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snazzybooks's review
4.0
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
Another gripping, chilling read from my favourite writing partnership, Karen Perry.
The book follows the Holland family, about to welcome their daughter Beth's French exchange student, Corinne, to come and stay with them. We quickly learn that something awful has happened, but we're not sure what exactly, and we then go back in time to the 'beginning' as they first meet Corinne...
The book is a skilful domestic thriller and though a lot focuses on the characters, I never felt impatient for more 'action'. I found myself completely gripped as we discovered more about Corinne's weird ways and the way she interacts with others, and as her and Beth's relationship grows. Beth's sister Eva, seemingly on the sidelines of the plot to start with, becomes more and more important, and parents Abi and Mark's struggling marriage creates a perfect storm of tension which I enjoyed (if 'enjoyed' is the right word...) every minute of!
There are some dramatic moments that perhaps require a small amount of suspending your disbelief, but to me, it didn't feel too over the top or ridiculous, just entertaining and gripping.
Another gripping, chilling read from my favourite writing partnership, Karen Perry.
The book follows the Holland family, about to welcome their daughter Beth's French exchange student, Corinne, to come and stay with them. We quickly learn that something awful has happened, but we're not sure what exactly, and we then go back in time to the 'beginning' as they first meet Corinne...
The book is a skilful domestic thriller and though a lot focuses on the characters, I never felt impatient for more 'action'. I found myself completely gripped as we discovered more about Corinne's weird ways and the way she interacts with others, and as her and Beth's relationship grows. Beth's sister Eva, seemingly on the sidelines of the plot to start with, becomes more and more important, and parents Abi and Mark's struggling marriage creates a perfect storm of tension which I enjoyed (if 'enjoyed' is the right word...) every minute of!
There are some dramatic moments that perhaps require a small amount of suspending your disbelief, but to me, it didn't feel too over the top or ridiculous, just entertaining and gripping.
mrsbettylovesbooks's review
4.0
Read my full review here: https://www.kabriggs.co.uk/2021/10/stranger-by-karen-perry-book-review.html
melissakate13's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sarandabeqiri's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
mrsbookburnee's review
4.0
Such a good book! This is a slow burning thriller, which enables you to fully get to know the characters and what a bunch of complex/odd people they are
zo_e_reads's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
This is a complex dark domestic thriller that is hard to summarise without giving too much away. But the arrival of Corrine, a french exchange student leads to events and revelations that no one could have see. Corrine and youngest daughter Beth become extremely close and Abi Beths mother is concerned with the amount of influence Corrine has over Beth. The fragile nature of teenage relationships is conveyed so well along with the desperation of wanting to fit in.
You know someone is going to die from the start but it’s not clear who or why right until the end. This is definitely a bit of a slow burner that gets darker and darker as the book goes on. There are twists all over the place and the ending was as hauntingly twisted as you would expect reading this.
This was eerie and beautifully written with well fleshed out but deeply flawed characters.
There are few parts where the plot line slows a bit but overall the ending is worth persevering through the slow parts.
This is a complex dark domestic thriller that is hard to summarise without giving too much away. But the arrival of Corrine, a french exchange student leads to events and revelations that no one could have see. Corrine and youngest daughter Beth become extremely close and Abi Beths mother is concerned with the amount of influence Corrine has over Beth. The fragile nature of teenage relationships is conveyed so well along with the desperation of wanting to fit in.
You know someone is going to die from the start but it’s not clear who or why right until the end. This is definitely a bit of a slow burner that gets darker and darker as the book goes on. There are twists all over the place and the ending was as hauntingly twisted as you would expect reading this.
This was eerie and beautifully written with well fleshed out but deeply flawed characters.
There are few parts where the plot line slows a bit but overall the ending is worth persevering through the slow parts.
annc's review against another edition
5.0
I was totally engrossed by this read. Meet Abi. Mark & their daughters Eve and Beth.
Life is good, or is it? Abi is a very successful businesswoman, Mark is a contended stay at home father, Eve & Beth go to good schools with their whole lives ahead of them. but scratch the surface of this middle class dream and it’s soon apparent that all that glitters is not gold. Enter Corrine a French exchange student, a companion for friendless Beth,and it all comes crashing down
Brilliant characterisations of complex people. The writing is so good you feel you know these people and are immediately invested in their stories and oh boy what stories. A rollercoaster of emotions
Life is good, or is it? Abi is a very successful businesswoman, Mark is a contended stay at home father, Eve & Beth go to good schools with their whole lives ahead of them. but scratch the surface of this middle class dream and it’s soon apparent that all that glitters is not gold. Enter Corrine a French exchange student, a companion for friendless Beth,and it all comes crashing down
Brilliant characterisations of complex people. The writing is so good you feel you know these people and are immediately invested in their stories and oh boy what stories. A rollercoaster of emotions
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