GENERAL: Beneath the Shadows by Sara Foster - September 2020

[Jenny]

Hello, fellow Crime, Mystery & Thriller readers! This discussion is about Beneath the Shadows by Sara Foster your discussion leader is Icewineanne
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about spoiler

Please note: If you have not finished reading the book spoilers are permitted in this discussion from the start.
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Summary

In this thrilling gothic suspense debut by Sara Foster in the tradition of Rosamund Lupton and Sophie Hannah, a young mother searches Yorkshire's windswept moors for the truth behind her husband's mysterious disappearance.

THE ANSWERS ARE HIDING BENEATH THE SHADOWS

When Grace's husband, Adam, inherits an isolated North Yorkshire cottage, they leave the bustle of London behind to try a new life. A week later, Adam vanishes without a trace, leaving their baby daughter, Millie, in her stroller on the doorstep. The following year, Grace returns to the tiny village on the untamed heath. Everyone—the police, her parents, even her best friend and younger sister—is convinced that Adam left her. But Grace, unable to let go of her memories of their love and life together, cannot accept this explanation. She is desperate for answers, but the slumbering, deeply superstitious hamlet is unwilling to give up its secrets. As Grace hunts through forgotten corners of the cottage searching for clues, and digs deeper into the lives of the locals, strange dreams begin to haunt her. Are the villagers hiding something, or is she becoming increasingly paranoid? Only as snowfall threatens to cut her and Millie off from the rest of the world does Grace make a terrible discovery. She has been looking in the wrong place for answers all along, and she and her daughter will be in terrible danger if she cannot get them away in time.

"A haunting tale of loss and one woman's search for the truth no matter the consequences. This vividly written novel will leave you breathless and as chilled as the starkly beautiful North Yorkshire moors where this compelling story unfolds." –Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of These Things Hidden

[Icewineanne, Moderator]

Welcome mystery readers. Looking forward to reading this with you. Many of my trusted GR friends loved this book, rating it either 5 or 4 stars. Excited to read your thoughts & critiques.
Happy reading 📚 🤗

[ConnieD]

This looks really good, but unfortunately my library doesn't have it. Maybe they will get a copy later on.

[Icewineanne, Moderator]

Connie, would have loved to have had you join us. This is an older book, came out in 2012. Perhaps amazon has a free or cheap copy?

[Scarlette]

Hi, I just got the book planning on starting it tomorrow.

[Icewineanne, Moderator]

Scarlette, glad to have you reading along!
Hoping it’s a good one 😉

[Jenny]

Icewineanne - I have received my copy of this book today. I will let you know my opinion of this book.

[Barbara K]

Just discovered that the audio of this book is available free to Audible subscribers through their new “library” program! I’m going to grab it and hope to join the discussion once I clear some reading time.

[Icewineanne, Moderator]

Can’t wait to read your comments Jenny!

[Icewineanne, Moderator]

Barbara wrote: "Just discovered that the audio of this book is available free to Audible subscribers through their new “library” program! I’m going to grab it and hope to join the discussion once I clear some read..."

Barbara, love audio books also as long as the narrator is good. Let us know.
Cheers!

[Donna]

For those of you who want it try Kindle!!! Mine was free!!

[Icewineanne, Moderator]

Has anyone finished reading yet? What did you think of this book & writer?

[Barbara K]

Yes, I’ve finished. While I thought it had some good qualities, overall it was a bit disappointing. It lacked the feeling of menace I was hoping for. My thoughts:


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Icewineanne, Moderator]

This was a disappointment for me as well Barbara. For readers who are still reading or haven’t begun yet. Please do not read this spoiler regarding my thoughts until after you finish.

(view spoiler)[The main character is so annoying. Grace jumps at absolutely everything & everyone. She wastes many opportunities to question the locals who knew her husband, about his past. And there was far too much focus on fussing with the baby. Basically nothing really happens until the last 50 pages of the book. Heard good things about this author so this book was a big disappointment for me. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Barbara wrote: "Yes, I’ve finished. While I thought it had some good qualities, overall it was a bit disappointing. It lacked the feeling of menace I was hoping for.

I so agree! I was also disappointed in the lack of descriptive language for the setting. Yes, it was the moors. That's about all we get.

[Icewineanne, Moderator]

Sharon wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Yes, I’ve finished. While I thought it had some good qualities, overall it was a bit disappointing. It lacked the feeling of menace I was hoping for.

I so agree! I was also disapp..."

So true Sharon