Book Review: Strangers by C. L. Taylor

They know you. But you don't know them...

Ursula, Gareth and Alice have never met before.

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.

 

The million-copy bestseller returns with a gripping new novel that will keep you guessing until the end.

This time last year, I was reading Sleep by C. L. Taylor, which I loved. In fact, a year ago today I published my review. And this week, I finished Strangers, her latest gripping thriller. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review. 

I'm a huge fan of prologues that dunk you in the deep end, giving you just enough information to pique your interest, only to pull you back out and propel you back to a time before the events of the prologue unfold. I love knowing what's going to happen, and trying to find out how it happens, and why. Set in a shopping mall, Strangers opens with Ursula, Gareth and Alice stood around a dead body. I didn't guess the how or the why in this book; I didn't see it coming at all. This left me grabbing the book at any available opportunity, desperate to find out what happens. 

I had so many questions when I was reading this book. Who is stalking Alice, and has the elusive Simon got anything to do with it? Why is Ursula a kleptomaniac, and what on earth is going on with the creepy guy she's lodging with? Who's sending the postcards to Gareth and his mother, and is it really his dad he keeps seeing? There's so much I want to tell you about the story but I don't want to include any spoilers. 

I really enjoy this type of story, where you know the characters will cross paths at some point but you just don't know when or how. Strangers is comprised of three separate stories narrated by three different characters, whose stories interweave. It's a brilliant example of how to write strong characters; at heart, this is a character-driven story with strong themes of loneliness. These characters are good people, but they're all a little bit lost. 

C. L. Taylor has the innate ability to draw you in from page one, guiding you steadily in one direction before switching things up, sending you hurtling in the opposite direction. Her plot twists are unguessable, and Strangers is no exception. Cleverly-written with fantastic pace and short, snappy chapters, this kept me turning the pages long into the night, until the shocking end. 

Dripping with mystery and intrigue, this is one thriller you won't want to miss. Out now in paperback, hardback, ebook and audiobook. 

Roxie

@RoxieAdelleKey

About the author

C. L. Taylor is the six times Sunday Times bestselling author of seven gripping stand-alone psychological thrillers: The Accident, The Lie, The Missing, The Escape, The Fear, Sleep and Strangers. 

Her books have sold in excess of a million copies and hit the number one spots on Amazon Kindle, Audible, Kobo, iBooks and Google Play. They have been translated into over 25 languages, selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club, and optioned for television. 

She was born in Worcester and spent her early years living in various army camps in the UK and Germany. She studied Psychology at the University of Northumbria and went on forge a career in instructional design and e-Learning before leaving to write full time in 2014. She lives in Bristol with her partner and young son.

www.cltaylorauthor.com

My top 10 of 2019

2019 has been a great year. I got married to my best friend, I wrote and edited my first novel, Burn Again, and I read some truly outstanding books. I hope one day my book will grace a 'best of' blog post, but for now, here are the best books I read during 2019.

1. Cruel Acts - Jane Casey

Cruel Acts is the 8th book in Jane Casey's DS Maeve Kerrigan series, which keeps getting better, proven by its Sunday Times bestseller status. The story follows Maeve as she rips apart an investigation when it comes to light certain rules weren't followed during the initial trial. Delightfully sharp, deliciously entertaining, and utterly devourable, this will see just 'one more chapter' turning into twenty. My book of 2019!

2. I Let You Go - Clare Mackintosh

This book is absolutely stunning, with one hell of a plot twist. I Let You Go follows the story of Jenna, who has walked away from her former life, which has descended into a nightmare after a devastating event. It's difficult to put into words how compelling this novel is, but it's one I'll be keeping on my shelf and sharing with friends forever.

3. The Family by Louise Jensen

The Family is a thrilling page-turner, drenched in a dark sense of unease that builds and builds until it's all you can think about. The story follows two women who find themselves hopelessly trapped within a cult, ending with a twist I doubt you'll see coming. A stunningly-written piece of thriller fiction, dark and disturbing yet with shimmering beauty in every sentence.

4. Anything You Do Say - Gillian McAllister

This is the book that kept me out of the swimming pool on holiday because it was so bloody good I couldn't put it down. I was initially drawn to it for its narrative style, with each chapter alternating between what would happen if the protagonist revealed what happened, or concealed it. So cleverly written, and so unputdownable.

5. Cross Her Heart - Sarah Pinborough

I picked this up after the whirlwind that is Behind Her Eyes, and was not disappointed. Sarah really knows how to pull the rug out from beneath your feet! This story follows Lisa and her teenage daughter Ava, a seemingly normal family, until Lisa unwillingly reveals a huge secret that changes their lives forever. Another brilliant read from this fantastic author.

6. The Turn Of The Key - Ruth Ware

The Turn of the Key was so far up the scary scale it made my heart race long after putting it down. The Turn of the Key tells the tale of Rowan, who secures the 'dream' job, nannying in a gorgeous house... in the middle of nowhere. Rowan is an excellently flawed character, an unreliable narrator who delivers the story, its clues and an oh-my-fucking-god plot twist like a pro.

7. Sleep - C L Taylor

Sleep tells the chilling tale of Anna, who makes a new life for herself after a terrible accident, but is haunted by messages telling her to sleep. This made me feel delightfully uncomfortable. It's one of those books that make you triple check your locks each night. No wonder it's a Sunday Times bestseller!

8. A Window Breaks - C M Ewan

A thriller that made my heart race so fast I was worried for my health. After a 2am break in, Tom, Rachel and their daughter Holly begin a terrifying game of cat and mouse with a group of murderous men, and no one knows why. You'll want to stop reading because you're terrified but at the same time you just... can't... put... it... down.

