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Recommendations? Novels with stalkers

24 replies

jayisforjessica · 06/11/2016 23:40

Supernatural things don't frighten me at all, because I can't quite suspend my disbelief long enough to get frightened. When I read a "thriller" book it needs to be very rooted in reality, in the real world - in this world. Unless the events in the book "could happen to me", it isn't frightening to me, you know?

I particularly like books about stalkers, especially when the stalker is smart enough to skirt the law so the victim gets more and more desperate, because there is (seemingly) nothing they can do. I must sound like such a ghoul right now!!! But I'm having trouble finding books that have stalkers but don't have, say, vampires/werewolves, or similar. I also don't like books that are written from the point of view of the police brought in to solve the case - unless they go on to be stalked themselves, I suppose. I'd rather it be told from the POV of the victim.

Does anyone know anything like that? Favorite themes are "if I can't have you no one can" (left the husband, taken the kids and he isn't happy about it and has the resources and smarts to pursue her) and "I don't even know who you are why are you doing this" (a chance encounter means so much more to the stalker than to the victim and before she can think about stopping the stalker, she has to figure out who he IS).

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InsaneDame · 07/11/2016 14:30

Haven't read it myself and not sure if it's the kind of thing you are after but there is The Collector by John Fowles. More abduction but a bit stalkerish maybe?

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MermaidofZennor · 07/11/2016 16:00

Into The Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes. Not sure if that's quite what you're looking for but it is very good.

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BBQsAreSooooOverrated · 07/11/2016 16:03

Second the Elizabeth Haynes book. Very good.

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TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 07/11/2016 16:07

The Book of You by Claire Kendal is EXACTLY what you are looking for.

here

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Matilda2013 · 07/11/2016 16:10

Just came on to recommend the book of you as above! Should be exactly what you're looking for

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TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 07/11/2016 16:10

And one of my sixth formers says I must read You by Caroline Kepnes.

here

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TheBitterBoy · 07/11/2016 16:15

How about Secret Smile by Nicci French? The TV adaptation nearly put me off David Tennant!

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LadyDeadpool · 07/11/2016 16:16

Follow you home by Mark Edwards.

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FruitOwl · 07/11/2016 16:18

Enduring Love by Ian McEwan

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Cheesymonster · 07/11/2016 19:26

I came onto say You as NewCross has already said. Very good.

Into the Darkest Corner gave me many sleepless nights as a could really happen kind of thing.

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OverAndAbove · 07/11/2016 19:57

Disclaimer by Renee Knight; it has a twist

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Yellowaveo59 · 07/11/2016 20:01

Silent Crossing by Ellen McCarthy

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jayisforjessica · 07/11/2016 21:14

Thanks everyone ! Loads of lovely books to be getting on with!

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ScrubbedPine · 07/11/2016 21:22

John Fowles The Collector, as a pp said, which is brilliantly disquieting. For a more genteel take on stalking, Elizabeth Jane Howard's Falling, which is based on a real-life stalker and conman who targeted her.

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noradurst · 10/11/2016 21:28

You is fabulous! The Book of You annoyed me but it is exactly what you're looking for. Notes on a Scandal doesn't exactly qualify but I think you would enjoy it if you haven't already read it.

Also, thank you for the recommendations for Falling, am getting that from my library tomorrow. Grin

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noradurst · 10/11/2016 21:28

Oooh forgot to edit/add: I also seem to be recommending this book everywhere on MN right now, but Things We Have in Common is a great, ambiguous psychological thriller about the meeting between two (possible) stalkers.

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mistyegg · 13/11/2016 14:58

Sleep Tight by Rachel Abbott
Someone to Watch Over Me by Madeleine Reiss
Because She Loves Me by Mark Edwards

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l4urent85 · 13/11/2016 17:35

I just read I see you which I thought was really good, might be the kind of thing you were looking for Smile

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l4urent85 · 13/11/2016 17:36

Also the ladykiller by Martina Cole

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MorrisZapp · 13/11/2016 17:37

Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh. Bleak but compulsive.

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Saucery · 13/11/2016 17:37

A Kind Of Intimacy, Jenn Ashworth

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NewUserName01 · 23/11/2016 20:43

I enjoyed the first half of 'The Collector' by John Fowles - very, very creepy.

I really loved 'Falling' by Elizabeth Jane Howard.

A friend has just read 'Love of Grace and Angels' by Barbara Jaques which she said was really good. It's on my 'to read' list.

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user1471545174 · 05/12/2016 20:30

Falling is brilliant.

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Clawdy · 08/12/2016 22:11

Another good one is Gone Without A Trace by Mary Torjusson.

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