Book: The Shadow House: A Novel by Anna Downes
Reviewed by Desi Disassociates
Rating: 4/5
After her son gets suspended for a semester and fleeing a bad relationship, Alex decides to sign a short term lease and spend time in a co-living community. For the duration of their trial period, they get to know their neighbors with the hopes of being matched with someone to live with and build a part of the community. But when strange things start appearing on their doorstep mirroring what happened to the boy who used to live in the farmhouse that disappeared, Alex is wondering if there's more than meets the eye when it comes to the community and the people in it.
Overhearing conversations not meant for her, being pushed out by those already living there, and running from her past, Alex has to decide if history repeats itself or if she can right the things that seem to be destined to go wrong for her and her kids.
This was the first thiller I've read in awhile and it was really good! The premise was very interesting and honestly mirrored some of the things I've lived through as it relates to "community" living in a very large high rise in a big city. There are cliques, rumors, and generally weird things that tend to happen without much explanation so this felt very real.
The ending really snuck up on me and I didn't see that coming! I'd absolutely pick up another book by this author.