4.5 rounded up
Stalker, noun. 1. A person who harasses or persecutes someone with unwanted or obsessive attention.
2. A person who hunts game stealthily.
I cannot imagine the terror of being relentlessly pursued by every means possible, the constant looking over your shoulder with senses on full alert and the living in fear and terror. The hunter and the hunted, prey and pray. Some find it necessary to move house, to leave a job, to leave family and friends in order to stay safe. This is the subject of CL Taylor’s latest novel, it’s a story of a small WhatsApp support group of stalkers victims, Natalie, Bridget, River, Lucy and Alex. The novel starts at Natalie‘s funeral (Yes, the worst happens) when the four are presented with a wreath with a note attached. There’s an RIP and also a threat or warning that one of them will die in ten days time. They need a plan, can they, will they, be able to take back control?? The novel is told by all four and as a ten day countdown.
Oh, my word, this novel absolutely hooks you in the most devastating way right from the very start. The author makes me feel it, the nerves are positively jangling, the nerves shredded as the fear and terror are palpable. There are multiple occasions where shivers run up and down the spine, you feel the need to look over your shoulder, just to check and at times the tension is off the scale. Parts of the novel are terrifying, your heart is in your mouth. It’s creepy, chilling and scary, exactly as it’s meant to be in order to gain some understanding of what stalkers put their targets through.
Each character is well portrayed, they have their own unique voice and good back stories. You do question their reliability at times as understandably after what has happened to them they become secretive. Can you blame them? Who can they trust? This is a very strong element in the plot as you go back-and-forth, reflecting on what has been said or done, and there are occasions where my suspicion antenna twitches this way and that. This is very intensely plotted, at times it’s a slow burn, but then the pace picks up dramatically which only seems to make what unfolds even more terrifying. There are some surprising revelations, some good red herring, some blind alleys, and multiple twists and turns which propels the storytelling to a very satisfying ending.
I am in total awe of the bravery and guts of these characters and those that have suffered the persecution of a stalker. This is written with an insight and authenticity and kudos to the author for writing it. It’s a genuine page turner and hard to put down. I think my heart rate has finally slowed and my breathing is now back to normal. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.