Well. What can I say about this book? If there is one thing I have come to rely upon when reading a book by KL Slater, it is that I am going to be taken on quite a journey, full of twists and surprises and edged with tension and suspense. When I started reading The Visitor I had high hopes and I was delighted to find that I was offered all of the above and more.

Now it is very hard to expand upon what is given in the blurb as I think to do so would risk spoilers. In very basic terms Holly has recently moved back to her home town, offered board and, in a way, sanctuary by Cora Barrett, a woman she meets in town when she is down on her luck and looking for a new start. Her new landlady is nice, but somewhat lonely, but to Holly she is a lifeline. It is clear from the start that Holly is hiding something and that her past has been far from a bed of roses, but as to what has brought her home and what her secret may be, you will need to read the book to find out. 

Holly is an intriguing character and one who I was never quite sure what to make of. You do learn a lot about her and her story, from childhood to the time after she leaves her parents home is quite traumatic and toe curling, but not told in an overly gratuitous way. As an outsider looking in, it is apparent where her path is leading her, however you are powerless to stop it and often I found myself cursing Holly's naivety. She is a character I did feel some sympathy for but perhaps only in a measure way as I was never quite sure.

Cora is the exact opposite of Holly. Where Holly is reticent, Cora is open and giving. And yet KL Slater has added a touch of uncertainty to the way in which the character is portrayed which you need to read to understand. It's actually quite effective in creating more suspense within and already twisty story. The final character, and the third voice in the multi voice narration style, is Holly and Cora's neighbour David. Now he is what his neighbours would, and do, describe as odd. A grown man still living with his mother, nothing unusual in that these days you might argue, there is just something about him, about his obsession with what happens in the street and in particular with Holly that makes you kind of nervous when reading his story. It's not skin crawling nervous, more a kind of ... hesitation perhaps.

The slow build of the story fits the narrative perfectly and as the tale progresses and Holly's past is uncovered, you start to see the subtle signs which you may have missed before. There are no end of characters with seemingly hidden agendas, so much so that at times it is hard to know who, if anyone, you can truly trust, and the facts of that may actually surprise you. All of it builds to one corker of an ending, one which highlights the authors talents for crafting a beautifully effective story. I love her books and can't wait for the next to be announced as each one is a revelation. Brilliant stuff.

The Visitor is a totally compelling and insidiously creepy psychological thriller with an intriguing story-line and a great conclusion.

“Don’t you just wish you could rewind it all and start over again?”

The marvellous K.L. Slater has a gripping and very accessible writing style and I was immediately drawn into this story and curious about what had happened to each of the characters. From early on, it is clear that almost everyone in this story has a difficult and mysterious past or is trying to escape from something.

I do love a story with multiple narrators and that device works really well here. The book is really well plotted and there is a palpable sense of anxiety as the story goes on, as you know that some terrible things are going to be revealed, and you are on tenterhooks throughout while waiting for the full details. I felt, at various times, both sympathetic and frustrated towards the main characters and even the more minor characters had the power to generate really strong emotions.

The twist is great because you don’t really know what it is that you’re waiting for (i.e. it’s not really a ‘whodunit’) so I personally didn’t find it possible to guess how it was all going to end.

This is another great book by K.L. Slater and I am grateful to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of The Visitor.

You know those books that hook you from page one, that instant interest, the feeling that you won’t be able to stop reading until you have all of the answers? Slater writes those type of books, you are well and truly engaged immediately despite having NO idea what will happen next. It’s always unexpected and always entreating! The Visitor is no exception and Slater is definitely on my auto buy authors list, she writes one hell of a psychological thriller.

Holly is the visitor the title alludes to, she moves in with Cora, an older widow who is lonely and likes the idea of a friendly companion. Holly’s past is shrouded in mystery, you know there is something dark and dangerous about her life before but Slater reveals things painstakingly slowly throughout the book. You also hear from David, Cora and Holly’s neighbor and he too is hiding something from Holly. Everybody has secrets in this one and trust me, they are juicy!

This was another page turner, a gripping read as I raced through the pages eager to find out what everyone was hiding. By the time I got to the end I was holding my breath and my jaw dropped to the floor. There were several stunning revelations that left me reeling, it was so well plotted, I’m impressed.

The Visitor in three words: Compulsive, Addictive and Deft.

4.25 Secret filled stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟.25

Holly is escaping from something, but what? David won’t go out at night, but why? Secrets, secrets, and even more secrets..... this was a character driven, slow burning, thrill of a book.....

Holly is running from her past, trying to start a new life, but her past is not done with her.... David is a grown man who likes routine and Rules... he also feels it is his duty to protect himself and the neighborhood.... he is vigilant and keeps constant surveillance....

Holly and David form an unlikely friendship.... Holly needs David to help her figure out who if anybody is watching her.... David is just grateful to have somebody treat him like a human being.... neither Holly or David were terribly likable or relatable, however that did not matter they were so well developed.... also and this is something I always love in books.... they both became much more likable and relatable as the book progressed... as secrets were revealed you became to understand them and their motivations....

The absolute beauty of this book was I thought we were going in a completely different direction then we ended up in.... and at the end I was quite surprised with the outcome.... this book did not put me on the edge of my seat... but I rapidly turned those pages to find out what secret was going to be revealed next..... well paced, because secrets were dropped throughout the book, keeping you wanting more....

Absolutely recommend if you enjoy a slower burning psychological thriller with very well-developed characters....

*** thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book ***

Keep your seatbelts fastened, this roller coaster is about to leave the platform and the ride ahead is filled with twists, turns, shocking revelations and deviously dark secrets. K.L. Slater’s THE VISITOR is a story of secrets, lies and the machinations of twisted minds. Are people really as they seem on the surface? Could evil be hiding behind the face of a seemingly sweet girl who had had a rough life? Could it be hiding behind the troubled man whose focus is on “watching” the world, his neighborhood and the new girl that lives next door? Will his vigilance become his downfall or his time to shine as a hero?

Holly has returned to her hometown in search of a safe haven after finding the world a little too cold, a little too calculating. Her shy manner and her willingness to work for a secret goal make her a very likable character. Her story is one of turmoil. David has mental issues, but he functions well with his medications and routines. Well-intentioned, he is a self-appointed guardian for those around him, even at his job, yet, to those around him, he is at best, a strange duck who has struck up an unlikely friendship with Holly. Who better to watch out for her when her past comes peering from the shadows?

K.L. Slater’s THE VISITOR teems with intrigue as “the rest of the story” remains shrouded in the fog of the unknown until that very last twist around the bend!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Bookouture!

Publisher: Bookouture (March 2, 2018)
Publication Date: March 2, 2018
Genre: Mystery | Suspense
Print Length: 350 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

My review is written with thanks to Kim Nash at Bookouture for my spot on the tour, and Netgalley for my copy of the book.
Holly grew up in Nottingham but moved to Manchester to make a fresh start after a difficult childhood. Ten years later, she is back in Nottingham and living with Cora Barrett on Baker Crescent. It is here that she meets David, a forty year old man who lives with his mum and watches everything that happens on the street. Holly and David strike up a friendship, but Holly is convinced that her past will catch up with her. What is Holly hiding?
KL Slater is brilliant at creating characters, particularly those who might be considered outsiders. From the first page, I was intrigued by David and Holly, never quite able to trust either of them, but not sure why. I was desperate to discover more about them and I was swiping my Kindle at great speed to do so!
The chapters in The Visitor are written from three different perspectives: David, Holly and Cora. In these chapters, each character alludes to the secrets they are keeping from the others, but it is not until much later that the truth is revealed. This created a sense of unease for me as I was reading, and I felt you could cut the tension with a knife. There are also some flashback scenes in the novel, which give the reader some insight into Holly's time in Manchester, and as her memories become clearer, the atmosphere builds and builds!
The tension in The Visitor is so high that the actual plot moves quite slowly, but when it explodes, there is a fantastic twist, and although I saw the twist coming, I did not see it playing out in the way that it did, and my jaw hit the floor as I read the ending!

In "The Visitor" by K.L. Slater we are pulled into the world of David and Holly – both have secrets that they don’t want to share. As we go through their growing friendship we realized nothing is what it seems on the surface.

A book truly deserving of the genre psychological thriller. A real head twister. Told by three narrators - all slightly damaged characters with a secret in their past. The story goes from current day to the past to divulge these secrets - some darker than others. A very clever and satisfying ending I did not see coming.

One word - spectacular! This author gets better and better with every book. This book had me on tenterhooks and there were times I forgot to breathe. The author is adept at creating flawed characters who you root for despite knowing they are not to be trusted. She is a master of creating tense, pacy plots where nothing is as it seems and in this book she has exceeded the high standards she set in her previous books. Brilliant! An amazing, addictive, thrilling, unputdownable, fabulous read.

The Visitor is the fifth book that I have read by K.L. Slater. I enjoyed all her previous titles especially Blink and I am pleased to say that this one didn’t disappoint me either.

The Visitor is a character –driven thriller. It was a bit of a slow burner at first but it is still the kind of book that you pick up and can’t put down again until the last page. From the first chapter, it was clear that everyone was hiding a secret. I was especially intrigued by Holly because there were hints of something dark having happened in her past. I desperately wanted to find out exactly what it was. I also liked all the drama in her present life especially at work. David was another character with an intriguing secret that drove me insane trying to guess. What did David do and why is he the way that he is? This character had me screaming at the book seeking answers. Even the old lady Cora had a secret. I love books about secrets and so this was perfect for me.

I love how Slater narrated this story. She dropped hints that had me, as the reader, more intrigued. She would begin by subtly dropping a clue such as name without giving more details. This would get me turning the pages to find out more. I thought this narrative style was brilliant and it definitely helped in building the suspense. I also enjoyed the creepy, stalker vibe in the story. It felt like there was always someone watching from the shadows. There were also creepy neighbors all around adding to the tension.

There a number of twists and turns that made this a captivating read. The final chapters were so intense with a final twist that provided a brilliant ending. I thought I had figured out everyone and everything but boy, was I wrong! This is the kind of book that you haunts you long after the last page. I still can’t stop thinking about the characters and their secrets.

The Visitor by K. L. Slater is an addictive, suspenseful character-driven thriller about lies, obsession, manipulation and a lot of secrets. This was without a doubt an entertaining, compelling read.

I am a massive fan and always look forward to reading K.L.Slater's novel's and has always doesn't disappoint. She certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start

and keeps you there until the very end.



The story starts off with one intriguing prologue which left me wanting more then before I knew I devoured this book in one day. The Visitor isn't my normal fast paced read it is told at a slower pace building up the characters and suspense. So to start with I wasn't sure where this story was going but crikey it takes a turn that I didn't see coming and soon picks up speed. Portraying a story about....not everyone is who you think they are! Which for me WAS the story of my life....We have all met people in life and they have tuned out to be someone completely different to who we thought they was, so I could totally relate to this. The author has puts a brilliant spin on this situation.



With chapters alternating between David and Holly we follow their story. I always say I loved or liked that character but these characters are hard to talk about without giving the plot away. So I will just say they are interesting and leave it up to you to make your mind up.



The Visitor is an addictive read full of suspense and mystery giving it 4 stars. Safe With Me is still my firm favourite!



Thank you to Kim Nash for inviting me to take part in this fab Blog Blitz

“The people living in the vicinity don’t realise it, but they have their very own guardian angel watching over them every hour of every single day.”

Forty year old David lives with his mother and keeps a close -very close - eye on what’s going on in the neighbourhood. When a young woman called Holly moves in next door, staying with elderly Cora Barrett, it adds a new dimension to David’s restricted life. But both David and Holly - and indeed Cora - are keeping secrets about the past.

The Visitor is a very enjoyable read which for the most part did keep me guessing (though I spotted one twist very early on). The narrative moves between the present, following David, Holly and occasionally Cora, and tantalising snippets of the past. Gradually, the full picture emerges. I especially enjoyed the sections set in the exclusive interiors shop where Holly gets a job as a sales assistant and David works as a car park attendant.

The ending was perhaps a little disappointing as it seemed to polish things off rather quickly and not entirely satisfyingly after the excellent buildup. The publicity advertises a “breathtaking twist” (doesn’t it always?) but to be honest I’m not entirely sure what that was, though there are definitely a few surprises and deceptions.

All in all though a really good read which kept me engaged throughout and made a long wait in a snowbound railway station much more enjoyable than it would otherwise have been!

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

The Visitor by K.L. Slater is a psychological thriller that once I began reading I found very hard to put down. Having read several other books by this author I was not at all surprised to find once again wonderful writing that pulled me right into the story.

The story starts off with introducing David who is a bit of a loner with a lot of issues still living with his mother at forty. Usually keeping himself shut away other than to go to his job at a local department store as a parking attendant David often thinks of himself as the keeper of his neighborhood spying from his bedroom window.

When David sees an unfamiliar woman wandering around the home next door belonging to his elderly neighbor he immediately becomes curious knowing Cora doesn’t have any grown children. Soon it becomes apparent that Cora has taken in a border in Holly who is running from her own secretive past.

The book is one that reads at a rather fast pace while changing the point of view mostly between Holly and David. You just know while going along that there are going to be plenty of secrets to come which of course keeps the pages turning quickly. As it goes along there are glimpses into the past to get to know the characters better but this flowed very easily with the current events.

Being one that reads a lot of thrillers I had my suspicions as usual as to the outcome of the story as I went along. I’m happy to say though while I guessed a detail or two the ending was one that came with quite a bit of excitement and of course an extra little twist or two to wrap it all up quite nicely. Definitely still a fan of K.L. Slater and will look forward to what she publishes next.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

The Visitor wasn’t the first novel I’ve read by K.L. Slater so I kind of knew what I was getting myself into with this one. Fast pacing, engaging story that won’t let you rest your mind (or your eyes) and you read just to satisfy your hunger for more information.

I loved how author had me guessing throughout the book without giving out too many details and still managed to reveal enough to keep me interested. I’ve read it in very short time and it was truly enjoyable read.

Holly comes back to Manchester after 10 years spend away, following some bad experiences and history she is trying to escape. She is welcomed to stay as a visitor with elderly Cora Barrett who needs some company and find Holly very kind and struggling and offers her a room to use until she gets back on her feet.

Holly finds herself job and makes friend, lonely soul David who is somewhat strange and looked down at by most of the neighbours. They confide in each other, become close and friendly, each for their own reasons. Everything goes well for Holly until someone watches her through the window in the middle of the night and it seems that past has found its way back to her life and followed her all the way to Manchester. David is a very strange character and although there is some dark secret in the past we don’t really know about, he has become one of my favourite characters very quickly. His person was amazingly described not only by words but mostly by his actions, his awkwardness, his fear,… I really felt quite connected to him, I felt sad for him, how his anxiety affected his everyday life, felt his struggle going through everyday tasks and just his fight in general. I was really rooting for him and hoped he will find his happiness at the end.

About 70 percent into the story, things start really happening, secrets being revealed, people’s personalities properly uncovered, at least it might seem like it but you don’t actually get a full picture until the very end.

Without giving too much away, the ending is not easily predictable. I might have guessed couple of details earlier on but nothing too certain to ruin my reading experience. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, the way characters developed, the secrecy and sudden turns when the blanket of secrets was ripped off and suddenly things became clear. I really enjoyed it and can definitely recommend it to thriller lovers, K. L. Slater is an author to follow and her books are really worth reading. So go on, treat yourself!

K L Slater is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I love the way she writes, her books are very much character led. No-one is who they seem at first and when their backstories are slowly revealed, we understand why. I felt so sorry for Holly at times, her experiences in Manchester were just horrific. Poor Cora, who was so lonely she was happy to welcome Holly into her home for some company, and I felt for David too, deemed the weirdo of the street. I loved the scenes in the furniture shop where Holly got her new job but was constantly undermined by the horrible Emily. A lot of the book was people going about their daily lives, but slowly we find out why they behaved as they did and the secrets they were keeping. Very sad at times, shocking at others, but with realistic empathetic character, this is the best kind of psychological thriller to me. Excellent read.

If you do a really good job, it’s amazing how people around you will start believing in the person who isn’t really you.
Intriguing, huh? I'm sure we're all familiar with wearing a mask from time to time, pretending to be someone we're not or pretending to feel absolutely fabulous when we're actually feeling incredibly low. But who is not who they are portraying themselves to be in this story? And why?

I really like K.L. Slater's books so I was pretty darn excited when the opportunity to read this one popped up. It's fair to say, I think that The Visitor is slightly different from the author's previous works but that is absolutely not a bad thing. This is a slow-burner, more about the characters, their actions and motivations, than any twists and turns that leave your head spinning but it's intensely gripping nonetheless.

The chapters alternate between Holly and David. Holly has just returned to her hometown after ten years away. She needs a place to stay, somewhere where she feels safe and can figure out how to get her life back on track. David lives next door and is very set in his ways. He likes his routine and watching his neighbours to make sure they're safe from harm. Admittedly, slightly on the creepy side. But who's watching who?

It's obvious early on that all these characters have secrets but the reveals are slow to come, especially where Holly's past is concerned. Yet I quite happily followed the trail of breadcrumbs up the proverbial garden path, utterly unable to figure things out. The Visitor isn't fast-paced or action-packed or the nail-biting sort of story you might expect from this genre. But it is brilliantly written and I found that despite the slower pace, it was still incredibly compelling, engrossing and a thoroughly entertaining psychological thriller. I can't wait to read more by K.L. Slater!

What a great story. I was gripped from the first few chapters and enjoyed trying to work out what was going to happen next. (I guessed incorrectly by the way!)
Holly returns back to Nottingham where she grew up after a bad experience in Manchester and gets invited to stay with Cora, a lonely old lady.
Holly soon finds work and starts to get to know her neighbour David, who has a few problems in his own past to deal with.
David likes to watch the neighbours and records all their comings and goings but he keeps this hidden from Holly.
The chapters flit between present day and the past in Manchester and you slowly begin to learn what happened to Holly.
I can’t say too much more as I don’t want to spoil it, but if you like gripping psychological thrillers then you’ll love this book.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I am a massive fan of this author's works and always get excited when I see that she is bring out a new story - I stop reading my current books and put them aside as I know I am in for a treat!

Well I have to say that for me she has done it again and I loved this book!!

It had a great plot that was woven so well between the individual characters and their plot lines, I had guessed at an ending but I wasn't correct - the one in the book is way better!

The main characters are great and the supporting ones allow just enough doubt for you to question your thoughts about Holly and David.

5 stars from me - very enjoyable and an addictive read!

This book was slow and boring. It wasn't to my liking at all.

The Visitor is a well written story with a very predictable plot and some parts of the story crawls as readers are pulled into a mystery. The characters are well thought out as readers wonder what is really going on. This psychological thrillers will have readers thinking about this story long after they put the book down.



Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Bookouture for the advance copy