Robyn Harding is the bestselling author of several novels, including The Haters, 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. She is also the screenwriter and executive producer of the independent film, The Steps. She lives in Vancouver, BC, with her family.
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.
The Haters is an addictive, chilling cautionary tale centred around the dangers of social media and internet trolls. The story is told in first person, from the perspective of protagonist Camryn Lane. The inclusion of a book within a book adds another layer to this story. Camryn is the debut author of a book titled Burnt Orchid, and there are several interludes that detail the events of the book. Rather than moving Camryn’s story forward or helping readers to identify the culprit behind Camryn’s online attacks, the Burnt Orchid story provides an added layer of entertainment and helpful insight into how the internet trolls fuel their online attacks.
The story is fast-paced, twisty, unpredictable, and suspenseful from beginning to end and features some dark subject matter, including online trolling, bullying, mental health issues, jealousy, infidelity, and family—all of which are seamlessly woven into the story and come across as very relevant and authentic from the viewpoint of modern society.
The characters in this book are all flawed and suspicious, creating a very enticing story where readers are constantly questioning their motives and actions. Harding does a very realistic job of depicting Camryn as a debut author, with all her anxieties, excitement, and meetings with various members of her publication team—all of whom are quick to turn on her when her situation becomes dire. As Camryn’s anxiety and paranoia heighten throughout the book, her inner monologues become more dramatic and entertaining, keeping readers fully engaged. Camryn makes very questionable and impulsive choices in the novel, especially when she is unsure who to trust. Readers may find themselves shaking their heads at her decisions but will be fully entertained by all the subsequent drama that unfolds.
Narrators Megan Tusing and Jess Nahikian deliver fantastic performances in this audiobook. In particular, Megan Tusing’s portrayal of Camryn is so authentic and captivating that you’ll feel like you’re going through all the turmoil with her. Tusing uses a constant tone of tension and a wide range of emotion to fully capture the instability and emotional vulnerability of the character. Tusing also provides distinct voices for all the characters and does an excellent job making many of them sound untrustworthy, adding further intrigue to the story. Nahikian’s narration of the “Burnt Orchid” segments is well paced and expressed with lots of emotion and drama, bringing the book’s characters vividly to life. With such exceptional narration, this audiobook becomes an unstoppable listen that can easily be devoured in one sitting! It’s also one of those occasions where you may find yourself searching for other audiobooks voiced by these talented narrators as their work in this one is quite memorable!
Overall, this is an addictive, fast-paced thriller that explores the darker side of social media and keeps readers fully entertained from start to finish. Harding once again showcases herself as a masterful storyteller who is able to create a complex, unpredictable story and spring twists upon readers when least expected. The story is so authentic and alarming in parts that after reading or listening to this book, you may rethink your social media activity! The audiobook is most definitely the recommended format for devouring this one, with heart-pulsing dramatic performances by accomplished narrators Megan Tusing and Jess Nahikian. If you’re looking for your next binge read or listen, look no further than The Haters!
