I almost dropped this book while reading The Black Lizard because of the unappealing prose and sensationalist story, but forced myself to continue. Luckily, The Beast in the Shadows was more naturalistic, more mysterious and suspenseful and far, far superior. Both have gothic elements reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe. I'd rate The Black Lizard a 2/5, The Beast in the Shadows 4/5.