Strangers

I am ashamed to say this is the first CL. Taylor book I have read. I am now about to binge read the rest. Damn this was a good book.

Though it's three different stories that will connect at the end, the stories all stand alone.

Just a really supurb read that I literally stayed up all night reading. Loved that ending.

Each main character had flaws and each main character was a good person. There were a few surprises which shook things up.
I so highly recommend.

C.L Taylor has done it again! Strangers is perfect!

Following three very different characters, their stories and comes together with a terrifying conclusion! I absolutely loved this book. I loved how the characters all had very different identities. I really enjoyed the three subplots and how everything came together. I would love to see this on Netflix! It’s gripping, twisted and damn bloody good!

5/5

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the eARC.
My goodness, that was such a good book. I had never read a C.L. Taylor book before and was so impressed I will check out her other books, adding her as,a new author to add to my favorites.
The story is told from the viewpoint of three characters, each of them with an interesting and intense story. They're all flawed, but basically good people who have had difficult experiences and are trying to hold their lives together as best they can. They don't know each other, but come together at the end in a very tense situation. The tension builds throughout the book, so you can't put it down...great stuff.
The denouement is terrific and the last chapter made me smile, although a little guiltily. Definitely highly recommended!

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy. This was a good book. First book I have read by C.L. Taylor. It kept my guessing as to how all three people were going to be connected. Suspense was good; could have been better, but overall I enjoyed the book.

Please excuse the following acrostic, I couldn’t resist!
Such
Tense
Reading
And
Nightmarish.
Gripping
Ending
Really
Shocks.

C.L.Taylor has done it again. This is a really absorbing book which keeps you snared in the drama until the twisty and surprising end. I can honestly say from the very first page, I was hooked! The story is set in Bristol and much of the action takes place in the fictional Meads Shopping Centre. The novel focuses on three central characters, Alice, who is the manager of a fashion shop, Gareth who is in charge of security and Ursula, a delivery driver and sometime shoplifter. The action starts with a dramatic incident in the shop and then backtracks between the characters to fill in the gaps. It’s hard to say much more than that without spoiling the intriguing storyline.

Although this is told from three perspectives it flows really well, the plotting is good and there are several cliffhangers as you progress through and it becomes very hard to put the book down. The characters are well depicted and many are likeable. Alice and Gareth are very caring and once you see past the things that Ursula does you realise she is suffering because of something that has happened a few years previously. She is also kind as there are a number of events where she could have walked away but she didn’t and she puts herself at risk for others. There are of course some weird and very creepy characters and some that are potentially dangerous. There are a number of very tense scenes, there’s plenty of suspense and some moments when the fear is palpable. It’s an action packed book with lots of interconnecting storylines.

Overall, a really good, twisty and exciting story which I recommend to fans of this genre. In my opinion, this is the best C L Taylor I have read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC.

Wow oh wow, she’s done it again. CL Taylor, you are the absolute queen of psychological thrillers and this latest newbie has not disappointed.
I am a huge fan anyway, this is a book that immediately went in my calendar in preparation for the release date. I actually happy danced when my request to complete an advanced review was approved.
I was hooked from the very beginning. I have absolutely adored the main characters involved in the plot. Ursula’s roommate made me uneasy but I was completely unable to put my finger on why.
I have guessed the ending of this book several times incorrectly, it is absolutely fantastic and has kept me on the edge of my seat. I love how it has had me guessing and suspicious of different characters throughout.
This may even be my favourite CL Taylor book yet and I’ve read them all. I am super excited to see what else 2020 has to hold for CL Taylor.
This is an easy book to rate as it is highly deserving of a five star rating- I really wish I could give more because this is an author who is absolutely amazing and has created another compelling and gripping story. I have devoured this book in a matter of hours (sorry- I know some authors hate hearing that).
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As always, another great book from C. L. Taylor. Gripping from the outset, this novel had me desperate to know what was on the next page. There are plenty of twists, turns and a well thought out plot. What’s not to love.

Love, love, loved this book. Couldn’t put it down. Pacing was great, tension just right and the three stories interesting enough to keep you hooked. No, I didn’t work out beforehand how they all interlinked and loved the way it all came together. Highly recommended.

Another excellent read by author CL Taylor.
Ursula, Gareth and Alice have never met before.

Ursula thinks she killed the love of her life.
Gareth’s been receiving strange postcards.
And Alice 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.

CL Taylor is so successful at writing books that grip you and have you racing through the pages. This one is no different, 3 characters that appear to be unrelated yet you just know that somewhere along the way their worlds are going to collide. Told through the different view points of each character we learn of their troubles.
Another riveting read by this author, highly recommended.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Avon Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed ‘Strangers’. The storyline felt unique and engaging from the get-go. The pace was gratifyingly swift and the characters interesting, original and for the most part likeable.

The central character is forty-something, single mum, Alice. She appears to have recently got back into the dating scene. This leads her into the dark world of cyber stalking and ultimately crossing paths with other characters (who are all introduced through their own unique storylines) - they include security guard Gareth and mysterious ex- teacher / shoplifter / flatmate from hell - the deeply troubled, Ursula.

For some reason the later chapters lost my attention slightly but it didn’t take much perseverance to continue and the ending definitely made it worthwhile!

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this for fans for quick paced British psychological fiction!

My thanks to author, publisher and NetGalley for an honest and timely review in exchange for an advance copy.

Another fantastic and unputdownable book from the talented C.L Taylor! ‘Strangers’ tells the story of Alice, Gareth and Ursula all dealing with their separate issues before coming together in a suspenseful and twisty ending. As a fan of puzzling psychological novels I absolutely devoured this book! Fantastic storytelling, richly developed characters and out of the ballpark twists and turns.. what more could you ask for in a psychological thriller!

Really enjoyed this book, so many fantastic twists and turns, and a brilliant ending! Definitely worth a Read!

I recently read Sleep and this is yet another unputdownable thriller by CL Taylor! I was hooked on this book from the first page and raced through to the end. The three strangers all have their own stories which are all full of suspense, and I thought it was brilliant the way CL Taylor brought them together. I found the characters really likeable and their motives for acting the way they do has a lot of emotional depth. Loved everything about this book and what a great ending.

Ok, so first off I'll admit it.... I'm an avid fan of C.L.Taylor books!.

When I saw "Strangers" had been released on Netgalley a few days before Christmas, I literally thought Christmas had come early!,
What more could I want with having a few days off over Christmas, but a gripping Physcological Thriller to keep me entertained!
Strangers did not dissapoint, it was page turning at its finest, I was sad to see i had finished the book so quickly!.

First off I was glad the author had gone back to setting this latest thriller in Bristol. Being a fellow Bristolian, I love that I can picture the locations exactly as they are, though saying that, i love the fictional names or locations just as much.

The story follows the 3 main characters,
Alice- A retail store manager at The Meads Shopping centre.
Gareth- a security guard at The Meads Shopping Centre.
Ursula- An overly tall (6ft+) courier driver/Shoplifter.

We follow each of them as they are facing trials and tribulations in their own day to day lives, we find out more of their backstory and start to like them and then we realise that even though they might be living sad existences, having troubles, and life might not be going the way they might like it to at that moment, they are all equally trying to be their best self.
All 3 of them are connected through a mutual place "The Meads Shopping Centre", but what they don't know is they are all going to face a life or death situation together and it will either be a case of "what doesn't kill them will build a beautiful friendship!! "
(Yes I made up that quote myself!)- I feel it's appropriate as the closing of the book was beautifully wrapped up, brought a tear to my eye, and makes you realise life isn't all that bad!

Another well written Physcological Thriller from .C.L.Taylor with just enough gripping twists to keep you turning page after page to the final chapter.
5 stars from me.

Wow, what a book to end the year on. I’m glad I saved this for my final read of 2019 and also happy that I didn’t wait until closer to the April release date to read it.
I knew it would be great, C.L. Taylor hasn’t let me down yet, and this is no exception. It is of a very high calibre writing style. There is enough intrigue to keep you reading, and the characters are likeable enough to keep you interested.
We are following three main characters. Alice, a single mum who is dipping her toe back into the dating world again. She expects the odd lousy date, but she doesn’t expect her whole life to become a nightmare. Ursula, a larger than life character that is a bit down on her luck. She is overcoming a sorrowful past and trying to get on with life but is making some questionable decisions. Finally, Gareth, a security guard, happily plodding on with life and looking after his sick mum. He knows he can have more out of life but is he content as he is?
These characters have nothing in common and only slightly infringe on each other’s lives, so how do they come to be standing over a dead body at the beginning of the book? The prologue sees them all having to work together after someone is dead. We then skip back a week and follow their lives individually to see how they all become integrated and what is happening to them to lead up to such dramatic events.
I really didn’t know how this book would end or what we were really working our way up to, all we have to go on is the very small prologue. However, up to 80% in and we are still none the wiser of how these three characters will come together. The book is brilliantly written, and I was utterly gripped.
I have a terrible feeling that C.L. Taylor only releases one book a year and this was my lot! Luckily I think I still have a few of her back catalogue to keep me going as she truly is a spectacular writer and knows how to give us the perfect Psychological Thriller. This is easily a five-star read!

Another huge hit for the author. I just loved this book. It was fast paced. Exciting. Hard to put down. I love the authors style of writing

This was a clever read especially how we build up to the ending. The characters were real and their paths cleverly interwoven. It was a book that you just didn't want to put down.

I have read all of C L Taylor’s previous novels and love reading her carefully crafted stories. This one is no exception.

Ursula, Alice and Gareth are the three main characters and there is no clear connection between them at the beginning of the story. The story is told from each of their viewpoints.

Alice is manager of a clothes store in the fictional shopping centre known as Meads in Bristol. She goes on a date which turns nasty and bumps into Simon who assists her at the time. Ursula is a delivery driver who has a compulsion for shoplifting from stores and flatmates which needless to say gets her into trouble. Gareth is a security guard at the Meads shopping centre and is caring for his mother who is suffering from dementia.

In addition to the turmoil of the three main characters, men keep going missing along the riverbank. Well-rounded individuals with differing lives find that their worlds collide in an intricately plotted story which kept me turning those kindle pages at a fast pace.

This is a deep, dark novel addressing some serious issues in society and a brilliant ending which I absolutely loved.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and C. L. Taylor for my ARC in return for my hones review.

Excellent Read. Recommended.

This is my first book by this author and what an amazing book it was. Plenty of twists and turns to keep me gripped and I thought I had guessed the ending more than once but I was wrong. I didn’t want to put it down and that’s the sign of a good book to me. I will definitely look to read more by this author. How have I missed such a good author!!

Let me tell you, C.L. Taylor is scary. Scarily good at twisting life as if it were a dishes towel to get those drops of reality and dilute them with her magical writing to create an intense and nail-biting novel.


Three strangers, two secrets, one terrifying evening.
Three slices of cake, two sittings, one terrified reader!

Ursula, Gareth, and Alice. Three people who couldn’t be more different. Three characters with enough layers to last the winter and keep you enthralled by the events happening to them. It can be difficult to juggle so many storylines and manage to spark an equal interest from the reader. Not for Cally Taylor.

Ursula was a mystery to me. I could picture her clearly but had the feeling the image was somehow askew. Why was she acting this way?
Gareth? I felt sorry for him. I immediately saw him as a good man doing his best for his ill mother.
Alice… I was not so kind to. I found myself tutting at her reactions and shaking my head at her teenager-like behavior. If a man acts a certain way with you, don’t be that needy and obsessed woman. Thankfully, she redeemed herself later and I found her development satisfying enough to forgive!

The problem with books like Strangers is that if I give you details about the strains and stresses of those people’s everyday life, part of the magic will be gone. Magic, well, bad magic. Black magic causing goosebumps, making you turn around in the middle of the street to check if you’re being followed. The story is laced with personal dramas which link all the protagonists in a way that I never saw coming. I know, I know “the twist I did not see coming” I hear you complain about how many times you’ve read that and actually saw the thing coming! But there is a real surprise here, among the pain and the fear. And between this twist and you, there are characters created to make you shiver, react, and swear.

The drama never lets up without ever feeling too much. The tension is palpable, without choking you at every page. You get to meet Alice, Gareth, and Ursula through their present and get to understand them better through their past. Actions speak loudly, and C.L. Taylor cleverly reminds us even the smallest actions have consequences… I was unable to tear myself away from the pages that unraveled different but interconnected lives.

Strangers is suspenseful and dramatic, a pure thriller!

Really loved this novel, as I did the same by this amazing author. She weaves a twisted net and the reader immediately gets wrapped up in it. Can’t recommend it enough!

Well that was great. And satisfying. And suspenseful. And beautifully written. Three different people I cared about. Three stories I loved. All came together in the end. And what an ending. Fabulous book - thoroughly recommended. This was my first book by this author and I’m pumped there are plenty more..

What can I say about this book? Firstly C.L Taylor is another one of my favourite authors. Although I still have a couple on my ‘to be read’ shelf, I loved her previous books, The Lie, The Missing and Sleep. I thought the premise of her new book was mysterious and creepy and really piqued my curiosity, so I had to read it straight away. 


The book follows strangers; Alice, Gareth, and Ursula. Three seemingly unrelated people who are struggling through life in their own way. The characters’ stories are told through multiple points of view, and although it moves around this way it is easy to follow. 
This book was amazing. Creepy, suspenseful and intelligent. I couldn’t read it fast enough. I had a few ideas of how it would all come together but I could never, ever have guessed the ending. Brilliant. Highly recommended.

Strangers is another fantastic book by CL Taylor. I've read all her novels and they are all great.

This time we are told the story through the viewpoint of 3 strangers, who we know are all tied together in some way. It begins with a body... All the best books do!

Alice, Ursula and Gareth live in Bristol and seemingly have completely separate lives, but are thrust together in the most horrific way.

Alice is a single parent of a teenage daughter, struggling with Internet dating. She's the manager of a clothing store... Where we find Ursula.

Ursula is currently homeless due to her stealing addiction, and frequents Alice's store to get her swag.... The store is in a shopping centre, patrolled by security guards... Where we find Gareth.

Gareth is a security officer at the Meads- the fictional shopping centre in Bristol where a lot of the book is set. He lives with his elderly dementia-stricken mother and is her full time carer.

The story follows the three of them over a few days that include stalkers, assaults, the police, murder, and loads of other stuff.

Difficult not to give anything away. But I would definitely recommend this.

#Strangers #NetGalley
Creepy and totally original, an unputdowable read.
Three strangers, two secrets, one terrifying evening.
Ursula, Gareth and Alice are three independent living personalities who don't know each other. Ursula is a pathetic girl who has a bad habit of stealing from her surroundings is living with her school friend Charlotte in her house but one day her friend asked her to go from her house. She's a courier delivery girl who makes money only when she completes her day's goal otherwise not. After she's kicked off from that house, she searched papers and finally got a new place to live. Her new landlord Ed is a creepy person who has a locked basement in his house and asks her don't to turn off the radio but doesn't tell her the reason for that.
Gareth, a security officer who's duty is to watch people in trouble or anyone is shoplifting. He lives with his I'll mum, his wife and daughter.
Alice, a middle aged woman who left her husband Peter and is living with her daughter Emily. She's an employee in Mirage fashions. When her daughter forced her to met a guy in a restaurant named Michael, she agreed for the same but that guy Michael abused her and then she meets with another guy Simon who tells her that he works in insurance. And then the story continues and we come to know more about these three characters. They're standing around a dead body. They had to do it but why? Who's dead body is that? Read this amazing psychological thriller to know more.
Characters were good but Alice was excellent and is the saving grace of this story. Ursula also has an important character in this book while Gareth on the other hand is ok but not so interesting one.
Narration was excellent.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for giving me an advance copy of this awesome psychological thriller.
A must read.

I received in advance for you just copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow – this book was a bit of a slow burn but the drama heats up and that last half is a crazy crash until it finally goes off the rails. These people are scary, and not in the horror movie sense of the word. This will definitely have you sleeping with one eye open when you answer an ad for a roommate

A gripping story with lots of threads and layers....I didn’t know where it was going to go and the twists and turns you certainly cannot predict. A thoroughly enjoyable story!!!

I’ve always loved a good Cally Taylor thriller and Strangers is no exception.

It follows the lives of Ursula, Gareth and Alice. They’re total strangers, yet throughout the course of the book their paths begin to cross. This book is full of their secrets and they realise they need to rely on each other to survive m. It’s gripping, thrilling and will keep you on edge to the end. I couldn’t put it down!

A brilliant read for 2020 and definitely worthy of five stars! Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and the author for the chance to review.

Love all this sign a books and this was no different. Love the suspense in the book. Couldn't put it down. I really do recommend you check out this book and the others by this author

What an absolute Corker of a book, it was phenomenal.
I read this in 2 days (unfortunately life got in the way) but I couldn't put it down, I just had to know what happened next and everytime I've had a spare minute I've squeezed in a couple more pages.
I'm up for the school run in the morning, but I've stayed up til 130am to find out how it ended.
I found it a complete roller coaster, have been on the edge of my seat, and the way the story built up in the beginning it was so sinister and creepy and had me holding my breath and shutting my eyes.
This was my first C.L. Taylor book after I'd seen some posts on social media but it definitely won't be my last

Thanks for the ARC in return for my honest review.

Another solid read from this author. Devoured this in no time. The plot was great all the way through. Loved the ending. Will be keeping my eyes open for more from this author.

I really enjoyed this book so much. It has a really great plot, superb main characters and I read it in one sitting. I would highly recommend this book.

I saw people raving about this book on twitter and I have a few other C.L. Taylor books on my TBR list so I was excited to give this book a go. Thank you to Avon Books UK and C.L. Taylor for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Book due for release on 2nd April, 2020.

Description 🔖

Three strangers live in the same city, all have their own troubles; all of them different. Ursula’s life has been on a downwards spiral since the love of her life died and she’s struggling to keep her life in control. Alice is a single parent, trying to get back into dating and is being stalked by who knows who. Gareth lives with his ageing mother who is suffering from dementia and suspects that his father who died years ago, is actually alive. All of these individuals will be somehow thrown together and become more reliant on each other than strangers ordinarily are.

General Thoughts 🤔

This book kept me guessing and questioning more than any book has for me in quite a while. I honestly had absolutely no idea where the story was going to go and how these strangers were going to eventually collide with one another. Once everything started to unravel I couldn’t stop, I had to keep on reading to wrap everything up in my mind.

I love the theme of strangers in this book. The age old classic is that it’s those closest to us that we need to watch out for but the frightening thing about this book is that strangers are probably more frightening. You have absolutely no idea what people are capable of; especially people you don’t know.

Characters 👫👭👬

There are a lot of characters in this book, but not too many that you can’t keep track of them all. The story is told through the voices of the three main characters; Ursula, Alice and Gareth. One of the underlying tones I took away from the story was that all three of them shared a common sense of loneliness which I’m sure resonates with a lot of real life strangers.

Another thing they all shared was standing in their own way. Alice refused to listen to the advice of her friends and family who were trying to help her. Ursula was living in the past instead of focusing on getting her life back together. Gareth was too afraid to go for what he really wanted. Frustrating to read when I just wanted these characters to pull it together and get their happy endings.

Writing Style ✍🏽

I adored the way this book just kept me guessing. I genuinely couldn’t even string together a theory on how the strangers were going to end up coming together. There were so many curve balls thrown in and so many red herrings I gave up on trying to work it out and just let it all unravel in front of me. Fabulous plot development I say.

Small thing I loved about this book is the last few chapters when all the tiny loose ends were tied off. As I got closer and closer to the end I kept thinking “but what about….and…but” yet everything came together.

Conclusion & Scoring 🎖

I’ve obviously been living on another planet as this was my first C.L. Taylor book. whilst everyone else has been enjoying this authors fabulous writing, I’ve been living under a rock. This definitely won’t be my last. Every bit of questioning and uncertainty I went through whilst reading this book was worth it!. Loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for a free ARC of this book.

I first came across this author late last year when a supermarket had a twofer deal on a couple of her paperbacks. I grabbed them and quickly devoured them. I loved C L Taylor's writing so much that I put her other books on my Christmas list and now have a further five to read when I get the chance. So, when I saw this title available on NetGalley, I jumped at the opportunity to review it. Strangers did not disappoint.

As the description tells us, we meet and follow three very different people, who are strangers to one another. The writer weaves these three separate and disparate threads together nicely. I connected with each of the main characters, but my favourite was Ursula. To me, she seems to have the most character of them all and makes for a strong female lead.

The plot, pacing, characterisation, and scene setting are all done well, and I found this to be a quick and fun read, perfect for a dark winter's night. The identity of both the Harbourside Murderer and the Stalker kept me guessing right up until the end. I give this book a solid five stars and am looking forward to reading more of C L Taylor's books.

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review -
Alice decides she is ready to date after her divorce. She checks into tinder and meets a creep at the bar. Thankfully Simon comes to her aid. But then Simon, is full of unanswered questions and things start happening, notes sent to Alice, her car marked,
Who is stalking Simon and why?

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book and I really enjoyed it, I love all Taylors book and this one will not disappoint you. Love how it is laid out with the characters and keep you guessing all the time. Fab read fully recommended

Strangers by C L Taylor is the kind of book you recommend to your friends, a fast paced, action packed read full of twists and turns, it keeps you second guessing and gripped throughout.

This book connects three strangers, Single mum Alice, Gareth a security guard at the local shopping centre, and carer to his mother, and Ursula, a heartbroken lonely courier who shoplifts
The characters are likeable, and relatable.
You find yourself racing through the pages to find out what’s happening next... I couldn’t put this book down and thoroughly enjoyed every page of it.

5 stars


Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read in return for an honest review.

Kept me guessing until the end! I really wondered how all the threads were going to come together but they did successfully. At times creepy, others quite sad, it was another great page-turner from CL Taylor.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-copy in exchange for an honest review. I'm already looking forward to the next one!

Gripping, intricate, and relentlessly surprising!

Alice, Ursula, and Gareth. They're vaguely familiar with each other from the Meads shopping centre in Bristol, but for all intents and purposes they're strangers.

Until one fateful night when their lives collide in violence.

Strangers opened to the three aforementioned people standing over a body. It then rewound one week, covering the seven days leading up to ‘the incident’, with each day alternating between Alice, Ursula, and Gareth. I can honestly say I had no idea where this one was going, all the theories I came up with were full of holes, and I was absolutely stumped over what connected these three strangers. Their lives appeared pretty much completely separate… until they weren't. And that final chapter – wowser!

Each story arc was engrossing and fascinating, with multiple twists, red herrings, and shocks in store. Some secrets generated sympathy, others were bizarre in nature, and the rest were very dangerous indeed. The novel was fast-paced, exciting, and non-taxing. Themes of loneliness, grief, loss and displacement were prominent throughout – It wasn't solely a thriller. I loved the idea of a psychologically suspenseful novel centered around a shopping mall – a place we not only frequent regularly, but one in which most of us feel safe and comfortable, surrounded by people. But, for these characters the Meads turned from a home away from home to a threatening place.

CL Taylor knocked this one out of the park. Nail-biting and subtlety clever, while still managing to tug at my heartstrings. I've only read one other of her books, The Fear, and as much as I enjoyed it, Strangers is my clear-cut favourite. I buddy read this one with Paulette and we both found it unputdownable.

I'd like to thank Netgalley, Avon Books UK, and CL Taylor for the e-ARC.

Publication Date: 2nd April, 2020.

A really quirky, enjoyable thriller which found me downloading it to my phone in order to pick it back up again during breaks.
Highly engaging and an easy read, it's also identifiable, with very likable characters (or at least those we can empathise with)
I didn't suss the killer but then I somehow didn't want to try.
The twists throughout were also subtle and plenty.
Would make a great holiday read.

This is a stonking read, a real roller coaster with great characters and plenty of twists and turns. I read this very quickly, it pulls you in from the beginning.

