Wow, where do I begin with this one?
First off, hats off to Kepnes for writing an engaging main character. Kepnes really dives into the mind of a serial stalker/killer. It's almost scary how much she makes Joe seem rational in all his decisions. I mean, Joe straight out murders anyone who gets in his way--and has even done it before!), yet somehow the way it's all written it seems... justified. I don't like how that made me feel as a person but I love how it made me feel as a reader. It was interesting to see the world the way a serial stalker/killer like Joe does.
Second, I want to praise Kepnes for her writing style. It was such a unique way of writing. Yes, plenty of people write in the first person, but this was handled much differently. The style of how Joe speaks, always referring to his love interest (obsession) as "you" was a bold choice. Not many authors I know can pull off using the same word repeatedly so much that it doesn't come off as annoying and overused.
Third, Kepnes has you on the edge of your seat the entire book as you wait to see if Joe will be caught during his many, many, illegal activities. The way this book played out, however, makes me think he's the luckiest bastard in the world to have gotten away with so much.
I will say, however, some of the language Joe uses, (cunt, pussy, dick, f***, ext) was a little jarring. However, it fits Joe's character perfectly. It may have felt a bit vulgar, but I believe that was Kepne's intention, and it worked.
Solid read. Now to read the sequels!
Caroline Kepnes
Author of You (and many others!)
You - Netflix
Now streaming!