Reviews
Dark Shadows Reviews
READER REVIEWS FOR DARK SHADOWS
5 stars
Reviewed by author, Laura Lyndhurst, on Goodreads: 4th April 2025
"When author Alana decides she needs a month-long writing retreat—to get away from life’s multiple distractions and nail her new novel—her choice of venue is an interesting one. On the plus side it’s a roses-around-the-doorway cottage in the Derbyshire countryside, on the minus it’s the house where she passed her now-defunct marriage, still owned by ex-husband Jack and his new wife Olivia and rented-out as a holiday let. Alana has a civilised relationship with them, however, so things ought to be okay—on the surface, at least.
Yet why go back at all? Many of us voluntarily revisit the past on occasion, but it’s more usually to relive happy memories. Alana has no such excuse. Her childhood was not a happy one, and when she found a positive relationship that had to happen—and the resulting mental stress of it all was most likely responsible for the demise of her marriage. For good or ill she’s back, however, and there are some positive benefits to the trip—but little by little events begin to suggest to Alana that perhaps coming back wasn’t such a wise move after all …
Author Ann Thorsson has done an excellent job here, of going to a place not often seen in public and examining the lasting effects of catastrophic happenings to those who aren’t guilty, but in absolutely the wrong place at the wrong time—and now they’re having to cope with the fallout as best as they can. It’s a tragic situation, and although on the surface the effects on some seem worse than those suffered by others, in truth they’re all as bad, just in different ways—and when the differing paths taken collide it’s difficult to envision anything but a catastrophic outcome. Expect twists and turns in this thought-provoking examination of the dark side of the human condition."
5 stars
Reviewed by author, Bruce Hanson, on Goodreads: 10th February 2025
"Dark Shadows by Ann Thorsson is the dark, suspenseful sequel to her first novel, Downhill. The story takes place years after a tragic, accidental death that occurred in the mining town of Castle Ridge in the UK. Although Dark Shadows can be read without having read Downhill, I am one of those who likes the universe to unravel in its natural sequence. The connection to Downhill is strong, even though the main characters were so minor in the Downhill, I don't think they were even named. Dark Shadows is a short book with believable, flawed characters. Each page will leave you wanting to read the next. You know nothing good is going to come of their actions and interactions; you just don't know how or when things are going to fall apart. Wonderful, realistic characters."
4 stars - An engaging psychological story.
Reviewed by author, Ian Hornett, on Goodreads: 7 June 2024
Verified Purchase
"Downhill was one of my favourite reads in the last year, so I had been looking forward to the sequel – Dark Shadows. I was not disappointed. It has a different feel to Downhill which was gritty and incredibly moving. Its sequel is more psychological, but still has the emotion and interest that attracted me to both books.
It focuses on successful author, Elaine McCairn, who rents a cottage in the Peak District to finish her book and recharge her batteries. It’s a cottage she knows well, having lived there with her husband – now ex-husband– who rents it out with his new wife. Hoping the environment will inspire her, it instead rekindles painful memories of a life she once enjoyed there which went sour, as well as taking her back to a tragic accident she was involved in in her home town of Castle Ridge.
That accident, and the people affected by it, provides the connection to the previous novel which the author clever links into throughout. Throw in a mysterious stranger who makes Elaine’s time at the cottage difficult to say the least and you have everything you need for a tense drama as Elaine battles her demons.
I enjoyed Dark Shadows very much. Ann Thorsson’s style of writing is engaging: the plot moves along at a good pace and the characters are developed well through the use of flashbacks and events told in real time which give the reader a great insight into their depth. I also loved being in the Peaks with the characters – one of my favourite areas.
Dark Shadows could be read as a standalone, but I would thoroughly recommend Downhill too if you’ve not read it."
5 stars Dark Shadows..... Ann's third novel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 August 2022
"This is Ann's third novel, Dark Shadows. It picks up 25 years on from her first book, Downhill. Dark Shadows can be read as a stand-alone but Downhill is a fabulous piece of work and gives great background to this third outing. It is really captivating to see how life has treated some of the characters from Ann's first book, also to be introduced to characters who were only hinted at. As I have come to expect from Ann's books now, there are twists and turns, enlightenment and sadness, not always when or where expected. The characters are so believable and identifiable, you can't always run away from your history. All i can say is.... buy it, you will not be disappointed."
5 stars - An engaging read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 July 2022
"Dark Shadows is a thrilling read which had the effect of evoking an array of emotions within me. Sadness, hope, suspense and fear are utilised well throughout and kept me fully engaged. The author is skilled in creating vivid images allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the story. It was a very enjoyable read, and I’m looking forward to purchasing Ann’s future writing projects."
5 stars - Riveting!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 June 2022
Verified Purchase
"Very relatable with a thrilling ending. I didn't want this story to end. Thoroughly enjoyed it."
5 stars - Couldn't put it down!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 May 2022
"This can definitely be enjoyed as a stand alone novel, but I recommend reading Downhill and Dark Dreams first if you can.
