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Jessica Backman's Death in the Afterlife #1
Forest of Shadows
The dead still hate!
John Backman specializes in inexplicable phenomena. The weirder the better. So when he gets a letter from a terrified man describing an old log home with odd whisperings, shadows that come alive, and rooms that disappear, he can’t resist the call. But the violence only escalates as soon as John arrives in the remote Alaskan village of Shida. Something dreadful happened there. Something monstrous. The shadows are closing in… and they’re out for blood.
John Backman specializes in inexplicable phenomena. The weirder the better. So when he gets a letter from a terrified man describing an old log home with odd whisperings, shadows that come alive, and rooms that disappear, he can’t resist the call. But the violence only escalates as soon as John arrives in the remote Alaskan village of Shida. Something dreadful happened there. Something monstrous. The shadows are closing in… and they’re out for blood.
270 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2011
28 people are currently reading
640 people want to read
About the author
Hunter Shea
66 books1,009 followersHunter Shea is the author of over 25 books, with a specialization in cryptozoological horror that includes The Jersey Devil, The Dover Demon, Loch Ness Revenge and many others. As part of the new horror line at Flame Tree Press, his novel Creature has gained critical acclaim. His novel, The Montauk Monster, was named one of the best reads of the summer by Publishers Weekly. A trip to the International Cryptozoology Museum will find several of his cryptid books among the fascinating displays. Living in a true haunted house inspired his Jessica Backman: Death in the Afterlife series (Forest of Shadows, Sinister Entity and Island of the Forbidden). In 2011, he was selected to be a part of the launch of Samhain Publishing’s new horror line alongside legendary author Ramsey Campbell. When he’s not writing thrillers and horror, he also spins tall tales for middle grade readers on Amazon’s highly regarded Rapids reading app.
An avid podcaster, he can be seen and heard on Monster Men, one of the longest running video horror podcasts in the world, and Final Guys, focusing on weekly movie and book reviews. His nostalgic column about the magic of 80s horror, Video Visions, is featured monthly at Cemetery Dance Online. You can find his short stories in a number of anthologies, including Chopping Block Party, The Body Horror Book and Fearful Fathoms II.
A lifetime New Yorker, Hunter is supported by his loving wife and two beautiful daughters. When he’s not studying up on cryptozoology, he’s an avid explorer of the unknown, having spent a night alone on the Queen Mary, searching for the Warren’s famous White Lady of the Union Cemetery and other mysterious places.
You can follow his travails at www.huntershea.com.
An avid podcaster, he can be seen and heard on Monster Men, one of the longest running video horror podcasts in the world, and Final Guys, focusing on weekly movie and book reviews. His nostalgic column about the magic of 80s horror, Video Visions, is featured monthly at Cemetery Dance Online. You can find his short stories in a number of anthologies, including Chopping Block Party, The Body Horror Book and Fearful Fathoms II.
A lifetime New Yorker, Hunter is supported by his loving wife and two beautiful daughters. When he’s not studying up on cryptozoology, he’s an avid explorer of the unknown, having spent a night alone on the Queen Mary, searching for the Warren’s famous White Lady of the Union Cemetery and other mysterious places.
You can follow his travails at www.huntershea.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
April 19, 2017
Five years after his wife dies unexpectedly, John Backman takes his daughter, sister-in-law, and her son to Alaska to investigate a haunting. But the worst enemy of all may be the xenophobia of the townsfolk of Shida. No, I lied. It's the dark forces that threaten to consume whomever lives in the house...
In Forest of Shadows, Hunter Shea takes an unconventional, unsuspecting family to Alaska and exposes them to some staples of horror fiction, namely ghosts and a haunted house.
I've said before that one of Hunter Shea's strengths is his knack for creating likable characters. This is very true in Forest of Shadows since I loved John Backman and his family. His daughter Jessica was a believable kid who just wanted to be close to her father. Sister-in-law Eve let her own marriage fall apart to take care of her dead sister's family. Liam's a toddler and kind of a non-factor. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I quickly got attached to John and his family. Unlike a lot of horror or thriller novels with their forced hookups, I really wanted John and Eve to get together. Why you gotta be such a tease, Hunter Shea?
While I've never been to Alaska, Hunter Shea painted a vivid picture of the life of an outsider in a small town, both from the points of view of the Backman family and the local characters, like Judas and Muraco.
The haunting was a many layered thing, not just ghosts wanting people out of their house. It had some creepy moments but shit really got real near the end. I did not see the ending coming and it was one of those punches in the gut that knocks the wind out of you and folds you in half.
Forest of Shadows is a creepy good time. Hunter Shea does it again. Four out of five stars.
In Forest of Shadows, Hunter Shea takes an unconventional, unsuspecting family to Alaska and exposes them to some staples of horror fiction, namely ghosts and a haunted house.
I've said before that one of Hunter Shea's strengths is his knack for creating likable characters. This is very true in Forest of Shadows since I loved John Backman and his family. His daughter Jessica was a believable kid who just wanted to be close to her father. Sister-in-law Eve let her own marriage fall apart to take care of her dead sister's family. Liam's a toddler and kind of a non-factor. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I quickly got attached to John and his family. Unlike a lot of horror or thriller novels with their forced hookups, I really wanted John and Eve to get together. Why you gotta be such a tease, Hunter Shea?
While I've never been to Alaska, Hunter Shea painted a vivid picture of the life of an outsider in a small town, both from the points of view of the Backman family and the local characters, like Judas and Muraco.
The haunting was a many layered thing, not just ghosts wanting people out of their house. It had some creepy moments but shit really got real near the end. I did not see the ending coming and it was one of those punches in the gut that knocks the wind out of you and folds you in half.
Forest of Shadows is a creepy good time. Hunter Shea does it again. Four out of five stars.
August 18, 2017
FOREST OF SHADOWS, by Hunter Shea, is an intensely gripping, paranormal tale with unrelenting suspense and characters that you'll immediately get attached to. After a horrible tragedy leaves John Backman raising his infant daughter--with the help of his sister-in-law, Eve--he becomes obsessed with all things supernatural, and in proving the existence of the spirit after death. To this end, he becomes a paranormal investigator, ruling out natural causes and constantly searching for proof that the dead still can communicate with those on Earth, in certain situations.
". . . Real life was more important than erroneous perceptions."
Through all of this, his young daughter, Jessica, remains his rock--the one person he loves above all others. Now even she is showing a "sensitivity" and connection to "Energy Beings" that John doesn't seem to possess.
In the Alaskan village of Shida, where white people are viewed as the enemy by the Indian community, there stands one grand house that is shunned by all. After a particularly intense incident, the town's only white man starts delving into the area's hidden past. Eventually, he reaches out to John for explanations.
". . . Ghosts, spirits, even demons have no sense of time . . . . Whatever was lurking there did not take days off to sleep in late."
Shea grabs us with the characters in this novel right from the very beginning. The emotions of John, Eve, Jessica, Eve's baby, Liam, and all of the Shida residents we "meet" are so realistic that I got the feeling they could walk right off the page and into real life. The contrast in atmospheres from John's home in NY, to the inhospitable, icy town of Shida is quite a stark difference. It is here that John will finally have conclusive proof that some "beings" aren't content to leave, even after their earthly bodies are disposed of.
"The dead still hate!"
This novel has everything you could want in a horror story. From the supernatural entities, a town of hidden secrets, engaging characters that you can honestly believe in, and the perfect background for paranormal activity and carnage, you'll find yourself at a momentary loss for words when the tale ends.
The emotional connection between John and those around him are a pivotal part of FOREST OF SHADOWS. The feelings evoked are some that will strengthen your own bond with John and his "family", as the forces pitted against him begin to grow in intensity.
". . . all things must die, even dreams and ideas, love and hate . . . "
While there is so much garnered by this investigation, the questions left are enough to keep your mind racing with alternative possibilities.
"Squeak-pip."
Highly recommended!
". . . Real life was more important than erroneous perceptions."
Through all of this, his young daughter, Jessica, remains his rock--the one person he loves above all others. Now even she is showing a "sensitivity" and connection to "Energy Beings" that John doesn't seem to possess.
In the Alaskan village of Shida, where white people are viewed as the enemy by the Indian community, there stands one grand house that is shunned by all. After a particularly intense incident, the town's only white man starts delving into the area's hidden past. Eventually, he reaches out to John for explanations.
". . . Ghosts, spirits, even demons have no sense of time . . . . Whatever was lurking there did not take days off to sleep in late."
Shea grabs us with the characters in this novel right from the very beginning. The emotions of John, Eve, Jessica, Eve's baby, Liam, and all of the Shida residents we "meet" are so realistic that I got the feeling they could walk right off the page and into real life. The contrast in atmospheres from John's home in NY, to the inhospitable, icy town of Shida is quite a stark difference. It is here that John will finally have conclusive proof that some "beings" aren't content to leave, even after their earthly bodies are disposed of.
"The dead still hate!"
This novel has everything you could want in a horror story. From the supernatural entities, a town of hidden secrets, engaging characters that you can honestly believe in, and the perfect background for paranormal activity and carnage, you'll find yourself at a momentary loss for words when the tale ends.
The emotional connection between John and those around him are a pivotal part of FOREST OF SHADOWS. The feelings evoked are some that will strengthen your own bond with John and his "family", as the forces pitted against him begin to grow in intensity.
". . . all things must die, even dreams and ideas, love and hate . . . "
While there is so much garnered by this investigation, the questions left are enough to keep your mind racing with alternative possibilities.
"Squeak-pip."
Highly recommended!
July 25, 2019
Very particular and interesting story... I have no idea of the real reason for choosing this book, but it was definitely not a blank reading. I immediately say the plot is slow and the book very long( keep in mind if you want to read it), but the characters are quite particular and intriguing; Hunter Shea manages well to create a depth in the merits and defects of the main characters..... How can we not be fascinated by John,Jessica and Judas and to understand what will become of them?
The setting, in that remote place in Alaska among possible ancient Indian demons is a very special choice.... in short, then you will discover while reading, and certainly there will be pages of tension...
Very easy and light reading, perfect for the days at sea as I am living in these weeks, the only doubt I have left is this; I hoped to find the other books of Saga, but it seems they have not yet been published? or at least in Europe are not available( kinde and kobo stores)..... have you found them?
Storia molto particolare ed interessante... non ho idea del reale motivo della scelta di questo libro,a ma sicuramente non è stata una lettura a vuoto. Dico subito la trama è lenta e il libro decisamente lungo, ma i personaggi sono alquanto particolari ed interessanti; Hunter Shea riesce bene a creare una profondità nei pregi e difetti dei loro caratteri..... Come si fa quindi a non rimanerne affascinati e voler capire che ne sarà di loro?
L'ambientazione, in quel luogo sperduto in Alaska in mezzo a possibili antichi demoni indiani è una scelta particolarissima.......insomma, poi scoprirete il perchè leggendo, e di sicuro non mancheranno pagine di tensione...
Lettura leggera, perfetta per i giorni a bordo mare come sto vivendo in queste settimane, l'unico dubbio che mi rimane è questo; speravo di trovare gli altri libri della Saga, ma pare non siano ancora stati pubblicati? o almeno in Europa non sono disponibili..... voi li avete trovati e letti?
The setting, in that remote place in Alaska among possible ancient Indian demons is a very special choice.... in short, then you will discover while reading, and certainly there will be pages of tension...
Very easy and light reading, perfect for the days at sea as I am living in these weeks, the only doubt I have left is this; I hoped to find the other books of Saga, but it seems they have not yet been published? or at least in Europe are not available( kinde and kobo stores)..... have you found them?
Storia molto particolare ed interessante... non ho idea del reale motivo della scelta di questo libro,a ma sicuramente non è stata una lettura a vuoto. Dico subito la trama è lenta e il libro decisamente lungo, ma i personaggi sono alquanto particolari ed interessanti; Hunter Shea riesce bene a creare una profondità nei pregi e difetti dei loro caratteri..... Come si fa quindi a non rimanerne affascinati e voler capire che ne sarà di loro?
L'ambientazione, in quel luogo sperduto in Alaska in mezzo a possibili antichi demoni indiani è una scelta particolarissima.......insomma, poi scoprirete il perchè leggendo, e di sicuro non mancheranno pagine di tensione...
Lettura leggera, perfetta per i giorni a bordo mare come sto vivendo in queste settimane, l'unico dubbio che mi rimane è questo; speravo di trovare gli altri libri della Saga, ma pare non siano ancora stati pubblicati? o almeno in Europa non sono disponibili..... voi li avete trovati e letti?
July 17, 2019
This was one creepy ride into terror!
The town of Shida, Alaska is surrounded in a ghostly mystery that only a paranormal investigator can solve. John Backman a/k/a paranormal investigator receives a urgent message from a man (Judas) that wants him to investigate a home that is steeped in ghostly phenomena.
John just endured the loss of his wife, so he decides to go check it out along with his daughter, Jessica, sister-in-law, Eve, and her son Liam. When John arrives in the town he decides to stay in the home so that he can experience the paranormal activity first hand. Not too long after he arrives and gets all his equipment set up, the house comes alive with activity.
The town is shrouded not only in the mystery of the house, but the town does not like strangers snooping around, so they give John and his family a hard time. The more he tries to find out the history of the house, the harder time he has with the town trying to find out what happened.
What are the secrets surrounding the house? Why are the towns people not wanting to help John? What secrets are they hiding? Who is haunting the house? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book.
This book just gripped me the more I delved into the story and when I hit the halfway mark, it escalated to the point where I had a hard time putting the book down. The closer I got to the end of the book, the more I read it till the late hours of night into the early morning hours as I wanted to see what would happen next. There was some graphic gore near the end of the book which was a surprise, but it didn't bother me as I just kept reading as I wanted to see how it all would end! Four stars for this one.
The town of Shida, Alaska is surrounded in a ghostly mystery that only a paranormal investigator can solve. John Backman a/k/a paranormal investigator receives a urgent message from a man (Judas) that wants him to investigate a home that is steeped in ghostly phenomena.
John just endured the loss of his wife, so he decides to go check it out along with his daughter, Jessica, sister-in-law, Eve, and her son Liam. When John arrives in the town he decides to stay in the home so that he can experience the paranormal activity first hand. Not too long after he arrives and gets all his equipment set up, the house comes alive with activity.
The town is shrouded not only in the mystery of the house, but the town does not like strangers snooping around, so they give John and his family a hard time. The more he tries to find out the history of the house, the harder time he has with the town trying to find out what happened.
What are the secrets surrounding the house? Why are the towns people not wanting to help John? What secrets are they hiding? Who is haunting the house? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book.
This book just gripped me the more I delved into the story and when I hit the halfway mark, it escalated to the point where I had a hard time putting the book down. The closer I got to the end of the book, the more I read it till the late hours of night into the early morning hours as I wanted to see what would happen next. There was some graphic gore near the end of the book which was a surprise, but it didn't bother me as I just kept reading as I wanted to see how it all would end! Four stars for this one.
July 17, 2019
Shida,Alaska
This was a good trip to Shida. Judas, the only white guy in a town of native Americans, has a crazy and scary experience. He reaches out to ghost investigator, John backman, for help. The story is some what of a slow burn until the last 20%. There was just enough ghostly happenings to hold my interest. I was hoping for some kind of native American creature or folklore but that's not what you get. Read it to find out what the ghost are!
This was a good trip to Shida. Judas, the only white guy in a town of native Americans, has a crazy and scary experience. He reaches out to ghost investigator, John backman, for help. The story is some what of a slow burn until the last 20%. There was just enough ghostly happenings to hold my interest. I was hoping for some kind of native American creature or folklore but that's not what you get. Read it to find out what the ghost are!
August 6, 2018
This is the first book in the Jessica Backman series and it's about John Backman, Jessica's father, who is a paranormal enthusiast and ghost hunter. Jessica is a just a little girl when they move to the remote Alaskan village of Shida for the summer so her father can investigate a haunting. John gets in over his head and his final attempt to document the haunting goes seriously wrong when he riles the shadows a little too far.
The author did a great job of portraying the creepy town of Shida and the sinister people who live there. I highly recommend reading if you are looking for a good atmospheric, ghost/ haunted house story.
The author did a great job of portraying the creepy town of Shida and the sinister people who live there. I highly recommend reading if you are looking for a good atmospheric, ghost/ haunted house story.
October 19, 2017
FOREST OF SHADOWS, by Hunter Shea, is an intensely gripping, paranormal tale with unrelenting suspense and characters that you'll immediately get attached to. After a horrible tragedy leaves John Backman raising his infant daughter--with the help of his sister-in-law, Eve--he becomes obsessed with all things supernatural, and in proving the existence of the spirit after death. To this end, he becomes a paranormal investigator, ruling out natural causes and constantly searching for proof that the dead still can communicate with those on Earth, in certain situations.
". . . Real life was more important than erroneous perceptions."
Through all of this, his young daughter, Jessica, remains his rock--the one person he loves above all others. Now even she is showing a "sensitivity" and connection to "Energy Beings" that John doesn't seem to possess.
In the Alaskan village of Shida, where white people are viewed as the enemy by the Indian community, there stands one grand house that is shunned by all. After a particularly intense incident, the town's only white man starts delving into the area's hidden past. Eventually, he reaches out to John for explanations.
". . . Ghosts, spirits, even demons have no sense of time . . . . Whatever was lurking there did not take days off to sleep in late."
Shea grabs us with the characters in this novel right from the very beginning. The emotions of John, Eve, Jessica, Eve's baby, Liam, and all of the Shida residents we "meet" are so realistic that I got the feeling they could walk right off the page and into real life. The contrast in atmospheres from John's home in NY, to the inhospitable, icy town of Shida is quite a stark difference. It is here that John will finally have conclusive proof that some "beings" aren't content to leave, even after their earthly bodies are disposed of.
"The dead still hate!"
This novel has everything you could want in a horror story. From the supernatural entities, a town of hidden secrets, engaging characters that you can honestly believe in, and the perfect background for paranormal activity and carnage, you'll find yourself at a momentary loss for words when the tale ends.
The emotional connection between John and those around him are a pivotal part of FOREST OF SHADOWS. The feelings evoked are some that will strengthen your own bond with John and his "family", as the forces pitted against him begin to grow in intensity.
". . . all things must die, even dreams and ideas, love and hate . . . "
While there is so much garnered by this investigation, the questions left are enough to keep your mind racing with alternative possibilities.
"Squeak-pip."
Highly recommended!
". . . Real life was more important than erroneous perceptions."
Through all of this, his young daughter, Jessica, remains his rock--the one person he loves above all others. Now even she is showing a "sensitivity" and connection to "Energy Beings" that John doesn't seem to possess.
In the Alaskan village of Shida, where white people are viewed as the enemy by the Indian community, there stands one grand house that is shunned by all. After a particularly intense incident, the town's only white man starts delving into the area's hidden past. Eventually, he reaches out to John for explanations.
". . . Ghosts, spirits, even demons have no sense of time . . . . Whatever was lurking there did not take days off to sleep in late."
Shea grabs us with the characters in this novel right from the very beginning. The emotions of John, Eve, Jessica, Eve's baby, Liam, and all of the Shida residents we "meet" are so realistic that I got the feeling they could walk right off the page and into real life. The contrast in atmospheres from John's home in NY, to the inhospitable, icy town of Shida is quite a stark difference. It is here that John will finally have conclusive proof that some "beings" aren't content to leave, even after their earthly bodies are disposed of.
"The dead still hate!"
This novel has everything you could want in a horror story. From the supernatural entities, a town of hidden secrets, engaging characters that you can honestly believe in, and the perfect background for paranormal activity and carnage, you'll find yourself at a momentary loss for words when the tale ends.
The emotional connection between John and those around him are a pivotal part of FOREST OF SHADOWS. The feelings evoked are some that will strengthen your own bond with John and his "family", as the forces pitted against him begin to grow in intensity.
". . . all things must die, even dreams and ideas, love and hate . . . "
While there is so much garnered by this investigation, the questions left are enough to keep your mind racing with alternative possibilities.
"Squeak-pip."
