Portrait of a Shadow
Meriam Metoui
(Author)
21,000+ Reviews
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Description
A missing sister. A mysterious boy. And a painting that holds the truth beneath its peeling edge...
Inez is missing, but missing things can always be found. Mae knows this as a fact, even though the police investigation has come to a standstill, even though her parents are moving on. But when she goes to clear out her older sister's studio, she finds a mess of research and a white canvas that seems even older than the ornate frame it is set in. The closer Mae gets to the canvas, the more difficult it is to pull her eyes away from its mottled surface, its heavy layers of white paint, its peeling top corner she is tempted to pull to see what's beneath. But she doesn't. Not yet. Mae decides to trace her sister's last steps in the hopes of finding answers, certain that Inez's disappearance is related to the painting. And she knows she is desperate enough to let the strange boy who claims to have been Inez's neighbor tag along. Even if his good looks don't help distract from his avoidance of her questions. So begins a scavenger hunt piecing together what they can find from what Inez left behind. One that leads to centuries-old questions best left unasked and secrets best kept in the dark. From the author of A Guide to the Dark comes another romantic and eerie mystery about the lengths we are willing to go for the truth and the ones we love.Product Details
Price
$20.99
$19.52
Publisher
Henry Holt & Company
Publish Date
July 16, 2024
Pages
256
Dimensions
5.35 X 8.35 X 1.02 inches | 0.74 pounds
Language
English
Type
Hardcover
EAN/UPC
9781250863270
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Become an affiliateAbout the Author
Meriam Metoui is a writer, book editor, and (when she has the time) a photographer. She graduated from the University of Michigan and Hunter College, where she received a master's degree in English literature. Born in Tunisia, she now lives in Detroit, Michigan with her partner and puppy. A Guide to the Dark is her debut novel.
Reviews
★ "Masterfully written, this is a deceptively charming horror story that also skillfully weaves in romance, sacrifice, and heartbreak. Thrilling intrigue that leverages desperation and deception in almost equal measures." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Metoui doles out the history of the painting slowly, intensifying the unease . . . Mae's dogged need to discover the truth fuels this suspenseful paranormal thriller about selfish greed." - Booklist "[A] tightly paced thriller that deftly touches on issues of forced cultural assimilation and parental pressure . . . Metoui delivers a tale of love, obsession, and betrayal that's a wild ride from start to finish." - Publishers Weekly "Metoui has woven a twisting tale of desperation, sisterhood, lies, and what you're willing to give up-or destroy-in pursuit of what you want most. This book left me reeling...and you'll never look at a white painting the same way again." - Andrew Joseph White, New York Times bestselling author of Hell Followed With Us and The Spirit Bares Its Teeth "Metoui weaves in so many twists and turns, mystery fans will be frantically turning the page to see what comes next!" - Sara Farizan, award-winning and critically acclaimed author of If You Could Be Mine PRAISE FOR MERIAM METOUI'S A GUIDE TO THE DARK: ★ "Readers will have trouble putting this one down even for a minute." -School Library Journal, starred review"Metoui masterfully handles perspective...themes of grief, fraught and romantic queer connections to a friend, and familial expectations are thoughtfully explored."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A ghostly mystery and an impactful exploration of grief and loss." --Publisher's Weekly "Introspective, character-driven, and--most importantly--haunting."--Kirkus Reviews "Terrifically haunting. A Guide to the Dark delves into the complexities of grief and the frightening metamorphosis of ghosts that aren't put to rest. Meriam Metoui has created something spectacular."--Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of These Violent Delights "Meriam Metoui's exquisite debut is a bone-chilling story about grief, guilt, and what happens when our deepest secrets refuse to stay hidden in the dark. A Guide to the Dark will crawl under your skin and stay there long after you've closed its pages."--Aiden Thomas, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Cemetery Boys and The Sunbearer Trials "Chilling, sultry, and smart. . .this slow-burn horror story hooked me with its portrayal of two friends navigating an attraction amidst fears both earthly and uncanny. . .as well as its probing of the fine line between grief and guilt."--Jodi Lynn Anderson, New York Times-bestselling author "Fabulously creepy and compulsively readable. Part roadside horror, part cozy mystery, Metoui breathes life into the genre by exploring the tangled roots of friendship, love, and guilt. Chilling photography complements beautiful prose for an altogether innovative storytelling experience. I'll think twice before checking into a motel again."--David Arnold, New York Times-bestselling author of Mosquitoland
"Peppered with black-and-white photographs, this emotionally raw story explores loss, grief, queerness, and family expectations through contemplative alternating-narrative perspectives. A delightfully haunting and insightful debut for horror and thriller fans." -Booklist