The Resident

by Francis Cottam

Every year, three million single women in America move into an apartment for the first time. Few of them change the locks . . . Juliet Devereau can't believe her luck: after weeks of looking for a place to live, she's found a beautiful, spacious apartment overlooking Brooklyn Bridge. It almost seems to good to be true. It is. Over the weeks, Juliet is haunted by a chilling sense of being watched. Strange sounds wake her in the night, the mirror in the bathroom trembles, and doors she thought were shut are open. Then the silhouette of a man standing in her living room makes her realize that she's not alone in there. But what's haunting her is far more terrifying than a malevolent spirit; it's alive, strong, and obsessed. Suddenly Juliet is caught up in a deadly game of cat and mouse, and there's no guarantee that she'll come out alive.

Genres: Thriller, Horror, Mystery

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Francis or F.G. Cottam was born and brought up in Southport in Lancashire, attending the University of Kent at Canterbury where he took a degree in history before embarking on a career in journalism in London. He lived for 20 years in North Lambeth and during the 1990s was prominent in the lad-mag revolution, launch editing FHM, inventing Total Sport magazine and then launching the UK edition of Men’s Health. He is the father of a young son and baby daughter and now lives in Kingston upon Thames. His fiction is thought up over daily runs along the towpath between Kingston and Hampton Court Bridges.

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable novelisation of the 2011 Hammer Horror movie.

Having moved to New York City, recently single Juliet starts to suspect that she is being stalked in her new apartment.

I really like that Hammer are starting to make main stream movies again, though this felt more like a voyeuristic thriller than pure horror.
By no means anything special, though I would certainly read more seeing the studio is having a bit of a revival...

[Nae · Rating 2 out of 5]

BORING

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took a while to get going, but when it did it was good. I read this without seeing the film, but I imagine it would make a good thriller. There are a few creepy moments that you can imagine how they would be played out, visually, evoking more tension than was present in the book. I would watch the movie now, for comparison, but would not read this again in the future. I'm off now to knock on my walls, looking for voids, peepholes, and murderous perverted voyeurs. Wish me luck.

[Reading With Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teda čekala jsem trochu víc proto to hodnocení. :(

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this book, it was in no way scary and was very predictable. I found it very hard to feel sympathy for Juliet, the story was pointless.

Disappointing.

[Adri266 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zacala som citat a po prvej kapitole som zistila, ze som nedavno videla film so skvelou Hillary Swank a este lepsim a hlavne sexi J.D. Morganom. Film bol skvely, napinavy, ale kedze som ho videla len nedavno, dost mi to pokazilo zazitok z knihy, kedze som vedela, co sa stalo.
Tak ci tak, kniha je super, len skoda, ze som videla ten film.
A o co ide? Julia nachyta svojho manzela v posteli s inou zenou. Rozhodne sa preto najst si ine ubytovanie a po hroznych bytoch natrafi na jeden uzasny. Ale nie je vsetko take, ako sa na prvy pohlad zda a nakoniec je z toho boj o zivot.

[Christopher Dodds · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this although it seemed more of a psychological horror than a straight up horror that hammer horror is known for. The problem is that the twist I saw coming and lacked any kind of tension with the main character of Juliet and her antagonist because of it. Their were bits where she seemed in danger were good, but i feel that it could of gone on a little longer and a bit more of the environment she was in could have been used a lot more.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent thriller. It's fairly nuts and bolts and almost identical to Ira Levin's Sliver, but is much better written and doesn't have an ending where a household pet is the fucking hero. It's also a very easy read so if you're in the mood for a well written, but disposable thriller, this would be a good choice.

[Ola Kusiak · Rating 2 out of 5]

jako ze nie ma ksiazki lokator to dodaje to cos

[LELAND POVEY · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit slow and predictable and I found the use of repetitive words a bit annoying but still a good thriller. If anyone has seen the movie based on this novel, the casting was spot on.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will start this review by saying that I probably wouldn’t have chosen this book for myself but my mother bought it for herself, read the first page and then realized it wasn’t her kind of thing and I simply couldn’t leave it sitting unread on the shelf…

Overall, I guess I enjoyed it. However, that judgment probably comes from the last fifty pages or so. I think that’s the major problem with the novel… the first three quarters or so sets up the situation but you have very little action or even tension. Of course, the final scene couldn’t work without the build-up but there could have been a lot more going on.

The characters seem bland. Juliet herself was two dimensional and, when she reads a letter in the hospital and her moment of development comes, she remains just as two dimensional but stops whining quite so much. Her friends don’t feature enough to really become full characters and instead serve to allow her to voice her concerns and whine a bit. Okay, maybe I don’t get on with characters who moan about the hand fate has dealt them but refuse to do anything or let go. Max seemed similarly black and white while the more interesting characters, such as August, hardly get any ‘page time’. The characters are probably the main problem because, no matter if the most awful happenings went on, the most terrifying, the most psychologically grueling happenings, they aren’t going to matter if the characters don’t inspire any feelings other than mild annoyance.

However, I have given this book three stars and, in the heat of the moment, having just finished it, I would almost consider giving it four. Why? The final scene in the apartment. The pacing of this scene, the concepts in it are dark and therefore, no matter who the characters are, it is an exciting moment. Playing on base fears and emphasizing the survival instinct that is embedded in humanity this part of the book is possible to identify with. Sadly, it just seems to emphasise what the rest of the book could have been…

Ultimately, I don’t feel that I wasted my time reading “The Resident”, and quite enjoyed it, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it to a friend.

[Jitka Jitulisko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kniha je o doktorce Juliet. Pracuje v nemocnici na úrazovém oddělení. Jak je všude zmiňováno, lékaři žijí 90% života prací. A u naší Juliet, to není jinak. Žije prací a zanedbává svého manžela Jacka. Vlastně si to ani neuvědomuje. Až do chvíle, kdy je v nemocnici zraněna a vrací se domů dřív než je zvykem. Doma ji čeká šok. Její manžel je v posteli, JEJICH !!! posteli s cizí blondýnou.

Juliet je hluboce raněna a odchází. Chvilku ji pomáhá její kamarádka Sydney, ale je jí jasné, že si musí najít své bydlení. Avšak V Brooklynu, to není tak jednoduché. Je zde mnoho nabídek, avšak většina zcela nevyhovující. Až do doby, kdy najde na nemocniční nástěnce inzerát s adresou o promájmu bytu.

Nemá co ztratit tak jde. Pozná tam vnuka majitele Maxe a ten jí nabídne nádherný byt s cenovou relací, která se neodmítá. A začíná, nebo se aspoň snaží žít nový život. Musí se vypořádat s nevěrou svého manžela a hlavně sama se sebou.


Kniha je psána z ¾ z pohledu Juliet. Jak jsem již nastínila, je to hlavně o jejím trápení. Avšak ve vysněném bytě se dějí zvláštní věci. Nejen ona má pocit, jakoby jí někdo sledoval... Takový neurčitý zmatek a úzkost. Avšak nedokáže zdroj tohoto neklidu určit…

Příběh je psán velice čtivě. Nikde jsem se nijak nezasekla. Příběh je plynulý.
Pak přijde zvrat. Neříkám, že je nějaký extra překvapivý, ale o to více morbidní. Pohroužíme se do mysli, která by měla být zavřena na psychiatrickém oddělení bez možnosti propuštění.

Jak čtete další a další strany, jen koukáte, co ještě vyjde na povrch. Chvílemi mi skoro běhal mráz po zádech.
Celkově je kniha velice příjemná. Na náhodný úlovek z knihovny je dost překvapivá, jelikož jsem od knihy nic neočekávala.


Pokud se Vám líbí zvraty v příběhu a máte rádi malinko psycho, tak si knihu určitě přečtěte ;)

[Burial Hearts · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well where to begin with this book. I suppose the first page would be most appropriate. Where I should have stopped reading if I am brutally honest.

This story revolves around two individuals “Jack” and “Juliet.”

Getting cheated on is never easy, but the response she gave was something even a child may rise an eye brow to: “it’s adultery Jack.”

After being cheated on she goes for the stereo typical approach that is to find a new home, the homes are no good for me scenario. Eventually managing to find her dream apartment at a bargain price. Well surely anyone would know something was untoward with that.

To cut a dull story short. The landlord turns out to be a maniac who has tunnels all intertwined between the apartments. He spies on her, falls in “Love” and then gets jealous as she decides it was partially her fault that he cheated. Then roll on the make-up sex (good heavens).

The book was very repetitive with themes, words and general structure and I found myself knowing what was about to happen.

One sentence that stood out most to me was the following:

“It was turning the piled earth scooped from the grave to mud.”

How bizarre I do believe earth is also known as mud.

Anyway there were parts of the book which were good, but generally it did not warrant any merits.

[Lizzi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well.

