Shadowlands

As a serial-killer thriller, Shadowlands has its share of violent scenes, including chases through the fog, some stabbings and gunfights. A couple of particularly intense scenes, however, prove less lethal than initially thought. The bloodshed is generally not dwelled upon. Chapters from the point of view of the killer may disturb more sensitive readers, but most should be able to handle them.

In Shadowlands, Rory is strongly attracted to her sister, Darcy's, boyfriend, Christopher, and makes out with him very soon after he and Darcy break up. Their relationship doesn't progress far -- Rory cuts it off due the guilt she feels at "betraying" her sister. On Juniper Landing, Darcy throws herself at some of the local boys, but Rory receives the most attention. Rory feels attracted to one boy in particular, but not much beyond mild flirting happens.

There's some swearing in Shadowlands -- "hell," "damn," "ass" and "bitch" -- but the characters stop themselves before dropping the worst profanities, with one character muttering just half a word, written as: "Motherf--!"

Some of the kids on the mysterious island indulge in underage drinking, but Rory refrains from joining them.

Parents need to know that Shadowlands is a serial-killer thriller that takes a sharp turn into the supernatural by the end of the novel. The violence quotient is not particularly high, and a handful of intense, bloody scenes prove less lethal than they initially appear, but there are some stabbings and gunfights. Chapters from the killer's point of view may disturb some particularly sensitive readers but should not be a problem for most. There's a small amount of swearing ("hell," "damn," "ass," "bitch"), a bit of flirtation and making out among the characters, and a few depictions of underage drinking.