The Perfect Stranger

by A.J. Carter

Would you stay in a stranger’s home?

Nicole’s daughter vanished years ago, leaving behind a mystery that consumed her. Enter James—charming, attentive, and seemingly perfect, he sweeps Nicole off her feet and away to his idyllic lake house.

But something feels off. Strange occurrences and locals’ warnings hint at dark secrets. Could this perfect stranger be connected to Ella’s disappearance? As past and present collide, Nicole must uncover the truth before it’s too late.

A gripping thriller about a mother’s search for her child and a stranger’s dangerous allure.
—————

Genres: Psychological Thriller, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2024

About the author

AJ Carter is a psychological thriller author from Bristol, England. His first book, The Family Secret, is praised by critics around the world, and he continues to regularly deliver suspenseful novels you can’t put down.

Sign up to his mailing list today and be the first to hear about upcoming releases and hot new deals for existing books. You’ll also receive a FREE digital copy of The Couple Downstairs – an unputdownable domestic thriller you won’t find anywhere else in the world: https://BookHip.com/WAXFLLP

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole has the devastating news that her husband has been killed in a hit and run…her 5 year old daughter was also in the car…but there is no trace of her, she seems to have vanished

Years later and a recluse Nicole eats sleeps and pretty much nothing else until her friend decides for her that she is going on a date….with James….who seems perfect, of course this is a psychological thriller so he is anything but…..however Nicole even in her wildest dreams ( nightmares! ) could not imagine exactly who he is

I had to suspend belief for a while with this book but that’s ok and the story progresses into a who and why and how dunit with a lot to be revealed, a really strong and shocking ending that I was really pleased with as even though read so much I had no idea it was coming

An easy to read, as all the authors books are, yet dark tale of sinister goings on in a seemingly perfect village

[NecLinn ♡♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

That ending though 😭💔

[Shan Fernando · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finished it in a day and what a waste of time. Awful story, bad writing. The premise was interesting but the book was anything but. Most of it felt like filler and the pacing was too slow. And that ending was ridiculous. All in all the whole book was absolute garbage.

[Nicole Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was depressing

[Pujie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/4

Main Characters:

Nicole and Henry Webber, Ella, Kayleigh, James, and Robert.

Synopsis:

Nicole Webber has been grieving and mourning the loss of her husband who died in a car accident and her 5 year old daughter who is missing. It's been 15 years since that incident. She has become a shell of a person; no longer interested in humanity or life in general.

Her best friend, Kayleigh, has been trying to bring back some sense of normalcy into her life, but she hasn't succeeded. Though surprisingly one day she sets Nicole up on a date with a guy named James. She was hesitant at first, but she decided to go on the date at the last minute.

Surprisingly she had an amazing time with him, but there’s something off about him. He knows way more about her past than he lets on, and it quickly becomes clear that their meeting wasn’t just a coincidence. He knows a lot more about her and her family than he's letting on. Was meeting him a blessing in disguise?


With desperation pushing her forward, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to uncover the truth. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous things become. Will she ever find her daughter? How far will she go to find out the truth?


Review:

This book took a while to really pick up, and it didn’t get exciting until about halfway through. Some parts felt repetitive, and a few chapters didn’t seem necessary, which made it drag a bit. That said, there were plenty of twists, and the ending was definitely surprising! I also really enjoyed the depth of certain characters, especially Nicole, James, and Ella. Despite the slow start, I’d still check out more books by this author.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Perfect Stranger an amazing psychological thriller by AJ Carter.

Nicole's husband and daughter have been in a tragic car crash and Henry her husband dies but Ella her five year old daughter has gone missing from the crash site and there is no trace of her anywhere.

Fifteen years have passed and Kayleigh, Nicole's only friend suggests that she should try to make a fresh start and instigates a date for her via a dating app.

Along comes James who wines and dines her and they get on well together. James has planned a get away for them both at his Lake house. All seems to go to plan until Nicole walks into the small town where a neigbour warns her to run as fast as she can from James.

James is not all he appears to be as he is hiding a crushing secret from Nicole which is going to break her heart.

This thriller is fast paced and the ending is menacing, moving and tugs at your heart

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

AJ Carter’s latest book ‘The Perfect Stranger’ showcases his mastery of suspense and engaging storytelling, drawing me into a world where tension lurks around every corner.

In his latest novel AJ weaves a seamless blend of unpredictability and psychological depth. I was pulled into the story from the very first page right until I had turned the last.

The great pacing, combined with unexpected twists, ensured that the tension built with every chapter making it impossible to put the book down.

I really enjoyed the descriptive storytelling and how I was able to picture the scenes through the descriptions, as they painted vivid images in my mind, enhancing my overall reading experience.

This book is a must read for fans of psychological thrillers.

Thank you so much AJ for allowing me an early copy and for being part of your ARC team.

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully entertaining psychological thriller that drew me in right away and kept me on a roller coaster ride of chilling suspense. There were twists I didn’t see coming. A sinister tale of a daughter who goes missing twelve years ago, leaving a devastated mother to mourn the loss. Along comes a stranger who adds a new mystery to the story. This is a captivating story that I couldn’t put down!

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Stranger by AJ Carter was really good, but very predictable. The story kept me engaged, and I enjoyed the suspense, even though I could see the twists coming. Nicole’s journey and the mystery of her missing daughter were intriguing, but James’ character felt a little too obvious. The atmosphere and small-town secrets added tension, but the ending was expected. It was an entertaining and easy read, perfect for a quick thriller fix.

[Shelley Whipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mother’s determination is forever unmatched. The story of twist and turns about a mother who is looking for her missing daughter after 15 years. Nicole gets more than she bargains for when her friend eventually convince her to go on a date with someone from a dating app. The story is very fast paced and captivating from the start. Another brilliant job done by AJ!

[Doreen Binks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book which held my attention most of the time but the last few chapters seemed rushed to reach a conclusion and the 'twist' at the end seemed to give the author a good excuse to finalise the story. Seemed rather far fetched but after all, it is a story and not factual. I would read more from this author.

[Ana Decosta · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a heartbreaking story. Well-written, perhaps a bit exaggerated with lenghty descriptions of emotions, but something else indeed. No HE included, so tread carefully. I’d like to see this one turned into a movie one day. 4 stars.

[Ritta Kloss · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow Very well written

This story broke my heart all the while cheering on everyone who had a mission! If I’d not lost one of my daughters in 2011, this book would not have the same impact. Truly a must read!

[Connie Morell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was well written and didn’t get boring 🥱. There were some “jaw dropping moments “ I was engrossed in the story but didn’t like the ending. In my mind , I pictured something very different. However, there could be a sequel in the works. Fast paced too. Didn’t see the ending coming.

[Sharon Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

Nicole has spent 15 years trying to come to terms with her husband's death and her daughter's disappearance. She never gave up. Great characters good storyline. Well written.

[Mary Ann McLeroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Stranger

Well. I loved the book, all twisty and nerve-wracking. Then the end! I HATE the ending. Not because of the writing, AJ Carter is masterful, but this twist~~~~~hated it. Sorry

[Brenda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Great book. Keep you guessing. Kept me up past my bed time, needing to know what could happen next. She finally finds another love after losing her whole family. Then it really gets good. I did not want it to end the way it did, but probably the only way it could.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely powerful book especially with the current child abductions.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just WOW! Each of his books gets better than the last.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad ending, it made me cry.

[Carol Gulick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad

Exciting, heartfelt, but very sad. For once, no happily ever after. A more realistic ending, but I am hoping for a sequel.

[Diana Gail Silliman · Rating 2 out of 5]

The perfect stranger

I hated the way this book ended. I thought it was good until I got to the end. Hated that I spent time reading it.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Millie Harnish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

Wish it would not end. what a wonderful writer. Wish all my books were this good. Please let there be another book by this person.

[Selina Middleton-Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, the pace was good! Didn't expect it to end how it did.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I knew what was gonna happen early on, but the ending was not what I thought it would be. Nevertheless, it was an easy read and not a long book. I think I read it in two days or less.

[Hurrem Mordt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read but a thoroughly depressing one with a sad ending.

[Nancy Bean · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow ! Excellent read, couldn’t put it down, unexpected twist at the end !

[Robin L. Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was hard to get through.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

not a fan of the ending...