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angnay01's review
4.0
This is one of those book that I just want to continue reading in one sitting. If I only had the time! Alice was attacked at the age of 14 by her two "friends" because they wanted to be rewarded by Mister Tender. I fictional character in a book created by none other than Alice's father. It is a nightmare for her and her family. He haunts her in her nightmares. She is paranoid daily and experiences anxiety attacks often. A decade later Mister Tender is back to haunt her yet again. It starts with a mysterious envelope address to her. Who is this "Mr. Interested" that has brought this back into her life? A stalker that knows everything about her life. If you like a good psychological thriller, you will enjoy this book. I received an advance copy of this book from Bookishfirst for my honest opinion.
raforall's review
Review coming in the February 2018 issue of IndiePicks Magazine and on the blog
laurelinwonder's review
5.0
The loose inspiration for this book was the Slender Man stabbing a few years ago, but this is not a Slender man book, nor does it spend time trying to tell that story, in fact Wilson, doesn't even know all of the details of the real case on purpose. If you enjoy mysteries but are a bit squeamish, you'll want to take a hard pass on this one, but if you enjoy the heavier, more graphic side of the genre, you're in the right place. This is how you do a psychological thriller. I could almost feel Alice's fear, her anxiety, her dread, her anger, her desire to finally be done with people's obsession with Mister Tender and the attack which almost killed her.
While there are many mysteries, great and small here, I didn't feel the pressure of having to solve them myself. I was able to just sit back and watch it all unfold. I was fully invested in the reveals, but was able to wait and be shocked along the way, instead of rushing about trying to figure it out before the author decided to let us in on all the secrets.
Highly recommended for those looking for a little less mainstream read; one that isn't a cookie cutter reading experience but will take you on a wild ride, if you allow it to. It's a plot based thriller, unlike any I have ever read, and honestly, that was super refreshing.
While there are many mysteries, great and small here, I didn't feel the pressure of having to solve them myself. I was able to just sit back and watch it all unfold. I was fully invested in the reveals, but was able to wait and be shocked along the way, instead of rushing about trying to figure it out before the author decided to let us in on all the secrets.
Highly recommended for those looking for a little less mainstream read; one that isn't a cookie cutter reading experience but will take you on a wild ride, if you allow it to. It's a plot based thriller, unlike any I have ever read, and honestly, that was super refreshing.
kwbat12's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, which came from the ALA National Conference. There was an Alex feel for the book, given the main character is nearly 30 but the feel of the book is more YA-like. The twists and turns of the story kept me enthralled, and yet it still felt quite real with the anxiety and the familial drama. I will absolutely recommend this to my young thriller readers.
mandylovestoread's review
5.0
I had heard really good things about this book so as soon as I saw it on Audible.com I had to get it.
I was not disappointed.. what a fantastic book this was.. I just wanted to keep listening and find out what happens next. So good!!!
I was not disappointed.. what a fantastic book this was.. I just wanted to keep listening and find out what happens next. So good!!!
gareindeedreads's review
4.0
WOW. Last winter, I had the pleasure of reading FINAL GIRLS by Riley Sager and was blown away with the suspense novel that mixed together a novel with some elements of the horror movie genre. This read had such a similar feeling atmosphere that weaves together a dark past, a cunning and twisted stalker, and a beautiful blend of psychological and horror vibes. This is the ultimate fast paced suspense novel.
Wilson wrote one hell of a protagonist with Alice. I couldn't help but take on the novels beautiful imagery with this strong, yet fearful woman as she battles her inner demons, a clever stalker, and a multitude of shady characters as she gets to the bottom of the truth surrounding a website that is a little too close to home bringing light to events from fourteen years ago. The characters really jump from the page with this one and all have a dire purpose to the novel. They aren't there just to confuse you, distract you from the real antagonist, or fill pages. Each character is a puzzle piece to not only Alice's life, but the story Wilson is telling. And what a story it is.
With short, addicting chapters, this novel really seduces you further and further into a chilling plot that is action-packed, psychologically mystifying, and cleverly written. Told in three parts, the amount of cliffhangers sprinkled at the end of each chapter will not only completely draw you in, but the rather large twists and turns at the end of each section will seal your fate as you turn the page and sacrifice sleeping, eating, and all responsibility to get to the bottom of Mister Tender's Girl. Gripping, deliciously dark and violent, and masterfully wound, this is definitely one for fans of the 80's and 90's slasher films as well as those who have followed the Slender Man case.
*Special thanks to Sourcebooks for providing me with this copy in exchange for my honest review.
Wilson wrote one hell of a protagonist with Alice. I couldn't help but take on the novels beautiful imagery with this strong, yet fearful woman as she battles her inner demons, a clever stalker, and a multitude of shady characters as she gets to the bottom of the truth surrounding a website that is a little too close to home bringing light to events from fourteen years ago. The characters really jump from the page with this one and all have a dire purpose to the novel. They aren't there just to confuse you, distract you from the real antagonist, or fill pages. Each character is a puzzle piece to not only Alice's life, but the story Wilson is telling. And what a story it is.
With short, addicting chapters, this novel really seduces you further and further into a chilling plot that is action-packed, psychologically mystifying, and cleverly written. Told in three parts, the amount of cliffhangers sprinkled at the end of each chapter will not only completely draw you in, but the rather large twists and turns at the end of each section will seal your fate as you turn the page and sacrifice sleeping, eating, and all responsibility to get to the bottom of Mister Tender's Girl. Gripping, deliciously dark and violent, and masterfully wound, this is definitely one for fans of the 80's and 90's slasher films as well as those who have followed the Slender Man case.
*Special thanks to Sourcebooks for providing me with this copy in exchange for my honest review.
torirogers's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
stephreadseverything's review
3.0
The book, which is based loosely on the Slender Man case is about Alice, who was attacked by twin “friends” if hers in England at age 14. The terror twins were convinced that Mr. Tender, a character in a graphic novel created by Alice’s father, was imploring them to kill her. She survives and moves to the US, where she spends her days owning a coffee shop and her nights being (understandably) terrified of her past. Sort of predictably, she starts getting weird messages from a stalker who seems to be obsessed with her and her history, and she must figure out who it is.
.
There was a lot done well in this book: I was interested in Alice’s character, who wasn’t a typical victim/damsel in distress. She suffered debilitating panic attacks but was aware and worked through them in way I found to be described really well. Alice also took self-defense classes and would kick a dude’s ass if she had too, which was unique. The psychological relationship with her mother and brother was fascinating and terrifying, so much so that I wish that had been the novel. I honestly could have done without the “hey there’s a psycho stalker” angle, and would’ve enjoyed a book focus solely on how Alice was coping (and not coping) with what happened to her and coming to terms with things she failed to due to her trauma.
.
Where the novel got a little cheesy for me was the main point of figuring out who this stalker is that enters her life in the form of mail/texts/computer messages. The theme of “there’s no hiding in the Information Age” was interesting enough, and the novel did a good job of portraying people obsessed with true crime, but it went a bit...far. I can’t say much about the ending without spoilers, but it was eye roll inducing. It does have all the aspects of a good thriller: a terrible crime, creepy-ass twins, a psycho stalker, surprise sub-plots out of left field, and more! Still, overall, it was a creepy and fun thriller, and I’d love to hear your thoughts if you read it!
.
There was a lot done well in this book: I was interested in Alice’s character, who wasn’t a typical victim/damsel in distress. She suffered debilitating panic attacks but was aware and worked through them in way I found to be described really well. Alice also took self-defense classes and would kick a dude’s ass if she had too, which was unique. The psychological relationship with her mother and brother was fascinating and terrifying, so much so that I wish that had been the novel. I honestly could have done without the “hey there’s a psycho stalker” angle, and would’ve enjoyed a book focus solely on how Alice was coping (and not coping) with what happened to her and coming to terms with things she failed to due to her trauma.
.
Where the novel got a little cheesy for me was the main point of figuring out who this stalker is that enters her life in the form of mail/texts/computer messages. The theme of “there’s no hiding in the Information Age” was interesting enough, and the novel did a good job of portraying people obsessed with true crime, but it went a bit...far. I can’t say much about the ending without spoilers, but it was eye roll inducing. It does have all the aspects of a good thriller: a terrible crime, creepy-ass twins, a psycho stalker, surprise sub-plots out of left field, and more! Still, overall, it was a creepy and fun thriller, and I’d love to hear your thoughts if you read it!