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aridd1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kimocean76's review
5.0
Absolutely brilliant. Hooked from the start & had a serious dislike for the ex husband.
serenityofbooks's review
4.0
I loved Jo Dixon’s 2023 debut novel, The House of Now & Then, so I was very excited to read her new book A Shadow At The Door. And it did not disappoint – it’s a gripping character driven mystery and it’s just made me love this Aussie author even more!
Set in beautiful Tasmania, former actress Remi is rebuilding her life after the breakdown of her marriage and a physical attack that rocked her world. She has kept herself busy meticulously restoring her Hobart heritage home to its former glory but when her ex-husband, Simon, threatens to sell the renovated property from under her, she needs to come up with money quickly settle her debt to him. This prompts her to welcome two housemates, Josephine and Emmerson, into her home but when someone starts targeting her with “pranks” she begins to question if she’s made the right decision and who could potentially be out to hurt her.
The biggest strength in this book for me was the twists and turns and uncovering everyone’s secrets. I suspected all the characters at one point or another and it kept me guessing up until the final reveal. My favourite characters were the 2 housemates, who although were very different characters, they both added depth and authenticity to the storyline. And I always love an atmospheric Tassie setting especially for a tense mystery.
I can’t wait to see what Jo Dixon writes next and if you haven’t checked her books out yet, I highly recommend you do – you will not be disappointed!
A big thank you to Netgalley and HQ Fiction for the ARC of this I read for honest review.
Set in beautiful Tasmania, former actress Remi is rebuilding her life after the breakdown of her marriage and a physical attack that rocked her world. She has kept herself busy meticulously restoring her Hobart heritage home to its former glory but when her ex-husband, Simon, threatens to sell the renovated property from under her, she needs to come up with money quickly settle her debt to him. This prompts her to welcome two housemates, Josephine and Emmerson, into her home but when someone starts targeting her with “pranks” she begins to question if she’s made the right decision and who could potentially be out to hurt her.
The biggest strength in this book for me was the twists and turns and uncovering everyone’s secrets. I suspected all the characters at one point or another and it kept me guessing up until the final reveal. My favourite characters were the 2 housemates, who although were very different characters, they both added depth and authenticity to the storyline. And I always love an atmospheric Tassie setting especially for a tense mystery.
I can’t wait to see what Jo Dixon writes next and if you haven’t checked her books out yet, I highly recommend you do – you will not be disappointed!
A big thank you to Netgalley and HQ Fiction for the ARC of this I read for honest review.
kiandra_jane's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book couldn't keep my attention, I found myself easily distracted while reading it.
The story was predictable, lacked suspense and didn't feel like a thriller.
I really enjoyed the story and thrill of Jo Dixon's first book, but this one didn't feel like it hit the mark as much for me.
The story was predictable, lacked suspense and didn't feel like a thriller.
I really enjoyed the story and thrill of Jo Dixon's first book, but this one didn't feel like it hit the mark as much for me.
vegemite_on_toast's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
percy_keye_me's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
whatfern_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hazeyjane_2's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Should have DNF'd this halfway through - it was rather predictable and after an excellent beginning it was about 40% too long and became quite repetitive.
With that said, the characters were excellent.
With that said, the characters were excellent.
emilyrainsford's review
tense
medium-paced
3.75
A Shadow at the Door, Dixon's second suspense novel but my first read of hers, revolves around Remi who has to take in lodgers to prevent her ex from selling her house from under her. But a string of "bad luck" starts to seem more like sabotage... and it's getting increasingly sinister...
Given how much Remi didn't want housemates, I did find myself wondering why she didn't just, like.... get a job?? 😂 But ya know, I guess then there would have been no story lol. I did find her hard to like. Her guardedness is understandable but her prickliness just doesn't make her an easy character to warm to.
I did really like the housemate characters. It actually blossoms into a bit of a "found family" vibe, which isn't a trope you see often in suspense but it's one I really enjoy, and I enjoyed it here too.
The story is placed firmly in Hobart which was nice, I haven't read many books set in Tassie.
I feel strongly that thriller and suspense are different genres, and I would put this firmly in the suspense (sub)genre. A Goodreads reviewer called it "quietly tense" and that's perfect.
If I'm honest, there weren't any reveals that surprised me in this one. I thought the "bad guy" was pretty obvious and they become a little caricature-ish in their villainy at the end. I was kind of hoping for an extra twist but none came. But I nonetheless did actually find it quite an engaging read and easy to keep picking back up.
Trigger warning for emotionally manipulative relationships and gaslighting.
Given how much Remi didn't want housemates, I did find myself wondering why she didn't just, like.... get a job?? 😂 But ya know, I guess then there would have been no story lol. I did find her hard to like. Her guardedness is understandable but her prickliness just doesn't make her an easy character to warm to.
I did really like the housemate characters. It actually blossoms into a bit of a "found family" vibe, which isn't a trope you see often in suspense but it's one I really enjoy, and I enjoyed it here too.
The story is placed firmly in Hobart which was nice, I haven't read many books set in Tassie.
I feel strongly that thriller and suspense are different genres, and I would put this firmly in the suspense (sub)genre. A Goodreads reviewer called it "quietly tense" and that's perfect.
If I'm honest, there weren't any reveals that surprised me in this one. I thought the "bad guy" was pretty obvious and they become a little caricature-ish in their villainy at the end. I was kind of hoping for an extra twist but none came. But I nonetheless did actually find it quite an engaging read and easy to keep picking back up.
Trigger warning for emotionally manipulative relationships and gaslighting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
Gaslighting, emotional manipulation