Jennifer McMahon (Photo credit: Zella McMahon)
It’s incredible that books—like music and other art forms—can elicit emotions and memories tied to specific points in time. When I reflect on my childhood reading experience, my mind immediately associates it with chilling ghost stories. Mary Downing Hahn, in particular, was an author who consistently spooked me to my core while letting my imagination run wild. I remember my mom reading Brave Little Monster by Ken Baker to me often, and feeling equal parts terrified and thrillingly intrigued each time. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats was a book I always looked forward to diving into whenever I had a snow day off from school. As a kid, that book felt like the equivalent of putting on comfy clothes and drinking a warm cup of hot chocolate.
Now, every time I read a book by Jennifer McMahon, I feel like a little kid again. Her ability to purposefully and skillfully weave paranormal beings and events into her stories reminds me of the tales that shaped my childhood. She writes about characters who, in some way, interact with ghosts, monsters, and other creatures rooted in classic folklore.
All of her books are set in small towns across Vermont, delivering a distinct rural and secluded feeling. Each setting stands out, bringing the atmosphere to life and adding layers of tension to the story. For example, in The Invited, a young couple chooses to build their dream home on a large property that holds a sinister, dark past. Or, in The Drowning Kind, a natural spring pool draws people in for its mysterious ability to grant wishes. In both novels, it feels as though these settings actively tease the main characters, interfering with their day-to-day lives and eventually making them question their own sanity.
Most of McMahon’s books follow a dual timeline. Each chapter alternates between perspectives—often switching between events of the past and present—told either by the same characters at different points in time or by entirely new ones. While other books across genres are written this way, I think McMahon excels at weaving the two timelines together seamlessly. There is always a lingering mystery, with pieces of information revealed slowly and intentionally along the way, which makes for a suspenseful and satisfying read.
I admire her books for all of these reasons, but truthfully, the greatest reason I look forward to a new Jennifer McMahon novel is the wave of nostalgia they bring. I imagine my younger self would be very excited to learn that grown-up me has found an author who writes similarly frightening, captivating stories. While I believe it’s beneficial to read outside of one’s comfort zone, it’s fun to travel back in time by soaking up a book that feels like childhood.
If you loved reading as a child, I challenge you to find a book or author that reminds you why you first fell in love with reading.
Books by Jennifer McMahon:
- My Darling Girl
- The Children on the Hill
- The Drowning Kind
- The Invited
- The Night Sister
- The Winter People
- The One I Left Behind
- Dismantled
- Island of Lost Girls
Written by Christine Campbell – PDL Team Member