The stories contained in Demons and Shadows combine the qualities of fantasy fiction, horror, realistic fiction, and myth. Although each story contains supernatural or fantasy elements, each is set in a familiar, realistic setting, drawing the reader into the story. It is from this familiar, everyday background that ghostly evil emerges. The main character's adventure or quest adds mythological elements to many of the stories. Relying on their admirable qualities of courage, faith, ingenuity, and innate goodness, these heroic characters overcome obstacles in order to save others or to gain personal wisdom and understanding.

Both myth and fantasy are present in "Death of a Wizard." The main character receives the gift of insight from a wizard he saves from being run down by a lorry, or truck. However, he quickly learns that knowing the entire truth about an object or person means understanding its pain and...