The story is told over dual timelines
It is a poignant read and has a lot of sadness
It is written so well.
A good book

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

Totally unputdownable (is that a word?!)
This was a really well written book and had me totally on the edge of my seat a few times. It was very well written and the story flowed well and I didn't want it to end. Highly recommend.

May's story pulled me in and I loved it. The ending really surprised me and I wasn't expecting it at all. It stayed with me for a while and I was genuinely shocked.

A really enjoyable premise filled with heavy subjects such as trauma and domestic abuse, which were handled with such care. A very compelling read from start to finish.

Unfortunately I really struggled to get into this book. I don’t think this is a bad book I just think this one wasn’t for me! I definitely wouldn’t discourage people from reading it

A moving novel that sensitively explores themes of trauma and domestic abuse. May is currently living in a care home, voiceless after a stroke and unable to speak out and voice the unease she feels over the arrival of a new resident. The novel weaves together past and present and is a compelling read told with empathy that builds to a satisfying conclusion.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC.

My thanks to HQ for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Stranger She Knew’ by Rosalind Stopps in exchange for an honest review. It was published in November 2020 and I apologise for the late feedback.

It was Rosalind Stopps’ debut novel and was originally published in 2019 as ‘Hello, My Name is May’.

The protagonist of this novel is May, an elderly woman who is in a care home following a stroke. While her mind remains sharp, she is unable to speak and has little control over her body.

May begins to suspect that one of the other residents is someone from her past. The story unfolds over two timelines: the present and details of May’s earlier life in an abusive marriage during the 1970s.

It was not the kind of novel that I would say I enjoyed given its serious themes. Indeed, it was quite uncomfortable to read in places, though I did persevere to its rather confusing conclusion.

Overall, while this kind of domestic drama isn’t my cup of tea, I did feel that Rosalind Stopps dealt sensitively with the difficult themes that the narrative addressed. She has written that she aspires to “tell the stories of the less heard” and I felt that this novel does just that.

Although May has lost het ability to speak, there is no doubt at all about her being the same, sharp minded woman she has always been. May now lives in a care home, and whilst there she recognises someone very familiar from her past that is living in the room opposite to hers. May is finds her mind taking her back to her past and the terrible things that took place, and she knows she has to warn people of the possible danger....but how can she possibly do that without being able to speak?

This book is so beautifully written it captivates you from the start. The storyline is full of suspense, drama and tension which increases as the story progresses.
I really loved how the story was told from both a past and present account by May, and the way in which the book was written had me engaged and unable to put the book down until the end!.

Brilliantly written, perfectly paced, and the perfect level of suspense to keep you fully invested in the story. A fantastic Psychological thriller/drama.

I really struggled with this one. The premise was really interesting but the storyline was really linear. There weren’t any kind of plot twists and the ending left me confused with so many questions. Nothing was really resolved. Maybe I’m missing the whole point. I don’t know.

This is how fiction should be done! The Stranger She Knew is a fabulous, thrilling tale and I loved it! Perfect for dark winter evenings in front of a roaring fire! (Or your finest electric fireplace!)

Complex, shocking and dark. All the things I love in a story and then some! I don5 want to give any plot away but take my word for it...you need to order this story today!

A strong 5/5.

Rosalind Stopps’ debut novel is a psychological drama.
May is an elderly lady who has had a stroke and lay where she fell for several days before being found.
She can’t communicate with anyone as she has lost the ability to speak and full use of her limbs.
She ends up in a nursing home with her only visitor being her daughter Jenny.
The story is told from current day perspective and the 1970’s.
Despite her stroke May has an active mind and a sense of humour. The story describes the frustration of someone who can’t communicate.
May sees a man in the room opposite that she recognises from her past and who she thinks is dangerous.
Some difficult topics in the book are dealt with sensitively particularly around the treatment of disabled people and domestic abuse.
May’s relationship with her husband Alain and her friend Helen in the 1970’s is well written.
My only problem with the book was the ending. I’m not sure it fitted with the rest of the story.
Overall 3.5 stars.
Thanks to #Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for a fair review.

May has had a stroke and lost her ability to speak but she's still as sharp as ever. She now lives in a care home. She discovers someone very familiar, from long ago, is living in the room opposite from hers. May is haunted by scenes from an earlier life and she's determined to keep everyone from this new threat. But how can she warn them without a voice?

This is a beautifully written story. It's a gripping psychological drama and I was pulled in from the start. There's some unexpected wit as the tension builds throughout the book. The story alternates between May's time in the nursing home and her earlier life. This is a cleverly crafted story from a debit author. I loved it.

I would .I've to thank #NetGalley, #HQ and the author #RosalindStopps for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a hard hitting thought provoking read for me which was emotive and heartbreaking portraying the suffering of a stroke victim (locked in) and her daughter.

However I will say i'm not sure about the ending it spoilt it a bit for me and left me confused.

A really interesting premise, let down by 2D characters.

I really wanted to like this book, part thriller, part historical fiction it was set to be a winner. But I just didn't like anyone in it. I couldn't bond with a single character. I manged to get through to the end, but I wish I'd quit earlier on.

Unfortunately I was unable to gel with this book and haven’t been able to finish.
I will not be writing a negative review as that is unfair to the author and I will revisit this as I’m aware I’m a mood reader. Updated review to follow.

I found The Stranger She Knew to be gripping and compelling. It starts in the present day with May suffering a stroke. She ends up in a home where her visitor is her only daughter Jenny however there is someone in the room opposite who May is certain she knows from her past. The book goes between 1977 and present day and weaves the tale of May, her husband Alain and Jenny. It’s well written and covers some difficult subjects but I would rate this book stars. Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author for the chance to review.

A very different premise for a psychological thriller, at times moving and emotive and kept my interest at all times
The past/present alternating chapters was really well done and the ‘twist’ was a real surprise
Intriguing and exciting

Just to say could not find this book on Goodreads

Once you start this book it is physically impossible to put it down. I found myself hugely addicted and completely invested in the outcome. Loved it

This was a lovely reflective book. It was also gripping and intense. The characters were interesting and had a good depth to them. It had me gripped from the start and I simply loved the unexpected twist!