I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Having read and enjoyed Karen Perry's previous works, I was eager to dive into Stranger. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The book started strong with an intriguing opening chapter, instantly capturing my attention. However, the momentum quickly slowed, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story as it unfolded. The characters felt hard to connect with; they lacked the kind of relatability or nuance that would make them memorable, and their actions often made it difficult to empathize with them.

Despite having a relatively small number of main characters, the narrative presented a lot of information to keep track of. Several plot points that seemed significant felt glossed over, missing the potential impact they could have had on the overall story. While I didn’t dislike Stranger, it also didn’t leave a lasting impression. It’s a decent read but not one I’d readily recommend.

Brilliant thriller what a thrilling fast paced edge of your seat read it kept guessing right until the end this is definitely worth a read

This is a very slow burn novel. All the characters are unlikeable and flawed. I did think the pace was too slow for me to fully enjoy the book.
I did find that I couldn’t get inside the heads of the characters

Creepy! Really enjoyed this one. First one I have read from this author and will keep an eye out for more.

This is a great premise for a psychological thriller and there are parts of the novel that certainly live up to expectations. The beginning is a real hook as you wonder what on earth could have happened and who has caused it, and those opening scenes come to mind throughout the rest of the book, as you begin to piece things together. The ending is great too, a real shocker and very cleverly done.

However, I did find it quite a struggle to get to the end and to that clever conclusion. For me, the pace was too slow, there were too many flashbacks, and the situation with Corrine just didn’t feel realistic. She’s a child, and yet the adults responsible for her seem to allow her to get away with anything and everything. Abi is an intelligent, successful and supposedly caring mother but her reactions don’t fit in with this, and there doesn’t seem to be a valid reason for her to be such a wimp when it comes to her family.

I was really frustrated too that no one, including the school, seemed interested in finding out what had happened to Beth – the bullying she endured was horrendous but neither of her parents, or the head teacher, seemed interested in getting to the bottom of it.

Nobody was likeable either, and it is hard to read a novel where you don’t really care what happens to anyone.

So this didn’t live up to its promise for me, I’m afraid.

This was the first book I'd read by Karen Perry and it won't be the last. When Abi and Mark agree to take in an exchange student they think it will be good for their daughter Beth. Quiet and withdrawn, the opposite of their other daughter, they think that the exchange student will help bring her out of herself, but they are not prepared for what happens.
This was a good domestic noir with all the mystery and intrigue that you hope for. The story is a slow burner that gradually drags you in until you can't stop turning the pages. It has a great cast of characters, but none of them are particularly likeable yet lots elicit empathy from the reader.
A great read.

A good, tense read that really keeps you on the edge of your seat. I enjoyed it and the twists and turns. Good characters too.

I don’t want to give too much away as other reviewers have covered the storyline but if you like thrillers and twisted suspense, then this book is a must purchase. I’d love to see this book as a film it would be magnificent on the big screen. I could not put this book down, and sat up till 4am to finish it. What a flipping good read !!

Thank you for providing me with an advance review copy of this book. Enjoyed reading, would recommend....

This book kept me riveted and entertained from beginning to end. There were twists and turns galore, and just as you thought you have figured it out, the author surprised you again. Will read this author's work again.

A great read, dark, twisty. Overall everything you would want from a thriller. 5 well deserved stars.

A brilliant, fast paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns. The story kept me guessing and had some fantastic characters.

Stranger is a phenomenal thriller from start to finish. Filled to the brim with twists and a captivating plot, this one is sure to keep readers hooked. The characters are well-developed. The story is incredibly fast-paced. This is one not to be missed! Highly recommended!

Great plot to get yourself lost in. This book has everything. A real fast paced thriller. Will get your heart racing on more than one occasion. Very well written. Highly recommend this book

Loved it, really good fast paced thriller full of twists and turns and had me racing through it to get to the end!! Will look out for more from the author…

This was a good book with lots of twists and turns throughout. It will keep you guessing. This book is definitely worth a read.

French exchange student comes to stay with a family in Dublin. They seem a normal, run of the mill sort of family but they all have secrets, secrets which Corrine is very good at extracting! After, it has to be said, a very slow start it does improve and becomes intriguing. Sadly the family members don’t get any better the more you read. Actually none of the characters are nice but selfish and deeply unpleasant. There’s not one that you could say you were on their side. Definitely worth a look if you can get past the snails pace at the beginning.

My first book, that I have read by this author, absolutely brilliant! Highly recommended, and I will definitely read others written by this author!

Page turning domestic bete noir . Abi is worried about her daughter Beth who seems to have turned in on herself and is lacking friends .Corrine, a French exchange student comes to stay during the Easter holidays and Abi is relieved that at last Beth seems to have a friend -or does she .Many plot twists and turns lend themselves to this psychological thriller . Ending is not one I saw coming

Having read what the story was about, I was quite excited to receive this as an ARC.

Unfortunately, the characters ruined the story for me, I just couldn’t connect with them.

It started off well, although it did drag a little. Quite a disappointing read for me.