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Harbinder Kaur #1
The Stranger Diaries
Clare Cassidy is no stranger to murder. A high school English teacher specializing in the Gothic writer R. M. Holland, she teaches a course on it every year. But when one of Clare’s colleagues and closest friends is found dead, with a line from R. M. Holland’s most famous story, “The Stranger,” left by her body, Clare is horrified to see her life collide with the storylines of her favourite literature.
To make matters worse, the police suspect the killer is someone Clare knows. Unsure whom to trust, she turns to her closest confidant, her diary, the only outlet she has for her darkest suspicions and fears about the case. Then one day she notices something odd. Writing that isn't hers, left on the page of an old diary: "Hallo, Clare. You don’t know me."
Clare becomes more certain than ever: “The Stranger” has come to terrifying life. But can the ending be rewritten in time?
To make matters worse, the police suspect the killer is someone Clare knows. Unsure whom to trust, she turns to her closest confidant, her diary, the only outlet she has for her darkest suspicions and fears about the case. Then one day she notices something odd. Writing that isn't hers, left on the page of an old diary: "Hallo, Clare. You don’t know me."
Clare becomes more certain than ever: “The Stranger” has come to terrifying life. But can the ending be rewritten in time?
338 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2018
3,882 people are currently reading
32.1k people want to read
About the author
Elly Griffiths
102 books8,862 followersElly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway novels take for their inspiration Elly's husband, who gave up a city job to train as an archaeologist, and her aunt who lives on the Norfolk coast and who filled her niece's head with the myths and legends of that area. Elly has two children and lives near Brighton. Though not her first novel, The Crossing Places is her first crime novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,731 reviews
June 20, 2024
This is my first Elly Griffiths novel and I'll be checking out more of her novels in the future. The story is told from three POVs although there is also a short story contained within the novel that gives us a fourth narrator for those parts of the book. The short story is The Stranger, written by the fictional Gothic writer R. M. Holland, who one of the main characters, Clare, specializes in teaching in her high school English classes. Clare's 15 year old daughter Georgia attends the same high school and provides another POV for the novel. The third POV comes from DS Harbinder Kaur, one of the detectives investigating the murder at the school.
The murder of Clare's best friend, Ella, another English teacher at the school, seems to have evidence that alludes to the short story, The Stranger. In fact, the school houses the building where Holland lived almost a century ago, where his wife died mysteriously by being pushed or thrown down the stairs to Holland's attic office. Then Clare notices that someone has added writing to her private diaries, making everything seem even more sinister.
There is an eerie feel to the book, as more and more things happen that allude to Holland and his writings, which is fun in a modern day novel. I enjoyed reading from the POV of all three characters, the snobbish, beautiful Clare, the too mature for her age, Georgia, and the hard nosed, sarcastic and witty DS Kaur. Reading the events of the story from three different perspectives often changed the who and how of the story for me and even though I briefly picked the right person for the murderer, I was led astray by new events and seeing the events from a different view point. . And then there was the short story within this novel that added to the mysterious and gothic feel of the book.
When I first began reading the book it seemed to be a slow start that didn't really grab my interest. But once the other POVs entered the story, I was hooked. And then there is Herbert, Clare and Georgia's little mutt dog that goes to doggie day care and has the cutest personality.
Pub March 5 2019
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for this ARC.
The murder of Clare's best friend, Ella, another English teacher at the school, seems to have evidence that alludes to the short story, The Stranger. In fact, the school houses the building where Holland lived almost a century ago, where his wife died mysteriously by being pushed or thrown down the stairs to Holland's attic office. Then Clare notices that someone has added writing to her private diaries, making everything seem even more sinister.
There is an eerie feel to the book, as more and more things happen that allude to Holland and his writings, which is fun in a modern day novel. I enjoyed reading from the POV of all three characters, the snobbish, beautiful Clare, the too mature for her age, Georgia, and the hard nosed, sarcastic and witty DS Kaur. Reading the events of the story from three different perspectives often changed the who and how of the story for me and even though I briefly picked the right person for the murderer, I was led astray by new events and seeing the events from a different view point. . And then there was the short story within this novel that added to the mysterious and gothic feel of the book.
When I first began reading the book it seemed to be a slow start that didn't really grab my interest. But once the other POVs entered the story, I was hooked. And then there is Herbert, Clare and Georgia's little mutt dog that goes to doggie day care and has the cutest personality.
Pub March 5 2019
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for this ARC.
October 6, 2022
"Nothing in the world is hidden forever."-Wilkie Collins, No Name
NetGalley and I have been playing this game where it tempts me with a book, I play coy, and then one night after a few glasses of wine I click the READ NOW button and, the next thing I know, I'm the proud owner of a shiny new ARC and a small percentage added stress to get it reviewed before pub date. There, I admit that I have a problem. The trick with this game is that sometimes it doesn't work out well for me, but every now and then I stumble across a blessed gem that I may not have had the courage to grasp otherwise.
This was that sort of case; I kept eyeing The Stranger Diaries online because it seemingly contained everything I love in a book. I'm a sucker for bookception (books that take place inside of another book), gothic suspense, and an Agatha Christie-esque plot that gives you a taste of that classic crime mystery we all love. I'm really grateful for my blundering mishap, because otherwise I might have missed out on one of my favorite reads of the year so far!
Obviously I'm aware that this book won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I was partially swayed by the high number of positive early ratings The Stranger Diaries had received, while seeming to not have a never-ending budget that some of the big titles receive pre-publication. This word of mouth via reviewers is spot on; I see why the quiet hum surrounding this one is slowly growing to a steady buzz. Elly Griffiths is well known for her series, but this being her first stand-alone novel could have gone either way. I'm so impressed that I'm salivating for more of her work!
The story opens with a novella of sorts; we only get bits and pieces spaced throughout until the very end, where we finally get to read The Stranger in its entirety, which was a brilliant move. Also inserted are diary entries from Clare, one of the narrators, and one could argue the main character of the novel. Here's the kicker-we are thrust around between THREE UNRELIABLE NARRATORS and I adored this move. And I'm not talking Gone Girl type of unreliable narrator; I'm saying that these three characters all have their own flaws that we uncover throughout, and we get to decide along the way how severe the secrets are that each of them hold.
The plot is complex, multi-layered, and incredibly engrossing. As I was reading, I found myself torn between wanting to blow through the book and anxiously attempting to savor it slowly. Because the POVs change frequently, I was kept on my toes and was forced to continually evolve my view of each character. Who could I trust? Who was holding the biggest secret? Well, we find out in the end and I was very pleased with the Five W's (Who What When Where Why). In all, excellent from beginning to end. Highly recommended!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy via NetGalley.
NetGalley and I have been playing this game where it tempts me with a book, I play coy, and then one night after a few glasses of wine I click the READ NOW button and, the next thing I know, I'm the proud owner of a shiny new ARC and a small percentage added stress to get it reviewed before pub date. There, I admit that I have a problem. The trick with this game is that sometimes it doesn't work out well for me, but every now and then I stumble across a blessed gem that I may not have had the courage to grasp otherwise.
This was that sort of case; I kept eyeing The Stranger Diaries online because it seemingly contained everything I love in a book. I'm a sucker for bookception (books that take place inside of another book), gothic suspense, and an Agatha Christie-esque plot that gives you a taste of that classic crime mystery we all love. I'm really grateful for my blundering mishap, because otherwise I might have missed out on one of my favorite reads of the year so far!
Obviously I'm aware that this book won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I was partially swayed by the high number of positive early ratings The Stranger Diaries had received, while seeming to not have a never-ending budget that some of the big titles receive pre-publication. This word of mouth via reviewers is spot on; I see why the quiet hum surrounding this one is slowly growing to a steady buzz. Elly Griffiths is well known for her series, but this being her first stand-alone novel could have gone either way. I'm so impressed that I'm salivating for more of her work!
The story opens with a novella of sorts; we only get bits and pieces spaced throughout until the very end, where we finally get to read The Stranger in its entirety, which was a brilliant move. Also inserted are diary entries from Clare, one of the narrators, and one could argue the main character of the novel. Here's the kicker-we are thrust around between THREE UNRELIABLE NARRATORS and I adored this move. And I'm not talking Gone Girl type of unreliable narrator; I'm saying that these three characters all have their own flaws that we uncover throughout, and we get to decide along the way how severe the secrets are that each of them hold.
The plot is complex, multi-layered, and incredibly engrossing. As I was reading, I found myself torn between wanting to blow through the book and anxiously attempting to savor it slowly. Because the POVs change frequently, I was kept on my toes and was forced to continually evolve my view of each character. Who could I trust? Who was holding the biggest secret? Well, we find out in the end and I was very pleased with the Five W's (Who What When Where Why). In all, excellent from beginning to end. Highly recommended!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy via NetGalley.
February 11, 2019
Creepy and Witty!
The Stranger Diaries is about an English teacher whose life begins to mirror a Gothic murder mystery.
Clare, a single mother to 15-year-old Georgie, is an English teacher in an idyllic seaside town. She happens to teach in the school where famous author R.M. Holland once lived. Clare, a Holland scholar, loves to teach his eerie short story “The Stranger.” When a fellow English teacher is murdered, Clare is shocked that her friend and colleague was murdered. Even more shocking is how the scene of the crime bears some similarities to “The Stranger.” As more and more mysterious events occur, it appears that Clare might be the killer’s next target.
There is more than one mystery to be solved in The Stranger Diaries , as the reader also gets to experience R.M. Holland’s “The Stranger.” The story within a story method works well. There are multiple POV’s as the story is narrated by the Stranger, Clare, DS Kauer, and Georgie. While I was a little annoyed with the multiple POV’s, the characters grew on me and I realized at a certain point that The many POV’s are necessary.
I really enjoyed The Stranger Diaries. My favorite part was the caustic tone; I found myself frequently laughing out loud. I also loved Herbert the dog! The mystery is intriguing, the characters are fascinating, and the tone is super creepy. Griffiths does a nice job of embodying a Gothic tone and setting. While I guessed the murderer early on, it didn’t ruin the outcome. I highly recommend!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in exchange for an honest review.
The Stranger Diaries is about an English teacher whose life begins to mirror a Gothic murder mystery.
Clare, a single mother to 15-year-old Georgie, is an English teacher in an idyllic seaside town. She happens to teach in the school where famous author R.M. Holland once lived. Clare, a Holland scholar, loves to teach his eerie short story “The Stranger.” When a fellow English teacher is murdered, Clare is shocked that her friend and colleague was murdered. Even more shocking is how the scene of the crime bears some similarities to “The Stranger.” As more and more mysterious events occur, it appears that Clare might be the killer’s next target.
There is more than one mystery to be solved in The Stranger Diaries , as the reader also gets to experience R.M. Holland’s “The Stranger.” The story within a story method works well. There are multiple POV’s as the story is narrated by the Stranger, Clare, DS Kauer, and Georgie. While I was a little annoyed with the multiple POV’s, the characters grew on me and I realized at a certain point that The many POV’s are necessary.
I really enjoyed The Stranger Diaries. My favorite part was the caustic tone; I found myself frequently laughing out loud. I also loved Herbert the dog! The mystery is intriguing, the characters are fascinating, and the tone is super creepy. Griffiths does a nice job of embodying a Gothic tone and setting. While I guessed the murderer early on, it didn’t ruin the outcome. I highly recommend!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2020
Rounded 3.75 ghostly stars.
This is great combination of Victorian gothic vibes and modern mystery. The writer perfectly developed the story and used the menacing, thrilling, disturbing elements of horror impeccably. Only the bad thing about the novel for me was the characters are a little dull and boring for me.
But compelling and moving writing make me read more novels of this writer.
This is great combination of Victorian gothic vibes and modern mystery. The writer perfectly developed the story and used the menacing, thrilling, disturbing elements of horror impeccably. Only the bad thing about the novel for me was the characters are a little dull and boring for me.
But compelling and moving writing make me read more novels of this writer.
April 19, 2019
5 Gothic Stars
Clare is an English teacher at Talgarth High School which was the home of an author named R.M. Holland. R.M. Holland's wife, Alice died and she roams and haunts the school. Clare was a fan of his book, The Stranger. She specializes in the gothic writer, R.M. Holland. She teaches a course in it every year. She decides to write a biography about him. Then one of Clare's colleague's Ella, who is a very close friend of hers dies and is murdered. There is also a note left by her body which is a line from R.M. Holland's novel, The Stranger which says, "Hell is Empty.
Clare lives with her teenage daughter, Georgia and her dog, Herbert. Someone is leaving creepy notes in her diary. "Gallo Clare, You don't know me." Clare is in the center of the crime and the mystery seems to revolve around her. Ella isn 't the only one who is murdered and everyone is a suspect. The Police suspects the killer is someone that Clare knows.
I am a big fan of The Ruth Galloway series and was so happy when I got the copy of this book. I loved this book more than I thought I would. I especially loved this one because I love a thrilling gothic novel after a reading slump. I just loved the gothic atmosphere and it was so creepy. It was fantastic. It's a book within a book. Gothic novels are always my favorite genre.
I was so surprised who the killer was and I never suspected the killer. I didn't think the killer has a strong motive. It just wasn't good enough. I thought the plot was great and loved everything else about this book. There were so many things that I loved about this book.
I just loved the characters. I loved Clare and her teenage daughter, Georgia who was very mature for her age. I loved the dog Herbert and thought he was adorable. My favorite character was Byrony Hughes. I thought her character was done so well.
i loved DS Harbinder Kaur.
Now I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Ruth Galloway series.
This was a Traveling Sister Read and it was a fun discussion.
I want to thank, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Elly Griffiths for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Clare is an English teacher at Talgarth High School which was the home of an author named R.M. Holland. R.M. Holland's wife, Alice died and she roams and haunts the school. Clare was a fan of his book, The Stranger. She specializes in the gothic writer, R.M. Holland. She teaches a course in it every year. She decides to write a biography about him. Then one of Clare's colleague's Ella, who is a very close friend of hers dies and is murdered. There is also a note left by her body which is a line from R.M. Holland's novel, The Stranger which says, "Hell is Empty.
Clare lives with her teenage daughter, Georgia and her dog, Herbert. Someone is leaving creepy notes in her diary. "Gallo Clare, You don't know me." Clare is in the center of the crime and the mystery seems to revolve around her. Ella isn 't the only one who is murdered and everyone is a suspect. The Police suspects the killer is someone that Clare knows.
I am a big fan of The Ruth Galloway series and was so happy when I got the copy of this book. I loved this book more than I thought I would. I especially loved this one because I love a thrilling gothic novel after a reading slump. I just loved the gothic atmosphere and it was so creepy. It was fantastic. It's a book within a book. Gothic novels are always my favorite genre.
I was so surprised who the killer was and I never suspected the killer. I didn't think the killer has a strong motive. It just wasn't good enough. I thought the plot was great and loved everything else about this book. There were so many things that I loved about this book.
I just loved the characters. I loved Clare and her teenage daughter, Georgia who was very mature for her age. I loved the dog Herbert and thought he was adorable. My favorite character was Byrony Hughes. I thought her character was done so well.
i loved DS Harbinder Kaur.
Now I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Ruth Galloway series.
This was a Traveling Sister Read and it was a fun discussion.
I want to thank, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Elly Griffiths for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2018
Elly Griffiths writes the perfect October read with this contemporary take on the Victorian Gothic novel set on the Sussex coast. Attractive Clare Cassidy is a divorced English teacher with a 15 year old daughter, Georgia, teaching at local comprehensive school, Talgarth High, where there is a building that Roland Montgomery Holland, a reclusive Victorian writer lived, a man famous for a short story titled The Stranger. Clare is writing a biography of RM Holland and is interested in the death of his wife, Alice Avery, rumoured to have fallen to her death, and his mysterious daughter, Mariana, about whom virtually nothing is known. Alice's ghost is said to haunt the school, and if seen, is said to foreshadow a death. Clare's best friend and colleague, Ella Elphick, is found murdered with a note that is a quote from The Stranger 'Hell is empty'. In a narrative delivered by three female voices, Clare, Georgia and DS Harbinder Kaur, aspects of The Stranger are interspersed throughout the novel, as creepy and menacing echoes of the Victorian story are to be found in a series of murders in the present.
Ella was a well liked member of the English department and the entire school is shocked by her death. The police investigation is led by DS Kaur who attended Talgarth High as a pupil and her experiences of the school pepper the story. Clare is less than forthcoming to Kaur about the intrigue in the department and Ella, but then events take a sinister turn and more murders take place. Clare has been a long term keeper of personal diaries documenting her inner thoughts and events in her life. She is left afraid and unsettled when she discovers someone else has written in her diary at which point she hands her journals to Kaur who finds them revealing of Clare, and the truth of Ella's character and personal life. Clare thinks she knows her daughter, Georgie, rather well, but there is much that Georgia keep secret, including her attendance of a creative writing course run by Bryony Hughes, known as a white witch. In the meantime, Clare finds a romantic interest in Cambridge academic, Henry Hamilton, who has unearthed further information on RM Holland.
Elly Griffiths always writes compelling stories with gripping characters and this is no different. There is plenty of atmosphere of the ghostly and menacing kind along with that of the location with its dense sea mists and abandoned warehouses. Whilst Clare was of less interest to me as a person, I loved her daughter, Georgie, with her much older boyfriend, the dog, Herbert, and the gay DS Harbinder Kaur is a person I would definitely like to meet again with her wit, her family, her mum that waits up for her and cooks such fabulous food. This is a great read for this time of year with Halloween approaching. I found it an enthralling read which I recommend highly. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
Ella was a well liked member of the English department and the entire school is shocked by her death. The police investigation is led by DS Kaur who attended Talgarth High as a pupil and her experiences of the school pepper the story. Clare is less than forthcoming to Kaur about the intrigue in the department and Ella, but then events take a sinister turn and more murders take place. Clare has been a long term keeper of personal diaries documenting her inner thoughts and events in her life. She is left afraid and unsettled when she discovers someone else has written in her diary at which point she hands her journals to Kaur who finds them revealing of Clare, and the truth of Ella's character and personal life. Clare thinks she knows her daughter, Georgie, rather well, but there is much that Georgia keep secret, including her attendance of a creative writing course run by Bryony Hughes, known as a white witch. In the meantime, Clare finds a romantic interest in Cambridge academic, Henry Hamilton, who has unearthed further information on RM Holland.
Elly Griffiths always writes compelling stories with gripping characters and this is no different. There is plenty of atmosphere of the ghostly and menacing kind along with that of the location with its dense sea mists and abandoned warehouses. Whilst Clare was of less interest to me as a person, I loved her daughter, Georgie, with her much older boyfriend, the dog, Herbert, and the gay DS Harbinder Kaur is a person I would definitely like to meet again with her wit, her family, her mum that waits up for her and cooks such fabulous food. This is a great read for this time of year with Halloween approaching. I found it an enthralling read which I recommend highly. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
January 27, 2020
***GREAT HALLOWEEN READ***
I have to admit that the first time I started this book I was a little put off with all of the descriptions of gloomy gothic feeling British schools and talking about “The Stranger” a book by a supposedly famous author, none of which I knew anything about.
The second time I put aside an evening to immerse myself in this book and I was hooked after the first few chapters, actually I couldn’t stop reading it. There are so many interesting, unique characters, descriptions of the British countryside and Talgarth High School that I knew that I was in for a treat. The fact that this is a book within a book is very special, only a few authors that I’ve read can pull this off.
Clare Cassidy is a devoted English teacher who is teaching an adult course during the summer months to pick up some extra money, and she always enjoys introducing new students to one of her favorite authors, R. M. Holland. Clare is actually writing a biography on him, although at the time her writing has been frustrating her. The fact that she is teaching in Talgarth High, where the author, in his top floor study, wrote “The Stranger” adds added tension and mystery to the discussions in the class. She is actually in a good place, her divorce behind her, her daughter Georgia, age 15, is with her and lots of teachers she cares deeply for.
All of this changes when her teammate and friend Ella Elphick is found murdered, stabbed multiple times and a note left quoting a line from “The Stranger”, “Hell is empty”. Everyone is shocked, Ella was a favorite among colleagues and students. Detectives DS Harbinder Kaur and her partner Neil Winston are assigned to the case and quickly start interviewing everyone and searching for clues to the murder.
The novel is told from three points of view, Clare, Georgia and DS Harbinder. I enjoyed each of their viewpoints but really loved the character of DS Harbinder. She actually attended Talgarth High and so is very familiar with the stories surrounding R. M. Holland. She is a very meticulous investigator with a keen eye for details and a determination to find the murderer before more tragedy ensues, unfortunately there will be more murders but I will leave you to discover that.
The title “The Stranger Diaries” actually refer to Clare’s personal diaries which she has kept, locked in her bedroom, and has been journaling since she was young.
One of the hints I will share with you is that someone else is writing in Clare’s diary and writing very upsetting notes. We don’t know if this is the same person who killed Ella but it is notably creepy that he/she is able to gain access to the diary in able to write the notes.
I ended up loving this book and the incredible skill that Ms. Griffiths’s has as a writer. This is an intelligently written, deeply plotted mystery with a gothic feel and simply wonderful characters. Read this one, you will not be disappointed!
I received an ARC of this novel from publisher through NetGalley.
(friends, this is the correct version of the book that I read, sorry for any confusion, I have corrected the duplication, thank you )
I have to admit that the first time I started this book I was a little put off with all of the descriptions of gloomy gothic feeling British schools and talking about “The Stranger” a book by a supposedly famous author, none of which I knew anything about.
The second time I put aside an evening to immerse myself in this book and I was hooked after the first few chapters, actually I couldn’t stop reading it. There are so many interesting, unique characters, descriptions of the British countryside and Talgarth High School that I knew that I was in for a treat. The fact that this is a book within a book is very special, only a few authors that I’ve read can pull this off.
Clare Cassidy is a devoted English teacher who is teaching an adult course during the summer months to pick up some extra money, and she always enjoys introducing new students to one of her favorite authors, R. M. Holland. Clare is actually writing a biography on him, although at the time her writing has been frustrating her. The fact that she is teaching in Talgarth High, where the author, in his top floor study, wrote “The Stranger” adds added tension and mystery to the discussions in the class. She is actually in a good place, her divorce behind her, her daughter Georgia, age 15, is with her and lots of teachers she cares deeply for.
All of this changes when her teammate and friend Ella Elphick is found murdered, stabbed multiple times and a note left quoting a line from “The Stranger”, “Hell is empty”. Everyone is shocked, Ella was a favorite among colleagues and students. Detectives DS Harbinder Kaur and her partner Neil Winston are assigned to the case and quickly start interviewing everyone and searching for clues to the murder.
The novel is told from three points of view, Clare, Georgia and DS Harbinder. I enjoyed each of their viewpoints but really loved the character of DS Harbinder. She actually attended Talgarth High and so is very familiar with the stories surrounding R. M. Holland. She is a very meticulous investigator with a keen eye for details and a determination to find the murderer before more tragedy ensues, unfortunately there will be more murders but I will leave you to discover that.
The title “The Stranger Diaries” actually refer to Clare’s personal diaries which she has kept, locked in her bedroom, and has been journaling since she was young.
One of the hints I will share with you is that someone else is writing in Clare’s diary and writing very upsetting notes. We don’t know if this is the same person who killed Ella but it is notably creepy that he/she is able to gain access to the diary in able to write the notes.
I ended up loving this book and the incredible skill that Ms. Griffiths’s has as a writer. This is an intelligently written, deeply plotted mystery with a gothic feel and simply wonderful characters. Read this one, you will not be disappointed!
I received an ARC of this novel from publisher through NetGalley.
(friends, this is the correct version of the book that I read, sorry for any confusion, I have corrected the duplication, thank you )
April 21, 2019
3.5 stars (rounded up) for Elly Griffiths' modern gothic mystery, The Stranger Diaries
Clare Cassidy is an English teacher specializing in Gothic writer R.M. Holland and his short story, The Stranger . Clare is working on a book based on the mysterious life of R.M. Holland, who once lived in the school where she now works.
One evening one of Clare's closest friends and colleagues, Ella, is murdered with a line from R. M. Holland’s story left by her body. Clare's life eerily begins to collide with some of her favorite pieces of literature. Confused and concerned about what is happening around her, Clare turns to her trusty diary only to find that someone has been to it first and left her a note. Who is this stranger writing in her diary? Could the killer ultimately be out for Clare?
The gothic vibe of the story definitely added to its sense of eeriness. I will confess that I had the killer figured out - I just wasn't sure on the why. The motive actually left me a bit underwhelmed but overall, it fit within the context of the story and it was definitely plausible. Griffiths did a thorough job of leading us with a trail of breadcrumbs throughout and throwing in a few red herrings here and there. Personally, I was just hoping for a bit more - some of the red herrings would have actually been quite an interesting route to take.
The cast of characters here was ecclectic and wonderful though I admit that Clare was actually my least favorite. I thoroughly enjoyed her daughter Georgie, their adorable and pampered dog Herbert and DS Harbinder Kaur. I can actually see DS Kaur in her own series. She is witty, critical and has quite an interesting backstory. Dare I hope we might see more of her in the future from Griffiths?
Overall, if you enjoy gothic mysteries with that classic "whodunit" vibe - this one's for you. Thank you to Elly Griffiths, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book.
Clare Cassidy is an English teacher specializing in Gothic writer R.M. Holland and his short story, The Stranger . Clare is working on a book based on the mysterious life of R.M. Holland, who once lived in the school where she now works.
One evening one of Clare's closest friends and colleagues, Ella, is murdered with a line from R. M. Holland’s story left by her body. Clare's life eerily begins to collide with some of her favorite pieces of literature. Confused and concerned about what is happening around her, Clare turns to her trusty diary only to find that someone has been to it first and left her a note. Who is this stranger writing in her diary? Could the killer ultimately be out for Clare?
The gothic vibe of the story definitely added to its sense of eeriness. I will confess that I had the killer figured out - I just wasn't sure on the why. The motive actually left me a bit underwhelmed but overall, it fit within the context of the story and it was definitely plausible. Griffiths did a thorough job of leading us with a trail of breadcrumbs throughout and throwing in a few red herrings here and there. Personally, I was just hoping for a bit more - some of the red herrings would have actually been quite an interesting route to take.
The cast of characters here was ecclectic and wonderful though I admit that Clare was actually my least favorite. I thoroughly enjoyed her daughter Georgie, their adorable and pampered dog Herbert and DS Harbinder Kaur. I can actually see DS Kaur in her own series. She is witty, critical and has quite an interesting backstory. Dare I hope we might see more of her in the future from Griffiths?
Overall, if you enjoy gothic mysteries with that classic "whodunit" vibe - this one's for you. Thank you to Elly Griffiths, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an arc of this book.
February 22, 2019
What a great book and a complete surprise to me as it was my first by this author. I have made a note to try her Ruth Galloway series as soon as possible!
The Stranger Diaries is a contemporary mystery with a Gothic flavour. There's a book within the book, old houses with creepy passageways, a deserted building with lights that flash from the windows at night and even a self proclaimed witch. What more do you need for the spookiness factor?
And then there is the murder mystery, actually murders because there are several plus a few near misses. The story is told by Clare Cassidy, her daughter Georgia and D.S. Harbinder Kaur. Clare is an English teacher and would be author who is responsible for the diaries of the title and a lot of the other things that happen. Harbinder is a superb character with a very dry wit and a rather critical approach to life. Her unspoken asides to herself are hilarious.
Add to all this a number of other well written characters and a cleverly woven story which keeps you guessing right to the end. So many possible murderers and I never even considered the right one! Altogether a really excellent book.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The Stranger Diaries is a contemporary mystery with a Gothic flavour. There's a book within the book, old houses with creepy passageways, a deserted building with lights that flash from the windows at night and even a self proclaimed witch. What more do you need for the spookiness factor?
And then there is the murder mystery, actually murders because there are several plus a few near misses. The story is told by Clare Cassidy, her daughter Georgia and D.S. Harbinder Kaur. Clare is an English teacher and would be author who is responsible for the diaries of the title and a lot of the other things that happen. Harbinder is a superb character with a very dry wit and a rather critical approach to life. Her unspoken asides to herself are hilarious.
Add to all this a number of other well written characters and a cleverly woven story which keeps you guessing right to the end. So many possible murderers and I never even considered the right one! Altogether a really excellent book.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 1, 2019
Well, she's three for three, or I should say that this author, Elly Griffiths has not ever let me down. Her Ruth Galloway series is in my top ten, her newer Magic Men series is growing on me more and more, now this a standalone. All are in my view, terrific. She just is a master of atmosphere, but I think characters too. She makes the reader care.
In this outing an English teacher Clair, who also teaches a writing class, is involved in a mystery. One of the books she uses as an example in her class, is a gothic, and very strange tale. The school where she teaches has been rebuilt, though the original place this mysterious author wrote, still remains. A ghost is said to inhabit this section, so that sets the outwordly tone. Then the bodies begin to pile up, and everyone seems to be a suspect. The truth though may be closer than she thinks.
The chapters alternate between Clair, her teenage daughter and a young police detective Harbinger, who once attended the school. In between there are chapters written by we know not who, but they had to the suspense. Scene builds upon scene, and as we read, are privy to the latest revelations, the suspense grows. A terrific read, just scary enough, without much blood and gore. My perfect kind of mystery.
In this outing an English teacher Clair, who also teaches a writing class, is involved in a mystery. One of the books she uses as an example in her class, is a gothic, and very strange tale. The school where she teaches has been rebuilt, though the original place this mysterious author wrote, still remains. A ghost is said to inhabit this section, so that sets the outwordly tone. Then the bodies begin to pile up, and everyone seems to be a suspect. The truth though may be closer than she thinks.
The chapters alternate between Clair, her teenage daughter and a young police detective Harbinger, who once attended the school. In between there are chapters written by we know not who, but they had to the suspense. Scene builds upon scene, and as we read, are privy to the latest revelations, the suspense grows. A terrific read, just scary enough, without much blood and gore. My perfect kind of mystery.
September 17, 2021
this gave me massive ‘the maidens’ meets ‘for your own good’ vibes. its very dark academia lite.
the gothic setting, the haunting ghost, the english/literature themes, and the story-within-a-story interludes create a novel that is exactly my cup of tea. the multiple POVs offer different insights, which make the murder mysteries even more engaging. while i did feel some perspectives are more valuable than others, there honestly werent any characters that i didnt like.
the only thing preventing me from rating this higher is just how evident and predictable the culprit is. its literally the only character that struck me as not belonging in the entire story and no red herrings could mask that. from the very moment they were introduced, i knew something was up because , so i figured there had to be some reasoning behind that. and lo and behold, there is.
but other than the ‘whodunnit’ being painfully obvious, this was a quick, mysterious, and entertaining read!
↠ 3.5 stars
the gothic setting, the haunting ghost, the english/literature themes, and the story-within-a-story interludes create a novel that is exactly my cup of tea. the multiple POVs offer different insights, which make the murder mysteries even more engaging. while i did feel some perspectives are more valuable than others, there honestly werent any characters that i didnt like.
the only thing preventing me from rating this higher is just how evident and predictable the culprit is. its literally the only character that struck me as not belonging in the entire story and no red herrings could mask that. from the very moment they were introduced, i knew something was up because , so i figured there had to be some reasoning behind that. and lo and behold, there is.
but other than the ‘whodunnit’ being painfully obvious, this was a quick, mysterious, and entertaining read!
