When Shadows Burn
Some houses whisper. This one screams.
Early Praise
"The real horror isn’t the Martian House, it’s the town that buried it. Raven’s Cross is Todd Brown’s answer to Stephen King and Mike Flanagan: richly drawn, deeply human, and ready to burn."
-Mishna Wolff, bestselling memoirist of I'm Down, and Sundance screenwriter and writer of Werewolves Within.
“A chilling Southern Gothic for the podcast age. Think Twin Peaks meets Shirley Jackson.”
-Jennifer Wright, bestselling author, columnist, former political editor-at-large for Harper’s Bazaar, featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post.
“A haunting and powerful story about identity, survival, and the quiet cost of being yourself in a world that wants to erase you.”
-Tal Anderson, Netflix’s Atypical, HBO’s The Pitt, and neurodiversity advocate.
“When Shadows Burn is the best kind of thriller. It’s relentless, eerie, and grounded in a world that feels like Anytown, USA. The real nightmares aren’t what you expect, and that’s exactly the point.”
-Emily Woo Zeller, Golden Voice, Audie “Best Voice of the Year,” Independent Audiobook Awards’ Best Female Narrator
A true crime podcaster, Timothy Michaels, returns to his small hometown of Raven’s Cross to confront a disturbing legend: the Scott House. This decrepit mansion, once a source of childhood nightmares, is now owned by strangers, its crumbling facade fueling whispers of suspicion throughout the community. When two teenage girls vanish, the town plunges into chaos, and its citizens quickly point fingers at the outsiders as more disappearances and subsequent deaths occur. Allying with familiar and new partners, Tim embarks on a relentless investigation that reveals a maze of secrets, a dark past steeped in supernatural mysteries, and the potent influence of fear and prejudice.
Coming October 14, 2025
As seen in
Clarion rated
Clarion:
“An engrossing supernatural thriller about the cult of small towns and the lengths people go to in order to belong.”
“Numerous overlapping mysteries keep the story intriguing.”
“Eerie mood… strong sensory details…
OneTribune:
“Some books haunt because of what happens in them. When Shadows Burn haunts because of what it understands about us.
“This house is alive. And so is the writing.”
Preorder Now!
About Me
Todd Brown is a computational sociologist, which mostly means he overanalyzes human behavior. He has spoken in seven countries and at dozens of universities. His work has appeared in The New York Times, WIRED, National Geographic, Forbes, USA Today, and numerous other publications.
When Shadows Burn is his first novel. He is neurodivergent and lives with his family in a small town in Virginia, where he shares life with his incredible wife and their transgender son, who absolutely has main character energy. Between the two of them, there's enough neurodivergence to turn comedic dysfunction into an art form. They also have a son who lives in Florida for some reason, who is built like Chris Hemsworth.
You can find Todd here or on Instagram/Threads at @toddbrownwrites—unless he’s writing, in which case he’s probably hiding in his horror-themed office.
Upcoming Appearances
For Publicity Requests, Please Contact
Simone Jung
Books Forward
To Say Hello
toddbrownwrites@gmail.com