Strangers was not the best book by C L Taylor that I have read but because it was by this author I persevered. I’m glad I did as it picked up and I managed to finish it. It was good but had it been by an unknown author to me I would have given up on it.

I’ve read a few of the author’s books by now and have loved them all. She is becoming a go-to writer for great thrillers. I have a lot of her books to read and I can’t wait to discover more of her work. Strangers grabs you by the throat from page one with someone stranding over a body leaving you with so many questions. Did she kill him? Who is he? What’s going on? The book uses unreliable narration and misdirection to the extend I had no idea what was happening, what the links between the three characters were and what would happen next. I loved the way the chapters alternate between the three characters, gradually revealing the links between them. This is the kind of book you can’t stop once you’ve started. A terrific read.

Alice meets and falls for a stranger who comes to her aid when she is attacked on a blind date. But is he who he claims to be?
After Ursula is evicted by her roommates due to her shoplifting tendencies she answers an ad sharing a two bedroom flat with a stranger. The price is perfect but the stranger behind the ad seems to have a secret.
Gareth a security guard by day home health attendant to his aging Mom at night. One day he thinks he sees his dad on a security camera the problem is he hasn't seen his dad in decades.

These three characters collide together forming an engaging well thought out story. I appreciated the author's writing style and the voice he lends to each character. I was engaged from start to finish.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for sending this digital ARC.

Three people Ursula, Gareth and Alice don’t know each other but they eventually do.
Ursula thinks she’s killed her one true love she has lived with her friend but things got difficult and Ursula had to leave.
Gareth works as a security guard at the Meads shopping centre . He lives with his mum . Strange postcard turn up from his dad who left years ago and was presumed dead.
Alice is a store manager at the Meads centre . She is seperated from her husband and has just started dating.
All these stories become one .
Love C.L. Taylor
Thanks NetGalley

This book, as the blurb says, introduces us to Ursula, Gareth and Alice. We then follow their stories through the book seeing the decisions they make, learning about their lives and how they came to be where they are at the point of the book.

The story moves between all three characters and shows how very different their lives are which adds to the intrigue of the beginning of the book when they appear to have been working together. There’s a lot of suspense and intrigue throughout the book. There were quite a few points where I was concerned for them and, in some cases not wanting to read the next few lines because I didn’t want to see the consequences of what they were doing.

It’s a book in which no words are wasted, everything that the characters go through/consider, etc is shown and while you might not agree with everything they do the reasoning behind their decisions is understandable given what we know about them.

This story shows that it doesn’t take a lot to change someone’s life, small actions can sometimes have huge consequences and we should not judge people because we don’t know what they are dealing with behind the face they present to the world.

I really enjoyed this book, it kept me coming back to find out more, even when I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the consequences. As a result of reading this I’m now looking forward to reading more by this author.

The start of Strangers easily grabbed my attention and I couldn’t wait to see how it would all turn out. Even though quite a bit happens in those first few pages I would class Strangers as a slow burn kind of a story. However C L Taylor weaves a story that will make you wonder what will happen next!

In this book we are introduced to three very different characters. Alice, Ursula and Gareth who at first glance appear to have no connection. Is that really the case though? Now the characters are flawed but to be honest I thought this was a good thing. It gave them a realistic edge and I guess in a way made me root for them even more. Especially as they struggled through their various situations. Gareth was definitely the most likeable out of the trio. I really felt for him and his home life. Alice was trying to start dating again but ends up caught up in a dangerous situation. Then we have Ursula who I was probably drawn to the most. This was mainly because there were so many sides to her personality. This for me made her a more complex and interesting character. The alternating chapters really help to showcase each character bringing more depth to the book. This all helps to increase the tension within the story as all aspects of their lives are revealed.

Throughout the story snippets of information are released which both intrigued me and made my curiosity build. I couldn’t help but try and work out what was going on but after a while I decided to just sit back and enjoy. Mainly because I just didn’t have a clue! So I let the book do its thing as the tension ramped up until the intense conclusion.

Three and a half stars rounded up to four.

A fast-paced, gripping thriller where the lives of a group of strangers collide in unexpected ways. This is the first book I've read by the author and I found it highly entertaining. The multiple POVs and short chapters made for a fast read and kept my attention. I liked the mundane descriptions of the characters' lives where their concerns are real. There's a running theme of loneliness and survival, and I found myself wanting these characters to have a happy ending. 

While the buildup of the story is intricate, I found the resolution too neat. Everything fell cleanly into place but I would have loved for a little more punch. I also wish the setting of the shopping mall is explored further. Still, I was left satisfied especially with a final reveal at the end. Perfect for readers who love a fast read with plenty of surprises.

C.L. Taylor is one of my favourite authors, so when I hear she has a new book out, I’m always excited!
I’ve been sitting here for a few days writing, then deleting my review just trying to talk about this fantastic book!

The best way I can describe Strangers is it’s one of those books where you think you know what's going to happen but you really don’t.

We follow three strangers, Alice, Ursula and Gareth, seeing how their separate lives intertwine in the most shocking of ways.

The storyline was expertly crafted, I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen throughout the story, it really kept me guessing!

Ursula was a stand out character for me. I felt so sorry for her and wanted the best for her. She’s had a tough old time of it throughout her life and I can tell you C.L Taylor does not make it easy for her through this novel!

I have to be honest most of the story was utterly believable but there was the odd thing that I thought defied logic a little.

Strangers is an engrossing and tense novel that had me gripped from beginning to end.

Strangers was an absolutely thrilling read. So many things that I didn't see coming! I'm a CL Taylor fan now.

This is the twisty story of three strangers – Ursula, Gareth and Alice. Ursula has been kicked out of her home by her housemates after they found out she has been stealing from them. After renting a room in a house, Ursula finds herself more and more uneasy around the man she is sharing the house with. Gareth is a security guard in a shopping centre. He also cares for his mum who suffers from dementia. Alice is a manager of a clothes shop in the shopping centre and is looking for love. None of them know each other, but one day their lives collide!

This story is told from each character’s perspectives, devoting a chapter to each one. The three main characters are all completely different to each other, and whilst their paths have crossed at some point, they obviously don’t really know each other. Ursula was a very strange character. Having been thrown out of her home by her best friend because she has been stealing, it becomes apparent that she can’t stop herself from taking other people’s belongings. Initially she didn’t come across as a very likeable character, but as the story moves on you begin to understand her character better. I really liked Gareth’s character and he was the one I felt most sorry for. Holding down a full-time job in times when his boss is just waiting for an excuse to get rid of him must be difficult and then having to care for his mum who is suffering from dementia. It was hard to read Gareth’s part of the story, particularly with having his mum living at home and knowing the risks of leaving her in the house. Alice, who is looking for love, goes on a disastrous blind date. This leads her to become involved in the situation which eventually ties all three people together.

It’s a very unusual story where initially it makes you wonder where it is all going. Obviously, the characters lives will link at some point, but from the very beginning it makes you wonder how, why and when! As each character tells their own story, you are left in suspense at the end of each chapter whilst it moves onto the next character, having to wait until their turn comes back round again. The story is dark and twisted and grabs your attention from very early on in the book. As the book moves on you begin to get little inklings as to what may happen and you are drip-fed small pieces of information to help you along. Some of the characters are genuinely weird, some just plain horrible and others are interesting and help plump out the main characters storylines. I was a little puzzled as I read about the interspersing chapters of social media chat about men who were going missing, but believe me don’t be put off if some of it seems a little weird or confusing as it will definitely be explained by the end!!

The reveal at the end is perfectly timed and wraps everything up nicely, tying up all the loose ends. Full of dysfunctional characters, family relationships and plain old chilling storylines, this book will definitely keep you interested right until the very last page. Clear yourself a couple of days of no distractions, as once started, you won’t be able to put it down! Would definitely recommend.

My Thoughts: I’ve read a couple of C.L. Taylor’s books before and absolutely loved them, and this one was no exception, the story was told from 3 different perspectives which left me a little worried at first, would I be able to keep up? would the differences confuse me? – I should’ve had more faith in the authors skill, it was so easy to follow and the end of every chapter left me excited to get to their next chapter.

Ursula has a problem with taking things that aren’t hers and sticking her nose into places where it’s not wanted, but through doing that she could change the life of more than one person for the better said it always a bad thing?

Gareth is a security guard who lives with his mum, she has dementia and needs caters in to help her during the day. Gareth’s life changes when his mum starts receiving postcards from her husband who has been presumed dead for many years, but then Gareth thinks he sees him on one of the cameras at work, has he been lied to his whole life? is he dad still alive?

Alice has been pushed by her daughter to start online dating, through which she meets Simon at first she’s smitten, but then things start happening which make her doubt his intentions and his honesty, what is he really after? Is he hiding something?

I honestly could not put this book down, I just had to know how their lives were going to pan out and what was going to happen to bring them all together!

If you love a thriller that keeps you guessing and makes you doubt yourself several times along the way, then I highly recommend this one, I promise you won’t be disappointed

🐧❤️

There are three main characters in this book whilst they do not know each other personally their lives intertwine on some level throughout the book.

Each are leading lives they would prefer to be different. Ursula’s life has been going downhill ever since the death of her partner Nathan. She misses him and has become cut off from friends and family. Alice still has her daughter, at least sometimes, since Peter left and work fills in a lot of time but in those days when she is by herself she finds it difficult. Gareth looks after his mum, she has dementia and it’s getting worse. He’s just about managing financially as a security supervisor at a local shopping centre but he has no social life any more.

They are each struggling with being alone. They are each trying to fill a void. Ursula tries to help Nikki and her baby. Gareth decides to ask his neighbour out. Alice is looking for someone to spend her free time with.

