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Shadowshow
The Shadowshow Theater in Texas, ran by Athaniel Badon, offers shows brimming with savage sex and relentless violence, but it is too late for the townspeople when they realize that they are to be the "stars" of the entertainment
- GenresHorror
372 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
52 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
About the author
Brad Strickland
135 books107 followersWilliam Bradley Strickland (b. 1947) is the author (or co-author) of over 60 novels and over 60 pieces of short fiction and poetry.
Born in New Hollard, Strickland earned his Ph.D. in American literature from the University of Georgia. He has taught English courses at the University of Georgia, Oglethorpe University, Truett-McConnell College, and, since 1987, at Gainesville State College.
His first novel was 1986's To Stand Beneath the Sun, followed quickly by the books in the Jeremy Moon trilogy.
Strickland has shared co-author credit on many of his books: with his wife, Barbara, on stories in the Star Trek and Are You Afraid of the Dark? properties; and with the late author Thomas Fuller, books in the Wishbone series, involving the popular Jack Russell Terrier from the Public Television series of the same name. Strickland and Fuller also collaborated on numerous original works, including the Pirate Hunter series, the Mars: Year One series, and the comedic mystery for adults, The Ghost Finds a Body.
After the death of John Bellairs, Strickland was approached by John’s son, Frank, to complete the two books his father had already started; these unfinished manuscripts became The Ghost in the Mirror and The Vengeance of the Witch-Finder. Strickland also wrote two books based on brief plot outlines left by Bellairs: The Drum, the Doll and the Zombie and The Doom of the Haunted Opera. Beginning in 1996, Strickland has kept Bellairs' legacy alive by writing the further adventures of Johnny Dixon and Lewis Barnavelt. Books in the corpus include The Hand of the Necromancer (1996); The Tower at the End of the World (2001); The House Where Nobody Lived (2006); and his most recent title, The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer (2008).
In 2001, Strickland won received the Georgia Author of the Year Award, Children's/Young Adult Division, for When Mack Came Back, set in WWII-era Georgia. Strickland says the story "is based on the farm owned by [his] grandfather, where [I] often visited when [I] was a child." Kong: King of Skull Island was released in 2005, an illustrated tale by Strickland, author John Michlig, and fantasy artist Joe DeVito that serves as both a prequel and sequel to the epic story of the legendary ape.
Strickland is an active member of the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company, where he writes and performs in numerous audio drama projects. He was awarded the ARTC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. He is married to the former Barabara Justus and has two grown children.
Born in New Hollard, Strickland earned his Ph.D. in American literature from the University of Georgia. He has taught English courses at the University of Georgia, Oglethorpe University, Truett-McConnell College, and, since 1987, at Gainesville State College.
His first novel was 1986's To Stand Beneath the Sun, followed quickly by the books in the Jeremy Moon trilogy.
Strickland has shared co-author credit on many of his books: with his wife, Barbara, on stories in the Star Trek and Are You Afraid of the Dark? properties; and with the late author Thomas Fuller, books in the Wishbone series, involving the popular Jack Russell Terrier from the Public Television series of the same name. Strickland and Fuller also collaborated on numerous original works, including the Pirate Hunter series, the Mars: Year One series, and the comedic mystery for adults, The Ghost Finds a Body.
After the death of John Bellairs, Strickland was approached by John’s son, Frank, to complete the two books his father had already started; these unfinished manuscripts became The Ghost in the Mirror and The Vengeance of the Witch-Finder. Strickland also wrote two books based on brief plot outlines left by Bellairs: The Drum, the Doll and the Zombie and The Doom of the Haunted Opera. Beginning in 1996, Strickland has kept Bellairs' legacy alive by writing the further adventures of Johnny Dixon and Lewis Barnavelt. Books in the corpus include The Hand of the Necromancer (1996); The Tower at the End of the World (2001); The House Where Nobody Lived (2006); and his most recent title, The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer (2008).
In 2001, Strickland won received the Georgia Author of the Year Award, Children's/Young Adult Division, for When Mack Came Back, set in WWII-era Georgia. Strickland says the story "is based on the farm owned by [his] grandfather, where [I] often visited when [I] was a child." Kong: King of Skull Island was released in 2005, an illustrated tale by Strickland, author John Michlig, and fantasy artist Joe DeVito that serves as both a prequel and sequel to the epic story of the legendary ape.
Strickland is an active member of the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company, where he writes and performs in numerous audio drama projects. He was awarded the ARTC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. He is married to the former Barabara Justus and has two grown children.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 3, 2018
I really enjoyed this book about something Evil coming to a fictional town causing havoc and death. The characters are finely shaped, the book isn't too fast paced and the evil force is quite eerie. In many things this book reminded me on Neeful Things written by Stephen King. Fantastic 80s horror. I also liked the background information where the evil came from and all the research inside. Excellent book and a clear recommendation!
August 10, 2023
A fun and spooky read, but just a tad too thematically close to King's It for my taste, and in fact, Shadowshow came out just two years after Mr. King's book. Besides the prologue and last chapter, which are set in now (circa 1988), the novel takes place in a small Georgia town in 1957. Strickland takes his time setting the story in play and gives this a rather slow burn feel to be sure.
One summer evening, just about midnight, an old but new looking, long black car tool into Gaither and one smile from the driver induces a cop to piss himself. The next day, word spreads that a man, one Athaniel Badon, bought the old, shuttered theater in town and plans to reopen it shortly, renaming it Shadowshow. About the same time, strange things start happening in little Gaither, including some bizarre murders that left the victims in pieces, but very little blood. Others are having nightmares...
While Strickland provides a huge cast here, three stand out: 14y.o. Alan Kirby, his father John, and a school teacher, Ann Lewis. These three, along with an itinerant preacher who also sensed the evil that came to town, become the ragtag band that pull together and fight back. My favorite part of the book consisted of how the town's characters processed the events of the era, like school desegregation, Sputnik (the 'red moon'!!), and of course, some nasty lynchings that took place several decades earlier. The 'foo' was also interesting, as people who received 'private screenings' at the theater that melded their minds.
Still, despite moving rather slowly pacing wise, the ending felt rushed. Technically very well written, I struggled just a wee bit at times maintaining my interests (and comparing it to, well, It). I might try something else by Strickland, although he seems to mainly write YA stuff, which is just not my bag. 3.5 stars!!
One summer evening, just about midnight, an old but new looking, long black car tool into Gaither and one smile from the driver induces a cop to piss himself. The next day, word spreads that a man, one Athaniel Badon, bought the old, shuttered theater in town and plans to reopen it shortly, renaming it Shadowshow. About the same time, strange things start happening in little Gaither, including some bizarre murders that left the victims in pieces, but very little blood. Others are having nightmares...
While Strickland provides a huge cast here, three stand out: 14y.o. Alan Kirby, his father John, and a school teacher, Ann Lewis. These three, along with an itinerant preacher who also sensed the evil that came to town, become the ragtag band that pull together and fight back. My favorite part of the book consisted of how the town's characters processed the events of the era, like school desegregation, Sputnik (the 'red moon'!!), and of course, some nasty lynchings that took place several decades earlier. The 'foo' was also interesting, as people who received 'private screenings' at the theater that melded their minds.
Still, despite moving rather slowly pacing wise, the ending felt rushed. Technically very well written, I struggled just a wee bit at times maintaining my interests (and comparing it to, well, It). I might try something else by Strickland, although he seems to mainly write YA stuff, which is just not my bag. 3.5 stars!!
September 24, 2017
Not really what I expected, but... I dunno, creepy somehow. Definitely not your standard genre horror writing or storyline. I think it was the setting (1950s Georgia) and all the odd little details tossed in that really put me IN the story. It got under my skin in an odd kind of way.
March 10, 2016
Oh well. Full review: http://sleaze-factor.blogspot.ca/2016...
February 8, 2021
The horror fix I was looking for...
1958. A small southern town in Georgia populated with normal people generally found in small towns. Most are good well intentioned people and a small percentage of people that are not well intentioned at all. Kids are going to school, teachers are teaching, and business people are doing business. Dogs are going about their daily doggy wonders.
A stranger comes to town and reopens the movie theater that had been closed for years. Townspeople are excited to have a new distraction from daily tedium. But the movies shown at the theater weren't always the normal fare usually shown at movie theaters. Some people get private shows with content meant especially for them. Things start happening around town, slowly and quietly at first but a few people noticed and watched until they realized that it was evil that had come to town and could watch no longer...
Just the horror fix I needed. No real surprises here, just a good story that entertains.
1958. A small southern town in Georgia populated with normal people generally found in small towns. Most are good well intentioned people and a small percentage of people that are not well intentioned at all. Kids are going to school, teachers are teaching, and business people are doing business. Dogs are going about their daily doggy wonders.
A stranger comes to town and reopens the movie theater that had been closed for years. Townspeople are excited to have a new distraction from daily tedium. But the movies shown at the theater weren't always the normal fare usually shown at movie theaters. Some people get private shows with content meant especially for them. Things start happening around town, slowly and quietly at first but a few people noticed and watched until they realized that it was evil that had come to town and could watch no longer...
Just the horror fix I needed. No real surprises here, just a good story that entertains.
