Blog Tour stop for this fantastically twisty read showing the dark side of social media
#TheCloserIGet #BlogTour @OrendaBooks @annecater @PaulBurston
"Some followers are fatal..."
Synopsis
Tom is a successful author, but for the first time in his life, he has writer ’s block.
His main distraction is an online admirer, Evie, who simply won’t leave him alone.
Evie is smart, well read and unstable; she lives with her sick father and her social media friendships are not only her escape, but everything she has.
When she’s hit with a restraining order, her world collapses, whilst Tom is free to live his life again, and to concentrate on writing.
But things aren’t adding up. For Tom is also addicted to his online relationships, and when they take a darker, more menacing turn, he's powerless to change things.
Because maybe he needs Evie more than he's letting on....
A compulsive, disturbingly relevant, twisty and powerful psychological thriller, The Closer I Get is also a searing commentary on the fragility and insincerity of online relationships, and the danger that can lurk on the other side of a screen…
‘A sucker-punch of a twist that took my breath away! Absurdly gripping, and enough to unnerve anyone who has ever spent any time online’
Angela Clarke, author of Trust Me
‘As perfect a thriller as you’ll read all year. Blurred boundaries between hero and villain – check. A creeping sense of dread that never lets up – check. The stark realisation that this could happen to you – check. Loved it.’
Caz Frear, author of Sweet Little Lies
My Review
Sorry this review might be a little late as have I been deleting all my social media after reading this book! HA!!:)
And if Paul Burton new novel does not make you consider doing the same I would be shocked!
In this tale Tom Hunter is a successful author but he’s struggling to finish his latest book. An online fan of his , Evie, just will not leave him alone.
When Tom hits Evie with a restraining order, you think Tom will be able to get on with his life again but can he?
Because wow! wow! wow! there is a lot more to this situation than you might think!
This book is such a brilliant psychological thriller it had me hooked in from the first few pages and its whole premise is so of the time with social media and the digital world and lives we lead taking over right now!
The characters each had there own fantastic flaws and were both frustrating which for me made the book even better as I really changed sides thought about who's side i was on Evie's thoughts at time were down right scary, yet Toms actions were questionable and i was left questioning who and what to believe.
this story as a whole was hugely unsettling so dark and filled with so much tension and suspense. I was never able to predict what was going to happen and at times I felt like what i thought would happen would and then the author then knocked me off my feet with another twist and by the final pages I was just blown away with the ending!
What I take away from this read is a new awareness of potential 'dangers' from using social media, it really leaves you reeling showing the level or online harassment and how easily someone can fall victim to a stalker.
This is not the first novel I have read by Paul Burston, and it will certainly not be the last!
Author Bio
Paul Burston is the author of five novels and the editor of two short story collections.
His most recent novel The Black Path, was a WHSmith bestseller. His first novel, Shameless, was shortlisted for the State of Britain Award.
His third novel, Lovers & Losers was shortlisted for a Stonewall Award. His fourth, The Gay Divorcee, was optioned for television. He was a founding editor of Attitude magazine and has written for many publications including Guardian, Independent, Time Out, The Times and Sunday Times.
In March 2016, he was featured in the British Council’s #FiveFilms4Freedom Global List 2016, celebrating “33 visionary people who are promoting freedom, equality and LGBT rights around the world”.
He is the founder and host of London’s award-winning LGBT+ literary salon Polari and founder and chair of The Polari First Book Prize for new writing and the newly announced Polari Prize.
Purchase Links
Social Media Links
www.orendabooks.co.uk
@OrendaBooks
Publisher
Orenda Books is a small independent publishing company specialising in literary fiction with a heavy emphasis on crime/thrillers, and approximately half the list in translation.
They’ve been twice shortlisted for the Nick Robinson Best Newcomer Award at the IPG awards, and publisher and owner Karen Sullivan was a Bookseller Rising Star in 2016. In 2018, they were awarded a prestigious Creative Europe grant for their translated books programme.
Three authors, including Agnes Ravatn, Matt Wesolowski and Amanda Jennings have been WHSmith Fresh Talent picks, and Ravatn’s The Bird Tribunal was shortlisted for the Dublin Literary Award, won an English PEN Translation Award, and adapted for BBC Radio Four ’s Book at Bedtime.
Six titles have been shortor long-listed for the CWA Daggers. Launched in 2014 with a mission to bring more international literature to the UK market, Orenda Books publishes a host of debuts, many of which have gone on to sell millions worldwide, and looks for fresh, exciting new voices that push the genre in new directions.
Bestselling authors include Ragnar Jonasson, Antti Tuomainen, Gunnar Staalesen, Michael J. Malone, Kjell Ola Dahl, Louise Beech, Johana Gustawsson, Lilja Sigurðardóttir and Sarah Stovell.
www.orendabooks.co.uk
@OrendaBooks
Blog Tour
Thank you to the Publisher and Author for sending me an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel and for the opportunity to review these works.
All reviews are my own unbiased opinion.
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