By: Bradeigh Godfrey
Narrators: Eileen Stevens, Tim Lounibos
ISBN: 9781665055222
Publisher: Blackstone
Publication Date: 08/29/2023
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars
The Girl on the Train meets the world of social media in this psychological thriller about influencer culture, parasocial relationships, and the secrets we keep from those we love most.
Molly Sullivan is used to sharing intimate details of her life with millions of followers. A thirty-one-year-old single mom, she has built a career out of fearless posts about parenthood and dating. But when Molly shares a photo of her new fiancé, Scott, she is shocked by his negative reaction. For the sake of their relationship, Molly agrees to remove the post and keep Scott and his ten-year-old daughter out of her social media spotlight.
But it’s too late, someone has already recognized him. Liv Barrett is certain Scott’s the man who killed her sister and disappeared with her infant niece nine years ago. The police don’t believe her, so Liv takes matters into her own hands. After driving cross-country to Molly’s town, Liv uses her social media posts to orchestrate “accidental” meetings, slowly gaining Molly’s trust. Meanwhile, newlywed Molly begins to unpack boxes in her new home and discovers her husband has been lying about his past.
While Molly and Liv uncover secrets that have been buried deep for almost a decade, they have no idea that someone else saw the photo of Scott—someone who poses a threat more dangerous than either of them can imagine. Someone who is watching them from the shadows.
My Review
Bradeigh Godfrey returns following The Imposter (5 stars) with yet another edge-of-your-seat chilling psychological thriller, THE FOLLOWERS —a social media influencer's life and those connected turn into a nightmare after a post—the past and present collide when dark secrets are unraveled in this dangerous game of cat-and-mouse.
How well do you know those closest to you?
Molly Sullivan is a highly relatable social media influencer. She is 31, a single mom, and posts about parenthood and dating.
When she posts a photo of her new fiancé, Scott, she is shocked by his adverse reaction and removes it. To protect Scott and his ten-year-old daughter, she agrees to keep them off social media.
However, it is too late. Someone recognizes him!
Liv Barrett is sure Scott is the man who killed her sister and disappeared with her niece nine years earlier. The cops do not believe her, so she takes matters into her own hands. She is obsessed with revenge.
Liv lost her sister and niece, and her sister's ex, Sam, vanished. She thinks Sam is Scott. Driving cross-country, she is on a mission, finding creative ways to insert herself into Molly's life and gain her trust.
Molly is now married to Scott, moving to Durango, Colorado, and begins unpacking for their new home and new life, and discovers her husband has been lying about his past.
Molly and Liv join forces to solve the mystery of Scott's past. However, there is someone else who poses a more significant threat. Someone is watching. A follower?
Oh my, Holy Moly, this is a "Girl on the Train" meets the "Last Thing He Told Me! From all the ins and outs and dangers of social media, voyeurism, and all the types of followers with twists you do not see coming. You will NOT be able to put this one down.
I love Bradeigh Godfrey's writing style, whether it be psychological thrillers or her summer beach novels with her crime partner, Ali Brady.
THE FOLLOWERS is highly entertaining, unsettling, disturbing, immersive, and unpredictable! Spine-chilling, addictive, and jaw-dropping. Twisty and intense, a terrifying look at stalkers and the dark side of social media. For fans of author Kimberly Belle's The Assistant.
I also pre-ordered the audiobook and cannot wait to listen, narrated by Eileen Stevens and Tim Lounibos!
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Aug 29, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars
Praise
"Chilling and propulsive--and a devastating cautionary tale about the passion for fame and the dangers of sharing on social media. The oh-so-talented Bradeigh Godfrey weaponizes our easy access to information and our ability to connect--and twists it relentlessly into a compulsive and provocative thriller about obsession for family, unintended consequences, and revenge. I could not put this down! The Followers is not to be missed."
-- "Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author"
"Bradeigh Godfrey hits another home run with her newest thriller The Followers. A tense reflection on social media influencers, privacy, and buried secrets, it will keep you up, turning pages, late into the night. And just like with social media, Godfrey will take what you know and turn it on its head. A devilishly fun ride!"
-- "Julie Clark, New York Times bestselling author"
"The Followers is a thriller that will keep you guessing right up to the end. Everyone has a secret, and I couldn't stop reading until they were all uncovered. Bradeigh Godfrey has created characters that will stay with you for a long time."
-- "Samantha Downing, internationally bestselling author of My Lovely Wife"
"Bradeigh Godfrey returns with The Followers, a cat-and-mouse page-turner that will have you reconsidering your own social media footprint. When a popular influencer posts a photo with her brand new husband, she has no idea of his hidden past, or the dangers her post will bring to their doorstep. A chilling and whip-smart look at the dark side of the digital world--absolutely binge-worthy."
-- "Kimberly Belle, internationally bestselling author of The Personal Assistant"
"The Followers is a riveting mystery about a social media influencer whose perfect love story devolves into a nightmare of deadly secrets. With timely themes, a breakneck pace, and hairpin twists, I tore through the pages. Bradeigh Godfrey is a talent!"
-- "Robyn Harding, internationally bestselling author of The Drowning Woman"
About the Author
photo by ElizaRose
Bradeigh Godfrey is a physician, mom of four, and a writer. Her medical career is focused on caring for veterans with visible and invisible disabilities, and she is passionate about improving quality of life and wellness in veterans through research, teaching, and clinical work. Her debut novel, IMPOSTER, is a psychological thriller exploring sisterhood, secrets, and the neuroscience of memory and trauma (Blackstone, September 13, 2022). She’s an avid reader and book reviewer and can be found on Instagram (@bradeighgodfrey) sharing her latest reads. Bradeigh also co-writes romantic women’s fiction under the pen name Ali Brady (www.AliBradyBooks.net).
