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The Hunted
The Beach meets The Woman in Cabin 10 in this twisty new thriller about two couples who meet backpacking through Africa, but what begins as friendship quickly turns to obsession, with deadly consequences—from bestselling author Roz Nay.
Stevie Erickson is looking for a fresh start. The sudden loss of her grandmother has sent her life into a tailspin, dredging up old losses and putting a strain on her relationship with her boyfriend, Jacob. So when Jacob is offered a job as a diver for GoEco, a dive operation for ecotourists on Rafiki, a beautiful, secluded island off the coast of Tanzania, he thinks it’s just the adventure they need and Stevie reluctantly agrees to go with him.
Their trip gets off to a rough start with a nighttime scare at their first hostel. Already fragile, Stevie can’t shake the feeling that she’s being watched. Things improve when they meet seasoned backpackers Leo and Tamsin, a drop-dead gorgeous couple who instantly take a shine to Stevie and Jacob.
But on Rafiki Island, their new friendship is put to the test, as is Stevie and Jacob’s own relationship. And when innocent flirting goes too far, past truths surface, exposing a killer in their midst—a killer whose sights are set on Stevie.
A high dive into the dangers of obsession, this sinister and seductive thriller will leave you breathless.
Stevie Erickson is looking for a fresh start. The sudden loss of her grandmother has sent her life into a tailspin, dredging up old losses and putting a strain on her relationship with her boyfriend, Jacob. So when Jacob is offered a job as a diver for GoEco, a dive operation for ecotourists on Rafiki, a beautiful, secluded island off the coast of Tanzania, he thinks it’s just the adventure they need and Stevie reluctantly agrees to go with him.
Their trip gets off to a rough start with a nighttime scare at their first hostel. Already fragile, Stevie can’t shake the feeling that she’s being watched. Things improve when they meet seasoned backpackers Leo and Tamsin, a drop-dead gorgeous couple who instantly take a shine to Stevie and Jacob.
But on Rafiki Island, their new friendship is put to the test, as is Stevie and Jacob’s own relationship. And when innocent flirting goes too far, past truths surface, exposing a killer in their midst—a killer whose sights are set on Stevie.
A high dive into the dangers of obsession, this sinister and seductive thriller will leave you breathless.
274 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 2021
24 people are currently reading
2043 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 263 reviews
June 9, 2021
THE HUNTED is Roz Nay's upcoming book (releasing on July 6th) and is the first of her's that I've read.
It follows Stevie and Jacob, who are moving to Africa because Jacob's been offered an exciting new job.
Along the way they meet a carefree backpacking couple, Leo and Tamsin.
The four form a fast friendship but they all have secrets that are becoming harder to keep buried.
I'll start with what I wasn't too fond of about this book...
⌛ Nothing exciting happens until around 60-70%. That was a long time to wait for a thriller to be thrilling. I get the need for character development but these people are not that complex, I had them summed up pretty quickly and so much repetition was unnecessary.
🔚 The ending was definitely a surprise but I wouldn't call it a twist. It was just a bunch of information that was omitted from the story until the last ten pages, and it caused a few plot holes.
What I enjoyed about the book was...
♌ Leo was an interesting character. The story is told from his and Stevie's POV and his chapters were exciting and he had a great character arc.
🏖 The African setting really came alive at times. The beaches....the hostels....the heat. I love when an author uses the settings so vividly.
**Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the gifted copy**
It follows Stevie and Jacob, who are moving to Africa because Jacob's been offered an exciting new job.
Along the way they meet a carefree backpacking couple, Leo and Tamsin.
The four form a fast friendship but they all have secrets that are becoming harder to keep buried.
I'll start with what I wasn't too fond of about this book...
⌛ Nothing exciting happens until around 60-70%. That was a long time to wait for a thriller to be thrilling. I get the need for character development but these people are not that complex, I had them summed up pretty quickly and so much repetition was unnecessary.
🔚 The ending was definitely a surprise but I wouldn't call it a twist. It was just a bunch of information that was omitted from the story until the last ten pages, and it caused a few plot holes.
What I enjoyed about the book was...
♌ Leo was an interesting character. The story is told from his and Stevie's POV and his chapters were exciting and he had a great character arc.
🏖 The African setting really came alive at times. The beaches....the hostels....the heat. I love when an author uses the settings so vividly.
**Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the gifted copy**
February 17, 2022
Wow....just WOW!
Another slam dunk, epically suspenseful read by Roz Nay, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!! After just finishing a wintery tale which was equally spine-tingling in its' own right, this humid and twisty tale was just what I needed!
If you're anything like me, you're a mood reader, and atmosphere is pivotal when selecting potential reads. The second I saw this and read the synopsis I knew I needed to read it ASAP, however it has only been released in Canada, to my knowledge. When I FINALLY found a paperback copy available on Amazon I purchased it without hesitation, eagerly waiting for it to arrive. This was one of those novels that you could definitely read in one or two sittings, time permitting. I was hooked almost immediately as I began reading this vacation/travel thriller about a couple who encounters danger while working for a dive operation for ecotourists, off the coast of Tanzania (East Africa). If this wasn't a cautionary tale of being careful who you befriend whilst traveling, then I don't know what is! At times this read fairly similar to a thriller I read last month, Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins, mixed in with some Girl in Cabin 10 (Ruth Ware), and I don't know what else...I LOVED it!
Stevie Erickson has endured a monumental loss, as her grandmother who raised her has recently died AND she's lost the business she ran, all at once. A couple years prior to that, Stevie survived a horrific accident in which her best friend tragically lost her life. Needless to say, she's in desperate need to a break. When Jacob, her high school sweetheart who she's been with for seven years now, takes a job as a diver for GoEco on Rafiki Island and invites her along, she eventually jumps on the opportunity to escape her constricting small-town life and experience something new. Jacob, who is head over heels for her, thinks this is the perfect opportunity to get even closer to the girl who's always kept certain secrets from him. The couple decide to make an adventure of it when they vacation in Tanzania for a few days prior to sailing to Rafiki. At their first hostel they encounter a dazzling and gorgeous couple, Leo and Tamsin, who are coincidentally also headed to the same dive operation, and the couples quickly strike up a friendship. Despite all of this, Stevie is still on edge and can't shake the feeling someone is watching her. Someone with bad intentions. When the couples' friendships get a little too close, and past truths are unearthed, Stevie is positive something isn't quite right with her new friends. But is it just her, or is she really in the presence of danger?
An exceptionally written, tropical thriller that absolutely gave me the creeps at times, this is undoubtedly what I believe to be Nay's best work yet. Told in two perspectives, one of which may or may not be unreliable, there was not one single moment I wasn't completely engaged. The atmospheric sense of unease was so palpable at times I actually found myself looking over my shoulder as I read this one! At only 272 pages, this jet-quick read packs quite the punch, and I'm beyond stoked for this talented Canadian author's next release!
I couldn't recommend this one more to my fellow thriller/suspense/mystery/horror friends!
Another slam dunk, epically suspenseful read by Roz Nay, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!! After just finishing a wintery tale which was equally spine-tingling in its' own right, this humid and twisty tale was just what I needed!
