help! long shot but trying to remember the title of a book

[sparksthefirst]

Hi, such a long shot and don't know if this is the best place to post...but around 12 years ago I picked up a book lying around in a hostel, which was quite frankly brilliant. I'm kicking myself for not keeping it. No clue on title or author but the plot as follows...pretty sure set in UK, an old man lives in a block of flats and becomes fascinated then obsessed with a young girl that moves in. So its basically told from his point of view and he is in essence stalking her but he obviously terrifies her and she ends up killing herself. Ok so I know it sounds grim but the writing was wonderful..almost like the man had no clue of the damage he was doing...but it was just creepy and different to anything else I'd read. Would love to track it down. Anyone??

[MiddleAgeMiddleEngland]

Sorry, I can't identify the book you're looking for. Yes, a shame you didn't take it at the time!

However, your summary reminded me of The Collector by John Fowles. The main character is a collector of butterflies, but goes on to "collect" a girl ...
Slightly different storyline, but if you enjoyed the first one you might like to try this.

Good luck with your search for the original one though.

[puft]

Yes! The Collector sprang to mind.
I think you'd love it based on what you've said about the other book.

[timechoes]

marking place

[sparksthefirst]

Thanks! Just added the collector to my Amazon wishlist, it does sound similar. Starting to think I dreamt the other book up. What else can i remember about it..the girl he became obsessed with was obviously someone who was already struggling with issues. I rememember that she did go into his flat out of guilt...I think he just destroyed the little confidence she had ans perhaps even hinted that she should take her own life...gah! What the chuff is it!

[IndridCold]

The good news is, you didn't dream it up because I had it and read it. The bad news is that I can't remember what it was called either .

[sparksthefirst]

Ahhhh indridcold! Thank u for confirming I haven't dreamt it up! I've been wracking my brains, just can't think for the life of me what it was called

[HopeClearwater]

I always come on here to say this ... Try the BookSleuth forum on abebooks, the UK site. Make sure you include some details of the plot in your subject line. The people on there are very clever and manage to solve most questions like yours. They found a book title for me that I'd been searching for since the 1980s.

[sparksthefirst]

Hi hope, thanks for the tip! I'm on it! Will let you know how I get on...

[HopeClearwater]

Good luck!

[sparksthefirst]

Argh no luck on books sleuth. Indrid. ...do u remember anything at all about it..did I get plot right, can u remember cover? I'm going demented..just want to find it!