Great thriller - enjoyed reading from 3 perspectives! A real page turner, with well developed characters, that I couldnt put down

First of all, I must say the book gripped me early on and I couldn't put it down until the end. It was a very easy and entertaining read. I'm very happy Griffith stayed away from graphic violence, abusive relationships, and all that drama.

The story was told from 3 perspectives: Clare, her daughter Georgie and DS Harbinder. I quite liked this changing perspectives, which added more suspense to the mystery. However, sometimes it felt like I was reading the same part twice. I wish there was an element of unreliability in one of the narratives, which could make it more interesting to read the same story twice.

Although, it's a contemporary thriller, it's also decorated with Victorian gothic elements as the story is intertwined with a Victorian writer's short story called 'The Stranger' and his mysterious family life. I enjoyed this aspect of the book, as it made it more dramatic and mysterious. It also added more chill to the atmosphere.

Another aspect of the book I liked was the simplistic, yet entertaining writing together with a bunch of interesting characters. Clare, her daughter Georgie, A Cambridge academic, creepy teachers, weird students, clever investigator :) At some point I found myself going from character to character changing my mind about who was the killer!

As it's a thriller, I don't want to give away much :) All in all, it was an enjoyable thriller and I liked the overall plot. The end was not disappointing as well.

I was attracted to this book because of the beautiful cover but I'm also a huge fan of Elly Griffiths, particularly her Ruth Galloway series. However, The Stranger Diaries is slightly different - it's a standalone murder mystery, set in a school, which may or may not be haunted!

The story starts with Clare, who teaches English at Talgarth High. The school was once the home of gothic horror writer R.M. Holland, and the top part of the school has been kept as a museum to him and his work; his study is exactly as it was in his day. Scattered throughout the novel are extracts from his most famous short story, The Stranger, and when one of Clare's friends is found dead, a line from this story is found beside the body.

The second point of view is that of the investigating police officer, DS Harbinder Kaur, who was my favourite character, mainly because of her dry sense of humour and the way she is permanently in a grump. I do hope she gets her own series - along with her mother! The third main character is Georgia, Clare's daughter, who humours her mother's ideas of how teenagers should behave and is very funny.

The Stranger Diaries is a modern take on Victorian mysteries and ghost stories, particularly the way it cleverly backtracks to show the same events from a different character's viewpoint. Running alongside the present-day murders is the mystery of how R.M. Holland's wife died. Is it her ghost that reputedly haunts the school? And just who is Mariana?

The Stranger Diaries will appeal to anyone who enjoys traditional murder mysteries and I'm sure fans of Elly's Ruth Galloway series will love it. I adored the touch of gothic and the spooky bits - particularly when the teenage Harbinder 'met' the ghost. I hadn't a clue who the murderer was and, as I read a lot of crime fiction, this is always a plus for me!

One of my favourite reads this year! And please, please can Harbinder have a series of her own?!!

Thank you to Elly Griffiths and Quercus for my copy of this book, which I requested from NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.

Talgarth School teacher, Clare Cassidy, is an expert on the author R. M. Holland and teaches his short story, The Stranger, as part of a course every year. When the body of her friend and colleague, Ella, is found at her home, suspicions arise when a quote from Holland is found alongside her horrific injuries. For many years an avid diary writer, Clare commits her feelings about Ella to paper only to find that there is some strange writing in her journal, writing that is not hers…

As a huge fan of the Ruth Galloway and Stephens & Mephisto series by Elly Griffiths, I could not wait to read this new standalone novel. When you love an author so much, there is always some slight trepidation, however, as to whether something new will live up to your expectations. This is Elly Griffiths – of course it did!

Although many books have the story told by multiple characters, I enjoyed the way the author used this device to retell events from different perspectives. First, we have Clare, the main protagonist. As the book progresses, we see her becoming more and more unnerved as she realises how interested the killer appears to be in her. Then, there is her daughter, Georgie. With an older boyfriend and a hidden interest in creative writing, does she know more about the crime than she is letting on? Finally, there is the detective investigating the case, D. S. Harbinder Kaur. An ex-Talgarth pupil herself, she is a great character who, despite the seriousness of the case, provides some very light-hearted moments.

While this could definitely be described as a murder-mystery plot, the inclusion of the mysterious diary entries and the ghostly undercurrent at the school, gives it a slight air of the supernatural. I admit to not being a huge fan of ‘ghost’ stories, but Elly Griffiths has provided just enough of this genre to make it a completely believable read. I particularly enjoyed reading the snippets of R. M. Holland’s The Stranger which were included throughout the book. This provided a Gothic feel and certainly helped to ramp up the tension.

The end of the book had a credible conclusion and, with hindsight, it became apparent that clues had been dotted throughout. The Stranger Diaries has a well-crafted, enjoyable plot and I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page. Definitely one of my favourite reads of the year!

Is there anything that Elly Griffiths can’t do?

Her Ruth Galloway detective novels (much featured on the blog – click here for the most recent one, Dark Angel) form one of my favourite current series. Then she started another great series – the Mephisto books. Now she has written a standalone, and it is wonderful.

It has a complex and beautifully-done setup – though not at all difficult to follow: it is only mystifying in the right kind of ways. There are several different narrators, looking at a murder and other sinister goings on at a school based in an old house.

Everything is linked to a Victorian writer of ghost stories, a man who once lived in the old house: his study is preserved there, and one of the main protagonists, Clare, is writing a book about him.

He is famed above all for a sinister ghost story, The Stranger: and this story-within-the-book is so well-done that I am going to quote from it too – this is the opening passage of The Stranger Diaries:

‘If you’ll permit me,’ said the Stranger, ‘I’d like to tell you a story. After all, it’s a long journey and, by the look of those skies, we’re not going to be leaving this carriage for some time. So, why not pass the hours with some story-telling? The perfect thing for a late October evening.

‘Are you quite comfortable there? Don’t worry about Herbert. He won’t hurt you.. It’s just this weather that makes him nervous. Now, where was I? What about some brandy to keep the chill out? You don’t mind a hip flask do you?

‘Well this is a story that actually happened. Those are the best kind, don’t you think? Better still it happened to me when I was a young man. About your age.’




I loved everything about The Stranger Diaries: I always enjoy a modern book that has a strand set in the past, and there it was, done to a turn. But the story-within-the-story was also beautifully done – isn’t that opening just perfect?

And of course, as with all Elly Griffiths books, there are plenty of funny lines and razor-sharp observations about modern life – whether it’s Strictly on TV, or this about an ex-husband’s new life and new wife:
‘She’s OK. A bit tired. Ocean still isn’t sleeping through the night.’
I don’t blame her. She’s probably traumatised by her ridiculous name. I bet Simon has decamped to the spare room. He looks pretty well-rested to me.
The two main women, Clare and Harbinder, are both terrific, and the switches of POV between them are hilarious, as they are not natural best friends. Harbinder's first line is 'I disliked Clare Cassidy from the outset', though we know they are going to have to co-operate.

The book is also brilliant on that parents’ nightmare of finding out that they don’t know as much about their children’s lives as they thought they did. ‘Of course I know her interests and friends…’

OK I am running out of superlatives.

The Stranger Diaries is a great book, and you should read it. I’m also going to be taking part in a Blog Tour for it next week.

Elly Griffiths is very good on her characters’ clothes, but I thought I’d go with Halloween this time instead. I was pondering that perhaps in this day and age it isn’t good to use pictures of random children in their costumes, and then luckily the Chief Guest Blogger, Colm Redmond, came up with these splendid pictures from a pub in Manchester: the Brewski in Chorlton.

The man on the train is by the great James Tissot, from the Athenaeum website. Sometimes it’s better just to imagine the appearance of a man telling a ghost story, but this chap had the right look in his eye, I loved this picture.

With thanks to Netgalley and Quercus for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

I have been a fan of Elly Griffiths for years and have read all her Ruth Galloway and Mephisto and Stephen mysteries. I was excited when I found this would be a new mystery.

English teacher Clare Cassidy worked at Talgarth High, her 15 year old daughter Georgia was also a pupil at the school. In her spare time Clare was writing a novel about the Famous writer R M Holland who used to own Telgarth. Holland was well known for writing The Stranger, it was said his wife Alice Avery fell to her death and now haunted the school. It became a legend that the ghost of Alice foreshadowed a death.

During the half term break Clare was told that her best friend and colleague Ella Elphick had been murdered. Bedside her body was a note with a quote from The Stranger `hell is empty`.

DS Harbinder Kaur who was a ex pupil at Talgarth High and DS Neil Winston investigated the murder. Harbinder immediately distrusted Clare because she was glamorous and attractive. When Harbinder found that Ella had an affair with Rick Lewis who also worked at Telgarth he became their prime suspect.

However days later Clare found Rick`s dead body in the room where RM Holland wrote The Stranger. Like Ella there was a note beside his body with the same quote `he'll is empty`.

Clare had written several entries in her diary criticising Ella and her affair with Rick`s. One night she was reading her diary about the days following Ella`s murder, she found someone had written in her diary I have already disposed of one of these creatures. I will fall on the others like a ravening beast.

I really enjoyed the two storylines within the book. It was easy reading and I devoured more then half the book in one day. The book was told from the POV of Clare, Georgie and Harbinder. I liked Clare but I enjoyed reading the POV of Georgie and Harbinder. I liked Georgie who liked to pretend she was a typical teenager but like her mother had a love of creative writing and dabbled in white magic. My favourite character was Harbinder who lived at home with her parents, her mother sounded lovely and constantly had a twenty four hour buffet going in the house.

There were plenty of twists and turns in the story. Elly provided many suspects for the murder to keep you on your toes. I suspected one person and then another. I was shocked when they killer was revealed because I had not suspected them.

The Stranger Diaries was excellent and I hope DS Harbinder Kaur and Neil Winston get their own series.

This is a very enjoyable modern whodunit with a creepy old fashioned feel about it. The ending is perhaps a little rushed but overall it is a very good, atmospheric story, and Herbert is adorable. Recommended reading, especially for dark Autumn evenings.

I preferred the first part of this book as I think that was where my interest was peaked. I found part two a little repetitive as it was similar scenes but from a different perspective. I can understand why this might have been done but I didn't enjoy reading this. I also found it less enjoyable having chapters from different characters and sometimes the voices of the characters were perhaps not as strong so I forgot whose voice the chapter was in. However, the booked picked up pace again towards the end and although I was suspicious of this character I was unsure of the motives until it was revealed.

I really enjoyed this book. It is dark and atmospheric and a really good page turner. The story is put together really well. I liked the characters and the build up of suspense. Every page is very cleverly written and had me gripped from the start. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

When you have enjoyed books by an author previously the idea of a standalone can sometimes bring trepidation. However no such feelings are required for this well crafted story, perfect for an autumnal chill read.

The story weaves a past short story with a present day narrative where it appear that history is repeating itself. The novel is told from different viewpoints and each really does have a distinctive voice so this is very successful. The solution to the murders comes as a bit of a surprise as I thought I had guessed the person earlier, but then went on to discount them later, so thanks for that Elly Griffiths!!


Whilst this is a standalone the main detective in this book is such a strong character it is tempting to hope that they reappear in a future novel.


For anyone unfamiliar with Elly Griffiths this book will introduce you to a writer who easily draws you into a plot and creates interesting characters though you will find it completely different from the other series that she writes so go on have a go at some more!

#TheStrangerDiaries #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book and loved the mix of Elly Griffiths’ narrative along with that of R M Holland’s story.
This book is best described as a gothic thriller but as a crime thriller fan there was plenty to keep me interested.
The story starts with a murder and Clare is shocked to find it was her best friend.
She’s left reeling by the news and then discovers someone has been leaving ‘messages’ in her diary.
I must admit that I did guess who the killer was but enjoyed reading to the end to see if I’d guessed correctly!
When another body is found Clare works closely with the Police as both victims were close to her.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.
Thanks to Quercus books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

So very refreshing to read a crime novel that's full of intelligence, humour and full characterisation. Elly Griffiths is right up there with the great British novelists in both her 'Ruth Galloway' series and this new stand-alone murder mystery (or at least it is stand-alone for now; we can only hope that there will be more to come!)

Clare Cassidy teaches English lit at secondary school Talgarth High, where Victorian Gothic novelist RM Holland lived and wrote. Clare is attempting to write his biography and is teaching his famous short story The Stranger to an adult group in the half-term holidays, but her work and writing are tragically interrupted by the murder of her friend and colleague Ella - with a line from The Stranger written on a note next to her body! Investigating detective Harbinder Kaur becomes convinced the writer's works somehow hold the key to the case.

Clare confides her thoughts and fears about the case and her colleagues to her diary, which she keeps hidden away, but somehow another gains access as one day she finds a note in the diary written to her by someone else ... and this someone could be the murderer and could be very close to home.

The story is told from the perspective of the three main female characters of Clare, her teenage daughter Georgie and DS Karu, all interwoven around the original story of The Stranger. Some authors that try to jump through different perspectives in this way fall flat on their faces - but not so Ellie Griffiths, who skilfully whisks us from the thoughts and actions of one person to the next, keeping us on the edge of our seats, eager to pick up the next thread. As well as keeping the tension high, the author also uses this technique brilliantly to build a rounder picture of each person as their thoughts and actions are revealed in their own 'bit' but then interpreted differently as they are viewed and commented upon by another character.

Beautifully written, high in tension, and additionally a tribute to English literature, showing the author's great skill and love of literature. Highly recommended.

What's not to like about The Stranger Diaries? Well-written and perfectly paced, you're in the capable hands of a confident, experienced author who wont let you down. The multiple-perspective trope is handled with care and the ending is chillingly effective. A haunting tale that you wont forget in a hurry - makes other books on the shelf look distinctly amateurish! Read the other reviews for the plot or just pick up a copy and start reading: you wont be disappointed. Fantastic.

This is a first for me by this author... but won't be my last.

Clare Cassidy is no stranger to tales of murder. As a literature teacher specialising in the Gothic writer R.M. Holland, she teaches a short course on them every year. Then Clare's life and work collide tragically when one of her colleagues is found dead, a line from an R.M. Holland story by her body. The investigating police detective is convinced the writer's works somehow hold the key to the case.

Not knowing who to trust, and afraid that the killer is someone she knows, Clare confides her darkest suspicions and fears about the case to her journal. Then one day she notices some other writing in the diary. Writing that isn't hers...

I thoroughly enjoyed this story... something different to my recent reads... and I was not disappointed.
Once I started reading I didn't want to stop... It's a compelling mystery with well-drawn characters and a good plot that keeps you guessing until the end.
I haven't read any of the authors previous books so didn't know what to expect... I loved it and will be adding more of the authors works to my TBR pile.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

A glorious spine chiller for the dark nights, and I didn't guess whodunit which makes it even better!

Clare an avid diary writer is working on a novel about RM Holland, the man who used to own the house she now teaches in. He is famed for a short ghost story he wrote. Then a colleague is murdered and strange writing appears in Clares diary. Is there a link to RM Holland and just how does Clare fit into all this.

I'm a huge Elly Griffiths fan and was really looking forward to reading this and I was not disappointed. I loved the whole story especially the way the ghost story is interspersed in the text. The plot was clever and I had no clue who the killer was until the end which I really like. The ending was good too. I loved the story told from different perspectives as it adds more depth. This was quite chilling itself in many ways along with the ghost story. A really great read.

The characters are well written and developed into this making it difficult to predict just who might be the killer. It could easily be anyone and I really like that.

Part murder mystery, part Victorian ghost story, The Stranger Diaries makes for the perfect autumnal read.

Clare Cassidy is no stranger to tales of murder. As a literature teacher specialising in the Gothic writer R.M. Holland, she teaches a short course on them every year. Then Clare's life and work collide tragically when one of her colleagues is found dead, a line from an R.M. Holland story by her body. The investigating police detective is convinced the writer's works somehow hold the key to the case.

Clare keeps a diary and has done ever since high school. Diaries are a source of escape, a place to offload our innermost thoughts and off-limits to everyone but ourselves. However, she is left unsettled when she discovers someone else’s writing beneath her recent entry. She is forced to hand them over to the police, who find them revealing of Clare’s personal life.

Gothic horrors have become an instant must-read for me, and after reading the premise I couldn’t wait to see where this story would take me. I found it to be a slow-burning novel, but one in which Griffiths meticulously builds an atmosphere for the old school whodunit, perfect for those dark autumnal nights. One thing I do wish there was more of; supernatural elements. It was only the menacing echoes of The Stranger found within the murders of the present which brought these spookier elements to life. The ending also fell flat for me, the reveal somewhat underwhelming, especially after the growing sense of dread built up by the author.

“I could hear my breathing, jagged and stertorous. It was my only companion as I inched towards the staircase.”

This book offers us three alternating female perspectives; Clare, DS Harbinder Kaur and Clare’s daughter, Georgia. Throughout the interweaving P.O.Vs, beneath the surface interestingly lies an exploration of how we often have preconceived notions of others. For instance, we initially perceiving Clare as an innocent, likeable character. Harbinder on the other hand sees her as nothing but a stuck-up, over-privileged woman. The same goes for Clare’s perception of her daughter who chides her for behaving like the typical teenager, but through Georgia’s narration, we learn that she’s anything but. Looks can be deceiving, and this is fitting for the spooky murder mystery.

One other thing I enjoyed was the abundance of British allusions which is sure to entertain any fellow Brit:

“E often used to come here and they’d drink wine and watch Strictly (the opium of the middle-aged.”

Overall, despite the underwhelming ending, this Gothic murder mystery makes for the perfect autumnal read and ideal for anyone who loves an old school whodunit.

Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for providing me with an eARC to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book, there was suspense, murder and anonymous diary entries! Yes, something a little different, easy to read, which is something I like in a book.

My thanks to Quercus Books for an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first time reading one of Elly Griffiths’ novels and I loved it. It ticked all the boxes for me for a murder mystery with Gothic overtones. The interweaving of the Halloween-themed tale by fictional Victorian writer R.M Holland was excellent and I was pleased that the complete story was included at the end of the novel. I also appreciated the many literary references throughout.

The story is told by three narrators: English teacher Clare Cassidy, her daughter Georgia, and DS Harbinder Kaur. Through them the reader is given the opportunity to experience the unfolding events including the police investigation. Each narrative voice was strong and brought new details to light of the complex mystery.

I will admit that at first Harbinder irritated me a bit with her abrasive manner and internal judgements about Clare and others. Yet I soon warmed to her and it was clear she was very dedicated to her job and intent on solving the crimes.

I started this novel last evening and was so caught up in the story and characters that I barely took refreshment breaks today. Very enjoyable and I certainly plan to read more of her books.

The Stranger Diaries is the first book I have read by the author Elly Griffiths and I loved the way it was written - Its part murder mystery and part ghost story with a touch of gothic. A very different book for me to pick up and read but, I enjoyed how the book came together and it won't be the last I will read from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC