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The Fear
Lou Smith is used to being headline news as, aged seventeen, she ran away with her 37-year-old teacher, Mike, during a short-lived affair.
Now 32, Lou’s life is in tatters – and she resolves to return home to confront Mike for the damage he has caused. But she soon finds that Mike is unchanged, and is now grooming a young 15-year-old girl called Chloe.
Determined to make sure that history doesn’t repeat itself, Lou decides to take matters into her own hands. But Mike is a predator of the worst kind, and as she tries to bring him to justice, it’s clear that Lou could once again become his prey…
The million copy Sunday Times bestseller returns with a taut, compelling psychological thriller that will have you glued to the edge of your seat.
Now 32, Lou’s life is in tatters – and she resolves to return home to confront Mike for the damage he has caused. But she soon finds that Mike is unchanged, and is now grooming a young 15-year-old girl called Chloe.
Determined to make sure that history doesn’t repeat itself, Lou decides to take matters into her own hands. But Mike is a predator of the worst kind, and as she tries to bring him to justice, it’s clear that Lou could once again become his prey…
The million copy Sunday Times bestseller returns with a taut, compelling psychological thriller that will have you glued to the edge of your seat.
394 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
723 people are currently reading
5187 people want to read
About the author
C.L. Taylor
26 books3,437 followersC.L. Taylor is an award winning Sunday Times bestselling author of ten gripping psychological thrillers including THE GUILTY COUPLE, a Richard and Judy Book Club pick for summer 2023 and SLEEP, a Richard and Judy Book Club pick for autumn 2019. Her books are not a series and can be read in any order:
2014 - THE ACCIDENT / Before I Wake (U.S.)
2015 - THE LIE
2016 - THE MISSING
2017 - THE ESCAPE
2018 - THE FEAR
2019 - SLEEP
2020 - STRANGERS
2021 - HER LAST HOLIDAY
2022 - THE GUILTY COUPLE
2024 - EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE
2025 - IT'S ALWAYS THE HUSBAND
She has also written two Young Adult thrillers, THE TREATMENT and THE ISLAND.
C.L. Taylor's books have sold in excess of two million copies, been number one on Amazon Kindle, Kobo, iBooks and Google Play and have been translated into over 25 languages and optioned for TV.
She lives in Bristol with her partner and son.
Sign up to join the CL Taylor Readers' Club to receive THE LODGER for free:
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www.cltaylorauthor.com
www.twitter.com/callytaylor
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2014 - THE ACCIDENT / Before I Wake (U.S.)
2015 - THE LIE
2016 - THE MISSING
2017 - THE ESCAPE
2018 - THE FEAR
2019 - SLEEP
2020 - STRANGERS
2021 - HER LAST HOLIDAY
2022 - THE GUILTY COUPLE
2024 - EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE
2025 - IT'S ALWAYS THE HUSBAND
She has also written two Young Adult thrillers, THE TREATMENT and THE ISLAND.
C.L. Taylor's books have sold in excess of two million copies, been number one on Amazon Kindle, Kobo, iBooks and Google Play and have been translated into over 25 languages and optioned for TV.
She lives in Bristol with her partner and son.
Sign up to join the CL Taylor Readers' Club to receive THE LODGER for free:
cltaylorauthor.com/newsletter
www.cltaylorauthor.com
www.twitter.com/callytaylor
www.Instagram.com/cltaylorauthor
www.facebook.com/callytaylorauthor
www.youtube.com/cltaylorauthor
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,055 reviews
October 20, 2019
Yes, there’s been plenty of books about older men grooming young children.
Yes, you may have read them all, or, fed up now of the same old pattern of writing.
WRONG in this instance! This one written by C. L. Taylor takes this from a different angle with a huge twist making this more of a thriller read.
A teacher (Mike) progressively has his interested eye on Louise.
Mike is a family friend of her Fathers which made me shudder.
Louise finds the attention given to her from Mike at the tender age of 13 a very attractive feature in him.....he “gets” her like no other person does. Least of all her parents. He spends time listening to her, making her feel good about herself. She’s not the most prettiest sought after friend in her school.
When Mike decides to take her on a trip, it’s a permanent trip.
She’s now on her own with Mike.
Mike isn’t the guy she knew and trusted and we, as the reader get insight to how he’s treating her.
What I’ve never considered in true stories we hear about such as this, is, the effect it has on the child once she is older and has more knowledge and experience of life.
The effect on Louise is tantermount to this thrilling captivating story.
Mike is still not forgotten, he’s there, he’s doing it again.
Louise is many many years older now.
I was hunkered over my seat breathing in every word, every action, every chilling move and hanging on every sentence that the author wrote when I was pushed, yes pushed within this situation that Louise made.
I feared for Louise that she would do something stupid.
A situation that is known to readers because there have been factual events sadly like this.
The concept taken on by the author and turning this into a nail biting gasping reading book just proves to me why I stalk (oops I mean “follow”) this authors work eagerly awaiting her next book.
This is an author that never fails to give me a great read.
My thanks to Avon books and to the author.
Yes, you may have read them all, or, fed up now of the same old pattern of writing.
WRONG in this instance! This one written by C. L. Taylor takes this from a different angle with a huge twist making this more of a thriller read.
A teacher (Mike) progressively has his interested eye on Louise.
Mike is a family friend of her Fathers which made me shudder.
Louise finds the attention given to her from Mike at the tender age of 13 a very attractive feature in him.....he “gets” her like no other person does. Least of all her parents. He spends time listening to her, making her feel good about herself. She’s not the most prettiest sought after friend in her school.
When Mike decides to take her on a trip, it’s a permanent trip.
She’s now on her own with Mike.
Mike isn’t the guy she knew and trusted and we, as the reader get insight to how he’s treating her.
What I’ve never considered in true stories we hear about such as this, is, the effect it has on the child once she is older and has more knowledge and experience of life.
The effect on Louise is tantermount to this thrilling captivating story.
Mike is still not forgotten, he’s there, he’s doing it again.
Louise is many many years older now.
I was hunkered over my seat breathing in every word, every action, every chilling move and hanging on every sentence that the author wrote when I was pushed, yes pushed within this situation that Louise made.
I feared for Louise that she would do something stupid.
A situation that is known to readers because there have been factual events sadly like this.
The concept taken on by the author and turning this into a nail biting gasping reading book just proves to me why I stalk (oops I mean “follow”) this authors work eagerly awaiting her next book.
This is an author that never fails to give me a great read.
My thanks to Avon books and to the author.
July 13, 2018
5☆ Utterly Fantastic.... A Must Read!
Fear is absolutely brilliant. It's a perfectly paced Thriller that gave me chills.
Louise is back home after her father passes away.
However Louise wants to be anywhere but home. You see Louise knows if she comes home she will unlock all her painful memories.
Louise was abused and groomed by her teacher Mike!
He went to prison for his crime. But Louise fears he is at it again! She is determined to stop him!
This story has many angles, twists and turns, secrets and lies. It's creepy, incredible addictive, things are not always what they seem or who they seem, revenge, grooming, abuse.
This is not an easy read at times but it's utterly brilliant.
C.L Taylor weaves a fantastic story together that gets deep under your skin.
Highly recommend this gem of a book.
A Must read!
Thank you to Avon Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my blog website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
Fear is absolutely brilliant. It's a perfectly paced Thriller that gave me chills.
Louise is back home after her father passes away.
However Louise wants to be anywhere but home. You see Louise knows if she comes home she will unlock all her painful memories.
Louise was abused and groomed by her teacher Mike!
He went to prison for his crime. But Louise fears he is at it again! She is determined to stop him!
This story has many angles, twists and turns, secrets and lies. It's creepy, incredible addictive, things are not always what they seem or who they seem, revenge, grooming, abuse.
