Shadow Stalker

by T.M. Gaouette

It all happened one morning. It was as if the world had gone mad. Well, maybe not the whole world, but enough of it to get noticed. People were waking up as if possessed; suffering souls resorting to tearing at their skin, crying out loud to no one in particular, haunted by a sudden internal torment that no one around them could decipher. For investigative reporter Elijah, this news story was way bigger than a scoop. Unless he could unmask the truth behind the madness, how could he stop it, once and for all? And more urgent - how could he keep it from happening to him?

Genres: Thriller

135 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2020

About the author

T.M. Gaouette is a wife, home-school mom, freelance writer, ghostwriter, blogger and fiction novelist. She was born in Africa, brought up in London, and is now living in New England, where she raises goats with her husband and four children. Devoted to Him, Gaouette is dedicated to glorifying God through her stories for children and young adults. She believes that life is too short to waste on the superficial and that adversity should be used to make one stronger. More importantly, Gaouette feels that the Lord has given us all special gifts and opportunities to make a positive difference.

T.M. Gaouette is the author of "The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch" and the first and second book in her Faith & Kung Fu Series," Freeing Tanner Rose," and "Saving Faith."

For more on T.M. Gaouette and her work, visit her at tmgaouette.com

Reviews

[Leslea Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

TM Gaouette’s newest creation, Shadow Stalker, is a chilling tale that is impossible to put down. It is one of those stories that lingers in your mind long after you’ve read the last page. The premise of this thought-provoking novella is hard to describe since it left me equally heart-broken and full of hope. Shadow Stalker highlights the destruction of sin and the redemption of forgiveness in an unforgettable way.
Overnight, the world seems to have gone crazy as people wake up seemingly haunted by an invisible force. No one knows why these victims are being terrorized by this unknown source. But there must be a reason. The reader is taken on a journey with investigative reporter Eli as he scrambles to uncover what is happening.
Shadow Stalker is quite the departure from the author’s usual writing as she delves into some dark subject matter. But she tackles this new genre brilliantly. I’ve enjoyed all of Gaouette’s engaging novels. However, her last few books, in particular, are full of powerful insights that bring our faith to life, making her a dynamic force in Catholic fiction. Through her impactful writing, Gaouette has become a champion for those without a voice and a strong defender of the most precious in our society.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit The Twilight Zone. A little bit Birdbox. A little bit a classic novel I can’t mention without it becoming a spoiler.

I consider this a bit of a departure from the author's other books - this one a bit more gritty and haunting. It kept me guessing as to what the common thread was tying the incidents together.

Shadow Stalker is an eerie tale that leaves the reader with a sense of the profound horror of sin - even hidden sins - and the even greater power of forgiveness.

Well done!

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe I have read all of the books by T.M. Gaouette, and even all her published works. I have enjoyed all of her works. From her first novel I read years ago, The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch, and For Eden's Sake to Freeing Tanner Rose, the first in the Faith and Kung Fu series. I have also enjoyed her contributions in both the Catholic Teen Books anthologies; Gifts: Visible & Invisible and Secrets Visible & Invisible. But this story, this novella is very different than anything else she has written. It is darker, grittier, and explores the darkness in the world and in human souls in a very different way. It is an intense moving read.

My first reaction upon finishing this story was that it is a powerful piece of fiction. It is very well written and moving. As someone who was abused when young it is very moving. And I doubt many could read it and not be impacted. But the story is also convicting. I believe this story will have a huge impact on readers of all ages and both sexes.

Three brothers walk into a diner; priest, a cop and a reporter walk into the diner part way through the night where the world went mad. This is in part the story of those three brothers:
Eli the investigate reporter
Alex the cop
Nicholas the priest.
Now that might sound like the beginning of a joke. But the story and the message within are no joking matter. But Eli is the focal point of the story.

That morning started like any other, and then the whole world went mad. Or at least a large portion of it. People were waking up possessed, or at least it seamed that way. These suffering souls were crying out, self injuring, and even trying to kill themselves or be killed. They were in torment. And it seemed no one could figure out why or how. Elijah things this is more than just a news story and huge scoop, he needs to figure out what is happening, he also is desperate to prevent it happening to himself.

Each of the three brothers have different pieces of the puzzle. But can they share and figure it out. Can the priest safeguard the sanctity of the confessional? Can Eli pull the snatches of conversations overheard, and pieces glimpsed together?

The story is dark, and grim. If you have ever been close to someone struggling with mental illness it might remind you of those experiences. But the story also has hope.

This story is an excellent read. Great for mature teens, young adults and us older readers. It is Gaouette’s first foray into adult literature and it is an excellent offering. A great read and addition to the many Young Adult works she was written and contributed to.

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by T.M. Gaouette. As well as author profile and interview with T.M..

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Susan Peek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this haunting novella in one sitting, but it continued to linger in my mind for quite some time after. It certainly gives the reader much to think about! Like other reviewers have pointed out, "Shadow Stalker" is very different from the author's usual y.a. stories. For lack of a better genre, I'd probably call it Speculative Catholic Fiction: something that in theory COULD happen, should God decide to give such an unprecedented grace of justice mingled with tremendous mercy for the conversion of sinners. While reading it, I found myself wishing it WOULD happen . . . and who knows, maybe it will. (Some mystics have prophesied a similar grace coming upon the whole world in the near future.) If my review so far sound very vague, I apologize, but it's hard to say too much without giving the whole plot away! Suffice it to say this is a riveting story of sin, conversion, redemption, and Divine Justice. Many parts of it gave me the chills, while other parts brought a chuckle, or even tears to my eyes. And I loved the main characters, three brothers with very different roles to play as the events in the story unfold. I would love to see the author write another story with them as characters. All in all, this is a short but sobering read that will capture anyone's imagination . . . and hopefully lead everyone to a serious examination of their own lives before God.