"For a heart-stopping moment, they’re gone, as if swallowed whole by the darkness and the soil below. The earth seems to hold its breath, time stretching and compressing into an odd dreamlike sensation as I stand frozen, watching, caught at the edge of this unfolding drama."
When Rachelle is compelled to return to her rural childhood home to care for her ailing mother, she must set aside her aspirations of a vibrant life in the big-city.
Isolated in endless cornfields, Rachelle finds herself overwhelmed by the monotony of country living. But soon, she begins to sense that something is not as it seems. Hidden among the tall stalks are unsettling secrets waiting to surface. Mysterious messages start to appear, leaving her fearing for her safety and questioning what might be happening in her own backyard.
“J.C. Ward’s STALKED is as eerie and unsettling as a stroll through the cornfields at night. Simmering with romantic tension and psychological suspense, it’s a great read for those that celebrate spooky season all year long. There were so many twists and turns I didn’t see coming!”
—Miranda Smith, author of SMILE FOR THE CAMERAS
“Stalked gripped me in from the beginning pages and refused to let go-I could not stop reading it! If JC Ward’s debut is any indication, this is an author destined for big things!”
I love discovering a new thriller author! This was a solid debut - bingebale , fast paced , kept me guessing - all of my favorite things in a thriller. I really did think I had it all figured out but some of the twists in the end got me! I’m excited to read on to book 2. Available on kindle unlimited.
After a freak accident Rachelle is sent back to her hometown to care for her ailing mother. After returning home she realizes the people and places around her are not what they seem. With the help from a cute and mysterious new neighbor in town Elliot, Rachelle begins to dig into the past with him and realize that present day events may have a correlation with the past and the fate of her future.
Many thanks to the author JC Ward for the gifted copy of her debut thriller!
I enjoyed the storyline and the interesting rural surroundings, which added to the creepiness of the story. J.C. Ward has a poetic style of describing her settings and the way her characters are feeling. It was suspenseful, with a little romance thrown in. An impressive debut. I will keep an eye out for what is next for this author!
WOW!! What a truly incredible debut novel by JC Ward, I was totally captivated by this brilliant and suspenseful thriller, I was hooked from the very beginning, the stunning cover was a great start.
As Rachelle was preparing to move on to a new life in the city she received a call informing her that her mom had had an accident and had received serious injuries.
Rachelle moves into her mom's house, and she has a feeling the cornfields surrounding her are holding secrets waiting to be revealed, are the sightings in the corn stalks real or ghostly hallucinations? She is suspicious of her mysterious neighbour Elliott and his odd behaviour and fears he may be a threat and involved in the strange things going on, but knows he's hiding something from his past.
Then there's farmer Dan, whose farm is on the opposite side of the road to Rachelle, does he know of the hidden secrets?
Stalked is an incredibly addictive and very well-written novel by JC Ward, with exceptionally believable characters and visually stunning settings, I can even hear the corn stalks rustle such is the author's descriptive narrative. With short chapters and amazing twists with a totally unexpected and tense surprising ending that keeps you on the edge. I loved this book by the awesome JC Ward and looking forward to book 2.
Soooo, I sat and read the last 40% of this book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. Things got very interesting and there were a whole lot of unexpected turns I didn’t see coming at all. I will say that it is kind of slow in the beginning, maybe some unnecessary details here and there, (probably just my own opinion) but overall, once things started to unravel, I was hooked. Literally NEEDED to know what happened next! I need to read book 2 because I feel like there is so much more I need to discover! This isn’t over!
This story was sooo well written, I was hooked from the prologue and it didn't let me go until the very end. The twists were unique and so unexpected! It was also so fun to read a book based on where you're from, and the corn fields of Ohio are near and dear to me. I remember the feeling of staring out at them at night, wondering what secrets that they held.
When Rachelle is forced to return to her rural Ohio childhood home to care for her mother after a freak accident, she has to trade her big city dreams for endless cornfields and isolation. But the small town safety doesn’t last long. The creepy atmosphere builds fast...
Enter Elliot and the mysterious notes, secrets hidden among the stalks, and that bunker… I was literally yelling at him to just go inside already from the moment he found it. I just loved his character! From tragedy, to survival mode, to incarceration, to learning to control his urges and rebuild, he was quite different from most mmc and I enjoyed it!
