Our Shadow Selves

by V.G. Lee

Lee writes with unfailing warmth and wisdom. Sarah Waters. A gripping psychological thriller about trauma, revenge and the price of reinvention. In the crumbling seaside town of Hawksbridge, Shona finds kinship with the eccentric Gifford family living illegally in a derelict building. Their stories of survival give her the courage to paint again-until she discovers a body wrapped in carpet, and everything starts to unravel. Richard knows her secrets. He's documented every shameful detail of her childhood, from the fire she set at fifteen to the deaths that followed. Now he's weaponising that knowledge, jeopardizing her relationships and her future. But Shona has learned something important from the misfits of sometimes the only way to break free is to embrace the darkness you've been running from. As New Year's Day dawns, Shona faces a choice that will define who she really is. Because some shadows can't be escaped-they can only be owned

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2026

About the author

VG Lee is a comedian and author of five novels and two collections of short stories. In 2012, Lee was nominated for a Stonewall Award for writing and in 2014 she won the Ultimate Planet Award for Best Established Author. Her most recent novel, Mr Oliver’s Object of Desire was runner up for the YLVA Publishing Literary Prize for Fiction 2017.
Lee is also one of the judges for the prestigious Polari Prize. Her second short story collection, Oh You Pretty Thing was published by Tollington Press in February 2019.

Reviews

[Kiara Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

review from advice copy ( net gallery ) ♡

Our Shadow Slaves is a deeply haunting, immersive, and thought-provoking novel that stands out for both its originality and its emotional intensity. From the very first pages, V. G. Lee establishes a dark and unsettling tone that lingers throughout the entire book, creating a sense of unease that is impossible to ignore. This is not a light or easy read — it is a story that challenges, confronts, and ultimately leaves a lasting impression.

What immediately drew me in was the concept itself. The premise is both unique and disturbingly plausible, exploring themes of control, power, identity, and the moral complexities that come with them. The idea of “shadow slaves” is handled in a way that feels symbolic as well as literal, opening the door to deeper interpretations about human nature, autonomy, and the ways in which people can be manipulated or controlled — whether overtly or subtly. It’s the kind of concept that makes you pause and reflect, not just on the story, but on real-world parallels as well.

The world-building is subtle yet effective. Rather than overwhelming the reader with excessive detail, Lee carefully reveals the world piece by piece, allowing the atmosphere to develop naturally. This approach makes the setting feel more realistic and grounded, which in turn makes the darker elements even more impactful. There’s a constant tension running beneath the surface, and the environment itself often feels just as oppressive and significant as the characters within it.

Speaking of characters, this is where the novel truly shines. Each character is layered, complex, and deeply human. They are not simply good or bad — instead, they exist in shades of grey, shaped by their experiences, choices, and circumstances. Their internal conflicts are just as compelling as the external plot, and the emotional depth they bring to the story adds significant weight to every decision and consequence.

The protagonist, in particular, is written with a strong sense of realism. Their journey is not straightforward, and their growth feels earned rather than forced. Watching them navigate such a morally complex and emotionally taxing situation creates a powerful connection with the reader. You don’t just observe their journey — you feel it alongside them.
The pacing of the novel is deliberate and carefully controlled. Rather than rushing from one plot point to the next, Lee allows the tension to build gradually, layering suspense, emotion, and psychological pressure in a way that keeps you constantly engaged. There are moments of quiet reflection balanced with intense, high-stakes scenes, and this contrast makes the more dramatic moments hit even harder. The slow-burn nature of the story works in its favour, creating a sense of anticipation that keeps you turning the pages.

One of the most striking elements of Our Shadow Slaves is its willingness to explore darker themes without hesitation. The novel delves into uncomfortable territory, addressing issues that are often difficult to confront. However, these themes are handled with care and purpose — they never feel gratuitous or unnecessary. Instead, they serve to deepen the narrative and reinforce the emotional and psychological impact of the story.
The writing style itself is both evocative and immersive. Lee has a talent for creating vivid imagery and atmosphere, drawing the reader fully into the world of the story. The descriptions are rich without being overwhelming, and the emotional tone is consistently strong throughout. There’s a certain intensity to the writing that mirrors the subject matter, making the experience feel all the more real and immediate.

Another aspect worth highlighting is the way the story encourages reflection. This is not a book that simply entertains — it invites the reader to think critically about the themes it presents. Questions around morality, power, and human behaviour are woven throughout the narrative, leaving you with plenty to consider even after the story has ended. It’s the kind of book that stays with you, not just because of what happens, but because of what it makes you feel and question.

Overall, Our Shadow Slaves is a powerful, unsettling, and deeply memorable read. It combines strong character development, a compelling and original premise, and a richly layered narrative to create a story that is both engaging and meaningful. While it may not be for everyone due to its darker themes, those who appreciate thought-provoking, emotionally complex fiction will find a lot to admire here.

V. G. Lee has delivered a novel that is not only captivating but also impactful — a story that challenges its readers and leaves a lasting mark long after the final page is turned.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

[bookedupnurse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trauma, revenge and reinvention …

In the seaside town of Hawksbrisge, two woman fight for survival. When life begins to unravel and secrets are spilled, they must embrace the darkness and make important choices. Some shadows cannot be escaped, they can only be owned.

Told across multiple POVs, Shona is the main character within the story. An artist who has suffered deeply throughout her life, the story tells of her struggles within her relationships, her career and moving on from her past. We also see the ‘shadow self’ of Shona who discusses her feelings towards others, creating tension and confusion. It is almost an alter ego.

Shona lives with Richard, a former friend, who now uses Shona as a verbal punching bag, gaslights and isolates her, leading to poor self esteem and Shona questioning her ability in independent living and artistic skills. He is a terrible person who uses Shona’s past as a weapon, and VGL develops this character (and our hatred towards him) so well! How long can Shona cope with this pressure-cooker-behaviour from Richard before she snaps?

Shona forms a friendship with Mrs Gifford, which provides her with stability, strength and ‘life guidance’ that she did not have as a child. The mother of Sonny, who suffers from agoraphobia and age regression, Mrs Gifford and her son live illegally within Miller Building - derelict flats that have long since been abandoned by its residents. They live off grid, isolated and the pair have only each other. Sonny’s behaviour leads to irrational decision making - how long can his mum continue to protect him?

When Shona discovers a body wrapped in carpet, she questions her new friends and how she can escape her haunting past …

The premise of adverse childhood experiences and how this increases the risk of crime and varying levels of resilience, the discussion of mental health and age regression and the strength of maternal love are all extremely strong themes and could have been really well developed, but there was just too much in one story to do any single topic justice.

Our Shadow Selves was a dark, twisted thriller but I felt it was a described as psychological thriller but, in my opinion, there was with no clear purpose within the book and it would be better described as a character study. I am unsure who I would suggest is the target audience and unfortunately just didn’t engage with this story.

Thank you to NetGallery, Muswell Press and VG Lee for the ARC copy of this book.

[Bee Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I have no idea what you intend to do, And then your shoulders slump, 'It's not worth it, is it, Shona? You're immune to slaps, cigarette burns, insults. It's affection you can't deal with.'"

Struggling artists, queer discoveries, stifling tension and dead bodies — the ingredients for something you just can’t put down.

Our Shadow Selves was a compelling, dark read that felt both gritty and polished all at once - simple but descriptive prose with excellent pacing through short, punchy chapters that clash brilliantly with the slow burn story and a deep sense of foreboding from the very start.

Our main character, Shona, is a starving artist, trying to escape the darkness of her past but running into a new terror - meeting a woman living illegally in a derelict block of flats that was slowly being reclaimed by the ocean. The building itself became a character, a representation of the need to destroy everything to move on, the crumbling of her own life around her, the fear of moving on. She was a beautiful contrast to Richard, an ex of hers offering her a home after a hospital stay - both artists on different sides of society. He was an easily hateable, loathsome creature — expertly written to drawn the venom of anyone reading him.

Pretentious, controlling, slimy, using people as playthings, keeping Shona around to maintain an image of a respectful straight man; the kind of man who you’d read about in the paper as being some kind of predator or killer and saying “yeah, actually, I can see that.”

Shona, and the residents of the Miller building, narrate the story - with unique writing, Shona specifically referring to he darker half, her shadow self in a third person, not part of her, but a being of its own and then narrating her thoughts about Richard directly with “you”. It was jarring at first, when mixed with the mixed perspective and timelines, but settled into a brilliantly windy style that really suited the story and created just exactly the right amount of confusion to make the nerves build.

It falls into a few things that sometimes frustrate me, like the character describing themselves in the mirror and a slightly less thriller content that id expected but overall the writing was wonderful - a skin-crawling, wicked thriller with a cast of suspicious characters.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Shadow Selves is a dark, quietly gripping psychological thriller that lingers in the spaces between trauma, reinvention, and the dangerous pull of the past. Shona Blake is a woman trying to rebuild herself after a childhood marked by violence and exploitation, but the moment she moves in with Richard — the man who once turned her pain into his own success — the fragile life she’s constructed begins to crack.

Hawksbridge, with its crumbling seaside edges and forgotten corners, becomes the perfect backdrop for Shona’s unraveling. The Gifford family, living illegally in a derelict building, bring a strange, tender warmth to the story. Their resilience, their oddness, their refusal to be anything but themselves give Shona a sense of belonging she’s never had. Through them, she begins to paint again, to breathe again — until the discovery of a body wrapped in carpet shifts the novel into darker, more dangerous territory.

Richard’s presence is a constant, suffocating threat. He knows every secret Shona has spent years trying to bury, and he wields that knowledge with a cruelty that feels both intimate and inevitable. The tension between them is electric — a battle of wills, histories, and the versions of Shona she’s desperate to escape.

What makes the novel so compelling is how it explores the idea of shadow selves: the parts of us shaped by trauma, the versions we fear, the ones we try to outrun. Shona’s journey isn’t about becoming someone new, but about deciding which parts of herself she’s willing to claim. As New Year’s Day approaches, the story tightens beautifully, leading her toward a choice that feels both terrifying and empowering.

A haunting, atmospheric thriller about survival, identity, and the darkness we carry — and what happens when we finally stop running from it.

With thanks to VG Lee, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dark, atmospheric psychological thriller that lingers long after the final page. Set in the decaying seaside town of Hawksbridge, the novel does an excellent job of building a sense of unease from the very beginning—there’s a constant feeling that something isn’t quite right, and that tension only intensifies as the story unfolds.

Shona is a compelling and complex protagonist. Her journey through trauma, guilt, and the fragile hope of reinvention feels raw and believable. I particularly appreciated how her connection with the eccentric Gifford family brings moments of warmth and strange comfort, contrasting beautifully with the darker elements of the plot. Their unconventional bond adds depth to the story and reinforces the theme that healing doesn’t always come from traditional places.

The mystery itself is gripping—especially once the body is discovered. From that point on, the narrative tightens, and the psychological stakes rise sharply. Richard’s character is chilling in a very grounded way; the idea of someone weaponising your past so meticulously is deeply unsettling and adds a layer of emotional tension that goes beyond a typical thriller.

Where the book truly shines is in its exploration of identity and the cost of confronting your past. The idea that some parts of ourselves can’t be outrun, only accepted, is woven thoughtfully throughout Shona’s arc. The climax, set against the symbolic backdrop of New Year’s Day, delivers a satisfying and thought-provoking resolution.

The reason this is a four-star rather than a five-star read is that some pacing in the middle section felt slightly uneven, and a few plot threads could have been explored in more depth. However, these are minor issues in an otherwise compelling and well-crafted novel.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this novel totally unprepared for what was inside. It's a novel that is quite unsettling and that feeling lingers long after you’ve put it down. It's not a quick thrills, shocking story, it is more atmospheric than that, there is an eerie, slow-creeping tension that seems to be in every corner of Hawksbridge, a town that feels as decayed and haunted as the people inhabiting it.


The author really plunges the reader into the darkness in this story, not just in plot but in tone. Shona is a compelling, deeply flawed protagonist, and the way her past hangs over her gives the story a constant sense of unease. It feels menacing; that idea of secrets being known and used, and that psychological pressure really makes this book work well. There's a real feeling of dread at times, the reader kind of knows that is coming and fears it!

The relationships are fabulous, especially with the Gifford family. Nothing is entirely safe or secure, and that tension makes the novel feel claustrophobic in a really clever way. The crumbling setting mirrors the characters’ lives, creating a world that feels vivid but also a little deranged!

While the pacing is a little slow to begin, it really is worth it. As things begin to unravel, the story tightens its grip, becoming increasingly intense and difficult to put down. The final chapters are particularly gripping, with a sense of inevitability that feels both satisfying and disquieting.

Overall, this is a dark, moody read that leaves a feeling of psychological unease and deals cleverly with moral ambiguity. Recommended for fans of dark, eerie thriller that seem to get under the skin.

[Cristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book follows Shona, a woman who’s had a traumatic past which resulted in some accidental deaths. She’s been released and now trying to rebuild, run away from the past and live a better life. But with limited options, she has gone to live with Richard, a man who knows her past secrets and somewhat uses it to his advantage.

Then there is Sonny, a man who lives with his mother. For years, they’ve been living in this abandoned building which once was an apartment complex. They are faced with the hard truth when developers start coming around and they may be forced to leave. Problem is, Sonny is agoraphobic.

For Shona, she starts getting back into somewhat a life, she meets Sonny and his mother. Then bad things start happening, things that Shona doesn’t want to be involved with. And yet…

When I saw the dark and mysterious book cover and the thriller genre, I definitely wanted to read it. The book was slow to start but it definitely ended on a high note. Had me at the edge of my seat, the last 20% of the book, I read it all in one sitting because I needed to know what was going to happen. I will say I ended the book still scratching my head but in the best way, if that even makes sense.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to access this e-arc. These words and opinions are entirely my own.

