FROM USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR DAN ALATORRE
A PARANORMAL MYSTERY THRILLER
A married couple with a young daughter is forced to confront an uncomfortable reality: each year around their child’s birthday, a different tragedy occurs that nearly takes the girl’s life. Does young Sophie somehow create the disasters, or is a dark force stalking her?
As the parents wrestle to determine whether they … to determine whether they are possessed, paranoid, or collectively going insane, “accidents” are happening more often and with greater intensity, endangering all of them—and possibly others.
But forgotten secrets from the father’s past may indicate forces are at work in ways more ominous than any of them could have imagined.
FANS OF STEPHEN KING’S THE SHINING AND DIFFERENT SEASONS WILL LOVE THIS PARANORMAL MYSTERY THRILLER!
PRAISE FOR A PLACE OF SHADOWS:
A SOLID READ, COMPARABLE TO KOONTZ, BARKER, ROBERTS
“Dan Alatorre is a master at setting up simple scenarios that somehow manage to go sideways and then snowball from there. Alatorre is adept at making us realize there are other less gross yet more common things that can scare us. Those who enjoy Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, Nora Roberts paranormal fiction will feel right at home.” – Ginger S. Baldwin Review
I COULDN’T PUT THIS BOOK DOWN
“If you love mysteries with a supernatural twist then you will love this novel as much as I did. Highly recommended.” –Adele Park Review
AN EXCELLENT BALANCE BETWEEN MYSTERY, SUSPENSE, AND DOWNRIGHT SCARY MOMENTS!
– Claire N Review
HEART-POUNDING, GUT WRENCHING
“ I love every Alatorre book I’ve read, but this one might be my all-time favorite. A great read!” – Linda McKay Review
WOW
“The story was incredible”- Kindle Review
COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN!
“A thriller from page one. Dan Alatorre weaves a plot with events that could be either coincidence or supernatural. Is this normal family terrorized or just paranoid? It’s a fine line with suspense that builds to the conclusion.” – J Y review
LIKE A GREAT ROLLER COASTER RIDE
“This book hooked me from the beginning” – Patricia Review
GRIPPING
“This story grabbed me from the beginning, and kept me turning each page in anticipation to see where it was going to take me next, and did not disappoint. And the ending? The ending wrapped up this whole package and topped it with a nice shiny bow. Such a good read!!” – Carrie Ann Review
CREEPY AND SATISFYING
“The style of this book reminded me a bit of Stephen King’s book It where he goes back in time to the children’s childhoods for pieces of the story which help to explain how the events in the book all fit together in the end. Very creepy and yet written with a sense of possibility that makes it all the more eerie, Dan Alatorre conveys his story in a way that really plays on the readers emotions and imagination. – Robbie Cheadle Reviews
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Audio version.
This was wonderful. It starts with a horrible accident. But the next thing you know it goes to something else that has you thinking, what the heck did they mess up the story it’s totally different now. It took me a little while to realize that the story was now in the past. It goes back and forth like that several times, so it eventually started to make sense. I hate spoilers so I’ll leave it there.
The narration is superb he really brings the story to life.
This Audiobook was given to me for free at my request from the publisher, author or narrator and I provided this unbiased voluntary review.
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
How do you explain tragic events which occur around the same time every year and seem to revolve around your daughter? That’s the quandry Doug is placed in as he tries to protect his family and keep his daughter safe. At first, he seeks out guidance from a Catholic priest, which provides more questions than answers. Doug, in his turmoil to help his family, seeks out a voodoo practitioner and then someone from the internet (who actually became one of my favorite characters). Each one provides a bit of fodder for Doug to chew on and compelling for the reader. This was a fascinating way to provide Doug some introspection.
As other reviewers have noted, there are flashbacks to Doug’s childhood. The initial flashback is a bit jarring but as you get into the story, you begin to understand the integral role Doug’s childhood and his best friend play in current events.
This was a very interesting puzzle to put together. But, it’s not just a mystery – there’s plenty of action and it’s set during a hurricane, which adds its own set of complications.
The narrator, David Bosco, is a recent and wonderful find for me. He so ably transported me into this story, such that I listened to it in one sitting.
Dan Alatorre evokes suspense that grows and deepens into horrific evil.
Since the birth of their daughter, dangerous events occur at the same time yearly for a better-than-ordinary family, Doug, Mallory, and their 4-year-old Sophie. They slowly begin to question the cause as paranormal: does Sophie somehow create the disasters, or is a dark force stalking them? Doug seeks answers from a local priest, a voodoo mamba and finally finds a battle partner in John Tyree (a favorite character from another book). All the experts agree that the precocious little girl has a pure angel on her shoulder protecting them from the ever-increasing danger … or maybe it’s a dark, demonic angel trying to destroy them. The ultimate showdown is a heart-pounding, gut-wrenching good vs. evil battle of epic proportions. I love every Alatorre book I’ve read, but this one might be my all-time favorite. A great read!
A captivating paranormal tale- would recommend…
An Angel on Her Shoulder by Dan Alatorre and narrated by David Bosco is a captivating paranormal tale with religious undertones. It has a Supernatural-esque feel to it, so if you are a fan of that show, give this a try.
The narrator, David Bosco, was exceptional as usual! I’ve made it clear in previous reviews I am a fan of his narration and look forward to his future books and how he progresses as a narrator. David enunciates well and has an easy to follow pace. I highly recommend him.
What to expect: Doug and his family (wife Mallory & daughter Sophie) have odd/scary things happen to them at the same time every year (I won’t go into specifics due to spoilers). There is a creepiness to it, but not a jump out of your seat type. Friendships, family, the unknown, clairvoyance, religion, and general life events/outings are present throughout. The book has a slower build- stick with it and I doubt you will be disappointed. The story is told between the past and present time (I had no problems with the changing back and forth as it’s very clear when it changes).
Despite the religious aspect, it was not preachy. It may or may not have you thinking/questioning the “what ifs” that have happened in your life. I really enjoyed the parts when Doug was a kid (at times it added humor to the story). I wish some of the characters would have came along sooner (Tyree).
A couple things I didn’t care for:
1) The emotional annoying wife cliché. Maybe if she had some character development I’d feel different? Or played a larger role at the end? Whatever the reason, she didn’t sit well with me.
2) There were a couple parts I wish had a little more to them.
I would listen to another book if a sequel was in the works. Overall, I recommend, especially if you enjoy paranormal religious themes.
Parental guidance/trigger warnings: religion (Christianity, angels, demons), suicide of mother and her baby via train, voodoo, Hitler talk (killing him hypothetically via a game kids made up), kid sees murders or attempted murder, someone is injured from a automobile, adults drinking (not in excess). It’s possible I missed some as once I got into the story, it was difficult to remember to write stuff down.
Words: S-word x4, F-word x2, h3llx24, crap x9, damn x21.
*I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book!
An Angel on Her Shoulder by Dan Alatorre
Book starts out with praise from others and table of contents.
Story starts out with a few things alternating chapters that don’t make sense. As time goes on you can understand it so stick with it.
Events follow a husband and wife and young daughter as they all have dreams and things are happening that make them feel weird, lucky but they were so close to dying.
Other story that has alternating chapters is about young teen age boys as they grow up near Indiana. Funny thing about these stories is they mimic much of the way we grew up in New England as we had tons of relatives and kids to play with as we lived next door to one another. Always something to do, to get intro trouble.
Husband seeks help from a priest then a seeker who has answers that help explain things, til they don’t.
Lots of adventure and magical mysterious things happen along the trail, they will keep you on your toes.
Enjoyed the read although it’s not one of my favorite genres. I’d read more from this author because of his style of writing. Liked the religious interventions and prayers along the way.
Section on the author is included at the end.
Other works by the author are highlighted and summarized at the end.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.