A compulsive, disturbingly relevant, twisty and powerful psychological, social-media thriller … NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER
‘Brilliantly twisty. I loved it’ Lisa Jewell
‘Another dark banger from the Orenda Books stable … A brilliant, twisty cat-and-mouse book about fandom and obsession’ Erin Kelly
‘Effortlessly readable, intensely chilling. That ending floored me’ Chris Whitaker
***LONGLISTED for the Guardian’s Not the Booker Prize***
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Tom is a successful author, but he’s struggling to finish his novel. 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 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 is turned upside down, and Tom is free to live his life again, to concentrate on writing.
But things aren’t really adding up. For Tom is distracted but also addicted to his online relationships, and when they take a darker, more menacing turn, he feels 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 just one ‘like’ away…
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‘This book will make you rethink your social media obsession. Dangerous from page one, lit by bursts of black humour, ultimately honest about the frailty of ego and the masks we all wear. Terrifically readable’ Sarah Hilary
So good. Such brilliant characters. Great premise and a thrilling read’ Nina Pottell, Prima
‘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
‘As perfect a thriller as you’ll read all year’ Caz Frear
‘A gripping ride through the heartlands of need and hurt. Even at his most thrilling, Paul Burston never loses his sense of real pain and suffering’ Philip Hensher
‘Chillingly recognisable. A delicious tour de force’ Alex Marwood
‘Compelling, creepy and completely believable’ Mel McGrath
‘Dark, devious and with a growing sense of dread’ Neil Broadfoot
‘Brilliantly written, tense and compelling’ Amanda Jennings
‘Dark twisty fiction at its very best’ SJI Holliday
‘One of the best books you’ll read this year’ Ed James
‘Unsettling. Taut. Menacing. Burston puts the killer into killer twist’ Jonathan Harvey
‘Witty and insightful’ Susie Boyt
‘Brilliant, chilling, totally awesome writing’ Miranda Dickinson
‘An absolute stunner … with a deliciously twisted ending’ Lisa Hall
‘The book is a masterpiece in sustained suspense and smart literate contemporary horror. Bravo Mr Burston’ Derek Farrell
‘Very easy to read, certainly keeps you hooked in with plenty of twists. I suspect it will be a big read this summer’ Fiona Sharp
‘It’s about a gay novelist who becomes the target of an online stalker and is dark, thought-provoking, and totally riveting. As comebacks go, it’s on a par with Madonna bursting out of a giant disco ball in a pink leotard!’ Matt Cain
‘Gripped and terrified by Paul Burston’s new novel, bloody hell!!!’ Rowan Coleman
Oh, what a twisty, dark novel this is. A tale about the uglier side of social media when used by the wrong people!
Novelist Tom Hunter is struggling to write his current novel. His first was a best seller, however, critics mauled his second leaving him distracted when it comes to his current work-in-progress. Instead of concentrating on his writing, he's procrastinating on social media, specifically on Twitter. An enthusiastic follower begins bombarding him with comments after he followed her back. It isn't long before Evie Stokes begins turning his life upside-down.
Throughout this novel, the narrative's told from both Tom and Evie's point of view so we gain an insight into what they are thinking. Sometimes I felt we keep getting told the same things repeatedly which draws out the inevitable conclusion. For some reason, although all the characters feel real and in many cases relatable, I didn't warm to them personally-not that there's anything wrong in that. I felt detached from them in the same way as I avoid becoming embroiled in any online drama whilst using social media. Yet, the author manages to create a novel which draws you into this dark place which makes uncomfortable reading, if only to make you aware of your own online activity and its pitfalls.
The Closer I Get is thought-provoking for any reader who is an active user of social media, showing how easily someone can fall victim to a stalker and how when confronted, the truth is distorted. It certainly nurtures a sense of 'food for thought' as we are given both Tom and Evie's differing accounts of their relationship and how it's viewed by outsiders. To balance out the drama, notable secondary characters are Emma, Tom's best friend and Lucinda, his literary agent. Both add a sense of normality around Tom unlike the disturbing events happening in his life.
What I take away from reading this novel is the heightened awareness of potential 'dangers' from using social media, it's sobering. Whilst I enjoyed the drama of the novel, it's the message and warning about the dangers of using social media which impacts me the most.
***review copy received courtesy of Orenda Books***