Once the messages start showing up, the tension skyrockets. Watching Rachelle and Elliot piece everything together had me on edge in the best way. I loved how these two broken souls slowly learned to trust each other. The conspiracies, the second guessing, the way they finally start working together instead of against each other..it was so satisfying. I absolutely loved that it was written in both of their POV, it made seeing what each thought of the other leading up to their HEA that much more suspenseful.
The twist will have you clutching your book unable to believe what you're reading! Honestly the best wtf moment I've read in quite awhile!!
Poor Macie!! I couldn’t imagine being locked away like that for so long. I was so happy she got reunited with her mother AND gained a sister.
This story perfectly balances creepiness, drama, romance, and small town secrets. It will keep you truly invested!! If you love atmospheric thrillers with emotional depth and shocking reveals, this one needs to be put right to the top of your tbr!!!
Stalked is told through multiple POVs and follows Rachelle as she returns to her rural hometown in Ohio after her mother suffers an unexplained injury. Surrounded by isolation and endless cornfields, an unease settles in quickly as cryptic messages begin to appear, small unsettling moments start to stack up, and nothing feels entirely accidental.
The story unfolds at a measured pace, taking time to build atmosphere and tension before quickly pulling you in. Once things start to escalate, I found myself flying through the pages, completely invested and needing answers.
Rachelle is a character I really loved. Her vulnerability feels honest and real, yet she has a quiet strength that makes her easy to root for. Elliot, the reserved neighbor with a complicated past, adds emotional depth and an undercurrent of suspicion that kept me questioning his intentions. Farmer Dan’s presence only adds to the unease.
The slow burn romance between Rachelle and Elliot develops naturally through shared moments and growing trust, adding warmth and emotional tension to the darker aspects of the story. By the time everything comes together, the suspense hits hard. The ending was a complete wow, and this feels like a strong start to a series. I cannot wait for the next book, Coasted ! Rated : 5 ⭐️
Reviewed by Dee on behalf of the Plot Thickens Book Club. Title: Stalked Author: J.C.Ward Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I really like this book because I consider this a psychological thriller with a little twist of romance. This book was absolutely mind blowing. Once I read the blurb I was like not really sure how I would feel about it but I'm so glad I kept pushing because boy was it good. It started with Rachelle our FMC returning home to her hometown where her mom had had an accident and needed help. With the never ending cornfields in Ohio things started to take a very creepy and weird turn. I will say that I do like how the author kept the creepiness and that really like crazy feeling in the bottom of your stomach going through the whole book. It wasn't overwhelming but it was just the right amount. I love when the FMC met the neighbor Elliot. I really like Elliot although he had a very questionable past and his motives were kind of questionable I still like them. I love how the author did his character. I love how the little subtle wording always kept you questioning in the back of your mind about him but again not too crazy just the right amount. Then Elliott and Rachelle romance the slow build that was the absolute best. The author did an amazing job with that she let it build naturally and blossom beautifully with the little moment shared and the little small details here and there which was the chef's kiss. I thought it was written very beautifully. (I will say side note farmer Dan was really a weirdo in my book like that character made me have weird feelings which is really crazy.) Yet overall this book was absolutely amazing I think that it was very well written, I think everything was built up perfectly, the character the suspense just everything was very beautifully put together I'm excited to see where this book goes. I feel like the author did such a great job that this could be an amazing series.
This book absolutely blew me away! I couldn’t put it down! This debut has the kind of tension that crawls under your skin and stays there. And listen… as someone already scared of cornfields (thanks Stephen King), that opening had me clutching the book like it was a life raft. I was freaked out to the point I PM’d JC, I then laughed at myself, and was fully invested within minutes.
What I loved most is how JC builds this creeping sense of “something is off” without ever overplaying it. The atmosphere is thick, the unease was a constant for me, and the twists hit at just the right moments. Every time I thought I had a grip on what was happening, she yanked the rug out from under me — in the best way.
It’s one of those reads where you keep telling yourself “just one more chapter,” and suddenly you’ve inhaled half the book. The tension, the questions, the little shocks along the way… it all worked for me.
For a debut, this is wildly impressive. If this is what JC can write as a debut, I can’t wait to see what she does next!
A thrilling, suspenseful ride from start to finish! Stalked is an impressively suspenseful debut, and one of the best thrillers I've read in the past few years. The writing is thoughtfully crafted with poetic imagery and details that make you think you are being stalked in the cornfield yourself.
Rachelle, who returns to her sleepy hometown in Ohio to care for her sick mother, discovers more secrets in her backyard than just the eerie feeling of being watched. There's a new sexy neighbor, too, and Rachelle wonders if it's safe to get to know him, or if he's just another mystery she doesn't dare solve.
Better writing that most thrillers out there, I couldn't put Stalked down. A fast, super-engaging read. I can't wait for the sequel and more books from J.C. Ward.
J. C. Ward's debut, Stalked, is an enjoyable thriller ride. No one trusts anyone else and all the characters have information they keep to themselves. Once Rachelle and Elliott allow themselves o share information, they begin to unravel the mystery surrounding strange deaths, accidents and circumstances. I enjoyed Ward's style of writing. The descriptive prose had me feeling everything the characters felt.
Stalked by J.C. Ward is a tense, fast-paced thriller that leans into psychological suspense and creeping dread. The author does an effective job of building unease, making the reader constantly question who can be trusted and how close the danger really is. The pacing is sharp, with short chapters that keep the story moving and heighten the sense of being watched.
Stalked by J.C. Ward is a tense, fast-paced thriller that leans into psychological suspense and creeping dread. The author does an effective job of building unease, making the reader constantly question who can be trusted and how close the danger really is. The pacing is sharp, with short chapters that keep the story moving and heighten the sense of being watched.
Stalked is a compelling and suspenseful thriller. The story flows smoothly, keeping the tension high while exploring emotional depth. Rachelle is a strong lead, and the mix of suspense, twists, and moments of vulnerability made the story feel both exciting and immersive. Definitely an engaging read.
This was a strong, fast-paced debut with thoughtful characters and a plot that kept me turning pages. The story really takes off in the middle, and there were twists I didn’t see coming. I’ll absolutely be picking up more books by J.C. Ward.
Stalked is a very good book. I love to read and this book was very suspenseful and had a lot of unexpected twists that I didn’t see coming. I hated to put it down! I can’t wait to read the sequel!
This was my first from this author. This was a creepy suspenseful telling of Elliot and Rachelle. Elliot is a convict who just got out of prison and Rachelle is visiting her mom after a suspicious accident. The plot of the novel is intriguing with just enough suspense to keep you on your toes, with dash of romance sprinkled in! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this quick read.🤌
The sequel, Coasted, is set to come out on Feb 3! ⭐️
This thriller was a unique reading experience for me, as it was my first time reading a dual-perspective story, which took a moment to fully grasp. Once I settled into it, I found myself constantly surprised and never quite sure what was coming next, which kept me engaged throughout. The plot moved in unexpected ways and held my attention, though I did find myself wishing for a bit more insight into the characters’ internal thoughts and emotions. Overall, it was a compelling and suspenseful read that stood out from others in the genre.
Stalked is a slow-burn suspense told through multiple POVs, which I loved. The shifting perspectives keep the tension high and create a constant feeling that something big is about to happen. I was always wondering when it would.
I also really enjoyed the building romance between the main characters, which made the thriller even more exciting for me. The story kept me hooked and eager to see what would happen next. A great read for fans of suspense with tension, depth, and a touch of romance.
This was a solid start for a debut novel. I really liked the creepy cornfield and how it could easily hide secrets. The main storyline was good but the book could have used some more work. The timelines didn’t really add up in my head and there wasn’t a natural flow with the characters and their actions. This book wasn’t for me but I liked the author’s unique ideas.
This read felt disturbingly real!!!! The book was methodical, patient and hell of relentless. The psychological terror felt personal, sharp and I felt the sense of danger that never faded!!!!
So hard to put down. I almost didn’t want to take an important call.
One of the best psychological thriller terror read yet…
Stalked is a slow burn thriller set in the fields of the Midwest, and I was drawn to the characters in a strong way thanks in no small part to the author's use of the present tense. it's a technique not used much in contemporary storytelling, and it added an urgency to the plot and Rachelle's situation. the dialogue seemed a bit out-of-place and unnatural in some places, but it was a worthwhile read. Recommended.
Stalked was a compelling debut with an interesting dual-POV structure. Rachelle and Elliot made for engaging narrators, and I really enjoyed seeing the story unfold from both of their perspectives. Experiencing their inner thoughts gave a fuller picture of what was happening—and in many ways, the book felt like living inside their internal monologues as events escalated.
