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Shadow House
SHADOW HOUSE is a psychological supernatural thriller about two men, alive in different times, who share a terrible secret that, through a quirk of fate, saved one, but damned the other. These seemingly unconnected lives begin interleaving between five year old PJ McAvoy—critically injured when his family dies in a mysterious fire in 1920’s Massachusetts—and contemporary suburban family man, Aaron Molina, when he purchases an antique tool box at a flea market.
Through Aarons “visions” into PJ’s tragic past, he witnesses the killer’s life firsthand, from the childhood injury that precipitates his paranormal ability to kill, through his orphaned youth and horrific WWII years. For every tragedy that befalls PJ, or act of mayhem he inflicts, he senses Aaron’s interfering presence and holds him responsible.
To save himself and his family from PJ’s vendetta, Aaron must learn the secret that binds them together. PJ’s plans, however, go far beyond mere revenge, where his own death is not an obstacle, and Aaron’s demise will only be a footnote.
This novel is aimed for avid thriller and horror readers who cuddle the "chill of terror" from authors such as Anne Rice and Stephen King, and even further, to mystery lovers who tantalize over the who, why, and how aspects of crime and death, from Dan Brown to Jonathan Kellerman.
This is NOT a traditional ghost story.
Through Aarons “visions” into PJ’s tragic past, he witnesses the killer’s life firsthand, from the childhood injury that precipitates his paranormal ability to kill, through his orphaned youth and horrific WWII years. For every tragedy that befalls PJ, or act of mayhem he inflicts, he senses Aaron’s interfering presence and holds him responsible.
To save himself and his family from PJ’s vendetta, Aaron must learn the secret that binds them together. PJ’s plans, however, go far beyond mere revenge, where his own death is not an obstacle, and Aaron’s demise will only be a footnote.
This novel is aimed for avid thriller and horror readers who cuddle the "chill of terror" from authors such as Anne Rice and Stephen King, and even further, to mystery lovers who tantalize over the who, why, and how aspects of crime and death, from Dan Brown to Jonathan Kellerman.
This is NOT a traditional ghost story.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2011
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Land
12 books142 followersStuart’s story ideas come from his vivid imagination, but his inspiration draws from world travel and fascinating careers: from US military medic to hairstylist, then Washington D.C. Police officer to NYC photographer.
Later, he converted a chicken coop in the woods into a live-in studio and taught himself metal sculpture. That rudimentary craft expanded into the fine arts. Sculptures in bronze and fiberglass led to shows in the US, England, and Thailand.
Stuart’s passion for all arts segued into: costume design (top 100 designers in the book, Fashion: 2001); modeling agency art director; fashion show designer; water feature designer, computer illustrator, and a top sculptor for special effects, sets and props in the entertainment industry with work in over thirty major films, hotels, and theme parks worldwide.
During Stuart’s film career, he learned screenwriting firsthand, writing 20 screenplays so far. To explore character and environment more, he took up narrative fiction with short stories and published 14 novels. His writing has won 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and finals in contests, and some of his screenplays sold or optioned.
He continues on the journey.
Later, he converted a chicken coop in the woods into a live-in studio and taught himself metal sculpture. That rudimentary craft expanded into the fine arts. Sculptures in bronze and fiberglass led to shows in the US, England, and Thailand.
Stuart’s passion for all arts segued into: costume design (top 100 designers in the book, Fashion: 2001); modeling agency art director; fashion show designer; water feature designer, computer illustrator, and a top sculptor for special effects, sets and props in the entertainment industry with work in over thirty major films, hotels, and theme parks worldwide.
During Stuart’s film career, he learned screenwriting firsthand, writing 20 screenplays so far. To explore character and environment more, he took up narrative fiction with short stories and published 14 novels. His writing has won 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and finals in contests, and some of his screenplays sold or optioned.
He continues on the journey.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 22, 2019
Stuart Land unspools a gripping tale of terror and mystery in Shadow House. Living 50 years apart, PJ McAvoy and protagonist Aaron are strangely connected. Murderous PJ blames Aaron for his family’s death, conveniently ignoring the fact he hasn’t been born yet, and begins setting in motion his plot for revenge. It’s the connection between these two characters and the mystery behind it that makes Shadow House so compelling. Any Dean Koontz fans out there will be right at home here (if you’ll pardon the pun)!