I really enjoyed this book from CL Taylor. Yet again I was not disappointed by this author. The book follows a chance meeting between Alice and Simon after a disastrous blind date. As Alice and Simon start to get closer she starts to worry that someone is after her and Simons behaviour is not helping. Throw in a security guard caring for his mum with dementia and a shoplifter and you have an exciting thriller of a story. I could not put this down.

Absolutely a 5 star book for me!
I've read & enjoyed other books by C.L.Taylor, but this one is definitely the best one yet. After I finished I turned to my husband immediately to say how brilliant it was, and I carried on thinking about it for some time afterwards.

There are lots of characters through the story, but they are all very different, and all with their own, clear story lines. I really liked the different people, and I was kept guessing throughout as to what was happening, and where the story was going to go. The suspense was great, rising and falling in different places, and not being able to figure it out was a definite plus point.

I also liked that the characters are quite complicated, not entirely perfect, and that the different storylines meant there could well be multiple baddies, and multiple situations going on, that may or may not be interlinked.

I don't really want to say anything more as I'd hate to spoil it. Fabulous characters. A definite page turner, and a great book to be reading over Christmas when staying up late to read just a little bit more is not a problem!

AUTHOR – C.L Taylor
PUBLISHER – Harper Collins UK
PAGES – 400
SUBJECTS – #thriller #suspense #mystery

Ursula, Gareth and Alice have never met before.

Ursula thinks she killed the love of her life…. Gareth’s been receiving strange postcards …. And Alice 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.

Wow … this is one hell of a book!!! It is jam packed with a rollercoaster of emotions and you will not be able to get off.

The story follows three main characters along their separate daily lives when something freaky happens to all of them… and you find you can not put the book down because you need to know what happens next each of the characters stories.

Each of the characters were all extremely likeable from the offset but my favourite was Ursula. There was just something about her that made her stand out from the rest, and the more I read her story the more I felt sorry for her.

The further and further you read the weirder and weirder each of their stories get … and just when you think you know what’s happening you find out your wrong … until BAM … they are all in the same place at the same time and you just know shit is going to go down….

The story keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to very near the end … then a turn of events happen that you did not see coming (well maybe some might but I definitely did not) and then I find I am welling up and the story has turned to so very sad I thought I was going to start sobbing my heart out.

The ending of the story was by far the best for me, I absolutely LOVE the way cally can have me on the edge of my seat to beating tears within a matter of a few sentences. This book was pretty amazing and definitely one of my top reads.

1. At certain times of the book, we see the response to events on social media in the form of twitter posts. What do you think this adds to the novel? Do you like it?

I really enjoyed reading the twitter posts, it’s definitely something you see a lot of when certain events happen and I thought they broke up the chapters well.

2. Strangers focuses on three main characters – Alice, Ursula and Gareth. Who did you feel most connected to and why?

I felt most connected to Ursula, she was in a pretty rough patch in her life and nothing was going well for her at all. I felt sorry for her, for her past and all the crap she was going through when all she wanted to do was get on with her life and help people who needed it. I’ve never really gone through that much all at once but she just shouted out more to me than the rest.

3. Towards the start of the book, Alice has an unpleasant date with Michael. Do you think she handles this interaction in the best way? How did the scene make you feel?

Absolutely … being in a similar situation myself once I did exactly the same. I think things like that is always a knee jerk reaction you can’t really plan for it. The scene made me feel really sorry for Alice, finally starting to date and this happens .. it’s enough to put you off for life.

4. Whereas many crime books focus on the idea that a crime is al aye committed by someone you know, this novel focuses on the notion that strangers are the one to watch out for. Do you agree with this? Which idea is most frightening to you – the idea of being hurt by a stranger, or by someone close you?

Wow … this is a hard one … I’d rather not be hurt but I’d probably go with a stranger, you never know when they will strike but someone close to you, you can usually see it coming.

5. What did you think of the way things ended for Joan? Are you glad her story ended where it did?

No, I was heartbroken … I honestly thought Joan was going to come home safe and sound.

6. How important do you think the shopping centre setting is as a pivotal place in the novel? Why do you think the author picked a shopping centre for the key scene.

I think it was fairly important and it was chosen as it is a place where we all cross paths daily and not exactly a place where you will expect something bad is going to happen, so she could place them all there and still keep the mystery of what was about to unfold.

7. Ed behaves badly in this book – but how far does what happened in the past go towards excusing what he does?

It doesn’t excuse what he did at all. The guy was just creepy. That was my first impression. He lost his job, because of a prank .. we’ve all lost jobs over something stupid. Move on. You don’t try and kill someone because of it

8. The central theme of the book is loneliness. How successfully do you think the author explores this theme?

Very successful I would say. I could feel it within the words especially with Gareth and Ursula.

9. Do you think Ursula was right to get involved in Nikki’s situation? Why do you think she responded the way she did?

Yes I think she was right to get involved. She seen a red flag and she did what she thought was best. If she had not have got involved who knows what might have happened.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a big fan of thrillers. You definitely won’t be disappointed.

I cannot stress how good this book was, I read it in one day and stayed up late because I couldn’t put it down until I had finished! I especially loved Ursula...what a brilliant character. The book was well written, fast paced and a literary rollercoaster ride. I recommended it to everyone and cannot wait for the next book!

Cleverly woven story that centers around three individuals Ursula, Gareth and Alice. They are strangers to one another. All three are facing tough challenges in their lives, varying issues and problems to contend with.

Ursula is a delivery driver, she is grieving the loss of her partner, struggling to cope and face what happened that frightful day she has become addicted to stealing from her friends, flatmates and the local shopping mall. Gareth a security guard at the same mall, he is having issues at work, he also cares for his mother whose health is ailing from advanced dementia. Alice manages a clothing store in the center and has her own personal struggles to deal with.

There is a common theme around loneliness explored in this book and we see sliding door moments with each character if they took a different route in dealing with their issues or problems what the outcome may have been.

I loved how the characters all have the common connection of the shopping mall, there are instances through the book where they cross paths without even knowing it like ships in the night.
All three ultimately collide, leading up to a series of events where they will need to work together to ensure they all get out alive.

There are few sub stories in here I would have liked to explore even more, we got a little taste but I wanted more of Paul’s story in particular. My favorite character was Ursula by far she was so interesting. If you love thrillers like me this book is next level – Chilling, tense, fast paced it has it all.

..... Remember to check under your bed before you go to Sleep!

C.L. Taylor has done it again. There are a handful of authors out there on my list who will never fail to disappoint you with their quality of writing and even bettering their last book when you thought it wasn't possible. She is one of those authors. This book is incredibly absorbing and the characters, most of them, are very compelling! This was such a good read, very original and very well written.

This is by far the best book I've read by C.L
Taylor. In a nutshell, it is seemingly three separate stories. Alice is a lonely divorcee who might finally be having some luck in the love department. Gareth is a shopping center security guard who lives at home with his mom, who has dementia. Ursula is a down on her luck package courier who shoplifts to deal with a past trauma. All of their stories will culminate in a murder.

I have to admit that I was nervous going into this because while I enjoyed the previous books I read by Taylor, I always ended up feeling underwhelmed. This book kept me hooked the whole time, and I really cared about the characters and was curious as to how they would intersect. I would highly recommend.

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

The book started slowly but picked up into a page turner, until the final chapter which gave a fitting end. Engaging read. 4.5 stars

Big fan of this author, always exciting to have another book of hers. Strangers i a good thriller. The three POV characters have interesting stories and I love how they weave together. Gripping and full of intrigue. Not my favourite by this author, but still another great novel!

This was a great book- it was set at a perfect pace where it drew you in to each of the characters for the first part of the book, and through an action packed climax towards the end. It centers on 3 characters, Alice, Ursula, and Gareth, and the chapters alternate between them. The reader doesn't know if or how the characters are connected. None of these 3 characters is perfect but they felt very human and I was drawn into their dilemmas. I did get frustrated with Alice from time to time, as she seemed awfully needy and naive for someone her age, but there was an endearing quality about her even when I did sometimes want to throttle her.

The author did a great job of getting the reader to know the characters to the point where you were fully invested when it all comes to a head later. I thought the climactic scene was really gripping and well done. The end of the book tied everything together nicely and I left feeling satisfied.

Overall, this was a unique and interesting story and I'd strongly recommend it for those who like psychological thrillers, mysteries, and action thrillers. I look forward to reading more of Taylor's books. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Three different stories - all different. Yet, the reader waits for them to converge...

Alice; Divorced. Lonely. Living with her 20 year old daughter. She begins internet dating. This is how Michael and Simon enter Alice's life and turn it around...

Ursula; At 6'3' she is taller than most. She is also a serial thief. Alone, she rents a room from Edward. The landlord we all would like to forget...

Gareth; Lives with his elderly mum who has dementia. He has a thin hope that after 20 years of disappearance, his father will return home. Now Liam, at work, is trying to extort money from him

Three lives that the reader knows will somehow intertwine.. it is just a matter of time...

Great characterization by a great author.

Many Thanks to AVON Books, UK and NetGalley for a fine read!

When NetGalley approved my request for 'Strangers', I abandoned my tbr and started reading it. Since C.L. Taylors 'Sleep' was my favourite book of 2019, I was eagerly waiting for her next release. That being said, this book didn't disappoint, it was absolute fun to read this intelligent psychological thriller.

The story is told from the perspective of three people who are facing different challenges in their personal lives. They vaguely know each other but one day their lives unexpectedly collide under mysterious and violent circumstances. What follows next is a thrilling ride where these strangers must stick together to survive.

I really liked the main characters of this book and their individual stories, the book covers various themes including bullying, abuse violence, grief and loss. One could relate to these characters and their behaviour/actions in different situations. Grabbed my attention from the prologue until the very last page. I couldn't figure out what possible event would have connected these people. And those final pages of the book were mind-blowing, definitely didn't see that coming!
Highly recommend this fast-paced and entertaining thriller. Overall 4.5 stars.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for giving me the opportunity me to read the ARC of this highly anticipated book.

Strangers by C L Taylor is a suspense-filled psychological thriller that stays riveting until the last page! Three separate stories (strangers) converge to create an enthralling ending – it’s like a mosaic of colours, each beautiful on its own, but glorious when seen as a whole.

The three central characters are all flawed, lonely and trying to make sense of their days. The theme centers around the loneliness brought on by their responsibilities, and the regretful decisions they have made in trying to cope. Each character is slowly but superbly developed, and I felt at a loss for all of them.

For various reasons, they all frequent the mall, and this is where the finale takes place. Unknown to each of them, they are being drawn into a web of betrayal, lies, deceit and ultimately a fight for survival.

The little twists and turns are engrossing. The shocker is unexpected.

I’ve read other books by Ms. Taylor, and it’s plots and pace like this that keep me coming back for more.

#netgalley #strangers #cltaylor #avonbooks

A story that reminds us of the danger of strangers.

Appropriately named! Three people who are in close proximity via a nearby shopping centre, but are essentially strangers to each other. And their lives interact with strangers who are quite strange, to say the least. Loneliness is an underlying theme in these three lives. A clever plot brings their lives together, and it is a totally addictive read.

I enjoyed this book. The story was told by different characters and the relationships between them become more obvious as the story unfolds. The story kept me interested and the characters were well portrayed. I liked that hey all seemed to have another backstory aside from the main plot and that the situations seemed believable. I will keep an eye out for other books by this author
I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review,. Thankyou

Yet another excellent book by Ms. Taylor. I love the way she hooks you from the beginning and reels you in until you are fully invested in the story.

The story centres around three main characters (Gareth, Alice, Ursula) and begins with all of them, in a room together after what seems to be a traumatic incident.

The chapters then alternate between each of the main characters revealing a bit more of their ‘story’ each time. I love the way that everything just slots together.

As with all her previous books, this book is fast paced and grabs your attention so that you can’t help but keep reading (rather than sleep!). There was more than one occasion (especially laterally) where my heart was in my mouth!

Highly recommend this book! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

5 stars is not enough !!

Three strangers, Alice, Urusla and Gareth.

You know from page one someone is dead.

Then each of these strangers tells their story .

I know somehow they will all come together but how ?

The pages fly by, my kobo freezes as I try and turn the pages too fast. (no walk for you dog)

I dont want to give too much away but the ending is ingenious, very clever (Agatha Christie) but the story they doesnt stop where you think it might.

I love any book by C.L Taylor , she just keeps getting better and better; how can?

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK, Avon Books for a spellbounding read !!!!!

Strangers was a pretty quick book, that had you guessing until the very end. I couldn’t wait to see how the three main characters came together, and how their lives would intertwine. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Three characters. Three separate stories.
Alice is a clothing store manager, divorced and trying to get back into dating, but as soon as she starts seeing Simon, someone threatens her to stay away from him.
Gareth is a security guard at the shopping mall, who lives with his mother who's struggling with dementia. His dad has been missing for years and is presumed dead but recently his mum has started receiving postcards from someone whose handwriting is suspiciously similar to his dad's.
Ursula is a courier, trying to come to terms with the death of her partner and turning to shoplifting as a way of dealing with it.
After being kicked out of the flat she was sharing with her friend and her boyfriend, she finds herself a new room but she quickly becomes wary of her new landlord/roommate.
Three strangers. Each of them with a story of their own.
What situation will make them come together? And will they get out of it alive?

I really enjoyed this book, it had me hooked from the beginning. Each of the stories was gripping and intriguing on their own and kept me wondering how and when they will eventually connect. I had no idea what the characters' common thread was, and all the subplots were adding to the suspense.
Despite having one of CL Taylor's books on my tbr shelf, Strangers ended up being my introduction to the author's work, and I can say it was a good choice.
I give it 4 stars and urge you to reach for it as soon as it's published.

How do 3 strangers who have no connection to one another come together and endure a horrific incident? That’s just what happens in the novel Strangers by C.L. Taylor. Meet Alice, Garreth and Ursula. Each unknown to each other but somehow brought together through a common 6 degrees of separation. A great read full of suspense and excellent character development and strong story lines that will keep you reading and up way past your bedtime as you race to see how this psychological suspense ends.

Special thanks to Bookoutre and Avon for another great read by the impressive C.L. Taylor. You won’t be disappointed:

Another compulsive thriller by CL Taylor. Taylor is one of those authors you can trust to deliver a brilliant story, and Strangers is no different. Pacy, entertaining, and utterly gripping.

A brilliant story from the wonderful C L Taylor and it was so damn compulsive. Three strangers Alice, Gareth and Ursula all struggling with problems in different ways all seemingly disconnected with each other but maybe not !! That’s all I’m going to say about the fabulous plot line in this book because to say more would spoil the read, so my advice is read it it’s so very clever !!
The writing was as always in CL Taylor’s books excellent and the characters were all portrayed so well. The book is told from each alternative characters point of view making the pages fly as I rushed to finish and find out the brilliant and inventive ending.
This is a book I can highly recommend as a totally entertaining and satisfying read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Strangers, by C.L. Taylor is a great read. It was captivating and tense and kept me guessing throughout. The three main characters it follows are well thought out and you feel like you know them. The whole time I was reading, I was curious to find out how their lives would collide. There’s a nice little surprise twist at the end that got me, too!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

What a thoroughly entertaining read!
I was hooked from the first page to the last. A fast paced very enjoyable read which was difficult to put down.
The characters were well thought out and the story weaved around them with interest and ease.
I would recommend this to fans of CL Taylors previous work as well as fans of light intriguing thrillers.
Thank you to Avon Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As an avid reader of CL Taylor I can confirm that Strangers certainly lives up to expectations!

The book trips along at a great pace, written from three central characters perspectives chronologically. It kept me guessing throughout, and whilst there wasn’t a major twist for me, it reached a very satisfying conclusion. It didn’t quite pip The Lie as my over all favourite of hers - if you’ve not read it, do!

Another great read from CL Taylor. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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.

I have not read any C.L. Taylor books before this, but I will certainly read them now.

Strangers is a gripping look at how strangers with their own issues can be unknowingly connected. It is a wonderful mystery full of red herrings and misinformation. Not your typical, I have figured it all out but am going to continue mystery story.

The characters are all lonely people: One a security guard taking care of his ailing mother, another a retail manager trying to figure out how to find her own voice, and the third a delivery driver with a stealing problem. Taylor creates believable and flawed characters and draws you in to the mystery that will ultimately bring all of the strangers together.

For me this was bloody brilliant! Three characters who were all strong and separate and didn’t know one another ended up “getting together” later in the book.
The storyline(s) were really evocative which made this book one of those I just wasn’t going to put down, and I didn’t ! I can see some of the storylines I read coming out in Following books (?)
I loved this read because although I knew it was CL.Taylor it was ‘different’, literature to grab hold of and run with , just awesome
A really tense quick page reader, fingers poised on the next page ready to turn once read !
CL.Taylor just keeps bringing it on! Just when you think you have read her best, up she comes again!
I love sharing and buying CL.Taylor books with my family and friends because they get totally freaked out “ I didn’t know you were into this stuff” they say “ you should see my sky box “ I say 🤣🤣

I am really glad I read this it’s left me thinking about how many other books/novellas could come from this .Such a great book this will stay with me for a long time just remember “Strangers” can really give you nightmares 😱

Set in Bristol and based around the Meads shopping centre, CL Taylor’s latest book follows three characters whose separate lives become interwoven in a life threatening climax involving them all. The story lines around each of the three are compelling - this is a fast paced and addictive read. If you have read her previous books you will know what to expect and this does not disappoint. Four stars from me - it’s all just a little too neat and contrived to secure top marks but enjoyable none the less. Thanks to NetGalley for a pre publication copy in exchange for a fair review.

Wow. Just. Wow. Sometimes the voice of British author's is a bit too unemotional and blah for me but this one is amazing.
For the most part written in the perspective of each character I didn't like any of the people. Instead of flawed interesting people I saw only flawed people. Then things change and I came to understand why this backstory was necessary to create this enjoyable, suprising, deep, involved novel
The story made me so tense I am writing this at 1am after finishing it since I couldn't sleep.
Throughout there's an evil undercurrent I couldn't put my finger on. And the last chapter--talk about a total surprise involving a peripheral character. This truly is a must read
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for sharing this arc

Annnnnnnnnd, circle gets the square!

This book was SUCH a head game; three separate stories that collide spectacularly, originally, and surprisingly!

For the life of me I couldn't figure out what was happening until, you know, everything happened.

I loved it....loved it.

Thank you to C.L. Taylor, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I like a twisty thriller but often they sacrifice good characterisation for a good plot.
This one ticks the boxes on both.
Three stories - Alice, Ursula and Gareth - are told. We get to know the characters and their foibles: shy Alice internet dating, larger than life Ursula who is a shoplifter with a conscience, and security guard Gareth who cares for his mum but is being blackmailed.
There’s also a number of sub-plots and a potential murderer of young men in town.
It’s a decent way into the novel before their lives intersect. There’s then some fairly complicated plotting leading to an exciting denouement.
I’d recommend if you like a thriller that takes on some social issues and is well-paced and easy to read.

My thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for a copy of Strangers for an honest review.

Another well written suspenseful novel by C L Taylor that keeps you guessing to the end. I must admit it wasn’t my favourite book by her, as I did struggle a little , at first ,with so many characters ,but I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to others and to encourage them to read her other books.

Ursula, Gareth and Alice have never met, but we follow each of them through their own point-of-view chapters. Ursula believes she's responsible for the death of the love of her life, Alice is being stalked, and Gareth's receiving postcards that shouldn't be possible. Alice, Ursula and Gareth's stories seem unrelated plot-wise as the book begins (though there are clearly related themes), but keep reading and the author ties the story threads together.

I like the title - are strangers friends or enemies? How well do you know anyone? Who should you trust?

The climax ties things together in a satisfying way. The ultimate resolution of their stories is spot-on. Then what follows in the last chapter is great, wrapping up the last issues in a spooky way.

Strangers is complex and well-plotted, with interesting characters. The three points-of-view threaded together well, with the three divergent story lines melding together in a way that made sense yet I couldn't fully see coming. I recommend Strangers to fans of suspense.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own. #Strangers #suspense #mystery

What a clever book. At first it seemed I was reading a different book with every new chapter but as the story of each character slowly developed with more being revealed about each one, their lives gradually intertwined. With seemingly fairly normal lives and problems, mainly connected with family, relationships and jobs the culmination of revealed secrets and lies delivered a crescendo of a finale. I warmed to some of the characters, was frustrated by others and had sympathy with some too. As more was understood about each one, my opinion shifted and finally their true characters were revealed and the full story was made clear. Another great book by Cally Taylor, I can’t wait for the next one.

A gripping psychological thriller with twists galore!

Have you ever read a book that has you hooked on the first page? A story so addictive, it draws you in and you can’t stop thinking about it. Even when you’re not reading it!!
In fact, daily tasks in life become a real inconvenience as you just want to hide away with your book!
Well, this is one of those for sure!!

This book is about three different people with three different stories. Strangers to each other.

Alice is single, lives with her grown-up daughter and works as a manager of a women’s fashion shop. She meets Simon after a nasty incident and hopes a relationship is on the horizon, but who is stalking her and why? Initially, I felt Alice came across as weak and needy but I think that stems from her being lonely and just wanting some company. She’s a likeable character and shows her brave side at times too.

Ursula is grieving for the man she loved and thinks she killed! She works each day as a delivery driver but has no home to call her own and no family or friends. She does seem to have an eye for things that don’t belong to her though! Ursula comes across as quite lonely and desperate but she has a terribly sad past and actually has a really caring side. With a questionable landlord, she also shows she has a ballsy side to her. She’s definitely my favourite character.

Gareth seems to be that sad, lonely; middle-aged man who still lives with his mum. No partner or friends, just an ever-expanding waistline! His days are monotonous, working as a security guard in a shopping centre and visiting McDonald’s for tea. Never judge a book by its cover though. Gareth is actually a really sweet guy who loves his mum and just wants to protect and care for her. So when he finds strange postcards in the house addressed to his mum, he’s determined to get to the bottom of it.

The three stories are really quite separate from each other, so I couldn’t imagine how the characters lives would collide. My mind was definitely working in overdrive trying to guess what was going to happen.

The way the chapters change between characters and their stories is genius as it leaves so many cliffhangers. Other characters also pop up throughout the book causing constant suspicions and plenty of OMG moments 😮.

So if you’re a ‘stranger’ to C. L Taylor’s books, then don’t be! I was and can’t believe this was my first book by this amazing author! It certainly won’t be my last!

Thank you to C. L Taylor, Avon Books and Net Galley for my ARC of this book 📖

The blurb and other reviews give the premise of this book so I won't do that here.

Three main characters and each paragraph written from each one's perspective. A very easy read as I found the characters likeable (although Alice DID come across as a bit clingy and needy especially as in such early days in a potential new relationship but this served the plot).

Even though Ursula is a shoplifter, as her story progresses, and her history unfolds, she becomes more likeable and relateable.

Gareth is a very decent, sweet, normal guy.

Their link is a shopping mall where Gareth in a security officer, Alice a ladies clothing store manager and Ursula shoplifts there.

Their lives are lived independently but their paths cross; not in any great depth until near the end and they all experience something together (with supporting characters too).

I enjoyed each of their three stories, especially Alice's new relationship and stalker aspect, which didn't pan out as I expected it to (but better). And Ursula's landlord also added some tension with his very offputting characteristics. Even Gareth's story didn't work out quite as I expected. AND, the very end character's ending ... surprise, surprise?!

This author is one of my favourites and I feel this book is slightly different to her previous ones ... I thought less of a psychological thriller but maybe that was because characters and their stories WERE so normal and relateable.

I did find it surprising that I was at almost 75% of the way through the book but still, the characters hadn't really become that intertwined yet so that might be my only criticism ... as in I was a bit disappointed that they were all only together for one evening. That said, this is my favourite book of the author's so far and maybe it's because it DID take that long to bring them all together. With most psychological thrillers I can see well in advance where it's headed and solved the mystery and the motive before the big reveal. So it was nice that this one didn't really follow that sort of format (in my opinion anyway). There were quite a few red herrings placed throughout though!

An easy read with interesting characters and enough twists to keep you going ... and I'm still thinking about it even now.

