When a beautiful aspiring writer wanders into Joe Goldbergs bookstore, she has no idea how her life is about to change. A google search of the name on her credit card instantly brings up a public facebook page and twitter account, giving Joe everything he needs to know about this stranger. She's known as Beck to her friends. She lives on Bank Street. She went to Browns University. And she'll be at a bar in Brooklyn tonight.
The perfect place for a 'chance' meeting?
Joe quickly and obsessively begins to stalk and control Becks life, manipulating a series of events that will move him from stranger to boyfriend. He loves her, and he will quietly and quickly remove any obstacles that will get in the way of their perfect life together.
Including murdering people.
This is an absolutely beautifully written book. It could almost be poetry, it's nothing like anything I've ever read before. Written in a unique first person narrative, it could easily be as painful to read as pulling teeth, but instead its the most gripping book I've read.
I have to warn you, this is not for everyone. It is graphic, vulgar, and incredibly unsettling at times, and definitely not for the young reader, but it was done in such a clever, captivating way that I couldn't put it down.
The use of social media is a strong theme throughout. A lot of us share huge amounts of our lives on the internet without even realising, or thinking twice about who could access it. This book definitely makes you double check before posting something!
The most unnerving thing about this book though, was just how likeable and 'normal' Joe was. He was a homicidal stalker, but he could easily have been your next door neighbour. I was absolutely invested in him, and his thoughts were so real and developed with purpose that I often forgot how twisted he was. He genuinely believes he's protecting Beck and making her life the best is can be. He was such a fantastically developed character that I found myself liking this psycopathic man, and I silently hoped he would get his happy, perfect ending... a real credit to how talented Caroline Kepnes is as a writer.
Joe and Beck have stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
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