The tension builds steadily, and once the story finds its rhythm, it moves quickly with twists I didn’t expect. I’m looking forward to revisiting these characters and seeing where their story goes next in the sequel, Coasted.
Still wrapping my head around the twists and turns in this book. Rachelle comes back to the town she grew up in after her mother suffers an accident. She meets her neighbor Elliot, who’s been recently released from prison and forms a bond with him. As she spends more time in the town, she starts questioning the circumstances of her mother’s accident as well as the people around her. One of the things that stood out to me in this book compared to most psychological thrillers, is how hauntingly beautiful the language is. The author writes in a way in which the reader can fully immerse themselves into the scene—really descriptive imagery that reads like poetry at times. I also love the multi-POV use with the two main characters each telling their stories and building the tension as the story progresses. The romantic relationship also heightens the tension in the book and increases the stakes. Everyone feels like a suspect as the reader delves into the plot and tries to put together the pieces. Looking forward to reading more from this author and excited that the sequel is only days away!
Stalked follows Rachelle as she’s forced to leave her city life behind and return to her rural childhood home to care for her injured mother. Surrounded by endless cornfields and isolation, she quickly senses that something isn’t right. Strange messages appear, secrets begin to surface, and fear starts creeping into what should be a quiet country setting. Enter Elliot—the mysterious neighbor with a troubled past and secrets of his own. Was Rachelle’s mother’s accident really an accident, and can either of them truly trust the other?
This story is definitely a slow-burn suspense, and the author gives you just enough information to keep you guessing and flipping pages. It starts off very psychological, building tension quietly, and then the ending explodes into full-on action and unravels fast. I really felt for Rachelle—you just want to hug her and tell her everything will be okay. And Elliot? I found myself rooting so hard for him to do the right thing, which made everything even more intense.
For a debut novel, this was a really great read, and I’m thrilled that this is just book one with a sequel coming in 2026. There’s clearly more to uncover with these characters—and maybe even a little romance ahead. I truly can’t wait to see where J.C. Ward takes us next!
I really didn’t expect this book to get under my skin the way it did, but once I started Stalked, I couldn’t put it down.
The setting alone pulled me in. There’s something genuinely creepy about endless cornfields and the quiet that comes with them, and the author captures that feeling so well. You can almost feel the isolation and that slow, uneasy sense that something isn’t right.
Rachelle felt relatable to me, especially the pull between the life she wanted and the responsibility of caring for her mother. As strange things start happening and the tension builds, I found myself getting more and more invested. I kept second guessing what was real and who could be trusted.
The writing is vivid without being overdone, and the suspense keeps you turning pages. By the end, I was already hoping for a sequel. If you enjoy atmospheric thrillers that actually make you feel the setting and the tension, this one is definitely worth picking up. I really enjoyed it! And look forward to reading the next one! Great job!
I just finished reading this gem and I am so in my feelings about it. I absolutely loved the plot, although I feel there were certain parts of the story that were a bit slow, especially the beginning, Ward does a good job in moving the story forward by introducing the eerie element of mystery in a way that is methodical. She feeds you bits of the "drama unfolding" by adding misdirects, that easily hook you as a reader to figure out who the stalker really is. I really liked the dynamic between Rachelle and Elliot, the level of romance that's painted on the story as a soft layer to really make the story shine with the dual POVs. Ward does a great job of conveying each of their inner thoughts related to their overall personalities. I also enjoyed Elliot as a character on a whole, so mysterious, complex, and yet thoughtful and cautious due to the nature of his past and circumstances. It was a pleasure to read this book, seeing that the ending events transpired easily to leave an opening to another addition. Looking forward to seeing how this series will come together.
I absolutely loved Stalked by J.C. Ward. This book pulled me in right away and kept me emotionally invested the entire time.
My heart completely broke for Macie. The way Farmer Dan treated her was heartbreaking, and it was hard to watch everything she went through. I just wanted to hug her through so many moments in this story.
I also really loved Rachelle and Elliot. They were perfect together, and watching their relationship develop was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their chemistry felt natural, and it was so satisfying seeing them slowly fall for each other.
But I have to say… I need a second book. When her mom wakes up, I feel like there is so much more that needs to be explained. That moment left me with questions and I would love to see what really happened and how everything unfolds after that.
Overall, this was such an emotional and gripping read, and I definitely recommend it.