When I first saw this book, and read the synopsis, I couldn't help but be a little excited for the prospect of an interesting looking novel to read.

I was wrong sadly.

The suspense for me never seemed to come and the build up just didn't get the story going in the slightest. I feel that there were so many opportunities to really take hold of the plot and push it that much further - yet were all were missed.

Also the interaction between 'Juliet and Jack', well...was certainly lack-lustre, and poorly written. It's hard to feel anything fro the characters point of view when the way they are being portrayed just isn't there.

Now don't get me wrong, the general plot line is not a bad one. Far from it, perhaps if re-written this story can truly become a better novel in its own right.

[Cansrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was well written. The author successfully created a tense and apprehensive atmosphere. I was creeped out along with the main character and was breathing sighs of relief when she did. Wasn't expecting to sympathise with the stalker but there were glympses of life from his perspective that made it difficult to hate him despite his really creepy actions. In the end though I was definately rooting for the stalkee. The book also highlighted the question of perspective, making you realise that you can never tell how other people interpret situations and that it's unwise to assume that because they have the same information as you they will reach the same conclusion that you do. I would recommend this book. Just make sure you read it during the day if you are a woman who lives alone.

[Klér · Rating 3 out of 5]

Já si nemůžu pomoc, ale mě kniha zklamala, přes polovinu knihy se skoro nic nedělo, a pak až v závěru to bylo docela napínavý, ale i tak mi to přišlo takový o ničem, tím nechci říct že by se v knížce nic nedělo, dělo se tam toho dost, ale mě se to nějak nelíbilo. Popravdě se potom ani nějak moc nebojím. Čekala jsem od toho asi trošku něco víc nebo možná něco jiného. Jediná výhoda je ta, že jsem se u knihy nenudila, protože i přesto že mě moc nezaujala se četla moc rychle a proto jsem ji i měla tak rychle přečtenou :). Pokud si tuhle knihu chystáte přečíst, určitě to zkuste, možná jsem jenom já ta malá většina které se kniha moc nelíbila. ;)
Moje recenze - http://mojenejnejknihy.blogspot.cz/20...

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was somewhat ok to read, not really thrilling because you already know what's going to happen. Not that I have seen the film. But the biggest dislike about this book is the main character Juliet. She's suppose to be a doctor but I find her blunt, rude, lack kindness, self-centered and lack empathy. Yes I know she just got cheated on, but she is still a doctor. So not liking her I don't mind the harsh treatment she received.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It's not something all too special but a rainy afternoon goes by quickly with it.
First it was a little bit.. hmm not really boring but also nothing to get me hooked up too much.. but as soon as Juliet feels watched it starts to get interesting. I got a really uneasy feeling reading this book.. because all you do is questioning yourself on how you would react and how creepy it would be to have this feeling on being constantly watched. I think I will give the movie a go :)

[Tiina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book started in a gripping way. I actually wondered if I could continue reading it without becoming too scared myself. After a while, though, it lost its edge. But it was ok in the sense that I finished it.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this psychological thriller. It's totally different to the books the author has written as F.F. Cottam. It still has the power to raise goosebumps though. I was hooked from page one and had it read in a few hours. A thrilling read.

[Kačaba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tahle kniha má neskutečnou atmosféru. Myslím, že pro mě momentálně každé šustnutí znamená možného šmíráka. Heh. Snad můj pokoj neobsahuje tak důmyslná sledovací zařízení, kterými by někdo mohl nahlédnout do mého života.

[Maragad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zpočátku jsem nevěděla, co od Obyvatele očekávat, ale nezklamal mě a určitě ho mohu doporučit dál. Ovšem přidávám varování, že přečtení má následky, myslím, že začínám mít hrůzu ze zrcadel. Příběh působí velmi reálně.

[Melindaaaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

U knížek mi většinou nepříjemně nebývá, ale z některých scén Obyvatele člověka fakt mrazí v zádech. Kniha o tom, jaké to je, mít osobního stalkera http://books-postcards-geocaches.blog...

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy and intense - a well written, dark horror novel

[Jonathan Davison · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a based on the Hammer Horror film called The Resident. It is a great story of a young woman who has new apartment in New York owned by a
peeping tom.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyed this book for the creepy read it is but i did find it started to lose its edge toward the end.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good.

[Bea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better than the movie, but the opportunity was there for this book to take more risks but it didn't take them. Too bad.

[Owlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ta knížka je úžasná! Ale děsivá.

[Jitka Č. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recenze na blogu