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The Shadow Over Lone Wolf Lake
Sometimes dead doesn't mean dead, and sometimes family is bound by more than blood.
After the death of his cantankerous grandmother, twelve-year-old Drew Kline and his family move into her house. It boasts a vast, fantastic forest, a broad and beautiful lake, and it also happens to be Drew’s father’s childhood home and the place where his young uncle disappeared twenty-five years ago.
The night of his arrival, in the crawlspace of his bedroom, Drew discovers a miniature human skull. It's a curiosity between him and his brother Dean, sparking a debate about whether the thing is real or some well-sculpted decoration. When he invites his friends to spend their last weekend of summer break exploring the property’s woods and his uncle’s clandestine fort, which contains a burial ground of pixie-size bodies, they inadvertently find themselves trapped in a land of the dead.
What follows forces Drew’s father to relive the horrific mystery of his uncle’s disappearance and reveals a long-held family secret that has cursed generations. If Drew and his friends want to return home, they’ll have to survive in that strange land as they fight their way back, and his father will have to confront an evil that will only be satisfied with blood.
After the death of his cantankerous grandmother, twelve-year-old Drew Kline and his family move into her house. It boasts a vast, fantastic forest, a broad and beautiful lake, and it also happens to be Drew’s father’s childhood home and the place where his young uncle disappeared twenty-five years ago.
The night of his arrival, in the crawlspace of his bedroom, Drew discovers a miniature human skull. It's a curiosity between him and his brother Dean, sparking a debate about whether the thing is real or some well-sculpted decoration. When he invites his friends to spend their last weekend of summer break exploring the property’s woods and his uncle’s clandestine fort, which contains a burial ground of pixie-size bodies, they inadvertently find themselves trapped in a land of the dead.
What follows forces Drew’s father to relive the horrific mystery of his uncle’s disappearance and reveals a long-held family secret that has cursed generations. If Drew and his friends want to return home, they’ll have to survive in that strange land as they fight their way back, and his father will have to confront an evil that will only be satisfied with blood.
- GenresHorror
484 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
5 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
D.W. Hitz
39 books176 followersD.W. Hitz loves the outdoors and enjoys making it a background character in his work. He devours stories in all mediums. He enjoys writing in the genres of Horror, Supernatural/Paranormal Thriller, and Science Fiction/Fantasy. He aspires to tell stories that thrill the heart and stimulate the imagination.
When not writing, D.W. enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, camping, and playing with the dogs.
Be sure to sign up for his Patreon today at https://patreon.com/dwhitz to stay up to date with news and exclusive offers, plus discounts on signed books.
When not writing, D.W. enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, camping, and playing with the dogs.
Be sure to sign up for his Patreon today at https://patreon.com/dwhitz to stay up to date with news and exclusive offers, plus discounts on signed books.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 2, 2025
D.W. Hitz has combined so many different horror tropes in this book (serial killers, folk horror, Faustian bargains, ghosts, cosmic horror, monsters, cult horror, demons), mixing them with so many standard motifs of dark fantasy (pixies, fairy-like entities, giants, witches, magic, swords, otherdimensional realms, portals), it's a demonstration of true skill that the story flows easily, the large cast feels totally relatable, and the plot twists never strain belief - even though they are further complicated by the tale occuring in two different timelines, and some crucial elements of the story are never explained!
Judging by the crystal clear writing, the compelling dialogue, and the fine pacing, I suspect the book offers also a completely immersive reading experience, but I for one can't take a position on that front - I personally dislike fantasy, and had a lot of trouble getting into the book as much as I would have liked. I love Hitz's fiction, however, so I really wanted to enjoy the book and stuck with it: after a while, the fantasy elements dropped away, and the horrifying truth became apparent - this is a work of horror through and through, the terrifying, otherwordly setting a part of something far more sinister and vile!
The cast is mostly made of teenagers, and this sometimes gives a much needed comedic vibe to the story. The premise is bleak, gruesome, and occasionally grotesque, but those kids are very well done, their shenanigans driving the story forward (and backward), their friendship outshining the darkness they've stumbled upon and balancing the terror and the gore with brilliant banter and heartfelt enthusiasm!
The villains of the piece are quite varied, and this sometimes confused me: from adultery and serial killing to demonic incantations and zombie-like beings that can't die, the story made my head spin, till the brutal ending.