November 1, 2020
All towns and the nicest people all have their secrets. Some of these secrets are so very dark and we hate to think of them coming to light. When Athanial Badon comes to town and purchases the old theater the community is excited to see films on the big screen. What they don't yet know is that their dirtiest secrets will be played out before them and this will drive them to madness....and beyond.
This is a wonderful book with terrific characters trying to cope with the evil that has come to their "innocent" burg. I would enjoy seeing this as a mini-series one day.
#Shadowshow
This is a wonderful book with terrific characters trying to cope with the evil that has come to their "innocent" burg. I would enjoy seeing this as a mini-series one day.
#Shadowshow
April 4, 2019
Small town news
Opening with small town facing the forces of evil shows the premise of a dark & macabre tale, set in Georgia.
Throw in some bazaar/gruesome detailed activities to intrigue the reader...and that was it for me. Mind you(the reader), this is just my opinion...This story did not hit the mark for me; not scary, not bone chilling, and a bit too cliche of other horror stories read in the past.
Opening with small town facing the forces of evil shows the premise of a dark & macabre tale, set in Georgia.
Throw in some bazaar/gruesome detailed activities to intrigue the reader...and that was it for me. Mind you(the reader), this is just my opinion...This story did not hit the mark for me; not scary, not bone chilling, and a bit too cliche of other horror stories read in the past.
June 4, 2025
DNF’d at 30% finished
I was excited for this book based on the premise, but I just couldn’t get into it. The constant switching povs, the slow setup, and the frequent racial slurs were so off-putting for me that I just didn’t want to read any more.
I may attempt to revisit this book in the future and will update my thoughts if that happens.
I was excited for this book based on the premise, but I just couldn’t get into it. The constant switching povs, the slow setup, and the frequent racial slurs were so off-putting for me that I just didn’t want to read any more.
I may attempt to revisit this book in the future and will update my thoughts if that happens.
May 7, 2020
It's an interesting concept, and I was excited to read this book. The book itself was ok, but I feel the author didn't spend enough time on the concept itself. Felt like a lot of filler with only a few parts dedicated to the movie itself. Wasn't bad though.
April 22, 2025
This book blew me away at parts ! Written very well and really left its mark on me. My one take away might be a me problem, but the amount of characters is what I struggled with. I kept getting confused. Other than that, good read!
May 26, 2019
Gaither, GA;the southern Castle Rock
This is praise. Is as close to King as one can get. Well written, terrifying, nostalgic. Best book I've read this year.
This is praise. Is as close to King as one can get. Well written, terrifying, nostalgic. Best book I've read this year.
June 17, 2020
By the pricking of my thumbs......yep, someone wicked has just bought the theater and soon people will start dying for odd reasons. But there are some community members who are able to fight the evil. What will happen and who will win— and at what personal loss? Read this book to find out. You won’t regret it.
October 8, 2014
I am not a fan of horror stories which is why my short review of this book is: This is a horrible, horrible book that I can't believe I actually read - but in a good way.
The story is in a way a slow build suspension story about a couple of months in a small town in Georgia in 1957. In another way it is a straight up horror story about unkillable evil with intervals that makes you believe that what the people of Gaither experienced maybe actually exists in the real world.
As I said a horrible, horrible book...
The thing about the story that made me keep on reading was actually the same thing that made me feel that it was a horrible book for me, the intervals.
These are snippets from other works that supports the story by sounding as if they are from the real world. I think that they are fictional, but I don't know that they are. Which makes the story more horrifying by making it seem more real.
The fact that I actually read the book and gave it four stars is to me a testament to the fact that it is a good book that is worth the read. I really like this book which I wouldn't have thought since it is in the horror genre.
But I won't be reading it again - and I will never watch a movie in a theater called ShadowShow.
The story is in a way a slow build suspension story about a couple of months in a small town in Georgia in 1957. In another way it is a straight up horror story about unkillable evil with intervals that makes you believe that what the people of Gaither experienced maybe actually exists in the real world.
As I said a horrible, horrible book...
The thing about the story that made me keep on reading was actually the same thing that made me feel that it was a horrible book for me, the intervals.
These are snippets from other works that supports the story by sounding as if they are from the real world. I think that they are fictional, but I don't know that they are. Which makes the story more horrifying by making it seem more real.
The fact that I actually read the book and gave it four stars is to me a testament to the fact that it is a good book that is worth the read. I really like this book which I wouldn't have thought since it is in the horror genre.
But I won't be reading it again - and I will never watch a movie in a theater called ShadowShow.
October 14, 2014
Entertaining little horror story. Worth a second read.
May 1, 2020
A good old-fashioned horror story. Gave me the full out creeps a few times!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews