🩸 Horror Fiction

The Shadows Behind

✍️ Kristi Petersen Schoonover
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$15.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of horror stories by Kristi Petersen Schoonover exploring grief and internal terror.

The Shadows Behind offers a distinct perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological roots of fear. Schoonover uses her award-winning voice to craft narratives where grief takes physical form, blurring the line between mental anguish and supernatural threat. The collection is structured to immerse the reader in a world where the boundary between self and monster dissolves. This approach requires patience from the reader, as the horror builds slowly through character development rather than immediate shock. It is a work for those who find terror in the human condition.

Key Themes
shape-shifting grief internal monsters supernatural fiction
Literary Context

Published by Farmer's Daughter Press in 2019, this collection sits within the contemporary American horror landscape. Schoonover’s work reflects a modern interest in psychological depth and the supernatural, appealing to readers who value atmospheric storytelling over gore.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Thomas Ligotti · M.R. James
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Farmer's Daughter Press 📅 2019 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781088145234

📝 Description: The Shadows Behind

Kristi Petersen Schoonover presents a collection of horror and supernatural fiction in The Shadows Behind. This volume explores the intersection of grief and terror through shape-shifting narratives that challenge the reader's perception of safety. The stories examine how internal emotional states manifest as external threats, suggesting that the true monsters reside within rather than lurking in the dark. Schoonover is an award-winning author known for her ability to blend psychological depth with genre conventions. Her work draws on gothic and supernatural traditions to create a stark atmosphere where fear is both overwhelming and intimate. The collection does not rely on jump scares but instead builds tension through the realization that danger is personal and inescapable. This book suits readers who appreciate literary horror that focuses on character interiority and emotional resonance. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or traditional monster hunting plots. The stories are organized to guide the reader through a progression of dread, ending with a final note that leaves a lasting impression of unease.

💎 Our verdict on The Shadows Behind

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Schoonover crafts a distinct perspective on horror by focusing on the psychological roots of fear. Her award-winning voice blends gothic and supernatural traditions to create narratives where internal states manifest as external threats. The collection requires patience, building tension through character development rather than immediate shock or jump scares. It suits readers who appreciate literary horror and emotional resonance over fast-paced action. By dissolving the boundary between self and monster, Schoonover delivers a work that is both intimate and overwhelming. The progression of dread leaves a lasting impression of unease, making this a compelling choice for those who find terror in the complexities of the human psyche and the manifestation of grief.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This collection appeals to readers who find true terror in the human condition rather than traditional monster hunts. It is ideal for those willing to engage with slow-building tension and complex character interiority. The book offers a unique perspective on horror by exploring how grief takes physical form, blurring the line between mental anguish and supernatural threat. Readers seeking literary horror that focuses on emotional resonance and psychological depth will gain from its stark atmosphere. It challenges perceptions of safety by suggesting that monsters reside within, providing an intimate and overwhelming fear experience for patient audiences.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Schoonover crafts a distinct perspective on horror by focusing on the psychological roots of fear. Her award-winning voice blends gothic and supernatural traditions to create narratives where internal states manifest as external threats. The collection requires patience, building tension through character development rather than immediate shock or jump scares. It suits readers who appreciate literary horror and emotional resonance over fast-paced action. By dissolving the boundary between self and monster, Schoonover delivers a work that is both intimate and overwhelming. The progression of dread leaves a lasting impression of unease, making this a compelling choice for those who find terror in the complexities of the human psyche and the manifestation of grief.

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