This was a gripping read that kept me hooked. I had no idea what was coming next and that added to the excitement. I loved the way the separate stories all came together.

What a fabulous and clever book, such a good read .The story is told through the main characters Alice Ursula and Gareth.The story is set in Bristol mainly around a shopping centre .Alice is the Manager of a fashion shop Gareth is a Security Guard and Ursula is a delivery driver .One day their worlds collide and so begins another compelling read.This story is so hard to put down it is so gripping and the ending has an unexpected twist !I have read quite a few of C L Taylor's books but this one I feel is the best yet .Can't wait for her next book.Many thanks to the Publisher the Author and NetGalley for my review copy in return for an honest review .

Alice, Ursula, and Gareth unite one night when their lives collide in violence even though they are strangers. Ursula thinks she may have killed the love of her life, Alice is being stalked, and Gareth has been receives strange postcards. Ursula is a delivery person grieving from the death of her boyfriend. Gareth is a security guard at the local shopping mall and takes care of his mother who has dementia. Alice is a manager at the local shopping mall that is looking for a solid relationship. All three are very different ... all three live in the same city ... and all three have to stick together or one of them will die.

I really love twists, turns, and what-the-heck moments that keep my interest up. I thought I figured this one all out until the ending. Would I recommend this? Heck yes! Fantastic tense read!

This was so enjoyable I am both disappointed that I left it so long to read it and that I have finished it! Told by the POV of Alice, a single mother dipping her toe in the dating scene, Gareth, a worn out security guard who lives with his elderly mum and Ursula, kleptomaniac who can’t catch a break! What I loved about this was not only the way it was written, but how it sucked me in to the point I felt I knew the main characters!
I can’t recommend this enough! Brilliant read.

This is an amazing & very well written book. Full of twists & great character development. I flew through this book & would recommend to anyone.

I have enjoyed many of C.L. Taylor's previous books so was pleased to be given the opportunity to read this one.

Strangers is a 'quieter' book than many of her previous ones, but I also found it more assured. There is no edge-of-the-seat tension (though several gripping moments), just a gradual and inexorable winding together of three separate lives. Alice, Gareth and Ursula are all relatable, sympathetic characters and that's what really makes this book work – along with the easy, fluid writing style that kept me reading.

I was about to be disappointed in the ending, feeling that it didn't pack enough of a punch – but I should have known to trust this author. She landed a final twist that tied up the last hanging thread and made everything work perfectly.

I'd give this book 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. Recommended for anyone who likes character-driven thrillers with plenty of gradually unfolding revelations.

Amazing book thrilling!! I really like this author and the way they use different voices and use text comms within the chapters. They are tense exciting and extremely satisfying to read and this one was an absolute treat!! Thanks a mill

Set in Bristol, a selection of disparate people initially pair up, either by happenstance, romance or family connections. Then the pairs become a group as towards the conclusion of the novel they are drawn in to a hostage situation.
As a reader I felt like a donkey, one with a carrot tantalisingly close to my mouth, all it takes is another few paces to reach my orange, organic treat. So it was for eighty percent of the book, the carrot just about hanging in there. Was it worth the wait for the moment serendipity became a catalyst for the conclusion? I’m not too sure but I am pleased to relate I have got a new job on Blackpool beach! Hopefully one with plenty of carrots.

This is an author who can’t put a foot wrong in my eyes. I have read and enjoyed all of her books and will go as far as saying that this is her best one yet.

As the title suggests, the story centres on three characters who arn’t even aware the other exists until one evening, when they all find themselves together. All are very different and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them all better.

Ursuala was probably one of my favourites. Being tall myself, although not as tall as this character, I really felt for her. Since a tragedy in her past, she does whatever she needs to do to get by. This doesn’t win her any favours and although she has enough to deal with in her own personal life, she can’t help but try and help others also.

Alice and Gareth have also got stuff going on in their personal lives, Gareth with his mum who suffers with dementia and Alice who is trying to find love again. They are all relatable characters whose lives I couldn’t help but get absorbed into. Whilst this is without a doubt a psychological thriller, the author made me care about these characters and I found some parts quite tender. One particular thread definitely pulled on my heart strings.

