By: Robyn Harding
Narrators: Megan Tusing, Jess Nahikian
ISBN: 978-1538766101
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: 07/02/2024
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
JULY #AUTHORELEVATORSERIES QA
The bestselling author of The Party and The Drowning Woman returns with a twisted tale of fame, success, and the dark recesses of social media.
Camryn Lane is living her dream. After years of struggle and rejection, her first novel has finally been published. Her editor is happy; her teenage daughter is proud; and her boyfriend and friends are all excited for her.
She’s on top of the world—until she receives a disturbing message from an unknown sender.
Rattled by the accusations she finds there, Camryn swallows the sick feeling in her stomach and resolves to put the missive out of her mind. But when she checks her ratings on a popular book site, she finds a scathing one-star review. The reviewer is so articulate and convincing that soon, Camryn’s book is flooded with bad reviews. Could the reviewer be the same person who sent the ugly email? And why do they want to ruin her?
As the online harassment creeps into Camryn’s personal life, she vows to find out who’s behind it. Is it really a disgruntled reader? Or could it be someone she knows? The troll’s actions are escalating, and when the abuse turns deadly, it will take everything Camryn has to unmask the enemy so intent on destroying her—and finally learn why she's being targeted.
About the Author
Robyn Harding is the bestselling author of several novels including The Drowning Woman, The Perfect Family, The Arrangement, Her Pretty Face, and The Party, which was a finalist for the Arthur Ellis Award for best crime novel. Her novel The Swap debuted at #1 on the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star Canadian bestsellers lists. She is also the screenwriter and executive producer of the independent film The Steps.
She lives in Vancouver, BC, with her family and two cute but deadly rescue chihuahuas. WEBSITE FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM
Robyn Harding Books
Exceptional Authors. Standout Books. Elevator Talk.
INTRIGUING QUESTIONS. INQUIRING READERS WANT TO KNOW.
"Behind the Book & The Author"
with bestselling Author
Robyn Harding
Welcome to the July 2024 #AuthorElevatorSeries! Joining us for the fourth time is a personal and fan favorite special guest, bestselling author Robyn Harding, with her seventh highly anticipated novel, THE HATERS.
The bestselling author of The Party and The Drowning Woman returns with a twisted tale of fame, success, and the dark recesses of social media.
Join us as Robyn shares some fascinating behind-the-scenes exclusives from the book and up-close and personal fun moments from this talented author!
WELCOME, ROBYN!
Behind the Book
Q. Give us your best ELEVATOR PITCH for THE HATERS?
A high school counselor turned debut author receives an accusatory email that could ruin her career, and end her life.
Q. SETTING: Tell us more about the book setting and why you selected it.
I finally got to set a novel in my home city of Vancouver! It’s known as a very scenic place, but it has a dark underbelly. I loved being able to share some of the local flavor of this beautiful but complicated city.
Q. REVIEW BOMBING/ONLINE TROLLS: Has anything in the book happened to you as an author? A bad review? Do you read your book reviews? How do you handle negative reviews, social media, online bullies, or other related experiences?
I’ve received several unpleasant emails over the years, but only one was truly abusive. A man took offense to something in one of my novels and accused me of being involved in various conspiracy theories. He swore at me and insulted my looks. Clearly, he was dealing with some mental health issues, but it was frightening and upsetting. It was also the kernel of an idea for a novel!
I don’t read bad reviews. Every reader has a right to their opinion, and it will only make me feel badly.
Thanks, Robyn. Continue reading below for more up close and personal with Robyn!
Behind The Author
BIRTH STATE? or (Country)
British Columbia, Canada
ZODIAC SIGN?
Libra
FAVORITE THING ABOUT WHERE YOU RESIDE?
Ocean, mountains, and my family
FAVORITE FLOWER?
Dahlia
DOG/CAT LOVER?
Dog. I like cats but I’m very allergic!
FAVORITE HOBBY?
Is watching TV a hobby? If not, I’ll say hiking.
YOUR FAVORITE LIFE LESSON QUOTE?
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” Theodor Roosevelt
FAVORITE HOLIDAY OR SEASON?
Canadian Thanksgiving. We celebrate in October when the leaves are turning. Families come together for food and gratitude but there’s not all the pressure of Christmas.
FAVORITE TV SERIES? (Or Movie/Video) binge-watch, series, etc.?
The Sopranos. I’ve watched the entire series three times!
HOW DO YOU RELAX?
I love to take a bath or a long walk.
DESCRIBE ONE THING ON YOUR DESK, CURRENTLY?
Lip balm.
DO YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE WRITING?
Never! Silence is key for me.
IF YOU COULD TRADE PLACES WITH ONE OF YOUR BOOK CHARACTERS FOR A DAY, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE?
No thanks! I don’t want to get murdered!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Nature. Kindness in people.
YOUR MOST PRODUCTIVE TIME OF THE DAY?
Morning.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?
A dog.
THE BEST PART OF YOUR DAY?
My chihuahuas run onto my bed to wake me up in the morning. They’re so happy and loving! It’s a great way to start the day.
THE LAST BOOK YOU RAVED ABOUT?
Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra
IF YOU COULD CURE ONE DISEASE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Cancer
WHAT IS YOUR WRITING PROCESS LIKE?
