Page 11 - Reader's House Magazine Issue 53

What initially inspired you to write Hidden in the Shadows, and how did the idea for the mysterious photo come about?
When I was nine, I was rummaging through my grandfather’s shoebox of family photos when I came across an image of a woman standing next to a tiny box. It in- trigued me—guess I had a thing for myster- ies even back then. I asked my papa (that’s what I called him) about it, and he promptly stormed out of the room like I’d just asked him to explain the meaning of life. Years later, after he passed, I found the photo
again and realized the tiny box was actually a coffin. Turns out, this was his first case as a police officer. My curiosity led me down
a research rabbit hole—one that somehow landed me in the dark world of child traffick- ing. The deeper I dug, the more I couldn’t look away. And just like that, Hidden in the Shadows was born.
Cry of an Osprey is deeply personal and rooted in grief. How did writing it help you navigate your own loss?
Great question. Writing Cry of an Osprey was cathartic in ways I didn’t expect.
Oddly, revisiting the hospital scenes wasn’t the hardest part—I’d already lived those moments. What really gutted me was writing about my brother and his first love, knowing they’d never get their second chance. I don’t think grief is something you fully navigate; it’s more like you learn how to carry it. But writing helped me put some of that weight onto paper, and for that, I’m grateful.
A.D. Vancise’s exceptional talent and poignant storytelling engage readers, inviting them into profound narratives filled with emotion and complexity.
Your books explore heavy themes such as trauma, love, and resilience. How do you balance these intense subjects while keeping readers engaged?
I think weaving in humor—when ap- propriate—helps, along with using dual POVs. In Cry of an Osprey, Amelia’s heavy moments are balanced with Ben’s more lighthearted or reflective ones. In Hidden in the Shadows, Evie’s mystery-driven journey provides relief from the darker, more dis- turbing scenes surrounding Charlie Baker. It’s all about pacing, ending a chapter on an unfinished thought or scene, and knowing when the reader needs a breath. I want them to feel deeply, but I also want them to keep turning the pages.
Evie Day is a compelling protagonist
in Hidden in the Shadows. What aspects of her character do you relate to the most?
Her naivety, for sure. Her tenacity for truth. And her unwavering belief that peo- ple—especially the ones we love—are inher- ently good. That last one can be a strength or a flaw, depending on the situation.
You are currently working on sequels to Hidden in the Shadows and Memoirs from a Killer. Can you give us any hints about what readers can expect?
Absolutely. The next book in the series, Behind the Shadows, follows Evie as she fights against an untouchable trafficking network after her nine-year-old son, L.J., is kidnapped. But L.J. isn’t just a victim—he’s outsmarting them from the inside. Just as Evie gets close to rescuing him, betrayal strikes, and she’s killed... or so it seems.
A shadowy figure from her past has been watching, and he’s not ready to let her die just yet.
A.D. Vancise’s Hidden in the Shadows is a chilling and suspenseful thriller that masterfully weaves together small-town secrets, dark histories, and unexpected connections. With gripping twists and haunting revelations, the story keeps you guessing until the very end. A nuanced exploration of trauma and survival, it’s a compelling read for mystery lovers.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are struggling to share their personal stories or take the first step in writing their book?
Read—a lot. And not just in your favorite genre. Read everything to understand differ- ent writing styles, pacing, and storytelling techniques. Pay attention to reader reviews; they’re gold when it comes to learning what resonates and what doesn’t. Take writing courses, and most importantly, be open to criticism. It’s not the enemy—it’s the cata- lyst for better writing. And forget about the pressure of publishing. Write because you love to write. Your story matters.
Memoirs from a Killer is a prequel to Hidden in the Shadows, narrated by Roman, a character from the first book. And here’s where things get wild—I’m working with a medium from California who is channeling a man with a story to tell. Sounds crazy, right? But here’s a teaser:
“History is written by the victors. But the real story is buried in the dead—etched in skin like aged leather, in bones brittle as a boiled carcass, and in eyes that have wit- nessed centuries of horror. This is my story, the one they never wanted you to hear.”
As a visual artist as well as a
writer, do you find that your
artistic background influences your storytelling or the way you visualise scenes?
One hundred percent! When I write,
I don’t just see the scene—I feel it, like
a movie unfolding in my mind. I think that’s the artist in me, helping to shape the atmosphere with details that bring the world to life. My writing has been described as cinematic and atmospheric, and I definitely credit my artistic background for that.
Having grown up in a small town, how has your upbringing and connection to place shaped your writing?
Growing up on a farm in the middle of nowhere gave me plenty of time to read (and no Wi-Fi, so books were my escape). But more than that, being surrounded by nature, animals, and quiet moments allowed my imagination to run wild. I’d take myself on mysterious journeys through the wheat fields, forests, and into the barn, inventing stories as I went. That ability to lose myself in another world? It stuck with me.
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