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Emma Holden Suspense Mystery #2
The One You Fear
The gripping second installment of the bestselling Emma Holden trilogy. Emma Holden and her friends are trying to move on from the horrific events surrounding Dan’s disappearance. But a shocking revelation drags them back into the nightmare and forces them to question everything they once believed to be true. More secrets will be revealed, more lies will be told, and more lives are under threat.
Packed with twists, turns and cliff-hangers, The One You Fear is now a full length novel of 60,000 words.
Packed with twists, turns and cliff-hangers, The One You Fear is now a full length novel of 60,000 words.
119 pages, ebook
First published December 10, 2012
816 people are currently reading
1582 people want to read
About the author
Paul Pilkington
18 books254 followersPaul Pilkington is a British author of mystery, suspense and thriller novels.
He is best known for his Emma Holden Suspense Mystery series, which follows the story of a young actress named Emma Holden who is thrown into a world of danger and intrigue after the sudden disappearance of her boyfriend. The three novels of the trilogy - The One You Love, The One You Fear, and The One You Trust - have gained thousands of five star reviews worldwide.
Pilkington has also written several best-selling standalone novels, including For Your Own Protection and the Kindle Number One Someone to Save You.
His highly rated Detective Paul Cullen mystery series, featuring a dedicated and determined british transport police detective, is currently at Book 4.
Paul's new novel, You Must Remember Everything, is a psychological thriller about a woman who wakes up in a sealed room, unable to remember who she is or how she got there. To escape, she must face her darkest memories and fears.
Paul Pilkington's writing style is fast-paced, suspenseful, and character-driven. His novels explore the most human of themes and issues, such as love, loss, family, and redemption, in a way that keeps those pages turning.
He is best known for his Emma Holden Suspense Mystery series, which follows the story of a young actress named Emma Holden who is thrown into a world of danger and intrigue after the sudden disappearance of her boyfriend. The three novels of the trilogy - The One You Love, The One You Fear, and The One You Trust - have gained thousands of five star reviews worldwide.
Pilkington has also written several best-selling standalone novels, including For Your Own Protection and the Kindle Number One Someone to Save You.
His highly rated Detective Paul Cullen mystery series, featuring a dedicated and determined british transport police detective, is currently at Book 4.
Paul's new novel, You Must Remember Everything, is a psychological thriller about a woman who wakes up in a sealed room, unable to remember who she is or how she got there. To escape, she must face her darkest memories and fears.
Paul Pilkington's writing style is fast-paced, suspenseful, and character-driven. His novels explore the most human of themes and issues, such as love, loss, family, and redemption, in a way that keeps those pages turning.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
February 4, 2023
Emma's fiance, Dan (who was kidnapped in the first book) is now back with Emma but the wedding is on hold. Whilst on holiday, Emma thinks she is being followed by a stalker, one that looks a lot like her previous stalker, Stephen, but he's dead, right?
The second in the trilogy was actually a lot better than the first. There were still major plot holes (including the police being conspicuous by their absence for most of the book) and it was obvious that someone wasn't who they said they were, but on the whole, it was fairly readable. Just one annoyance - Miranda, Emma's dad's new younger girlfriend is annoying. Is it too much to hope she gets killed off in the finale?!
The second in the trilogy was actually a lot better than the first. There were still major plot holes (including the police being conspicuous by their absence for most of the book) and it was obvious that someone wasn't who they said they were, but on the whole, it was fairly readable. Just one annoyance - Miranda, Emma's dad's new younger girlfriend is annoying. Is it too much to hope she gets killed off in the finale?!
January 9, 2022
The One You Fear is book two in the Emma Holden Suspense Mystery by Paul Pilkington. Moving on after the kidnap of Dan was difficult for Emma Holden and her friends. However, new information has turned up that put friends and herself questioning their beliefs. The One You Fear readers will go on a rollercoaster ride with Emma Holden and her friends to find out what happens.
The One You Fear is an excellent novella and enjoyable book to read. I did engage with the story of this book from the first page. I like how Paul Pilkington portrayed his characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. The One You Fear is well written and researched by Paul Pilkington. I like Paul Pilkington description of the settings of The One You Fear that complimented the book's Plot.
The One You Fear readers will learn the consequences of keeping secrets. Also, the reader's of The One You Fear will learn about Arachnophobia and some of the treatments to remove the fear.
I recommend this book.
The One You Fear is an excellent novella and enjoyable book to read. I did engage with the story of this book from the first page. I like how Paul Pilkington portrayed his characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. The One You Fear is well written and researched by Paul Pilkington. I like Paul Pilkington description of the settings of The One You Fear that complimented the book's Plot.
The One You Fear readers will learn the consequences of keeping secrets. Also, the reader's of The One You Fear will learn about Arachnophobia and some of the treatments to remove the fear.
I recommend this book.
July 19, 2013
After reading "The One You Love," in a day, I had to get this one too and chomp it down. It was fast paced, held my interest, and still slightly predictable. A summer fun book that isn't intellectual but still very exciting for the thrill factor. Fun!
February 13, 2014
A great follow up to the first book. Probably more shocking than the first book and pretty damn exciting! The ending was cute but perhaps too cute for a mystery thriller book. Undeniably such a great twist to this book!
March 2, 2017
ugh. I read this second book in the trilogy because I was able to get it for free (I rarely buy books!) My library does not have this series, and I will not pay $3.99 to read the conclusion. Just not interested. The characters in this book and uninteresting and seem simple.
May 5, 2015
Really enjoyed this possible not as much as the first one but still enjoyed it can't wait to read the third book
August 4, 2020
So far, I am curious what direction Paul Pinkington is going with this mystery. I love mysteries and I want to see where it’s going.
So far I’m not impressed and I’m doing a lot of eye rolling.
So far I’m not impressed and I’m doing a lot of eye rolling.
June 21, 2024
Corny but compelling changes to Dense and doltish.
Her brother dates a would be killer who’s plotting his death, while all the time she (his sister-the heroine) has the killer’s identity in an envelope that (boo hoo) she didn’t want to open. She was intent on solving the mystery on one hand and ignoring a huge piece of evidence on the other hand. In one moment we are to believe she (and all the main characters) are super smart and savvy. But then on the other hand, their actions as the author records it, are doltish and dense and well —dumb! And oh yeah the father and Will-what a couple of whine bags, naive and ridiculously nonsensical. Do I have to read the third one Mr. Pilkington?
Her brother dates a would be killer who’s plotting his death, while all the time she (his sister-the heroine) has the killer’s identity in an envelope that (boo hoo) she didn’t want to open. She was intent on solving the mystery on one hand and ignoring a huge piece of evidence on the other hand. In one moment we are to believe she (and all the main characters) are super smart and savvy. But then on the other hand, their actions as the author records it, are doltish and dense and well —dumb! And oh yeah the father and Will-what a couple of whine bags, naive and ridiculously nonsensical. Do I have to read the third one Mr. Pilkington?
June 30, 2014
I got this book for free in a Goodreads Giveaway
For me this suffered the second book slump, it was good, but I felt the Pilkington could have just left it at the first book, the ending of the first book could have been tweaked slightly and left as it was, instead I feel he has dragged the book out so that it could be 3 books.
As a mystery story I think it did it's job as I was not expecting many of the twists and turns, however it didn't hold my attention as much as the first book did.
Pro's:
A lot of unexpected twists and turns
Con's:
The book felt dragged out.
Overall, I found I enjoyed the writers writing style and the mystery but I don't think he needed to turn this into a trilogy.
For me this suffered the second book slump, it was good, but I felt the Pilkington could have just left it at the first book, the ending of the first book could have been tweaked slightly and left as it was, instead I feel he has dragged the book out so that it could be 3 books.
As a mystery story I think it did it's job as I was not expecting many of the twists and turns, however it didn't hold my attention as much as the first book did.
Pro's:
A lot of unexpected twists and turns
Con's:
The book felt dragged out.
Overall, I found I enjoyed the writers writing style and the mystery but I don't think he needed to turn this into a trilogy.
July 9, 2013
Much better, because even though I guessed the ending... A lot won't! Good job Mr Pinkington. Great character development, lots of twists and turns. This takes advantage of nice people's tendencies to feel sorry for someone but thats when A twist happens. Watch out and keep up, its a ride!
September 12, 2016
It's been a while since I read the first book in the series. It was kind of a lucky chance coming across the series as I was looking for a thriller back then and the book just turned out to be what I wanted. The first book had its flaws but was a page-turner which is why I decided to buy book 2 and 3 right away.
'The One You Fear' picks up a couple of days after book 1. The author, however, did a great job incorporating past events. It was easy to get back into the story. I like the author's writing style as its fast-paced but I didn't enjoy reading this book not as much as book 1. To be honest, some of the writing tools he has been using made sense before but didn't have the same effect on me now. For example, the constant change of POV. While I didn't know what was going on and being inside the bad guys head in book 1 kept me guessing for quite a while it didn't really add something to the story this time. I've got a suspicion in which direction the author wanted the reader to guess but, as I said, this didn't work for me.
Another aspect that annoyed me a little if the constant need of the main characters to take every action in their own hands. Maybe I'm a little coward and trust law enforcement a little too much but I can't wrap my head around their actions. I remember sometimes being annoyed by the main character, Emma, as I do not always understand her actions. Definitely, had those moments in book 2 but I got used to it. She won't turn into my next favorite character but I can stand her enough to enjoy reading about her.
Some of the minor characters were insufferable at times (talking about Emma's father here) but since I don't believe in loving every character within a story I'm pretty much okay with it.
The last couple of pages held a plot twist that I hadn't seen coming despite being really quick to guess when it came to the rest of the story. There was more like a lingering feeling of something is wrong here but I couldn't pinpoint it.
In the end, I believe the series is worth my while and I look forward to reading book 3.
'The One You Fear' picks up a couple of days after book 1. The author, however, did a great job incorporating past events. It was easy to get back into the story. I like the author's writing style as its fast-paced but I didn't enjoy reading this book not as much as book 1. To be honest, some of the writing tools he has been using made sense before but didn't have the same effect on me now. For example, the constant change of POV. While I didn't know what was going on and being inside the bad guys head in book 1 kept me guessing for quite a while it didn't really add something to the story this time. I've got a suspicion in which direction the author wanted the reader to guess but, as I said, this didn't work for me.
Another aspect that annoyed me a little if the constant need of the main characters to take every action in their own hands. Maybe I'm a little coward and trust law enforcement a little too much but I can't wrap my head around their actions. I remember sometimes being annoyed by the main character, Emma, as I do not always understand her actions. Definitely, had those moments in book 2 but I got used to it. She won't turn into my next favorite character but I can stand her enough to enjoy reading about her.
Some of the minor characters were insufferable at times (talking about Emma's father here) but since I don't believe in loving every character within a story I'm pretty much okay with it.
The last couple of pages held a plot twist that I hadn't seen coming despite being really quick to guess when it came to the rest of the story. There was more like a lingering feeling of something is wrong here but I couldn't pinpoint it.
In the end, I believe the series is worth my while and I look forward to reading book 3.
August 15, 2014
This is a sequel to THE ONE YOU LOVE and I found it better than the first book. It is a novella and for that reason took only a short time to read. I liked that the events picked up from the last book and take place four weeks later. It is a mystery instead of a thriller like the first one.
Emma is on vacation and thinks she sees the stalker that she thought had been killed in the first book. Then she receives flowers from the "stalker". What if the body hadn't really been the stalker and he was still out there and wanting to hurt her?
I liked it.
Verified Amazon purchase.
Emma is on vacation and thinks she sees the stalker that she thought had been killed in the first book. Then she receives flowers from the "stalker". What if the body hadn't really been the stalker and he was still out there and wanting to hurt her?
I liked it.
Verified Amazon purchase.
January 8, 2014
It was pretty good, didn't love it just like the first but it kept me pretty interested and kept me thinking. I need to stop0 reading series where all the books aren't out though, I think I do this with almost every series I start reading...lol Hoping the next one comes out soon.
November 2, 2015
For all the hype, I expected more
I guess after I've seen all the copies it has sold and all the fantastic reviews, I just thought I'd get more from it. It never had me in the "edge of my seat" or really surprised.
I guess after I've seen all the copies it has sold and all the fantastic reviews, I just thought I'd get more from it. It never had me in the "edge of my seat" or really surprised.
October 23, 2020
The second in the trilogy, i enjoyed it of course! But it was not as suspenseful or twisty turvy as the first one! Even the third one caption wise is reading wayyyy more captivating !!! I know Emma is just over it tho lol and Poor Dan lol
August 1, 2016
Good suspense!
I didn't see that ending coming. I enjoyed it. Good build up. Will read the final book. Hope it's with it.
I didn't see that ending coming. I enjoyed it. Good build up. Will read the final book. Hope it's with it.
July 19, 2018
The One You Fear — Paul Pilkington (Prologue + 37 chapters) July 17-19, 2018
This was sort of letdown from the first book. Even though there was a bit of mystery, it didn’t feel suspenseful or really hook me in until the last five or six chapters. Up until that point, the plot meandered.
True that I didn’t really know where this plot was going, it still felt more romance than mystery. Both Emma dn Will are working on their relationships and it looks pretty serious for Will.
However, an unexpected item from Emma’s past shows up and she spends nearly the whole book fretting over it, [which caused me to take longer reading the book!] before Lizzy steps in. This is when the plot finally picks up and gets good in that I kept turning the pages and didn’t want to stop at one chapter. Before then, there were times that one chapter was perfectly fine for me.
Dear old Dad takes a back seat in this story, and there is a new nemesis plot that doesn’t get solved completely, at least not to my liking, before the book ends. One more in this series. I’ll be interested to see how it ends.
At the beginning of the book there was a quick overview of the first book to bring readers who had not read the first one up to speed. Even though I had read “The One You Love,” right before this one, that would be good for regular readers who don’t get that option.
I saw one type/grammatical error (and no it wasn’t due to British English spelling.)
Not as strong as the first until the very end, the ending did give it an extra star…but barely.
Low three stars.
This was sort of letdown from the first book. Even though there was a bit of mystery, it didn’t feel suspenseful or really hook me in until the last five or six chapters. Up until that point, the plot meandered.
True that I didn’t really know where this plot was going, it still felt more romance than mystery. Both Emma dn Will are working on their relationships and it looks pretty serious for Will.
However, an unexpected item from Emma’s past shows up and she spends nearly the whole book fretting over it, [which caused me to take longer reading the book!] before Lizzy steps in. This is when the plot finally picks up and gets good in that I kept turning the pages and didn’t want to stop at one chapter. Before then, there were times that one chapter was perfectly fine for me.
Dear old Dad takes a back seat in this story, and there is a new nemesis plot that doesn’t get solved completely, at least not to my liking, before the book ends. One more in this series. I’ll be interested to see how it ends.
At the beginning of the book there was a quick overview of the first book to bring readers who had not read the first one up to speed. Even though I had read “The One You Love,” right before this one, that would be good for regular readers who don’t get that option.
I saw one type/grammatical error (and no it wasn’t due to British English spelling.)
Not as strong as the first until the very end, the ending did give it an extra star…but barely.
Low three stars.
March 22, 2017
Unlike many readers, I really enjoyed the first book in this series. So I decided to read the second one straight away -- and why not? It was free, as well.
Unfortunately I regretted the decision almost immediately. While the version I downloaded from iBooks billed this as a "revised and updated version" I caught a few mistakes in the first few pages. For example, one of the characters apologized for being "noisy" instead of "nosy," and another sentence included the word "here" when it should have been "her" (or vice versa). At any rate, it was distracting and annoying.
As for the character development and plot, everything felt somewhat contrived and forced.
So while I am interested in finding out what the third installment might have in store, I am not intrigued enough to buy the book... Perhaps it will end up in the "free" section sooner or later. In either case, I can wait.
Technically 2.5 stars.
Letter grade: C+
Unfortunately I regretted the decision almost immediately. While the version I downloaded from iBooks billed this as a "revised and updated version" I caught a few mistakes in the first few pages. For example, one of the characters apologized for being "noisy" instead of "nosy," and another sentence included the word "here" when it should have been "her" (or vice versa). At any rate, it was distracting and annoying.
As for the character development and plot, everything felt somewhat contrived and forced.
So while I am interested in finding out what the third installment might have in store, I am not intrigued enough to buy the book... Perhaps it will end up in the "free" section sooner or later. In either case, I can wait.
Technically 2.5 stars.
Letter grade: C+
March 21, 2025
This is the second instalment of the Emma Holden series. With all the Stephen Myers drama behind her, Emma is trying to get on with her life but finds herself being stalked again by someone who looks very much like Stephen Myers....... but he's dead though right?
Paul Pilkington is clearly an excellent writer as he knows how to hook the audience in and make you feel like you just cannot put the book down. I did guess who the "baddie" was pretty early on but that was just from me being a naturally very suspicious person! I really enjoy the way he writes, interweaving so many lives together to form a really great story, he really does keep you guessing at all the various elements all the way through the book!
It was a little less exciting than the first book yet still managed to keep me hooked, I completed it in less than 24hrs! I've already moved on to the 3rd and final instalment of the series and it's already shaping up to be a good one!
Paul Pilkington is clearly an excellent writer as he knows how to hook the audience in and make you feel like you just cannot put the book down. I did guess who the "baddie" was pretty early on but that was just from me being a naturally very suspicious person! I really enjoy the way he writes, interweaving so many lives together to form a really great story, he really does keep you guessing at all the various elements all the way through the book!
It was a little less exciting than the first book yet still managed to keep me hooked, I completed it in less than 24hrs! I've already moved on to the 3rd and final instalment of the series and it's already shaping up to be a good one!
