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The Girl on the Stairs
Has the killer escaped prison... or was she never caught?
True crime writer Samson Black remembers the trial and the headlines... twelve-year-old Lola Ward cowering on the stairs, paralyzed by fear, while Nicholas Todd murdered her parents and took her hostage. She barely escaped with her life and later testified against Todd. Nicholas Todd told a very different story. A preposterous tale of a diabolical twelve-year-old with nerves of steel. Nicholas Todd went to prison.
Eleven years later, Lola’s all grown up—brash, confident, and alluring. She’s ready to tell her story, and she wants Samson Black to write it. Samson would love to reveal the truth about that fateful night and resurrect his flagging career. But before he can make sense of Lola’s twisty tale, Todd escapes from prison, seeking revenge against the woman-child who betrayed him.
Now, Sam’s life is in danger. But from who? The escaped con hot on his heels, or the woman at his side?
True crime writer Samson Black remembers the trial and the headlines... twelve-year-old Lola Ward cowering on the stairs, paralyzed by fear, while Nicholas Todd murdered her parents and took her hostage. She barely escaped with her life and later testified against Todd. Nicholas Todd told a very different story. A preposterous tale of a diabolical twelve-year-old with nerves of steel. Nicholas Todd went to prison.
Eleven years later, Lola’s all grown up—brash, confident, and alluring. She’s ready to tell her story, and she wants Samson Black to write it. Samson would love to reveal the truth about that fateful night and resurrect his flagging career. But before he can make sense of Lola’s twisty tale, Todd escapes from prison, seeking revenge against the woman-child who betrayed him.
Now, Sam’s life is in danger. But from who? The escaped con hot on his heels, or the woman at his side?
317 pages, Unknown Binding
First published December 30, 2013
408 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
V.J. Chambers
104 books463 followersV. J. Chambers writes about being inexplicably attracted to the dangerously alluring. Her works span mundane settings and fantastic ones. She writes about serial killers, cult leaders, werewolves, witches, for-hire assassins, zombies, space pirates, and regular everyday people.
She lives in Shepherdstown, WV, with her boyfriend Aaron and their cat Isis.
She lives in Shepherdstown, WV, with her boyfriend Aaron and their cat Isis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
May 14, 2019
A book full of nasty psychopaths that I didn't give one iota for. In the end I was just hoping that they all killed each other. Not nearly as gripping as the excellent "The Twin Game" from the same author.
March 11, 2017
Gripping
Very gripping read, I finished it in a day! I didn't particularly care for the ending and I disliked a majority of the characters but the story was very intense and interesting.
Very gripping read, I finished it in a day! I didn't particularly care for the ending and I disliked a majority of the characters but the story was very intense and interesting.
July 9, 2017
This would of been a five but it kind of reminds me of a ARC called Moral Defenseby Marcia Clarkwhich I read last year, both is about a young girl who loses her family to murder.But there are other similar aspects as well, to find out what I mean you just have to pick up both of them and read them.
December 10, 2016
Couldn't get along with this.....it's like a latter-day Badlands which has been done already. Plus I wasn't liking Sam the writer much. He comes across as a raving perve on the quiet and it made for uncomfortable reading.
I packed it up 21% in as I had lost all interest in what he was thinking as it was mostly unsavoury !!
However, I'd got this far and only spotted one missing fullstop and no other mistakes which was good.
I packed it up 21% in as I had lost all interest in what he was thinking as it was mostly unsavoury !!
However, I'd got this far and only spotted one missing fullstop and no other mistakes which was good.
January 4, 2014
Wow! Every time I open one of Valerie's books , I am sure there is no way it will be as good as the last. I am always wrong. Rough edges was dark, twisted, thrilling and beyond my expectations. I love Rough Edges for keeping me guessing, my wheels are still turning. I stayed up all night to find out if Lola was a victim or the master puppeteer.
January 5, 2014
I just got done reading my early copy of this book. I was very pleased with the story. Thrillers are not my normal type of books. This author is one of my favorites and i strongly feel she hit it right on with this book!
January 27, 2014
One part thriller, one part suspense and one part creepy mystery that's spiraling way out of control.
A dark and twisted page turner. No really, a stay up way too late page turner.
Rough Edges delivers.
A dark and twisted page turner. No really, a stay up way too late page turner.
Rough Edges delivers.
September 28, 2016
I was ambivalent - didn't love it, didn't hate it. I did want to slap the main character for doing the same stupid thing over and over, and I'm not really a fan of characters referring to something that happened in the past and not having that explained until nearly the end of the book.
July 11, 2017
This one starts off rather well but it went downhill real soon! No one in this book was remotely likeable and Sam came across as very problematic. This one had potential but it just pretty much sucked!
September 13, 2017
I get the exact same feeling after eating a Big Mac or a Chicken and Mushroom Pot Noodle as I did when I finished this book. I was really enjoying, couldn't devour it fast enough, knew it wasn't going to be awarded the equivalent of a Michelin star, but didn't care at the time. But then when I had finished, I just felt hollow, disappointed, slightly seedy and wished I had spent the time absorbing something more 'substantial'.
This book could be described as 'empty calories'. It was definitely a page turner, but at times, I was trying to rush through simply to get to the end. You know, like eating the worst things on your plate first. Get them out of the way.
In brief, Sam is a writer, approached by Lola Ward, who became infamous 10 years earlier (when she was 12) when her parents were killed by 23 old Nick Todd. Many believed that Lola and Nick were in a relationship and Lola made him do it. Lola wants Sam to write her story - so Sam sets off to discover the truth.....
The characters are on the whole totally unrelatable. Sam, is, I think, supposed to be a complicated disturbed character. Instead he comes across as slightly boob obsessed pervert, praying on women in need. Lola is very disturbing and manipulative - like most of the female population, some might say! But her manipulation techniques would put most femme fatales to shame. To the extent where it becomes wholly unbelievable.
I can't actually picture any of the characters visually. They just appear as fuzzy images in my mind. Maybe that is one of the reasons I felt so removed from them.
However, all that being said. It was a compulsive read. I finished the last 25% in the early hours of the morning and could not put it down til I had finished. So if you fancy a bit of junk food and can swallow down the guilt, I say go for it. Empty calories or not, it's definitely the type of book you need every once in a while.
This book could be described as 'empty calories'. It was definitely a page turner, but at times, I was trying to rush through simply to get to the end. You know, like eating the worst things on your plate first. Get them out of the way.
In brief, Sam is a writer, approached by Lola Ward, who became infamous 10 years earlier (when she was 12) when her parents were killed by 23 old Nick Todd. Many believed that Lola and Nick were in a relationship and Lola made him do it. Lola wants Sam to write her story - so Sam sets off to discover the truth.....
The characters are on the whole totally unrelatable. Sam, is, I think, supposed to be a complicated disturbed character. Instead he comes across as slightly boob obsessed pervert, praying on women in need. Lola is very disturbing and manipulative - like most of the female population, some might say! But her manipulation techniques would put most femme fatales to shame. To the extent where it becomes wholly unbelievable.
I can't actually picture any of the characters visually. They just appear as fuzzy images in my mind. Maybe that is one of the reasons I felt so removed from them.
However, all that being said. It was a compulsive read. I finished the last 25% in the early hours of the morning and could not put it down til I had finished. So if you fancy a bit of junk food and can swallow down the guilt, I say go for it. Empty calories or not, it's definitely the type of book you need every once in a while.
April 9, 2022
This story to keep the reader involved until the last sentence. Obviously there are several ways, often using sympathy for victims in dangerous situations. The book touches on victims of violence and kidnapping with out it being the main focus. This is about victims and how much they attract abuse from others through vulnerability. Not a good luck story or finding salve for trauma. How much blame a victim assumed thinking about the event is proportional to the amount of time spent upon recovery. The author played with the ratio of victim/volunteer in the characters of this story. Very well written because it will meander along a prediction. like a well beaten path with options for entering characters from a side route, the dead end signals a maze of outcomes.
I only liked one of the characters and no I will not be able to tell you. Don't judge until you try to choose your own. Not a self help book.
I only liked one of the characters and no I will not be able to tell you. Don't judge until you try to choose your own. Not a self help book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2017
Strange but good
It's difficult for me to write this review. Although expertly written, the entire book has been unsettling and left me with questions. Did Lola really mastermind her parent's killing but not actually kill them herself? Was Sam really so weak that he was so easily manipulated? It takes an outstanding writer to leave me with these feelings. Great job Mr. Chambers.
It's difficult for me to write this review. Although expertly written, the entire book has been unsettling and left me with questions. Did Lola really mastermind her parent's killing but not actually kill them herself? Was Sam really so weak that he was so easily manipulated? It takes an outstanding writer to leave me with these feelings. Great job Mr. Chambers.
June 16, 2017
Excellent
I don't even know what to say. This book was well written, just like a man! I enjoyed the book, but didn't have much respect for the main character. You always hear people say he is just like a man so easily seduced by a woman, well he just kept getting easier. The book though was very good, I will recommend you read it but I won't mention it to my liberated female friends. That sounds bad but the book held my attention and I finished it in two days.
I don't even know what to say. This book was well written, just like a man! I enjoyed the book, but didn't have much respect for the main character. You always hear people say he is just like a man so easily seduced by a woman, well he just kept getting easier. The book though was very good, I will recommend you read it but I won't mention it to my liberated female friends. That sounds bad but the book held my attention and I finished it in two days.
January 7, 2018
Did she participate in her parents murders or was the 12 year old innocent?
Interesting psychological study looking at whether the young girl who is now a young adult was a participant in her parents murders.She has contacted a writer to ostensibly help put any question of her involvement to rest,but he has ideas an issues of his own.Is there a killer out to even the score as well?
Interesting psychological study looking at whether the young girl who is now a young adult was a participant in her parents murders.She has contacted a writer to ostensibly help put any question of her involvement to rest,but he has ideas an issues of his own.Is there a killer out to even the score as well?
July 1, 2017
50/50
I liked the story progression, but some of the more unnecessary details were well, unnecessary, but I think that has more to do with personal preference than the writer's talent. Overall, I give it a three because the story was at least interesting though predictable. And despite the tasteless sex scenes that read like a bad porno, it wasn't a terrible read.
I liked the story progression, but some of the more unnecessary details were well, unnecessary, but I think that has more to do with personal preference than the writer's talent. Overall, I give it a three because the story was at least interesting though predictable. And despite the tasteless sex scenes that read like a bad porno, it wasn't a terrible read.
August 20, 2017
I Like the Book, But...
I absolutely hated Lola...totally and consumingly! How could she possibly know all there is to know about Sam??
Aside from all the sex in this book, I liked it. Don't get me wrong, sex in books is alright, this just went a little far. It held my interest, I loved the story line.
I absolutely hated Lola...totally and consumingly! How could she possibly know all there is to know about Sam??
Aside from all the sex in this book, I liked it. Don't get me wrong, sex in books is alright, this just went a little far. It held my interest, I loved the story line.
February 16, 2017
Held my attention but still left alot of questions not answered.
It held my attention, however it was confusing. I'm still not sure what exactly happened. Sam's emotions were all over the place.
It held my attention, however it was confusing. I'm still not sure what exactly happened. Sam's emotions were all over the place.
September 29, 2017
Bad
I hated every character in this book. Except Nick. I could feel kind of sorry for him. Sam was disgusting and Lola was insane. Don't buy this book. It's terrible
I hated every character in this book. Except Nick. I could feel kind of sorry for him. Sam was disgusting and Lola was insane. Don't buy this book. It's terrible
December 30, 2017
Great read
I did not like Sam. In his own way, we was a stalker. Wrote books about women and used them sexually.
I did not like Sam. In his own way, we was a stalker. Wrote books about women and used them sexually.
January 11, 2018
Wow
Wow! What a ride! Violent, sexy, twisted. Still not sure who did it. Nice job!! Well worth the time. Thanks
Wow! What a ride! Violent, sexy, twisted. Still not sure who did it. Nice job!! Well worth the time. Thanks
January 21, 2018
Good read
I enjoyed the mystery, could have gone without all the sexual explicitness ! Otherwise it was a good mystery that kept my attention !
I enjoyed the mystery, could have gone without all the sexual explicitness ! Otherwise it was a good mystery that kept my attention !
May 28, 2018
Her name was lola....
Amazing book. I was happily engrossed from page one. Mysterious, confusing, erotic. A great mix for a thriller. Loved it.
Amazing book. I was happily engrossed from page one. Mysterious, confusing, erotic. A great mix for a thriller. Loved it.
February 27, 2019
A really messed up book
The characters were all so messed up, there were times I wanted to slap them until they grew up. I was so irritated at this story, I won’t read another.
The characters were all so messed up, there were times I wanted to slap them until they grew up. I was so irritated at this story, I won’t read another.
December 29, 2019
Im a little sorry I wasted time finishing this book, I guess I thought it would get better. None of the characters were likeable or interesting and the ending was meh!
February 3, 2020
Very intriguing story. You kind of get a feel for what the truth is when reading the book so the climax is not shocking, but the ending is! Great job.
May 22, 2020
It was a decent thriller, fun and engrossing. The characters were difficult to like, which made the ending a little less emotional.
September 20, 2021
Girl on the Stairs
I liked it from the first time I opened it up to the end and it kept you hanging on to see what was going to happen next.
I liked it from the first time I opened it up to the end and it kept you hanging on to see what was going to happen next.
August 9, 2025
Good Read
A lot of surprises with all the twists and turns. Keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. A must read!
A lot of surprises with all the twists and turns. Keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. A must read!
March 19, 2017
Good Book
Will not want to put this book down. But, what happen to Lola????? Will she come back for him again?????
Will not want to put this book down. But, what happen to Lola????? Will she come back for him again?????
March 16, 2017
i
Do not waste your time. Stupid most inconsequential story I have ever read. Dialogue and narrative poorly executed, which is what they should have done to this book, instead of publishing it.
Do not waste your time. Stupid most inconsequential story I have ever read. Dialogue and narrative poorly executed, which is what they should have done to this book, instead of publishing it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews