Featured debut author: Claire Kendal - The Book of You

[RachelMumsnet]

Our first featured debut author in 2015 is Claire Kendal, author of The Book of You. Fans of psychological thrillers will be gripped by this truly frightening story of obsession and power. Find out more about the book and apply for a free copy. If you receive a copy, do come back to this thread and let us know what you think or post up a review of the book.

Claire will be sharing her tips for budding authors soon and we'll link to them from this page.

[piebald]

I enjoyed it , felt it gave quite an insight into what being stalked must feel like. Like others i felt it unlikely that she would fall into a relationship with Robert so easily, in fact i thought he might turn out to be another stalker. Enjoyable read though

[PresidentTwonk]

I've just posted my review, I loved the book! I didn't think much of the ending but overall it was amazing and I'd definitely recommend it!

[ClashCityRocker]

Finished!

I mostly enjoyed this book, and felt that the author did a fantastic job of building up a claustrophobic atmosphere.

I did feel it went downhill towards the end, the plot seemed to pretty much unravel and I lost belief in the story. Also, the characters in the trial felt a little wooden and the comparisons and juxtapositions seemed a bit forced in places.

That said, the book kept me hooked to the end. I would recommend overall.

[imnottoofussed]

Free copy just received thanks just finishing another book so will start asap and come back with my review

[Zippea]

Thank you for the book, I really enjoyed it, found it very easy to read and a complete page turner.

As others have said it is a claustrophobic read and I think the author conveyed the sheer terror and powerlessness experienced by stalking really well. I thought the link between the stalking, the court case and the fairy tales was uncomfortable as it seemed to indicate that Clarissa's story could only end in one way. I didn't like Rafe but I didn't like Robert either and I was fairly certain that 'Jack' was a cover. I liked the use of a different font for Clarissa's 'Book of You' and the court extracts, it seemed to reflect her state of mind (where the bold is tense, the court extracts show her as being in a bit of a protected bubble).

What could have been explored is the working relationship between Rafe and Clarrisa as they both worked for the university - what protection could the university have given her if she had approached HR? This seemed a little overlooked. The ending was a bit of a let down, the author had worked really hard to build up tension that the momentum for the ending seemed lost, I think it was designed to leave you pondering potential scenarios but it felt flat.

Thank you again!

[Stealthpolarbear]

i really enjoyed this. it was good i thought showing what its like to be stalked (i havent) not so much the actual stalking, but how rafe takes over all her thoughts and is a big part of her life, even though she wants nothing to do with him.
also thought the trial itself was quite moving, with its inevitable conclusion.
this might be as a result of rafe being such an (unwelcome) big part of her life - none of the other characters got much of a look in. thinking annie etc. also how did rowena react to knowing shed been so wrong?
will definitely be watching out for the next one.
sorry for lack of punctuation.

[Stealthpolarbear]

yes amd thank you!

[RustyParker]

Thank you for my copy.

Agree with pp that the first person and third person narrative worked well. The book generally held my attention well but the negatives were a bit too overwhelming for me to say I would recommend the book overall.

One thing in particular that really annoyed me was Clarissa repeatedly expressing pity for Rafe. I felt it was just to show the reader she was a decent person despite the Henry situation (don't want to give spoilers) but I don't think it was needed. Rafe was chilling and extreme, it would have been ok to just hate and fear him.

I too just eye rolled at points and wished Clarissa would just go to the police, especially as she seemed so willing to call 999 on three occasions. I also felt it was unrealistic that Clarissa would so easily jump into eagerly persuing a relationship with Robert; be worried about his safety but not tell him about Rafe. Utimately I wanted to throttle Clarissa with one of her mum's hand knitted scarves! FFS woman, eat something, put your big girl pants on and go to the police.

The ending was rushed and an anti-climax. I thought the therapist's encouragement of her feelings towards Robert seemed unrealistic (again, don't want to post spoilers but knowing his situation it seemed wrong).

[RufusTheReindeer]

Thanks for my copy

I enjoyed the book and thought it was a gripping read

I especially liked the "weaving" together if the three woman, Clarissa, Lottie and Laura and the way the legal system treated them

It was quite chilling when Clarissa started piecing together what had happened to Laura and that Rafe had done (at least) once before

I did think that Clarissa was a little slow going to the police but she obviously wanted to cover her bases, we all read stories in the paper of how the police were unable to take action until it was too late

I would certainly read another novel by this author and recommend it to my book club

[thelittlebooktroll]

I am reading this at the moment. It's ok but perhaps a bit repetitive. I hope the storyline with Laura will go somewhere.

[MrFMercury]

I found it very easy to read and swapping between perspectives was used well. The storylines about Laura, Henry and Robert didn't feel like they had quite enough space, time or details to really open up and the ending felt rushed and a little unsatisfying. But the stalking was captured really well and using the court case as contrast worked exceptionally well. The details of the crimes made me feel repulsed and claustrophobic.

[Fanjango]

I thoroughly enjoyed most of this book. Easy to get involved in and gripping, building to a crescendo...that didn't really happen! Sadly the last portion of the book felt, as pp's have said, hurried. It rather reminded me of writing an essay and running out of word allowance, trying to impart as much detail as possible in as little words. It left me feeling a little flat as the build up had been so good an the ending so disappointing. A good read but don't get your hopes up for a well explained ending!

[purplemonstermum]

I enjoyed this book and found it easy to read, even if it did jump about a bit, 1st to 3rd person, back and forth in time etc. I think I would have preferred just the 1st person narrative, as to me this makes a book flow better. I thought there was quite a lot of ambiguity at the end of the book - I would have preferred to know what happened with Clarissa's relationship with Robert and if she was arrested. I don't feel Robert's character or Rafe's were very well fleshed out. Having said that though it did keep me gripped and I definitely felt scared at times. Thanks for my free copy.

[queenoftheschoolrun]

I enjoyed the book too. I finished it in just three sittings and I think it was pretty good for a debut novel.

I agree with all the other posters really. I thought that Rafe's character was very well written and sent shivers down my spine. I wondered why Clarissa reacted as she did and how I would have reacted in her situation. Would I have gone to the police earlier? Would I have sought help elsewhere? Would I have jumped into a relationship with Robert? Did he make her feel safe maybe or was she trying to erase the memories of Rafe and Harry?

I thought the juxtaposition of the court case and her own situation worked well and possibly explained her reluctance to go to the police without sufficient evidence.

And I too was slightly disappointed by the ending, it seemed rushed.

I would definitely read another of her books though.

[AndWhenYouGetThere]

I loved the book but it did jolt around a lot. I think it would have been easier to follow had it stayed in the single person narrative.

It overflowed into my real life and made me very twitch and jumpy - a good sign!

[Iwantacampervan]

I enjoyed the book and felt that the better writing was Claire's feelings of being stalked and Rafe's 'smooth talking' to explain it all - almost making her believe that it was her idea. I think she went for Robert as he looked and felt safe - a protector.

[Iwantacampervan]

Clarissa - not Claire

[Stuffedcrusty]

Thanks for my copy.

I really really enjoyed this book. If I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it, desperate to be able to pick it up again. I may even have put Cbeebies on for half an hour so that I could sneak in a chapter.

As others have said, it was unbearably tense in places and I sometimes found it an uncomfortable read (in a good way, if that makes sense). I like to be taken out of my comfort zone sometimes, and the ending also did that for me too. I get too used to happy-ever-after endings, and it would have been too easy to finish it that way. I'm glad that it ended uncomfortably, as that was the style of the story. I did actually turn the last page and think, 'no, is that it?! Grr'.

A great debut novel, and I will keep an eye out for more books from this author.