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Her Shallow Grave: A heart-pounding psychological suspense thriller

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From the bestselling horror author of Storberry: Dan Padavona's most heart-pounding thriller yet! Dark and scary, especially for fans of "Sleeping with the Enemy" and "Silence of the Lambs."

Somebody wants to kill her.

Marissa tries to catch her adulterer husband cheating, but someone is stalking her, and a series of bloody murders follow Marissa's every move. 
Who can she trust?

Now she must stay ahead of a bloodthirsty serial killer to discover the horrible truth about her marriage.

If she fails, she dies.

Grab this page-turner now!


Praise for Dan Padavona:

"One of the most exciting writers to burst upon the scene in quite some time." - Bram Stoker Award-winning author Brian Keene

"Dan is a master of building tension and pulling you into an incredible story." - J Thorn, author of Shadow Witch and The Portal Arcane Series

"Dan has a wonderful way of bringing characters and events to life. Feel the wind. Feel the dark. Feel the fear. - L. Miner

"He has the potential to become one of the new faces of modern, American horror. - Zach Bohannon


Top Categories for Severity:

- Horror Crime
- Serial Killer Fiction
- Female Thriller
- Scary Fiction
- Horror Fiction for Adults

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2017

305 people are currently reading
134 people want to read

About the author

Dan Padavona

101 books611 followers
Author of the Wolf Lake and Darkwater Cove series.

Want a free thriller and mystery book? Please join my VIP thriller readers club at
www.danpadavona.com.

I'm a father, husband, dog lover, and an advocate for animals and the homeless.

My kryptonite is ice cream, and my super power is cranking heavy metal.

More than anything, I love a good story. Let me tell you one.

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5 stars
110 (48%)
4 stars
65 (28%)
3 stars
36 (15%)
2 stars
15 (6%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Luvtoread (Trying to catch up).
582 reviews454 followers
November 5, 2022
This is a winner. This book had a little of everything adultery, alcoholism, mental illness, stalking, violence, teenage love triangles and of course murder. This book was so suspenseful at times that I was on the edge of my seat. I suggest that you read the last 1/3 of the book without any interruptions to reap the full benefits of the suspense and horror that is carried out until the ending.
There are no creatures in this story although there is a real life monster. Very scary indeed.

I highly recommend this book and give it 4 1/2 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐ stars!
Profile Image for Diana L. Wells.
395 reviews
September 17, 2019
Unput Downable…

I know bad grammar but true none the less true. This story will grab your attention and keep you turning pages. Marissa slowly unravels the web of lies and deceit that has become her life. She is a good strong character. I look forward to reading more by this author, Thanks Dan Padavona.
921 reviews11 followers
May 28, 2021
Almost didn't finish...

I usually enjoy this writer's books. I have read both his other series. This one was slow to start, very sow, to me. Marissa is aging before our eyes, and anyone who reads thrillers will know why in the beginning. It just seemed to drag on and on, and then it picked up. But, when it picked up, the scenario made no sense. Marissa meets Denise and Denise just acts as if this stranger is not a stranger at all. After that things picked up and got interesting. Even a psychologist like Tristen, the bad guy in the book did not makes sense. I can not say why because if you read it, it gives away a bit of the plot. I almost gave it a four star, but then thought of the first third of the book.
Profile Image for Dawn Myers.
1,301 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2020
This is a slow moving story, but I found it interesting. I read this as Her Shallow Grave. I found this book very dark and confusing at times. When things towards the end I knew how book would conclude. I was not too far off. If you like dark and creepy you might like Her Shallow Grave or Severity, which ever you read. I read on Kindle Unlimited
Profile Image for Gillian.
357 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2020
A good plot spoiled by bad writing, sorry to say. I persevered but others may not. Sentences such as, « The second-floor window was too tall to see into unless someone looked down at her » or « The street lights didn’t do much to break the darkness spilling down from the trees » left me rather confused. The author was no doubt being poetic in at least the second case.
Profile Image for Barbara Turkdal.
74 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2022
Ok... The title must have changed, as I had it labeled The Shallow Grave. I probably won this novel from a GoodReads giveaway, but all opinions about this book are my honest thoughts.

I like the book. It read quite smoothly with only a few hiccups. I did enjoy the book and read it quickly, eagerly. It allows the reader to ponder the possibilities behind the motives of the characters. The female lead character sure can fight well physically for being disabled for six months and she can think under major stress.

#1 The use of the word swishing three times, at least. In autumn, there is no swishing through the grass in New England. Maybe crunching?? The word jumped out at me after the second and then the third use. lol

#2 NO one is going to invite a stranger into their home for more than a cup of water and maybe use of a bathroom, even if they spent the day together at a yard sale! But this character, who also began a heated affair with a male stranger, not only makes a meal, but invites this strange woman to nap, then sleep overnight in her home where the owner lives alone! It just doesn't sit right with me.
....And just what medical assistance can be done for a bruise far after the injury? An ice pack might help the patient, but usually, bruises must slowly heal on their own.

#3 The last page/the ending was as if it was from another novel???? I get that the author was trying to initiate future mystery for a possible sequel, but this was a total fail. There were no other possibilities or lose ends to continue this tale.

#4 What happened to the handyman?? Did he survive? And poor Jimmy... in the scene at the backdoor of the ex-husband's home in the woods? Last we hear is his grunts and groans of getting beaten up, then he is in the field with the ladies.

As grumbly as I sound in this review, all in all, I am glad I read this book. I like a mystery with twists and turns. I also like the works of Dan Padavona and will not hesitate to pick up more books written by him. Thank you Mr Padavona~
36 reviews
July 1, 2022
Couldn't Stop Reading!

I have read all of Mr Padavonas' books. This as a stand alone was one I wish would continue. It was as always well written and grabs the reader, even though you think you have an idea of what is happening, you want to see what the writers twist on the plot is going to be. Marissa is a badass, and I wish we could see more of her. Thank you Mr Padavona, for another great read to spend my evenings with. Looking forward to many more from you
Profile Image for Cattie Whaley.
302 reviews2 followers
July 3, 2022
Wow!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but all I can say is I'm so glad I did! This is an edge of your seat thriller right from the get go to the very end. Strong female lead character is always a good thing, at least in my opinion. I don't want to say too much about the plot, as I don't want to give anything away. My best recommendation is to just read it! Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Angela.
3,398 reviews33 followers
October 14, 2022
A definite must read for all horror fans!

I have always loved thriller and horror stories, and this book definitely did not disappoint! It was an intense, complex, and twisted psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. It's definitely a must read! I would highly recommend all of this author's work, as I have yet to find one story that I didn't absolutely love.
I would definitely recommend this book and exceptional author.
Profile Image for Bobbi Stoffers.
262 reviews2 followers
February 25, 2023
Very intense and hard to put down

One of the most most intense psychological killer books I’ve read. It made me hold my breath waiting to see what was going to happen next. If you are into suspenseful, intriguing and downright crazy things happening this is a book you will want to read. It is one you will not want to put down. And one that will keep you thinking.
1,996 reviews23 followers
January 27, 2022
Slow to start

But once the gritty, deranged monster took hold it sure did not let go. This story centered around one unusual sick delusional man. A man I certainly would never want to encounter. Good story but you better have an iron stomach.
Profile Image for Wendy.
154 reviews1 follower
March 1, 2020
Also known as "Her Shallow Grave" as I read it.
1,507 reviews7 followers
March 4, 2021
Her Shallow Grave

This book is not my kind of reading. I wouldn't read any more books like this . I would not recommend this book
Profile Image for Heather.
29 reviews
October 21, 2022
not his best

I have read a bunch of his books but this one lacked the thrill of most of his books. Try the Wolfe Lake series if you haven’t read it.
86 reviews2 followers
September 2, 2023
wow!

I love thrillers & although this didn’t have massive twists, it kept me on my toes the entire time. Love the spirit and fight in one of the characters!
4 reviews
June 13, 2024
Intense read

Intense read. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Crazy plot. Just kept spinning around. In and out of sanity.
7 reviews
April 4, 2024
One of the few books I've read in less than a week!
3,807 reviews7 followers
May 15, 2023
This was one of my least favorite books from Dan Padavona. The story seemed a little disjointed and didn’t hold my interest as much as the series do. Overall I liked it, I just didn’t love it.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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