The Stranger Diaries (Harbinder Kaur #1) by Elly Griffiths

Clare Cassidy is no stranger to murder. A high school English teacher specializing in the Gothic writer R. M. Holland, she teaches a course on it every year. But when one of Clare’s colleagues and closest friends is found dead, with a line from R. M. Holland’s most famous story, “The Stranger,” left by her body, Clare is horrified to see her life collide with the storylines of her favourite literature.

To make matters worse, the police suspect the killer is someone Clare knows. Unsure whom to trust, she turns to her closest confidant, her diary, the only outlet she has for her darkest suspicions and fears about the case. Then one day she notices something odd. Writing that isn't hers, left on the page of an old diary: "Hallo, Clare. You don’t know me."

Clare becomes more certain than ever: “The Stranger” has come to terrifying life. But can the ending be rewritten in time? 

Paperback, 338 pages

Published March 5th 2019 

by Mariner Books 

4/5 stars

Elly Griffith is a new to me author and this her 1st book in brand new series grabbed me with its bookish theme.

The Stranger Diaries is told from three different POVS along with a short story written by a fictional Gothic writer (RM Holland.) Getting those different points of view created a sense of mystery and suspicion the further this read went. Add in the mysterious writing left in an old diary gave the story a supernatural feel.

Though this book got off to somewhat of a slow start for me but it didn’t take long to become captivated with the mystery surrounding the murder of English teacher Ella. I can’t say that it was a huge cast of characters but there were enough to keep me on my toes as to who was who and the connections. I enjoyed the mystery, I enjoyed the red herrings and the furry friend was an added bonus.

I will continue with this series and look forward to seeing Detective Harbringer again.

This book was part of my 2022 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge