This was an awesome read. Fast-paced but still well developed. I loved the exploration of different types of relationships for the characters. I have already recommended to friends!

I prefer my thrillers to leave me with my jaw hanging open because I didn't put obvious clues together, or missed something that was right there in front of me, or the author cleverly distracted me and pointed out a shiny thing over there in the corner. I don't like it when I can't figure out what the heck is going on simply because I just wasn't given any information about what the answer could have been - not just mislead, just simply in the dark with the conclusion coming out of nowhere....grrrrrr!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A honeymoon on a secluded, allegedly haunted, Scottish island with no cell service and a storm brewing - all the makings of a pretty typical trope in the world of thrillers. However, The Stalker turned a lot of those elements on their head.

After two relationship disasters, Laura meets Liam - a tall, dark haired, blue eyed detective - when he brings an injured dog into the veterinary office she works in. He seems perfect, and after a whirlwind six month romance they marry. The death of Laura's mother the day after their wedding calls off their honeymoon to Greece and sends Laura into a deep depression. Grief stricken and barely able to get out of bed, a week long honeymoon to the Scottish island of Shura seems like the ticket to snap Laura back into life.

The couple quickly discovers they are not alone, throwing the planned peaceful vacation onto its head. Stranded on the island until the boat returns for them on Friday, Laura and Liam have to figure out a way to survive as an unknown individual shows them just how unhappy they are that their space has been invaded.

Now, some thoughts.

The first 60% of the novel was pretty typical thriller fodder. A lot of set up, a lot of poor decisions (really, who goes LOOKING for a dangerous person when you're armed with only a switchblade and a flashlight?) interspersed with the inner monologue of the stalker. However, the back third of the book is where the action picked up. A drastic narrator shift is jarring at first, but then the puzzle pieces slowly click into place.

The amount of gaslighting happening in the story to make everything wind up the way it does in the end was crazy. While I want to say it seemed almost too far fetched, there are some messed up people in this world that would likely go to this extreme.

Overall, a quick, easy read that was finished in an evening and would be great for a plane ride or a beach read!

I really enjoyed this book. I think some people would find this a bit far-fetched but I've travelled for months and have done things like camp on remote islands so can see why they would be doing it. I thought the idea was really clever and didnt expect the twists and turns in it. Thank you for the copy in return for a review

I was 20% of the way into this book and I knew it was going to be a juicy one!

I absolutely loved it! It’s taken me a few days to write this review because I had a full book hangover.

It’s so well written, with a fantastic reveal of the twist. I genuinely didn’t see it coming. I actually had to go out with only 15 mins left to read and the whole time I was out I was thinking about this book!

It’s eerie, you feel the tension building in each chapter. Almost like you are also on the island. I enjoyed the change between the chapters from the point of view of Laura and the stalker.

This is the second book by this author I have read this year, I only discovered her reads in the new year too! Cannot wait to see what other ones I can get my hands on.

I genuinely feel like I want to say more about this book to really do it justice but all I can say is, pick it up. You won’t be disappointed.

The stalker is gripping and very descriptive, a good story but I wanted more character development and mystery. The way the story went was obvious and I was disappointed that there wasn't more to uncover and it felt quite obvious.

I was given a copy of The Stalker by Sarah alderson by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book I have read by this author and this one did not disappoint. When Laura and Liam stay on a deserted island in Scotland the are meant to be the only ones there. When strange things begin to happen they realize they are not alone. As the book increases its pace I was hooked! A great read, perfect for fans of psychological thrillers with some great twists and turns. Definitely look forward to reading more by this author.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Alderson, and Avon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

“I watched her on the beach today as she walked along, pausing now and then to pick up stones, her blonde hair whipping about her slender neck as though it was trying to strangle her. I must admit, the thought made me tingle with something halfway between pleasure and pain.” Sarah Alderson, The Stalker

After two failed relationships, Laura has finally found the one. She meets Liam when he comes into her veterinary clinic with an injured dog. He seems to be everything she wants and, most importantly, her mother, whom Laura is very close to, approves and loves him. As they are on their way to the airport to go to Greece for their honeymoon, Laura receives a call that her mother has fallen down the stairs and died. She falls into a deep depression as Liam plans another honeymoon for them, on a remote island in Scotland, where they will be the only occupants. As we begin The Stalker by Sarah Alderson, they are taking a boat to the island and the guide is telling them that the island has a dark history and is possibly haunted. While Laura is skeptical, the isolation and quiet sounds like bliss after a few months of turmoil.

