21/08/2020

Lauren North is a writer of psychological suspense novels and One Step Behind is a lightening-rod of anxious suspense. There is little pause for breath as the creeping tension gives way to heart-pounding threat as the lives of Jenna and her family crumble beyond control.

This book is a rare example where the flow of the story seems to draw you ever higher through those emotional gears, which creates a sense of ever-building tension rather than the rising and falling of gradually increasing waves. This mirrors the storyline well, involving readers in the unending fear that the main character, Jenna, is experiencing.

So, what does the story offer? Amongst the thread of Jenna being watched, harassed, and the initial twist of finding her stalker thrust into her care as an emergency doctor, there are flashes of everyday life that ground the story in a world we all find familiar. The stresses and irritations of school runs, relationships, families, and work all play out beneath the story. It makes it feel rich with reality. Jenna is surrounded by rich characters, all with recognisable personalities, who all respond to the situation in their own way.

The parallel lines in this story are all clearly on a trajectory to smash together terrifically as you approach the end, with enough bobbing and weaving to send your brain down a few dead ends to keep you guessing.

Prepare yourselves for the prickling of the hairs on the back of your neck as you share the tensity, frustration, and resolution of One Step Behind.

Another great book from Lauren North. I don't think I've ever read a book so quickly, I was riveted, an excellent plot line great characters. I've already started recommending this book. Brilliant.

Really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t able to stop reading it. I enjoyed reading a novel like this set in the UK. Not going to put any spoilers in, but if you like a mystery/thriller/crime this is for you.

I enjoyed this suspense novel very much. The plot was well crafted and the characters were people I could relate to and empathize with. Definitely recommended.

This was a fabulous read. So many twists and turns, and OMG moments!! Lauren North is really developing into a must read author for me!! Looking at the scary and horrifying situation of stalkers, how they can twist and affect your life, your health and life. So scary but brilliant writing. Thank you for letting me review this book.

The best thing about the lockdown is lots of uninterrupted reading time- I was able to read this in one go. This thriller is a terrifying read, Jenna is being stalked. The police are investigating, but without knowing who he is, are almost helpless to act. She has caught the odd glimpse of him from time to time, until one day he turns up in A & E where she works as a doctor. Finally she has a name, finally she can be rid of him. When she gets another email a week later she doesn’t understand, does he have help?
If you like psychological thrillers you will enjoy this.

Jenna, a wife, mum and doctor, is being stalked - nasty gifts, threatening emails and seeing a man watching her all leave her feeling terrified. Then one day, her stalker is in an accident and is brought into hospital. Jenna is now given the chance to find out why her stalker has been doing these things and try to put a stop to it. But is this really the end of it or are things about to get a whole lot worse?

Another fantastic book by Lauren North. The plot is exciting and kept me reading until the end, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The twists and turns and ending were all fantastic and shocking - I definitely didn't predict how things were going to go! The characters were all intriguing and I loved how the story went between a few characters and also between past and present. Can't recommend this book enough, it's brilliant! I really can't wait for Lauren's next book.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

#OneStepBehind #NetGalley
Twisty and compelling. An unputdownable read.
Lauren North's One Step Behind is actually one step forward in psychological thrillers. I was completely lost in the scenes of this novel. It seemed like I was watching a holywood movie. Jenna is a wife, a mother, a doctor. She’s also the victim of a stalker.
Every time she leaves her house, she sees him. Disturbing gifts are left at her door. Cruel emails are sent to her colleagues. She has no idea who this man is but she feels powerless against him.Until the day he is brought into her hospital after a serious accident, and Jenna is given the chance to find out once and for all why this man is tormenting her. Now, the power is all hers.
I love the antagonist character and protagonist was awesome.
Narration of the story is like a smooth butter. I completely lost in it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK Transworld Publishers Corgi for giving me an advance copy.

Wow oh wow! This was one of those books I saw on twitter and thought "ooh I fancy that one" and I have completely devoured it in just one sitting.
This is a book which has gripped me and been completely unputdownable from the very beginning.
There is nothing negative I can say about this book, I have found myself completely pulled into the events of the book and desperate to know where North was taking the plot of this one.
I do love a true crime documentary/ film, this has made me think of them and I could imagine this taking place. This is a book which I could almost imagine seeing the events on a documentary and being in complete shock.
I have read one of this author's precious books, however it hasn't left the impression on me this one has so I definitely think I'll be re-reading not only that one but any other reads by this author as well. North has completely pulled me into this one and it has been an easy but gripping read. I really have had a clear image of each development and event described within the pages.
This book has evoked many feelings whilst reading. I have been completely gripped and on the edge of my seat, desperate to know what was going to happen. I have felt tense at the unknown and I have been able to empathise with the characters involved.
I absolutely adore the cover of this book, it's sophisticated and doesn't give much away at all. The length of this is absolutely perfect, everything included within the pages are completely relevant to the plot and we get the view points from different perspectives- which is always interesting.
This is a book unlike any other I have read previously. The plot is definitely unique and I have said before that females create the perfect psychological books. There have been moments that pull on your heart, for me Beth being excluded by classmates or Jenna finding out about Stuart. There is no way I predicted the way this went (no spoilers here) and I absolutely adore that in a book.
This is an utterly realistic book, from all the crime documentaries that have been on television this is one which could easily be real. I love that North hasn't been afraid to tackle a plot which could quite easily be viewed by individuals on shows such as "Britain's Darkest Taboos" or "Crimes That Shocked the Nation". She has done this in a way that you can almost imagine the commentary.
I would absolutely recommend this book. It has been gripping and I haven't wanted to put it down. North has thrown me off on numerous occasions when I thought I was close to predicting what was going to happen.
Most definitely a five star read for me. Only this is a book I feel is deserving of more than five stars.