Cindel has already been through more loss than anyone should have to bear. She lost her hearing in an explosion and later endured the heartbreak of her brother’s sudden death. Then, six months ago, her boyfriend vanished without a trace.
While bartending at a local pub, Cindel finds a single earbud left behind. Music begins to play through the small white device, each song laced with eerie messages and buried truths from her past. Now, she’s being followed, and the dark stranger’s plan is unfolding.
Will her stalker shed light on the disturbing events of the past, or are they determined to pull Cindel into their own shadowed agenda?
"The Stalker's Playlist" is D.C. Powers’ debut novel within the dark romance genre. Her desire is to not only create stories that are inclusive and diverse, but also humorous… Sometimes questionably inappropriate. I mean, are you really expressing yourself if people don’t question your sanity? When D.C. Powers isn’t writing, she’s spending time with family or hyper-focusing on some random new interest. She will always be obsessed with shiny things, candy, and her very own mmc.
I seen the book cover and immediately requested to be an arc reader. What I didn’t expect was how the story inside would drag me through murder, mystery, family betrayal, and EMOTIONAL DAMAGE.
The characters were unforgettable. Each of them had depth, purpose, and a role to play. You’ll love some. You’ll hate some. And eventually, you’ll understand them all.
✨ T r o p e s + T r i g g e r s ✨ Disability Rep Multiple POV Masked Stalker Loss of Family Member Murder Mystery Friend & Family Betrayals The BEST Music Playlist
Book Cover ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Would I recommend this book to you? Yes Expected Release Day: 12/29/2025
D.C. Powers - THANK YOU for trusting me with your debut. I’m so grateful to have been on your ARC team and honestly still not over this book. I can’t wait for everyone to meet these characters. 🖤
Okay listen… I went into this book thinking, “Alright, let’s see what this stalker man is about,” and next thing I know I’m standing at my sink holding my phone in one hand and washing dishes with the other because I literally could not put it down.
For me, it started out steady, laying the groundwork, introducing everyone and then BAM, something clicks and suddenly you’re sucked in like, “Ohhhh okay, THIS is what we’re doing.” After that point, I was hooked.
And let’s talk vibes. It’s very golden retriever energy meets obsessed stalker mystery. Which somehow works way too well. Like I want a stalker, too. Haha. The chemistry hits, the mystery keeps you guessing, and every time I thought I knew what was going on, I absolutely did not.
I’m usually an audiobook girlie, so physically reading something takes me a minute, but once this one grabbed me, that was it. I tore through it. The twists? So good. The little spicyyyyyy moments? Perfectly sprinkled in. The ending? Chefs kiss.
If you like mystery with tension, secrets, and just enough spice to keep things fun, this one is worth it.
So thankful I was able to get my hands on this book everyone else. 🩷
This book was sooo good! I haven’t read a book that combines a murder mystery, dark romance and mafia so well ever! Every time I thought I had something figured out I would be wrong.
I loved who the stalker was and their backstory together. Being able to get the history of the families made everything that was going on today make more sense. Especially Cindel’s story.
I am hoping there will be other character spinoff series coming after this book! 😍
The nostalgic throwback to the music era is top tier—it hit all the right notes (hehe see what I did?!) and made the story come alive.
The MMC is pure chef’s kiss—protective without being overbearing, letting the FMC find her own way while still being her rock when she needs it most. We love a MMC who feeds us candy ❤️
And the banter between Red and Silver? Let’s just say it had me kicking my feet and grinning like an idiot. You’ll have to read the book to understand why. 😉
The Stalker’s Playlist didn’t gently pull me in it stalked me from the shadows, whispered my name, and waited until I looked over my shoulder before sinking its claws in. This book is the definition of a slow burn that knows exactly what it’s doing: tightening the rope, dimming the lights, and letting the anxiety of “who’s watching who?” settle under your skin.
The masked MMC? He’s the kind of man your therapist would quit over. Calculated. Devoted. A little too observant. The kind of guy who knows your schedule better than you do and somehow you don’t want him to stop.
The disability rep was one of the biggest surprises. Both characters carry wounds that don’t need to be romanticized to be compelling. Their vulnerabilities make the tension sharper, the intimacy heavier, and the connection far more believable than the typical dark romance dynamic.