Really enjoyed this book which kept me guessing all along! I've read other CL Taylor books and this does not disappoint!

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, which is really 3 stories about 3 strangers living different lives, I enjoyed reading their individual stories and how the 3 strangers finally crossed paths and why.
We meet Alice, the Manager of a ladies clothes shop who is lonely and mistrustful and hoping to find love.
There is 6 foot odd Ursula, a van driver with a little habit she can't break - her kleptomania leaves her without a roof over her head and takes the first offer of a rented room, despite her landlord turning out to be ahemm - slightly strange!!
and there is Gareth, a Security guard, doing the job of a failed policeman who never even made it into the police, caring for his elderly and increasingly confused Mum.
All 3 have trials and tribulations and lots of mysteries so there is tons going on to keep you turning the pages and between the chapters is an online conversation about some murders which have been going on, how do they fit in?
I liked Gareths story best I was convinced his late Dad wasn't really dead, but to fin dout if I was right you'll need to read Strangers.
It isn't until the clever ending that everything merges together into one story.
It's a great page turner, exciting and gripping with lots of human interest and great characters with loads of quirks and flaws to make them human.

Who knew a shopping centre was so interesting, The Meads in Bristol for Ursula, Gareth and Alice it becomes somewhere they unexpectedly come together and for all the wrong reasons.

Ursula thinks she killed the love of her life.
Gareth’s been receiving strange postcards.
And Alice 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.

Another great read from CL Taylor and not a storyline I anticipated with the ending I got. Switching between the three characters we learn a lot about each of their lives but how the three of them come together is equally as terrifying as it is fascinating!

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!

I have read a few books by C.L. Taylor and thoroughly enjoyed them and was delighted to have been gifted an e-arc of her latest book for review.

Alice, a divorced mum of a grown up daughter, who is dipping a toe back into the dating game;
Ursula, a parcel courier and a kleptomaniac; and
Gareth, 20 years a security guard and also trying to care for his mother who has onset dementia.

Three strangers. Three separate narratives. Three lives on a collision course.

This book was fairly unputdownable for me for the first 60% or so. Reading about the three main characters, I was intrigued by each of them. At the beginning of the book they are standing over a dead body. We don't know who it is, or what happened and we go back to a week or two earlier to find out the situation.

A very good, suspenseful and easy read, I flew through it. The ending lost me somewhere along the way however as I felt it was pretty drawn out but otherwise a very enjoyable book.

Opening paragraph: "Alice Fletcher has never seen a dead body before. She always imagined they'd look peaceful: their skin slackened, their muscles softened and their mouths settled, not into a smile exactly, but a loose, contented line. Alice Fletcher was wrong."

That same evening, residents are speculating on twitter about the massive police presence in the center of Bristol. Could it be the "Harborside Murderer" at work again? Or is that just an Urban Legend?

The story regresses to one week earlier....

Alice is just the manager of Mirage Fashions, in the Meads Shopping Centre, trying her hand at online dating" for the first time, at the urging of her daughter, Emily, with disturbing results.

Ursula, is a six foot three inch, kleptomaniac and shoplifter, banned from the store. The problem started when she thought she killed Nathan, who was "the love of her life."

Gareth, is the 47 year old security guard at the Meads Shopping Centre, who lives with his aging mother, Joan, who is suffering from dementia, and has been receiving postcards she thinks are from her long missing husband.

Chapters will alternate between the three POV's of these flawed, yet sympathetic characters until you return to the "opening scene" and the DEAD body.

I would categorize the story as LIGHT SUSPENSE, not a THRILLER, focused on the likable characters and their struggles, as the three narratives eventually intertwine.

Nothing dark or complex here, but entertaining nonetheless!

I LOVED the final chapter (55)- (don't peek!) It is the ONLY chapter told from the POV of one of the "supporting role" characters.....


I have been wanting to read something by C. L. Taylor for awhile now! Although she is not as well known in the U.S., she is a Sunday Times bestselling author with over a million copies of her books sold in the UK alone.

I am glad I was given a chance to discover her work through a digital ARC from NetGalley, Avon books UK and the author, in exchange for a candid review! Available in the US on April 2, 2020.

Quite an interesting and addictive story.
I enjoyed it and read it in one sitting. I liked the idea of three strangers that never before have seen or had anything in common but, when it comes to helping each other in a difficult situation they don’t hesitate.
Different points of view, different life stories that slowly are unveiled, everything adds up to a great read.


Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy.

Another belter of a book from C.L.Taylor! I have loved her books from reading 'The Accident' and then wanting to read everything she writes, the Strangers did not disappoint!

The book is written from the perspective of three separate characters, characters that make some dreadful mistakes but overall are dealing with the rubbish that life can throw at us. All of their stories lead into one path that they all begin to cross and they are thrown into the worst possible situation, together! At points I had absolutely no idea what was going on or where the story was going, but I really think this was deliberate by the author.

The characters were completely believable and relatable - they felt like real people dealing with the journey of life.

I would definitely recommend this book! A 5 star read!

I really enjoyed this book.

There is 3 main characters, Alice - a woman trying to get on with her life after divorce, Gareth - a man who looks after his mum but wants more from his life and then Ursula- a woman trying to get over losing someone close to her.

At the beginning of the book I thought I’d connect more with Alice but to my surprise it was Ursula who I found myself growing to like the most. I won’t go to much into it because I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone.

All 3 characters are strangers but end up becoming involved in each other’s lives.

Ursula is a parcel delivery driver and a kleptomaniac.
Gareth is a security guard who looks after his elderly mother.
Alice is a store manager who is looking for love.
Three strangers who’s lives are about to collide.
The story is told by the main characters in alternative chapters and this certainly added to the suspense.
I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

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.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows the story of 3 seemingly unrelated people: Alice, who is divorced and manages a women's clothing store in the mall; Gareth, a security guard in the mall, who takes care of his Alzheimer's stricken mother; and Ursula, an occasional drop in at Alice's store and package deliverer. Alice starts dating a man and is anonymously warned to stay away from him. Gareth thinks his father who disappeared years ago has returned and is sending his mom postcards and Ursula has been thrown out of her apartment by her roommate for stealing.

I had no idea what all of these people had in common until the very end. I found that their stories and what they were going through were mostly compelling enough to keep me interested in finding out what they all had in common, but my interest did wane a bit toward the end. In the end, I didn't feel like it all came together with the hidden connection between the three characters that I had hoped there would be, but overall, it was a decent read and since I have read all of this author's previous books, I will certainly read her next.

This is the story of three main people with secrets and problems, interesting enough, it took a long time for them to intersect, i expected it to be more at the beginning but it was an effective writing choice. liked it pretty well, not great but interesting enough to see how it would be resolved

Strangers is a story about 3 people Ursula, Gareth, and Alice. They have never met before, but they are all struggling in life in some way.
Ursula is a Courier and is grieving after the death of her boyfriend Nathan.
Gareth is a Security guard at the local shopping centre and looks after his mother who has Dementia.
Alice a manager at the local shopping centre and is looking for love, with the help from her daughter.
They don’t know each other but one day they meet with terrifying consequences.
Strangers is another excellent read by C.L. Taylor. She never seems to disappoint. This is another tense, gripping thriller written in in the 3 people point of view. I really enjoyed this. I like how the author told the three individual stories, building the tension as she writes, intertwining the story to the climax at the end. Very clever. I can’t wait for the next book.

Cally is, and always will be a literary legend! I always find her stories so clever the way that the characters intertwine with one another. She always manages to shock and surprise me and this new offering is no exception.

Read this book so quickly, I couldn’t help myself!

The way the story is told from three sides makes it stand out but it’s still reads well and keeps you hooked.

I like books set in the UK, I find it more relatable and this is no different.

Loved this one! I couldn't begin to guess how the all the stories would weave together and how the stranger's lives with intersect, so it was a great twist when they did. Plus the end had a great surprise!

C L Taylor has become a firm favourite with me. I see her latest book when it comes out, and I want it! After a string of books that were...okay...what a relief it was to dive into her latest, 'Strangers.'
Ursula, Gareth and Alice are virtual strangers to each other, connected only by the shopping centre which is a daily part of each individual's life. Alice is a shop manager; Gareth is a centre security officer; and Ursula is a shoplifter.
All three are emotionally vulnerable; yet when danger strikes, all three will come together to fight for each other, and for their lives.
C L Taylor writes psychological thrillers as do many other authors, but what makes her books stand out from others are two things. Firstly, Taylor has a particular talent for imbuing the entirety of her book with tension; her writing is unsettling, the atmosphere uncomfortable. Secondly, her climatic action scenes, often so chaotic and difficult to follow in other books, are clearly mapped out so the reader doesn't feel like they are ploughing through a fog of action with no clear idea of what is happening.
I give this book 4 stars; it's tense, atmospheric, invested in its characters and wholly readable.

#Strangers #NetGalley Another stonker of a book by C L Taylor!! The story of three different characters all going through their own personal traumas/problems neatly brought together at the end. I could not put this book down!! I'm normally not a fan of books that switch chapters between characters but it worked well in this case and I was soon engrossed in each 'next' chapter to find out what was happening to each character. Be warned - A definite read in one sitting book!! A well deserved 5 stars!

This is a great read and I loved the three different perspectives throughout. The characters and all interesting and unique.
I raced through the book and was desperate to find out the ending.
For me, the ending was a little bit of a let down and I thought that it could have come together better.
That being said, it’s still a fantastic book and I’ll definitely read more from this author in future.

Totally original story about three total strangers who are all dealing with distinct problems of their own. Alice, Gareth, and Ursula may not have met but their lives become intertwined in ways they could not have imagined. Excellent, suspenseful thriller with lots of twists and turns. Highly recommend.

I whizzed through this book and read most of it in one weekend. It was just so easy to read. I loved the different point of views and the short chapters! But most of all I loved the story. I didn’t have a clue what was going on, until the end around 88% and even then the last chapter had me ‘oh my gosh’ing! I mean !!!
A brilliant read, thanks to netgalley for approving/letting me read it!

Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for possibly writing a review.

This book delivered a twist you will never see coming. Much like other books of its kind, it follows the lives of three strangers who live in close proximity to each other. They are very different people, and it is hard to imagine how they could be brought together although their lives brush up against each other more than once. Just when you think you know what is going to happen, I assure you, you don't.

If you like to solve puzzles, this is a good one to read.

I absolutely loved this book. The tension really builds quickly and I had to read every spare minute. Three strangers with three different stories all come together in an amazing ending. I highly recommend this book, one of favourites this year so far.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

I have enjoyed all CL Taylor’s books but I think I love this one best.
Following 3 main characters Gareth, Ursula and Alice.
Their stories seem so far apart but they link through the shopping centre.
I loved the fact the book followed all 3 stories and each was very different however all believable and easy to follow.
The characters were easy to like. The chapters were short which I enjoy as I feel it keeps the book very fast paced.
Lots of twists and turns
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it

Strangers by C.L. Taylor is another page-turner from an author who rarely disappoints. This one had me engaged from the very start, and kept me enthralled until the very end.

Strangers Gareth, Ursula, and Alice are three lonely souls who are each struggling in their own way. Their only connection to one another appears to be their link to a Bristol shopping mall, The Meads. Told from the alternating perspectives of the three over the course of a week, their lives will become entwined in a way that no one could have possibly foreseen, least of all the reader of this twisty tale. This is an author who remains at the top of her game. Recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC.

I'm a big fan of C. L. Taylor (she never disappoints) and have read all of her books to date so was so excited to get an advanced copy of Strangers and once again she has delivered.

The story follows the lives of three people "Ursula, Gareth and Alice" they have never met before they are strangers, they have a connection they are tied together by their place of work and they are lonely. All three characters were believable and easy to relate to, Ursula was my favourite.
This was a bit of a binge read for me as I was desperate to unravel the truth, it had me gripped from the beginning to end.

Another good book by C L Taylor This book revolves around 3 main characters. Alice, a fashion store manager, Gareth a shopping mall security guard and Ursula a Delivery driver. Each of the characters are tentatively linked through a fictitious shopping mall "Meads" in Bristol. The story takes place during the course of one week, with the book opening with the main characters standing over a dead body. The author then takes you back to a week earlier where she tells the independent storylines of the 3 characters from their own perspective. The book follows issues and challenges faced with Alice's daughter, Gareth's Mother and Ursula's past relationship and her subsequent Kleptomania. Very twisty novel and no spoilers from me. A highly recommended novel I'd like to thank Netgalley, Avon Books UK, and CL Taylor for the advanced copy of the book for a fair and honest review

Oh, my, she's done it again! C L Taylor is a fantastic author who consistently hooks you in from the first page to the last and this is no exception.
I pretty much read in one sitting. Excellent storyline and I love her writing and the way the stories interlock with such interesting characters.

Here, it's mainly about 3 key characters; Alice (a middle aged woman with a daughter) who, as a single parent, lives in a flat and wishes for romance. Gareth (a middle aged security guard) who lives with his mum (who suffers with dementia) and Ursula (a widow) who steals as a way to deal with her loneliness and grief. In and amongst this there are a series of missing men, some very strange and unsettling characters and a dead body.

It's a fabulous tale, told from the perspective of each character and it had me riveted, creating a wide range of emotions that included; sad, happy, scared and relieved. After a number of previous disappointing ARC's, reading this was like finding a hidden gem.

Thanks so much to Avon UK publishers, NetGalley and CL Taylor for the opportunity to preview this fabulous read in exchange for my honest review.

I'll be widely publicising my review on 2 April, 2020. However, in the meantime, get it on your TBR list!

This was one book that certainly kept me on my toes. It is told by three characters which is a little confusing at first but it all comes together with a bang. I loved that there are little substories going on. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable read! Great for anyone who enjoys a thriller. I think this book will be extremely popular.

Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for allowing me to have an advanced reading copy in exchange for my review. I enjoyed this book so much. This story kept me glued from beginning to end. This is my definition of a true psychological thriller. I am looking forward to reading more books from this author. Exceptional!

My first C L Taylor book but it won’t be my last!

A thriller from the first page as three characters are introduced, seemingly with nothing to connect them. Alice, Gareth and Ursula are all seen around the Meads shopping centre but not together. All 3 have back stories that are told during the course of the book as it builds up the layers of the story.

Would highly recommend.

Fantastically twisty and turny. A real mind bender working out the connection between them all and then who ends up dead. Brilliant.

From the very beginning of C.L. Taylor's Strangers, the reader knows that the lives of Alice, Ursula, and Gareth will intersect, but we don't know until very near the end of the book exactly how this will happen. That's not a problem, though, because each character is so interesting, I wanted to keep reading to find out how each character's story would develop; the inevitable overlap of the three strangers' lives was just an added (very good) bonus at the end.

Each character brings a whole host of issues to the table. First, there is Alice. Her daughter has major boyfriend problems. Alice, in fact, has major boyfriend problems herself, and possibly a stalker. Then, there is Ursula, who has lost the love of her life. Also, she can't stop stealing things, has been kicked out of her house, has massive issues with her new landlord, and has gotten involved with the wrong customer on her delivery route. Finally, there is Gareth. Gareth has an ill mother to watch after, and problems at work with both his boss and a subordinate. Gareth might be interested in the lady next door, but she's got her own set of concerns with her bullied daughter. The narration moves smoothly between each character, and each of our three strangers is very well developed. Despite their issues, each strangers is surprisingly appealing.

Each stranger is dealing with loss and lonliness; but, in the end, they make their way to each other. It is a very satisfying ending. And then, just when you think the story is over, there is one more thing! It was a perfect ending.

Thank you to NetGalley, C.L. Taylor, and Avon Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I will certainly be seeking out other C.L. Taylor books. I hope you love this one as much as I did!

CL Taylor’s BEST ONE YET. I know I say that pretty much every time I read one of her books, but seriously. What. A. Belter.

Of all the faces bobbing around in a crowded shopping mall, Ursula, Alice and Gareth grow into a trio with utterly memorable personalities. They may exist independently of one another, yet they are interconnected by a carefully targeted curve ball that is thrown into the problematic lives they’re already juggling.

The plot sinks its teeth deep into our trio by taking alternating bites out of them. Their individual struggles may be slices of a much larger cake, but each is brilliantly layered with unease and curiosity. And that ending was simply the icing on top.

It’s the perfect representation of just how deceptive first impressions can be and how people’s motives and actions may surprise us, or trigger shrill alarm bells everywhere!

If you haven’t read this author before you can’t go wrong if you start RIGHT HERE. Great stuff.

I absolutely loved this book. The tension really builds quickly and I had to read every spare minute!! Read it!!!

Ursula is a delivery driver as well as a kleptomaniac.
Gareth is a shopping centre security guard who cares for after his elderly mother.
Alice is a store manager looking for love.
Three strangers who’s lives are about to collide.

The story is told in alternating chapters and each character has a completely different story to tell. After just a couple of chapters, I was totally absorbed, and every time I finished a chapter, I was dying to get straight back into their world again, it just meant reading the other worlds I was so invested in beforehand. This made the book completely additive from start to finish.

Something I love about Cally is how easy her books are to read. There is no waffle or overly in depth description, which means I am left to run wild with my imagination. I can still picture Ursula, Gareth and Alice in my mind now, and I bet that when you read Strangers, you will create a totally different version of the characters too, now you cant ask for more than that!

Part of me is so excited that I have already been lucky enough to read Strangers, but part of me is also gutted that I wont get to read it for the first time again - does that even make sense!

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
I have always enjoyed reading books written by CL Taylor and Strangers was an intriguing story.
The storyline was about three strangers who come together and overcome a man who threatens their lives. The story tells the stories of Alice, Ursula and Gareth and how they come together at the end of the book. It was a crime novel and it was very clever how it all linked together at the end.
Highly recommended.

I want to start off by saying thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book, it was a very good read easy to follow along with storyline and characters. This was a new author for me but I very much enjoyed it, thank you for the opportunity and I look forward to reading more by this author again. I highly recommend this book to everybody.

Three separate stories which brilliantly come together in the last fifth of the book. I raced through to get there. So cleverly plotted and written, I am such a fan and I totally devoured this! (No spoilers but....Simon is such a plonker)

Strangers by CL Taylor

Grab these Strangers’ hands and hold on for dear life... you are in for a ride!
I loved CL Taylor’s novel Sleep and I can tell right from the beginning of Strangers that this story is also well-paced. I’m interested in the characters immediately, though Alice starts to annoy me with her “little girl” world view in a mature woman’s life.
When she starts spending time with Simon, there are a million warning signs she stupidly ignores; choosing instead to wonder “will he kiss me goodnight.”....sheesh, not the type of female character that appeals to female readers who have their head on straight.
For some reason —maybe due to the authenticity of the strength of the characters — I believe Ursula staying in Edward’s house to find out what is going on — but not sold on why Alice hangs on to Simon????
You can feel the crescendo of action but Taylor gives no hints at how these stories will mesh; and if you’ve read a lot of suspense/thrillers you truly appreciate that.
Super fun and intense read!

Holy cow wow! This book was everything I yearn for in a thriller and more! Taylor makes sure to write one heck of a story, which is unputdownable, deliciously dark, and bloody brilliant! It had me up way too late needing to know more, and gasping in chills at what I was reading! Well written, twisted, intense, and chilling! It’s one of those thrillers that will twist your mind into a mess and you’ll go over it for days after finishing! I highly, highly recommend to all who love brilliant and intense thrillers which are sure to give you the thrills and chills you seek!
Will make sure to buzz it up on all the different platforms!

I’m sure you’ve heard all the hype about this book...right!? How fantastic it is! You may be asking yourself, "is it for real?” YES! YES! YES!
I’m here to tell you this book deserves every bit of praise it’s been getting!

My favorite type of thriller involves multiple story-lines told with characters that seemingly have no connection to one another. That is... till their paths ultimately cross, crashing together! BOOM!
And C.L. Taylor did it perfectly! I had no idea how these characters would intersect! Never imagined the plot twists Ms Taylor so cleverly threw at me along the way!

C.L. Taylor writes an ingenious thriller that checked all the boxes for me. Told from multiple perspectives. Each character with a strong voice and those oh so human flaws that make you want to dig deep into their story to find how they found themselves entangled in this nasty web.

This was my first read by this author and I can’t wait to see what she brings to the table with her next release. Since I’m not the most patient gal, I’ll be going back to read some of her previous releases.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and C.L. Taylor for an ARC to read and review.

Another cracking read by this author. Her books never disappoint and she’s becoming one of my favourite authors. I liked all the different characters and enjoyed how their stories all came together in the end. Didn’t know what to expect

I am just recovering from the greatest book hangover, having binge read this book in about 8 hours. I literally couldn't put it down. I just want to jump up and down and tell everyone that they have to read this book. Cally Taylor - you are an incredible writer.


The three Strangers in question are:-


Ursula who has been on a downhill spiral since she lost the love of her life, though you don't find out the circumstances until near the end. She has a warm heart, but is very self destructive, and can't help but capture your heart.


Gareth the security guard. Initially, a somewhat pitiable character, bumbling through his job, and binging on McDonald's. However Ms Taylor soon fleshes him out - his father disappeared many years before. His mother has developing Alzheimer's, and when Gareth has to choose between his girlfriend and his mother he was forced to choose his mother. Coming home becomes a burden as he doesn't know what he will find. You cannot help having a soft spot in your heart for this sweet man.


Alice's cheating husband left her for another woman, leaving Alice to bring up a moody teenage daughter whilst juggling her job as a manageress in a fashion shop. Alice is finally coming to terms with her husband leaving and is ready to start dating again - aided and abetted by her best friend Lynne.


The story starts with a murder, and then goes back in time. The plot is genius, with so many twists you won't know what to think. The last chapter - genius. Brings it all together so cleverly and leaving you with a massive grin (or is that just my twisted mind?).


I'm really going to miss these characters. Cally Taylor - sheer delight.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* 'Strangers' by C. L. Taylor was a book that had me reading rapidly to find out what was going to happen next. I happened to be reading it in a week that I was quite busy with work, but keen to finish it, I stayed up past my bedtime for 'just one more' chapter. The novel follows the lives of what seems like a random selection of strangers (hence the title) whose lives seem completely unconnected. However, as one reads on, the connections slowly reveal themselves until the action-filled climax. I am hesitant to reveal too much more about the plot, for fear of spoilers, but if you like thrillers, you will not be disappointed. Taylor has done a masterful job of crafting a range of characters from all different walks of life. A suspenseful and enjoyable read that touches on some important issues in today's society.

I must confess this was my first C.L. Taylor book, but it definitely won’t be my last!
This book was a very good read and maintained my interest throughout, with the ending being absolutely unputdownable!
As the name suggests, Strangers has 3 main characters who are strangers and their stories are completely separate right till the end when suddenly everything connects and falls into place with a Big Bang. Halfway through the book I was wondering where it was heading and was trying to figure out how it would connect (especially after reading other reviews that said the stories interconnect), but boy! The ending is superb and you never really see it coming.
Now I can’t wait to get my hands on other C.L. Taylor books to see if they are as good as this one.
Thank you to the publishers Avon Books UK for an advanced copy of this ebook and giving me a chance to review this book!

I've been a fan of C. L. Taylor ever since I read The Escape back in 2017. I really like the way she writes, and the way she slowly builds the tension until you feel ready to burst, needing to know just what's coming next. The Strangers is no exception. You know bad things are going to happen from pretty much the first page; just how bad they are, however, is yet to be seen.
Here, it's seeing how the lives of three strangers are intertwined. Despite all three having flaws (especially Ursula!), I liked all three and worried about what might in store for them. Saying that, there were times when Alice annoyed me - I couldn't quite get a bead on who she was and I wanted to know a bit more about her background to help fill in the blanks. I'm sure that background led her to behave in certain ways, it just wasn't quite clear enough for me.
I also felt a bit uncertain about the ending. I liked how dramatic it was, how high the tension had been ratcheted. However, I also wasn't completely convinced by how everyone and everything came together. It was, for me, a little too pat. Did it ruin the book for me? No. Did it mean I didn't enjoy it as much as some of C. L. Taylor's other books? Maybe.

