Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Faber & Faber (2017)
Description
Fiction. Literature. Suspense. Thriller. HTML: The author of the wildly popular The Kind Worth Killing returns with an electrifying and downright Hitchcockian psychological thriller�??as tantalizing as the cinema classics Rear Window and Wait Until Dark�??involving a young woman caught in a vise of voyeurism, betrayal, manipulation, and murder. The danger isn't all in your head . . . Growing up, Kate Priddy was always a bit neurotic, experiencing momentary bouts of anxiety that exploded into full blown panic attacks after an ex-boyfriend kidnapped her and nearly ended her life. When Corbin Dell, a distant cousin in Boston, suggests the two temporarily swap apartments, Kate, an art student in London, agrees, hoping that time away in a new place will help her overcome the recent wreckage of her life. But soon after her arrival at Corbin's grand apartment on Beacon Hill, Kate makes a shocking discovery: his next-door neighbor, a young woman named Audrey Marshall, has been murdered. When the police question her about Corbin, a shaken Kate has few answers, and many questions of her own�??curiosity that intensifies when she meets Alan Cherney, a handsome, quiet tenant who lives across the courtyard, in the apartment facing Audrey's. Alan saw Corbin surreptitiously come and go from Audrey's place, yet he's denied knowing her. Then, Kate runs into a tearful man claiming to be the dead woman's old boyfriend, who insists Corbin did the deed the night that he left for London. When she reaches out to her cousin, he proclaims his innocence and calms her nerves . . . until she comes across disturbing objects hidden in the apartment�??and accidently learns that Corbin is not where he says he is. Could Corbin be a killer? And what about Alan? Kate finds herself drawn to this appealing man who seems so sincere, yet she isn't sure. Jetlagged and emotionally unstable, her imagination full of dark images caused by the terror of her past, Kate can barely trust herself . . . So how could she take the chance on a stranger she's just met? Yet the danger Kate imagines isn't nearly as twisted and deadly as what's about to happen. When her every fear becomes very real. And much, much closer than she thinks. Told from multiple points of view, Her Every Fear is a scintillating, edgy novel rich with Peter Swanson's chilling insight into the darkest corners of the human psyche and virtuosic skill for plotting that has propelled him to the highest ranks of suspense, in the tradition of such greats as Gillian Flynn, Paula Hawkins, Patricia Highsmith, and James M… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member susan.h.schofield
This was another great mystery from Peter Swanson. It's the story of two cousins, Kate who lives in England and Corbin who lives in Boston, who decide to swap apartments for 6 months. Both are dealing with personal issues they are trying to escape. Shortly after Kate arrives in Boston, the girl who
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lives in the apartment across from Corbin's is found murdered. From there the mystery begins to unfold - I don't want to give anymore away. If you are looking for a good mystery, you won't be disappointed. I won an ARC of this book from Goodreads. Show Less
LibraryThing member Beamis12
Kate suffers from crippling anxiety, a disorder that exploded after a terrifying incident at the hands of an ex-boyfriend. After her cousin Corbin, a cousin whom she has never met, takes a job in London , they agree to exchange apartments, which will bring Kate to the states,,and an opportunity for
While this book was fast paced, caused me to shudder many times, it also caused me to roll my eyes. I found some this book, implausible, overkill, I mean how many psychopaths can be found in one young woman's life? Plus, I found many of Kate's actions did not make sense for a person suffering a severe anxiety disorder. Still, if you are looking for a creepy read, this one is that. Just leave your inner critic at home.
ARC from publisher.
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a new start, The night she moves into Corbin's gorgeous apartment, a young woman is found murdered in the apartment next door.While this book was fast paced, caused me to shudder many times, it also caused me to roll my eyes. I found some this book, implausible, overkill, I mean how many psychopaths can be found in one young woman's life? Plus, I found many of Kate's actions did not make sense for a person suffering a severe anxiety disorder. Still, if you are looking for a creepy read, this one is that. Just leave your inner critic at home.
ARC from publisher.
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LibraryThing member bah195
Never having read any of Peter Swanson's books I didn't know what to expect. This book had me hooked from the very first page. The story was gripping and kept me on the edge of my seat. I can see this book made into a great movie.
I'm not a psychological thriller fan but there was something about
I won a free copy of this book from Goodreads and voluntarily chose to write a review.
I'm not a psychological thriller fan but there was something about
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the blurb that made me want to try this book and I'm glad I did. The characters were well developed and the story was well written. I highly recommend this book.I won a free copy of this book from Goodreads and voluntarily chose to write a review.
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LibraryThing member stormyhearted
I don't normally read thrillers, and I've never read any of Swanson's previous work, so I had no idea what to expect from this novel. The chapters show a variety of perspectives, but the most prominent voice is Kate Priddy, a British woman with some serious anxiety issues, who is attempting to
I think having an anxious main character was an interesting choice for a thriller- I feel like it made it a bit harder to tell whether things were actually happening, or if her anxiety was causing her to overthink things, to imagine things. Kate's vivid imagination helped with that too. I did feel like a chunk of the plot was pretty implausible, and I'd guessed who the murderer was pretty early on. I think my biggest critiques would be that Kate seems to subsist entirely on bread and cheese for days on end without any impact on her energy, and that the introduction of some characters' perspectives come in so late just to impart specific information that it feels like a bit of a cop-out.
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regain control over her life after being kidnapped by a possessive ex-boyfriend. To this end, she agrees to a six month apartment swap with an American cousin she's never met, and the book begins with her attempting to stave off a panic attack after getting caught in a traffic jam in a tunnel on her way to her cousin's Boston apartment. When she wakes on her first morning in the States, Kate learns that the young woman who lives in the apartment next to her cousin's has been murdered.I think having an anxious main character was an interesting choice for a thriller- I feel like it made it a bit harder to tell whether things were actually happening, or if her anxiety was causing her to overthink things, to imagine things. Kate's vivid imagination helped with that too. I did feel like a chunk of the plot was pretty implausible, and I'd guessed who the murderer was pretty early on. I think my biggest critiques would be that Kate seems to subsist entirely on bread and cheese for days on end without any impact on her energy, and that the introduction of some characters' perspectives come in so late just to impart specific information that it feels like a bit of a cop-out.
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LibraryThing member RowingRabbit
Kate Priddy has had a rough couple of years. A horrific experience at the hands of an old boyfriend left her borderline panophobic with a dash of OCD. After a lot of therapy & support, she’s finally living a quiet life in her tiny London flat.
She’s never met her 2nd cousin Corbin Dell so it’s
Despite (and because of) her parents’ reservations, Kate enrols for classes at a small Boston art college & takes the plunge. But she barely makes it to her new front door before her nightmares come to life. Corbin’s neighbour Audrey Marshall has been violently murdered & Kate soon finds herself at the centre of the investigation.
This is one of those book where the less you know going in, the better. Over the next few days, we are introduced to other characters central to the plot as Kate reluctantly leaves the safety of her apartment. She meets Alan Cherney who lives directly across from Audrey & Jack Ludovico, the victim’s old boyfriend who is desperate for any news Kate can provide.
And then there’s Corbin who flew to London the same day Audrey died. He spends the bulk of the book across the pond but we get to know him as he recalls the first time he went to London & the events that would end up shaping his life. Kate has never met him but as they email back & forth about the investigation, she begins to wonder if he knows more than he’s telling.
They all take turns narrating their own stories, sometimes recounting the same event but with very different interpretations. The result is we are privy to their private agendas but don’t know who to believe. They are all unreliable including Kate. This was supposed to be a fresh start but her fragile psyche is taking a beating. Her slippery grasp on reality doesn’t exactly make her the poster child for mental health & even she doubts her spotty memory.
The style of the narrative leaves you feeling vaguely uneasy & a little jumpy about what/who may pop up on the next page. It cleverly brings your own preconceptions into play as you try to suss who is telling the “best” truth. Characters that struck you as shady become sympathetic & you start reexamining those you thought were in the clear. One of these people is lying & as the tension slowly builds, we become as paranoid as Kate & begin to cut her some slack for all her neuroses.
This is a full on psychological thriller that will mess with your head (I flatly refuse to compare it to any book with “girl” in the title). The author carefully doles out information & it’s up to you to decide what’s significant. And I genuinely appreciated that the clues are all there so you can look back & see where you may have taken a wrong turn. By the time the killer is revealed, it’s clear this was never just about Audrey but you’ll have to make it through the chilling final chapters before the whole story is told.
Once you start, it becomes compulsive reading so to save time just go ahead & turn on all the lights & check the locks before you crack the cover.
She’s never met her 2nd cousin Corbin Dell so it’s
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surprising when he gets in touch with a proposition. He’s coming to London for 6 months, leaving behind an opulent apartment in Boston’s Beacon Hill. Would she be interested in doing a swap? Despite (and because of) her parents’ reservations, Kate enrols for classes at a small Boston art college & takes the plunge. But she barely makes it to her new front door before her nightmares come to life. Corbin’s neighbour Audrey Marshall has been violently murdered & Kate soon finds herself at the centre of the investigation.
This is one of those book where the less you know going in, the better. Over the next few days, we are introduced to other characters central to the plot as Kate reluctantly leaves the safety of her apartment. She meets Alan Cherney who lives directly across from Audrey & Jack Ludovico, the victim’s old boyfriend who is desperate for any news Kate can provide.
And then there’s Corbin who flew to London the same day Audrey died. He spends the bulk of the book across the pond but we get to know him as he recalls the first time he went to London & the events that would end up shaping his life. Kate has never met him but as they email back & forth about the investigation, she begins to wonder if he knows more than he’s telling.
They all take turns narrating their own stories, sometimes recounting the same event but with very different interpretations. The result is we are privy to their private agendas but don’t know who to believe. They are all unreliable including Kate. This was supposed to be a fresh start but her fragile psyche is taking a beating. Her slippery grasp on reality doesn’t exactly make her the poster child for mental health & even she doubts her spotty memory.
The style of the narrative leaves you feeling vaguely uneasy & a little jumpy about what/who may pop up on the next page. It cleverly brings your own preconceptions into play as you try to suss who is telling the “best” truth. Characters that struck you as shady become sympathetic & you start reexamining those you thought were in the clear. One of these people is lying & as the tension slowly builds, we become as paranoid as Kate & begin to cut her some slack for all her neuroses.
This is a full on psychological thriller that will mess with your head (I flatly refuse to compare it to any book with “girl” in the title). The author carefully doles out information & it’s up to you to decide what’s significant. And I genuinely appreciated that the clues are all there so you can look back & see where you may have taken a wrong turn. By the time the killer is revealed, it’s clear this was never just about Audrey but you’ll have to make it through the chilling final chapters before the whole story is told.
Once you start, it becomes compulsive reading so to save time just go ahead & turn on all the lights & check the locks before you crack the cover.
Show Less
LibraryThing member seasonsoflove
Kate Priddy is still recovering from her kidnapping at the hands of an ex-boyfriend, and an apartment swap with her distant cousin seems like the ideal way to get away from it all. Traveling from London to Boston, Kate hopes this is the key to getting over her fears. But when her new next-door
This is a book full of twists and turns, and some highly creepy characters. In fact, this is a really creepy book, one of those eerie ones that has you second-guessing everything you're reading. There's a part towards the end that is downright terrifying.
Swanson is constantly turning what you think you know on its head, which is something I really appreciate in any mystery or thriller I'm reading.
The last third of the book feels too rushed. Swanson has done a great job building up all this nail-biting suspense, and then everything just kind of happens at once. Everything that happens is creepy, and surprising, but it all gets a bit mushed together, and seems less plausible, due to the speed at which the plotting suddenly moves.
I really enjoyed The Kind Worth Killing, and thought it was absolutely brilliant, especially the way Swanson expertly flipped around everything readers were taking for granted in his story. He does something similar here, but not to the same effect. Her Every Fear would have benefited from a few extra pages, and some time to let Swanson's great twists really sing.
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neighbor is murdered, Kate realizes her fears may be hitting all too close to home.This is a book full of twists and turns, and some highly creepy characters. In fact, this is a really creepy book, one of those eerie ones that has you second-guessing everything you're reading. There's a part towards the end that is downright terrifying.
Swanson is constantly turning what you think you know on its head, which is something I really appreciate in any mystery or thriller I'm reading.
The last third of the book feels too rushed. Swanson has done a great job building up all this nail-biting suspense, and then everything just kind of happens at once. Everything that happens is creepy, and surprising, but it all gets a bit mushed together, and seems less plausible, due to the speed at which the plotting suddenly moves.
I really enjoyed The Kind Worth Killing, and thought it was absolutely brilliant, especially the way Swanson expertly flipped around everything readers were taking for granted in his story. He does something similar here, but not to the same effect. Her Every Fear would have benefited from a few extra pages, and some time to let Swanson's great twists really sing.
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LibraryThing member atticusfinch1048
Her Every Fear – A Trip into a Twisted Mind
Peter Swanson once again has raised the bar where psychological thrillers with his latest book, Her Every Fear, which is deep, dark and beautiful. While any complaints I may have are that of a pedant, such as the English used by an English character, and
Kate Priddy has not had much luck in life and a previous boyfriend had heightened her anxiety disorder to the worst possible place, that she sees danger where none exist and it hampers her life and movement. When her cousin in Boston suggests that they do a flat swap for six months as he has a short-term contract in London, uncharacteristically she accepts.
As Kate arrives in Boston, she suffers her first panic attack as she is leaving the airport on route to her cousin’s apartment. Shortly after arriving Kate is shocked to learn that the neighbour across from her has been murdered, and was a friend of her cousin Corbin. As the police investigate Kate is both nervous and scared of what is happening around her, and has nobody to talk it through with. Even if she does think she is losing her mind in that the apartment blocks cat seems to always be in her apartment somehow.
As the story progresses we gain the back story of both Kate and Corbin which heightens your senses and question what is happening around them. Kate is jetlagged and her mind is playing games with her, she is drowning emotionally, and she does not know who to trust, especially as she does not trust herself.
As the story progresses we are waiting to see if the police can discover who murdered Audrey Marshall and how does her cousin fit in to the story, is he the killer, did he do it before he flew out to London? How does Kate cope, who is playing with her emotions and what are their motivations and will she become a victim once again?
There are many questions that are constantly raised throughout the book and how Kate actually manages to hold things together while fighting her inner demons. Kate is a likable character, vulnerable, emotional, and uses her artistic abilities to try and control her anxiety.
Once again Peter Swanson has written a rollercoaster ride of a thriller, whose storytelling packs a punch with no wasted words. Like his killers he is straight to the point, does not mess around packing the story but gets to the heart of the matter, making the pain raw and the emotion electric. A book that will keep you gripped from beginning to end with more twists than twister, Swanson’s mind it twisted, and I like it.
Peter Swanson once again has raised the bar where psychological thrillers with his latest book, Her Every Fear, which is deep, dark and beautiful. While any complaints I may have are that of a pedant, such as the English used by an English character, and
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going to a bank in London and withdrawing amount of money in one hundred pound notes. Pity there are no English one-hundred-pound note, and those that exist are Scottish which most people refuse to accept, legal tender or not.Kate Priddy has not had much luck in life and a previous boyfriend had heightened her anxiety disorder to the worst possible place, that she sees danger where none exist and it hampers her life and movement. When her cousin in Boston suggests that they do a flat swap for six months as he has a short-term contract in London, uncharacteristically she accepts.
As Kate arrives in Boston, she suffers her first panic attack as she is leaving the airport on route to her cousin’s apartment. Shortly after arriving Kate is shocked to learn that the neighbour across from her has been murdered, and was a friend of her cousin Corbin. As the police investigate Kate is both nervous and scared of what is happening around her, and has nobody to talk it through with. Even if she does think she is losing her mind in that the apartment blocks cat seems to always be in her apartment somehow.
As the story progresses we gain the back story of both Kate and Corbin which heightens your senses and question what is happening around them. Kate is jetlagged and her mind is playing games with her, she is drowning emotionally, and she does not know who to trust, especially as she does not trust herself.
As the story progresses we are waiting to see if the police can discover who murdered Audrey Marshall and how does her cousin fit in to the story, is he the killer, did he do it before he flew out to London? How does Kate cope, who is playing with her emotions and what are their motivations and will she become a victim once again?
There are many questions that are constantly raised throughout the book and how Kate actually manages to hold things together while fighting her inner demons. Kate is a likable character, vulnerable, emotional, and uses her artistic abilities to try and control her anxiety.
Once again Peter Swanson has written a rollercoaster ride of a thriller, whose storytelling packs a punch with no wasted words. Like his killers he is straight to the point, does not mess around packing the story but gets to the heart of the matter, making the pain raw and the emotion electric. A book that will keep you gripped from beginning to end with more twists than twister, Swanson’s mind it twisted, and I like it.
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LibraryThing member Twink
Have you read Peter Swanson yet? No? Well, if you're a fan of twisty, turny suspense novels like I am, you'll want to add him to your 'must read' list.
Swanson's latest book is Her Every Fear.
Brit Kate Priddy suffers from anxiety, panic attacks and OCD. Her bouts and symptoms got even worse after
But when a neighbour of Corbin's goes missing the day she moves in, Kate begins to wonder if she's made the right choice. And then the neighbour is found dead.....
A fantasic premise with loads of places to go - and an uncertain narrator to tell the tale. Love it!
Swanson has the reader knowing much more than our poor Kate. There are three other voices - Corbin, a friend of Corbin and another resident of the apartment building in Boston. We know what's happened, what's happening and the danger that Kate is in. Kate tries to downplay odd incidents.... she let the cat out didn't she? How did he get back in? Is someone watching her from the window across the way? (nice little Hitchcockian plot device) Has someone changed one of her sketches? Or is it her own anxieties causing her worries and suspicions?
The narrative switches between then and now and only serves to heighten the tension as we learn more about the characters and their secrets. Swanson has painted one heck of a scary antagonist in one of the three characters His inner dialogue is truly frightening. So, while we know the whodunit long before the police, it's the journey there that makes for a deliciously creepy read.
Swanson's last book, The Kind Worth Killing, had a fantastic 'gotcha' in the last few pages. I was looking (and hoping) for a similar ending. It's there, but subtle. One line in a paragraph near the end has me thinking that Kate may be making another bad choice......
Swanson's latest book is Her Every Fear.
Brit Kate Priddy suffers from anxiety, panic attacks and OCD. Her bouts and symptoms got even worse after
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surviving a horrible relationship with ex-boyfriend George. When the opportunity arises to switch apartments for six months with her distant cousin Corbin in Boston, she decides it's a great opportunity to reclaim her life.But when a neighbour of Corbin's goes missing the day she moves in, Kate begins to wonder if she's made the right choice. And then the neighbour is found dead.....
A fantasic premise with loads of places to go - and an uncertain narrator to tell the tale. Love it!
Swanson has the reader knowing much more than our poor Kate. There are three other voices - Corbin, a friend of Corbin and another resident of the apartment building in Boston. We know what's happened, what's happening and the danger that Kate is in. Kate tries to downplay odd incidents.... she let the cat out didn't she? How did he get back in? Is someone watching her from the window across the way? (nice little Hitchcockian plot device) Has someone changed one of her sketches? Or is it her own anxieties causing her worries and suspicions?
The narrative switches between then and now and only serves to heighten the tension as we learn more about the characters and their secrets. Swanson has painted one heck of a scary antagonist in one of the three characters His inner dialogue is truly frightening. So, while we know the whodunit long before the police, it's the journey there that makes for a deliciously creepy read.
Swanson's last book, The Kind Worth Killing, had a fantastic 'gotcha' in the last few pages. I was looking (and hoping) for a similar ending. It's there, but subtle. One line in a paragraph near the end has me thinking that Kate may be making another bad choice......
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LibraryThing member Susan.Macura
Kate suffers from an extremely traumatic event that causes her to live in fear. However, she does take a brave step and leaves her home and family in London to move to Boston for six months. She agreed to change apartments with a cousin she never met who had an opportunity to work in London for six
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months. However, the day she arrived in Boston, she discovered that the woman who lived next door to her cousin was murdered. From there, the action commences, dragging Kate along. This was a great, scary read! Show Less
LibraryThing member bookappeal
Peter Swanson proved he has an unnerving ability to get into disturbed minds in his previous novel, The Kind Worth Killing. This story is not as twisty but just as engaging and entertaining if the finale occurs a bit abruptly - as long as you don't mind seeing a very ugly side of humanity.
LibraryThing member ewhatley
Two cousins trade homes and the first thing one discovers is the next door neighbor has been found dead. And it gets worse from there. While this book was a little predictable, I enjoyed the read. Recommend for thriller fans.
LibraryThing member jenn88
Kate Priddy was almost killed by an ex-boyfriend. Now she has bouts of anxiety that could lead up to panic attacks. When a distant cousin from Boston, Corbin Dell, suggests they swap apartments for six months Kate agrees in the hopes that time away will do more good than harm for her. But after
A compulsive, easy-to-read, well-written, suspenseful book. Not a whole lot happens, it's more character-driven with characters that are real and believable. The only disappointment for me was the ending.
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arriving to her new apartment on Beacon Hill, Kate learns that the young woman next door has been murdered. When the police question Kate about Corbin, she has few answers since she doesn't personally know him but has many questions of her own. After meeting another tenant in the building named Alan and a tearful friend of the victim outside the building named Jack, her curiosity is piqued. Did Corbin do it? She emails Corbin, who insists he did not murder his neighbour; he barely knew her. But after coming across objects that link him to the victim, she wonders if Corbin is in fact a liar and murderer. A compulsive, easy-to-read, well-written, suspenseful book. Not a whole lot happens, it's more character-driven with characters that are real and believable. The only disappointment for me was the ending.
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LibraryThing member Carol420
Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson
4.5 Stars
From The Book:
The danger isn’t all in your head . . .
Growing up, Kate Priddy was always a bit neurotic, experiencing momentary bouts of anxiety that exploded into full blown panic attacks after an ex-boyfriend kidnapped her and nearly ended her life. When
But soon after her arrival at Corbin’s grand apartment on Beacon Hill, Kate makes a shocking discovery: his next-door neighbor, a young woman named Audrey Marshall, has been murdered. When the police question her about Corbin, a shaken Kate has few answers, and many questions of her own—curiosity that intensifies when she meets Alan Cherney, a handsome, quiet tenant who lives across the courtyard, in the apartment facing Audrey’s. Alan saw Corbin surreptitiously come and go from Audrey’s place, yet he’s denied knowing her. Then, Kate runs into a tearful man claiming to be the dead woman’s old boyfriend, who insists Corbin did the deed the night that he left for London.
When she reaches out to her cousin, he proclaims his innocence and calms her nerves . . . until she comes across disturbing objects hidden in the apartment—and accidentally learns that Corbin is not where he says he is. Could Corbin be a killer? And what about Alan? Kate finds herself drawn to this appealing man who seems so sincere, yet she isn’t sure. Jetlagged and emotionally unstable, her imagination full of dark images caused by the terror of her past, Kate can barely trust herself . . . So how could she take the chance on a stranger she’s just met? Yet the danger Kate imagines isn’t nearly as twisted and deadly as what’s about to happen. When her every fear becomes very real. And much, much closer than she thinks.
My Thoughts:
The story is told from multiple viewpoints. I usually hate this way of telling the story as the characters sometimes become difficult to keep straight. That was not the case with Her Every Fear. There was a parade of various characters throughout Kate's stay in Boston and they all were loudly and convincingly proclaiming their innocence but you knew one of them was lying as Kate's neighbor had been murdered only hours before Kate arrived from London. I went back and forth on which one it was but Peter Swanson had delivered the story so well that I never did sort it out.
I highly recommend this to anyone that loves a physiological mystery with lots of possible solutions.
4.5 Stars
From The Book:
The danger isn’t all in your head . . .
Growing up, Kate Priddy was always a bit neurotic, experiencing momentary bouts of anxiety that exploded into full blown panic attacks after an ex-boyfriend kidnapped her and nearly ended her life. When
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Corbin Dell, a distant cousin in Boston, suggests the two temporarily swap apartments, Kate, an art student in London, agrees, hoping that time away in a new place will help her overcome the recent wreckage of her life.But soon after her arrival at Corbin’s grand apartment on Beacon Hill, Kate makes a shocking discovery: his next-door neighbor, a young woman named Audrey Marshall, has been murdered. When the police question her about Corbin, a shaken Kate has few answers, and many questions of her own—curiosity that intensifies when she meets Alan Cherney, a handsome, quiet tenant who lives across the courtyard, in the apartment facing Audrey’s. Alan saw Corbin surreptitiously come and go from Audrey’s place, yet he’s denied knowing her. Then, Kate runs into a tearful man claiming to be the dead woman’s old boyfriend, who insists Corbin did the deed the night that he left for London.
When she reaches out to her cousin, he proclaims his innocence and calms her nerves . . . until she comes across disturbing objects hidden in the apartment—and accidentally learns that Corbin is not where he says he is. Could Corbin be a killer? And what about Alan? Kate finds herself drawn to this appealing man who seems so sincere, yet she isn’t sure. Jetlagged and emotionally unstable, her imagination full of dark images caused by the terror of her past, Kate can barely trust herself . . . So how could she take the chance on a stranger she’s just met? Yet the danger Kate imagines isn’t nearly as twisted and deadly as what’s about to happen. When her every fear becomes very real. And much, much closer than she thinks.
My Thoughts:
The story is told from multiple viewpoints. I usually hate this way of telling the story as the characters sometimes become difficult to keep straight. That was not the case with Her Every Fear. There was a parade of various characters throughout Kate's stay in Boston and they all were loudly and convincingly proclaiming their innocence but you knew one of them was lying as Kate's neighbor had been murdered only hours before Kate arrived from London. I went back and forth on which one it was but Peter Swanson had delivered the story so well that I never did sort it out.
I highly recommend this to anyone that loves a physiological mystery with lots of possible solutions.
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LibraryThing member froxgirl
This author's specialty is starting out with damaged characters and having them inflict even more damage. He ably speaks in the voices of women and men, and just as in his earlier "The Kind Worth Killing", his familiarity with local Boston landmarks (in this case, a sumptuous vintage apartment
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building on Beacon Hill) renders the stories particularly comfortable for local residents. This novel focuses on Kate, who was previously the victim of a hostage taking by a former boyfriend back in England. She exchanges apartments with her cousin Corbin, who leaves Beacon Hill for London, and who has some pretty horrible activity in his own past. The plot motors along, with reveals at appropriate places. Another good read, if not pretty creepy. Show Less
LibraryThing member phoenixcomet
Not bad. The protagonist, Kate Priddy, is a nervous, anxious person who believes bad things are always going to happen to her. In her need to get out of England for awhile, she switches apartments with her cousin Corbin, only to discover that the next door neighbor has been murdered. Did Corbin do
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it? Some unexpected twists and suspense. Creates some nervous tension in the reader, but not quite enough. That being said, I enjoyed reading the tale and would read this author again. Show Less
LibraryThing member flourgirl49
Just how unlucky can one woman be? Kate Priddy crosses paths with two psychopaths, a murderer and another probable bad choice at the end. It seems pretty implausible to me. I gave it 3 stars because it did hold my interest, even while I was scratching my head.
LibraryThing member keithgordonvernon
Flat swap NY and London. 2 killers
LibraryThing member justacatandabook
Kate Priddy suffers from anxiety. Neurotic since childhood, her recent fears have good reason: in college, Kate was attacked in a horrific incident by her boyfriend. It's taken Kate years to recover from that day. So when her parents tell her that her distant cousin, Corbin Dell, is looking to move
This novel was the first Swanson I've ever read. It starts off from Kate's perspective, but switches over after a couple of chapters to Alan, and we hear from Corbin and others throughout the story as well. While doing this, the story sometimes double backs to get the same perspective from a different character. While it's effective in showing different sides to one plot element, it seems to drag the story on, and make things repeat unnecessarily. I enjoyed the character of Kate, though couldn't always find myself attached to her. She was probably my favorite of the group, though. For me, I found some bits of the plot a little over the top (the list of things that have happened to Kate seems extreme, for example).
I guessed a good part of the mystery plot early on, but was still confounded by other pieces, so I did find it interesting, and it certainly had creepy pieces. Still, I wasn't incredibly invested in this one -- either the plot or the characters. Things just seemed a little "too much" at times, and then by the time we did get to the dramatic ending, it tied up really quickly, which was a little anticlimactic. Overall, this was a good thriller, but not great.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss (thank you!); it is available as of 1/10/2017.
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to London and wants someone to switch apartments with for six months, Kate jumps at the chance. Six months in Corbin's spacious apartment will give her a chance to start her life over on her own. But shortly after arriving in Boston, Kate receives some unsettling news: the woman who lived down the hall, Audrey, is missing. She soon discovers that Audrey was murdered. Even worse, she realizes that Corbin is a suspect in Audrey's death. As Kate tries to adjust to life in Boston, she meets another fellow apartment-dweller, Alan Cherney. Alan claims he didn't know Audrey, but he seems to know a lot about her. Kate suddenly regrets her temporary move to the States, and soon she finds herself wondering if she's even safe there.This novel was the first Swanson I've ever read. It starts off from Kate's perspective, but switches over after a couple of chapters to Alan, and we hear from Corbin and others throughout the story as well. While doing this, the story sometimes double backs to get the same perspective from a different character. While it's effective in showing different sides to one plot element, it seems to drag the story on, and make things repeat unnecessarily. I enjoyed the character of Kate, though couldn't always find myself attached to her. She was probably my favorite of the group, though. For me, I found some bits of the plot a little over the top (the list of things that have happened to Kate seems extreme, for example).
I guessed a good part of the mystery plot early on, but was still confounded by other pieces, so I did find it interesting, and it certainly had creepy pieces. Still, I wasn't incredibly invested in this one -- either the plot or the characters. Things just seemed a little "too much" at times, and then by the time we did get to the dramatic ending, it tied up really quickly, which was a little anticlimactic. Overall, this was a good thriller, but not great.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss (thank you!); it is available as of 1/10/2017.
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LibraryThing member sensitivemuse
I love these kinds of stories where there’s a twist with a horrible villain that’s rotten to the core. There’s plenty of mystery and the creep factor is definitely there throughout the book.
What I liked about the book was the mood and the way it’s written. The element of mystery is
The characters in this book are well done. You do feel for Corbin but at the same time, he brought it upon himself. (Doesn’t anyone just TALK about it anymore? It’s all about just lashing out and getting revenge???!!) And Henry, he’s just a special character all in his own group. I’ve read some pretty hateful characters...but Henry’s pretty high up on the list. He’s got some pretty serious issues and he’s overall a pretty unlikable character. But, to his credit he’s devious. Devious to the point where he could be a runner for villain of the year. His planning and methods were crafty and calculating. Imagining having someone like Henry in your vicinity is enough to get the hairs on your arms rise.
The plot was well done and flowing nicely. There is also a good amount of backstory throughout the novel so it helps you understand the actions and behavior of the characters, and that’s what I really enjoyed the most of this book. The climax of the novel was also very well done and everything comes to a perfect closing towards the end.
Two things that irked me in this book; Kate and Alan. Alan’s creepy in his own way (harmless creep) but a creep nevertheless. He’s awkward and not that likable but then again, Kate’s choices aren’t really that stellar anyway (not her fault).
Another thing; I have no idea why the author had to be so descriptive to the point as to describe *exactly* what novel Kate’s reading, what type of music Alan is listening to, etc. Are you trying to name drop? To advertise? It was to the point where it got annoying - perhaps it’s because I’ve had bad experiences with this type of writing so I’m thinking that’s why it stands out and irked me. Next time, no need to advertise? Please?
Greatly recommended for thriller lovers! You got a good villain to hate here!
What I liked about the book was the mood and the way it’s written. The element of mystery is
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excellent. You’re even doubting Kate and questioning her sanity because of certain events in the book. When you realize it’s all real the creep factor greatly increases.The characters in this book are well done. You do feel for Corbin but at the same time, he brought it upon himself. (Doesn’t anyone just TALK about it anymore? It’s all about just lashing out and getting revenge???!!) And Henry, he’s just a special character all in his own group. I’ve read some pretty hateful characters...but Henry’s pretty high up on the list. He’s got some pretty serious issues and he’s overall a pretty unlikable character. But, to his credit he’s devious. Devious to the point where he could be a runner for villain of the year. His planning and methods were crafty and calculating. Imagining having someone like Henry in your vicinity is enough to get the hairs on your arms rise.
The plot was well done and flowing nicely. There is also a good amount of backstory throughout the novel so it helps you understand the actions and behavior of the characters, and that’s what I really enjoyed the most of this book. The climax of the novel was also very well done and everything comes to a perfect closing towards the end.
Two things that irked me in this book; Kate and Alan. Alan’s creepy in his own way (harmless creep) but a creep nevertheless. He’s awkward and not that likable but then again, Kate’s choices aren’t really that stellar anyway (not her fault).
Another thing; I have no idea why the author had to be so descriptive to the point as to describe *exactly* what novel Kate’s reading, what type of music Alan is listening to, etc. Are you trying to name drop? To advertise? It was to the point where it got annoying - perhaps it’s because I’ve had bad experiences with this type of writing so I’m thinking that’s why it stands out and irked me. Next time, no need to advertise? Please?
Greatly recommended for thriller lovers! You got a good villain to hate here!
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LibraryThing member BONS
Peter Swanson had me very entwined with these characters and I am unsure exactly how that happened. This wasn't a particular topic I really wanted to read about at the time but I certainly became completely absorbed and kept postponing "daily life" as to finish this suspense. I quite like the
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female lead was written to have had a traumatic experience but she keeps trying to become strong and independent even so. Nice. Her nightmares were understandable and I also quite like that they came across well..nightmarish, not making sense and the one with statement about George's teeth in the nightmare...well done! That gave me the creeps in daylight! Show Less
LibraryThing member MarthaHuntley
Her Every Fear has to be about the creepiest book I have ever read - I mean it was scary! It made me fear for every woman out there on the dating scene, and every young woman living alone! Very well written, I thought. It was never a who-dun-it - the reader knows that from the start - but more of a
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psychological mystery, how long can this go on and how many victims is it going to take? Really, quite an intriguing book with the poor harried main character, Kate, already (and for good reason) a very fearful person having every fear come true. Can she possible survive a second time? I particularly appreciated the Kindle edition having several essays about the book and other books by the author - very interesting! And illuminating on the plot and characters in this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member thelibraryladies
In February of 2016, I was on a lovely family vacation in Hawai’i. On this trip I brought a number of books, one of which was Peter Swanson’s “The Kind Worth Killing” (I reviewed it on this blog here). I read that book in the span of about one day, sitting on a Lanai on Kauai and devouring
The thing about Peter Swanson’s thrillers is that he has a knack for completely making you question everything, and taking the reader by complete surprise. Much like in “The Kind Worth Killing”, there is a moment in “Her Every Fear” where the game completely changes, and I had to set the book down for a moment and try and regroup after the big reveal. But before I talk more about the plot, I want to talk about the characters in this book, specifically Kate and Alan. I really, really appreciated how Swanson portrayed Kate and her anxiety disorder/PTSD. As someone who also has an anxiety disorder, I thought that he captured the constant, if not usually mild, fears that just kind of plague you in your day to day life, be it intrusive thoughts, or the feeling that something awful is going to happen even if there is no reason to believe so. In a lot of books like this this could be used as a character flaw to show just how broken she is, but with Kate there is nothing but sympathy for her and what she went through in her past. Alan is a character I had a harder time wrapping my head around, as he’s someone who is definitely a little bit off, mentally. I don’t want to spoil anything because there are so many reveals that are masterfully executed, but I will say that there is lots of sympathy for Alan as well in his own crippling oddness. He could have easily been painted one way, but I ended up kind of understanding him, and like that Swanson put him together the way that he did.
The mystery itself is very well done, with twists and turns that come slowly to the surface. It’s a slow burn, and you think that you may have something figured out, but then things will completely change on you. He also does a very good job of slowly turning the screws of suspense, and wrote moments that really messed with my memory and consciousness. There was a moment involving a cat being let out of Kate’s apartment, only to be found in the apartment again in the middle of the night. Not only did she question if she had let him out in the first place, I TOO QUESTIONED IT, and had to prevent myself from flipping back and checking. It’s this kind of uncanny and upsetting horror that really gets me, and makes me super squeamish (so much so that I had to set the book down and go watch “Frasier” for a couple of hours). Swanson is also deft at skillfully switching perspectives, be it Kate, or Alan, or one of the other perspective chapters of other characters (whom I shan’t spoil here). All of them had complete and well rounded voices, and I feel like he really lets the reader get into all of their heads. The puzzle pieces are laid out for the taking, and gosh did I enjoy picking them up and putting them together. While I managed to figure it out eventually, it wasn’t long before the reveal, and I was still pretty blown away by it all.
“Her Every Fear” is a great thriller, one that I tore through and highly recommend to fans of the genre. And if you haven’t already, go back and pick up “The Kind Worth Killing” as well, and treat yourself to a double header of awesome twisty thrills!
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it ravenously. In February of 2017, I was in St. Cloud, Minnesota, sitting in the Stearns County Courthouse and waiting for my husband to finish up judging a Mock Trial competition. Perhaps not as glamorous of a setting, but I brought Peter Swanson’s book “Her Every Fear”. It was almost a year to the day later. And boy, did I devour this one as well.The thing about Peter Swanson’s thrillers is that he has a knack for completely making you question everything, and taking the reader by complete surprise. Much like in “The Kind Worth Killing”, there is a moment in “Her Every Fear” where the game completely changes, and I had to set the book down for a moment and try and regroup after the big reveal. But before I talk more about the plot, I want to talk about the characters in this book, specifically Kate and Alan. I really, really appreciated how Swanson portrayed Kate and her anxiety disorder/PTSD. As someone who also has an anxiety disorder, I thought that he captured the constant, if not usually mild, fears that just kind of plague you in your day to day life, be it intrusive thoughts, or the feeling that something awful is going to happen even if there is no reason to believe so. In a lot of books like this this could be used as a character flaw to show just how broken she is, but with Kate there is nothing but sympathy for her and what she went through in her past. Alan is a character I had a harder time wrapping my head around, as he’s someone who is definitely a little bit off, mentally. I don’t want to spoil anything because there are so many reveals that are masterfully executed, but I will say that there is lots of sympathy for Alan as well in his own crippling oddness. He could have easily been painted one way, but I ended up kind of understanding him, and like that Swanson put him together the way that he did.
The mystery itself is very well done, with twists and turns that come slowly to the surface. It’s a slow burn, and you think that you may have something figured out, but then things will completely change on you. He also does a very good job of slowly turning the screws of suspense, and wrote moments that really messed with my memory and consciousness. There was a moment involving a cat being let out of Kate’s apartment, only to be found in the apartment again in the middle of the night. Not only did she question if she had let him out in the first place, I TOO QUESTIONED IT, and had to prevent myself from flipping back and checking. It’s this kind of uncanny and upsetting horror that really gets me, and makes me super squeamish (so much so that I had to set the book down and go watch “Frasier” for a couple of hours). Swanson is also deft at skillfully switching perspectives, be it Kate, or Alan, or one of the other perspective chapters of other characters (whom I shan’t spoil here). All of them had complete and well rounded voices, and I feel like he really lets the reader get into all of their heads. The puzzle pieces are laid out for the taking, and gosh did I enjoy picking them up and putting them together. While I managed to figure it out eventually, it wasn’t long before the reveal, and I was still pretty blown away by it all.
“Her Every Fear” is a great thriller, one that I tore through and highly recommend to fans of the genre. And if you haven’t already, go back and pick up “The Kind Worth Killing” as well, and treat yourself to a double header of awesome twisty thrills!
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LibraryThing member GirlWellRead
A special thank you to Edelweiss and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Hearing great things about Swanson's previous works I was excited to get my hands on this book but it fell a little flat for me. There was so much more that could've been done to to really flesh out the
The ending and most of the book is predictable, I wanted suspense and where's the twist? I had it all figured out.
A good premise, but that's it. I will definitely check out his other works, I haven't given up on him yet.
Hearing great things about Swanson's previous works I was excited to get my hands on this book but it fell a little flat for me. There was so much more that could've been done to to really flesh out the
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main character — she has a pivotal life event in her backstory that seemed to be disconnected, again Swanson falls down connecting this to the character. This is a life-changing event that should really define who she is and the whole thing felt weak and was just filler. The ending and most of the book is predictable, I wanted suspense and where's the twist? I had it all figured out.
A good premise, but that's it. I will definitely check out his other works, I haven't given up on him yet.
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LibraryThing member clamato
I wasn't very impressed with the writing. I found there was just too much filler when it could have been sharper. Very gory and overall not a satisfying story.
LibraryThing member jfe16
Neurotic, anxiety-ridden Kate Priddy, subject to panic attacks following her long-ago kidnapping, trades apartments with her cousin, Corbin Dell, and moves to Boston for six months while Corbin takes up residence in her London flat.
But the murder of Audrey Marshall, in her home right next door to
When Kate accidentally discovers that Corbin is not where he says he is, and she finds some disturbing things in his apartment, she begins to wonder if her cousin could be the killer. Or perhaps it was Alan? Or the brokenhearted boyfriend? Kate doesn’t know where to place her trust . . . and it may cost her everything.
Well-drawn characters populate this psychological thriller that is strong on character development. Kate, Corbin, Alan, and Audrey’s maybe-boyfriend take turns telling the tale, a conveyance that has an unfortunate tendency to rehash the same events as each character takes on the role of narrator. While this allows for some surprising epiphanies, it also has the effect of stopping the forward motion of the story. Nevertheless, with unexpected plot twists and unforeseen revelations, there is enough suspense to keep the tension building, even if Kate’s repeated reiteration of her fears grows a bit wearisome as the story progresses. Astute readers will identify the final twists before their reveals, but the narrative’s pedestrian ending is likely to disappoint.
But the murder of Audrey Marshall, in her home right next door to
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Corbin’s apartment, leaves Kate shaken and wary. There’s neighbor Alan Cherney with his own secrets, a suddenly-appearing cat, and her own fears, all combining to keep her on edge. Then Audrey’s tearful . . . and unsettling . . . boyfriend claims Corbin is the murder.When Kate accidentally discovers that Corbin is not where he says he is, and she finds some disturbing things in his apartment, she begins to wonder if her cousin could be the killer. Or perhaps it was Alan? Or the brokenhearted boyfriend? Kate doesn’t know where to place her trust . . . and it may cost her everything.
Well-drawn characters populate this psychological thriller that is strong on character development. Kate, Corbin, Alan, and Audrey’s maybe-boyfriend take turns telling the tale, a conveyance that has an unfortunate tendency to rehash the same events as each character takes on the role of narrator. While this allows for some surprising epiphanies, it also has the effect of stopping the forward motion of the story. Nevertheless, with unexpected plot twists and unforeseen revelations, there is enough suspense to keep the tension building, even if Kate’s repeated reiteration of her fears grows a bit wearisome as the story progresses. Astute readers will identify the final twists before their reveals, but the narrative’s pedestrian ending is likely to disappoint.
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Awards
NPR: Books We Love (2017)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2017-01-17
Physical description
352 p.; 6.02 inches
ISBN
0571327117 / 9780571327119
Similar in this library
DDC/MDS
| 813.6 |