This is a story that the less said about it the better. I love how the author interweaves these three characters lives, bringing them all together. The tension and pacing towards the end was just brilliant and had me on the edge of my seat, nearly falling off it at the end with the revelations.

Strangers is a taut and addictive read that I devoured in one day. It was just to compulsive for me to put down as I had to know where the story was going. It is definitely one of the cleverest reads I’ve read in a while in this genre. Definitely my new favourite books by the author and I will be recommending it to everyone who will listen. Would give it more than 5 stars if I could.

Three separate stories which brilliantly come together in the last fifth of the book. I raced through to get there. So cleverly plotted and written, I am such a fan and I totally devoured this! (No spoilers but....Simon is such a plonker)

Strangers by CL Taylor

Grab these Strangers’ hands and hold on for dear life... you are in for a ride!
I loved CL Taylor’s novel Sleep and I can tell right from the beginning of Strangers that this story is also well-paced. I’m interested in the characters immediately, though Alice starts to annoy me with her “little girl” world view in a mature woman’s life.
When she starts spending time with Simon, there are a million warning signs she stupidly ignores; choosing instead to wonder “will he kiss me goodnight.”....sheesh, not the type of female character that appeals to female readers who have their head on straight.
For some reason —maybe due to the authenticity of the strength of the characters — I believe Ursula staying in Edward’s house to find out what is going on — but not sold on why Alice hangs on to Simon????
You can feel the crescendo of action but Taylor gives no hints at how these stories will mesh; and if you’ve read a lot of suspense/thrillers you truly appreciate that.
Super fun and intense read!

Holy cow wow! This book was everything I yearn for in a thriller and more! Taylor makes sure to write one heck of a story, which is unputdownable, deliciously dark, and bloody brilliant! It had me up way too late needing to know more, and gasping in chills at what I was reading! Well written, twisted, intense, and chilling! It’s one of those thrillers that will twist your mind into a mess and you’ll go over it for days after finishing! I highly, highly recommend to all who love brilliant and intense thrillers which are sure to give you the thrills and chills you seek!
Will make sure to buzz it up on all the different platforms!

I’m sure you’ve heard all the hype about this book...right!? How fantastic it is! You may be asking yourself, "is it for real?” YES! YES! YES!
I’m here to tell you this book deserves every bit of praise it’s been getting!

My favorite type of thriller involves multiple story-lines told with characters that seemingly have no connection to one another. That is... till their paths ultimately cross, crashing together! BOOM!
And C.L. Taylor did it perfectly! I had no idea how these characters would intersect! Never imagined the plot twists Ms Taylor so cleverly threw at me along the way!

C.L. Taylor writes an ingenious thriller that checked all the boxes for me. Told from multiple perspectives. Each character with a strong voice and those oh so human flaws that make you want to dig deep into their story to find how they found themselves entangled in this nasty web.

This was my first read by this author and I can’t wait to see what she brings to the table with her next release. Since I’m not the most patient gal, I’ll be going back to read some of her previous releases.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and C.L. Taylor for an ARC to read and review.

Another cracking read by this author. Her books never disappoint and she’s becoming one of my favourite authors. I liked all the different characters and enjoyed how their stories all came together in the end. Didn’t know what to expect

I am just recovering from the greatest book hangover, having binge read this book in about 8 hours. I literally couldn't put it down. I just want to jump up and down and tell everyone that they have to read this book. Cally Taylor - you are an incredible writer.


The three Strangers in question are:-


Ursula who has been on a downhill spiral since she lost the love of her life, though you don't find out the circumstances until near the end. She has a warm heart, but is very self destructive, and can't help but capture your heart.


Gareth the security guard. Initially, a somewhat pitiable character, bumbling through his job, and binging on McDonald's. However Ms Taylor soon fleshes him out - his father disappeared many years before. His mother has developing Alzheimer's, and when Gareth has to choose between his girlfriend and his mother he was forced to choose his mother. Coming home becomes a burden as he doesn't know what he will find. You cannot help having a soft spot in your heart for this sweet man.


Alice's cheating husband left her for another woman, leaving Alice to bring up a moody teenage daughter whilst juggling her job as a manageress in a fashion shop. Alice is finally coming to terms with her husband leaving and is ready to start dating again - aided and abetted by her best friend Lynne.


The story starts with a murder, and then goes back in time. The plot is genius, with so many twists you won't know what to think. The last chapter - genius. Brings it all together so cleverly and leaving you with a massive grin (or is that just my twisted mind?).


I'm really going to miss these characters. Cally Taylor - sheer delight.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* 'Strangers' by C. L. Taylor was a book that had me reading rapidly to find out what was going to happen next. I happened to be reading it in a week that I was quite busy with work, but keen to finish it, I stayed up past my bedtime for 'just one more' chapter. The novel follows the lives of what seems like a random selection of strangers (hence the title) whose lives seem completely unconnected. However, as one reads on, the connections slowly reveal themselves until the action-filled climax. I am hesitant to reveal too much more about the plot, for fear of spoilers, but if you like thrillers, you will not be disappointed. Taylor has done a masterful job of crafting a range of characters from all different walks of life. A suspenseful and enjoyable read that touches on some important issues in today's society.

I must confess this was my first C.L. Taylor book, but it definitely won’t be my last!
This book was a very good read and maintained my interest throughout, with the ending being absolutely unputdownable!
As the name suggests, Strangers has 3 main characters who are strangers and their stories are completely separate right till the end when suddenly everything connects and falls into place with a Big Bang. Halfway through the book I was wondering where it was heading and was trying to figure out how it would connect (especially after reading other reviews that said the stories interconnect), but boy! The ending is superb and you never really see it coming.
Now I can’t wait to get my hands on other C.L. Taylor books to see if they are as good as this one.
Thank you to the publishers Avon Books UK for an advanced copy of this ebook and giving me a chance to review this book!

I've been a fan of C. L. Taylor ever since I read The Escape back in 2017. I really like the way she writes, and the way she slowly builds the tension until you feel ready to burst, needing to know just what's coming next. The Strangers is no exception. You know bad things are going to happen from pretty much the first page; just how bad they are, however, is yet to be seen.
Here, it's seeing how the lives of three strangers are intertwined. Despite all three having flaws (especially Ursula!), I liked all three and worried about what might in store for them. Saying that, there were times when Alice annoyed me - I couldn't quite get a bead on who she was and I wanted to know a bit more about her background to help fill in the blanks. I'm sure that background led her to behave in certain ways, it just wasn't quite clear enough for me.
I also felt a bit uncertain about the ending. I liked how dramatic it was, how high the tension had been ratcheted. However, I also wasn't completely convinced by how everyone and everything came together. It was, for me, a little too pat. Did it ruin the book for me? No. Did it mean I didn't enjoy it as much as some of C. L. Taylor's other books? Maybe.

I made two mistakes with this book. The first was letting it sit on my NetGalley shelf for a few months. I have never read anything by this author before so in all honesty that’s why it was in my back burner.

The second mistake was that I started to read it at 10PM thinking it would do what some books lately have been making me do...fall asleep. Well the fact that I finished it around 5AM says I was not prepared to have my mind blown.

Fan freaking-tastic and going straight to my favorites list. Every single character kept off the page and I was so utterly eager to find out how a middle aged mom (Diane Keaton in The First Wives Club) a younger giant drifter( Brienne is Tarth) and a security guard( Garth from Wayne’s World) all became more than strangers.

And yes those were exactly how I pictured our three main characters.

Add in even more characters( omg Gareth’s mom 😭)a serial killer, and the Starcourt Mall from Stranger Things... and you get an insanely twisted, but oh so well done, novel!

Go into this blind and don’t be dumb like me and wait to read it! And also don’t start reading it late at night if you have to get up early!

Astounding and yet, as the writer of Sleep, I didn’t expect any less. Sleep was wonderful. This is different and, IMHO, has the edge on Taylor’s previous work. Three main characters, all very different but, as the story unfolds, not so very different. Alice who’s in fashion. Gareth in security and finally Ursula,, a bit of a misfit. Told from each characters unique viewpoint, the story unfolds to a dramatic ending. Magnificent storyline. super writing. Believable characters. 10 stars.