The Stranger Diaries Audiobook By Elly Griffiths cover art

The Stranger Diaries

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The Stranger Diaries

By: Elly Griffiths
Narrated by: Andrew Wincott, Esther Wane, Sarah Feathers, Anjana Vasan
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About this listen

From the author of the beloved Ruth Galloway series, a modern Gothic mystery for fans of The Magpie Murders and The Lake House.

Clare Cassidy is no stranger to murder. A high school English teacher specializing in the Gothic writer R. M. Holland, she teaches a course on it every year. But when one of Clare’s colleagues and closest friends is found dead, with a line from R. M. Holland’s most famous story, “The Stranger”, left by her body, Clare is horrified to see her life collide with the story lines of her favorite literature.

©2018 Elly Griffiths (P)2018 Recorded Books
Detective Fiction Gothic Mystery Police Procedural Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Scary Suspense
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What Audible Listeners are saying about The Stranger Diaries

Editorial reviews

Elly Griffiths’s knockout novel begins with a story-within-a-story: a hair-raising reading from “The Stranger,” a ghost story by the mysterious author R. M. Holland. Cut to the present day, where English teacher Clare Cassidy works in a school set in Holland’s former house—and where the murder of Clare’s best friend appears to be a perplexing case of life imitating art. I don’t know what it is about books-about-books, but I always find them irresistible, even when they aren’t as brilliantly executed as this one! So it was a pleasure to find an exquisite homage to Wilkie Collins and M. R. James wrapped up in a twisty contemporary plot and told via alternating points of view. My favorite character might have been the queer Sikh detective Harbinder Kaur, but the expert narration from four different performers made each perspective a treat to hear, while the mystery kept me guessing throughout. Immersive and sure-footed, The Stranger Diaries, like all great ghost stories, delights in casting a spell—and listeners will be just as delighted.
Kat J., Audible Editor

Our favorite moments from The Stranger Diaries

A chilling apparition haunts the school
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An excerpt from R. M. Holland’s ghost story, The Stranger
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Clare receives some dreadful news
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We always fear what we don’t understand…
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  • The Stranger Diaries
  • A chilling apparition haunts the school
  • The Stranger Diaries
  • An excerpt from R. M. Holland’s ghost story, The Stranger
  • The Stranger Diaries
  • Clare receives some dreadful news
  • The Stranger Diaries
  • We always fear what we don’t understand…

What listeners say about The Stranger Diaries

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good 'Cozy' Mystery

This story is a cozy 'whodunnit' in the world of Academia. As long as you start the book with the patience to let little things in the story unfold here and there.. I think you will enjoy it. It kept me guessing, and there was a pregnant air of a haunting historical mystery intertwined which added to the feeling that you were sitting with an elderly person telling you about their amazing life (with things you never imagined) over a glass of wine. Heehee! Very cozy indeed.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it!


The Stranger Diaries is one of those reads you put it off for a bit because you know it will either be an unputdownable/tear through book or a colossal disappointment. Happily, it was the former! I can hardly put in to words how much I truly enjoyed this story! I was captured from the first sentences, the opening lines of “The Stranger,” which set the tone perfectly for the rest of the mystery to unfold.

The interwoven telling of this ghost story and the unfurling of the mystery were seamless. “The Stranger” story in the story has a basis in the lives of a few of our main characters and set it’s Authors home in the school our characters teach at or attend. It was ingeniously done and made the ghost story seem grounded and not a distraction from the main read (as back and forth stories sometimes do). I found myself looking forward to every parceled out piece of its telling as the murders continued. The Stranger added a gothic spooky tone, but with a bit of wit and an “I’m looking at you” fourth wall breakdown that was shiver inducing. Andrew Wincott’s audio reading set the stage so well.

As for the main story and the murders, the red herrings were equally doled out, With plenty of murky suspicion being thrown around. I didn’t think there were any dead giveaways that would’ve nailed it down until the reveal. While reading mysteries, I mentally keep a running list and other than guessing a few people as probable- I did not figure it out. I want that though, I want to be surprised and along for the ride. To quote The Prestige- even though I’m watching closely, I want to be fooled.

Claire, Georgia, and Harpender were fully formed without being stereotypical. I particularly enjoyed their evolutions over the course of the novel and how they grew over their interactions. It was never boring to be in any of their heads, seeing the same events through a different perspective. I’m very keen to read more of Griffith’s books after how much I loved this!

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Couldn't finish it.

This had an interesting premise, but nothing...ever...happens. If you like to listen to the boring mundanities of someone's life read by a narrator with a beautiful, mellifluous voice you will absolutely love this book. So much promise but very little delivery. I did enjoy the ending however. It just took so long to get there. On the plus side, I liked the narrators in small doses. In large doses it becomes somnolent, mostly because of the story. I literally zoned out for several hours driving, started paying attention and nothing had happened in that time.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

mishmash

No real hint of the real killer, could have been the mailman! Mildly entertaining! Hogwash

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Mystery meets Ghost Story

I truly enjoyed this book! I was a fan of Griffiths before, and she did not disappoint. If you like her Ruth Galloway books this one has the same fun mystery tone with the added bonus of a ghost story.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

You kind of expect more

This story was pretty simple. Not too complicated, but the ending was quite bland.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fabulous

Highly, Highly Recommend this read. Especially if you obtain the Audible version. The narrator does an awesome job representing each of the characters!

Dark, gothic murder mystery that pulls you in from page one. The snippets through out of The Stranger just lend an element of intrigue that is priceless. The characters are well developed and by changing narrators it provides insight into each character; their role; and impact of the story. You are pulled in and carried along with each character. I was still guessing at the end as to who done it and was surprised to learn in the end.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Interesting Approach!

I liked this book. It was different from my usual fare, but it was fun-spooky!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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More Please

I look forward to reading more of these characters. Intelligent women, strong families and inspiring young people.

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excellent!

great story. superb narration. I love the multiple narrators. they do an outstanding job representing their characters.

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