↠ 3.5 stars
November 14, 2018
An absorbing and unsettling contemporary thriller that mirrors a gothic tale~
Some elements I loved~
1. There is a gothic Victorian book placed inside the main story. ooh...book inside a book
.
2. Several points of view.
3. The mixture of modern and old school.
4. Police procedural mixed with the creepiness of the setting.
5. A quirky female detective with a sharp eye for inconsistencies. (She was my fave)
6. The setting of a "haunted" school.
If your craving something a little different from your standard thriller, this one has a lot to offer. I was absorbed in the story and it has "just enough" creepiness without being gruesome or overly graphic.
I loved how the author brought in the gothic feeling by using a book inside of the story that would hold answers to the mystery.
I found it atmospheric, entertaining, and unique.
Thanks to NG for my copy to read/review.
Some elements I loved~
1. There is a gothic Victorian book placed inside the main story. ooh...book inside a book
.
2. Several points of view.
3. The mixture of modern and old school.
4. Police procedural mixed with the creepiness of the setting.
5. A quirky female detective with a sharp eye for inconsistencies. (She was my fave)
6. The setting of a "haunted" school.
If your craving something a little different from your standard thriller, this one has a lot to offer. I was absorbed in the story and it has "just enough" creepiness without being gruesome or overly graphic.
I loved how the author brought in the gothic feeling by using a book inside of the story that would hold answers to the mystery.
I found it atmospheric, entertaining, and unique.
Thanks to NG for my copy to read/review.
March 27, 2019
An atmospheric thriller, full of chilling scenes, I found this book very hard to put down.
Clare is a teacher at a high school, set in a historic old building. It is the former home of writer RM Holland, author of the ghost story The Stranger. Then Clare's friend and colleague, Ella, is found dead, a note is left beside her body with a line from The Stranger.
Clare, afraid that the killer is someone she knows, turn to her journal, where she's always written down her thoughts and feelings. Then one day she opens her journal to find writing that isn't her own...
The Stranger Diaries is a haunting gothic type mystery, full of creepy characters, any of which could prove to be the killer. With the setting of a haunted old mansion, what's not to love? Recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Clare is a teacher at a high school, set in a historic old building. It is the former home of writer RM Holland, author of the ghost story The Stranger. Then Clare's friend and colleague, Ella, is found dead, a note is left beside her body with a line from The Stranger.
Clare, afraid that the killer is someone she knows, turn to her journal, where she's always written down her thoughts and feelings. Then one day she opens her journal to find writing that isn't her own...
The Stranger Diaries is a haunting gothic type mystery, full of creepy characters, any of which could prove to be the killer. With the setting of a haunted old mansion, what's not to love? Recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2019
Despite a dear friend telling how much she loves the Ruth Galloway series, I’ve never read Elly Griffiths. So her first stand alone novel seemed like a good place to start, especially when it was compared to Magpie Murders. “A modern gothic mystery”, according to the book’s description. Perfect! And this book did work for me on so many levels.
First the characters…there are three narrators and I enjoyed each of them. It was easy for me to bond with Clare. An English teacher who teaches creative writing, she’s in love with her rescue dog. And she keeps a diary. As one person says, “I didn’t think anyone did that except in Victorian novels”. DS Kaur, the investigator, has a great dry sense of self deprecating humor. She’s sharp, a real sleuth in the old tradition. And Georgie is smart but still definitely a teenager.
Second, the plot… The book starts as a normal murder mystery, with Clare’s best friend the victim. But it takes on a deliciously creepy factor when Clare discovers someone has written in her diary. An unknown someone. And Griffiths has layered a bit of otherworldliness on top of the murder mystery. Usually, this would bother me, but here it works. It’s also one of the few books lately where I had absolutely no bloody clue who the murderer was.
Third, the writing style… The story flips back and forth between the three characters’ narratives. Griffiths shows us the same scene from various perspectives. I especially appreciated the parent vs. teenager views and how inept Clare was at understanding Georgie.
And for once, the comparison is apt. I do think those who enjoyed Magpie Murders will also enjoy this.
My thanks to netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for an advance copy of this book.
March 21, 2019
Elly Griffiths is well known for her Ruth Galloway series. The Stranger Diaries is a stand-alone and my first book by Elly Griffiths. I read it in our Traveling Sisters reading group.
A gothic murder mystery with a modern twist, a whodunnit, and a ghost story.
The Stranger Diaries has a unique and interesting format to the story that we all loved. The story is told from different overlapping POVs, and timelines, passages from a book, a story within the story method and diary entries from one of the main characters.
We all were intrigued right from the start with this entertaining and fun story that takes place on the grounds of a school where a famous author R.M. Holland once lived. We loved the gothic tone and setting to the story and were drawn in the murder mystery and ghost story right from the start. There were some things here in this story that just didn’t work for me and a few of us just didn’t buy into. This lead to some discussion within the group and it was interesting to see how everyone reacted to these things.
The ending also left us with a few things to discuss. Some of us were shocked by whodunnit and of course even though I was questioning a few things I didn’t figure out who it was. You would think after so many thrillers my detective skills would be better. But no! The ending wrapped up quite quickly and a bit neat and we were questioning a few things about that. Leaving a few of us not buying into it and the rest not really bothered by it because of the well done gothic elements to the story. I highly recommend this one for group reads. There is plenty to talk about!
Thank you to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for my copy to read and review.
You can find more thoughts from The Traveling Sisters on our blog
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/2...
A gothic murder mystery with a modern twist, a whodunnit, and a ghost story.
The Stranger Diaries has a unique and interesting format to the story that we all loved. The story is told from different overlapping POVs, and timelines, passages from a book, a story within the story method and diary entries from one of the main characters.
We all were intrigued right from the start with this entertaining and fun story that takes place on the grounds of a school where a famous author R.M. Holland once lived. We loved the gothic tone and setting to the story and were drawn in the murder mystery and ghost story right from the start. There were some things here in this story that just didn’t work for me and a few of us just didn’t buy into. This lead to some discussion within the group and it was interesting to see how everyone reacted to these things.
The ending also left us with a few things to discuss. Some of us were shocked by whodunnit and of course even though I was questioning a few things I didn’t figure out who it was. You would think after so many thrillers my detective skills would be better. But no! The ending wrapped up quite quickly and a bit neat and we were questioning a few things about that. Leaving a few of us not buying into it and the rest not really bothered by it because of the well done gothic elements to the story. I highly recommend this one for group reads. There is plenty to talk about!
Thank you to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for my copy to read and review.
You can find more thoughts from The Traveling Sisters on our blog
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/2...
February 27, 2019
"It can be a dangerous thing, reading too much."
Clare Cassidy, a high school English teacher, specializes in the Gothic writer R. M. Holland. She and the rest of the school is shocked when one of her friends and colleagues is found dead with a line from Holland's most famous story, "The Stranger: is found near her body. Police further shock her when they inform her that they believe the killer is someone she knows.
Could she and her fifteen-year-old daughter, Georgie, be in danger? It seems so, especially after Clare discovers that someone else has written in her diary -"Hallo, Clare. You don’t know me." Is the killer someone she knows, or is it a stranger?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book told through the points of view of Clare, Georgia and DS Harbinder Kaur. Each provided insight and gave the reader a glimpse into each's personality and thought process. This book also contains a book within a book. Although this was interesting, this was my least favorite part of the book. I'm not sure that it was necessary.
Although, I guessed the culprit/murderer early on, it did not hamper my enjoyment of this book. This was my first book by this Author, but it will not be my last. I found this to be a fast paced read with quirky enjoyable characters. Besides, Herbert (the dog), I especially enjoyed DS Harbinger. I found the book to be well written, perfectly paced, not rushed and intriguing. This was the perfect read for this time of year.
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Clare Cassidy, a high school English teacher, specializes in the Gothic writer R. M. Holland. She and the rest of the school is shocked when one of her friends and colleagues is found dead with a line from Holland's most famous story, "The Stranger: is found near her body. Police further shock her when they inform her that they believe the killer is someone she knows.
Could she and her fifteen-year-old daughter, Georgie, be in danger? It seems so, especially after Clare discovers that someone else has written in her diary -"Hallo, Clare. You don’t know me." Is the killer someone she knows, or is it a stranger?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book told through the points of view of Clare, Georgia and DS Harbinder Kaur. Each provided insight and gave the reader a glimpse into each's personality and thought process. This book also contains a book within a book. Although this was interesting, this was my least favorite part of the book. I'm not sure that it was necessary.
Although, I guessed the culprit/murderer early on, it did not hamper my enjoyment of this book. This was my first book by this Author, but it will not be my last. I found this to be a fast paced read with quirky enjoyable characters. Besides, Herbert (the dog), I especially enjoyed DS Harbinger. I found the book to be well written, perfectly paced, not rushed and intriguing. This was the perfect read for this time of year.
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
December 12, 2019
Classic whodunnit, witty prose, & a spooky gothic vibe!
THE STRANGER DIARIES by ELLY GRIFFITHS is an entertaining, eerie, and gothic suspense tale that opens up with quite the hook with a creepy short darkish ghost story entitled THE STRANGER. This technique of a short story interwoven into the narrative definitely set the tone for a spooky sinister tale and immediately piqued my interest.
ELLY GRIFFITHS delivers an atmospheric, intriguing, multi-layered, complex, and well-written tale here that was uniquely formatted with a story within a story, diary entries, and multiple character points of view. Throughout the book we get these little snippets of R.M. Holland’s THE STRANGER interwoven into the narrative to rattle our minds and then in the end we are awarded with the whole story. I absolutely loved this technique and thought it was quite the clever move on the authors part to make this quite the page-turner.
So I have been trying really hard not to be an armchair detective and just let the story guide and take me there without trying to guess the who and why. I will say that I did have an inkling of the who but would have never of guessed the motivation behind the why though. The motive did leave me feeling a little bit blasé and underwhelmed though but I do think it was a fitting development. I just would have liked maybe a different avenue explored there but there were quite a few appealing and delicious aspects to this storyline that I thoroughly enjoyed and gobbled right up. The haunted old school, a ghost sighting, witchcraft, spooky gothic vibe, story within a story (that mimics the modern day story), suspenseful murder mystery, and unreliable narrators. Would highly recommend!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Elly Griffiths for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
This review can also be seen at Two Sisters Lost in a Coulee Reading book blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/
THE STRANGER DIARIES by ELLY GRIFFITHS is an entertaining, eerie, and gothic suspense tale that opens up with quite the hook with a creepy short darkish ghost story entitled THE STRANGER. This technique of a short story interwoven into the narrative definitely set the tone for a spooky sinister tale and immediately piqued my interest.
