Hannah’s August Recommendations
Book:
‘The Boy They Tried to Hide’ by Shane Dunphy
‘The Boy They Tried to Hide’ by Shane Dunphy is a true story that follows the author's efforts to help a troubled young boy who repeatedly disappears into the woods to meet an unseen "friend" named Thomas. As Dunphy investigates, he uncovers a web of trauma, neglect, and long-buried secrets that place the child in grave danger. At the same time, a dangerous predator from Dunphy's past resurfaces, forcing him to confront old fears while protecting those closest to him. The book combines child protection, mystery, and memoir to explore the lasting impact of abuse, resilience, and the fight to protect vulnerable children.
Podcast:
Spooked
Episode ‘Friend in the Forest
"A Friend in the Forest" tells the eerie true story of Irish social worker Shane Dunphy, who is assigned to help a young boy named Gregory. Gregory insists he regularly plays in the woods with a friend named Thomas, a child no one else in the village seems to know. As Gregory's behavior becomes increasingly unsettling, Shane uncovers a tragic local mystery that blurs the line between childhood imagination and the supernatural. The episode explores grief, hidden secrets, and the unsettling possibility that some friendships transcend death.
(This is a companion episode to the book ‘The Boy They Tried to Hide’)
Documentary :
‘Cropsey’
‘Cropsey’ is a 2009 documentary that begins by exploring the terrifying Staten Island urban legend of "Cropsey," a boogeyman said to kidnap children from the abandoned grounds of the former Willowbrook State School. As filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio investigate the myth, the story shifts into a true-crime investigation centered on convicted kidnapper Andre Rand and his suspected connection to the disappearances of several local children. Blending folklore, archival footage, and firsthand interviews, the film examines how real-life tragedy and urban legends can become deeply intertwined, leaving lingering questions about truth, fear, and justice.
