Today’s review is about THE SHADOW DANCERS OF BRIXTON HILL by Nicole Willson. This standalone novella follows Kate as she meets an old family friend to find a new act for her family circus. What she discovers is mindboggling and saddening.

This review is brought to you by my participation in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”, is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.). I am part of Team Behind the Musings. You can find out more about us here.

Author: Nicole Willson
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Cemetery Gates Media
Publish Date: June 13, 2023
Print Length: 95
Purchase: Bookshop.org or Amazon

The Shadow Dancers of Brixton Hill Synopsis

In 1937, American circuses are trying to recoup the losses they incurred during the Great Depression while competing with newer forms of entertainment like movie theaters. Kate Montgomery travels to the small town of Brixton Hill to scout a new act for her father’s struggling circus. Lewis Oswald, a trainer and friend of Kate’s family, introduces her to the Shadow Dancers, three young girls who can make their shadows dance independently of their bodies. While the act would revive her family’s circus, Kate is horrified by the young women’s dismal training and living conditions. She wants to help them escape their dreadful situation, but when the Shadow Dancers take matters into their own hands, she’ll have to save herself.

The Shadow Dancers of Brixton Hill Review

THE SHADOW DANCERS OF BRIXTON HILL is a standalone novella set in the late 1930s. Kate journeys to Brixton Hill in Virginia to discover new talent to potentially hire for her family’s circus. Bigger circuses are smothering their livelihood, plus they took losses during the Great Depression, so Kate really needs to find their new star act. What she discovers for Montgomery Circus is beyond her wildest expectations.

It’s not easy to be a businesswoman in 1930s America, but Kate is eager to help her ailing father revive the family business. She’s a strong character, even when faced with the oil salesman-like personality of Lewis Oswald, a longtime family friend who often secures new acts for their circus. When introduced to three young girls who can make their shadows dance, Kate of course sees their appeal. But she’s mostly appalled by their treatment and living conditions. This sets up a conflict between Kate and Lewis, bringing forth less than desirable character traits from the latter.

Although a quick read, the author does a splendid job building a robust light horror novella. The writing style is easy to dive into and it’s also easy to commiserate with or abhor the various characters. If one wanted to dive deeper, there may be some commentary about lifestyles of the rich and famous, the haves and have nots. But it’s mostly about trying to save the three shadow dancers from an abusive trainer.

I definitely recommend this, even if one isn’t typically a horror reader. I don’t read much in that genre, but this was light enough for me to fully read and enjoy.

Rating: withheld
Content warnings: sexism, child abuse
Reading format: Kindle e-book

If you liked this book, you may also enjoy WE’RE ALL MONSTERS HERE by Amy Marsden.