The Children on the Hill - Jennifer McMahon

The Children on the Hill is Jennifer McMahon's new book. 

From Simon and Schuster: "From the New York Times bestselling author of The Drowning Kind comes a genre-defying new novel, inspired by Mary Shelley’s masterpiece Frankenstein, that brilliantly explores the eerie mysteries of childhood and the evils perpetrated by the monsters among us." You had me at Frankenstein....

McMahon employs one of my favorite storytelling methods - past and present. The past in this case is 1978 at Dr. Hildreth's renowned psychiatric treatment center in Vermont. Her grandchildren, Violet and Eric, also live with her. The present is 2019 with Lizzy Shelley, host of the Monsters Among Us podcast. She is on her way to Vermont to follow up on a sighting of 'Rattling Jane'. And you really had me at monster sightings.

The Children on the Hill has a gothic feel to it - secluded, gated psychiatric hospital avoided by the locals, questionable 'treatments', a sense of mystery and suspense, and someone in peril. There are some creepy excerpts from Violet and Eric's homemade "Book of Monsters, that's full of how to information - how to find them - and more.

Will Lizzy find a monster hiding in the woods? And what is the draw of this legend for her? Hint - it's personal...

McMahon does a great job of building the suspense and danger in both timelines. She also gives the monster and young Violet a voice. The listener is able to start piecing things together with those different views and times. The nod to Shelley is easy to spot, but McMahon ends things on a lovely, didn't see that coming twist in the final pages. Another great read from McMahon.

I chose to listen to The Children on the Hill. I find I become more immersed in a story when I listen to it - especially suspense novels. (Note - even creepier when listening in the dark...) The reader was Erin Moon - a new to me reader. I thought she did a great job. She provides a slow, dark almost hissing voice for the monster that just says 'danger'. Lizzy's voice was engaging and likable. She provided believable voices for the supporting cast, including children, teens and males. Her diction was crisp, easy to understand and pleasant to listen to. She interprets McMahon's work very well accentuating the danger, suspense, action and emotions. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of The Children on the Hill.