Highly recommended!
March 20, 2015
John Backman's hobby is being a paranormal investigator. He even has his own website called Fearnone.com. One day he receives a letter from Judas Graves from the small town of Shida, Alaska. Judas tell John about this haunted log cabin in his hometown. With the sudden death of John's wife, he decides to pack up and go check this haunted cabin out. He brings along his daughter Jessica, his sister in law Eve and her son Liam. John and his family go to Shida and rent the home were all the haunting happens have taken place. John hopes to catch some video or audio sounds with all the equipment that he has set up in the house. The deeper he digs into the history of the haunted house, the more paranormal activities take place. John and his family find out that the town does not welcome newcomers. Even the sheriff of Shida is trying to hide some of their deep dark secrets. John and his family our about to travel one hell of a rocky road to get to the end of this terrifying nightmare. Hunter Shea is an good writer and a excellent storyteller. This is the type of creepy book that you can not put down.
July 19, 2019
I generally love Hunter Shea, I have recently discovered his YouTube channel Monster Men found here
https://www.youtube.com/user/MonsterM... which is a ton of fun, but unfortunately this one didn't really work for me. The reasons behind the 'haunting' just didn't seem to make much sense and I didn't connect with any of the characters, particularly the youngest one.
A solid three stars but certainly not my last Hunter Shea.
https://www.youtube.com/user/MonsterM... which is a ton of fun, but unfortunately this one didn't really work for me. The reasons behind the 'haunting' just didn't seem to make much sense and I didn't connect with any of the characters, particularly the youngest one.
A solid three stars but certainly not my last Hunter Shea.
February 18, 2018
My first experience with this author and it was a good one. This was his first novel I believe and he delivers plenty of scares. It’s a solid ghost story with some spooky scenes that will stick with me for a while. (Don’t think I’ll be heading out into the woods in my back yard at night going forward.)
It’s an easy quick read and if I have any complaint it’s with the dialogue. Some of it feels awfully forced and unnatural at times making the characters seem pretty one dimensional and forgettable. I’m hopeful that this aspect of Shea’s writing gets better in his later books as I plan on reading more of his stuff in the future.
A 3.5 star novel I have no problem rounding to 4 for its creepiness factor alone.
It’s an easy quick read and if I have any complaint it’s with the dialogue. Some of it feels awfully forced and unnatural at times making the characters seem pretty one dimensional and forgettable. I’m hopeful that this aspect of Shea’s writing gets better in his later books as I plan on reading more of his stuff in the future.
A 3.5 star novel I have no problem rounding to 4 for its creepiness factor alone.
February 15, 2016
This book was so good. I was surprised and happy at how in to it I was. Haunted house stories are my favorite but they can be difficult to pull off. The author spiced the story with some drama and lot of mystery. It was well balanced. The characters were engaging. Some slightly annoying but those weren't supposed to be likable. The pace was really good, no dull moments. I was racing to the end with excitement and dread. Most horror stories are a bit predictable- you know who's going to live or die. With this story, I could not tell. I didn't know how it would end. I would definitely read more books by this author.
February 4, 2015
I am a huge fan of Hunter Shea's work and it always amazes me how he is able to tackle a variety of horror topics in an interesting, creative way. Shea has covered monster tales, hauntings and everything in between and all of his works have become favorites of mine. So when I was offered a chance to join the blog tour for his latest novel, Island of the Forbidden, I jumped at the chance. The novel is the third book in a series following the journey of paranormal investigator Jessica Backman and although each book can be read as a stand alone work, I felt I had to start at the beginning. I am one of those people who can't just hop into the middle of the action of a book or TV series, I need to experience the entire thing from the beginning. It is a quirk of mine, but what can I say I am a sucker for back story and losing myself in the mythology of a series! So, leading up to my review of Island of the Forbidden, I will be reviewing the books in order. First up on the review docket is Forest of Shadows, the book that lays the foundation for the series.
Forest of Shadows starts off with a bang, focusing on the Bolster family as they are being attacked by an unearthly force in the middle of the night and seemingly swallowed up by the wilderness surrounding their cabin.
Then we are taken to suburban New York, where John Backman lives with his wife Anne and small daughter Jessica. John and Anne struggle to maintain their relationship with the demands of being new parents, but it is clear that they love each other. They have a huge argument one night when their night of passion is interrupted and John sleeps in the living room, realizing he messed up, but figuring he can make things right in the morning. However, when he wakes up the next morning, his life is altered forever by the tragedy of losing his wife and winning the lottery.
Shea skips five years into the future, which finds John in a rough state. He has developed a crippling anxiety that stems from his wife's death and has thrown himself full-time into his website dedicated to the paranormal, fearnone.com. He started off using the site to host videos, stories and pictures of the unexplained before moving into field investigations. Most of these investigations were into minor phenomena that he documented to help let those who suffered similar experiences know they were not alone. It isn't until he gets an email from a man named Judas Graves that he feels he has stumbled across something huge. Judas was cleaning a mysterious yet beautiful cabin in a small Alaskan town called Shida when he encountered something ripped straight from his nightmares. John transports his daughter, sister-in-law Eve and her son Liam to Shida in order to get to the bottom of what sort of darkness has taken up residence in the cabin and finds something that even he is not prepared to face.
Shea does an excellent job of developing his characters in Forest of Shadows. From the loving family dynamic between John, Eve and their children to the debauchery displayed by Muraco Fenton and his gang, Shea breathes life into characters and their relationships. Also, if I am being honest, part of what made me love this novel was I couldn't help but feel a connection to John Backman. John is fascinated by the unexplained and devours books on everything from UFOs to the Loch Ness Monster and I can definitely identify with that. One of my favorite things to do when I have a bit of down time is to read up on unexplained phenomena and it isn't out of the ordinary for me to spend hours scouring the internet reading everything I can find and quickly losing track of time. From what I have read on Hunter's blog and through following his excellent Monster Men podcast with Jack Campisi, it is evident Shea is a huge fan of the paranormal as well. That love of all things unexplained and horror bleeds through on every page of Forest of Shadows and is part of what makes the novel such a great read.
Shea also does a fantastic job of transporting readers to the remote wilderness of Alaska and brings the town of Shida to life. You know those scenes in horror movies when the characters show up to a small town and you get that unshakable feeling something is somehow off? Residents staring silently while the characters enter a diner or store and then that one creepy resident that says something that immediately sends shivers down your spine? That is the very same sense of unease that Hunter develops here and it sets an eerie tone for the story.
Forest of Shadows starts off as a bit of a quiet horror story with Hunter giving quick glimpses of the entities haunting Shida starting with weird noises and glimpses of shadows that slowly builds an ominous presence throughout the novel. By the time we get to the novel's conclusion, Hunter dials up the horror to terrifying heights for a thrilling horror read that I found myself reading late into the night. There are occasional lulls in the story, but Forest of Shadows is a must add to the library of anyone who loves a great ghost story.
Forest of Shadows starts off with a bang, focusing on the Bolster family as they are being attacked by an unearthly force in the middle of the night and seemingly swallowed up by the wilderness surrounding their cabin.
Then we are taken to suburban New York, where John Backman lives with his wife Anne and small daughter Jessica. John and Anne struggle to maintain their relationship with the demands of being new parents, but it is clear that they love each other. They have a huge argument one night when their night of passion is interrupted and John sleeps in the living room, realizing he messed up, but figuring he can make things right in the morning. However, when he wakes up the next morning, his life is altered forever by the tragedy of losing his wife and winning the lottery.
Shea skips five years into the future, which finds John in a rough state. He has developed a crippling anxiety that stems from his wife's death and has thrown himself full-time into his website dedicated to the paranormal, fearnone.com. He started off using the site to host videos, stories and pictures of the unexplained before moving into field investigations. Most of these investigations were into minor phenomena that he documented to help let those who suffered similar experiences know they were not alone. It isn't until he gets an email from a man named Judas Graves that he feels he has stumbled across something huge. Judas was cleaning a mysterious yet beautiful cabin in a small Alaskan town called Shida when he encountered something ripped straight from his nightmares. John transports his daughter, sister-in-law Eve and her son Liam to Shida in order to get to the bottom of what sort of darkness has taken up residence in the cabin and finds something that even he is not prepared to face.
Shea does an excellent job of developing his characters in Forest of Shadows. From the loving family dynamic between John, Eve and their children to the debauchery displayed by Muraco Fenton and his gang, Shea breathes life into characters and their relationships. Also, if I am being honest, part of what made me love this novel was I couldn't help but feel a connection to John Backman. John is fascinated by the unexplained and devours books on everything from UFOs to the Loch Ness Monster and I can definitely identify with that. One of my favorite things to do when I have a bit of down time is to read up on unexplained phenomena and it isn't out of the ordinary for me to spend hours scouring the internet reading everything I can find and quickly losing track of time. From what I have read on Hunter's blog and through following his excellent Monster Men podcast with Jack Campisi, it is evident Shea is a huge fan of the paranormal as well. That love of all things unexplained and horror bleeds through on every page of Forest of Shadows and is part of what makes the novel such a great read.
Shea also does a fantastic job of transporting readers to the remote wilderness of Alaska and brings the town of Shida to life. You know those scenes in horror movies when the characters show up to a small town and you get that unshakable feeling something is somehow off? Residents staring silently while the characters enter a diner or store and then that one creepy resident that says something that immediately sends shivers down your spine? That is the very same sense of unease that Hunter develops here and it sets an eerie tone for the story.
Forest of Shadows starts off as a bit of a quiet horror story with Hunter giving quick glimpses of the entities haunting Shida starting with weird noises and glimpses of shadows that slowly builds an ominous presence throughout the novel. By the time we get to the novel's conclusion, Hunter dials up the horror to terrifying heights for a thrilling horror read that I found myself reading late into the night. There are occasional lulls in the story, but Forest of Shadows is a must add to the library of anyone who loves a great ghost story.
March 2, 2013
Now until March 15, 2013 check out the news and giveaways at my blog link from Hunter Shea:
http://hookofabook.wordpress.com/2013...
Review:
Do shadows lurk around the corner of your home? Press against your window, claw at your door? Does evil claim your territory for their own devices? No, well….you’re not having any fun then. I suggest you get your fix like I did by reading Forest of Shadows by Hunter Shea.
Until you pick up your own copy, or possibly win the giveaway mentioned below, maybe this blog post will entertain you. Lurking shadows of the night won’t envelope you just from reading this post, BUT if you don’t read it you’ll miss the review of one of the best scary stories I’ve read in years. Published by Samhain Publishing’s horror line, Shea is one of the best writers currently out there and I don’t say that lightly.
Reading Evil Eternal by Shea first, I was not sure what to expect from Forest of Shadows since Evil Eternal is a rip-roaring bloody demonic action adventure. I know Shea is a big fan of ghost adventures and the paranormal, so I was hoping this was some kind of ghost story I could really settle down and get goosebumps from. I wasn’t disappointed!
Primarily taking place in an extremely remote town in Alaska that is more like a makeshift modern Native American village that belongs to the dump, Shea takes time to develop his characters and the town’s visual details. But not in any way that makes the story seem slow or going nowhere…in fact, he builds his characters and his suspense like a master professional with just enough alluding paragraphs, chapter endings, and out of nowhere sentences that made me jump out of my seat or my spine tingle.
His verbiage is supreme goodness, his prose so smooth like ghostly vapors, and his foreboding and mystery perfectly ominous and flawless. I was SUCKED right in and couldn’t stop turning the pages. I refused to want to stop reading to do normal tasks such as shower or eat.
His protagonist, paranormal hobbyist John, and his young daughter, Jessica, hail from New York and take up residence in this unlikely outpost based on a ghost hunting tip from a resident intelligent Indian delinquent who has a fancy for the local librarian and unexpectedly encounters a strange phenomena in John’s soon to be home. But this town doesn’t like white folk, or outsiders, and furthermore, doesn’t like its secrets told or history uncovered.
I really enjoyed how Shea was able to write a clean novel, without a lot of crass sex or bloody gore. When he did write some in during the bursting at the seams finale, he did so in a way that shocking and fast-paced. He was toying so much with my emotions that I barely saw the blood I knew must be there as I was focusing on feeling for the characters. I won’t give the ending away, but he had me guessing till the last. It was redemptive and sad all the same, with a message of good vs. evil you won’t want to miss.
He was able to scare the living daylights out of me–had me listening to the creak of my house stairs with more than passing notice and out my back window at night, even walking and looking over my shoulder–by utilizing straight-forward story telling at its finest. If you are a fan of authors who write augur ghost stories, then Shea is a must read and I recommend him highly.
Forest of Shadows has a sequel coming out this Spring from Samhain called Sinister Entity. Shea also has written a novella called The Graveyard Speaks, which is a prequel to the sequel. (Yes, you can laugh at that). To make it more confusing, it’s a sequel to Forest of Shadows, but also a stand-alone and the start of a new series. The Graveyard Speaks takes place some 13 years after Forest of Shadows ends and one month prior to Sinister Entity. Shea utilizes one of his most endearing main characters from Forest of Shadows for Sinister Entity.
http://hookofabook.wordpress.com/2013...
Review:
Do shadows lurk around the corner of your home? Press against your window, claw at your door? Does evil claim your territory for their own devices? No, well….you’re not having any fun then. I suggest you get your fix like I did by reading Forest of Shadows by Hunter Shea.
Until you pick up your own copy, or possibly win the giveaway mentioned below, maybe this blog post will entertain you. Lurking shadows of the night won’t envelope you just from reading this post, BUT if you don’t read it you’ll miss the review of one of the best scary stories I’ve read in years. Published by Samhain Publishing’s horror line, Shea is one of the best writers currently out there and I don’t say that lightly.
Reading Evil Eternal by Shea first, I was not sure what to expect from Forest of Shadows since Evil Eternal is a rip-roaring bloody demonic action adventure. I know Shea is a big fan of ghost adventures and the paranormal, so I was hoping this was some kind of ghost story I could really settle down and get goosebumps from. I wasn’t disappointed!
Primarily taking place in an extremely remote town in Alaska that is more like a makeshift modern Native American village that belongs to the dump, Shea takes time to develop his characters and the town’s visual details. But not in any way that makes the story seem slow or going nowhere…in fact, he builds his characters and his suspense like a master professional with just enough alluding paragraphs, chapter endings, and out of nowhere sentences that made me jump out of my seat or my spine tingle.
His verbiage is supreme goodness, his prose so smooth like ghostly vapors, and his foreboding and mystery perfectly ominous and flawless. I was SUCKED right in and couldn’t stop turning the pages. I refused to want to stop reading to do normal tasks such as shower or eat.
His protagonist, paranormal hobbyist John, and his young daughter, Jessica, hail from New York and take up residence in this unlikely outpost based on a ghost hunting tip from a resident intelligent Indian delinquent who has a fancy for the local librarian and unexpectedly encounters a strange phenomena in John’s soon to be home. But this town doesn’t like white folk, or outsiders, and furthermore, doesn’t like its secrets told or history uncovered.
I really enjoyed how Shea was able to write a clean novel, without a lot of crass sex or bloody gore. When he did write some in during the bursting at the seams finale, he did so in a way that shocking and fast-paced. He was toying so much with my emotions that I barely saw the blood I knew must be there as I was focusing on feeling for the characters. I won’t give the ending away, but he had me guessing till the last. It was redemptive and sad all the same, with a message of good vs. evil you won’t want to miss.
He was able to scare the living daylights out of me–had me listening to the creak of my house stairs with more than passing notice and out my back window at night, even walking and looking over my shoulder–by utilizing straight-forward story telling at its finest. If you are a fan of authors who write augur ghost stories, then Shea is a must read and I recommend him highly.
Forest of Shadows has a sequel coming out this Spring from Samhain called Sinister Entity. Shea also has written a novella called The Graveyard Speaks, which is a prequel to the sequel. (Yes, you can laugh at that). To make it more confusing, it’s a sequel to Forest of Shadows, but also a stand-alone and the start of a new series. The Graveyard Speaks takes place some 13 years after Forest of Shadows ends and one month prior to Sinister Entity. Shea utilizes one of his most endearing main characters from Forest of Shadows for Sinister Entity.
Read
March 19, 2015Forest of Shadows is a book that just gets creepier as you go one. For a horror/ ghostly story, there is a lot happening in the book to get to its crescendo. Hunter Shea writes his prose with lots of detail. His background with the paranormal, shows thru here.
He write in great detail about his main characters, giving them life, as he gets you to feel real emotions for them as if they were alive.
Some might think that there is a little bit too much detail in the story before anything of any consequence actually starts to take place. As I am not one that believes much in writing down spoilers in my reviews, I would prefer to say that this book holds the key to Hunter Shea's up and coming success. I started with " The Montauk Monster" and now I'm working backwards starting with one of his first. I was absolutely wowed by his "Montauk" book. One of the best I've read and enjoyed.
It's good to see how his style develops from novel to novel. I'm looking forward to his next one a little later on.
Forest of Shadows is a book about a man, John Backman, his 7yo daughter and a very close friend, Eve and her young son Liam, as they go to Shida, Alaska, to investigate a house that has seen a good amount of paranormal activity. A house that once he gets there and decides to move in with his family to investigate it a whole lot more.
John Backman specializes in the paranormal and the very weird. When he receives a letter from a terrified man telling of an old log home with whisperings and shadows that come alive, he can't resist it.
The residents of Shida are made up of mostly American and Alaskan decent and they have no love for the white man there. They also make no bones about the fact that they should not stay in the house as that it will wake up the evil that as plagued the town for generations.
As the John delves more into the fork lore and the beginnings of Shida, he is stonewalled at every corner. Under the guise that he is a writer working on his first book about a similar fictional northern town, he tries to find out what might be going on that has the long time citizens of this town so terrified.
As he sets up audio and video surveillance around his new home, the whole family experiences creaking on the stairs, banging doors and even the appearance of ghostly figures walking thru the hallways and the ground of the house.
But the northern snows are closing in, and he still needs to complete his research. But the shadows are moving in closer as well. Evil needs a home, and John Backman is about to become the landlord.
To say more about this would be a disservice. This is a novel of shivers and things that go bump in the night. This will only lead into more with the novel written after this one.
He write in great detail about his main characters, giving them life, as he gets you to feel real emotions for them as if they were alive.
Some might think that there is a little bit too much detail in the story before anything of any consequence actually starts to take place. As I am not one that believes much in writing down spoilers in my reviews, I would prefer to say that this book holds the key to Hunter Shea's up and coming success. I started with " The Montauk Monster" and now I'm working backwards starting with one of his first. I was absolutely wowed by his "Montauk" book. One of the best I've read and enjoyed.
It's good to see how his style develops from novel to novel. I'm looking forward to his next one a little later on.
Forest of Shadows is a book about a man, John Backman, his 7yo daughter and a very close friend, Eve and her young son Liam, as they go to Shida, Alaska, to investigate a house that has seen a good amount of paranormal activity. A house that once he gets there and decides to move in with his family to investigate it a whole lot more.
John Backman specializes in the paranormal and the very weird. When he receives a letter from a terrified man telling of an old log home with whisperings and shadows that come alive, he can't resist it.
The residents of Shida are made up of mostly American and Alaskan decent and they have no love for the white man there. They also make no bones about the fact that they should not stay in the house as that it will wake up the evil that as plagued the town for generations.
As the John delves more into the fork lore and the beginnings of Shida, he is stonewalled at every corner. Under the guise that he is a writer working on his first book about a similar fictional northern town, he tries to find out what might be going on that has the long time citizens of this town so terrified.
As he sets up audio and video surveillance around his new home, the whole family experiences creaking on the stairs, banging doors and even the appearance of ghostly figures walking thru the hallways and the ground of the house.
But the northern snows are closing in, and he still needs to complete his research. But the shadows are moving in closer as well. Evil needs a home, and John Backman is about to become the landlord.
To say more about this would be a disservice. This is a novel of shivers and things that go bump in the night. This will only lead into more with the novel written after this one.
May 19, 2012
I really enjoyed Hunter Shea's Forest of Shadows. The writing is top-notch. The prologue sets the tone for this creepy experience. The main character is a paranormal investigator who has an open mind for all things "strange" including extra-terrestrial life, although there are no aliens in this tale. This is an atmospheric, mood-setting piece, filled with sadness, mystery, scares, detail and good old fashion fun. From reading the book, you can tell Mr. Shea is either a paranormal buff or did a lot of research in the field. There isnt a lot of gore in this one, making it a book for a wider audience, but for gore fans, dont worry, the gore isnt necessary and the chills are still very much present. Highly recommended for all fans of horror as well as mystery.
November 16, 2012
A book that keeps me giddy and on my toes from the start to the end has me sold. Hunter does this. After reading what the book was about and looking at the cover the book was practically calling me to read it. So I obeyed. I was caught up in the web of characters pretty quickly and found myself peeking into what I thought their fates would hold and to have something change causing my theory to leave and be replaced over again. As his stew of clues, people, personalities, and bump in the night noises started to boil I felt myself want to jump in the pages and be part of the story. When the last page was turned I couldn’t help but want to read more. Hunter Shea is a new collection on my bookshelf and I think he should be on everyone else’s too.
February 26, 2012
Hunter Shea's debut lures you into its mystery via a well drawn and sympathetic protaganist - paranormal investigator/debunker John Backman. After a frenetic, haunted-house-gone-bonkers introduction, the quieter dramatic trade-off between Backman's personal tragedy and sudden good fortune hooks you into the deeper story. Shea's eclectic supporting cast of characters is fun, and each has his/her dark secret to reveal as the tale progresses to a pacy climax. Hunter Shea is the kind of storyteller who likes to creep you out with a knowing twinkle in his eye.
December 24, 2014
Hunter Shea's Forest of Shadows is a genuinely creepy ghost story, perfectly paced, and populated with a great cast of characters. Scary, heartfelt, and very memorable. I loved it!
August 24, 2016
I really enjoyed this book and will be reading more from this author. That is the highest praise I can offer.
October 13, 2018
Hunter Shea writes horror novels with very endearing and fleshed-out characters. I'm loving it.
April 8, 2022
A wonderful book!
This is such a great book. It has deep themes, scary scenes, great characters, and a view of an isolated part of the world.
John Backman is a great character. I loved his interest in cryptids and the paranormal. It was impossible not to feel for him after his tragedy. His anxiety was so well described and understandable.
I loved all the other characters too. Jessica was so sweet and interesting. Eve was lovely. The characters in Alaska were great.
I loved the setting of Alaska. It gave great contrast to John’s normal life and I loved the mix of characters that made up the town.
The horror elements were exciting, intriguing and scary.
This book ticked all the boxes for me. I absolutely loved it. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
This is such a great book. It has deep themes, scary scenes, great characters, and a view of an isolated part of the world.
John Backman is a great character. I loved his interest in cryptids and the paranormal. It was impossible not to feel for him after his tragedy. His anxiety was so well described and understandable.
I loved all the other characters too. Jessica was so sweet and interesting. Eve was lovely. The characters in Alaska were great.
I loved the setting of Alaska. It gave great contrast to John’s normal life and I loved the mix of characters that made up the town.
The horror elements were exciting, intriguing and scary.
This book ticked all the boxes for me. I absolutely loved it. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
April 14, 2012
"If a place [is] truly haunted, it [is] haunted during the light of day as well as the night."
Ever since the sudden death of his wife, John has suffered debilitating anxiety. He lives a reclusive life, connected to the world through his daughter and his close friend, Eve. John's other connection is not so much to the world as it is, but to the supernatural. A financial windfall gave him the ability to turn his hobby of paranormal research into a full time pursuit, including running a website. The site brings in photos of alleged specters, recordings of spirits speaking with voice boxes of white noise, and emails describing events with no supporting evidence beyond the writer's words. It is one of the latter, an email describing strange occurrences, that changes everything and leads John to take his extended family, including Eve and her toddler son, to remote Shida, Alaska.
The house in Shida is expansive, expensive, and wonderful. The townsfolk don't like John, but the house itself is perfect - or so it seems. It isn't long before everyone is swept up in a web of paranormal activity culminating in beyond-the-grave revenge.
Hunter Shea's novel, Forest of Shadows, is not a formulaic haunted house story. Shea brings more than just the scary with Forest of Shadows: there's a deep look at racism, a commentary on how parents can raise children who do not fear the unexplained, and more than a few sobering scenes depicting the raw horror of being gripped by inexplicable panic. There are ghosts, cold spots, EMP activity, a dark history. But there is also love. At its core, Forest of Shadows is a story about love. Familial love, friendship love, romantic love. The evils that come to bear in the book oppose, but cannot destroy, the sheer immensity of love. If a novel can have a thesis, this book's is that love is the real energy, even in the forest of shadows.
Ever since the sudden death of his wife, John has suffered debilitating anxiety. He lives a reclusive life, connected to the world through his daughter and his close friend, Eve. John's other connection is not so much to the world as it is, but to the supernatural. A financial windfall gave him the ability to turn his hobby of paranormal research into a full time pursuit, including running a website. The site brings in photos of alleged specters, recordings of spirits speaking with voice boxes of white noise, and emails describing events with no supporting evidence beyond the writer's words. It is one of the latter, an email describing strange occurrences, that changes everything and leads John to take his extended family, including Eve and her toddler son, to remote Shida, Alaska.
The house in Shida is expansive, expensive, and wonderful. The townsfolk don't like John, but the house itself is perfect - or so it seems. It isn't long before everyone is swept up in a web of paranormal activity culminating in beyond-the-grave revenge.
Hunter Shea's novel, Forest of Shadows, is not a formulaic haunted house story. Shea brings more than just the scary with Forest of Shadows: there's a deep look at racism, a commentary on how parents can raise children who do not fear the unexplained, and more than a few sobering scenes depicting the raw horror of being gripped by inexplicable panic. There are ghosts, cold spots, EMP activity, a dark history. But there is also love. At its core, Forest of Shadows is a story about love. Familial love, friendship love, romantic love. The evils that come to bear in the book oppose, but cannot destroy, the sheer immensity of love. If a novel can have a thesis, this book's is that love is the real energy, even in the forest of shadows.
March 14, 2015
This is my first read for this writer and I loved it. Do you like ghosts? Then this is the book for you.
When John Backman loses his wife, he is left alone with his daughter Jessica. John's sister-in-law, Eve who is now divorced from his brother, helps John take care of Jessica. Oh, did I tell you that John won 25 million from the lottery? But three years later and he is still living in the same house and with the loss of his wife, really doesn't feel that he exists. John has always been interested in the paranormal and does create a website for people to post their experiences.
Through an email John is contacted about a house in Alaska that is haunted. So with Eve, Eve's son Liam, and Jessica, they all move to Alaska to rent the house and record any hauntings.
Well the town is really not welcoming to "white" strangers. This is a Native American town and they don't want outsiders especially coming to this house which has set vacant since the last occupants - a family have 4 came up missing.
I loved the characters in this book and was rooting the whole way that John and Eve would wind up together. Another great character is Jessica that can really see dead people. I loved her..She see's a little boy who warns her of the haunting of this house and to be safe.
Great book, not to be missed. Set your alarms at your house, lock your doors, kick back and read a real ghost story!
When John Backman loses his wife, he is left alone with his daughter Jessica. John's sister-in-law, Eve who is now divorced from his brother, helps John take care of Jessica. Oh, did I tell you that John won 25 million from the lottery? But three years later and he is still living in the same house and with the loss of his wife, really doesn't feel that he exists. John has always been interested in the paranormal and does create a website for people to post their experiences.
Through an email John is contacted about a house in Alaska that is haunted. So with Eve, Eve's son Liam, and Jessica, they all move to Alaska to rent the house and record any hauntings.
Well the town is really not welcoming to "white" strangers. This is a Native American town and they don't want outsiders especially coming to this house which has set vacant since the last occupants - a family have 4 came up missing.
I loved the characters in this book and was rooting the whole way that John and Eve would wind up together. Another great character is Jessica that can really see dead people. I loved her..She see's a little boy who warns her of the haunting of this house and to be safe.
Great book, not to be missed. Set your alarms at your house, lock your doors, kick back and read a real ghost story!
May 4, 2012
After his wife's sudden death, John Backman indulged into his hobby of paranormal. The irony of his wife's death was on the day she died, they won the lotto.
John suffered insomnia after his wife died of a heart attack while she was sleeping. He became afraid of dying in his sleep that way but he knew that he has no cause to be afraid. He came across a case of a haunting in Shida, Alaska.
During his investigation, John, his daughter Jessica, his sister-in-law Eve and her son Liam discovered that the small town of Shida, does not welcome newcomers. The deeper they dug into the history of the haunted house, the paranormal activities started to increase.
The story started out scary but as I kept reading, I wanted to know what is Shida hiding. When a haunting gets violence, I know there has to be some dark secrets that the town is hiding. That's quite typical of a haunting. Even the sheriff is trying to protect the town's secrets so I know he couldn't be trusted. The thing about this story is I wanted to find out what secrets is the town hiding. The readers will definitely be glued to the book until the end.
John suffered insomnia after his wife died of a heart attack while she was sleeping. He became afraid of dying in his sleep that way but he knew that he has no cause to be afraid. He came across a case of a haunting in Shida, Alaska.
During his investigation, John, his daughter Jessica, his sister-in-law Eve and her son Liam discovered that the small town of Shida, does not welcome newcomers. The deeper they dug into the history of the haunted house, the paranormal activities started to increase.
The story started out scary but as I kept reading, I wanted to know what is Shida hiding. When a haunting gets violence, I know there has to be some dark secrets that the town is hiding. That's quite typical of a haunting. Even the sheriff is trying to protect the town's secrets so I know he couldn't be trusted. The thing about this story is I wanted to find out what secrets is the town hiding. The readers will definitely be glued to the book until the end.
March 2, 2014
I love me a spine-tingling ghost story, and this one started out with a bang. Hunter Shea is a master at characterization and making you care about his characters, whose personalities are so distinct and so realistic, I felt like I'd known them my whole life. When paranormal investigator John and his family go to a reportedly haunted house in Alaska, I was genuinely worried for all of them.
The spook factor is high in this book, but not as high as in Sinister Entity, which is actually book two. Some details were told to John about the house but not to the reader. I suppose I could use my imagination to fill in the blanks, but I know Hunter would've surprised me if I'd been clued in.
Still though, this was an enjoyable read. I'll continue stalking Hunter Shea while I read the rest of his books.
The spook factor is high in this book, but not as high as in Sinister Entity, which is actually book two. Some details were told to John about the house but not to the reader. I suppose I could use my imagination to fill in the blanks, but I know Hunter would've surprised me if I'd been clued in.
Still though, this was an enjoyable read. I'll continue stalking Hunter Shea while I read the rest of his books.
March 14, 2012
Forest of Shadows is a claustrophobic tale of a haunted house and the haunted inhabitants of a remote Alaskan town. When John Backman (a bereaved paranormal investigator) and his family move into a supposedly haunted house they find that the threats to their safety are not just from the supernatural but also from the townsfolk. Strangers aren't welcome in Shida; it is a town with secrets that refuse to stay buried.
A chilling tale with an endearing, eclectic and disturbing cast of characters. Nicely paced, building momentum to a satisfying and horrifying conclusion. Beware, it will break your heart.
Highly recommended.
A chilling tale with an endearing, eclectic and disturbing cast of characters. Nicely paced, building momentum to a satisfying and horrifying conclusion. Beware, it will break your heart.
Highly recommended.
September 18, 2013
The Forest of Shadows by Hunter Shea is a horror novel put out by Samhain. I believe it is Hunter's first novel and certainly a fine debut publication on his part. The book has a strong build up and a good deal of suspense. Even though the book focuses on the main character, John, Hunter uses several other points of view to try to flesh out the story and give it a well-rounded feel.
Read the rest of the Forest of Shadows review at SFReader
Read the rest of the Forest of Shadows review at SFReader
January 29, 2016
I think horror stories are difficult to do well, but Hunter Shea has managed to do it with Forest of Shadows. I was torn between not wanting to put it down and wanting to make it last as long as possible. The characters were realistic and I really cared about what was going to happen to them. The ending was so sweet I got tears in my eyes, which is really an odd thing to happen after reading a book that's truly scary. I think Forest of Shadows would make a great movie, but I know it's a great read.
August 9, 2012
John Backman isn't disappointed when he accepts an invitation to investigate a haunted cabin outside of Shida, Alaska. What he finds isn't just a haunted cabin, he moves into the epicenter of a haunted community.
If you need a balls to the wall sprint, from cover to cover, then Forest of Shadows may not be your cup of tea. This story is like an old kettle. A slow boil that finishes with a scream.
Hunter Shea delivers a finish that is worth the wait.
If you need a balls to the wall sprint, from cover to cover, then Forest of Shadows may not be your cup of tea. This story is like an old kettle. A slow boil that finishes with a scream.
Hunter Shea delivers a finish that is worth the wait.
August 6, 2013
Hunter Shea's Forest of Shadows starts with a bang, then goes slower, telling the story of John Backman's wife' death, his anxiety attacks, his love for his daughter, his friendship to his wife's sister and his passion for the paranormal. The setting, a beautiful expensive house in Alaska is spooky enough and the story becomes creepier and creepier as we go deeper in the small town's history. A fine debut and a great set of characters fill this novel to a satisfying finish.
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