands in the attic at Paul's mother's house? James' father? Just to drive Paul away? Why do weird things to drive Paul away? Wouldn't that peak his interest? Paul would leave once his mother died, or was James' father trying to get Paul to leave before she died. Why? What did it matter? Get him to leave before he found Charlie's dream diary? Wouldn't he look harder at things especially in the attic and in the house, rather than just toss stuff away without any suspicions. (hide spoiler)]