As we follow each of them their circumstances bring them in a spiral of events that culminates in a tragic, fatal meeting.

This is a book in which I found myself liking all three lead characters who, for all their faults, are decent folk making their way in life as best as they can. Life doesn’t throw them many roses, that’s for sure! Still through everything that happens they are battlers.

I liked that the author ensured that everything had a conclusion, sad or happy, liked or not.

Oh, and – terrible and rather sinister though it was – I couldn’t help enjoying the solution to a particular mystery which runs through the book!

This is the second C. L. Taylor book that I have read, the first being Sleep, and I have enjoyed them both. With her unique style the author keeps you gripped in the unfolding story. It moves along at a good pace and is eminently readable.

I would certainly recommend The Strangers and indeed Sleep to all you psychological thriller lovers. In fact, I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good book to read.

Thanks
With thanks to Sabah Khan, Head of PR at Avon for the invitation to the BlogTour and to Avon via NetGalley for an eCopy of Strangers by C.L. Taylor. All thoughts are my own, I have not received any payment. I purchased Sleep by C.L. Taylor.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for asking me to read and review.
This story was a wonderful, gripping read.
It is well written with some great characters and as a reader you feel you are right there with them. The plot draws you in and keeps you turning those pages.
A brilliant read.

I have loved all of her books. This book is a fabulous read from start to finish. Loved it. Can't wait for her next one keep up the fantastic work.

Alice, Gareth and Ursula were damaged individuals because of events that had occurred in their respective lives. This certainly does not make them strangers but kindred spirits searching for peace and some sort of happiness. Their mundane jobs allow them to encounter one another plus others just as needy as themselves. Complex circumstances and situations result in these characters meeting one another .Alice finds herself being stalked after involving herself in a relationship with a strange man she meets in a bar. Ursula gets involved with a strange landlord and Gareth lives a strange life with his mother who suffers from dementia. For me these situations , the rushed ending and unrelated details made this book not one about Strangers but a strange one to read.

Fab stuff! C.L.Taylor has done it again. Strangers is a perfectly creepy, dark, menacing thriller with dollops of suspense. It’s a fast paced read that will leave you disorientated after all of the twisty turns. Just when you think there’s no more secrets to come out, there’s a final one. Who needs a roller coaster with a book like this?!

With many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read this ARC, in return for an honest and unbiased review.

this book was so enjoyable. each character was so likeable and well-drawn and their lives were intertwined in an interesting way without becoming completely unbelievable. the denoument was satisfying and not overly-tidy. Highly recommended and I will read more this author's work.

Another excellent and dark story by my favourite psychological thriller writer, CL Taylor. This time, she presents us with three main characters, complete strangers to each other. As you get to know them, you discover that each of them has plenty of problems and secrets but you have no idea how their stories are going to collide... This kept me glued to the story for hours, as I kept discovering little bits of information about them and was trying to guess how they were going to meet.

But, as usual, CL Taylor had plenty of surprises in store for us, I was completely shocked with the final revelations and when I turned the last page, I was still holding my breath. Always a sign that the story has completely captured me.

In Taylor's previous book, Sleep, the setting of a remote Scottish island played a huge part in the story, so when I read that for this one the setting was going to be a regular shopping centre, I was wondering how she was going to achieve the same dark, eerie atmosphere... But it worked surprisingly well, it really makes you think how many things can happen in such a regular place. Also, the characterization was superb. I think I went through all feelings while getting to know the characters.

It's always a highlight of my reading year when CL Taylor releases a new book and Strangers is no different in this sense. Original concept, intriguing characters, surprising plot and addictive writing, definitely one not to miss!

Diving into Strangers by C.L. Taylor, I wasn’t sure what to expect. While the very beginning gives a quick snapshot of the ending, I was still surprised at the story.

It was a slow read for me at the beginning. Although I’ve learned that is part of the author’s charm. She holds back until the very end, revealing all secrets. One thing about this book is it is very unpredictable. Just when I thought I had the story figured out, I was taken aback and turned to the complete opposite direction.

Check this one out. If you can get past the first hump, you will not be disappointed. Strangers will blow your mind!

I always look forward to a new C.L. Taylor novel and Strangers was no exception.

Alice, Gareth, Ursula, three total strangers, are about to have their lives turned upside down, in a way that none of them ever imagined could happen.

We meet them at the beginning of the novel, where it is clear something terrible has happened, and work backwards back to that pivotal point of the novel.

Alice manages a clothes shop in the fictional Meads Shopping Centre in Bristol. Gareth is a security guard in the same centre, and Ursula is a delivery driver, with a part-time shop lifting habit in the same shopping centre...

Having three separate characters stories running could become confusing, but this novel is so well written that it is never a problem.

Twists are another thing that this author does particularly well. To the point, that they are the kind of twist that even the most prolific thriller won't see coming.

One thing I love about C.L. Taylor's novels is that they are all unique, and you never know what you are going to get (in a really good way). As always I look forward to the next!