What do you think?
Rate this book
Red Creek #2
Return to Red Creek
Paul Alenn thought the fire had cleansed the orchard.
He was certain the ties with the shadow had been severed.
He was dead wrong.
Ten years have passed since Paul and his family left Red Creek for good. But his daughter Taylor, forbidden to return, rushes to visit her cousin after a young girl vanishes in the oppressed town.
They quickly learn that the Smiths’ terrible clutches over the region are still at play, and the shadow is growing stronger. Meanwhile, Detective Tom Bartlett dives head-first into the lore of Red Creek, unsure of what's real and what's an urban legend. Paul, Taylor, and Tom must fight for the truth, before the curse continues for another generation.
All questions surrounding Red Creek and the mysterious shadow will be answered in this highly anticipated sequel. From bestselling author Nathan Hystad comes a tension-filled thriller you won't want to miss.
He was certain the ties with the shadow had been severed.
He was dead wrong.
Ten years have passed since Paul and his family left Red Creek for good. But his daughter Taylor, forbidden to return, rushes to visit her cousin after a young girl vanishes in the oppressed town.
They quickly learn that the Smiths’ terrible clutches over the region are still at play, and the shadow is growing stronger. Meanwhile, Detective Tom Bartlett dives head-first into the lore of Red Creek, unsure of what's real and what's an urban legend. Paul, Taylor, and Tom must fight for the truth, before the curse continues for another generation.
All questions surrounding Red Creek and the mysterious shadow will be answered in this highly anticipated sequel. From bestselling author Nathan Hystad comes a tension-filled thriller you won't want to miss.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2019
95 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 20, 2020
The series of missing children in Red Creek is starting again. What is it about and what does Taylor, Paul's daughter, find out about her family? What is the secret of the "Schattenmann" (shadow man) and why didn't he stop to exist after the burning of Granny Smith's Orchard (nice eerie background story)? This time the supernatural element of the story is coming in full force. The ending with all important characters involved is great. I liked the first part of the series but the second installment was even better. The shadow man (love that concept) is an evil entity nobody wants to meet out there or have any family ties with. Great story, great monster, great page turner. Good that the author came up with a follow up volume to his first book. Highly recommended!
August 31, 2020
I am satisfied with the ending to this story. I loved the writing and build up of the first book, but was left with too many questions at the end.
I love the storytelling, but there were a few parts that drowned in detail and unnecessary descriptions/thoughts to the point where I skimmed some pages and didn't miss out on the story.
The monster was very original, however, I'm left confused still on the timeline of when a child is taken and when a child is killed... it doesn't make sense how some can be rescued and other children have died.
I love the storytelling, but there were a few parts that drowned in detail and unnecessary descriptions/thoughts to the point where I skimmed some pages and didn't miss out on the story.
The monster was very original, however, I'm left confused still on the timeline of when a child is taken and when a child is killed... it doesn't make sense how some can be rescued and other children have died.
April 14, 2020
Return to Red Creek - Disappointing
I borrowed this book because at the of the first book, RED CREEK, it said to read this book for the conclusion. I was happy with the conclusion of book one.
I was disappointed in RETURN TO RED CREEK. I thought the author didn’t give the reader enough depth and backstory on Taylor. Why would this barely adult that was previously taken by the shadow and had been coddled by their father for the past 12 years have the nerves of steel to face these demons on their own? The aunt telling her daughter (19 and immature) to take the rifle for protection when her dad had shot his friend in the previous book on accident. Unrealistic in my opinion. But, the book is somewhat of a sci-fi thriller, so anything is possible.
I don’t recommend this sequel. I think the ending of the first book is fine and I’m glad I didn’t pay for this one.
I borrowed this book because at the of the first book, RED CREEK, it said to read this book for the conclusion. I was happy with the conclusion of book one.
I was disappointed in RETURN TO RED CREEK. I thought the author didn’t give the reader enough depth and backstory on Taylor. Why would this barely adult that was previously taken by the shadow and had been coddled by their father for the past 12 years have the nerves of steel to face these demons on their own? The aunt telling her daughter (19 and immature) to take the rifle for protection when her dad had shot his friend in the previous book on accident. Unrealistic in my opinion. But, the book is somewhat of a sci-fi thriller, so anything is possible.
I don’t recommend this sequel. I think the ending of the first book is fine and I’m glad I didn’t pay for this one.
December 11, 2021
Red Creek has been quiet since they put the creature down a dozen years before
Children are missing again and Taylor feels an urgent need to return to Red Creek. She and her dad, the horror author Paul Alenn, had helped in driving the creature out and destroying its nest. Had it returned? Were the abductions and killings starting again? Taylor and boyfriend Brent are going to Red Creek to find out. What they find is not what they expected, it was much worse!
The characters in this story are amazing and the brutal action starts immediately and just picks up speed as the storyline builds. This has caused a couple sleepless nights when I just can't put the story down. Great pacing in the story, believable characters and a terrifying storyline have produced a great read!
Children are missing again and Taylor feels an urgent need to return to Red Creek. She and her dad, the horror author Paul Alenn, had helped in driving the creature out and destroying its nest. Had it returned? Were the abductions and killings starting again? Taylor and boyfriend Brent are going to Red Creek to find out. What they find is not what they expected, it was much worse!
The characters in this story are amazing and the brutal action starts immediately and just picks up speed as the storyline builds. This has caused a couple sleepless nights when I just can't put the story down. Great pacing in the story, believable characters and a terrifying storyline have produced a great read!
Read
June 27, 2020This was a good read.. I did like the 1st installment a bit better.
This one has a lot of the characters reunited and a few new ones.. It has been a long time since I have read "horror" books and with being on pandemic lock down, I thought I would give them a try again. I am glad I did
This one has a lot of the characters reunited and a few new ones.. It has been a long time since I have read "horror" books and with being on pandemic lock down, I thought I would give them a try again. I am glad I did
July 27, 2020
Excellent Excellent
I've read both books now and can say the series has it all.
Good character development and I like the interaction between them, and the the creepy story and the suspense keeps you reading.
I've read both books now and can say the series has it all.
Good character development and I like the interaction between them, and the the creepy story and the suspense keeps you reading.
September 1, 2020
The provider...
We finally get the full background story of the shadow man. Paul, family and friends get to rescue one of the missing children and confront the corporeal body of the shadow.
We finally get the full background story of the shadow man. Paul, family and friends get to rescue one of the missing children and confront the corporeal body of the shadow.
September 13, 2020
Suspenseful and a book I didn’t want to read at night. This is the second book in the series and together they were well worth reading. Each story is stronge on it’s own.
I really enjoy this author’s writing.
I really enjoy this author’s writing.
January 8, 2020
Be careful of shadows
The terror that has gripped Red Creek for years has risen. Once again it is stalking the children. Can Paul and Darrel finally end it?
The terror that has gripped Red Creek for years has risen. Once again it is stalking the children. Can Paul and Darrel finally end it?
February 10, 2020
Another Excellent Read
Both of these books kept me wanting to read more
The detail and intensity is fantastic in every book written by this Author.
Highly recommend this book.
Both of these books kept me wanting to read more
The detail and intensity is fantastic in every book written by this Author.
Highly recommend this book.
May 8, 2020
Much faster paced than the first book. I enjoyed it more than the first. It had a nice, satisfying ending.
July 17, 2020
Good and provides more of an explanation than the first book about the monster. I liked Paul being taken, it added a good horror moment there.
All in all, a solid horror.
All in all, a solid horror.
July 31, 2020
An enjoyable read not brilliant but certainly engaging.
April 26, 2022
recommended
Good book. Plenty of mystery and like how it ties well with the First book. Good read for someone who like horror.
Good book. Plenty of mystery and like how it ties well with the First book. Good read for someone who like horror.
July 20, 2022
Children are disappearing from Red Creek again and Taylor wants to find a way to stop the Shadow Monster. Good conclusion to Red Creek.
September 8, 2023
Just as amazing as the first one
December 3, 2019
and an amazing sequel ! Loved it!
November 8, 2019
Original Horror
Surprisingly original. I read both books in the series, and was impressed with the characters and their development. I liked the way the stories build, the way the climaxes play out, and the solid ending. Most authors usually rush through the ending, or don’t know how to close the story, this one did. Definitely worth your time and money.
Surprisingly original. I read both books in the series, and was impressed with the characters and their development. I liked the way the stories build, the way the climaxes play out, and the solid ending. Most authors usually rush through the ending, or don’t know how to close the story, this one did. Definitely worth your time and money.
August 6, 2019
I was surprised when one of my favorite Sci-Fi authors wrote an earlier Dark - Horror story; very pleasantly surprised as it turned out. In my five-star review, I said it reminded me of books by Stephen King and a younger Dean Koontz. It's rare when a sequel is as good as the original but, I found this second book, Return to Red Creek to be even better.
To me, a good horror story author often has me thinking to myself, "Oh No! Why are they doing that?" as the characters make choices we readers know aren't going to work out well for them. There are plenty of these in this book and, not every character survives these bad choices.
The question we commonly ask ourselves when reading a horror story is who (or what) will survive at the conclusion? Will Good triumph over Evil? Will some evil spawn carry on to terrorize us again? This horror story has a great ending.
Review by THE HOLEY ONE
To me, a good horror story author often has me thinking to myself, "Oh No! Why are they doing that?" as the characters make choices we readers know aren't going to work out well for them. There are plenty of these in this book and, not every character survives these bad choices.
The question we commonly ask ourselves when reading a horror story is who (or what) will survive at the conclusion? Will Good triumph over Evil? Will some evil spawn carry on to terrorize us again? This horror story has a great ending.
Review by THE HOLEY ONE
August 19, 2019
The first book in this series of dark horror was amazing and kept me guessing until the end so when I found out there was a sequel with the same characters I had to read it. And I have to say I was not disappointed. It had the horror and suspense of the first book and used this foundation to make a great second story. Even though I knew what had to be coming it still has a few good twists too. And I loved the ending. The writing itself was good and just sucked me in as I read it in one sitting just to see who was harboring the evil this time and who would end up dying before it was stopped. I liked that the horror was based on the story and not cheap scares or bloody scenes.
September 7, 2020
Pretty Good Finale
I liked the first book in this series and was glad to see it continued. This one was good too. I like the way this author creates his characters. They are realistic and well fleshed out. It's why I read this second book. I had recalled the characters from the first book and not forgotten them. That's the sign of a good author. I like Paul especially and would read about him again.
I liked the first book in this series and was glad to see it continued. This one was good too. I like the way this author creates his characters. They are realistic and well fleshed out. It's why I read this second book. I had recalled the characters from the first book and not forgotten them. That's the sign of a good author. I like Paul especially and would read about him again.
August 22, 2019
Brilliant Sequel!
This is a masterfully-crafted sequel to the original Red Creek. This sequel ties up all the loose ends from the original and features non-stop, thrilling, and suspenseful action. This one is simply not to be missed.
This is a masterfully-crafted sequel to the original Red Creek. This sequel ties up all the loose ends from the original and features non-stop, thrilling, and suspenseful action. This one is simply not to be missed.
August 31, 2019
Robert's Review and Comments
Well done, I thought for a moment the shadow was going to pull out for parts unknown. In the end all turned out well and evil has been vanquished again.
Well done, I thought for a moment the shadow was going to pull out for parts unknown. In the end all turned out well and evil has been vanquished again.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews