Books like The Shadow Year by Jeffrey Ford
In 1960s Long Island, a young boy faces the end of summer and the arrival of sixth grade while living with an overworked father, an alcoholic mother, an older brother who alternates between tormentor and protector, and a younger sister who loses herself in secret worlds. The brothers spend their free time creating “Botch Town,” a detailed cardboard model of their neighborhood complete with clay figurines. One night a prowler is reported, and the siblings become informal investigators, aiding the police. Their mysterious adventures take a darker turn when a sinister man in a white car stalks the streets, and each troubling event aligns with changes Mary makes to the miniature town. The novel weaves family dynamics, teenage curiosity, and eerie occurrences into a vivid portrait of small‑town boyhood.
First publish date: 2008
Genre: Mystery & Detective/Historical Mystery
Authors: Jeffrey Ford
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