ELLY GRIFFITHS delivers an atmospheric, intriguing, multi-layered, complex, and well-written tale here that was uniquely formatted with a story within a story, diary entries, and multiple character points of view. Throughout the book we get these little snippets of R.M. Holland’s THE STRANGER interwoven into the narrative to rattle our minds and then in the end we are awarded with the whole story. I absolutely loved this technique and thought it was quite the clever move on the authors part to make this quite the page-turner.
So I have been trying really hard not to be an armchair detective and just let the story guide and take me there without trying to guess the who and why. I will say that I did have an inkling of the who but would have never of guessed the motivation behind the why though. The motive did leave me feeling a little bit blasé and underwhelmed though but I do think it was a fitting development. I just would have liked maybe a different avenue explored there but there were quite a few appealing and delicious aspects to this storyline that I thoroughly enjoyed and gobbled right up. The haunted old school, a ghost sighting, witchcraft, spooky gothic vibe, story within a story (that mimics the modern day story), suspenseful murder mystery, and unreliable narrators. Would highly recommend!
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Elly Griffiths for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
This review can also be seen at Two Sisters Lost in a Coulee Reading book blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/
January 7, 2019
The Stranger Diaries has the elements of a police procedural, gothic mystery, and possibly a haunting. Yes! Yes! & Yes!
Clare Cassidy is a well respected English teacher. Divorced, she lives with her daughter, Georgie, and her adorable pup, Herbert. (I love Herbert!!!) Her best friend and fellow English teacher, Ella, has been discovered murdered and covered in stab wounds. A note lay beside her reading "Hell is Empty".
A book within a book. Clare teaches a class on R.M. Holland's horror novella, The Stranger. She also works at a school in which he once lived many years previous. She is currently writing a book about the mysterious death of his wife, Alice, who apparently haunts the halls of the school.
When another English teacher is found dead the detectives decide they need to take a closer look at everyone in the school, students and teachers alike, and it appears that everyone has secrets.
When Clare discovers that someone else has written in her private and personal diary her fear is that she will be the next victim.
"HALLO, CLARE. YOU DON'T KNOW ME."
Is there really a murderer or is something more ghostly happening here?
I thought this was an incredibly well written mystery without being too dark or gruesome. I believe this will appeal to a much larger audience because of that. People that are easily triggered shouldn't have any problems.
The books resolution may have been its one downfall as I didn't like how it all wrapped up. Still I enjoyed the heck out of reading this and wouldn't hesitate to pick up another book by this author because she can definitely spin a tale. 3.5 stars but I'm rounding up for Herbert because dogs are better than people - except for my fellow Goodreaders of course! ;)
Thank you to Edelweiss and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Clare Cassidy is a well respected English teacher. Divorced, she lives with her daughter, Georgie, and her adorable pup, Herbert. (I love Herbert!!!) Her best friend and fellow English teacher, Ella, has been discovered murdered and covered in stab wounds. A note lay beside her reading "Hell is Empty".
A book within a book. Clare teaches a class on R.M. Holland's horror novella, The Stranger. She also works at a school in which he once lived many years previous. She is currently writing a book about the mysterious death of his wife, Alice, who apparently haunts the halls of the school.
When another English teacher is found dead the detectives decide they need to take a closer look at everyone in the school, students and teachers alike, and it appears that everyone has secrets.
When Clare discovers that someone else has written in her private and personal diary her fear is that she will be the next victim.
"HALLO, CLARE. YOU DON'T KNOW ME."
Is there really a murderer or is something more ghostly happening here?
I thought this was an incredibly well written mystery without being too dark or gruesome. I believe this will appeal to a much larger audience because of that. People that are easily triggered shouldn't have any problems.
The books resolution may have been its one downfall as I didn't like how it all wrapped up. Still I enjoyed the heck out of reading this and wouldn't hesitate to pick up another book by this author because she can definitely spin a tale. 3.5 stars but I'm rounding up for Herbert because dogs are better than people - except for my fellow Goodreaders of course! ;)
Thank you to Edelweiss and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2019
My friends in the UK love this author, and it’s about time I try an Elly Griffiths’ book! And it’s a win!
The Stranger Diaries is a gothic mystery of sorts centered on Clare Cassidy. She’s a high school English teacher whose area of expertise is a particular Gothic author.
One day, one of her closest friends is murdered, and right beside her body? A copy of the Gothic writer’s most famous story.
On top of that, the police insist that author connection means Clare must know the killer.
Clare has kept diaries for years, and she begins to write about the case; however, she notices something suspicious. In an old diary, someone has written, “Hallo, Clare. You don’t know me,” and she begins to wonder if that famous story has now come to life as her own.
The Stranger Diaries definitely has the gothic vibe to it. While it’s a contemporary thriller, it felt timeless or even old. The setting was super creepy and atmospheric. The tone is definitely haunting. The Stranger Diaries has the feeling of a classic old-fashioned whodunit, and I absolutely loved every bit!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
The Stranger Diaries is a gothic mystery of sorts centered on Clare Cassidy. She’s a high school English teacher whose area of expertise is a particular Gothic author.
One day, one of her closest friends is murdered, and right beside her body? A copy of the Gothic writer’s most famous story.
On top of that, the police insist that author connection means Clare must know the killer.
Clare has kept diaries for years, and she begins to write about the case; however, she notices something suspicious. In an old diary, someone has written, “Hallo, Clare. You don’t know me,” and she begins to wonder if that famous story has now come to life as her own.
The Stranger Diaries definitely has the gothic vibe to it. While it’s a contemporary thriller, it felt timeless or even old. The setting was super creepy and atmospheric. The tone is definitely haunting. The Stranger Diaries has the feeling of a classic old-fashioned whodunit, and I absolutely loved every bit!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
October 31, 2018
Heavy draperied rooms, long winding staircases, and imposing carved wooden doors lend themselves to a Victorian Gothic panoramic view.
Elly Griffiths sets this treasure box of a story within the walls of Talgarth Academy in Sussex. There's an array of buildings that stretch across the campus including the Old Building that houses the original effects of the writer, R.M. Holland. Holland lived there with his wife, Alice, and an elusive daughter, Mariana. According to legend, no one knows what happened to Mariana. Alice, dear Alice, was to have taken a tumble down the lush staircase and never recovered. Students claim to have seen a white mist floating at times with a definite chill in the air. An immediate death was to occur after the sighting like clockwork.
We're introduced to Clare Cassidy, a literature teacher, who is smitten with The Stranger by Holland and implements the story into her classes. She is presently writing her own book on Holland's peculiar life and career and wishes to find out what happened to Mariana. Georgie, her fifteen year old daughter, resides with Clare off campus and attends the Academy. Clare has been divorced from her husband, Simon, for the past two years. Clare has no idea of what murderous intent will be assigned on this semester's syllabus.
A sudden pounding on Clare's front door marks the arrival of tragic news. Ella, best friend and co-worker, has been stabbed to death in her own cottage. DS Harbinder Kaur is lead investigator. Griffiths has created quite the multi-faceted character here. Kaur is bright, witty, and highly analytical by nature. Her backstory is layered with interesting detail and the reader is drawn in immediately. It's my hope that Elly Griffiths brings Kaur back front and center in another book.
The story weaver lines up many threads throughout with inserts of The Stranger between chapters and references to The Woman in White. Pay attention to the Shakespearean quote from The Tempest: "Hell is empty and all the devils are here." A luscious literature stew simmering on a burner of mystery told in revolving chapters by the main characters. Truly a classic who-done-it with all the trimmings.
I received a copy of The Stranger Diaries through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to the talented Elly Griffiths and to Quercus Books for the opportunity.
Elly Griffiths sets this treasure box of a story within the walls of Talgarth Academy in Sussex. There's an array of buildings that stretch across the campus including the Old Building that houses the original effects of the writer, R.M. Holland. Holland lived there with his wife, Alice, and an elusive daughter, Mariana. According to legend, no one knows what happened to Mariana. Alice, dear Alice, was to have taken a tumble down the lush staircase and never recovered. Students claim to have seen a white mist floating at times with a definite chill in the air. An immediate death was to occur after the sighting like clockwork.
We're introduced to Clare Cassidy, a literature teacher, who is smitten with The Stranger by Holland and implements the story into her classes. She is presently writing her own book on Holland's peculiar life and career and wishes to find out what happened to Mariana. Georgie, her fifteen year old daughter, resides with Clare off campus and attends the Academy. Clare has been divorced from her husband, Simon, for the past two years. Clare has no idea of what murderous intent will be assigned on this semester's syllabus.
A sudden pounding on Clare's front door marks the arrival of tragic news. Ella, best friend and co-worker, has been stabbed to death in her own cottage. DS Harbinder Kaur is lead investigator. Griffiths has created quite the multi-faceted character here. Kaur is bright, witty, and highly analytical by nature. Her backstory is layered with interesting detail and the reader is drawn in immediately. It's my hope that Elly Griffiths brings Kaur back front and center in another book.
The story weaver lines up many threads throughout with inserts of The Stranger between chapters and references to The Woman in White. Pay attention to the Shakespearean quote from The Tempest: "Hell is empty and all the devils are here." A luscious literature stew simmering on a burner of mystery told in revolving chapters by the main characters. Truly a classic who-done-it with all the trimmings.
I received a copy of The Stranger Diaries through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to the talented Elly Griffiths and to Quercus Books for the opportunity.
May 7, 2020
Every year I try and read the nominees/winners of the Edgars to see what the judges are thinking. As it happens I had already read The River and Good Girl Bad Girl (nominated). Stranger Diaries won for best overall novel. I really loved The River and Good Girl Bad Girl. Stranger Diaries, not so much. Everyone’s tastes are different. Stranger Diaries is written in a mystery construction, with a slow burning conflict which I didn’t have a problem with. I have said before I like a book that immerses me in the Fictive Dream, where my world falls away. What turned me away in this book was the point of view. The first section is a teacher who is a friend of the murder victim. This is in first person present tense. I really enjoyed this voice and wanted more. I wish the entire book had been written in her POV. Each time an author shifts to another point of view there is a risk of dumping the reader out of the Fictive Dream and that’s what happened. In the next section was the point of view of the cop. It’s written in first person past tense. I didn’t not like this character, she was too full of herself for my tastes. I stayed with it though hoping for it to change back. The next section was first person present tense of the first character’s daughter. I didn’t think the author pulled off the teenage voice and I was yet again dumped out of the Fictive Dream.
The story set in England where I didn’t understand the school system this didn’t help either. This book has great depth of character, it was the choice of voice that turned me away. If you like British mysteries, you might give this one a shot.
David Putnam author of The Bruno Johnson Series.
The story set in England where I didn’t understand the school system this didn’t help either. This book has great depth of character, it was the choice of voice that turned me away. If you like British mysteries, you might give this one a shot.
David Putnam author of The Bruno Johnson Series.
November 17, 2018
The perfect blend of gothic horror, psychological suspense, and police procedural!
‘"If you’ll permit me,” said the Stranger, “I’d like to tell you a story.”’
As much as I love spooky old houses with a dark history, and possible ghosts sightings, a thought-to-be haunted house turned into a secondary school had me even more excited. The Old Building of Talgarth High, was once home to Victorian Horror writer R.M. Holland, best remembered for his horror-themed, scary short story, The Stranger. The top floor still houses his study, out-of-bounds to students, and eerily preserved just as he left it. The ghost of Holland’s wife, Alice, rumoured to have died tragically from a fall down the stairs, is said to haunt the corridors and classrooms of the lower floor, the belief being that if you see her, someone will die shortly thereafter…
Not only is the school creepy, but so was the location of the protagonist, Clare’s, house – one of a row of townhouses in the middle of nowhere, initially built to house workers of the nearby cement factory – which now sits abandoned and derelict.
As scary as I’ve made it out to be, this is neither gory, nor a horror story, but is largely modern day crime, mystery, psychological suspense, with a side of gothic foreboding, meaning that even those who don’t do horror would enjoy this.
We were given three first person narrations;
Clare Cassidy – An English teacher at Talgarth, single mum to Georgie, friend and fellow co-worker of Ella, currently working on a biography of R.M. Holland.
DS Harbinder Kaur – The detective investigating the murder of one of the school’s English teachers, Ella Elphick, who was stabbed to death in her own home. Harbinder attended Talgarth as a student.
Georgie Cassidy – Clare’s teenage daughter, current student at Talgarth.
The POV’s were split into parts, with Clare voicing Part 1, Harbinder Part 2, you get the picture. Excerpts from The Stranger were included throughout, as well as pages from Clare’s diary. I warmed to all three characters early on, even though right from their introduction all of them came across as secretive, and not entirely trustworthy. I enjoyed the contrasting perspectives – teacher, student, detective/former student – and how they all had a connection to Talgarth.
I alternated between the book and the audio version, and have to mention that Andrew Wincott’s over-the-top, dramatic reading of the gothic tale, The Stranger, is a must listen.
Side Note: I was thrilled to bits when Claire’s dog, Herbert, was described as a white Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy, the first in a series of children’s picture books penned by New Zealand author, Lynley Dodd.
Ta-Dah! This is what he looks like, except white.
Elly Griffiths totally killed it – every element fitted together seamlessly. One of my favourite reads for this year, and will undoubtedly make my top ten. Perfect for next Halloween, but why wait that long, cosy up by the fire with it this winter, or if like me, you are heading into summer, prioritise it as your next beach read. Move it to the top, or add it to your tbr, today! You won’t be sorry!
‘"If you’ll permit me,” said the Stranger, “I’d like to tell you a story.”’
As much as I love spooky old houses with a dark history, and possible ghosts sightings, a thought-to-be haunted house turned into a secondary school had me even more excited. The Old Building of Talgarth High, was once home to Victorian Horror writer R.M. Holland, best remembered for his horror-themed, scary short story, The Stranger. The top floor still houses his study, out-of-bounds to students, and eerily preserved just as he left it. The ghost of Holland’s wife, Alice, rumoured to have died tragically from a fall down the stairs, is said to haunt the corridors and classrooms of the lower floor, the belief being that if you see her, someone will die shortly thereafter…
Not only is the school creepy, but so was the location of the protagonist, Clare’s, house – one of a row of townhouses in the middle of nowhere, initially built to house workers of the nearby cement factory – which now sits abandoned and derelict.
As scary as I’ve made it out to be, this is neither gory, nor a horror story, but is largely modern day crime, mystery, psychological suspense, with a side of gothic foreboding, meaning that even those who don’t do horror would enjoy this.
We were given three first person narrations;
Clare Cassidy – An English teacher at Talgarth, single mum to Georgie, friend and fellow co-worker of Ella, currently working on a biography of R.M. Holland.
DS Harbinder Kaur – The detective investigating the murder of one of the school’s English teachers, Ella Elphick, who was stabbed to death in her own home. Harbinder attended Talgarth as a student.
Georgie Cassidy – Clare’s teenage daughter, current student at Talgarth.
The POV’s were split into parts, with Clare voicing Part 1, Harbinder Part 2, you get the picture. Excerpts from The Stranger were included throughout, as well as pages from Clare’s diary. I warmed to all three characters early on, even though right from their introduction all of them came across as secretive, and not entirely trustworthy. I enjoyed the contrasting perspectives – teacher, student, detective/former student – and how they all had a connection to Talgarth.
I alternated between the book and the audio version, and have to mention that Andrew Wincott’s over-the-top, dramatic reading of the gothic tale, The Stranger, is a must listen.
Side Note: I was thrilled to bits when Claire’s dog, Herbert, was described as a white Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy, the first in a series of children’s picture books penned by New Zealand author, Lynley Dodd.
Ta-Dah! This is what he looks like, except white.
Elly Griffiths totally killed it – every element fitted together seamlessly. One of my favourite reads for this year, and will undoubtedly make my top ten. Perfect for next Halloween, but why wait that long, cosy up by the fire with it this winter, or if like me, you are heading into summer, prioritise it as your next beach read. Move it to the top, or add it to your tbr, today! You won’t be sorry!
September 13, 2020
Although I was interested in the description of this novel, I was, initially, a little wary. I had tried Elly Griffiths popular Ruth Galloway series, and stalled with it. However, I am glad that I gave this a try, as I absolutely loved it and it has made me determined to go back and give Ruth Galloway another try.
This is a clever, literary mystery, with an excellent cast of characters. Clare Cassidy is a divorced English teacher, living with teenage daughter, Georgie and working at Talgarth High. Although a modern secondary school, there is an Old Building, where Gothic author, R.M. Holland once worked. Indeed, his study remains, intact, at the top of the building and Clare is writing a book about him. However, when we meet her, her research has stalled and she is teaching a creative writing class in the holidays. When fellow English teacher, Elly Elphick, is murdered, it sends shock waves through the school. There is a quote left by the body and then messages are written in Clare’s private diary…
I particularly enjoyed the characters in this novel. Spiky, assertive, D S Harbinder Kaur and her partner, Neil Winston, added an excellent dimension – so often in crime novels you have either interesting suspects, or interesting investigators, but this novel has both. There is also an engaging academic flavour, with Henry H. Hamilton, a Cambridge academic, contacting Clare about some possible information he has on R.M. Holland, and a rather creepy teacher, Bryony Hughes, who seems to see herself as a modern Miss Jean Brodie.
Over-riding the story are snippets from R.M. Holland’s most famous story, which mirrors events in a very creepy way. A really good cast of possible suspects makes it hard for you to spot the killer and I enjoyed Clare’s diary snippets too – as well as those of Georgie. Diary writing might be a dying art, but hopefully Elly Griffiths will persuade some readers to take up their pen. Overall, I loved this and I particularly hope that D S Kaur will appear in future books. I am now, most definitely, an Elly Griffiths convert! I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
This is a clever, literary mystery, with an excellent cast of characters. Clare Cassidy is a divorced English teacher, living with teenage daughter, Georgie and working at Talgarth High. Although a modern secondary school, there is an Old Building, where Gothic author, R.M. Holland once worked. Indeed, his study remains, intact, at the top of the building and Clare is writing a book about him. However, when we meet her, her research has stalled and she is teaching a creative writing class in the holidays. When fellow English teacher, Elly Elphick, is murdered, it sends shock waves through the school. There is a quote left by the body and then messages are written in Clare’s private diary…
I particularly enjoyed the characters in this novel. Spiky, assertive, D S Harbinder Kaur and her partner, Neil Winston, added an excellent dimension – so often in crime novels you have either interesting suspects, or interesting investigators, but this novel has both. There is also an engaging academic flavour, with Henry H. Hamilton, a Cambridge academic, contacting Clare about some possible information he has on R.M. Holland, and a rather creepy teacher, Bryony Hughes, who seems to see herself as a modern Miss Jean Brodie.
Over-riding the story are snippets from R.M. Holland’s most famous story, which mirrors events in a very creepy way. A really good cast of possible suspects makes it hard for you to spot the killer and I enjoyed Clare’s diary snippets too – as well as those of Georgie. Diary writing might be a dying art, but hopefully Elly Griffiths will persuade some readers to take up their pen. Overall, I loved this and I particularly hope that D S Kaur will appear in future books. I am now, most definitely, an Elly Griffiths convert! I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
January 20, 2019
Clare Cassidy, divorcee with 15 year old daughter Georgia, had moved from London to West Sussex, having accepted a position teaching English at Talgarth High School. Clare and Georgia now reside in an isolated house near an abandoned factory. Clare maintains a diary reflecting her innermost thoughts. Additionally, she shares her feelings with rescue dog, Herbert. After all, a dog will not judge his owner! Clare is thrilled that author R.M. Holland, the writer of a gothic ghost story called "The Stranger", formerly resided at the Annex of Talgarth HS.
Talgarth was comprised of a New Building where most student life took place and an Old Building (once called Holland House). The attic was R.M.Holland's study until 1902. Clare, as resident Holland expert, had a key allowing her access to the attic. She planned to write the first ever biography of the reclusive author of "The Stranger". Perhaps she could investigate the death of Holland's wife, Alice. Was Holland House haunted by "a woman in a white nightdress floating down the stairs?... If you see her, is a death imminent?" It started with the death of Ella Ephick, Clare Cassidy's friend and colleague. A troubling note beside the body contained a quote from "The Stranger"..."Hell is empty". DS Harbinder Kaur,a Talgarth graduate, and DS Neil Winston are brought in to investigate. Harbinder is convinced that the murder is not random. She visits Talgarth HS ... "I just want to imagine Ella here".
The impact of Ella's murder and the events following are seen through the eyes and perspective of three distinct characters: Clare, daughter Georgie, and Harbinder. Clare and Georgie's lives are additionally compromised when Clare finds several strange handwritten entries in her personal diary. Could the killer have left his/her calling card?
"The Stranger Diaries" by Elly Griffiths was a suspenseful literary novel like no other I have read. I enjoyed the literary references and the book within a book. Harbinder was my favorite protagonist. Perhaps she seemed crusty and distant but she had "heart". Dog lovers will be thoroughly entertained by the loving relationship between Herbert and his "humans". This stand-alone novel from Elly Griffiths is a gothic, police procedural I highly recommend.
Thank you Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Stranger Diaries".
Talgarth was comprised of a New Building where most student life took place and an Old Building (once called Holland House). The attic was R.M.Holland's study until 1902. Clare, as resident Holland expert, had a key allowing her access to the attic. She planned to write the first ever biography of the reclusive author of "The Stranger". Perhaps she could investigate the death of Holland's wife, Alice. Was Holland House haunted by "a woman in a white nightdress floating down the stairs?... If you see her, is a death imminent?" It started with the death of Ella Ephick, Clare Cassidy's friend and colleague. A troubling note beside the body contained a quote from "The Stranger"..."Hell is empty". DS Harbinder Kaur,a Talgarth graduate, and DS Neil Winston are brought in to investigate. Harbinder is convinced that the murder is not random. She visits Talgarth HS ... "I just want to imagine Ella here".
The impact of Ella's murder and the events following are seen through the eyes and perspective of three distinct characters: Clare, daughter Georgie, and Harbinder. Clare and Georgie's lives are additionally compromised when Clare finds several strange handwritten entries in her personal diary. Could the killer have left his/her calling card?
"The Stranger Diaries" by Elly Griffiths was a suspenseful literary novel like no other I have read. I enjoyed the literary references and the book within a book. Harbinder was my favorite protagonist. Perhaps she seemed crusty and distant but she had "heart". Dog lovers will be thoroughly entertained by the loving relationship between Herbert and his "humans". This stand-alone novel from Elly Griffiths is a gothic, police procedural I highly recommend.
Thank you Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Stranger Diaries".
April 18, 2019
3.5 Stars.
Thank you to the publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
Murder mysteries aren't my usual favorite reading genre, but because of its gothic flavor and setting in England and Scotland, I took the plunge. Decades ago when Stephen King first hit the scene, I faithfully read everything he put out. I was on a horror kick for awhile there. Today my go to genres are biographies and historical fiction. Yet, this has been getting many favorable reviews on Goodreads, prompting me to see what all the bugaboo was about. Sadly, for me it didn't quite live up to the hype. However, I did enjoy this book- it just didn't wow me.
The story takes place in a school that used to be on a "needs improvement" level, but has managed to elevate its rating of late. The original part of the school is old and gothic in architecture, with a new building annexed onto it. The old section of the school is legendary for its attic office belonging to the late R.M. Holland, famous for writing a horror piece called "The Stranger". The room has been maintained as it was when the celebrated author was alive. Divorced English teacher Clare Cassidy works there, but she's also writing a book about R.M. Holland. As the book begins, "The Stranger" by R.M. Holland is read, its creepy flavor accentuated by its italicized text. Indeed, this short story is sprinkled evenly throughout the book in parallel with the murders that occur.
Clare has kept a diary for decades, but after a teacher friend is murdered she notices someone has written a message in her diary. This is a frightening occurrence that repeats itself after every murder. In addition, the murderer leaves post-it notes behind near its victims, their blurbs echoing a line from notable literary tomes such as "The Stranger", "The Woman in White", or Shakespeare's "The Tempest".
The supporting cast of characters include Clare's teenage daughter Georgia, policewoman Harbinder Kaur, and Clare's ex-husband Simon, to name a few. I never guessed the culprit of the murders for a second...total surprise!
Thank you to the publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
Murder mysteries aren't my usual favorite reading genre, but because of its gothic flavor and setting in England and Scotland, I took the plunge. Decades ago when Stephen King first hit the scene, I faithfully read everything he put out. I was on a horror kick for awhile there. Today my go to genres are biographies and historical fiction. Yet, this has been getting many favorable reviews on Goodreads, prompting me to see what all the bugaboo was about. Sadly, for me it didn't quite live up to the hype. However, I did enjoy this book- it just didn't wow me.
The story takes place in a school that used to be on a "needs improvement" level, but has managed to elevate its rating of late. The original part of the school is old and gothic in architecture, with a new building annexed onto it. The old section of the school is legendary for its attic office belonging to the late R.M. Holland, famous for writing a horror piece called "The Stranger". The room has been maintained as it was when the celebrated author was alive. Divorced English teacher Clare Cassidy works there, but she's also writing a book about R.M. Holland. As the book begins, "The Stranger" by R.M. Holland is read, its creepy flavor accentuated by its italicized text. Indeed, this short story is sprinkled evenly throughout the book in parallel with the murders that occur.
Clare has kept a diary for decades, but after a teacher friend is murdered she notices someone has written a message in her diary. This is a frightening occurrence that repeats itself after every murder. In addition, the murderer leaves post-it notes behind near its victims, their blurbs echoing a line from notable literary tomes such as "The Stranger", "The Woman in White", or Shakespeare's "The Tempest".
The supporting cast of characters include Clare's teenage daughter Georgia, policewoman Harbinder Kaur, and Clare's ex-husband Simon, to name a few. I never guessed the culprit of the murders for a second...total surprise!
May 7, 2020
4★
“I collect my papers and lock the classroom. Then I’m almost sprinting across the gravel towards my car. It’s five o’clock but it feels like midnight. There are only a few lights left on in the school and the wind is blowing through the trees.”
An old ghost story seems to be coming to life for attractive, divorced Clare, who teaches English at Talgarth High in West Sussex, England. She’s taught ‘The Stranger’ in her class and even named her dog Herbert, after the dog in the story. The book opens with the beginning of the story itself:
Next we hear Clare herself discussing ‘The Stranger’ with adults who are taking her creative writing course in Holland House, the Old Building named for R. M. Holland, the author of the story. The mystery begins.
Following Clare’s chapter, we move to one of her diary entries. She tells us she’s had a phone call to say Ella, a fellow teacher and one of Clare’s closest friends, has been brutally murdered. The next week at school, she’s asked more about R.M. Holland and the building.
“‘R.M. Holland married a woman called Alice Avery,’ I say. ‘They lived here, in this house, and Alice died, possibly from a fall down the stairs. Her ghost is meant to walk the place. You see her gliding along the corridors on the first floor or even floating down the stairs. Some people say that if you see her, it’s a sign that a death is imminent.’”
Asked if she’s ever seen her, she says No, but throughout the book there are stories of people who are convinced the building is haunted. Cue the police! DS Harbinder Kaur went to this high school and takes a special interest, which is noted by Clare's daughter, Georgia.
“Her aura is blue like an old-fashioned police light. I think she’d stop at nothing to get to the truth.”
Georgia is 15, is especially familiar with ‘The Stranger’ story, and fancies herself as a writer. Unbeknown to her mother, she and three friends are taking a creative writing course at another school with an older teacher, who claims to be a white witch, and of whom her mother is no fan. Hence the reference to the policewoman’s aura, no doubt.
Chapters alternate between Clare, her diaries, Georgia, Harbinder, and more creepy excerpts from ‘The Stranger’. We meet Georgia’s father (Clare’s ex), Georgia’s boyfriend, who’s 21 (polite but “too old” for her), other schoolfriends (and a would-be boyfriend), and other school staff. Plenty of herrings for the author to paint red – and paint them she does!
A small note is discovered near Ella’s body with a quotation from Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ which is also quoted in ‘The Stranger’. Of course, many of the students are studying ‘The Tempest’, and we already know many people are familiar with both of the R. M. Holland stories – the one he wrote and the one about his wife’s tragic death and her haunting the building. So the note hardly narrows the field, does it?
About the building and his study, Clare says:
“The doors are all shut and, like an exercise in perspective, the lines all point to the end of the corridor where the spiral staircase leads to R.M. Holland’s study. And here is one of the oddities of the house: apparently Holland’s wife Alice often used to go up to his office barefoot (naked, in some versions of the story) and, after she died, Holland had a special carpet made with the imprint of her feet on it. It’s almost impossible to climb the stairs without putting your feet in those ghostly imprints. I’ve noticed before that they are just my size.”
CREEPY! That seems like a good place to finish. It’s a good read and I enjoyed it, although I wasn’t particularly happy about how a few red herrings were “caught”.
Thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted (so quotes may have changed).
# #TheStrangerDiaries #NetGalley
WINNER 2020 Edgar Award
“I collect my papers and lock the classroom. Then I’m almost sprinting across the gravel towards my car. It’s five o’clock but it feels like midnight. There are only a few lights left on in the school and the wind is blowing through the trees.”
An old ghost story seems to be coming to life for attractive, divorced Clare, who teaches English at Talgarth High in West Sussex, England. She’s taught ‘The Stranger’ in her class and even named her dog Herbert, after the dog in the story. The book opens with the beginning of the story itself:
“‘If you’ll permit me,’ said the Stranger, ‘I’d like to tell you a story. After all, it’s a long journey and, by the look of those skies, we’re not going to be leaving this carriage for some time. So, why not pass the hours with some story-telling?’”
Next we hear Clare herself discussing ‘The Stranger’ with adults who are taking her creative writing course in Holland House, the Old Building named for R. M. Holland, the author of the story. The mystery begins.
Following Clare’s chapter, we move to one of her diary entries. She tells us she’s had a phone call to say Ella, a fellow teacher and one of Clare’s closest friends, has been brutally murdered. The next week at school, she’s asked more about R.M. Holland and the building.
“‘R.M. Holland married a woman called Alice Avery,’ I say. ‘They lived here, in this house, and Alice died, possibly from a fall down the stairs. Her ghost is meant to walk the place. You see her gliding along the corridors on the first floor or even floating down the stairs. Some people say that if you see her, it’s a sign that a death is imminent.’”
Asked if she’s ever seen her, she says No, but throughout the book there are stories of people who are convinced the building is haunted. Cue the police! DS Harbinder Kaur went to this high school and takes a special interest, which is noted by Clare's daughter, Georgia.
“Her aura is blue like an old-fashioned police light. I think she’d stop at nothing to get to the truth.”
Georgia is 15, is especially familiar with ‘The Stranger’ story, and fancies herself as a writer. Unbeknown to her mother, she and three friends are taking a creative writing course at another school with an older teacher, who claims to be a white witch, and of whom her mother is no fan. Hence the reference to the policewoman’s aura, no doubt.
Chapters alternate between Clare, her diaries, Georgia, Harbinder, and more creepy excerpts from ‘The Stranger’. We meet Georgia’s father (Clare’s ex), Georgia’s boyfriend, who’s 21 (polite but “too old” for her), other schoolfriends (and a would-be boyfriend), and other school staff. Plenty of herrings for the author to paint red – and paint them she does!
A small note is discovered near Ella’s body with a quotation from Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ which is also quoted in ‘The Stranger’. Of course, many of the students are studying ‘The Tempest’, and we already know many people are familiar with both of the R. M. Holland stories – the one he wrote and the one about his wife’s tragic death and her haunting the building. So the note hardly narrows the field, does it?
About the building and his study, Clare says:
“The doors are all shut and, like an exercise in perspective, the lines all point to the end of the corridor where the spiral staircase leads to R.M. Holland’s study. And here is one of the oddities of the house: apparently Holland’s wife Alice often used to go up to his office barefoot (naked, in some versions of the story) and, after she died, Holland had a special carpet made with the imprint of her feet on it. It’s almost impossible to climb the stairs without putting your feet in those ghostly imprints. I’ve noticed before that they are just my size.”
CREEPY! That seems like a good place to finish. It’s a good read and I enjoyed it, although I wasn’t particularly happy about how a few red herrings were “caught”.
Thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted (so quotes may have changed).
# #TheStrangerDiaries #NetGalley
WINNER 2020 Edgar Award
October 12, 2020
Looking for a creepy Halloween read, I came across The Stranger Diaries. One that was on my list and figured it's a perfect time to jump into it.
Clare is a high school English teacher. The school where she teaches is where gothic writer R.M. Holland lived and has an office, but it's also rumored the ghost of his wife haunts the place. She's quite interested in Holland, writing a biography about him. She teaches her students about his most famous story, The Stranger. But now, people around Clare are being murdered. And the most famous line from his story is used....in a note near the body of her murdered friend Ella, but also has been written in her diary, along with some other words. She could be in danger, and she's very worried about her 15 year old daughter. It's odd how what is happening around Clare is mirroring a bit of the story.
I enjoyed this read, especially the creepy story The Stranger that is inter-weaved throughout the modern day story. I listened to the audio and it was great with various narrators. I especially enjoyed all the literary references within. While I liked the story, I just wanted more on the creepy, scary story. At the end, The Stranger was read in its entirety, and the narrator was really creepy. I liked all the characters and I'm looking forward to the next in this series from the author.
Clare is a high school English teacher. The school where she teaches is where gothic writer R.M. Holland lived and has an office, but it's also rumored the ghost of his wife haunts the place. She's quite interested in Holland, writing a biography about him. She teaches her students about his most famous story, The Stranger. But now, people around Clare are being murdered. And the most famous line from his story is used....in a note near the body of her murdered friend Ella, but also has been written in her diary, along with some other words. She could be in danger, and she's very worried about her 15 year old daughter. It's odd how what is happening around Clare is mirroring a bit of the story.
I enjoyed this read, especially the creepy story The Stranger that is inter-weaved throughout the modern day story. I listened to the audio and it was great with various narrators. I especially enjoyed all the literary references within. While I liked the story, I just wanted more on the creepy, scary story. At the end, The Stranger was read in its entirety, and the narrator was really creepy. I liked all the characters and I'm looking forward to the next in this series from the author.
August 27, 2022
Clare Cassidy is an English teacher, at Talgrath High, who specializes in teaching about the (fictional) Gothic writer, R.M Holland, author of the famous short story titled, “The Stranger” and a former resident of the school.
It has been rumored that his wife, Alice, had either fallen down, or was pushed down, a staircase, and that her ghost will sometimes be seen at the school....just before another death occurs...
R.M. Holland may or may not, have also had a daughter, Mariana, and Clare is hoping to write a biography of the author, solving these mysteries…but before she can, she will have to solve a mystery of her own.
Her friend, and colleague, Ella has been found murdered, with a note, quoting a famous line from “The Stranger” left near the body...and, she won’t be the only casualty in this “whodunnit “, as the crimes continue to mimic the creepy story that she teaches in her adult creative writing classes.
“Hell is empty”
And, now, a note has been found in Clare’s personal diary, which says “Hallo Clare. You don’t Know Me”. Is Clare the next target?
Told from the alternating perspectives of Clare, her daughter Georgie, and DS Harbinder Kaur, in THIRTEEN parts, the current crimes are investigated, with entries from Claire’s diaries, and chapters from the short story “The Stranger”, sprinkled throughout.
My favorite character was Claire and Georgie’s dog, Herbert, who attends doggy day care, while Clare is teaching classes and although Clare teaches that in gothic literature, animals are often expendable, with authors killing them to create tension, I can assure nervous readers that Herbert will survive, so get cozy under a blanket with a cup of tea, or a glass of wine and enjoy solving this one. I got it right, but it did not detract from my enjoyment at all.
Recommended if you like suspense, that is not gory, with a bit of a “ghost story” thrown in.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing and Elly Griffiths for the ARC provided in exchange for a candid review!
It has been rumored that his wife, Alice, had either fallen down, or was pushed down, a staircase, and that her ghost will sometimes be seen at the school....just before another death occurs...
R.M. Holland may or may not, have also had a daughter, Mariana, and Clare is hoping to write a biography of the author, solving these mysteries…but before she can, she will have to solve a mystery of her own.
Her friend, and colleague, Ella has been found murdered, with a note, quoting a famous line from “The Stranger” left near the body...and, she won’t be the only casualty in this “whodunnit “, as the crimes continue to mimic the creepy story that she teaches in her adult creative writing classes.
“Hell is empty”
And, now, a note has been found in Clare’s personal diary, which says “Hallo Clare. You don’t Know Me”. Is Clare the next target?
Told from the alternating perspectives of Clare, her daughter Georgie, and DS Harbinder Kaur, in THIRTEEN parts, the current crimes are investigated, with entries from Claire’s diaries, and chapters from the short story “The Stranger”, sprinkled throughout.
My favorite character was Claire and Georgie’s dog, Herbert, who attends doggy day care, while Clare is teaching classes and although Clare teaches that in gothic literature, animals are often expendable, with authors killing them to create tension, I can assure nervous readers that Herbert will survive, so get cozy under a blanket with a cup of tea, or a glass of wine and enjoy solving this one. I got it right, but it did not detract from my enjoyment at all.
Recommended if you like suspense, that is not gory, with a bit of a “ghost story” thrown in.
I would like to thank Netgalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing and Elly Griffiths for the ARC provided in exchange for a candid review!
July 27, 2020
4.5 stars! Wow — I loved this!
This novel is a murder mystery that takes place at a old, prestigious school campus. (I love campus settings!) A well-loved teacher is found murdered in her home sending students and faculty into fearful worry. While the murder is under investigation, the head of the teaching department is found stabbed to death on campus. Each victim has cryptic notes left nearby at the scene, linking back to one teachers private journal.
This was my first experience with this author and I fully connected with her writing, characters, setting and storyline. This was a highly atmospheric novel that had me inching toward the edge of my seat in suspenseful anticipation. The storyline was dark and eerie and had a strong gothic overtone which I loved.
I adored the characters and was ever-so-excited to see that this is Book 1 in a series surrounding the main Detective Sargent. Can’t wait for Book 2!
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy and my lovely local library for the loan of the physical copy!
This novel is a murder mystery that takes place at a old, prestigious school campus. (I love campus settings!) A well-loved teacher is found murdered in her home sending students and faculty into fearful worry. While the murder is under investigation, the head of the teaching department is found stabbed to death on campus. Each victim has cryptic notes left nearby at the scene, linking back to one teachers private journal.
This was my first experience with this author and I fully connected with her writing, characters, setting and storyline. This was a highly atmospheric novel that had me inching toward the edge of my seat in suspenseful anticipation. The storyline was dark and eerie and had a strong gothic overtone which I loved.
I adored the characters and was ever-so-excited to see that this is Book 1 in a series surrounding the main Detective Sargent. Can’t wait for Book 2!
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy and my lovely local library for the loan of the physical copy!
February 4, 2019
Clare Cassidy, divorced and living with her 15 y old daughter Georgie, left London for a quieter life on the Sussex coast where she teaches English at a comprehensive school. Part of the attraction of the school for Clare, is that one of the older sections was once the home of the gothic story writer R.M Holland, whose biography Clare is writing. Holland was mostly known for his famous gothic tale, 'The Stranger', which Clare uses to teach her adult creative writing class. Her dog Herbert is even named after the dog in the story. When Clare's best friend and fellow teacher Ella is found dead in a way similar to one of the victims of the story, a quote from 'The Tempest' also used in Holland's tale is left by her side "Hell is empty and all the devils are here".
Elly Griffiths has managed to infuse this modern day thriller with a gothic atmosphere, made possible by the creepiness of R.M Holland's old quarters, stories of a ghostly woman in white and the spooky abandoned factory that looms over Clare and Georgie's house. The story is told in alternating chapters by Clare, Georgie and by Harbinder Kaur, the detective investigating Ella's murder. Although, I didn't particularly warm to Clare, she cared very much for her daughter Georgie and worried about her having an older boyfriend. Georgie was easy to like with her teenage voice, her secret writing and sensible attitude and Harbinder Kaur who started off seeming hard and cold turned out to be a softie with an excellent nose for lies. (I'd really like to see her again in other mysteries.) This was a really good, well written gothic mystery culminating in a terrific final scene in the where the killer is unmasked in true classic thriller style. 4.5★
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Houghton and Mifflin Harcourt for a digital ARC to read
Elly Griffiths has managed to infuse this modern day thriller with a gothic atmosphere, made possible by the creepiness of R.M Holland's old quarters, stories of a ghostly woman in white and the spooky abandoned factory that looms over Clare and Georgie's house. The story is told in alternating chapters by Clare, Georgie and by Harbinder Kaur, the detective investigating Ella's murder. Although, I didn't particularly warm to Clare, she cared very much for her daughter Georgie and worried about her having an older boyfriend. Georgie was easy to like with her teenage voice, her secret writing and sensible attitude and Harbinder Kaur who started off seeming hard and cold turned out to be a softie with an excellent nose for lies. (I'd really like to see her again in other mysteries.) This was a really good, well written gothic mystery culminating in a terrific final scene in the where the killer is unmasked in true classic thriller style. 4.5★
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Houghton and Mifflin Harcourt for a digital ARC to read
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