The Shouts Beneath

by Paige Cowan-Hall, Jade Anouka (Narrator)

Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Discoveries Award 2023

An intensely gripping modern myth about family, secrets, belonging, identity and the power of finding your voice.

Emily has spent her life running away. She never speaks about what happened between her and her mother at her family home when she was a child. All anyone knows is that same night her father packed up the car and drove Emily away. For her safety, he said. She hasn’t been home since.

When her mother dies on her 28th birthday, everything changes. She sees her mother everywhere. She catches glimpses at the corner of her eye. She haunts her dreams.

And as the line between dreaming and waking begins to blur, her husband Matt convinces her that the only way she can make peace with her past is to make one final visit to the house she grew up in. With Matt and her friends by her side, she feels ready to take the leap.

Opening this Pandora's box will change Emily’s life forever. Is she ready to face the truth?

Genres: Audiobook, Horror, Crime

5 pages, Audible Audio

Published May 30, 2024

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending got very chaotic and confusing, but I liked it, and overall I really enjoyed this. I listened to it on Audible plus catalogue. The narration was fantastic, pace, plot and length great too.

[Chris Howells · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emily has spent her life running away. She never speaks about what happened between her and her mother at her family home when she was a child. All anyone knows is that same night her father packed up the car and drove Emily away. For her safety, he said. She hasn’t been home since.

This begins with a very strong prologue and you think you are listening to a straight forward murder mystery, but don't be fooled. The story tried my patience a little, but the pace, the good writing and the good performance kept me until the end, which was a little bit disappointing. Even though the review seems very negative, it isn't. I felt it was a good debut novel and I look out for more from Paige Cowan Hall.

[Carla Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE SHOUTS BENEATH

An Audible listen.

This book falls into my “go to genre” of scary and psychological, but it was unlike many of the other “scary” books I have come across.

The Shouts beneath was initially confusing but keeps the reader/ listener hooked throughout with its heart wrenching and emotive descriptive pros helping you to relate to the character and their situation, as they deal with the situation as well as race.

Well written and with a great performance from the narrator.

#TheShoutsBeneath #author #PaigeCowanHall #narrator #JadeAnouka #psychological #scay #confusing #heartwrenching

[Karla Marie Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find the negative reviews on this totally unfathomable. Cowan-Hall writes beautifully and the novel is incredibly propulsive. Such interesting characters and friendship dynamics that are influenced by different levels of privilege. It's an intelligently written horror/thriller that doesn't shy away from exploring big issues and really has something to SAY (often rare for novels of this genre). Maybe some readers didn't like that this book truly does the unexpected but, for me, that's what makes it so special.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is short and jumped right into the main character (Emilys) POV later in adult life, when her mothers death just happens this triggers PTSD of reoccurrence memorys of what happened to Emily when she was a child.

It took until chapter 8 to find out what happened to Emily during her childhood, which caused PTSD. Yes, the story was short, but I did enjoy it. I'd like to read another by this author.

[Joanna Trigg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first two thirds of this, it was well written and I love anything that explores complex family dynamics. However, it went in a very strange direction which I didn't really connect to and the twist felt rushed and predictable as it came about. It felt like the first half was going in one direction and then it very quickly veered off into another. I still really enjoyed it: the writing was great and the narrator did a great job too.

[Iris Light · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tried listening to this book multiple times last year but kept stopping because of the "ghost" portion. It was giving scary movie buti finally decided to power through it. The reveal near the end was very profound. I'm happy I finished it and will be recommending it to others. I took away 1 star only because im confused on what happened with the mother. I will be listening again to see if I may have missed something

[Emily Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had me very confused in the beginning, I was really lost on what was happening and if it was present day or in the past. I felt there were a lot of characters and conversations to have to remember in the beginning as well. The ending felt rushed and also a bit confusing. I was entertained but didn't feel a connection to any characters. 2.5⭐

[Taylor Edwards · Rating 1 out of 5]

99% of the books I read are thrillers/mysteries. I don't know how this book has 4.2 stars on audible. I'm unsure if it was supposed to be a "real mystery" or if something supernatural happened. The last hour was almost painful to listen. The book was also about race, in an odd way. Very strange. Don't waste your time.

[Maxine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh dear, what was this all about? It took ages to get to the point, and when we got there I wondered why we bothered. It was all very hard work and didn't really go anywhere. None of the characters were very likeable, and so I didn't really care too much what happened to them.

As for that bit in the lake- what was all that about? Completely wasted on me I'm afraid.

[Stephanie Starr · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is a slow burn that has a great plot. Unfortunately the first three or four chapters left me confused and it was hard to stay interested. This book has potential but it flopped by having a slow build and hurried ending with unnecessary chatter and conversations.

[Dani Wrafter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully written novella. Cowan-Hall effortlessly creates an atmospheric dark thriller. Exploring themes of privilege, friendships and love. Highlighting the casual and overlooked racism that people face daily. Fantastic book.

[Kate Isobel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unsure how I feel about this book. Good level of description. Lots to learn about the feelings of black people within society hence the 2 stars. But as far as a story goes, the rest of it was pretty bizarre. Loved the narrator on the audio book.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very strange book. Had a tough time figuring out what was going on in some parts. Just wasn't a fan of the story or style of writing. Narrator did a good job.

[Rosemarie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was different to what I expected, in a good way - I didn't want it to end.
Looking forward to reading more from thus author

[R.J. Spruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

The scene at the pub was the most disturbing.

[Kelli Fullmer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was really boring. I had to force myself to endure the last hour just in case something exciting happened. Spoiler alert: nothing exciting happened.

[Hilary Cockshaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Kristi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful.

[Jamie Calhoun · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Tabby · Rating 1 out of 5]

didnt finish it. annoying characters mentioning, or having, sex every five minutes as if it adds to the story in any way. just couldnt care less about what happened with her mother sorry 🤷‍♀️

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started slow but I did end up enjoying the story and a couple of interesting plot twists. Worth listening to but not a must read or listen. 👩🏾‍🦱🦚🎨

[Myke · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really struggled with this, couldn’t connect with the characters at all. The story seemed very jumpy and nothing seemed to get explained

[Lucy B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Lorna Ball · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure about that one, could probably have guessed the usual plot dressed up with a bit of supernatural flavour.

[asif khan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just a Girl On The Train genre book with a very slight horror twist.
Absolutely terrible.

[Genevieve Marenghi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling, beautifully crafted story that cleverly blends thriller, horror and folklore with messy family/friendship dynamics and an all-too-relevant social commentary. Builds to an epic climax.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good psychological thriller.

[Derrick College · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audiobook Review: It has paranormal elements to it. I felt the narrator didn’t really give the characters the voice they needed and read the character dialog in monotone, to me at least, which made the plot of the book anti-climatic and the story boring.

[Alexandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not alot to say, when people pass away some go crazy.