Guardian Review
The Stranger Diaries (Quercus, £12.99) is the first standalone novel from Elly Griffiths, author of the Dr Ruth Galloway series. It uses the framing device of a spooky short story by the fictional Victorian writer RM Holland to create a multi-layered and splendidly creepy gothic tale. Teacher Clare Cassidy works at Talgarth School, Holland's former home, and is writing Holland's biography, but her plans are interrupted when a colleague is found murdered and mysterious notes start to appear in her journal. Cliffhangers and gothic tropes abound as the narrative baton is passed between Clare, her daughter Georgia and the former Talgarth pupil DS Harbinder Kaur, with Griffiths expertly ratcheting up the tension.
Library Journal Review
In her first stand-alone novel, Griffiths ("Ruth Galloway" mysteries) crafts a modern-day murder mystery intertwined with a gruesome horror story titled "The Stranger," written by fictional gothic writer R.M. Holland. Murders in West Sussex seem to be following the deaths Holland wrote about in "The Stranger," a favorite of high school English teacher Clare Cassidy. Initially, Cassidy is a likely suspect in the murders of her friend and another colleague. But as the mystery unfolds, it becomes clear the murderer is someone she knows, someone who has read her diaries. Griffiths tells the story from the viewpoints of Cassidy; her 15-year-old daughter, Georgia Newton; and Det. Sgt. Harbinder Kaur, the lead investigator on the case. Sarah Feathers, Anjana Vasan and Esther Wane narrate, along with Andrew Wincott, who reads excerpts from "The Stranger." VERDICT Griffiths's clever writing brings the characters to life, but the performances add another dimension. The female voice actors are flawless, adding depth that makes each character believable and authentic, transcending the story even when the mystery becomes disappointingly predictable.--Gladys Alcedo, Wallingford, CT
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