I liked the first chapter and introduction. Heming came over as an interesting character in this first person story. He is a local estate agent and has made copies of the keys of all the houses he has sold. He revisits those houses when he feels like it. It is obvious that there is more to this story than meets the eye. However the basic premise really appealed to me. It is clear from the start that this is neither voyeurism nor sexual really

The book time switches between the present time and earlier events in Heming's life. The back story here and its gradual reveal did have some tension/edginess to it for me. At the back of my mind was often the question "I wonder what will be revealed next?". In general the writing has a very "matter of fact" style to it and I didn't find that this created my tension in the story generally. Around halfway through this does change - "matter of fact" becomes facts of the matter. This change in tempo and story did make for a better read as far as I was concerned.

I felt that the real edginess that there should have been didn't come through all that well .
I found Heming mostly unlikeable however he was very interesting. He is a strange and probably damaged character but that worked ok for me. I guess he was credible as that rather strange character.

I think a problem I have with this book is the publisher's "extra" on the title. I have real doubts this will be "the creepiest, most sinister thriller" I'll read this year. For the most part it didn't seem particularly creepy. I guess it was sinister at times. If I were to judge this book solely on this extra I'd probably feel a little disappointed. That would be a pity because this is not a bad story and very easily readable.

Ok so I have read this before ,under title a please and a calling ,I did think when read synopsis was very similar and an gutted same book however it’s a good read and as I so enjoyed it first time I was hopeing on a diffirent take by a diffirent author on a similar story
This is eerie creepy and good read ,if like a great baddie this is for u ,he’s fab and I hope to read more from this author but do be aware u may have read this before

The premise of this book is fantastic and I felt that it had so much potential but, unfortunately, for me it just did not live up to it. The descriptions lead you to believe it's going to be dark and sinister but I actually found the protagonist too normal I suppose and I don't think there was enough depth to his character. I actually find him to be quite funny at times, which wasn't what I was after with a thriller.

Excellent story line and great main characters. I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend.

What a creepy read that was! An estate agent who lets himself in at any time and checks out people's lives...and helps himself.... He couldn't wait to leave home and then to leave school where he refined his skills in going unnoticed. Landing a job with a real estate company was like a dream come true.

Thank you to Random House UK via NetGalley for a copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions.

This had so much potential - and to be honest, often delivered what was promised, in a creepy, sinister way. William Heming is an estate agent who likes to spy on his clients. He is a disturbed gentleman, and throughout the book we learn a little bit about why and when this voyeurism started. I felt there could have been more emphasis on his earlier life, and the bizzare behaviour that had gotten him expelled from school and caused endless trouble for his family. The bits I really enjoyed were the tense parts where his being caught, or making a mistake were inevitable.
This was a unique spin on a story, but it seemed rushed at the end, and I would have loved to see the slime ball get his comeuppance.
Easy to read, horrible charectors, edge of your seat moments, but slightly disappointing.

This book was a real let down I was really looking forward to reading it but just had to give up.

The book is very hard to follow and trying to work out the characters were just a nightmare and very confusing.

The book needs more detail and more explanation to what is actually is going on with the story.

Ha! Pure reading joy. Mr Heming tells the tale, oh and what a tale he has to tell. A voyeur, a strange man, a man with his finger on the pulse of, well, everything – he keeps a weather eye on the inhabitants of his town..and their places of residence. He has his favourites and those he despises – who may find themselves having no fun at all…

I adored this – what a fascinating character, possibly the most fascinating I have come across since Mr Ripley. Tis true I would not want him poking around my house, or eating breakfast in my kitchen, but I followed avidly and willingly along with him as he wandered the halls of houses past sold..still, when a man like Mr Heming develops an obsession that takes him beyond even his own obsessive personality you just know there is trouble ahead. You may want to look away…but that is impossible – he has drawn you in, made you complicit in his excursions…and now you are as guilty as he is…Read on..read on no matter what!

Resourceful talented writing and a delightful, dark and delicious narrator make this a wonderful, creepy, exquisite reading experience. Next time you come home unexpectedly..look for the signs. Has Mr Heming visited in your absence? He may well have done you know…

Happy Reading Folks!

The central character in The Intruder is William Heming and it is probably best to describe him as a type of psychopath. He is uncaring, irresponsible, over confident, selfish and quite content to become physical if the situation demands. His show of self importance and lack of understanding for others also labels him as a narcissist. Heming works as an estate agent and views it quite acceptable that he should possess his own personal duplicate key to each property within his portfolio. He does not question his odd behaviour, no harm occurs and any personal items he removes will surely not be missed by the owner. Douglas Sharp, a local resident, allows his dog to foul on the pavement immediately adjacent to Heming's house. Sharp, his wife and mistress Abigail soon become the focus of the estate agent with disastrous consequences.

The story is narrated in the first person and through the eyes and ears of Heming we learn how his childhood was a precursor to his somewhat worrying adult behaviour. Rather than remain in full time education he preferred to seek employment with a local estate agent Mower & Mower, acquiring the business when the present owner retired. Thus he finds himself in an ideal position to fulfil his fantasies and spy on all his clients. On first reading I found Heming's mindset entertaining but this soon give way to frustration as his narcissistic and psychotic personality established itself as the norm and showed little sign of being curtailed. The style of writing was at times successful in creating a somewhat creepy and uneasy atmosphere but the constant smarmy meanderings of this loathsome individual resulted in me losing interest rapidly. There were some accurate will chosen observations..."On the outside is your everyday life of going out to work and going on holiday. Then there is the life you wish you had- the life that keeps you awake at night with hope, ambition, plans, frustration, resentment, envy, regret"........"emerging towelled and pink from the steamy bathroom. There she was on the bed slowly painting her perfect toenails, a tear on her cheek. Everything I ever wanted was there. It was a perfect summit of wishes, all I had struggled for."....

In the final analysis I must confess I did not really enjoy this book or the claustrophobic style of narration. I would however like to thank the good people at netgalley and publisher Random House for a gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.