The spice? Slow… and then suddenly you’re being choked by toy-play scenes that feel illegal to read in public. The playlist? A whole atmosphere, it’s practically another character in the book. Every song hits like a confession, every lyric drips with obsession, and the beats mirror the tension tightening between chapters. It’s the soundtrack of stalking, yearning, danger, and the unhinged devotion that runs through every page. The mafia and murder mystery threads? Just enough grit to keep you guessing who’s lying, who’s dying, and who’s about to get tied to a chair in the next chapter.
This book doesn’t rush. It stalks. It circles. It breathes against the back of your neck until you finally turn the last page and realize you’ve been holding your breath.
If you like your romance dark, obsessive, morally gray, and wrapped in danger, this one will feed your chaotic little heart.
ARC Review- In The Stalker’s Playlist we meet 20-something Cindel Mari, a deaf, college graduate who is working multiple jobs to make ends meet. South Boston is home, and where she holds on to cherished memories following her brother’s death. But when her boyfriend disappears shortly thereafter, Cindel stops pursuing what she loves for fear of getting hurt. It isn’t until she meets a handsome stranger while bartending that she considers that love may actually still be in the cards for her. Then she finds an abandoned earbud that mysteriously begins playing songs at random moments. She soon realizes that someone is playing these songs for her specifically, a secret admirer maybe or could it be the handsome new stranger? The mysterious earbud sets in motion a whirlwind of events that Cindel never saw coming, will Cindel find her prince or will her life implode?
The Stalker’s Playlist delighted my little 90’s nostalgia loving heart. Not only is the actual playlist fantastic, but the story itself was gripping, which had my heart pounding and my head running a million miles an hour. As the plot unfolds, thick as molasses, it has layer upon layer of complexity and depth. As it unravels, you start understanding the characters better and even see some of them in a different light. The on page chemistry between characters including love interests, family, and friends is powerfully magnetic and emotionally irresistible. The mystery of Stalker’s Playlist will have you thinking you have it all figured out and then boom, you’re thrown for another loop. Probably my favorite dark romance debut this year, obviously I’m recommending this one!
Some books whisper. Some books scream. This one stalks you.
The stalkers playlist isn’t just a thriller it’s a slow, tightening grip around your throat.From the very first page, D.C. Powers drags you into a twisted game of obsession, control, and psychological warfare where love isn’t romantic… it’s predatory. The concept of a “stalker’s playlist” is genius and deeply unsettling every song choice feels like a breadcrumb, every lyric like a threat left on your doorstep.
And the tension?
Unreal.
I kept checking over my shoulder while reading. Every notification on my phone felt suspicious. Every chapter ended like a trapdoor dropping out from under me.The writing is sharp and cinematic gritty without trying too hard, dark without losing emotional punch. You don’t just read this story… you experience it. You feel watched. Followed. Chosen.
The villain? Terrifying because they feel possible.
Not supernatural. Not exaggerated. Just human.
And somehow that’s worse.
By the final act, my heart was racing like I’d run a marathon. Twists hit hard and fast, and that ending? Absolutely savage. The kind that leaves you staring at the wall afterward rethinking everything.
If you like: ✔ psychological thrillers ✔ obsessive love stories gone wrong ✔ morally gray characters ✔ creepy, music-driven themes ✔ books that mess with your head
…this one needs to be on your shelf immediately.
This isn’t a comfort read. It’s a lock-your-doors, read-at-2AM, “what did I just experience” kind of read.
2/5 Stars 2/5 Spice - open door, but only handful of scenes
Disability Representation Stalker Loss of Family Member Murder Mystery Betrayals Multiple POV - nearly everybody
After her brother's death, Cindel does not trust the police or the cause of death they provided. She is determined to discover the truth, but hits roadblock after roadblock, and when her boyfriend suddenly disappears she grows even more confused. She also has hearing loss from an accident when she was a child, and has to have hearing aids, but when she finds a random airpod/headphone that likes to play random songs, her life takes a turn where finding out the truth leads to more than just her brother's death.
Overall, this is a good book, with a lot of characters and moving parts and you work through solving the multi layered issues and questions with the FMC. I enjoyed the storyline, but did feel like there was a lot of information or detail that caused the book to feel like it dragged on. I do not think this book is a good fit for me, but would recommend it to the right person. I really enjoyed the music aspect of this, and how the FMC hearing was a routine part of the story, and not a small throw away detail. It really added to the story.
The Stalker’s Playlist, written by D.C. Powers, is my first by this author. I read the blurb of the book, and I was all in! This is a dark stalker romance with a disability rep with a touch of mystery.
The Stalker’s Playlist is a hefty book, and it surprised me in all the best ways! It is a tense, eerie journey that balances mystery, emotional trauma, and a simmering romance. The story follows Cindel, a woman who’s already endured more than anyone could possibly bear: an explosion that robbed her of her hearing, the loss of her brother, and the loss of her boyfriend. When she finds a lone earbud left behind at her bar, the music that plays isn’t just songs; it’s cryptic messages that seem to reach into her past and the darkest parts of her present!
I loved the references to music from my past! The pacing was nice and kept me engaged. I loved the air of mystery. To me, this felt like a bit of a psychological thriller that uses music and trauma endured to create tension.
Thanks to D.C. Powers for gifting me an eARC of The Stalker’s Playlist. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Stalker’s Playlist is a wild, addictive blend of history, drama, mystery, and spice that hooks you from page one and refuses to let go. This story is layered with so many secrets, tangled lies, and hidden motives that every chapter feels like peeling back another mask only to find an even darker truth underneath. This story weaves a web of suspense that keeps you constantly guessing. Every character has their own shadows, their own past, and their own role in the mystery, making the unraveling process incredibly satisfying to watch unfold. It’s one of those reads where you think you know what’s going on… until you turn the next page and realize you absolutely don’t. The tension is sharp, the chemistry is intense, and the twists come at just the right moments. Between the emotional depth, the layered secrets, and the perfectly placed spice, this book keeps you on your toes from start to finish.
GENIUS. The author is an absolute genius. The Stalker's Playlist is a book about a musically inclined stalker, as the title suggests. The author not only created the world's sexist and swoon-worthy stalker, but she also integrated a playlist that revealed extra details about certain scenes. The songs were expertly paired to reveal clues to help both the FMC and the reader unravel the mystery at hand. I'll say it again...GENIUS. I'm one of those people who gets goosebumps from hearing good music and reading a good book. Imagine both happening at the same time? This was one of the best experiences I've ever had reading a book and honestly, I will be re-reading this one. Such a vibe, from beginning to end. The plot, the story line, the characters, every element was there and clearly well thought out. I'm both amazed and in awe at the creativity of D.C. Powers. I'm a fan for life!
3.5 ⭐️ First off I loved the music and how it was woven into the storyline and added to the plot. I thought it was super unique and refreshing. I liked the mystery for the most part. I felt like it got a little big and there were so many people involved in it. So it felt like a lot at times. I didn't like fmc Cindel at first but she grew on me as the story went on. I actually really liked that. It showed character development. Overall I didn't feel like I connected with the story that well so it just didn't hit the mark for me. But I feel that it was well written and a good storyline and I think there will be lots of readers who love it. So if it sounds like a book you would like I would definitely say read it.
Thank you to the author D.C. Powers and team for the eARC.
I was so very excited to read this book after seeing it all over my socials! It didnt disappoint! I found it hard to put it down, even losing hours of sleep just for 'one more chapter' The playfulness mixed with mystery and confusing feelings just kept me hooked! And the playlist!? *chefs kiss* absolute perfection! It was so nice having a female lead that isn't the "normal" type. She was someone I could relate to on so many levels! This book made me feel so nostalgic with a lot of the references and I loved every last one! D.C Powers definitely nailed this genre 🖤
When I read the blurb for the book I was very intrigued by the storyline. My first DC Powers book and I must say it's amazing.
Every chapter builds a sense of creeping unease, and the writing keeps you constantly questioning who to trust.
What makes this book stand out is how it mixes suspense with emotional depth—there’s darkness, but also humanity. It’s the kind of thriller that stays in your head long after you finish, replaying scenes and haunting your mind.
If you enjoy reading thrillers this book is definitely for you!
Thank you DC Powers- for sharing your fantastic work!
I'm so excited about this fresh new presence in the realm of indie dark romance. I really enjoyed the author's voice in this debut; it felt unapologetically true, and the characters' inner thoughts are absolutely hilarious! I think the book does a great job of conveying the ongoing struggles of a main character with hearing loss, and I wish more books (especially in romance and romance cross genres) would dare to do the same. Love what DC Powers is doing here.
I'm excited for more books by this author!
(And can't miss a shout-out for the awesome cover)
I don’t know what else to say besides that this book was awesome! I literally had no idea where the book was leading, just when I thought I knew what was happening....turns out I did not. For example, who the masked stalker was, and so many other things, so the suspense was killing me! I loved how this author wrote this story, the mystery in the plot was so intriguing, the details, how characters were inter-woven with each other, and especially the characters storyline. I loved Cindel, she is so kind but also stubborn and determined, and even with all that has happened to her she is still resilient. Oh, and her stalker’s playlist was (chef’s kiss). Loved the intricacy of how it was incorporated into the storyline and book.
This is a twisted ride full of family secrets, mafia bosses and way too much candy!! Reading this book feels like being apart of a game of clue! You’ll never see the next twist coming and DC leaves you with the perfect ending!
🍬Spoiler free review here so I’m not going to tell you too much! Check your triggers, grab your snacks and a little bevie and enjoy the ride 🍭
This story took me on a ride! Our FMC: Cindel lost her hearing during a “gas” explosion when she was little, since then she has had to learn to navigate through her hearing loss, family loss, grief and tragedy. And things just seem to go from bad to worse when she happens to find one, tiny headphone. The twists and turns in this story are so intense, so much drama, angst, darkness!
And the spice?! THE SPICE!!! Lolly pops, anyone?😜🥵 I loved this story so much!
This one took me a little bit to get into. It was good once I got into it.
The FMC wasn't what people would consider normal and she was relatable in some ways. The playlist that goes along with this read, was pretty cool and it was different.
So many confusing secrets, and lies but it defitintly kept you on your seat. Kept you wanting more to figure it all out.
(4.5 ⭐️) A Stalker’s Playlist is dark, emotional, and impossible to put down. The story pulls you in with its eerie atmosphere, strong tension, and a unique use of music that adds depth to every moment. The characters are complex, the chemistry is intense, and the suspense keeps you guessing until the end!
Love that this book has two main characters with disabilities - hearing loss and speech loss. Well, maybe there are three disabilities represented. One character may be seen as a little insane! There is loss, love, suspense, murder, mob ties, arts and crafts and candy play. So much to keep you entertained for the entire book!
Murder mystery, romance, stalker, found family. Definitely got sucked into this book. Few twists which caught me out, not hugely spicy but what's there is good. My only down side is occasionally some areas are overly described but its nothing major.
I thought this was a fun, interesting concept. I love how it portrays the FMC with a disability, but never makes it seem like she is less than. This book was cute, and yes... open door spicy, while having a good amount of "who dunnit" mixed in
Yall know I looove a good stalker book, and this hit all the feels perfectly!! I loved the back and forth, getting bits of info here and there while fully immersed in the story itself. beautifully done!
I loved this story. Sweet Dax. I loved Eamon as well. Glad everyone got HEA's. My only complaint was the super long run on writing. I hate long chapters and not only did this have long chapters but lacked paragraphs...lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Wow wow wow! DC POWERS debut into the dark romance era and I was not disappointed. Masked stalker ✅ Mafia vibes ✅ Amazing playlist ✅ Murder ✅ Family revenge ✅ Suspense ✅ Definitely a win for the books literally!
Great read! Love the combination of trivia and music to really set the underlying tone and if you squint and pay ATTENTION then you get the movie references compared to the developing plot.
Cindel and the stalker are awesome....um stalker hello yes please!!! Love the banter, spice ,and plot Check your triggers. I love this book Please write more 10 out of 10 read this book!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Thriller meets dark romance with complex characters and multi POV. This Masked stalker obsession is 5 chili peppers! Can’t wait to read more from this author.