Amazing

I have to say I could only put this book down to take care of housework ect. But I also have to say the ending was a HUGE disapointment. For heavens sake, after I stuck with this story and loved it so much to have it just end was terrible. There was so much more to be done to finish it. I don't want to discourage others from reading it , because there were so many good things in this listen. Suspense was incredible, and I so wanted this to turn out much different. I can't say much because I don't want to spoil it for others, but after Callie went through so much with this dispicable, messed up family, I wanted more for her in the end. So many times I wanted her to just walk out on the whole bunch of them. James the father was an oblivious idiot who should have stayed around more to see what was going on in his own family. He didn't need a wife , he needed a shrink. And the boys needed serious attention. The story kept me tied in knots, and even after all my rants, I still consider this a listen to recommend. While I was listening to the story, I was thinking I want to read more of her books, but now I'm afraid I'll go all the way with another and find the ending just as diapointing. Write an epilogue or more of the story next time and don't leave the reader going WHAT, ARE YOU KIDDING.

87 people found this helpful

Drama Queen with a capital D

Would you try another book from Kathryn Croft and/or Lisa Coleman?

I read Behind Closed Doors and it was much better than this book.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have made Callie not so self-centered. It got old and made me feel very sorry for anyone in her life who had to deal with her!

Which character – as performed by Lisa Coleman – was your favorite?

The narrator was great, she did a good job with making Callie sound the way she is portrayed in the book.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Maybe it would make a better movie than a book. With books you get to hear everything inside Callie's head and it was the same thing over and over. I never heard anyone so paranoid, delusional and so much a drama queen about every little thing. At least in a movie you won't get bored with her "poor me" mantra about every aspect of her life.

Any additional comments?

I finished the book reluctantly - several times I wanted to give up from being sick of the main character feel sorry for herself and make a big huge deal about every mundane thing. The ending was just OK. I didn't try to figure it out because I didn't care enough to want to.

67 people found this helpful

Should've Listened

I read several reviews, both positive and negative. I told myself, to give this book a chance, what a mistake I made. I should've followed the advice of one of the reviews which in part said that the main character gets to be unnerving, with her whining, poor me attitude. You want to shake her and say "snap out of it". She reminds me of that girl friend you like as a person, but after spending a couple of hours with them you feel drained, frustrated, angry and irritated. I want a book to take me away and not to a place I avoid in reality. I've learned my lesson regarding reviews, they are there for a reason.

13 people found this helpful

The Bloody English

They make more coffee and more tea in this book than you could possibly believe; complete with descriptions about how each cup tastes.
Callie's decisions are so painfully stupid I want to slap her, but it's like watching a train wreck. You have to see it through to the end.

77 people found this helpful

Worst .Like she plays bad joke or gag at end.

Ugg Asking for money back. Worst book I've gotten in all my years here. Like a joke with a bad gag at the end. Almost makes me angry it's so preposterous.

52 people found this helpful

I didn't really like it...

This book was like a wreck I couldn't look away from.
I didn't like it , and can't really recommend it, but I'm still glad I finished it... odd.

24 people found this helpful

Excellent!

I loved this book and listened to it as often as I could, hard to put down. The narrator does a great job and keeps the listener engaged. The story moved right along and kept me wanting more. The ending wrapped up quickly and nicely. Highly recommend!

6 people found this helpful

Incredible!

This book was fantastic. I love the way the author hops back and forth between times- it leaves a lot of suspense. The narrator was also great!

13 people found this helpful

excellent book - stay with it- the ending!

What made the experience of listening to The Stranger Within the most enjoyable?

I had just read behind closed doors
and that book was great (but quite weird)
I wanted something similar

This book was very entertaining especially about 1/2 way in
I thought I knew the ending too but a great twist was in store

Any additional comments?

Please have more books by this author

12 people found this helpful

Mixed Feelings

Liked the overall story and the narrator's performance, but thought the book moved a little too slow and the ending was pretty ridiculous. Much preferred the author's book, Behind Closed Doors, because it was extremely suspenseful! Will probably keep this selection, simply due to it being only a couple of bucks. However, sincerely believe there are plenty of others worth listening to first.

2 people found this helpful