The Stranger Inside by Lisa Unger is psychological fiction at its best, taking the reader on a roller-coaster of emotions and tension. When Rain Winters was twelve, her two close friends Tess and Hank were abducted while the trio was walking in the woods. Rain escaped but Hank and Tess were taken by a vicious killer. Hank was able to escape eventually but Tess never returned. Years later, Rain, a journalist on leave, is a stay-at-home wife and mother, when a murderer who escaped justice is killed. This reminds Rain of the fate of the man who ruined her childhood: he was murdered when he was released from prison. Suspecting a vigilante may have committed these two murders, she begins to investigate and, in doing so, stirs up memories that would have been better left undisturbed. What she uncovers is shocking. If you love psychological thrillers, The Stranger Inside will be very satisfying. Highly recommended.

I have mixed feelings about this book. While I do think it was a good read, it was a bit repetitive especially in the way Rain felt about motherhood and working.
I did enjoy the fact that while I thought I kind of already knew what would happen early on, towards the end there was a big twist.

Haunting childhood trauma resurfaces.

Couldn't put this book down! fascinating characters, intriguing plot, great mystery/thriller touching on justice, revenge and childhood trauma.

I'm just going to put this out there that I absolutely LOVE Lisa Unger and her books almost always keep me enthralled. The Stranger Inside I think captures all the hallmark characteristics that Unger is known for... sweeping plotlines, intriguing characters, suspense, horror, fast-paced story, action-packed scenes, and a little bit of paranormal. I read most of this in one day -- it's a new release that is not to be missed. Thank you, Netgalley, for this arc.