About this audiobook

SHADOW OF A MONSTER The Making of James Wilfred Rowland The story begins in the 1970s with an eight-year-old, James, witnessing his father, Ross, a violent alcoholic, exert brutal control over his wife and then the family. Ross’s sadistic teachings of power and dominance set the stage for James’s troubled development. Despite the compassionate efforts of Enid McNolty, a teacher who tries to guide him toward a better path, Ross’s abuse tightens its grip, and James begins mimicking his father’s violence. As the years progress, Ross escalates his cruelty, targeting James’s siblings and driving him to the breaking point. James transforms into a cunning and manipulative individual in his late teens, ultimately becoming the monster he loathed. In the end, James Wilfred Rowland embarks on a life of predation, but not without first exacting revenge on those who made him. Abuse, fear, manipulation, and a demented definition of power underscore this chilling origin story.

Audiobook details

GenreMystery and Thriller, Horror

Length1 hr 49 mins

Narrated bySelect Your Own

FormateBook with Audio

Publish dateMar 3, 2026

LanguageEnglish

About the author

SWSmith

I am a retired teacher who loves to create amazing educational resources for my students, but I also like to write fiction. I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I do.View all by SWSmith