I made two mistakes with this book. The first was letting it sit on my NetGalley shelf for a few months. I have never read anything by this author before so in all honesty that’s why it was in my back burner.

The second mistake was that I started to read it at 10PM thinking it would do what some books lately have been making me do...fall asleep. Well the fact that I finished it around 5AM says I was not prepared to have my mind blown.

Fan freaking-tastic and going straight to my favorites list. Every single character kept off the page and I was so utterly eager to find out how a middle aged mom (Diane Keaton in The First Wives Club) a younger giant drifter( Brienne is Tarth) and a security guard( Garth from Wayne’s World) all became more than strangers.

And yes those were exactly how I pictured our three main characters.

Add in even more characters( omg Gareth’s mom 😭)a serial killer, and the Starcourt Mall from Stranger Things... and you get an insanely twisted, but oh so well done, novel!

Go into this blind and don’t be dumb like me and wait to read it! And also don’t start reading it late at night if you have to get up early!

Astounding and yet, as the writer of Sleep, I didn’t expect any less. Sleep was wonderful. This is different and, IMHO, has the edge on Taylor’s previous work. Three main characters, all very different but, as the story unfolds, not so very different. Alice who’s in fashion. Gareth in security and finally Ursula,, a bit of a misfit. Told from each characters unique viewpoint, the story unfolds to a dramatic ending. Magnificent storyline. super writing. Believable characters. 10 stars.

This book is very creepy!

There are three different stories all about people who in their own way are desperate and sad.

Alice is divorced and dipping a toe into the world of internet dating where people are not always who they claim to be. She’s so relatable and kind.

Gareth is caring for his mum who has dementia. He’s working as a security guard and struggling to keep his mind on the job after a postcard arrives from his long-dead father.

Ursula has lost everything following the death of her boyfriend and finds herself living with a complete stranger who has some very odd habits and sinister behaviour. She was probably my favourite character as despite her own anxiety and PTSD she is incredibly brave.

Each character is intriguing and empathetic. I was unsuccessfully guessing all the way through and did not anticipate the ways into which they all became entangled at all.

No spoilers from me, but the ending is really good! Lots of quick twists and excitement.

This is a fast paced and exciting thriller with lots of tension. I couldn’t put it down.

I’ve got her previous novel, Sleep, on my TBR pile and having enjoyed Strangers so much it is moving up the list.

Thank you Avon Books UK and Netgalley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review

This was a page turner for me. Such a disparate grou of people. I was looking for the link between the people followed, and when I found it - bam - it all came together.

Enjoyed it

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read an advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

The book follows the lives of several different people whose lives are linked without them realising.
The single mothers, the son whos working full time but has to look out for his mum, the grieveing partner and the landlord. And the security Guard. At the start of the book I would never have guessed how they would all come together - but as usual Taylor creates a perfectly balanced story with drama, intrgue and realness to keep you turning the page. The characters feel like they could be your neighbours, and I like that kind of realism.
The last chapter is the best in my opinion, it feels like there was a background mystery that was almost forgotten - and I bet no one else guesses how that turns out. Love it.

A tantalising introduction gives us Alice standing over a body. We know not who or how. Snap back a short time and Alice is going out on a date. She has been divorced for a while and with the encouragement of her daughter she should start living again. The man she meets is drunk and abusive and she is rescued by a stranger. Ursula has been forced to move out from living with her relatives. They have discovered her shoplifting habit and then denying it and it has got out of hand. She finds a room to rent but the landlord is a neat freak and has some very strange ways. Gareth is a security guard at a shopping centre where Alice works and Ursula “shops”. He is seeing in his mother more and more of the dementia she was diagnosed with a short time ago. He thought his father was dead when he was a child but now finds a postcard from him with a recent postmark. Three characters linked by a location. I love Cally’s books. You always know that there is something, just something around the corner but not what. That tension and expectation that tantalises you keeping you between the pages and turning ever faster. A cleverly thought out plot, excellent characters and one I couldn’t put down.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog
(rest of links on publication)

I finished this book last night and enjoyed each and every minute of it. I love all Cally's books and was once again thrilled beyond all expectations!!

I read the first 70% late at night and couldnt stop, i had to forcibly tell myself at 2am to put it down and go to sleep! The characters were fully fleshed and emotive, and the plot was fast paced and gripping. Everything i love and expect from a cl taylor book!

Clever, clever, clever!

Ursula, Gareth and Alice have never met before.

Enticed yet?

Three strangers, two secrets, one terrifying evening.

Ever read a book that you are enjoying and you think is good and there are a lot of 5 star reviews on the book and you think the book is good but not THAT good - not 5 star good and then you turn the page or swipe that kindle and have that HOLY CRAP moment because the Author just knocked it out of the ball park? That happened to me while reading this book. It went from good to great. Brilliant even.

Ursula (who BTW, I couldn't stop envisioning as Ursula the sea witch from the Little Mermaid.), Gareth and Alice are the three main characters in this book and they each have a whole lot of sumthin' going on in their lives. All have interesting story-lines, but I enjoyed Ursula's the best! Each is flawed and trying his/her best. Their individual POV chapters really drive the book and kept the pages turning. Their story lines are interesting and yet, I was left wondering how is this all going to come together?

In a reading slump? This one is for you! I was hooked in the beginning but once the Author brought it all together, it was fantastic!

Woohoo! This was a fun ride. Go in as blind as you can folks!

Riveting, Interesting, Captivating and Entertaining! What more could I ask for?

Highly Recommend!

Thank you to Avon Books, UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

A story is a world created by the author featuring a main character, their motivations, secrets and the people which feature in their little world. It can be so hard to create one world but what Taylor did here was create three little worlds all containing those vital aspects and expertly bring them together in the most crazy and thrilling ways. Each of the three strangers were well written, fully rounded characters with problems, needs and wants. Nothing was lacking in their development or individual stories and as the plot progressed and the story brought them together, wow. This is definitely going to be in my 2020 top ten. Taylor is amazing!!!

Three strangers, a soon to be homeless shoplifter, a divorced mother looking for love and a shopping centre security guard each with different worries are drawn together in a gripping story culminating in death. Another cleverly written thriller from C L Taylor.

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!! WHAT THE…… Yeap, another book punched me in the guts and turned me into moron speaking Gibberish (nope, actually I’m speechless and during my reading I screamed a lot so I might have hurt my vocal cords badly!)

What the hell was that? My heart is pounding so heart, I’m breathing heavy, hands clutched too tight, no nails, little hairs on my arm are still up! If you cannot handle too much pressure and high tension, please think again to read the last 35 pages of the book because I read it on my couch, gripping my kindle as if my life depended on it, barely breathed (I haven’t thrilled so much since I watched “Quiet Place” which made me stop talking for a week!) squirming, agitated, mumbling myself I hope my favorite characters would be safe!

No need to think more, I’m giving my estranged, puzzled, complex, exhilarating, action-packed, exciting five gazillion stars! This is truly nerve bending, heart throbbing, crazy train ride!

Three strangers:

Alice: Divorced, cheated and controlled by narcissistic husband, store manager at a shopping mall, living with her daughter who has an unhealthy, volatile relationship with her boyfriend. She decides to take a chance at Tinder dates but man assaults her at their meeting place.

When she knees him from his jewels and runs from him, dropping her purse, a knight in shining armor Simon runs behind her back and delivers her purse and later he stops by her work place with flowers. So is this a great start of a new romantic relationship? Nope, think again because as soon as she starts seeing Simon, she starts getting warnings from an account at the facebook telling her Simon isn’t the man who thinks she is. And now she thinks she has a stalker. Who the hell is she or he? One of the crazy-ex’s of Simon or the suspicious shoplifter she didn’t catch in action, recently starts showing at the places she hangs out.

Ursula: The very same shoplifter Alice is afraid of. But she is not bad person. She changed. Grief ruins a normal people’s mind! Once upon a time she was a brilliant teacher, married with her love of life till she lost him forever and now she blames herself, turning into kleptomaniac, working as courier, kicking out of her best friend’s house because she also stole her belongings, too. Then she rents a place in a good price at the very same day. She thinks she is lucky even though her landlord Ed seems like a little creepy, suspicious, irritating guy who likes to get her room in the night time and check her drawers!

And Gareth, 27, security guard at the mall Alice is working and Ursula is playing Winona Ryder. He lives with his mom who slowly loses her memories and losing the battle against the amnesia. Gareth finds out somebody sends postcard to his mom acting like his lost father who might be 80 if he is alive. As he is obsessed to solve this matter, he starts to make mistakes, neglecting his job and getting threatened by one of his coworkers who wants hush money not to inform their superior. His life is getting complicated at any second.

So you might be questioning how three strangers’ lives can be intertwined at one point to help both of them to solve the mysteries and complications at their lives. But the author achieved the impossible and brought a smart, nail-hand-arm biter, thrilling whirlwind story that you cannot put it down! I enjoyed the building of characterization, their back stories and of course Ursula is my favorite, easily to relate and ache for.

Overall: Great, captivating writing, moving, fast paced story telling with likeable characters and the ending was memorably remarkable. Last pages of book literally gave me panic attacks so I used the method of Ursula to relax which helped me a lot!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for sharing this fantastic ARC with me in exchange my honest review. And I enjoyed C. L. Taylor’s writing so much, planning to read more works of her.

This is excellent. I really can't say much more. I loved it. CL Taylor gets better with ever book.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Strangers has 3 interesting storylines about the goings-on in Alice, Ursula and Gareth's lives. At first it really feels as if these three have nothing in common but then slowly I saw them in the periphery of each other with the mall as the one big link between them. Alice works as a manager in a clothes shop in a mall, Ursula is a renowned shoplifter, a habit she can't seem to give up, and Gareth is a security officer in the same mall. They are all circling around each other, and at times they even cross each other fleetingly but they never seem to come closer. I loved how hungry the author made me for their stories to overlap and to have these strangers finally meet. It's a game of wait and see but if you're patient, the reward is big!

It is such a masterly woven novel with appealing characters. Each one also has an interesting backstory to follow, so when the chapters alternate, you just can't stop reading. Alice met a guy who might just have something to hide, Gareth has trouble with his mother who suffers dementia and receives strange postcards, and Ursula oww, I felt for her, she had the toughest life and the biggest heart. There's a reason she can't stop the shoplifting, why she doesn't teach anymore, and her new lodging doesn't turn out to be all that great either. There is a lot of chill factor in this novel and it's not only the people, the house she lives in felt properly creepy and I don't think I'd take the same actions as Ursula, she's a lot braver than I am. Don't you scream at the tv normally too when someone is going to investigate all alone? Well I was pretty much yelling at my book and at her not to go looking for trouble. Nobody ever listens to me though...

There are many MANY strange events and happenings in this novel and danger signs were constantly flashing before my eyes. I didn't trust anyone and I could feel the net closing in as we were nearing the end. The hardest thing was to explain why though. It all came together quite brilliantly, as I had expected from this wonderful author who I only discovered 2 novels ago. She's an outstanding author who invests in her character development and that investment certainly pays off as I was so into it, I could hardly tear myself away from reading. A very absorbing and compelling novel!

This is not my usual genre of book however I was originally sent a couple of chapters via the newsletter and found myself wanting to read more and I wasn't disappointed. The book was easy to follow and was told via the different main characters of the book who were all connected via their workplace in one way or another. I found myself having different feelings for the characters and despite not being very keen on Ursula really warmed to her by the end of the book. Gareth I felt sorry for as he was holding down a job and looking after his Mum who has dementia and I found the way dementia was written about was marvellous and gave an excellent insight into this awful condition. Alice I found a bit needy and seemed a bit stalker like in parts! I really found myself reaching for my phone to read a few more chapters every chance I had as I wanted to see what happened next and I loved the fact that I just didn't see what was coming each time and that I actually found myself gasping as the ending as it took my by surprise. There are twists and turns but I don't really want to say anymore so as not to run others enjoyment other than to say even if this is not your usual genre give it a read, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

This book was reasonably well done. The characters were well thought out. I wasn’t crazy about the daughters drama running alongside the main story but it flowed ok. This story kept you guessing until the very end with lots of twists and turns. I would recommend picking up this book.

