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The Stranger Inside
“Brilliant.” —The New York Times Book Review
When former journalist Rain Winter was twelve years old, she narrowly escaped an abduction while walking to a friend’s house. The abductor was eventually found and sent to prison, but years later was released. Then someone delivered real justice--and killed him in cold blood.
Now Rain is living the perfect suburban life, spending her days as a stay-at-home mom. But when another criminal who escaped justice is found dead, Rain is unexpectedly drawn into the case, forced to revisit memories she’s worked hard to leave behind. Is there a vigilante at work? Who is the next target? Why can’t Rain just let it go?
Introducing one of the most compelling and original killers in crime fiction today, Lisa Unger takes readers deep inside the minds of both perpetrator and victim, blurring the lines between right and wrong, crime and justice, and showing that sometimes even good people are drawn to do evil things.
When former journalist Rain Winter was twelve years old, she narrowly escaped an abduction while walking to a friend’s house. The abductor was eventually found and sent to prison, but years later was released. Then someone delivered real justice--and killed him in cold blood.
Now Rain is living the perfect suburban life, spending her days as a stay-at-home mom. But when another criminal who escaped justice is found dead, Rain is unexpectedly drawn into the case, forced to revisit memories she’s worked hard to leave behind. Is there a vigilante at work? Who is the next target? Why can’t Rain just let it go?
Introducing one of the most compelling and original killers in crime fiction today, Lisa Unger takes readers deep inside the minds of both perpetrator and victim, blurring the lines between right and wrong, crime and justice, and showing that sometimes even good people are drawn to do evil things.
374 pages, Hardcover
First published September 17, 2019
1529 people are currently reading
33534 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Unger
50 books11k followersLisa Unger is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of twenty-three novels, including her upcoming release SERVED HIM RIGHT (March, 2026). With books published in thirty-three languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, she is regarded as a master of suspense.
Unger’s critically acclaimed novels have been featured on “Best Book” lists from the Today show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, People, Amazon, Goodreads, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, Sun Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, and many others. She has been nominated for, or won, numerous awards including the Strand Critics, Audie, Hammett, Macavity, ITW Thriller, and Goodreads Choice. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations in the same year, an honor held by only a few authors including Agatha Christie. Her short fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Mystery and Suspense, and her non-fiction has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. Lisa is the current co-President of the International Thriller Writers organization. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.
Unger’s critically acclaimed novels have been featured on “Best Book” lists from the Today show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, People, Amazon, Goodreads, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, Sun Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, and many others. She has been nominated for, or won, numerous awards including the Strand Critics, Audie, Hammett, Macavity, ITW Thriller, and Goodreads Choice. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations in the same year, an honor held by only a few authors including Agatha Christie. Her short fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Mystery and Suspense, and her non-fiction has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. Lisa is the current co-President of the International Thriller Writers organization. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,374 reviews
October 14, 2021
I’m already having a song for this song: “And I wonder I wa wa wa wonder, why a why why why why she wrote this book and I wonder why she published this! “ Just a second, they put cuffs on my hands because I restricted the copyrights of My Runaway song! Oh come on, I didn’t steal the words! This is my cover version for an innocent reader had frustrated feeling after reading a book she highly anticipated!
So as a bail I left my three stars at the station and ran away, ran ran ran ran away! (What kind of police station was that? They had only coffee mash up of cigarette butts and dishwashing water and they called Starbuck’s Pike Roast regular coffee! They didn’t have any proper bottle of Chardonnay!)
Let’s get back to my hurt feelings about this book. I think I had a guardian angel named NetGalley. You know why? They rejected my request AGAIN ( itchy palm alert need to slap urgently) and gave me evil laughs, called me loser who didn’t deserve to read this masterpiece ( okay laughing and verbal insult part was on my head, they didn’t do that but I told you at my other reviews, I always take the rejections personally like a boyfriend’s branded “that’s not you, that’s me” speeches!) -By the way of course that’s on them!!!_
At least it didn’t root at my pending request cemetery like creepy ghosts of ex- boyfriends return back to haunt you at Christmas!
REASONS OF MY FRUSTRATION:
-Slowness! I felt like I’m not reading a thriller, I’m watching a regular Terence Malick movie about the deep philosophy of being serial killer and their motivations to be predators! I took too many naps on my couch, mouth agape, swallowed at least five mosquitos! (There are still buzzing sounds coming from my stomach! I sprayed bug poison in my mouth to stop them)
-Lack of excitement, spookiness, curiosity: Too many inner monologues depressed the hell out of me! I was waiting for more action!
-The ending: The weakest ring of the whole parts. Ending should make you shock, shiver, shake you to the core or at least it should give you the closure, satisfaction you need. But this one! DAAATTT! I pass!
Summary: Thanks to Netgalley and publisher not to send me the arc copy in exchange my saddest review! I should take it as a sign and I shouldn’t purchase this book! (At least I used my neighbor’s credit card, whose evil son stole all the oranges from our garden. Payback is a bitch! Ha ha ha! Look who’s laughing now?)
I love this author, I enjoyed her previous works. She is one of my favorite thriller writers so it was normal to expect more from her but unfortunately this book didn’t work for me!
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So as a bail I left my three stars at the station and ran away, ran ran ran ran away! (What kind of police station was that? They had only coffee mash up of cigarette butts and dishwashing water and they called Starbuck’s Pike Roast regular coffee! They didn’t have any proper bottle of Chardonnay!)
Let’s get back to my hurt feelings about this book. I think I had a guardian angel named NetGalley. You know why? They rejected my request AGAIN ( itchy palm alert need to slap urgently) and gave me evil laughs, called me loser who didn’t deserve to read this masterpiece ( okay laughing and verbal insult part was on my head, they didn’t do that but I told you at my other reviews, I always take the rejections personally like a boyfriend’s branded “that’s not you, that’s me” speeches!) -By the way of course that’s on them!!!_
At least it didn’t root at my pending request cemetery like creepy ghosts of ex- boyfriends return back to haunt you at Christmas!
REASONS OF MY FRUSTRATION:
-Slowness! I felt like I’m not reading a thriller, I’m watching a regular Terence Malick movie about the deep philosophy of being serial killer and their motivations to be predators! I took too many naps on my couch, mouth agape, swallowed at least five mosquitos! (There are still buzzing sounds coming from my stomach! I sprayed bug poison in my mouth to stop them)
-Lack of excitement, spookiness, curiosity: Too many inner monologues depressed the hell out of me! I was waiting for more action!
-The ending: The weakest ring of the whole parts. Ending should make you shock, shiver, shake you to the core or at least it should give you the closure, satisfaction you need. But this one! DAAATTT! I pass!
Summary: Thanks to Netgalley and publisher not to send me the arc copy in exchange my saddest review! I should take it as a sign and I shouldn’t purchase this book! (At least I used my neighbor’s credit card, whose evil son stole all the oranges from our garden. Payback is a bitch! Ha ha ha! Look who’s laughing now?)
I love this author, I enjoyed her previous works. She is one of my favorite thriller writers so it was normal to expect more from her but unfortunately this book didn’t work for me!
blog
December 8, 2024
Holy Shooty Balls!! Suspenseful, tense, & compulsively readable!
THE STRANGER INSIDE by LISA UNGER is an engrossing, fantastic, tension-filled, dark, and thrilling novel that was absolutely unputdownable. I was immediately sucked into the narrative and devoured every single page of this highly entertaining book. I was fully immersed in this story--I don’t think my mind wandered even once while I was reading this book.
LISA UNGER delivers a vividly descriptive, atmospheric, intriguing, well-written and irresistible thriller here that I absolutely loved and was thoroughly impressed by. The characters were extremely interesting, compelling, and definitely held my full attention.
The storyline was one that I found myself totally drawn into. I was questioning and pondering the actions and reactions of our characters here to a point where I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat on pins and needles in anticipation of how it was all going to play out. I was fully engaged and invested in this tale and the ending left me with shivers and goosebumps!
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: An eye-catching, intriguing, suspenseful, and fitting representation to storyline. I really like the looks of this cover design.
Title: Appealing, suspenseful, intriguing and absolutely love how the title plays so fittingly and meaningfully into storyline.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, engaging, captivating, and fluid. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing!
Plot: Chilling, sinister, suspenseful, gripping, fast-paced, clever, absorbing, enjoyable and extremely entertaining.
Ending: Heart-pounding, adrenaline-filled, intense, and extremely satisfying that gave me the shivers and goosebumps. Love that!
Overall: A phenomenal read that had me entertained and immersed in this tale from start to finish! Would highly recommend!
I received an ARC from the publisher! Thank you so much!
THE STRANGER INSIDE by LISA UNGER is an engrossing, fantastic, tension-filled, dark, and thrilling novel that was absolutely unputdownable. I was immediately sucked into the narrative and devoured every single page of this highly entertaining book. I was fully immersed in this story--I don’t think my mind wandered even once while I was reading this book.
LISA UNGER delivers a vividly descriptive, atmospheric, intriguing, well-written and irresistible thriller here that I absolutely loved and was thoroughly impressed by. The characters were extremely interesting, compelling, and definitely held my full attention.
The storyline was one that I found myself totally drawn into. I was questioning and pondering the actions and reactions of our characters here to a point where I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat on pins and needles in anticipation of how it was all going to play out. I was fully engaged and invested in this tale and the ending left me with shivers and goosebumps!
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: An eye-catching, intriguing, suspenseful, and fitting representation to storyline. I really like the looks of this cover design.
Title: Appealing, suspenseful, intriguing and absolutely love how the title plays so fittingly and meaningfully into storyline.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, engaging, captivating, and fluid. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing!
Plot: Chilling, sinister, suspenseful, gripping, fast-paced, clever, absorbing, enjoyable and extremely entertaining.
Ending: Heart-pounding, adrenaline-filled, intense, and extremely satisfying that gave me the shivers and goosebumps. Love that!
Overall: A phenomenal read that had me entertained and immersed in this tale from start to finish! Would highly recommend!
I received an ARC from the publisher! Thank you so much!
February 20, 2021
The Stranger Inside by Lisa Unger (Author), Vivienne Leheny (Narrator), Chris Andrew Ciulla (Narrator)
I have no idea if I would have felt differently about this book if I'd read it rather than listened to the audio version. Chris Andrew Ciulla's voice as he narrates Hank's part of the book is just so sane/creepy/demented that his narration made the book wicked fun for me. I like Hank and want the best for Hank and admire all he does for children who need to be saved but he's one horribly damaged guy and he knows it, embraces it, makes it work for him as well as he can. I think his voice will be stuck in my head for a while, for better or worse.
When twelve year old Lara/Rain and her friends Hank and Tess are attacked by a man who goes on to torture/maim/rape(?) Hank and torture/maim/rape(?)/kill Tess their lives were irreparable harmed forever. Tess's life ended that day while Hank and Lara/Rain's physical, mental, and emotional wounds might heal on the surface (physical) but will be with them the rest of their lives (mental and emotional). Their attacker goes to prison but later gets out to continue his life, despite the fact that he took life from Tess.
There have been other horrible crimes. The kidnapping, rape, and murder of three boys and the release of their attacker to go on to live life, despite robbing three children of theirs and robbing their families of the presence of those boys. There is man who is acquitted of the rape and murder of a young woman. And there are people who take steps to right the wrongs that they feel need to be righted, Someone is out there who killed Lara/Rain, Hank, and Tess's attacker. Maybe that same someone killed the murderer of the three boys and the murderer of the young woman.
Lara/Rain has a husband and baby now, after a successful career as a crime journalist. Hank is a child psychologist, trying to help children who have suffered trauma. I enjoyed being in Hank's head more than I enjoyed being in Lara/Rain's head. Lara/Rain has so much guilt for surviving the long ago attack. And now she feels so much guilt for not being a better mom every single day, for wanting to work again, and for doing things behind her controlling husband's back. Rain's husband is portrayed as almost perfect, gentle, understanding, supportive but I really see too many things that aren't good in her husband. And for all of Lara/Rain's whining about being a mother, wanting to work, never seeming to allow an inch of reprieve to her self recriminations, when her husband has to take care of his baby, by himself (the injustice of it all!), for a mere few hours and has major meltdowns, I'm totally on Lara/Rain's side. What a huge "man baby" Lara/Rain has married and I laugh at the silly, selfish guy.
So, although the constant whining about being a full time mom but wanting to have a career got on my nerves, the psychological drama of Lara/Rain and Hank's lifetime of harm due to the attack, and the fact that there are vigilantes out there working towards a type of justice for the victims, was very interesting and entertaining to me. I worried about the state of Hank's mind but I also admire Hank. He knows he's psychologically damaged, he knows he's not always doing the right thing, but he also is consciously making choices. There is also the role law enforcement plays in this story of justice that gave the story added dimension.
Published September 17th 2019
I have no idea if I would have felt differently about this book if I'd read it rather than listened to the audio version. Chris Andrew Ciulla's voice as he narrates Hank's part of the book is just so sane/creepy/demented that his narration made the book wicked fun for me. I like Hank and want the best for Hank and admire all he does for children who need to be saved but he's one horribly damaged guy and he knows it, embraces it, makes it work for him as well as he can. I think his voice will be stuck in my head for a while, for better or worse.
When twelve year old Lara/Rain and her friends Hank and Tess are attacked by a man who goes on to torture/maim/rape(?) Hank and torture/maim/rape(?)/kill Tess their lives were irreparable harmed forever. Tess's life ended that day while Hank and Lara/Rain's physical, mental, and emotional wounds might heal on the surface (physical) but will be with them the rest of their lives (mental and emotional). Their attacker goes to prison but later gets out to continue his life, despite the fact that he took life from Tess.
There have been other horrible crimes. The kidnapping, rape, and murder of three boys and the release of their attacker to go on to live life, despite robbing three children of theirs and robbing their families of the presence of those boys. There is man who is acquitted of the rape and murder of a young woman. And there are people who take steps to right the wrongs that they feel need to be righted, Someone is out there who killed Lara/Rain, Hank, and Tess's attacker. Maybe that same someone killed the murderer of the three boys and the murderer of the young woman.
Lara/Rain has a husband and baby now, after a successful career as a crime journalist. Hank is a child psychologist, trying to help children who have suffered trauma. I enjoyed being in Hank's head more than I enjoyed being in Lara/Rain's head. Lara/Rain has so much guilt for surviving the long ago attack. And now she feels so much guilt for not being a better mom every single day, for wanting to work again, and for doing things behind her controlling husband's back. Rain's husband is portrayed as almost perfect, gentle, understanding, supportive but I really see too many things that aren't good in her husband. And for all of Lara/Rain's whining about being a mother, wanting to work, never seeming to allow an inch of reprieve to her self recriminations, when her husband has to take care of his baby, by himself (the injustice of it all!), for a mere few hours and has major meltdowns, I'm totally on Lara/Rain's side. What a huge "man baby" Lara/Rain has married and I laugh at the silly, selfish guy.
So, although the constant whining about being a full time mom but wanting to have a career got on my nerves, the psychological drama of Lara/Rain and Hank's lifetime of harm due to the attack, and the fact that there are vigilantes out there working towards a type of justice for the victims, was very interesting and entertaining to me. I worried about the state of Hank's mind but I also admire Hank. He knows he's psychologically damaged, he knows he's not always doing the right thing, but he also is consciously making choices. There is also the role law enforcement plays in this story of justice that gave the story added dimension.
Published September 17th 2019
June 28, 2019
I have started and deleted this review at least four times now so I have decided that I'm going to skip plot points because I feel like anything I do say is going to be a spoiler and nobody wants that!
Revenge.
Justice.
Good vs. Evil.
An eye for an eye.
Did you like Dexter? I sure as heck did and that's the situation we have going on here but there is so much more to this story. In fact, there is a lot going on which is why this is such a difficult review to write. We've got quite a few characters, back and forth in time following a tragedy from the past and the present murders and investigations, alternating chapters of two different points of view.
This is, surprisingly, my first Lisa Unger book though I've been hearing about her for years and I have many of her other books on my wish list. I thought this was such a compelling story and I became completely immersed within its pages. She is truly a fantastic writer!
My only one complaint is that this book is too long. Where are the editors? Rinse and repeat over and over again especially in regards to inner thoughts and feelings - WE GET IT ALREADY!
Complaint aside this is going to be another huge hit for Unger and this will be flying off the shelves when it publishes in September! 4 Stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Revenge.
Justice.
Good vs. Evil.
An eye for an eye.
Did you like Dexter? I sure as heck did and that's the situation we have going on here but there is so much more to this story. In fact, there is a lot going on which is why this is such a difficult review to write. We've got quite a few characters, back and forth in time following a tragedy from the past and the present murders and investigations, alternating chapters of two different points of view.
This is, surprisingly, my first Lisa Unger book though I've been hearing about her for years and I have many of her other books on my wish list. I thought this was such a compelling story and I became completely immersed within its pages. She is truly a fantastic writer!
My only one complaint is that this book is too long. Where are the editors? Rinse and repeat over and over again especially in regards to inner thoughts and feelings - WE GET IT ALREADY!
Complaint aside this is going to be another huge hit for Unger and this will be flying off the shelves when it publishes in September! 4 Stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 19, 2019
3.5*
A frightful, harrowing read that will leave you believing monsters do indeed exist!
Rain believed she knew how to deal with her past. Put it behind her. Quit dwelling on it. Look to the future...not back. But often, despite your best efforts, the past has a troubling way of creeping back into your life!
Lisa Unger writes a dark and terrifying novel dealing with the loss of innocence, and the evil that lurks around every corner!
Though this wasn’t a favorite from this author, it’s still well worth the read and I’ll be looking forward to her next.
A buddy read with Susanne!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing - Park Row and Lisa Unger for an ARC to read and review.
A frightful, harrowing read that will leave you believing monsters do indeed exist!
Rain believed she knew how to deal with her past. Put it behind her. Quit dwelling on it. Look to the future...not back. But often, despite your best efforts, the past has a troubling way of creeping back into your life!
Lisa Unger writes a dark and terrifying novel dealing with the loss of innocence, and the evil that lurks around every corner!
Though this wasn’t a favorite from this author, it’s still well worth the read and I’ll be looking forward to her next.
A buddy read with Susanne!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing - Park Row and Lisa Unger for an ARC to read and review.
September 30, 2019
I have heard a lot about Lisa Unger, but had never read her crime fiction before, a matter I rectified by reading her latest, this twisted psychological suspense novel about justice, judgement, vigilantism, ghosts, trauma, and mental health issues. Rain Winters, married to Greg, is a former news producer and journalist, now a stay at home mom with her baby, Lily, determined to provide her with a safe, secure and loving environment. When working in her job, she was partnered with her best friend, reporter Gillian Murray, she obsessively covered the trial of Steve Markham, charged with the murder of his pregnant wife, Laney. Convinced of his guilt, she was devastated when he was acquitted. She wakes up one morning to hear that Markham has been murdered in precisely the same manner that his wife was. This is not the first killing carried out by someone out there, determined to enforce their own form of retribution, there have been others too and it appears the FBI are beginning to investigate.
Markham's death triggers the traumatic memories from Rain's childhood, which on the advice of her Pulitizer prize winning father, she had kept tightly locked up inside her in a metaphorical box. Then known as Laraine, she and her best friends, Tess and Hank, experienced horrors no child should ever have to. A shocked and injured Rain escaped, thanks to Hank, but Tess and Hank were taken. Tess never survived, but Hank did although both he and Rain were left to deal with the guilt and consequences in the years after. The person who had committed such heinous crimes against them was charged and convicted, but upon release was killed by an unknown perpetrator. Hank and Rain felt that he had deserved his fate. Now Rain feels the insistent tugs of her shadowy past as she journeys back in time, opening the emotional wounds of her childhood, revisiting the consequences of what happened to her and Hank, a Hank she could not cope with and shut out of her life to embrace the new life offered by her marriage to Greg and daughter, Lily.
Unger's writing is tense, suspenseful, dark and atmospheric as she explores the interior lives of a Rain struggling to juggle the demands of being a mother and her inner desire to return to her former profession and that of the killer. With the character of Sandy, the psychiatric nurse, and mother of Tess, suffering the most agonising loss of her daughter, Unger provides a forum to look at the morality of vigilantism and the concepts of justice and judgement, with Sandy favouring the harder won road of the more long term solution of forgiveness rather than the perpetuation of the never ending cycle of violence. This is in many ways a complex and thought provoking read that follows the repercussions on the psyche of survivors of a terrifying trauma, infused with some light and redemption in the end. Many thanks to HQ for an ARC.
Markham's death triggers the traumatic memories from Rain's childhood, which on the advice of her Pulitizer prize winning father, she had kept tightly locked up inside her in a metaphorical box. Then known as Laraine, she and her best friends, Tess and Hank, experienced horrors no child should ever have to. A shocked and injured Rain escaped, thanks to Hank, but Tess and Hank were taken. Tess never survived, but Hank did although both he and Rain were left to deal with the guilt and consequences in the years after. The person who had committed such heinous crimes against them was charged and convicted, but upon release was killed by an unknown perpetrator. Hank and Rain felt that he had deserved his fate. Now Rain feels the insistent tugs of her shadowy past as she journeys back in time, opening the emotional wounds of her childhood, revisiting the consequences of what happened to her and Hank, a Hank she could not cope with and shut out of her life to embrace the new life offered by her marriage to Greg and daughter, Lily.
Unger's writing is tense, suspenseful, dark and atmospheric as she explores the interior lives of a Rain struggling to juggle the demands of being a mother and her inner desire to return to her former profession and that of the killer. With the character of Sandy, the psychiatric nurse, and mother of Tess, suffering the most agonising loss of her daughter, Unger provides a forum to look at the morality of vigilantism and the concepts of justice and judgement, with Sandy favouring the harder won road of the more long term solution of forgiveness rather than the perpetuation of the never ending cycle of violence. This is in many ways a complex and thought provoking read that follows the repercussions on the psyche of survivors of a terrifying trauma, infused with some light and redemption in the end. Many thanks to HQ for an ARC.
September 19, 2019
5 spectacular stars!
An engrossing, suspenseful, tension-filled, pulse-pounding, addictive novel!
Rain Winter is a stay-at-home mom who resigned from her high pressure career as an investigative journalist when she had her daughter, Lily. Though she loves being home with Lily, she finds herself drawn into a new murder case that could be linked to past cases.
I was hooked from page 1! The way this book is narrated is brilliant! The tension builds as each chapter progresses. I loved the characters! I really enjoyed the motherhood side of the story from Rain’s perspective. I could strongly relate to her character being a stay at home mom who feels the pull back into the career world.
This was my first book by this author, Lisa Unger. I was extremely impressed! I adored the writing! The pace and flow were excellent which kept me fully engaged in the story and invested in the characters from start to finish. This has easily earned a spot on my 2019 Favourites list!
Thank you to Harlequin for sending me a physical copy to read and review!
The Stranger Inside is available now!
An engrossing, suspenseful, tension-filled, pulse-pounding, addictive novel!
Rain Winter is a stay-at-home mom who resigned from her high pressure career as an investigative journalist when she had her daughter, Lily. Though she loves being home with Lily, she finds herself drawn into a new murder case that could be linked to past cases.
I was hooked from page 1! The way this book is narrated is brilliant! The tension builds as each chapter progresses. I loved the characters! I really enjoyed the motherhood side of the story from Rain’s perspective. I could strongly relate to her character being a stay at home mom who feels the pull back into the career world.
This was my first book by this author, Lisa Unger. I was extremely impressed! I adored the writing! The pace and flow were excellent which kept me fully engaged in the story and invested in the characters from start to finish. This has easily earned a spot on my 2019 Favourites list!
Thank you to Harlequin for sending me a physical copy to read and review!
The Stranger Inside is available now!
May 18, 2019
Holy shit snacks!
Lisa Unger has done it again; she's good at these books peeps. Wow, how in the frig am I going to say anything without a spoiler <-- yeah, it's one of those.
Okay, short and TTP:
I'm not going to keep telling everyone what the books about, who the MC is, just read it on the summary.
This book was a mind game but a good one. The MC has some stuff when they were young which leads to more stuff when they are older. Don't y'all love when I make no sense?!
Let me just say this book is right on with how I feel about certain things. Well, not all of it, but the main bits. This is like - ugg, can't use that word or y'all will know what I'm talking about....... this is the best kind of {blank} story to me. I'm all about it. The ending was so freaking good, but not some great climax. Just the way we find out what's what, who's who, and what's happening now! I wasn't expecting that little tidbit there at the end, but hey, it's all good. I'm fine with it.
I think fans of Lisa Unger will enjoy this book! I would recommend it!
*Thank you to Netgalley and the Pub for a copy of this book for review!
Happy Reading!
Mel ♥
MY BLOG
Lisa Unger has done it again; she's good at these books peeps. Wow, how in the frig am I going to say anything without a spoiler <-- yeah, it's one of those.
Okay, short and TTP:
I'm not going to keep telling everyone what the books about, who the MC is, just read it on the summary.
This book was a mind game but a good one. The MC has some stuff when they were young which leads to more stuff when they are older. Don't y'all love when I make no sense?!
Let me just say this book is right on with how I feel about certain things. Well, not all of it, but the main bits. This is like - ugg, can't use that word or y'all will know what I'm talking about....... this is the best kind of {blank} story to me. I'm all about it. The ending was so freaking good, but not some great climax. Just the way we find out what's what, who's who, and what's happening now! I wasn't expecting that little tidbit there at the end, but hey, it's all good. I'm fine with it.
I think fans of Lisa Unger will enjoy this book! I would recommend it!
*Thank you to Netgalley and the Pub for a copy of this book for review!
Happy Reading!
Mel ♥
MY BLOG
September 19, 2019
WaHoo! Hot dang that was good!!
The Stranger Inside is a unique, clever and compelling character study into good people who do bad things. From the start I was drawn into the minds of our main characters, Rain and Hank and their behaviour. Both are dealing in different ways with the childhood trauma they endured involving each other. An avenger killer is unmasked from the start. It’s all about the reveal after that as Rain revisits their memories from their past. The lines are blurred here between right and wrong not only for the characters but for me as well. I found myself questioning vengeance and justice.
Lisa Unger creates an original killer here and I was feeling disturbingly empathic for our characters. I was on a bit of a roller coaster of different feelings here while reading this one and was questioning those lines between right and wrong. It all about the reveal here and I was on the edge of my seat. The tension builds at a rapid speed to that clever dark and twisty reveal. I loved the way this all came together with insight, compassion, danger and tension. I highly recommend!
A Traveling Sister read that had us all dancing after reading this one!
I received a copy from the publisher.
The Stranger Inside is a unique, clever and compelling character study into good people who do bad things. From the start I was drawn into the minds of our main characters, Rain and Hank and their behaviour. Both are dealing in different ways with the childhood trauma they endured involving each other. An avenger killer is unmasked from the start. It’s all about the reveal after that as Rain revisits their memories from their past. The lines are blurred here between right and wrong not only for the characters but for me as well. I found myself questioning vengeance and justice.
Lisa Unger creates an original killer here and I was feeling disturbingly empathic for our characters. I was on a bit of a roller coaster of different feelings here while reading this one and was questioning those lines between right and wrong. It all about the reveal here and I was on the edge of my seat. The tension builds at a rapid speed to that clever dark and twisty reveal. I loved the way this all came together with insight, compassion, danger and tension. I highly recommend!
A Traveling Sister read that had us all dancing after reading this one!
I received a copy from the publisher.
October 2, 2024
This was another outstanding psychological thriller by Lisa Unger. As a child, twelve-year-old Rain Winter and her two closest friends were the victims of a terrible attack in their hometown. Her friend Tess died. Rain and Hank survived that day, but were left with psychological scars. Now years later, the person who killed Tess and tortured them has been released from prison… and someone has killed them.
Rain works as an investigative journalist. Hank has become a child psychologist. Both POVs were outstanding. I loved the slow reveal of clues in this one and thought the sense of suspense and twists that came along the way were very well executed. 5/5 stars.
Rain works as an investigative journalist. Hank has become a child psychologist. Both POVs were outstanding. I loved the slow reveal of clues in this one and thought the sense of suspense and twists that came along the way were very well executed. 5/5 stars.
September 21, 2019
3 Stars
Rain’s past is something she would love to put behind her - she and her friends were abducted when they were twelve years old. If only it were that simple. She got out, almost unscathed. Her old friend Hank wasn’t as lucky but he survived. The same can’t be said for their friend Tess.
Now, Rain is a stay at home mom whose investigative journalist skills come in handy when she starts working on a case of a murderer who escaped justice. Reminders of her past are all around her and soon Rain is pulled down deeper into the investigation than she ever imagined.
Lisa Unger created a tension filled mystery/suspense that was enjoyable but unfortunately left a little something to be desired for me, having read all of her other novels. That being said I am a huge Lisa Unger fan and I look forward to seeing what she comes out with next.
This was another fabulous buddy read with Kaceey!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing - Park Row and Lisa Unger for the arc.
Published on Goodreads and NetGalley on 9.21.19.
Rain’s past is something she would love to put behind her - she and her friends were abducted when they were twelve years old. If only it were that simple. She got out, almost unscathed. Her old friend Hank wasn’t as lucky but he survived. The same can’t be said for their friend Tess.
Now, Rain is a stay at home mom whose investigative journalist skills come in handy when she starts working on a case of a murderer who escaped justice. Reminders of her past are all around her and soon Rain is pulled down deeper into the investigation than she ever imagined.
Lisa Unger created a tension filled mystery/suspense that was enjoyable but unfortunately left a little something to be desired for me, having read all of her other novels. That being said I am a huge Lisa Unger fan and I look forward to seeing what she comes out with next.
This was another fabulous buddy read with Kaceey!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing - Park Row and Lisa Unger for the arc.
Published on Goodreads and NetGalley on 9.21.19.
November 20, 2019
The Stranger Inside by Lisa Unger is psychological fiction at its best, taking the reader on a roller-coaster of emotions and tension. When Rain Winters was twelve, her two close friends Tess and Hank were abducted while the trio was walking in the woods. Rain escaped but Hank and Tess were taken by a vicious killer. Hank was able to escape eventually but Tess never returned. Years later, Rain, a journalist on leave, is a stay-at-home wife and mother, when a murderer who escaped justice is killed. This reminds Rain of the fate of the man who ruined her childhood: he was murdered when he was released from prison. Suspecting a vigilante may have committed these two murders, she begins to investigate and, in doing so, stirs up memories that would have been better left undisturbed. What she uncovers is shocking. If you love psychological thrillers, The Stranger Inside will be very satisfying. Highly recommended. Thank you to Harlequin Park Row and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2019
It’s not often that I'm stunned by the ending to a novel and think to myself, 'Wow. That caught me off-guard.’ But The Stranger Inside is rich with surprises from the very first page: it’s a smart, taut thriller about those wounds we carry inside us that sometimes just don't heal.
November 14, 2024
The story was very intriguing when I started it, but around half-way point I started losing interest. The book is well written, there's not doubt about it, so it's probably me having wrong expectations.
July 23, 2020
Lisa Unger has done it again with The Stranger inside it was a fast paced read which kept me glued to each page . The prose kept me invested & the characters were well written. Loved the way Miss Unger went into the minds of a psychopath & the Victims as they struggled to move on from their nightmare that fatal day, one survived Tess didn't. A murder pinned one man but there was a second copy cat killer one the loose. This was one roller coaster ride from start to finish.
September 17, 2019
rounded up to 4.5 Stars
The Stranger Inside is an intricately layered psychological thriller that will keep you riveted from start to finish. It's a story of survival, the impact of survivor's guilt, and the lingering impact of childhood trauma and violence at the hands of a monster. The book is absorbing, suspenseful, and utterly compelling. More than anything, it will leave you questioning what exactly is justice in the face of evil and does evil deserve their fates.
Rain Winter is a survivor of a monstrous, nightmare crime that at age 12 took the life of her best friend Tess and forever changed her other best friend Hank when it was she, not them who was the intended victim. Yet, it seems she's put all that behind her now that she’s happily married and a stay at home mom to one year old Lily.
But after hearing of the murder of a man who walked free after being charged with the brutal murder of his pregnant wife, Rain’s investigative journalist instincts kick in and the desire to be back at work wars with her desire to be at home, especially after she finds out from her dark web sources that the man was killed exactly the same way as his wife.
When Rain’s instincts about the murder go into overdrive, something else inside her awakens as she remembers similarities to other murders-possible revenge killings against criminals who walked away free. Is there a serial killer/avenger on the lose? If so, what is the connection with Rain and why does she now feel compelled to finally investigate Eugene Kreskey, her would-be kidnapper and tell her story, the one no one knows is hers since she’s since changed her name.
The story unfolds precisely in well-written and alternating chapters by Rain and the killer, one whose identity you find out almost immediately, which I found interesting but it plays such a huge part of the story that the knowing was integral to the plot and in understanding the character’s motivations.
The story is told so expertly and vividly that it is both shocking and thrilling as Rain delves deeper into the story, her past, and finally exposes the rage and guilt she’d locked away from her childhood trauma. She may have been a survivor, but Unger exposes the very real damage of trauma and survivor’s guilt.
The ending was about as twisted as they come, and I loved it. Unger has written a fabulously fastpaced suspense novel that I highly recommend for any thriller or suspense lover.
**Thank you, Rachel Haller, at Park Row Books/Harlequin Books for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.**
*This was a Traveling Sisters Read
The Stranger Inside is an intricately layered psychological thriller that will keep you riveted from start to finish. It's a story of survival, the impact of survivor's guilt, and the lingering impact of childhood trauma and violence at the hands of a monster. The book is absorbing, suspenseful, and utterly compelling. More than anything, it will leave you questioning what exactly is justice in the face of evil and does evil deserve their fates.
Rain Winter is a survivor of a monstrous, nightmare crime that at age 12 took the life of her best friend Tess and forever changed her other best friend Hank when it was she, not them who was the intended victim. Yet, it seems she's put all that behind her now that she’s happily married and a stay at home mom to one year old Lily.
But after hearing of the murder of a man who walked free after being charged with the brutal murder of his pregnant wife, Rain’s investigative journalist instincts kick in and the desire to be back at work wars with her desire to be at home, especially after she finds out from her dark web sources that the man was killed exactly the same way as his wife.
When Rain’s instincts about the murder go into overdrive, something else inside her awakens as she remembers similarities to other murders-possible revenge killings against criminals who walked away free. Is there a serial killer/avenger on the lose? If so, what is the connection with Rain and why does she now feel compelled to finally investigate Eugene Kreskey, her would-be kidnapper and tell her story, the one no one knows is hers since she’s since changed her name.
The story unfolds precisely in well-written and alternating chapters by Rain and the killer, one whose identity you find out almost immediately, which I found interesting but it plays such a huge part of the story that the knowing was integral to the plot and in understanding the character’s motivations.
The story is told so expertly and vividly that it is both shocking and thrilling as Rain delves deeper into the story, her past, and finally exposes the rage and guilt she’d locked away from her childhood trauma. She may have been a survivor, but Unger exposes the very real damage of trauma and survivor’s guilt.
The ending was about as twisted as they come, and I loved it. Unger has written a fabulously fastpaced suspense novel that I highly recommend for any thriller or suspense lover.
**Thank you, Rachel Haller, at Park Row Books/Harlequin Books for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.**
*This was a Traveling Sisters Read
October 3, 2019
Wow! What an amazing read that kept me interested and intrigued from the opening few paragraphs right to the end. The book started with what you assume to be a justice seeker, redressing the errors of law courts in a very orderly, well organised murder of Steve Markham who got away with murdering his wife. This seemed to connect to other so called justice killings. The story then switched to the central characters of the book, Rain (Lahraine/Lara now a stay at home mum, but was an investigative journalist) Hank (a physiologist) and Tessa who when they were young were attacked by Eugene Kreskey. Tessa was killed and Lara and Hank were both badly injured. The story was told from the vigilantes perspective and from Rain’s.
The story in the present day and the past unfolds very well and almost organically. It’s not done chronologically but I felt this was more effective as we learned more about the three children and what happened to them and the present day events in a piece by piece way. There are some scary scenes especially of the attack and the children’s terror and how they become frozen by what had happened which was very well described. I liked the way that the author made an analogy to Fairy Tales as they can be terrifying and full of menace. The story is very dark at times and twisty and there were a couple of times when my jaw dropped especially towards the end where there were some revelations I definitely wasn’t expecting.
I loved the psychological aspect of the book especially the exploration of Lara/Rain and Hank’s inner personas, in fact they probably weren’t entirely sure at times who or what they were as they were so damaged by what had happened to them. Apart from inner turmoil, they have to live with survivors guilt and whether they like this or not, the two were entwined and trapped by the thorns of Kreskey’s evil. Hank seemed to be the most damaged but as the book progressed you see that was not entirely true. Lara has suppressed a great deal of the past but realised she had to open Pandora’s box if she stood any chance of moving forward to a future with past ties cut. The story was sad at times as you realise just how hard it was for victims of violence to move on. The ending was an exciting climax and I loved the subliminal message that the FBI investigator, Agent Bowers gave to the justice seeker. The book ended on an optimistic note for Hank and Rain/Lara which as a reader I think we needed as at times I felt like I’d gone through a wringer! The characters deserved a break and a chance to be the people they should have been before evil robbed them of their innocence and stunted their growth into adulthood.
Overall, a fantastic read. I liked the characters and the way it was written and I would like to read more by Lisa Unger. Thank you to HQ for the opportunity to read this ARC.
The story in the present day and the past unfolds very well and almost organically. It’s not done chronologically but I felt this was more effective as we learned more about the three children and what happened to them and the present day events in a piece by piece way. There are some scary scenes especially of the attack and the children’s terror and how they become frozen by what had happened which was very well described. I liked the way that the author made an analogy to Fairy Tales as they can be terrifying and full of menace. The story is very dark at times and twisty and there were a couple of times when my jaw dropped especially towards the end where there were some revelations I definitely wasn’t expecting.
I loved the psychological aspect of the book especially the exploration of Lara/Rain and Hank’s inner personas, in fact they probably weren’t entirely sure at times who or what they were as they were so damaged by what had happened to them. Apart from inner turmoil, they have to live with survivors guilt and whether they like this or not, the two were entwined and trapped by the thorns of Kreskey’s evil. Hank seemed to be the most damaged but as the book progressed you see that was not entirely true. Lara has suppressed a great deal of the past but realised she had to open Pandora’s box if she stood any chance of moving forward to a future with past ties cut. The story was sad at times as you realise just how hard it was for victims of violence to move on. The ending was an exciting climax and I loved the subliminal message that the FBI investigator, Agent Bowers gave to the justice seeker. The book ended on an optimistic note for Hank and Rain/Lara which as a reader I think we needed as at times I felt like I’d gone through a wringer! The characters deserved a break and a chance to be the people they should have been before evil robbed them of their innocence and stunted their growth into adulthood.
Overall, a fantastic read. I liked the characters and the way it was written and I would like to read more by Lisa Unger. Thank you to HQ for the opportunity to read this ARC.
October 4, 2019
Rain Winter was a high profiled investigative journalist until she left the profession to care for her new baby daughter. When the main suspect, that was found not guilty in a murder case she had been following over a year before is found dead in his home the public believe justice has been served, however, Rain is intrigued by his death, especially when it seems that he was murder in the same way his victim had been murdered.
Rain follows her instincts whilst fighting against wanting to return to work and wanting to stay looking after her daughter. She notices a pattern emerging where those found not guilty of crimes are punished in the same way as their victims.
She also harbours a secret from when she was twelve-years-old which saw her kidnapped along with two friends, only two of them survived, even though she was the intended victim. Her past is quickly catching up with her and Rain needs to work out how to deal with it.
This is the first thriller I have read by Lisa Unger. I can see why she has been nominated for numerous awards. The Stranger Inside is full of action, filled to the brim with a plot that will have you in suspense and turning the pages at warp speed. It is also very realistic and make you think about the world we live in.
This is one of those books that plays out perfectly in your head whilst reading, like you having a private movie of the book. Everything from the scenery to the emotions of the characters you can feel inside. There are also plenty of layers to the plot which you get to peel back the more you read.
The book was gripping and I read it in just a couple of sittings, it kept me on my toes and the edge of my seat. My only slight issue was with the ended, I wanted a powerful, full-on ending to match the book but unfortunately, it was good but it didn’t blow me away.
If you enjoy crime thrillers then this is certainly a book to try, snuggle down on a cold dark night for the perfect ambience and enjoy the ride!
Rain follows her instincts whilst fighting against wanting to return to work and wanting to stay looking after her daughter. She notices a pattern emerging where those found not guilty of crimes are punished in the same way as their victims.
She also harbours a secret from when she was twelve-years-old which saw her kidnapped along with two friends, only two of them survived, even though she was the intended victim. Her past is quickly catching up with her and Rain needs to work out how to deal with it.
This is the first thriller I have read by Lisa Unger. I can see why she has been nominated for numerous awards. The Stranger Inside is full of action, filled to the brim with a plot that will have you in suspense and turning the pages at warp speed. It is also very realistic and make you think about the world we live in.
This is one of those books that plays out perfectly in your head whilst reading, like you having a private movie of the book. Everything from the scenery to the emotions of the characters you can feel inside. There are also plenty of layers to the plot which you get to peel back the more you read.
The book was gripping and I read it in just a couple of sittings, it kept me on my toes and the edge of my seat. My only slight issue was with the ended, I wanted a powerful, full-on ending to match the book but unfortunately, it was good but it didn’t blow me away.
If you enjoy crime thrillers then this is certainly a book to try, snuggle down on a cold dark night for the perfect ambience and enjoy the ride!
August 25, 2019
Lisa Unger strikes again! Fantastic plot, intriguing characters and I am left with all types of positive emotions and thoughts.
When a man is found dead in his home, the police and journalists are left with many questions while the court of public opinion feels justice has finally been served. More interesting still is that there might be similar crimes. Is it possible a vigilante is out there healing the wounds juries could not.
Oh, I liked this one as it introduced me to all kinds of people and situations that made me glad I was reading this on a beautiful summer day. Rain was certainly one of Lisa Unger's most fascinating protagonists.
Goodreads review published 25/08/19
Publication Date 17/09/19
Thanks to Netgalley and HARLEQUIN-Trade Publishing for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
When a man is found dead in his home, the police and journalists are left with many questions while the court of public opinion feels justice has finally been served. More interesting still is that there might be similar crimes. Is it possible a vigilante is out there healing the wounds juries could not.
Oh, I liked this one as it introduced me to all kinds of people and situations that made me glad I was reading this on a beautiful summer day. Rain was certainly one of Lisa Unger's most fascinating protagonists.
Goodreads review published 25/08/19
Publication Date 17/09/19
Thanks to Netgalley and HARLEQUIN-Trade Publishing for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2019
I did it! I read my first book by Lisa Unger! And I loved it!
While Rain Winter (pretty name, right?) escaped an abduction attempt, her two friends, Tess and Hank, did not. Hank eventually was able to escape, but Tess never came home. The abductor was found and sent to prison, and upon his release, he was murdered.
In the present, Rain is living what looks to be the perfect life. She’s a stay-at-home mom with a young daughter. And then another murderer is found dead, and Rain just can’t shake it. Who is this vigilante?
It’s so hard to avoid spoilers with this one. What I can tell you is Lisa Unger is gifted at getting inside the minds of both the killer and his victims. She also has a way of building complexity and blurring the lines between right and wrong. We tend to think of these crime cases as black and white, but what if they aren’t?
It’s a tense thrill ride and I loved every page of it, even as dark and dirty as it was. Rain is one of the most memorable characters I’ve read.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
While Rain Winter (pretty name, right?) escaped an abduction attempt, her two friends, Tess and Hank, did not. Hank eventually was able to escape, but Tess never came home. The abductor was found and sent to prison, and upon his release, he was murdered.
In the present, Rain is living what looks to be the perfect life. She’s a stay-at-home mom with a young daughter. And then another murderer is found dead, and Rain just can’t shake it. Who is this vigilante?
It’s so hard to avoid spoilers with this one. What I can tell you is Lisa Unger is gifted at getting inside the minds of both the killer and his victims. She also has a way of building complexity and blurring the lines between right and wrong. We tend to think of these crime cases as black and white, but what if they aren’t?
It’s a tense thrill ride and I loved every page of it, even as dark and dirty as it was. Rain is one of the most memorable characters I’ve read.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
May 16, 2019
The Stranger Inside, a mystery/thriller book was a solid 5 stars. This is the 6th book that I’ve read by author Lisa Unger and she certainly doesn’t disappoint.
The Stranger Inside centers around main character Rain Winter, a stay-at-home mother and former journalist. Rain has had a very interesting childhood-she is the daughter of a famous writer and a survivor of a near abduction, though her two friends were not so lucky.
The mystery in The Stranger Inside, involves the murder of criminals that have somehow “escaped justice”, just like the abductor that took her friends. Rain, being the former journalist she is, starts an investigation of her own to find out if these cases are truly related.
The Stranger Inside is a well-written book and highly recommend to fans of mystery/thriller books. Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Stranger Inside centers around main character Rain Winter, a stay-at-home mother and former journalist. Rain has had a very interesting childhood-she is the daughter of a famous writer and a survivor of a near abduction, though her two friends were not so lucky.
The mystery in The Stranger Inside, involves the murder of criminals that have somehow “escaped justice”, just like the abductor that took her friends. Rain, being the former journalist she is, starts an investigation of her own to find out if these cases are truly related.
The Stranger Inside is a well-written book and highly recommend to fans of mystery/thriller books. Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2019
I think I'm suffering from thriller burnout. This book took me much too long to get through.
First off, this book was much better than the last couple of books I've read by this author, much better. However, they are still not nearly up to the caliber of the Ridley Jones series.
I thought the book itself took much too long to get to the point. It was confusing to figure out who was the narrator of which chapter or even section of chapter, the back and forth between Rain and Hank's heads was a bit jarring and I had to backtrack more than once to figure out who was narrating (and most often it was a letter, disguised as narrative, which got annoying).
Yet overall, there are some good twists and the overall arc of things that happen to you as a child affecting your present day choices is excellent.
I'll continue to read more books by this author in the future.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
First off, this book was much better than the last couple of books I've read by this author, much better. However, they are still not nearly up to the caliber of the Ridley Jones series.
I thought the book itself took much too long to get to the point. It was confusing to figure out who was the narrator of which chapter or even section of chapter, the back and forth between Rain and Hank's heads was a bit jarring and I had to backtrack more than once to figure out who was narrating (and most often it was a letter, disguised as narrative, which got annoying).
Yet overall, there are some good twists and the overall arc of things that happen to you as a child affecting your present day choices is excellent.
I'll continue to read more books by this author in the future.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
September 10, 2019
This is my second book by Lisa Unger and have to say that I felt pretty similar to both books I've read by her.
This is a nail biting thriller that is dark, mysterious, and a battle between good vs evil. It was a fun chase that left you wondering who, what, where, why. But, what killed it for me? The CONSTANT repetition of the story. My goodness we get it as readers about the feelings and inner thoughts. Yikes.. I was super annoyed by the end and the story was just wayyyyy tooo long.
I was bummed out because I feel like the author could have cut a chunk out and made the ending stronger. I have always been a picky thriller reader but have a feeling that many will gobble this thriller up.
Overall, it was decent but wasn't something I'm going to put on my thriller shock hall of fame bookshelf.
3 stars
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harlequin/Trade Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: 9/17/19
Published to GR: 9/8/19
This is a nail biting thriller that is dark, mysterious, and a battle between good vs evil. It was a fun chase that left you wondering who, what, where, why. But, what killed it for me? The CONSTANT repetition of the story. My goodness we get it as readers about the feelings and inner thoughts. Yikes.. I was super annoyed by the end and the story was just wayyyyy tooo long.
I was bummed out because I feel like the author could have cut a chunk out and made the ending stronger. I have always been a picky thriller reader but have a feeling that many will gobble this thriller up.
Overall, it was decent but wasn't something I'm going to put on my thriller shock hall of fame bookshelf.
3 stars
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harlequin/Trade Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: 9/17/19
Published to GR: 9/8/19
August 7, 2019
3.5 to 4 Stars
This is my first Lisa Unger book and even though I got it months before it was due to come out, mysteries and thrillers have always held a certain dark alure for me and I just couldn't wait to read it.
Cautiously but excitedly I dived right into the story and after the very first chapter, I was hooked and knew that I wasn't going to be able to put it down.
I'm so glad I took a chance on this author, on this story. It really was captivating and while I did see certain things coming, I didn't see them all and it was wonderfully dark and macbre. Just the sort of story that takes you outside of everything else and lets you get lost in a world you really don't ever want to be a part of and yet, while you are there, safe from all the monsters lurking inside of it, you can't get enough of.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
This is my first Lisa Unger book and even though I got it months before it was due to come out, mysteries and thrillers have always held a certain dark alure for me and I just couldn't wait to read it.
Cautiously but excitedly I dived right into the story and after the very first chapter, I was hooked and knew that I wasn't going to be able to put it down.
I'm so glad I took a chance on this author, on this story. It really was captivating and while I did see certain things coming, I didn't see them all and it was wonderfully dark and macbre. Just the sort of story that takes you outside of everything else and lets you get lost in a world you really don't ever want to be a part of and yet, while you are there, safe from all the monsters lurking inside of it, you can't get enough of.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
August 14, 2020
Audio 4.5 Stars
Story 4 Stars
Story 4 Stars
September 29, 2019
This is the third book of Lisa Unger’s that I’ve read and while I liked this one better than her previous one ( Under My Skin , which came out last year), I would have to say my favorite is still The Red Hunter , which I read 2 years ago. With The Stranger Inside , Unger once again delivers a compelling story of psychological suspense that sets itself apart from other books in the genre through the oftentimes morally ambiguous characters she depicts — characters that often find themselves straddling that blurred line between right and wrong. With each of her books, Unger does a deep dive into the psyches of her main characters and it is this exploration of their inner thoughts that drives the plot.
The story here revolves around Rain Winter, a former journalist and current stay-at-home mom to an infant daughter, who is living a blissful suburban life that she built with her loving husband Greg. One day, Rain hears on the news a report about the murder of Steve Markham, a man who was widely believed to have escaped justice when he was acquitted of killing his pregnant wife a year earlier. Having been one of the journalists who had covered the original murder case, including the trial and subsequent acquittal, the news of Markham’s death triggers in Rain a curiosity that piques in her a strong interest to dig into the case on her own. As she delves deeper and eventually uncovers an unexpected connection to a different case from her past, Rain suddenly finds herself pulled back into the dark memories of a horrific event that had occurred in her childhood — a nightmare that had left one of her friends dead, another friend irreparably damaged, and herself deeply traumatized. Even when further involvement in the case threatens to rip apart the beloved family she worked so hard to create, Rain still can’t seem to pull herself away. In order to make amends for her past, will she have to sacrifice her family? Also, in a world where justice is not always on the right side of the law, the idea of morality and right vs wrong ultimately comes into question.
Plot-wise, I would say that this book fell more into the “slow-burn” category, meaning that, even though there were some twists and turns as is expected in suspense novels, the plot was not fast-paced to the point of keeping me on the edge of my seat impatiently waiting to see what happens next. Instead, most details were revealed gradually, a little bit at a time, through a narrative that jumped back and forth between the past and the present. While this worked well for the most part, I did feel that there were a few sections that got a bit too bogged down by details, which made those parts of the plot seem to drag a little. Overall though, this was a relatively minor issue, since things did get back on track pretty quickly after that.
With 3 of her books under my belt, Lisa Unger has become a “go-to” author of sorts for me now in terms of books in the psychological suspense genre. In addition to continuing to explore her backlist when I get a chance, I’m also looking forward to her next release, whenever that may be!
Received ARC from Park Row via Edelweiss.
September 17, 2019
The man was sent to prison but years later he was released. A year after that, someone delivered real justice and killed him in cold blood.
Another brutal murderer who escaped justice is found dead.
When Rain was 12 years old, she was targeted by a criminal. She escaped, but he managed to take the two friends she was with him. One came back .. the other did not.
Because these murders are suspiciously similar to what happened to her, she is forced to remember the horrors of that one night.
This is a trip through not only the killer's mind ... but the victims, as well. Book Blurb: The lines between right and wrong, crime and justice are blurred. Sometimes people deserve what comes to them ... don't they?
This is an extremely well written psychological thriller. The mystery in The Stranger Inside, involves the murder of criminals that have somehow “escaped justice”, just like the abductor that took her friends. Rain, being the former journalist she is, starts an investigation of her own to find out if these cases are truly related.
Many thanks to the author / Park Row Books / Netgalley. I received a digital copy of this crime fiction at no charge and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
September 15, 2019
Rain is a stay-at-home mom, but misses her work as a reporter. When the suspected killer in a case she once worked is found murdered, she is drawn back into the case. To complicate matters, the recent murder is similar to an old case that Rain had a personal connection to. Rain is consumed with finding the killer.
Rain is taking a break from work to stay home with her child, but her reporter instincts kick in when a vigilante killer seems to be on the loose. The recent murder of a suspected killer is eerily similar to the murder of the man who attempted to abduct Rain when she was a kid. Rain was able to escape her kidnapper, but her best friends were not so lucky. As an adult, Rain still has a hard time with the guilt she has from her surviving while her friends suffered. Rain uses her skills and connections to discover the killer and how it connects to her past.
An addictive thriller that alternates between points of view. This is my second book to read by Lisa Unger, and she's an author I'll be sure to read more from in the future. Dark, captivating, and suspenseful.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rain is taking a break from work to stay home with her child, but her reporter instincts kick in when a vigilante killer seems to be on the loose. The recent murder of a suspected killer is eerily similar to the murder of the man who attempted to abduct Rain when she was a kid. Rain was able to escape her kidnapper, but her best friends were not so lucky. As an adult, Rain still has a hard time with the guilt she has from her surviving while her friends suffered. Rain uses her skills and connections to discover the killer and how it connects to her past.
An addictive thriller that alternates between points of view. This is my second book to read by Lisa Unger, and she's an author I'll be sure to read more from in the future. Dark, captivating, and suspenseful.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2019
3.5 stars
Bad people win. They win all the time.
Rain Winter was outraged by the not-guilty verdict that allowed Steve Markham to get away with killing his wife and their unborn child. Her investigation of the murder had left her with no doubts about his guilt, the injustice of his freedom and the inevitable media circus that gifted him the celebrity spotlight leaving her feeling sickened and powerless. Taking time out from journalism to care for her husband and baby seemed like a welcome and necessary step, a break from all the madness. But now Markham's dead. Butchered by the same method he used to get rid of his family. And word is that it's not the only time this vigilante has acted. That the first was actually Eugene Kreskey, the man who tried to abduct her as a child. The man who killed one of her friends and tortured the other. If there's a link, a story, she needs to find it. All of a sudden, she's right back in, bringing to light all kinds of secrets that needed to stay hidden. Especially her own.
Some people are better off dead
This is a surprisingly multifaceted narrative for something that seems at first to be a straight up psychological thriller. Not only are there numerous strands to the story, the book also incorporates an examination of issues such as; the conflict between motherhood, career, and personal identity; the devastating effects of being a victim of violence and the impact of childhood trauma on children and adults; and especially the complexity and morality of justice, including who has the right to determine what it looks like. It gives the novel an interesting bent, making it as much about these big questions as the 'solving' of the mystery. Both things are linked, of course, with the different ways people react to trauma underlying the entire story.
For the most part, the extra depth is a positive, with Lisa Unger effectively portraying the complexity of the human psyche with characters who are contradictory and real. Some 'surprises' were hardly that, but it was no detriment to the story. If anything, understanding why people chose to act the way they did was the most compelling part, though I didn't need the gradual build up to being in the kind of mental place where murder feels like justice. This guy had it coming. Nevertheless, the way the book deals with vigilantism and justice certainly makes you consider your own ethical framework. This is truly a what-would-I-do kinda book.
On the other hand, there's a serious amount of repetition within each point of view and the voice of the vigilante, whose name we discover relatively early, tends towards the comically exaggerated at times, especially at the beginning. Having two characters construct the events of the past according to their own involvement is powerful, to such an extent that the book could have, and perhaps should have, focused on that one event alone. The sections dealing with the other murders feel like filler, minus the emotional kick this central experience holds for the two people telling us the story.
It's a fresh take on the genre, but moving away from her usual punchiness means it's not Lisa Unger's best work, even if it's one that'll stay on your mind for days afterwards.
ARC via Netgalley
Bad people win. They win all the time.
Rain Winter was outraged by the not-guilty verdict that allowed Steve Markham to get away with killing his wife and their unborn child. Her investigation of the murder had left her with no doubts about his guilt, the injustice of his freedom and the inevitable media circus that gifted him the celebrity spotlight leaving her feeling sickened and powerless. Taking time out from journalism to care for her husband and baby seemed like a welcome and necessary step, a break from all the madness. But now Markham's dead. Butchered by the same method he used to get rid of his family. And word is that it's not the only time this vigilante has acted. That the first was actually Eugene Kreskey, the man who tried to abduct her as a child. The man who killed one of her friends and tortured the other. If there's a link, a story, she needs to find it. All of a sudden, she's right back in, bringing to light all kinds of secrets that needed to stay hidden. Especially her own.
Some people are better off dead
This is a surprisingly multifaceted narrative for something that seems at first to be a straight up psychological thriller. Not only are there numerous strands to the story, the book also incorporates an examination of issues such as; the conflict between motherhood, career, and personal identity; the devastating effects of being a victim of violence and the impact of childhood trauma on children and adults; and especially the complexity and morality of justice, including who has the right to determine what it looks like. It gives the novel an interesting bent, making it as much about these big questions as the 'solving' of the mystery. Both things are linked, of course, with the different ways people react to trauma underlying the entire story.
For the most part, the extra depth is a positive, with Lisa Unger effectively portraying the complexity of the human psyche with characters who are contradictory and real. Some 'surprises' were hardly that, but it was no detriment to the story. If anything, understanding why people chose to act the way they did was the most compelling part, though I didn't need the gradual build up to being in the kind of mental place where murder feels like justice. This guy had it coming. Nevertheless, the way the book deals with vigilantism and justice certainly makes you consider your own ethical framework. This is truly a what-would-I-do kinda book.
On the other hand, there's a serious amount of repetition within each point of view and the voice of the vigilante, whose name we discover relatively early, tends towards the comically exaggerated at times, especially at the beginning. Having two characters construct the events of the past according to their own involvement is powerful, to such an extent that the book could have, and perhaps should have, focused on that one event alone. The sections dealing with the other murders feel like filler, minus the emotional kick this central experience holds for the two people telling us the story.
It's a fresh take on the genre, but moving away from her usual punchiness means it's not Lisa Unger's best work, even if it's one that'll stay on your mind for days afterwards.
ARC via Netgalley
September 18, 2019
There's a GIVEAWAY for this book on my Insta!
Okay, friends, I’m going to let you in on an embarrassing secret. This is my first Lisa Unger book. There is no good reason for this. It just happened to have worked out that way. I’ve always wanted to read one of her books. So when the opportunity came up for me to join the blog tour for The Stranger Inside, I jumped on it! Welcome to my stop.
There was a lot to love about this book. I’m always drawn to books that feature some sort of vigilante justice as a theme and in that regard, this book really delivered. I was drawn in right away by the dual perspectives of Hank, told in the first person, and Rain, told in the third. Their shared victimology bound them together in a number of ways some of which were expected and some of which were quite dysfunctional. One might even say creepy. (Me, I am the one.)
The Stranger Inside was unique in that it was both character and theme driven. The reader is implored consider a number of topics ranging from the way women’s roles and expectations change as we start families to why two people who experience the same tragedy can walk away changed in completely different ways. It’s always great when you can read a book that’s page-turning and entertaining but also makes you think.
In my opinion, The Stranger Inside leans more toward dramatic suspense than thriller but there were a few edge-of -seat moments. And one big twist that I did not see coming!
This may have been the first book I’ve read by Lisa Unger but I’m sure it won’t be the last. If you have a favorite, I’d love to hear what it is.
Many thanks to Park Row press for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, friends, I’m going to let you in on an embarrassing secret. This is my first Lisa Unger book. There is no good reason for this. It just happened to have worked out that way. I’ve always wanted to read one of her books. So when the opportunity came up for me to join the blog tour for The Stranger Inside, I jumped on it! Welcome to my stop.
There was a lot to love about this book. I’m always drawn to books that feature some sort of vigilante justice as a theme and in that regard, this book really delivered. I was drawn in right away by the dual perspectives of Hank, told in the first person, and Rain, told in the third. Their shared victimology bound them together in a number of ways some of which were expected and some of which were quite dysfunctional. One might even say creepy. (Me, I am the one.)
The Stranger Inside was unique in that it was both character and theme driven. The reader is implored consider a number of topics ranging from the way women’s roles and expectations change as we start families to why two people who experience the same tragedy can walk away changed in completely different ways. It’s always great when you can read a book that’s page-turning and entertaining but also makes you think.
In my opinion, The Stranger Inside leans more toward dramatic suspense than thriller but there were a few edge-of -seat moments. And one big twist that I did not see coming!
This may have been the first book I’ve read by Lisa Unger but I’m sure it won’t be the last. If you have a favorite, I’d love to hear what it is.
Many thanks to Park Row press for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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