What do you think?
Rate this book
A Shadow Rises: An In The Cards Short Story
Welcome to In The Cards, a multi author collection of standalone thriller and horror short stories. In this series, you’ll find stories inspired by the meaning of a specific Tarot Card, thoughtfully written with that thread woven through. Whether you’re a Tarot Card lover or not, you’ll find thrillers and horrors that will creep under your skin and into your thoughts. *Knowledge of Tarot Cards is not necessary to read or enjoy these stories.*
Can houses be bad?
Lee’s family was murdered, and he’s desperate for a new start. Everything seems to align when he sees an ad for a fixer-upper on Chapman Drive. His wife and son are in his head, begging him to go, to renovate it and create his legacy.
But something else is speaking to him, something that only gets louder the more time he spends at 392 Chapman Drive.
What secrets will the house reveal? What end will mark its new beginning?
How far will she go to get back in the spotlight? Where does the line between creativity and madness blur?
Make sure you come back and check out the other stories, because you never know what’s In The Cards.
Can houses be bad?
Lee’s family was murdered, and he’s desperate for a new start. Everything seems to align when he sees an ad for a fixer-upper on Chapman Drive. His wife and son are in his head, begging him to go, to renovate it and create his legacy.
But something else is speaking to him, something that only gets louder the more time he spends at 392 Chapman Drive.
What secrets will the house reveal? What end will mark its new beginning?
How far will she go to get back in the spotlight? Where does the line between creativity and madness blur?
Make sure you come back and check out the other stories, because you never know what’s In The Cards.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2026
About the author
Erica Damon
29 books62 followersErica Damon is a writer, equestrian, and artist living in Western Massachusetts. Her compulsively creative nature has led to a collection of ‘what ifs?’ and that sense of wonder weaves its way into her fiction. She writes thriller and horror under her name, and equestrian romance under the pen name, Isla Ryder.
In any genre, her goal is to sweep the reader into her world, keeping it grounded enough in reality that the reader doesn’t question a moment of the action.
This is what she loves helping other authors with, as she has discovered that she enjoys reading books in the early stages even more than published ones and helping writers to spin their stories into something riveting as a developmental editor. If she’s not writing, she’s likely out riding horses while ideas swirl in the background.
In any genre, her goal is to sweep the reader into her world, keeping it grounded enough in reality that the reader doesn’t question a moment of the action.
This is what she loves helping other authors with, as she has discovered that she enjoys reading books in the early stages even more than published ones and helping writers to spin their stories into something riveting as a developmental editor. If she’s not writing, she’s likely out riding horses while ideas swirl in the background.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I haven’t had the willpower or energy to pick up a book these past few days, but when this AMAZING author sent me this short story, I knew it would be exactly what I needed to get back on my reading game!
Even though this story is short, it is mighty! It is so perfectly written that you don’t feel like you’re missing anything or need more (even though I could totally see the whole thing playing out like a movie in my head!).
The story follows a man who has tragically lost his wife and child. He is constantly hearing their voices and can't find any comfort in his home, the very place where they were murdered. Led by a literal whisper in his ear, he buys a new house and begins to make it his own, hoping to finally quiet the voices and find some peace. But when officers show up to give him an update on his family’s case? Things get absolutely WILD.
The ending is a total jaw dropper that you will never see coming! 🤯🖤
If you need a quick, thrilling read to break a slump, you absolutely have to check this out! Thank you so much to Erica Damon for sending this my way!
Even though this story is short, it is mighty! It is so perfectly written that you don’t feel like you’re missing anything or need more (even though I could totally see the whole thing playing out like a movie in my head!).
The story follows a man who has tragically lost his wife and child. He is constantly hearing their voices and can't find any comfort in his home, the very place where they were murdered. Led by a literal whisper in his ear, he buys a new house and begins to make it his own, hoping to finally quiet the voices and find some peace. But when officers show up to give him an update on his family’s case? Things get absolutely WILD.
The ending is a total jaw dropper that you will never see coming! 🤯🖤
If you need a quick, thrilling read to break a slump, you absolutely have to check this out! Thank you so much to Erica Damon for sending this my way!
July 13, 2026
A Shadow Rises pulled me in with its mysterious and eerie atmosphere. I loved the way Erica Damon created a sense of suspense while keeping me curious about where the story was headed.
I’m a fan of this author’s writing, and this short read delivered. The ending twist was well executed and added a great final touch that made the story even more memorable
If you like eerie mysteries, suspenseful twists, and atmospheric storytelling, then you will enjoy this book.
Want to see spoilers or trigger warnings? Check out: https://www.spoiltheplot.com/books/a-...
I’m a fan of this author’s writing, and this short read delivered. The ending twist was well executed and added a great final touch that made the story even more memorable
If you like eerie mysteries, suspenseful twists, and atmospheric storytelling, then you will enjoy this book.
Want to see spoilers or trigger warnings? Check out: https://www.spoiltheplot.com/books/a-...
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Shadow Rises is the exact type of psychological thriller I live for. It strongly reminds me of the movie Session 9, featuring a slightly unhinged renovator whose dark secrets are slowly exposed. It is atmospheric, fast-paced, and delivers a highly satisfying conclusion. A fantastic, easy read that I highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a great short story from the In the Cards series.
Lee buys an old house hoping to start his life over after losing his wife and son. He thinks this is a step in the right direction. He hears voices and sees things in the house as does his employees.
What really happened to his wife and son?
Lee buys an old house hoping to start his life over after losing his wife and son. He thinks this is a step in the right direction. He hears voices and sees things in the house as does his employees.
What really happened to his wife and son?
Review of advance copy received from Author
It started with a tragedy and ends in a tragedy. A husband with a dream for his family, continues to dream for his family, and ended up with a shocking reality.
I feel sad for Lee as his family was murdered. When he bought the house on Chapman Drive, I felt hopeful for him. I thought, this is it! A fresh start! That didn’t last long. It was a horrible and tragic end. And he deserved it.
I feel sad for Lee as his family was murdered. When he bought the house on Chapman Drive, I felt hopeful for him. I thought, this is it! A fresh start! That didn’t last long. It was a horrible and tragic end. And he deserved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2026
“A Shadow Rises” by Erica Damon was such a creepy, suspenseful addition to the In The Cards short story collection! I definitely should not have read this one in bed. My heart was pounding by the end! Fast, eerie, and completely worth the read.
July 12, 2026
A quick thrilling fast paced read that will leave you wishing for more! I did not see the ending at all it was a complete surprise. But the the detail throughout will bring chills and gives a spookiness vibe to it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A very interesting short story. Some really ghostly characters. Loved it.
July 4, 2026
This was a quick read but was very well written. I wasn’t sure where the story was going but the ending was a surprise to me! I enjoyed the story! Thanks for letting me read!
July 12, 2026
Another amazing story from this series and from Erica! It was a quick read and it packed a punch... right to the gut!
July 14, 2026
Great chilling story! Had me guessing the entire time!
July 16, 2026
Another great short story from Erica Damon.
Tragic tale that ends with a twist!
Tragic tale that ends with a twist!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews