👻 Ghost Stories

The Wrong Shadow

✍️ Bill Gillard
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$16.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Bill Gillard collects twenty-six ghost stories set in the Fox River Valley of Wisconsin.

Gillard gathers distinct tales from the Fox River Valley, blending local history with supernatural horror. The collection features varied scenarios such as a professor grading his life and a veteran finding his home destroyed. These stories rely on regional legends and specific historical events like the Peshtigo Fire. The author uses the Wisconsin landscape to ground his frights in reality. Readers will find a mix of personal tragedies and eerie encounters across twenty-six separate narratives. The work does not offer a single plot but rather a series of chilling vignettes.

Key Themes
Fox River Valley Peshtigo Fire doomed marriage
Literary Context

The stories are set in the Fox River Valley of northeast Wisconsin, drawing on local history and legend. This regional focus grounds the supernatural elements in a specific American landscape, distinguishing the collection from generic ghost stories.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Stephen King · Robert Aickman
👻
Ghost Stories
🏛 Ten16 Press 📅 2025 📖 248 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781948365666

📝 Description: The Wrong Shadow

Bill Gillard presents a collection of twenty-six ghost stories rooted in the Fox River Valley of northeast Wisconsin. The author is known for works such as If the River Dies, If a Clod Be Washed, and Crawl Cram Grind Fail. These tales draw chills from local history and legend while introducing new frights born from Gillard’s imagination. The narratives cover diverse subjects including a doomed marriage that transcends death, an old college professor grading his own life, and a boy confronting horrible truths on Lake Winnebago. Other stories involve a storm at a lumber mill linked to the Peshtigo Fire, a difficult pregnancy, and a veteran returning home to find his family gone. The collection mixes historical events with supernatural elements. This book suits readers who enjoy regional horror and supernatural fiction grounded in specific American landscapes. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or urban settings. The stories are organized as distinct ghost tales rather than a continuous narrative. Gillard’s background in previous titles suggests a consistent approach to eerie storytelling. The Fox River Valley setting provides a unique backdrop for these chilling encounters.

💎 Our verdict on The Wrong Shadow

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Gillard effectively utilizes the Fox River Valley to create a sense of authentic dread across twenty-six separate narratives. The collection excels in blending local history, such as the Peshtigo Fire, with original supernatural elements. Tales like a professor grading his life or a veteran finding his home destroyed offer diverse emotional hooks. This approach suits readers who enjoy regional horror and atmospheric ghost stories. It may not appeal to those seeking urban settings or rapid action. The work stands out for its commitment to grounding frights in a specific American landscape. Gillard’s consistent tone ensures each vignette contributes to an overarching mood of unease. It is a strong entry for enthusiasts of gothic and psychological horror.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate horror rooted in place will find Gillard’s work compelling. By anchoring twenty-six distinct tales in the Fox River Valley, he transforms local history into a source of dread. Those interested in how regional landscapes influence supernatural storytelling should explore this collection. It offers a varied experience, moving from personal tragedies to eerie encounters without a single continuous plot. The book is ideal for fans who prefer atmospheric vignettes over fast-paced action or urban settings. It provides a unique backdrop for chilling encounters that feel grounded in reality. If you enjoy ghost stories that blend legend with imagination, this volume delivers consistent eerie storytelling.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Gillard effectively utilizes the Fox River Valley to create a sense of authentic dread across twenty-six separate narratives. The collection excels in blending local history, such as the Peshtigo Fire, with original supernatural elements. Tales like a professor grading his life or a veteran finding his home destroyed offer diverse emotional hooks. This approach suits readers who enjoy regional horror and atmospheric ghost stories. It may not appeal to those seeking urban settings or rapid action. The work stands out for its commitment to grounding frights in a specific American landscape. Gillard’s consistent tone ensures each vignette contributes to an overarching mood of unease. It is a strong entry for enthusiasts of gothic and psychological horror.

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