A genre-defying new novel, inspired by Mary Shelley’s masterpiece Frankenstein, which brilliantly explores the eerie mysteries of childhood and the evils perpetrated by the monsters among us.
1978: at her renowned treatment center in picturesque Vermont, the brilliant psychiatrist, Dr. Helen Hildreth, is acclaimed for her compassionate work with the mentally ill. But when she’s home with her cherished grandchildren, Vi and Eric, she’s just Gran—teaching them how to take care of their pets, preparing them home-cooked meals, providing them with care and attention and love.
Then one day Gran brings home a child to stay with the family. Iris—silent, hollow-eyed, skittish, and feral—does not behave like a normal girl.
Still, Violet is thrilled to have a new playmate. She and Eric invite Iris to join their Monster Club, where they catalogue all kinds of monsters and dream up ways to defeat them. Before long, Iris begins to come out of her shell. She and Vi and Eric do everything together: ride their bicycles, go to the drive-in, meet at their clubhouse in secret to hunt monsters. Because, as Vi explains, monsters are everywhere.
2019: Lizzy Shelley, the host of the popular podcast Monsters Among Us, is traveling to Vermont, where a young girl has been abducted, and a monster sighting has the town in an uproar. She’s determined to hunt it down, because Lizzy knows better than anyone that monsters are real—and one of them is her very own sister.
The Children on the Hill takes us on a breathless journey to face the primal fears that lurk within us all.
The Review
THE CHILDREN ON THE HILL by Jennifer MacMahon. For the first half of the book, I turned on Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein to run in the background.
This book is atmospheric and brooding and I read it on a cloudy rainy afternoon in California.
Such a vibe!
It’s inspired by FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Shelly and I loved Jennifer Mcmahon’s take on it. This is one of my favorites by her.
This book will appeal to thriller and horror lovers alike as it stands on the fence between the two. I loved our protagonist and the deep atmosphere created in both timelines.
This comes out on April 26th and I think would be a great introduction to the author if you’re new to her books.
Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books/Scout Press for the advanced copy!
THE CHILDREN ON THE HILL…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
