This is by a mile one of the best books I have read in a long while. I started and had to keep going until the last word was read. Extremely cleverly written it plays with your emotions, leaving you biting your nails and on the edge of your seat. Powerful and frightening it’s a must read for all psychological thriller fans. A huge 5* from me, I will be sleeping with the light on tonight. Thanks to the author and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing book..

Dark, creepy and intense. Well written, but lacked pace toward the last third. Strong ending though. I’ll definitely be reading more by this author.

Claire Moore is the one that got away - ten years previous she was the victim of a horrendous crime that she still struggles to deal with. The perpetrator of the crime is still at large, as everyone believes someone else was responsible - and he plans on coming back for Claire with a few other victims along the way.
I really enjoyed reading this book, even thought I had sussed out the culprit early on, but there were a few red herrings and twists along the way.
My only criticism is the abrupt ending - left us hanging and with a few unanswered questions - not asking here, no spoilers.
Does this mean there will be a sequel?

Closer Than You Think is a book that I had to read with the lights on! When you read it you will understand why. This book is dark, creepy and extremely intense... and I loved it. The story was one that I could not get out of my head and I thought that I had it all worked out.. and It was an OMG moment when I was wrong.. what an ending!! Brilliant writing Mr Sullivan.

Claire Moore was the one that got away. Her husband and 6 others had not been so lucky. She was the survivor of the Black-Out Killer. She lost everything that night and her life hasn't been the same since. It is 10 years later and she still lives in fear, even though he has been locked up. She struggles with day to day things like showering and is unable to work. She is frightened of her own shadow. But then she meets Paul and her life starts to get better and she gets a bit braver. And then the killings start again.. the same way. She takes a massive step back in her recovery and suffers guilt for being alive. The killer is watching Claire... will she ever feel normal again.

This story is original and dark. I was pulled into the lives of these characters and was feeling everything that they were feeling. And as I said, I kept the lights on! It is scary!!

Thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

You know those books that instantly grab you from the first paragraph and you want to gush about to all and sundry? Well, this is definitely one of those; it's one of the best psychological thrillers I've read in a while. For anyone who's into the genre, this is an absolute must-read. It's deftly plotted, refreshingly original and very clever; I found it claustrophobic with a building sense of unease which ratchets up as you progress. Main protagonist, Claire, is not that likeable, but she is so well drawn that you feel every single emotion she goes through. A series of strategically placed twists ensure the reader is kept enthralled. This is indeed a page-turner.

O'Sullivan creates such a tense atmosphere that it quickly immerses you and you lose yourself amongst the pages. I was engrossed and simply couldn't stop reading. It's nicely written, dark and extremely creepy - it keeps you on your toes throughout. This is certainly more of a slow-burn than a pacy one but stick with it as it soon becomes unputdownable. It takes a lot to fool me given that I read over 500 thrillers per year, but the author managed to masterfully do exactly that. As well as being told from Claire's perspective we see from the killer's point-of-view - his reasoning and motivation behind who he chooses as his victims. It's a moving, powerful, utterly riveting read with an ending that will astound you.

Many thanks to HQ Digital for an ARC.

This is a great thriller. It has all the right twists and turns, with enough questions to keep you hanging on until the end. The characters were developed and realistic in their portrayal. I have read books by this author in this past and this one was definitely not a disappointment. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a fast-paced story with enough twists and turns to keep you wanting more.

The pacing of this book kept me going throughout the book. I really wanted to figure out who the serial killer is and what happened in the past. I can't say that the ending shocked me but I still enjoyed the ride. I felt anxious for the main character and I am so glad that I read this during the day. The writing made me feel like I was watching a movie in my head and when you forget you are reading a book the author is preforming magic.

My first book by Darren O Sullivan, this is psychological suspense thriller, not something I read lots of so was intrigued to start this one going by the blurb.

It’s written from the POV of Claire Moore , survivor of an attempted murder 10 years ago and the murderer, who will remain nameless. Claire’s is written in the first person, and the Murderer’s in the 3rd person, this is both clever and interesting and a nice little change from the norm.

Claire, is trying to piece her life back together, suffering from PTSD after surviving the horrific attempt on her life 10 years ago. Believing her murderer is now dead she is trying to move on with the help of her mum, a very realistic, believable character, step dad Geoff and friend Penny.

The way her depression is described is written excellently and it comes across very genuine and how I would imagine someone to feel and act after such atrocities.

So....our killer is not dead, and now he’s back and closer then Claire thinks, he’s silently stalking her, building up to exacting his revenge for her survival.

Told in flashbacks and in the present both Claire and the killer describe their pasts and events leading up the murder, it’s quite interesting how the killer is describing past kills and a twist from the usual.

The finale bubbles up nicely to a shocking , unexpected but very clever end.

It’s not a massive book but it’s still a slow burner, though I feel the author ratchets the tension and builds it nicely, it quietly disturbs you as you build to the final stages.

It’s easy, uncomplicated writing, page turning and a very good read that I would recommend to any fan of this genre

Let me just say right from the start, I'm in an odd reading kind of mood. I am in that frame of mind that really needs a book to just grab me by the collar and not let go. Initially, I thought Closer Than You Think would do just that as the beginning was exciting and gripping.

Unfortunately, a while later I found my attention slipping, leaving the book to go do something else and being slightly reluctant in picking it back up again. That's usually not a good sign. I had a hard time connecting to Claire. Thankfully I have zero experience in having to deal with the kind of trauma she went through but there was something about her that just put me off and I found it tough to care. Which makes me sound like a horrible person. I promise I'm not.

In an odd sort of way, I cared more about the killer. I could understand, in a weird kind of way, why they were doing what they were doing, could see where they were coming from considering their background. But at some point, this too failed to hold my attention.

This is my first time reading a book by Darren O'Sullivan. While I was a tad disappointed as I was convinced, based on the synopsis, that I would really enjoy this one, it doesn't put me off trying another one his books in future. Unfortunately, this one didn't quite work for me.

Claire Moore is still living in fear, almost 10 years after surviving an attack by the serial killer known as the Black-Out Killer, in which her husband was murdered. The police caught the killer, and he has now died, but now there seems to be a copycat.

The story is very intriguing, and there are plenty of plot twists. I was convinced I knew who the killer was, but I was wrong. I loved the character of Claire, who thought she was weak but was in fact incredibly strong. I also liked her mum and step-dad.

I did feel that the pace of this book was too slow. I was hooked at the beginning but got quite bored in the middle and almost gave up, but am glad I persevered because the last 25% was brilliant. I certainly didn’t see that ending coming!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This book kind of dragged out just a bit too much. I wish the pace had been a bit faster. I feel it would have created more tension and the ending was strong, so a little paring down and I think this would have been sensational. It was still really good and I knew there’d be a big twist based on other reviews, but I guessed wrong in the end, which I loved I didn’t catch on bc that’s never good with thrillers! Def will recommend.

This twisty thriller enthralls the reader from the start drawing them into the story told from the killer and the victims viewpoint. The victim is almost unable to function following an earlier attack whilst the killer continues his murderous plan slowly catching up with her. Whilst here aren't too many characters to follow but I was still surprised by the twist at the end.

This was my first thriller from this author and it definitely won’t be my last. I loved it. a really good mystery thriller with lots of twists and an amazing ending. Loved it xx

Closer Than You Think by Darren O’Sullivan is a very thrilling contemporary psychological thriller that will definitely have your heart racing. I can honestly say that the tension in me rose as I sped towards the wow, wow, wow moment!
Closer Than You Think is not a book to be read alone, or at night. This book will give you nightmares and send your blood pressure soaring.
The action is written from the point of view of the killer in the third person and the intended victim in the first. Tensions rise for the reader as we know what the killer intends to do and when they intend to do it.
The plotline was very cleverly thought out. I am afraid I made exactly the same mistakes as the victim did. I was manipulated by the author and I didn’t realise it at the time. Brilliant.
Danger lurks behind every corner. Fear, mistrust and panic are catching. The killer was certainly closer than you think!
A marvellous novel. I cannot wait for more from Darren O’Sullivan.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Although I was gripped by the beginning but I found my attention wavering, during the second half the book just seemed to loose momentum. Maybe it’s just my reading mood that I struggled with this book as there are some really great reviews for this book. It just wasn’t for me.

Well written book with a good plot.
It is written in a different style to most books of this genre so that was a welcome change.
Plenty of twists throughout the whole book

Closer Than You Think by Darren O'Sullivan is a nail-biting, spine-tingling rollercoaster ride that readers will devour from the very first paragraph. Far and away the best psychological thriller that I have read this year.

Claire Moore is a woman who lives in constant fear ten years after escaping death at the hands of the Black-Out Killer. Claire has been the only victim to survive the serial killings, but continues to be terrorized daily by the horrific memories of her husband's brutal murder, and seeing her house burned to the ground while she lay incapacitated. Claire lives with the scars of this horrific night, both physically and emotionally. She believes that the killer has been caught, and is reassured by those who love her that he can no longer do her harm, until the terror starts again.

Many times throughout this always tense and thoroughly thrilling read, I was convinced that I had the killer pegged. I was wrong. Read this one with the lights on.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for this fabulous ARC, and for introducing me to a wonderfully exciting author, Darren O'Sullivan.

As the ten year anniversary of the crime that almost cost Claire her life approaches, she finds herself still struggling with PTSD, awkwardly contemplating her first relationship since the crime, and planning a trip back to Ireland so seek closure at the scene of the crime.

A very interesting premise: the one that got away from a serial killer. The story contained many twists and turns and just enough breadcrumbs to lead you down the wrong path. Without giving away any spoilers, the path to the real killer is in there but is muddied with 2 or three red herrings.

While the book contains lots of description, at times a bit too much, it doesn’t focus on moving the story forward. I found the pacing to be very slow and I didn’t find any of the characters to be particularly likeable.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

There I sat, smugly confident that I had it all worked out. A twist in the tale? Absolutely not, I had this one sussed, and then – bam! – everything I thought unravelled like a badly knitted jumper.
The story of Claire Moore, survivor of a horrific attack that left her physically and mentally damaged, hooked me from the start. Ten years on, she is still struggling to deal with the aftermath of her ordeal. Being thrust into the media spotlight and with few people to rely on, bar her ever-sympathetic mother and supportive new partner, Paul, her hopes of building a new life are dealt an agonising blow when another murder occurs.
I felt the killer was painted in such a way as to lend some understanding to his warped reasoning. 'There had even been talk of how he was a vigilante, a voice for the abused. A hero.' I wouldn't go that far, but he came across as more than just a sadistic monster.
The author throws in more than a few red herrings, but skilfully and in a way that keeps the reader on their toes. The final denouement made me gasp, and I read it again just to be sure I hadn't misunderstood. A tense, heart-pounding thriller which has convinced me to read more of his work in the future.

I love books like this. A traumatic event leaves a scarred survivor behind, finally -- after years of healing and family support -- starting to cope with life again. But then the madman is back, and all bets are off. Spine-tingling suspense, and absolutely gut-wrenching horror returns with a vengeance. And this time, it won't be denied. Great read!

** I thank the publisher and/or author for allowing me to read this novel as an ARC, without recompense, in exchange for my honest review. **