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Shadow Child
To outsiders, the deep, impenetrable forest that blankets Vermont's Green Mountains gives the state its peaceful and verdant mystique, but those same dark woods hide a secret from pre-history that reaches menacingly into the present. Joseph A. Citro's widely read publications about the more haunting history, legends, and lore of New England have earned him a reputation as an expert on themes of the supernatural. In this book (first published in 1987), however, he deftly melds real-life ancient ruins, a keen eye for the social fabric of small-town Vermont, and a soaring imagination to fashion a gripping tale of a family's life-or-death struggle to save their farm from an enemy far more devastating than banks, taxes, or land developers.
Eric Nolan is a man already too familiar with death. His brother's long-ago disappearance, the loss of his parents, and his wife's recent demise in an auto accident have left him near the edge physically and emotionally. In desperation he returns to his boyhood haunt, the family farm in rural Antrim, Vermont, now occupied by his cousin, Pamela, her husband, Clint, and Luke, their four-year-old son. But any solace Eric might find there is short-lived. Something terrible is going on in the woods on Pinnacle Mountain and it seems to be centered around a mysterious stone structure that, a local historian believes may be the relic of an ancient race.
The mystery deepens as people begin to vanish one by one, first a village policeman, then a local hermit, a researcher, and finally Clint himself. As baffling and violent incidents continue it becomes harder to deny that a powerful and malevolent force is at work in the Green Mountains, a force that has targeted young Luke. Though it defies Eric's every rational instinct, he must ultimately confront a reality he can neither accept nor deny. As he and the others struggle to quell the rising tide of evil, the siege escalates to a brutal battle for life itself. Citro twists every shock possible out of this finely crafted gothic thriller that tests the limits of legend and belief.
Eric Nolan is a man already too familiar with death. His brother's long-ago disappearance, the loss of his parents, and his wife's recent demise in an auto accident have left him near the edge physically and emotionally. In desperation he returns to his boyhood haunt, the family farm in rural Antrim, Vermont, now occupied by his cousin, Pamela, her husband, Clint, and Luke, their four-year-old son. But any solace Eric might find there is short-lived. Something terrible is going on in the woods on Pinnacle Mountain and it seems to be centered around a mysterious stone structure that, a local historian believes may be the relic of an ancient race.
The mystery deepens as people begin to vanish one by one, first a village policeman, then a local hermit, a researcher, and finally Clint himself. As baffling and violent incidents continue it becomes harder to deny that a powerful and malevolent force is at work in the Green Mountains, a force that has targeted young Luke. Though it defies Eric's every rational instinct, he must ultimately confront a reality he can neither accept nor deny. As he and the others struggle to quell the rising tide of evil, the siege escalates to a brutal battle for life itself. Citro twists every shock possible out of this finely crafted gothic thriller that tests the limits of legend and belief.
282 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
October 23, 2017
This has nothing what so ever to do with clowns!
I thought this was going to be about a creepy clown. I mean, look at the cover!
Either way, I thought it was s good creepy story. There's one part I don't like but overall it's s good creeper for Halloween! 🎃
Mel ❤️
I thought this was going to be about a creepy clown. I mean, look at the cover!
Either way, I thought it was s good creepy story. There's one part I don't like but overall it's s good creeper for Halloween! 🎃
Mel ❤️
December 21, 2022
Shadow Child, Citro's first published novel (but written after Dark Twilight, aka Lake Monsters) is a decent enough chiller, though I wish the "big baddies" weren't made known so early on, as that took away from the whole "fear of the unknown" aspect I enjoy when reading horror. Still, there were plenty of creepy moments in this story about a man who returns to his woodsy, mountainous hometown in Vermont -- where strange disappearances and mutilations have been occurring -- for the first time since he was a child.
The writing is nondescript and no-frills, but gets the job done, despite some awkward sentences here and there. The story just had a feeling of treading water at times, as almost right away it's pretty obvious to the reader what's going on, yet it's necessary to plod through hundreds of pages waiting for the characters to get caught up. But the descriptions of the horrors taking place in and around the surrounding woods are very well done, and are intercut nicely with the scenes of normal domestic life. Just when I'd start to get comfortable, but before I started to get bored, a chapter would come along that would send serious chills down my spine.
