In this mystery-suspense thriller, eight-year-old Billy Wagner confronts his fears. Fear of monsters consumes him, but the darkness leaves him little solace. Imaginary monsters peer at him from behind every door. The spirit of his father always feels so close to him, but he does not feel immune to danger. His mother suspects but can't be sure that her trust may have been wrongfully placed. One woman, conflicted, loses her battle with the demons that lurk in all her days. With strong will and determination, the convictions of someone who comes to his aid saves him from what could have been a lifetime of consternation.
A dark, unsettling, and emotional read. Billy’s struggle with fear and the blurred line between monsters real and imagined kept me hooked. The suspense builds steadily, and the mix of family secrets, trauma, and survival made it both heartbreaking and hopeful. Short but powerful.