Terrifyingly brilliant! From the first paragraph I was gripped, i felt my breathing become shallow with the fear of what was to come, instinctively knowing this was going to be a rollercoaster of a read. Martin Griffin has a real gift to ratchet up the fear, give a brief respite and then turn the screw of dread even tighter. The ending??? I can’t say anymore but you just have to keep on reading. Do not start this book if you have any urgent tasks to complete because this is one book you will NOT be able to put down.

What a story; this has everything. It’s creepy, atmospheric and packed with tension. At times, it’s so intense I found I was holding my breath.

It’s a very clever but simple premise. A different take on the locked room theme with a puzzle about identity. In essence, a night manager at a remote highland hotel, on her last shift before leaving for South America, lets a stranger into the place in the middle of a storm. He claims to be a police officer involved in an accident whilst transporting a prisoner from a nearby prison. There are two guests in the hotel? Are they who they claim to be. The police officer takes the hotel keys and gun room keys ( it’s a hunting lodge) and whilst he’s looking around there’s another knock on the door and guess what. It’s Groundhog Day when a stranger rocks up saying he’s a police officer involved in an RTA whilst on escort duty. It’s doppelgänger time and with both men being utterly convincing, which one is to be trusted as the imposter is the escaped prisoner, a killer, And just to mash it up a bit, he’s also been involved with the night managers late brother who was murdered in the prison whilst serving time.

This plot is incredibly clever. There are so many twists and turns as the night goes on and the characters are convincing. Rene, the night manager has an interesting back story which develops a little with each chapter. The setting is compelling and later in the night when there’s a further disaster, the sense of isolation is really intense. Martin Griffith has done an outstanding job of creating the perfectly pitched psychological thriller. I was sorry when this ended and keen to see more from this author. The narrator’s accent didn’t quite work for me. But it didn’t put me off a truly gripping listen that I romped through.

My thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.

The Second Stranger is a gripping psychological thriller set in the Scottish Highlands during storm Ezra.

Remie is about to leave her job at the Mackinnon Hotel to go travelling. There are only two guests staying and all other members of staff have left for the night when a man arrives asking for help after a car accident. He claims to be a police officer who was assisting n the transportation of a dangerous criminal from a nearby prison. When another man arrives claiming to be the same police officer Remie doesn’t know who to believe.

I enjoyed this book and thought the setting and premise was quite original. I did feel it was overlong which detracted from the tension that usually builds in novels of this genre.

I don’t know why, but this book just didn’t grab me. I’d find my attention wandered listening to the audiobook, and I’d have to go back until I found something sounding familiar. I even tried going right back to the beginning 4 or 5 times. The story didn’t do much for me, I didn’t take to the narrator’s voices, and overall I was just grateful to finally finish. I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

****SIMPLY PHENOMENAL*****
What a brilliant book...
- A great wicked plot! What a brilliant story and so original! Two men claiming to be a police officer seeking refuge from the stormy weather outside.
- A great scenery: it is set in the amazing Scottish Highlands and the author makes the location very picturesque indeed! I want to go there (with no storm and villain of course ;))
- Great characters limited to a small number so you get to know them all... and suspect them all also!!!

All in all, an amazing plot, really original storyline with a brilliant narration! This book is pretty outstanding. Furthermore, as it is but coupled with a skilful narrator, the book takes a total new dimension which only enhances the experience.

This is without a doubt one of my favourite reads/narrated book this year, simply phenomenal!!!!!

Remi York, night manager at a hotel in the Scottish Highlands, is on her last shift before she leaves for a new life in Chile. There's a storm heading towards the hotel but that shouldn't be a problem as it's the end of the season, all the other staff have left and there are only two remaining guests. Problems begin when an injured stranger knocks at the door of the hotel. He's a police officer, Don Gaines, part of a group who were transporting a dangerous prisoner when their vehicle crashed and the prisoner escaped. Remi tends his wounds and helps him to check out the security in the hotel in case the prisoner heads their way. Things become complicated when a few hours later another stranger turns up claiming to be Don Gaines.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The pace was a little bit slow to begin with as the scene was set; an isolated hotel at the end of the season and an approaching storm. The hotel and grounds are vast, giving lots of places for people to hide. The approaching storm makes communication with the outside world impossible and travel difficult. Once the first stranger turns up the pace does not let up for the remainder of the story and you are on edge wondering if Remi will be able to figure out who is genuine.

