Prepare to be gripped by the brand new novel from the ‘queen of the psychological thriller’ C. L. Taylor.

C. L. Taylor is brilliant at creating an unsettling atmosphere, and this story has all the ingredients of a gripping psychological thriller. The university setting is particularly effective, with its prestigious surroundings, secretive student clique and sense that something sinister is lurking beneath the surface. It has a different tone and pace to her usual thrillers, but also still explores a topic and theme that is clearly close to C.L Taylor’s interests and background beyond writing.

Three deaths in such a short space of time immediately raise questions, and Ned’s determination to uncover what really happened makes for an intriguing storyline. His growing obsession is central to the tension, and you find yourself questioning whether he is uncovering something genuinely sinister or…something else, and the tension and mystery between the timelines and what was really happening was fantastic.

There is a real sense of paranoia and mistrust running through the story, and the author does an impressive job of keeping the reader guessing. The characters are not always particularly likeable, but that adds to the uncomfortable atmosphere. The twists and turns are cleverly woven into the plot, building towards a conclusion that brings the different threads together. Another brilliant read from the Queen of the thrillers.

Overall

Notes on an Obsession is a dark, atmospheric and cleverly constructed psychological thriller. With its intriguing university setting, complicated characters and exploration of obsession and paranoia, it is another fabulous addition to C. L. Taylor’s collection of thrillers.

Recommended for: Fans of S J Watson, Matthew Blake, psychological thrillers, dark academia, dual timelines and twisty plots that keep you guessing – plus a good dose of nineties nostalgia!

About the Book

Oxford University, 1995.

Three student deaths in three weeks can’t be a coincidence. Ned Marlowe doesn’t think so, but no one wants to listen to him: not his professor or the clique of elitist psychology undergraduates he supervises.

Then Celia, a student in a nearby building, tells Ned what she saw the night of the last death, and his suspicions deepen into obsession.

Someone is trying to stop him from getting to the truth. The less he knows, the better.

But Ned can’t let it go…

About The Author

C. L. Taylor is the author of eleven adult thrillers and has had nine Sunday Times bestsellers during her stellar career. She is the recipient of four Nielsen Silver Bestseller Awards, and her books have been translated into 30 languages.

Fascinated by human behaviour, C. L. Taylor studied a BSc Psychology at Northumbria University. After she graduated she sat at an electric typewriter and tried – and failed – to write a novel about loneliness, inspired by what she’d learned. Thirty years – and many books – later, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from her alma mater in recognition of her literary career. But the themes of that abandoned first novel had never left her. She sat down at a laptop and told the story she’d always wanted to write.

She lives in Bristol with her partner and son.

Purchase the Book

This book can be purchased in our store either on its own or in a cosy Book Box.

Go to Bookshop