This didn't feel like a typical CL Taylor book to me. It had a different feel, but I absolutely loved it. I loved the different characters and the crossover between some. It kept me guessing, wasn't predictable and the writing was so good that I can still see the imagery it created in my head, weeks after reading. 5* for sure, loved it!

I have previously read two other books by C.L.Taylor (Sleep and The Fear), both of which I really enjoyed, but this is my favourite so far!! I was hooked from the start, and thought the story worked really well being told mainly from the perspective of three different characters; who end up together for a thrilling (and quite dramatic!) climax. There’s always one last twist to stories like this, and that is not missing from this book. A fantastic read - both for old fans of C.L.Taylor and those perhaps looking for a new or different author!

A cast of unique characters seemingly unconnected. But as the story progresses, their lives become increasingly entwined. This book was such a delightful surprise to read.

The story is told from the point of view of the different characters. The characters were so unique, and so flawed. The story moved fluidly back and forth between characters and between the past and present.

This book has crime, romance, deceit, and some mystery.

I was on the edge of my seat until the end of the book. I wanted to know how each character resolved their problems.

From the first page to the last, Taylor delivers palpable tension in this psychological thrill ride. The storyline is told from the multiple perspectives of individuals whose lives become mysteriously intertwined. The plot is mostly character driven with a brilliant, yet wonderfully chaotic cast. Taylor layers on the intrigue chapter after chapter and delivers an ending worth remembering. Fantastic read!

Thank you to #NetGalley and @AvonBooks for the ARC of #Strangers which was read and reviewed voluntarily.

WOW WOW WOW!!!
Without a doubt this is going to be a top crime/thriller if 2020! This book has me pointing fingers at a new suspect every time I turned the page. Not only did it keep me guessing till the very end but just when I thought OK, books over, I know it all, it hits you with a final punch that literally left my jaw on the floor. Its hard to find a crime/thriller writer better than C.L. Taylor. Let me tell you though, Strangers is her best yet!

I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love C.L. Taylors writing and this book was no exception. The story immediately sucked me in and held my attention the entire way through. The twists were so well done and I really loved the ending. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who loves thrillers.

This is the fourth book I read from this author and although it’s not as gripping as “The Fear” and “Sleep”, it was suspenseful enough to keep me interested and curious to know what was going to happen next. Some of the characters are very well developed, but others are flat and not very interesting. Overall I liked the book and would recommend it.

Thank You to Net Galley, the author C .L Taylor and the publishers for an ARC Copy.

Ursula, Gareth and Alice have never met before. All leading their own lonely lives.

Ursula feels like she killed the love of her life. Gareth’s looking after his older Mum and been receiving strange postcards. Alice is trying to find love but is being stalked.

None of them are used to relying on others – but when the three strangers’ lives unexpectedly collide, there’s only one thing for it: they have to stick together. Otherwise, one of them will die.

Three strangers, two secrets, one terrifying evening.

C.L Taylor a resident herself of Bristol has given us a unique story, a story behind the faces we see in our everyday life's. Three lonely people, leading pretty boring life's, but things are going to change !!

The story follows the three main characters throughout alternating chapters. Ursula is in mourning, and has a shoplifting habit, Alice is a single mother, working as a shop manager and trying her hand at internet dating, and Gareth is a security guard at a shopping centre who cares for his mother who has dementia.

A story, or I guess three stories that come together in a clever and shocking way, I enjoyed the twists and the pace of the story, even shocked when I read the last 40% of the book in one evening.

Grateful that this author is also a member of my group on goodreads called "A Good Thriller", as she has written a good thriller here.

Four stars

Strangers by C.L. Taylor is a high intensity thriller that readers won't want to put down. Ursula, Gareth and Alice have nothing in common but somehow their lives have become intertwined.

Alice is assaulted after a date and then quickly meets a new suitor, Gareth sees it all go down while he worries about his dad who has been missing for over 20 years and his mom's dementia. Ursula is guilty because she let her beloved boyfriend die and likes to steal - but rarely get caught - from the store Alice manages.

They don't know each other's names, but their lives come together when violence touches them all. Who is stalking Alice's boyfriend? Can Ursula ever stop stealing and what is her very odd flatmate hiding in his basement? Will Gareth find out if his dad is really dead after all these years?

Lots of questions surrounding these three ordinary people. Very good book with lots of twists and turns and subplots that add color and emotion. This book is highly recommended!

First time author for me, and while I did enjoy the book to some point, I like my stories on the go, go go go..so for me I found this a little slower than what I like and am used to.excited to. however all that said It was interesting we meet this group all standing over a body and we go back to each of there stories. I do like the twist and turns and what in the world.? And because of that it did keep my interest, so would I recommend yes I do.

We meet Ursula first. She is an unhappy, overweight kleptomaniac who gets thrown out of the house she shared with her once best friend and her boyfriend. Ursula works as a courier and sees lots of people. She used to be a teacher but she suffered a nervous breakdown in class. She blames herself for the death of her boyfriend.
Gareth works in security in a shopping mall and lives with his elderly mother who suffers from dementia.
Alice is a shop manager who went on a date and since then is stalked by someone.
Slowly we get to know all three characters better and slowly we get to understand what it is that binds them. Before that, you cannot but feel connected to all three; strange, maybe, but all three characters have something everybody can relate to. They are hard-working, caring people with a sad background that they are trying to get away from. They are good honest people but of course not perfect. They are likable, all three, in their own way. There is a fourth person that becomes very important and that is Gareth’s mother. It would be a spoiler if I told you why but in the end, she almost was my favorite character.
Finally things get to an end and we see how all separate stories connect. This is a very good, insightful book with an original story about ordinary people.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books for this digital review copy.

Wow !! What another stunning psychological thriller from C L Taylor.take 3 strangers Alice,Ursula and Gareth and tell their life story and then get them to collide in an explosive way and you have a superb book which I couldn't put down.All 3 of the main characters are going through big things in their lives in one way or another and the story just leaves you wanting to know more about them.Once again C L Taylor has written a brilliant book to go with all her other books which never fail to disappoint,keep up the good work ! Yet another stunning 5 star read for me.

This was such a great book! This was a one sitting read for me! I had to finish it and couldn't stop til I did. The story I written well and and has great pace. I would definitely recommend!

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

An amazing storyline, incredibly well written. This psychological thriller is almost impossible to put down. I will definitely be recommending it to everyone! Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an ARC egalley.

I think this could possibly be Taylor's best book yet. It's certainly my favourite from her so far. I absolutely loved it from the very first page to the very last.

With three different, seemingly disconnected, stories this shouldn't have worked for me but somehow it did. I usually have problems with multiple povs, there's almost always one story that I prefer to the others but here I found myself fully engaged with all three.

Annie is a single parent and manager of a fashion store in the Mead shopping centre. At her adult daughter's encouragement she's trying to put herself out there and meet someone new but while she does find a guy she likes there's someone out there who doesn't want them to get together.

Gareth is a middle aged security guard at the shopping centre who cares for his elderly mother who has dementia. He discovers his mother is receiving postcards from his father who disappeared and was presumed dead 20 years ago. Could he still be alive or is someone trying to take advantage of his mum.

Ursula is a bit of a loner. She blames herself for her fiancé's death. She works as a courier and lives with a friend until they discover she's been stealing from them. When they throw her out she's desperate enough to rent a room from a rather odd guy, who won't tell her what's in the basement and insists the radio be kept on at all times.

Add to this rumours in the background of a serial killer responsible for the disappearance of several men in the area and you've got a truly gripping read.

I was completely addicted to each of the three stories and I thought the author did a brilliant job of balancing them. Annie, Gareth and even Ursula were very sympathetic characters and they felt very real and relateable. The secondary characters were also very well rounded and the relationships between them believable.

It was however the plot that was the star. The tension never lets up for an instant and there are some truly creepy moments that had me wanting to hide under the duvet. It also keeps you guessing throughout and I genuinely had no idea where it was going or how the stories would eventually come together.

The big finale when it does come is absolutely perfect and lived up to all expectations.

Overall, a brilliant read and one I'd recommend to anyone who loves a good thriller.

Strangers has an interesting and eclectic cast of characters with interconnecting stories they keep you glued to the page. Just because someone is a stranger it doesn’t mean they won’t have an impact on your life. I’ve read all of Cally Taylor’s books but this one is her best yet. I didn’t see the end coming. Neither will you!! A perfectly executed finale.

If you like psychological thrillers then this is definitely one that won`t disappoint.
Three strangers, Alice, manageress of a ladies fashion shop, Gareth a security guard at the shopping centre and Ursula ex-teacher turned delivery driver and regular shoplifter and impulsive thief.
Alice has recently dipped her toe into the world of internet dating. Thinking she has found a keeper sets off a chain of events that sets all three characters on a collision course.
This one drew me in as I followed the authors lead through all the twists and turns, throwing light on Alice Gareth and Ursula`s lives, revealing their secrets and fears.
A cracking read brilliantly written.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read this as an ARC

I've had the pleasure of an ARC of #Strangers - what can I say, I loved #Sleep but I really loved #Strangers The twists and turns of this book is great and surprising. How three #Strangers lives end up coming together - great job CL Taylor.

This book definitely deserves five stars. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. It showed how each character in this story were all suffering from loneliness. The story had lots of twists and turns which took me by surprise. I was gripped to see what was going to happen next as I finished each chapter. Brilliant!

Always look forward to reading a book by C.L.Taylor as she is a fabulous writer. Loved Strangers. So many stories entwined in one smashing read. Keeps you on your toes trying to work out how the stories will eventually come together. A very clever plot. Loved that it was set in Bristol my home.