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The Stranger Beside me
Katy Henry is lost and lonely. A single mother, plagued by fatigue and anxiety, she rarely has time for friends. But when she encounters Sibeal Matthews, all this changes. Sibeal is everything that Katy is not: assured, headstrong and charming.
Katy soon finds herself pulled out of her isolation into a fierce friendship. But Sibeal is not all that she seems. Tragedy haunts her, and for all her feistiness, she is startlingly dependent on her brother, Gabriel. And when her life begins to spectacularly unravel, Katy is swept up in the storm.
As Katy fights to protect herself and her son, it's not just Sibeal who threatens to endanger them - Katy's own past begins to rupture. Who can Katy trust? Can she even trust herself?
Katy soon finds herself pulled out of her isolation into a fierce friendship. But Sibeal is not all that she seems. Tragedy haunts her, and for all her feistiness, she is startlingly dependent on her brother, Gabriel. And when her life begins to spectacularly unravel, Katy is swept up in the storm.
As Katy fights to protect herself and her son, it's not just Sibeal who threatens to endanger them - Katy's own past begins to rupture. Who can Katy trust? Can she even trust herself?
- GenresThriller
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2023
17 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
About the author
Caroline England
21 books197 followersCWA Dagger shortlisted Caroline England is known as the ‘Duchess of dark domestic noir’. Her psychological suspense thrillers are BENEATH THE SKIN, the top ten ebook bestseller MY HUSBAND'S LIES, BETRAY HER, TRUTH GAMES, THE SINNER, THE STRANGER BESIDE ME and THE RETURN OF FRANKIE WHITTLE. BEHIND HER SMILE hits the shelves on 27 Novembery 2025.
Caroline also pens gothic-tinged psychological thrillers as CE Rose. Stand alone THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN SECRETS was followed by THE HOUSE ON THE WATER'S EDGE, THE SHADOWS OF RUTHERFORD HOUSE and THE ATTIC AT WILTON PLACE.
Both CE and Caroline write multi-layered, dark and edgy ‘domestic suspense’ stories that delve into complicated relationships, secrets and the moral grey area.
Drawing on her days as a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer, she loves to create ordinary, relatable characters who get caught up in extraordinary situations, pressures, dilemmas or crime. She admits to a slight obsession with the human psyche, what goes on behind closed doors and beneath people’s façades. She also enjoys performing a literary sleight of hand in her novels and hopefully surprising her readers!
Website: https://carolineenglandauthor.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CazEngland
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CazEngland1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cazengland1/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cazengland1
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-...
AmazonUK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/~/e/B009UQC1YS
Caroline also pens gothic-tinged psychological thrillers as CE Rose. Stand alone THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN SECRETS was followed by THE HOUSE ON THE WATER'S EDGE, THE SHADOWS OF RUTHERFORD HOUSE and THE ATTIC AT WILTON PLACE.
Both CE and Caroline write multi-layered, dark and edgy ‘domestic suspense’ stories that delve into complicated relationships, secrets and the moral grey area.
Drawing on her days as a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer, she loves to create ordinary, relatable characters who get caught up in extraordinary situations, pressures, dilemmas or crime. She admits to a slight obsession with the human psyche, what goes on behind closed doors and beneath people’s façades. She also enjoys performing a literary sleight of hand in her novels and hopefully surprising her readers!
Website: https://carolineenglandauthor.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CazEngland
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CazEngland1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cazengland1/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cazengland1
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-...
AmazonUK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/~/e/B009UQC1YS
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
August 21, 2023
THE STRANGER BESIDE ME is a twisty dark psychological thriller/suspense novel by bestselling author Caroline England. Having read and enjoyed her other novels, I was anxious to start this novel. This gripping novel covers a mother and her fight to protect herself and her son. I couldn’t put it down.
Novels
The Wife's Secret (2017)
aka Beneath the Skin
My Husband's Lies (2018)
Betray Her (2019)
Truth Games (2020)
The Sinner (2022)
The Stranger Beside Me (2023)
This is my review of The Stranger Beside Me.
Katy Henry is a single mother whose life revolves around her precious son, Milo. Katy is lonely and rarely has any time for friends. But that is until she meets Sibeal Matthews. Sibeal is the opposite of Katy: strong and self-assured.
Katy and Sibeal soon become friends. But not everything is as it seems. Sibeal is dependent on her brother, Gabriel.
And when Sibeal’s life begins to disentangle, Katy is pulled into the threatening situation.
Katy must fight to protect her son. Who can Katy trust? Who does she trust enough to reveal her deepest secrets.
The author releases information on a need-to-know-basis, and the plot builds slowly with intensity until all the pieces fit together in this gripping read. So many secrets. This is a story about friendships and family. So many shocking revelations at the end of the book which I didn't see coming.
Many thanks to the author, and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
Novels
The Wife's Secret (2017)
aka Beneath the Skin
My Husband's Lies (2018)
Betray Her (2019)
Truth Games (2020)
The Sinner (2022)
The Stranger Beside Me (2023)
This is my review of The Stranger Beside Me.
Katy Henry is a single mother whose life revolves around her precious son, Milo. Katy is lonely and rarely has any time for friends. But that is until she meets Sibeal Matthews. Sibeal is the opposite of Katy: strong and self-assured.
Katy and Sibeal soon become friends. But not everything is as it seems. Sibeal is dependent on her brother, Gabriel.
And when Sibeal’s life begins to disentangle, Katy is pulled into the threatening situation.
Katy must fight to protect her son. Who can Katy trust? Who does she trust enough to reveal her deepest secrets.
The author releases information on a need-to-know-basis, and the plot builds slowly with intensity until all the pieces fit together in this gripping read. So many secrets. This is a story about friendships and family. So many shocking revelations at the end of the book which I didn't see coming.
Many thanks to the author, and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
August 28, 2023
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via the author as part of the book tour.
The Stranger Beside me is a dark, twisty psychological thriller that keeps you intrigued from start to finish. We follow Katy - a single mum to Milo who's her world. Katy doesn't have many friends nor the time to form any friendships due to her busy life with her son. When Katy meets Sibeal and forms a friendship with her, she's so happy and feels less alone. Sibeal is quite the opposite to Katy, but opposites attract, don't they? When Sibeals life starts to spiral and Katy gets pulled in with her, Katy faces a battle to protect her son. She doesn't know who she can turn to or who to trust as life as she knows it begins to drop out from beneath her feet.
This book is filled with secrets and lies, and as Carline spoon feeds you snippets of information along the way, you're left eager for the final reveal!
The Stranger Beside me is a dark, twisty psychological thriller that keeps you intrigued from start to finish. We follow Katy - a single mum to Milo who's her world. Katy doesn't have many friends nor the time to form any friendships due to her busy life with her son. When Katy meets Sibeal and forms a friendship with her, she's so happy and feels less alone. Sibeal is quite the opposite to Katy, but opposites attract, don't they? When Sibeals life starts to spiral and Katy gets pulled in with her, Katy faces a battle to protect her son. She doesn't know who she can turn to or who to trust as life as she knows it begins to drop out from beneath her feet.
This book is filled with secrets and lies, and as Carline spoon feeds you snippets of information along the way, you're left eager for the final reveal!
July 28, 2023
3 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A slow paced character driven book with plenty of hidden secrets and twists and turns to discover along the way.
I would like to thank the TBC Reviewers Request Group & the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review
A slow paced character driven book with plenty of hidden secrets and twists and turns to discover along the way.
I would like to thank the TBC Reviewers Request Group & the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review
August 5, 2023
Caroline England is one of my favourite authors so I couldn’t resist the chance to read The Stranger Beside Me as soon as I possibly could. It has certainly kept me glued to my kindle!
I’m thrilled to be a part of her fabulous blog tour.
I was intrigued by this book from the very start, and I couldn’t wait to find out how the story would pan out.
It’s full of fascinating characters. Complex characters with complicated relationships, complicated pasts, and uncertain futures. I’m keeping it vague as I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but there are plenty of shocks and surprises throughout. I was gripped.
It’s quite a dark psychological thriller and so beautifully written I found it immensely difficult to put down. It kept me up WAY past my bedtime!
I’m thrilled to be a part of her fabulous blog tour.
I was intrigued by this book from the very start, and I couldn’t wait to find out how the story would pan out.
It’s full of fascinating characters. Complex characters with complicated relationships, complicated pasts, and uncertain futures. I’m keeping it vague as I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but there are plenty of shocks and surprises throughout. I was gripped.
It’s quite a dark psychological thriller and so beautifully written I found it immensely difficult to put down. It kept me up WAY past my bedtime!
August 18, 2023
I love Caroline England’s dark, character driven thrillers, and her latest novel, The Stranger Beside Me is another captivating read. We meet Katy and Sibeal, who are two really complex and well-crafted characters, and they both, soon after meeting each other, become firm friends. But they are both very different to each other. Katy has spiralled deep into her own world, following the death of her mother, which she has struggled to come to terms with. When she meets Sibeal, their friendship becomes a good opportunity for her to get back out there, and to start living her life again. But there is something very mysterious about Sibeal. She is a lot more outgoing than Katy is. She has a very strange relationship with her brother, and as the novel progresses, it seems as though there are more unexplained mysteries in her past.
I really liked seeing the friendship between Katy and Sibeal develop. Writing friendships and relationships, is what Caroline England excels at in her writing, and she does it very well here, making her character’s lives feel very real, which drew me into their story. I also really liked how Caroline wrote Katy’s relationship with her son, Milo.
I really connected to Katy, especially as she grew more and more attached to Sibeal. As Katy gets to know Sibeal more, it did make me wonder who this person was, who Katy was letting into her life. I almost felt as though I couldn’t trust Sibeal. Sibeal is a person who comes across as very over powering, and I did wonder if she was the right person for Katy to be friends with. I really wanted to know what was going to happen to them both, and particularly what secrets they were both keeping.
Although The Stranger Beside Me is more of a character driven book, Caroline England still ups the tension really well and there are some intense scenes. I always enjoy reading Caroline England’s books and her latest did not disappoint.
I really liked seeing the friendship between Katy and Sibeal develop. Writing friendships and relationships, is what Caroline England excels at in her writing, and she does it very well here, making her character’s lives feel very real, which drew me into their story. I also really liked how Caroline wrote Katy’s relationship with her son, Milo.
I really connected to Katy, especially as she grew more and more attached to Sibeal. As Katy gets to know Sibeal more, it did make me wonder who this person was, who Katy was letting into her life. I almost felt as though I couldn’t trust Sibeal. Sibeal is a person who comes across as very over powering, and I did wonder if she was the right person for Katy to be friends with. I really wanted to know what was going to happen to them both, and particularly what secrets they were both keeping.
Although The Stranger Beside Me is more of a character driven book, Caroline England still ups the tension really well and there are some intense scenes. I always enjoy reading Caroline England’s books and her latest did not disappoint.
August 17, 2023
So many psychological thrillers fall short but this one hits the mark spot on. The whole book is character led with believable flaws, backstories and personalities. The ground shifts with each chapter and it is never clear who you should trust but the feeling of unease subtly grows.
Lonely and fatigue plagued, single mum Katy makes a new friend in Sibeal who is chaotic and charming. Swept up into her world she begins to realise that Sibeal is very dependant on her brother Gabriel and is haunted by tragedy. The pace intensifies and Sibeal begins to come apart at the seams and Katy must protect herself and her son. But who does she need to protect them from? The past comes into play for an imaginative twist.