A very small cast of characters meant it was easy to keep track of who was who. Both strangers are entirely plausible as the police officer so you fully sympathise with Remi's predicament. The only support she has is one of the remaining guests, Jai. As the story progressed you even begin to doubt Jai as he admits to having a secret.

Every so often we hear about Remi's background and how she ended up working at the hotel. Her wayward younger brother got mixed up with criminals and ended up in the nearby prison where he was murdered. To add another complication to the mix, the escaped prisoner was responsible for the murder.

As the tension increases and time starts running out you wonder how, or even if, Remi will survive.

Dark, creepy and beautifully written. I thought the narrator was fantastic, did all the different voices really well.

Narration of this book was so good, brought the book alive for me and I easily followed the storyline. Listening to spoken word is one way I get through mundane tasks and as such I am prepared at times, to put up with a poor storyline. However, in this case I thoroughly enjoyed the tale and found myself choosing to do some simple tasks so that I could justify listening to more!

First of all I really enjoyed this audio book! It was so good, had me guessing most of the book. I find it has atmosphere, a few twists and turns.
I love the back story with Remie and her brother I found it sad too but that’s what makes a great book! Provoking real emotion’s.
I would rate this 4..5 out of 5 stars. Really great crime mystery.

This story mainly unravels over the course of one tense night. A large part of this centring around who is who and who can you trust. Flash backs to the past build up a picture of Remie's past and how she has come to be where she is. These flashbacks cleverly also interconnect with the story being told in the present. A few very surprise twists to the story that I enjoyed. The narration was done very well, and I found the narrator's voice easy to listen to.
I shall be looking out for more written by this author

This is a clever and intense thriller and a great audiobook to keep you entertained this winter! I absolutely loved the setting. A remote Scottish hotel, snowed in and an escaped prisoner. Remie is an employee at the hotel and has one more shift to work. She is the last employee at the hotel when a snowstorm hits and the phone lines go down. Enter PC Don Gaines One at the hotel when suddenly we have a second arrival - who claims he is also PC Don Gaines! But which one is the real PC Don Gaines? This is a great plot, full of danger and thrills. Narrated by Tamsin Rennard who delivers heaps of excitement and tense moments in spades and keeps the tense momentum up! Thank you Hachette Audio Uk and Netgalley.

This is one of my FAVORITE books of the year.
An utterly incredible, fast paced thriller written in such a way that you FEEL the atmospheric tension.
A fantastic lead character and what a story. I challenge anyone to guess the massive twists because, to an avid crime thriller reader like me I was stumped completely and got such a goosebumps moment in the reveal that I will never forget this book.
I’m a massive fan of the late Mo Hayder who, in my eyes, was/ is a genius in the genre, Peter James and Paul Finch, to name a few, The Second Stranger fits right in with the best of the aforementioned authors.
I’m definitely a fan of Martin Griffin if he can maintain such storytelling excellence (no pressure).
I must add, as we all face daily distractions, the reading of this book was interrupted by certain chores, so switching to audio narration proved to be a massive added treat! (I was too immersed in the story to let anything get in the way)
Read by Tamsin Kennard, whom I’d never encountered before, added such a captivating way of portraying the thrilling words that I was totally hooked. Tamsin, you were amazing in your ability to bring the characters to life.
Thank you. I really look forward to another brilliant novel soon.
Side note: On reflection, this IS the best book I have read this year so far.
A winner in every way. 100% recommended and if you only gift yourself one gift this Christmas, let it be to claim your copy with the extra bonus of audio narrative.

Oh my goodness, this story kept me guessing right throughout. When I felt certain I’d identified which stranger was telling the truth something would happen that would make me question it or completely change my mind .., even when the truth was revealed I still didn’t believe it as there had been so many twists & turns I kept second guessing that something else would happen,
Full of suspense, this story kept me hooked from start to finish, so much so I devoured it in two days. The narrator is ok, although her North Eastern accents appear to have come from the ‘Ruth Archer school of Geordie’, as to my Northumbrian ear they sounded unrealistic & generally bad. I’m also confused as to why the main character, born & brought up in the Tyne Valley, is narrated with a strange Northern (Yorks/Lancs/Manc?) rather than the Geordie accent given to her brother. The narrator tells the story well, strange accents aside, and keeps the pace of the book matching the action.
I found myself really rooting for the main character and even shouting out when something happens to her or where she is pitted against the dangerous stranger.
A thoroughly enjoyable listen, suspense, intrigue and a fast-paced ending that keeps the listener involved throughout.
This author is new to me so I wasn’t sure what to expect from this audiobook; however, after listening to it & enjoying the style of writing and storytelling, I will definitely be looking out for more by him in the future.

This book had me second guessing myself all the time. You thought you knew where it was going then it would switch and I had no idea.
The story setting was great and you could envisage it so clear.
The narrator was great and it moved with a great flow,
Definitely a book that should be read or audio version.
Would happily recommend this book. The ending was worth the wait!

In a snowy, remote hotel in the Scottish Highlands with Storm Ezra on the way, Remie is working her last ever shift when she hears news that a prisoner has escaped from the nearby high security prison. There are only two guests in the hotel. Then an injured policeman, Don Gaines, comes to the door asking for assistance. Then another policeman arrives claiming that he is Don Gaines. One of them is a murderer and Remie has to work out who is who!

I enjoyed the first part of the book more than the second part. Once I found out who was who it became less interesting, though I admit I didn't see the twist at the end coming! Also I didn't particularly like Remie at first as some of her decisions were highly questionable, though by the end of the book I was warming to her a little. The setting is fabulous, and I could feel the isolation and sense of danger as the storm approached.

I enjoyed the narration by Tamsin Kennard.

Best audiobook I have listened to in ages. Great narrator and good storyline.

Great twists and turns as you try to work out who is who and why it is happening. Its hard to review without spoiling anything!

I loved the set-up promised by this audiobook - a lone woman enduring her final shift at a remote Highland hotel in the midst of wintry storm Ezra. She anticipates a quiet night with only 2 residents. Imagine her surprise/horror when 2 separate visitors unexpectedly arrive, both claiming to be the same police officer, one is an imposter whose actual identity is a dangerous felon, and escapee from a prison transport heist! Yikes! Will she make it out alive?! Which 'visitor is genuine and who is the imposter?! I had no clue, but all is gloriously and tantalisingly revealed!

This novel is definitely one for readers/listeners who like a good game of cat and mouse! I feel it can be difficult for an author to hold a reader/listeners interest when writing a book where the timeline is so short in real time, however I felt the author navigates this well by having snippets of the protagonists' backstory, (her brother died at the prison located close to the hotel). The author makes it clear the protagonist REALLY wants to leave as soon as she can - I couldn't stop listening to find out why? While at times I cant deny my attention did wander, overall I felt this was a decent audiobook, and very well narrated.

My thanks to netGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

A nail-biting thriller with some superb twists in plot. Set against the backdrop of a snow storm in an isolated hotel this makes a great winter read. The protagonist is working her last evening at the hotel where only a couple of guests reside before she is due to jet off. Soon, a stranger appears, claiming to be a police officer, who has survived an accident but lost the dangerous prisoner he was accompanying. Before long, a second stranger appears claiming to be the same officer and giving the same story. Thus begins a cat and mouse chase through hazardous conditions. Who do we believe and trust? Which is.the dangerous party? A well narrated and pacy audiobook that keeps you on edge throughout. #thesecondstranger #martingriffin #netgalley

The Second Stranger tells the story of Remie Yorke, an employee at the remote Mackinnon Hotel, who is working her final shift before jetting off to South America. Storm Ezra hits and Remie is faced with an injured police officer at the door, telling of an nearby accident and warning of an escaped prisoner from the nearby jail. Then, a second stranger arrives, claiming to be the same police officer and warning of the same deadly prisoner. Remie has to work out which one is the real police officer and which one is the escapee.

I loved the setting on this book; the remote Scottish highlands make for a perfect backdrop to this story. I found myself completely able to picture the unforgiving terrain and the biting cold, with the hotel the only source of warmth. The characters were well written and I found that I went back and forth so many times, not knowing who to believe .

The story was full of twists and turns and it kept me gripped right to the very end.

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

A fabulously exciting story from the very start to the end. One of those delicious books that keeps you asking yourself what you would do in that situation. With no suitable answer. I enjoyed the thrills and look forward to more from Martin Griffin as this was my first read of his.