This page turning book follows three unrelated characters whom we know from the start are present at a gruesome death. Alice is a forty something retail manager who is looking for love after her divorce, she’s met someone she’s interested in but it’s very complicated. Gareth is a store detective and career for his elderly mum who has dementia and Ursula is desperately grieving and her coping mechanism has resulted in her being thrown out of her friends flat and in urgent need of affordable accommodation. Each of the three has an interesting story and they ultimately end up bound in a terrifying situation. This captured me through every page and I thought Ursula was an amazing character, very thoughtfully written although each character was well depicted.

This was a gripping read that kept me hooked. I had no idea what was coming next and that added to the excitement. I loved the way the separate stories all came together.

What a fabulous and clever book, such a good read .The story is told through the main characters Alice Ursula and Gareth.The story is set in Bristol mainly around a shopping centre .Alice is the Manager of a fashion shop Gareth is a Security Guard and Ursula is a delivery driver .One day their worlds collide and so begins another compelling read.This story is so hard to put down it is so gripping and the ending has an unexpected twist !I have read quite a few of C L Taylor's books but this one I feel is the best yet .Can't wait for her next book.Many thanks to the Publisher the Author and NetGalley for my review copy in return for an honest review .

Alice, Ursula, and Gareth unite one night when their lives collide in violence even though they are strangers. Ursula thinks she may have killed the love of her life, Alice is being stalked, and Gareth has been receives strange postcards. Ursula is a delivery person grieving from the death of her boyfriend. Gareth is a security guard at the local shopping mall and takes care of his mother who has dementia. Alice is a manager at the local shopping mall that is looking for a solid relationship. All three are very different ... all three live in the same city ... and all three have to stick together or one of them will die.

I really love twists, turns, and what-the-heck moments that keep my interest up. I thought I figured this one all out until the ending. Would I recommend this? Heck yes! Fantastic tense read!

This was so enjoyable I am both disappointed that I left it so long to read it and that I have finished it! Told by the POV of Alice, a single mother dipping her toe in the dating scene, Gareth, a worn out security guard who lives with his elderly mum and Ursula, kleptomaniac who can’t catch a break! What I loved about this was not only the way it was written, but how it sucked me in to the point I felt I knew the main characters!
I can’t recommend this enough! Brilliant read.

This is an amazing & very well written book. Full of twists & great character development. I flew through this book & would recommend to anyone.

I have enjoyed many of C.L. Taylor's previous books so was pleased to be given the opportunity to read this one.

Strangers is a 'quieter' book than many of her previous ones, but I also found it more assured. There is no edge-of-the-seat tension (though several gripping moments), just a gradual and inexorable winding together of three separate lives. Alice, Gareth and Ursula are all relatable, sympathetic characters and that's what really makes this book work – along with the easy, fluid writing style that kept me reading.

I was about to be disappointed in the ending, feeling that it didn't pack enough of a punch – but I should have known to trust this author. She landed a final twist that tied up the last hanging thread and made everything work perfectly.

I'd give this book 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. Recommended for anyone who likes character-driven thrillers with plenty of gradually unfolding revelations.

Amazing book thrilling!! I really like this author and the way they use different voices and use text comms within the chapters. They are tense exciting and extremely satisfying to read and this one was an absolute treat!! Thanks a mill

This is an author who can’t put a foot wrong in my eyes. I have read and enjoyed all of her books and will go as far as saying that this is her best one yet.

As the title suggests, the story centres on three characters who arn’t even aware the other exists until one evening, when they all find themselves together. All are very different and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them all better.

Ursuala was probably one of my favourites. Being tall myself, although not as tall as this character, I really felt for her. Since a tragedy in her past, she does whatever she needs to do to get by. This doesn’t win her any favours and although she has enough to deal with in her own personal life, she can’t help but try and help others also.

Alice and Gareth have also got stuff going on in their personal lives, Gareth with his mum who suffers with dementia and Alice who is trying to find love again. They are all relatable characters whose lives I couldn’t help but get absorbed into. Whilst this is without a doubt a psychological thriller, the author made me care about these characters and I found some parts quite tender. One particular thread definitely pulled on my heart strings.

This is a story that the less said about it the better. I love how the author interweaves these three characters lives, bringing them all together. The tension and pacing towards the end was just brilliant and had me on the edge of my seat, nearly falling off it at the end with the revelations.

Strangers is a taut and addictive read that I devoured in one day. It was just to compulsive for me to put down as I had to know where the story was going. It is definitely one of the cleverest reads I’ve read in a while in this genre. Definitely my new favourite books by the author and I will be recommending it to everyone who will listen. Would give it more than 5 stars if I could.

This novel has a clever plot weaving together the separate lives of three strangers until they collide in one shocking event. The book opens with the three people looking down at a body in a fashion store in a Bristol shopping mall. Alice is the manager of the store, divorced and recently started dating again. Ursula is single and struggling mentally and physically after the traumatic death of her boyfriend. Gareth is a security guard at the mall, who lives with his elderly mother who has dementia. The mall is the only thing these strangers have in common, although their paths have crossed before but they little about each other prior to the death in the store.

Each of the three characters' stories are interesting and each was well developed as they faced and dealt with difficult situations. All three are lonely and have problems to deal with in their work or personal lives. The plot moved along at a good pace and the alternating story lines made for an addictive read. Even though the reader knows a lot about Alice, Ursula and Gareth before they are all brought together in the store, the events leading up to that were unexpected and made for a thrilling climax.

As usual an enjoyable book by this author. A little different and a bit confusing at first but soon became a can't put down book. Loved the characters,

I enjoyed the characters, plot twists, and the mystery behind it all. The only concern I had was the lull about half way through the book - it seemed to slow down for quite awhile before picking up again near the end

This book was spectacular because of the raw and real characters.
The story is told from the perspective of three characters: Gareth, Ursula and Alice. All three are incredibly damaged, very relatable and you'll find yourself rooting for them despite (or perhaps because of) their flaws. It's not just the main characters that make an impact. All the side characters are real written and will emotionally draw you in.

Now that I've talked about the characters, let me get to plot. Right from the beginning, I was sucked in. I wanted to know how all these storylines were going to converge because they were all so vastly different. When I thought I had things figured out, here came another curve ball. When everything connected together is was an adrenaline pumping explosion!

I'm not typically one for sentimental stories/ending, but I really enjoyed getting to know and caring about these characters, and I'm pleased with how each storyline ended. Very satisfying read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Once again CL Taylor has cracked it. A book that keeps you guessing right to the end. Three characters and their stories come together with many twists and turns that will leave you guessing till the end.

I'd never read any of C.L. Taylor's work before, so I was unsure what to expect beyond what the blurb told me. Here's what I found: suspense. Lots of it. 

Oh, and questions. Lots of those, too, most of which aren't answered until the end. From page one, the book grabbed my attention. 

C.L. Taylor excelled at keeping the reader off-balance as the multiple moving parts come together. I pictured the people and events as gears fitted together, one turning another, which turned another, and another. But I didn't know how or what or (most importantly) why these things were happening. Just when I thought I knew something definite, Taylor threw a monkey wrench into the works and I saw that I'd fallen for a red herring. Even when I was on the lookout for red herrings (as I usually am), I still didn't guess the truth. 

I almost always read the last few pages of a book first. Even knowing the ending, though, didn't help me guess the full truth, nor did it diminish the story's suspense. C.L. Taylor skillfully created a creepy vibe that reverberated even beyond the last pages. 

Twitter conversations are interspersed throughout the book. The dialogue felt authentically Twitter-ish and gave me a bit of background about events beyond the characters' immediate world. Plus it related the urban legend/rumor of a serial killer called the Harbourside Murderer, who might or might not exist.  

The main characters were mostly well-developed. I enjoyed watching Alice, Ursula, and Gareth grow as people as the book goes along. But somehow I felt a lack of depth to them. I couldn't put my finger on what was wrong, though.

There were a lot of other characters. Whenever I put the book down--realistically, most readers have to do this!--I had to refresh my memory of what had happened in the previous few pages and who the minor characters were. Somehow the plot didn't stick in my mind quite as well as usual. This tends to be a problem for me in the psychological suspense category, though. 

The other issue was the number of flashbacks. Sometimes a chapter would open from one character's point of view in present tense. Then it would immediately switch to past tense and recount what had happened recently. For example, one character was in a pub. As he/she sat drinking, she/he remembered the events that led her/him to make the decision to go to the pub. Most of it was significant. But the switch from present to past to present again confused the order of events and felt unnecessary. Why not simply tell the story as the events unfold? 

There were multiple places where the location and time jumped to a different place and time. But other than a blank line, I didn't know that the location/time had changed. I didn't grasp the change until a few sentences into that section. Again, unnecessarily confusing.

Sometimes the author used an asterisk to signal the change, which I appreciated. But other times, there was only a blank line. My Kindle app sometimes throws in blank lines randomly; if these blank lines are intentional, the intention is lost in the reading. I hope that makes sense! I also hope that this issue is only a quirk in the ARC and will be corrected in the final version.  

Overall, Strangers is a good book. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological suspense. 3 1/2 stars, rounded up to 4.

(This review will appear on my personal blog on April 8, 2020.)

Probably 4.5 stars but I rounded down. A very good read, a good mix of puzzlement and uncertainty. There are 3 separate character story threads and you know that before the last chapters they will all be linked. The author does the linking is a very satisfying manner and by the end everything has been closed off and is understood. Perhaps the reason I rounded down and not up is that how it all comes together seems to me to be a bit contrived. Still, a really good book and definitely worth a read.

This was my first book by this author and i'm happy to say, will not be my last.

Strangers had my head spinning and I’ll be honest, I had zero idea where this was heading. Loved how the plot was so different from many other thrillers I have recently read.
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Ursula is struggling with some emotional baggage which she tries to keep under control by stealing, which has caused her to get kicked out.
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Gareth works security at the mall and takes care of his elderly mother who has dementia. He has also noticed strange post cards being delivered to the house.
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Alice is a divorcee who hasn’t had much luck with her latest date and now it seems she has a stalker after her.
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Although these three strangers do not know each other, their lives are on a collision course where one of them might die.

I loved this twisty thriller which managed to confuse me, creep me out and second guess myself. Each character was unique and interesting in their own way and I enjoyed all of their stories. Definitely will be checking out her previous books.

Rating edit: 4.5 stars.

It's about three people, strangers to each other, struggling with their own problems, longings and agony. Then one day, they finally meet in a very dangerous situation, and now they have to be together, help each other or else any of them could die.

The book starts with a murder.

‘The police are coming. What do we tell them when they get here?’

‘We say it was self-defence.’

And then it takes you a week back: you follow the different lives of these three characters. Alice works in a mall, Gareth is a security officer in the very same mall and Ursula is a courier.

The story is, obviously, told from 3 different points of view and it's so skillfully done. Their problems, their agonies, their longings, their eccentricities are very convincing and well expressed. Every chapter delivers something significant. I mean you can't skip the pages. And every chapter ends with a cliffhanger that keeps you intrigued.

Even the secondary characters are intriguing and mysterious.

If I have to nitpick: I felt the second last chapter seemed unnecessarily stretched.

Overall, 'Strangers' is a very good, gripping and intelligently crafted psychological thriller. A fantastic read! I would love to read other books by this author.

Thank you, Netgalley for the ARC.

Great story. I was wondering how the 3 storylines would converge and its really only at the very end that it does.
Lots going on in this book. Excellent read.

Thanks for the ARC

I absolutely loved this book! It's cleverly written, has plenty of shocking surprises and kept me up at night because I did not wish to put it down.
This is a story about 3 strangers Ursula, Gareth, and Alice. CL Taylor has created believable and flawed characters and draws you in to the mystery that will ultimately bring all of the strangers together.with terrifying consequences. Highly recommended, well done C.L Taylor.

Top class suspense novel! Masterly written. Kept me guessing and wanting for more all the way though! Interesting characters who feels real, and with a story that is beautifully thought through. Can be recommended to anyone who wants to read a really GOOD book.