Lonely and fatigue plagued, single mum Katy makes a new friend in Sibeal who is chaotic and charming. Swept up into her world she begins to realise that Sibeal is very dependant on her brother Gabriel and is haunted by tragedy. The pace intensifies and Sibeal begins to come apart at the seams and Katy must protect herself and her son. But who does she need to protect them from? The past comes into play for an imaginative twist.
August 6, 2023
The Stranger beside me by Caroline England.
Katy Henry is lost and lonely. A single mother, plagued by fatigue and anxiety, she rarely has time for friends. But when she encounters Sibeal Matthews, all this changes. Sibeal is everything that Katy is not: assured, headstrong and charming.
I did enjoy this book. Little slow to start with but I did get into it. Wasn't sure about the characters although Sibel grew on me. 5*.
Katy Henry is lost and lonely. A single mother, plagued by fatigue and anxiety, she rarely has time for friends. But when she encounters Sibeal Matthews, all this changes. Sibeal is everything that Katy is not: assured, headstrong and charming.
I did enjoy this book. Little slow to start with but I did get into it. Wasn't sure about the characters although Sibel grew on me. 5*.
August 20, 2023
Caroline England is most definitely one of my favourite authors. I haven't read a single bad book from her. So when I was offered the chance to read The Stranger Beside me, I leapt at the chance.
I knew I would love this book anyway, but I always start a book with bated breath. My expectations are so high, I always hope the book I'm reading can match them. Well, needless to say, Caroline England more than matched them for me. She does have the skill of writing dark thrillers that make you want to keep turning the pages.
Her characters are sublime, complex, and so well developed. Katy and Sibeal are two such characters. Two women who have issues for different reasons who become friends. I liked Katy and could see how brave she was. Caroline England always has me right inside the characters' heads in every book. She just manages to convey every emotion so well.
It's such an atmospheric story with suspense pouring out of the pages. The twists and secrets that were slowly revealed as the plot unravelled had the tension rising. I wasn't expecting most of them. Caroline England then pulled all the threads of the plot together so expertly.
Another fabulous tale from the 'Duchess of dark domestic noir'. I am so eager for another book now!
Thanks to Caroline for the gifted ebook for me to write my honest review.
I knew I would love this book anyway, but I always start a book with bated breath. My expectations are so high, I always hope the book I'm reading can match them. Well, needless to say, Caroline England more than matched them for me. She does have the skill of writing dark thrillers that make you want to keep turning the pages.
Her characters are sublime, complex, and so well developed. Katy and Sibeal are two such characters. Two women who have issues for different reasons who become friends. I liked Katy and could see how brave she was. Caroline England always has me right inside the characters' heads in every book. She just manages to convey every emotion so well.
It's such an atmospheric story with suspense pouring out of the pages. The twists and secrets that were slowly revealed as the plot unravelled had the tension rising. I wasn't expecting most of them. Caroline England then pulled all the threads of the plot together so expertly.
Another fabulous tale from the 'Duchess of dark domestic noir'. I am so eager for another book now!
Thanks to Caroline for the gifted ebook for me to write my honest review.
August 10, 2023
Katy is struggling to come to terms with her mother's death 5 years ago. She became a recluse and struggled with her mental health, but her son Milo and her dad kept her going.
One day Sibeal bursts into her life and starts to bring her out of herself.
Sibeal isn't without her own troubles, and her relationship with her brother Gabe seems odd somehow.
I liked Kate, she was only 28 and really wanted to go back out and do things, and really tried, deciding to do it and going for it. So brave.
Sibeal got on my nerves to begin with, she was a drunk, brusque, impulsive, but as you learnt more you realise she's just a broken woman, never knowing a mothers love.
The story unravels slowly, and there's a lot to unravel. So many secrets. It is about friendships and family, how much of ourselves do we reveal to others. At what point do we trust enough to reveal our deepest secrets without the fear of them running away. Even to siblings and parents.
There are many many shocking revelations, particularly in the last quarter, most of which I didn't see coming. I thought id guessed something and I was miles off!
Caroline writes characters and relationships brilliantly and you really get into their minds and feel the emotion, the motivation, love and betrayal.
Another great read by this wonderful writer.
One day Sibeal bursts into her life and starts to bring her out of herself.
Sibeal isn't without her own troubles, and her relationship with her brother Gabe seems odd somehow.
I liked Kate, she was only 28 and really wanted to go back out and do things, and really tried, deciding to do it and going for it. So brave.
Sibeal got on my nerves to begin with, she was a drunk, brusque, impulsive, but as you learnt more you realise she's just a broken woman, never knowing a mothers love.
The story unravels slowly, and there's a lot to unravel. So many secrets. It is about friendships and family, how much of ourselves do we reveal to others. At what point do we trust enough to reveal our deepest secrets without the fear of them running away. Even to siblings and parents.
There are many many shocking revelations, particularly in the last quarter, most of which I didn't see coming. I thought id guessed something and I was miles off!
Caroline writes characters and relationships brilliantly and you really get into their minds and feel the emotion, the motivation, love and betrayal.
Another great read by this wonderful writer.
August 16, 2023
Great characterisation and a slow burning plot - vivid and unsettling.
August 13, 2023
Clearly a character led tale that ambled along quite well but with no great drama. I did think it was much longer than it need be.
August 4, 2023
Captivating, immersive, and deftly written, The Stranger Beside Me by Caroline England is an exquisite tale of family, friendship, betrayal, and lies. Filled with twists that keep you wide-eyed and slack-jawed, the novel is taut with suspense and overflowing with emotion and vulnerability.
True to the domestic suspense genre, The Stranger Beside Me is, at its core, about identity. How well do we know ourselves and the people around us? How much of ourselves do we reveal, and how much do we hide? Maybe most importantly, what’s kept secret from us about others — and even about ourselves? Sibeal and Katy, the two main characters, are about to find out.
Drunken, attention-seeking Sibeal never felt loved by her mother. Perhaps that’s why she’s the mess she is. Obsessed with her recently deceased, married lover, she crashes his funeral before beginning to stalk his widow and young son. Her musician brother Gabriel is her best friend and confidant but is clueless about his sister’s doings. She’s just as clueless about his and the secret he’s keeping. Every character in this book has something to hide. Including Katy.
Katy meets Sibeal and Gabe at their father’s funeral. It seems their dads were chums in their younger years. Katy’s still grieving her mother who died five years ago while also trying to raise her young son Milo. Most days, it’s hard to stay awake, much less to get out of bed. Without the help of her adoring father, she would be lost. But when she and Sibeal strike up an instant friendship, Katy finds herself starting to enjoy life again. She even starts to date a young doctor named Harry. It seems like she might finally be happy. But not so fast. Nobody in her life — or Sibeal’s — are who they seem to be. When the truth finally comes out, it’s explosive.
Author Caroline England has done it again. She’s woven a captivating story with relatable, complex characters and vivid scenery to create a book that steals your attention and keeps your mind whirring. As usual, her narrative and descriptions seem effortless. The way she describes the dusty, old home where Sibeal lives brings it to life before your eyes. England doesn’t simply tell a story. She transports you into it.
But reader be warned! The story unravels at a slow pace, but you’ll never notice it. The plot is so well orchestrated that it seems the opposite is true. The Stranger Beside Me is a tangled web of secrets that belong to characters that you care about and can possibly relate. The twists that come as secrets are revealed will keep you glued to the pages. But hold onto your socks! There’s a huge secret lurking toward the end that will change everything for every single character. It’s so big, it registered on the Richter Scale when England wrote it (not really). Seriously, though. It’s a beaut of a final twist that’ll blow you away. You. Must. Read this book!
Thank you to Caroline England and Piatkus for the complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review and for inviting me to be part of the blog tour.
True to the domestic suspense genre, The Stranger Beside Me is, at its core, about identity. How well do we know ourselves and the people around us? How much of ourselves do we reveal, and how much do we hide? Maybe most importantly, what’s kept secret from us about others — and even about ourselves? Sibeal and Katy, the two main characters, are about to find out.
Drunken, attention-seeking Sibeal never felt loved by her mother. Perhaps that’s why she’s the mess she is. Obsessed with her recently deceased, married lover, she crashes his funeral before beginning to stalk his widow and young son. Her musician brother Gabriel is her best friend and confidant but is clueless about his sister’s doings. She’s just as clueless about his and the secret he’s keeping. Every character in this book has something to hide. Including Katy.
Katy meets Sibeal and Gabe at their father’s funeral. It seems their dads were chums in their younger years. Katy’s still grieving her mother who died five years ago while also trying to raise her young son Milo. Most days, it’s hard to stay awake, much less to get out of bed. Without the help of her adoring father, she would be lost. But when she and Sibeal strike up an instant friendship, Katy finds herself starting to enjoy life again. She even starts to date a young doctor named Harry. It seems like she might finally be happy. But not so fast. Nobody in her life — or Sibeal’s — are who they seem to be. When the truth finally comes out, it’s explosive.
Author Caroline England has done it again. She’s woven a captivating story with relatable, complex characters and vivid scenery to create a book that steals your attention and keeps your mind whirring. As usual, her narrative and descriptions seem effortless. The way she describes the dusty, old home where Sibeal lives brings it to life before your eyes. England doesn’t simply tell a story. She transports you into it.
But reader be warned! The story unravels at a slow pace, but you’ll never notice it. The plot is so well orchestrated that it seems the opposite is true. The Stranger Beside Me is a tangled web of secrets that belong to characters that you care about and can possibly relate. The twists that come as secrets are revealed will keep you glued to the pages. But hold onto your socks! There’s a huge secret lurking toward the end that will change everything for every single character. It’s so big, it registered on the Richter Scale when England wrote it (not really). Seriously, though. It’s a beaut of a final twist that’ll blow you away. You. Must. Read this book!
Thank you to Caroline England and Piatkus for the complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review and for inviting me to be part of the blog tour.
August 14, 2023
The Blurb :
Katy Henry is lost and lonely. A single mother, plagued by fatigue and anxiety, she rarely has time for friends. But when she encounters Sibeal Matthews, all this changes. Sibeal is everything that Katy is not: assured, headstrong and charming.
Katy soon finds herself pulled out of her isolation into a fierce friendship. But Sibeal is not all that she seems. Tragedy haunts her, and for all her feistiness, she is startlingly dependent on her brother, Gabriel. And when her life begins to spectacularly unravel, Katy is swept up in the storm.
As Katy fights to protect herself and her son, it's not just Sibeal who threatens to endanger them - Katy's own past begins to rupture. Who can Katy trust? Can she even trust herself?
My Thoughts :
Here we meet Katy Henry, single mum to 5 year old son Milo, Katy is suffering mentally since her mum died from a hit and run accident. Katy lives with her dad, Alexander. Who has always been there for Katy despite dealing with his own grief for his wife.
When Katy and her dad attend the funeral of Alexander’s friend James, they meet Sibeal and Gabriel Matthews, the children of the late James. Soon Katy strikes up a friendship with Sibeal, but all is not as it seems as Sibeal has an array of issues herself.
Katy finds herself starting to enjoy life once again and even starts to date Doctor Harry. She regains some of her lost confidence but not everyone is happy for her including new friend Sibeal.
Sibeal, is a complex character and is dealing with her own issues. Her past is also haunting her and all is not as it seems.
Everyone has a secret and something to hide, but who can Katy trust? Has Katy put her own life in danger by trusting new friend Sibeal?.
Having been a huge fan of Caroline England’s past work, this was no different.
She writes with a unique style that grips the reader in and slowly builds up the suspense in twists and turns as you read along. Even the ending came as a surprise.
Caroline England certainly leaves you wanting more.
Loved this and cant wait for more in the future from her.
Katy Henry is lost and lonely. A single mother, plagued by fatigue and anxiety, she rarely has time for friends. But when she encounters Sibeal Matthews, all this changes. Sibeal is everything that Katy is not: assured, headstrong and charming.
Katy soon finds herself pulled out of her isolation into a fierce friendship. But Sibeal is not all that she seems. Tragedy haunts her, and for all her feistiness, she is startlingly dependent on her brother, Gabriel. And when her life begins to spectacularly unravel, Katy is swept up in the storm.
As Katy fights to protect herself and her son, it's not just Sibeal who threatens to endanger them - Katy's own past begins to rupture. Who can Katy trust? Can she even trust herself?
My Thoughts :
Here we meet Katy Henry, single mum to 5 year old son Milo, Katy is suffering mentally since her mum died from a hit and run accident. Katy lives with her dad, Alexander. Who has always been there for Katy despite dealing with his own grief for his wife.
When Katy and her dad attend the funeral of Alexander’s friend James, they meet Sibeal and Gabriel Matthews, the children of the late James. Soon Katy strikes up a friendship with Sibeal, but all is not as it seems as Sibeal has an array of issues herself.
Katy finds herself starting to enjoy life once again and even starts to date Doctor Harry. She regains some of her lost confidence but not everyone is happy for her including new friend Sibeal.
Sibeal, is a complex character and is dealing with her own issues. Her past is also haunting her and all is not as it seems.
Everyone has a secret and something to hide, but who can Katy trust? Has Katy put her own life in danger by trusting new friend Sibeal?.
Having been a huge fan of Caroline England’s past work, this was no different.
She writes with a unique style that grips the reader in and slowly builds up the suspense in twists and turns as you read along. Even the ending came as a surprise.
Caroline England certainly leaves you wanting more.
Loved this and cant wait for more in the future from her.
August 15, 2023
The Stranger Beside Me is the haunting, unsettling and beguiling new psychological crime thriller from Caroline England that lingers in the mind weeks after you’ve turned the last page.
Plagued by anxiety and tiredness, Katy Henry feels lost and alone. As a single mother, she barely has time for herself, let alone for friends and Katy feels as if there is nobody in the world who can understand what she is going through and who can provide her with a shoulder to cry on when she needs it most. However, when a chance encounter leads her to befriend Sibeal Matthews, it looks like at long last Katy has somebody in her corner and does not need to feel so lonely anymore.
Sibeal is Katy’s polar opposite. She is confident, self-assured and capable of charming anyone she meets. However, Sibeal is not as friendly as she seems as Katy soon discovers. Weighed down by demons of her own, Sibeal seems strangely dependent on her brother, Gabriel and when her friend’s life begins to unravel, Katy realises that her this friendship might have put her and her son in danger.
As things begin to go awry, Katy begins to wonder who is the person she had let into her life. Can she keep herself and her son safe? Or is Sibeal about to pull her under and destroy everything she cherishes forever?
Caroline England never fails to write chilling thrillers that get under your skin and consume you from beginning to end and she has done it again with The Stranger Beside Me. A layered, twisted and disturbing thriller about the fragility of the human condition, dangerous secrets and past sins, The Stranger Beside Me is a compulsively readable page-turner that chilled me to the bone and kept me gripped till the very last page.
A first-rate thriller from a writer at the top of her game, The Stranger Beside Me by Caroline England is an outstanding tale I couldn’t bear to put down.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Plagued by anxiety and tiredness, Katy Henry feels lost and alone. As a single mother, she barely has time for herself, let alone for friends and Katy feels as if there is nobody in the world who can understand what she is going through and who can provide her with a shoulder to cry on when she needs it most. However, when a chance encounter leads her to befriend Sibeal Matthews, it looks like at long last Katy has somebody in her corner and does not need to feel so lonely anymore.
Sibeal is Katy’s polar opposite. She is confident, self-assured and capable of charming anyone she meets. However, Sibeal is not as friendly as she seems as Katy soon discovers. Weighed down by demons of her own, Sibeal seems strangely dependent on her brother, Gabriel and when her friend’s life begins to unravel, Katy realises that her this friendship might have put her and her son in danger.
As things begin to go awry, Katy begins to wonder who is the person she had let into her life. Can she keep herself and her son safe? Or is Sibeal about to pull her under and destroy everything she cherishes forever?
Caroline England never fails to write chilling thrillers that get under your skin and consume you from beginning to end and she has done it again with The Stranger Beside Me. A layered, twisted and disturbing thriller about the fragility of the human condition, dangerous secrets and past sins, The Stranger Beside Me is a compulsively readable page-turner that chilled me to the bone and kept me gripped till the very last page.
A first-rate thriller from a writer at the top of her game, The Stranger Beside Me by Caroline England is an outstanding tale I couldn’t bear to put down.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 13, 2023
This is by far the best book I’ve read all year! It had me hanging on from the moment I started reading, the pages automatically turned themselves, I was that engrossed. There were so many twists around every corner. At each point I thought I had it figured out, something else would come out of the blue that changed all perceptions. Without any spoilers, I can only say— that ending!!! Oh My Days, a complete surprise! This book is masterfully written, showcasing the talent of Caroline England at her finest.
I really felt for both Katy and Sibeal as they both had their own battles to fight with mental health resulting from tragic pasts. They were expertly written to be completely authentic and believable, reflecting the massive mount of research and attention of detail that went into creating them. As the book takes place here in the Northwest of England, it was easy to visualise it taking place as I know the places that were mentioned, adding to the enjoyment of the book. Thanks to the author for asking me to be part of the review team for this book.
*All opinions are my own.
I really felt for both Katy and Sibeal as they both had their own battles to fight with mental health resulting from tragic pasts. They were expertly written to be completely authentic and believable, reflecting the massive mount of research and attention of detail that went into creating them. As the book takes place here in the Northwest of England, it was easy to visualise it taking place as I know the places that were mentioned, adding to the enjoyment of the book. Thanks to the author for asking me to be part of the review team for this book.
*All opinions are my own.
August 15, 2023
What a fabulous slow burn, twisty, dark domestic thriller! I was delighted to meet such a diverse and unpredictable group of characters, each with their own vulnerabilities and secrets, but each clearly jumping off the pages into my mind.
Caroline England has written a beautifully evocative, descriptive story, drawing settings so vivid that you can sense the surroundings, from the smells to the sounds.
The plot starts slowly, giving the reader time to establish some of the back stories about the three main characters, bringing in a few extra interesting people and the start of some clues about what could lay ahead. It is very much a character driven story.
Skilfully written, to make you think you know where it’s going, you might know some but you don’t know it all! The pace quickens and the family relationships, secrets from the past, betrayal, cover-ups, loneliness all come tumbling out and cleverly twist together into a totally fabulous read.
Caroline England has written a beautifully evocative, descriptive story, drawing settings so vivid that you can sense the surroundings, from the smells to the sounds.
The plot starts slowly, giving the reader time to establish some of the back stories about the three main characters, bringing in a few extra interesting people and the start of some clues about what could lay ahead. It is very much a character driven story.
Skilfully written, to make you think you know where it’s going, you might know some but you don’t know it all! The pace quickens and the family relationships, secrets from the past, betrayal, cover-ups, loneliness all come tumbling out and cleverly twist together into a totally fabulous read.
August 25, 2023
I have read many of this author’s books & this one is a psychological thriller of the highest order.
You can read the blurb as easy as I could repeat it here, so I won’t, but that only gives you a taster of the story. It doesn’t portray the eerie nuances & drip feeding of both women’s past lives. Katy & Sibeal unlikely friends, thrown together through circumstance, but that isn’t the half of it.
Not a pacy read which is probably just as well, you need to catch your breath as you reach that ending! Fantastic & more like this please but let my heart rate settle first.
You can read the blurb as easy as I could repeat it here, so I won’t, but that only gives you a taster of the story. It doesn’t portray the eerie nuances & drip feeding of both women’s past lives. Katy & Sibeal unlikely friends, thrown together through circumstance, but that isn’t the half of it.
Not a pacy read which is probably just as well, you need to catch your breath as you reach that ending! Fantastic & more like this please but let my heart rate settle first.
August 15, 2023
What a fabulous slow burn, twisty, dark domestic thriller! I was delighted to meet such a diverse and unpredictable group of characters, each with their own vulnerabilities and secrets, but each clearly jumping off the pages into my mind.
Caroline England has written a beautifully evocative, descriptive story, drawing settings so vivid that you can sense the surroundings, from the smells to the sounds.
The plot starts slowly, giving the reader time to establish some of the back stories about the three main characters, bringing in a few extra interesting people and the start of some clues about what could lay ahead. It is very much a character driven story.
Skilfully written, to make you think you know where it’s going, you might know some but you don’t know it all! The pace quickens and the family relationships, secrets from the past, betrayal, cover-ups, loneliness all come tumbling out and cleverly twist together into a totally fabulous read.
Caroline England has written a beautifully evocative, descriptive story, drawing settings so vivid that you can sense the surroundings, from the smells to the sounds.
The plot starts slowly, giving the reader time to establish some of the back stories about the three main characters, bringing in a few extra interesting people and the start of some clues about what could lay ahead. It is very much a character driven story.
Skilfully written, to make you think you know where it’s going, you might know some but you don’t know it all! The pace quickens and the family relationships, secrets from the past, betrayal, cover-ups, loneliness all come tumbling out and cleverly twist together into a totally fabulous read.
July 28, 2023
I was very pleased to get the opportunity to advance read this book. I found that it took me longer to read than other books but I think that was down to the emotional responses to the story, the author's ability to engage the readers with the characters and to get an understanding of their situations. The emotional threads and twists did make it an emotional read and I had to split my reading time whilst I let the story sink in. The author really grabs you and pushes you right into the story.
We all think we know our close family members.
We sometimes connect with a stranger and feel like we have known them for years.
Love comes, and is shared, in so many different ways and is not always seen or understood.
Loneliness and lack of understanding can be the hardest things to deal with.
The author also incorporates the location, Cheshire into her story and gives great descriptions of building features, etc.
Although this is an emotional read that will pull you into it and getting you thinking even when you put the book down, it is a great, complex read of twists and turns that take you on a journey where you will struggle to guess the destination.
Many thanks to the author for providing me with an electronic advanced review copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
We all think we know our close family members.
We sometimes connect with a stranger and feel like we have known them for years.
Love comes, and is shared, in so many different ways and is not always seen or understood.
Loneliness and lack of understanding can be the hardest things to deal with.
The author also incorporates the location, Cheshire into her story and gives great descriptions of building features, etc.
Although this is an emotional read that will pull you into it and getting you thinking even when you put the book down, it is a great, complex read of twists and turns that take you on a journey where you will struggle to guess the destination.
Many thanks to the author for providing me with an electronic advanced review copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.
August 16, 2023
The Stranger Beside Me is a slow burning thriller full of families, secrets and lies - the truth will always out, although it's not always what you want to hear.
I've been lucky enough to have toured with several of this authors books now and find them so engrossing, it's hard not to read them in one sitting...I did it in two.
It didn't take me long to become invested in the story and the characters lives, they were certainly interesting weren't they?
There are great twists thrown in throughout the book and the ending was one of those that I definitely didn't see coming.
I really enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend to any thriller lover.
I've been lucky enough to have toured with several of this authors books now and find them so engrossing, it's hard not to read them in one sitting...I did it in two.
It didn't take me long to become invested in the story and the characters lives, they were certainly interesting weren't they?
There are great twists thrown in throughout the book and the ending was one of those that I definitely didn't see coming.
I really enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend to any thriller lover.
August 3, 2023
I received this as an ARC from TBC and the author and was very excited as I have enjoyed previous books by Caroline.
A letter to Katy Henry's father brings her together with the exciting, outgoing Sibeal Matthews. For Katy, the lonely single mum, this is a friendship she hopes to embrace. Unfortunately Sibeal and brother Gabriel hide a tragic past that haunts them both. As Katy becomes caught up in the complex relationship between herself and Sibeal and the siblings it turns out they are not the only one with secrets to hide. When everything comes to a head just who can Katy trust?
I found this really hard going to get started. It was a slow build up and I was struggling to get on with some of the characters. BUT. As I have read Caroline's books before I knew it was worth persevering and I was right. As it picked up pace and the twists happened I really enjoyed it and flew to the end.
A letter to Katy Henry's father brings her together with the exciting, outgoing Sibeal Matthews. For Katy, the lonely single mum, this is a friendship she hopes to embrace. Unfortunately Sibeal and brother Gabriel hide a tragic past that haunts them both. As Katy becomes caught up in the complex relationship between herself and Sibeal and the siblings it turns out they are not the only one with secrets to hide. When everything comes to a head just who can Katy trust?
I found this really hard going to get started. It was a slow build up and I was struggling to get on with some of the characters. BUT. As I have read Caroline's books before I knew it was worth persevering and I was right. As it picked up pace and the twists happened I really enjoyed it and flew to the end.
August 14, 2023
The Stranger Beside Me
by Caroline England
Pub Date: 03 Aug 2023
Caroline England’s latest psychological thriller is a tangled web of secrets. A dark psychological suspense thriller about friendships and families, secrets and lies, lots of twists and turns with a jaw dropping ending that I did not see coming! I found the characters very believable and most well liked. All in all I really liked this book and plan on reading more from this author.
Synopsis:
Katy Henry is lost and lonely. A single mother, plagued by fatigue and anxiety, she rarely has time for friends. But when she encounters Sibeal Matthews, all this changes. Sibeal is everything that Katy is not: assured, headstrong and charming.
Katy soon finds herself pulled out of her isolation into a fierce friendship. But Sibeal is not all that she seems. Tragedy haunts her, and for all her feistiness, she is startlingly dependent on her brother, Gabriel. And when her life begins to spectacularly unravel, Katy is swept up in the storm.
As Katy fights to protect herself and her son, it's not just Sibeal who threatens to endanger them - Katy's own past begins to rupture. Who can Katy trust? Can she even trust herself?
Thank you #NetGalley, #TheStrangerBesideMe and #LittleBrownBookGroupUK for providing me with an E-ARC of this fantastic story.
by Caroline England
Pub Date: 03 Aug 2023
Caroline England’s latest psychological thriller is a tangled web of secrets. A dark psychological suspense thriller about friendships and families, secrets and lies, lots of twists and turns with a jaw dropping ending that I did not see coming! I found the characters very believable and most well liked. All in all I really liked this book and plan on reading more from this author.
Synopsis:
Katy Henry is lost and lonely. A single mother, plagued by fatigue and anxiety, she rarely has time for friends. But when she encounters Sibeal Matthews, all this changes. Sibeal is everything that Katy is not: assured, headstrong and charming.
Katy soon finds herself pulled out of her isolation into a fierce friendship. But Sibeal is not all that she seems. Tragedy haunts her, and for all her feistiness, she is startlingly dependent on her brother, Gabriel. And when her life begins to spectacularly unravel, Katy is swept up in the storm.
As Katy fights to protect herself and her son, it's not just Sibeal who threatens to endanger them - Katy's own past begins to rupture. Who can Katy trust? Can she even trust herself?
Thank you #NetGalley, #TheStrangerBesideMe and #LittleBrownBookGroupUK for providing me with an E-ARC of this fantastic story.
August 7, 2023
I enjoyed Caroline's writing as CE Rose and thought I'd like The Stranger Beside Me. However, the book was very dark and I had trouble getting into it and totally connecting with the characters at first. I struggled to know what was going on at some points.
The sense of loss after after Gabe and Sibeal's dad passed away was palpable. There were some good visuals. I identified with the discomfort at being around family at the funeral.
I was really wondering what would happen once Sibeal met Katy. I enjoyed the twists in the story.
Thanks to Caroline England and Piatkus for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
3.5 stars
The sense of loss after after Gabe and Sibeal's dad passed away was palpable. There were some good visuals. I identified with the discomfort at being around family at the funeral.
I was really wondering what would happen once Sibeal met Katy. I enjoyed the twists in the story.
Thanks to Caroline England and Piatkus for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
3.5 stars
August 3, 2023
Gabe and his sister Sibeal, meet Katy when she turns up with her dad at their dad’s funeral.
Sibeal and Katy seem to hit it off immediately and agrees to help them start clearing their dad’s house.
Katy has struggled with her health since her Mum died in a terrible hit and run. Some days Katy can’t look after her own son, Milo and her dad helps her out.
As her friendship with Sibeal grows, Katy also grows and starts to find a bit more independence.
This is a good plot, which is full of secrets and lies. There were parts where I did work out what was going on but then there were also parts that did surprise me.
It does start off a slow burner but then suddenly charges full steam ahead. I did find most of the characters irritating for quite a while but my opinion did change as the book gathered pace.
Sibeal and Katy seem to hit it off immediately and agrees to help them start clearing their dad’s house.
Katy has struggled with her health since her Mum died in a terrible hit and run. Some days Katy can’t look after her own son, Milo and her dad helps her out.
As her friendship with Sibeal grows, Katy also grows and starts to find a bit more independence.
This is a good plot, which is full of secrets and lies. There were parts where I did work out what was going on but then there were also parts that did surprise me.
It does start off a slow burner but then suddenly charges full steam ahead. I did find most of the characters irritating for quite a while but my opinion did change as the book gathered pace.
August 10, 2023
Well! This book definitely took me off to places I was not expecting to go.
Suspicion grabbed me a few times.
Then Caroline England threw in the pieces that made me go ‘What?’
Yet it all made sense and all came together so well!
I do believe I’ll continue dipping in this authors universe for a long time to come.
Her writing takes me away and keeps me intrigued.
Fab!
(Tea, Toast & Books)
Suspicion grabbed me a few times.
Then Caroline England threw in the pieces that made me go ‘What?’
Yet it all made sense and all came together so well!
I do believe I’ll continue dipping in this authors universe for a long time to come.
Her writing takes me away and keeps me intrigued.
Fab!
(Tea, Toast & Books)
July 27, 2023
Katy is struggling through life when she meets Sibeal. They quickly become friends but it soon becomes clear that there is more to Sibeal than she lets on. Katy finds that she doesn't know who to trust and could even be in danger.
A suspenseful psychological thriller that left me reeling.
I loved this book. There was so much tension from the very start, I could just tell that there was a lot more to the characters than you might first think. I really enjoyed following their stories as they gradually unfolded.
There are some brilliantly shocking twists that I never saw coming. After I had finished reading I needed to just sit and process what I had read and give my heart rate time to come back down!
The Stranger Beside Me is an excellent read that you will find gripping from start to finish.
Thank you NetGalley and Piatkus for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
A suspenseful psychological thriller that left me reeling.
I loved this book. There was so much tension from the very start, I could just tell that there was a lot more to the characters than you might first think. I really enjoyed following their stories as they gradually unfolded.
There are some brilliantly shocking twists that I never saw coming. After I had finished reading I needed to just sit and process what I had read and give my heart rate time to come back down!
The Stranger Beside Me is an excellent read that you will find gripping from start to finish.
Thank you NetGalley and Piatkus for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
July 12, 2023
This is my third Caroline England book and it definitely didn’t disappoint. It was such a good read.
Katy Henry lived with her dad Alexander and her five year old son Milo. Her mum had died in an awful car accident and Katy had suffered from dark days since. Her dad was a judge and Katy relied heavily on him to help with Milo, they were very close.
An old friend of Alexander’s ( James) passed away so Katy attended his funeral with her dad. She met Sibeal and Gabriel who were James’s children. She struck up a friendship with them and helped them to clear out their family home as James had been hoarding stuff for years.
Sibeal was wrapped up in thoughts of her lover who had recently passed away. She stalked his family home and watched his wife and child regularly but couldn’t stop herself from doing it. Sibeal confided in Katy but didn’t reveal the stalking to her. She became very reliant on Katy’s friendship and also on alcohol to help her through her grief.
The narrative from Sibeal and from Katy showed that they both had suffered from the loss of their mothers at an early age and they both had issues that they were dealing with internally. Their lives became wrapped up in each others and revelation after revelation was revealed. A great thriller and one I would happily recommend.
Katy Henry lived with her dad Alexander and her five year old son Milo. Her mum had died in an awful car accident and Katy had suffered from dark days since. Her dad was a judge and Katy relied heavily on him to help with Milo, they were very close.
An old friend of Alexander’s ( James) passed away so Katy attended his funeral with her dad. She met Sibeal and Gabriel who were James’s children. She struck up a friendship with them and helped them to clear out their family home as James had been hoarding stuff for years.
Sibeal was wrapped up in thoughts of her lover who had recently passed away. She stalked his family home and watched his wife and child regularly but couldn’t stop herself from doing it. Sibeal confided in Katy but didn’t reveal the stalking to her. She became very reliant on Katy’s friendship and also on alcohol to help her through her grief.
The narrative from Sibeal and from Katy showed that they both had suffered from the loss of their mothers at an early age and they both had issues that they were dealing with internally. Their lives became wrapped up in each others and revelation after revelation was revealed. A great thriller and one I would happily recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2023
Loved this book Caroline England didn’t disappoint. Plenty of twists and turns. Didn’t want it to end but then did so I could find out the ending. Great read would recommend.
July 15, 2023
I’ve read a lot of books by Caroline England now and I’ve enjoyed every single one. This is a slow burner, developing the characters of Katy and Sibeal and showing how both their relationships with their parents and the loss of their mothers have impacted their lives.
I really enjoyed how the story grew and never would have guessed how it would end. Great story that I would recommend.
I really enjoyed how the story grew and never would have guessed how it would end. Great story that I would recommend.
July 15, 2023
Thank You to NetGalley for letting me read this. Although not my usual Genre the story line intrigued me. I'm really glad I decided to read this, my first book by Caroline England but it wont be my last. I loved the characters. The story line was different, original and thoroughly enjoyable.
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