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Strangers #4
The Stranger Inside
In this tautly crafted tale of psychological suspense, a recently widowed mother resorts to the unthinkable to protect her shattered family. But does she go too far?
After mystery author Diane Christie loses her husband to suicide, she and her son move to the small coastal town of Fog Harbor, Massachusetts. Her daughter is attending college nearby, and Diane hopes that her family can now begin to heal. But rebuilding their lives after the tragedy isn't so simple.
Diane's depressed college-age daughter, Alexa, still avoids her, critical of everything Diane does, and even her generally amiable teenage son, Josh, has started acting out. Diane pushes forward, focusing on her writing and her volunteer work at a local crisis hotline. She knows that healing takes time.
But then a girl from Alexa's college is found strangled. Worse still, the murderer uses the crisis hotline to confess to Diane... and claims she is the only one who can stop the killing. And just when the glow of new love from an attractive admirer begins to chase away some of the darkness, more girls turn up dead, and Diane races to solve a mystery she fears will hit terrifyingly close to home.
After mystery author Diane Christie loses her husband to suicide, she and her son move to the small coastal town of Fog Harbor, Massachusetts. Her daughter is attending college nearby, and Diane hopes that her family can now begin to heal. But rebuilding their lives after the tragedy isn't so simple.
Diane's depressed college-age daughter, Alexa, still avoids her, critical of everything Diane does, and even her generally amiable teenage son, Josh, has started acting out. Diane pushes forward, focusing on her writing and her volunteer work at a local crisis hotline. She knows that healing takes time.
But then a girl from Alexa's college is found strangled. Worse still, the murderer uses the crisis hotline to confess to Diane... and claims she is the only one who can stop the killing. And just when the glow of new love from an attractive admirer begins to chase away some of the darkness, more girls turn up dead, and Diane races to solve a mystery she fears will hit terrifyingly close to home.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2017
1897 people are currently reading
3153 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Jaynes
10 books1,088 followersJennifer Jaynes was an accomplished author having published 7 books and was both a USA Today Best Seller and Amazon #1 best seller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 562 reviews
May 21, 2017
Liked this psychological story.
Diane Christie moved to Fog Harbor, MA., after her husband hanged himself. Alexa, dealing with depression, taking medications, stealing sleeping pills and drinking. Having been to classes for a long time. Josh is three years younger, he was adopted and have breathing problems. Diane, is mystery writer and works part-time answering calls in the crisis center. Killer is after young and beautiful college girls, and calls crisis center. Three possible suspects, couldn't pick one as killer, but the one, that wasn't even suspect kept mind wondering. Could be the killer? Ending was really a surprise for me, if you read this review please tell me, would you do what mother did at the end? I myself won't.
Diane Christie moved to Fog Harbor, MA., after her husband hanged himself. Alexa, dealing with depression, taking medications, stealing sleeping pills and drinking. Having been to classes for a long time. Josh is three years younger, he was adopted and have breathing problems. Diane, is mystery writer and works part-time answering calls in the crisis center. Killer is after young and beautiful college girls, and calls crisis center. Three possible suspects, couldn't pick one as killer, but the one, that wasn't even suspect kept mind wondering. Could be the killer? Ending was really a surprise for me, if you read this review please tell me, would you do what mother did at the end? I myself won't.
May 3, 2017
I was really excited to be approved to read and review my first Jennifer Jaynes book. (I know this is bad, but every time I see her name I am reminded of a certain porn star...anyone else experience this?) I have had my eye on this author for awhile now and with so many books already under her belt, I had high expectations.
I'm not sure if it is because I just came off a high of some amazing 5 star books or not, but this really didn't do anything for me. I mean anything... :(
It wasn't just the cookie cutter characters or the predictability at every turn. There just wasn't anything fresh here, not to mention the absurdity of that ending. I don't think a Lifetime movie would even attempt to wrap things up the way this did, and they are the kings (or queens) of the fairy tale happy ending.
I honestly don't know if I will get this author another go around or not. If any of my GR family has a favorite that you can recommend I'd be happy to check it out. But until then, my ever growing TBR is calling.
ARC provided by NetGalley
I'm not sure if it is because I just came off a high of some amazing 5 star books or not, but this really didn't do anything for me. I mean anything... :(
It wasn't just the cookie cutter characters or the predictability at every turn. There just wasn't anything fresh here, not to mention the absurdity of that ending. I don't think a Lifetime movie would even attempt to wrap things up the way this did, and they are the kings (or queens) of the fairy tale happy ending.
I honestly don't know if I will get this author another go around or not. If any of my GR family has a favorite that you can recommend I'd be happy to check it out. But until then, my ever growing TBR is calling.
ARC provided by NetGalley
December 9, 2019
Trigger Warnings: STRONG THEMES OF DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE, suggestion of cruelty to animals (dogs)
In light of this author’s recent death, by apparent suicide, I prefer to NOT review this book, or speculate, at this time.
But, PLEASE, if you, or someone you know is suffering from DEPRESSION and you don’t know where to turn, seek help!
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline # is: 1-800-273-TALK
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
In light of this author’s recent death, by apparent suicide, I prefer to NOT review this book, or speculate, at this time.
But, PLEASE, if you, or someone you know is suffering from DEPRESSION and you don’t know where to turn, seek help!
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline # is: 1-800-273-TALK
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
April 18, 2017
A very good psychological suspense novel by the talented author Jennifer James with a fast paced plot.
Good strong characters that the author gives depth to, making them easy to identify with and making the story flow so well.
The lead character in this novel is Diane, who lost her husband to suicide. She is now left to raise her two children Alexa and Josh while earning a living as a successful author. Her daughter Alexa is a college student who suffers from depression and lives close by, while Josh still lives at home. Diane is concerned for her daughter, Alexa when a fellow student is murdered, but ends up making their strained relationship even worse.
The murderer uses the crisis hotline to confess to Diane and claims she is the only one who can stop the killing. At the same time Diane has a new love interest and when more girls turn up dead, she tries to solve the mystery she fears will hit terrifyingly close to home.
The strange caller contacts her to tell her the name of the first victim before the police release it. Could she be talking to the murderer? Tensions mount as the violence continues but the police haven't a clue. She's used to writing dark stories, but now she's involved in one, complete with murder and a potential romance with a handsome but mysterious stranger.
The way this book is written made me read it very quickly and was the sort of book you stay up late to finish in order to find out more.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Thomas and Mercer for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Good strong characters that the author gives depth to, making them easy to identify with and making the story flow so well.
The lead character in this novel is Diane, who lost her husband to suicide. She is now left to raise her two children Alexa and Josh while earning a living as a successful author. Her daughter Alexa is a college student who suffers from depression and lives close by, while Josh still lives at home. Diane is concerned for her daughter, Alexa when a fellow student is murdered, but ends up making their strained relationship even worse.
The murderer uses the crisis hotline to confess to Diane and claims she is the only one who can stop the killing. At the same time Diane has a new love interest and when more girls turn up dead, she tries to solve the mystery she fears will hit terrifyingly close to home.
The strange caller contacts her to tell her the name of the first victim before the police release it. Could she be talking to the murderer? Tensions mount as the violence continues but the police haven't a clue. She's used to writing dark stories, but now she's involved in one, complete with murder and a potential romance with a handsome but mysterious stranger.
The way this book is written made me read it very quickly and was the sort of book you stay up late to finish in order to find out more.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Thomas and Mercer for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2017
Wow! I flew through this one. So good. I don't think I'd change anything about it. Completely absorbing, suspenseful, and well-written. Start it when you have a good chunk of time to kill, because you're going to want to read this in one sitting if possible and the end will leave you reeling.
Diane lost her husband to suicide. She is a successful author, and she and her two children made a move for a fresh start. Daughter Alexa is a college student who has slipped into severe depression. She lives in a tiny apartment not far from her family. Though her mother supports her, she is borderline cruel to her. She seems to still resent the adoption of her teenage brother, Josh. Though he's been in the family since he was in diapers, she still holds onto it. When a fellow student is murdered, Diane worries about her but she only pushes her farther away.
Diane receives a strange phone call at her volunteer helpline job before the first body is found. Someone who has disguised their voice tells her the name of the first victim before the police release it. Could she be talking to the murderer? Tensions mount as the violence continues but the police haven't a clue. She's used to writing dark stories, but now she's involved in one... complete with murder and a potential romance with a handsome but mysterious stranger.
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
Diane lost her husband to suicide. She is a successful author, and she and her two children made a move for a fresh start. Daughter Alexa is a college student who has slipped into severe depression. She lives in a tiny apartment not far from her family. Though her mother supports her, she is borderline cruel to her. She seems to still resent the adoption of her teenage brother, Josh. Though he's been in the family since he was in diapers, she still holds onto it. When a fellow student is murdered, Diane worries about her but she only pushes her farther away.
Diane receives a strange phone call at her volunteer helpline job before the first body is found. Someone who has disguised their voice tells her the name of the first victim before the police release it. Could she be talking to the murderer? Tensions mount as the violence continues but the police haven't a clue. She's used to writing dark stories, but now she's involved in one... complete with murder and a potential romance with a handsome but mysterious stranger.
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
April 18, 2017
Well. What was a fantastically entertaining read ends up only being a three star review. How come?
Diane is an author of thrillers about serial killers. With two children and a husband her life from outside seems good but her marriage has been going cold for a while. Eventually her families lives are shattered with the suicide of her husband.
The book takes up as she has relocated with her kids to a small seaside town in Massachusetts. She is still writing and being very successful but her now college going daughter is estranged from her. Suffering with anxiety and depression she seems to hate her mother and has as little contact with her as possible.
Her adopted son, who is a couple of years younger and lives at home suffers some health problems, especially with his breathing and she cares for him with all her love. Josh, despite his health problems is a whole different kettle of fish to troubled Alexa. He loves his mom, is easy going and does what he's told. Although he gets on with his sister, she's always been jealous of him. She stopped getting attention when he arrived. Her mother in and out of hospital all the time with him as a child with little time for Alexa, she feels abandoned and unloved.
Meanwhile a real life serial killer is on the loose. Attacking and killing young women, Diane is concerned that Alexa might be next and becomes more and more anxious as Alexa as usual fails to pick up her calls or reply to her text messages. Her anxiety levels go through the roof when, as she's doing her shift at the local help centre she volunteers at,she starts receiving calls from what seems to be the serial killer. Why is he contacting her? What does he want with her? As she becomes more absorbed and paranoid by the whole thing all the main men in her life suddenly become suspicious to her. Possible suspects? Does she know the killer and if so who exactly is he?
Ok I'm going to say this right here now. I nearly loved this book. In fact for the most part I did love it. Read it in a couple of days. The characters were extremely well written, the story was excellent and very well told. It was the ultimate page turner. I was drawn straight into the world of the author and as the pages turned I had no idea how far I was in to the book or what page I was on, such was my interest. It was fantastically entertaining. It was probably going to be a five star review from me.
But, and here's the crux of it. The ending. The final chapters. They are awful. It's just a ridiculous ending. Totally unbelievable. I'm not talking about the killer reveal. I won't of course go into the ending but it just didn't in any way sit right with me. I just couldn't buy that the characters would behave that way. It was just ludicrous. It just about spoiled the whole experience. I don't know what the author was thinking letting it play out like that.
Such a shame as up until the final few chapters it was as enjoyable a read as I've had this year so far.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and Jennifer Jaynes for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Diane is an author of thrillers about serial killers. With two children and a husband her life from outside seems good but her marriage has been going cold for a while. Eventually her families lives are shattered with the suicide of her husband.
The book takes up as she has relocated with her kids to a small seaside town in Massachusetts. She is still writing and being very successful but her now college going daughter is estranged from her. Suffering with anxiety and depression she seems to hate her mother and has as little contact with her as possible.
Her adopted son, who is a couple of years younger and lives at home suffers some health problems, especially with his breathing and she cares for him with all her love. Josh, despite his health problems is a whole different kettle of fish to troubled Alexa. He loves his mom, is easy going and does what he's told. Although he gets on with his sister, she's always been jealous of him. She stopped getting attention when he arrived. Her mother in and out of hospital all the time with him as a child with little time for Alexa, she feels abandoned and unloved.
Meanwhile a real life serial killer is on the loose. Attacking and killing young women, Diane is concerned that Alexa might be next and becomes more and more anxious as Alexa as usual fails to pick up her calls or reply to her text messages. Her anxiety levels go through the roof when, as she's doing her shift at the local help centre she volunteers at,she starts receiving calls from what seems to be the serial killer. Why is he contacting her? What does he want with her? As she becomes more absorbed and paranoid by the whole thing all the main men in her life suddenly become suspicious to her. Possible suspects? Does she know the killer and if so who exactly is he?
Ok I'm going to say this right here now. I nearly loved this book. In fact for the most part I did love it. Read it in a couple of days. The characters were extremely well written, the story was excellent and very well told. It was the ultimate page turner. I was drawn straight into the world of the author and as the pages turned I had no idea how far I was in to the book or what page I was on, such was my interest. It was fantastically entertaining. It was probably going to be a five star review from me.
But, and here's the crux of it. The ending. The final chapters. They are awful. It's just a ridiculous ending. Totally unbelievable. I'm not talking about the killer reveal. I won't of course go into the ending but it just didn't in any way sit right with me. I just couldn't buy that the characters would behave that way. It was just ludicrous. It just about spoiled the whole experience. I don't know what the author was thinking letting it play out like that.
Such a shame as up until the final few chapters it was as enjoyable a read as I've had this year so far.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and Jennifer Jaynes for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2017
Diane Christie has lost her husband to suicide so she decides to move herself and her son to the small coastal town of Fog Harbor, Massachusetts. Diane's older daughter is attending college nearby and Diane thinks being closer to her daughter will help mend their strained relationship but when a young girl is found murdered at the local college Diane's worry pushes her daughter further away.
After the murder Diane is volunteering at the local crisis hotline when she receives a call from someone disguising their voice that seems to know details the police haven't released. With a new man in Diane's life, a daughter that does everything to push her mother away and a son with health issues Diane doesn't understand why the caller seems to be singling her out which makes her question everyone in her life.
The Stranger Inside was one of those psychological thrillers that I found quite easy to dive right into and begin to know the characters and get completely engaged in the story. At every turn of the page there was a new shady character to point the finger at and wonder could this be the killer? I found this completely compelling to continue reading and find out just how it would all turn out for this interesting cast of characters.
When finished with this one I was reading a few other reviews that completely hated the ending of this one. I have to say for me personally I rather enjoyed the ending, a bit off the map as far as what you would think would really happen when a killer is finally named but yet set up well for it to work in this story and quite possibly be the reaction that could happen, it certainly had my attention to the very end.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
After the murder Diane is volunteering at the local crisis hotline when she receives a call from someone disguising their voice that seems to know details the police haven't released. With a new man in Diane's life, a daughter that does everything to push her mother away and a son with health issues Diane doesn't understand why the caller seems to be singling her out which makes her question everyone in her life.
The Stranger Inside was one of those psychological thrillers that I found quite easy to dive right into and begin to know the characters and get completely engaged in the story. At every turn of the page there was a new shady character to point the finger at and wonder could this be the killer? I found this completely compelling to continue reading and find out just how it would all turn out for this interesting cast of characters.
When finished with this one I was reading a few other reviews that completely hated the ending of this one. I have to say for me personally I rather enjoyed the ending, a bit off the map as far as what you would think would really happen when a killer is finally named but yet set up well for it to work in this story and quite possibly be the reaction that could happen, it certainly had my attention to the very end.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
November 9, 2017
Talented Jennifer Jaynes turns up the intensity with her first standalone thriller: THE STRANGER INSIDE an edge-of-your-seat crime thriller solidifying her place alongside the best of female crime writers out today! Jaynes clearly belongs in the top echelon of thriller writers.
Sharply written, a psychological thriller both chilling and emotional- you can't wait to find out what happens - but you're not sure you want to know. Nail-biting action and an unexpected revelation you will not see coming.
The author’s most complex and intriguing novel to date. Read what Publishers Weekly had to say.
“Monsters are real . . . they live inside us, and sometimes, they win.” – Stephen King
There is a terrifying serial killer at the heart of this equal parts mystery, thriller, and cautionary tale. A cross between domestic suspense and a mesmerizing psychological drama of motherhood, family loyalty, loss, guilt, redemption, and an unexplained evil.
As the book opens open there is a murder. A young college student gal is walking home. She heard someone, then in the blink of an eye, her life was over. This is only the beginning of someone murdering young girls at the college.
Meet Diane Christie, a mystery crime writer.
She had been married and had a five-year-old daughter she adored and the adoption agency called and said they had the perfect baby for her. A little boy who had been abandoned by his mother at the hospital.
Today her husband is dead (suicide), and her daughter Alexa who had just turned nineteen, showed nothing for her but contempt and disdain. She would love to repair her relationship with her daughter. It had been and uphill battle. Their life has been an emotional roller-coaster.
She would never give up on her kids.
Diane had moved the previous year with her sixteen-year-old son, Josh to the small coastal town of Fog Harbor, Massachusetts, to escape what had happened back in New Jersey and to be closer to her daughter Alexa. Hopefully a time for healing and starting over.
However, Alexa is withdrawn and hateful. She worries about her (stealing, depression, suicide). Diane and Josh reside in a quiet neighborhood with a landlord Mr. Davidson. He was also an avid mystery reader. This family needed a new start after the trauma of her husband's death.
Josh had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called pulmonary sarcoidosis shortly after they had adopted him at eighteen months. Because of everything he had been through medically, she could not help but be panicked anytime he exhibited symptoms of becoming ill. He was more laid-back than Alexa. He loved video games. He was a loving child and very smart. He tries to help Alexa with her relationship with their mother, acting as a go-between.
Alexa never responded to her texts and she was worried about her, especially with the recent murder. Alexa had been angry with Diane since she was five. Much had to do with adopting Josh, three years younger. He had been in the hospital frequently which meant time away from home. They had grown apart. Then her husband's suicide. Diane continues to pay her daughter’s bills and offer her support, even though she treats her with no respect.
Then a report came in that a University of New Cambridge student was found murdered.
Diane was a law-abiding suburban widowed mother of two teenagers. She had spent her entire adult life caring for and trying to protect and sacrificing for her children. She volunteered at a small crisis center.
Lance, is a Fog Harbor policemen and fellow volunteer at the crisis center. Lance was in his late twenties, about ten years Diane’s junior. He had magazine cover looks. He had lost a brother to suicide and had been volunteering at the hotline ever since. He had a reputation of being a playboy. He flirted with Diane; however, she was done with men after what she had been through with her late husband.
Mary Kate is also another volunteer with a family suicide in her past. There is also Ellie her friend back in New Jersey which is married. In addition a creepy man, Wayne – a store manager at the local Brookmart. Totally weird. He adds some nice humor.
Diane had a long roster of repeat callers at the center. People who she had helped in the past; some desperate for encouragement, a little hope, and a listening ear.
A call comes through the hotline. The caller stated the name of the girl, Katie who was murdered, yet the victim’s name had not been released yet, according to Lance. The person on the other end of the line said he was having a crisis. A robotic voice. A mechanical voice changer. It made her flesh crawl.
He was talking about the murder. Was the person confessing to murder? Did he have knowledge about what happened? The caller said he was glad it was she who answered because he said she was the only person who can stop it. What did that mean?
As a crime writer, Diane knew she tended to view the world through a darker lens. Wayne always bugged her, but he was harmless. At the supermarket, she runs into a guy named Rick. Rick turns out to be a very intriguing character. A former Marine sniper with two tours in Iraq with PTSD. Hot, good-looking, and the complete package. What is his background?
Josh was such a polite son and Alex a terror. There is an ongoing mystery about her former husband Frank. We get bits and pieces of how they had a whirlwind romance and then he became a stranger living inside her home.
Some of her sleeping pills are missing? Was Alex taking them? Josh is like a nerd. He is always trying to play the go-between his mom and Alex. Even Alexa’s friend Trish likes her mom. Alexa is jealous.
The name of the victim was released. Katie Worth. A talented girl on a scholarship from Vermont. How did the caller know? Diane becomes convinced the anonymous caller was Katie’s murderer. Diane invites Lance over for Thanksgiving, as a friend, and Alex continues to be a brat, jealous of her mother. Even her friend Trish likes her mom.
An ongoing message of Red or blue pills. The Matrix. Symbolism. The blue pill is like a sedative. It allows you to continue to live in ignorance. Protected from all the ugliness in the world. The red pill allows you to see the truth. The truth about everything, including the stuff you do not want to know.
Lance spends time at their house explaining that the most notorious killers appear very normal. "The worst monsters are masters at blending in. "
Alexa is depressed and socially awkward, plus she is overly critical of her mom. Diane bends over backward trying to get her to open up.
In addition, someone is posting terrible reviews (one-star reviews of all her books) on Amazon when normally she gets 4 and 5-star reviews. Who was writewellorquit777? Hateful reviews. Who is trolling her? (hilarious).
Between Alexa, the strange caller on the hotline, Lance acting strange and being overly flirty with her daughter and friend. Her daughter seems to be entranced by him, plus she is worried about her daughter’s mental state. Alexa is hateful, critical, nasty, cynical, depressed and unhappy. Even Josh appears to be off.
Alexa does not like Rick, knowing he had killed people, and lived in the creepy cabin in the woods. What was her mother thinking? She does not trust him. She once again trying to make problems for her mom when she finds she is interested in him. After all, Diane had married a nice guy and turned into something else. Alexa tries to plant suspicion and doubt in Diane’s mind and goes through his things. Diane has had enough of Alexa’s behavior.
Rick the guy who lives in a hunting log cabin in the woods. He seemed guarded. Rick starts getting closer; however, she does not trust herself with new relationships. Can she trust him?
Her friend Ellie is going through a separation and sleeping on her sofa. (not sure how Diane gets any writing done with all this drama). Her friend warns her about Rick. Now Detective Chavez has been contacted about the caller at work. She trusted Rick. He was a great cook, a nice clean house, great classical music, and an inviting home, plus he was a reader with all the top names. He had guns, medical supplies, antibiotics, and water. Everything was organized. A survivalist?
With a serial killer on the loose and once again the caller says the name of the second murdered college student: Jill. There was no doubt in her mind that the caller was the killer, or at least involved with the killer somehow, but what reach out to her?
Now a third girl, Trish Underwood. Alexa’s friend.
What was going on? Why did the killer choose certain girls to kill, young and pretty girls with long brunette hair.
Between Lance, Rick (PTSD), a cabinet full of weapons, crazy Wayne, Diane’s caller, and her kids. Who can she trust? What does she have to do with the killer and why is this person calling her? Diane soon realizes she has to solve the mystery before this person kills again.
A mother is faced with the worst choice of her life. Will she resort to the unthinkable to protect her shattered family?
From a master of suspense, Jaynes explores the dangers lurking closer than you think. Even in the perfect family, you never know what is going on behind closed doors.
Riveting, chilling, mind-bending, heart-pounding. Dark and intense, the author skillfully plots and creates characters’ readers root for. Clever twists and turns continue to push the suspense with an array of suspects. High adrenaline, fast-paced action.
I could not put this book down and read in one sitting. Every time you think you have the killer figured out, the suspicion turns to someone else. However, the shattering conclusion will definitely not be expected. Testing the bonds of family.
This tense psychological suspense demonstrates Jaynes at the top of her game. A pro at creating twisty plots and emotionally devastating family dramas. Her characters are fractured, cracked and troubled and you sympathize with them.
If you have not read Jaynes’ books, I would highly recommend. An avid fan, adore her engaging writing style. She never fails to impress. She never takes you on detours or side roads. She always grabs your attention from the first page to the last.
One of my favorite authors and an avid fan starting with the Strangers Series:
Never Smile at Strangers
Ugly Young Thing
Don’t Say a Word
Fans of Lisa Gardner, JT Ellison, Tami Hoag, Karen Slaughter, Chevy Stevens, and Lisa Unger will be assured to enjoy THE STRANGER INSIDE.
A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an early reading copy.
JDCMustReadBooks
Sharply written, a psychological thriller both chilling and emotional- you can't wait to find out what happens - but you're not sure you want to know. Nail-biting action and an unexpected revelation you will not see coming.
The author’s most complex and intriguing novel to date. Read what Publishers Weekly had to say.
“Monsters are real . . . they live inside us, and sometimes, they win.” – Stephen King
There is a terrifying serial killer at the heart of this equal parts mystery, thriller, and cautionary tale. A cross between domestic suspense and a mesmerizing psychological drama of motherhood, family loyalty, loss, guilt, redemption, and an unexplained evil.
As the book opens open there is a murder. A young college student gal is walking home. She heard someone, then in the blink of an eye, her life was over. This is only the beginning of someone murdering young girls at the college.
Meet Diane Christie, a mystery crime writer.
She had been married and had a five-year-old daughter she adored and the adoption agency called and said they had the perfect baby for her. A little boy who had been abandoned by his mother at the hospital.
Today her husband is dead (suicide), and her daughter Alexa who had just turned nineteen, showed nothing for her but contempt and disdain. She would love to repair her relationship with her daughter. It had been and uphill battle. Their life has been an emotional roller-coaster.
She would never give up on her kids.
Diane had moved the previous year with her sixteen-year-old son, Josh to the small coastal town of Fog Harbor, Massachusetts, to escape what had happened back in New Jersey and to be closer to her daughter Alexa. Hopefully a time for healing and starting over.
However, Alexa is withdrawn and hateful. She worries about her (stealing, depression, suicide). Diane and Josh reside in a quiet neighborhood with a landlord Mr. Davidson. He was also an avid mystery reader. This family needed a new start after the trauma of her husband's death.
Josh had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called pulmonary sarcoidosis shortly after they had adopted him at eighteen months. Because of everything he had been through medically, she could not help but be panicked anytime he exhibited symptoms of becoming ill. He was more laid-back than Alexa. He loved video games. He was a loving child and very smart. He tries to help Alexa with her relationship with their mother, acting as a go-between.
Alexa never responded to her texts and she was worried about her, especially with the recent murder. Alexa had been angry with Diane since she was five. Much had to do with adopting Josh, three years younger. He had been in the hospital frequently which meant time away from home. They had grown apart. Then her husband's suicide. Diane continues to pay her daughter’s bills and offer her support, even though she treats her with no respect.
Then a report came in that a University of New Cambridge student was found murdered.
Diane was a law-abiding suburban widowed mother of two teenagers. She had spent her entire adult life caring for and trying to protect and sacrificing for her children. She volunteered at a small crisis center.
Lance, is a Fog Harbor policemen and fellow volunteer at the crisis center. Lance was in his late twenties, about ten years Diane’s junior. He had magazine cover looks. He had lost a brother to suicide and had been volunteering at the hotline ever since. He had a reputation of being a playboy. He flirted with Diane; however, she was done with men after what she had been through with her late husband.
Mary Kate is also another volunteer with a family suicide in her past. There is also Ellie her friend back in New Jersey which is married. In addition a creepy man, Wayne – a store manager at the local Brookmart. Totally weird. He adds some nice humor.
Diane had a long roster of repeat callers at the center. People who she had helped in the past; some desperate for encouragement, a little hope, and a listening ear.
A call comes through the hotline. The caller stated the name of the girl, Katie who was murdered, yet the victim’s name had not been released yet, according to Lance. The person on the other end of the line said he was having a crisis. A robotic voice. A mechanical voice changer. It made her flesh crawl.
He was talking about the murder. Was the person confessing to murder? Did he have knowledge about what happened? The caller said he was glad it was she who answered because he said she was the only person who can stop it. What did that mean?
As a crime writer, Diane knew she tended to view the world through a darker lens. Wayne always bugged her, but he was harmless. At the supermarket, she runs into a guy named Rick. Rick turns out to be a very intriguing character. A former Marine sniper with two tours in Iraq with PTSD. Hot, good-looking, and the complete package. What is his background?
Josh was such a polite son and Alex a terror. There is an ongoing mystery about her former husband Frank. We get bits and pieces of how they had a whirlwind romance and then he became a stranger living inside her home.
Some of her sleeping pills are missing? Was Alex taking them? Josh is like a nerd. He is always trying to play the go-between his mom and Alex. Even Alexa’s friend Trish likes her mom. Alexa is jealous.
The name of the victim was released. Katie Worth. A talented girl on a scholarship from Vermont. How did the caller know? Diane becomes convinced the anonymous caller was Katie’s murderer. Diane invites Lance over for Thanksgiving, as a friend, and Alex continues to be a brat, jealous of her mother. Even her friend Trish likes her mom.
An ongoing message of Red or blue pills. The Matrix. Symbolism. The blue pill is like a sedative. It allows you to continue to live in ignorance. Protected from all the ugliness in the world. The red pill allows you to see the truth. The truth about everything, including the stuff you do not want to know.
Lance spends time at their house explaining that the most notorious killers appear very normal. "The worst monsters are masters at blending in. "
Alexa is depressed and socially awkward, plus she is overly critical of her mom. Diane bends over backward trying to get her to open up.
In addition, someone is posting terrible reviews (one-star reviews of all her books) on Amazon when normally she gets 4 and 5-star reviews. Who was writewellorquit777? Hateful reviews. Who is trolling her? (hilarious).
Between Alexa, the strange caller on the hotline, Lance acting strange and being overly flirty with her daughter and friend. Her daughter seems to be entranced by him, plus she is worried about her daughter’s mental state. Alexa is hateful, critical, nasty, cynical, depressed and unhappy. Even Josh appears to be off.
Alexa does not like Rick, knowing he had killed people, and lived in the creepy cabin in the woods. What was her mother thinking? She does not trust him. She once again trying to make problems for her mom when she finds she is interested in him. After all, Diane had married a nice guy and turned into something else. Alexa tries to plant suspicion and doubt in Diane’s mind and goes through his things. Diane has had enough of Alexa’s behavior.
Rick the guy who lives in a hunting log cabin in the woods. He seemed guarded. Rick starts getting closer; however, she does not trust herself with new relationships. Can she trust him?
Her friend Ellie is going through a separation and sleeping on her sofa. (not sure how Diane gets any writing done with all this drama). Her friend warns her about Rick. Now Detective Chavez has been contacted about the caller at work. She trusted Rick. He was a great cook, a nice clean house, great classical music, and an inviting home, plus he was a reader with all the top names. He had guns, medical supplies, antibiotics, and water. Everything was organized. A survivalist?
With a serial killer on the loose and once again the caller says the name of the second murdered college student: Jill. There was no doubt in her mind that the caller was the killer, or at least involved with the killer somehow, but what reach out to her?
Now a third girl, Trish Underwood. Alexa’s friend.
What was going on? Why did the killer choose certain girls to kill, young and pretty girls with long brunette hair.
Between Lance, Rick (PTSD), a cabinet full of weapons, crazy Wayne, Diane’s caller, and her kids. Who can she trust? What does she have to do with the killer and why is this person calling her? Diane soon realizes she has to solve the mystery before this person kills again.
A mother is faced with the worst choice of her life. Will she resort to the unthinkable to protect her shattered family?
From a master of suspense, Jaynes explores the dangers lurking closer than you think. Even in the perfect family, you never know what is going on behind closed doors.
Riveting, chilling, mind-bending, heart-pounding. Dark and intense, the author skillfully plots and creates characters’ readers root for. Clever twists and turns continue to push the suspense with an array of suspects. High adrenaline, fast-paced action.
I could not put this book down and read in one sitting. Every time you think you have the killer figured out, the suspicion turns to someone else. However, the shattering conclusion will definitely not be expected. Testing the bonds of family.
This tense psychological suspense demonstrates Jaynes at the top of her game. A pro at creating twisty plots and emotionally devastating family dramas. Her characters are fractured, cracked and troubled and you sympathize with them.
If you have not read Jaynes’ books, I would highly recommend. An avid fan, adore her engaging writing style. She never fails to impress. She never takes you on detours or side roads. She always grabs your attention from the first page to the last.
One of my favorite authors and an avid fan starting with the Strangers Series:
Never Smile at Strangers
Ugly Young Thing
Don’t Say a Word
Fans of Lisa Gardner, JT Ellison, Tami Hoag, Karen Slaughter, Chevy Stevens, and Lisa Unger will be assured to enjoy THE STRANGER INSIDE.
A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an early reading copy.
JDCMustReadBooks
May 7, 2017
I've been looking forward to reading my first novel by Jennifer Jaynes, author of Ugly Young Thing, and for most of the book, I found myself enjoying the journey. Good characters, good pacing, a family struggling after the suicide of the husband moving to a small town, some young pretty college girls murdered and a few suspects hanging around the main character, a thriller writer. All good so far, although maybe all a little predictable, and than BOOM! the entire plot took a dive off the straight and narrow into the wilds of incredulity! With no earlier hints to prepare us, the characters all started behaving completely out of character and the final chapters were just too much to believe.
There are a lot of 5 star reviews out there so maybe it's not you Ms Jaynes but me. Generally I like a good twist but I also like it when the author is clever enough to have planted some subtle hints for us to say Aha! in retrospect. In this case, there were no indications that any of the characters would start to behave in ways that totally contradicted what we knew about them and the ending was just too rushed for it to be credible.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Thomas and Mercer for a copy of the book to read and review
There are a lot of 5 star reviews out there so maybe it's not you Ms Jaynes but me. Generally I like a good twist but I also like it when the author is clever enough to have planted some subtle hints for us to say Aha! in retrospect. In this case, there were no indications that any of the characters would start to behave in ways that totally contradicted what we knew about them and the ending was just too rushed for it to be credible.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Thomas and Mercer for a copy of the book to read and review
December 24, 2018
After reading other reviews, I guess I'm the only one with this perspective: The plot was ok and kept me reading until the end. The writing was very elementary, repetitious and filled with cliches that are typical of a new writer. After a first book, we learn to be a little more creative with our choice of words.But that isn't happening with this writer.
April 27, 2019
Unfortunately i didn't enjoy reading this book.
My reasons for my 2 star rating are:
-Way too many suspects
-Repetitions and unnecessary dialogues
-Predictable plot
-Notwithstanding all the red herrings, i easily guessed the identity of the culprit 1/3 through the book
-The ending
-The ending
-The ending
My reasons for my 2 star rating are:
-Way too many suspects
-Repetitions and unnecessary dialogues
-Predictable plot
-Notwithstanding all the red herrings, i easily guessed the identity of the culprit 1/3 through the book
-The ending
-The ending
-The ending
January 3, 2018
Gripping and scary from page 1 till the end. I cannot believe the ending and i was completely shocked!!!! It’s on sale for $1.99 right now for the kindle version on amazon. Wow! Just wow!!! Be ready to be scared! I was! And I’m still
Thinking about it!!!!
Thinking about it!!!!
February 1, 2017
I received an ARC ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
For me, when the writing is great, the reading goes faster. "The Stranger Inside" wasn't an exception. From beginning, to middle, to the superb fast-paced, heart-wrenching ending, the novel delivers. Also, as usual in Jennifer Jayne's novels, the cast includes people with complex personalities and "complexer" problems, which makes the whole narrative flow smoothly.
"The Stranger Inside" is a great, attention-grabber story ... and so much more. A must read, if you ask me.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
For me, when the writing is great, the reading goes faster. "The Stranger Inside" wasn't an exception. From beginning, to middle, to the superb fast-paced, heart-wrenching ending, the novel delivers. Also, as usual in Jennifer Jayne's novels, the cast includes people with complex personalities and "complexer" problems, which makes the whole narrative flow smoothly.
"The Stranger Inside" is a great, attention-grabber story ... and so much more. A must read, if you ask me.
May 9, 2017
Starts out okay and ends up terribly
POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT:
This started out as a pretty normal psychological thriller about a serial killer of young women. The protagonist of the story is Diane Christie, an author of mysteries about serial killers. She has two teenage children - Josh who has health issues and still lives at home and Alexa, who has her small apartment and has problems with anger and depression. Her husband committed suicide and Diane is just recently feeling ready to date again.
The story was fast-paced - not the best I've read and not the worst most of the way through. There were all kinds of red herrings scattered throughout the story - to an annoying level in my opinion.
And then we come to the worst, most unbelievable ending that I've had the misfortune to read.
I received this book from Amazon Publishing through Net Galley in exchange for my unbiased review.
POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT:
This started out as a pretty normal psychological thriller about a serial killer of young women. The protagonist of the story is Diane Christie, an author of mysteries about serial killers. She has two teenage children - Josh who has health issues and still lives at home and Alexa, who has her small apartment and has problems with anger and depression. Her husband committed suicide and Diane is just recently feeling ready to date again.
The story was fast-paced - not the best I've read and not the worst most of the way through. There were all kinds of red herrings scattered throughout the story - to an annoying level in my opinion.
And then we come to the worst, most unbelievable ending that I've had the misfortune to read.
I received this book from Amazon Publishing through Net Galley in exchange for my unbiased review.
April 4, 2018
3.5 stars. I enjoyed most of this, but the conclusion was so unbelievable and silly, that I'm deducting half a star.
February 13, 2017
I am a big fan of this author's Stranger Series so I was intrigued when I heard she was writing a stand alone and jumped at the chance to read it when I read the synopsis. She writes in a style that just suits me. After reading her first book, subsequent books have felt very comfortable for me to read and she has always told a good tale played out with well crafted characters full of emotion so I was excited to start this book. And finish it in pretty much one sitting. It gripped me that much that I found it very difficult when I had to put it down for boring life stuff.
So, Diane is a mystery author. Suffering the loss of her husband, she moves herself and her two children to a small town to get a fresh start. Her relationship with her two children couldn't be more different. There is a big rift between her and her daughter, Alexa, whereas she's close to Josh, her son. Probably due to his health conditions. As well as her writing, Diane also volunteers on a crisis helpline. When a girl from Alexa's college is brutally murdered, the murderer drags Diane into the investigation as he calls her on the hotline. It's the last thing she needs as, as well as being rather frightening, she starts to wonder "why her?" and starts to wonder who it is? Does she know them, could it be someone in her close circle of friends? With new love on the horizon and the chance of happiness, could it all blow up in her face?
Wow, just wow! Although the book starts off quite steady, there was always that feeling that things were bubbling under; just waiting to break through and boy when they did it was exhilarating and delivered blow after blow of excitement and, well lets just say, lead to a rather shocking conclusion that left me both speechless and breathless with lots to think about.
As usual with this type of book, I try to go along with the characters, trying to work out who and why but, although I had the perpetrator on my list, it was only in pencil. I read a lot of this genre of book and it's not often that I am that gobsmacked at the end. But, don't get me wrong. It's not a case of the author leading the reader the wrong way all the way. Hindsight is your friend here and, at the end, when I'd calmed down and thought back, yes, the signs were there. I just chose to gloss over them. Well done Ms Jaynes.
Characters were as always very well crafted. And full of emotion and dysfunction and all the other things I love in fiction. And real, they all felt very real to me. Even with the decisions that they had to make. I can't qualify this statement here, spoilers prevent me, but you'll understand when you read it!
All in all, a brilliant read that went a little bit further for me than just being a psychological thriller. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So, Diane is a mystery author. Suffering the loss of her husband, she moves herself and her two children to a small town to get a fresh start. Her relationship with her two children couldn't be more different. There is a big rift between her and her daughter, Alexa, whereas she's close to Josh, her son. Probably due to his health conditions. As well as her writing, Diane also volunteers on a crisis helpline. When a girl from Alexa's college is brutally murdered, the murderer drags Diane into the investigation as he calls her on the hotline. It's the last thing she needs as, as well as being rather frightening, she starts to wonder "why her?" and starts to wonder who it is? Does she know them, could it be someone in her close circle of friends? With new love on the horizon and the chance of happiness, could it all blow up in her face?
Wow, just wow! Although the book starts off quite steady, there was always that feeling that things were bubbling under; just waiting to break through and boy when they did it was exhilarating and delivered blow after blow of excitement and, well lets just say, lead to a rather shocking conclusion that left me both speechless and breathless with lots to think about.
As usual with this type of book, I try to go along with the characters, trying to work out who and why but, although I had the perpetrator on my list, it was only in pencil. I read a lot of this genre of book and it's not often that I am that gobsmacked at the end. But, don't get me wrong. It's not a case of the author leading the reader the wrong way all the way. Hindsight is your friend here and, at the end, when I'd calmed down and thought back, yes, the signs were there. I just chose to gloss over them. Well done Ms Jaynes.
Characters were as always very well crafted. And full of emotion and dysfunction and all the other things I love in fiction. And real, they all felt very real to me. Even with the decisions that they had to make. I can't qualify this statement here, spoilers prevent me, but you'll understand when you read it!
All in all, a brilliant read that went a little bit further for me than just being a psychological thriller. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
May 20, 2017
This is the first book I've read from Jennifer Jaynes, and I'm very impressed!! My favorite books are mystery/thrillers and I've become pretty good at reading between the lines and figuring out the plot twist long before its revealed. With that being said, she got me!! I had no idea until it was revealed and she took the ending in such an unusual direction!! I loved that!
This book was well written, flow of the story was great and I could identify with each character especially Diane.
I will definitely read more books by Jennifer Jaynes.
This book was well written, flow of the story was great and I could identify with each character especially Diane.
I will definitely read more books by Jennifer Jaynes.
February 8, 2018
This is one of those rare times where I am angry that I can’t give more than 5 stars for a book. This has to be the biggest plot twist I’ve ever seen in a book. Jennifer Jaynes made EVERYONE in this book look like a suspect but I never would have guessed that he was the killer nor how this book resolved. My mind is freaking blown! This was my first book by this author and I immediately went online and bought paperbacks of the rest of her books.
May 8, 2017
Jennifer Jaynes has done it again. I have enjoyed all of her books, but I believe this one inches past the others on the leaderboard of the best of the best. It's as gripping as her other books, and then adds multiple twists that you just can't believe how it's playing out.
The Stanger Inside leaves you wanting to judge the characters, but not for why you would think and it leaves you with the "LIFEBOAT QUESTION" of "What would I do?"
I don't know how she does it, but I sure am pleased that she does. Great job, Jennifer, great job.
If you haven't read this author, then there is no better time than now to pick up her first three and be primed and ready to read this one.
The Stanger Inside leaves you wanting to judge the characters, but not for why you would think and it leaves you with the "LIFEBOAT QUESTION" of "What would I do?"
I don't know how she does it, but I sure am pleased that she does. Great job, Jennifer, great job.
If you haven't read this author, then there is no better time than now to pick up her first three and be primed and ready to read this one.
December 16, 2018
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨This did not have any of our previous characters but it did have all of the concepts that the Strangers series has carried its readers through. You could read it alone if you wanted, but I think it would have less of an impact by itself. Still awesome, yes! But I have to say I’m impressed with the careful concepts and messages she weaves through each book.
I thought that to myself, at first. I thought, well shoot; It was number four I wanted to read, but I noticed they were a series. I’m a purist, so I went back and read them all. Well; I’m very glad I did.
This one may not have those same characters, but Jaynes carries a message through loud and clear. Sometimes even those closest to us are the farthest away. Scary and terrifying concept. So, after this I decided to read yet another Jennifer Jaynes and listen to what she had to say...
This one is about a mystery writer that has a mystery happening around her. She tries to piece it together. She knows she is good at it, this is what she does, after all. Her adopted son and her daughter have to be safe. Especially her daughter. She’s not stable like her dependable son. There is a killer out there. One reaching out only to her. She has to make it safe. If only she could get through to her daughter! She needs to keep the remains of her family intact.
I thought that to myself, at first. I thought, well shoot; It was number four I wanted to read, but I noticed they were a series. I’m a purist, so I went back and read them all. Well; I’m very glad I did.
This one may not have those same characters, but Jaynes carries a message through loud and clear. Sometimes even those closest to us are the farthest away. Scary and terrifying concept. So, after this I decided to read yet another Jennifer Jaynes and listen to what she had to say...
This one is about a mystery writer that has a mystery happening around her. She tries to piece it together. She knows she is good at it, this is what she does, after all. Her adopted son and her daughter have to be safe. Especially her daughter. She’s not stable like her dependable son. There is a killer out there. One reaching out only to her. She has to make it safe. If only she could get through to her daughter! She needs to keep the remains of her family intact.
July 24, 2020
My first book written by Jennifer Jaynes and I really enjoyed it! I can’t wait to read another 😊
April 5, 2018
I have recently received an ebook ARC of The Stranger Inside by author Jennifer Jaynes thanks to NetGalley and publisher Thomas & Mercer.
This book is about a mystery author Diane Christie. She is a widowed mother whom her husband has committed suicide.
Diane and her son, Josh move to a small town, Fog Harbor, Massachusetts.
Her daughter Alexa is attending college in the nearby town of New Cambridge. Alexa is depressed and Josh is beginning to act out.
Then a girl from Alexa’s college has been found murdered. Diane also works at a crisis hotline, and then the murdered begins calling Diane and telling her she is the only one who can stop the murders…
This book was an quick and easy read, I found it very intriguing and it kept me wanting to read more. It was very suspenseful and the book had me guessing all the way to the end.
This is the first novel i have read by Jennifer Jaynes, and i am definitely going to read more of her novels! I would recommend this book and i give it 5 stars.
This book is about a mystery author Diane Christie. She is a widowed mother whom her husband has committed suicide.
Diane and her son, Josh move to a small town, Fog Harbor, Massachusetts.
Her daughter Alexa is attending college in the nearby town of New Cambridge. Alexa is depressed and Josh is beginning to act out.
Then a girl from Alexa’s college has been found murdered. Diane also works at a crisis hotline, and then the murdered begins calling Diane and telling her she is the only one who can stop the murders…
This book was an quick and easy read, I found it very intriguing and it kept me wanting to read more. It was very suspenseful and the book had me guessing all the way to the end.
This is the first novel i have read by Jennifer Jaynes, and i am definitely going to read more of her novels! I would recommend this book and i give it 5 stars.
March 25, 2017
The Stranger Inside is a fantastically twisted psychological ride that had me hooked from the very first page! This is quite possibly my favorite read so far this year, I honestly can't say enough how much I loved it. I really had no expectations going in and I was blown away. I've been reading mystery/thrillers since I was a kid, so I'm not easily scared by a book. the Stranger Inside had jumping at every little noise, biting my nails, and loving every scary minute of it!
Main character Diane, who co-incadentily is a mystery writer ( love her already!) and her son Josh and daughter Alexa move to Massachusetts after her husbands suicide. Her life begins to get more complicated, just as students at Alexa's college start turning up dead. Meanwhile at the crisis center Diane volunteer's at, she starts receiving mysterious distorted phone calls from the killer, who claims only she can stop the murders. With a serial killer on the loose, no one is safe, especially not Diane!
This was so expertly written, the pacing was fantastic, there were never any lags in the story or parts that dragged on. It was a quick, fast paced read, which are my favorite kind. It was extremely suspenseful and I found myself screaming things out loud as I read along "no don't go in there," "pick up the phone!!!" "don't get in the car!!!"
This is one of those stories where your suspicious of everyone and see shadows everywhere. The ending was mind blowing, there were so many shocking twists and turns one right after another, I was truly left speechless when I finished this one. I absolutely loved this one, and highly recommend it! Can't wait to read more from this amazing author!
Main character Diane, who co-incadentily is a mystery writer ( love her already!) and her son Josh and daughter Alexa move to Massachusetts after her husbands suicide. Her life begins to get more complicated, just as students at Alexa's college start turning up dead. Meanwhile at the crisis center Diane volunteer's at, she starts receiving mysterious distorted phone calls from the killer, who claims only she can stop the murders. With a serial killer on the loose, no one is safe, especially not Diane!
This was so expertly written, the pacing was fantastic, there were never any lags in the story or parts that dragged on. It was a quick, fast paced read, which are my favorite kind. It was extremely suspenseful and I found myself screaming things out loud as I read along "no don't go in there," "pick up the phone!!!" "don't get in the car!!!"
This is one of those stories where your suspicious of everyone and see shadows everywhere. The ending was mind blowing, there were so many shocking twists and turns one right after another, I was truly left speechless when I finished this one. I absolutely loved this one, and highly recommend it! Can't wait to read more from this amazing author!
March 26, 2017
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Wow! Jennifer Jaynes raised the bar and threw it out the window in this thriller. Diane is a thriller writer, and now is in the middle of her own thriller. There is a serial killer in the neighborhood targeting young women. Who can it be and who can you trust? There is also another dynamic in this book. I didn't expect the emotional turmoil in her family. Her husband committed suicide, and her two children did not cope very well with this. Alexa, her daughter is a hot mess! Josh is more reserve. Plus, Diane has two men in her life she is uncertain of. Lance and Rick. Which one to trust? I did not expect the twists this story took, but I was hanging onto every word. All thriller and suspense fans will love this book. Unputdownable!
November 19, 2017
This is a great psychological thriller!! It kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put it down. Just the right amount of characters woven in to keep you guessing until the end. And just when you think it’s over it’s not. Great read. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
May 3, 2017
THE STRANGER INSIDE by talented author Jennifer James is a fast-paced psychological suspense novel that had me guessing right until the end.
“A recently widowed mother resorts to the unthinkable to protect her shattered family. But does she go too far?”
After mystery author Diane Christie loses her husband to suicide, she and her sixteen-year-old son, Josh move from New Jersey to the small coastal town of Fog Harbor, Massachusetts, to escape what happened back in New Jersey and be closer to her nineteen-year-old daughter, Alexa, attending college close by. Diane hopes that her family can now begin to heal.
But Diane had her hands full trying to raise two teenage children, with issues, while she tried to earn a living as an effective author. Alexa suffers from anxiety and depression, and fights for her mother’s love and attention but still resents the adoption of her teenage brother, Josh. Josh suffers from respiratory problems and is now started acting out. Diane pushes forward, focusing on her writing and her volunteer work at a local crisis hotline. She knows that healing takes time.
But then a girl from Alexa's college is found strangled. A serial killer is on the loose, and Diane is worried for the safety of her daughter. And Alexa isn’t picking up her calls or text messages.
But then through the use of a robotic voice, the murderer uses the crisis hotline to confess to Diane . . . and claims she is the only one who can stop the killing. The murderer identifies the victim’s name…and Diane had received this anonymous call three hours before the victim’s name had been released?
But why is she being contacted?
And at the same time, Diane has a budding new love interest, at the same time as more girls show up dead. Who can she trust…and talk to?
This book was a quick and easy read, with intriguing characters and an excellent plot, which kept me gripped until the end. I did not guess the identity of the killer. But, for me, I found the ending a little too unbelievable. I won’t say any more for risk of spoilers. Just read this entertaining novel.
Many thanks to Jennifer Jaynes, Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC.
“A recently widowed mother resorts to the unthinkable to protect her shattered family. But does she go too far?”
After mystery author Diane Christie loses her husband to suicide, she and her sixteen-year-old son, Josh move from New Jersey to the small coastal town of Fog Harbor, Massachusetts, to escape what happened back in New Jersey and be closer to her nineteen-year-old daughter, Alexa, attending college close by. Diane hopes that her family can now begin to heal.
But Diane had her hands full trying to raise two teenage children, with issues, while she tried to earn a living as an effective author. Alexa suffers from anxiety and depression, and fights for her mother’s love and attention but still resents the adoption of her teenage brother, Josh. Josh suffers from respiratory problems and is now started acting out. Diane pushes forward, focusing on her writing and her volunteer work at a local crisis hotline. She knows that healing takes time.
But then a girl from Alexa's college is found strangled. A serial killer is on the loose, and Diane is worried for the safety of her daughter. And Alexa isn’t picking up her calls or text messages.
But then through the use of a robotic voice, the murderer uses the crisis hotline to confess to Diane . . . and claims she is the only one who can stop the killing. The murderer identifies the victim’s name…and Diane had received this anonymous call three hours before the victim’s name had been released?
But why is she being contacted?
And at the same time, Diane has a budding new love interest, at the same time as more girls show up dead. Who can she trust…and talk to?
This book was a quick and easy read, with intriguing characters and an excellent plot, which kept me gripped until the end. I did not guess the identity of the killer. But, for me, I found the ending a little too unbelievable. I won’t say any more for risk of spoilers. Just read this entertaining novel.
Many thanks to Jennifer Jaynes, Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC.
May 1, 2017
The Stranger Inside is an excellent read! Expertly crafted! It holds its own with any novel I have ever read! Any! Jennifer has arrived and she will be a heavy weight! As you near the finish if you think you know, trust me, you don't...I never saw it coming. Congratulations on a masterful creation JMJ! I look forward to your future writing!
September 17, 2019
MIND BLOWN!!!!!
I feel content by the ending.
I feel content by the ending.
May 11, 2017
The Stranger Inside started out as a good psychological thriller about a serial killer of young, college-age women. It was slow paced for me but the story kept me entertained... until the ending. Like other reviewers mentioned, it was ridiculous and unbelievable.
Even though the ending was terrible, the book was well written. I enjoyed reading Jennifer Jaynes', Don't Say a Word, so I will probably read more from this author.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for supplying a copy of Jennifer Jaynes' "The Stranger Inside" in exchange for an honest review.
Even though the ending was terrible, the book was well written. I enjoyed reading Jennifer Jaynes', Don't Say a Word, so I will probably read more from this author.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for supplying a copy of Jennifer Jaynes' "The Stranger Inside" in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2017
A compelling thriller that will have you at the end of your seat. A end you don't see coming
I have to be honest, the ending left me conflicted. After several days of thinking about the characters, the plot, the driving force, I had to give Jaynes credit for well thought out and well played thriller.
Diane Christie a successful author has been left with two hurting teenagers after the suicide death of her husband. Her daughter Alexa has been angry with her mother since the family adopted her brother Josh. She now attends a college nearby and only sees her mother when absolutely necessary. Josh is dealing with his past of rejection from his biological parents and to ease his pain, he is finds relief in video games.
Since the death of her husband, Diane volunteers at a local sucide crisis center taking calls. She receives an anonymous call who knows her by name and the details of recent murdered female college student.
The narration is done by Diane, Alexa and the killer. Diane's voice you hear her struggle as she wants her family whole again and as she begins to date again. Alexa with her insecurities, she lashes out against her mother and suffers a deep depression that only worsens as she starts drinking and taking drugs. The killer whom you do not know but his/her voice is one that finds relief in killing young woman. There is an anger and hurt that he/she cannot control.
As I said in the beginning, I was conflicted .
<>A Special Thank You to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
I have to be honest, the ending left me conflicted. After several days of thinking about the characters, the plot, the driving force, I had to give Jaynes credit for well thought out and well played thriller.
Diane Christie a successful author has been left with two hurting teenagers after the suicide death of her husband. Her daughter Alexa has been angry with her mother since the family adopted her brother Josh. She now attends a college nearby and only sees her mother when absolutely necessary. Josh is dealing with his past of rejection from his biological parents and to ease his pain, he is finds relief in video games.
Since the death of her husband, Diane volunteers at a local sucide crisis center taking calls. She receives an anonymous call who knows her by name and the details of recent murdered female college student.
The narration is done by Diane, Alexa and the killer. Diane's voice you hear her struggle as she wants her family whole again and as she begins to date again. Alexa with her insecurities, she lashes out against her mother and suffers a deep depression that only worsens as she starts drinking and taking drugs. The killer whom you do not know but his/her voice is one that finds relief in killing young woman. There is an anger and hurt that he/she cannot control.
As I said in the beginning, I was conflicted .
<>A Special Thank You to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
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