There’s nothing I like more than discovering new authors. Especially those that venture into the world of thrillers. Recently I discovered an author through Twitter named S.L. Pierce who writes e-book thrillers. She offered a recently release novel for free on Amazon so I took the plunge and downloaded it to my Kindle Fire.
The Devil’s Game by S.L. Pierce is about an independent recent college graduate named Rachel who is surrounded by awkward, geeky men who are interesting in starting a relationship with her. Rachel is more interested in living on her own and starting a career in the graphic design industry. She often finds the men around her as annoying and distracting.
One day Rachel begins receiving anonymous gifts from a stalker who over the next few weeks, becomes more and more threatening and erratic. Not knowing what to do she calls on the assistance of the awkward men in her life including an old college tutor, Justin, his roommate, and her battle-scarred landlord, Carl. The more people she enlists to assist her in finding the identity of her stalker, the more suspects the reader has to consider for the role.
Once Rachel can no longer feel safe in her own apartment, she moves in with Justin and they begin a budding relationship as her vulnerability leads her to be open for the comfort of a friend.
What makes this story stick out is that the stalker has a stalker. Someone is watching him and assisting him in getting what he wants – Rachel completely vulnerable and terrified for her life. Part of the story is actually told by point of view of the stalker’s stalker.
This book is full of twists and surprises. At one point you feel the stalker is identified, and it turns out to be wrong. Another time the reader believe the stalker may not be male at all, but then the tables turn again. When Rachel feels safest, that’s when the she is the most threatened. Right when you think the story is over, it’s only just begun. Pierce will have you hanging on every word and not able to put down your e-reader for anything.
I loved this story. It follows a pattern that is often associated with crime novels or novel about victims of crimes, but the twists and turns make it unique and there is a definite overtone of women independence as Rachel and her upstairs neighbor Mel turn out to be very strong and independent, despite their weaknesses. I have to admit that I’m actually behind on most of my TV shows because I would often find myself reading this book instead of watching TV dramas after dinner. Guess I have lot to catch up on.
Have you ever tried a new author and found that you couldn’t put down the book, it was so good?
