Member Reviews

*** Thank you Netgalley for the free E-arc***

What could've been a great book about a serial killer was not. It started off good but after about halfway it was just about a bitter overweight lady looking for a place to live. The doll collection was mentioned a couple of times along with the killings that happened before.The thing that I disliked the most is that the other characters called her a Pig all the time, it was anyone who talked about Gloria (main character) would mention the fact that she was fat and discusting because of that.

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I know it's taken me awhile to get to this title, but I did enjoy this book. It is taunt, thrilling and leaves you guessing. So many twists and turns! It was a really fun and wild ride.

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Throughout the whole book I was rooting for the killer, to see how many dolls she will buy, but I was also hoping the victims get away... Conundrum I know. Book was well written and worth the effort.

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What a great psychological thriller. Stories within the main story and several twists. The book was well written and satisfying to read.

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The cover of this book alone was enough to have me intrigued, a creepy doll trope gets me every time. However, this book fooled me into thinking it was something it is not. I thought it would be creepy, disturbing but instead it was a dull read with one of the most annoying characters I've ever had the displeasure of encountering. The Doll Collector of the title is Gloria, a lonely sad woman who can find little joy in life. Everything to her is 'stupid' or 'unhygienic'. If she is upset with someone she knows (friends, boyfriends, family members) she has no quibbles at all with dispatching them, and what I mean by that is killing them! She makes each death seem like an accident and once they are dead she buys herself a new doll to represent the person she has murdered. Any mention of the dolls themselves are few and far between, which makes the book title redundant to say the least. The rest of the plot is non existent, it was unbelievably boring and irritating. None of the characters were particularly interesting and nothing happens plot wise. Very disappointing.

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I've had this book for years, I still haven't, unfortunately, got to it, so this is a placeholder review to reduce my shelf for my own sanity, but will replace this if I ever get to the book

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This was a very good book. The main character, Gloria, is well written and just plain Terri. This is one of those books that you cannot wait to get back too, Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review.

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Holy crap, I must say, I thoroughly loved this book, I’d have loved to give Gloria a good old spanking, talk about psycho, deranged, deluded….just some of the words I could use! Someone does something on her that she doesn’t like… oooh lets kill her and get a lookalike doll to sit on my mantelpiece. I know its fictional but seriously this woman is for the birds! I enjoyed the build up, the little twists and turns and the ending, definitely recommending this one.

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What a great psychological thriller. Stories within the main story and several twists. The book was well written and satisfying to read. I recommend that you read it!!

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I was fascinated by Gloria's character and her manipulative, evil streak that seemingly saw no end. I couldn't wait to keep reading to see how her calculated plans would play out. Great twist towards the end. The characters are all well developed too. Looking forward to reading more from Joanna Stephen-Ward in the future!

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Gloria wants the perfect domestic life. She wants a husband, a baby and a spotlessly clean house. She wants everyone to like her and include her in their social plans especially her neighbours. Felicity, Tristan and Odette. When Gloria doesn’t get what she wants then she adds to her doll collection. So far there have been seven deaths therefore there are seven dolls. Now she’s looking to swell that number.

Whilst this story has a great plot with great characters it fell a little short for it to be recognised as a traditional thriller. That said, I really did enjoy it and as much as Gloria is a fruit loop of the highest order, I couldn’t help but look forward to her parts in the book. Yes she’s spiteful, yes she’s completely delusional but I laughed out loud at some of the things she came out with.

If you’re looking for a suspenseful thriller to read, I’m sorry but this isn’t it. However if you want to read a entertaining yarn then give this a go. You won’t regret it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Really really enjoyed this book! Such an easy read, loved the characters and couldn’t put the book down. Not as much action as I was expecting, but didn’t think anything was missing from the plot. Would definitely recommend.

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Holy. Crap.

The Doll Collector was one of those books that you want to put down so it doesn't end, but you don't want to let go because you can't stop reading. This was creepy and mysterious in the most incredible way.

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My first experience of this write, and it wont be the last. Written from a different perspective to your usual thriller, this will leave you wanting more!

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Der eine denkt es, der andere tut es. Und Gloria tut es! Der etwas andere Thriller, bei dem alles stimmt: Handlung, Charaktere, Geschichte.

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With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
This was an interesting psychological thriller by the author Joanna Stephen-Ward. Gloria is the Doll Collector, she collects dolls representing people she has killed in various ways, when they have upset her in some way. The book is very clever because you know that Gloria is a nasty, evil woman and you have little sympathy for her. The male characters are not necessarily sympathetic characters either but you end up have some empathy for Maurice who manages to improve his life and without causing anyone else pain or suffering. Ian is another character who deserves little sympathy like Gloria.
You realise when you come to the end of the book how clever the author has depicted the main characters. It is an intriguing, interesting, engrossing read.
Highly recommended..

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8n theory this book sounded great. However it started off catchy and then it just feel into a story of a lady finding a place to stay with no murders happening. Nothing exciting. Just a bit of a buay body.

Would not call it mysterious or thrilling just a bit boring and i could not wait to finish it so i could choose a new read

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This is an edge of your seat mystery! Every page was awesome! Thank you netgalley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review!

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A female serial killer, creepy dolls, sinister plots and some dark and twisty twists!
A fast quick read with some disturbingly unlikable characters!

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While this book is absolutely amazing in the beginning, everything you could want in a disturbing thriller, it fades and became impossible to finish. I will update my review, if I do ever feel different and finish it.
I will use in a challenge, as well as let the members know about it in Chapter Chatter Pub’.

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