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Our Shadow Selves
A gripping psychological thriller about trauma, revenge, and the price of reinvention
Shona Blake thought she'd left her violent past behind. But when she moves in with Richard, the man who once exploited her darkest moments for his own success, old wounds are reopened.
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 Hawksbridge: 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.
Shona Blake thought she'd left her violent past behind. But when she moves in with Richard, the man who once exploited her darkest moments for his own success, old wounds are reopened.
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 Hawksbridge: 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.
368 pages, Paperback
Published March 26, 2026
About the author
V.G. Lee
11 books38 followersVG 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 31, 2026
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.
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.
Displaying 1 of 1 review