Lee Allen's Blog - Posts Tagged "stalker"

You by Caroline Kepnes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An intense psychological thriller that approaches the romance genre from an unconventional angle; the first in a series by Caroline Kepnes, which has been adapted as a TV series, with a second series currently in production by Netflix.

Joe Goldberg runs a bookstore, watching the comings and goings of his customers on a daily basis. When Guinevere Beck, known to her friends as Beck, becomes one of his customers, he is instantly and deeply attracted to her – an aspiring writer, witty and gorgeous, she’s probably the woman of his dreams. So, he begins to follow her, watching her at home, in her intimate moments, when she’s with her boyfriend and friends and generally living her daily life. A near-fatal moment at a train station provides Joe his opportunity to enter Beck’s life, escalating his already barely controlled obsession.

They begin to develop a relationship, while Joe continues to stalk Beck, gaining an insight into her innermost thoughts and feelings, the true nature of her relationships with friends and family, and how she really feels about him. It soon becomes clear that Beck has her own demons and that this collision between them may have drastic and tragic consequences.

The novel’s core strength is the relationship between Joe and Beck, capturing both the addictive romance between them and Joe’s burgeoning obsession perfectly, laced with eroticism and fantasy, building to several tense moments. Joe’s violent interactions with other characters are secondary to his encounters with Beck and at times feel like mere distractions, though this is in keeping with the psychological realism – Beck is the centre of his world and everything and everyone else fades in comparison, and the reader is drawn in and taken along with his obsession.

There are several tense, escalating scenes throughout the novel, where you expect Joe's world to come crashing down in the next moment, all leading to a thrilling climax as Joe and Beck's relationship finally implodes.

Addictive and lightning-paced, ‘You’ is an exciting debut novel – I will be eagerly reading the sequel ‘Hidden Bodies’ as well as Kepnes’ standalone novel – ‘Providence’. She is also working on a third and fourth in this series; no doubt there is much more intensity and obsession to come.



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Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Immerse yourself in a world of obsession as Joe Goldberg returns in Caroline Kepnes’ sequel to ‘You’, adapted for the second season of the Netflix series.

Joe has found happiness – there is a new woman in his life, Amy, who is seemingly perfect for him. She shares a love for rare books and he has employed her as his assistant at the bookstore. Her eccentricities match him own and they enjoy a passionate sex life – Joe is content and in love. But there is something he cannot quite dismiss from his mind – the minor errors he made in his past crimes. He knows that these mistakes, no matter how small, may result in his undoing.

But soon he has a new problem dominating his thoughts. Consumed by rage and a thirst for revenge, he pursues his victim to Hollywood – where he finds life is entirely different and that navigating this world while staying off the grid will prove challenging when everyone has a hunger for fame, living their lives through social media; yet there is little substance beneath this veneer. Joe carves out a new identity for himself and soon meets the perfect woman, Love – beautiful, talented; Joe is soon besotted with her.

But every new relationship has its challenges and, no matter how much he wants to move on with his new life, Joe is finding the past has a long reach. No matter how much time passes, hidden bodies always threaten to resurface.

Delving back into Joe’s world was so much fun. Witty, devious, relentless; Joe is a fantastic character to go on a journey with, at times reminiscent of Patrick Bateman (‘American Psycho’). He takes us to sun-soaked streets, experiencing the highs and lows of Hollywood, lifting the veneer on the sad and desperate lives of the fame-hungry, experiencing the anxieties of a new relationship and falling deeply in love – for real this time. But, of course, he’s a completely unreliable narrator, isn’t he?

‘Hidden Bodies’ is a blistering thriller, building on the events of ‘You’ and concluding with a tantalising cliff-hanger that will leave you eagerly anticipating the as-yet-untitled third in the series, which Kepnes is currently working on. To experience a summer of love the predator’s way, ‘Hidden Bodies’ is the way to do it.



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You Love Me: the highly anticipated new thriller in the You series by Caroline Kepnes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Joe Goldberg returns once again with a new object of overwhelming obsession.

Having recently moved to the small community of Bainbridge, Joe is ready to begin his new life, starting with a new job at the local library. He immediately finds himself attracted to fellow librarian, Mary Kay, friendship soon blossoming between the two.

Joe is determined to behave – he’s learnt his lesson and wants to get to know Mary Kay the old-fashioned way. Yet try as he might, he must soon accept that you can escape neither the sins of the past nor the essence of your own nature.

As he becomes more entrenched in Mary Kay’s life and into the orbit of her family and friends, Joe tries desperately to navigate the peaks and troughs of this newfound relationship while attempting to keep his secrets buried deep and out of reach.

‘You Love Me’ is the third in Caroline Kepnes’ ‘You’ series, which follows the life and criminal escapades of Joe Goldberg, a serial stalker and murderer who might just be the most romantic and committed individual you could hope to meet (perspective is everything, after all) – he will do whatever it takes and never give up on you. Once again told from Joe’s point of view, he is, of course, the epitome of an unreliable narrator – at his most delusional and over-analysing brilliance, while his superficial charm, quick wit and glibness are in full evidence, making for both an hilarious and dangerous mix that threatens to explode at any given moment. Following the events of ‘Hidden Bodies’, Joe is attempting to move on from his past and build a new life, while continuing to stalk the woman with whom he was involved most recently on social media.

Meanwhile, he has found a new object of desire, in local librarian Mary Kary. Joe truly believes she may be the one, and hopes to build a new life with her and her daughter, but their relationship is far from the fantasy love story he hopes for. Hurtling from page to page, all the time following the escalating narrative within Joe’s psyche, we navigate every twist and turn, exploring themes of abuse and trauma, with brutal bursts of violence, culminating in a twist which turns the final chapters on their head, leaving Joe powerless to prevent a disastrous outcome. The main events of the novel form their own self-contained narrative, but, as with the last in the series, just as Joe believes he has been able to move on, the past comes back to haunt him. If you’ve not yet read the first two in the series, I would recommend reading them in order, though it won’t be paramount to your enjoyment if you choose to start here.

I particularly liked how the novel ended, bringing the series full circle and also demonstrating a realistic view of how a serial stalker may think and operate following another ‘heartbreak’ at the hands of a victim, with the promise of much more of Joe and his exploits to come. Caroline Kepnes has confirmed that ‘You 4’ is coming soon, with rumours that a fifth in the series is also in the works. The series continues to expand in its screen version too – though I’ve yet to watch the Netflix series adapted from the books (I know, I’m incredibly behind), which has run to three seasons so far, with a fourth currently in production, I believe it has since taken a different course to the novels, with the third book and third season presenting independent narratives. There is much exposure of Joe’s addictive personality to succumb to and more to come!

Compulsive and fast-paced, ‘You Love Me’ is a gripping, entertaining entry in a saga delving into the mind of a disturbed and dangerous man.



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Sliver by Ira Levin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A delicious sliver of menace from a master of suspense.

Someone is always watching. Literary editor Kay Norris moves into her new high-rise apartment, unknowingly becoming the subject of someone's obsession.

Befriending some of her neighbours and soon embarking on a relationship with one of them, Kay continues about her daily life, oblivious to the scrutiny, unaware of the increasing danger she is in.

The tenants are living a real-life soap opera - the footage live, raw and unedited. Behind the scenes is a puppet-master whose fantasies must be fulfilled, and self-preservation guaranteed, at all costs.

Novelist and playwright Ira Levin wrote seven novels; 'Sliver' being the sixth, published in 1991. A short, sharp, fast-paced erotic thriller, it deftly deals with its theme of observing the lives of others, developing into obsession, drawing parallels to ways in which viewers and readers devour fiction and the culture of celebrity. Along with her stalker, we observe Kay go about her daily life. We witness the addictive and compulsive relationship that develops, the revelations of a twisted hobby, and the growing mistrust and burgeoning paranoia as Kay unravels more of the past.

Levin's satirical take on stalking and voyeurism through the apartment block's advanced clandestine visual and audio surveillance system takes on a chilling plausibility in our days of reality TV, social media and mass use of surveillance and security cameras. Much like George Orwell's '1984', albeit in a more light-hearted and non-political way, 'Sliver' was ahead of its time in exploring the extent to which we would one day be monitored and watched, either knowingly or unknowingly, voluntarily or involuntarily.

There are echoes of some of Levin's earlier novels - notably his first, 'A Kiss Before Dying'; as well as 'Rosemary's Baby' and 'The Stepford Wives' in the dynamics of the relationships. The novel once again demonstrates Levin as a master of his craft, as he builds suspense and unease in the manner of an artist, the result always as irresistible and entertaining as it may be unsettling and thought-provoking.

The novel was also adapted for the screen for the 1993 film of the same name, starring Sharon Stone, hot on the heels of the success of 'Basic Instinct' (and adapted by its screenwriter). The plot translates well to the screen, though with changed character names and an alternate ending.

A thrilling volume in Ira Levin's compelling body of work, 'Sliver' is another portrait of the way in which evil can puncture its way into our lives, watching us, biding its time, without us being conscious of its existence.



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Want You Dead by Peter James

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An intense investigation for Roy Grace and the team.

A doctor is burnt alive, while a series of arsons and accidental fires around Brighton and Hove have only one link in common – estate agent Red Westwood.

Ambitious and hopeful for the future, Red finds herself the epicentre of an insidious campaign to terrorise and possess her.

She is the object of an obsession; in the sights of a malignant narcissist who will not stop until he has broken and destroyed her.

‘Want You Dead’ is the tenth novel in Peter James’ police procedural series featuring Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. Smouldering with suspense and distilled with the chill of an autumnal atmosphere, this dark thriller delves deep into the nature of psychological abuse, the insidious nature of the abuser’s manipulative and controlling behaviour and how it escalates into dangerous obsession and the threat of violence.

We meet Red in the aftermath of an abusive relationship, now dating a new man, but her ordeal is far from over. An endearing and empathetic central character, Red remains vulnerable and struggling to move on, but possessing an inner strength and determination to fight through – proving herself a survivor. Her ex-partner Bryce makes for a disturbing and ruthless villain, ever-resourceful and hell-bent on his quest for vengeance and total dominion over Red, his obsession and pyromania now entirely out of control. At each twist of the plot, the tension ratchets up, Bryce always one step ahead and Red ever deeper into danger. Meanwhile, Roy and Cleo are about to be married, Noah now almost four months old. Unknown to Roy, his own wedding threatens to be derailed by more than the launch of this new murder investigation.

With tragic and emotional moments and detailed insights not only into the police investigation, but also into the mind and history of the perpetrator, a keen focus on the victims, in particular Red, and also touching on the personal lives of the police team, this tenth installment once again masterfully brings all these elements together to craft a riveting and absorbing police thriller that remains engrossing from the shocking opening scenes through to its suitably blazing, yet chilling, conclusion. It’s perhaps one of my favourite entries in the series so far, though it's difficult to make that distinction in such a consistently high quality series. Once again, we are left poised to dive into the next in the series, ‘You Are Dead’.

Relentless and intoxicating, ‘Want You Dead’ is a superb psychological thriller and another gripping chapter in the case files of Roy Grace.



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Carving for Cara DARK Edition: A Dark Romance Halloween Novella by Dana LeeAnn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A dangerous and erotic game of trick-or-treat.

**Trigger Warning: This novella contains graphic descriptions of sexual violence and a controversial victim experience.**

Cara is excited for the upcoming Hallowe’en festivities, while also hoping she can finally disentangle herself from her selfish ex and move on.

Meeting her friend for pumpkin spice lattes, she finds herself transfixed by perhaps the most gorgeous man she has ever laid eyes on.

Rhett is equally enthralled by Cara on first sight. But he has a hidden dark side. Now, he will stop at nothing to entirely possess her.

'Carving for Cara', co-written by Melissa McSherry and Dana LeeAnn, is a dark romance novella for Hallowe’en, an erotic fantasy with slasher overtones. Told from the dual perspectives of Cara and Rhett, it delves deep into the psyches of both characters, exploring their thoughts, desires and passions as they head into this fateful Hallowe’en night. Bursting with seasonal imagery and flourishes of horror, the authors vividly set the scene as spice and suspense smoulders and ignites.

Cara, with her love for Hallowe’en and the season's darkness, longs for a lover who can satisfy her dark fantasies. Still in a casual relationship with her ex, unbeknownst to her best friend, she longs for escapism and a depth of pleasure she's not experienced in her life. Spunky, independent and beautiful, we experience her creeping unease as she is stalked by her unseen predator.

From the first moment he sees Cara, Rhett is obsessed: she is his and he knows how much she wants him. Narcissistic and delusional, he sets in play his scheme to claim his woman. I particularly liked how his character was developed authentically - he may be physically attractive, intelligent and highly skilled (in more ways than one), but he is nevertheless portrayed as the dangerous villain he is, not painted as a lovable, misunderstood hero (sometimes a mistake of the genre) - we never lose sight of his true nature as stalker, murderer and rapist.

Building to an intense climax as predator and prey collide in a pursuit through the corn field and into the pumpkin patch, Cara finds herself overpowered and defenseless as she lies bound and terrified. Even as she is assaulted, a deeper, primal part of herself stirs, pleasure rippling through her beyond her control.

Plus, this will be no one night stand - Cara and Rhett are set to return in a sequel, which I hope will be another Hallowe’en frenzy that also explores the aftermath and emotional fall-out of such a conflicting experience at the hands of a narcissist.

Oozing with pumpkin spice, 'Carving for Cara' is a delicious Hallowe’en quickie for readers who enjoy dabbling in CNC and BDSM fantasy or simply enjoy something brutal, rather than romantic, for our favourite dark season.



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The Dark Obsession by N.A Preedy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A romantic suspense thriller with a celestial twist.

Rosa meets Dale at the library, sparking an instant attraction that quickly bubbles into passion.

The following day, Rosa is offered a new job at a prestigious law firm, assisting senior partner Rafael Alcazar.

As Rosa's world shatters with the realisation Dale is not as he seems, leaving her and her entire family in danger, she finds herself under Rafael's protection; a vow he will stop at nothing to keep.

'The Dark Obsession' is the debut novel by N.A. Preedy. We meet law graduate Rosalie “Rosa” Lockwood, dreaming of finding love and preparing to embark on her career. Feisty and ambitious, and still possessing the naivety of youth that's both endearing and dangerous, she is astonished to find her dreams appear to be coming so quickly to fruition with her lover, Dale, and new boss, Rafael. Preedy cleverly subverts our expectations of these relationships in the early chapters. An intense connection of burning desire and affection that we believe may be a meeting of soul mates soon reveals itself as the superficial skin of manipulation, as Rosa falls victim to a narcissistic, obsessive stalker.

Rafael Alcazar is an intriguing and mysterious character, with power and influence that extends beyond his position as a prestigious private attorney. Unofficially assisting police with their enquiries, with apparent free access to police premises, he assigns himself supporter of grieving families and protector of the abused. The narrative is peppered with hints and clues that he is far more than he seems; intense and empassioned, his emotion for Rosa quickly becomes his defining focus, wishing to save her while battling his desire for her.

With a fast-paced plot, multiple twists and action sequences, the threat to Rosa and those around her increasing at every turn as her stalker becomes increasingly vile and volatile, the narrative dances with danger and romance, exploring the characters' flaws and hidden desires, flirting with Rosa and Raphael's need to consummate their relationship. But Rafael hides a secret, one that answers those mysterious questions and leaves us with many more as the final revelation plays out and we discover his true nature.

Thrilling and emotional, 'The Dark Obsession' is a suspenseful debut novel, leaving us excited to delve deeper into this world of ethereal justice.



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