Member Reviews
Well that’s my dream of living in beautiful isolation out of the window…. Utterly creepy and twisted this will bring you such pleasurable discomfort and keep you hooked from the first chapter.
Really enjoyed this twisty novel from Sarah alderson. She has a knack of crafting the tale so you’re left looking in the wrong direction and unsure of who you can trust.
I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.
Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.
However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x
I’ve only recently discovered the author, but I am glad I did. This was such a quick read. I loved how vivid the setting is and how it added to the book. There was a cat and mouse game between the couple and the person stalking them. I had all kinds of guesses as to who and why and none were right.
It was a little bit of a slow burn at first and I usually am put off by this, but there was something about the couple that I just wanted to know more about them and eventually their situation. And there is one heck of a twist in this one. I am always a fan of a book that can pull off a twist without me suspecting a thing. I am always trying to figure out where books are headed and at some point I’ve usually guessed at least part of what is to come by the sheer number of ideas I get, but this one, not so much.
This was a really enjoyable read because of the unexpected plot developments. At the same time, whilst you could see some of the conclusion building, I was fascinated to see how the characters would reach this point, creating a gripping and immersive read.
On paper, the honeymoon that Liam and Laura are on sounds very idyllic: a private Scottish island for just the two of them. Alone in the wilderness, it gives them a chance to escape the pressures of life. Because as the story progresses, it is clear that Laura is not coping particularly well with the recent death of her mother and the newly weds see this as an opportunity to reset and refresh.
Except soon after arriving, they learn that they are not alone on the island. Someone is watching them from a distance. Keen to protect his wife, Liam starts exploring the island and the discovery starts off a chain of less-than-peaceful events. Convinced that this stalker is after something, life for Liam and Laura grows increasingly uncomfortable. Reminded that they are isolated, suddenly this idyllic island no longer guarantees their safety.
At first I thought this story would be really predictable but when the narrative suddenly switches half-way through the story, it became even more exciting. I thought Alderson’s writing style slightly altered too because the chapters suddenly became longer but, I was so engrossed with the story, that this was barely noticeable. I loved how the narrative reveals extra clues and this made me so keen to see how the past timeline fed into the island scenes. It was a clever way to show this influence, even if I was slightly exasperated by one of the characters.
The darkness from one of the character’s runs throughout the narrative. I liked how there were different perspectives to their behaviour, adding to the sinister reveal at the closing. It added to the atmosphere of the story and it was particularly effective how the island goes from offering a retreat to something that is imprisoning the couple.
A great read from Alderson, this was one that builds in intensity throughout. At first you think you know how this is going to conclude but, reading on, the plot twist is one you don’t see coming and that just makes this a pacy thriller until the exciting conclusion.
With thanks to Avon and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you #Avon Books UK and #NetGalley for allowing me to read this book for my honest review.Plain and simple if you love a good thriller then this book is for you.
Special thanks to Netgalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely love creepy, gothic location books and this did not disappoint. Throw in the fact that it is in the thriller genre and it’s right up my alley!
Laura and Liam are newlyweds on an isolated Scottish island in a restored castle with a spooky past, and they think they are being stalked. However, not is all as it seems. The twists are abound all the way to the end!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Wasn’t sure when I first started reading, then it hade gripped! The twist at the end!!! Definitely one to read!
An enjoyable thriller that is engaging and well paced. Not the most original of plots, but one that works well and is supported by great characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for approving me for this book.
I felt the writing was done well in this book but there was just something missing for me and I couldn't get into it and enjoy it as much as I hoped I would.
Aaahhh I love Sarah Alderson for that gripping, edge of your seat thriller. It flies a little close to the line of realistic or not sometimes but somehow always seems to just stay the right side. I'll always enjoy this authors work I think. Great to break a reading slump or when you're just craving a hard hit of fast paced thriller!
Wow, what a rollercoaster of a read! Incredible twists that really surprised me. Absolutely loved it and can't wait to read more from the author. i found it a really clever and gripping read.
Dark thriller that had you hooked from the off. The book was very well written. Great plot. Very exciting. Fast paced to get your heart racing. Loved this book
Wow. It has been a while since I’ve read a book in two sittings. 24 hours ago, I had no electricity as my island home was struck by Hurricane Fiona. I decided to look at what books I had downloaded on my iPad and remembered this was one I never had a chance to review for NetGalley. BOY had I wished I read this sooner!
Liam and Laura are finally having their romantic honeymoon; at least they thought they would be until they realize they are not alone on the Scottish island they reserved for the week… This book had some pretty creepy vibes especially when there’s no power in the house and you are reading in pitch darkness. The writing was so well done, I could physically see everything play out in this book. It was as if I was watching a movie. I had some sketch vibes about some of the characters from the beginning but I’m still not sure I was prepared for the twist at the end of this book!
A slow burn, intriguing, creepy read. Definitely some content warnings: gore, abuse, death, illness
I still can’t believe I finished a book in 24 hours! Yay me!
A true test to a marriage commitment. After reading this, I think I will skip any remote 'paradise'.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the opportunity to read this.
Creepy! Whoa, I did not expect the story to go the way it did! Loved this book by Sarah Alderson, and look forward to read more from her.
Many thank to NetGalley and the publisher for three ARC.
⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️
Rounded up to 5 stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Another fabulous read from Sarah Alderson. I recently read The Cabin in the Woods and loved it equally as much as this one.
I love a locked-room thriller set in a remote location and this book certainly hits the mark. The small, uninhabited, isolated Scottish island (surrounded by water, with no way off and no phone signal) provides the perfect, creepy backdrop to the tense, nail-biting story. I could clearly visualise everything about the island, the landscape and the ever-changing weather conditions from the author’s detailed descriptions.
Alderson really knows how to create an atmosphere; I could almost cut the eerie atmosphere oozing from this one with a knife. I flew through the pages of the short snappy chapters in no time because I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next.
The Stalker is a fantastic psychological thriller — it’s twisty, brimming with suspense and has a thoroughly satisfying ending to boot.
So....not my favorite thriller ever, but it was a good solid one. There is a twist in there that really got me! I loved the premise of this one too - I'm a sucker for a vacation gone wrong thriller trope.
Brilliant. Really enjoyed this fabulous read. Loved the characters and the plot kept me hooked! I whizzed through it and couldnt put it down! Definitely recommend
A honeymoon on a remote and deserted island which sounds idyllic until you discover you have company! A zigzag book of twists, tension and villainy. It has its creepy moments as the couple discover they’re not alone and things start to go badly wrong. Another book which would have benefited from some thorough proofreading. The beginning of the book feels as if it had been written for young adults with its simplistic style but not with the type of content though. However it moved along, taking the reader with to find out who is who and if there’s a final showdown. It would make a good holiday read or a mini series on TV.