This is not an easy read at times but it's utterly brilliant.
C.L Taylor weaves a fantastic story together that gets deep under your skin.
Highly recommend this gem of a book.
A Must read!
Thank you to Avon Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my blog website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
October 22, 2019
It took me 25 days to finally finish this book.
'nuff said.
'nuff said.
April 11, 2022
Exactly what I look for in a thriller!
“I’d tell him how he ruined my life. How I’d end a relationship as soon as a boyfriend told me they loved me because I associated love with control. How I’d freak out if anyone so much as brushed my neck with their fingers.”
Louise Wandsworth is 32 and has spent her entire life trying to forget the man who groomed and kidnapped her as as 14 year old.
After her fathers death she must return to her childhood home. Where Mike has been released from prison, and there is every chance she will bump into him.
When she spots Mike in an inappropriate position with another young girl, she knows she must step in to avoid what happened to her happening again.
But things don’t go according to plan, and suddenly she has Mike trapped in her barn, and unsure how she can get out of the mess unscathed.
Meanwhile we have chapters from a woman called Wendy. We don’t know who she is, or why she is so obsessed with Louise. But as always with these books, the secrets are everywhere!!
Really enjoyed this and the ending wrapped up really well. I will look for more by this author.
*************************
Went to a National Trust & they had a secondhand bookshop so naturally I had to pick something up.
I got this for £1
“I’d tell him how he ruined my life. How I’d end a relationship as soon as a boyfriend told me they loved me because I associated love with control. How I’d freak out if anyone so much as brushed my neck with their fingers.”
Louise Wandsworth is 32 and has spent her entire life trying to forget the man who groomed and kidnapped her as as 14 year old.
After her fathers death she must return to her childhood home. Where Mike has been released from prison, and there is every chance she will bump into him.
When she spots Mike in an inappropriate position with another young girl, she knows she must step in to avoid what happened to her happening again.
But things don’t go according to plan, and suddenly she has Mike trapped in her barn, and unsure how she can get out of the mess unscathed.
Meanwhile we have chapters from a woman called Wendy. We don’t know who she is, or why she is so obsessed with Louise. But as always with these books, the secrets are everywhere!!
Really enjoyed this and the ending wrapped up really well. I will look for more by this author.
*************************
Went to a National Trust & they had a secondhand bookshop so naturally I had to pick something up.
I got this for £1
April 22, 2018
EXCERPT: 'Please,please don't do this. Mike, please, if you loved me you wouldn't do this. Please, Mike.'
'I'm doing it because I love you,' he says as he shoves a sock into my mouth, presses the tape over the top and ties my wrists to the bedposts. 'Sometimes I think I love you too much.'
ABOUT THIS BOOK: When Lou Wandsworth ran away to France with her teacher Mike Hughes, she thought he was the love of her life. But Mike wasn’t what he seemed and he left her life in pieces.
Now 32, Lou discovers that he is involved with teenager Chloe Meadows. Determined to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself, she returns home to confront him for the damage he’s caused.
But Mike is a predator of the worst kind, and as Lou tries to bring him to justice, it’s clear that she could once again become his prey…
MY THOUGHTS: That ending! I am sitting here, eyes gleaming, shaking my head in amazement! Didn't see that coming. Thought this was a good solid 4-star read right up to the end. But that ending deserves an extra half star on its own.
I have read two of Taylor's previous books, The Lie and The Treatment, both good solid four star reads, but with The Fear, the ending makes it stand out from the others. Yes, I keep going on about the ending, but it was jaw-dropping!
Okay, okay, enough about the ending. Let's get into the meat of the book.
There have been a lot of books written about older men preying on young girls, insecure girls, lonely girls. But what about afterwards? What happens to these girls? What effect does that experience have on their lives? And the other people in his life, his wife, how does she cope? These are the questions that Taylor has used as the basis for The Fear. She takes these people, angry, damaged, vengeful, fearful, and places them in an explosive situation. At one point I didn't know who was sane, or if any of them were. I rooted first for one, and then another.
4.5 stars for an emotionally exhausting but supremely satisfying read.
Thank you to Harper Collins Publishers, Avon Books via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of The Fear by C. L. Taylor for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'I'm doing it because I love you,' he says as he shoves a sock into my mouth, presses the tape over the top and ties my wrists to the bedposts. 'Sometimes I think I love you too much.'
ABOUT THIS BOOK: When Lou Wandsworth ran away to France with her teacher Mike Hughes, she thought he was the love of her life. But Mike wasn’t what he seemed and he left her life in pieces.
Now 32, Lou discovers that he is involved with teenager Chloe Meadows. Determined to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself, she returns home to confront him for the damage he’s caused.
But Mike is a predator of the worst kind, and as Lou tries to bring him to justice, it’s clear that she could once again become his prey…
MY THOUGHTS: That ending! I am sitting here, eyes gleaming, shaking my head in amazement! Didn't see that coming. Thought this was a good solid 4-star read right up to the end. But that ending deserves an extra half star on its own.
I have read two of Taylor's previous books, The Lie and The Treatment, both good solid four star reads, but with The Fear, the ending makes it stand out from the others. Yes, I keep going on about the ending, but it was jaw-dropping!
Okay, okay, enough about the ending. Let's get into the meat of the book.
There have been a lot of books written about older men preying on young girls, insecure girls, lonely girls. But what about afterwards? What happens to these girls? What effect does that experience have on their lives? And the other people in his life, his wife, how does she cope? These are the questions that Taylor has used as the basis for The Fear. She takes these people, angry, damaged, vengeful, fearful, and places them in an explosive situation. At one point I didn't know who was sane, or if any of them were. I rooted first for one, and then another.
4.5 stars for an emotionally exhausting but supremely satisfying read.
Thank you to Harper Collins Publishers, Avon Books via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of The Fear by C. L. Taylor for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
April 7, 2018
I am a big fan of C.L. Taylor’s books and so I couldn’t wait to read The Fear. It’s an uncomfortable read in places due to the subject matter but it had a really strong opening that immediately had me glued to my Kindle as events began to unfold.
We see Lou returning to Malvern after the death of her father to tie up loose ends and sell the property. Lou witnesses the man that she ran away with to France when she was a young teenager kissing another young girl in a garden centre and immediately knows that he has been grooming this girl too. And so Lou now knows that she needs to bring this predator to justice, but how she will do that is unknown to her and what’s also unknown to her is the true danger that she is about to find herself in. We start to read about how Lou and Mike first ran off together and the story is disgusting in places but it is a believable portrayal of how a young girl was groomed and the character of Mike is despicable. Witnessing events in the past and the present starting to collide had me feeling genuinely sick but I couldn’t stop reading to see how things would continue in the present day.
Interestingly I never really took to Lou as a character, or at least the adult version. She makes some silly and naive decisions and the way the story goes involving her and Mike in the present day became almost comical rather than something serious. The situation she found herself in I felt was just stupid and as the story started to drag on I found myself getting bored and willed the story to just hurry along. The shining light in this tale I would say is Wendy. Whilst it’s obvious early on who she is, it isn’t revealed until later so I won’t go into detail except to say that it was her character I enjoyed the most. However I found even her believability was stretched a little at times but she was at least a more interesting character to read about than the adult Lou.
My biggest issue with this book though and what continued to throw me off as I read was the abysmal editing. The present day scenes are set in 2007 and I counted mentions of PS4s, Coldplay’s Paradise, unreleased smartphones, vaping, 4G, Sia’s Chandelier, Minecraft, the 5p bag charge, Terry Wogan’s death and a very advanced Facebook. For those on it in 2007 it didn’t have 1/8th of the stuff it does now and it certainly didn’t have an app. You can expect mistakes in books whether it be accidental grammar or spelling errors but I don’t expect errors as huge as this from an author like C.L. Taylor or a publisher like Avon. It is said that the predator in this story isn’t on the sex offenders’ register because he was released from prison before it was set-up, so was this added in at the last minute and the story then changed to be set in 2007? I just can’t see why an author of this calibre would set her book in 2007 otherwise and then go on to make so many mistakes. It might seem like I am being dramatic but it honestly ruined the experience for me and I was constantly on the lookout for the next unreleased thing that would be mentioned and can’t believe many others haven’t picked up on it.
The ending I felt was rushed and a little bit clunky and all over the place. Events just happened too quickly and as the story itself was dragged out, I don’t know why this ending had to be so rushed. It also to me set quite a bad precedent to victims and was I felt the typical psychological thriller ending, written for that shock value ending rather than a realistic ending. Characters go from being nervous wrecks to suddenly being completely in control of situations and able to become manipulators rather than the manipulated. Whilst others have clearly loved this book, to me it was a huge letdown and so as always I say that enjoyment from books is subjective and so while I don’t personally recommend The Fear, others do so take a chance on it and see what you think.
We see Lou returning to Malvern after the death of her father to tie up loose ends and sell the property. Lou witnesses the man that she ran away with to France when she was a young teenager kissing another young girl in a garden centre and immediately knows that he has been grooming this girl too. And so Lou now knows that she needs to bring this predator to justice, but how she will do that is unknown to her and what’s also unknown to her is the true danger that she is about to find herself in. We start to read about how Lou and Mike first ran off together and the story is disgusting in places but it is a believable portrayal of how a young girl was groomed and the character of Mike is despicable. Witnessing events in the past and the present starting to collide had me feeling genuinely sick but I couldn’t stop reading to see how things would continue in the present day.
Interestingly I never really took to Lou as a character, or at least the adult version. She makes some silly and naive decisions and the way the story goes involving her and Mike in the present day became almost comical rather than something serious. The situation she found herself in I felt was just stupid and as the story started to drag on I found myself getting bored and willed the story to just hurry along. The shining light in this tale I would say is Wendy. Whilst it’s obvious early on who she is, it isn’t revealed until later so I won’t go into detail except to say that it was her character I enjoyed the most. However I found even her believability was stretched a little at times but she was at least a more interesting character to read about than the adult Lou.
My biggest issue with this book though and what continued to throw me off as I read was the abysmal editing. The present day scenes are set in 2007 and I counted mentions of PS4s, Coldplay’s Paradise, unreleased smartphones, vaping, 4G, Sia’s Chandelier, Minecraft, the 5p bag charge, Terry Wogan’s death and a very advanced Facebook. For those on it in 2007 it didn’t have 1/8th of the stuff it does now and it certainly didn’t have an app. You can expect mistakes in books whether it be accidental grammar or spelling errors but I don’t expect errors as huge as this from an author like C.L. Taylor or a publisher like Avon. It is said that the predator in this story isn’t on the sex offenders’ register because he was released from prison before it was set-up, so was this added in at the last minute and the story then changed to be set in 2007? I just can’t see why an author of this calibre would set her book in 2007 otherwise and then go on to make so many mistakes. It might seem like I am being dramatic but it honestly ruined the experience for me and I was constantly on the lookout for the next unreleased thing that would be mentioned and can’t believe many others haven’t picked up on it.
The ending I felt was rushed and a little bit clunky and all over the place. Events just happened too quickly and as the story itself was dragged out, I don’t know why this ending had to be so rushed. It also to me set quite a bad precedent to victims and was I felt the typical psychological thriller ending, written for that shock value ending rather than a realistic ending. Characters go from being nervous wrecks to suddenly being completely in control of situations and able to become manipulators rather than the manipulated. Whilst others have clearly loved this book, to me it was a huge letdown and so as always I say that enjoyment from books is subjective and so while I don’t personally recommend The Fear, others do so take a chance on it and see what you think.
March 20, 2018
When Lou Wandsworth ran away to France with her teacher Mike Hughes, she thought he was the love of her life. But Mike wasn't what he seemed and he left her life in pieces. Now aged 32, Lou discovers that he is involved with teenager Chloe Meadows. So that history does not repeat itself, she returns home to confront him for the damage he caused.
I think I read parts of this book with my mouth open. This book is about child grooming and at times it's not an easy read. It tells how easy things can get out of control. This book is true to life, gripping and quite disturbing. It covers jealousy, dominance, paedophillia and revenge. I did not know how this story was going to end, but the ending certainly did not disappoint.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Books and the author C. L. Taylor for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think I read parts of this book with my mouth open. This book is about child grooming and at times it's not an easy read. It tells how easy things can get out of control. This book is true to life, gripping and quite disturbing. It covers jealousy, dominance, paedophillia and revenge. I did not know how this story was going to end, but the ending certainly did not disappoint.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Books and the author C. L. Taylor for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2018
**4.5 stars**
Definitely without doubt for me the best novel yet from this author – she usually gets me mad at a particularly beautifully annoying single character, this time that trademark brilliance in characterisation is there but I’m getting mad for all the right reasons and the story is twisted as sin and twice as dark, with an emotionally resonant theme at the heart of it.
Also, I was rather gleefully fond of Wendy, not sure what that says about me and probably a little too enthusiastic at one particular scene in this book because I did a small fist pump and managed to knock a pile of books off the bedside cabinet. IT’S FINE THE BOOKS LIVED.
What I loved about this one mostly is the way the story pans out in strange yet such believable ways. Lou discovers that the man who groomed her in her youth has his sights set on another teenager – desperate to prevent another child from going through that horrifying experience she sets out to stop him. What follows is an utterly gripping, often quite scary and genuinely compelling story, with many clever little psychological levels exploring the fallout from all those years ago upon more people than just Lou..
I did have to ignore (it has to be said) the random insertions of things that just didn't exist in the timelines that were in this book. I'm not sure about whoever copy edited this one but really, watch the technology folks! And the timeline if you are mentioning famous people in your plot! Most of it is more recent than it feels! But you know, this one was about the characters for me and the edgy feeling I had whilst reading it.
The Fear is as emotionally resonant as it is entertaining, we learn what Lou experienced all those years ago and no punches are pulled – when in the present day Lou starts to get to grips with her trauma through the sheer determination she has to make sure no more lives are ruined, it is kind of uplifting. Even with the rather rash actions she takes, often with no filter, which kind of brings on the entertaining part…
Whether intentional or not, for me Wendy was the shining character in The Fear – for a start she is definitively divisive in that C L Taylor way, but oddly easy to love. It was another strong feature of this novel that the author didn’t stick with victim and perpetrator but explored wider angles and implications which just gave it an added depth beyond that of twisty psychological thriller.
Overall an excellent read. You’ll be glued to the pages, enthralled, often aghast, compelled to the rather excellent end game.
Big thumbs up from me.
Definitely without doubt for me the best novel yet from this author – she usually gets me mad at a particularly beautifully annoying single character, this time that trademark brilliance in characterisation is there but I’m getting mad for all the right reasons and the story is twisted as sin and twice as dark, with an emotionally resonant theme at the heart of it.
Also, I was rather gleefully fond of Wendy, not sure what that says about me and probably a little too enthusiastic at one particular scene in this book because I did a small fist pump and managed to knock a pile of books off the bedside cabinet. IT’S FINE THE BOOKS LIVED.
What I loved about this one mostly is the way the story pans out in strange yet such believable ways. Lou discovers that the man who groomed her in her youth has his sights set on another teenager – desperate to prevent another child from going through that horrifying experience she sets out to stop him. What follows is an utterly gripping, often quite scary and genuinely compelling story, with many clever little psychological levels exploring the fallout from all those years ago upon more people than just Lou..
I did have to ignore (it has to be said) the random insertions of things that just didn't exist in the timelines that were in this book. I'm not sure about whoever copy edited this one but really, watch the technology folks! And the timeline if you are mentioning famous people in your plot! Most of it is more recent than it feels! But you know, this one was about the characters for me and the edgy feeling I had whilst reading it.
The Fear is as emotionally resonant as it is entertaining, we learn what Lou experienced all those years ago and no punches are pulled – when in the present day Lou starts to get to grips with her trauma through the sheer determination she has to make sure no more lives are ruined, it is kind of uplifting. Even with the rather rash actions she takes, often with no filter, which kind of brings on the entertaining part…
Whether intentional or not, for me Wendy was the shining character in The Fear – for a start she is definitively divisive in that C L Taylor way, but oddly easy to love. It was another strong feature of this novel that the author didn’t stick with victim and perpetrator but explored wider angles and implications which just gave it an added depth beyond that of twisty psychological thriller.
Overall an excellent read. You’ll be glued to the pages, enthralled, often aghast, compelled to the rather excellent end game.
Big thumbs up from me.
January 29, 2018
C. L. Taylor is one of my favourite authors and I was delighted to receive an ARC of her new book The Fear. I was hooked by this story from the first page. An excellent thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I did not want to put it down. Louise was groomed and abducted by an older man when she was a teenager. This has affected her life and relationships. Eighteen years later she goes home to settle her fathers affairs after his death and finds that her abductor has started grooming another teenage girl. Louise has to stop this quickly at all costs. I would like to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2019
Reviews on: www.booknerdtan.wordpress.com
4/5 stars !
This was a buddy read with lexlooksatbooks and it was equal parts fun and gruesome!
Lou Wandsworth returns to her childhood home at the age of 32. A place which haunts her to this day as it is full of memories of her high school teacher who groomed her. When arriving back to her childhood home, not only does she find that he is still around, but he is grooming another teenager, Chloe. This story follows Lou on her journey trying to stop this from happening and bringing him to justice.
Some of the scenes in this book were so vividly and hauntingly described that it gave me the chills! Every exchange between Lou and Mike was so tense and you couldn’t help but feel incredibly uncomfortable. I was really rooting for Lou the whole time, hoping that she would be able to expose this monster and bring him down once and for all. There are obstacles all the way through this book and the author creates so much tension from start to finish that it is pretty much impossible to put down.
That last chapter though…that came as a complete surprise, I was not expecting it at all! I enjoy a book where the ending throws you off,; it left me thinking about it long after closing it and setting it aside.
I’d say that overall, this read contained everything I love in my thrillers. Any fellow thriller lovers need to pick this up if they haven’t already! Already gone and bought another thriller by C.L. Taylor, excited to start
4/5 stars !
This was a buddy read with lexlooksatbooks and it was equal parts fun and gruesome!
Lou Wandsworth returns to her childhood home at the age of 32. A place which haunts her to this day as it is full of memories of her high school teacher who groomed her. When arriving back to her childhood home, not only does she find that he is still around, but he is grooming another teenager, Chloe. This story follows Lou on her journey trying to stop this from happening and bringing him to justice.
Some of the scenes in this book were so vividly and hauntingly described that it gave me the chills! Every exchange between Lou and Mike was so tense and you couldn’t help but feel incredibly uncomfortable. I was really rooting for Lou the whole time, hoping that she would be able to expose this monster and bring him down once and for all. There are obstacles all the way through this book and the author creates so much tension from start to finish that it is pretty much impossible to put down.
That last chapter though…that came as a complete surprise, I was not expecting it at all! I enjoy a book where the ending throws you off,; it left me thinking about it long after closing it and setting it aside.
I’d say that overall, this read contained everything I love in my thrillers. Any fellow thriller lovers need to pick this up if they haven’t already! Already gone and bought another thriller by C.L. Taylor, excited to start
June 18, 2019
Wowza did i love The Fear by CL Taylor this Author has won me over with this one, i must admit i thought this was going to be a descriptive dark read as it deals with the dark suject of Paedophiles but this author put a different twist into to it that i didnt expect.
it was a fast paced read that took you into a dark place of the mind of Mike a convicted paedophile who groomed Louise for his own pleasure & satisfaction , Lou only 14 at the time was kidnapped living in london & taken to France.
18 years Later Lou returns to France as she knows that history is repeating itself when he is grooming another girl 14 Chloe she falls under his spell he met her at tge Jodo as Mike was a karate teacher, Lou & Wendy Mike's former wife derive a plan to save Chloe!
I won't go any further on this as i may give away spoilers BUT all i will tell you is REVENGE IS SWEET!!
This blew my mind there is one masjor twist that made me go OH SHIT!! i loved every minute of Miss taylors offering its her best yet i had read The Lie but this takes you into the darkest place & mind of both Paeedophile & victim, i loved Louisés Character she was strong & tough character that had her soft side as well she was a real heroine Chloe was strong but weak only due to her age & wwendy had a vengeful exterior that sometimes got the better of her. 5 AMAZING STARS will be reading more.
it was a fast paced read that took you into a dark place of the mind of Mike a convicted paedophile who groomed Louise for his own pleasure & satisfaction , Lou only 14 at the time was kidnapped living in london & taken to France.
18 years Later Lou returns to France as she knows that history is repeating itself when he is grooming another girl 14 Chloe she falls under his spell he met her at tge Jodo as Mike was a karate teacher, Lou & Wendy Mike's former wife derive a plan to save Chloe!
I won't go any further on this as i may give away spoilers BUT all i will tell you is REVENGE IS SWEET!!
This blew my mind there is one masjor twist that made me go OH SHIT!! i loved every minute of Miss taylors offering its her best yet i had read The Lie but this takes you into the darkest place & mind of both Paeedophile & victim, i loved Louisés Character she was strong & tough character that had her soft side as well she was a real heroine Chloe was strong but weak only due to her age & wwendy had a vengeful exterior that sometimes got the better of her. 5 AMAZING STARS will be reading more.
March 12, 2018
This is the 7th book I have read by Cally Taylor and I can honestly say I have loved everyone of them. This is a psychological thriller that really does get you hooked very early and the suspense just keeps going.
Lou Wandsworth is a teenager with an awful home life and few friends so when her teacher Mike Hughes shows her the affection and the attention she craves for she cannot resist. Mike grooms Lou and following the start of a relationship he takes her to France to start a life together. Once they are in France Mike's personality changes and he keeps Lou locked in the bedroom. She quickly becomes scarred of Mike and seeks freedom.
The book is full of suspense, twists and turns and guaranteed to keep you reading on and on to the very end. Great read.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Avon Books UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Lou Wandsworth is a teenager with an awful home life and few friends so when her teacher Mike Hughes shows her the affection and the attention she craves for she cannot resist. Mike grooms Lou and following the start of a relationship he takes her to France to start a life together. Once they are in France Mike's personality changes and he keeps Lou locked in the bedroom. She quickly becomes scarred of Mike and seeks freedom.
The book is full of suspense, twists and turns and guaranteed to keep you reading on and on to the very end. Great read.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Avon Books UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2018
[3.5 stars] That ending, holy moles!
November 10, 2023
I do have to say that I thought The Fear was excellent. I can see why this book is called The Fear, I had fear running through me, every step of the way . I literally couldn't stop turning the pages.
I thought that all the characters were psychopaths in their own way .
I was hooked into this story from page one. For me I would say The Fear is totally my favourite by C. L. Taylor.
Louise Wandsworth runs away to France with her teacher, Mike, where he surprised me by turning violent towards Louise. As many years pass Louise finds out that Mike is grooming another young school girl, Chloe Meadows.
Mike Huges is a paedophile who is one of the worst that I have read about in a fictional tale
I was hooked, wondering, if Louise, and Chole Meadows and Mikes wife will get their revenge on Mike Huges?
So much happened in The Fear I just know all you crime fans will enjoy every page just like I did.
I thought that all the characters were psychopaths in their own way .
I was hooked into this story from page one. For me I would say The Fear is totally my favourite by C. L. Taylor.
Louise Wandsworth runs away to France with her teacher, Mike, where he surprised me by turning violent towards Louise. As many years pass Louise finds out that Mike is grooming another young school girl, Chloe Meadows.
Mike Huges is a paedophile who is one of the worst that I have read about in a fictional tale
I was hooked, wondering, if Louise, and Chole Meadows and Mikes wife will get their revenge on Mike Huges?
So much happened in The Fear I just know all you crime fans will enjoy every page just like I did.
October 10, 2018
The Fear is the gripping and unsettling story of a woman who has been a victim of a violent pedophile years ago.
When she finally gets the courage to return to her hometown, to face her fears and confront her abuser, she discovers that he has got his claws into another teenager.
What should she do? Should she abandon her plan and go back to her damaged and broken life? Should she warn the young girl? Should she go to the police and if she does would they believe her?
Or should she take the matters in her own hands and do something before it is too late?
When she finally gets the courage to return to her hometown, to face her fears and confront her abuser, she discovers that he has got his claws into another teenager.
What should she do? Should she abandon her plan and go back to her damaged and broken life? Should she warn the young girl? Should she go to the police and if she does would they believe her?
Or should she take the matters in her own hands and do something before it is too late?
March 29, 2018
Wow what an intense read. My first experience of C.L. Taylor’s writing and I really don’t think it will be my last.
The story of Lou Wandsworth and her involvement with her karate teacher Mike Harris. When she was 14 she ran away to France with him for a weekend thinking she was madly in love with him, but of course she soon finds out that Mike isn’t all she thinks he is.
Now 32, Lou finds out that Mike, now out of prison is grooming a 13 year school girl Chloe Meadows and Lou is determined that history won’t repeat itself and let Mike ruin Chloe’s life like he did hers.
Wow this was one intense read. Delicate subject matter of course and it’s quite disturbing in places but I found this an utterly compelling read. Lou is a great central character and the flashback device works great here as we find out slowly the horror of what went on in her childhood all those years ago. Another thing I liked was, when she was doing things that had me thinking “wtf? this is a bit much” she was also asking herself “what am I doing”
The story plays out great with several different threads that are all connected and don’t play out like you originally think.
All the characters were very believable, easy to remember who was who, always a sign of good characterization and writing.
The ending and how it played out, I loved. It just felt a really satisfactory conclusion after having had so much invested in this tense and gripping read.
Loved this one. Can’t really find fault with it. My first read of this author but it certainly won’t be the last.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books and C.L. Taylor for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story of Lou Wandsworth and her involvement with her karate teacher Mike Harris. When she was 14 she ran away to France with him for a weekend thinking she was madly in love with him, but of course she soon finds out that Mike isn’t all she thinks he is.
Now 32, Lou finds out that Mike, now out of prison is grooming a 13 year school girl Chloe Meadows and Lou is determined that history won’t repeat itself and let Mike ruin Chloe’s life like he did hers.
Wow this was one intense read. Delicate subject matter of course and it’s quite disturbing in places but I found this an utterly compelling read. Lou is a great central character and the flashback device works great here as we find out slowly the horror of what went on in her childhood all those years ago. Another thing I liked was, when she was doing things that had me thinking “wtf? this is a bit much” she was also asking herself “what am I doing”
The story plays out great with several different threads that are all connected and don’t play out like you originally think.
All the characters were very believable, easy to remember who was who, always a sign of good characterization and writing.
The ending and how it played out, I loved. It just felt a really satisfactory conclusion after having had so much invested in this tense and gripping read.
Loved this one. Can’t really find fault with it. My first read of this author but it certainly won’t be the last.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books and C.L. Taylor for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2018
From the moment I started The Fear I was totally hooked, Taylor drew me into a dark and tangled web and didn’t let me go until the final chapter. Lou was groomed by a much older man when she was a young teenager and now it’s many years later and she’s still struggling to get past it. Grooming is one of those words that sends a chill down my spine as a parent to two girls, the manipulation and abuse associated with it put the fear into me, what an aptly titled book.
This is told from multiple perspectives, Lou both in 2007 and via her diary entries when she was fourteen, then you hear from Chloe, the teenager who Lou fears is being used in the same way that she was and finally, Wendy. You’re never quite sure exactly what Wendy’s angle is or how she fits into the story, but when it’s revealed I did one of those, oohhh I see what you did there moments, super clever! This is extremely fast paced and sharply written, it begs to be read in one sitting as there’s so much tension and anticipation about what will happen next, both in the flashbacks and the 2007 storyline.
I don’t want to discuss the plot much more, just know that if you’re a psychological thriller fan, this is a must read. The characterization is just as strong as the writing and the story is gripping, I really couldn’t ask for more!
The Fear in three words: Absorbing, Shocking and Thrilling.
This is told from multiple perspectives, Lou both in 2007 and via her diary entries when she was fourteen, then you hear from Chloe, the teenager who Lou fears is being used in the same way that she was and finally, Wendy. You’re never quite sure exactly what Wendy’s angle is or how she fits into the story, but when it’s revealed I did one of those, oohhh I see what you did there moments, super clever! This is extremely fast paced and sharply written, it begs to be read in one sitting as there’s so much tension and anticipation about what will happen next, both in the flashbacks and the 2007 storyline.
I don’t want to discuss the plot much more, just know that if you’re a psychological thriller fan, this is a must read. The characterization is just as strong as the writing and the story is gripping, I really couldn’t ask for more!
The Fear in three words: Absorbing, Shocking and Thrilling.
March 4, 2018
C L Taylor is definitely on my list of go to authors.... I have really enjoyed all of her books and this one was no exception. I was hooked on the story and finished it in a day. Great characters, all of whom had their secrets and reasons to not like them.
The story jumps between the past where a 14 year old Lou is groomed by her much older teacher who then takes her off to France., and the present 18 years later where Lou discovers that Mike is doing the same thing again with 13 year old Chloe. We learn just why Lou is the way she is now and why she is determined to stop Chloe going through what she has.
A great book, highly recommended. Thank you Avon Books UK and NetGalley for a copy of this book to read and enjoy in exchange for my honest opinions.
The story jumps between the past where a 14 year old Lou is groomed by her much older teacher who then takes her off to France., and the present 18 years later where Lou discovers that Mike is doing the same thing again with 13 year old Chloe. We learn just why Lou is the way she is now and why she is determined to stop Chloe going through what she has.
A great book, highly recommended. Thank you Avon Books UK and NetGalley for a copy of this book to read and enjoy in exchange for my honest opinions.
December 30, 2022
DNF at 50 %. A scorned ex-wife who stalks the 13-year old teenager who ‘stole’ her husband way back?!?
May 18, 2024
Let's cut to the chase: the ending of this book? Absolutely stellar. The rest? Not so much.
I struggled to get through it, and it left me feeling a bit bummed. The plot dragged, and it took me way longer than expected to finish. But that ending—it was the silver lining that almost made the slog worthwhile.
If you're the type who can endure a slow burn for the sake of a great finish, give this book a shot. Otherwise, you might find yourself wishing for more excitement along the way.
I struggled to get through it, and it left me feeling a bit bummed. The plot dragged, and it took me way longer than expected to finish. But that ending—it was the silver lining that almost made the slog worthwhile.
If you're the type who can endure a slow burn for the sake of a great finish, give this book a shot. Otherwise, you might find yourself wishing for more excitement along the way.
March 12, 2018
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I was completely gripped by this story of revenge and fear! It provokes a mix of emotions, from anger to fear to disgust (when you read more about Mike, you'll probably feel all these too), all taking place against a worryingly 'normal' backdrop - and I was completely sucked in!
The characters in this novel really drew me in - I cared about main character Lou and the elements taken from her diary make you see what it's like to be an unhappy child with a seemingly less-than-loving family, and how worryingly easy it is for older men to prey on these kinds of teenagers. It really makes you think about this, and though it's not a pleasant topic, it is very interesting to read about. When Lou realises Mike, having been released from prison years ago, is grooming another young girl, she vows to stop him - and ends up taking things a lot further than planned! I also really liked Wendy, despite her many faults, and felt that her inclusion in the story was brilliant as it takes the reader away from just focusing on the victim and offender - there are so many other people affected by this kind of crime too, and Wendy made for a very interesting character to read about!
I loved that C.L. Taylor writes in a way that makes you completely get how things can so easily spiral out of control - both for Lou as she confronts Mike and for poor confused Chloe, and in fact everyone around them (including family and friends) as they fail to recognise the importance of what is going on right under their noses. The story is written in such a way that you think you know exactly where it's going... but you really don't!
I raced through The Fear and would definitely recommend it as a gripping read which is as much about the characters' struggles as it is about action itself - a truly thrilling read with an added layer of substance!
* Many thanks to HarperCollins UK for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review. *
I was completely gripped by this story of revenge and fear! It provokes a mix of emotions, from anger to fear to disgust (when you read more about Mike, you'll probably feel all these too), all taking place against a worryingly 'normal' backdrop - and I was completely sucked in!
The characters in this novel really drew me in - I cared about main character Lou and the elements taken from her diary make you see what it's like to be an unhappy child with a seemingly less-than-loving family, and how worryingly easy it is for older men to prey on these kinds of teenagers. It really makes you think about this, and though it's not a pleasant topic, it is very interesting to read about. When Lou realises Mike, having been released from prison years ago, is grooming another young girl, she vows to stop him - and ends up taking things a lot further than planned! I also really liked Wendy, despite her many faults, and felt that her inclusion in the story was brilliant as it takes the reader away from just focusing on the victim and offender - there are so many other people affected by this kind of crime too, and Wendy made for a very interesting character to read about!
I loved that C.L. Taylor writes in a way that makes you completely get how things can so easily spiral out of control - both for Lou as she confronts Mike and for poor confused Chloe, and in fact everyone around them (including family and friends) as they fail to recognise the importance of what is going on right under their noses. The story is written in such a way that you think you know exactly where it's going... but you really don't!
I raced through The Fear and would definitely recommend it as a gripping read which is as much about the characters' struggles as it is about action itself - a truly thrilling read with an added layer of substance!
* Many thanks to HarperCollins UK for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review. *
December 17, 2020
3.5⭐
Thriller bom, imprevisível e com um enredo mais cativante ainda do que o livro Em fuga, da mesma autora. Conta a história de Lou, que se apaixonou por Mike, um homem mais velho, aos 14 anos, o que a marcou profundamente na vida adulta. Dezoito anos depois, a história volta a repetir-se com Chloe, uma menina de 13 anos, e Lou tenta salvá-la do mesmo destino que ela teve na sua adolescência. Um livro sobre vingança e os fantasmas do passado, com um bom final. No geral, thriller bom, mas não excecional.
Adoro a capa, é lindíssima!
Thriller bom, imprevisível e com um enredo mais cativante ainda do que o livro Em fuga, da mesma autora. Conta a história de Lou, que se apaixonou por Mike, um homem mais velho, aos 14 anos, o que a marcou profundamente na vida adulta. Dezoito anos depois, a história volta a repetir-se com Chloe, uma menina de 13 anos, e Lou tenta salvá-la do mesmo destino que ela teve na sua adolescência. Um livro sobre vingança e os fantasmas do passado, com um bom final. No geral, thriller bom, mas não excecional.
Adoro a capa, é lindíssima!
May 13, 2022
wow guys this was one of my OG reviews from when I started my account hehe
**TRIGGER WARNING: Pedophilia, grooming
Before I get into my usual review format, I just wanna say this book disappointed me like The Great Gatbsy movie in 2012. I was really looking forward to it was YEARS, and when I finally read it, I was let down. The book was bad, but the disappointment from waiting so long to read it only to hate it, made me hate it even more.
THE PLOT
Lou was kidnapped by her pervy karate teacher—or according to him, willingly went with him on a romantic vacay to France. Years later, she's still battling with the trauma, when she finds out her perpetrator is back at it. Now an adult, Lou won't just stand idly by. She will do anything, and I mean ANYTHING to stop this super perv.
MY OPINION
As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, my overall rating was influenced by the anticipating of reading this book only to discover it was a steaming pile of doo doo.
To sum it up: this book was the Great Value version of "My Dark Vanessa." The writing jumps all over the place—like midway through the chapter, no paragraph break or anything, the timeline will change. I like a challenging read, if there's a logical answer. The way he smushed pivotal events into regular degular stuff made it seem anti-climatic.
Also, the author spent more time writing about nonsense then he did exploring the logic and drive behind Lou's brazen actions. One day she's about to go on a weekend getaway with her boo, and the next day she's moved and is executing some kind of master plan that she whipped together in 48 hours to get revenge against her perpetrator. How'd she get a job in his hometown so quickly? THE MATH AIN'T MATHIN.
The only thing I did like was the POV of the ex-wife. Her character was written well. I could envision the type of woman and she was truly unlikeable.
The ending was slapped together and read like a Lifetime movie. Over the top and pure nonsense. The author took a serious topic and cheapened it with his poor storytelling and writing.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Literally the fact he wrote the most unlikeable character the best. What does that say?
Cons: Everything else. Garbagio.
**TRIGGER WARNING: Pedophilia, grooming
Before I get into my usual review format, I just wanna say this book disappointed me like The Great Gatbsy movie in 2012. I was really looking forward to it was YEARS, and when I finally read it, I was let down. The book was bad, but the disappointment from waiting so long to read it only to hate it, made me hate it even more.
THE PLOT
Lou was kidnapped by her pervy karate teacher—or according to him, willingly went with him on a romantic vacay to France. Years later, she's still battling with the trauma, when she finds out her perpetrator is back at it. Now an adult, Lou won't just stand idly by. She will do anything, and I mean ANYTHING to stop this super perv.
MY OPINION
As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, my overall rating was influenced by the anticipating of reading this book only to discover it was a steaming pile of doo doo.
To sum it up: this book was the Great Value version of "My Dark Vanessa." The writing jumps all over the place—like midway through the chapter, no paragraph break or anything, the timeline will change. I like a challenging read, if there's a logical answer. The way he smushed pivotal events into regular degular stuff made it seem anti-climatic.
Also, the author spent more time writing about nonsense then he did exploring the logic and drive behind Lou's brazen actions. One day she's about to go on a weekend getaway with her boo, and the next day she's moved and is executing some kind of master plan that she whipped together in 48 hours to get revenge against her perpetrator. How'd she get a job in his hometown so quickly? THE MATH AIN'T MATHIN.
The only thing I did like was the POV of the ex-wife. Her character was written well. I could envision the type of woman and she was truly unlikeable.
The ending was slapped together and read like a Lifetime movie. Over the top and pure nonsense. The author took a serious topic and cheapened it with his poor storytelling and writing.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: Literally the fact he wrote the most unlikeable character the best. What does that say?
Cons: Everything else. Garbagio.
January 27, 2018
WOW. WOW. WOW. WOW. WOW. No seriously. This has to be one of the most anticipated books of 2018 and it is bloody brilliant! A must read. A must buy. Easily going to make my top 20 of 2018. This has to be the best book Cally has written yet. It is seriously soooo good, I cannot stress that enough.
I need a word thats more than brilliant, amazing, thrilling, gripping and hooked. I loved it! Outstanding. The Fear will get your heart racing and your jaw dropping. Very impressed. I throughly enjoyed devouring this book. It is a fast paced thriller which will have you on the edge of your seat throughout, you won’t want to put it down.
I must say that this book is about child grooming and could be considered a tough read for some readers but, it is an issue that does happen still today and needs to be highlighted more than it currently is. But wow. The ending of this book just makes the whole story that little bit more darker. Brilliant. A well deserved five stars from me, I would highly recommend you all go pre order quick! You will not be disappointed. I will not forget this story in a rush… Wow.
The Fear will be released 22nd of March 2018. A must read.
I need a word thats more than brilliant, amazing, thrilling, gripping and hooked. I loved it! Outstanding. The Fear will get your heart racing and your jaw dropping. Very impressed. I throughly enjoyed devouring this book. It is a fast paced thriller which will have you on the edge of your seat throughout, you won’t want to put it down.
I must say that this book is about child grooming and could be considered a tough read for some readers but, it is an issue that does happen still today and needs to be highlighted more than it currently is. But wow. The ending of this book just makes the whole story that little bit more darker. Brilliant. A well deserved five stars from me, I would highly recommend you all go pre order quick! You will not be disappointed. I will not forget this story in a rush… Wow.
The Fear will be released 22nd of March 2018. A must read.
March 20, 2018
The Fear is without a doubt a brilliant title for this book. As a parent it put the fear of god into me reading about Mike and how he grooms girls. It was scary to see how easy someone can prey on someone so young and vulnerable. It was also so easy to see how a young adolescent would fall for it.
Lou has tried to get on with her life but has struggled to form any lasting relationships with a man due to what happened in her past. Returning to her family home has her bringing up a whole load of memories and emotions that she would rather forget.
Mike literally made my skin crawl, the more I read the more I loathed him. I was literally right there beside Lou willing her to put an end to what Mike was doing before he got his grubby hands on another unsuspecting victim.
The Fear is a chilling read that sadly portrays what is happening now in the real world. It really opened my eyes into how these predators work and it made for some compelling reading. Yet another engrossing, page turner of a read.
Lou has tried to get on with her life but has struggled to form any lasting relationships with a man due to what happened in her past. Returning to her family home has her bringing up a whole load of memories and emotions that she would rather forget.
Mike literally made my skin crawl, the more I read the more I loathed him. I was literally right there beside Lou willing her to put an end to what Mike was doing before he got his grubby hands on another unsuspecting victim.
The Fear is a chilling read that sadly portrays what is happening now in the real world. It really opened my eyes into how these predators work and it made for some compelling reading. Yet another engrossing, page turner of a read.
August 30, 2019
Oh yes, that was quite delicious. Who to believe? Who to trust? I've got another C.L. Taylor on the go right now so I'll see if this was a fluke or not.
April 26, 2018
Enjoyed mixed experiences with C. L. Taylor. The Accident seemed so full not only of unlikely events, implausible characters and occasional howlers that I seem to have perpetrated a go-to review for readers who found it distasteful. Then I won online a signed copy of The Lie, and after long choosing and beginning late found it excellent. So, seeing the number of five-star reviews for The Fear I let my experience cast my deciding vote to rank this author.
To begin with what the author does well – a complex plot unwinds with endless invention. Just when it begins to feel that we’ve a grip on what’s unfolding, the story takes another turn or a new character comes into play. As in Taylor’s previous books, we have a dual track time scheme, tho’ strangely the main story is set in 2007, which places the backstory before 1990, when the 14 y/o Lou eloped to France with her Karate instructor Mike. There is no reason at all for that time frame, except I suspect that English law regarding sexual offenders has tightened and someone like Mike dealt with more severely these days. The mobile smart phones (they have a big role) in this novel also seem more intelligent that those we had in 2007 – at least mine. Just when it seems we have Mike immobilised, the situation is reversed.
What Taylor does badly – most of the characters are both not only unlikeable but preternaturally stupid. Both the schoolgirl victims (Lou in the backstory and Chloe now) have a set of parents so negligent and insouciant that their dtrs should have been taken into care. Chloe’s dad even encourages her relationship with Mike even tho’ he’d been banged up for five years for his escapade with Lou. The characters’ stupidity and credulity helps keep the plot twisting, tho’ at one point carelessness crossing the road restarts the story.
I have read lots of these stories about adult-teenager amatory relationships, from comical/satirical like Tampa to full-scale classical tragedy such as Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls. To make the great ones succeed artistically requires the older character be at least superficially attractive, ideally representing maturity and sophistication to a teen who finds her contemporaries childish and boring. Mike, on the other hand, is an out and out boor who goes about beating up French waiters. Even later as a thirty-something Lou is several bricks shy a full load, given to lying to the police, her employer, her lover, and the girl she wants to rescue. I kept wanting to scream, “Tell the truth!” both to her and to the other characters.
The book also left me with some moral and spiritual questions. The unforeseen twist at the end that some readers raved about raised both artistic and ethical problems. Those who have higher expectations than the “wow-I-didn’t-see-that-one-coming!” readers expect “the reveal” not only to be a surprise, but to knit the story tightly into an organic unit. Here the opposite happens: the characters’ failure to reveal all they know could well have had much more serious consequences than they realised.
Even books that fall short of expectations can teach us something, and The Fear (poorly titled, BTW, not at all scary) has helped me clarify my rating system. An exciting plot gets three stars; four requires engaging characters, and for five add both artistic and spiritual value. I also wonder why I found The Lie so much better. Mostly I expect it was the exotic setting. It also features a sexually abusive dangerous lout, but it’s easier to imagine finding him at least superficially attractive as a phony guru in an ashram in Kathmandu than driving as a white van man in Malvern.
To begin with what the author does well – a complex plot unwinds with endless invention. Just when it begins to feel that we’ve a grip on what’s unfolding, the story takes another turn or a new character comes into play. As in Taylor’s previous books, we have a dual track time scheme, tho’ strangely the main story is set in 2007, which places the backstory before 1990, when the 14 y/o Lou eloped to France with her Karate instructor Mike. There is no reason at all for that time frame, except I suspect that English law regarding sexual offenders has tightened and someone like Mike dealt with more severely these days. The mobile smart phones (they have a big role) in this novel also seem more intelligent that those we had in 2007 – at least mine. Just when it seems we have Mike immobilised, the situation is reversed.
What Taylor does badly – most of the characters are both not only unlikeable but preternaturally stupid. Both the schoolgirl victims (Lou in the backstory and Chloe now) have a set of parents so negligent and insouciant that their dtrs should have been taken into care. Chloe’s dad even encourages her relationship with Mike even tho’ he’d been banged up for five years for his escapade with Lou. The characters’ stupidity and credulity helps keep the plot twisting, tho’ at one point carelessness crossing the road restarts the story.
I have read lots of these stories about adult-teenager amatory relationships, from comical/satirical like Tampa to full-scale classical tragedy such as Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls. To make the great ones succeed artistically requires the older character be at least superficially attractive, ideally representing maturity and sophistication to a teen who finds her contemporaries childish and boring. Mike, on the other hand, is an out and out boor who goes about beating up French waiters. Even later as a thirty-something Lou is several bricks shy a full load, given to lying to the police, her employer, her lover, and the girl she wants to rescue. I kept wanting to scream, “Tell the truth!” both to her and to the other characters.
The book also left me with some moral and spiritual questions. The unforeseen twist at the end that some readers raved about raised both artistic and ethical problems. Those who have higher expectations than the “wow-I-didn’t-see-that-one-coming!” readers expect “the reveal” not only to be a surprise, but to knit the story tightly into an organic unit. Here the opposite happens: the characters’ failure to reveal all they know could well have had much more serious consequences than they realised.
Even books that fall short of expectations can teach us something, and The Fear (poorly titled, BTW, not at all scary) has helped me clarify my rating system. An exciting plot gets three stars; four requires engaging characters, and for five add both artistic and spiritual value. I also wonder why I found The Lie so much better. Mostly I expect it was the exotic setting. It also features a sexually abusive dangerous lout, but it’s easier to imagine finding him at least superficially attractive as a phony guru in an ashram in Kathmandu than driving as a white van man in Malvern.
March 31, 2018
A well above average psychological thriller!
This is the first C.L. Taylor book I have read and I was very impressed with her work. Her writing style is easy to read, and follow – the kind of book where you can read a few pages on your lunch break or at the bus stop. But you will have trouble stopping at a few pages and returning to work, and you may miss your bus because you’re so engrossed. The plot moved along swiftly, kept me on the edge of my seat, and threw me for a loop on several occasions. Small spoiler ahead, but the ‘underwater’ scene was exceptionally well written – I felt claustrophobic and out of breath reading it.
4-stars, as I found it got a bit bizarre and illogical towards the end, and a couple of parts left me unsettled. Having said that the second to last chapter did rectify things, and I was satisfied for the most part by the close of the book. The last chapter was clever and unexpected. I would absolutely read more by this author.
This is the first C.L. Taylor book I have read and I was very impressed with her work. Her writing style is easy to read, and follow – the kind of book where you can read a few pages on your lunch break or at the bus stop. But you will have trouble stopping at a few pages and returning to work, and you may miss your bus because you’re so engrossed. The plot moved along swiftly, kept me on the edge of my seat, and threw me for a loop on several occasions. Small spoiler ahead, but the ‘underwater’ scene was exceptionally well written – I felt claustrophobic and out of breath reading it.
4-stars, as I found it got a bit bizarre and illogical towards the end, and a couple of parts left me unsettled. Having said that the second to last chapter did rectify things, and I was satisfied for the most part by the close of the book. The last chapter was clever and unexpected. I would absolutely read more by this author.
August 27, 2018
Ilicit love affairs in fiction will never fail to appeal to me, so when I got the opportunity to take part in the IG tour for a book centering around exactly that, I was more than eager!
A teenaged Lou Wandsworth ran away to France with her teacher Mike Hughes, but now she is an adult on the brink of losing everything and she wants revenge. When she returns to her childhood home so discovers nothing has altered and Hughes is now grooming another unhappy teenager, all these years later. But Mike is a practised predator and isn't going to quietly become the prey of Louise's plans.
Whilst I did appreciate the social commentary this provided and the sensitivity with which it explored the subject matter, I found the tension of the piece was alleviated as the story continued, lessening my intrigue and enjoyment.
A teenaged Lou Wandsworth ran away to France with her teacher Mike Hughes, but now she is an adult on the brink of losing everything and she wants revenge. When she returns to her childhood home so discovers nothing has altered and Hughes is now grooming another unhappy teenager, all these years later. But Mike is a practised predator and isn't going to quietly become the prey of Louise's plans.
Whilst I did appreciate the social commentary this provided and the sensitivity with which it explored the subject matter, I found the tension of the piece was alleviated as the story continued, lessening my intrigue and enjoyment.
March 21, 2018
The Fear – Every Parent’s Nightmare
CL Taylor is back, with yet another blockbusting, totally gripping, intense psychological thriller. This really will be disturbing if you are a parent of a teenager, especially one that may not have too many fans, and suddenly has secrets you know nothing about.
Like all Cally Taylor’s previous books, this will grab you by the throat, keep you enthralled from beginning to end. I lost a whole afternoon reading this, thought I would read a few chapter then watch the football. The football came and went of which I saw absolutely nothing, so engrossed by The Fear, gripped.
Lou Wandsworth is now 32, and has attempted to forget about her teenage years, when she was groomed and went with her Karate teacher to France. For what she thought would be a weekend away turned into something more. When the police eventually catch up with them, she is too scared to give evidence against him when the case comes to court. When she returns home for the first time in years, she that Mike, that teacher has not changed.
She sees him grooming a teenager, Chloe, and she will do all she can to make sure that what happened to her never happens to her. At first, she feels like she is screaming in the wind and nobody is listening.
Wendy, has never forgiven Lou, and she has been stalking her from a distance and wants to get close to her. She knows Mike would never have gone to France if Lou had not tempted him and corrupted him. She will do anything to hurt Lou and make her suffer, just as she has had to when he went to prison, and when he came out and abandoned her.
What, will Chloe, Lou and Wendy do as they realise they are all victims of Mike, who has a terrible violent streak, and not afraid to hurt them. What action will they take separately and together? What will unfold and who can stop Mike, the police just do not seem interested.
With more twists than in a hurricane you will be totally gripped by The Fear, as you fear the only winner will be Mike. He has the power, he has the skills and he knows how to hurt. This book is gripping, disturbing, claustrophobic and utterly compelling. This book will bring to the fore the fears of every modern parent, grooming and their teenage child. The Fear reminds you it can happen to any child.
This book will have you from beginning to the end and proves why Cally Taylor is a bestselling author. Her writing of psychological thrillers is as addictive as any drugs and you will not regret reading her latest hit.
CL Taylor is back, with yet another blockbusting, totally gripping, intense psychological thriller. This really will be disturbing if you are a parent of a teenager, especially one that may not have too many fans, and suddenly has secrets you know nothing about.
Like all Cally Taylor’s previous books, this will grab you by the throat, keep you enthralled from beginning to end. I lost a whole afternoon reading this, thought I would read a few chapter then watch the football. The football came and went of which I saw absolutely nothing, so engrossed by The Fear, gripped.
Lou Wandsworth is now 32, and has attempted to forget about her teenage years, when she was groomed and went with her Karate teacher to France. For what she thought would be a weekend away turned into something more. When the police eventually catch up with them, she is too scared to give evidence against him when the case comes to court. When she returns home for the first time in years, she that Mike, that teacher has not changed.
She sees him grooming a teenager, Chloe, and she will do all she can to make sure that what happened to her never happens to her. At first, she feels like she is screaming in the wind and nobody is listening.
Wendy, has never forgiven Lou, and she has been stalking her from a distance and wants to get close to her. She knows Mike would never have gone to France if Lou had not tempted him and corrupted him. She will do anything to hurt Lou and make her suffer, just as she has had to when he went to prison, and when he came out and abandoned her.
What, will Chloe, Lou and Wendy do as they realise they are all victims of Mike, who has a terrible violent streak, and not afraid to hurt them. What action will they take separately and together? What will unfold and who can stop Mike, the police just do not seem interested.
With more twists than in a hurricane you will be totally gripped by The Fear, as you fear the only winner will be Mike. He has the power, he has the skills and he knows how to hurt. This book is gripping, disturbing, claustrophobic and utterly compelling. This book will bring to the fore the fears of every modern parent, grooming and their teenage child. The Fear reminds you it can happen to any child.
This book will have you from beginning to the end and proves why Cally Taylor is a bestselling author. Her writing of psychological thrillers is as addictive as any drugs and you will not regret reading her latest hit.
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