January 14, 2019
One word...SUSPENSE!
I chose only four stars because of one of the twists. However extremely clever I feel as though it could have been a bit better. This book though, is absolutely incredible. Paul Pilkington has written a phenomenal second book. The way he writes keeps you wanting to read as much as you can. We all watch and or hear stories like these and never think it could happen to us. However, these books truly make you think about the choices you make and, the ones you surround yourself with. I can't wait to read the third and final installment. If you love mystery-thrillers, these books are definitely for you.
I chose only four stars because of one of the twists. However extremely clever I feel as though it could have been a bit better. This book though, is absolutely incredible. Paul Pilkington has written a phenomenal second book. The way he writes keeps you wanting to read as much as you can. We all watch and or hear stories like these and never think it could happen to us. However, these books truly make you think about the choices you make and, the ones you surround yourself with. I can't wait to read the third and final installment. If you love mystery-thrillers, these books are definitely for you.
August 2, 2020
This Is Better!
I enjoyed this second installment much better than the first. It flowed better, I was able to get through it WITHOUT a struggle, and it was a quicker read. The author kept me interested. It was much more realistic and contained less "fluff". The author did not drag this novel out with unnecessary information or keep the reader wondering longer than needed.
Rating: 5 Stars!!
I will be starting the third installment immediately after this review is submitted. Thanks for stepping it up Pinkerton!!
I enjoyed this second installment much better than the first. It flowed better, I was able to get through it WITHOUT a struggle, and it was a quicker read. The author kept me interested. It was much more realistic and contained less "fluff". The author did not drag this novel out with unnecessary information or keep the reader wondering longer than needed.
Rating: 5 Stars!!
I will be starting the third installment immediately after this review is submitted. Thanks for stepping it up Pinkerton!!
January 12, 2020
It’s been several years since I read the first book. I don’t remember much about it except the basic details and that I loved it from beginning to end. This book was very interesting, too, but there was just something about it that didn’t connect with me. It was like it had all the right aspects except emotion I suppose. It took 9 days to read because I just wasn’t drawn to pick it up. I did also buy the third installment, though, so I’ll be reading it soon as well.
August 24, 2019
Another great book full of lots of twists, one minute you think that you have got the story sorted, then there’s another twist and your thoughts on what’s going on and who’s behind it are blown away. Could not stop reading until I’d got to the end and what a last few chapters it was. If you want to find out anymore you’ll need to read the trilogy. Highly recommend.
August 27, 2024
The second book in the Emma Holden Suspense Mystery trilogy.
After all they’ve been through Dan & Emma take off for a break in Cornwall. After a night at the theatre, they return home to find a bouquet in the doorstep, with a familiar saying on the card. It’s all starting again, or is it? It’s not long before the rest of the group get deeply involved.
After all they’ve been through Dan & Emma take off for a break in Cornwall. After a night at the theatre, they return home to find a bouquet in the doorstep, with a familiar saying on the card. It’s all starting again, or is it? It’s not long before the rest of the group get deeply involved.
March 3, 2018
I liked it, but I was hoping for a different type of resolution. This was probably more true to life than what I was hoping for. I like that it was set in Minnesota, fun to relate to places I have been.
August 6, 2018
Another exciting read with intriguing characters and a great plot. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this excellent narrator. I can't wait to listen to the conclusion of this outstanding series. Happy reading/listening!
May 19, 2019
Sadly I did not find this one as exciting or thrilling as the first. It was a very slow read and felt like there was a lot of bulking out. Saying that... the twist at the end was very good! Now on to number three...
December 4, 2019
I worried part way through I was becoming a little bored with the storyline but it saved itself and took a few twists which kept me interested. Would recommend, certainly not a bad read and I will read the third because I'm intrigued about how it will continue.
January 4, 2020
Not the follow up I thought it would be
The first book The One You Trust is a good mystery thriller that I finished quickly because I just needed to know! This conclusion to the saga lacked the same substance and “what is happening” factor that the first book had.
The first book The One You Trust is a good mystery thriller that I finished quickly because I just needed to know! This conclusion to the saga lacked the same substance and “what is happening” factor that the first book had.
October 21, 2020
More of the mystery unfolds ...
Emma married her fiance Dan, but that didn't stop them from being followed and photographed, even while they were on their honeymoon. One clue may be solved but that leads to even more mysteries.
Emma married her fiance Dan, but that didn't stop them from being followed and photographed, even while they were on their honeymoon. One clue may be solved but that leads to even more mysteries.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews