When Shadows Burn by Todd Brown
Köehler Books (October 14, 2025)
Reviewed by Rowan B. Minor
Todd Brown is a neurodivergent computational sociologist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, WIRED, National Geographic, Forbes, USA Today, and other publications. He currently lives in Virginia, and has spoken in seven countries and at dozens of venues, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, Harvard, and more. His debut novel, When Shadows Burn, is a southern gothic haunted house story.
When Shadows Burn is set in the small, fictional town of Raven’s Cross, Virginia. True crime podcaster Timothy Michaels revisits his hometown of Raven’s Cross in search of answers about the old Scott house on Martian Hill and its effect on this town. After the disappearance of a teen girl, Timothy volunteers to help search for her, but soon after, neighbors begin to aimlessly blame his arrival in Raven’s Cross on the increase in supernatural activity. With rumors of the extraterrestrial and vampires, it is the unveiling of secrets deeply hidden within the town’s history that help Timothy discover the shocking truth that maybe the evil lies within humanity instead of the house itself.
Brown’s expression of language is crisp, sharp, and vivid. His writing is both visceral and intellectual in a way that deeply stimulates the mind and engages the senses. When Shadows Burn is incredibly contemporary, and with references to Chappell Roan, The Bachelorette, TikTok, and the film M3GAN, the author is sure to capture a younger generation. Additionally, Brown uses social conflict to develop and sustain empathy for marginalized characters. The exposition is tight and creates a great deal of mystery, tension, and suspense. Brown’s plots, subplots, and plethora of characters not only feel fully-developed, but might even seem completely familiar to readers from small towns themselves.
The author has included a trigger warning for “violence, abuse, and systemic discrimination against marginalized communities.” He also warns of “strong language.” There is also mention of suicide, as well as Autistic and homophobic slurs.
Overall, When Shadows Burn is a fresh and fantastic read that encompasses several challenges presented in LGBTQIA2+ and neurodivergent communities. For fans of The Amityville Horror, Twin Peaks, and The Lost Boys, Brown introduces his audience to an exceedingly innovative take on a classic haunting. This book is a great introduction to suspenseful literature that is sure to entice a new generation of horror lovers. Brown has helped fill the gaps in queer horror, and his forthcoming book, What the Ravens Saw, is highly anticipated.
