THIEVES IN THE NIGHT: A Brief History of Supernatural Child Abductions

by Joshua Cutchin

Folklore has always warned of hidden dangers lurking in the shadows, otherworldy beings who seek to steal that which parents hold most dear. In the first book dedicated solely to the subject, Joshua Cutchin traces this primal concern from antiquity to the modern era—beginning with worldwide tales of faeries, changelings, spirits, demons, and monsters, before examining more contemporary phenomena such as Sasquatch kidnappings, alien abductions, and mysterious disappearances in national parks. Folklore, medicine, science, and spirituality come together for a uniquely scholarly perspective on the thieves in the night.

JOSHUA CUTCHIN is an author of speculative nonfiction and a professional tuba player based out of Roswell, Georgia. An alumnus of the Universities of Wisconsin and Georgia, Cutchin is author of two other books: A Trojan Feast: The Food and Drink Offerings of Aliens, Faeries, and Sasquatch and The Brimstone Deceit: An In- Depth Examination of Supernatural Scents, Otherworldly Odors, and Monstrous Miasmas, both published by Anomalist Books. His writing is also featured in 2017’s UFOs: Reframing the Debate and 2018’s Wood Knocks, Vol. 3: A Journal of Sasquatch Research. Cutchin can be heard on the weekly podcast Where Did the Road Go? and maintains an online presence at JoshuaCutchin.com.

“Joshua Cutchin‘s Thieves in the Night deserves a place on your bookshelf next to Keith Thompson’s Angels and Aliens and Jacques Vallee’s Passport to Magonia—a truly fascinating and darkly disturbing investigation into the predatory nature of fairies, aliens, and all the shadowy beings that live among us, lurking just outside our view.” — Richard Hatem, screenwriter of The Mothman Prophecies

“Joshua Cutchin has written a new masterwork. Fairy lore might seem quaint and outdated, but these fables are vital and alive. This is a magical book, and after reading it, you will walk anew in an enchanted world.” — Mike Clelland, author of The Messengers: Owls, Synchronicity and the UFO Abductee

Genres: Paranormal, Aliens, Collections, Nonfiction, Folklore

549 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Galina Krasskova · Rating 2 out of 5]

multiple inaccuracies about indigenous religious practices including Yoruba practice and shamanism in general. Otherwise, it is an interesting comparison of faery vs ufo lore with numerous case studies but the devil is in the details and the sloppiness about things like the shaman's death / rebirth ordeal (no, shamans don't have mystical crystals implanted in them ffs) and inaccurately defining a babalawo as a "faerie doctor" make me seriously critical as to the accuracy of the rest of the text.

[Norma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really torn with giving it 4 stars. Very well researched but a little dry. I also didn’t realize it would mainly be about fairies, I thought it would be more of different creatures. But over all it was good.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from Cutchin. This discussion of supernatural child abduction was great.

As is normal, Cutchin takes a comparativist view of the subject, addressing fae abductions, UFOs, etc. He charts several features of child abduction stories throughout history and lore that show great connective tissue, regardless of the specifics.

Cutchin also addresses this difficult subject with sensitivity. He makes it clear that in many instances stories likely don't describe fae changelings or UFO shenanigans, but instead children with disabilities or ways for people to justify or excuse child abuse or even murder. They could also be "rationalizations" allowing people to overlook instances where people did grievous criminal harm to children.

But he also maintains focus on the stories involved, and what the themes are telling us about ourselves, our beliefs, and what could possibly be behind some of the more peculiar and/or convincing disappearances. Very well done.

[Sarah Huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so well researched! I imagine the author had a literal wall of information, with string running from all directions, trying to piece everything together like a weary detective and an unsolved old crime. I think Joshua Cutchin is the new Jacques Vallee. Not that there is anything wrong with the old one, it's just that Cutchin is a mighty force going in the same direction. A brilliant and thought provoking book.

[Jim Sturgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful and thought provoking

Excellent exploration of various traditions related to child abduction and the lens societies view it through. Fair and equal coverage of both old and new traditions. Well written and researched.

[Joseph R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read for Those Interested in this Phenomenon

Awesome work, excellent author! Must read for people interested in this sort of phenomenon. Excellent reference section as well for further reading.

[Whisper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book .. Unfortunately a lot of it is true ... How would I know ? Rack it up to experience 's on my part .

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrifying & Fascinating

Could not be a better author in the field of the Fortean than cutchin & I could not be happier to see he will continue to write !!

[Stacia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough look at abduction phenomena over the centuries. Hard to imagine a more thorough collection and analysis.

[Dan Zarfati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, this is about alien abduction, under a different name. Thank you.

[Linda Weaver]

This book covered a lot of the same territory that 'Super Natural' covered. All in all, I think this is the better book.