June 21, 2011
Aaron Molina is your average 30 something American man, with a wife, 2 children, a dog, a home in the suburbs and a nine to five job. He often wonders if he is satisfied with his life, and feels something might be missing, and then he continues to live that life just the same. Then one Saturday, on a trip to a flea market with his family that starts just like every trip to the flea market has ever started, he will stumble upon an old set of hand tools that will change his and his family’s lives forever.
The tools are part of an estate that once belonged to PJ McAvoy, gifted carpenter who was born in the 20’s and was a truly evil person. In order to buy the tools, Aaron must buy the entire estate, fascinated with the tools Aaron buys it all. Thus begins Aaron and PJ’s journey into each other lives, each being able to see through the other’s eyes into both the past and the future. Aaron discovers PJ had an ulterior motive in dictating his entire estate be sold as one lot, and that motive involved the lives of Aaron and his family. Thus begins Aaron’s journey to figure out PJ’s intent, attempt to stay one step ahead of him and save everyone that is dear to him.
I have to say; right here and now, that Mr. Land’s writing style is absolutely beautiful. It reminded me of the old style writing of F. Scott Fitzgerald and company. The words dip and flow, and pull you into this tale of evil and bizarre happenings. Aaron starts out as the guy next door that we all know; slightly overweight and apathetic to the world he lives in, and morphs into a superhero type character. The glimpses we get into PJ’s mind and life are so well described you can see, feel and actually smell what is happening. The secondary characters are a great group of people. Aaron’s family balance him out and other people we meet along the way are an interesting mix of personalities. Mr. Land manages to bring all these different characters together into this spine tingling tale with just the right about of humor and mystery.
I truly enjoyed every second of this book. It took me about 30% into the book to get the feel and rhythm of Mr. Land’s writing style but once I did, I was totally hooked. I was taken on a ride of being pushed to the limit of scared and reeled back in with Aaron and companies self-depreciating humor and sarcasm. There was never a dull moment, and when I was finished I was so pulled into the story I was relieved and saddened at the same time. There is some violence here, some sex, some mystery, and some suspense, all wrapped up in a good story. If you read any of my reviews, you know I rarely give five stars; I would give more if I could to this book. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good Alfred Hitchcock, Twilight Zone thriller/suspense type book. For best results, turn the lights down, close the shades, pull up the covers and enjoy.
Reviewed for Paranormal Romance Guild
The tools are part of an estate that once belonged to PJ McAvoy, gifted carpenter who was born in the 20’s and was a truly evil person. In order to buy the tools, Aaron must buy the entire estate, fascinated with the tools Aaron buys it all. Thus begins Aaron and PJ’s journey into each other lives, each being able to see through the other’s eyes into both the past and the future. Aaron discovers PJ had an ulterior motive in dictating his entire estate be sold as one lot, and that motive involved the lives of Aaron and his family. Thus begins Aaron’s journey to figure out PJ’s intent, attempt to stay one step ahead of him and save everyone that is dear to him.
I have to say; right here and now, that Mr. Land’s writing style is absolutely beautiful. It reminded me of the old style writing of F. Scott Fitzgerald and company. The words dip and flow, and pull you into this tale of evil and bizarre happenings. Aaron starts out as the guy next door that we all know; slightly overweight and apathetic to the world he lives in, and morphs into a superhero type character. The glimpses we get into PJ’s mind and life are so well described you can see, feel and actually smell what is happening. The secondary characters are a great group of people. Aaron’s family balance him out and other people we meet along the way are an interesting mix of personalities. Mr. Land manages to bring all these different characters together into this spine tingling tale with just the right about of humor and mystery.
I truly enjoyed every second of this book. It took me about 30% into the book to get the feel and rhythm of Mr. Land’s writing style but once I did, I was totally hooked. I was taken on a ride of being pushed to the limit of scared and reeled back in with Aaron and companies self-depreciating humor and sarcasm. There was never a dull moment, and when I was finished I was so pulled into the story I was relieved and saddened at the same time. There is some violence here, some sex, some mystery, and some suspense, all wrapped up in a good story. If you read any of my reviews, you know I rarely give five stars; I would give more if I could to this book. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good Alfred Hitchcock, Twilight Zone thriller/suspense type book. For best results, turn the lights down, close the shades, pull up the covers and enjoy.
Reviewed for Paranormal Romance Guild
June 16, 2022
Things have an echo, houses have shadows and a lot of other things left by people have an identity of the owner who is lost in those shadows, those echos. Those echoes turn destitute when you lose your mind over the obsession with something that doesn't quite make sense. In those times and on those dark nights the devil takes over you to be the crafty man you promised yourself not to be.
A strange heirloom, a bunch of tools and some other belongings purchased by Aaron on a whim will probably be his undoing. It doesn't quite make sense but it is the objects that resurface in time to bend the reality of both the times. Inception has no game in this play because the time-bending horror story that is enclosed in this book is not just going to fuck with your mind but also leave you terrified to imagine little things that could land you in disaster.
Those seemingly unspecific items that Aaron proclaimed for himself were the property of a dead man who had a glimpse in the future, a glimpse of Aaron and that is what made him obsess over getting even with a person out of time. The quest for revenge unhinges your mind, such that even in death can you not be throttled. Death comes to Aaron but not to the vengeful soul that would rain down embers on an unsuspecting family in his own sweet time. This is a horror that transcends time, it is the reality so treacherous that will make you afraid even if you are one of the strong ones. Why do I like this book? It is because it didn't tag the whole book as being haunted by a conduit but the author found a better way to tell his story, a way that creeps you out, a way that you shall always remember.
A strange heirloom, a bunch of tools and some other belongings purchased by Aaron on a whim will probably be his undoing. It doesn't quite make sense but it is the objects that resurface in time to bend the reality of both the times. Inception has no game in this play because the time-bending horror story that is enclosed in this book is not just going to fuck with your mind but also leave you terrified to imagine little things that could land you in disaster.
Those seemingly unspecific items that Aaron proclaimed for himself were the property of a dead man who had a glimpse in the future, a glimpse of Aaron and that is what made him obsess over getting even with a person out of time. The quest for revenge unhinges your mind, such that even in death can you not be throttled. Death comes to Aaron but not to the vengeful soul that would rain down embers on an unsuspecting family in his own sweet time. This is a horror that transcends time, it is the reality so treacherous that will make you afraid even if you are one of the strong ones. Why do I like this book? It is because it didn't tag the whole book as being haunted by a conduit but the author found a better way to tell his story, a way that creeps you out, a way that you shall always remember.
June 18, 2018
Once again, Stuart Land plays with timelines with brio, not leaving the reading any time to catch their breath!! I will obviously not spoil the mystery - but just tell you that I’ve never read such a book, that weaves seamlessly two of my favorite genres. The stakes are high the historical details are always impeccably on point (you may notice that when you re-read the book over and over!).
I love the way the book opens as well - you are warned from the start - and yet you have no idea how the story will unfold. Watch Land take apart the “normal” suburban American family with the introduction of true evil, asking the age-old question - are we equal to the task? How does one face and defeat absolute evil?
Buckle up and have fun! I’m off to read ALL of Mr Land’s books!!!!
I love the way the book opens as well - you are warned from the start - and yet you have no idea how the story will unfold. Watch Land take apart the “normal” suburban American family with the introduction of true evil, asking the age-old question - are we equal to the task? How does one face and defeat absolute evil?
Buckle up and have fun! I’m off to read ALL of Mr Land’s books!!!!
May 10, 2013
Shadow House is not a typical ghost story. Indeed, it's not a ghost story at all. It is a thrilling ride through an unimaginable landscape. Aaron Molina plods through his ordinary, boring life -- cute family, cute wife, cute house in the suburbs -- like an obedient school child, until an unexpected purchase at a flea market changes his life. From that moment the story takes on a life of it's own as Aaron clashes with PJ McAvoy, an evil, vicious apparition who wants to destroy him. Stuart Land dabbles in the supernatural in a way that will keep even the most dubious believer riveted. Think 'Twilight Zone' and you'll want to start reading Shadow House this minute.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews