It’s been 10 long years since Claire Moore’s terrifying encounter with the serial killer, dubbed by the media as ‘The Black-Out Killer’. Having lost her husband in the attack, Claire has struggled to rebuild her life. Finally. She decides to return back to her home….but she is unaware that the killer is still waiting for her and soon the killings start all over again. <b><i>The Black-Out Killer is back. And he’s coming for Claire…And he is Closer Than You Think. </b></i>

Just the prologue describing the Blackout Killer and peek into his sinister mind is enough to create a lot of intrigue and making you think that you are in for a thrilling ride.

Once you are through the first few chapters of the book, that’s when it starts to get disappointing. Most of the book from Claire’s point of view is slow moving and without any major twists. The killer has his separate track but these tracks move so separately, their paths don’t even cross till the very end. There are multiple sequences of Claire feeling stalked and killer planning his next kill which soon feels repetitive. The story does have a few twists and turns along the way which keeps you interested in the story.

The story between the Blackout Killer and Claire lacked any substance. With far too sequences of Claire feeling threatened by random strangers, there are no real tense moments and the confrontation between the two takes forever to happen. The killer seems more focused on other targets (with an unexplained obsession with Jack the Ripper). The story finally gathers momentum towards the end which is when it gets exciting. The ending seemed hurried (wrapped up in a single chapter) and the final twist in the Epilogue seemed confusing. I am all for surprising twists in the end but when you try to add it all up, it didn’t make a lot of sense. The author too didn't give too many explanations in the end in terms of tying up the loose ends.

I felt the story had immense potential and could have been a great thriller. I loved how Claire’s storyline shaped up; from a traumatized victim to a strong survivor, who finally decides to take control of her life. I also liked the story of the killer, though it felt too fragmented. The story does take too long to build up and the ending lacked a punch. Overall, it was a good story and if you like thrillers with a slow burn, you may enjoy this one.

<b>Many thanks to NetGalley, publishers HQ Digital and the author Darren O’Sullivan for the ARC </b>

Another killer Darren read. This was really a gripping book, and I enjoyed it immensely. Can't wait for the next one!

The book starts with a prologue that draws the reader in and creates a fair amount of suspense as it is from the perspective of the Blackout Killer. The prologue describes the Blackout Killer, his thoughts, and one of his murders. The book then goes to start with Chapter one. The move from the prologue to the first chapter is a confusing one. There is no identification that the perspective is changing from that of the Blackout Killers to that of Claire Moore, his one and only survivor. The change between the Blackout Killers perspective and Claire Moore's is one that continues throughout the story. The chapters all identify the current date and location, but do not identify whose perspective that chapter is based off.

Once you read the prologue and move into the first few chapters of the book, it is somewhat disappointing. The prologue was filled with suspense and was fast paced, however, most of the book afterwards is slow moving and really hard to get into. The relationship between the Blackout Killer and Claire also seems drawn out, meaning that you know what the Blackout Killer's end game is but it takes forever for it to actually happen.

The story really picks-up pace about 80% into the book, which is about the time when I finally felt like I was being drawn into the book. This is because more information about the Blackout Killer is coming out, there's the accusations around Killian (the support group owner), and the relationship between Claire and Paul are evolving. It is around this time that I also thought that I had figured out who the Blackout Killer truly was, but boy was I wrong. Towards the end of the book there are a ton of surprises, most of them are ones that you won't see coming either.

The story itself is quite descriptive even when describing some of the current and past murders of the Blackout Killer. There were times though when you will wish that this was not the case. Specifically, when the story goes into specifics on how the Blackout Killer killed seven baby birds out of anger when he was younger. There is actually a couple of different instances within the story where there are murder of animals and most of them, except for that of the baby birds as previously mentioned, do not go into any specific details on how they were killed.

I currently have a love/hate feeling going on right now with the way the book ended. I love how Claire evolved and how she chose to be a strong unstoppable survivor who finally decides to take control of her life. However, I want to see how Claire does that with the Blackout Killer once she figures out who he is, but you don't get to. Instead, you got an epilogue which jumps from where Claire figures out who the Blackout Killer is to where Claire is now more at piece. The ending makes it feel like you were cheated from such a great story ending.

Rating 2 out of 5

3.5 stars

Claire Moore is known as the woman who survived an attempted murder by a serial killer. The killer ... known as The Black Out Killer ... did manage to kill her husband before setting his body and her house on fire.

The man accused and convicted died behind bars. But was he guilty of this crime plus 6 others previously?

It has been 10 years since her attack and she remains traumatized .. nightmares, sleeping with lights on .. .afraid to shower unless someone is right outside the door .... she can't even imagine bathing in a tub. She is afraid to leave her house and when she does manage that, she's afraid to enter the house. Her body is scarred on the outside and the inside.

But someone is stalking her .... and he wants her dead.

The power outages have started again .... more victims found slaughtered in the same way as the first victims. A copy cat killer?

This is a suspenseful look at a brave woman, who has come a long way, yet still faces challenges every day. She doesn't want to be a victim anymore. Someone has other ideas.

This was a good read ... but I was left unsatisfied with the ending.. it felt unfinished.

Many thanks to the author / HQ Digital / Netgalley / TBC Reviewer Request Group (FB) for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Claire Moore has struggled for years after escaping a brutal serial killer. The murderer was called the Black-Out Killer. But, suddenly, the killings stopped. Not only has she had to suffer the after affects on a private level, she has become loved - and haunted - by the public as well as the press. As the ten-year anniversary of her escape approaches, Claire is determined to take control over her life.

Sadly, her nightmare isn’t over. Not only has it just begun, she does not quite realize it yet. Instead, she finally has hope. She makes wonderful strides.

When a sudden power cut occurs, and another body is found, it appears as if the killer is back, and headed for Claire.

What a tense read! I worried so much about Claire and her feelings and fear. Her trauma, and the loss she experienced was with her every second and it was palpable.

This was a compelling book. The level of danger and creepiness rated off the charts. Although I chose to read it during a bright sunny day due to the context, I still remained very nervous while reading it.

The ending, however, gave me pause. So much so that I barely know how to close this review! Suffice it to say that it shocked me upon belief. I cannot reconcile how the author left things. I simply cannot. If not for the last few chapters, this would be a five-star review. However, things ended in such a way that I will go with a 3.5.

Many thanks to HQ Digital and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book pulled me in right from the beginning. It was easily one of the best psychological thrillers I have read to date. It has high tension and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. O'Sullivan gives you just enough information so you think you understand what is going on, but he also keeps you guessing. Absolutely engrossing and cleverly written with beautifully constructed characters. I loved it!

A dark, gripping tale full of twists and turns, and the final twist left me breathless.
The story is of the struggles of a survivor of a serial killer, Claire, as she rebuilds her life. The perpetrator, who was caught, jailed and is presumed dead, is back. Did they catch the right man? Is Claire in danger once again?
I was gripped from the very beginning of the book, the tension and suspense were built with a good pace, and it kept me up till late many a night as I just had to see what happened next.
Highly recommended.

Took me a while to get started but once I did ... wow! I couldn't put it down. And, even though I had figured it out half-way through the book - this is my favorite genre to read - I had to finish it to see how the author put it all together. Definitely recommend.

Thank you #netgalley and #hqdigital for the eARC.

When I first started reading this book I thought that I was in for a thrill ride. Unfortunately this book soon went off the boil. The premise is a woman escapes the clutches of serial killer and ten years later comes back for her. After reading this book I have so many questions. I am sure other readers will love it .Not for me.
I would like to thank the author, HQ Digital and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

Title : Closer Than You Think
Author : Darren O'Sullivan
Genre: Mystery/thriller
Pages:277
Date March 15th 2019
Netgalley
He’s watching. She’s waiting.
Having barely escaped the clutches of a serial killer, Claire Moore has struggled to rebuild her life. After her terrifying encounter with the man the media dubbed The Black-Out Killer, she became an overnight celebrity: a symbol of hope and survival in the face of pure evil. And then the killings stopped.
Now ten years have passed, and Claire remains traumatised by her brush with death. Though she has a loving and supportive family around her, what happened that night continues to haunt her still.
Just when things are starting to improve, there is a power cut; a house fire; another victim found killed in the same way as before.
The Black-Out Killer is back. And he’s coming for Claire…
My thoughts
Would I recommend it? Yes
Would I read anything else by him? yes
What a read, its dark , creepy , chilling, all rolled up in to one , its not the type of book you would want to read at night if your alone , I do have to say that it does have bring up drinking problems and abuse. At first while reading the story I couldn't stand Claire because of how she acted , she was always taking the blame on to herself about the fire ,and her's husband's death, but neither was her fault ,it was the killer's and someone else's for letting the killer in to their lives. But the more I read the more I saw her come into herself and she stopped being afraid,So much so she was ready to fight finally. And the ending , wow what a n ending ,so much so I didn't see it coming .

A 4-5 star gripping, chilling read, which will absolutely grab you, if you love those books about people escaping a serial killer only to be hunted down again!! I do, so I found it so chilling, creepy, disturbing and brilliant. I thought it was written very nicely, hearing the killers perspective as well as the victims, really intriguing to the readers being done this way!
Will be highly recommending to the members of Chapter Chatter Pub!

Elevator Pitch: a serial killer rears his ugly head after ten years to stick it the woman who survived him.

What I thought: Let's say I went on a date last week. And this person had an exciting life full of adversity, but he told it to me, in a very Dear Diary kind of way. And my mind wandered, and when I could focus, the story was still there, I could quickly pick it up. No wild swings, no many surprises. And then when he finally came to the point, he left me hanging right before. And it didn't bug me. Because even if I thought this tale deserved attention, it was told flatly, he dwelled on many mundane details, and he didn't seem to be able to escape his head for one second.
So no second date.
Now, I didn't go on any date, I'm, a married woman. But if this scenario was real, I would still think this person was a perfectly fine person. Just not for me.
I don't like critiquing books I don't like. It bugs me, especially when I am not the right reader for a book. Closer than you think was that kind of book. It's not the sort of thriller I like to read. Too straightforward, and unimaginative. And that sounds bad, but I am confident that lots of people will enjoy this. Because for what it is, it is perfectly fine.

What it is about: Claire Moore survived the attack of the Black-out Killer, a serial killer that terrorized entire communities ten years earlier. She still suffers, griefs for the husband she lost in the attack and is unable to go on with her life. In a split narrative, we are shown the killer is planning to come back, to finally finish off the one he let slip out of his hands — a cat and mouse play, where the mouse is waiting like a deer in the headlight.

Easy to read and kept you on the edge of your seat. Easy flowing good storyline to keep you interested. Nice characters and all round great read

Claire is a survivor of an evil serial killer, a charming guy who likes to hunt his prey. Claire sees er husband dead and barely escapes with her life. Scarred mentally and physically, daily life is a battle; until the killer tracks her down. What a thriller! Twists and turns like a corkscrew! Can't wait to read more by this author!

A great read.
One of those rare novels that you find yourself discussing at the breakfast table.
Twisty and with a lovely, solid pace so at no point did I find myself bored and read this over one weekend.
I also found myself really rooting for Claire, the main character, especially in light of what she had been through and emerged from on the other side.
As an aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the mother/daughter relationship which gave the novel a very 'real' feel.
We all have the annoying habit of trying to guess a twist but hands up, you got me. Didn't see that coming.
Many thanks for a very enjoyable weekend stuck behind my kindle.

The start of Closer Than You Think is incredibly tense, and had me feeling rather spooked.

But as time went on and I had read over half way I felt like I was just reading and turning pages and I had unravelled the killer, I felt like I was reading just waiting for things to unravel and Claire to see what I had. Yes, it sucks you in!

And then I felt as though the epilogue left me hanging. I don’t mind which way the conclusion goes but I do like to know..... what next. But that’s just my preference.

This may seem critical. But overall it’s very well written. A good read, fast paced and suspenseful. Overall a 4🤩 thank you for the arc.

This book was very intense, powerful, and frightening. Lots of suprises, and twists. I cant wait to read more of his books.. My heart was racing.

When ten years passes and a supposed serial killer does not kill again, you have to think he's either in jail or dead. And so you let your guard down, even with the terrible memories keeping you from ever forgetting. But then the killings start again. You think: it must be someone else. But in your heart, you know it is the man who changed your life forever.

I LOVE a book that keeps you guessing but I especially LOVE a book that has a final twist in the epilogue!
Darren O’Sullivan definitely accomplishes both in this crazy twisted tale of a serial killer who one decade later manages to frighten the crap out of his last “almost” victim who escaped! Pretty amazing considering he died while while serving time in prison! Or did he…
Claire is living a nightmare over and over again as she tries so hard to move on from a traumatic experience a decade ago. She has a great support system of family and friends and has even met a nice man who adores her! However she is terrified of her past and continues to relive the moments of that horrid night.
Just when she seems to be making progress, more killings take place! Is there a copycat killer? Was the real killer ever even caught? Well you must read this thrilling book to get to the bottom of it! I didn’t see the end coming! Then… I didn’t see the epilogue coming!
Great writing by a great author! 5🌟

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

The suspense was delightful in this story. I found myself wrapped into the world of Claire. Every moment she dealt with her grief was palatable. And when the past comes back to haunt her it goes from grief to trauma in no time flat.

I found this book a quick read with a lot of edge of your seat moments. The thing that I enjoy most in suspense is not knowing who-dun-it but I figured this out pretty quick. Maybe half way through or a bit more but I wanted to continue to read to make sure I was right but also see how Claire managed.

O’Sullivan does a great job in this story and was one I would highly recommend.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.