Release date: April 25, 2023
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Synopsis:
After posting a negative book review, a woman living in a remote location begins to wonder if the author is a little touchy—or very, very dangerous—in this pulse-pounding novel of psychological suspense and terror from the critically acclaimed author of No Exit and Hairpin Bridge.
Emma Carpenter lives in isolation with her golden retriever Laika, house-sitting an old beachfront home on the rainy Washington coast. Her only human contact is her enigmatic old neighbor, Deek, and (via text) the house’s owner, Jules.
One day, she reads a poorly written—but gruesome—horror novel by the author H. G. Kane, and posts a one-star review that drags her into an online argument with none other than the author himself. Soon after, disturbing incidents start to occur at night. To Emma, this can’t just be a coincidence. It was strange enough for this author to bicker with her online about a lousy review; could he be stalking her, too?
As Emma digs into Kane’s life and work, she learns he has published sixteen other novels, all similarly sadistic tales of stalking and murder. But who is he? How did he find her? And what else is he capable of?
Review:
As soon as I read the description of this I knew it was a must read, I mean a bad review turns into an author tracking the reviewer down? How deliciously creepy. Having read the authors previous books I knew what to expect, meaning he writes really cinematic and fast paced thrillers that defy logic but are always fun and this may be his most unhinged book yet. You have to and I mean you MUST suspend all disbelief if you’re going to read this because none of it seems even remotely possible. But if you’re able to let reality go this was wild and really fun. It does get a little gory and descriptive but it’s also a very quick read that I enjoyed. If you’ve enjoyed the authors other books I think you will like this one too.
Overall rating: 3.5/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
Novelgossip 