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The Girl At My Door
The young friends were unaware of the man who had followed them through the park. With his trilby pulled down, he moved stealthily through the trees. He was careful and kept to the shadows. He worried it might not have been his wisest move to join the girl on the bench but hadn’t been able to resist seeing her sitting alone like that: she was his absolute ideal.
London 1949: Queenie Osbourne and her best friend Joy are walking through the bustling city streets looking forward to a bright future. The two friends have a striking beauty which draws everyone to them. Queenie dreams of making her fortune as a singer in America and Joy is engaged to wealthy bachelor Charles Gilchrist.
As they prepare for the wedding, it becomes clear that there is a spark between Queenie and Charles and soon they commit the ultimate betrayal. But Queenie’s dream is shattered in an instant when she discovers she is pregnant.
With nowhere else to turn, Queenie is told about a man named John Reginald Christie. He helps women like her and will keep her secret. But as she stands on the steps outside 10 Rillington Place, she feels instantly threatened.
On the other side of the door, Reg Christie is waiting. Queenie doesn’t know that he has been watching her for a long time. To Reg she is perfect in every way. Now, all she has to do is knock…
Inspired by the true crime story of the Rillington Place killer John Reginald Christie, this is a chilling mystery based on a fictional cast of characters. Fans of Gregg Olsen, Louise Douglas and Jess Lourey will be hooked.
This novel was previously published as The Rope Chair.
London 1949: Queenie Osbourne and her best friend Joy are walking through the bustling city streets looking forward to a bright future. The two friends have a striking beauty which draws everyone to them. Queenie dreams of making her fortune as a singer in America and Joy is engaged to wealthy bachelor Charles Gilchrist.
As they prepare for the wedding, it becomes clear that there is a spark between Queenie and Charles and soon they commit the ultimate betrayal. But Queenie’s dream is shattered in an instant when she discovers she is pregnant.
With nowhere else to turn, Queenie is told about a man named John Reginald Christie. He helps women like her and will keep her secret. But as she stands on the steps outside 10 Rillington Place, she feels instantly threatened.
On the other side of the door, Reg Christie is waiting. Queenie doesn’t know that he has been watching her for a long time. To Reg she is perfect in every way. Now, all she has to do is knock…
Inspired by the true crime story of the Rillington Place killer John Reginald Christie, this is a chilling mystery based on a fictional cast of characters. Fans of Gregg Olsen, Louise Douglas and Jess Lourey will be hooked.
This novel was previously published as The Rope Chair.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2021
135 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Griffiths
10 books115 followersPRAISE FOR REBECCA GRIFFITHS:
'Twisty, atmospheric and elegantly written, it has echoes of Daphne du Maurier with its shivering paranoia, fear and dread.' The Daily Mail
'An increasingly tense narrative with stylish writing that keeps her a cut above most of her rivals' The Guardian
‘A chilling thriller . . . brilliantly written.’ The Sun
'Truly chilling.' Woman
‘There is something of the tenterhooks tension of a Daphne du Maurier to Rebecca Griffith’s dreamy and disturbing domestic thriller . . . Griffiths has a superb handle on her characters and their twisting motivations, spinning out a story of memory and long-term consequence that grips from cover to cover.’ Waterstones
'Tense, intriguing, with a satisfying twist.' The Western Mail
'Eerie and tense.' The Morning Star
'Gripping.' Hello
'Creepy.' Heat
'Twisty, atmospheric and elegantly written, it has echoes of Daphne du Maurier with its shivering paranoia, fear and dread.' The Daily Mail
'An increasingly tense narrative with stylish writing that keeps her a cut above most of her rivals' The Guardian
‘A chilling thriller . . . brilliantly written.’ The Sun
'Truly chilling.' Woman
‘There is something of the tenterhooks tension of a Daphne du Maurier to Rebecca Griffith’s dreamy and disturbing domestic thriller . . . Griffiths has a superb handle on her characters and their twisting motivations, spinning out a story of memory and long-term consequence that grips from cover to cover.’ Waterstones
'Tense, intriguing, with a satisfying twist.' The Western Mail
'Eerie and tense.' The Morning Star
'Gripping.' Hello
'Creepy.' Heat
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
September 27, 2021
He keeps in the shadows as he follows them through the park....
London, 1949
Best friends, Queenie and Joy are looking forward to bright futures. They are young, beautiful, and full of promise. Queenie is an aspiring singer who hopes to make it in America. Joy is engaged to a wealthy bachelor named Charles Gilchrist. Terry is Queenie's bandmate and has a secret. All of them have plans. They are ready to take on the world - to love, to succeed, to be famous and be themselves....
Plans as they say can go awry.
The wedding plans are underway and so is the spark between Queenie and Charles. Betrayal runs deep and there is no turning back when Queenie becomes pregnant. But there are rumors, there is a place that women can go for help in these delicate situations - 10 Rillington Place. But as she stands outside of John Reginald Christie's (Reg Christie) door, she is wary. She feels threatened. But why? Little does she know that Reg Christie has been watching her, he knows her, she is perfect, and she is right outside his door!
This is historical fiction meets mystery/suspense inspired by the true crime story of "The Rillington Place killer John Reginald Christie" I had not heard of this notorious serial killer. This book had me researching him. When not researching Reg Christie, I was sucked into this book. It is chilling with creepy vibes. Ever feel as if you are being watched or followed? This book shows you what it feels like. It is gripping, dark and absorbing.
I was impressed with Rebecca Griffiths’ research and her blending of fictionalized characters with a real-life killer. Plus, Griffiths transports readers to post war London. Dreams are alive once again. People are ready to get on with their lives, but dreams can be fragile, actions have consequences and friendships will be tested.
This book may have you looking over your shoulder, wondering what thoughts or motives another might have. I love a book that makes me think, feel, and educates me. I learned about an English serial killer, I felt for the three friends, and thought about how their lives were changed. Throw that in with the chilling, creepy vibe of Reg Christie and you have a winner!
This book has so many things that I enjoy in a book - a vile depraved killer, a mystery, some history, tension, suspense, and atmosphere. Once I got going with this book, I did not want to put it down and read most in one sitting.
Dark, chilling, gripping and tense.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
London, 1949
Best friends, Queenie and Joy are looking forward to bright futures. They are young, beautiful, and full of promise. Queenie is an aspiring singer who hopes to make it in America. Joy is engaged to a wealthy bachelor named Charles Gilchrist. Terry is Queenie's bandmate and has a secret. All of them have plans. They are ready to take on the world - to love, to succeed, to be famous and be themselves....
Plans as they say can go awry.
The wedding plans are underway and so is the spark between Queenie and Charles. Betrayal runs deep and there is no turning back when Queenie becomes pregnant. But there are rumors, there is a place that women can go for help in these delicate situations - 10 Rillington Place. But as she stands outside of John Reginald Christie's (Reg Christie) door, she is wary. She feels threatened. But why? Little does she know that Reg Christie has been watching her, he knows her, she is perfect, and she is right outside his door!
This is historical fiction meets mystery/suspense inspired by the true crime story of "The Rillington Place killer John Reginald Christie" I had not heard of this notorious serial killer. This book had me researching him. When not researching Reg Christie, I was sucked into this book. It is chilling with creepy vibes. Ever feel as if you are being watched or followed? This book shows you what it feels like. It is gripping, dark and absorbing.
I was impressed with Rebecca Griffiths’ research and her blending of fictionalized characters with a real-life killer. Plus, Griffiths transports readers to post war London. Dreams are alive once again. People are ready to get on with their lives, but dreams can be fragile, actions have consequences and friendships will be tested.
This book may have you looking over your shoulder, wondering what thoughts or motives another might have. I love a book that makes me think, feel, and educates me. I learned about an English serial killer, I felt for the three friends, and thought about how their lives were changed. Throw that in with the chilling, creepy vibe of Reg Christie and you have a winner!
This book has so many things that I enjoy in a book - a vile depraved killer, a mystery, some history, tension, suspense, and atmosphere. Once I got going with this book, I did not want to put it down and read most in one sitting.
Dark, chilling, gripping and tense.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
October 2, 2021
Editing to add: I'm being trolled for my opinion on this book. These four "readers" had no GR friends, all of this author's books on their shelves (and a few other books, not more than 25-30), and no books as "Currently Reading". Yet they felt it their duty to point out in the comments how I didn't get the book and how it was the best thriller they've read. One of them went so far as to point out the "obvious lack of attention to individual books as this person is rushing behind the reading challenge." (I guess they assume that quick readers are poor readers.) Needless to say, I've flagged all those comments and blocked those profiles. (You can still find some of their comments on other reviews of this book.) But this episode has left me with a sour aftertaste. Never thought I'd be trolled for a 3 star review. I don't think I'll ever opt for this author's books in future. My peace of mind is dearer to me.
************************
In a Nutshell: If you are looking for a dark crime thriller, you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a historical crime novel with some romantic drama thrown in, read ahead!
Story:
Let me begin by admitting that I had the wrong expectations from the book. I had assumed that serial killer John Reginald Christie will have a more central track in the narrative. However, it focused more on Queenie's devious shenanigans and their repercussions on the lives of those around her.
What I loved about the book:
✔ All the chapters focussing on Christie are fabulous. His dark mind and his twisted thinking are revealed in such a way that you can’t help feeling threatened by him. These chapters will send shudders down your spine. I read up on Christie after completing the book and was pleased to discover how well-researched this book is. If you need one reason to read a book, this ought to be it.
✔ Terence’s struggles in a homophobic city are well written. These chapters will make you realise at how much LGBT people have had to suffer, not just at the hands of commoners but also under the rigid law enforcement officers.
What I didn’t enjoy as much:
❌ I wish the central focus were on the factual Christie than the fictional trio of Queenie, Joy and Terence. Every time Christie came in, the creepy feelings increased. But when the next chapter changed the focus over to Queenie or Joy, the mood of the story changed to a regular drama. This was especially disheartening because the Christie chapters set a high benchmark for hair-raising thrills and chills.
❌ Queenie and Joy are characters who aren’t really sketched well. Not because they are unlikeable or timid respectively, but because some of their actions and decisions seem utterly illogical and contrary to their general personality. I couldn’t connect with either of them, and this affected my experience because they are the two characters around whom the entire plot revolves.
❌ There is a bit of repetitive writing in some of the chapters, especially in the ones focussing on Queenie. Some of the content was also superfluous; it wasn’t necessary for the main plot at all.
The audiobook experience:
I heard the 10 hrs 36 min audiobook narrated by Jonathan Keeble and Daphne Kouma. While both the narrators were fabulous in terms of their enunciation and narration, Jonathan Keeble steals the show only while narrating Christie. His voice sent goose pimples down my spine in the prologue. But the way he voices the remaining characters sounded exaggerated and caricaturish at times.
Do keep in mind though that the audiobook is very confusing at the start. There are too many characters appearing too soon without enough of a background. So it takes some time to know who is who. If you keep your patience, the audiobook is worth it.
All in all, I think it was my expectations rather than the book that let me down. So I’ll be a bit lenient and rate it 3.25 stars instead of my initial 2.75 stars. If you are a fan of true crime books in a fictional setting, and are more forgiving than me about romantic dramas being a part of such storylines, do give it a try. If nothing else, it gives you a good look at the warped mind of a serial killer.
Thank you, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley, for the audio ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
************************
In a Nutshell: If you are looking for a dark crime thriller, you will be disappointed. If you are looking for a historical crime novel with some romantic drama thrown in, read ahead!
Story:
👉 Queenie Osborne is an up-and-coming singer in a London nightclub. She has an eye for fashion, and knows very clearly what she wants in life.
👉 Joy, who considers Queenie her best friend, is a stark opposite in nature. Shy and under-confident, this French girl moonlights as a waitress in the same nightclub. Her life changes when a customer and one of London’s most eligible bachelors, Charles Gilchrist, falls for her. This doesn’t go well with Queenie, who considers herself a better fit for Charles and plans to break them apart.
👉 John Reginald Christie is an ordinary citizen by day, hiding a disturbing secret. When he spots Joy in the nightclub, he becomes obsessed with her and starts scheming ways to capture her in his nefarious net.
👉 Terence is a closet homosexual who is a banker by day and a pianist at the nightclub in his after-work hours. Without realising how or why, he becomes a key player in the Queenie-Joy-John battle of wits.
How the lives of these four characters intersect forms the essence of the plot.
The story is set in 1949 London and is written in third person omniscient narration focussing mainly on these four characters.
Let me begin by admitting that I had the wrong expectations from the book. I had assumed that serial killer John Reginald Christie will have a more central track in the narrative. However, it focused more on Queenie's devious shenanigans and their repercussions on the lives of those around her.
What I loved about the book:
✔ All the chapters focussing on Christie are fabulous. His dark mind and his twisted thinking are revealed in such a way that you can’t help feeling threatened by him. These chapters will send shudders down your spine. I read up on Christie after completing the book and was pleased to discover how well-researched this book is. If you need one reason to read a book, this ought to be it.
✔ Terence’s struggles in a homophobic city are well written. These chapters will make you realise at how much LGBT people have had to suffer, not just at the hands of commoners but also under the rigid law enforcement officers.
What I didn’t enjoy as much:
❌ I wish the central focus were on the factual Christie than the fictional trio of Queenie, Joy and Terence. Every time Christie came in, the creepy feelings increased. But when the next chapter changed the focus over to Queenie or Joy, the mood of the story changed to a regular drama. This was especially disheartening because the Christie chapters set a high benchmark for hair-raising thrills and chills.
❌ Queenie and Joy are characters who aren’t really sketched well. Not because they are unlikeable or timid respectively, but because some of their actions and decisions seem utterly illogical and contrary to their general personality. I couldn’t connect with either of them, and this affected my experience because they are the two characters around whom the entire plot revolves.
❌ There is a bit of repetitive writing in some of the chapters, especially in the ones focussing on Queenie. Some of the content was also superfluous; it wasn’t necessary for the main plot at all.
The audiobook experience:
I heard the 10 hrs 36 min audiobook narrated by Jonathan Keeble and Daphne Kouma. While both the narrators were fabulous in terms of their enunciation and narration, Jonathan Keeble steals the show only while narrating Christie. His voice sent goose pimples down my spine in the prologue. But the way he voices the remaining characters sounded exaggerated and caricaturish at times.
Do keep in mind though that the audiobook is very confusing at the start. There are too many characters appearing too soon without enough of a background. So it takes some time to know who is who. If you keep your patience, the audiobook is worth it.
All in all, I think it was my expectations rather than the book that let me down. So I’ll be a bit lenient and rate it 3.25 stars instead of my initial 2.75 stars. If you are a fan of true crime books in a fictional setting, and are more forgiving than me about romantic dramas being a part of such storylines, do give it a try. If nothing else, it gives you a good look at the warped mind of a serial killer.
Thank you, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley, for the audio ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
August 21, 2021
I always love a good thriller with lots of twist and turns and I must say that "The girl at my door" by author Rebecca Griffiths is one such page turning thriller.This is my first ever book that I have read by this author to be honest and a one, I'm glad I read.
Based on the real life notorious serial killer, John Reginald Christie of 10 Rillington place, under whose silent filthy prying eyes, two friends Queenie and Joy are struggling to make a bright future for themselves after the second world war in the year 1949. But when betrayal strikes their friendship, leaving their lives shattered and friendship broken. Will Queenie risking her bright future and turn to the only man who can help her with no clue of what lies behind the closed door of 10 Rillington place?
The book is a good blend of a real life crime story along with fictional characters. The characters are a mixture of strong and likeable to creepy and shadowy. The book also give us a glimpse of the world where homosexuality and abortions were considered a taboo. The author has used a very rhythmic tone in her writing which for me personally, made it all the more interesting as well as creepy at times. I also liked the fact that author retold the story of Christie, which i' m sure most of us were not all at aware off. The only thing that did not work for me was that the book was quite heavy on the descriptive part, but with a gripping plot like that, it was something that I was willing to overlook totally.
Will I recommend this book? Yes, if you are someone who likes a creepy thriller, then this is the book to watch out for.
A big thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for an ARC.
Based on the real life notorious serial killer, John Reginald Christie of 10 Rillington place, under whose silent filthy prying eyes, two friends Queenie and Joy are struggling to make a bright future for themselves after the second world war in the year 1949. But when betrayal strikes their friendship, leaving their lives shattered and friendship broken. Will Queenie risking her bright future and turn to the only man who can help her with no clue of what lies behind the closed door of 10 Rillington place?
The book is a good blend of a real life crime story along with fictional characters. The characters are a mixture of strong and likeable to creepy and shadowy. The book also give us a glimpse of the world where homosexuality and abortions were considered a taboo. The author has used a very rhythmic tone in her writing which for me personally, made it all the more interesting as well as creepy at times. I also liked the fact that author retold the story of Christie, which i' m sure most of us were not all at aware off. The only thing that did not work for me was that the book was quite heavy on the descriptive part, but with a gripping plot like that, it was something that I was willing to overlook totally.
Will I recommend this book? Yes, if you are someone who likes a creepy thriller, then this is the book to watch out for.
A big thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for an ARC.
April 16, 2022
Based on a True story 👍
Written by one of my fav authors 👍
Intense
Suspenseful
It has all the the sinister vibes from the true events.
Hooked, yes I was hooked. Walking around with my headphones on listening to this wonderfully narrated book. So well written and so well told.
I love creepy stalkery (just made that word up!) books that make me tense and edgy.
Loved it.
Written by one of my fav authors 👍
Intense
Suspenseful
It has all the the sinister vibes from the true events.
Hooked, yes I was hooked. Walking around with my headphones on listening to this wonderfully narrated book. So well written and so well told.
I love creepy stalkery (just made that word up!) books that make me tense and edgy.
Loved it.
September 13, 2021
London, 1949: Onn the dark streets of Soho, a killer is waiting in the shadows. Queenie Osbourne is the talk of London. Rising to fame as a singer after WWII, she is about to head to New York to make her fortune. On the surface John Reginald Christie is an ordinary man. By day he wanders the busy bustling city streets. By night he is entertained by Queenie and her band. He is always searching for prey. Soon a young waitress named Joy catches his eye and his dangerous obsession begins.
Inspired by the true crime story of the Rillington Place murders. I must admit that I did not know anything about the Rillington Place murders before I started reading this book, and in a way, I'm glad I didn't as it might have swayed my judgement. I was pulled into the story after a couple of chapters. John Christie lived at 10, Rillington Place. Queenie and Joy are friends who want to make a better life for themselves. Times were hard in this dark and creepy thriller. This is a page turner with lots of twists.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #RebeccaGriffiths for my ARC of #TheGirlAtMyDoor in exchange for an honest review.
Inspired by the true crime story of the Rillington Place murders. I must admit that I did not know anything about the Rillington Place murders before I started reading this book, and in a way, I'm glad I didn't as it might have swayed my judgement. I was pulled into the story after a couple of chapters. John Christie lived at 10, Rillington Place. Queenie and Joy are friends who want to make a better life for themselves. Times were hard in this dark and creepy thriller. This is a page turner with lots of twists.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #RebeccaGriffiths for my ARC of #TheGirlAtMyDoor in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2021
The story was about two friends, a homosexual, and a killer in London, 1949. Fictional characters in the true crime story of the Rillington Place killer John Reginald Christie.
This was the story of
Queenie and her best friend Joy, but Queenie didn't act like that. She was extremely jealous of Joy and slept with her fiance then got regret! Queenie was the biggest unpleasant part of this book to me.
The hard time for living as a homosexual. Terence, Queenie's friend, was under pressure and had to suffer. His tension was beautifully described.
Reg Christie is obsessed with Joy. His voice was creepy and chillish. I wish he and his act was the main of the story.
This audiobook and Narrators were great, I really enjoyed listening to them. I just couldn't find it really a thriller, presence of the killer was clear and short, the story mostly was about other characters. Overall this wasn't about the life of a serial killer. Which wasn't bad, I like the historical elements in any kind of book. Also, there was suspense and creepy moments.
Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me a chance of listening to The Girl at My Door by Rebecca Griffiths Narrated by Jonathan Keeble, Daphne Kouma, I have given my honest review.
This was the story of
Queenie and her best friend Joy, but Queenie didn't act like that. She was extremely jealous of Joy and slept with her fiance then got regret! Queenie was the biggest unpleasant part of this book to me.
The hard time for living as a homosexual. Terence, Queenie's friend, was under pressure and had to suffer. His tension was beautifully described.
Reg Christie is obsessed with Joy. His voice was creepy and chillish. I wish he and his act was the main of the story.
This audiobook and Narrators were great, I really enjoyed listening to them. I just couldn't find it really a thriller, presence of the killer was clear and short, the story mostly was about other characters. Overall this wasn't about the life of a serial killer. Which wasn't bad, I like the historical elements in any kind of book. Also, there was suspense and creepy moments.
Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me a chance of listening to The Girl at My Door by Rebecca Griffiths Narrated by Jonathan Keeble, Daphne Kouma, I have given my honest review.
September 25, 2021
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Rebecca Griffiths' exciting historical crime thriller THE GIRL AT MY DOOR.
As soon as I read the premise for this book I knew I had to read it. My fascination with historical serial killers deemed it so. THE GIRL AT MY DOOR is an historical crime thriller with a difference though...featuring the infamous serial killer of the 1940s and 50s, John Reginald Christie of the equally infamous 10 Rillington Place...London's original house of horrors situated in the now affluent area of Notting Hill. While this is not a true crime story, it is an historical crime thriller interwoven with the factual aspect of Christie making this an interesting as well as a dark and somewhat creepy read - particularly the chapters in which Christie features as he lurks unseen in the shadows.
London, 1949: On the dark streets of Soho, a killer lurks in the shadows...watching, waiting and biding his time. Unbeknownst to them, best friends Queenie and Joy are trying to make the best of life in post-war London while their every move is being watched.
Queenie is as gregarious and vivacious as she is beautiful. She is an up-and-coming singer in a London nightclub called the Mockin' Bird where she has gained the eye of an American scout who has offered her a part on Broadway in New York. All she wants to do is perform for an audience wearing the stunning dresses she fashions for herself. But as confident as she is, Queenie is also selfish and vain, often chastising Joy for her own clumsy attempts at such things as applying make-up.
Joy is the complete opposite. She is shy, self-conscious and lacking in confidence. She admires Queenie for being all the things she isn't although she herself couldn't imagine having the same confidence as her friend. Quiet and gentle, Joy loves nothing more than to immerse herself in a world of books...her favourite being Thomas Hardy. She works at the British Museum by day until Queenie gets her a job waitressing at the Mockin' a couple of nights a week. And there, Joy meets one of London's most eligible bachelors, Charles Gilchrist, whilst simultaneously batting away the attentions of the band's drunken drummer, Buster.
When Joy and Charles become engaged, Queenie finds herself suddenly out of sorts. This is a man who is used to the finer things in life, a man who needs a wife to shine on his arm at events, a man who needs someone more like her than quiet mousy Joy. But who is she to begrudge her best friend this happiness? But are they really? And can Joy really give him all that he needs? With a touch of the green-eyed monster glowing from within, Queenie considers that she would be a better fit for Charles and suddenly finds herself increasingly attracted to him. She begins to flirt with him even under the oblivious eyes of Joy and sets her cap at beguiling him. But at what cost?
Queenie's friend Terrence is a banker by day and a pianist at the Mockin' Bird by night. He becomes her confidante when Joy cannot. But he also has a secret - he is a closet homosexual, a proclivity that was illegal and punishable by imprisonment, and that which finds him at the mercy of a very clever and very dangerous man.
And then there is John Reginald Christie, a seemingly ordinary unassuming man who no one seems to notice. When one day his attention is drawn to Joy as he watches her in the park and stealthily follows her home, he becomes obsessed with her and fantasies about luring her into his web where he longs to have his wicked way with her. His dark mind is disturbing and his twisted thoughts are chilling that one can't help but feel threatened by him, despite his small and unassuming stature. You could almost sense his eyes following your every move just as they mentally undress the objects of his obsession. In this case, Joy.
When an act of betrayal comes between Queenie and Joy, their lives are shattered and their friendship broken. And as a result Queenie finds herself at the door of 10 Rillington Place to rid herself of the trouble in which she now finds herself. But when Terrence discovers just how dangerous the man behind that door is, time is running out for him to reach Queenie before she becomes Christie's next victim of his rope chair.
THE GIRL AT MY DOOR is a well-written blend of a real life crime story with fiction creating an atmospheric tale set in the shadow of gaslights amidst pea souper fogs with a sinister sense of foreboding. It is completely engrossing from start to finish with its deliciously dark and suspenseful prose. Looking through the eyes of Christie is especially chilling and so authentic that it made my skin crawl.
Told from the third person perspectives of Queenie, Joy, Terrence and Christie himself, THE GIRL AT MY DOOR is an addictive thriller with a difference. And although we think we know the outcome being based on the actual crimes of Christie, there are some surprising and shocking twists to come.
A perfect combination of fact with fiction, THE GIRL AT MY DOOR is an engrossing read that is quick and enjoyable and perfect for fans of historical crime fiction as well as those with an interest in true crime.
I would like to thank #RebeccaGriffiths, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheGirlAtMyDoor in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Rebecca Griffiths' exciting historical crime thriller THE GIRL AT MY DOOR.
As soon as I read the premise for this book I knew I had to read it. My fascination with historical serial killers deemed it so. THE GIRL AT MY DOOR is an historical crime thriller with a difference though...featuring the infamous serial killer of the 1940s and 50s, John Reginald Christie of the equally infamous 10 Rillington Place...London's original house of horrors situated in the now affluent area of Notting Hill. While this is not a true crime story, it is an historical crime thriller interwoven with the factual aspect of Christie making this an interesting as well as a dark and somewhat creepy read - particularly the chapters in which Christie features as he lurks unseen in the shadows.
London, 1949: On the dark streets of Soho, a killer lurks in the shadows...watching, waiting and biding his time. Unbeknownst to them, best friends Queenie and Joy are trying to make the best of life in post-war London while their every move is being watched.
Queenie is as gregarious and vivacious as she is beautiful. She is an up-and-coming singer in a London nightclub called the Mockin' Bird where she has gained the eye of an American scout who has offered her a part on Broadway in New York. All she wants to do is perform for an audience wearing the stunning dresses she fashions for herself. But as confident as she is, Queenie is also selfish and vain, often chastising Joy for her own clumsy attempts at such things as applying make-up.
Joy is the complete opposite. She is shy, self-conscious and lacking in confidence. She admires Queenie for being all the things she isn't although she herself couldn't imagine having the same confidence as her friend. Quiet and gentle, Joy loves nothing more than to immerse herself in a world of books...her favourite being Thomas Hardy. She works at the British Museum by day until Queenie gets her a job waitressing at the Mockin' a couple of nights a week. And there, Joy meets one of London's most eligible bachelors, Charles Gilchrist, whilst simultaneously batting away the attentions of the band's drunken drummer, Buster.
When Joy and Charles become engaged, Queenie finds herself suddenly out of sorts. This is a man who is used to the finer things in life, a man who needs a wife to shine on his arm at events, a man who needs someone more like her than quiet mousy Joy. But who is she to begrudge her best friend this happiness? But are they really? And can Joy really give him all that he needs? With a touch of the green-eyed monster glowing from within, Queenie considers that she would be a better fit for Charles and suddenly finds herself increasingly attracted to him. She begins to flirt with him even under the oblivious eyes of Joy and sets her cap at beguiling him. But at what cost?
Queenie's friend Terrence is a banker by day and a pianist at the Mockin' Bird by night. He becomes her confidante when Joy cannot. But he also has a secret - he is a closet homosexual, a proclivity that was illegal and punishable by imprisonment, and that which finds him at the mercy of a very clever and very dangerous man.
And then there is John Reginald Christie, a seemingly ordinary unassuming man who no one seems to notice. When one day his attention is drawn to Joy as he watches her in the park and stealthily follows her home, he becomes obsessed with her and fantasies about luring her into his web where he longs to have his wicked way with her. His dark mind is disturbing and his twisted thoughts are chilling that one can't help but feel threatened by him, despite his small and unassuming stature. You could almost sense his eyes following your every move just as they mentally undress the objects of his obsession. In this case, Joy.
When an act of betrayal comes between Queenie and Joy, their lives are shattered and their friendship broken. And as a result Queenie finds herself at the door of 10 Rillington Place to rid herself of the trouble in which she now finds herself. But when Terrence discovers just how dangerous the man behind that door is, time is running out for him to reach Queenie before she becomes Christie's next victim of his rope chair.
THE GIRL AT MY DOOR is a well-written blend of a real life crime story with fiction creating an atmospheric tale set in the shadow of gaslights amidst pea souper fogs with a sinister sense of foreboding. It is completely engrossing from start to finish with its deliciously dark and suspenseful prose. Looking through the eyes of Christie is especially chilling and so authentic that it made my skin crawl.
Told from the third person perspectives of Queenie, Joy, Terrence and Christie himself, THE GIRL AT MY DOOR is an addictive thriller with a difference. And although we think we know the outcome being based on the actual crimes of Christie, there are some surprising and shocking twists to come.
A perfect combination of fact with fiction, THE GIRL AT MY DOOR is an engrossing read that is quick and enjoyable and perfect for fans of historical crime fiction as well as those with an interest in true crime.
