Alumni News
Darrow alums are doing great things in almost every field of endeavor and around the globe. They are professors, tech innovators, engineers, creative directors, artists, architects, and social entrepreneurs, to name a few.
When the Past Meets the Present
We are pleased to share news of the first Darrow-based novel by trustee and alumnus Dan Holt ’92.
Set on the grounds of Darrow and the historic Mount Lebanon Shaker Village, The Ghost of the Mountain Kingsis a young adult historical fiction novel that brings past and present into direct conversation. During a visit to campus nearly a decade ago, Dan found himself caught by a question that only Darrow could inspire: what if the Shakers who lived here for more than a century could encounter the students who now move across the same ground?
The result is a story that raises questions about belief, obedience, faith, and the personal cost of doing what one believes is right. Shaker history is not a distant backdrop, but an active presence shaping the story and its characters.
Early readers have written:
“I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down. Eerie and immersive, fascinating and deeply unsettling, it asks powerful questions about obedience, justice, and the cost of doing what’s right—even when it’s terrifying.”
“A beautifully written, atmospheric novel that brings Shaker history to life while telling a deeply human story. Thoughtful, immersive, and quietly powerful.”
“This book honestly explores faith and loss in a way that felt familiar to me. The spiritual elements are woven naturally into the story, giving it a quiet, resonant depth.”
“A must-read—vivid, authentic, and deeply rooted in Shaker history.”
We are proud to see a Darrow alumnus engage so deeply with the School’s history and landscape, and to share his work with the wider Darrow community.
Dan’s novel, The Ghost of the Mountain Kings, is now available for purchase! HERE
