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The Hostile #3
The Hostile Game
In The Hostile Game, Manchester-based Serena, now eighteen and pregnant, finally discovers the reason why Tile X befriended her seven years before. She doesn’t like what she hears. Mayhem ensues, with a retired Irish police superintendent becoming more involved than perhaps he should have.
The Hostile Game, the third book in The Hostile series, is a gripping contemporary paranormal thriller. It can be read as a standalone like the other books in this unusual series.
The Hostile Game, the third book in The Hostile series, is a gripping contemporary paranormal thriller. It can be read as a standalone like the other books in this unusual series.
190 pages, Paperback
Published April 17, 2017
2 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Joy Mutter
30 books144 followersAuthor of Random Bullets, 4 books in The Hostile series, Her Demonic Angel, Living with Postcards, Potholes and Magic Carpets, The Mug Trilogy, The Trouble with Liam, The Trouble with Trouble, Trouble in Cornwall, Troubled, Nuru and his Crows, The Storms of Padstow, Punishing the Innocent, The Brothers Grimshaw, A Sunny Day in Oldham, Friends in Need, Chasing her Shadow, and Caravan of Nightmares.
Joy Mutter started writing books in 2007 but waited until 2015 to publish six of them on Amazon. More books soon followed. All her books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. Nine books also have audiobook versions on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.
Joy was born in Jersey in the Channel Islands and lived there for 18 years. After gaining a Graphic Design Degree at Coventry University, she lived and worked in Kent as a professional graphic designer for 20 years. She moved from Kent to Oldham in 2012 and has been writing, designing, and publishing her books full-time ever since.
Her first 3 books are third-person autobiographies and form The Mug Trilogy. Books in this series are A Slice of the Seventies, The Lying Scotsman, and Straws.
Potholes and Magic Carpets is a contemporary character-led novel.
Living with Postcards is her first non-fiction book.
Random Bullets is a psychological thriller with a paranormal twist.
Her Demonic Angel was published in early 2016 in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook. It contains fourteen of Joy Mutter's short stories written in various genres.
In 2016-2017, Joy published The Hostile Series of unusual paranormal crime thrillers. Books in the series are The Hostile, Holiday for The Hostile, The Hostile Game, Confronting The Hostile, and The Hostile Series Box Set. Each book in The Hostile series is available in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook editions.
The Trouble with Liam, a psychological thriller was published in 2018. Between 2019 and 2020, she published 3 erotic thrillers; The Trouble With Trouble, Trouble In Cornwall, and Troubled.
In 2021, Joy published Nuru And His Crows, a dark erotic thriller. Her first novella, The Brothers Grimshaw, was published in 2022 along with A Sunny Day in Oldham. In March 2023, she published her 20th book, The Storms of Padstow, book 2 of the Nuru and his Crows series. Punishing the Innocent, book 3 of the series soon followed.
She then wrote a third-person memoir called The Brothers Grimshaw, and a novel called Friends in Need.
In 2025, she published a thriller called Chasing her Shadow and her second collection of short stories called Caravan of Nightmares.
Joy is currently writing her third collection of short stories.
Joy Mutter started writing books in 2007 but waited until 2015 to publish six of them on Amazon. More books soon followed. All her books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions. Nine books also have audiobook versions on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.
Joy was born in Jersey in the Channel Islands and lived there for 18 years. After gaining a Graphic Design Degree at Coventry University, she lived and worked in Kent as a professional graphic designer for 20 years. She moved from Kent to Oldham in 2012 and has been writing, designing, and publishing her books full-time ever since.
Her first 3 books are third-person autobiographies and form The Mug Trilogy. Books in this series are A Slice of the Seventies, The Lying Scotsman, and Straws.
Potholes and Magic Carpets is a contemporary character-led novel.
Living with Postcards is her first non-fiction book.
Random Bullets is a psychological thriller with a paranormal twist.
Her Demonic Angel was published in early 2016 in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook. It contains fourteen of Joy Mutter's short stories written in various genres.
In 2016-2017, Joy published The Hostile Series of unusual paranormal crime thrillers. Books in the series are The Hostile, Holiday for The Hostile, The Hostile Game, Confronting The Hostile, and The Hostile Series Box Set. Each book in The Hostile series is available in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook editions.
The Trouble with Liam, a psychological thriller was published in 2018. Between 2019 and 2020, she published 3 erotic thrillers; The Trouble With Trouble, Trouble In Cornwall, and Troubled.
In 2021, Joy published Nuru And His Crows, a dark erotic thriller. Her first novella, The Brothers Grimshaw, was published in 2022 along with A Sunny Day in Oldham. In March 2023, she published her 20th book, The Storms of Padstow, book 2 of the Nuru and his Crows series. Punishing the Innocent, book 3 of the series soon followed.
She then wrote a third-person memoir called The Brothers Grimshaw, and a novel called Friends in Need.
In 2025, she published a thriller called Chasing her Shadow and her second collection of short stories called Caravan of Nightmares.
Joy is currently writing her third collection of short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 5, 2018
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed books 1 and 2 to this series, I couldn't wait to read book 3 to find out what direction the author would take the storyplot this time.
Needless to say I was not disappointed, don't know where the author gets her ideas from but she certainly knows how to keep her readers entertained and keep them wanting more. I was literally shocked and amazed in places.
I've loved the appearance of new character Melanie, as it gives readers a chance to experience her story from a different perspective to that of Serena's experience. It really added something extra to the whole story.
Given that the genre of this series is orientated to paranormal/ghosts which is something I don't read much of, I really wasn't expecting to enjoy this series as much as I am. I'm just glad it's not ended yet and I've still got book 4 to read.
I can't wait to read book 4 now, to see what happens next.
Needless to say I was not disappointed, don't know where the author gets her ideas from but she certainly knows how to keep her readers entertained and keep them wanting more. I was literally shocked and amazed in places.
I've loved the appearance of new character Melanie, as it gives readers a chance to experience her story from a different perspective to that of Serena's experience. It really added something extra to the whole story.
Given that the genre of this series is orientated to paranormal/ghosts which is something I don't read much of, I really wasn't expecting to enjoy this series as much as I am. I'm just glad it's not ended yet and I've still got book 4 to read.
I can't wait to read book 4 now, to see what happens next.
May 28, 2017
The third book in this series finds Serena facing her biggest challenge yet - as if being eighteen and pregnant wasn't enough, she finds out what the mysterious Tile X has in store for her. With tarty Patricia tempting her boyfriend, a load more gory murders on the cards and the police starting to make connections, can Serena keep the psycho slayer in check, or will he get what he wants?
Setting up a bathroom tile as her prime suspect, you might think author Joy Mutter would have found it difficult to come up with a realistic plotline. But no, instead, she puts her foot down in the third instalment of this paranormal thriller series and notches up yet more gruesome killings in wonderfully inventive ways. And it's not only the murderous Tile X who gets to vent his ceramic spleen - Serena's character develops very nicely when she discovers she's not the only one who keeps a homicidal maniac close to her chest.
Though the premise might be slightly ludicrous, and some of the murders a wee bit gory for those of a gentle disposition, Ms Mutter has a knack of writing interesting, believable characters who draw us into their weird world, forcing us to keep reading to find out where the hell we're going on this crazy, fascinating journey.
If this particular author ever turns her skills to writing about average, homicidal psycho killers, we'll be in for a rare treat indeed.
Setting up a bathroom tile as her prime suspect, you might think author Joy Mutter would have found it difficult to come up with a realistic plotline. But no, instead, she puts her foot down in the third instalment of this paranormal thriller series and notches up yet more gruesome killings in wonderfully inventive ways. And it's not only the murderous Tile X who gets to vent his ceramic spleen - Serena's character develops very nicely when she discovers she's not the only one who keeps a homicidal maniac close to her chest.
Though the premise might be slightly ludicrous, and some of the murders a wee bit gory for those of a gentle disposition, Ms Mutter has a knack of writing interesting, believable characters who draw us into their weird world, forcing us to keep reading to find out where the hell we're going on this crazy, fascinating journey.
If this particular author ever turns her skills to writing about average, homicidal psycho killers, we'll be in for a rare treat indeed.
October 4, 2017
"Like walking into the middle of a good movie"
If you've ever walked into a movie after it's started, and you regret that you did so because you get pulled in right away, that's how The Hostile Game feels. My understanding was that this book, although the third part in a three-part series, can be read as its own stand alone book, it still felt like I was walking into the middle of a movie where people knew each other well before I arrived.
However, I'd like to give myself credit for being bright enough to pick up on subtleties and nuances of relationships and situations without having every last detail spelled out for me. The surprises and twists that occurred later in the book were great because I understood enough to think Oh Boy, that just happened!
So even though I was gifted this book at now cost in exchange for this honest review, I will now want to go back and revisit books one and two just to get the complete story for context. This is a fun, paranormal thriller and a great roller-coaster ride of fun. Highly recommended.
If you've ever walked into a movie after it's started, and you regret that you did so because you get pulled in right away, that's how The Hostile Game feels. My understanding was that this book, although the third part in a three-part series, can be read as its own stand alone book, it still felt like I was walking into the middle of a movie where people knew each other well before I arrived.
However, I'd like to give myself credit for being bright enough to pick up on subtleties and nuances of relationships and situations without having every last detail spelled out for me. The surprises and twists that occurred later in the book were great because I understood enough to think Oh Boy, that just happened!
So even though I was gifted this book at now cost in exchange for this honest review, I will now want to go back and revisit books one and two just to get the complete story for context. This is a fun, paranormal thriller and a great roller-coaster ride of fun. Highly recommended.
May 31, 2017
Four years have passed by since the last book holiday for the hostile in which serena was involved with several violent deaths including her one time love of her life jimmy poodle here we find serena is pregnant by jake a one time school friend who upset Selena that much she told tile x who had jakes legs crushed so he wouldn't be so attractive to the other girls at school Selena has also been told by tile x that his boss the hostile is involved in a game in which the one that achieves the most violent deaths is the winner so Selena had better start instructing tile x to commit more killings I was surprised by this book as the first half is almost like an enjoyable normal story it's not till halfway through that the weird and wonderful stuff starts I won't say anymore or it will spoil the surprises but I think it's the best out of the three and a real twist at the end could there be more I wonder
September 12, 2017
Oh my poor Serena. She's older & wiser? Things aren't getting easier for her & Tile X is enjoying his control way too much! Then Melanie turns up and well the game is on, you have to read to believe. A great follow up and though the story will continue, some answers are given, not all, that's to follow, one reader here is happily waiting for more!
Though part of a series and it's a series you will need to read, you could read this alone, but really you need to start at book 1!
Audio book update
I love these books to read & listening to them just gets better!
I wait as patiently as I can until the next instalment. Joy has me hooked with Tile X & his exploits.
Poor Serena in this 1 though. She doesn't have the easiest of anything. Looking forward to the next 1 in audio book. Narrator was great. Such a relaxing voice.
Though part of a series and it's a series you will need to read, you could read this alone, but really you need to start at book 1!
Audio book update
I love these books to read & listening to them just gets better!
I wait as patiently as I can until the next instalment. Joy has me hooked with Tile X & his exploits.
Poor Serena in this 1 though. She doesn't have the easiest of anything. Looking forward to the next 1 in audio book. Narrator was great. Such a relaxing voice.
December 17, 2017
Serena is back and so is the strange entity known as Tile X. Reader are in for a horror thriller that is unlike anything they may have read before. In this third book, Serena is now eighteen and pregnant, she is also uncovering some horrid secrets about Tile X and finding that the strange happenings in her life are being looked at by the law. This series is intriguing, well written and a peek into a supernatural world that is compelling, strange and wonderful.
January 11, 2019
Another awesome read from Joy Mutter!I love this series!This one was especially good.Alexander Doddy is the perfect narrator.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.
July 2, 2019
3.5. Can’t wait to see how this ends now... this book was ok, did not really like the changes of tense that is now in use but I understand why. I did like the intro of Melanie even though that was short lived. Didn’t like the way Jake ended up after all this time though.
May 6, 2017
A really great follow up to Joy Mutters Holiday novel, though there is enough backstory in this one to catch up very quickly, it will easily read as a standalone novel.. This is a PN horror thriller well off the beaten track. An original premise, using original characters that you will quickly love and hate, and a clever twist at the conclusion - I honestly did feel sorry for Serena in this story. The background to Tile x and Joe are expanded upon in this story, so it is all now falling into place. If you like your thrillers with a touch of weirdness, you'll love this one..
April 23, 2020
Book 3 of the Hostile series moves forward in time to when Serena Drummond is eighteen years old and pregnant. Tile X reveals to her that there is another 'tile-bearer' and that like it or not they are in competition with each other in a grisly numbers game to achieve the highest death toll. The consequences for the loser is a hell beyond the scope of nightmares.
Now I know why I am hooked on this series. The story in each of the books so far, is not more of the same. Each book steps up to another level, just when you think it couldn't get any worse.
Watch out for my review of book 4, I'm already half way through it.
Now I know why I am hooked on this series. The story in each of the books so far, is not more of the same. Each book steps up to another level, just when you think it couldn't get any worse.
Watch out for my review of book 4, I'm already half way through it.
November 9, 2021
I really enjoyed this series. Explaining it to anyone would sound strange and probably not as great as it actually is. Ghosts, demonic tiles, unknown entities controlling people…. Just loved all of it.
Once again Alexander Doddy did an excellent job narrating.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Once again Alexander Doddy did an excellent job narrating.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 24, 2018
Not really my cup of tea I'm afraid. Maybe because I had not read the first 2 books but I found there was too much that wasn't explained or I didn't understand. Took me a long time to persevere with this book a little at a time but really found it difficult.
April 30, 2017
I enjoy stories that break with convention, and once again, Joy Mutter delivers another wonderfully offbeat, paranormal thriller, mellowed with a delicious dark humour.
Four years have elapsed since Holiday for the Hostile and Serena’s struggling to come to terms with the deaths she has caused. She’s pregnant and hoping for a peaceful life, but she’s in the grip of her paranormal ‘buddy’, who needs more deaths. With family and a former police detective closing in to uncover the truth behind the killings, Serena’s turmoil and problems can only get worse.
The intricate plot delivers twists, turns and surprises that kept me turning the pages, eager to learn how Serena would deal with all the struggles and problems. And what an ending it was! I can’t wait to read the next instalment.
Four years have elapsed since Holiday for the Hostile and Serena’s struggling to come to terms with the deaths she has caused. She’s pregnant and hoping for a peaceful life, but she’s in the grip of her paranormal ‘buddy’, who needs more deaths. With family and a former police detective closing in to uncover the truth behind the killings, Serena’s turmoil and problems can only get worse.
The intricate plot delivers twists, turns and surprises that kept me turning the pages, eager to learn how Serena would deal with all the struggles and problems. And what an ending it was! I can’t wait to read the next instalment.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews