What a debut! Can't believe this took me so long to get around to. This was a fantastic read and an interesting concept. The characters are interesting and it does keep you gripped.

The premise and the first 75 pages hooked me into the book.
I did like some of the writing but it didn’t deliver as I had hoped it would.
The reveals that happened were expected and not a surprise

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

I tried, I really tried, 3 times I tried, but sorry I gave up.
I don't know why as this was actually recommended to me, but it just wasn't for me - hence the 2 stars.

This was an interesting read.

While the scene setting at the beginning was a bit slow, this built up quite nicely. The suspense that kept building throughout was enough to keep me hooked and I couldn't wait to see what would unfold next.

I wasn't a big fan of Chloe as a character. I found her to be quite unlikeable but I really enjoyed the ending and I suppose it showed some justification for her actions.

Certainly a worthwhile read.

Arrrrrrrgh I so wish I could say I loved this but I can't. I literally switched between loving it one minute and hating the next!

I loved the idea of the book and think the storyline has an awful lot of potential but there needs to be some tweaks first.

I think personally for me it was the main character Chloe that left me feeling so bleurgh.. I couldn't grasp or connect with her at all and yes I know that was most probably the intention but it just made me more and more detached from the story. She just had zero personality and that showed through the whole book.

On top of that I felt there were too many coincidences along the way which were just unrealistic.

It felt like there was just too much going on to be honest.. there's that old saying "too many cooks spoil the broth", I think that needs adapting to "too many ideas spoil the book"

There are positives!! There's loads of little red herrings thrown in so you are on your toes second guessing throughout and the twist at the end was completely unexpected.

Thanks to netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Anna Wharton’s “The Imposter” is a gripping psychological thriller that will have readers on the edge of their seats. With its intricate plot, compelling characters, and atmospheric setting, this book delivers a suspenseful and thought-provoking reading experience that earns its four-star rating.

The story centers around Chloe, a woman who is haunted by her past and plagued by a sense of unease. When her childhood friend, Ellie, goes missing, Chloe becomes consumed by the need to uncover the truth. Wharton’s writing style is atmospheric and immersive, capturing the psychological complexities of the characters and creating an eerie ambiance that keeps readers engaged.

“The Imposter” offers a complex and layered plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. Wharton skillfully weaves together multiple storylines and timelines, gradually revealing clues and shifting perspectives to heighten the suspense. The twists and turns in the narrative are cleverly executed, keeping readers captivated and constantly questioning the truth.

The characters in “The Imposter” are well-drawn and flawed, adding depth to the story. Chloe’s journey is compelling as she grapples with her own insecurities, guilt, and suspicions. The supporting characters, particularly those connected to Ellie’s disappearance, bring additional layers of intrigue and intrigue to the narrative. Each revelation and encounter adds to the complexity of the plot, making for a truly immersive reading experience.

Wharton’s attention to detail and skillful pacing enhance the tension and suspense of the story. The atmospheric descriptions of the settings create a palpable sense of unease, and the author’s ability to maintain a sense of ambiguity keeps readers on their toes. While some readers may find the pacing slow in certain sections, the overall narrative intensity compensates for any moments of slower development.

In conclusion, “The Imposter” is a riveting psychological thriller that showcases Anna Wharton’s talent for crafting a suspenseful and compelling story. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and atmospheric setting, this book offers a satisfying reading experience for fans of the genre. If you’re looking for a thought-provoking and suspenseful read that will keep you guessing, “The Imposter” is a worthy choice that deserves its four-star rating. Prepare to be engrossed in a web of secrets, lies, and the search for the truth that will leave you questioning the nature of identity and perception.

It's a story of obsession, lies and a need to fit in somewhere. A psychological thriller where you can't trust anyone at all. I struggled to get into this book. It's a slow burn.

Obsession, loneliness and lies. What a hand-rubbing trio of themes they are!

Newspaper archivist Chloe is the sole carer of her grandmother who has dementia. She’s trying to fend off social services to keep her Nan at home - she’s all she has, after all.

It’s no surprise to me that Chloe develops an obsession with a past case that she comes across whilst digitalising old articles. Angela Kyle went missing as a 4 year old in 1980. Chloe tracks down the child’s parents, discovers they need a lodger, and gets the room when Nan has been moved into a home.

This is a sad book. Chloe’s nan’s dementia; Angela’s parents living with their loss and not knowing what happened to their child; Chloe’s obsession and loneliness. These are all strong, well-thought out characters - and it’s so tense! I felt like I needed to come up regularly for air!

It’s emotional, and the ending is absolutely plausible - it’s a cracking story!!

Spine chilling and suspenseful are definitely right to describe this book. The only problem for me was that I found Chloe very unlikeable so I just didn’t find myself sympathising with her

Chloe lives a quiet life. Working as a newspaper archivist in the day and taking care of her nan in the evening, she's happy simply to read about the lives of others as she files the news clippings from the safety of her desk.
But there's one story that she can't stop thinking about. The case of Angie Kyle – a girl, Chloe's age, who went missing as a child. A girl whose parents never gave up hope.
When Chloe's nan is moved into care, leaving Chloe on the brink of homelessness, she takes a desperate step: answering an ad to be a lodger in the missing girl's family home. It could be the perfect opportunity to get closer to the story she's read so much about. But it's not long until she realises this couple isn't all they seem. In a house where everyone has something to hide, is it possible to get too close?
A well written debut, a psychological thriller that you wouldn’t expect and a gut wrenching twist that comes out from nowhere and knocks you down it’s almost hard to get back up.
On to a slow start with following Chloe and her daily routine that doesn’t amount to much, there are times where you’re unsure if you should like her or not, especially as the story continues and she chooses to make some bizarre decisions. However that being said, there is so much that keeps you enthralled and makes you want to stick with the story and you’ll be glad you did.
Filled with tension, a thoug hit provoking read on obsession and loneliness and the lies we tell ourselves, with one of the most surprising endings I’ve ever read, I hope that Anna’s future works will be just as good to read!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this book and the twist at the end was brilliant! I'm new to the author but I will definitely look out for more from the author.

Five stars for The Imposter by Anna Wharton! It's been ages since I read a book that so thoroughly confounded my expectations over and over, in the best possible way. Highly recommended for fans of gentle psychological thrillers.

Chloe comes across the story of a girl who went missing 25 years ago, and becomes intrigued by the case. When she discovers the missing girl's parents have advertised for a lodger, she takes up the opportunity.

This was an interesting set up, with plenty of secrets. I was kept intrigued right up to the end wanting to know what really happened. And it was such a solid ending, I didn't see it coming!

I will say, that there's a lot of convenient plot points. While that's naturally going to happen in a mystery, I found I very much had to suspend my disbelief with some occurrences and the behaviour of some of the characters didn't make sense in places. That did take me out of the story.

I enjoyed this, it’s not something I would normally pick. I would recommend this though.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Good book, not like anything I've read before. Enjoyable from a writer who is new to me. Would recommend.

I'm very conflicted about this book.

I absolutely hated Chloe. Every decision she made was so repugnant....keeping Nan locked in that house aware she was ill and refusing to get her help. The way she treated her bosses and her work. The way she treated Hollie. Let alone the way she treated Angie's family.

This made it a really hard read. I understand loneliness (like everyone does) and had she been a more sympathetic character I would have maybe understood her motives or her decisions but I just despised her throughout.

Her obsession with Angie and her parents was just the weirdest thing ever. She just came across as an awful person. She didn't care about making anyone pain worse as long as she got what she wanted...who cares if Nan burns down her house as long as Chloe gets her company for a bit longer?!

However the ending was absolutely brilliant. Adored it. Will definitely re read based on what I know now. It does make everything make sense and was one of the best endings I have read in a long time.

It's just getting there was a bit of a slog given how much I hated Chloe and the book in general seemed slow moving until quite near the end.

I would suggest everyone reads it though based on that great ending!

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

Thank you, Netgalley, Pan Macmillan, and Mantle for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Imposter by Anna Wharton is a psychological thriller that tells the story of a young woman Chloe. Chloe works as a newspaper archivist and cares for her nan. Her life has become difficult with her nan starting to forget her present and seems to be stuck in her past. While things might be difficult at home, Chloe enjoys her work and loves reading about different people’s lives as she collects newspaper clippings. One story, in particular, catches her eye and she seems to have trouble letting go of the story. She starts to get obsessed over the story and goes on to make decisions to uncover the truth about the story. The story is of a young girl Angie who went missing as a child. After a few things change drastically in Chloe’s life, she decides to answer an ad put up by the couple. She starts living in their house and finds out that things are not at all like what they seem on the outside. The more she digs the more convoluted things get. Can Chloe figure out the real story behind the young girl’s disappearance?

This was such a pleasant surprise that I did not think I could have predicted how the story progressed. The plot progression was slow and I was following her thinking maybe things are going to go one way to only realize that I was completely wrong. The bafflement on my face was real and it changed my perspective of the book and everything made perfect sense.

Even with the slow progression, I wanted to know what was going on with Chloe. Chloe’s overall presence feels at times was like a ghost who was untethered and disconnected from this world and floating on by. There was this eerie, creepy feeling that was shrouding this story and captivates you and pulls you in wanting to know the mystery behind the young child’s disappearance. Things are more sinister than what they seem on the surface.

Overall, be ready to be surprised and don’t be put off by the slow crawl Chloe does through the story. You will be rewarded in the end and it’s going to be so worth it for sticking it with the story. If you love psychological stories with a well-crafted character and a mystery plot, you need to check this one out. I gave the book 4.5 stars and highly recommend checking this one out. If you enjoyed The Silent Patient you will love this.

An interesting premise that had hints of other thrillers, but this one seemed rather lacklustre.
It was definitely a slow-burn, and I've realised I soon lose interest if it doesn't grip me immediately.
The pace did pick up, but the ending felt anti-climactic and somewhat disappointing.
I liked the characters and was certainly intrigued enough to continue, but the pacing was too slow for me.