I would like to thank #RebeccaGriffiths, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheGirlAtMyDoor in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
September 27, 2021
I was one of those strange children that was obsessed with books on murders and serial killers. Devouring books on Crippen, Haigh, Mary Ann Cotton, Christie and any others I could get my hands on at the library. (Thanks mum for never censoring my reading).
Christie was always one of my favourites and I am not the only one as the film 10 Rillington Place got Richard Attenborough and John Hurt with Tim Roth also playing him in a more recent adaptation. So when I heard the wonderful Rebecca Griffiths was turning it into a blend of fact and fiction I signed up straight away.
The friendship of Queenie and Joy is central to the story, Joy is a French girl who is often shown hostility due to her accent and she has very little money. Queenie gets her a job waitressing in the club where she sings and that’s when the trouble starts. One of the customers, eligible bachelor Charles Gilchrist falls for Joy and Queenie thinking they are a better match betrays Joy in the worst way possible.
With other players also making their mark like Terence the piano player, at times the story played out like a game of chess. Which player would make a move and would it block them or free them up to take the Queen?
Cleverly she has taken the drab and dingy post war London and injected it with the glitz and glamour of The Mockin’ Bird. Also using the shabbiness of Joy, which is in stark contrast to the star quality of Queenie, to make her stand out even more. But it is Joy that catches Christie’s eye.
The Christie parts were well researched and chillingly accurate, giving me goosebumps and I’ve always believed there’s nothing more sinister than the wickedness that hides behind the seemingly ordinary.
I think the author is really on to something with this. With fairytale retellings being popular maybe it’s now time for the serial killers to take the stage.
Christie was always one of my favourites and I am not the only one as the film 10 Rillington Place got Richard Attenborough and John Hurt with Tim Roth also playing him in a more recent adaptation. So when I heard the wonderful Rebecca Griffiths was turning it into a blend of fact and fiction I signed up straight away.
The friendship of Queenie and Joy is central to the story, Joy is a French girl who is often shown hostility due to her accent and she has very little money. Queenie gets her a job waitressing in the club where she sings and that’s when the trouble starts. One of the customers, eligible bachelor Charles Gilchrist falls for Joy and Queenie thinking they are a better match betrays Joy in the worst way possible.
With other players also making their mark like Terence the piano player, at times the story played out like a game of chess. Which player would make a move and would it block them or free them up to take the Queen?
Cleverly she has taken the drab and dingy post war London and injected it with the glitz and glamour of The Mockin’ Bird. Also using the shabbiness of Joy, which is in stark contrast to the star quality of Queenie, to make her stand out even more. But it is Joy that catches Christie’s eye.
The Christie parts were well researched and chillingly accurate, giving me goosebumps and I’ve always believed there’s nothing more sinister than the wickedness that hides behind the seemingly ordinary.
I think the author is really on to something with this. With fairytale retellings being popular maybe it’s now time for the serial killers to take the stage.
August 11, 2021
"London, 1949. On the dark streets of Soho, a killer is waiting in the shadows. Inspired by the true crime story of the Rillington Place murders comes a chilling re-telling of one of Britain’s most infamous serial killers."
Can I give more than 5 stars?? WOW, WOW, WOW, what did I just read?
I went into this one blind and I am so glad I did. This book deserves major recognition . The Girl at My Door, is going to be an instant hit. Rebecca Griffiths, you had an incredible talent for writing and I am blown away with what I have just read.
Right from the start I was easily pulled in. This book is all sorts of creepy that will have your imagination running wild! I absolutely loved that this was based on a true story, it made it that much more intriguing. I did not want this book to end and I just want so much more! Give me more!
After concluding, I had to jump on google to literally search every article on the Rillington Place murders. I will shout it from the rooftops, go pre order your copy of The Girl at My Door, you do not want to miss this one!
Can I give more than 5 stars?? WOW, WOW, WOW, what did I just read?
I went into this one blind and I am so glad I did. This book deserves major recognition . The Girl at My Door, is going to be an instant hit. Rebecca Griffiths, you had an incredible talent for writing and I am blown away with what I have just read.
Right from the start I was easily pulled in. This book is all sorts of creepy that will have your imagination running wild! I absolutely loved that this was based on a true story, it made it that much more intriguing. I did not want this book to end and I just want so much more! Give me more!
After concluding, I had to jump on google to literally search every article on the Rillington Place murders. I will shout it from the rooftops, go pre order your copy of The Girl at My Door, you do not want to miss this one!
September 22, 2021
This historical fiction was also a suspense-thriller. Well written, this was loosely based on a true crime. It was dark. It was uncomfortable. But I was determined to see its end.
Serial killers have always held a fascination with me and this didn’t disappoint. My emotions were like a roller coaster, besides the creepy guy I enjoyed the other parts of the story and thought it was a good. I couldn’t put it down and held my breath several times. It’s very sad but we’ll done.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and the narrators Jonathan Keeble and Daphne Kouma were great. This was 10 hours and 36 minutes of suspenseful listening.
Serial killers have always held a fascination with me and this didn’t disappoint. My emotions were like a roller coaster, besides the creepy guy I enjoyed the other parts of the story and thought it was a good. I couldn’t put it down and held my breath several times. It’s very sad but we’ll done.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and the narrators Jonathan Keeble and Daphne Kouma were great. This was 10 hours and 36 minutes of suspenseful listening.
September 23, 2021
"He's a dark one, he is. A right queer fish... It seems we got him quite wrong."
As soon as I read the synopsis for this book I knew I had to read it. True crime mixed with a historical murder mystery? It was like it was written for me.
I think most of us are familiar with the name John Reginald Christie and the awful events that occurred behind the closed doors of 10 Rillington Place. The address alone lives in infamy; conjuring up images of helpless young women at the mercy of a sick and depraved man. In this novel the author merges fact with fiction, taking real people and real things that occurred, and combining them with fictional characters and events to create an intoxicating thriller that reads like non-fiction. I found myself googling characters and events to double check what was fact and what wasn’t as it all felt so authentic that it could have been featured in a true crime documentary.
Atmospheric and utterly engrossing, Griffiths transported me back to post-war London with such evocative descriptions and prose that I felt like I could see the dim gaslit streets and choking smog. The story is told by multiple narrators that were richly drawn, captivating and memorable, vividly putting me in each of their shoes. But as wonderfully as they were all written, what stood out to me most of all was Christie. It felt like she really got inside the mind of this sick and twisted killer. There is a pervading sense of unease as we witness him skulking around and stalking his prey, get glimpses into his depraved fantasies, and watch as he wears a mask or ordinariness to disguise himself. He sent shivers down my spine every time he was on the page and it felt authentic and I never questioned what I was reading, except that it was fiction. It was as if she’d found his journals and transcribed them.
Part of the problem with writing a book based on a well-known serial killer, is that we know how the story ends. Or we think we do. By combining fact and fiction the author is able to surprise the reader with unexpected twists. But for me, the real talent is when they can take those familiar events and still have you on the edge of your seat with your heart in your throat. And Ms. Griffiths did that again and again. As we hurtle towards those scenes where we know how it ends, there is still that rising sense of foreboding and frisson of fear that makes it impossible to stop reading. I was so invested in the story and so connected to the characters that I wanted to jump into the pages and stop it. To find a way to travel back in time to change the course of history. To scream a warning at Queenie not to go to Rillington Place because she wouldn’t find a solution, only her doom. My heart was racing so fast I felt like it was going to beat out of my chest as I waited to see if she was saved, forgetting for a moment that history has already been written and, those who step inside Rillington Place are beyond our help.
In 1949 Britain was still recovering from the war and was in a time of great change: rationing was still in effect, homes were being rebuilt, people were readjusting to normal life, women were gaining independence and the newly established NHS was changing medicine and health for the better. But it was a time caught between the old and the new as patriarchal expectations remained prevalent and homosexuality and abortion were still illegal. The author touches on and examines these topics in varying detail over the course of the book. I was deeply moved by how she portrayed Terrance’s fear that his homosexuality will be discovered and his torment at being seen as a criminal for simply loving another man. And I found the discussion of desperate, backstreet abortions to be particularly timely with the recent legislation in Texas of the so-called‘Heartbeat Bill’. It is a potent reminder that making such things against the law doesn’t stop them, only puts lives in danger as desperate people take desperate risks. I also found myself very moved by how she portrays the fear felt by Terrance that his homosexuality will be discovered, and his torment at being seen as a criminal for simply loving another man.
Deliciously dark, menacing, suspenseful and unsettling, The Girl at my Door is an addictive thriller that you won’t be able to put down. This was my first foray into Rebecca Griffiths’ books but it certainly won’t be my last.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5
As soon as I read the synopsis for this book I knew I had to read it. True crime mixed with a historical murder mystery? It was like it was written for me.
I think most of us are familiar with the name John Reginald Christie and the awful events that occurred behind the closed doors of 10 Rillington Place. The address alone lives in infamy; conjuring up images of helpless young women at the mercy of a sick and depraved man. In this novel the author merges fact with fiction, taking real people and real things that occurred, and combining them with fictional characters and events to create an intoxicating thriller that reads like non-fiction. I found myself googling characters and events to double check what was fact and what wasn’t as it all felt so authentic that it could have been featured in a true crime documentary.
Atmospheric and utterly engrossing, Griffiths transported me back to post-war London with such evocative descriptions and prose that I felt like I could see the dim gaslit streets and choking smog. The story is told by multiple narrators that were richly drawn, captivating and memorable, vividly putting me in each of their shoes. But as wonderfully as they were all written, what stood out to me most of all was Christie. It felt like she really got inside the mind of this sick and twisted killer. There is a pervading sense of unease as we witness him skulking around and stalking his prey, get glimpses into his depraved fantasies, and watch as he wears a mask or ordinariness to disguise himself. He sent shivers down my spine every time he was on the page and it felt authentic and I never questioned what I was reading, except that it was fiction. It was as if she’d found his journals and transcribed them.
Part of the problem with writing a book based on a well-known serial killer, is that we know how the story ends. Or we think we do. By combining fact and fiction the author is able to surprise the reader with unexpected twists. But for me, the real talent is when they can take those familiar events and still have you on the edge of your seat with your heart in your throat. And Ms. Griffiths did that again and again. As we hurtle towards those scenes where we know how it ends, there is still that rising sense of foreboding and frisson of fear that makes it impossible to stop reading. I was so invested in the story and so connected to the characters that I wanted to jump into the pages and stop it. To find a way to travel back in time to change the course of history. To scream a warning at Queenie not to go to Rillington Place because she wouldn’t find a solution, only her doom. My heart was racing so fast I felt like it was going to beat out of my chest as I waited to see if she was saved, forgetting for a moment that history has already been written and, those who step inside Rillington Place are beyond our help.
In 1949 Britain was still recovering from the war and was in a time of great change: rationing was still in effect, homes were being rebuilt, people were readjusting to normal life, women were gaining independence and the newly established NHS was changing medicine and health for the better. But it was a time caught between the old and the new as patriarchal expectations remained prevalent and homosexuality and abortion were still illegal. The author touches on and examines these topics in varying detail over the course of the book. I was deeply moved by how she portrayed Terrance’s fear that his homosexuality will be discovered and his torment at being seen as a criminal for simply loving another man. And I found the discussion of desperate, backstreet abortions to be particularly timely with the recent legislation in Texas of the so-called‘Heartbeat Bill’. It is a potent reminder that making such things against the law doesn’t stop them, only puts lives in danger as desperate people take desperate risks. I also found myself very moved by how she portrays the fear felt by Terrance that his homosexuality will be discovered, and his torment at being seen as a criminal for simply loving another man.
Deliciously dark, menacing, suspenseful and unsettling, The Girl at my Door is an addictive thriller that you won’t be able to put down. This was my first foray into Rebecca Griffiths’ books but it certainly won’t be my last.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5
September 12, 2021
It’s no secret that I’m huge fan of Rebecca Griffiths’ writing and that I feel her books deserve a bigger audience so I was absolutely thrilled when I heard she had signed up with one of my favourite publishers Bookouture! And her new publisher also marks the start of a slight change in direction for her with this creative take on a real life criminal and his heinous crimes. In The Girl At My Door she has woven a tense and atmospheric fictional narrative around the serial killer John Reginald Christie, with imagined scenarios and characters who have been created to cross the path of this vile monster.
From the very first sentence there was a sense of foreboding and, although I only knew the basics of the murders perpetrated by Christie before I read this book, whenever he was on the page he gave off a convincing realism that gave me goosebumps. I thought it was a brilliant idea to use him throughout this novel, silently stalking his potential victim and sharing in her personal tragedies as he looked for a way to indulge in his obsession. And when he finally becomes part of the chain of vicissitude, it has devastating consequences…
I can’t begin to tell you how much I loved this book. I became totally invested in the lives of Joy and Queenie as the friends unintentionally became the focus of attention for a man with no moral compass. The attention to detail is brilliant, both in the descriptions of the historical period it’s set in and the life of John Reginald Christie. The quality of the writing slowly draws you into this gripping thriller and it kept me on the edge of my seat as I waited to see how this dramatic chiller would play out and whether or not another victim would fall into the infamous rope chair.
Shocking, immersive and beautifully crafted, The Girl At My Door is a stunning book with unexpected twists and one of the creepiest portrayals of a serial killer I have ever read! So it’s highly recommended by me!
From the very first sentence there was a sense of foreboding and, although I only knew the basics of the murders perpetrated by Christie before I read this book, whenever he was on the page he gave off a convincing realism that gave me goosebumps. I thought it was a brilliant idea to use him throughout this novel, silently stalking his potential victim and sharing in her personal tragedies as he looked for a way to indulge in his obsession. And when he finally becomes part of the chain of vicissitude, it has devastating consequences…
I can’t begin to tell you how much I loved this book. I became totally invested in the lives of Joy and Queenie as the friends unintentionally became the focus of attention for a man with no moral compass. The attention to detail is brilliant, both in the descriptions of the historical period it’s set in and the life of John Reginald Christie. The quality of the writing slowly draws you into this gripping thriller and it kept me on the edge of my seat as I waited to see how this dramatic chiller would play out and whether or not another victim would fall into the infamous rope chair.
Shocking, immersive and beautifully crafted, The Girl At My Door is a stunning book with unexpected twists and one of the creepiest portrayals of a serial killer I have ever read! So it’s highly recommended by me!
September 18, 2021
This is how you do a thriller based on historical events! Dark and creepy and with enough detail to make you want to keep going even when you know you need to get other things done. Usually when books are based on actual crimes, they tend to be very factual and stiff, but this takes place in several POV, including the serial killers. Although I was not aware of the actual case, the way it was told made me feel like I really knew the people involved.
Joy and Queenie are best friends trying to make the best of life after World War 2 ended. But betrayal ends their friendship and leaves them both left to deal with their lives alone, including a trip to 10 Rilington Place, the home of John Reginald Christie.
The story tackles events that were not readily dealt with in that time period, including homosexuality and abortion, and gives you a glimpse in the lives behind closed doors of the people that lived then.
As well, the narrators were spot on! Their accents felt authentic and with enough clarity to be able to easily differentiate between the characters, even the supporting characters were established by the narration. Very enjoyable.
Well done, with enough details to engross the reader in the facts, but also written in a way that feels like fiction, this is the perfect combination of creep and truth that made me listen to the whole thing in one go.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.
Joy and Queenie are best friends trying to make the best of life after World War 2 ended. But betrayal ends their friendship and leaves them both left to deal with their lives alone, including a trip to 10 Rilington Place, the home of John Reginald Christie.
The story tackles events that were not readily dealt with in that time period, including homosexuality and abortion, and gives you a glimpse in the lives behind closed doors of the people that lived then.
As well, the narrators were spot on! Their accents felt authentic and with enough clarity to be able to easily differentiate between the characters, even the supporting characters were established by the narration. Very enjoyable.
Well done, with enough details to engross the reader in the facts, but also written in a way that feels like fiction, this is the perfect combination of creep and truth that made me listen to the whole thing in one go.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.
September 17, 2021
This is how you do a thriller based on historical events! Dark and creepy and with enough detail to make you want to keep going even when you know you need to get other things done. Usually when books are based on actual crimes, they tend to be very factual and stiff, but this takes place in several POV, including the serial killers. Although I was not aware of the actual case, the way it was told made me feel like I really knew the people involved.
Joy and Queenie are best friends trying to make the best of life after World War 2 ended. But betrayal ends their friendship and leaves them both left to deal with their lives alone, including a trip to 10 Rilington Place, the home of John Reginald Christie.
The story tackles events that were not readily dealt with in that time period, including homosexuality and abortion, and gives you a glimpse in the lives behind closed doors of the people that lived then.
Well done, with enough details to engross the reader in the facts, but also written in a way that feels like fiction, this is the perfect combination of creep and truth that made me listen to the whole thing in one go.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.
Joy and Queenie are best friends trying to make the best of life after World War 2 ended. But betrayal ends their friendship and leaves them both left to deal with their lives alone, including a trip to 10 Rilington Place, the home of John Reginald Christie.
The story tackles events that were not readily dealt with in that time period, including homosexuality and abortion, and gives you a glimpse in the lives behind closed doors of the people that lived then.
Well done, with enough details to engross the reader in the facts, but also written in a way that feels like fiction, this is the perfect combination of creep and truth that made me listen to the whole thing in one go.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.
August 14, 2021
OMG what a reading this was , right from the very start it give me everything that I love in a historical thriller or just a thriller in general ,dark, creepy and will make you stay in your set just to read. I do have to say that this is my first time reading anything by this author and if this one is anything to go by ,I'll be checking her other ones out when I can. Other big win for this story was the fact that she based it on an actual true crime and serial killer of that time , ( which for those who don't know me , I love reading things that have to do about true crime or serial killers) and since I didn't know anything about that case or about the actual killer himself I had to look him up ( side note if you to know about him here is the link to read up about him which helped bring him even more to life : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ch... ) .I loved was how the author pulled her story off , and made you feel sorry for the characters because they couldn't be true to themselves. And then there was the ones that you couldn't stand or even like , and lets not forget the ones that watched and planned from the shadows which also give the story the creepiness right up to the very end of the story.
September 28, 2021
Set in post-war London in the 40-50’s, this book is inspired by the true story of serial killer John Reginald Christie, The Rillington Place killer.
Mr Christie, or Reg, inconspicuously follows his intended female victim day-by-day, then catches her with trickery using one of his disguises. He poses as being medically trained and as a policeman, uniform and all. He’s set his sights on new victims, Joy and Queenie. Joy works at the British Museum, and waitresses at a pub frequented by Reg. Also working alongside Joy at the pub is her best friend Queenie, a drop-dead-gorgeous singer. Queenie is green with envy over Joy being engaged to the wealthy, very handsome Charles Gilchrist, which later on leads Queenie to Reg’s doorstep. It’s a fantastic historical crime fiction novel, that’s dark, atmospheric, unsettling and totally engrossing. I can’t wait to see what this author writes next.
Thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mr Christie, or Reg, inconspicuously follows his intended female victim day-by-day, then catches her with trickery using one of his disguises. He poses as being medically trained and as a policeman, uniform and all. He’s set his sights on new victims, Joy and Queenie. Joy works at the British Museum, and waitresses at a pub frequented by Reg. Also working alongside Joy at the pub is her best friend Queenie, a drop-dead-gorgeous singer. Queenie is green with envy over Joy being engaged to the wealthy, very handsome Charles Gilchrist, which later on leads Queenie to Reg’s doorstep. It’s a fantastic historical crime fiction novel, that’s dark, atmospheric, unsettling and totally engrossing. I can’t wait to see what this author writes next.
Thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this audio arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. Here is that review:
4 stars
This is my first Rebecca Griffiths book, and I *will* be back for more! Also, I received the audio version and loved the narrators: Jonathan Keeble and Daphne Kouma. These two add so much life and complexity to an already compelling tale. Folks who have access to the audiobook should absolutely snap it up.
The cast of characters here is extremely engaging. John Christie is a murderer, and this is not surprising because he creeps on, stalks, and generally terrorizes everyone he encounters. Queenie and Joy are close friends until Joy finds out about Queenie's betrayal. Despite this massive snag, both of these characters are interesting and sympathetic. It's easy to see how each finds herself in various unfortunate circumstances, and they each pay dearly for their choices and mis/fortunes. The ancillary characters also add to the intrigue in their own ways.
While I had no idea about the true crime components or even a single detail relating to the actual John Christie, the most horrifying part of this novel isn't even the sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape, or murder; it's the various social circumstances that women and queer characters face. Even more disturbing is that this is all contemporary to 1949...and also Texas in 2021 apparently. In a surprise twist, the scariest part of this novel is that not enough has changed.
For me, this was a quick and engaging listen. I found myself invested in the characters and hopeful for their outcomes and - overall - quite pleased with the ending (which is not always likely in this genre). Recommended with a note to add Rebecca Griffiths to my TBR list.
4 stars
This is my first Rebecca Griffiths book, and I *will* be back for more! Also, I received the audio version and loved the narrators: Jonathan Keeble and Daphne Kouma. These two add so much life and complexity to an already compelling tale. Folks who have access to the audiobook should absolutely snap it up.
The cast of characters here is extremely engaging. John Christie is a murderer, and this is not surprising because he creeps on, stalks, and generally terrorizes everyone he encounters. Queenie and Joy are close friends until Joy finds out about Queenie's betrayal. Despite this massive snag, both of these characters are interesting and sympathetic. It's easy to see how each finds herself in various unfortunate circumstances, and they each pay dearly for their choices and mis/fortunes. The ancillary characters also add to the intrigue in their own ways.
While I had no idea about the true crime components or even a single detail relating to the actual John Christie, the most horrifying part of this novel isn't even the sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape, or murder; it's the various social circumstances that women and queer characters face. Even more disturbing is that this is all contemporary to 1949...and also Texas in 2021 apparently. In a surprise twist, the scariest part of this novel is that not enough has changed.
For me, this was a quick and engaging listen. I found myself invested in the characters and hopeful for their outcomes and - overall - quite pleased with the ending (which is not always likely in this genre). Recommended with a note to add Rebecca Griffiths to my TBR list.
September 20, 2021
The fact that the villain is based on an actual serial killer makes this book that much more bone-chilling.
Christie, created a fake persona, enabling him to lure unsuspecting girls to his door step. As a medical student, he is poised to be a doctor. But simply stops studying because the aftermath of the war is too much for him to bare.
Desperate young women in need of an abortion had nowhere else to go for the procedure, as it was illegal at the time.
When Christie was not posing as a former medical student he would disguise himself in his former military uniform and pass himself off as a police officer. Posing as a police officer made hunting for his next victims that much easier.
Terrance and Queenie are bandmates but above all they are good friends. Both Terry and Queenie have dark secrets of their own. Terry is gay in a time where the mere implication could get you into some very serious trouble with the law. Queenie is a heartless and selfish woman who sleeps with her friend joy’s boyfriend to prove to her that he is not as good as she he thinks he is🤮.
Queenie now is faced with an unwanted pregnancy and nowhere to turns to Terry for help. Terry being the good friend that he is, offers to help the best way he can. Sadly, Terry’s proposition is not the one Queenie is looking for. Determined to help his friend Terry finds what seems to be a well-intending man in Christie.
Aside from this being an interesting story, it is also so well written. I found myself wanting to know what Christie would do next and if he would finally get to his main obsession—Joy!
*Special thanks to Netgalley for the arc in return for an honest review
Christie, created a fake persona, enabling him to lure unsuspecting girls to his door step. As a medical student, he is poised to be a doctor. But simply stops studying because the aftermath of the war is too much for him to bare.
Desperate young women in need of an abortion had nowhere else to go for the procedure, as it was illegal at the time.
When Christie was not posing as a former medical student he would disguise himself in his former military uniform and pass himself off as a police officer. Posing as a police officer made hunting for his next victims that much easier.
Terrance and Queenie are bandmates but above all they are good friends. Both Terry and Queenie have dark secrets of their own. Terry is gay in a time where the mere implication could get you into some very serious trouble with the law. Queenie is a heartless and selfish woman who sleeps with her friend joy’s boyfriend to prove to her that he is not as good as she he thinks he is🤮.
Queenie now is faced with an unwanted pregnancy and nowhere to turns to Terry for help. Terry being the good friend that he is, offers to help the best way he can. Sadly, Terry’s proposition is not the one Queenie is looking for. Determined to help his friend Terry finds what seems to be a well-intending man in Christie.
Aside from this being an interesting story, it is also so well written. I found myself wanting to know what Christie would do next and if he would finally get to his main obsession—Joy!
*Special thanks to Netgalley for the arc in return for an honest review
September 17, 2021
I was already somewhat familiar with the historical Rillington Place murders, so I was looking forward to a fictionalised take on the story and The Girl at My Door didn't disappoint. Talk about flipping creepy...oh my goodness! The story centres around three fictional characters - Queenie, Joy and Terry and the drama within their lives that the author cleverly weaves into the very real nightmare that was John Reginald Christie, the infamous serial killer and alleged necrophile during the 40s/50s. This book had me dragging my hands down my face in horror, it was genuinely chilling and the author really did a good job of making me feel repulsed by Christie. I found the historical aspects of the book really well researched, this story felt like stepping back in time and had me intrigued by and googling so many things, like the perfume Queenie wore. I did like and feel for the fictional characters in the story, I wished things had been better for them. This book really highlights how bleak and dangerous things were for LGBTQ people and pregnant women, it wasn't that long ago. The audiobook narration was fantastic, Johnathan Keeble and Daphne Kouma should get an award for this performance, it really was outstanding.
October 7, 2022
The Girl At My Door is a story of three fictional characters, their hopes, dreams and the tragedy that besets them which coincides with the incidents and killings of the serial killer John Reginald Christie also known as the Rillington Place killer.
I listened to the audiobook a year ago and although I can't recall the particulars I did enjoy the book overall. The parts dealing with John Reginald were chilling and Jonathan Keeble did a great job of bringing his character's creepiness, darkness and depravity to life through his narration. Even the female narrator Daphne Kourma was good with her parts but Jonathan was a notch better. I hadn't heard about Reginald Christie before this book and while listening to the audiobook I researched him and his complete timeline of crimes which the author does share with the readers in the epilogue. Very disturbing and chilling!
As for the three fictional characters--Queenie, Joy and Charles Gilchrist--they do not become direct victims of Christie but their story arc brings forth a tragic end of its own which personally I felt was unnecessary.
I received an audio Arc of the book from the publisher Bookouture Audio and the author via NetGalley.
I listened to the audiobook a year ago and although I can't recall the particulars I did enjoy the book overall. The parts dealing with John Reginald were chilling and Jonathan Keeble did a great job of bringing his character's creepiness, darkness and depravity to life through his narration. Even the female narrator Daphne Kourma was good with her parts but Jonathan was a notch better. I hadn't heard about Reginald Christie before this book and while listening to the audiobook I researched him and his complete timeline of crimes which the author does share with the readers in the epilogue. Very disturbing and chilling!
As for the three fictional characters--Queenie, Joy and Charles Gilchrist--they do not become direct victims of Christie but their story arc brings forth a tragic end of its own which personally I felt was unnecessary.
I received an audio Arc of the book from the publisher Bookouture Audio and the author via NetGalley.
September 22, 2021
‘The Girl at my Door’ is one of the most atmospheric books I’ve read in ages. I got a sense of the time in which it was set from the post-war London smog, to the sounds and smells of the streets. It’s all there. The mixture of fact surrounding the crimes of Reginald Christie and the fictional characters, Terrence, Queenie and Joy, made it all fantastic.
Each character had a story and each one was different. The realism was chilling. Queenie with her flawed character and huge talent. Terrence keeping a huge part of his life in the shadows and very sweet, Joy. I felt like I knew them within no time and I wanted so much for them.
This book was a fast read for me. I enjoyed the historical crime aspect and certain things were left reeling through my mind. There are huge themes, miscarriage of justice being the one that really stood out. I also felt the social injustice of the time. I won’t comment on this as it will spoil the unravelling of the story. My heart went out to all the characters.
On top of a being a brilliant story, ‘The Girl at my Door’ is well written and took me on an emotional journey. What more could I as the reader ask for?
Each character had a story and each one was different. The realism was chilling. Queenie with her flawed character and huge talent. Terrence keeping a huge part of his life in the shadows and very sweet, Joy. I felt like I knew them within no time and I wanted so much for them.
This book was a fast read for me. I enjoyed the historical crime aspect and certain things were left reeling through my mind. There are huge themes, miscarriage of justice being the one that really stood out. I also felt the social injustice of the time. I won’t comment on this as it will spoil the unravelling of the story. My heart went out to all the characters.
On top of a being a brilliant story, ‘The Girl at my Door’ is well written and took me on an emotional journey. What more could I as the reader ask for?
October 23, 2021
I was expecting a true crime ‘faction’ novel based on the life of real life criminal John Reginald Christie, filling out the characters of his unfortunate victims.
However, this book used the character of Christie as a sinister background character, a prop on which to hang a rather ordinary post-war historical romance.
The story is told from several points of view and revolves around the actions of two girls living in London. The writing is quite good at portraying the atmosphere of the bomb-damaged city and its seedy night life but the girls are standard characters with little depth. The narrative is quite repetitive with plenty of hand-wringing anxiety but not much true insight.
The character I liked best was Queenie’s friend Terry but just as his story- arc seems to be culminating in a peak of tension the author suddenly seems to remember that the story is supposed be about a real criminal.
And then we have moved on a few years to the epilogue and everything seems to have sorted itself out.
I am not really a fan of true crime and the parts of this book told from John Reginald Christie’s point of view were just a bit too creepy for me.
This was for the most part due to the excellent narration by Jonathan Keeble.
I was less impressed with narration by Daphne Kouma. She did very well with the accents and voices of the two main female characters, Joy and Queenie, but there was not a lot of differentiation between the other female characters and towards the end distinct voice of Terry seemed to get a lost. Also there was an occasional mispronunciation or strange emphasis that muddled the understanding of a sentence.
3 stars for both the story and the narration.
I received this audiobook from Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review.
However, this book used the character of Christie as a sinister background character, a prop on which to hang a rather ordinary post-war historical romance.
The story is told from several points of view and revolves around the actions of two girls living in London. The writing is quite good at portraying the atmosphere of the bomb-damaged city and its seedy night life but the girls are standard characters with little depth. The narrative is quite repetitive with plenty of hand-wringing anxiety but not much true insight.
The character I liked best was Queenie’s friend Terry but just as his story- arc seems to be culminating in a peak of tension the author suddenly seems to remember that the story is supposed be about a real criminal.
And then we have moved on a few years to the epilogue and everything seems to have sorted itself out.
I am not really a fan of true crime and the parts of this book told from John Reginald Christie’s point of view were just a bit too creepy for me.
This was for the most part due to the excellent narration by Jonathan Keeble.
I was less impressed with narration by Daphne Kouma. She did very well with the accents and voices of the two main female characters, Joy and Queenie, but there was not a lot of differentiation between the other female characters and towards the end distinct voice of Terry seemed to get a lost. Also there was an occasional mispronunciation or strange emphasis that muddled the understanding of a sentence.
3 stars for both the story and the narration.
I received this audiobook from Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2021
This is one of these books that leaves you speechless. I was in even more shocked when I realised this was actually based around the Rimmington place serial killer Post WW2.
So we have a few different voices in the book we have Queenie a singer with desires to become a famous singer, she finds herself needing help and confies in her best friend John. John is ex army and raised in a deeply Catholic mother so the fact he's gay and seeing a black man is his secret to bare with fears of being arrested for breaking the law. Then we have Reg an impotent ex army police with a love for prostitutes and a hatred of women so that doesn't mix well! Lastly we have Queenies best friend who has the her whole life planned out for her. Her life always included Queenie but she's pulling away, problem is she doesn't know why.
I honestly don't know how to describe this book. I loved that it was written to fit with the time period. I wasn't sure what the book was about at first but once I realised it involved a crazy killer I was hooked completely.
I loved John's storyline I found it interesting to read hiw hard bring homosexual was during this time period. Not only did he have this fear but hr was having an inter racial relationship was even worse. It was a sad story to read but I am glad I was able to.
Queenie feels like she's our protagonist of the book and I really loved her. If she was written about in a modern book she would just seem like a fun friend . But she is very scandalous for her time and I loved how she is written. She is also really funny although her story is sad. I enjoyed her relationship with other people and felt sad to see how her path does/not pass with Reg our local serial killer.
So then there's reg who is just insane. He has an extrememe fascination with women to the point he starts stalking Queen her friend as well as his neighbour. I was on edge throughout wondering who he would kill. He has an inflated sense of self importance and you can tell that he has mental illness but obviously at that time it wouldn't of been noticed.
I will leave it at that as if I say any more I will spoil it. I have seen there's a program on BBC iplayer called rimmington place I am yet to watch but what I will say is read this book first. This is easily a 5 star book, a great fictional interpretation of true events.
Thank you Netgalley, Rebecca Griffiths and the publishers for the free digital advanced copy in exchange for my fair and honest
So we have a few different voices in the book we have Queenie a singer with desires to become a famous singer, she finds herself needing help and confies in her best friend John. John is ex army and raised in a deeply Catholic mother so the fact he's gay and seeing a black man is his secret to bare with fears of being arrested for breaking the law. Then we have Reg an impotent ex army police with a love for prostitutes and a hatred of women so that doesn't mix well! Lastly we have Queenies best friend who has the her whole life planned out for her. Her life always included Queenie but she's pulling away, problem is she doesn't know why.
I honestly don't know how to describe this book. I loved that it was written to fit with the time period. I wasn't sure what the book was about at first but once I realised it involved a crazy killer I was hooked completely.
I loved John's storyline I found it interesting to read hiw hard bring homosexual was during this time period. Not only did he have this fear but hr was having an inter racial relationship was even worse. It was a sad story to read but I am glad I was able to.
Queenie feels like she's our protagonist of the book and I really loved her. If she was written about in a modern book she would just seem like a fun friend . But she is very scandalous for her time and I loved how she is written. She is also really funny although her story is sad. I enjoyed her relationship with other people and felt sad to see how her path does/not pass with Reg our local serial killer.
So then there's reg who is just insane. He has an extrememe fascination with women to the point he starts stalking Queen her friend as well as his neighbour. I was on edge throughout wondering who he would kill. He has an inflated sense of self importance and you can tell that he has mental illness but obviously at that time it wouldn't of been noticed.
I will leave it at that as if I say any more I will spoil it. I have seen there's a program on BBC iplayer called rimmington place I am yet to watch but what I will say is read this book first. This is easily a 5 star book, a great fictional interpretation of true events.
Thank you Netgalley, Rebecca Griffiths and the publishers for the free digital advanced copy in exchange for my fair and honest
September 22, 2021
Another day, another ARC audiobook review curtesy of NetGalley! It took me a little bit to get into this one but I ultimately The Girl at My Door wowed me and it can wow you too because it drops TODAY!
But let’s get into this review!
The multiple POVs made this story super interesting, especially as we got into the nitty gritty of the story. The characters themselves were such a mix and I really enjoyed their complexity. It’s them that really pushes the story along. Queenie was ✨the worst✨ and she 100% did Joy dirty but her unraveling was a bit sad, even if she brought it on herself. Charles also wasn’t the real winner we’re lead to believe he is but I think he was an injured soul after what happened, and his mother, who at first I didn’t like, ended being just as hurt by the situations that came about. I was really rooting for Joy but man, she got dealt a crappy hand in this book if you ask me but at least she tried to stay positive through the ups and downs but ultimately it all became too much; my heart broke for her. Terry was wonderful and truly just wanted everyone to be happy and in the best place for themselves, even though he was in a tough situation himself; he was the true MVP of this story. And the bad guy? Well you’ll just have to read this to find out what’s going on with him. 😉
Overall I really liked this! The story ultimately drew me in deep, even though at times it did drag on a bit. I was dying to figure out what was going to happen next, which is something I always look for in a thriller. And while this would’ve been equally enjoyable to read myself, the two narrators of the audiobook were amazing and made the experience even better (I mean the accents were PERFECT!)
Read this!
But let’s get into this review!
The multiple POVs made this story super interesting, especially as we got into the nitty gritty of the story. The characters themselves were such a mix and I really enjoyed their complexity. It’s them that really pushes the story along. Queenie was ✨the worst✨ and she 100% did Joy dirty but her unraveling was a bit sad, even if she brought it on herself. Charles also wasn’t the real winner we’re lead to believe he is but I think he was an injured soul after what happened, and his mother, who at first I didn’t like, ended being just as hurt by the situations that came about. I was really rooting for Joy but man, she got dealt a crappy hand in this book if you ask me but at least she tried to stay positive through the ups and downs but ultimately it all became too much; my heart broke for her. Terry was wonderful and truly just wanted everyone to be happy and in the best place for themselves, even though he was in a tough situation himself; he was the true MVP of this story. And the bad guy? Well you’ll just have to read this to find out what’s going on with him. 😉
Overall I really liked this! The story ultimately drew me in deep, even though at times it did drag on a bit. I was dying to figure out what was going to happen next, which is something I always look for in a thriller. And while this would’ve been equally enjoyable to read myself, the two narrators of the audiobook were amazing and made the experience even better (I mean the accents were PERFECT!)
Read this!
September 18, 2021
The Girl At My Door - Rebecca Griffiths
Narrated by Jonathan Keeble, Daphne Kouma
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily
London, 1949. On the dark streets of Soho, a killer is waiting in the shadows. Inspired by the true crime story of the Rillington Place murders comes a chilling re-telling of one of Britain’s most infamous serial killers.
Queenie Osbourne is the talk of London. Rising to fame as a singer after the Second World War, she is about to head to New York to make her fortune.
This is a thriller with a lot of twists and turns, I found myself always wanting to read just one more chapter. This is inspired by serial killer Jon Reginald Christie, who thankfully I don't know much about going into the book. Going into this book blind, I was immediately impressed with the incredible talent shown by Rebecca in writing this book - blending fact and fiction effortlessly.
Whilst the book gets off to a slow start - the pace rapidly picks up. Multiple view-points are utilised to tell this story but these were easy to follow. If you enjoy true crime novels
As I listened to the audiobook I am not sure if the physical book contains any trigger warnings. Triggers include: self-abortion, sexual assault, LGBT shaming, and rape.
Rating 4/5
Narrated by Jonathan Keeble, Daphne Kouma
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and I am leaving this review voluntarily
London, 1949. On the dark streets of Soho, a killer is waiting in the shadows. Inspired by the true crime story of the Rillington Place murders comes a chilling re-telling of one of Britain’s most infamous serial killers.
Queenie Osbourne is the talk of London. Rising to fame as a singer after the Second World War, she is about to head to New York to make her fortune.
This is a thriller with a lot of twists and turns, I found myself always wanting to read just one more chapter. This is inspired by serial killer Jon Reginald Christie, who thankfully I don't know much about going into the book. Going into this book blind, I was immediately impressed with the incredible talent shown by Rebecca in writing this book - blending fact and fiction effortlessly.
Whilst the book gets off to a slow start - the pace rapidly picks up. Multiple view-points are utilised to tell this story but these were easy to follow. If you enjoy true crime novels
As I listened to the audiobook I am not sure if the physical book contains any trigger warnings. Triggers include: self-abortion, sexual assault, LGBT shaming, and rape.
Rating 4/5
September 22, 2021
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
TW: death, rape, homophobia, necrophilia.
If you are looking for a dark, creepy and true-crime book, you will be disappointed. If you want to read a book about drama, betrayals and some historical fiction, this is for you.
The book is focusing on Queenie, Joy and Terence, and not on the serial killer. I liked to hear Christie's thoughts, his plans and to see how his dark mind is working.
The book is centered too much on the three friends, i felt it's too much drama. Queenie is a selfish and jealous friend, she likes to be the boss and to have all the attention. There are too many details about their life, their problems and struggles, and too little things about Christie. I felt bad for Joy, she is under Queenie's thumb and the author didn't gave her any chance.
I found the book boring, the action is kinda flat, and not many things are happening.
I thought i will DNF this book, but i'm kinda glad i didn't. I don't see myself rereading this book, though. I recommend it to historical fiction fans, cause this book it's not a thriller or true-crime, whatsoever. And i did not liked the ending of the book.
TW: death, rape, homophobia, necrophilia.
If you are looking for a dark, creepy and true-crime book, you will be disappointed. If you want to read a book about drama, betrayals and some historical fiction, this is for you.
The book is focusing on Queenie, Joy and Terence, and not on the serial killer. I liked to hear Christie's thoughts, his plans and to see how his dark mind is working.
The book is centered too much on the three friends, i felt it's too much drama. Queenie is a selfish and jealous friend, she likes to be the boss and to have all the attention. There are too many details about their life, their problems and struggles, and too little things about Christie. I felt bad for Joy, she is under Queenie's thumb and the author didn't gave her any chance.
I found the book boring, the action is kinda flat, and not many things are happening.
I thought i will DNF this book, but i'm kinda glad i didn't. I don't see myself rereading this book, though. I recommend it to historical fiction fans, cause this book it's not a thriller or true-crime, whatsoever. And i did not liked the ending of the book.
September 21, 2021
The Girl at my Door is a historical fiction weaved around and inspired by the true crime story of John Reginald Christie. You kind of get two stories here which obviously connect. The fictional characters give us a glimpse of the London life in 1949 focusing on the friendships, drama and betrayals while inserting Christie into their circle. The concept and time period were interesting and I loved learning more about the killer but I also struggled a bit with this book. In parts in just dragged and was a tad repetitive. As hard as I tried, I just could not connect with the characters and it missed the mark for me with the thrills and the creeps. I did however read up on Christie afterwards and found that case to be quite interesting. Overall it was just ok for me. But I’m in the minority with this one and I think that fans of historical fiction would enjoy this.
September 30, 2021
I listened to an audio reading of this book provided through NetGalley.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Griffith did a great job researching the setting and plot, which is based on the true crime events committed by the serial killer John Christie in London in the late 1940s.
I was leery at first because I feel sometimes authors can take historical fiction on a very unrealistic journey, but this story does not disappoint. I was captured in a world of words from the very beginning. It is thrilling, plenty of twists and turns. Characters as well as their persons were descriptive and well developed. This was my first Rebecca Griffiths book. Her sentence and story structures flowed well.
There are triggers in this book, so be fair warned some scenes are gruesome and sensitive in nature to include rape, sexual assault, murder, abortion, LGBTQ shaming, and demeaning feministic views. Beware the time location set forth therein. I think that Griffiths did an amazing job capturing my imagination and bringing very thrilling and psychotic scenes to life. She must have done extremely thorough research into feelings and headspace. I felt as a fly on the wall and even as if I could feel the characters thoughts and feelings at various points.
Again it was a great ride!
Solid 4
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Griffith did a great job researching the setting and plot, which is based on the true crime events committed by the serial killer John Christie in London in the late 1940s.
I was leery at first because I feel sometimes authors can take historical fiction on a very unrealistic journey, but this story does not disappoint. I was captured in a world of words from the very beginning. It is thrilling, plenty of twists and turns. Characters as well as their persons were descriptive and well developed. This was my first Rebecca Griffiths book. Her sentence and story structures flowed well.
There are triggers in this book, so be fair warned some scenes are gruesome and sensitive in nature to include rape, sexual assault, murder, abortion, LGBTQ shaming, and demeaning feministic views. Beware the time location set forth therein. I think that Griffiths did an amazing job capturing my imagination and bringing very thrilling and psychotic scenes to life. She must have done extremely thorough research into feelings and headspace. I felt as a fly on the wall and even as if I could feel the characters thoughts and feelings at various points.
Again it was a great ride!
Solid 4
September 23, 2021
Rebecca Griffiths weaves a tale of real-life serial killer John Reginald Christie in a fictionalized setting that proves to be a deadly game of obsession. While reading this chilling book I was quite drawn into the lives of the characters, especially Joy and Queenie - women whose love for the same man led to sad results. While Joy and Queenie deal with their friendship falling apart, there are other characters well worth noting in this story. One of whom is obviously John Reginald Christie, who appears in this story mostly as an unnamed narrator. Then there is Queenie's dear friend Terrence who would do anything to help her despite dealing with his own drama.
All while reading this story, I felt like I was waiting for the ax to fall - pun not intended. There was no doubt at the outset that Christie had marked his victim or victims, and it was rather eerie playing privy to his thoughts.
While Christie is roving about, all but grooming his intended victims, Joy is ecstatic in her preparations to marry Charles Gilchrist, who is quite a catch. However, Charles's actions with Queenie create major problems, which sadly comes as no surprise. I was fully drawn into this story and promptly looked Christie up. The author showed keen creativity at letting readers to see into the sick mind of a serial killer, while also raising compassion for his unfortunate victims.
On the one hand, Christie continues to develop his nefarious plans, while the story shifted back and forth to both Terrence and Queenie who were fighting difficult things in their lives. Their issues were of great significance, especially since they lived at a time when certain things were not only unacceptable, but were illegal. The Girl at My Door is a well-developed story with compelling characters and an equally compelling storyline. This is a good one. Don't pass it up.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
All while reading this story, I felt like I was waiting for the ax to fall - pun not intended. There was no doubt at the outset that Christie had marked his victim or victims, and it was rather eerie playing privy to his thoughts.
While Christie is roving about, all but grooming his intended victims, Joy is ecstatic in her preparations to marry Charles Gilchrist, who is quite a catch. However, Charles's actions with Queenie create major problems, which sadly comes as no surprise. I was fully drawn into this story and promptly looked Christie up. The author showed keen creativity at letting readers to see into the sick mind of a serial killer, while also raising compassion for his unfortunate victims.
On the one hand, Christie continues to develop his nefarious plans, while the story shifted back and forth to both Terrence and Queenie who were fighting difficult things in their lives. Their issues were of great significance, especially since they lived at a time when certain things were not only unacceptable, but were illegal. The Girl at My Door is a well-developed story with compelling characters and an equally compelling storyline. This is a good one. Don't pass it up.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
September 27, 2021
Unsuspecting Women Beware of the Little Man Lurking in the Shadows--With a woman's stocking tucked into his coat pocket, industrial cleaner as a distinct essence and a Trilby hat pulled low over his brow, John Reginald Halliday Christie crept around post-WWII London in soft-sole shoes casing-out his female victims.
Rebecca Griffin's historical fiction, “The Girl at My Door,” chills as it explores the killing rampage of the Notting Hill strangler and necrophiliac, Christie, who was finally convicted in 1953 and hung for the deaths of at least eight women, including his wife.
“The Girl at My Door” dramatizes how Christie presented himself as a former medical student so that he could convince unwed mother's to come to him for illegal abortions—then molest and kill them. He also used the guise of a police officer while wearing a fake uniform to follow potential victims.
All of these were ruses that the serial killer, Christie, used as he carefully plotted his years of violence on the streets of North London. “Girls” is a page-turning quick read about a lesser known Jack the Ripper 60-years after the first’s reign of terror.
Griffith' draws compelling characters in Joy, Queenie and Terrence in this novel that will take you through a range of emotions. That's a sign of a great read. It's also based on a real person—John Reginald Halliday Christie—a creepy, scary individual who made the streets of London a very dangerous place for women during the late 1940s and early 1950s.
========
The Book Maven’s Journal—Reviews for Word Connoisseurs
REVIEWER: J. Hunt
STAR RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The Girl at My Door”
by Rebecca Griffiths
Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers | Historical Fiction |
Publication Date: 22 September 2021
Publisher: Bookouture an imprint of Storyfire, Ltd.
My Sincerest Appreciation to NetGalley, Author Rebecca Griffiths, and Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire, Ltd., for Providing this Advance Reader's Copy for Review.
Rebecca Griffin's historical fiction, “The Girl at My Door,” chills as it explores the killing rampage of the Notting Hill strangler and necrophiliac, Christie, who was finally convicted in 1953 and hung for the deaths of at least eight women, including his wife.
“The Girl at My Door” dramatizes how Christie presented himself as a former medical student so that he could convince unwed mother's to come to him for illegal abortions—then molest and kill them. He also used the guise of a police officer while wearing a fake uniform to follow potential victims.
All of these were ruses that the serial killer, Christie, used as he carefully plotted his years of violence on the streets of North London. “Girls” is a page-turning quick read about a lesser known Jack the Ripper 60-years after the first’s reign of terror.
Griffith' draws compelling characters in Joy, Queenie and Terrence in this novel that will take you through a range of emotions. That's a sign of a great read. It's also based on a real person—John Reginald Halliday Christie—a creepy, scary individual who made the streets of London a very dangerous place for women during the late 1940s and early 1950s.
========
The Book Maven’s Journal—Reviews for Word Connoisseurs
REVIEWER: J. Hunt
STAR RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The Girl at My Door”
by Rebecca Griffiths
Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers | Historical Fiction |
Publication Date: 22 September 2021
Publisher: Bookouture an imprint of Storyfire, Ltd.
My Sincerest Appreciation to NetGalley, Author Rebecca Griffiths, and Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire, Ltd., for Providing this Advance Reader's Copy for Review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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