Book Review: Watch the Shadows by Robin Winters

Author: Robin Winter
Title: Watch the Shadows 
Genre: Mystery, horror, & Sci-Fi
Pages: 175
First Published: April 2015
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

In the college town of Isla Vista, California, small, odd things start happening. Science-geek Nicole notes the crows are leaving.  Meg Burdigal can’t find her tabby cat, Schrand. Brian the postman feels uneasy at the rustlings, the shadows he’s seen at the edge of his vision on his delivery route in town. Now Nicole sees fewer and fewer homeless in the park. Using her knowledge of biology and forensics, Nicole searches for answers—but will anyone take the horror she finds seriously?

Took me forever to read. I mainly blame work and school for that. Also, it is a book you need to take small dosages of. It's like wine. You can't take it all in at once; you must savor it. However, the last 20 pages I flew by! I could NOT put it down. 

There is something creepy happening in Isla Vista and only a few people are noticing. Especially Nicole. She is a teenage science nerd (blame her science nerd parents), who is seriously a lot like Sheldon but who swears a lot. WHICH why have the authors of contemporary books lately been making ALL teens super potty mouths? I get that swearing is becoming more of a thing with this youth, but it seems over-the-top in books lately. The author of this one didn't do too bad, but it still seemed like a lot (I don't mind swearing at all, but it does seem like a lot ever for me).  

ANYWAYS

The postman also is noticing odd things happening, but he only does because he has been delivering to the same neighborhood for years. Then there is Meg, who volunteers at the homeless shelter and notices that many of the homeless are disappearing. Oh dear.

LOTS OF CREEPY STUFF! That THING grossed me out. I will not explain what it is or how it looks. But good lord...if I seen that THING in real life I think I would move off this planet. Evil, gross, bugger. 

I really want to see this turned into a movie! I think it would go well with the right actors and screenwriting. It would be a nice creepy Halloween film. It is not necessarily "scary" or "horror"-y, but it is indeed creepy. Sometimes creepy is worse (in a good way) then flat out blood and guts horror type films/books.

There was a dry spell at the halfway mark. It honestly felt like filler to me. I totally skimmed...I was losing interest. After the 30 page filler part, it got better again. Thank goodness! I was going to be really bummed if it flat-lined. The author saved it though with a certain event. *wipes sweat from brow*

In the end, this was a fun book. Super creepy! There was a little bit of a lull and the teens are swearing away like sailors, but the rest was fun. I would really be excited if this became a movie. I want to see what the creators would do with that THING. Bleurgh. It's creepy, but I want to see it on screen (not real life - Earth would need to be blown up at that point).
I totally recommend this to those that love mystery, a touch of creepiness ("horror"), and Sci-Fi. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 3 stars. More like 3.4, but I don't do decimals. :) 

Favorite Character(s): Jake, Brian the postman, and Nicole's mom (she made me smile)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Meg (mmm), Karen (I wanted to punch her), & Dwayne (creeper).