PLOTTER
PIE OR CAKE?
Both please!
FAVORITE CHILDHOOD BOOK?
James and the Giant Peach
WHAT SOUND DO YOU LOVE?
Rain at night
A SMELL YOU LOVE?
Wild roses
A WRITING IDOL?
Lisa Jewell
Thank you, Robyn, for spending time with us today!
Praise
“Everything Robyn Harding writes turns to gold, and her newest high-octane thriller, The Haters, is no exception. A dark, twisted heart-stopper, Harding has written a cautionary tale about the dangers of engaging with online trolls and its life-altering consequences. Filled with Harding’s signature sleight of hand, The Haters grabbed me at page one and kept me blazing through the pages until the final jaw-dropping page.”
―Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest and Everyone Is Watching
“Time and time again, Robyn Harding has proven herself a talented writer with an innate ability to spin a complex tale. Those skills are on full display with her latest novel, The Haters, which somehow manages to be both terrifying and thoughtful.”
―Chevy Stevens, New York Times bestselling author of Dark Roads
“Suspenseful and affecting, The Haters is a page-turning portrayal of an author who thinks she’s about to witness her dreams come true, but gets caught up in an ever-worsening nightmare. Robyn Harding spins a twisty tale that will keep you guessing until its wholly satisfying ending.”
―Clémence Michallon, Bestselling author The Quiet Tenant
“A menacing page turner with so many brilliant red herrings. I flew through it and was wrongfooted many times. A clever, cautionary, and twisted tale.”
―John Marrs, Bestselling author of The One
“Harding is a master of the psychological thriller. Loaded with relatable characters, topical themes, and hairpin twists—not to mention a highly entertaining story-within-a-story— The Haters is a terrific read and reminiscent of the best of Lisa Jewell!”
―Daniel Kalla, Bestselling author of Fit To Die
“A searing, riveting, razor-sharp examination of internet stalking and online bullying.”
―May Cobb, author of Hunting Wives
My Review
A master of psychological thrillers, Robyn Harding (favorite author) returns following The Drowning Woman (top books of 2023) with her latest electrifying thriller THE HATERS. A published author and guidance counselor finds herself caught up in a web of hatred and abuse when online trolls begin targeting her new book, career, reputation, and family.
Another knock-out summer sizzler thriller by powerhouse Robyn Harding! A terrifying twisty look of fame, obsession, and the dark recesses of social media.
About...
Camryn is a high school guidance counselor and is so excited about her debut novel, Burnt Orchid. Her favorable New York Times Book Review: "Burnt Orchid is chilling, heart-wrenching, and painfully authentic. Camryn Lane is a brave new voice in fiction."
Burnt Orchid is a story of struggle, redemption, and the desperate lengths people will go to protect their loved ones. The main character, Orchid, was abused and abandoned. She became a criminal and a master manipulator.
However, her excitement about the launch of her debut soon turns into a nightmare of abuse and hatred. Her book has only been out in the world for a short time. She poured her soul into it for almost three years, and it is now sitting on bookshelves.
Camryn, age 44, a high school guidance counselor, writes about her experiences. She is dating a younger guy, Theo and her ex is Adrian. She has a teenage daughter, a best friend, Martha, and her writer's group.
Her excitement soon turns into a terrifying nightmare that threatens to ruin her life. Starting with a one-star review insinuating that Camryn has exploited the traumas of her students as part of the novel.
She cares about young people and will never exploit them. She had steered her story away from real experiences. The hateful, accusatory words snaked into her memory. She is no stranger to abuse, as it is her job to mediate vendettas, break up fights, and soothe disgruntled students.
These insults came from a place of anger—Mindless garbage." Who is this woman? She contacted PR, and they said that, unfortunately, when you put your work out into the world, not everyone will love it. Should she respond? Her PR should be promoting her book, not dealing with problems and negative feedback.
Everything escalates when she approaches the reviewer. The abuse then multiplies and affects every part of her life. Who is trying to ruin her life? What is their motive? She has no clue whom to trust. How will she escape this nightmare?
My thoughts...
Robyn Harding is an exceptional writer, and I commend her for writing this topical, timely novel. It is a book within a book. It is such a shame that online trolls can make or break books, authors' reputations, incomes, and families and friends after working so hard to get a book published.
The author cleverly explores the underbelly of the book/publishing community and its hatred and abuse. The author brilliantly ratchets up the suspense and tension, keeping you turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning to solve this mystery.
Terrifying. Unsettling. Intense. Dark & Twisty!
Razor sharp, THE HATERS is a wild ride—a cautionary tale that cleverly explores the horrific dangers of engaging with online bullies— a victim of review bombing, online hatred, hacking emails, doxing, cancel culture, and more. Harding expertly captures the menacing and abusive online trolls. SCARY.
Nerve-wracking, insightful, and thought-provoking. Hopefully, this book will make book reviewers think twice about writing hateful and abusive reviews. This is a must-read for book bloggers, readers, authors, content creators, and thriller fans!
Recs...
Fans of Taylor Adams The Last Word (top books of 2023) will devour THE HATERS!
Interview...
Stay tuned for my upcoming July Featured #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A with Robyn where we go behind this smashing thriller and powerhouse author. (pub day, July 2).
Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read an ARC for review/interview purposes.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: July 2, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars
