I could not put this book down! I was hooked from the start! I would highly recommend this book. Kept me guessing until the end.

First, many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a sneak peek at this book! I had never read anything by Shade Owens before.

The story is told from the point of view of Alice, who is an abused housewife that has tried before to escape her abusive husband. She inherits a large and somewhat creepy house from her uncle in another state, and she and her sons move in. Strange things keep happening in the house, bad things. Who doesn't want her there? Has her husband found her? This story was full of twists and turns and kept me reading! Would recommend to anyone who likes a good psychological thriller! Those who have come from an abusive relationship or from a family with one may want proceed reading with. caution.

Beneath These Walls is an engaging and memorable thriller that will keep you up at night! More than anything else, this story is one about domestic abuse and creating a better life for oneself. I think the author, who is a man, did a really good job of writing his FMC, who is a victim of domestic abuse.

Alice is on the run from her abusive husband with her two sons. In a stroke of luck, a deceased, rich uncle leaves her his massive Victorian estate in his will, and Alice grabs at the chance to build a new life in a small town. Things start to get strange when Alice begins hearing strange noises in the house and listening to cabinets open and shut at night. Is it the ghost of her deceased relative coming back to haunt her, or is someone hiding in her house? As the constant threat of Alice's ex finding them looms over her family and the sheriff's department becomes more and more involved in the strange happenings, Alice must decide whether to trust her intuition or to succumb to her circumstances. Has her ex-husband found her, or is she the victim of her own paranoia?

I really enjoyed this book! It was more of a story about personal growth than a typical thriller, but there were definitely thrilling moments throughout. This is a worthy read for people who love character development alongside a plot punctuated with heart-pounding moments. Thank you to NetGalley for my e-arc and to Red Raven Publishing for making this available for early review!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As a fan of psychological thrillers, I must say that this book did not disappoint. It was a roller coaster ride from beginning to end. The intensity of the MC's story kept me hooked and I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. Even though I tried to guess the plot twists, I was continually surprised by the unexpected turns in the story. If you enjoy thrillers that take you on a wild ride, then this book is worth checking out. Just make sure to check for any potential triggers before diving in!

Very engaging suspense story about a woman who escaped with her children from a mentally and physically abusive marriage. She changes her name and does everything she can to keep her ex husband from finding her. She gets lucky and inherits her rich, eccentric uncles mansion, but there are dark secrets inside and around town that threaten her sanity and the safety of the children. She befriends several people in town, but are they friend or foe, or is she still mentally stuck in her cycle of abuse and now she is paranoid? Its a story about never giving up and facing troubles head on. I will definitely read more stories by this author!

This book grabbed me and did not let go. I had to know what was going to happen. I was surprised by many aspects of this book. I didn't know what to expect or who to be wary of. I have to admit I thought this would be a completely different book based on the book's synopsis. I was not at all displeased with the direction the author took with this story of a mom, Alice, getting her two sons away from their abusive husband and father. I'm so glad Alice took the steps needed to make a life for herself and her kids. The unexpected twist at the end was an added surprise as well. Great thriller with surprises and twists. You won't be disappointed.

I received an e-arc from NetGalley and Red Raven Publishing in exchange for an unbiased review.

A frightening glimpse into domestic abuse with some scary twists.
Forced to escape a bad marriage, Alice and her two sons run to a home she inherited from her uncle (first mistake), and begin new lives, but there are a lot of strange occurrences, including a body in the basement, Not sure who she can trust, Alice begins to wonder if her vengeful husband is behind the frightening events.
The author does a scary good job of amping up the tension and making readers question each character's integrity. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, he threw a spin on the plot that left me reeling.
Excellent read!

Rating: 4.7/5

Character Development:

At the heart of "Beneath These Walls" lies a cast of compelling characters grappling with trauma, survival, and the relentless pursuit of safety. The protagonist emerges as a resilient and determined figure, haunted by the specter of her abusive past and driven by an unwavering commitment to shield her sons from harm. Owens deftly explores the complexities of maternal instinct, fear, and resilience, infusing her characters with emotional depth and authenticity. As the protagonist navigates the treacherous waters of her newfound home and confronts the sinister secrets lurking within its walls, she grapples with the weight of her past and the looming threat of an uncertain future.

Themes and Exploration:

"Beneath These Walls" delves into themes of trauma, redemption, and the indomitable strength of the human spirit. Through the protagonist's harrowing journey to confront the demons of her past and safeguard her family, Owens explores the enduring power of hope and the transformative potential of love in the face of adversity. As the protagonist confronts the malevolent forces lurking within her uncle's old Victorian house, she is forced to reckon with the shadows of her own past and the terrifying truth that lies beneath the surface. The novel's exploration of fear, survival, and the resilience of the human spirit resonates with emotional depth and narrative resonance, offering readers a gripping and thought-provoking examination of the bonds that hold us together in times of darkness.

Plot and Pacing:

Owens masterfully orchestrates a suspenseful and atmospheric plot that keeps readers guessing until the final, breathtaking conclusion. From the ominous whispers of small-town gossip to the spine-tingling discoveries hidden within the walls of the old Victorian house, "Beneath These Walls" immerses readers in a world of mystery, intrigue, and heart-stopping suspense. The pacing is relentless, propelling readers forward with each tantalizing clue and escalating threat. As the protagonist's desperate search for answers collides with the sinister forces closing in around her, the novel unfolds with cinematic flair, weaving a tapestry of tension and intrigue that keeps readers riveted until the very last page.

Conclusion:

In "Beneath These Walls," Shade Owens delivers a gripping and atmospheric thriller that will captivate readers from the first page to the last. With its richly drawn characters, labyrinthine plot, and evocative setting, the novel is a testament to Owens' storytelling prowess and narrative ingenuity. Fans of psychological suspense and heart-pounding thrills will find much to love in the chilling world of "Beneath These Walls," a mesmerizing tale of secrets, survival, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children. A riveting and unforgettable read that heralds Owens as a master of the genre, "Beneath These Walls" is a must-read for anyone seeking an electrifying literary escape into the heart of darkness.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

Not to be dramatic or anything but I would die for Shade Owens, so naturally I had to read this one.
OMg right at the beginning I was freaked out. A gorgeous new possibly haunted house right when you need it, and creepy dolls, and then the rumors! Arg!
That ending!

This book kept me guessing for the whole time I was reading it! I changed my mind on the culprit at almost every chapter. At one point the author had me convinced the victim was imagining everything that was happening to her.
I loved the evolution of the main character from beaten down woman to bad ass bitch who gets revenge on her tormentor. The author didn't make it seem like it was easy and rosy either, we got to see all of Alice's insecurities with every decision she made. This made me so much more invested in the story and I was rooting for her the whole time!
I cant wait to read more from this author in the future!

A gripping, fast paced, five star psychological thriller!

Beneath These Walls follows Alice who is a Mom of two with a husband who is increasingly more abusive as the story unfolds. Alice manages to escape the relationship and move away with her two sons when she suddenly inherits a grand, old mansion in a very small town from her deceased uncle.

Upon moving into the mansion, she starts noticing small, threatening notes left around the place, and also discovers a hidden tunnel in the basement. Who is sending these notes and why is there a creepy tunnel hidden down here?

The answers to her questions begin to unravel but were absolutely unexpected and compelling. This book was twisty in all the good ways and it felt very fast paced, but not rushed at all.

Overall, this book was an easy five star read for me and it's a book I would recommend to anyone who loves psychological thriller novels, especially those with small town drama vibes too!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

BENEATH THESE WALLS

When Alice’s husband tried to kill her, she escaped with her two sons to the large Victorian home that was left to her by her deceased uncle. She had hoped that living in another part of the country under an assumed name would provide safety for her and her family. Soon after her arrival to her new home she learned that the house had an eerie reputation, and her uncle was a strange man who was accused of strange behavior. Despite having an alarm system in the house, someone was breaking in at night and leaving her strange notes – that she was in danger, and she should leave her new home. After her son made a horrific discovery in their basement her life was once again turned upside down and she was faced with the fact that she and her sons were now faced with danger. Had her husband found out where she was living?
A fantastic book full of twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat and kept me up all night until I finished it. I am looking forward to reading more of Shade Owens' work.

Intense, fast paced psychological thriller. Alice’s is an abused wife who leaves her husband to save herself and her children. While it is a work of fiction, the subject is very heavy, real, and all too common. The author described the physical, mental, and emotional after math of abusive very well. So well, I had to put it down for a break every so often. Alice is able to leave her abuser after she inherits property and money from a relative who recently passed away. She moves across the country, but will her husband find her? The house and its previous occupants were also subject to rumors in the small town. Alice thought she was starting a new life, but is she in danger in her new home too?

I have never read a book by Shade Owen’s , but I will be reading more in the future! The cover is what caught my eyes and made me request the ARC… I was not disappointed! If you want a grilling book that you can’t put down…. This is the one for you!

** spoiler alert **
Review made possible by NetGalley and Redbox Raven Publishing

Disclaimer: This review is my own option and I was not paid for this review.

Hello? Netflix? I have a movie idea for you!

I have never read anything by Shade Owens and the author writes mainly in the YA dystopian and post-apocalyptic genre but after reading this book should really look into switching book genres and expanding her writing into the world of psychological thrillers because she nailed it! I’d even go as far as saying I loved it as much as my favorite author Freida McFadden.

This book absolutely had me on the edge of my seat wanting and needing answers, and I simply couldn’t put it down. The digital copy I had came to a total of 285 pages. I absolutely loved the style of writing, and the fact that there were chapters for the present day and then some chapters that focused on the past and what brought her to her present day and situation.

The plot twist? Crazy. Unexpected. There was multiple!

I tried guessing through out at the book went on who could have done certain things and what was to unfold and I did so very unsuccessfully. I like how in the mind of Alice you actually were but those blurbs, I remember at one point thinking, may that’s our main character fighting with an angel/devil on her shoulder and that maybe Alice was actually schizophrenic and everything was created in her mind. I love that there was not one plot twist but a couple. The author did an amazing job setting up the blueprint in my mind of the house that Beneath these walls was set in and boy it was creepy.

I would have maybe sold the house from the jump because of how creepy it was. The author also did a phenomenal job of making me hate Alice’s husband. The gaslighting and manipulation was unreal.

I love that way that this book came together and I so hope that I get to read another Shade Owens book in this genre. I also, as stated in the beginning of this book review, I think Netflix should totally get a hold of this book. I’d watch it 10/10.

Thanks netgalley for this book on an abusive husband and a wife who knows if she does not run away James will kill her.
Alice has had enough of her husband James he’s never happy and always running Alice down and beating her if she says the wrong thing.
Alice takes her sons Grayson and Lucas and runs away to a Victorian mansion worth two million dollars left to her by a reclusive uncle she can barely remember.
But has Aluce run away from one disaster to another. Notes start appearing in her house and she is frightened again that someone or James is out to get her.
Yes the story was good and look forward to another book by this author,

GRIPPING! A spellbinding story of a mother and her two children escaping one dangerous life only to land in a new home and town with its own set of dangers. The old Victorian mansion that became home has its own dark history with a heavy dose of mystery. She's constantly looking over her shoulder, yet trying to create a safe and normal life for her kids. Who can be trusted? I loved the surprise twists in the last half of the book! A fast and enjoyable read - I'm looking forward to more from Shade Owens. #netgalley #beneathethesewalls #shadeowens

ARC copy provided courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

WOW. WOW.WOW.WOW.

This book just recently was released and surely is a an absolute surprise! I did not anticipate it being a five star read, but it most definitely was. There are numerous paths winding through the story leading to different loops and twists. Each twist is believable in its own way and honestly, any of the twists would have yielded a 5 star result. The story was highly engaging, it was one that had a lingering story that stayed with you all day while you tried to work.

This is comparable to thrillers by Freida McFadden, Riley Sager and Lisa Jewell in my opinion.

The story is Shade Owens' first psychological thriller, but after this one, it won't be the last.

This is my 1st read from this author, and I will certainly be visiting their other titles. It was a well written book, the flow between present and past was flawless. Although the book was listed as a psychological thriller, and there were definitely psychological elements, I liked that it was not a “wreck your mind” type of book that left me feeling as though my own mind was warped. The story kept me wondering what was going on, even when not actively reading. There were a few twists, and I am glad that I did not have it figured out & that the “why” was explained. 5 🌟 I truly enjoyed reading this book!