The Shadows By Alex North

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Publisher: Celadon BooksPublication Date: July 7th, 2020Genre: Horror, ThrillerAdd to GoodreadsBuy Links: Kinokuniya Malaysia Source: Thank you Pansing for the review copy in return for an honest reviewRating: 3.75★
Blurbs

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...

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


Have you ever of lucid dreams? I do read about it a year or two ago. Understood it in some way. So, when I know that The Shadows has the concept of it I was hooked and jump into the story as soon as I can. The concept and the premise of the story are really fascinating with the backstories in it have increased my curiosity and kinda have a high expectation for this book. 
The story follows Paul Adam who has to go back to his hometown to visit his mom after so many many years he hasn't come back to his hometown. The reason why he does not want to go back to his hometown was because of what had happened 25 years ago. Paul remembers very well what had happened. The murder, his friends who did it, and the victim. However, the murder happened again and there are copycats. The thing is where is Charlie Crabtree? Did he do it? Why there are red hands?
Honestly, I was hooked by it and an unputdownable book. Like I need to uncover the truth along with Paul Adams. Despite being a thriller and horror, unfortunately, I don't get to feel that much. Yes, there is some part I feel creepy but that is just that I like it quickly forgotten. Get what I mean? Also, there are parts especially on lucid dreams that put me confuse like who is it again, and what happened again? Which I need to go a few pages back and reread again. That disappoints me. 
Beside that point, I still find it fascinating, the twist was a jaw-dropping moment. It makes my mind go blank. Like are you sure? I don't see that coming at all. Overall, I like the early and the ending but not so much during the middle but I know the middle is the important part which I cannot skip at all! I saw some of the reviews loved this book so much but it didn't work well much with me so I'm going to stick with 3.75 over 5 stars.

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