The characters are completely believable and the plot keeps you wanting to turn the pages.
I enjoyed everything about this book- particularly the well drawn setting, which is a fictional version of my hometown.
I do hope there will be more books from Ann Thorsson based around Castle Ridge."
5 stars - Lots of twists to keep you gripped.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 May 2022
"Really enjoyed dark shadows there was lots of twists and turned.
I am normally good at working out what will happen next and a few times in this book I thought I worked out what was coming up and I got it completely wrong.
Gripping and easy reading book from start to finish I read it on kindle and the format was spot on.
100% worth a read."
5 stars - Brilliant and captivating
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2022
Verified Purchase
"Got so caught in the story, the storyline, and the characters. Thorsson has a brilliant and captivating way of telling a story, describing the characters and their lives. I can still smell Steve, all Alana's problems, childhood, the stalking, Jack in the middle of it all, the past/present with Will. Really nice to get a following up on Will and family, and the need to know if Alana/Elaine would get some deserved happiness in life, just kept me in suspense from start to finish."
4 stars
Reviewed on Goodreads - 26.04.2022
"Sequel of Downhill (which I also highly recommend!), this novella can be read as a standalone nevertheless.
Following a traumatic event in her teenage years, Elaine has left her village, changed her name (she is now Alana), and has become a famous author. She still is plagued though by the memories of her involvement in the tragic accident involving the death of a child...
Her life looks now perfect, she returns to her village to work on a new book and maybe face her past? She will not be alone in this quest, as she starts getting spooked by some unexplainable (to her!) occurrences: is she being stalked? Have her imagination, her compulsive anxiety and obsession taken over? I particularly enjoyed that though this novel (177 pages!) is short, the author succeeded in making me straight away feel very anxious and fearful for and with Alana!!!
Highly recommended!"
5 stars - Tense, dark drama
Reviewed by Mark Fearn, Book-blogger, on Goodreads: 24 April 2022
"This is the follow up book to ‘Downhill’ but I think it can easily be read as a stand alone as well
Alana is a now famous author but cannot settle re her past, she makes the decision to rent her old home via airbnb from her ex Jack and his new wife Olivia to concentrate on her writing, is this asking for trouble?, Maybe but she is sure it is the right way forward
However when she gets there almost immediately things start to go wrong and then a ‘tramp’ is discovered to be living in the very close vicinity, accepted it seems by the locals ( who are a great set of village characters ) but Alana is unsure, who is he and what does he want?
The authors 3rd book in her own ‘spooky’ style, this is a good drama that I enjoyed and had me questioning the whole way through"
5 stars
Reviewed by author, Laura Lyndhurst, on Goodreads: 4th April 2025
"When author Alana decides she needs a month-long writing retreat—to get away from life’s multiple distractions and nail her new novel—her choice of venue is an interesting one. On the plus side it’s a roses-around-the-doorway cottage in the Derbyshire countryside, on the minus it’s the house where she passed her now-defunct marriage, still owned by ex-husband Jack and his new wife Olivia and rented-out as a holiday let. Alana has a civilised relationship with them, however, so things ought to be okay—on the surface, at least.
Yet why go back at all? Many of us voluntarily revisit the past on occasion, but it’s more usually to relive happy memories. Alana has no such excuse. Her childhood was not a happy one, and when she found a positive relationship that had to happen—and the resulting mental stress of it all was most likely responsible for the demise of her marriage. For good or ill she’s back, however, and there are some positive benefits to the trip—but little by little events begin to suggest to Alana that perhaps coming back wasn’t such a wise move after all …
Author Ann Thorsson has done an excellent job here, of going to a place not often seen in public and examining the lasting effects of catastrophic happenings to those who aren’t guilty, but in absolutely the wrong place at the wrong time—and now they’re having to cope with the fallout as best as they can. It’s a tragic situation, and although on the surface the effects on some seem worse than those suffered by others, in truth they’re all as bad, just in different ways—and when the differing paths taken collide it’s difficult to envision anything but a catastrophic outcome. Expect twists and turns in this thought-provoking examination of the dark side of the human condition."
5 stars
Reviewed by author, Bruce Hanson, on Goodreads: 10th February 2025
"Dark Shadows by Ann Thorsson is the dark, suspenseful sequel to her first novel, Downhill. The story takes place years after a tragic, accidental death that occurred in the mining town of Castle Ridge in the UK. Although Dark Shadows can be read without having read Downhill, I am one of those who likes the universe to unravel in its natural sequence. The connection to Downhill is strong, even though the main characters were so minor in the Downhill, I don't think they were even named. Dark Shadows is a short book with believable, flawed characters. Each page will leave you wanting to read the next. You know nothing good is going to come of their actions and interactions; you just don't know how or when things are going to fall apart. Wonderful, realistic characters."
4 stars - An engaging psychological story.
Reviewed by author, Ian Hornett, on Goodreads: 7 June 2024
Verified Purchase
"Downhill was one of my favourite reads in the last year, so I had been looking forward to the sequel – Dark Shadows. I was not disappointed. It has a different feel to Downhill which was gritty and incredibly moving. Its sequel is more psychological, but still has the emotion and interest that attracted me to both books.
It focuses on successful author, Elaine McCairn, who rents a cottage in the Peak District to finish her book and recharge her batteries. It’s a cottage she knows well, having lived there with her husband – now ex-husband– who rents it out with his new wife. Hoping the environment will inspire her, it instead rekindles painful memories of a life she once enjoyed there which went sour, as well as taking her back to a tragic accident she was involved in in her home town of Castle Ridge.
That accident, and the people affected by it, provides the connection to the previous novel which the author clever links into throughout. Throw in a mysterious stranger who makes Elaine’s time at the cottage difficult to say the least and you have everything you need for a tense drama as Elaine battles her demons.
I enjoyed Dark Shadows very much. Ann Thorsson’s style of writing is engaging: the plot moves along at a good pace and the characters are developed well through the use of flashbacks and events told in real time which give the reader a great insight into their depth. I also loved being in the Peaks with the characters – one of my favourite areas.
Dark Shadows could be read as a standalone, but I would thoroughly recommend Downhill too if you’ve not read it."
5 stars Dark Shadows..... Ann's third novel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 August 2022
"This is Ann's third novel, Dark Shadows. It picks up 25 years on from her first book, Downhill. Dark Shadows can be read as a stand-alone but Downhill is a fabulous piece of work and gives great background to this third outing. It is really captivating to see how life has treated some of the characters from Ann's first book, also to be introduced to characters who were only hinted at. As I have come to expect from Ann's books now, there are twists and turns, enlightenment and sadness, not always when or where expected. The characters are so believable and identifiable, you can't always run away from your history. All i can say is.... buy it, you will not be disappointed."
5 stars - An engaging read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 July 2022
"Dark Shadows is a thrilling read which had the effect of evoking an array of emotions within me. Sadness, hope, suspense and fear are utilised well throughout and kept me fully engaged. The author is skilled in creating vivid images allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the story. It was a very enjoyable read, and I’m looking forward to purchasing Ann’s future writing projects."
5 stars - Riveting!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 June 2022
Verified Purchase
"Very relatable with a thrilling ending. I didn't want this story to end. Thoroughly enjoyed it."
5 stars - Couldn't put it down!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 May 2022
"This can definitely be enjoyed as a stand alone novel, but I recommend reading Downhill and Dark Dreams first if you can.
The characters are completely believable and the plot keeps you wanting to turn the pages.
I enjoyed everything about this book- particularly the well drawn setting, which is a fictional version of my hometown.
I do hope there will be more books from Ann Thorsson based around Castle Ridge."
5 stars - Lots of twists to keep you gripped.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 May 2022
"Really enjoyed dark shadows there was lots of twists and turned.
I am normally good at working out what will happen next and a few times in this book I thought I worked out what was coming up and I got it completely wrong.
Gripping and easy reading book from start to finish I read it on kindle and the format was spot on.
100% worth a read."
5 stars - Brilliant and captivating
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2022
Verified Purchase
"Got so caught in the story, the storyline, and the characters. Thorsson has a brilliant and captivating way of telling a story, describing the characters and their lives. I can still smell Steve, all Alana's problems, childhood, the stalking, Jack in the middle of it all, the past/present with Will. Really nice to get a following up on Will and family, and the need to know if Alana/Elaine would get some deserved happiness in life, just kept me in suspense from start to finish."
4 stars
Reviewed on Goodreads - 26.04.2022
"Sequel of Downhill (which I also highly recommend!), this novella can be read as a standalone nevertheless.
Following a traumatic event in her teenage years, Elaine has left her village, changed her name (she is now Alana), and has become a famous author. She still is plagued though by the memories of her involvement in the tragic accident involving the death of a child...
Her life looks now perfect, she returns to her village to work on a new book and maybe face her past? She will not be alone in this quest, as she starts getting spooked by some unexplainable (to her!) occurrences: is she being stalked? Have her imagination, her compulsive anxiety and obsession taken over? I particularly enjoyed that though this novel (177 pages!) is short, the author succeeded in making me straight away feel very anxious and fearful for and with Alana!!!
Highly recommended!"
5 stars - Tense, dark drama
Reviewed by Mark Fearn, Book-blogger, on Goodreads: 24 April 2022
"This is the follow up book to ‘Downhill’ but I think it can easily be read as a stand alone as well
Alana is a now famous author but cannot settle re her past, she makes the decision to rent her old home via airbnb from her ex Jack and his new wife Olivia to concentrate on her writing, is this asking for trouble?, Maybe but she is sure it is the right way forward
However when she gets there almost immediately things start to go wrong and then a ‘tramp’ is discovered to be living in the very close vicinity, accepted it seems by the locals ( who are a great set of village characters ) but Alana is unsure, who is he and what does he want?
The authors 3rd book in her own ‘spooky’ style, this is a good drama that I enjoyed and had me questioning the whole way through"