Member Reviews
Fantastic twisty thriller. A real page turner. Set on a mysterious remote island the story weaves between the secrets of the past and the present , the account told by the lead female character. Suspense builds as the character senses the feeling of being watched and a series of unexplained activities. Objects moved, animals spooked by noises outside. Really well executed.
I was really intrigued by the premise and setting of this book. It was a quick and easy read. I thought it started a little bit slow but overall, I enjoyed it.
I thought the author did a great job at hinting how creepy and possessive Liam was. I was suspicious of him, but the author was subtle enough that I was still questioning his role until right before Mia was revealed. At that point, I figured Laura was involved, but still really liked that plot twist.
I liked the last half of the book a lot and thought the ending was great. I was glad that the man on the island tied back in with the plot and will be able to continue living on the island as well.
This is a very strange book. If it had not been for previous reviews I would have given up on it a few times. The first 65% of the book is very average and slow but perhaps it needed to be in order to set the scene. The last part was really good though and very gripping. It describes narcissism in a very good way.
An entertaining thriller that has some nice twists and turns. The author cheats a bit by setting the action on a deserted island in Scotland, She saves herself a lot work when it comes to setting up a tense, suspenseful locale for her story. The newlyweds at the center of the story have had a rough run of luck and are looking forward to a week in the isolated island location to heal. The first 1/3rd of the books drags a bit and I was relieved when the writer picked up the pace. Once the protagonists realize they may not be alone on the island and start investigating, things hummed along nicely.
As to the twisty ending, I had already guessed part of it before the reveal. There were some hints throughout, although the writer maintained excellent control of her narrative. Does the big twist call for some suspension of disbelief? You bet, but then they nearly always do, don't they?
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I look forward to reading more from Sarah Alderson.
A really solid and gripping psychological thriller!
Had me hooked from the first page - I devoured it in one night.
Unputdownable!
This was a creepy and atmospheric read, centered on Liam and Laura, who are spending their honeymoon on a remote island in Scotland. The island is supposed to be deserted, though there are rumors that it is haunted; scary things start happening to let them know they are not alone. The story is narrated from Laura's POV, with chapters from the unknown stalker dispersed throughout.
I love reading about abandoned places and thought the author did a good job setting the tone. The things that happened to the couple were decidedly creepy. If I had one nit, it is that the middle of the book was a bit repetitive, with a lot of arguing over what to do next and pondering over who was doing this to them. I was able to forgive that when I got to the last third of the book, which was action-packed and contained multiple twists.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to those who love reading about abandoned places as well as those who are mystery fans. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The stalker’ is a novel that easily won me over.
The plot sees honeymooning couple, Laura and Liam, embark on a romantic break on an isolated Scottish island, only to find themselves victim to a seemingly random stalker who, it appears, will stop at nothing to ruin their break and cause them harm.
Initially I couldn't see how this plot could provide any twists or intrigue, I suspected it would be an enjoyable and atmospheric ‘cat and mouse’ game with no greater depth. I was utterly delighted to be proved wrong! There were plot twists aplenty and these were both genius and just awe-inspiringly stunning!
This is the cleverest book I have read in a long while! Smoke and mirrors were used to great effect, to the extent that every little detail that seemed insignificant at the time becomes relevant as the story unfolds. For me this is undoubtedly a five star read and one I would highly recommend to fans of the psychological fiction genre.
My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advanced copy.
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review
Wow, this was so good! An amazing thriller that had me hooked from beginning to end, full of plot twists and an unpredictable ending. Very fast based and easy to read, would recommend!
A honeymoon turned nightmare page Turner filled with creepy gothic vibes. A very suspenseful read with a great twist at the end.
Wow. I must confess, I almost didn't finish it, I can't stand cruelty to animals or children in books and won't read a book that contains it. I had a feeling about this one, and also the reviews about 'excessive violence' made me a little skittish. But after skipping a huge chunk, I realised that there was more to The Stalker than meets the eye, so I went back and started over. I'm glad I did. There were parts that I skimmed over (Tiger) so I can't say if there was any graphic detail there, oh yes, and also Jet, but that ended okay.
Now, to the story. Laura is a bit iffy, or comes across that way. Liam, well.... It's actually hard to say too much without giving it all away, but I can tell you this - firstly, there is a huge twist to the tale, and secondly, revenge is sweet. Oh, so sweet. And yes, best served cold. And I don't think I'm giving anything away by saying that that particular excessive violence didn't bother me one bit, because if there is one thing this book reminded me of, it's that cause and effect is a thing. And the wheel turns.
Liam and Laura can’t wait to start their peaceful and secluded honeymoon on a remote Scottish island.
The feeling of being watched and then a message scratched onto the window makes them realise they aren’t alone and someone wants them dead.
A great story as they fight for survival. The last 1/3 of the book really picked up pace and I enjoyed the twist in the story. It hard to say too much as I don’t want to give anything away. Very creepy, full of tension and cleverly plotted.
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! This had me gripped from start to end. Warning! Do not read in the dark with just a dim glow of your kindle - this book made my heart race, question a room full of shadows and hide under the covers!
This starts as your typical horror film-esque storyline but then develops some crazy twists with an ending I did not predict (and usually I would have already sussed it). Must read! 5 stars!
3.5 stars rounded up
Liam and Laura Carrington are on their delayed honeymoon which turns into a nightmare and a ‘honeymoon from hell’. They’ve booked a cottage on a tiny private Scottish island of Shura where the only inhabitants will be themselves - or so they think.
The descriptions of the island are really good, the scene is set so well you can visualise the island, cottage, the ruined castle and chapel which creates an excellent backdrop to what occurs. The history and background of the previous owners of the island/castle adds an interesting dimension too, creating further uncertainty. The atmosphere builds well and you get a sense of creepiness, of things being very out of kilter and a growing feeling of fear and alarm especially when events on the island take a vindictive turn. This in turn makes you focus on the two central characters and you realise they are far apart not least in their views and with Liam seeming to be very macho and Laura more reticent and anxious. The plot takes an unexpected turn and there is a good twist and then things start to slot into place. The pace definitely picks up in the second half and parts of the ending are very good with one slightly less believe element but hey, it’s fiction, I’ll go with the flow!
Overall, the setting for the novel wins the day providing an excellent backdrop to the dramatic unfolding events.
With thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the arc in return for an honest review.
The Stalker by Sarah Alderson
A newly wed couple go on honeymoon to a remote Scottish island where they will be the only inhabitants. Or will they ?
What I liked about the book was the way it seemed to be going one way and then it twisted into something unexpected. I love it when an author can do this.
It's a spooky read and a great thriller as well.
My only criticism would be that I never really took to Laura and Liam but that's probably more about me than them.
I will be looking out for other titles by Sarah as she writes in such a way that leaves me wanting more.
A couple is on a remote Scottish island on their honeymoon. There is no one else out there... or that's what they thought. Turns out they are not alone. Someone is clearly after them, trying to make their lives impossible to live, But, is it really this easy?
Just when the reader thinks she knows what's going on, she realizes, no, she doesn't know what's going on. At times I thought the plot seemed a bit too easy, everything went a little too smoothly, but then I realized it was just cleverly written, and I was fooled.
The basic storyline is pretty common with an obsessed man "protecting" his wife. It all seems nice and idyllic on the outside, but it's hell on the inside. Typical controlling in a relationship. But, as the story unfolds there are many more layers to it, and the last two parts of the book really makes it worth the read, since it is after all a bit different from what I expected. Refreshing!
What started out as a fast-paced, thrilling read turned in to much more than I could have anticipated. Two honeymooners visit an island in Scotland thinking they're alone, but they most ertainly are not. This page-turner is nearly impossible to put down. At first I thought it seemed like a really straightforward, nice thriller, but the author threw some creative curveballs in the mix.
If you're looking for a good, solid thriller, this book is for you.
I did not see that coming!! Wow! Wow! Wow!! Blockbuster of the summer right here! It read like a horror movie with such intensity I could not put it down and finished it in one sitting! Get this book now and hang on tight!
I must admit I found this a little slow in the beginning but it does pick up the pace the further you get into it. I was intrigued by the premise and found the plot of the book to be as good as I thought. I loved the setting which I though really set the atmosphere for the book, the characters were likeable and I found I could relate to them and the situation they found themselves in. I know some people were not keen on the ending but it worked for me. Overall a very enjoyable read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great read. I enjoyed every minute of it. A couple escape to a Scottish Island to have their honeymoon. They will be all alone on this island till the boat comes back for them. There is plenty to explore. There's a deserted castle, the beach, so much to do.
Then who keeps coming into their cabin?
Great twists and turns. Super ending.
Thank you to the publisher for my copy of this one, all opinions are my own.
I LOVE Sarah Alderson! She writes the most insanely atmospheric, and intense psychological thrillers, and every new book from her just gets better.
I was completely sucked into this particular plot, with newlyweds Liam and Laura on their honeymoon getaway. Set on what they believe to be, an entirely deserted island, it isn't long before they find themselves being stalked and terrorized by another person.
Sarah completely brought her A game to this story - I could not set this book down once I started, The island setting is so well done, lending a claustrophobic feeling as Liam and Laura realize that they are in huge trouble with no way to reach help, and days left before they are to be picked up by the mainland boat. The slowly increasing tension as the stalker taunts them and they frantically try to figure out how to respond. The EXPLOSIVE ending that I couldn't have guessed and just blew me away - all of it packs together for the kind of totally absorbing summer reading that is PERFECT.
This is one I cannot recommend enough - it will leave you with chills, looking over your shoulder and completely satisfied as a reader.