[Angi Plant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh wow. This book is such a great read. I couldn’t put it down. This was one of those books that is so twisty and twisted that once you see aspects, or shadows of the characters you’re not quite sure where they will take you. This is dark, clever and shows so many different parts to every character that it’s impossible to not want to race to the end. The whole book manages to keep up a brilliant sense of dread that you don’t feel prepared for in any way, but it makes it all the more a compulsive read for it.
It’s made clear the complex and rotten relationships between some of the characters from the outset and I found it so engrossing, yet repulsive and fascinating, due to their treatment of one another. It highlights how damaged and damaging people can be to one another while having a relationship of kinds with them. Yet, it also illustrates how we show different things to different people and draw conclusions based sometimes on nothing much at all.
I’ve not read a VG Lee book before but going on this I will be reading more from this very talented writer as this kept me reading until the small hours to finish it and know what happened to everyone.
With thanks to Anne Cater, the publisher and the editor for the advanced reading copy of this book.

[Andria Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a very character driven story. There are four main characters who lives intersect and connect in an unusual way. Shona is an artist, with past trauma and mental issues trying to escape her past, but is with Richard who can be a cruel and unlikeable character, he knows her secrets and uses them against her. Then there is Sonny who lives with his mom and is agoraphobic and they are squatting in a derelict building. Each character is flawed, human, and complex. This is a dark story with the setting of a derelict building which makes it seem more dark and creepy. There are deaths in the story. This book is a strong psychological thriller with themes of abuse, secrets, past trauma, and survival. Thank you Netgalley and Muswell Press for the complimentary copy of the story.

[Wayne Herbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the beginning there is a sinister sense of dread, as good as Fowler’s The Collector. This tension remains throughout the novel which is quite a feat.

The characters trauma leaks from their apparent normalcy as deliciously as it does in Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle

This is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in years. VG Lee has a unique way of drawing you into the inner world of her characters. The anxiety and horror is amplified by the subtle niceties the characters enjoy, like tea with Almond croissants.

It’s a different genre from VG Lee’s other novels, but there are still plenty of her turns of phrase and delicious details of character to keep all her fanbase content, and reach a new audience too, to whom I’d recommend her previous novels too.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shona is trying to escape her awful childhood and rebuild her life. She meets Mrs Gifford and her son who are squatting in a derelict building. Once shona finds a body wrapped in a carpet we see a fight for survival, secrets revealed and can we truly escape our past traumas.
I found this quite dark and the setting suited the story.
The first chapter had me hooked but after that I did find the story slow. I couldn't get on with the style of writing. The story wasn't a bad one it just didn't keep me engaged. The last part of the story reeled me back in, needing to know what will happen.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new-to-me author, Lee has me wanting to read more from them on the basis of this book alone!

Deliberately paced with a suffocating tension that tightens with each page turned and an inescapable darkness, Our Shadow Selves is a haunting and unsettling read that stays with you long after reading.

Irrational characters, unreliable narratives, and an immersive plot had me well and truly gripped.

Twisted and tenacious.

[Viktoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. This story is a very character driven. There are four main characters who's lives intersect and connect in an unusual way. Each character is complex, with his or her own secrets in the closet. The setting of a story is a ramshackle building which makes it seem darker and creepier. There are deaths in the story. This book is a strong psychological thriller with themes of abuse, secrets, past trauma, and survival.

[Miriam Morgans · Rating 2 out of 5]

My thoughts
I found this book very dark and twisted, it made me feel uncomfortable and quite sad to be honest.
It wasn't a pleasant story to read.
I normally enjoy thrillers or psychological thrillers but this one had an edge to it that didn't sit well with me so I'm afraid it wasn't my kind of read unfortunately.

So I'm only going to give it ⭐️⭐️ stars.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley for this read now book.

I have no idea how to explain how I feel about this book. I nearly didn’t finish it but I am glad I kept going.

It was one of the strangest reads I ever read.

That’s my review

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting novel with a great creepy unusual building that features almost like a character in itself - interesting characters and plenty of odd events make for an intriguing read

[Jane Mckears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book full of twists and turns . Kept me on the edge of my seat . Believable characters . Shocking ending . Highly recommended !

[Naturalbri (Bri Wignall) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blurb to this book draws you in and really promises a thriller that has a dark past, which follows our main character, really drawing her into a corner. She tried everything she can to escape it, but there is an evil in her life that she cannot get away from and he is set to ruin everything.
As we get to know Shona, it is hard not to like her. Yes, she made some bad decisions, in her past, but she has grown and learnee from them. She has a slive of darkness, but has chosen to turn a new page and leave it behind. However, she soon finds that physical mistreatment is not the only kind. Control, alienation, threats and more, are not visible, but can be just as devastating and life crushing.
I found the book very engaging, interesting and quite scary, with just how much he was able to control her and ruin all her chances and opportunities, if he wanted to. I liked when she embraced herself and chose to fight back. The strength was great to see and the turn in the book was brilliant. Overall, a great read.