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Shadows
A compelling blend of mystery and family drama with a gothic twist, by the Top Ten bestselling author of A Time for Silence Kate Lawrence can sense the shadow of violent death, past and present. In her struggle to cope with her unwelcome gift, she has frozen people out of her life. Her marriage is on the rocks, her career is in chaos and she urgently needs to get a grip. So she decides to start again, by joining her effervescent cousin Sylvia and partner Michael in their mission to restore and revitalise Llys y Garn, an old mansion in the wilds of North Pembrokeshire. It is certainly a new start, as she takes on Sylvia’s grandiose schemes, but it brings Kate to a place that is thick with the shadows of past deaths. The house and grounds are full of mysteries that only she can sense, but she is determined to face them down – so determined that she fails to notice that ancient energies are not the only shadows threatening the seemingly idyllic world of Llys y Garn. The happy equilibrium is disrupted by the arrival of Sylvia’s sadistic and manipulative son, Christian - but just how dangerous is he? Then, once more, Kate senses that a violent death has occurred… Set in the majestic and magical Welsh countryside, Shadows is a haunting exploration of the dark side of people and landscape. ‘Thorne Moore is a huge talent. Her writing is intensely unsettling and memorable.’ - Sally Spedding Thorne Moore was born in Luton and graduated from Aberystwyth University and the Open University. She set up a restaurant with her sister but now spends her time writing and making miniature furniture for collectors. She lives in Pembrokeshire, which forms a background for much of her writing, as does Luton. She writes psychological mysteries, or "domestic noir," including A Time For Silence , Motherlove and The Unravelling .
- GenresBritish Literature
268 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2017
41 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 16, 2017
I became an instant Thorne Moore fan when I read her book The Unravelling and Shadows delivered another instant hit for me. This is another one of those books that as you read it you instantly think how wonderful it would be to have it made into a TV drama. It has all those important elements - mystery, brilliantly crafted characters and a villain!
Kate Lawrence can sense death. She can't actually see ghosts or foretell that someone is about to die but can sense their passing. She senses their pain and their anguish in their final moments. A huge burden and one that has affected her every day life. Something she certainly does not view as a gift. These Shadows of death almost haunt her. For Kate, its a definite curse and has turned her into a cool and aloof person who keeps her thoughts and feelings firmly under wraps. Life is easier that way than having to explain what she senses. The book opens with Kate, under police interrogation, sensing the death of her boss. This proves the final straw for Kate and she decides to take up her cousin Sylvia's offer of going into partnership to move to the countryside and redevelop and old mansion with is surrounding outbuildings alongside Sylvia's partner Michael who has a bit of a mysterious past. Kate wants to prove herself and face her demons head on move into a place steeped in mystery, murder and for Kate, sensing very strongly the deaths that took place within its walls.
Kate soon settled into her new lifestyle despite being overwhelmed by the horrors of the past and still licking her wounds from her failed marriage. She even becomes quite friendly with the local builder Al who is brought in to help with the restoration work. He and his band of co-workers and friends are travellers who the police are desperate to catch out. Al however is not who he seems and I was quite surprised when we finally find out his background. He was an interesting character with lots going on in the background. He's fiercely protective of his sister Kim and with good reason. Sometimes however, this affects his common sense and he approaches things like a bull in a china shop.
However, things soon turn sour very quickly for Kate when her cousin's son Christian, who is a horrible and despicable young man, turns up and creates merry havoc for everyone. He is a bit of a shady character and I love how well Thorne Moore has written him. He is the type of character we all love to hate. I adore a well written villain! Things begin to feel very uncertain for Kate now and life at Llys y Garn starts to unravel.
I don't want to give too much more away about the story, suffice to say its got lots of mystery, lots of villainy and the odd body or two! I found it to be a gripping book. My only criticism would be that I couldn't get my head around the relationship between Kate and her ex husband Peter. That aside, this is a book I'd highly recommend. I was glued to it and you will be too!
