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The Troll: The more I ignore him, the closer he gets.
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26
Have you looked in a mirror lately?
At first, I tell myself the comments don’t matter. They’re cruel, personal, and designed to hurt, but they’re only words on a screen. Everyone gives me the same advice, don’t feed the troll. So I ignore him.
Has anyone ever told you how ugly you are?
The comments begin to come every day. Then every hour. My friends say he’s a coward. My family say I should block him but I’ve tried that and he always comes back. One person tells me to disappear offline for a while, just until things calm down.
But I can’t. My job depends on being seen. Only now I’m starting to wonder exactly who is seeing me.
No wonder you’re single.
I freeze when I read this one. I never said I was single, not online, not anywhere. So how does he know? But still, I keep telling myself that he can’t hurt me from behind his computer. Until the next message arrives.
Look out of your window.
And suddenly, ignoring him is no longer an option.
A twisty and claustrophobic psychological thriller about an anonymous and faceless online troll turned real-life stalker, where no one can be trusted.
Has anyone ever told you how ugly you are?
The comments begin to come every day. Then every hour. My friends say he’s a coward. My family say I should block him but I’ve tried that and he always comes back. One person tells me to disappear offline for a while, just until things calm down.
But I can’t. My job depends on being seen. Only now I’m starting to wonder exactly who is seeing me.
No wonder you’re single.
I freeze when I read this one. I never said I was single, not online, not anywhere. So how does he know? But still, I keep telling myself that he can’t hurt me from behind his computer. Until the next message arrives.
Look out of your window.
And suddenly, ignoring him is no longer an option.
A twisty and claustrophobic psychological thriller about an anonymous and faceless online troll turned real-life stalker, where no one can be trusted.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 1, 2026
About the author
Maria Frankland
93 books623 followersMaria Frankland has a dubious internet search history and a very worried mother-in-law. However, neither of these things can stop her writing gripping psychological thrillers in which you’ll never find a happy-ever-after.
Her novels are mostly set in Yorkshire where you’ll hear the accent through all her characters. These are people you could live next door to, or closer still… don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Maria’s novels are fast-paced, down to earth and realistic. You never know what’s around the corner…
Find out more about Maria at https://www.mariafrankland.co.uk. Whilst you’re there, you can download your free novel - Ties That Bind.
Her novels are mostly set in Yorkshire where you’ll hear the accent through all her characters. These are people you could live next door to, or closer still… don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Maria’s novels are fast-paced, down to earth and realistic. You never know what’s around the corner…
Find out more about Maria at https://www.mariafrankland.co.uk. Whilst you’re there, you can download your free novel - Ties That Bind.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Maria Frankland for giving me your new novel early! Reviewing your books is both a pleasure and privilege.
I will say that I love all of Maria’s books (I’ve read every single one!), so I’m a little biased since she’s one of my all time favorite authors.
That being said, I absolutely loved her latest, The Troll!
Chloe is a bookfluencer who has made quite the name for herself on Instagram. Loving the attention, money, and enjoyment of reading books for a living, she couldn’t be happier, especially when she’s about to meet her very favorite author in person.
But…she then encounters a troll who is making rude and concerning comments on her posts under fake profiles, including disturbing emojis.
Chloe’s concern escalates when she realizes that the creep may be actually close by and not just online only.
This book was awesome! It was very fast paced with lots of intrigue and a major twist that I didn’t see at all coming…I actually gasped out loud!
As always with Maria’s novels, I love the character development and appreciate the short chapters and how they have varying points of view.
Literally couldn’t put this one down! Whether you’re a long time Maria Frankland fan or new to her work, don’t miss this one!
“Twisty thrillers for twisted minds.”
5 stars, but I would give 6 if I could!
I will say that I love all of Maria’s books (I’ve read every single one!), so I’m a little biased since she’s one of my all time favorite authors.
That being said, I absolutely loved her latest, The Troll!
Chloe is a bookfluencer who has made quite the name for herself on Instagram. Loving the attention, money, and enjoyment of reading books for a living, she couldn’t be happier, especially when she’s about to meet her very favorite author in person.
But…she then encounters a troll who is making rude and concerning comments on her posts under fake profiles, including disturbing emojis.
Chloe’s concern escalates when she realizes that the creep may be actually close by and not just online only.
This book was awesome! It was very fast paced with lots of intrigue and a major twist that I didn’t see at all coming…I actually gasped out loud!
As always with Maria’s novels, I love the character development and appreciate the short chapters and how they have varying points of view.
Literally couldn’t put this one down! Whether you’re a long time Maria Frankland fan or new to her work, don’t miss this one!
“Twisty thrillers for twisted minds.”
5 stars, but I would give 6 if I could!
August 14, 2026
Wow! What an intense and twisty story! “The Troll” had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. An online troll turning into a real-life stalker makes this a frighteningly relevant story for today’s world. It’s fast paced, suspenseful, and full of morally gray characters that kept me questioning what’s right and wrong and, most importantly, what would I do in this situation? I thoroughly enjoy her writing, and this one definitely kept me hooked!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Well Maria has done it again with this book! From page 1 it has you hooked. There are some books you read that you just dont want to end ... and this is definitely one of them. Again brilliant book from start to finish ..
August 27, 2026
Really good with twists I didn’t guess and they kept coming until the end. Really relevant topics covered well! Thanks for the arc Maria
Review of advance copy received from Author
A sensational read!
This has a modern theme, and I love her reason for writing it. The backdrop is the glittering world of famous authors and film premieres, but also the other side; the greed and jealousy and what can escalate from those emotions. Creepy and threatening messages. Mostly just words, and people ignore, delete and block. But what if the threat is very real? What if they don't just do it from behind their computer? If they take it to the next level? It drew me in immediately. Who is this? Who is he wanting to get revenge on, and what have they done to him? Intriguing. What a great idea for a plot, I loved this, it was exciting, twisty, creepy. Maria Frankland is now on her 30th book-but she still comes up with all these different and fabulous ideas.
I love the realism; issues many come up against; she really captures the emotions of the characters; their desperation of how to get out of their difficulties. Disturbingly believable. Oh my, tense scenes, edge-of-your-seat. And aargh, the cliffhangers! This was so good, I just couldn't get enough. Explosive stuff!
As one of her main characters is an author, obviously some of Maria's own thoughts and experiences are contained in this book. She can really tell it from an author's point of view, because she is one. I loved these behind-the-scenes parts.
I'd been looking forward to reading this so much-not reading this genre for a few weeks before it; reading humour, family saga etc., to save myself for this ultimate treat. And it was absolutely worth the holding back and the wait. This was something very special.
I have a soft spot for Lockdown; the first book I ever read of Maria's-but The Troll might be my new favourite! A web of intrigue, and I was right in the middle of it; which way do I think, is it this, is it that, is it him, and why? Absolute book heaven!
What an extraordinary story. Some authors produce a few great books, and you keep with them, reading all their library. But then they go a bit stale; they're churning them out to order; they lose a bit of their magic. Not so with this author! Maria continues that same standard-and takes it up to the next level. Always fresh and exciting ideas, a fabulous writer.
What to do now? I've been eagerly waiting this latest offering from Maria Frankland, and have absolutely powered through it. An amazing book. I wanted to finish it to get to know the who and the why...... but I just wanted that great, intensely enjoyable reading to go on. I'll just have to read it all over again!
Some psychological thrillers can be harder to read; they can bog you down with excess detail and so many characters you forget who's who, and you lose the thread and the pace sometimes. But I'm always totally gripped by this author's novels and so immersed in her plots, such fantastic reads.
This is out of this world! Just when you think she can't beat whatever last book she's written..... she more than does! Expect the unexpected and be absolutely blown away with this brilliant story!
This has a modern theme, and I love her reason for writing it. The backdrop is the glittering world of famous authors and film premieres, but also the other side; the greed and jealousy and what can escalate from those emotions. Creepy and threatening messages. Mostly just words, and people ignore, delete and block. But what if the threat is very real? What if they don't just do it from behind their computer? If they take it to the next level? It drew me in immediately. Who is this? Who is he wanting to get revenge on, and what have they done to him? Intriguing. What a great idea for a plot, I loved this, it was exciting, twisty, creepy. Maria Frankland is now on her 30th book-but she still comes up with all these different and fabulous ideas.
I love the realism; issues many come up against; she really captures the emotions of the characters; their desperation of how to get out of their difficulties. Disturbingly believable. Oh my, tense scenes, edge-of-your-seat. And aargh, the cliffhangers! This was so good, I just couldn't get enough. Explosive stuff!
As one of her main characters is an author, obviously some of Maria's own thoughts and experiences are contained in this book. She can really tell it from an author's point of view, because she is one. I loved these behind-the-scenes parts.
I'd been looking forward to reading this so much-not reading this genre for a few weeks before it; reading humour, family saga etc., to save myself for this ultimate treat. And it was absolutely worth the holding back and the wait. This was something very special.
I have a soft spot for Lockdown; the first book I ever read of Maria's-but The Troll might be my new favourite! A web of intrigue, and I was right in the middle of it; which way do I think, is it this, is it that, is it him, and why? Absolute book heaven!
What an extraordinary story. Some authors produce a few great books, and you keep with them, reading all their library. But then they go a bit stale; they're churning them out to order; they lose a bit of their magic. Not so with this author! Maria continues that same standard-and takes it up to the next level. Always fresh and exciting ideas, a fabulous writer.
What to do now? I've been eagerly waiting this latest offering from Maria Frankland, and have absolutely powered through it. An amazing book. I wanted to finish it to get to know the who and the why...... but I just wanted that great, intensely enjoyable reading to go on. I'll just have to read it all over again!
Some psychological thrillers can be harder to read; they can bog you down with excess detail and so many characters you forget who's who, and you lose the thread and the pace sometimes. But I'm always totally gripped by this author's novels and so immersed in her plots, such fantastic reads.
This is out of this world! Just when you think she can't beat whatever last book she's written..... she more than does! Expect the unexpected and be absolutely blown away with this brilliant story!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Many thanks as always to Maria for the advanced reader copy of this book.
In The Troll we meet Chloe, a bookfluencer who is currently promoting one of her favourite authors Leanne Delaney's books. However this is not well received by everyone and Chloe no stranger to trolls finds herself the target of a particular nasty one. Is it personal or is she just one of a wider group?
This books is extremely fast paced like Maria's others and she always has the ability to reel you in from the first page to the very last. There are plenty of twists as ever and multiple red herrings throughout to scupper who you think is behind the screen. Maria handles this unfortunately very common subject sensitively but it really does show how much of an affect trolling has on not only the victims but their families.
I found this one really hard to put down and will definitely be recommending it to others, 5 stars from me!
In The Troll we meet Chloe, a bookfluencer who is currently promoting one of her favourite authors Leanne Delaney's books. However this is not well received by everyone and Chloe no stranger to trolls finds herself the target of a particular nasty one. Is it personal or is she just one of a wider group?
This books is extremely fast paced like Maria's others and she always has the ability to reel you in from the first page to the very last. There are plenty of twists as ever and multiple red herrings throughout to scupper who you think is behind the screen. Maria handles this unfortunately very common subject sensitively but it really does show how much of an affect trolling has on not only the victims but their families.
I found this one really hard to put down and will definitely be recommending it to others, 5 stars from me!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! Yet another fantastic thriller from Maria Frankland. Totally addictive - I couldn't put it down and ended up reading into the night to finish it! A look at the dark side of internet and social media, at the trolls we all know exist and for some have even experienced it.
I love how we have chapters from different characters, and still can't get over some of the shocks and twists. So many brilliant themes touched on as well as trolls and online culture, like financial instability, betrayal, assumptions, and positive themes like solidarity and empowerment.
Maria Frankland is a fantastic author, and I only hope she doesn't get any trolls as she most definitely doesn't deserve it! Another brilliant, five star read!
I love how we have chapters from different characters, and still can't get over some of the shocks and twists. So many brilliant themes touched on as well as trolls and online culture, like financial instability, betrayal, assumptions, and positive themes like solidarity and empowerment.
Maria Frankland is a fantastic author, and I only hope she doesn't get any trolls as she most definitely doesn't deserve it! Another brilliant, five star read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What an amazing read! I absolutely loved it and could not put it down. To me, the things that scare me the most are things that can really happen. This takes us to the dark side of the internet and social media, which is very real in today’s world. Things that are said anonymously, hiding behind a computer can be done so easily.
Chloe is a bookfluencer who has built a huge following. Everyone seems to love her. Then she starts getting some really nasty, disturbing comments.
If you love fast paced books, with short chapters, multiple POV and crazy twists, you will love this book!! The twist at the end was totally unexpected! I thought I had it figured out but boy, was I wrong!
Thank you Maria for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
Chloe is a bookfluencer who has built a huge following. Everyone seems to love her. Then she starts getting some really nasty, disturbing comments.
If you love fast paced books, with short chapters, multiple POV and crazy twists, you will love this book!! The twist at the end was totally unexpected! I thought I had it figured out but boy, was I wrong!
Thank you Maria for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
THE TROLL BY THE OUTSTANDING MARIA FRANKLAND.
Release date set for the 1st of September 2026.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
10 ✨s if I could give them.
Everyone on here knows how much of a Maria Frankland fan I am and how much I adore her work and I'm not being biased when I say this book is just blooming brilliant.
Maria has my head spinning. Like actually spinning.
When I'm reading a psychological thriller I do like to try to try work out who done what but blooming heck did Maria keep me on my toes with this one. I had my eye on a fair few people throughout and I was still guessing right until the end.
Absolutely my favourite psychological thriller of the year so far without a shadow of a doubt
That ending 🤯
Must read book of 2026...
I highly highly recommend
Release date set for the 1st of September 2026.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
10 ✨s if I could give them.
Everyone on here knows how much of a Maria Frankland fan I am and how much I adore her work and I'm not being biased when I say this book is just blooming brilliant.
Maria has my head spinning. Like actually spinning.
When I'm reading a psychological thriller I do like to try to try work out who done what but blooming heck did Maria keep me on my toes with this one. I had my eye on a fair few people throughout and I was still guessing right until the end.
Absolutely my favourite psychological thriller of the year so far without a shadow of a doubt
That ending 🤯
Must read book of 2026...
I highly highly recommend
Review of advance copy received from Author
ACR Reader
Wow!!! Another epic read by Maria Frankland!
The Troll explores the modern day culture of the positive and negative impacts social media has. Chloe has been able to use this to her advantage, building a very successful business and reputation with a vast amount of followers. However, not all those followers are there to support, but simply to make Chloe’s life hell!
Sometimes we can’t help comparing ourselves to the perfect life online, but what happens when this turns ugly, provoking unhealthy jealousy, entitlement and malicious behaviour……. A Troll is Born!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow!!! Another epic read by Maria Frankland!
The Troll explores the modern day culture of the positive and negative impacts social media has. Chloe has been able to use this to her advantage, building a very successful business and reputation with a vast amount of followers. However, not all those followers are there to support, but simply to make Chloe’s life hell!
Sometimes we can’t help comparing ourselves to the perfect life online, but what happens when this turns ugly, provoking unhealthy jealousy, entitlement and malicious behaviour……. A Troll is Born!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Bullies in the school yard have been replaced by bullies online. Commonly referred to as trolls, what prompts the ugliness in people hiding behind screens to make disparaging remarks about others? Is it the safety of anonymity? Or is it a sign of jealousy? When a book influencer starts receiving unkind comments on her clips, should she take the threats she receives seriously? Should the authors she favours and promotes be afraid? 4 stars
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! Just WOW!!
If you’re into psychological thrillers, I HIGHLY recommend this book. I was sooo excited when I got notified that I was picked to be an ARC reader.
I had a hard time sitting this down, just kept wanting to know who the TROLL was…
Maria definitely didn’t disappoint ( but to tell ya the truth… she has never disappointed me)
Thank you Maria Frankland - Psychological Thriller Author for this opportunity.💞💞
If you’re into psychological thrillers, I HIGHLY recommend this book. I was sooo excited when I got notified that I was picked to be an ARC reader.
I had a hard time sitting this down, just kept wanting to know who the TROLL was…
Maria definitely didn’t disappoint ( but to tell ya the truth… she has never disappointed me)
Thank you Maria Frankland - Psychological Thriller Author for this opportunity.💞💞
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was selected to receive an Advance Reader Copy of this book. I am so glad I was. I loved every moment of it. I’ve read 5 other book from this author and enjoyed them all but this is by far my favourite.
I absolutely did not guess the twist, I had suspicions but I was totally wrong.
Really recommend this book
I absolutely did not guess the twist, I had suspicions but I was totally wrong.
Really recommend this book
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is another fantastic read from Maria . The scenario feels completely up to date. Some of the characters were very sympathetic. There were plenty of twists and turns and I was totally surprised by the identity of the troll.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Bloody brilliant! The Troll by Maria Frankland had me hooked from the start. I genuinely didn’t see that twist coming at all — it completely caught me off guard! Such a gripping read with plenty of suspense. Definitely one I’d recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much for my early copy of The Troll.
Well I thought I had it figured out but wow that twist. Maria has done it again.
A fantastic thriller that will keep you turning the pages and up way past your bedtime. Absolutely loved it
Well I thought I had it figured out but wow that twist. Maria has done it again.
A fantastic thriller that will keep you turning the pages and up way past your bedtime. Absolutely loved it
August 27, 2026
Read as one of the author’s Advanced Readers (ARC copy).
Another excellent book from Maria and dealing with trolls on the internet but in this case, the troll is not who you thought it would be.
Another excellent book from Maria and dealing with trolls on the internet but in this case, the troll is not who you thought it would be.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews