Title: Creep
Author: Jennifer Hillier
First published January 1, 2011
357 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781451625844 (ISBN10: 1451625847)
Rating: 3.86
Overview
Jennifer Hillier’s thrilling debut, Creep, will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Dr. Sheila Tao, a psychology professor, had a passionate affair with her teaching assistant, Ethan Wolfe.
But when she decides to end things and move on with her life, Ethan becomes obsessed and refuses to let go. With plans to ruin her career and destroy her life, Sheila must fight back and protect her most intimate secrets.
As the stakes get higher and higher, a murder on campus sends everyone into a frenzy. Sheila is caught in the middle of a dangerous game with the man she once loved, who has now become a monster.
This heart-pounding thriller will leave you breathless until the very end.
About the Author
Jennifer Hillier has a unique take on people – she imagines the worst in them and pens it down. Hailing from Toronto, she lived in Seattle for eight years, which is the backdrop for all her books.
Her writing has made her the bestselling author of THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK, as per USA Today, Globe and Mail, and Toronto Star. Her previous novels, including LITTLE SECRETS, have also been national bestsellers.
LITTLE SECRETS was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Anthony Award, while JAR OF HEARTS won the ITW Thriller Award for Best Hardcover Novel and was shortlisted for the Anthony and Macavity Awards.
Her latest book, THINGS WE DO IN THE DARK, is now available from Minotaur Books.
To know more about Jennifer Hillier, visit her website jenniferhillierbooks.com.
Editoral Review
Jennifer Hilliers Creep is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the depths of obsession, manipulation, and abuse. Creep was first published on January 1, 2011, and is Hillier’s debut novel.
Hillier is an American-Canadian author of thriller and mystery novels. Creep is a prime example of a neo-noir novel, blending elements of crime fiction, horror, and mystery, to create a dark and twisted narrative.
The novels plot centers around the main character, Dr. Abby Winter, a successful psychologist, and professor, who is being stalked by a former patient, Ethan Wolfe. Abby thought she had left Ethan behind when she moved to Seattle, but he reappears in her life and begins to terrorize her and those close to her.
As the plot progresses, Hillier explores a web of secrets, lies, and betrayal that keep the reader on the edge of their seat until the final page. The strength of Creep lies in its well-crafted characters, particularly the complex and disturbed-stalker, Ethan Wolfe.
Hillier masterfully portrays the psychological warfare between Ethan and Abby, who are both battling their own demons. Throughout the novel, the reader is given glimpses into Ethans past, revealing a disturbing backstory that adds depth to his character and makes him more than just a typical villain.
The plot of Creep is well-constructed, with plenty of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. Hillier’s writing is engaging and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the dark and seedy underbelly of Seattle.
She creates a sense of unease and tension that lingers long after the book is finished. One of the weaknesses of Creep is the pacing, which can be slow at times.
The reader may find themselves impatiently waiting for the story to pick up, only to be rewarded with sudden bursts of action that can seem out of place. Additionally, some of the secondary characters lack development, leaving them feeling one-dimensional and less engaging.
Overall, Creep is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Hillier’s writing is impressive, and she pulls off a complex plot with style and skill.
If you enjoy books that keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you questioning everything you know, Creep is the perfect read. Rating: 4/5
Recommended for readers who enjoy dark and twisted thrillers of psychological nature, particularly fans of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl and Paula Hawkins’s The Girl on the Train.
