I rather enjoyed this book. The house on the hill offered an ever-present mystery. There is a nice band of characters. some vampires, and some surprises at the end. The plot line was solid. We learned something about the major characters. This was a nice read, especially if you like things that walk at night.

"Some houses whisper. This one screams.

In the heart of Raven's Cross, Virginia, the decaying Scott house looms. Its broken-window eyes watch a town desperate to forget. When Roxy, a teenage girl, vanishes into a sweltering night, long-buried fears erupt, and suspicion turns savage. The townspeople turn on the newcomers, blaming them for what they refuse to face in themselves. As polite smiles crack and old grudges resurface, Raven's Cross's genteel mask begins to slip, revealing the rot beneath.

Timothy Michaels came to town chasing a story. A true crime podcaster investigating the haunted legacy of the Scott house, he never expected to be pulled into something so immediate - and so dangerous. Alongside unexpected allies, Tim begins to unearth a legacy of complicity and cruelty - one the town would kill to keep buried. Because, in Raven's Cross, the shadows don't just linger. They burn."

I can see why it's being compared to Shirley Jackson!

I'm not usually a big fan of slow burns, but I found this to be a really cool take on an old classic - definitely worth the read

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4-Star Review of When Shadows Burn by Todd Brown

For readers who love Shirley Jackson’s creeping dread and the eerie surrealism of Twin Peaks, When Shadows Burn is a haunting treat. Todd Brown builds his story like a house with too many locked rooms — every chapter opens another door you’re not entirely sure you should walk through.

The novel thrives on atmosphere: fog-drenched streets, whispered secrets, and a sense that reality itself is slightly off-kilter. Brown’s prose is elegant but unsettling, the kind that hums quietly with menace even in its softest moments. The small-town setting feels claustrophobic and alive, full of neighbors who smile too easily and histories that refuse to stay buried.

Where the book truly shines is in its slow unraveling — the tension simmers rather than explodes, rewarding patient readers who love psychological suspense over jump scares. The only reason it doesn’t quite earn five stars is that some of its mysteries linger just a bit too long in the dark, teasing resolution without fully delivering.

Still, When Shadows Burn lingers in the mind long after the last page. It’s literary horror for those who prefer their chills with a touch of poetry — eerie, introspective, and quietly devastating.

Perfect for fans of We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Night Film, and stories where the uncanny hides in plain sight

With a strong plotline and a beautiful writing style, this was a five-star-read. I loved the different characters and all the elements of surprise it brought. Would love to read more from Todd Brown!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

For starters, I love the cover. The colors, the mood... they are so good! The story is really well put together as well. I like that the author spends time creating the setting for us.