Name: The Stranger Diaries
Rating: 3.657894736842105 (38 reviews)
ISBN: 9781328577856

Elly Griffiths

Death lies between the lines when the events of a dark story start coming true in this haunting modern gothic mystery, perfect for fans of Magpie Murders and The Lake House.

The Stranger Diaries

Janice Hopper

Mystery book club choice for January.

I've read one other Elly Griffiths book and thought it was just ok. But I enjoyed this one thoroughly. The ending was a little anti-climactic, but I was swept along by the story.

Someone is killing English teachers at Talgarth High. Clare, Herbert the dog, Clare's daughter Georgie, and Georgie's friends Patrick, Vee, and Tash may all be in danger. It's up to cranky curmudgeon DS Harbinder Kaur and partner Neil Winston to solve the case.

But there may be ghosts and/or witchcraft involved.

I quite enjoyed the character of Harbinder Kaur. She starts out as cranky and rather unlikeable, but mellows through the course of the book. I'd be happy to read another in the series.

Gabriella LePage

I read The Stranger Diaries while on a springtime getaway and at first, I couldn’t really get into it. I didn’t feel any compassion for or connection with the characters. Well, that was the case until I got to Georgia’s chapter.
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The book is split up into chapters which follow one main character at a time. It didn’t get redundant (which I thought it might!) and I found myself connecting more with Georgia than I did Clare.
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I loved getting to know Georgia in her pieces of the book, especially how she tends to act like a typical teenager to appease her parents. She’s a sly one, that Georgia. There's more to her than you think.
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The book kept me guessing throughout its entirety (love when that happens). I had one strong theory about who the murderer was, and I was completely wrong! Which, made me enjoy the book even more.

Amanda J 

I didn't care for the characters that much. BUT loved the story and mystery. The short story wasn't as scary as I thought it would be.

Audiobook on from LA to PVD

Antonella Romani

It's really a 2.5 stars for me:
I had a hard time getting into this book. Murder mysteries aren't generally my usual genre though. 
The writing was simple and the point of views easy to follow. There is a prominent Gothic style that is definitely a nice touch to the mystery. 
I ended up guessing the killer before it was revealed, which in my opinion isn't the best sign. 
I REALLY wanted to like this book MORE than I do, but I don't.

I don't know what is it with me and this book. I mean, I didn't really understand the culprit choice. I felt a little bit cheated at the end but whatevs... 
Still, every time I pick this book up, I plunge into the story like a hot knife in butter. I absolutely love Claire's povs, and I believe that has to be something personal, something about me imagining living by the seaside, gothicesque (that's not a word) drama happening around me, a simple school teacher, who can afford doggie day(ly)care and jo malone's perfumes/candles.
In all seriousness, Elly Griffiths is great at creating the right atmosphere and at birthing lovable, interesting characters. I utterly admire her dedication to details. Layered plot, several DISTINCT povs, the damn original gothic short story (!) etc. It may bug some people, but as a person, who's first language is not English, I really appreciate trivia in books. For me, this particular book did a very good job at blending pop facts into the narrative, so they helped to see the characters more clearly and were not exessive.
P.S Love you, Elly. How about a second book about Claire, Georgia and Harbinder in a similar setting doing...whatever...you feel...like, okay bye!

Heather Harrington

**I received a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Clare Cassidy is an English teacher specializing in the Gothic murder story, The Stranger by RM Holland. Clare's work and personal life collide after the death of one of her friends and co-workers, with a quote from the story found on her body. As a way to stay calm during this difficult time, Clare spends most of her days writing in her journal. Then one day she notices some writing in her diary that isn't hers. I thought this was a really nice suspenseful mystery story. It's told though three different point of views: Clare, her daughter Georgia, and the investigating police detective DS Kaur. Each POV flows together well and doesn't feel clunky or disjointed. I also really liked how after a few of the chapters, there were excerpts from The Stranger and it always seemed to line up with what was happening at that moment. The inclusion of the full short story at the end was a nice touch, as well. I had my suspicions throughout as to who I thought the murderer was, and the end reveal threw me for a loop-- it was so unexpected and I appreciated that. Plus, I was also a big fan of all the Harry Potter references littered about. If you're looking for a mystery/thriller, definitely check this one out.

Shannon Lamoree

Jamie Meek

Jill

Rhonda Roy

Pratik M

Kate Lillie

Camilla Woodhouse

Lacey Feigl

THE TIMES CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR THE RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICK 'Utterly bewitching ... a pitch-perfect modern Gothic' AJ FINN, author of THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW 'Compelling, intelligent and increasingly mesmerising' PETER JAMES 'At once a homage to the Gothic thriller, and a re-imagining, it is goose-bump spooky, smart, and haunting, in every sense. I loved this book! And you will too' LOUISE PENNY A dark story has been brought to terrifying life. Can the ending be rewritten in time? 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...

The Stranger Diaries

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