This book catches you on the first page. The Stalker is atmospheric, spooky, and creepy and all of those things. It is the perfect “honeymoon becomes nightmare” book, and the reader is holding their breath from every page. It couldn’t have a more perfect setting than Scotland with its mists and general grayness. The dread and tension throughout keep you hooked. There are parts in this book where the reader actually feels tense, knowing that they are not alone on the island, and anything could happen.

But wait. There’s more. A huge twist is coming that completely blew me away, as I did not see it at all. In fact, I had to check to make sure I was still reading the same book. I love when this happens, as I am normally the type of reader who can guess the twist early into the book. Definitely not this time. Everything I suspected was going to happen did not. I was dead wrong.

Sarah Alderson has done a great job setting the pace of the story and unwrapping it a little at a time. The Stalker was one of the best thrillers I have read all year. It is clever, intense, and scary. The main character of Laura was relatable, and I admired her attachment to her Mother. This is definitely a page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to read more from this author.

Laura and Liam are on their honeymoon on a deserted island in Scotland. It should be amazing but they quickly learn the island isn't as deserted as they were led to believe. This fast paced book was full of twists and turns and kept me turning the pages. I wasn't previously familiar with Sarah Alderson, but after reading this book, I want to read more of her other novels.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for this advance ready copy in exchange for this honest review.

Liam and Laura are newlyweds who has to cancel their original honeymoon due to the death of Laura’s mother. They have booked a cottage on a private Scottish island where they will be only inhabitants and they will have no phone, mobile signal or Wi-Fi. Laura starts to feel that they are being watched and when a threatening message is scratched on their window Liam realises that there is a stalker out there, Liam is a detective so he thinks he can work out a plan to get them out to safety. This is an intense and creepy read with twists and turns that lead to a totally unexpected ending. A highly recommended read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A private honeymoon in a cottage on an isolated Scottish island. An island that is supposedly haunted. No cell service. A storm brewing. What could go wrong?

Much does in this tense, suspenseful domestic thriller by Sarah Alderson. Laura and Liam had to cancel their honeymoon in Greece when her mother died the day after their wedding. Laura is depressed and grief stricken but a week away on the island of Shura seems like a perfect vacation. However, the couple quickly realizes that they are not alone. Mysterious happenings drive the couple to investigate the ruins of a castle and chapel. Then events take a threatening turn and Laura and Liam have days to wait before the boat comes back to pick them up. Will they be able to survive?

Suspense slowly builds in The Stalker until a totally unexpected surprise conclusion. You’ll never see it coming! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Sarah Alderson for this ARC.

This psychological thriller was an excellent read, I couldn’t put it down. Really on the edge of your seat type, full of suspense throughout and the twist at the end was superb. I did not expect such a good ending. The characters were interesting, the plot was fantastic and the style of writing was perfect. I have read many books by this author and I haven’t been disappointed in any of them.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading this genre.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.

I really enjoyed this book- it was a good thriller. It is one of those books that I couldn’t read right before bed at night because it was too scary! The imagery was great- I was transported to a misty, dreary Scottish island. I did not see the twists coming, and as someone who reads a lot of thrillers that is unusual for me!

Oh gosh that was creepy. Thank you for the ARC I loved this book. I started to think I had sussed it and then didn't but did get it right eventually. Creepy, suspenseful and really well written. I need another book by this author. Great read, definitely recommend.

This is my first book by author Sarah Alderson and she didn’t disappoint.

From the blurb:

It was meant to be the perfect escape…

Newly-weds Liam and Laura are spending their honeymoon in paradise: just the two of them on a remote island off the coast of Scotland.
But they soon discover that all is not as it seems, and the island has a tragic past. And they can’t shake the feeling of being watched…
When one morning, they wake to find a message scratched into the window, their worst fears are confirmed. They aren’t alone on the island. And this stranger wants them dead.

…but it became the perfect nightmare.

The story starts when some local men tell Laura stories about the island’s history which they intent of holidaying there, this makes Laura feel apprehensive about the island and thinks it wasn’t such a good idea. As they are enjoying their first couple of days they start to explore the island but Laura feels that they are being watched.

When they are exploring an old castle, they find that someone has been living in one of the rooms. They assume it’s just a homeless person that made their way to the island and took up residence. But that night while they are sleeping they hear rustling sounds coming from outside, Liam goes to investigate and sees someone watching through the window. He goes to investigate but sees nothing. The following morning they notice that someone has scratched “devil” on the window glass. They assume it’s the homeless person that did it, or is it??. Whiles they are out investigating the power is cut from their cabin and most of their food is stolen. There’s no way off the island, practically with no food, and a mysterious individual that is after them, the couple are in for the fight of their lives.

The ending is unexpected and I was totally surprised!!!

This is a fast-paced, action-packed and suspenseful psychological thriller, highly recommended!! (less)

Thank you to @Netgalley and @avonbooksuk for an ecopy of The Stalker

Lesson of the day : don’t vacation on a haunted remote island - just saying

🔘this is the kind of story I like to watch more than read
✖️ the first 69% of the story just seemed a little long for what it was - a lot of repetition and searching the island etc …
✔️oh but that twist at the 70% mark ! Definitely didn’t see that coming !! This was a 3 star read until that turning point!

Reading Between the Wines book review #105/115 for 2021:
Rating: 4 1/2 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 1/2 (rounded up to 5)
Book 🎧: The Stalker
Author: Sarah Alderson
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers | True Crime
RELEASED on July 8, 2021!!!

Sipping thoughts: Sarah Alderson, you have done it again!! I loved The Weekend Getaway-soon to be released on Netflix in Jan, 2022 as a sidenote. The Stalker was just as good. Liam and Laura are being stalked on a deserted island. Is the stalker someone who wants them off the island or someone from the past with a sinister plan? I absolutely loved the twist(s) and was so impressed with myself when I figured it out so early on. Even though I knew what was going to happen before Part 1 was up, it was so great to see it play out and revealed to the readers. I am such a fan of Sarah Alderson and cannot wait to see what she comes out with next.

Cheers and thank you to @NetGalley, @SarahAldersonAuthor and @AvonBooksUK for an advanced copy of @TheStalker.

#TheStalker #SarahAlderson #AvonBooksUK #NetGalley #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult #TrueCrime

I could not stand the main female character. Otherwise the book was a quick read, picking up alot in the last half. This would be a great beach read or something to read on a plane.

Such a fast and scary read. Gaslighting at its finest and makes you wonder just how well you really know anyone - including yourself!

Newly-weds Liam and Laura are spending their honeymoon in paradise: just the two of them on a remote island off the coast of Scotland. But they soon discover that all is not as it seems, and the island has a tragic past. And they can’t shake the feeling of being watched. When one morning, they wake to find a message scratched into the window, their worst fears are confirmed. They aren’t alone on the island….And this stranger wants them dead.

The story starts quite slow and just when you think you know what’s coming next; you are greeted with an unexpected exceptional twist. A story set on a deserted island is not new but what sets this story totally apart is the way It just catches you by surprise again and again. The twists just keep you surprising and you never see the next twist coming. You just can’t keep the book down right till the end.

I loved the writing and pacing of the book including vivid descriptions of the Scottish island scenery. The cliffs, the grounds, the burned castle, and the cottage all created a chilling and creepy atmosphere, full of dreads and tension throughout. .all add to the story. It maintains a high level of intensity throughout the end. There are twists and turns that lead to an unexpected, surprising ending.

The characters though few were all well written and it was really great to see their transformation as the story moves ahead.

Overall, the book is really well written with a thrilling plot and some unique twists and turns. The perfect setting and some excellent characters make it an exciting read. I can't wait to read more of Sarah Anderson's books and The Stalker is highly recommended to any mystery lover. If you are looking for a gripping, atmospheric, and fast-paced thriller, this is one book you will really enjoy.


Many Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC