Shadow of the Muse

by Drina Alexander

Eighteen months have passed since Alissa and her friends encountered the darkness of the Jones mansion. Although still plagued by nightmares of the muse, Alissa is more than ready to step into the world of paranormal investigation. With Lyla by her side, she sets out to chase the unexplained and turn those encounters into stories, just as she did with her experience at the mansion.

At a glittering book gala meant to honour some notable debuts, including Alissa’s, she meets Jacob Whitman, an old friend of Elias, who extends a rare invitation. He offers her the chance to investigate a series of hauntings in Crimson Valley—an exclusive community, paradisical yet rumoured to be a cult. Hesitant at first, Alissa accepts only when Jacob assures her that her friends can join her if they wish.

Soon, Alissa, Lyla, and Blake arrive at Crimson Valley, a place that gleams with beauty, mystery, and magic.

But Jacob Whitman has his own designs, and Alissa soon realises that the invitation she accepted may come with consequences far beyond any ghostly encounters. She begins to suspect the presence of a force she once faced. The muse. But that was impossible, or was it? The repercussions of her past actions against it are far from over.

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2025

About the author

Drina Alexander is a novelist, poet, and musician with a love for dark, emotionally charged storytelling. She crafts gripping supernatural fiction, haunting poetry, and cinematic music, all under her name.

Reviews

[Dead Inside · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟
I liked this one better than the first book, The Crimson Valley setting was very interesting, Calliope was a great character.