9. The House On The Lake - Nuala Ellwood

Lisa's on the run, and ends up staying in a creepy old house by a lake. Grace grew up in that very same house several years before. When the link was between these two women was finally revealed, I did not see it coming. At all. This will give you a creeping sense of unease and if you love a thriller, you will not be disappointed.

10. Behind Closed Doors - B A Paris

A pacey thriller, telling the story of Jack and Grace. Their 'perfect' relationship is presented to the rest of the world, but the reality is more terrifying than you could ever imagine. Dark and disturbing in many ways. The perfect psychological thriller.

What were your top ten 2019 reads? Share in the comments!

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

An Evening with Cally Taylor, Lucy Foley and Olivia Kiernan

If you saw my recent blog post about the Thriller event at Waterstones Milton Keynes, you can probably take a wild stab at just how excited I was (hint: VERY) when I found out about the Crime and Wine night at Waterstones Oxford, with Cally Taylor, Lucy Foley and Olivia Kiernan, a trio of criminally excellent authors. I'm already a big Cally Taylor fan, and I'm always excited to discover new crime and thriller authors. It's the reason I keep running out of money.

Olivia led the discussion with tonnes of insightful questions for Cally and Lucy, discussing their highly-acclaimed books Sleep and The Hunting Party. I wrote way too many notes to share them all, but here are my highlights.

Both of these books were set in the beautiful but remote Scottish Highlands, and involve the characters being trapped there due to extreme weather. There's something about being trapped somewhere that gives a book that Agatha Christie edge. Nowadays, the challenge is to find a setting with zero phone signal!

When asked what comes first, for Lucy it is the characters, with the setting being the spark that lights the touch paper.
"In the event of heavy snowfall, you may find you aren't able to leave the estate." 
The words that inspired the premise for The Hunting Party. Unintentionally chilling...

And where do ideas typically form? In the shower, apparently. Cally doesn't always plan out the twists straight away, and once added a plot twist during a round of edits... and yes, it came to her in the shower. Writing tip: take lots of showers!

When asked about becoming an "overnight success", Cally says it only took 10 years to achieve that (eek!), and advises it takes 10 books to make a career. I'd like to share with you Cally's bucket list because I think I'll be adding these to my own...

1. Become a Richard and Judy book club read
2. Have posters on the London Underground
3. Release a hardback book

... all of which were achieved in 2019. What a woman!

Here's a little more about these inspiring women.
Cally Taylor is the Sunday Times bestselling author of 6 psychological thrillers including Sleep, which I reviewed here.
Lucy Foley's first crime novel, The Hunting Party, was a Sunday Times bestseller and her second, The Guest List, lands February 2020.
Olivia Kiernan's second novel in her series, The Killer in Me, was published in April (and I cannot wait to read it!).

The Crime and Wine night was well worth the drive from sunny Northampton, and I came away with three gorgeous signed books that I'm having as a little early Christmas present to myself.

Thanks Waterstones for putting on such a great event!

Roxie Key

@RoxieAdelleKey

Book Review: Sleep by C. L. Taylor

I'd had my eye on Cally Taylor's books for a while. But with my leaning tower of TBR peering accusingly at me, threatening to topple over every time my finger hovered over the 'buy now' button, I abstained. But then along came the 99p deal. I told Cally on Twitter I felt a little dirty about buying a 99p book, but promised if I liked it, I would buy another full-priced book of hers. Good news Cally, I bloody loved it. No wonder it's a Richard and Judy Book Club read and Sunday Times best seller!

So if you've read much of my blog, you'll know I am partial to a good psychological thriller. In short, Sleep did not disappoint. Nor did I get any sleep during the week I was reading this book. But I have zero regrets. None. Nada.

So onto a whistle stop tour of the story. Anna is plagued by gut-wrenching guilt following a serious car crash where she was the only person to escape unscathed. This all-consuming guilt, coupled with a series of threatening notes and unbearable insomnia causes her relationship to break down. Anna decides to escape to the remote Scottish island of Rum, about as far away from home as she can get, where she takes a job in a small hotel. But things soon take a turn for the worse, and Anna realises she isn't any safer in Rum than she was at home when someone is murdered. A raging storm batters the island, ensuring all the hotel guests (A. K. A. murder suspects) are contained within one place until the killer is satisfyingly revealed. The ending left a little prickle on my skin that I don't think will go away any time soon.

I won't tell you any more, but what I can say is the story is chilling, and made me feel delightfully uncomfortable. It's one of those books that make you double triple check your locks each night. It makes you jumpy in broad daylight, fearing the poor postman* who just wanted to drop a letter through your door and didn't expect to be greeted with a blood-curdling scream.

It is expertly written, with each character feeling like a very real person. Considering there are a lot of characters and I read this book a few weeks ago, I still remember them all as clear as day (and I can't even remember what I did yesterday). The sense of setting is incredible, and really comes to life when you're reading it. And the atmosphere! That's the best part. I find it so very fascinating how certain authors can create such intense atmosphere and creepiness using pure sentences... expertly crafted words, dialogue and punctuation that make you feel it like it's really happening, and you want to stop reading because you're terrified but at the same time you just... can't... put... it... down. Cally is one of those people.

If you want to read something that sends a shiver down your spine this Halloween, open a copy of Sleep (just don't expect to get any actual sleep). Who needs sleep anyway? We can sleep when we're dead.

Click here for the paperback and here for the hardback.

Until next time.

Roxie

@RoxieAdelleKey

*no postmen were harmed in the reading of this book. There were no postmen in the story, but I genuinely was terrified when mine knocked on my door. He's okay now.