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The Stalker
Newly-weds Liam and Laura are spending their honeymoon in paradise: just the two of them on a remote island off the coast of Scotland.
But they soon discover that all is not as it seems, and the island has a tragic past. And they can’t shake the feeling of being watched…
When one morning, they wake to find a message scratched into the window, their worst fears are confirmed. They aren’t alone on the island.
And this stranger wants them dead.
But they soon discover that all is not as it seems, and the island has a tragic past. And they can’t shake the feeling of being watched…
When one morning, they wake to find a message scratched into the window, their worst fears are confirmed. They aren’t alone on the island.
And this stranger wants them dead.
368 pages, ebook
First published July 8, 2021
1446 people are currently reading
10865 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Alderson
28 books2,787 followersHaving spent most of her life in London, Sarah quit her job in the non profit sector in 2009 and took off on a round the world trip with her husband and princess-obsessed daughter on a mission to find a new place to call home. After several months in India, Singapore, Australia and the US, they settled in Bali where they lived for five years.
She finished her first novel, Hunting Lila (winner of the Kingston Book Award), just before they left the UK, wrote the sequel on the beach in India and had signed a two book deal with Simon & Schuster by the time they had reached Bali.
A third book, Fated, about a teenage demon slayer, was published in January 2012.
The Sound, a thriller romance set in Nantucket, was published in August 2013 and this was followed by the critically acclaimed Out of Control in May 2014.
Her first non-fiction book - CAN WE LIVE HERE? - based on her blog of the same name, was published in August 2015 by Blink.
She also writes New Adult romance for Pan Macmillan (UK) / Simon & Schuster (US) under the pen name Mila Gray.
You can find Sarah on facebook and at www.sarahalderson.com or follow her blog at www.canwelivhere.com
She finished her first novel, Hunting Lila (winner of the Kingston Book Award), just before they left the UK, wrote the sequel on the beach in India and had signed a two book deal with Simon & Schuster by the time they had reached Bali.
A third book, Fated, about a teenage demon slayer, was published in January 2012.
The Sound, a thriller romance set in Nantucket, was published in August 2013 and this was followed by the critically acclaimed Out of Control in May 2014.
Her first non-fiction book - CAN WE LIVE HERE? - based on her blog of the same name, was published in August 2015 by Blink.
She also writes New Adult romance for Pan Macmillan (UK) / Simon & Schuster (US) under the pen name Mila Gray.
You can find Sarah on facebook and at www.sarahalderson.com or follow her blog at www.canwelivhere.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,088 reviews
May 11, 2021
"Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I'll be watching you" - Every Breath You Take, The Police
Newly-weds Liam and Laura are spending their honeymoon on a remote island off the coast of Scotland. They are warned by a local that the island is haunted and that it has a tragic past. But this is the beginning of their future. They are starting their lives together, the only ones on the island. Sounds like bliss, until a message is etched on the window. They thought they were alone. No one is supposed to be there and yet....
I was sucked into this book right away. I loved knowing that something was going to happen based on the blurb. I was ready for some creepy, sinister happenings. A perfect honeymoon becomes the perfect nightmare. Sign me up!
I loved knowing they were going to be trapped on the island. Dropped off on the first day and only to be picked up on their last. When they began to suspect that they were not alone, I was giddy with excitement and apprehension.
I loved the setting. Scotland seems to be the desired location for books these days and this location is stellar. I loved the remote location, knowing they were the first ones to visit, being surrounded by water, the cliffs, the grounds, and the Gothic burned castle. The book had a very atmospheric feel to it. There is also an underlying feel of tension and dread throughout.
Reading and wondering what was going on and then there is a HUGE twist. I sat there thinking "wait a minute" because everything I suspected was going on was wrong. Then I had a new perspective and cannot say that I saw all of it coming but it did explain some things.
I thought the author did a great job setting the stage and unraveling the tale. The book was a 5-star read until almost the end then it or I lost a little steam. Not enough to derail the book for me or to ruin my enjoyment but it did take it down a star.. Some will say it is very clever and worked for them. Either way, this was an engaging and gripping book which I had a hard time putting down.
This clever tale was a page turner for me and even with the little hiccup, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Atmospheric, chilling, and full of dread.
**There are some scenes in this book which may be upsetting to some.
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I'll be watching you" - Every Breath You Take, The Police
Newly-weds Liam and Laura are spending their honeymoon on a remote island off the coast of Scotland. They are warned by a local that the island is haunted and that it has a tragic past. But this is the beginning of their future. They are starting their lives together, the only ones on the island. Sounds like bliss, until a message is etched on the window. They thought they were alone. No one is supposed to be there and yet....
I was sucked into this book right away. I loved knowing that something was going to happen based on the blurb. I was ready for some creepy, sinister happenings. A perfect honeymoon becomes the perfect nightmare. Sign me up!
I loved knowing they were going to be trapped on the island. Dropped off on the first day and only to be picked up on their last. When they began to suspect that they were not alone, I was giddy with excitement and apprehension.
I loved the setting. Scotland seems to be the desired location for books these days and this location is stellar. I loved the remote location, knowing they were the first ones to visit, being surrounded by water, the cliffs, the grounds, and the Gothic burned castle. The book had a very atmospheric feel to it. There is also an underlying feel of tension and dread throughout.
Reading and wondering what was going on and then there is a HUGE twist. I sat there thinking "wait a minute" because everything I suspected was going on was wrong. Then I had a new perspective and cannot say that I saw all of it coming but it did explain some things.
I thought the author did a great job setting the stage and unraveling the tale. The book was a 5-star read until almost the end then it or I lost a little steam. Not enough to derail the book for me or to ruin my enjoyment but it did take it down a star.. Some will say it is very clever and worked for them. Either way, this was an engaging and gripping book which I had a hard time putting down.
This clever tale was a page turner for me and even with the little hiccup, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Atmospheric, chilling, and full of dread.
**There are some scenes in this book which may be upsetting to some.
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
May 11, 2021
“It was meant to be a romantic getaway, but it’s turning into the honeymoon from hell.”
After postponing their honeymoon due to personal reasons, newlyweds Laura and Liam decide to finally take it. They book a week on a remote island in Scotland, where they will literally be the only two people inhabiting it.
Apparently, Laura and Liam don’t read the same kinds of books I do, and so they’re unaware of what can and will go wrong when a honeymoon and/or wedding party involves foreign islands and amazing scenery.
Sure enough, not only do they find out that the island has a haunting and tragic history, but they also realize that they are not the only two people on the island after all.
DUN DUN DUN.
With no cell phone reception and no way to get to the mainland, they are trapped with someone else who wants to harm them.
Despite reading a few books with a similar plot in the past year, I was intrigued by this after reading author Sarah Alderson’s previous novel, The Weekend Away, and enjoying it much more than I expected (I just found out it’s also going to be a Netflix mini-series soon).
Although the book starts out on the slow side with not a lot going on, it’s atmospheric and slightly chilling. The plot picks up considerably in the second half as danger gets closer and a twist sets things in motion.
I’ll be honest. I finished this book in one day (afternoon and evening reading), and went to bed with the intention of giving this 2 stars. Initially, I didn’t like the surprises, and felt like they came out of nowhere and didn’t sync well with everything that happened before their reveals. However, I slept on it (which I rarely do) and re-read a few chapters...and warmed up to it.
While it’s not Earth-shattering, the book really does go in an interesting direction that caught me off guard. I was entertained, and really enjoyed how everything wrapped up...even though some things felt unlikely to be realistic.
Overall, I didn’t love this one...but I liked it. I would recommend it to those who want a quick read with unforeseen developments in the plot. Apparently, they’re ones that might make you think...just like I did.
Thank you to Avon Books UK for providing me with a widget of the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Get your stalk on on: 10/5/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
After postponing their honeymoon due to personal reasons, newlyweds Laura and Liam decide to finally take it. They book a week on a remote island in Scotland, where they will literally be the only two people inhabiting it.
Apparently, Laura and Liam don’t read the same kinds of books I do, and so they’re unaware of what can and will go wrong when a honeymoon and/or wedding party involves foreign islands and amazing scenery.
Sure enough, not only do they find out that the island has a haunting and tragic history, but they also realize that they are not the only two people on the island after all.
DUN DUN DUN.
With no cell phone reception and no way to get to the mainland, they are trapped with someone else who wants to harm them.
Despite reading a few books with a similar plot in the past year, I was intrigued by this after reading author Sarah Alderson’s previous novel, The Weekend Away, and enjoying it much more than I expected (I just found out it’s also going to be a Netflix mini-series soon).
Although the book starts out on the slow side with not a lot going on, it’s atmospheric and slightly chilling. The plot picks up considerably in the second half as danger gets closer and a twist sets things in motion.
I’ll be honest. I finished this book in one day (afternoon and evening reading), and went to bed with the intention of giving this 2 stars. Initially, I didn’t like the surprises, and felt like they came out of nowhere and didn’t sync well with everything that happened before their reveals. However, I slept on it (which I rarely do) and re-read a few chapters...and warmed up to it.
While it’s not Earth-shattering, the book really does go in an interesting direction that caught me off guard. I was entertained, and really enjoyed how everything wrapped up...even though some things felt unlikely to be realistic.
Overall, I didn’t love this one...but I liked it. I would recommend it to those who want a quick read with unforeseen developments in the plot. Apparently, they’re ones that might make you think...just like I did.
Thank you to Avon Books UK for providing me with a widget of the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Get your stalk on on: 10/5/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
September 21, 2021
Newly-weds Liam and Laura are spending their honeymoon in paradise: just the two of them on a remote island off the coast of Scotland. But they soon discover that all is not as it seems, and the island has a tragic past. And they can’t shake the feeling of being watched. When one morning, they wake to find a message scratched into the window, their worst fears are confirmed. They aren’t alone on the island….And this stranger wants them dead.
The story starts quite slow and just when you think you know what’s coming next; you are greeted with an unexpected exceptional twist. A story set on a deserted island is not new but what sets this story totally apart is the way It just catches you by surprise again and again. The twists just keep you surprising and you never see the next twist coming. You just can’t keep the book down right till the end.
I loved the writing and pacing of the book including vivid descriptions of the Scottish island scenery. The cliffs, the grounds, the burned castle, and the cottage all created a chilling and creepy atmosphere, full of dreads and tension throughout. .all add to the story. It maintains a high level of intensity throughout the end. There are twists and turns that lead to an unexpected, surprising ending.
The characters though few were all well written and it was really great to see their transformation as the story moves ahead.
Overall, the book is really well written with a thrilling plot and some unique twists and turns. The perfect setting and some excellent characters make it an exciting read. I can't wait to read more of Sarah Anderson's books and The Stalker is highly recommended to any mystery lover. If you are looking for a gripping, atmospheric, and fast-paced thriller, this is one book you will really enjoy.
Many Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC
The story starts quite slow and just when you think you know what’s coming next; you are greeted with an unexpected exceptional twist. A story set on a deserted island is not new but what sets this story totally apart is the way It just catches you by surprise again and again. The twists just keep you surprising and you never see the next twist coming. You just can’t keep the book down right till the end.
I loved the writing and pacing of the book including vivid descriptions of the Scottish island scenery. The cliffs, the grounds, the burned castle, and the cottage all created a chilling and creepy atmosphere, full of dreads and tension throughout. .all add to the story. It maintains a high level of intensity throughout the end. There are twists and turns that lead to an unexpected, surprising ending.
The characters though few were all well written and it was really great to see their transformation as the story moves ahead.
Overall, the book is really well written with a thrilling plot and some unique twists and turns. The perfect setting and some excellent characters make it an exciting read. I can't wait to read more of Sarah Anderson's books and The Stalker is highly recommended to any mystery lover. If you are looking for a gripping, atmospheric, and fast-paced thriller, this is one book you will really enjoy.
Many Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC
July 16, 2021
EXCERPT: She was just standing at the window looking out. I like watching her when she doesn't know she's being watched.
I watched her on the beach today as she walked along, pausing now and then to pick up stones, her blonde hair whipping about her slender neck as though it was trying to strangle her. I must admit, the thought made me tingle with something halfway between pleasure and pain.
I thought I caught her looking right at me,and I smile as I recall the fear that flashed across her face for an instant. I breathe in deep. I can still smell that fear, lingering in the air.
ABOUT 'THE STALKER': Newly-weds Liam and Laura are spending their honeymoon in paradise: just the two of them on a remote island off the coast of Scotland.
But they soon discover that all is not as it seems, and the island has a tragic past. And they can’t shake the feeling of being watched…
When one morning, they wake to find a message scratched into the window, their worst fears are confirmed. They aren’t alone on the island.
And this stranger wants them dead.
MY THOUGHTS: I am torn by this book, and keep wavering over my rating. There were things I liked about The Stalker, and things I didn't.
I liked the beginning. While it all seems pretty ordinary with nothing much going on, there's a slightly creepy undertone. I really enjoyed the first 40% of this book, but then it hit a bit of a flat spot for me and I began skimming. Not a good sign.... But that ending? It is crazy good and revived my reading ardour. Then after I had finished, I began to feel a little cheated. I am going to try to explain why without giving any spoilers away.
The story is told mostly from Laura's perspective, with occasional input from an unknown person. Now my problem is that the ending, as wonderfully just as it is, makes complete nonsense of a lot of what Laura experiences as we watch her in the earlier parts of the book. And no, it's not a case of an unreliable narrator. We are seeing the events through her eyes, and experiencing her reactions. If we had been seeing this through Liam's eyes, we wouldn't be having this discussion. So there you have it.
⭐⭐⭐.4
#TheStalker #NetGalley
I: @sarahaldersonauthor @avonbooksuk
T: @sarahalderson @AvonBooksUK
#contemporaryfiction #domesticdrama #mystery #psychologicalthriller #suspense #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Having spent most of her life in London, Sarah quit her job in the non profit sector in 2009 and took off on a round the world trip with her husband and princess-obsessed daughter on a mission to find a new place to call home. After several months in India, Singapore, Australia and the US, they settled in Bali where they lived for five years.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Stalker by Sarah Alderson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
I watched her on the beach today as she walked along, pausing now and then to pick up stones, her blonde hair whipping about her slender neck as though it was trying to strangle her. I must admit, the thought made me tingle with something halfway between pleasure and pain.
I thought I caught her looking right at me,and I smile as I recall the fear that flashed across her face for an instant. I breathe in deep. I can still smell that fear, lingering in the air.
ABOUT 'THE STALKER': Newly-weds Liam and Laura are spending their honeymoon in paradise: just the two of them on a remote island off the coast of Scotland.
But they soon discover that all is not as it seems, and the island has a tragic past. And they can’t shake the feeling of being watched…
When one morning, they wake to find a message scratched into the window, their worst fears are confirmed. They aren’t alone on the island.
And this stranger wants them dead.
MY THOUGHTS: I am torn by this book, and keep wavering over my rating. There were things I liked about The Stalker, and things I didn't.
I liked the beginning. While it all seems pretty ordinary with nothing much going on, there's a slightly creepy undertone. I really enjoyed the first 40% of this book, but then it hit a bit of a flat spot for me and I began skimming. Not a good sign.... But that ending? It is crazy good and revived my reading ardour. Then after I had finished, I began to feel a little cheated. I am going to try to explain why without giving any spoilers away.
The story is told mostly from Laura's perspective, with occasional input from an unknown person. Now my problem is that the ending, as wonderfully just as it is, makes complete nonsense of a lot of what Laura experiences as we watch her in the earlier parts of the book. And no, it's not a case of an unreliable narrator. We are seeing the events through her eyes, and experiencing her reactions. If we had been seeing this through Liam's eyes, we wouldn't be having this discussion. So there you have it.
⭐⭐⭐.4
#TheStalker #NetGalley
I: @sarahaldersonauthor @avonbooksuk
T: @sarahalderson @AvonBooksUK
#contemporaryfiction #domesticdrama #mystery #psychologicalthriller #suspense #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Having spent most of her life in London, Sarah quit her job in the non profit sector in 2009 and took off on a round the world trip with her husband and princess-obsessed daughter on a mission to find a new place to call home. After several months in India, Singapore, Australia and the US, they settled in Bali where they lived for five years.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Stalker by Sarah Alderson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 6, 2021
This thriller/horror novel started off well, with beautiful scenic descriptions and a honeymoon couple on their way to a remote island in northern Scotland. Before they set out, they are warned that the island is surrounded by frigid waters that could kill you in the space of a few minutes... and is haunted!
Things are idyllic at first, but one evening Laura catches sight of a man at the edge of a forest. She decides not to mention it to Liam - she could be imagining things.... Laura has lost a lot of weight and has been suffering from severe depression since her mother died suddenly the day after her wedding. The locals believed that the island was haunted, and there had been a tragic fire that destroyed the landmark castle belonging to the original owners. Maybe she was allowing the spooky stories to get to her?
The first day or so goes quite well. But, soon enough, paradise is lost when Liam also starts seeing a strange man peering in through the living room window, and they find foot prints outside. I was well and truly spooked! And then, even stranger things started to happen.....!
There are a couple of twists or "reveals" in this story - one of which I suspected right from the start. I would also warn readers that there are very graphic descriptions of numerous instances of extreme violence. Fans of GOT and TWD will feel right at home. For me, it was just too gruesome and seemed to go on for far too long, and far too often! (A tad gratuitous, in my opinion.) This book should definitely come with trigger warnings.
The writing was very good in the first half, but the plot got a bit wild toward the end and made nonsense of some of the things Laura said in the first half of the novel. I debated going back and rereading bits of the first half, to try to make sense of some of the events of the second half, but thought better of it (read as: I couldn't be bothered and not worth my time, I was so disappointed in the deterioration of the writing and plot.) I'm rating this one a 3 out of 5.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up
Liam and Laura Carrington are on their delayed honeymoon which turns into a nightmare and a ‘honeymoon from hell’. They’ve booked a cottage on a tiny private Scottish island of Shura where the only inhabitants will be themselves - or so they think.
The descriptions of the island are really good, the scene is set so well you can visualise the island, cottage, the ruined castle and chapel which creates an excellent backdrop to what occurs. The history and background of the previous owners of the island/castle adds an interesting dimension too, creating further uncertainty. The atmosphere builds well and you get a sense of creepiness, of things being very out of kilter and a growing feeling of fear and alarm especially when events on the island take a vindictive turn. This in turn makes you focus on the two central characters and you realise they are far apart not least in their views and with Liam seeming to be very macho and Laura more reticent and anxious. The plot takes an unexpected turn and there is a good twist and then things start to slot into place. The pace definitely picks up in the second half and parts of the ending are very good with one slightly less believe element but hey, it’s fiction, I’ll go with the flow!
Overall, the setting for the novel wins the day providing an excellent backdrop to the dramatic unfolding events.
With thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the arc in return for an honest review.
Liam and Laura Carrington are on their delayed honeymoon which turns into a nightmare and a ‘honeymoon from hell’. They’ve booked a cottage on a tiny private Scottish island of Shura where the only inhabitants will be themselves - or so they think.
The descriptions of the island are really good, the scene is set so well you can visualise the island, cottage, the ruined castle and chapel which creates an excellent backdrop to what occurs. The history and background of the previous owners of the island/castle adds an interesting dimension too, creating further uncertainty. The atmosphere builds well and you get a sense of creepiness, of things being very out of kilter and a growing feeling of fear and alarm especially when events on the island take a vindictive turn. This in turn makes you focus on the two central characters and you realise they are far apart not least in their views and with Liam seeming to be very macho and Laura more reticent and anxious. The plot takes an unexpected turn and there is a good twist and then things start to slot into place. The pace definitely picks up in the second half and parts of the ending are very good with one slightly less believe element but hey, it’s fiction, I’ll go with the flow!
Overall, the setting for the novel wins the day providing an excellent backdrop to the dramatic unfolding events.
With thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the arc in return for an honest review.
November 3, 2021
3.5 ****
An easy mystery read and chilling enough for a gothic thriller with the atmosphere driving the story. With a remote island off the beautiful coastal land of Scotland, lies a partially burned and haunted castile as well as a cozy 2 story cottage ..VRBO...although no one knows who owns the island itself. A lovely couple celebrating their honeymoon, Liam and Laura are dropped off at the island by a sea captain and promised to see them in a week to pick them up. With a cabin, loaded with groceries and alcohol for a week (I guess they have DoorDash by boat) and no cell phone service, how romantic it all sounds.❤️
Before leaving the mainland, they ventured into a bar with the locals warning them the island is haunted with visuals of ghost sightings. The eeriness of the town people had me worked up to dive deeper into this mystery thriller and finish it within a day. I was also mesmerized by the setting and the exploration of the island.
With the history of the island documented in a book with pictures of the owners of the castle, and generations of the family experiencing Celtic attacks, they could not stop themselves from investigating the treasures that are possibly hidden. The last vacationers left a note in the guest book after exploring the island about a change of plans as if something spooked them away. Liam and Laura quickly realized the fear was about to become real for them also...They are not alone on the island.
*Warning* There were some graphic disturbing scenes and some physical family abuse that might leap out to you also.
Thanks NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for my review!
An easy mystery read and chilling enough for a gothic thriller with the atmosphere driving the story. With a remote island off the beautiful coastal land of Scotland, lies a partially burned and haunted castile as well as a cozy 2 story cottage ..VRBO...although no one knows who owns the island itself. A lovely couple celebrating their honeymoon, Liam and Laura are dropped off at the island by a sea captain and promised to see them in a week to pick them up. With a cabin, loaded with groceries and alcohol for a week (I guess they have DoorDash by boat) and no cell phone service, how romantic it all sounds.❤️
Before leaving the mainland, they ventured into a bar with the locals warning them the island is haunted with visuals of ghost sightings. The eeriness of the town people had me worked up to dive deeper into this mystery thriller and finish it within a day. I was also mesmerized by the setting and the exploration of the island.
With the history of the island documented in a book with pictures of the owners of the castle, and generations of the family experiencing Celtic attacks, they could not stop themselves from investigating the treasures that are possibly hidden. The last vacationers left a note in the guest book after exploring the island about a change of plans as if something spooked them away. Liam and Laura quickly realized the fear was about to become real for them also...They are not alone on the island.
*Warning* There were some graphic disturbing scenes and some physical family abuse that might leap out to you also.
Thanks NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for my review!
June 12, 2021
Note to self: never, ever book a holiday where you are completely isolated and unable to contact anyone.
After a whirlwind romance Laura and Liam Carrington get married but the honeymoon in the Greek Islands is cancelled when Laura’s mother dies on her wedding night. A couple of months later she is ready to try again only this time they go for a remote, private Scottish Island where they will be the only guests. It has all the makings of a romantic getaway. There is no mobile reception and the cabin is only accessible by boat. The boat will return to collect them in a week. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot as it seems!
After the first day the dream honeymoon starts to turn into a nightmare as the couple starts to realise they are not alone on the island. They catch fleeting glimpses of a stranger and when they explore a burnt out castle on the island they discover that someone has been ‘camping’ there. And that someone has a gun! The stalker’s interventions get more and more creative and disturbing the couple realise they still have days to spend on this island cooped up with an unknown entity. How bad can it get?
I thought this story would follow traditional lines but I was pleasantly surprised. For one thing it wasn’t just the woman who was ‘seeing things’ and being told she is imagining it by her husband/partner. And then there was that neat little twist that I should have seen coming, but didn’t!
I also thought the author did a great job ramping up the atmosphere. It wasn’t creepy per se but it was very unsettling. Then the sense of dread got more and more menacing as we got a few thoughts from the stalker’s perspective. I was starting to dread what was coming. I had visions of…nothing pleasant I can assure you. And just when you think you had better wait until morning to keep reading - the story changes gear and you realise nothing is as it seems.
I really enjoyed this little break from reality and I commend the author for giving me shivers which doesn’t happen very often. This will appeal to those who enjoy an atmospheric psychological thriller. I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
After a whirlwind romance Laura and Liam Carrington get married but the honeymoon in the Greek Islands is cancelled when Laura’s mother dies on her wedding night. A couple of months later she is ready to try again only this time they go for a remote, private Scottish Island where they will be the only guests. It has all the makings of a romantic getaway. There is no mobile reception and the cabin is only accessible by boat. The boat will return to collect them in a week. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot as it seems!
After the first day the dream honeymoon starts to turn into a nightmare as the couple starts to realise they are not alone on the island. They catch fleeting glimpses of a stranger and when they explore a burnt out castle on the island they discover that someone has been ‘camping’ there. And that someone has a gun! The stalker’s interventions get more and more creative and disturbing the couple realise they still have days to spend on this island cooped up with an unknown entity. How bad can it get?
I thought this story would follow traditional lines but I was pleasantly surprised. For one thing it wasn’t just the woman who was ‘seeing things’ and being told she is imagining it by her husband/partner. And then there was that neat little twist that I should have seen coming, but didn’t!
I also thought the author did a great job ramping up the atmosphere. It wasn’t creepy per se but it was very unsettling. Then the sense of dread got more and more menacing as we got a few thoughts from the stalker’s perspective. I was starting to dread what was coming. I had visions of…nothing pleasant I can assure you. And just when you think you had better wait until morning to keep reading - the story changes gear and you realise nothing is as it seems.
I really enjoyed this little break from reality and I commend the author for giving me shivers which doesn’t happen very often. This will appeal to those who enjoy an atmospheric psychological thriller. I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 21, 2021
This is a quick read with a major twist which I didn't see coming. I almost stopped reading it at the half way point, because it seemed so predictable and the woman at the center of the story was ignoring some pretty strong signals from her chosen partner in marriage that labeled him a douchebag. All's well that ends well and this was tied together nicely at the end, even though a bit unbelievably.
July 13, 2021
Laura and Liam are travelling to an isolated small island off the coast of Scotland for their delayed honeymoon due to the unexpected death of Laura's beloved mother that has left Laura in a deep depression for the last several months. Now, Laura wants to get back on her feet and begin her new marriage with the love of her life. Laura is a meek young woman and feels safe with her strong new husband who also happens to be a detective. They will be the only people on the island renting a lovely upscale cottage with all the luxury amenities for seven full days of hiking, swimming, bonfires exploring etc. The boat they arrived on will return in a week to bring them home and there isn't any cell service or landline phone but they will have access to an emergency radio if there are any unforseen problems. Shortly after they'd settled in Laura feels she is being watched and Liam dismisses her fears. Then one night Liam sees shadows and realizes they are not alone. Suddenly their secure little haven starts falling apart piece by piece and Laura knows Liam is feeling frightened also. What will they do? Where will they hide? Who is stalking the happy coup!e and why?
This was a very sinister and creepy story that wasn't as simple as the title leads one to assume. I enjoyed the writing and pacing of the book including vivid descriptions of the Scottish island scenery. At times I wondered why Laura would make some of the decisions she did and hoped her timid nature would strengthen and wished she wouldn't lean so much on Liam to have all the right answers. About forty percent into the book the story took some twists and turns I never saw coming although I had my own ideas where the story was headed (I was wrong). The author did a terrific job taking me on a looped rollercoaster ride within the last third of the book. Wow! Unexpected creeps, chills and thrills with all the right terror inducing treats. I can't wait to read more of Sarah Anderson's books and I highly recommend "The Stalker" to any mystery lover.
I want to thank the publisher "Avon Books UK" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this terrific story and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this sinister book a rating of 4 1/2 CHILLING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 Stars!!
This was a very sinister and creepy story that wasn't as simple as the title leads one to assume. I enjoyed the writing and pacing of the book including vivid descriptions of the Scottish island scenery. At times I wondered why Laura would make some of the decisions she did and hoped her timid nature would strengthen and wished she wouldn't lean so much on Liam to have all the right answers. About forty percent into the book the story took some twists and turns I never saw coming although I had my own ideas where the story was headed (I was wrong). The author did a terrific job taking me on a looped rollercoaster ride within the last third of the book. Wow! Unexpected creeps, chills and thrills with all the right terror inducing treats. I can't wait to read more of Sarah Anderson's books and I highly recommend "The Stalker" to any mystery lover.
I want to thank the publisher "Avon Books UK" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this terrific story and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this sinister book a rating of 4 1/2 CHILLING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 Stars!!
November 23, 2021
Liam and Laura set off on a dream honeymoon on a private island off the coast of Scotland. At first everything seems idyllic and romantic. Laura and Liam appear to be in love with marital bliss in their future. All is not as it seems, when their dream vacation quickly becomes a tragic nightmare. Someone is out to get them and danger is lurking around every corner. Who is behind the mysterious threats? The story was a little slow paced in the beginning, but definitely picked up towards the end. The twisty conclusion was both satisfying and unexpected. Thank you NetGalley and Avon Publishing for my copy.
December 31, 2021
It was meant to be the perfect ESCAPE, but instead became the perfect NIGHTMARE, indeed!!
My final book for 2021, and boy, was it a GREAT one!!
Anything that has to do with a group of people staying in a remote and isolated cabin on a foreign land while also being stalked by an unknown and potentially dangerous predator is pretty much guaranteed to immediately have my attention. As soon as I read the synopsis of this one, I knew I had to give this one a read! That being said, I'm happy to say that this novel not only had a promising premise, it actually followed up and delivered the goods, and I can say this was just as good as I anticipated it would be!
At the beginning of this novel we meet Liam and Laura, who are newlyweds and have just arrived on the Scottish island, known as Shura Island. The weather is overcast, damp and miserable, and definitely NOT the sunny Greek honeymoon Laura originally hoped for. Regardless, she's determined to try and make the best of the change of plans. Laura has recently suffered the loss of her mother, who was also her best friend, and understandably has been grieving for several weeks prior to this trip. Luckily she's got Liam, the perfect man and now her husband, to pull her from the darkness of her despair and a future with him is just what the doctor ordered.
Unfortunately for them, Shura Island has a tumultuous and bloody past that's riddled with tragedy. Almost immediately the pair can't shake the sense that they are not completely alone in their newlywed bliss, as anticipated and even catch a shadowed figure outside their window on their first night! (This scene actually gave me the chills!!) They quickly try to write it off as another traveler, or even an animal, but when they come upon a message scratched into the window the next morning they realize their fears are in fact a reality - someone else is on the island, and wants them dead!!
Talk about a richly atmospheric suspense! I was hooked after the first chapter and literally had trouble putting this one down anytime I picked it up! I absolutely needed to know who, if anyone, was actually stalking this poor couple, and WHY! About halfway through, we are introduced to an unknown stalker's perspective, which although it didn't make any sense at the time, was nonetheless an incredibly creepy one at that!
Part Two of this novel is when events quickly escalated and the nonstop action began, leaving me on edge, biting my nails and tapping my feet as I frantically turned the pages! To say I was incredibly shocked by a few of the developments and 'twists' in the second and third parts of this book might be an understatement. I love it when I think I have a story figured out, only to be completely wrong - after reading pretty much nothing but thrillers for the past several years, this is quite an accomplishment and becoming increasingly more difficult to do!
I loved that there were many tropes to this novel and it wasn't exactly as straight forward as it initially appeared to be, which is something I believe Alderson executes masterfully. The characters were also much more complex as the story unfolded, adding another bonus. With the lightening-quick pacing, chilling and heavily atmospheric setting and multilayered plot, I can't help but give this one a 4-Star rating!!
Alderson is quickly becoming one of my favorite thriller writers, as both of the books I've had the pleasure of reading of hers have delivered. This is not only a book I highly recommend, but also an author I recommend to my fellow bookworms out there looking for a highly entertaining and suspenseful, yet original read!!
What a great way to end a FANTASTIC 2021 in reading!!
My final book for 2021, and boy, was it a GREAT one!!
Anything that has to do with a group of people staying in a remote and isolated cabin on a foreign land while also being stalked by an unknown and potentially dangerous predator is pretty much guaranteed to immediately have my attention. As soon as I read the synopsis of this one, I knew I had to give this one a read! That being said, I'm happy to say that this novel not only had a promising premise, it actually followed up and delivered the goods, and I can say this was just as good as I anticipated it would be!
At the beginning of this novel we meet Liam and Laura, who are newlyweds and have just arrived on the Scottish island, known as Shura Island. The weather is overcast, damp and miserable, and definitely NOT the sunny Greek honeymoon Laura originally hoped for. Regardless, she's determined to try and make the best of the change of plans. Laura has recently suffered the loss of her mother, who was also her best friend, and understandably has been grieving for several weeks prior to this trip. Luckily she's got Liam, the perfect man and now her husband, to pull her from the darkness of her despair and a future with him is just what the doctor ordered.
Unfortunately for them, Shura Island has a tumultuous and bloody past that's riddled with tragedy. Almost immediately the pair can't shake the sense that they are not completely alone in their newlywed bliss, as anticipated and even catch a shadowed figure outside their window on their first night! (This scene actually gave me the chills!!) They quickly try to write it off as another traveler, or even an animal, but when they come upon a message scratched into the window the next morning they realize their fears are in fact a reality - someone else is on the island, and wants them dead!!
Talk about a richly atmospheric suspense! I was hooked after the first chapter and literally had trouble putting this one down anytime I picked it up! I absolutely needed to know who, if anyone, was actually stalking this poor couple, and WHY! About halfway through, we are introduced to an unknown stalker's perspective, which although it didn't make any sense at the time, was nonetheless an incredibly creepy one at that!
Part Two of this novel is when events quickly escalated and the nonstop action began, leaving me on edge, biting my nails and tapping my feet as I frantically turned the pages! To say I was incredibly shocked by a few of the developments and 'twists' in the second and third parts of this book might be an understatement. I love it when I think I have a story figured out, only to be completely wrong - after reading pretty much nothing but thrillers for the past several years, this is quite an accomplishment and becoming increasingly more difficult to do!
I loved that there were many tropes to this novel and it wasn't exactly as straight forward as it initially appeared to be, which is something I believe Alderson executes masterfully. The characters were also much more complex as the story unfolded, adding another bonus. With the lightening-quick pacing, chilling and heavily atmospheric setting and multilayered plot, I can't help but give this one a 4-Star rating!!
Alderson is quickly becoming one of my favorite thriller writers, as both of the books I've had the pleasure of reading of hers have delivered. This is not only a book I highly recommend, but also an author I recommend to my fellow bookworms out there looking for a highly entertaining and suspenseful, yet original read!!
What a great way to end a FANTASTIC 2021 in reading!!
July 8, 2021
I almost, almost passed this by re the title, like missing people/kids there are only so many books you can read on one subject and have read many that include stalkers….however am glad I didn’t as this is a new take, a very unique take on the subject
It is a build up book to around 70% when the ‘truth is out’ and you begin to realise just what the author has done to you as a reader, completely fooled you, in a good exciting way and once ‘it’s out’ there is no stopping it
Great characters, convincingly played and a great location of a remote Scottish island give this book all you need to be thrilled, and it is thrilling in more ways than one!
Wont say much more on it except once again this author has written a compulsive read, the only slight criticism is ( and seems to be the same with many books ) the almost constant references to palpitations and adrenaline
A great, dark and memorable book
9/10
5 Stars
It is a build up book to around 70% when the ‘truth is out’ and you begin to realise just what the author has done to you as a reader, completely fooled you, in a good exciting way and once ‘it’s out’ there is no stopping it
Great characters, convincingly played and a great location of a remote Scottish island give this book all you need to be thrilled, and it is thrilling in more ways than one!
Wont say much more on it except once again this author has written a compulsive read, the only slight criticism is ( and seems to be the same with many books ) the almost constant references to palpitations and adrenaline
A great, dark and memorable book
9/10
5 Stars
December 3, 2021
I have read so many premises like this I can’t tell you! So why did I chose to read this one?
Because I always live in hope that one day I’ll find one book out there that really blows my mind with this premise but kicks me up the bum with something shocking.
This one didn’t either, but, before you stop reading I need to say that although this didn’t blow my mind it took on some curves I wasn’t expecting. And although there were times it was so unbelievable and made me raise my eyes to the ceiling….this book has “something” . You know that food you tasted and you “quite” like it but there’s just ‘something’ missing but you can’t put your finger on? Yep! That’s me.
I much preferred this in audio than physical book. The narrator gets a 5 from me and the book 3.
Without the audio I dread to think what I’d have done.
A very quick read though and I liked it, but it’s not memorable.
Because I always live in hope that one day I’ll find one book out there that really blows my mind with this premise but kicks me up the bum with something shocking.
This one didn’t either, but, before you stop reading I need to say that although this didn’t blow my mind it took on some curves I wasn’t expecting. And although there were times it was so unbelievable and made me raise my eyes to the ceiling….this book has “something” . You know that food you tasted and you “quite” like it but there’s just ‘something’ missing but you can’t put your finger on? Yep! That’s me.
I much preferred this in audio than physical book. The narrator gets a 5 from me and the book 3.
Without the audio I dread to think what I’d have done.
A very quick read though and I liked it, but it’s not memorable.
August 10, 2021
Newlyweds Liam and Laura are spending their honeymoon on a remote island off the coast of Scotland. Told mainly from Laura's perspective, Laura has been struggling with depression since the death of her mother. However, she is determined to get her life back on track and celebrate her new marriage with the love of her life. But she quickly learns from the locals that the island is supposedly haunted and has seen more than its fair share of deaths. Then shortly after their arrival on the island, Laura begins to suspect that they're being watched...
I really enjoyed this book. It was gripping, atmospheric, and fast-paced. The plot seems pretty straightforward. A couple enjoying their honeymoon becomes the target of a madman. But don't be fooled, nothing is as it seems in this story. If you like thrillers with the unreliable narrator trope, then I highly recommend this one. Props to the author, she got me! I never saw that twist coming, didn't even suspect what was really going on.
Will definitely read more books by her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. It was gripping, atmospheric, and fast-paced. The plot seems pretty straightforward. A couple enjoying their honeymoon becomes the target of a madman. But don't be fooled, nothing is as it seems in this story. If you like thrillers with the unreliable narrator trope, then I highly recommend this one. Props to the author, she got me! I never saw that twist coming, didn't even suspect what was really going on.
Will definitely read more books by her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2021
This book started off strong for me, then turned a little ridiculous and unbelievable, and I was not thrilled with the new storyline that became the ending. Just wasn’t a great read for me. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 26, 2021
I’ve enjoyed Sarah Alderson ever since I read The Weekend Away. This book was not quite as fun for me, although I still enjoy her writing and look forward to her next book.
Newlyweds Liam and Laura, in their wedded bliss, of course decide to go to a creepy and totally deserted island for their honeymoon. Natural wedding pick, right? At least, all the ladies in thrillers seem to think so lately. Once Liam and Laura get to their creepy destination, it turns out they aren’t alone at all, and are being watched by a mysterious stalker.
It was pretty obvious to me from the beginning which way this book was going, and it was a fun idea, but I didn’t love the way it was executed. The beginning was a bit slow. Once we got to the more exciting second half I got a lot more interested, but then got frustrated by some pretty big plot holes. Overall, though I love the way Alderson writes and I enjoyed the original idea of the book, the execution of it just didn’t work for me this time. This can happen when you try a risky, twisty plot and I won’t hold it against the author and still look forward to what she has in store next!
3 stars for this one for a good idea and fun writing style but I would recommend The Weekend Away before this one.
Thanks to Avon Books, NetGalley and the author for the ARC!
Newlyweds Liam and Laura, in their wedded bliss, of course decide to go to a creepy and totally deserted island for their honeymoon. Natural wedding pick, right? At least, all the ladies in thrillers seem to think so lately. Once Liam and Laura get to their creepy destination, it turns out they aren’t alone at all, and are being watched by a mysterious stalker.
It was pretty obvious to me from the beginning which way this book was going, and it was a fun idea, but I didn’t love the way it was executed. The beginning was a bit slow. Once we got to the more exciting second half I got a lot more interested, but then got frustrated by some pretty big plot holes. Overall, though I love the way Alderson writes and I enjoyed the original idea of the book, the execution of it just didn’t work for me this time. This can happen when you try a risky, twisty plot and I won’t hold it against the author and still look forward to what she has in store next!
3 stars for this one for a good idea and fun writing style but I would recommend The Weekend Away before this one.
Thanks to Avon Books, NetGalley and the author for the ARC!
September 6, 2022
“Spoiler Free Alert”
Finally I completed reading this successfully, and guess what, I’m still alive!! Of course a lot of adrenaline is presently coursing through my veins and my mind is screaming out of my cranium telling how satisfied it is now, and my heart is racing through all the emotions the author has inflicted upon me!!!
I still can’t believe my heart has not exploded with such intensity of emotions, streaming directly from the words in the kindle,through my hand, into my veins and directly into my heart.
This is one of my first ARC’s I’ve received through NetGalley, and to read, and why God!!! Why? It had to be this damn good.
Now I’m gonna take a minute try to calm my nerves and my enthusiasm to pen down a review!!! (Taking a lot of deep breaths but it’s not helping much)
The story starts with a newly married couple going for a romantic getaway in a secluded island in a foreign land, and even a small child can answer what would happen there. The beginning, I found to be a bit common and guessable, and this didn’t pique my interest a lot, I was expecting things to happen and they did happen in the same way.
But hey!!! Wait!!! Did I just say that things went on as I thought, I must be a fool! And yes I have fallen into the trap. Till more than half of the story I was led into this misconception that this was a regular story, with very few twists that are somewhat expected.
But as we reach to about 70% of the story, the author decides let’s just mix few things and puff!! A chemical reaction resulting in an unexpected twist 😱😱😱. She has blown my mind away🤯, all that I had been believing from the start of the story has been proven to be wrong. An entry of a new character and her link to the story, the author has deceived me successfully (wait a second while I faint and regain my consciousness). And then yet she didn’t feel satisfied and she decided to drop another bomb in the form of our MC 😨. Holy s!!!!
This was one such stories that teaches me that never ever think a hero is always a hero! (This encrypted message will be only understood by those who read the book).
Coming to the rating:
The story is great, really kept me guessing till the end. And the main component of a thriller story is to always keep its readers on the edge :Checked - successfully filled
Now coming to the character built up, it was very intricate and detailed. The author was kind enough to leave some clues from the beginning in form of the character work up. The transition of the female lead from a depressed wife to a Phoenix achieving heights, perfectly shown:Checked - successfully filled
Now coming to the language. The words used are perfect, and she even used few words that differentiates between the locals and the other characters. Her words had such power and influence that every pain, every anger, every tear, every smile, fear, anguish, terror, was evident on my face, my heart could successfully capture those emotions and many more:Checked - successfully filled
The cover of the book, did you just see it, it was what made me choose this book on the first place, perfectly in accordance with the story:Checked - successfully filled
What more does my pour soul need, (maybe a long day at spa, to get my adrenaline down and excitement quite) there’s nothing more to say, I would happily recommend this book to anyone in seek of thrill and mystery. I am looking forward to read more books by the author.
5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Finally I completed reading this successfully, and guess what, I’m still alive!! Of course a lot of adrenaline is presently coursing through my veins and my mind is screaming out of my cranium telling how satisfied it is now, and my heart is racing through all the emotions the author has inflicted upon me!!!
I still can’t believe my heart has not exploded with such intensity of emotions, streaming directly from the words in the kindle,through my hand, into my veins and directly into my heart.
This is one of my first ARC’s I’ve received through NetGalley, and to read, and why God!!! Why? It had to be this damn good.
Now I’m gonna take a minute try to calm my nerves and my enthusiasm to pen down a review!!! (Taking a lot of deep breaths but it’s not helping much)
The story starts with a newly married couple going for a romantic getaway in a secluded island in a foreign land, and even a small child can answer what would happen there. The beginning, I found to be a bit common and guessable, and this didn’t pique my interest a lot, I was expecting things to happen and they did happen in the same way.
But hey!!! Wait!!! Did I just say that things went on as I thought, I must be a fool! And yes I have fallen into the trap. Till more than half of the story I was led into this misconception that this was a regular story, with very few twists that are somewhat expected.
But as we reach to about 70% of the story, the author decides let’s just mix few things and puff!! A chemical reaction resulting in an unexpected twist 😱😱😱. She has blown my mind away🤯, all that I had been believing from the start of the story has been proven to be wrong. An entry of a new character and her link to the story, the author has deceived me successfully (wait a second while I faint and regain my consciousness). And then yet she didn’t feel satisfied and she decided to drop another bomb in the form of our MC 😨. Holy s!!!!
This was one such stories that teaches me that never ever think a hero is always a hero! (This encrypted message will be only understood by those who read the book).
Coming to the rating:
The story is great, really kept me guessing till the end. And the main component of a thriller story is to always keep its readers on the edge :
Now coming to the character built up, it was very intricate and detailed. The author was kind enough to leave some clues from the beginning in form of the character work up. The transition of the female lead from a depressed wife to a Phoenix achieving heights, perfectly shown:
Now coming to the language. The words used are perfect, and she even used few words that differentiates between the locals and the other characters. Her words had such power and influence that every pain, every anger, every tear, every smile, fear, anguish, terror, was evident on my face, my heart could successfully capture those emotions and many more:
The cover of the book, did you just see it, it was what made me choose this book on the first place, perfectly in accordance with the story:
What more does my pour soul need, (maybe a long day at spa, to get my adrenaline down and excitement quite) there’s nothing more to say, I would happily recommend this book to anyone in seek of thrill and mystery. I am looking forward to read more books by the author.
5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
August 12, 2021
Newlyweds Laura and Liam are spending their delayed honeymoon on a remote island off the coast of Scotland where they're supposed to be the only inhabitants. It's not long before the couple begins to suspect that they aren't alone on the island.
The story is told from Laura's POV with occasional contributions from an unknown person. The location is very atmospheric and the author's descriptive prose will give you chills. I liked Laura who is full of anxiety and rather despondent following the death of her mother but I really didn't like Liam. He seems very self-absorbed and controlling and I feel like Laura is afraid of him. The chapters are nice and short and the writing makes it an easy book to read pretty quickly. I was definitely feeling the fear and had to stop reading a couple of times because I couldn't handle the tension.
I drafted the above at about the 55% mark, then at 70% the author threw a spanner into the works and shattered everything I believed. From that point on I thought the plot kind of dragged and there was too much explanation although I did enjoy the ending. I still recommend the book and I'll definitely be looking into other books by this author.
My thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel.
Published July 8, 2021
The story is told from Laura's POV with occasional contributions from an unknown person. The location is very atmospheric and the author's descriptive prose will give you chills. I liked Laura who is full of anxiety and rather despondent following the death of her mother but I really didn't like Liam. He seems very self-absorbed and controlling and I feel like Laura is afraid of him. The chapters are nice and short and the writing makes it an easy book to read pretty quickly. I was definitely feeling the fear and had to stop reading a couple of times because I couldn't handle the tension.
I drafted the above at about the 55% mark, then at 70% the author threw a spanner into the works and shattered everything I believed. From that point on I thought the plot kind of dragged and there was too much explanation although I did enjoy the ending. I still recommend the book and I'll definitely be looking into other books by this author.
My thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel.
Published July 8, 2021
December 10, 2021
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review!
This book is...hard...for me to review, for quite a few reasons. The story starts out as you would expect, but then gives into a twist that is just unfathomable and to be honest quite ridiculous. It almost feels like this book was written specifically to dupe the reader into something and then reveals all at the end. If these characters were real the deception of the reader would not be a thing, thus this book is totally unbelievable.
Now I will give some specifics that are ***SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS***
***SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS***
This book contains a lot of domestic violence, and pretty descriptive scenarios at some points. At the end of the book, one of the characters you thought was an "amazing guy" turns out to be a violent, abusive type. That in itself isn't something I was upset about...most abusers can be seen as "good people" to others who don't know the situation at home. But what DIDN'T set well with me was the fact that the main female lead IN HER THOUGHTS talks about how amazing this man is, then later down the line says he's not but she KNEW he wasn't the whole time. So then who is she trying to convince he is a good guy? You learn at the end she knew the whole time he wasn't so the only person she's trying to convince is the reader....um IN HER THOUGHTS?
As a certain scene is playing out (scratching of glass outside) the female lead mentions IN HER THOUGHTS how scared she is...who is this stalker trying to get in? Then at the end the female lead IN HER THOUGHTS talks about how she wasn't scared during that scene because she knew who the person scratching the glass was and instead was scared for a totally different reason.
....why would anyone IN THEIR THOUGHTS think one thing then go back later being like "oh yeah I was actually scared for this reason Dear Reader hahah fooled you" IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!!!!
The story itself is faulty even without this...there are just too many things to describe that are wrong with this book. It angered me to read the ending, and kind of insulting as well. I have talked about this book A LOT since reading it but not for good reasons...for bad...it is a poor choice to write when you are just writing to trick the reader.
When people ask me about how I liked this book, I tell them to read The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse.
This book is...hard...for me to review, for quite a few reasons. The story starts out as you would expect, but then gives into a twist that is just unfathomable and to be honest quite ridiculous. It almost feels like this book was written specifically to dupe the reader into something and then reveals all at the end. If these characters were real the deception of the reader would not be a thing, thus this book is totally unbelievable.
Now I will give some specifics that are ***SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS***
***SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS***
This book contains a lot of domestic violence, and pretty descriptive scenarios at some points. At the end of the book, one of the characters you thought was an "amazing guy" turns out to be a violent, abusive type. That in itself isn't something I was upset about...most abusers can be seen as "good people" to others who don't know the situation at home. But what DIDN'T set well with me was the fact that the main female lead IN HER THOUGHTS talks about how amazing this man is, then later down the line says he's not but she KNEW he wasn't the whole time. So then who is she trying to convince he is a good guy? You learn at the end she knew the whole time he wasn't so the only person she's trying to convince is the reader....um IN HER THOUGHTS?
As a certain scene is playing out (scratching of glass outside) the female lead mentions IN HER THOUGHTS how scared she is...who is this stalker trying to get in? Then at the end the female lead IN HER THOUGHTS talks about how she wasn't scared during that scene because she knew who the person scratching the glass was and instead was scared for a totally different reason.
....why would anyone IN THEIR THOUGHTS think one thing then go back later being like "oh yeah I was actually scared for this reason Dear Reader hahah fooled you" IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!!!!
The story itself is faulty even without this...there are just too many things to describe that are wrong with this book. It angered me to read the ending, and kind of insulting as well. I have talked about this book A LOT since reading it but not for good reasons...for bad...it is a poor choice to write when you are just writing to trick the reader.
When people ask me about how I liked this book, I tell them to read The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse.
October 15, 2021
Secluded Islands are great for intrigue and atmosphere, they're certainly not the idyllic relaxing spot that you'd associate with a honeymoon destination.
There seems to be a surge in popularity with setting books in Scotland recently.
Newlywed Laura opted for the location due to her love of the Outlander series and the initial destination being delayed.
It certainly seems like a good argument with Diana Gabaldon hugely popular series being an inspiration for many Scottish based settings.
I'd originally thought the change in location was going to be a timely reason, instead we learn that Laura struggled to come to terms with her mothers death.
Seeing Laura still grieving soon made me sympathise with her plight.
On the whole husband Liam seemed like a decent guy and was rooting for them both when it becomes clear that someone else is also on the island.
There's plenty of misdirected which constantly kept me guessing.
Slightly questionable if Alderson was playing fair with her readers, but once everything was revealed all those little clues that seemed important started to make sense.
A fun quick enjoyable read for fans of the genre.
There seems to be a surge in popularity with setting books in Scotland recently.
Newlywed Laura opted for the location due to her love of the Outlander series and the initial destination being delayed.
It certainly seems like a good argument with Diana Gabaldon hugely popular series being an inspiration for many Scottish based settings.
I'd originally thought the change in location was going to be a timely reason, instead we learn that Laura struggled to come to terms with her mothers death.
Seeing Laura still grieving soon made me sympathise with her plight.
On the whole husband Liam seemed like a decent guy and was rooting for them both when it becomes clear that someone else is also on the island.
There's plenty of misdirected which constantly kept me guessing.
Slightly questionable if Alderson was playing fair with her readers, but once everything was revealed all those little clues that seemed important started to make sense.
A fun quick enjoyable read for fans of the genre.
January 10, 2022
Oh crap, this novel was creepy! Why would anyone want to spend their honeymoon on a remote island with a shady history? Something is bound to go wrong for sure.
I like the atmosphere of the story, the feeling of being watched, the dark history of the island and the unsettling location. I feel so sad for Laura, I wanted to wrap her in my arms and protect her.
The premise was simple, something that has been written in different versions before but, it was effective. It scared me, the “stalker” was sinister and the second part of the book really shocked me. So good!
I like the atmosphere of the story, the feeling of being watched, the dark history of the island and the unsettling location. I feel so sad for Laura, I wanted to wrap her in my arms and protect her.
The premise was simple, something that has been written in different versions before but, it was effective. It scared me, the “stalker” was sinister and the second part of the book really shocked me. So good!
June 3, 2021
This was a creepy and atmospheric read, centered on Liam and Laura, who are spending their honeymoon on a remote island in Scotland. The island is supposed to be deserted, though there are rumors that it is haunted; scary things start happening to let them know they are not alone. The story is narrated from Laura's POV, with chapters from the unknown stalker dispersed throughout.
I love reading about abandoned places and thought the author did a good job setting the tone. The things that happened to the couple were decidedly creepy. If I had one nit, it is that the middle of the book was a bit repetitive, with a lot of arguing over what to do next and pondering over who was doing this to them. I was able to forgive that when I got to the last third of the book, which was action-packed and contained multiple twists.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to those who love reading about abandoned places as well as those who are mystery fans. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love reading about abandoned places and thought the author did a good job setting the tone. The things that happened to the couple were decidedly creepy. If I had one nit, it is that the middle of the book was a bit repetitive, with a lot of arguing over what to do next and pondering over who was doing this to them. I was able to forgive that when I got to the last third of the book, which was action-packed and contained multiple twists.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to those who love reading about abandoned places as well as those who are mystery fans. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2023
Audio 4.5 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
June 4, 2021
This book grabbed me from the start. It was so twisty and creepy. I loved the fact that this couple were on an island off Scotland with no WiFi and no phone signal, not something I’d do!!! The book was so compelling that I just couldn’t put it down and the ending was so good. I shall be on the lookout for more by this author. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
August 14, 2024
So good!!!!!
April 11, 2022
I absolutely loved the book in the beginning. I listened to it in the shower, while my son watched YouTube, when I drove and cleaned the house. The suspense was incredible, and I didn’t want the book to end. I also liked the ending and the twists along the way. My only problem was with how the ending didn’t match with the beginning when everything seemed perfect between Laura and Liam, the were some signs of something being off, but Laura came off very different in the first and second part, which made the book confusing and not believing in the story. Looking past that I still liked the book, especially considering how dedicated I was while reading the first part. There were some really good twists as well, which deserves to be mentioned.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2021
I really hated this book in the beginning. I couldn't stand the woman!! I listen to audiobooks while I run, and I disliked this book so much that I avoided the treadmill for several days. Could I blame this on my own laziness? Possibly. But I'm not gonna! It's much more enjoyable to just blame this book. The last bit of it picked up for me, and that's why I'm giving it two stars, but I was this close (you can't see me, but I'm holding my fingers together very, very closely) to quitting the damn thing.
Overall, this is a meh for me, just meh.
Overall, this is a meh for me, just meh.
July 8, 2021
Newly-weds Liam and Laura are spending their honeymoon in paradise: just the two of them on a remote island off the coast of Scotland.
But they soon discover that all is not as it seems, and the island has a tragic past. And they can’t shake the feeling of being watched…
When one morning, they wake to find a message scratched into the window, their worst fears are confirmed. They aren’t alone on the island. And this stranger wants them dead.
It’s a quick read with an unexpected twist!
The description of the settings for the plot is so amazingly done. It creates a sense of uneasiness and adds to the creepiness of the atmosphere.
The plot starts of quite slow and just as when you begin to wonder which direction is this leading to; there is an unexpected super excellent twist. It just throws out any ideas or guesses that you might have been making. After that it’s quite impossible to keep the book down until you have finished!
Thank You NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!
But they soon discover that all is not as it seems, and the island has a tragic past. And they can’t shake the feeling of being watched…
When one morning, they wake to find a message scratched into the window, their worst fears are confirmed. They aren’t alone on the island. And this stranger wants them dead.
It’s a quick read with an unexpected twist!
The description of the settings for the plot is so amazingly done. It creates a sense of uneasiness and adds to the creepiness of the atmosphere.
The plot starts of quite slow and just as when you begin to wonder which direction is this leading to; there is an unexpected super excellent twist. It just throws out any ideas or guesses that you might have been making. After that it’s quite impossible to keep the book down until you have finished!
Thank You NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!
October 5, 2021
3.5 Stars
A romantic getaway on a remote, private island becomes a honeymoon from hell for Laura and Liam Carrington, when they soon realise they are not alone. A quick and entertaining read (a bit unrealistic at times) but did manage to pull the wool over my eyes, when I thought I had it figured out from the very beginning.. A bargain at 99p!!!
A romantic getaway on a remote, private island becomes a honeymoon from hell for Laura and Liam Carrington, when they soon realise they are not alone. A quick and entertaining read (a bit unrealistic at times) but did manage to pull the wool over my eyes, when I thought I had it figured out from the very beginning.. A bargain at 99p!!!
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