Overall, this was an average to slightly above average horror novel, a pretty typical example of late 80s horror. As big a horror fan as I am, I haven't read too many Zebra novels, as I'd always been under the impression that they specialized only in Grade-Z horror, the last resort for writers who couldn't get published elsewhere, but that certainly wasn't the case here (just like it wasn't with Lansdale's Act of Love, Laymon's The Stake, and Edward Lee's The Chosen, all recent Zebra reads that were pretty decent, imo). I especially liked Citro's use of real New England folklore and ancient ruins, which added a bit of verisimilitude.
I wouldn't go out of my way to track this down, but if you come across it, it may be worth checking out if you're in the mood for a "supernatural threat in the woods"-type novel*. Plus, the cover is delightfully tacky, yet oddly creepy in a way, a notch above most of the cheesy Zebra covers from the era (though as mentioned elsewhere, the cover image has nothing to do with anything).
*One of the best of this type from the horror-boom era that I've read recently was T. Chris Martindale's Where the Chill Waits.
The writing is nondescript and no-frills, but gets the job done, despite some awkward sentences here and there. The story just had a feeling of treading water at times, as almost right away it's pretty obvious to the reader what's going on, yet it's necessary to plod through hundreds of pages waiting for the characters to get caught up. But the descriptions of the horrors taking place in and around the surrounding woods are very well done, and are intercut nicely with the scenes of normal domestic life. Just when I'd start to get comfortable, but before I started to get bored, a chapter would come along that would send serious chills down my spine.
Overall, this was an average to slightly above average horror novel, a pretty typical example of late 80s horror. As big a horror fan as I am, I haven't read too many Zebra novels, as I'd always been under the impression that they specialized only in Grade-Z horror, the last resort for writers who couldn't get published elsewhere, but that certainly wasn't the case here (just like it wasn't with Lansdale's Act of Love, Laymon's The Stake, and Edward Lee's The Chosen, all recent Zebra reads that were pretty decent, imo). I especially liked Citro's use of real New England folklore and ancient ruins, which added a bit of verisimilitude.
I wouldn't go out of my way to track this down, but if you come across it, it may be worth checking out if you're in the mood for a "supernatural threat in the woods"-type novel*. Plus, the cover is delightfully tacky, yet oddly creepy in a way, a notch above most of the cheesy Zebra covers from the era (though as mentioned elsewhere, the cover image has nothing to do with anything).
*One of the best of this type from the horror-boom era that I've read recently was T. Chris Martindale's Where the Chill Waits.
September 4, 2023
It's very rare for me to give something 1 star, but this here took the cake for me. The story begins with some kid named Eric whose brother disappears. Years later, he comes back to his childhood home where his cousin Pamela and her husband now live. Basically, nothing happens except little teases of monsters or whatever and that's really it. The best part of the whole book (besides the very beginning) was a long description of the main character’s Thanksgiving meal. By the time anything noteworthy finally occurred, I couldn't bring myself to care. I was so disappointed in this it's not even funny. Not recommended.
December 2, 2018
Shadow Child has had a more fortunate life than many of its 80s horror kin. On the surface, it's hard to put a finger on why.
Originally published in 1987 by Zebra, the title bore no outstanding traits in its initial packaging; a horror novel in a sea of horror novels, churned out for mass consumption. Nothing to really set them apart in their presentation, a skull face here, a spooky kid there, we'd be lying to ourselves as readers to deny that while we adore these covers in a nostalgic way, little was done to knowingly separate these novels from one another in their marketing.
And with nothing to make them standout from one another, without star power of a "name author", it was very easy for these titles to fall into the abyss to never be seen or heard from again.
Shadow Child has avoided this completely, here now in its 4th publication/edition. While I theorized how it has had such a rich life, one thing is clear and delineates it from its much less fortunate brethren: the author still cares about his novel, all these years later.
Joseph Citro has managed to keep his debut title (and evidently his entire body of work, which all seem to have been republished at various points) clear of red tape tied up with publishers of old, doing his best to ensure his books continue to live their most fruitful life possible through publications that maintain some integrity of his original vision.
But has it been worthwhile to readers for the author to preserve his book with such care?
I say, hell yes.
Like many of the "ancient horror history" authors I cover on here, I first heard about Citro, and thus, Shadow Child, by scouring the shelves of a local used bookstore, Mary's Paperbacks, in Warwick, Rhode Island. Its probably my favorite used shop, if for person meaning reasons only; Mary's is where I got started collecting this stuff.
I came across another of his Zebra titles, Guardian Angels, for a few bucks and with it's classic "skeletal-angel-plays-a-harp" cover, had me sold. But when, I got home and did my research, found it was a sequel to this earlier title, Shadow Child.
Reading a sequel first is absolutely not my thing, no matter how "loose" of a sequel it is, so Guardian Angels went to the "to-be-read-eventually" shelves and I read up on the fact that Shadow Child was in fact tentative for a re-release with all sorts of photographs and interviews to celebrate it's 30th anniversary! So, I decided to hold off to read either book, until this one saw the light of day.
That initial plan fell through, with Citro now publishing this edition himself, and adding a good handful of months of delay to that, but I'm cool with it, as
my holding off to read Shadow Child has been well-worth it, particularly with this beautiful version, to the brim with cool "extras" and anecdotes about the novel.
Shadow Child is a simple, 80s small-town horror novel that plays many of the tropes we know and love, but stands out with writing that evokes incredible atmosphere and makes itself a winner as a result.
The plot is very familiar, as our protagonist, Eric Nolan, returns to his hometown of Antrim, Vermont from New York after his wife dies. He plans for a time of healing with his family, but finds himself in the middle of a mystery surging with gory murder and supernatural implications.
The writing and pacing are both pitch perfect, building suspense and mystery, but remaining exciting enough to keep the reader going. Just when it gets too slow, you're whacked with a appropriately nasty death sequence.
But Citro's absolute hallmark strength is to invoke the exact atmosphere of the cold, wintery mountains of Vermont and layer it with great feelings of dread and isolation. That atmosphere sets the book ahead of its pact, setting it far and away from the other "nasty-monsters-eat-a-small-town" books being flooded into the market in 1987.
In fact, I will say without hesitation that this is the best book I have read under the umbrella of 'published by Zebra'. Easily the least discerning of quality publisher from the days of the book, everything I have read by these guys has been mediocre at best (Pauline Dunn's Flesh Stealer) and absolutely unbearable garbage (William Johnstone's Toy Cemetery), so my expectations of a title from Zebra is almost always low.
Obviously, this new edition is not by Zebra, but the quality of book inside, does not implore that any edition ever was. Shadow Child deserves better than Zebra, and perhaps that is way Citro has been so kind to his first novel; to ensure it gets appropriate presentation and, hopefully, a reputation separate from its publisher who seemingly did everything it could to not differentiate titles from one another.
The "extras" section of the book make this a must-buy for any Paperbacks From Hell enthusiast, with rich detail around the author's writing of the book, behind the scene photography, beautiful illustrations. It really is a definitive version of a book that deserved better from it's very first iteration.
Overall, Shadow Child is an exemplary piece of 80s horror fiction with some nasty, gory moments, monsters, and cozy familiarity. It excels in it's ability to evoke atmosphere and keep the reader turning the pages.
The author's latest edition is likely the definitive version of the book, and well worth the purchase.
4.5/5.
This edition can be ordered directly from the author, by messaging him on Facebook. It can also be purchased on LuLu, by clicking this link.
Originally posted on my blog at http://Undivineinterventions.blogspot...
Originally published in 1987 by Zebra, the title bore no outstanding traits in its initial packaging; a horror novel in a sea of horror novels, churned out for mass consumption. Nothing to really set them apart in their presentation, a skull face here, a spooky kid there, we'd be lying to ourselves as readers to deny that while we adore these covers in a nostalgic way, little was done to knowingly separate these novels from one another in their marketing.
And with nothing to make them standout from one another, without star power of a "name author", it was very easy for these titles to fall into the abyss to never be seen or heard from again.
Shadow Child has avoided this completely, here now in its 4th publication/edition. While I theorized how it has had such a rich life, one thing is clear and delineates it from its much less fortunate brethren: the author still cares about his novel, all these years later.
Joseph Citro has managed to keep his debut title (and evidently his entire body of work, which all seem to have been republished at various points) clear of red tape tied up with publishers of old, doing his best to ensure his books continue to live their most fruitful life possible through publications that maintain some integrity of his original vision.
But has it been worthwhile to readers for the author to preserve his book with such care?
I say, hell yes.
Like many of the "ancient horror history" authors I cover on here, I first heard about Citro, and thus, Shadow Child, by scouring the shelves of a local used bookstore, Mary's Paperbacks, in Warwick, Rhode Island. Its probably my favorite used shop, if for person meaning reasons only; Mary's is where I got started collecting this stuff.
I came across another of his Zebra titles, Guardian Angels, for a few bucks and with it's classic "skeletal-angel-plays-a-harp" cover, had me sold. But when, I got home and did my research, found it was a sequel to this earlier title, Shadow Child.
Reading a sequel first is absolutely not my thing, no matter how "loose" of a sequel it is, so Guardian Angels went to the "to-be-read-eventually" shelves and I read up on the fact that Shadow Child was in fact tentative for a re-release with all sorts of photographs and interviews to celebrate it's 30th anniversary! So, I decided to hold off to read either book, until this one saw the light of day.
That initial plan fell through, with Citro now publishing this edition himself, and adding a good handful of months of delay to that, but I'm cool with it, as
my holding off to read Shadow Child has been well-worth it, particularly with this beautiful version, to the brim with cool "extras" and anecdotes about the novel.
Shadow Child is a simple, 80s small-town horror novel that plays many of the tropes we know and love, but stands out with writing that evokes incredible atmosphere and makes itself a winner as a result.
The plot is very familiar, as our protagonist, Eric Nolan, returns to his hometown of Antrim, Vermont from New York after his wife dies. He plans for a time of healing with his family, but finds himself in the middle of a mystery surging with gory murder and supernatural implications.
The writing and pacing are both pitch perfect, building suspense and mystery, but remaining exciting enough to keep the reader going. Just when it gets too slow, you're whacked with a appropriately nasty death sequence.
But Citro's absolute hallmark strength is to invoke the exact atmosphere of the cold, wintery mountains of Vermont and layer it with great feelings of dread and isolation. That atmosphere sets the book ahead of its pact, setting it far and away from the other "nasty-monsters-eat-a-small-town" books being flooded into the market in 1987.
In fact, I will say without hesitation that this is the best book I have read under the umbrella of 'published by Zebra'. Easily the least discerning of quality publisher from the days of the book, everything I have read by these guys has been mediocre at best (Pauline Dunn's Flesh Stealer) and absolutely unbearable garbage (William Johnstone's Toy Cemetery), so my expectations of a title from Zebra is almost always low.
Obviously, this new edition is not by Zebra, but the quality of book inside, does not implore that any edition ever was. Shadow Child deserves better than Zebra, and perhaps that is way Citro has been so kind to his first novel; to ensure it gets appropriate presentation and, hopefully, a reputation separate from its publisher who seemingly did everything it could to not differentiate titles from one another.
The "extras" section of the book make this a must-buy for any Paperbacks From Hell enthusiast, with rich detail around the author's writing of the book, behind the scene photography, beautiful illustrations. It really is a definitive version of a book that deserved better from it's very first iteration.
Overall, Shadow Child is an exemplary piece of 80s horror fiction with some nasty, gory moments, monsters, and cozy familiarity. It excels in it's ability to evoke atmosphere and keep the reader turning the pages.
The author's latest edition is likely the definitive version of the book, and well worth the purchase.
4.5/5.
This edition can be ordered directly from the author, by messaging him on Facebook. It can also be purchased on LuLu, by clicking this link.
Originally posted on my blog at http://Undivineinterventions.blogspot...
January 15, 2015
Eric Nolan is returning to his childhood town of Antrim, Vermont. His brother Brian disappeared from this town many years ago. Brian's body was never found. Eric has just lost his wife in a terrible car accident. Physically and emotionally drained, Eric leave the big city for some peace and quiet. He is going to spend sometime with his cousin Pamela and her family. Eric's grandparents used to own the farm that Pamela and her family live on. Eric has some good memories of this place and some bad ones. Strange things begin to happen upon his arrival. People begin to vanish one by one without a clue. Chief Bates tries to connect the missing people with Eric's arrival. Bates finds out after questioning him there is no proof that he was involved. The rest of the novel is turned up a notch. The hills of the Green Mountains are filled with many myth's and legends but who knows maybe some of them just might be true. This book was a supernatural thriller with a lot of twists and turns. This book was originally published in 1987. When the book was published, it had a lousy cover art of a clown on it. Of course there are no clowns in the story and it gave the readers the wrong impression of what the book was about. The book has held up through the years and is a great read. I highly recommend this book.
December 8, 2023
What starts out as a rather ordinary story about a man whose brother disappeared when he was five and the history of stone structures in Vermont, no less, kicks into high gear in the last fourth of the book. The wee gentry people come with a vengeance. Another good read in the Zebra line.
July 8, 2010
Shadow Child actually frightened me. In a related story, someone needs to come live with me a few days.*
Kidding, but Joseph A. Citro does do a very good job of building up suspense and keeping you turning the pages. Citro does the reader a great favor of explaining the evil by the end of the novel. I despise when an author doesn’t feel the need to justify his villains’ actions or even reasons.
The story centers on Eric Nolan, who at the beginning of the novel is staying with his older brother Brian at their grandparents’ rural farm in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Fast forward several years, it turns out soon afterwards that Brian disappeared without a trace. Not that this is uncommon, the chapters often have bits of articles about people disappearing or strange deaths in the Green Mountains. But then, it’s a wilderness area – these events, while tragic, are easily explained away by the locals.
Eric is going to stay with his cousin Pam, her husband Clint, and their child Luke at the same farm. Tragedy has followed Eric his whole life. He’s the one who as a teenager discover his grandparents’ bodies after they died (of natural causes). His parents have both passed on and a couple weeks before, his wife died in an auto accident. Just as he arrives in the little town where he spent childhood summers, strange disappearances are starting again.
Kidding, but Joseph A. Citro does do a very good job of building up suspense and keeping you turning the pages. Citro does the reader a great favor of explaining the evil by the end of the novel. I despise when an author doesn’t feel the need to justify his villains’ actions or even reasons.
The story centers on Eric Nolan, who at the beginning of the novel is staying with his older brother Brian at their grandparents’ rural farm in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Fast forward several years, it turns out soon afterwards that Brian disappeared without a trace. Not that this is uncommon, the chapters often have bits of articles about people disappearing or strange deaths in the Green Mountains. But then, it’s a wilderness area – these events, while tragic, are easily explained away by the locals.
Eric is going to stay with his cousin Pam, her husband Clint, and their child Luke at the same farm. Tragedy has followed Eric his whole life. He’s the one who as a teenager discover his grandparents’ bodies after they died (of natural causes). His parents have both passed on and a couple weeks before, his wife died in an auto accident. Just as he arrives in the little town where he spent childhood summers, strange disappearances are starting again.
May 4, 2017
Those little people are real killers. Interesting setting and hell of a story. Liked reading it and went straigt to the successor "Guardian Angels".
December 25, 2022
Ok so this isn’t a 5 star read by any means but a late 80’s Zebra’s that scores 4 stars is practically a 5 star book in my mind.
Citro’s writing is far above the majority of Zebra’s usual craptastic authors (*cough* Patricia Wallace *cough*). His style actually manages to keep the reader interested with a perfect blend of spooky legends and some really good moments of suspense…along one of more creative and brutal murders I’ve encountered in a long time.
I’m not usually a fan of “folk” horror, but Citro makes it work here in a way that feels legit (as much as horror can). His characters feel real meaning they’re a bit more nuanced than typical cookie-cutter horror book characters. And the ending of this one is so damn bleak…which makes for one of the best endings in a horror novel I’ve ever read…Zebra or otherwise.
Shadow Child doesn’t have a single freaking clown, making it one of the most misleading Zebra covers amongst an already heavy history of misleading covers, but in all honesty, who cares? It’s still a damn good book from a company known far more for quantity than quality.
Citro’s writing is far above the majority of Zebra’s usual craptastic authors (*cough* Patricia Wallace *cough*). His style actually manages to keep the reader interested with a perfect blend of spooky legends and some really good moments of suspense…along one of more creative and brutal murders I’ve encountered in a long time.
I’m not usually a fan of “folk” horror, but Citro makes it work here in a way that feels legit (as much as horror can). His characters feel real meaning they’re a bit more nuanced than typical cookie-cutter horror book characters. And the ending of this one is so damn bleak…which makes for one of the best endings in a horror novel I’ve ever read…Zebra or otherwise.
Shadow Child doesn’t have a single freaking clown, making it one of the most misleading Zebra covers amongst an already heavy history of misleading covers, but in all honesty, who cares? It’s still a damn good book from a company known far more for quantity than quality.
December 22, 2022
There are some neat concepts and the intersection of folklore and horror that have been attributed to this book, which is why I checked it out. Those particular parts of the book are the ones I find most interesting and compelling, and I do think it deserves praise in that regard. Written in the 80's, lots of the ideas presented are becoming more and more popular in contemporary horror, especially to fans of "reddit nosleep horror" and documentaries like Hellier. So yes, I do acknowledge that we owe a bit to this book, so I'm trying to give it the respect it deserves.
But like a lot of influential pieces of 80's media, the book itself is... fine. As some mentioned, it does feel like watching a 80's pulp movie, for better or for worse. My main gripes with it are mostly personal: 1) the main character is like, REALLY horny for his cousin. What is up with that?? There are some borderline "she breasted boobily down the stairs" passages in there. (That's a meme reference for those who don't know.) 2) I get it's the 80's, but there is some transphobia depicted, so I think it's worth mentioning that since it could be a deal-breaker for some people:
Aside from that, I considered the book a pretty mediocre experience. I wasn't mind-blown by it, but I can't say I wasn't entertained, either.
But like a lot of influential pieces of 80's media, the book itself is... fine. As some mentioned, it does feel like watching a 80's pulp movie, for better or for worse. My main gripes with it are mostly personal: 1) the main character is like, REALLY horny for his cousin. What is up with that?? There are some borderline "she breasted boobily down the stairs" passages in there. (That's a meme reference for those who don't know.) 2) I get it's the 80's, but there is some transphobia depicted, so I think it's worth mentioning that since it could be a deal-breaker for some people:
Aside from that, I considered the book a pretty mediocre experience. I wasn't mind-blown by it, but I can't say I wasn't entertained, either.
December 15, 2014
I found several scenes very well written for horror. Officer Hurd's death especially stood out in my mind.
It reads very much like a typical 80s horror story. I could easily see it in film format from that time, much like the Friday the 13th series.
My biggest compliant is the cover. I hate how misleading it is. I fully expected some sort of evil death clown (ala It), but instead find the terror tormenting the small, quiet Vermont town is something completely different instead.
The reveal in story was well established, but I had severe mood whiplash because of poorly done promoting.
Overall it was a fun read, but I don't know if I'm going to keep it as part of my permanent library.
It reads very much like a typical 80s horror story. I could easily see it in film format from that time, much like the Friday the 13th series.
My biggest compliant is the cover. I hate how misleading it is. I fully expected some sort of evil death clown (ala It), but instead find the terror tormenting the small, quiet Vermont town is something completely different instead.
The reveal in story was well established, but I had severe mood whiplash because of poorly done promoting.
Overall it was a fun read, but I don't know if I'm going to keep it as part of my permanent library.
June 26, 2014
3.5 stars. Good, almost great debut novel from Citro. I liked this book way more than the other novels I've read by him. Suspenseful and solid storytelling. Side note: I read the 1987 Zebra books edition. Worst, most misplaced cover art ever! There is maybe three sentences in the whole book devoted to a child's night light that looks like a clown holding balloons. There is no evil clown with a half skull face in the book.
July 1, 2007
This book is pretty scary. As a Vermonter, I appreciated his close connection to what Vermont is and the atmosphere. As a horror fan, I appreciated what he did with the atmosphere and the build up towards a very creepy climax.
August 7, 2007
I remember reading this book when I was a teenager and it scared me so much, I had to sleep with the lights on. It didn't help that I lived in Vermont at the time...and that my parents liked to take me camping deep in the woods. Joe Citro is a master of creepiness. LOVED IT.
October 2, 2018
This is a deliciously creepy tale about legendary "wee folk" in the mountains and forests of the Appalachia area of the U.S. in this case, Vermont. Only these are cute little fairies and elves, these are 3 foot tall small people who many mistake for children when they glimpse them running through the woods. And they are evil. Scary evil. This legend is actually based on actual sightings (or stories of sightings) that go back to newspaper clippings of the 1800s. Rather like the Loch Ness Monster, or Bigfoot, and other mythical (or not mythical) rarely glimpsed creatures.
I liked the characters in this book and the story itself will give you goosebumps. I wanted to read it straight through it was that chilling.
I recommend it!
I liked the characters in this book and the story itself will give you goosebumps. I wanted to read it straight through it was that chilling.
I recommend it!
July 8, 2020
A huge 5 Stars! I stumbled upon this author by chance while reading bits and pieces of a book on Vermont writers. Billed as a gothic thriller, I loved the way the book built upon Vermont folklore and included excerpts from (actual) newspapers, diaries and letters to lend credibility to the possible truth surrounding the legends.
Referencing Weird New England, which we already owned, I discovered that Citro was a huge contributor to the book. There was even a photo of a root cellar that actually exists here in Vermont.
The writing, characters, setting and suspense building were excellent! Fans of Jennifer McMahon & Stephen King should really enjoy this. Can’t wait to read Guardian Angels.
Referencing Weird New England, which we already owned, I discovered that Citro was a huge contributor to the book. There was even a photo of a root cellar that actually exists here in Vermont.
The writing, characters, setting and suspense building were excellent! Fans of Jennifer McMahon & Stephen King should really enjoy this. Can’t wait to read Guardian Angels.
November 12, 2020
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book when I first picked it up - I was keyed onto it after reading the introduction that Mr. Citro wrote for another book which I had purchased. In any case, I was pleasantly surprised. As others have pointed out, it definitely fits into the category of 80s smalltown horror. The characters are engaging and likable, the town of Antrium where it is set seems like a real town, and the book is practically oozing with the folklore of Vermont. Generally, I would describe it as very Stephen King-Lite (which I mean as a compliment!). I have to admit that the ending is NOT where I thought the story was going at all. Not that this is a bad thing at all, I just found myself taken by surprise.
February 26, 2021
Finished Book #6 of 2021. I owe you an apology , Joseph Citro. I have no idea why it took me so long to read this! I remember seeing a copy of it in the library 20+ years ago and should have read it then.
It was really fantastic and definitely had many spine tingling and edge of your seat moments. Each of the characters is wonderfully constructed and I could see them in the people I know from my own small Vermont hometown.
Although it’s been optioned many times for film, I don’t think that would do the breadth of this book justice. It’d be much a better as a mini series like “Castle Rock” or something with 8-10 episodes. There is too much packed in here for just 90 minutes.
If you are into the horror/thriller/suspense genre, this is a must read.
It was really fantastic and definitely had many spine tingling and edge of your seat moments. Each of the characters is wonderfully constructed and I could see them in the people I know from my own small Vermont hometown.
Although it’s been optioned many times for film, I don’t think that would do the breadth of this book justice. It’d be much a better as a mini series like “Castle Rock” or something with 8-10 episodes. There is too much packed in here for just 90 minutes.
If you are into the horror/thriller/suspense genre, this is a must read.
March 2, 2022
Eric Nolan returns to Vermont after many years away - he's never really been the same since his brother Brian disappeared there when they were children. But new mysteries and disappearances begin as soon as he arrives - what is going on?
Being a native Vermonter, I LOVED the setting. The author really captured small-town rural life and successfully weaved in bits of horror, mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. Some weird things have certainly happened in this state, especially disappearances. My only tiny complaint would be the smidge of sexism (Pamela always cooks and cleans?) I enjoyed this book for the atmosphere and liked how the author tucked the bits of old news (?) pieces between the chapters. Now to look for the other two books in the series.
Being a native Vermonter, I LOVED the setting. The author really captured small-town rural life and successfully weaved in bits of horror, mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. Some weird things have certainly happened in this state, especially disappearances. My only tiny complaint would be the smidge of sexism (Pamela always cooks and cleans?) I enjoyed this book for the atmosphere and liked how the author tucked the bits of old news (?) pieces between the chapters. Now to look for the other two books in the series.
August 26, 2017
There is a particular sub-genre of dark fantasy: tales of little people. Notable examples include Arthur Machen's classic "The Shining Pyramid" and John Christopher's "The Little People". If you imagine Disney cuteness, think again. The little people in these novels are terrifying: rapists, child-stealers, and malicious pranksters. "Shadow Child" fits neatly into this tradition, which is actually more in keeping with the folkloric notion of the Hidden Folk than the sugary-sweet Victorian fairies. The fact that the novel takes place in rural Vermont makes it all the more interesting, as it combines the classic American small-town horror with European folklore.
June 2, 2017
Riveting
This is truly one of the best books I have read recently. The author pulls you into the take immediately and you quickly become so engrossed , you cannot put the novel down. The characters are well constructed and people you would find in your own town, neighborhood......family. The author is one of the best I have been introduced to in recent months and I am anxious to read his novel which continued with this story. Joseph Vitro is a lessor known Stephen King with the same writing abilities that keep you turning the pages of his book. Excellent read.
This is truly one of the best books I have read recently. The author pulls you into the take immediately and you quickly become so engrossed , you cannot put the novel down. The characters are well constructed and people you would find in your own town, neighborhood......family. The author is one of the best I have been introduced to in recent months and I am anxious to read his novel which continued with this story. Joseph Vitro is a lessor known Stephen King with the same writing abilities that keep you turning the pages of his book. Excellent read.
June 12, 2019
Set in my favorite state of Vermont, Shadow Child, is an eerie tale of strange goings on in a small rural town. The fact that there really are stone cairns in Vermont like the one described in this book just adds to the creepiness. Who or what live deep in Vermont's hill country? Do we really want to know? If you want to be creeped out and can handle some detailed gory scenes, you'll like Shadow Child.
April 4, 2020
80s horror lit, Vermont style
Primarily renowned as a regional folklorist, Citro turned his hand in the late 80s/early 90s to a series of horror novels, somewhat cut from the same cloth as Stephen King, though using his scholarly expertise to breathe a vivid life all his own into the tales. This first one, while not as tight or polished as later Citro books I've read, still packs a punch that makes me wish the author had kept writing novels longer.
Primarily renowned as a regional folklorist, Citro turned his hand in the late 80s/early 90s to a series of horror novels, somewhat cut from the same cloth as Stephen King, though using his scholarly expertise to breathe a vivid life all his own into the tales. This first one, while not as tight or polished as later Citro books I've read, still packs a punch that makes me wish the author had kept writing novels longer.
January 3, 2021
Excellent read! Actually I couldn’t put it down.
March 23, 2023
If you like dark fariy tales this is for you. It wasn't my type of book.
August 30, 2023
Brutal ending, good read.
May 6, 2024
Got the book with the skeletal clown ok the cover, not a single clown in the story, lol. But I enjoyed the regardless.
October 9, 2025
I read this book sooo long ago that I don't remember most of it, or the ending. But, I do remember it being absolutely terrifying and had me looking over my shoulder 😂🙈
March 7, 2025
LOVED IT! AND NOT JUST COS I STALKED THE AUTHOR!
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