The Watchers

Published in 2021, The Watchers is A. M. Shine’s debut novel and draws upon his academic background in folklore and history, as well as his personal experiences of growing up in Ireland. The novel is a work of literary horror that blends elements of the mystery genre. It was adapted into a film directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan in 2024, and the novel’s sequel, Stay in the Light, was released in the same year. The Watchers and its sequel feature a group of fairies, or changelings, that imprison humans in Connemara. The first installment explores the themes of how The Impact of Trauma on Creativity, the process of Gaining Strength From Found Family, and The Tension Between Caution and Compassion.

This guide refers to the Head of Zeus paperback edition.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide discuss murder and death, captivity, and torture. They also mention domestic abuse and alcohol addiction.

Plot Summary

Mina, an artist living in Galway, Ireland, agrees to transport a parrot through Connemara on behalf of her local bartender, Peter. En route to her destination with the parrot, she enters an unmapped forest, and her car dies just before nightfall, so she sleeps in her vehicle overnight.