It is so hard to describe why this book was so good without giving away spoilers! Just know that the crash you just heard was my jaw hitting the floor. I was SHOCKED when I learned who the stalker was, and I am fairly sure I would never have figured out why either as I tore through the book, except I had to stop and make dinner which gave me ample time to puzzle it all out while I chopped and stir-fried veggies. Not sure if I am going to read this again now that the jaw-dropping “wow” moment is over, but it was completely worth a read. I can’t wait to recommend this to everyone I know (and everyone I don’t know too).

I received an ARC from NetGalley, but my opinions are all mine.

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, "Hunting Lila", and I know she can write on the edge of your seat thrillers. I mean, I read her last adult thriller "The Weekend Away" 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...

“This isn’t a honeymoon, it’s a bloody nightmare.”

This was a highly enjoyable domestic thriller that puts a unique twist on the “stalker” concept. In the first ~140 pages, it reads like a horror film (with the all the Gothic/creepy island vibes), then it becomes utterly unputdownable midway in before delivering the most unexpected twists!!

Who’s stalking this innocent couple on their honeymoon?
What the heck is happening on this island?
Does it have anything to do with its sinister history?

My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my Kindle version of The Stalker. This is a hard book to review without spoilers so I will be very vague.

This is a very dark thriller and I feel that for some, myself included, it should come with a trigger warning but that would give the game away. I found the first 60% to be hard going, slow almost stationary although very atmospheric, Maybe my previous life gave me an inkling of where it was heading.

Suddenly there was a real change of pace and it became much more visceral, more difficult to read and I have to admit that here I had to skim read as I found it too intense too real. Once through this it was clear that my initial thoughts were correct and this led to the most satisfying and clever outcome that I could have ever imagined or hoped for and it was only when I relaxed again that I realised how caught up I had become.

Overall, I really liked this one! Good characters, good plot, excellent twists!

The first part of this book was great. It jumped right in to a newly married couple honeymooning on a remote island. As I've heard the author point out in interviews, this setting was perfect because it lends itself to being both romantic and sinister. I absolutely loved that aspect.

The middle of the book dragged a bit for me. I thought it would be exciting once they were on the island and weird things started happening, but for some reason the introduction of the other couple (whose plot line starts well before this couple even meets) was pretty slow and I wasn't really sure where it was going.

The end though... that was great. It's almost as if you've pushed a boulder up a hill and then all of a sudden it rolls of a cliff and just free falls and it's extremely compelling. I didn't see it coming at all. There was a short moment where I thought it was too crazy and wouldn't be able to wrap up believably, but it did!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a good plot twist! Looking forward to more from this author!

3.5/5
A good, well told, atmospheric story from Sarah Alderson. I mostly enjoyed this book however some parts seemed a bit far fetched and were harder to swallow. The tension building was great and I really enjoyed the sense of isolation for the characters throughout.
In my copy, one of the characters names was transposed for another and it confirmed my hunch early as to the big reveal, however it didn't ruin my overall enjoyment.
Big thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Liam and Laura are newlyweds and going to a remote Scottish island for their honeymoon. After a whirlwind romance, they’re hoping to enjoy a week just the two of them. The island is uninhabited and locals have told them it’s haunted and has a gruesome history.

The story started off well, with good descriptions of the island and a growing sense of unease, as Laura thinks she can see someone watching her. Soon, Liam thinks he can see someone too, and when things start to happen they’re pretty sure they aren’t the only ones on the island.

The story is mostly told from Laura’s point of view, with some flashbacks to when she first met Liam. Liam is a successful detective and appears to be the doting, adoring husband, supporting Laura through a difficult time.

Chapters are quite short and easy to read. I didn’t think it was that fast-paced but this added to the sense of foreboding for me, so I didn’t mind.

Later, “the stalker” is revealed, and I had guessed some parts of the story leading up to it, so it wasn’t too shocking for me.

I found the stalker slightly unbelievable and a bit convenient, however I quite liked the idea behind it.

I didn’t really warm to any of the characters but this didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story.

Overall, I quite enjoyed this and particularly liked the creepy island element.

3.5 stars rounded to 3.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for a copy for review.

Another fab book from Sarah Alderson, it was creepy and twisty, some twists I saw coming and others I did not. I could not put it down so it was read in one sitting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve enjoyed Sarah Alderson ever since I read The Weekend Away. This book was not quite as fun for me, although I still enjoy her writing and look forward to her next book.

Newlyweds Liam and Laura, in their wedded bliss, of course decide to go to a creepy and totally deserted island for their honeymoon. Natural wedding pick, right? At least, all the ladies in thrillers seem to think so lately. Once Liam and Laura get to their creepy destination, it turns out they aren’t alone at all, and are being watched by a mysterious stalker.

It was pretty obvious to me from the beginning which way this book was going, and it was a fun idea, but I didn’t love the way it was executed. The beginning was a bit slow. Once we got to the more exciting second half I got a lot more interested, but then got frustrated by some pretty big plot holes. Overall, though I love the way Alderson writes and I enjoyed the original idea of the book, the execution of it just didn’t work for me this time. This can happen when you try a risky, twisty plot and I won’t hold it against the author and still look forward to what she has in store next!

3 stars for this one for a good idea and fun writing style but I would recommend The Weekend Away before this one.

Thanks to Avon Books, NetGalley and the author for the ARC!

“I believe in the devil, but I have doubts sometimes that there is a god. If there is, I don’t know how he can let so much suffering occur and do nothing about it.”

This book is broken into 4 parts and takes place on a remote island in Scotland. It is told primarily from Laura’s POV with a few others (no spoilers sorry). What you think is a “honeymoon from hell” soon becomes soooo much more. This book was fast-paced and kept my interest. It had creepy vibes to it and was very twisty. The book completely switches up about 2/3 in (that’s all I will say because again, no spoilers) but it was great. I loved the twists and I loved Laura. I was shocked at the very end twist and didn’t see it coming but was 100% here for it. Definitely recommend this for my fellow thriller fans! I know I’ll be checking out some of the other books she’s wrote.

⚠️TW: domestic abuse, murder, physical abuse, emotional abuse, animal abuse/death⚠️
 
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins 360 for providing me with an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

An abandoned island, newlywed honeymooners looking for a private getaway. A wonderful remote location coupled with stormy weather and a fight for survival combine to make this an unputdownable novel with twists and turns accelerating to a shattering finale.

Laura & Liam decide to go to a remote Scottish island after their honeymoon to Greece was cancelled. It seemed a romantic getaway, but from the start we are told that all is not as it seems on the island, that it is haunted. Being totally cut off from the world may not be such a great idea after all! The pair settle into their island idyll strange things happen- things that make them believe they are not alone. So far so good. However at some stage it felt seemed to shift. I know that this was the point & to provide the twist, but I found it extremely difficult to marry up the Laura I met at the start with the one by the end. Over all it was a bit of a disappointment. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

Newlywed Laura and Liam spend their honeymoon on an isolated Scottish island. Thinking that it will be a very romantic seven-day honeymoon just them two on the island. They soon came to the realization that they were not alone. Someone is tracking all their movements. Who is this stalker? What does the stalker want?

This is wow.. Who stalk who? The plot and twist put me on a roller coaster. I definitely not see any of them coming. I just can't stop turning the pages. I got hooked from the beginning. Whoever loves mystery thrillers should read! So good!

Thanks so much Netgalley AvonbooksUK for the advance digital copy!

Summary:

Laura and Liam are finally able to take their honeymoon after tragedy strikes right after their wedding, and it had to be postponed.

The newlyweds head to a remote island off the coast of Scotland. At first, this seems as if it will be a quiet and romantic trip.

After some exploring around the island, they found that the island has experienced tragedy. Shortly after they receive a threatening written message, and they realize they are not alone.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Publishing for the advanced reader’s copy of The Stalker.

My Thoughts:

I am not sure how to review this because it started out really well and was very eerie. The last 25% or so of the book got a little confusing, and I needed to go back and reread a few parts to try to make sense of what happened. It was very fast paced and suspenseful throughout the whole book.

I enjoyed the last two books by Sarah Alderson more than The Stalker, but I definitely am a fan of her writing and style!

I have read and enjoyed many novels by this author and was looking forward to this new one. Good, but not my all time favorite. A young couple, supposedly alone on a delayed honeymoon on a remote Scottish island find out they are being watched. Around three quarters in, I almost didn’t finish but suddenly the story changed. It opened up and I enjoyed the rest so much more. Wished it had opened up a little earlier which would. Have given more texture and suspense to a rather repetitive storyline,

Hmmm Who's stalking who?
Once I got into this book I couldn't put it down.
An intriguing fast paced psychological thriller that had me guessing until the last chapter!
My second read from this Author and certainly won't be my last.
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon book UK and the Author Sarah Alderson for an ATC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

OMG this book was so GOOD! The Stalker by Sarah Alderson grabbed me from just reading a few pages I was hooked! It had lots of twists and turns that was so creepy throughout and will make you look over your shoulder!

A perfect honeymoon on a deserted Scottish island off of Scotland with no WiFi and no phone signal, It sounds perfect especially no social media and phone calls...........A cosy cottage with a stocked up fridge and larder etc. It all starts off as bliss, then it becomes a fight for survival when the happy couple find themselves stalked and hunted by an unknown assailant.

WoW.....Who is this unknown assailant?

Do they survive? OMG You will need to read this brilliant book. I highly recommend this book 5 star read

Big Thank You NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!

Oooh...this book! Had me hooked out the gate. I had a hard time putting this one down....I wanted to know what was going to happen! The plot was written well and kept me intrigued and guessing the whole time, and I definitely didn't anticipate the ending. Add to your TBR for sure!

W O W!

Romantic honeymoon, secluded island… this was no romance novel!

I have been enjoying mysteries and thrillers and The Stalker was definitely up there with the ones I have read recently.

I couldn’t put this one down and I am keen to read more of Sarah Alderson’s novels now.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher and author, for so kindly gifting me this novel to read and review.

Could not put this down hooked from the start a perfect twisted Creepy Thriller. Loved the Scottish setting. Unexpected twist I did not see coming. Highly recommended.