Publisher: Harper
Date of publication: May 2014
His name is Rafe, and he is everywhere Clarissa turns. At the university where she works. Her favorite sewing shop. The train station. Outside her apartment. His messages choke her voice mail; his gifts litter her mailbox. Since that one regrettable night, his obsession with her has grown, becoming more terrifying with each passing day. And as Rafe has made clear, he will never let her go.
Clarissa’s only escape from this harrowing nightmare is inside a courtroom—where she is a juror on a trial involving a victim whose experiences eerily parallel her own. There she finds some peace and even makes new friends, including an attractive widower named Robert, whose caring attentions make her feel desired and safe. But as a disturbingly violent crime unfolds in the courtroom, Clarissa realizes that to survive she must expose Rafe herself. Conceiving a plan, she begins collecting the evidence of Rafe’s madness to use against him—a record of terror that will force her to relive every excruciating moment she desperately wants to forget. Proof that will reveal the twisted, macabre fairy tale that Rafe has spun around them . . . with an ending more horrifying than her darkest fears.
The Book of You is an interesting look at stalkers. I did like the premise of the book and for the most part the overall story. Clarissa was date raped and is currently being stalked by the man who did it. She gathers evidence of his stalking and tries to avoid Rafe at all costs. When she gets called for jury duty, she is looking forward to 6 weeks of days free from her stalker. As Clarissa sits in on the case, parts of it begin to parallel her own story.
The story is compelling and worth reading. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting. Interspersed throughout the details of the case are excerpts from Clarissa 's journal that details Rafe's intense obsession with her. I felt bad for Clarissa and could understand why she took so long to report the stalking to the police. Given her past experience with the police and what she sees in the trial, it made sense to me. I was hoping she would get the guts to do it.
There are parts of the book that are hard to read as they deal with rape. This isn't an easy book to digest.
My only complaint was the ending. I felt a bit let down and kind of felt like it was too open ended for me. I also was disappointed with one character whom I wanted to like. Despite that, I do recommend this debut novel. I look forward to seeing what this author comes out with next!
Claire Kendal lives in England, where she lectures in English Literature and Creative Writing. The Book of You is her first novel, and will be translated into over a dozen languages.
Connect with Claire on Facebook.
Claire’s Tour Stops
Tuesday, April 29th: From the TBR Pile
Wednesday, April 30th: Sara’s Organized Chaos
Thursday, May 1st: BoundbyWords
Monday, May 5th: Kritters Ramblings
Tuesday, May 6th: Excellent Library
Wednesday, May 7th: Jenn’s Bookshelves
Thursday, May 8th: No More Grumpy Bookseller
Monday, May 12th: Book Hooked Blog
Tuesday, May 13th: The House of the Seven Tails
Wednesday, May 14th: A Bookworm’s World
Tuesday, May 20th: Anita Loves Books
Tuesday, May 20th: Drey’s Library
Thursday, May 22nd: Literary Feline
Monday, May 26th: Booksie’s Blog
Tuesday, May 27th: Kahakai Kitchen
Wow, this one sounds intense ... I'll be sure to read it when I'm feeling safe and comfortable!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the tour.