Reviews

The Stalker by Sarah Alderson

houri's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

its_a_tiara's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was an alright thriller. I was actually scared in parts of the book. It kept my attention most of the time, I read it in a few days. 

I knew that Liam/Ethan was somehow involved from pretty early on but I couldn’t pick how and was still surprised by the twist. I have two big issues. Firstly most of the story is told by Laura’s POV. She gave no indication to how she was really feeling even in her inner dialogue. I feel there could have been a bit more of her authentic thoughts without giving anything away. Secondly why was Liam’s reactions so mild on the island? He would beat her for no reason at home but when he’s on a secluded island he wouldn’t touch her when he would get frustrated with her? I understand that would have given the end away easier but it didn’t make sense.

Apart from the above I didn’t mind it. 

amys_booknook's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

pewterwolf's review

4.0

Review coming soon on The Pewter Wolf Reads in late August 2021 or early September 2021

***eProof given by UK publisher, Avon, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction, though listened via audiobook from local library's BorrowBox app***

Laura and Liam are a newly married couple and, after pushing their honeymoon back several months after the sudden death of Laura’s mother, the couple go to a remote island off the coast of Scotland. Just the two of them. Pure bliss. Except they discover the tiny island has a tragic history. Maybe that’s why they get the feeling that they’re being watched? But it’s not until they wake up one morning to discover something scratched into one of the windows that they realise that their stalker wants to do them harm and won’t stop...

Now, I have read Sarah Alderson since her debut teen thriller novel, [b:Hunting Lila|10188580|Hunting Lila (Lila, #1)|Sarah Alderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327127900l/10188580._SY75_.jpg|15087473], and I know she can write on the edge of your seat thrillers. I mean, I read her last adult thriller [b:The Weekend Away|52582029|The Weekend Away|Sarah Alderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585164392l/52582029._SY75_.jpg|76256765] last year and I thought that this would be the perfect airport thriller, the type of book to read by the pool with a large cocktail in hand (and this is being adapted into a NetFlix Original Movie so will be hugely intrigued on how that happens!). And while this is an edge of your seat thriller, this isn’t a popcorn domestic thriller. This has a dark heart and you don’t realise how dark until you are near the very end when several twists happen one after another, pulling the rug from under you.

Because of this, I do want to warn you about some triggers and that there are two chapters quite close to the end that are quite intense so if you are triggered by stalking, murder, domestic abuse and death, this might not be the read for you.

I have read some reviews that say some elements were a tad ridiculous. But, even with these moments, Sarah knows how to keep her readers reading, turning the pages as you can’t put it down. I mean, if I didn’t have British Gas coming into my house one day, I would have finished this in two days. That's how addictive this was.

You might have noticed, dear readers, that I haven’t done my typical thing of talking about characters, settings, tone, most things you expected in a review, but I fear that, if I do, I might let the big old thriller twist slip so let me steer clear.

This thriller might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you want a domestic thriller with a dark heart and an addictive edge, you might want to have this on your radar...

groovykathy's review

4.0

I liked this book, but it did have a major plot flaw. A lot of the book is told in Laura’s POV, so there should have been more hints about what she knew and how she really felt about Liam. If the author had layered in some of Laura’s real feeling through her reactions, this would have been an excellent book. It could have been done while still keeping the mystery. But I did still enjoy it.

christina_chris's review

dark mysterious medium-paced

4.5

purple676's review

2.0

I was mostly bored while reading this. I don’t know if it’s me or the book

staystitchy's review

4.0

Thank you to Avon Books and Netgalley for letting me read early. This book publishes July 8 so get yourself ready for this one!

Laura and Liam are headed to a deserted island in Scotland for their honeymoon. What they thought would be a private and romantic holiday quickly takes a turn to disaster and terror. This book made me feel like I was watching a movie where 75% of it made me want to throw my popcorn at the screen and tell the main character she’s stupid. Then Sarah Alderson unleashed the twists and they came at me one after another leaving me whiplashed and bruised.

The Stalker is captivating and you’ll want to keep reading until you finish it in one sitting. It’s creepy and gross and full of trigger warnings. I hated parts of it and was rolling my eyes a lot but I have to give credit where it’s due and after THE BIG TWIST I can safely tell you that this is a good book. It’s just so very cinematic and I think it will be very successful. I can’t wait to read more by Sarah Alderson!

kzim_23's review against another edition

4.0

This was an addicting read with some exciting twists! I would recommend this to thriller fans and especially if you like when the characters are cut off from the rest of the world (and any hope of help).

A couple, one who is hiding secrets of their own, are on their honeymoon on an isolated island and find that they are not alone. Someone is watching them.

elsshelves's review

5.0

I love love L O V E D this book!! I rarely read something that I think (personally) deserves 5 stars but WOW!!!

I was kept on the edge of my seat the whole way through at that ending!?!- Plot twist galore and kept me guessing right till the very end!

Highly reccomend