If you're anything like me, you're a mood reader, and atmosphere is pivotal when selecting potential reads. The second I saw this and read the synopsis I knew I needed to read it ASAP, however it has only been released in Canada, to my knowledge. When I FINALLY found a paperback copy available on Amazon I purchased it without hesitation, eagerly waiting for it to arrive. This was one of those novels that you could definitely read in one or two sittings, time permitting. I was hooked almost immediately as I began reading this vacation/travel thriller about a couple who encounters danger while working for a dive operation for ecotourists, off the coast of Tanzania (East Africa). If this wasn't a cautionary tale of being careful who you befriend whilst traveling, then I don't know what is! At times this read fairly similar to a thriller I read last month, Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins, mixed in with some Girl in Cabin 10 (Ruth Ware), and I don't know what else...I LOVED it!
Stevie Erickson has endured a monumental loss, as her grandmother who raised her has recently died AND she's lost the business she ran, all at once. A couple years prior to that, Stevie survived a horrific accident in which her best friend tragically lost her life. Needless to say, she's in desperate need to a break. When Jacob, her high school sweetheart who she's been with for seven years now, takes a job as a diver for GoEco on Rafiki Island and invites her along, she eventually jumps on the opportunity to escape her constricting small-town life and experience something new. Jacob, who is head over heels for her, thinks this is the perfect opportunity to get even closer to the girl who's always kept certain secrets from him. The couple decide to make an adventure of it when they vacation in Tanzania for a few days prior to sailing to Rafiki. At their first hostel they encounter a dazzling and gorgeous couple, Leo and Tamsin, who are coincidentally also headed to the same dive operation, and the couples quickly strike up a friendship. Despite all of this, Stevie is still on edge and can't shake the feeling someone is watching her. Someone with bad intentions. When the couples' friendships get a little too close, and past truths are unearthed, Stevie is positive something isn't quite right with her new friends. But is it just her, or is she really in the presence of danger?
An exceptionally written, tropical thriller that absolutely gave me the creeps at times, this is undoubtedly what I believe to be Nay's best work yet. Told in two perspectives, one of which may or may not be unreliable, there was not one single moment I wasn't completely engaged. The atmospheric sense of unease was so palpable at times I actually found myself looking over my shoulder as I read this one! At only 272 pages, this jet-quick read packs quite the punch, and I'm beyond stoked for this talented Canadian author's next release!
I couldn't recommend this one more to my fellow thriller/suspense/mystery/horror friends!
July 5, 2021
Two couples meet and start backpacking their way across Africa. What could go wrong?
This book started out with a bang. I was immediately reeled in from the very first sentence.
Stevie and Jacob decide to leave their lives behind in Maine and get a fresh start in East Africa where Jacob has just been hired to work as a diver at an ecotourism company. They land in Nairobi and begin their trek to a small island close to Zanzibar. Along the way they meet a friendly couple who are also backpacking around Africa.
I loved the premise that this was set in Africa. I can’t say that I’ve ever read a thriller with that safari-like setting. Minus the scary bits it reminded me of my Kenyan safari from a few years ago. Although, the only frightening part of my safari was accidentally coming much too close to a hippo who was minding his own business munching on some grass.
A lot of the problems that Jacob and Stevie faced could have been avoided if they took proper safety precautions, but I guess that wouldn’t have made for a fun read. Like, maybe, don’t post about your imminent travel plans on your public social media account?
Still, I was having fun reading this, but the more I thought about it the less I liked how both of the BIPOC characters were being handled. I won’t say anymore because I don’t want to spoil the twists.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for a digital ARC of this book!
This book started out with a bang. I was immediately reeled in from the very first sentence.
Stevie and Jacob decide to leave their lives behind in Maine and get a fresh start in East Africa where Jacob has just been hired to work as a diver at an ecotourism company. They land in Nairobi and begin their trek to a small island close to Zanzibar. Along the way they meet a friendly couple who are also backpacking around Africa.
I loved the premise that this was set in Africa. I can’t say that I’ve ever read a thriller with that safari-like setting. Minus the scary bits it reminded me of my Kenyan safari from a few years ago. Although, the only frightening part of my safari was accidentally coming much too close to a hippo who was minding his own business munching on some grass.
A lot of the problems that Jacob and Stevie faced could have been avoided if they took proper safety precautions, but I guess that wouldn’t have made for a fun read. Like, maybe, don’t post about your imminent travel plans on your public social media account?
Still, I was having fun reading this, but the more I thought about it the less I liked how both of the BIPOC characters were being handled. I won’t say anymore because I don’t want to spoil the twists.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for a digital ARC of this book!
June 17, 2021
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review
Expected publication date: July 6, 2021
“The Hunted” is the new novel by author, Roz Nay, of “Hurry Home” and “Our Little Secret” and although it is my first experience with this author, I was definitely intrigued.
Stevie is desperate to start over, after the loss of her grandmother and her best friend, so when her boyfriend Jacob gets offered a job as a dive instructor at a resort in Africa, she reluctantly agrees to join him. After a scary experience at their first hostel, Stevie is on edge but Jacob assures her that once they get settled in Africa, she will begin to enjoy herself. When they arrive at the dive resort, Stevie immediately bonds with Tamsin, who is traveling with her partner, Leo, and soon the two are inseparable. But Leo gives Stevie the creeps, and when she catches Leo following her around and reading her journal, she tries to convince Jacob that they need to leave. And then the dead bodies start to turn up…………
“The Hunted” is a suspense-fueled novel, set to the backdrop of tropical beaches on rarely-traveled parts of Africa. It has all the elements of an escapist novel, and I was instantly pulled into the salt water and sand of Rafiki Island.
The story is narrated from the viewpoint of both Stevie and Leo, although we do occasionally get to witness snippets of Jacob and Tamsin’s experiences, which helped form a bond with the four core characters.
The characters, for the most part, are likable and endearing. Stevie is a reluctant traveler who is desperate to get away from the secrets of her past, but she is forced once again to deal with the biggest secret of all when she meets Tamsin and begins to bond with her. The unique characters that frequent the hostels and the dive school in Africa are entertaining and free-spirited, but when the murders start, all of them are instantly under equal suspicion.
The ending of this novel managed to surprise me, and it left no unanswered questions. Nay has a way of making the reader anticipate a certain outcome, and then pull the rug out from under them, without leaving any plot holes. Everything is wrapped up in a tight little bow when the ending of this novel comes, and I was satisfied with how it played out.
“The Hunted” is a great cat-and-mouse stalker novel, and the beautiful African beach as a setting certainly doesn’t hurt either! I will be checking out Nay’s future (and past) works!
Expected publication date: July 6, 2021
“The Hunted” is the new novel by author, Roz Nay, of “Hurry Home” and “Our Little Secret” and although it is my first experience with this author, I was definitely intrigued.
Stevie is desperate to start over, after the loss of her grandmother and her best friend, so when her boyfriend Jacob gets offered a job as a dive instructor at a resort in Africa, she reluctantly agrees to join him. After a scary experience at their first hostel, Stevie is on edge but Jacob assures her that once they get settled in Africa, she will begin to enjoy herself. When they arrive at the dive resort, Stevie immediately bonds with Tamsin, who is traveling with her partner, Leo, and soon the two are inseparable. But Leo gives Stevie the creeps, and when she catches Leo following her around and reading her journal, she tries to convince Jacob that they need to leave. And then the dead bodies start to turn up…………
“The Hunted” is a suspense-fueled novel, set to the backdrop of tropical beaches on rarely-traveled parts of Africa. It has all the elements of an escapist novel, and I was instantly pulled into the salt water and sand of Rafiki Island.
The story is narrated from the viewpoint of both Stevie and Leo, although we do occasionally get to witness snippets of Jacob and Tamsin’s experiences, which helped form a bond with the four core characters.
The characters, for the most part, are likable and endearing. Stevie is a reluctant traveler who is desperate to get away from the secrets of her past, but she is forced once again to deal with the biggest secret of all when she meets Tamsin and begins to bond with her. The unique characters that frequent the hostels and the dive school in Africa are entertaining and free-spirited, but when the murders start, all of them are instantly under equal suspicion.
The ending of this novel managed to surprise me, and it left no unanswered questions. Nay has a way of making the reader anticipate a certain outcome, and then pull the rug out from under them, without leaving any plot holes. Everything is wrapped up in a tight little bow when the ending of this novel comes, and I was satisfied with how it played out.
“The Hunted” is a great cat-and-mouse stalker novel, and the beautiful African beach as a setting certainly doesn’t hurt either! I will be checking out Nay’s future (and past) works!
March 1, 2021
I wish to extend my thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Ca. for an early electronic copy of The Hunted in return for an honest review. I first became aware of this book from a mailing from CBC in descriptions of 53 upcoming books by Canadian authors. I made a shortlist of the ones I was hoping to read and The Hunted among them. I was happy to receive my request.
I regret to say it didn't live up to my expectations, but I think it will appeal to many readers. It had everything I should enjoy in a thriller, but I could not connect with the characters. I found them emotionally unstable or devious and not at all likeable. The setting in Kenya and the journey through Tanzania was familiar to me, and then there was an exotic island off the African coast. There was a damsel in distress and a crazed stalker. It sounded exactly like my type of story.
Once on the island, the atmosphere becomes menacing. There are dark, disturbing secrets, false identity, misunderstanding of others' behaviour and motives, thefts, snooping in personal property, sabotage of equipment and communication, violence, fear, and deaths.
Stevie reluctantly agrees to accompany her longtime boyfriend, Jacob, to the remote island of Rafki, where he is to work as a diver for GoEco. She is mourning her grandmother's recent death and a friend who died in her presence when both were teenagers. She is in a fragile emotional state, has nightmares and panic attacks. She is constantly worried and discontent. She is growing distant from Jacob, who shows patience with her and understanding of her black moods. I knew I should have been sympathetic but found her annoying.
The story is told from the perspectives of Leo and Stevie. They describe the events in separate chapters. Both are introspective when relating their pasts from their points of view.
Early in the journey, she is uneasy as she thought an intruder was watching her while she was asleep in her hotel room. Later, she and Jacob meet a gorgeous and friendly couple, Leo and Tamsin. She suspects the couple is following them to their island destination. Jacob dismisses her concern as mere coincidence.
Stevie reasonably believes that Leo is a deranged stalker. He knows too much about her and is obsessed with her. She becomes friends with Leo's girlfriend, Tamsin, and finds she is attracted to her. Jacob finds Leo's behaviour towards Stevie creepy. With tension rising among the small group of volunteers and the diving camp manager, there is sure to be some violence. Suspicion and danger grow at an alarming rate.
I believe many will enjoy this character-driven psychological thriller set on an African island.
I regret to say it didn't live up to my expectations, but I think it will appeal to many readers. It had everything I should enjoy in a thriller, but I could not connect with the characters. I found them emotionally unstable or devious and not at all likeable. The setting in Kenya and the journey through Tanzania was familiar to me, and then there was an exotic island off the African coast. There was a damsel in distress and a crazed stalker. It sounded exactly like my type of story.
Once on the island, the atmosphere becomes menacing. There are dark, disturbing secrets, false identity, misunderstanding of others' behaviour and motives, thefts, snooping in personal property, sabotage of equipment and communication, violence, fear, and deaths.
Stevie reluctantly agrees to accompany her longtime boyfriend, Jacob, to the remote island of Rafki, where he is to work as a diver for GoEco. She is mourning her grandmother's recent death and a friend who died in her presence when both were teenagers. She is in a fragile emotional state, has nightmares and panic attacks. She is constantly worried and discontent. She is growing distant from Jacob, who shows patience with her and understanding of her black moods. I knew I should have been sympathetic but found her annoying.
The story is told from the perspectives of Leo and Stevie. They describe the events in separate chapters. Both are introspective when relating their pasts from their points of view.
Early in the journey, she is uneasy as she thought an intruder was watching her while she was asleep in her hotel room. Later, she and Jacob meet a gorgeous and friendly couple, Leo and Tamsin. She suspects the couple is following them to their island destination. Jacob dismisses her concern as mere coincidence.
Stevie reasonably believes that Leo is a deranged stalker. He knows too much about her and is obsessed with her. She becomes friends with Leo's girlfriend, Tamsin, and finds she is attracted to her. Jacob finds Leo's behaviour towards Stevie creepy. With tension rising among the small group of volunteers and the diving camp manager, there is sure to be some violence. Suspicion and danger grow at an alarming rate.
I believe many will enjoy this character-driven psychological thriller set on an African island.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2021
Reading THE HUNTED is like taking an exotic, sexy, terrifying vacation from the safety of your own home. Roz Nay has crafted an original, pulse-pounding page turner that you won’t be able to put down. I absolutely loved it!
August 3, 2022
The third and final selection in the “Kelly goes to the ocean in her mind, while actually sitting on her deck” weekend extravaganza features a couple on route to Tanzania to work/volunteer with the GoEco team. I went sailing and surfing and this go ‘round it was about diving. It was also my most anticipated read of the three – so much so that I coughed up my hard earned dollars for a copy when the library failed to get one for me.
Unfortunately, The Hunted also ended up being the one I liked the least. This too could be compared to The Beach, and focused on one plot point in particular . . .
Where Leo (although traveling with Tamsin) has his sights set on Stevie (despite her being with her boyfriend Jacob).
The pacing on this was just a mess. All of the action takes place in a matter of a few days and it just doesn’t work. The story goes from nothing to full on with no real character development or plotting. I took a gander at the author’s note and it appears this was another Covid creation. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. This one did not (despite having a decent twist at the very end). It’s back to reality and back on land – at least for the time being – for me.
Unfortunately, The Hunted also ended up being the one I liked the least. This too could be compared to The Beach, and focused on one plot point in particular . . .
Where Leo (although traveling with Tamsin) has his sights set on Stevie (despite her being with her boyfriend Jacob).
The pacing on this was just a mess. All of the action takes place in a matter of a few days and it just doesn’t work. The story goes from nothing to full on with no real character development or plotting. I took a gander at the author’s note and it appears this was another Covid creation. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. This one did not (despite having a decent twist at the very end). It’s back to reality and back on land – at least for the time being – for me.
August 28, 2025
3.5 Stars
I love a good prologue, especially one that immediately reels me in!
THE HUNTED by ROZ NAY is a dark, chilling, suspenseful, twisty slow-burn thriller that has quite the detailed and vividly written exotic setting. I don’t think I have ever read a thriller set in Africa before. That was quite refreshing and definitely held my interest.
For me, the book started off extremely strong, but as it progressed I found myself not as gripped and my attention wavered from it a little bit. I was always intrigued enough though to finish the story and I was pleasantly surprised with the shocking final reveal.
I really enjoyed the dual narrative but found myself a little more attracted to Leo’s point of view. I thought he was quite the character and didn’t really know if he was to be trusted or not. This read well and kept me interested. I really enjoy Roz Nay’s storytelling.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for my digital ARC and to Simon and Schuster Canada and Roz Nay for my gifted copy.
I love a good prologue, especially one that immediately reels me in!
THE HUNTED by ROZ NAY is a dark, chilling, suspenseful, twisty slow-burn thriller that has quite the detailed and vividly written exotic setting. I don’t think I have ever read a thriller set in Africa before. That was quite refreshing and definitely held my interest.
For me, the book started off extremely strong, but as it progressed I found myself not as gripped and my attention wavered from it a little bit. I was always intrigued enough though to finish the story and I was pleasantly surprised with the shocking final reveal.
I really enjoyed the dual narrative but found myself a little more attracted to Leo’s point of view. I thought he was quite the character and didn’t really know if he was to be trusted or not. This read well and kept me interested. I really enjoy Roz Nay’s storytelling.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for my digital ARC and to Simon and Schuster Canada and Roz Nay for my gifted copy.
August 23, 2021
As much as many of us would love to travel after the pandemic, reading THE HUNTED may give you a serious case of "careful what you wish for." Twisted, menacing, and utterly engrossing, you won't be able to put this tale of a vacation-gone-wrong down. Take it to the beach…if you dare.
July 14, 2021
Stevie and her boyfriend Jacob are backpacking through Africa heading to a small island off the coast of Tanzania following some upheavals in Stevie's life. They meet up with the charismatic Leo and his girlfriend Tamsin and decide to travel together to the dive camp where Jacob is to start a new job. Coincidentally (or not!) Leo and Tamsin have signed up as volunteers at the same camp.
The prologue was very eerie and there was a sense of foreboding from the beginning. The story is told in alternating chapters by Stevie and Leo and I was drawn into it totally. I found the description of the various locations to be very realistic and I could almost taste the dust and feel the heat in Africa. I'm embarrassed to admit that, in spite of my years of reading experience, I totally fell for all the red herrings and was merrily going down the wrong path almost to the end. Great twist or maybe it was just an omission of all the facts. Either way, Roz Nay got me! This is the second book by her that I've read and I'll definitely read anything else she writes. I debated whether to give this book 4 or 5 stars but realized I was letting myself be swayed by the not-so-favorable reviews and to me this was a 5-Star read!
Thank you to Netgalley and to Simon & Schuster Canada for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: July 6, 2021
The prologue was very eerie and there was a sense of foreboding from the beginning. The story is told in alternating chapters by Stevie and Leo and I was drawn into it totally. I found the description of the various locations to be very realistic and I could almost taste the dust and feel the heat in Africa. I'm embarrassed to admit that, in spite of my years of reading experience, I totally fell for all the red herrings and was merrily going down the wrong path almost to the end. Great twist or maybe it was just an omission of all the facts. Either way, Roz Nay got me! This is the second book by her that I've read and I'll definitely read anything else she writes. I debated whether to give this book 4 or 5 stars but realized I was letting myself be swayed by the not-so-favorable reviews and to me this was a 5-Star read!
Thank you to Netgalley and to Simon & Schuster Canada for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: July 6, 2021
May 17, 2021
I have just finished reading The Hunted by Roz Nay
For me, this book starts off very well, but as it progressed, I really became quite bored with it. I found the writing style a little junior and perhaps more suited to a younger audience.
I have read books by Roz Nay in the past and liked those a bit more than this one.
With this being said, It is a good book with a good storyline, filled with suspense and twists, and many readers will enjoy it.
Thank You to NetGalley, Author Roz Nay, and Simon & Schuster Canada for my advanced copy to read, and review.
#NetGalley
For me, this book starts off very well, but as it progressed, I really became quite bored with it. I found the writing style a little junior and perhaps more suited to a younger audience.
I have read books by Roz Nay in the past and liked those a bit more than this one.
With this being said, It is a good book with a good storyline, filled with suspense and twists, and many readers will enjoy it.
Thank You to NetGalley, Author Roz Nay, and Simon & Schuster Canada for my advanced copy to read, and review.
#NetGalley
June 24, 2021
Yessssss!!! 👏 The Hunted is Roz Nays best book yet! So so very twisty! And Roz absolutely nailed it with that prologue!! Like thrillers? Add this to your summer stack...
The Hunted follows Stevie and her boyfriend Jacob. They are off on a new adventure, heading to Tanzania where Jacob has been offered a job as a dive instructor. Stevie, who has recently lost her grandmother is hesitant but decides to go in hopes of a fresh start.
But let's be real ... we know it isn't THAT easy!
A twisty mind (insert swear word) HA! This storyline gave me the creeps, had me questioning who to trust and served up some flawed characters. Brilliant!
Huge thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada as well as Roz Nay for my gifted copy! This one hits shelves on July 6th so get those preorders in today! :)
The Hunted follows Stevie and her boyfriend Jacob. They are off on a new adventure, heading to Tanzania where Jacob has been offered a job as a dive instructor. Stevie, who has recently lost her grandmother is hesitant but decides to go in hopes of a fresh start.
But let's be real ... we know it isn't THAT easy!
A twisty mind (insert swear word) HA! This storyline gave me the creeps, had me questioning who to trust and served up some flawed characters. Brilliant!
Huge thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada as well as Roz Nay for my gifted copy! This one hits shelves on July 6th so get those preorders in today! :)
August 25, 2023
It’s not the lions and leopards doing the stalking in THE HUNTED!
Stevie Erickson is at sixes and sevens! The sudden loss of her grandmother, memories of the tragic death of a good friend in a car accident, lousy sleeping plagued with recurring nightmares, doubts about a strained relationship with her boyfriend. It’s no wonder she thinks that a vacation completely away from all of that might be just the ticket that the doctor ordered. So it’s off to Africa on a backpacking trip only to discover that “darkest Africa” doesn’t mean what she used to think it meant.
The literary style of first person narration is brilliant and works perfectly for this novel. The reader is put right into the mind and the mind-set of each of the narrators in alternating chapters. There is no doubt that you will have the creepy feeling of doubt and worry that something and somebody is not quite right from the opening sentence until the climax and, of course, the inevitable twisted ending. THE HUNTED is just a novel, of course, but readers will come away with a greater appreciation of the profound effect that being stalked in real life would have on someone’s state of mind.
Definitely recommended. Three cheers for Canadian authors.
Paul Weiss
Stevie Erickson is at sixes and sevens! The sudden loss of her grandmother, memories of the tragic death of a good friend in a car accident, lousy sleeping plagued with recurring nightmares, doubts about a strained relationship with her boyfriend. It’s no wonder she thinks that a vacation completely away from all of that might be just the ticket that the doctor ordered. So it’s off to Africa on a backpacking trip only to discover that “darkest Africa” doesn’t mean what she used to think it meant.
The literary style of first person narration is brilliant and works perfectly for this novel. The reader is put right into the mind and the mind-set of each of the narrators in alternating chapters. There is no doubt that you will have the creepy feeling of doubt and worry that something and somebody is not quite right from the opening sentence until the climax and, of course, the inevitable twisted ending. THE HUNTED is just a novel, of course, but readers will come away with a greater appreciation of the profound effect that being stalked in real life would have on someone’s state of mind.
Definitely recommended. Three cheers for Canadian authors.
Paul Weiss
July 25, 2021
THE HUNTED has recently been released in Canada, but Roz Nay graciously sent me a copy of her third release. Nothing better than having author friends, am I right?! I am so thankful for her generous gifted copy because THE HUNTED is Roz Nay’s best book yet! US friends, try to swoop up a copy on Book Depository ASAP, because I try to never steer you wrong. This book is the absolute perfect summer thriller read.
The story focuses on Stevie Erickson and her boyfriend Jacob. High school sweethearts; they are now 24 and in the midst of a change. Stevie’s grandmother has passed and her family business went under, so Jacob takes up a temporary diving position in Tanzania through a friend’s company. The couple decides to travel beforehand and make a vacation out of it, but while on their vacation, they meet another couple who may or may not have the best intentions. Can you really trust people you just met while on vacation?
I’m purposely being vague on this one because it’s really such a suspense driven story. I promise you’ll want to go in knowing as little as possible because the story really goes in ways in which I didn’t expect. If you enjoyed YOU or THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10, you’ll enjoy this book. I read this book in two sittings, in less than one day. I highly recommend this book as a binge read! Fun, fun, fun!
The story focuses on Stevie Erickson and her boyfriend Jacob. High school sweethearts; they are now 24 and in the midst of a change. Stevie’s grandmother has passed and her family business went under, so Jacob takes up a temporary diving position in Tanzania through a friend’s company. The couple decides to travel beforehand and make a vacation out of it, but while on their vacation, they meet another couple who may or may not have the best intentions. Can you really trust people you just met while on vacation?
I’m purposely being vague on this one because it’s really such a suspense driven story. I promise you’ll want to go in knowing as little as possible because the story really goes in ways in which I didn’t expect. If you enjoyed YOU or THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10, you’ll enjoy this book. I read this book in two sittings, in less than one day. I highly recommend this book as a binge read! Fun, fun, fun!
August 12, 2021
Roz Nay delivers. Closing the doors with a remote island and a vacation gone wrong, this one chills to the bone. Don't miss it!
February 23, 2021
Twisty like a mamba and absolutely terrifying, THE HUNTED by Roz Nay is a hot, humid, fever dream of a thriller you simply can't put down. With gripping prose and a shocking ending, Roz brilliantly reminds readers of an inescapable truth: Just because we fear the unknown doesn't mean the unknown fears us.
July 4, 2021
3.5 stars
The Hunted by Roz Nay is a psychological thriller.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Simon and Schuster Canada and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Stevie Erickson and her boyfriend Jacob Jones, are on an adventure. Stevie's grandmother just passed away, and although she had promised her share of the pub and the apartment to Stevie, this didn't happen. When Jacob got a job offer as a diver for GoEco, on a secluded island off the coast of Tanzania, they jump at the chance to get away, and to re-think their lives.
The trip doesn't start out too well. At a two-day stopover on their way to the island, Stevie has a scare at the hostel that they are staying at. All of her insecurities and nightmares start to return.
Then they meet Leo and Tamsin, another back-packing couple that seems to be heading to Rafiki Island as well. But their relationship with the other couple, and with each other seems to be changing, and Stevie is starting to wonder about her choices.
My Opinions:
The book is about lies, secrets, obsession, and stalking. The story is told from both Stevie's and Leo's perspectives.
The personalities of the characters were strong, whether it was Leo's ego, or Jacob's quiet acceptance of everything. Then there was the out-going Tasmin, and the insecure Stevie. All of them are keeping secrets, and none of them are as they seem. Unfortunately, I didn't care too much for the characters, other than Jacob, who I felt sorry for.
The setting was Africa, and the imagery was done very well, and you could really feel the heat, the crowds, and then the laid-back island atmosphere.
The plot was good, if a little slow-moving, and there were a couple of twists at the end, although I had sort of guessed the direction the book was going.
Overall, it was a fast read, but it was more "creepy" than it was thrilling.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including my reason for choosing to read this, author information and my favorite quotation from this book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
July 12, 2021
2.5/ 5 stars
The Hunted is a psychological thriller. It is my second book by this author.
This book is divided into 3 parts and takes place in Africa. The narrators are Stevie (24 - female, 1st person POV) and Leo (28, 1st person POV).
The book is about two couples who meet while backpacking. Stevie and her boyfriend Jacob have been having a difficult time. So they decide that he will take a job as a diver off the coast of Tanzania in Africa.
Leo and his girlfriend Tamsin are also backpacking around Africa. Leo was an interesting POV. He was creepy and a bit stalkerish. I love reading about stalkers.
I loved that Africa was the setting. Although I definitely wish that the country had been described more.
The book had a slow start. The really interesting things only happen towards the end. I saw that some of the book was going to take place on an island. So I was hopeful that the island part of the story would be riveting with chases and exciting stuff happening. But it actually took much longer than I expected for them to get to the island. And it was not as thrilling as I was hoping.
The last part of the book was definitely the strongest. There was a lot happening. And some of it was definitely unexpected. Overall, this book had a lot of potential. And I think that the premise was really good.
Thanks to netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for allowing me to read this book.
The Hunted is a psychological thriller. It is my second book by this author.
This book is divided into 3 parts and takes place in Africa. The narrators are Stevie (24 - female, 1st person POV) and Leo (28, 1st person POV).
The book is about two couples who meet while backpacking. Stevie and her boyfriend Jacob have been having a difficult time. So they decide that he will take a job as a diver off the coast of Tanzania in Africa.
Leo and his girlfriend Tamsin are also backpacking around Africa. Leo was an interesting POV. He was creepy and a bit stalkerish. I love reading about stalkers.
I loved that Africa was the setting. Although I definitely wish that the country had been described more.
The book had a slow start. The really interesting things only happen towards the end. I saw that some of the book was going to take place on an island. So I was hopeful that the island part of the story would be riveting with chases and exciting stuff happening. But it actually took much longer than I expected for them to get to the island. And it was not as thrilling as I was hoping.
The last part of the book was definitely the strongest. There was a lot happening. And some of it was definitely unexpected. Overall, this book had a lot of potential. And I think that the premise was really good.
Thanks to netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for allowing me to read this book.
August 3, 2021
Two couples stuck on a remote African island but one of them is a killer.
This was my first book by BC resident Roz Nay and definitely won't be my last! I loved the premise and how the story kept me guessing right to the end. The story starts off with a propulsive prologue and then builds back up to the events that led to a nail-biting conclusion. Every time I thought I had something figured out things would go in a completely different direction.
Told in alternating perspectives from Stevie, a young woman travelling with her boyfriend Jacob and Leo, the boy they meet one night staying in a hostel with his girlfriend Tamsin. Stevie is looking for a fresh start and dealing with past traumas. Leo also has lots of secrets and forms an unhealthy obsession with Stevie that drives the suspenseful plot.
The author does a great job drawing on her own experiences traveling and working as a dive instructor which certainly added an extra layer of authenticity to the story. Anyone looking for a good escape read will enjoy the travel descriptions, although personally it made me want to never go anywhere Stevie and Jacob stayed (roach buns!! shudder!!).
Unfortunately not out on audio yet but I was able to pick up a copy to read and wow, what a beautifully designed book - the cover and picture inserts inside are top notch. Highly recommended for suspense lovers that want an edge of your seat summer thrill ride!
This was my first book by BC resident Roz Nay and definitely won't be my last! I loved the premise and how the story kept me guessing right to the end. The story starts off with a propulsive prologue and then builds back up to the events that led to a nail-biting conclusion. Every time I thought I had something figured out things would go in a completely different direction.
Told in alternating perspectives from Stevie, a young woman travelling with her boyfriend Jacob and Leo, the boy they meet one night staying in a hostel with his girlfriend Tamsin. Stevie is looking for a fresh start and dealing with past traumas. Leo also has lots of secrets and forms an unhealthy obsession with Stevie that drives the suspenseful plot.
The author does a great job drawing on her own experiences traveling and working as a dive instructor which certainly added an extra layer of authenticity to the story. Anyone looking for a good escape read will enjoy the travel descriptions, although personally it made me want to never go anywhere Stevie and Jacob stayed (roach buns!! shudder!!).
Unfortunately not out on audio yet but I was able to pick up a copy to read and wow, what a beautifully designed book - the cover and picture inserts inside are top notch. Highly recommended for suspense lovers that want an edge of your seat summer thrill ride!
March 26, 2021
Stevie has had some traumatic experiences, first, she lost her best friend in a car accident and then her grandmother passed away. Needing a life reset she decides to leave her home town with her boyfriend, Jacob, to visit Africa to do some volunteer work.
Upon arriving in Africa Stevie has some strange feelings and is scared about her decision to embark upon this adventure. At a hostel her and Jacob meet Leo and Tamsin. There is an instant attraction between the couples but things quickly take a turn for the worst.
I thoroughly enjoy this story and finished it in less than a day. This was my first novel by the author although I do own her other one, Hurry Home. I was instantly hooked from page 1 and found the writing was incredible. The writing is so suspenseful that it keeps you holding your breath the whole time. The chapters interchange between Stevie and Leo and is told from their perspectives. I really enjoyed Leo’s character and found the telling of his story to be fascinating. You must definitely pick this one up ASAP.
Upon arriving in Africa Stevie has some strange feelings and is scared about her decision to embark upon this adventure. At a hostel her and Jacob meet Leo and Tamsin. There is an instant attraction between the couples but things quickly take a turn for the worst.
I thoroughly enjoy this story and finished it in less than a day. This was my first novel by the author although I do own her other one, Hurry Home. I was instantly hooked from page 1 and found the writing was incredible. The writing is so suspenseful that it keeps you holding your breath the whole time. The chapters interchange between Stevie and Leo and is told from their perspectives. I really enjoyed Leo’s character and found the telling of his story to be fascinating. You must definitely pick this one up ASAP.
June 27, 2021
3.5 STARS - The Hunted is the upcoming bookish offering by one of my favourite Canadian authors - Roz Nay. This book publishes on July 6, 2021, and is a slow burn, escapist kind of read - perfect for summer readin'.
Nay brings readers into the world of backpacking in foreign countries which I found fascinating and scary in equal measure. But what I noticed right off the bat was the pace. Sure, there is a fantastic edge-of-your-seat scene at the beginning but honestly, things don't start poppin' until around 60%. Until then, Nay builds her story, relays bits and bobs of her characters' pasts to the reader to set up a chilling story of obsession, lies and betrayal set in the beauty of the east African coastal region.
Oooo, right?
I liked the isolated feel of this small island off the eastern coast of Africa and how Nay used different POVs to keep readers on their toes, but I wasn't a fan of the main character, Stevie or her questionable decision-making skills. There was one character who stood out for me because he is an off-his-rocker-in-the-best-possible-way kind of character, and he increased the chill factor exponentially. Once the pacing picks up, things get tense and a bit tangled as the truth is revealed (rather quickly) to the reader. It's not quite a twist, but a solid reveal that made the wait for the meat of the story more understandable.
I enjoyed this chilling read for the uneasy feel it gave me and its far-away locale. Roz remains one of my go-to Canadian suspense authors and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for my advanced complimentary digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 26, 2021
Thank you Simon & Schuster for my early copy of THE HUNTED by Roz Nay. This title publishes July 6, 2021.
It’s no secret I love Roz Nay’s writing, and the gripping story she crafts in The Hunted is no exception – it’s already high on my list of top 2021 reads. I devoured it in one sitting, as I have all of her other books.
Roz Nay is a mastermind when it comes to creating the perfect mirage, where no one and nothing is truly as it seems. In The Hunted, she crafts the most sinister tale of obsession about two couples who meet while backpacking along the coast Africa and what begins as an unexpected friendship, quickly turns to deadly obsession.
The story follows Stevie and her boyfriend Jacob, who embark on a trip of a lifetime when Jacob is offered a job as a diver for an organization geared toward ecotourists. Stevie has just lost her grandmother and is in no head space to travel across the world, but hesitantly decides to go; hoping it will give her the fresh start she has been desperately seeking.
The couple hits a small speedbump at the beginning of their trip but are quickly swept away when they cross paths with seasoned backpackers Leo and Tamsin, an extremely attractive couple who appear to be smitten by the likes of Stevie and Jacob. Suspicious things start to happen and they can’t all be coincidences, or could they? Each of these couples has something to hide and survival of the fittest is truly the name of the game.
The Hunted was a pulse-pounding page turner that you will want to get your hands on when it becomes available on July 6, 2021.
It’s no secret I love Roz Nay’s writing, and the gripping story she crafts in The Hunted is no exception – it’s already high on my list of top 2021 reads. I devoured it in one sitting, as I have all of her other books.
Roz Nay is a mastermind when it comes to creating the perfect mirage, where no one and nothing is truly as it seems. In The Hunted, she crafts the most sinister tale of obsession about two couples who meet while backpacking along the coast Africa and what begins as an unexpected friendship, quickly turns to deadly obsession.
The story follows Stevie and her boyfriend Jacob, who embark on a trip of a lifetime when Jacob is offered a job as a diver for an organization geared toward ecotourists. Stevie has just lost her grandmother and is in no head space to travel across the world, but hesitantly decides to go; hoping it will give her the fresh start she has been desperately seeking.
The couple hits a small speedbump at the beginning of their trip but are quickly swept away when they cross paths with seasoned backpackers Leo and Tamsin, an extremely attractive couple who appear to be smitten by the likes of Stevie and Jacob. Suspicious things start to happen and they can’t all be coincidences, or could they? Each of these couples has something to hide and survival of the fittest is truly the name of the game.
The Hunted was a pulse-pounding page turner that you will want to get your hands on when it becomes available on July 6, 2021.