Kate Lawrence can sense death. She can't actually see ghosts or foretell that someone is about to die but can sense their passing. She senses their pain and their anguish in their final moments. A huge burden and one that has affected her every day life. Something she certainly does not view as a gift. These Shadows of death almost haunt her. For Kate, its a definite curse and has turned her into a cool and aloof person who keeps her thoughts and feelings firmly under wraps. Life is easier that way than having to explain what she senses. The book opens with Kate, under police interrogation, sensing the death of her boss. This proves the final straw for Kate and she decides to take up her cousin Sylvia's offer of going into partnership to move to the countryside and redevelop and old mansion with is surrounding outbuildings alongside Sylvia's partner Michael who has a bit of a mysterious past. Kate wants to prove herself and face her demons head on move into a place steeped in mystery, murder and for Kate, sensing very strongly the deaths that took place within its walls.
Kate soon settled into her new lifestyle despite being overwhelmed by the horrors of the past and still licking her wounds from her failed marriage. She even becomes quite friendly with the local builder Al who is brought in to help with the restoration work. He and his band of co-workers and friends are travellers who the police are desperate to catch out. Al however is not who he seems and I was quite surprised when we finally find out his background. He was an interesting character with lots going on in the background. He's fiercely protective of his sister Kim and with good reason. Sometimes however, this affects his common sense and he approaches things like a bull in a china shop.
However, things soon turn sour very quickly for Kate when her cousin's son Christian, who is a horrible and despicable young man, turns up and creates merry havoc for everyone. He is a bit of a shady character and I love how well Thorne Moore has written him. He is the type of character we all love to hate. I adore a well written villain! Things begin to feel very uncertain for Kate now and life at Llys y Garn starts to unravel.
I don't want to give too much more away about the story, suffice to say its got lots of mystery, lots of villainy and the odd body or two! I found it to be a gripping book. My only criticism would be that I couldn't get my head around the relationship between Kate and her ex husband Peter. That aside, this is a book I'd highly recommend. I was glued to it and you will be too!
October 15, 2017
Damn this was good. I hadn't expected to get so caught up in the story but the writing is excellent and I found myself reading on to the end.
Its not a comfortable read in places but if you like dark mysteries, more than a touch of gothic horror and a believable family drama, this is certainly worth reading.
Sentences such as these:
Michael had cooked the lamb casserole, as he did all things, with undemonstrative perfectionism, but the pear and almond tart was Sylvia's offering, and she was easily distracted.
That says SO much about the state of the dessert ;)
and this, later on:
'Oh.' Her face crumpled with pain. 'Oh Kate. Not because of the baby.'
'Don't.' I raised a hand. 'Don't go there. Please.'
The sheer brevity is enough. Too many authors would have rambled on and on and on, a long account of (whatever) happened, but this was just 'right'. This is how a woman would have reacted and it was all there - the hint of tragedy in so few words.
Its not an easy story but the writing is sufficient to make it worth reading.
Its not a comfortable read in places but if you like dark mysteries, more than a touch of gothic horror and a believable family drama, this is certainly worth reading.
Sentences such as these:
Michael had cooked the lamb casserole, as he did all things, with undemonstrative perfectionism, but the pear and almond tart was Sylvia's offering, and she was easily distracted.
That says SO much about the state of the dessert ;)
and this, later on:
'Oh.' Her face crumpled with pain. 'Oh Kate. Not because of the baby.'
'Don't.' I raised a hand. 'Don't go there. Please.'
The sheer brevity is enough. Too many authors would have rambled on and on and on, a long account of (whatever) happened, but this was just 'right'. This is how a woman would have reacted and it was all there - the hint of tragedy in so few words.
Its not an easy story but the writing is sufficient to make it worth reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2017
Goodness, I raced through this one – such a compelling read! This was one of those stories with a bit of everything – strong and sympathetic characters, well drawn and sometimes complex emotions and relationships, real shocks and surprises, a real edge of darkness and evil, a wonderful sense of place with superb descriptions, a touch of romance, a cracking story. And then there are Kate’s “shadows” – and although I’m not always a fan of the paranormal (the content here is unsettling and slightly uncomfortable rather than scary), I found it all totally believable, and fascinating to explore how on earth an otherwise totally “normal” character could cope with her insights into the residual strong emotions of others.
