Member Reviews
Thanks to Netgalley for my copy. 3.5*
Derek is a loner who lives with his Mother. He owns a security installation company and chooses his clients carefully. The clients unwittingly become part of his family as he spends his nights watching them through their cctv. Things start to unravel for Derek when several of his clients become victims of crime.
This was a realistic and tense thriller with creepy undertones. With the stalker becoming the stalked and the portrayal of the Dark Web was interesting and all too real in this present era.
Derek Flint is a sad, friendless man who still lives with his mother and has a small company installing CCTV for customers - is he a criminal? a peeping Tom? someone who just wants to look out for others? This is a definite page turner which is darker than you might expect.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Lisa Stone/Avon Books for a digital copy of this book All opinions expressed are my own.
For anyone who isn't aware by now the wonderful Cathy Glass, who writes the heartbreaking true stories of her time as a foster carer, now also writes under the pen name Lisa Stone. I have to say having now read both of her books in the psychological thrillers genre, she is really making a name for herself and proves that she writes just as well in fiction.
As soon as we meet Derek, we know that something isn't quite right. Someone offering and fitting home security services, you would expect them to be someone you can trust. When all becomes clear of what he gets up to, I was shocked and horrified. If anything it puts me off ever having security cameras in the home!
In a way I did feel quite sorry for him at times as he still lives with an over bearing mother who certainly wears the trousers in their home and constantly nags and chastises him.
The story flicks between Derek and Beth who is looking into numerous break ins in the area. Like her I was quite baffled how homes and businesses that had just spent money on upgrading or getting brand new security systems were then still getting broke into.
The story gets darker and more gripping the further we get into it until its very much a race against time to solve it. I was pretty much on the edge of my seat waiting to see how it was all going to end and I wasn't disappointed.
Stalker is a page turner of a read that had me hooked through out. In fact I read it in one afternoon as I didn't want to put it down. Another great read from the new queen of psychological thrillers.
I was supposed to be busy – too busy to read this book, but it would not let me go. Just another page, another chapter … oops, book read and no work done.
The story was enthralling – literally enthralling! It has been quite a while since I was this obsessed with getting to the end of a book. I can’t put my finger on it – the story-line is good: serial (seemingly unconnected) crime events in a small town; realistic police procedures leading to initial incorrect assumptions of guilt; more focussed police work – nothing so far really out of the ordinary.
But then comes the central character, Derek Flint. One of life’s great losers and forgotten men. He fits the profile of many a serial killer / psychopath – no friends, lives with his embittered mother, sits in front of a computer all night … in short, not someone you would ever feel sympathy for – or even remember if you met him. In your first introduction to him, you have him pegged as the evil perpetrator – and just wonder how long the police will take to bring him to justice.
Derek runs a moderately successful Home Security company – by himself, with an occasional poorly paid apprentice – and knows the potential flaws of his clients’ security issues inside out. Who better to plan robberies and arrange abductions? It is all so obvious, that you know (as a seasoned reader of crime novels) you must have the wrong end of the stick. Derek is conscientious, polite, always punctual (clearly a sociopath!) – but actually, genuinely cares about the welfare of his clients, and does everything he possibly can to keep them safe.
And that is where he starts to get a bit creepy. He sees his clients as part of his family, and spends every evening with them all, watching their every move, listening to them talk … via the security cameras and microphones that he has installed in their homes and businesses.
Deep down, he knows what he is doing is wrong, but he justifies it as giving each client that added extra protection that only 24-hour surveillance can bring. And in this current crime wave, that is definitely what they need. However, Derek’s warning emails and texts don’t just stick to crimes against property, he also flexes his moral compass – with some quite unforeseen consequences.
I really liked the character of Derek, and so much wanted him to come clean to the police, and to his clients – before it was too late. He appears more and more to be one of the (really) good guys, but there is always a sneaking suspicion, that the stress he is put under will drive him to the dark side.
Some of the twists you can see coming – but that in no way detracts from the enjoyment of the book. Other twists are clean out of the blue. It is very difficult to review this book in a way that will bring it all the readers that it so deserves. But you just need to start it – and the book will take over from then.
I can recommend this book very, very highly.
Thank you to Negallery and the author for a copy of this book.
I was excited about this story and the idea that someone was watching through your cctv system, a really creepy thriller. I was disappointed. By the 50% mark it was becoming quite a chore to read. The ‘twist’ is completely transparent and there is chapter after chapter filled with unnecessary packing.
Completely forgettable I’m afraid 😟
I love all the Cathy glass books so was looking forward to reading thIs. I wasn’t sure what to expect as it is such a vastly different genre from her usual books but I wasn’t disappointed. I thought it was a fantastic read, hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down. The story around the dark web and voyeurism is unfortunately all too real in this day and age and shows what a scary place the world is today. I have already downloaded her other book called the darkness within and can’t wait to read it!!!
I liked the sound of this book and was looking forward to reading it but I'm afraid overall I was a little disappointed. It was good in parts but I managed to guess the general outcome. Unfortunately at times the writing came across as slightly formal.
Derek owns a home security business installing alarms and CCTV cameras. He is single and lives with his mother but spends his evenings alone in his room watching the feed from his clients' cameras on his computer screens. He does come across as a bit creepy and obsessed with his clients' lives.
Following a series of break ins and violent attacks the police suspect there is a connection to Derek's business. Is he really capable of these attacks?
Apart from Derek, I found I didn't really get to know the characters and I didn't really 'connect' with anyone enough to care.
I suppose the subject matter is quite topical. There are always stories about how computers can be hacked and we could be being watched through webcams, phones and other devices. The 'dark web' is also touched on in the book. Quite chilling.
It's not a bad story. I see there are other reviewers who love it. I have friends who would like this story. It just isn't for me. I found it slightly predictable. I tend to like books with more layers/sub-plots that eventually link together. Sorry.
Gripping storytelling. What seems to be fairly innocent voyeurism becomes much more dark and threatening when the hacker is hacked by a more sinister force. In reality, this really could happen which makes this book compelling reading. The characters are totally believable and your journey is a rollercoaster right through to the end.
A scary story because it rings true of today's technical possibilities. This could happen! A lonely and 'geeky' man sells CCTV systems and likes to check on his clients to be sure all is well. He. is watching them - but with the best of intentions - until someone beats him at his own game. I enjoyed it but it does make you think about access to computer data. Especially just now when inboxes are full of requests to agree continued access as the law changes. A stalker story for the modern age, I can whole recommend it.
Derek Flint is the kind of man who you can imagine becoming a serial killer. Intensely private with no private life and still living with his mother in his forties. However Derek just wants to look after his 'family', his collection of clients who, unbeknown to them, he watches each night as they go about their daily lives. Has Derek's care become a little too intense? Has he started to hurt his 'family'? Or is someone else using Derek's knowledge for their own gain?
This is a deeply disturbing tale on so many levels, but such an enjoyable read. I was enthralled from the start right to the bitter end
The really good thing about this book is that the author never dwells on the intricacies of cyberspace. The main character, loner Derek Flint is obsessed with watching his security company's customers - without their knowledge. Yes, a voyeur.but in this case not dangerous. He gets tangled up in a local violent crime wave. I will not mention the ending, but suffice it to say the detectives on the case do a good job! I finished the book very quickly which is credit to the style of writing, thank you Lisa Stone.
Firstly thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for this book. I was totally gripped from the first page and couldnt put it down. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
This book was really good, much better than it sounded.It had lots going on, the main character was not likable but wasn't meant to be, but he was strangely captivating.The book kept me page turning or as I read it on my kindle page tapping,and I stayed up way too late as I kept wanting to read another chapter, it didn't take me long to read at all and I thoroughly enjoyed it.I was also slightly horrified to say the least but cannot reveal why as I don't want to do any spoilers but it certainly makes you wonder.Sorry to be so cryptic but you really have to read the book and I might make more sense then...Thanks to the publishers and netgalley for an ARC,and I look forward to reading more by this author.
I raced through this book, sure a simple yet scary and all too real concept.
Derek Flint takes his job as a CCTV security fitter seriously, maybe too seriously. His customers are unaware that he uses the CCTV to spy on them. When seemingly unconnected crimes start occurring, the police discover there is a link - all the victims have had their security systems fitted by Derek.
Derek maintains his innocence, he was only trying to look out for his customers and keep them safe, so is there something more sinister happening?
This was really fast paced and despite lots of victims to keep track of the author made it effortless. Thoroughly enjoyed this different style of thriller.
Thank you to Net galley for the opportunity to review this book - this is my honest opinion.
I really enjoyed this book.
Cathy Glass writing as Lisa Stone, I really didn't know what to expect I have read many of Cathy's books and this is so different but really good story.
It was gripping from the start. A thriller that I found hard to put down to put down. This is my first book from this author under this name so I will be checking out her other one soon.
Kathy Glass writing as Lisa Stone. If Icould have given more than 5 stars I certainly would have. Hooked from the onset I found this difficult to put down. A completely gripping thriller which I highly recommend. #NetGalley #Stalker
This was an engrossing read. It delved into a murky, creepy world that sounds all too plausible. It leaves you a little weirded out (in a good way!) to think that the things we think keep us safe could actually leave us vulnerable. It's the type of book that you find you can't put down because you just want to know what will happen next!
Reading this book gave me chills as I sat in my living room and looked at my security system camera which I never really thought about. This is a quote "Security cameras are there to keep us safe, right?" This book gave me a birdseye view of what can be done with computers, security systems and phones among other things. Derek is a lonely man who installs security systems
He watches his clients from home but will be go too far? Crimes, assaults and rapes have been committed. This psychological thriller will have you on the edge of your seat. You may never look at your security the same ever again. There is another world in cyberspace and it's scary I received this book from Net Galley for a honest review.
Stalker was far better than I thought it would be when I downloaded it. The story is set in London and is not your typical Stalker case. It follows a security man whose clients are broken into or attacked when his information is hacked. The ending was perfectly fitting and left you feeling good about the story. I would recommend this book to friends.
Derek Flint is a loner who lives with his mother, has no friends to speak of and spends his leisure time watching his clients, creepy, yes you would think so, he installs CCTV for a living but is very picky with his choice of clients, he feels he is their protector but things take a turn for the worse when so many of his clients are targeted, this book is full of twists and turns, will Derek be found out!!! It touches on the dark web which lets be honest, we all know exists but what else do we know....... I enjoyed Lisa's approach to highlight this issue, the dangers of online presence, are you ever 100% safe?? For those who love a psychological creepy read, this is the one for you.
Many thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley for an advanced copy in return for my honest opinion.