What a clever book. At first it seemed I was reading a different book with every new chapter but as the story of each character slowly developed with more being revealed about each one, their lives gradually intertwined. With seemingly fairly normal lives and problems, mainly connected with family, relationships and jobs the culmination of revealed secrets and lies delivered a crescendo of a finale. I warmed to some of the characters, was frustrated by others and had sympathy with some too. As more was understood about each one, my opinion shifted and finally their true characters were revealed and the full story was made clear. Another great book by Cally Taylor, I can’t wait for the next one.

A gripping psychological thriller with twists galore!

Have you ever read a book that has you hooked on the first page? A story so addictive, it draws you in and you can’t stop thinking about it. Even when you’re not reading it!!
In fact, daily tasks in life become a real inconvenience as you just want to hide away with your book!
Well, this is one of those for sure!!

This book is about three different people with three different stories. Strangers to each other.

Alice is single, lives with her grown-up daughter and works as a manager of a women’s fashion shop. She meets Simon after a nasty incident and hopes a relationship is on the horizon, but who is stalking her and why? Initially, I felt Alice came across as weak and needy but I think that stems from her being lonely and just wanting some company. She’s a likeable character and shows her brave side at times too.

Ursula is grieving for the man she loved and thinks she killed! She works each day as a delivery driver but has no home to call her own and no family or friends. She does seem to have an eye for things that don’t belong to her though! Ursula comes across as quite lonely and desperate but she has a terribly sad past and actually has a really caring side. With a questionable landlord, she also shows she has a ballsy side to her. She’s definitely my favourite character.

Gareth seems to be that sad, lonely; middle-aged man who still lives with his mum. No partner or friends, just an ever-expanding waistline! His days are monotonous, working as a security guard in a shopping centre and visiting McDonald’s for tea. Never judge a book by its cover though. Gareth is actually a really sweet guy who loves his mum and just wants to protect and care for her. So when he finds strange postcards in the house addressed to his mum, he’s determined to get to the bottom of it.

The three stories are really quite separate from each other, so I couldn’t imagine how the characters lives would collide. My mind was definitely working in overdrive trying to guess what was going to happen.

The way the chapters change between characters and their stories is genius as it leaves so many cliffhangers. Other characters also pop up throughout the book causing constant suspicions and plenty of OMG moments 😮.

So if you’re a ‘stranger’ to C. L Taylor’s books, then don’t be! I was and can’t believe this was my first book by this amazing author! It certainly won’t be my last!

Thank you to C. L Taylor, Avon Books and Net Galley for my ARC of this book 📖

The blurb and other reviews give the premise of this book so I won't do that here.

Three main characters and each paragraph written from each one's perspective. A very easy read as I found the characters likeable (although Alice DID come across as a bit clingy and needy especially as in such early days in a potential new relationship but this served the plot).

Even though Ursula is a shoplifter, as her story progresses, and her history unfolds, she becomes more likeable and relateable.

Gareth is a very decent, sweet, normal guy.

Their link is a shopping mall where Gareth in a security officer, Alice a ladies clothing store manager and Ursula shoplifts there.

Their lives are lived independently but their paths cross; not in any great depth until near the end and they all experience something together (with supporting characters too).

I enjoyed each of their three stories, especially Alice's new relationship and stalker aspect, which didn't pan out as I expected it to (but better). And Ursula's landlord also added some tension with his very offputting characteristics. Even Gareth's story didn't work out quite as I expected. AND, the very end character's ending ... surprise, surprise?!

This author is one of my favourites and I feel this book is slightly different to her previous ones ... I thought less of a psychological thriller but maybe that was because characters and their stories WERE so normal and relateable.

I did find it surprising that I was at almost 75% of the way through the book but still, the characters hadn't really become that intertwined yet so that might be my only criticism ... as in I was a bit disappointed that they were all only together for one evening. That said, this is my favourite book of the author's so far and maybe it's because it DID take that long to bring them all together. With most psychological thrillers I can see well in advance where it's headed and solved the mystery and the motive before the big reveal. So it was nice that this one didn't really follow that sort of format (in my opinion anyway). There were quite a few red herrings placed throughout though!

An easy read with interesting characters and enough twists to keep you going ... and I'm still thinking about it even now.

Really enjoyed this book which kept me guessing all along! I've read other CL Taylor books and this does not disappoint!

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, which is really 3 stories about 3 strangers living different lives, I enjoyed reading their individual stories and how the 3 strangers finally crossed paths and why.
We meet Alice, the Manager of a ladies clothes shop who is lonely and mistrustful and hoping to find love.
There is 6 foot odd Ursula, a van driver with a little habit she can't break - her kleptomania leaves her without a roof over her head and takes the first offer of a rented room, despite her landlord turning out to be ahemm - slightly strange!!
and there is Gareth, a Security guard, doing the job of a failed policeman who never even made it into the police, caring for his elderly and increasingly confused Mum.
All 3 have trials and tribulations and lots of mysteries so there is tons going on to keep you turning the pages and between the chapters is an online conversation about some murders which have been going on, how do they fit in?
I liked Gareths story best I was convinced his late Dad wasn't really dead, but to fin dout if I was right you'll need to read Strangers.
It isn't until the clever ending that everything merges together into one story.
It's a great page turner, exciting and gripping with lots of human interest and great characters with loads of quirks and flaws to make them human.

Overall I did enjoy this one as I have enjoyed all of the other books by this author that I’ve read. I was going to give it a four stars as I was gripped throughout and enjoyed how each of the characters interlinked however, for me the last few chapters didn’t match up to the standard of the first part of the book. That being said it was still enjoyable and a refreshing storyline. I did like the twist at the end involving the older security guard and I did like the majority of the characters and the way that everything connected. I do have a couple of niggles regarding some of the side storylines e.g the mother’s disappearance however all in all it was a good book and I’d recommend it.

Who knew a shopping centre was so interesting, The Meads in Bristol for Ursula, Gareth and Alice it becomes somewhere they unexpectedly come together and for all the wrong reasons.

Ursula thinks she killed the love of her life.
Gareth’s been receiving strange postcards.
And Alice is being stalked.

None of them are used to relying on others – but when the three strangers’ lives unexpectedly collide, there’s only one thing for it: they have to stick together. Otherwise, one of them will die.

Three strangers, two secrets, one terrifying evening.

Another great read from CL Taylor and not a storyline I anticipated with the ending I got. Switching between the three characters we learn a lot about each of their lives but how the three of them come together is equally as terrifying as it is fascinating!

This book was not at all what I was expecting and I didn’t enjoy it that much. While the writing was above average I just didn’t enjoy the overall story,

Strangers by C L Taylor is a suspense-filled psychological thriller that stays riveting until the last page! Three separate stories (strangers) converge to create an enthralling ending – it’s like a mosaic of colours, each beautiful on its own, but glorious when seen as a whole.

The three central characters are all flawed, lonely and trying to make sense of their days. The theme centers around the loneliness brought on by their responsibilities, and the regretful decisions they have made in trying to cope. Each character is slowly but superbly developed, and I felt at a loss for all of them.

For various reasons, they all frequent the mall, and this is where the finale takes place. Unknown to each of them, they are being drawn into a web of betrayal, lies, deceit and ultimately a fight for survival.

The little twists and turns are engrossing. The shocker is unexpected.

I’ve read other books by Ms. Taylor, and it’s plots and pace like this that keep me coming back for more.

#netgalley #strangers #cltaylor #avonbooks

spoiler alert ** An easy enjoyable read that never quite gripped me.
I think it took too long to connect the characters to the body they were standing over at start of book.
The whole Simon storyline went on for too long and too far fetched.
Pulled itself back with a neat ending and last fe pages that raised a smile.
It was a fun read.

A story that reminds us of the danger of strangers.

Appropriately named! Three people who are in close proximity via a nearby shopping centre, but are essentially strangers to each other. And their lives interact with strangers who are quite strange, to say the least. Loneliness is an underlying theme in these three lives. A clever plot brings their lives together, and it is a totally addictive read.

I enjoyed this book. The story was told by different characters and the relationships between them become more obvious as the story unfolds. The story kept me interested and the characters were well portrayed. I liked that hey all seemed to have another backstory aside from the main plot and that the situations seemed believable. I will keep an eye out for other books by this author
I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review,. Thankyou

Yet another excellent book by Ms. Taylor. I love the way she hooks you from the beginning and reels you in until you are fully invested in the story.

The story centres around three main characters (Gareth, Alice, Ursula) and begins with all of them, in a room together after what seems to be a traumatic incident.

The chapters then alternate between each of the main characters revealing a bit more of their ‘story’ each time. I love the way that everything just slots together.

As with all her previous books, this book is fast paced and grabs your attention so that you can’t help but keep reading (rather than sleep!). There was more than one occasion (especially laterally) where my heart was in my mouth!

Highly recommend this book! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

5 stars is not enough !!

Three strangers, Alice, Urusla and Gareth.

You know from page one someone is dead.

Then each of these strangers tells their story .

I know somehow they will all come together but how ?

The pages fly by, my kobo freezes as I try and turn the pages too fast. (no walk for you dog)

I dont want to give too much away but the ending is ingenious, very clever (Agatha Christie) but the story they doesnt stop where you think it might.

I love any book by C.L Taylor , she just keeps getting better and better; how can?

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK, Avon Books for a spellbounding read !!!!!

Strangers was a pretty quick book, that had you guessing until the very end. I couldn’t wait to see how the three main characters came together, and how their lives would intertwine. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Three characters. Three separate stories.
Alice is a clothing store manager, divorced and trying to get back into dating, but as soon as she starts seeing Simon, someone threatens her to stay away from him.
Gareth is a security guard at the shopping mall, who lives with his mother who's struggling with dementia. His dad has been missing for years and is presumed dead but recently his mum has started receiving postcards from someone whose handwriting is suspiciously similar to his dad's.
Ursula is a courier, trying to come to terms with the death of her partner and turning to shoplifting as a way of dealing with it.
After being kicked out of the flat she was sharing with her friend and her boyfriend, she finds herself a new room but she quickly becomes wary of her new landlord/roommate.
Three strangers. Each of them with a story of their own.
What situation will make them come together? And will they get out of it alive?

I really enjoyed this book, it had me hooked from the beginning. Each of the stories was gripping and intriguing on their own and kept me wondering how and when they will eventually connect. I had no idea what the characters' common thread was, and all the subplots were adding to the suspense.
Despite having one of CL Taylor's books on my tbr shelf, Strangers ended up being my introduction to the author's work, and I can say it was a good choice.
I give it 4 stars and urge you to reach for it as soon as it's published.

How do 3 strangers who have no connection to one another come together and endure a horrific incident? That’s just what happens in the novel Strangers by C.L. Taylor. Meet Alice, Garreth and Ursula. Each unknown to each other but somehow brought together through a common 6 degrees of separation. A great read full of suspense and excellent character development and strong story lines that will keep you reading and up way past your bedtime as you race to see how this psychological suspense ends.

Special thanks to Bookoutre and Avon for another great read by the impressive C.L. Taylor. You won’t be disappointed:

Another compulsive thriller by CL Taylor. Taylor is one of those authors you can trust to deliver a brilliant story, and Strangers is no different. Pacy, entertaining, and utterly gripping.

A brilliant story from the wonderful C L Taylor and it was so damn compulsive. Three strangers Alice, Gareth and Ursula all struggling with problems in different ways all seemingly disconnected with each other but maybe not !! That’s all I’m going to say about the fabulous plot line in this book because to say more would spoil the read, so my advice is read it it’s so very clever !!
The writing was as always in CL Taylor’s books excellent and the characters were all portrayed so well. The book is told from each alternative characters point of view making the pages fly as I rushed to finish and find out the brilliant and inventive ending.
This is a book I can highly recommend as a totally entertaining and satisfying read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Strangers, by C.L. Taylor is a great read. It was captivating and tense and kept me guessing throughout. The three main characters it follows are well thought out and you feel like you know them. The whole time I was reading, I was curious to find out how their lives would collide. There’s a nice little surprise twist at the end that got me, too!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.