I'm always drawn to books about gaming, VR, AI and the like. In The Stranger Game, Ezra goes missing after playing the viral game "Stranger Game". Do we really know the people we connect with online? What about the people we play games with? As the Stranger Game grows in popularity the stakes get higher, rules change, and more people begin disappearing.

Interesting premise. I thought social media played into this more, but it does not. The thing is, it really makes you wonder how many people out there MIGHT actually be doing this, even though it's not a real thing, to my knowledge. The whole ghosting thing is real, but I never imagined that people would ghost someone after getting THAT involved with them, and then come back! The main character was so needy though, which really helped her become a victim, imo.

I just read a news article today about a guy who was killing women he met off of tinder... social media is scary these days... be safe out there!

This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for a book review. (Sorry it's so late!)

I had such high hopes for this book and was let down so hard. First, let's talk story ...

Rebecca's ex-boyfriend, Ezra, has gone missing. They've remained close, sometimes intimate, friends, so when she hasn't heard from him for a bit, she knows something must be up. Filing a report with the police doesn't get her far because they just assume he's off playing the viral "stranger game" which takes people watching to a new level. There are players who become so obsessed with following strangers around, creating stories for their lives, that they lose focus on their own lives to the point where they abandon their family, friends and jobs. Wanting to experience what Ezra was involved in with the hopes that it will lead her to him, Rebecca begins to play. What she soon discovers is that the Stranger Game has a whole new set of rules with few boundaries, and she has no idea who can be trusted.

Had the synopsis read the way I just described the book, I probably wouldn't have bothered with it. However, there was also supposed to be this element of people being reported missing all across the country. This promised a dark aura that never developed. Actually, I must have missed the part where players were being reported missing. My only guess is it was when they became so engrossed in the game that they stopped showing up for their own lives. There wasn't any real mystery about that.

Basically, what this ended up being was a girl who had an apparent addiction to relationships to the point where she couldn't let one go until another took its place, Then, when that happened, she was full on into the new one, forgetting her missing ex and the possibility he could be dead somewhere. And don't even get me started on what happened with the new relationship and how she reacted to it amongst what else was going on at the same time. I would very much like to discuss that, but I can't without giving spoilers. So, continuing on ...

I've had to suspend disbelief when reading in the past, but that's usually related to genre. You have to expect that with science fiction or fantasy novels. With Peter Gadol's Stranger Game, though, it was because of the sheer size to which the game itself blew up. Saying something goes viral is one thing, but the extent to which this game took over, and the people that were involved., was just too hard to believe. It gave me futuristic vibes. If the setting had actually been in a near future world, I would have been able to buy into it far more easily.

By the end of it, I was just annoyed with every0ne. I didn't really care what happened, but I needed to finish the book for a proper review.

I received a copy of this book and chose to write this objective review.

A solid addition to the thriller genre. A recommended purchase for collections where the genre is particularly popular.

Once I read the premise of this book I thought the creep factor would be higher. The concept of a game played by stalking unsuspecting people and making up stories about their actions was intriguing. The novel itself moved slowly and there werent many twists to keep me reading. It became too easy to stop and not compelling enough to read straight through. The characters are rather two dimensional. The Stranger Game was entertaining, but not riveting.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

Despite the intriguing premise of this one, The Stranger Game didn’t work for me. I loved the slight ties to the social media obsessed era we live in, and taking that to real life. That said, the mystery and suspense was lacking on this one, and the plot moved slowly. I didn’t feel the creep factor or the tension that I was hoping to feel, and the main character, who narrates the story, was really annoying in my opinion. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a winner for me. That said, I’d like to thank Netgalley and Hanover Square Press for my copy of the book. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review.

People watching to the extreme? The stranger game does not concern the police because everyone is doing it? The story is confusing and way too far fetched.

Always remember the three simple rules....

1 pick your subjects at random.
2 NO contact.
3 never follow the same subject twice!

easy enough, right? But what am I talking about, what game?These are the rules for the game sweeping the nation the “Stranger Game“... A game taking social media, reality television, and people watching a step further.... have you ever been out to dinner and wondered what was going on in the life of the couple sitting at the table next to you? Perhaps you leaned a little closer to get a bit of a listen? But after they get up from the table you don’t give it much thought.... not the case with the Stranger Game, you would get up after them and follow them for as long as you could, without getting caught... now I am as nosy as the next person, but I really did not get the allure of this game... for me it was a bit creepy and stalkerish.... but it sure made for a compelling and haunting read, there was something sinister and Erie running throughout this story....

Rebecca is concerned after not hearing from her on again off again boyfriend Ezra for several weeks... The police dismiss her concerns convinced he must be playing the Stranger Game.... so Rebecca takes it upon herself to investigate and starts playing the game herself, in order to find out where Ezra could have gone to? But there is more to the game then those three simple rules, the game has taken a turn in the wrong direction.... soon Rebecca finds herself involved with someone who is taking this game to an entirely different level.... I have to admit just like Rebecca I was baffled and suspicious for a lot of the book... where was Ezra? What was the purpose of the game? Or was there even one?

This book truly sucked me in and it was a very quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed with the exception of the ending... that ending just fell a little flat and did not ring true... and believe me I can suspend believe like no other, and I will be honest if it was more spectacular perhaps I would’ve been more willing to buy it! Never the less I thought this was a good social commentary on our obsession with social media without being too preachy.... how big of an impact do the lives of others have on our own? Even those we have no relationship with? In a world of likes and follows, can we ever be good enough? There is something very dream like about this book, or shall I say nightmarish? A book that will both disturb you and intrigue you at the same time, much like social media or reality TV!

Recommend to those who enjoy a well written story that will really make you think... not sure I would call this a thriller but I am not sure how else I would classify it?

*** thank you very much to harlequin for my copy of this book ***

"The world was a world of strangers, and all anyone wanted...was to be seen and to be known, truly known."

Rebecca is alone and lonely. Her long-time boyfriend, Ezra, has disappeared without a word and even the police can't find him for her. After awhile, she finds an essay on Ezra's desk. The author of the piece wrote that he was quite disenchanted with his life, was lonesome and bored, had little human interaction, and no meaningful relationships. He started first watching people and then began actually following them as he yearned to connect. Anything but to go back home alone. The transformation he experienced was further developed into a scheme that was mostly voyeur on his part and fairly benign. As things often do, this essay was read and shared and changed until it became a craze. More like stalking than any kind of "game", it evolved to have three rules but was basically meant to see how long you could follow a person without getting caught. Many people lost themselves in the game and vanished while following random people that crossed their path. Rebecca, assuming that this is what happened to Ezra, begins to play the game herself. Soon Rebecca is caught up in something she doesn't understand with people she cannot believe or trust, and finds that it has evolved into a far more dangerous activity than the essayist ever imagined. NO SPOILERS.

This was a very strange but interesting book. Part existential, part social commentary, and mostly confusing, my overwhelming feeling while reading was probably exactly what the author meant for it to be -- I felt disconnected and longed for intimacy as I read about Rebecca's situation. Her reactions weren't on par with anything I would have done, but I was swept up in her desperate responses to her isolation. I can definitely see this "game" as a consequence of the way that society has changed to be more about things than about relationships. The detachment observed when seeing photos on social media where everyone is looking at a screen instead of at their companions, the distrust of others manifested by labeling and categorizing beliefs and behaviors rather than seeking understanding, and the seeming lack of permanence in the way people lead their lives. All great stuff for a book club discussion! If others want to be connected to people in a real way, how in the world would following strangers around make that happen? In that question is the main issue I had with the book. It is dark and twisty and sad.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin - Hanover Square Press for the e-book ARC to read and review.

I thought the premise of this book was quite good - following strangers as part of a game; making up stories about what might be going on in their lives. However, that's where it ended for me. I kept feeling like the book was on the edge of something happening, but not much really did. The one bit of action where the game goes awry seemed to happen in a flurry and seemed a bit disjointed from the pain story which was the disappearance of Ezra, the boyfriend of main character, Rebecca. Even when we find out what happened to Ezra, there are many questions left in the reader's mind. I couldn't help feeling the similarity I felt when analyzing Gravity's Rainbow for lit class in college, though on a less complicated level.

I found the premise of this book fascinating. What's to say or keep what happens in this book from happening in our own world? That's the truly terrifying part. This book is fast-paced and takes you on a roller-coaster of a ride equipped with twists and surprises around every corner. It has everything I love in a thriller, atmospheric alluring writing, unreliable characters, and many surprises and twists that I was unable to predict. This is the first book I have read by this author, and I will certainly be picking up more.

Thank you to Harper Collins Canada and Hanover Square Press for sending me a free advance reader paperback copy of this book to read.



ABOUT THE BOOK:

This book follows the story line of the main character, Rebecca, and her search for her on-again, off-again boyfriend Ezra. Ezra appears to have gone missing, as Rebecca realises she hasn’t seen him or spoken to him in quite some time. They have never gone this long without talking and she begins to become concerned. Rebecca brings her worries to the attention of the police, who do not seem concerned at all. The police suggest to Rebecca that Ezra is maybe playing the “stranger game”.

What is the “stranger game”? Rebecca has never heard of this before. The “stranger game” is a game that has gone viral, and it has players of the game following others in real life. Someone you see in a store, someone you see driving down the road, someone out walking their dog, etc. You simply spot them at random and then begin following them.

There are many rules to the game, and they are usually followed, but sometimes the rules begin to change, as players become addicted to the game and it grows more intense. Sometimes people disappear…

Rebecca begins to play the game herself in the hopes she can find out what happened to Ezra and where he is. She slowly becomes addicted to the game and finds she cannot stop playing. Will playing the game help lead her to finding Ezra?



MY REVIEW:

This book started off very interesting to me. A real-life game that people play called the “stranger game” where players follower random, unsuspecting people around, and they have no clue they are actually being followed. Super creepy right? I think so. I mean I certainly wouldn’t want people following me around, watching my every move, especially when I have no idea I am being followed.

Can you imagine? Is this really a game people play? I haven’t heard of it before, but it makes me wonder if this is really a thing… The synopsis of the book is what intrigued me to read this book, and the story was quite interesting.

I too was worried about Ezra and what might have happened to him, and I found myself hoping that as Rebecca played along with the game that she would be able to find Ezra and they could be reunited.

I enjoyed reading about the game and how it is played. It was interesting to read about Rebecca’s experiences as she played the game, and her experiences of following different random people around.

A few points in the book had me thinking “what the heck is going on” especially near the end, as the book is coming to a close. However, all questions are answered as you continue reading on and all is revealed.

I enjoyed this book overall, although I did find certain parts of the book to be a bit of a slow burn for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle ARC of The Stranger Game in exchange for a honest review.

I chose The Stranger Game to read because the premise is intriguing; a game in which participants randomly follow strangers, the point being to help one reconnect with yourself and humanity. Obviously, the game has psychological and emotional ramifications that no one is prepared for and quickly spins out of control.

Not bad, right? What went wrong? Everything else.

First, let's talk about the characters. Rebecca Crane is a bore and like 99% of the female characters I read about in books. She spends most of her time talking about what she and her boyfriend Ezra used to do together. She's just looking for a man and to settle down. Sigh.

She's an architect but she doesn't sound or appear very intelligent; there's also her tendency to pick men who bail on her. Ha!

Ezra is another oddity. I don't mind quirky, unlikable, not your everyday Joe Schmo but I didn't like anyone in the book. ANYONE. I have no idea why Rebecca and Ezra are together. Because no one else wants them?

The relationship dynamics was bizarre among all the characters and difficult to suspend disbelief for. Also, I didn't care about anyone because I didn't like anyone.

Every character is one dimensional and the game barely fleshed out, no details, the barest of rules and no explanations.

Who defined these rules? Who is behind the conspiracy? Who took control of the game?

Instead, we get a story about a dull woman who spends 1/3 of her time wishing she had a man to share her life with, who loses two lovers and is drawn into this confusing game I'm not sure the author even knows what is going on.

Does anyone knows where this story takes place? US? UK? Alderaan?

I don't think the setting or country or state was ever mentioned in the novel but if it was, I must have missed it because I was speed reading midway through.

The Stranger Game could have been about so much more; dark, tragic, strange in a Dark Mirror kind of way; an unsubtle dig at how our lives revolve around social media and popular culture and the way these networking sites have infiltrated our lives and leave us socially, emotionally and personally disconnected from our families, friends and professional relationships.

We forget how to interact with the people we love and care about because we're too busy wishing we were someone else and perhaps the game helps some people find their way back to their humanity or some junk like that.

The story was just about Rebecca and Ezra and their so-called relationship in the end.

Working in social media, I spend a great amount of time following (for work reasons) various influencers, authors and story lines and yes even knowing what goes on bts, I am guarded as to what is real and what is staged. This storyline was one of the most original I have seen in a long while. I pray this “game” is pure fiction but it kept me on the edge of my seat none the less. I won’t be surprised if we say - Pass the popcorn- to this one!

Kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time! Loved every last bit of it. Will definitely recommend to customers at my work!

I couldn't get into this book. I feel like it started in the middle? I had no interest in the characters and didn't really care what happened to them. It just fell really flat.

I was very excited to check out this book from the premise. So, when I was luckily to grab an advanced copy I was thrilled. I put aside several other books to jump into this one. In the beginning it felt like I had missed a few steps and started in the middle. However, I decided to brush this aside and continue reading. The story did start out slow but I at least had the idea of what the "stranger game" is all about. The game almost is on the side of being a "stalker".

I got about a third of the way into the book and put it down. It took me a while to get that far. This is because I would read and before I knew it I was falling asleep. There was nothing interesting about the characters. Also, I was missing any intensity. Maybe it is further in the story but I did not want to hang around to see. If a book does not grab me within the first few chapters I am not interested.

So suspenseful! I loved this book and it kept me interested all the way through. I was nervous by Rebecca's journey and had to know what was going to happen in the end. I loved the author's writing style, can't wait to read his next book! Five stars.

Wow! What a super read! HIGHLY recommend!
Rebecca had not seen her boyfriend, Ezra of 8 years for 3 weeks. Upon searching his apartment, Rebecca found a printout written by A. Craig: The Follow Game. There were rules to this game that were to be strictly followed. Rebecca then realized that this was what Ezra was playing - following people, but by the rules. But one morning she found that Ezra had gone 150 miles to the desert. to follow... Rebecca missed Ezra terribly. Did Ezra not want to be found? Eventually, Rebecca called the police - Detective Lisa Martinez. Lisa finally told Rebecca, "Look, this Stranger Game is the bane of my existence"! She calls it "stalking".
Rebecca decided solitude was eating her up. She went to a bar and picked up Carey and brought him home.
They almost were intimate. He said, "game over..." Had HE played the stranger game and broken the rules?
Again, Rebecca calls Lisa. She told Rebecca, "... now it's about stalking...criminal..." Maybe Rebecca had become obsessed? Rebecca told Lisa about an abandoned house where two couples had been yelling and shouting at each other. She also overheard "That was awesome..." and "How much do I owe you?". Was the Game now being STAGED for a fee?
Carey was sitting on Rebecca's doorstep. She did not let him in, but later on they began playing tennis and somewhat falling in love. After all, Ezra was gone for 6 months! Detective Martinez ran into Rebecca at a hardware store and said that Ezra had closed out his bank account two months earlier.
At work, Rebecca was so distracted that she had to take a forced LOA.
The last time she saw Carey was at the abandoned house where she had seen the two couples awhile, earlier.
Carey and his car appeared after she had seen one of the men pushed off the nearby cliff.
Ezra returns, Rebecca is wary of becoming too attached to him. Things happen and they wonder if the police are "in on it" - the Game.
It turns out that A, Craig (author of The Game) was actually the guy pushed off the cliff!!!
Rebecca and Ezra do a "trespassing" part of the game and go skinny dipping. The police arrive and say NEXT time you need a "tour guide." WHAT!!! Rebecca wonders if they ALL are in "cahoots" with this game - as she asks, "Now what?"

You are totally in for an awesome experience with this book. I could not put it down. The twists and turns all the way through are great. And the leads into the conclusion are undoubtedly mind-blowing!!!
6 Stars!!!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a wonderful reading experience!!!

Sadly this book was not for me. I did not completely finish, because I was very confused as I tried reading it. I think the author writes beautifully, but the premise was not one that engaged me and the way it was written I felt like I was even misidentifing characters. I still will be letting Chapter Chatter Pub know about how well written and original the story was.

I'm between 2.5 and 3 stars, rounded up.

You're in a public place and a person or group of people catches your eye. It may be the way they look, their actions, things they're saying, but you just can't stop yourself from surreptitiously watching them. You don't want to get caught, but you can't look away, and you (and perhaps even a companion) imagine who these people are and what they're doing. When they get up, or leave the area where you've been watching them, you may even be (more than) slightly interested in following them, but you know it's too risky, or even foolish.

Take this at least one step further and you have the crux of Peter Gadol's enigmatic new novel, The Stranger Game.

After a few weeks with no contact, Rebecca comes to the realization that her on-again, off-again boyfriend Ezra has disappeared. She can't figure out where he would have gone without any warning, even though their relationship was in one of its odd periods. But he left without giving notice to his job or paying his rent, so she starts to wonder whether something has happened to him.

When she reports his disappearance to the police, they don't seem concerned in the slightest. They suspect Ezra is off playing "the stranger game," a cultural phenomenon which seems to have gripped society. In the game people choose someone to follow (unbeknownst to them), and while the initial objective of the game was to get as close as possible and follow for as long as possible without getting caught, it seems the game has transformed, becoming more complicated and, in some cases, sinister.

In order to see just what type of craze has affected Ezra, Rebecca tries the game. She is almost immediately sucked in, and it starts to affect other aspects of her life. At times she even has trouble distinguishing between who is playing and who is not. She meets Carey, a handsome and mysterious man who awakens her emotions, which have been hidden away for so long. But Carey also draws her further and further into the game, and she doesn't know whom to trust—or where she is safe.

"And then I wondered how many kinds of games people played with strangers every hour every day. We were, each of us, isolated creatures who ached for proximity, for intimacy with others, but who also out of primal self-preservation insisted on and maintained a safe distance. These stranger games we invented shuttled us somewhere halfway between stations of affinity and detachment, but more often than not we ended up at the latter destination. It was a miracle anyone ever connected with anyone. Most of the time we were cast back into our own longing."

To borrow a phrase from Winston Churchill, The Stranger Game is, "a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma." I love the basis on which Gadol built his novel, as I am one of those people who is fascinated by people-watching and wondering about the dynamics between groups I see in public. However, I felt that as the book progressed, the twists became more and more confusing until I, like Rebecca, wasn't sure what was real and what was artifice, part of the game. And while I'm okay with suspending disbelief when I read, I just found the whole premise a little unlikely.

Gadol has always been one of my favorite writers. His earlier books—The Mystery Roast, Closer to the Sun, The Long Rain, Light at Dusk, Coyote, and Silver Lake were all really fantastic, and he is one of those authors for whom I've waited a long time for a new book. As always, his use of language and imagery, and his ability to evoke emotions and connections is superlative. I just wish I liked this book more—despite the interesting concept, it just didn't gel for me.

Looking forward to the next one, however!

NetGalley, HARLEQUIN — Trade Publishing, and Hanover Square Press provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!