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Grace

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Grace

By: A.M. Shine
Narrated by: Deirdre O'Connell
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About this listen

Bloomsbury presents Grace by A.M. Shine, read by Deidre O'Connell

A haunting, atmospheric modern Gothic horror tale based on traditional Irish mythology, from the author of smash hit The Watchers. Ancient evil is awakened on a lonely isle off the coast of Ireland.

'A dark, claustrophobic read' T. Kingfisher

TO LEARN THE TRUTH
WOULD YOU DESCEND INTO HELL?

Off the west coast of Ireland lies a lonely island, isolated and wilfully forgotten. Some say there hasn’t been a child born on the island for thirty years. Others speak of strange deaths there, decades ago. But no one really knows what happened. Locals believe that the dark times are behind them.

They are mistaken.

Grace, adopted at four years old, has never known where she came from. A mysterious phone call leads her back to the island where she was born – and where a terrible evil has been disturbed.

As the evil starts to spread, Grace finds herself dragged back into a living nightmare that threatens to engulf anyone who steps into its path.

Grace is perfect for fans of horror classics, Paul Tremblay, and Kealan Patrick Burke.

©2025 A.M. Shine (P)2025 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Horror Supernatural Suspense Thriller & Suspense World Literature Scary
All stars
Most relevant
If you liked any of Shine’s previous books I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one too.
I really love cosy folk horror and in particular Irish ones. I preordered this as soon as it was announced and was not disappointed.

Really enjoyed narrator

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A lot of the things that make Shine's writing enjoyable are still here (Irish Folk lore mythology, tragic female protagonist, family secrets) but this is a frustrating rambling effort that feels a lot less focussed.

Shine functions best with a small cast of characters. Here he attempts a massive ensemble piece and simply can't pull through it. In the time he normally takes to vividly paint detailed portraits of 4 or 5 people he delivers 25 thin sketches to much less powerful effect.

The assumption here is that we will enjoy hearing a large cast of humans TALK ABOUT and REFER TO supernatural affairs for endless chapters rather than simply being front row for them ourselves. But none of the characters are three dimensional enough for me to care what's happening to them.

Shine needs to stick to smaller casts that he has time to paint and keep his genre thrills immediate and on camera. The lore is more diffused and less immediate. The threat is spoken about for a lot longer than it spends taking effect. Simply put: this time should have been spent writing the third Watchers book. Grace is an inferior effort with less charisma, less charm and less ability to seize the audience.

A lumbering overcrowded effort

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I loved this book so much!!This males me feel like I’m sitting in an old Irish pub, listening to my grandad telling me old tales of banshees and fairies,while he sips a pint of the black stuff.I guessed the ending, as a bit ‘sixth sense’ but that didn’t spoil any of it. I loved the imagery created of the baddie and all of the characters. I read some reviews that didn’t think this was as good as the others authors books and I’ve no clue what they are on about!!I’m not great at putting into words how brilliant this is, so just read it!

Wow!

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The book follows a similar theme to other books by this author. Those who read the creeper, or watchers will feel familiar with the feeling of “isolation” and the dread it brings. But this book does not hit those highs. The characters are underdeveloped and (for the most part) unlikeable. The biggest disappointment is the ending. I found it frustrating and whilst feeling as though I should listen again - I just do not find it a good enough book to put myself through it.

Frustrated by the ending

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I normally like this author but the book failed to build up any defined characters or atmosphere for me.

Disappointing

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