The characters here are excellent. I loved Sylvia, scatty and extreme but never less than likeable even when faced with the worst dilemmas of motherhood – wonderfully counter-balanced by the warm and gentle strength of Michael. “Extreme” is an adjective that could probably be used about quite a few characters in this one – the eccentric professor, the protective and unhinged student, some of the new age travellers, the “sadistic and manipulative” (blimey, he’s that all right!) Christian – but Thorne Moore writes them so well that they are never less than real people. And I loved Kate at the book’s centre, making her fresh start but tormented by her shadows, torn between her ailing relationship and an enticing new one, sharp and funny and sassy but wracked by issues that constantly disturb her balance.
If, like me, your previous experience of Thorne Moore’s writing is limited to The Unravelling, I have to say that I found this one a bit different. It’s a little lighter – which is actually a slightly ridiculous thing to say when it’s focused on death’s shadows, but I really mean in author style rather than content. It’s a tad less literary, a page-turner maybe rather than a deep and lingering thought-provoker – but the excellent writing is still there, the detailed and vivid characterisation, the visual and emotional descriptions that are so superbly done. I thoroughly enjoyed this one – and it’s a book that I think many others would enjoy too.
The characters here are excellent. I loved Sylvia, scatty and extreme but never less than likeable even when faced with the worst dilemmas of motherhood – wonderfully counter-balanced by the warm and gentle strength of Michael. “Extreme” is an adjective that could probably be used about quite a few characters in this one – the eccentric professor, the protective and unhinged student, some of the new age travellers, the “sadistic and manipulative” (blimey, he’s that all right!) Christian – but Thorne Moore writes them so well that they are never less than real people. And I loved Kate at the book’s centre, making her fresh start but tormented by her shadows, torn between her ailing relationship and an enticing new one, sharp and funny and sassy but wracked by issues that constantly disturb her balance.
If, like me, your previous experience of Thorne Moore’s writing is limited to The Unravelling, I have to say that I found this one a bit different. It’s a little lighter – which is actually a slightly ridiculous thing to say when it’s focused on death’s shadows, but I really mean in author style rather than content. It’s a tad less literary, a page-turner maybe rather than a deep and lingering thought-provoker – but the excellent writing is still there, the detailed and vivid characterisation, the visual and emotional descriptions that are so superbly done. I thoroughly enjoyed this one – and it’s a book that I think many others would enjoy too.
September 13, 2017
I could tell from the dark, moody cover that something disturbing was lurking within the pages of Thorne Moore's new novel, Shadows. I love anything with a paranormal edge to it, so I was completely intrigued by Kate's ability to feel 'death' and how she copes with her 'gift'. Shadows is another compelling read from Thorne Moore and I find myself looking forward to whatever deeply atmospheric delight she might have up her sleeve for us next.
Kate is burdened with the ability to feel death, the lingering essence of fear, hurt and anger that might be left when someone departs this life. In an effort to get away from it all, after dealing with her own painful experience of loss and a broken marriage, she joins her cousin, Sylvia, in Wales with plans to restore a mansion. With so much history, Kate feels death in several parts of the house and grounds, then the bodies start to be found...
As if Kate and Sylvia don't have enough to contend with, Sylvia's son, Christian, keeps turning up like a bad penny. He spits his venom in every direction, alienating his family and making them afraid of his violent threats. He appears to be at the root of all their troubles and Kate is shocked when she starts to get the feeling that she wishes he was dead. When Kate senses another death, and Christian can't be found, she is overcome with guilt and feels as if she is the harbinger of death. Thank goodness for Al, the new age traveller who is helping to restore Llys y Garn; he keeps Kate grounded and provides her with a little bit of comfort, but he is as deep as the ocean and has his own secrets. Could Al have done something to Christian to protect Kate?
Shadows is so very compelling; it has a bit of everything: a dysfunctional family, secrets and lies, dead bodies and a bit of paranormal activity. It's so very dark, brooding and atmospheric: I felt as if I was roaming the Welsh hills and breathing the fresh country air myself. If you've not discovered Thorne Moore yet, you're missing out on a treat.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Kate is burdened with the ability to feel death, the lingering essence of fear, hurt and anger that might be left when someone departs this life. In an effort to get away from it all, after dealing with her own painful experience of loss and a broken marriage, she joins her cousin, Sylvia, in Wales with plans to restore a mansion. With so much history, Kate feels death in several parts of the house and grounds, then the bodies start to be found...
As if Kate and Sylvia don't have enough to contend with, Sylvia's son, Christian, keeps turning up like a bad penny. He spits his venom in every direction, alienating his family and making them afraid of his violent threats. He appears to be at the root of all their troubles and Kate is shocked when she starts to get the feeling that she wishes he was dead. When Kate senses another death, and Christian can't be found, she is overcome with guilt and feels as if she is the harbinger of death. Thank goodness for Al, the new age traveller who is helping to restore Llys y Garn; he keeps Kate grounded and provides her with a little bit of comfort, but he is as deep as the ocean and has his own secrets. Could Al have done something to Christian to protect Kate?
Shadows is so very compelling; it has a bit of everything: a dysfunctional family, secrets and lies, dead bodies and a bit of paranormal activity. It's so very dark, brooding and atmospheric: I felt as if I was roaming the Welsh hills and breathing the fresh country air myself. If you've not discovered Thorne Moore yet, you're missing out on a treat.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
August 14, 2017
The ‘shadows’ haunt Kate; constantly they are nagging at her and taunting her. Kate feels death and the pain and suffering which those who die feel when their life is taken from them. This is something that Kate needs so desperately to escape from. Can the move to Llys y Garn resolve her tormented mind? Would renovating this old place with Sylvia and Michael help to take her mind away from the disturbing shadows?
The plot unravels very slowly and Thorne Moore has a skilful way of writing, which engulfs the reader. You are taken through every character piece by piece. I felt as though I were dissecting each and every inch of them, the way their minds work, the way they feel, think and the way that they grow, moulding themselves to your thoughts.
There are a couple of twists in the tale too. Unexpected and brilliantly constructed which make this story what it is; a good thriller.
The only criticism I have is that Thorne Moore could have enhanced the use of the ‘shadows’ more. This would have given rise to additional dark goings on in the house whilst the renovations were taking place.
I found the book a very good read and would recommend it to all that like a good thriller.
The plot unravels very slowly and Thorne Moore has a skilful way of writing, which engulfs the reader. You are taken through every character piece by piece. I felt as though I were dissecting each and every inch of them, the way their minds work, the way they feel, think and the way that they grow, moulding themselves to your thoughts.
There are a couple of twists in the tale too. Unexpected and brilliantly constructed which make this story what it is; a good thriller.
The only criticism I have is that Thorne Moore could have enhanced the use of the ‘shadows’ more. This would have given rise to additional dark goings on in the house whilst the renovations were taking place.
I found the book a very good read and would recommend it to all that like a good thriller.
September 27, 2017
My rating is more 3.5 as the book got better in the second half.
I was a bit bored in the first half (as well as irritated/exasperated with some characters), so to start with my reading experience of this book was not totally pleasant. But to be perfectly fair, this is probably a very personal feeling, so don't let it put you off!
Indeed, at about mid-book, things started to pick up, the "plot thickened" so to speak, and I found I couldn't put the book down. I was a little bit disappointed by the end but I still think it was a good story (despite the slow start).
I was a bit bored in the first half (as well as irritated/exasperated with some characters), so to start with my reading experience of this book was not totally pleasant. But to be perfectly fair, this is probably a very personal feeling, so don't let it put you off!
Indeed, at about mid-book, things started to pick up, the "plot thickened" so to speak, and I found I couldn't put the book down. I was a little bit disappointed by the end but I still think it was a good story (despite the slow start).
March 10, 2018
This book started in a very promising way and got my interest as Kate escapes to Wales to live with her cousin to try to overcome the issues associated with her ability to feel the death of her person. There were some likeable characters such as Sylvia and Michael and the house Llys y Garn was well described and sounded wonderful. The property contained some interesting features from the past such as standing stones and a priest hole. However, once the characters of Christian and Hannah were introduced it became a different type of book and it completely lost its way. I became utterly bored through the blow by blow account of the Elizabethan Fayre, Christian’ vileness, Hannah’s weirdness and I ended up skimming it to see if it got back on track. It didn’t. So what started out as a sort of Gothic suspense ended up as something very messy. It’s a shame as I read Time for Silence by the same author which I really enjoyed.
August 7, 2019
Shadows by Thorne Moore
I recently bought Thorne Moore's novel, A Time for Silence, and was really impressed by it.
Last month, someone bought me another of her books, Shadows, as a gift. It's just as impressive and has to be one of the best books I've read in a long time.
Kate has a supernatural sense, for want of a better term, but this isn't a novel that dwells on ghosts roaming dark corridors with a head tucked under one arm. This novel is set firmly in the present and the real core of the book concerns the living characters in it and how they interact with each other.
The plot is tight and contains satisfying twists and turns. The suspense, uncertainty and danger kept me turning the pages and I read this book in two sessions – ignoring friends and family during the second one…
The characters are quite wonderfully drawn. They are all believable, well-rounded and have their unique voices - and, as a consequence, what happens to them matters.
The writing is powerful and evocative bringing both people and landscape to vivid life.
If you’re not convinced, go to Amazon and read the opening pages for yourself.
I recently bought Thorne Moore's novel, A Time for Silence, and was really impressed by it.
Last month, someone bought me another of her books, Shadows, as a gift. It's just as impressive and has to be one of the best books I've read in a long time.
Kate has a supernatural sense, for want of a better term, but this isn't a novel that dwells on ghosts roaming dark corridors with a head tucked under one arm. This novel is set firmly in the present and the real core of the book concerns the living characters in it and how they interact with each other.
The plot is tight and contains satisfying twists and turns. The suspense, uncertainty and danger kept me turning the pages and I read this book in two sessions – ignoring friends and family during the second one…
The characters are quite wonderfully drawn. They are all believable, well-rounded and have their unique voices - and, as a consequence, what happens to them matters.
The writing is powerful and evocative bringing both people and landscape to vivid life.
If you’re not convinced, go to Amazon and read the opening pages for yourself.
August 14, 2025
I was drawn to this novel by the cover and description, expecting a page turner. I was disappointed however to find that the story was one I could put down and not feel like returning to. I enjoyed it but almost felt cheated by the time I'd finished. Told in first person POV I thought there was something lacking in the depths of the main character as well as those that surrounded her, almost as thought they were shadows themselves flitting in and out unable to leave the reader with any real sense of who they were. I wanted to know what had made them the people I'd met, not all of curse but at least those who had a major role. I wondered if writing in the third person might have provded the opportunity to discover them. A disappointing read for me I'm afraid.
January 10, 2018
I was expecting this to be more like a ghost story from it's description but it wasn't at all what I expected. I guess the best way I could describe it is a melodrama with a psychic main character. I thought the book started off well but seemed to get far too over the top very quickly. None of the characters are particularly likable - in fact most of them irritated me immensely. It also seemed to be a bit too long for it's plot line and a lot of the book is spent with the main character wondering and thinking what might be happening rather than advancing the plot forward at a nice pace. Not really recommended.
April 4, 2021
Surprised
I really lovesdthis book. I titled my review surprised because I was so surprised because the minute I started this book it had my attention. I really didn't want to put it down. I had to keep reading it. Also enjoyed so much the background of the house they were restoring or the manor house. The writing was such that I could picture the manor which I enjoyed.
I really lovesdthis book. I titled my review surprised because I was so surprised because the minute I started this book it had my attention. I really didn't want to put it down. I had to keep reading it. Also enjoyed so much the background of the house they were restoring or the manor house. The writing was such that I could picture the manor which I enjoyed.
February 19, 2018
Nothing wrong with the writing style but the story really wasn't for me
April 21, 2019
Started off alright, didn't really get anywhere fron half way, shame as it was well written and characters were good but got too bored.
June 13, 2020
Riveting
A great read on English manse secrets and one woman’s gift or curse to sense a death. Enjoyed the local customs and the colorful characters employed.
A great read on English manse secrets and one woman’s gift or curse to sense a death. Enjoyed the local customs and the colorful characters employed.
September 26, 2023
I am giving this book 3 stars because I finished it. However I felt it was overlong and rather tedious.
July 13, 2024
Amazing!
This book I just could not put down, I read it in three hours.
Thank you Thorne, here's hoping your next one is as good.
This book I just could not put down, I read it in three hours.
Thank you Thorne, here's hoping your next one is as good.
January 18, 2022
This was a really good read. Moore does a great job moving the plot forward and keeping you interested in the drama that unfolds.
Yes, it felt like I was reading a British soap opera, but wow, what a good story.
Yes, it felt like I was reading a British soap opera, but wow, what a good story.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews