Oh my god! This story really got me, what a nail biter and not for the faint hearted. Lars Kepler certainly knows how to keep you hooked during this fast-paced thriller. There were moments when I had to stop reading as the suspense was too much for me to take, I got totally sucked into this novel and it was like I was there living this tale of horror through the eyes of the characters.

I have never read any of the Joona Linna stories previous to this one but after the adrenaline rush I got from this one I certainly will be. Thank you Net Galley for this oppourtunity.

There is a serial killer on the loose murdering women in such a brutal way that destroys their faces and leaving their bodies in different positions. The police receive a video of the victim before the murders take place and they race to get to them before the killer strikes. Joona Linna an ex-cop gets involved in trying to find and stop the serial killer when his friend a renowned psychiatrist is linked to each of the victims and is implicated in the sick crimes.

I was on the edge of seat during the entire reading of Stalker, by Lars Kepler. I found it absolutely terrifying and after the first few chapters almost stopped reading the book. I felt a little sick and quite unsettled with the feeling of being with the victims right before they were brutally murdered by a psychotic serial killer. I was fascinated by the view-points of all the main and minor characters and though at times it was confusing this shifting narrative, it was also quite interesting.

There was not one moment when the tension abated and everytime I felt like I knew what was about to happen, I was shocked by the twist in the plot. I read later that the writers of Stalker were inspired by the books of Stieg Larsson and I feel like this book was a fitting tribute to the late writer.

I am a huge fan of thrillers and crime novels however Stalker was one of the most brutal books that I have ever read and for several nights, I was unable go straight to sleep due what I had read that day. That said, I actually really enjoyed reading the book. It is definitely one of the best thrillers that I have read in months and I look forward to getting my hand on earlier books by Lars Kepler in the Joona Linna series.

Thankyou to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Unfortunately I did not realise this novel was part of a series which tended to spoil my enjoyment. I normally love Scandi Noir but this one wasn't for me. Nothing wrong with the story or the writing just not one for me.

The National Crime Unit in Stockholm receives a video of a woman, shortly afterwards she is found murdered. Then they receive another but cannot trace her before she too dies. Then there is a third. Clues from the way the bodies are staged leads leads psychologist Erik Bark to a former patient now convicted of murder and in a psychiatric unit. Meanwhile after the death of the criminal who was terrorising his family Finnish detective Junna Linna can come out of hiding. When the clues in the murder cases seem to suggest that Bark is the perpetrator Linna is in a race to solve the crimes before more women die.

The Junna Linna series of novels by the husband and wife team with the pen name Lars Kepler are now at their fifth instalment and the tension never lets up for a second. Whilst the plot is very convoluted, the links are clever and it does all make sense in the end! This is good quality Scandic-Crime but with a vary tough and unpleasant edge to it - it's not a soft read.

I didn't realise this was the 5th book in a series but it didn't matter. I now want to read the others as liked the main character Joona Linna and want to know about events leading up to the part he played in this book.
A serial killer, a heavily pregnant detective, an old detective presumed dead, a psychologist who undertakes hypnotism, a convict wrongly accused! A lot going on and very fast paced. I did guess quiet early on who the killer was but I was kept intrigued right until the end. A bit far fetched at times but overall a good read

I have enjoyed previous Joona Linna stories, so I was looking forward to this fifth outing. Kepler really knock it out of the park with this one. In classic Scandinavian crime thriller style: it is fast paced; it builds you up to a dramatic crescendo; it includes serious detail; and describes the main characters extremely well - albeit you often don't like them.

Margot was merely the tool to allow Joona back in and we didn't explore her in any great depth, but the other leads were convincing. The web that is weaved is complex and takes you down a few dead ends and, on this occasion, I didn't see the ending coming. The picture painted is at times extremely brutal and at others very tender, which makes it all the more compelling. An excellent story.

I am grateful for this early view of the book and admit I read it within 24 hours; I just couldn't it it down. It is another tour de force by Kepler and encourages me to keep ranking him at the top of the list of crime writers. Well done.

This is the fifth book in the Joona Linna series by Lars Kepler. It is not necessary to have read the previous books in order to appreciate this one.
Stalker is a fast paced police procedural, crime thriller that has the reader hooked from the first line and keeps them guessing until the very end. The stalker element of the story provides spine chilling creepiness to the novel that had this reader hiding under the covers. The large cast of characters all bring their own personalities and traits which enhance the book.
This was a great read, even if it has left me feeling very uneasy and making sure my blinds are closed and doors locked as soon as I get home.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A very tense thriller. The sense of unease about being watched by someone you can't see is clearly felt, and the tension is palpable. The red herrings along the way turn out to be connected to the main strand, and come together in a satisfying way.
Definitely a book for those who like Nordic noir.
Credit is due to the translator too. This never feels like a book' in translation'

Scandinavian writers are truly one of the best in telling chilling stories. This story was a long one, 500+ pages filled with madness and cruelty. The feeling that somebody is watching when your at home alone, has to be the most uncomfortable one there is. It's hard to understand how a person can be that sick to not being able to distinguish between fantasy and reality. What I loved the most about this book is that Joona didn't think about consequences and that he had absolute faith in his friend. And this faith saved Erik's life. Shocking to me was the end, the trail against Joona and the verdict. Yeah, I know he did some questionable things, but it was necessary and saved lives. I hold out a little hope that he will overturn the verdict in some way. Oh, and the funniest person in the book has to be Margot Silverman, telling folks that her baby will not be born before the case was closed. Had to chuckle a little there. Besides that, there isn't much room for any positive thoughts. Everything looks so bad for all involved that it is hard to believe in a good outcome. I can't wait the read the next book about Joona and see where the story takes me. I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK!

Brilliant book. A real old fashioned page turner that had me guessing till the end. Highly recommended

This is my first Lars Kepler book. As always, I struggle with foreign names and it puts me off Scandinavian books a bit. However - the story is absolutely cracking. I could not put it down, although one night, I had to get out of bed and leave it for a little while as it was so intense!! I didn't guess for quite a long time who the eponymous stalker was, but even once the reader knows there are more shocks and thrills to come. If you like (grisly) murders, this is definitely for you - me? I'm going back to read from the beginning of the series!!

The National Crime Investigation Department, based in Stockholm, is receiving uploaded films of women, the first proper encounter we come across is of a lone female being filmed in her house after coming back from a run. Margot the new police authorities expert on serial killers and Adam another member of the investigating team are the first to see the film, try and work out who and where the woman is knowing she is going to be murdered. You then go to the woman's house and live through her murder and I have to say this was the most scared I've been reading that and made me not want to get out of bed for anything!!
Here unfortunately for me the story changed, maybe it was my own fault for not having read the other four books but I hadn't a clue what one character was doing and why and the story then got strung out with not a lot happening and I was disappointed to say the least because the first part of the book was excellent. I managed forty percent of the book and regrettably gave up, I love a good thriller and thought at the beginning this was going to be it but unfortunately not.
I would like to thank netgalley and Harper Collins for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

Wonderful read of a compelling Nordic Noir. This was a re-read for me, I still find it as creepy and menacing as before. The videos and the stalking is prime material for a gripping read as here. Loved the characters and the setting. Definitely a book I would recommend highly.

The premise is good but the style of writing is very odd (third person, present tense??). I couldn't get into it at all.

Eye opening book, recommend everyone reads this book!