People are devoured, chopped and sliced, families are feasted upon, and kids lose their limbs left and right. If you can handle some gore and enjoy stories told in jump-starts, revolving around rabbit holes, full of mystifying secret plots and carnivalesque atmosphere, then this is the book for you! Unmisseable!
Judging by the crystal clear writing, the compelling dialogue, and the fine pacing, I suspect the book offers also a completely immersive reading experience, but I for one can't take a position on that front - I personally dislike fantasy, and had a lot of trouble getting into the book as much as I would have liked. I love Hitz's fiction, however, so I really wanted to enjoy the book and stuck with it: after a while, the fantasy elements dropped away, and the horrifying truth became apparent - this is a work of horror through and through, the terrifying, otherwordly setting a part of something far more sinister and vile!
The cast is mostly made of teenagers, and this sometimes gives a much needed comedic vibe to the story. The premise is bleak, gruesome, and occasionally grotesque, but those kids are very well done, their shenanigans driving the story forward (and backward), their friendship outshining the darkness they've stumbled upon and balancing the terror and the gore with brilliant banter and heartfelt enthusiasm!
The villains of the piece are quite varied, and this sometimes confused me: from adultery and serial killing to demonic incantations and zombie-like beings that can't die, the story made my head spin, till the brutal ending.
People are devoured, chopped and sliced, families are feasted upon, and kids lose their limbs left and right. If you can handle some gore and enjoy stories told in jump-starts, revolving around rabbit holes, full of mystifying secret plots and carnivalesque atmosphere, then this is the book for you! Unmisseable!
December 8, 2025
This was an awesome fusion of creature and cosmic horror told in two perspectives. D.W's writing really shined in this one. Plenty of scary creatures, brutal scenes, and good old horror in this one. It's a long one, so pack your popcorn or snack of choice.
The characters really stuck out to me. They were all fleshed out and you feel for them as they deal with this cosmic horror experience. Overall, just another great D.W. Hitz book that you need to read for yourself!
The characters really stuck out to me. They were all fleshed out and you feel for them as they deal with this cosmic horror experience. Overall, just another great D.W. Hitz book that you need to read for yourself!
November 9, 2025
4.5/5, rounding up! I got to read an e-arc provided by the author. Regardless, this was one of the most fun books I've read this year. A nice mix of genres with a focus in sort of cosmic horror/stranger things vibes. The story takes place partially in the past (1990s) and present and also partially on earth and another dimension or world. Often I find stories that try to do this end up becoming too confusing or hard to follow but DW did a solid job keeping the story held together throughout the book. If you really don't like stories that jump around in time/setting it may not be for you, but I thought it was well done. I enjoyed the development of the characters and convergence of their lives. I pictured the character of Bobby much like Morty, especially in the otherworld/dimension. Even though this book is partially what I like to call kids-gang horror it doesn't shy away from some gruesome and creepy imagery so it's a solid horror read, and it's better because it's not the to point of extreme horror. There are a multitude of imaginative baddies in the otherworld/dimension, and the Zeetee will be your new favorite creepy thing!! The ending was solid and I really like that it can be a standalone ending or left some potential chance for a sequel. I hope to see the shadow man return!
November 19, 2025
Moving into a new house is stressful enough, but what if the house sits on land with a portal to a nightmare realm where death lurks around every corner? Now that is a move nobody could ever prepare for.
After a tragic loss, Drew and his brother Dean return to their family’s home, a place shrouded in dark history. Years ago, their uncle vanished from the very same house, and now, Drew and Dean are about to uncover the chilling truth of where he went and why he never came back.
Told through two timelines, one set in the 1990s and the other in the present day, this story weaves together a rich narrative and a layered atmosphere that pulls you deeper into the mystery, revealing terrifying truths and a darkness that has been waiting for decades.
From eerie creatures and otherworldly monsters to the spine-chilling horror of the upside-down realm, every page of this story ratchets up the tension. I loved the eerie monsters and the creatures in the other world. They all sounded so horrifying in many different ways.
The ending wrapped up the story perfectly.
Faustian bargains, cosmic monsters, family secrets, and an upside-down world, this story easily has everything someone could want in a dark fantasy or a horror book.
After a tragic loss, Drew and his brother Dean return to their family’s home, a place shrouded in dark history. Years ago, their uncle vanished from the very same house, and now, Drew and Dean are about to uncover the chilling truth of where he went and why he never came back.
Told through two timelines, one set in the 1990s and the other in the present day, this story weaves together a rich narrative and a layered atmosphere that pulls you deeper into the mystery, revealing terrifying truths and a darkness that has been waiting for decades.
From eerie creatures and otherworldly monsters to the spine-chilling horror of the upside-down realm, every page of this story ratchets up the tension. I loved the eerie monsters and the creatures in the other world. They all sounded so horrifying in many different ways.
The ending wrapped up the story perfectly.
Faustian bargains, cosmic monsters, family secrets, and an upside-down world, this story easily has everything someone could want in a dark fantasy or a horror book.
December 1, 2025
The Shadow Over Lone Wolf Lake
By D.W. Hitz
Publisher Fedowar Press, LLC
Published Date December 1, 2025
ASIN B0FWXSWZDL
Page Count 448 Pages
Triggers
Grief and loss of a grandparent and parent, missing child, child endangerment, blood, gore, body horror, creepy bones and tiny corpses, monsters hunting kids, possession or influence, family secrets, generational trauma, some pretty vivid nightmare fuel.
Star Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating
💀💀💀💀
Creepy, tense, and full of nightmare creatures, but not extreme horror. More “I am unsettled and sleeping with the lights on” than “I need a therapist on speed dial.”
What Did I Just Walk Into?
“New house, fresh start” quickly becomes “tiny skull in your crawlspace and a whole pocket universe of nope in the backyard.” This is kids gang horror fused with cosmic horror, Stranger Things vibes, and a nasty little family curse that refuses to stay buried. One minute you are poking around Grandma’s house, the next you have stumbled into an upside down death land where every shadow wants to chew on your soul.
Here’s What Slapped:
The double timeline actually works. You get the 1990s storyline with the missing uncle and the present day with Drew and Dean, and instead of being confusing, it clicks together like one long, slow horror reveal. No whiplash, just steadily rising dread.
The world on the other side is gloriously messed up. Eerie creatures, otherworldly monsters, nightmare geography, and a constant feeling that the rules of reality are not on your side. The “upside down” realm feels like a fully built world, not just a spooky backdrop.
Monsters with personality. The Zeetee and the other baddies are not just vague blobs of evil. They are imaginative, gross, unsettling, and weirdly memorable. You will know exactly which one you never want to meet in the dark.
Faustian bargains and family secrets. I love a good “your family made a terrible deal and now you are screwed for generations” story, and this one leans in. The way the curse unfolds and forces Dad to confront his past adds real emotional weight to the monster mayhem.
Kids gang horror with teeth. This has that classic group of kids dynamic, full of heart and banter, but the book does not pull punches. There are real stakes, real danger, and some seriously creepy imagery. It hits that sweet spot between adventurous and horrifying.
A solid ending that actually lands. The story wraps up in a satisfying way, but still leaves a sliver of space for a sequel or a return of the shadowy nastiness. You get closure without feeling like every dark corner has been scrubbed clean.
Mr. DW Hitz doing what Mr. DW Hitz does. Genre blend, cosmic weirdness, and emotional gut punches all in one. At this point, if his name is on the cover, I am already in the boat and halfway across the lake.
What Could’ve Been Better:
If you absolutely cannot stand dual timelines or stories that hop between worlds, this might test your patience, even though it is handled cleanly.
This is not extreme horror, which for some people will be a plus and for others might feel a bit too “tame” given how wild the concept is. Personally, I appreciated that it went creepy and gruesome without diving into pure shock value.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Stranger Things style kids facing cosmic nightmares
Family curses and dark secrets clawing their way to the surface
Dual timelines that actually pay off
Portal horror and upside down alternate realms
Imaginative monsters with a strong “absolutely not” vibe
Dark fantasy horror that is unsettling without being all-out splatter
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
By D.W. Hitz
Publisher Fedowar Press, LLC
Published Date December 1, 2025
ASIN B0FWXSWZDL
Page Count 448 Pages
Triggers
Grief and loss of a grandparent and parent, missing child, child endangerment, blood, gore, body horror, creepy bones and tiny corpses, monsters hunting kids, possession or influence, family secrets, generational trauma, some pretty vivid nightmare fuel.
Star Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating
💀💀💀💀
Creepy, tense, and full of nightmare creatures, but not extreme horror. More “I am unsettled and sleeping with the lights on” than “I need a therapist on speed dial.”
What Did I Just Walk Into?
“New house, fresh start” quickly becomes “tiny skull in your crawlspace and a whole pocket universe of nope in the backyard.” This is kids gang horror fused with cosmic horror, Stranger Things vibes, and a nasty little family curse that refuses to stay buried. One minute you are poking around Grandma’s house, the next you have stumbled into an upside down death land where every shadow wants to chew on your soul.
Here’s What Slapped:
The double timeline actually works. You get the 1990s storyline with the missing uncle and the present day with Drew and Dean, and instead of being confusing, it clicks together like one long, slow horror reveal. No whiplash, just steadily rising dread.
The world on the other side is gloriously messed up. Eerie creatures, otherworldly monsters, nightmare geography, and a constant feeling that the rules of reality are not on your side. The “upside down” realm feels like a fully built world, not just a spooky backdrop.
Monsters with personality. The Zeetee and the other baddies are not just vague blobs of evil. They are imaginative, gross, unsettling, and weirdly memorable. You will know exactly which one you never want to meet in the dark.
Faustian bargains and family secrets. I love a good “your family made a terrible deal and now you are screwed for generations” story, and this one leans in. The way the curse unfolds and forces Dad to confront his past adds real emotional weight to the monster mayhem.
Kids gang horror with teeth. This has that classic group of kids dynamic, full of heart and banter, but the book does not pull punches. There are real stakes, real danger, and some seriously creepy imagery. It hits that sweet spot between adventurous and horrifying.
A solid ending that actually lands. The story wraps up in a satisfying way, but still leaves a sliver of space for a sequel or a return of the shadowy nastiness. You get closure without feeling like every dark corner has been scrubbed clean.
Mr. DW Hitz doing what Mr. DW Hitz does. Genre blend, cosmic weirdness, and emotional gut punches all in one. At this point, if his name is on the cover, I am already in the boat and halfway across the lake.
What Could’ve Been Better:
If you absolutely cannot stand dual timelines or stories that hop between worlds, this might test your patience, even though it is handled cleanly.
This is not extreme horror, which for some people will be a plus and for others might feel a bit too “tame” given how wild the concept is. Personally, I appreciated that it went creepy and gruesome without diving into pure shock value.
Perfect for Readers Who Love:
Stranger Things style kids facing cosmic nightmares
Family curses and dark secrets clawing their way to the surface
Dual timelines that actually pay off
Portal horror and upside down alternate realms
Imaginative monsters with a strong “absolutely not” vibe
Dark fantasy horror that is unsettling without being all-out splatter
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
December 1, 2025
The Shadow Over Lone Wolf Lake by the incomparable D.W. Hitz is a riveting and sophisticated cosmic horror story rich with suspense, terror, gruesome horrors, and impactful poignancy. And most importantly, it’s a great read.
Hitz’s characters are incredibly vivid and evocative, and they drive the story through thought, deed, and interaction with one another. You feel the emotions in your gut and chest, though some of that emotion is intense dislike for certain characters. The suspense is relentless, and the tension is maddening, as one expects from this author, but here, Hitz creates new levels of genre-bending cosmic horror setting and sequence, new levels of gasp-out-loud horrors, new depths of terror.
The Shadow Over Lone Wolf Lake is not a Custer Falls story, but it is Custer Falls adjacent (Custer Falls is actually across the way a piece from Lone Wolf Lake), and here, the area has its own history of strange and awful happenings. Coming in at over 480 (print length) pages, this full-length novel is an immersive, chilling, and emotionally exhausting reading experience. Due to subject matter and content, it is probably best suited for those with stronger constitutions, but I cannot recommend it enough.
A Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2025/12/01/the-shadow-over-lone-wolf-lake/
Hitz’s characters are incredibly vivid and evocative, and they drive the story through thought, deed, and interaction with one another. You feel the emotions in your gut and chest, though some of that emotion is intense dislike for certain characters. The suspense is relentless, and the tension is maddening, as one expects from this author, but here, Hitz creates new levels of genre-bending cosmic horror setting and sequence, new levels of gasp-out-loud horrors, new depths of terror.
The Shadow Over Lone Wolf Lake is not a Custer Falls story, but it is Custer Falls adjacent (Custer Falls is actually across the way a piece from Lone Wolf Lake), and here, the area has its own history of strange and awful happenings. Coming in at over 480 (print length) pages, this full-length novel is an immersive, chilling, and emotionally exhausting reading experience. Due to subject matter and content, it is probably best suited for those with stronger constitutions, but I cannot recommend it enough.
A Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2025/12/01/the-shadow-over-lone-wolf-lake/
December 9, 2025
This book is incredible and probably my favorite book I've read from him. If you enjoy Stranger Things, you'll like this book. The alternate realm in this book has the most imaginative monsters that want to eat you.
We follow a group of teens who fight their way back after getting sucked in. There are different points of view and timelines. I enjoyed seeing the adults' experiences and how they relate to how the teens get stuck. It gets complicated, but I was able to follow it easily. He created characters that I cared about (except for one because he's truly evil) and I felt a healthy amount of anxiety when they were going through tense situations, as well as sadness during certain parts of the book. I went through a roller coaster of emotions while reading it.
Despite having young characters, this book doesn't shy away from death and macabre moments. It filled me with existential dread. The idea of dying there, decaying to nothing but yet remaining sentient is horrifying. Some scenes are still living in my head. I had a fantastic time reading and I highly recommend this dark fantasy-horror novel!
We follow a group of teens who fight their way back after getting sucked in. There are different points of view and timelines. I enjoyed seeing the adults' experiences and how they relate to how the teens get stuck. It gets complicated, but I was able to follow it easily. He created characters that I cared about (except for one because he's truly evil) and I felt a healthy amount of anxiety when they were going through tense situations, as well as sadness during certain parts of the book. I went through a roller coaster of emotions while reading it.
Despite having young characters, this book doesn't shy away from death and macabre moments. It filled me with existential dread. The idea of dying there, decaying to nothing but yet remaining sentient is horrifying. Some scenes are still living in my head. I had a fantastic time reading and I highly recommend this dark fantasy-horror novel!
December 4, 2025
I love a return trip to Custer Falls, and boy did D.W. take us on an epic journey with this one! Drew’s excited to move into his grandmother’s old house on Lone Wolf Lake, despite the fact that his uncle’s childhood disappearance hangs over the property. Little do Drew and his family know that an arcane and sinister presence is still active in the woods and waiting for its next blood sacrifice.
This book had me on the edge of my seat and so anxious for every character. D.W. is a master of descriptive writing and I found this work very cinematic.
This book had me on the edge of my seat and so anxious for every character. D.W. is a master of descriptive writing and I found this work very cinematic.
January 6, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
I always know I'm going to be in for a ride with a D.W. Hitz novel, especially one of this size. This book has a LOT going on, including dual timelines, a large cast of characters, and a pretty distressing alternate dimension. Family secrets abound in this novel, and the two timelines converge in a big way. The characters are fully fleshed out and the book is very well written. 4.5 stars
I always know I'm going to be in for a ride with a D.W. Hitz novel, especially one of this size. This book has a LOT going on, including dual timelines, a large cast of characters, and a pretty distressing alternate dimension. Family secrets abound in this novel, and the two timelines converge in a big way. The characters are fully fleshed out and the book is very well written. 4.5 stars
November 19, 2025
Drew his brother Dean and his family end up at his grandparents' house, hoping for a new start. There is something strange in the woods. People disappear in these woods. What is hiding in there? Is anyone safe. Creepy suspenseful read.
November 19, 2025
I was lucky to be able to receive an ARC for this book from the author and I absolutely loved it! The different time jumps and POVs were very well done and I didn't find any parts that dragged on - great flow!
A solid 4.5 ⭐
A solid 4.5 ⭐
December 2, 2025
If you have not read anything by DW Hitz, I would definitely recommend The Shadow Over Lone Wolf Lake. It was released yesterday, and it is one of my new favourites! It jumps between two timelines and between earth and another dimension. It’s definitely horror, but there is a mystery to be solved, and the fantasy elements gave me T. Kingfisher vibes (and I love her!) The other dimension is full of creepy creatures and some gruesome imagery. As usual, the writing is on point. I loved everything about this book! All the ⭐️’s!
December 28, 2025
Fantastic read! D.W. Hitz did an amazing job holding the story together between timelines and different dimensions in this cosmic horror. Creepy, fun, and masterfully written. The characters development and plot were top notch. Definitely Stranger Things vibe which I absolutely love! Cosmic terrors, a childhood home and woods with dark family secrets..WoW, WoW, WoW. I feel like I have been missing out on Hitz books and I am kind of sad I can’t read this one again for the first time…but maybe a sequel?..please😉
November 28, 2025
A normal family with a daughter and two sons, and parents that have lost their spark due to the usual trials of life - unemployment, financial woes, infidelity and raising kids - has moved into the father’s childhood home to, unbeknownst to them, fulfill a bargain.
It is a family that has been cursed for generations.
That’s enough for a great story alone, but Hitz takes us on a cosmic journey of trials and tribulations in another realm of existence that is full of sentient plants, water that isn’t, and monsters. So many monsters. From blood-thirsty little pixies, with their tiny spears, hatchets and arrows, to thirty-foot tall giant skeletons and everything you can imagine in between. All wanting to kill and destroy everything that crosses their paths.
This is a wildly intense tale that repeatedly ups the ante. Just when you think it can’t get any worse something even crazier happens. Hitz’s living human characters are very relatable, which provided a familiarity in a world that is everything but familiar. Descriptions of the other dimension are beautiful and horrifying; I could picture everything in my mind as if I was watching a film. The tension at every turn is palpable and at times I wanted a break just to relax, but then I couldn’t wait to see how this complex story unfolded.
If cosmic horror is your thing, or if you love Stranger Things, this is the book for you.
It is a family that has been cursed for generations.
That’s enough for a great story alone, but Hitz takes us on a cosmic journey of trials and tribulations in another realm of existence that is full of sentient plants, water that isn’t, and monsters. So many monsters. From blood-thirsty little pixies, with their tiny spears, hatchets and arrows, to thirty-foot tall giant skeletons and everything you can imagine in between. All wanting to kill and destroy everything that crosses their paths.
This is a wildly intense tale that repeatedly ups the ante. Just when you think it can’t get any worse something even crazier happens. Hitz’s living human characters are very relatable, which provided a familiarity in a world that is everything but familiar. Descriptions of the other dimension are beautiful and horrifying; I could picture everything in my mind as if I was watching a film. The tension at every turn is palpable and at times I wanted a break just to relax, but then I couldn’t wait to see how this complex story unfolded.
If cosmic horror is your thing, or if you love Stranger Things, this is the book for you.
January 4, 2026
Book Review: The Shadow Over Lone Wolf Lake by D.W. Hitz
D.W. Hitz delivers a haunting, imaginative and down-right riveting tale in The Shadow Over Lone Wolf Lake, weaving together elements of dark fantasy, horror, and sci-fi with a deeply emotional family narrative. The story centers on a family marked by tragedy, seeking new beginnings in a place saturated with memories and sorrow. Hitz wastes zero time quickly escalating the plot with intertwining stories that pulls you in with an incredibly engrossing story.
Hitz’s writing evokes the adventurous spirit of classics like The Goonies, but with sinister twists reminiscent of Stranger Things, adding in the shifting realities of Silent Hill. Think of Bridge to Terabithia on a bad acid trip. The book’s atmosphere is thick with dread and wonder, as the characters traverse both ours and a world where the dead don’t stay dead, and each step brings new horrors.
Our characters go on a journey that bridges the gap between reality and nightmare, almost literally. The story’s pacing and twists ensure that readers are constantly on edge, never quite sure what awaits beyond the next page.
2025 has been an incredible year for amazing releases and this book is no exception. If you enjoy dark fantasy with emotional depth and inventive world-building, The Shadow Over Lone Wolf Lake is a must-read—one that will absolutely stay with you long after you have put this one down. This was certainly one of my, and pretty much is, favorite reads of 2025.
D.W. Hitz delivers a haunting, imaginative and down-right riveting tale in The Shadow Over Lone Wolf Lake, weaving together elements of dark fantasy, horror, and sci-fi with a deeply emotional family narrative. The story centers on a family marked by tragedy, seeking new beginnings in a place saturated with memories and sorrow. Hitz wastes zero time quickly escalating the plot with intertwining stories that pulls you in with an incredibly engrossing story.
Hitz’s writing evokes the adventurous spirit of classics like The Goonies, but with sinister twists reminiscent of Stranger Things, adding in the shifting realities of Silent Hill. Think of Bridge to Terabithia on a bad acid trip. The book’s atmosphere is thick with dread and wonder, as the characters traverse both ours and a world where the dead don’t stay dead, and each step brings new horrors.
Our characters go on a journey that bridges the gap between reality and nightmare, almost literally. The story’s pacing and twists ensure that readers are constantly on edge, never quite sure what awaits beyond the next page.
2025 has been an incredible year for amazing releases and this book is no exception. If you enjoy dark fantasy with emotional depth and inventive world-building, The Shadow Over Lone Wolf Lake is a must-read—one that will absolutely stay with you long after you have put this one down. This was certainly one of my, and pretty much is, favorite reads of 2025.
December 9, 2025
A deeply original tale that mixes many different genres to great affect, The Shadow Over Lone Wolf Lake though lengthy tells an effective and entertaining tale of family bonds, grief and regret while keeping the horror factor sky high.
The story follows the Kline family when they move into a house gifted to them by the father's mother after she passed away. 12 year old Drew is excited to explore the area only to find much more than he bargains for when he finds a natural fort which is filled with pixie sized skeletons. Excited by his discovery he invites his friends over to take a look but they find themselves pulled into another world. Trapped there, Drew, his brother and friends have to try and find a way to escape before they become like their missing uncle who had disappeared in the area years in the past.
It's an inventive tale, one that is hard to pull off but Hitz's smooth writing style makes it appear effortless. There is plenty of gore and shocking moments and also light-hearted moments thanks to the cast of teenage characters which helps breaks up the grim reality they otherwise find themselves in.
There are flashbacks to the past to when the father previously lived at the house when his brother went missing and ties the past and present together well. The pacing was on point. There was always something happening that made me want to turn the page and find out what happened next.
In my opining this is Hitz's finest work to date and definitely one not to be missed, especially if you are a fan of Stranger Things.
The story follows the Kline family when they move into a house gifted to them by the father's mother after she passed away. 12 year old Drew is excited to explore the area only to find much more than he bargains for when he finds a natural fort which is filled with pixie sized skeletons. Excited by his discovery he invites his friends over to take a look but they find themselves pulled into another world. Trapped there, Drew, his brother and friends have to try and find a way to escape before they become like their missing uncle who had disappeared in the area years in the past.
It's an inventive tale, one that is hard to pull off but Hitz's smooth writing style makes it appear effortless. There is plenty of gore and shocking moments and also light-hearted moments thanks to the cast of teenage characters which helps breaks up the grim reality they otherwise find themselves in.
There are flashbacks to the past to when the father previously lived at the house when his brother went missing and ties the past and present together well. The pacing was on point. There was always something happening that made me want to turn the page and find out what happened next.
In my opining this is Hitz's finest work to date and definitely one not to be missed, especially if you are a fan of Stranger Things.
January 16, 2026
The shadow over lone wolf lake has it all serial killers, magic, folk horror, faustian bargains, witches, giants, ghosts, cosmic horror, monsters, cult horror, portals, demons , pixies, fairish entities, other dimensional realms and some how it all flows together so masterfully.
After a tragic loss. Bothers Drew & Dean return to their family’s home. A house with a dark history. Years ago their uncle vanished from the very same house. Now the brothers are about to uncover the truth of his disappearance & why he never came back.
After a tragic loss. Bothers Drew & Dean return to their family’s home. A house with a dark history. Years ago their uncle vanished from the very same house. Now the brothers are about to uncover the truth of his disappearance & why he never came back.
December 3, 2025
The Shadow over Lone Wolf Lake by D.W. Hitz released yesterday. It's a multiple POV, dual time line story that will capture your attention and leave you glued to your seat.
He hits all the feels. You'll hate some characters, you'll love some, you'll be sad, happy, angry, shocked.
I haven't yet read a Hitz book I didn't like. This was another banger.
💀💀💀💀.5
He hits all the feels. You'll hate some characters, you'll love some, you'll be sad, happy, angry, shocked.
I haven't yet read a Hitz book I didn't like. This was another banger.
💀💀💀💀.5
November 10, 2025
Another incredible read by one of my most favorite authors. I will never pass up an opportunity to read one of this man's books. He's a legend!
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