Wow, I wasn’t expecting this great story when I first started reading this. It is one of my first (sports) thrillers, there is enough sport related content in this.
Hats off to Molly for handling the training, and dealing with the stalker problem. It’s hard work just the training itself, I was constantly routing for Molly.
There are a few juicy surprises, which did make me think, no way!
The author is fantastic, you are instantly hooked to the story, the writing is really great to read.
I will be reading more of this author.

What a wonderfully addictive psychological Thriller this was. It was tense and I changed my mind as to who the threats were coming from almost as often as Molly did.

Following Molly as she battles many things in order to try to meet the Olympics qualifying time, after recovering from a horrific injury, is astonishing.

We get chapters for each mile of the marathon and I was cheering her on, while also enjoying the alternating chapters giving us the timeline for the London marathon run up and just what is leading to her paranoia come race day.

I was hooked and was regretting not being able to read this in longer stints as I needed to know what would happen next.

Despite being in front of the World in the elite women's race, it felt rather claustrophobic during the story while everyone becomes a suspect.

It's a unique concept and one I was definitely invested in. I loved every step of this book. It's brilliant,

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

You are training for a marathon after an injury, but you are also being stalked … what a terrifying concept. Along the way you feel as though she is seeing things (or her imagination is getting the better of her), what is real and what is not? Will she make it through the marathon? Or will the person watching her get to her before she can finish?

This book has such a clever and original plot, I found the narrative fast-paced and it was an enthralling read. I was instantly pulled into this exceptional, dark, and tense story. With all the breathtaking twists and turns, I found myself struggling to trust the motives of multiple characters. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this suspenseful thriller!

I didn't so much read, as inhale, this beyond-gripping novel from M A Hunter!! This book will have me glued to the London marathon this year - if only to see if the elite runners really DO take telephone calls and chat amongst themselves when they run!

The storyline focuses on the stalking of an elite runner, Mollie. A past timeline follows Mollie, having recently left her rural Scottish life to chase her olympic dream in London. The one thing standing between Mollie and the realisation of her dream of competing for team GB in the Paris Olympics is the strict time she needs to complete the London marathon in, which sees Mollie need to achieve an all time PB. Unfortunately for Mollie, she finds herself the recipient of some unwanted online attention as her precarious financial situation means that she has to endorse products until she (hopefully) hits the big time. This comes to a climax during the all-important London marathon, where through her mobile phone and smart watch, Mollie receives threats to her life in real time..

I can not stress enough just HOW GOOD this novel is!! Im actually jealous of anyone who hasn't yet read this, as I wish I could inhale it for the first time all over again!! 100+% recommend.

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

I love M.A. Hunters writing and willing to create compelling characters. After reading, Adrift by the same author, I figured that it would be the person that you would least expect. I had a suspicion about 75% in and I was right with who did it. But I am happy that it was who I thought it was. Even if I didn’t agree with why she did it.

Psychological thrillers aren’t my favorite genre but I will say that I keep reading them because you have authors like M.A. Hunter that make psychological thrillers interesting.

Every Step is the third book I've read by Hunter that I've thoroughly enjoyed.

I don't think I've ever read a book that's main setting is at the London Marathon, so it was a surprisingly refreshing change of scenery.

The plot was as fast paced as a marathon - each chapter tells us how far Molly has run - and throughout my nerves were at an all time high, as we raced to the end to catch Molly's stalker.

It's tense, twisty and a thrill a minute!

I really enjoyed it and look forward to more from Hunter in the future.

Every Step You Take by M A Hunter was an excellent book. It was a book, once I started to read it I found it hard to put it down, before I knew it the sun was coming up and the birds outside my window were singing. It is full of twists and turns that will make you wanting more.

Run for your life..........This year's London Marathon is my last chance to win the final place on the Olympic team. The months of rehabilitation after my injury will feel worth it to cross that line.

But I wasn't expecting the man who's been making my life a living hell to be there. Last I knew, my stalker was behind bars, but he says he's going to be at the race watching.

I have 26 miles to figure out whether it's him, and what he wants, or I could lose more than just the race.

WoW this was so good a great holiday read. I highly recommend Every Step you take

5 star book.

Big Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and M.A. Hunter for my ARC of Every Step You Take.

I have read most of M A Hunters books and get excited everytime a new one comes out o think this is one of my favourites in terms of suspense and you really feel like you are there running the marathon in Mollys head not knowing whats going on or who you can trust and the chapters into the past and what went on really build that story.

Jesus H Christ!! This book, I was completely on edge reading this, I didn’t know how it would turn out! The inclusion of the miles really added to the anticipation and waiting to see who would be at the rest table.

At some points, I thought Molly was a fantasist and was imagining some characters such as Zara. The different timelines added to my initial thoughts, these also added to the intensity of the race as it builds.

Towards the end, I did guess who was behind it, but not the hows and whys, but this added to my enjoyment as I raced 😏 to get to the end.

This author really can do no wrong, twist upon twists and turn, this and his other books need to be on your TBR.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'Every Step You Take' by M.A Hunter

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for M. A Hunter, Boldwood Books, Bold Book Club, Book And Tonic and Rachel's Random resources Tours.

Publication date 28th March 2024

This is the second book I have read by this author. I have also read 'Adrift' which I would also highly recommend!!

This novel consists of 52 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is an extremely well written book by this amazing author which had me hook line and sinker!!! It is so smoothly and exceptionally well written with vivid descriptions I completely forgot I was even reading a book a few times. The blurb, title and cover really fit the storyline. Hunter has created an absolutely explosive and addictive storyline that had me hooked from the gripping first chapter to the absolutely shocking ending!!! The storyline was unique to me as I have never read a book where the main character is a runner especially with one that is training for the Olympics so a huge well done to Hunter immediately for coming up with a unique storyline! i have read hundreds of books so it is harder and harder to find one with a different storyline to many others but Hunter managed it with this one. In this book we meet Molly who dreams of competing for her country at the Olympics. In order for Molly to do this she needs to complete the London Marathon. However, after a series of injuries she is not in best physical condition although her coach believes in her. It isn't just her physical health that has taken a battering though but her mental health has taken one after anonymous phone calls and an unexpected gift of her mothers favourite flowers turning up with a note stating the sender is behind her all the way. Molly is convinced it her previous stalker Otto but the police insist that Otto is still locked away safely in a German prison after stalking her and other women. Has Otto managed to escape or has he sent someone to terrify her in his place? Is Molly going to be safe running in the marathon? Will Molly be able to live her dream or is someone going to put an end to it? Well, grab your copy of this gripping page turner today to find out!! The fact that Hunter has done his research clearly shines through the book so a huge well done Hunter!! There is not much worse than when an author does little or even no research into their chosen topic as it then litters the story with unnecessary mistakes and can destroy what could otherwise be an excellent read but Hunter has avoided this by doing plenty of research. I love the fact that he has written it with multiple timelines with the reader discovering what happened in Molly's past as well as running along with her in the race. Hunter has woven the chapters in different timelines together perfectly and smoothly ensuring the reader knows just enough information that he wants them to know without giving anything away until he is ready to. His evocative writing skills ensures that the reader feels that they are running the marathon along with Molly with their heart race picking up, not only due to the running pace but also with the fear and anxiety that Molly is feeling throughout the storyline. I found it to be scarily realistic, very fast paced and I read it in just several hours!!!Its so hard to NOT say anything more about the storyline as it will give too much away and spoil it for future readers but it definitely left me speechless!!! I have read hundreds of psychological books and it gets harder and harder to keep my interest and to shock me but these fantastic authors managed it hook, line and sinker Just brilliant fair play and all links in and wraps up perfectly!!! MA Hunter leads the readers up to some extremely explosive twists that I would never have seen coming. I cannot remember the last time I flew through a book so quickly. Each and every time I went to put it down to do something my fingers were itching to pick it back up as I just HAD to know what happened next!! MA's evocative writing skills ensure you are sucked deep into the storyline seeing everything that is happening and feeling the tension, stress and suspense that Molly is going through. My heart was in my throat throughout reading this fast paced, gripping and gritty psychological thriller! I can't say more than that as I don't want to spoil it for future readers so if you want to know you'll have to grab yourself a copy!! You won't regret it!!

Just like with the storyline the characters come to life with Hunter's fantastic writing skills. They are well rounded, realistic and strong making them all the more believable. It is going to be extremely hard for me to say too much about the characters as I really don't want to give too much away and due to there only being a limited amount of suspects it is way too easy to slip up. All the characters had their own unique personalities. I was kind blown when everything came out.I won't go into more details as I don't want to risk giving anything away but Hunter really has done an exceptional job constructing an addictive and explosive psychological thriller with fantastic and varied characters that you just won't be able to put down!! Regardless of whether you loved or hated them they each worked perfectly together to create this chilling and nail biting action packed thriller that you will not be able to put down!!

Congratulations MA Hunter on yet another explosive success!!! This is the reason you are in my favourite author club!! Here's to many more successes 🥂!!!

Clear your schedules before picking this up as you will not be able to put it down!!! "

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first chapter of Hunter's 'Adrift' which I have actually read myself and would highly recommend!!!

Overall an absolutely page turning, addictive, gripping and explosive must read that will keep you addicted from the very start to the fantastic ending!!!

338 pages.

This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon, free with kindle unlimited and £9.99 in paperback at time of review which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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What an intriguing plot with a runner being stalked during the London Marathon.

Told in past and present, the story is centered around Molly Fitzhume, an almost Bronze medalist at 2021’s Olympic Games in Tokyo. She is rehabilitating from an injury and a horrible scare and hopes to place in the London Marathon to go for the gold in Paris. Unfortunately, her past rears its ugly head when she starts getting signs that her stalker is back, but he’s in prison. So, who is determined to destroy her?

The London Marathon is a race that will make or break Molly’s run for the Olympics, and time and people are working against her. Molly’s tension and fear slowly increase as she races towards the finish line with a potential killer on her tail. I’m impressed with Molly’s stamina and dexterity in talking on the phone, avoiding several mishaps, and keeping her sanity while running in a race. It’s a miracle she makes it as far as she does.

One can’t help but root for Molly as she works so hard to be the best she can be. That mindset and her exceptional bravery keep her going. However, it was frustrating that many of her friends and supporters didn’t believe her at first due to her past paranoia.

In typical psychological thriller fashion, there are several suspects to choose from and a gripping build to the ultimate reveal.

If you’re looking for a story that will keep you hooked until the end, you should read this book.

Thank you to Ms. Hunter for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

A 26 mile marathon had me intrigued how on earth this story would pace (pardon the pun) itself and be the thriller it claims.

I actually felt like I was running the marathon along side Molly and feeling the tension and stresses of her stalker playing mind games with her. The frantic phone calls to her contact at the police, the creepy mechanical laughing on the other line to the photos of her during the race - how could her stalker be doing all this from behind bars??

Molly so thinks that he has help on the outside and starts to doubt her teammates only who is in cahoots with her stalker? The threats to her and the other runners are getting more intense the more miles she run, Can she find out who it is before it’s too late?

This was one of those intense reads that had you guessing the wrong person was behind it all until the last minute and I love it!

Molly has a dream, a dream of competing for her country at the Olympics. All that stands between her and heading to Paris 2024 is qualification which means running the London Marathon. She’s been hit by injury after injury so her physical preparation hasn’t been the ideal but her (rather attractive) coach believes she can do it.

But marathon training isn’t just about being in peak physical fitness, it’s about having the right mental attitude. Molly’s psyche has taken a battering with a stalker … a stalker who is incarcerated a stalker who has reappeared in her life on the morning of the race. Talk about knocking your focus.

Chapter by chapter, I’m running around London with Molly doing the famous 26.2 miles. But then Hunter will leave me on a cliffhanger and drag me back to the months leading up to the big day, to events that rocked Molly’s psyche and disrupted her preparation. Despite trying to piece together the who from the clues in the past, I was desperate to get back to my cliffhanger!

I raced through Every Step You Take, glued to my kindle. Unlike Molly, I wasn’t running a marathon – it felt like the 110 metre hurdles with some smooth running before having to leap over the obstacles in my way whilst trying to work out who was tormenting Molly. And oooooffff what a climax!!!! It’s a stonking read from Hunter, thankfully it’s not put me off my own running but I won’t be entering a marathon anytime soon 😂

A fast read that kept me riveted. You could feel the dread and paranoia through the pages. A marathon runner contends with a stalker while trying to qualify for the Olympics. One last marathon…will she make it?

Thank you Netgalley for this arc

Thoroughly enjoyed this suspenseful book. It was dark and quite chilling at times and an incredibly clever story. Highly recommended xx

Every Step You Take by M.A. Hunter

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Run for your life... This year's London Marathon is my last chance to win the final place on the Olympic team. The months of rehabilitation after my injury will feel worth it to cross that line.

But I wasn't expecting the man who's been making my life a living hell to be there. Last I knew, my stalker was behind bars, but he says he's going to be at the race watching.

I have 26 miles to figure out whether it's him, and what he wants, or I could lose more than just the race.

A taut psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Teresa Driscoll, TM Logan and Daniel Hirst.

My Opinion

This book took me a while to read, it wasn't that I didn't enjoy it, but after my last M.A. Hunter book I really felt that this book deserved being read slowly. I have never really thought about what it takes to run a marathon, but this book is definitely packed with details about training and how gruelling the race actually is. Molly is trying to qualify for the Olympics in Paris and the majority of this book takes place as she runs the 26.2 miles of the London Marathon, but there are also flashbacks explaining the stalker situation.

Whilst reading this you will easily feel the tension, and in places I actually felt like I was the one being watched. If you are looking for a psychological thriller I would recommend giving this a read.

Rating 4/5

This is a well-crafted psychological thriller with twists and turns towards it’s conclusion.
Molly has been training trying to qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024. During this time she has thwarted the attempts of a stalker, who is now in jail and has also recently overcome a back injury.
The London Marathon is the last chance Molly will have to qualify for the GB team and attain her dreams of being at the Paris Olympics.
The novel is set in 2 different timelines which are clearly defined and easy to follow.
The plot was good and mostly enjoyable with a very classic crime thriller theme.
There was a menacing undercurrent running through the book. The mile by mile London Marathon setting added to the atmosphere. I really felt for Molly has her body started to break down, whilst at the same time her mind was dealing with messages and threats from an unknown source.
The characters were interesting, well developed and richly drawn in this intriguing and original novel.
Even though the plot is a little implausible, the constant messaging, phone calls etc, it’s so well written and well executed that it gripped me and I really needed to know what was happening.
Extremely entertaining it kept me turning pages way past bedtime.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

When I first started reading this, I couldn't figure out how a book that takes place almost entirely during a marathon could hold my attention, but amazingly, M. A. Hunter maintains the tension throughout. Imagine running to achieve your lifelong goal of qualifying for the Olympics, but there's a stalker who ramps up his efforts on race day! I didn't know whether to root for Molly or to shout at her to cut her losses and quit the race.

And right along with Molly, I suspected everyone in the book.

The only thing I found a little jarring was that Molly was able to take calls, make calls, take screenshots, and text from her phone and watch during the race of her life. But it definitely added to the critical scenes and the sense of nearness of her stalker.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this suspenseful thriller!

This book was very intense and very readable. I could feel the tension coming off the pages in waves as I read it. A really great thriller. I could feel the main characters pain. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.