Shadows of Tradition – Book Review

Shadows of Tradition by Melissa Harris is a gripping psychological thriller that expertly combines mystery, suspense, and the unsettling charm of small-town tradition. You will be enthralled by Harris’s skill at crafting a narrative that keeps you wondering right up to the very end, starting from the time you enter the charming but ominous town of Maplewood.
I was very excited about this book when I first read the blurb and I am super happy to receive a review copy that I could read then tell you about here. In short, I loved it! It was a fun and exciting story and I found myself blowing through it because I was so excited to see what happens next.
The idea is as clever as it is terrifying. Residents of Maplewood play a high-stakes game called Hide and Seek Extreme every Halloween, which takes place across two expansive, historic mansions. However, this isn’t your typical kid’s game. It is rooted in long-standing customs that are much more sinister than anyone is willing to acknowledge. Jake, the protagonist, has a very personal objective as he enters this year’s competition: to learn the truth about his sister Emily’s disappearance during the previous year’s event. Jake’s relentless quest for knowledge adds emotional depth to the story and makes his journey both exciting and dangerous.
Harris’s depictions of the Tudor mansion and Victorian dwelling are incredibly vivid. You can feel the chill in your bones because of the mood created by the creaking floorboards, the flickering lighting, and the whispered legends of players who have vanished. Jake and the reader are drawn farther into the maze of mysteries concealed behind these eerie walls with each new clue that he discovers. I felt like I was right there going through things as our main character did.
Each of the story’s supporting characters has their own motivations and anxieties, making them equally fascinating. The strain is nearly intolerable as alliances come and go. Every connection feels genuine thanks to Harris’ skill at creating multifaceted characters, which raises the stakes of an already compelling story. Honestly, this was one of my favorite parts about it.
Shadows of Tradition is unique because it examines the darkest aspects of human nature and tradition. The game’s beginnings lie in a terrifying ceremony that makes players face their moral boundaries and worst fears. Because of its distinctive fusion of folklore and psychological tension, this novel stands out in its category and is reminiscent of both classics like The Haunting of Hill House and recent hits like The Silent Patient.
Every chapter ends on a tone that entices you to read more since Harris has perfect pace. The final revelations are all the more rewarding because the twists are unexpected yet properly predicted. Even though the tone of the novel is unquestionably grim, there is also a subtext of bravery and resiliency that has you cheering for Jake right up to the very end.
Long after you’ve finished reading Shadows of Tradition, the eerie story will continue to haunt you. Anyone who enjoys a novel that pushes the limits of tradition and terror, as well as aficionados of psychological thrillers, should definitely read it. You will be left speechless by Melissa Harris’s masterwork, which will make you wonder about the shadows that surround you. Don’t pass up this terrifying exploration of Maplewood’s most sinister secrets.
You can get this book on Amazon in paperback, Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.