March 25, 2021
Book Review
The Hunted by Roz Nay
Thank you to @netgalley @roznay and @simonschusterca for my gifted copy in return for an honest review
Tamsin- sexually ambiguous, free spirit, fun, flirty, world traveller
Jacob- not the best boyfriend, seems kinda immature, likes to have a plan
Stevie - PTSD, shy, anxious, vulnerable, alone, troubled past that overshadows her present
Leo- cool, calm, collected, the obvious hunter sociopath type, family history shrouded in mystery, cocky, rakish
This book! I thought I knew what I was getting into. I was a puppy, faithfully eating from the hand that is Roz. She generously handed out breadcrumbs leading me along, and like a good girl I willingly followed.
I took what I was given, I enjoyed every word, every page, each morsel of information about Leo guiding to me to what I thought was the inevitable conclusion.
Roz’ latest offering is a huge mindfu*k .
I was wrong.... and right. The conclusion was expected but not in that way. I loved the characters while simultaneously loathing them. Give me a break here people- I am trying not to spoil it for you! You are going to want to read this!!! Definitely recommend- if you like sociopaths, the beach, tropical fish and travel .......or if you generally enjoy deeply embedded feelings of mistrust- this book is for you.
The Hunted by Roz Nay
Thank you to @netgalley @roznay and @simonschusterca for my gifted copy in return for an honest review
Tamsin- sexually ambiguous, free spirit, fun, flirty, world traveller
Jacob- not the best boyfriend, seems kinda immature, likes to have a plan
Stevie - PTSD, shy, anxious, vulnerable, alone, troubled past that overshadows her present
Leo- cool, calm, collected, the obvious hunter sociopath type, family history shrouded in mystery, cocky, rakish
This book! I thought I knew what I was getting into. I was a puppy, faithfully eating from the hand that is Roz. She generously handed out breadcrumbs leading me along, and like a good girl I willingly followed.
I took what I was given, I enjoyed every word, every page, each morsel of information about Leo guiding to me to what I thought was the inevitable conclusion.
Roz’ latest offering is a huge mindfu*k .
I was wrong.... and right. The conclusion was expected but not in that way. I loved the characters while simultaneously loathing them. Give me a break here people- I am trying not to spoil it for you! You are going to want to read this!!! Definitely recommend- if you like sociopaths, the beach, tropical fish and travel .......or if you generally enjoy deeply embedded feelings of mistrust- this book is for you.
May 17, 2021
Pour yourself a 'dawa', a Kenyan cocktail, and relax because once you start Roz Nay’s newest thriller, you’ll need all the Swahili medicine this drink offers!
Stevie is looking for was a chance to start over, so when her boyfriend is offered a 3-month contract in ecotourism as a diver, she willingly agrees to go with him. Rafiki Island is 10 miles south of Zanzibar and the brochures make it sound like paradise. Stevie soon finds out it isn’t. The green mamba hanging in the rafters above the hole in the ground she’s been informed is the toilet, is the least of her worries. Despite making new friends at the camp, Stevie still doesn’t feel comfortable. When it becomes apparent there’s a killer amongst them, Stevie knows she’s next.
This taut, character-driven psychological thriller was filled with suspicion and tension and written so masterfully that my heart beat faster and my adrenaline started to flow. Nay was able to keep me in the moment because she made me feel like I was living inside that moment along with the characters. I loved that every action sequence written was initiated by character driven motivation. I never had to question what was going on and I always knew that the action was going to be followed by a consequence. Sometimes I lose focus when I’m reading if the plot isn’t tight and the characters aren’t consistent. I also loved that Nay got me involved at a visceral level. I’ve never been diving, I’ve never been to Tanzania, and I’ve never felt as unsafe as Stevie, yet Nay was able to get me to experience it all.
Nay explores false identity, theft, voyeurism, LGBT+, violence, sabotage and death as she tells this creepy story through both Leo and Stevie’s points of view. By revealing Stevie’s background with her friend Cassie and her grandmother, Nay is able to foreshadow distrust and secret keeping.
Laughable lines:
“My bladder is like a space hopper and I can no longer lie on it.”
“He’s like a child with a Happy Meal, unsure if he’s allowed to open the box.”
When travel opens up again, be careful who you befriend on your journey and ALWAYS double check you’ve locked your door. Oh, and if you are in Harare, don’t order chicken soup. It comes with chicken claws hooked over the side of the bowl. It’s anything but chicken soup for the soul.
Publishes July 6, 2021
I was gifted an advance digital copy by Roz Nay, Simon & Schuster Canada, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Stevie is looking for was a chance to start over, so when her boyfriend is offered a 3-month contract in ecotourism as a diver, she willingly agrees to go with him. Rafiki Island is 10 miles south of Zanzibar and the brochures make it sound like paradise. Stevie soon finds out it isn’t. The green mamba hanging in the rafters above the hole in the ground she’s been informed is the toilet, is the least of her worries. Despite making new friends at the camp, Stevie still doesn’t feel comfortable. When it becomes apparent there’s a killer amongst them, Stevie knows she’s next.
This taut, character-driven psychological thriller was filled with suspicion and tension and written so masterfully that my heart beat faster and my adrenaline started to flow. Nay was able to keep me in the moment because she made me feel like I was living inside that moment along with the characters. I loved that every action sequence written was initiated by character driven motivation. I never had to question what was going on and I always knew that the action was going to be followed by a consequence. Sometimes I lose focus when I’m reading if the plot isn’t tight and the characters aren’t consistent. I also loved that Nay got me involved at a visceral level. I’ve never been diving, I’ve never been to Tanzania, and I’ve never felt as unsafe as Stevie, yet Nay was able to get me to experience it all.
Nay explores false identity, theft, voyeurism, LGBT+, violence, sabotage and death as she tells this creepy story through both Leo and Stevie’s points of view. By revealing Stevie’s background with her friend Cassie and her grandmother, Nay is able to foreshadow distrust and secret keeping.
Laughable lines:
“My bladder is like a space hopper and I can no longer lie on it.”
“He’s like a child with a Happy Meal, unsure if he’s allowed to open the box.”
When travel opens up again, be careful who you befriend on your journey and ALWAYS double check you’ve locked your door. Oh, and if you are in Harare, don’t order chicken soup. It comes with chicken claws hooked over the side of the bowl. It’s anything but chicken soup for the soul.
Publishes July 6, 2021
I was gifted an advance digital copy by Roz Nay, Simon & Schuster Canada, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
July 3, 2021
I’ve been backpacking before so this one really hit home and made me realize I may be a little too trusting!
I found it to be extremely gripping and engrossing and therefore devoured it in one sitting! I throughly enjoyed the fun and and entertaining aspects of feeling like I was traveling along side the two couples and feeling truly immersed within their journey.
It was such an atmospheric thriller that was chilling and truly sinister at times. I always enjoy dual POVs as well as pasts of dark secrets and these characters were full of them!
This is definitely a good summer read and I was certainly intrigued throughout! I think I was just expecting a little bit more from the ending personally.
3.5 rounded to 4
I found it to be extremely gripping and engrossing and therefore devoured it in one sitting! I throughly enjoyed the fun and and entertaining aspects of feeling like I was traveling along side the two couples and feeling truly immersed within their journey.
It was such an atmospheric thriller that was chilling and truly sinister at times. I always enjoy dual POVs as well as pasts of dark secrets and these characters were full of them!
This is definitely a good summer read and I was certainly intrigued throughout! I think I was just expecting a little bit more from the ending personally.
3.5 rounded to 4
October 19, 2021
I think this book could have had so much potential, but I just read it during a busy time and in a bit of a slump. It took me 2 weeks to read this, because I just didn't have the desire to pick it up and keep reading.
This is about two couples who meet while backpacking through Africa. You assume the best of the people you meet while traveling, but when strange things start happening, and people start getting obsessed, bad things start to happen. How well can you really trust the people you meet ? After all, you really don't know if anything they are telling you, who they say they are, and why they're here is the truth.
There were some unexpected twists in this book, but nothing really that wow'd me. It definitely makes me never want to go backpacking, that's for sure !
Thanks to @netgalley and @simonschusterca for the egalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is about two couples who meet while backpacking through Africa. You assume the best of the people you meet while traveling, but when strange things start happening, and people start getting obsessed, bad things start to happen. How well can you really trust the people you meet ? After all, you really don't know if anything they are telling you, who they say they are, and why they're here is the truth.
There were some unexpected twists in this book, but nothing really that wow'd me. It definitely makes me never want to go backpacking, that's for sure !
Thanks to @netgalley and @simonschusterca for the egalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2023
This book starts out strong, and it managed to capture and retain my attention for the majority of the time.
The main protagonists, Stevie and Leo, were fun to follow on their quest.
I would have loved to know more about Stevie and her background; there wasn't enough information for me. On the other hand, Leo was the guy I knew the most about, so I felt most closely linked to him; I understood where he was coming from. Even though the ending did not surprise me, I thought it was a really fantastic ending!
The main protagonists, Stevie and Leo, were fun to follow on their quest.
I would have loved to know more about Stevie and her background; there wasn't enough information for me. On the other hand, Leo was the guy I knew the most about, so I felt most closely linked to him; I understood where he was coming from. Even though the ending did not surprise me, I thought it was a really fantastic ending!
June 28, 2021
Stevie hasn't had the easiest life but the loss of her grandmother really sent her over the edge. Her boyfriend Jacob decided they needed a fresh start, so he takes a job at GoEco on an isolated island off the coast of Tanzania. They leave a few days early so they can do some backpacking and have a few more adventures before their final stop.
.
Stevie is a little wary but knows she needs this trip in order to move on. Lets be honest this is a thriller, we all know this is not going to be a fresh start and it is proved with their first night in the hostel. This is told through two POVs; Stevie's and Leo's. You may be asking who's Leo? Well, you don't want to know. This book is creepy in the stalker kind of way, but reading both their POVs had me guessing who I could trust right up until the last page. This is definitely a SLOW burn, so slow that I wasn't sure if I was enjoying it or not. Until I realized I finished it in two sittings because I couldn't put it down and it's been days since I finished and I cannot stop thinking about it. Everyone has secrets, but just how dark are they? In the case of Stevie and Leo, they're very very dark
.
Stevie is a little wary but knows she needs this trip in order to move on. Lets be honest this is a thriller, we all know this is not going to be a fresh start and it is proved with their first night in the hostel. This is told through two POVs; Stevie's and Leo's. You may be asking who's Leo? Well, you don't want to know. This book is creepy in the stalker kind of way, but reading both their POVs had me guessing who I could trust right up until the last page. This is definitely a SLOW burn, so slow that I wasn't sure if I was enjoying it or not. Until I realized I finished it in two sittings because I couldn't put it down and it's been days since I finished and I cannot stop thinking about it. Everyone has secrets, but just how dark are they? In the case of Stevie and Leo, they're very very dark
June 27, 2021
I enjoyed this dual narrative about two backpacking couples who coincidentally (not) end up going to a few of the same exotic locales. As the narratives peeled back, I was on the edge of my seat, wondering, worrying how it would unfold.
Told in spare language with layered revelations, the thrill holds on to the very last page.
A well-crafted and propulsive thriller that will keep you guessing to the end about who is the hunter and who is the hunted.
Told in spare language with layered revelations, the thrill holds on to the very last page.
A well-crafted and propulsive thriller that will keep you guessing to the end about who is the hunter and who is the hunted.
February 2, 2023
Résumé : Après la mort de sa grand-mère, Stevie Erickson a bien besoin de changer d'air. En effet, cette perte soudaine a ravivé de profondes blessures qu'elle pensait bien enfouies. Alors c'est décidé, avec son petit ami de longue date, Jacob, ils décident de partir à l'aventure ! Et pas n'importe laquelle : eux qui n'avaient jamais quitté leur petite ville des Etats-Unis, s'envolent pour l'île de Rafiki, au large de la Tanzanie, où un job de plongeur attend Jacob. Mais Stevie, fragile et en deuil, est perturbée et vit dans l'angoisse, persuadée que quelqu'un lui veut du mal. C'est à ce moment-là que nos voyageurs font la connaissance d'un autre couple, Leo et Tamsin, avec qui ils se lient rapidement d'amitié. Mais sont-ils si inoffensifs ?
Mon avis : Ayant adoré son précédent livre « La sentinelle », c'est avec avidité que je me suis plongée dans cette lecture. Je ne vous fais pas attendre : cette intrigue est terriblement efficace ! Une île paradisiaque qui ne l'est pas tant que ça, loin de tout, dont les descriptions sont telles qu'on a l'impression d'y être et de ressentir la douceur du climat et le clapotis de l'eau. Une atmosphère étouffante, poisseuse, où se déroule une traque insidieuse, sans savoir exactement d'où vient le danger. Dès le début de leur voyage, l'angoisse monte pour Stevie, et nous serre la gorge en tant que lecteur. L'impression de perdre la tête avec elle, de ne pouvoir prouver ses peurs, de ne pas être crue. Des secrets révélés petit à petit, chez les uns et chez les autres, des apparences trompeuses. Un couple très amical, comme une rencontre providentielle, qui chamboule bientôt toutes les certitudes. J'ai été tenue en haleine jusqu'à la fin où tout s'enchaîne et se déchaîne, pour notre plus grand plaisir.
Mon avis : Ayant adoré son précédent livre « La sentinelle », c'est avec avidité que je me suis plongée dans cette lecture. Je ne vous fais pas attendre : cette intrigue est terriblement efficace ! Une île paradisiaque qui ne l'est pas tant que ça, loin de tout, dont les descriptions sont telles qu'on a l'impression d'y être et de ressentir la douceur du climat et le clapotis de l'eau. Une atmosphère étouffante, poisseuse, où se déroule une traque insidieuse, sans savoir exactement d'où vient le danger. Dès le début de leur voyage, l'angoisse monte pour Stevie, et nous serre la gorge en tant que lecteur. L'impression de perdre la tête avec elle, de ne pouvoir prouver ses peurs, de ne pas être crue. Des secrets révélés petit à petit, chez les uns et chez les autres, des apparences trompeuses. Un couple très amical, comme une rencontre providentielle, qui chamboule bientôt toutes les certitudes. J'ai été tenue en haleine jusqu'à la fin où tout s'enchaîne et se déchaîne, pour notre plus grand plaisir.
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