BOOK DESCRIPTION
She is worshiped by millions. But she has a secret…
Adored by her legions of followers, social media megastar Skye is an inspiration. Once homeless, she is now fantastically wealthy, enormously powerful. A ‘like’ from Skye can literally change your life.
So when she suggests partnering with Nathan’s charity for the homeless, he thinks it’s a match made in heaven. With Skye’s backing, who knows what he can achieve? And no-one is more excited than Nathan’s teenage daughters, both massive fans of the star.
But it soon becomes clear that Skye’s influence comes at a price. Yes, funds are pouring into Nathan’s charity, but she is a smothering presence, seemingly determined to insert herself into every nook and cranny of his family life.
Nathan’s daughters are thrilled to have so much up close and personal contact with a superstar. But he worries about Skye’s growing influence on them… And is it just a coincidence that ever since she’s been around, his personal life is disintegrating?
As things spiral out of control, Nathan begins to wonder what Skye really wants from him and his daughters. The answer is more terrifying than he could ever imagine…
The Influencer – the stunning psychological thriller from Miranda Rijks, author of The Visitors, The Arrangement, Roses are Red.
INFLUENCER - The Term is shorthand for someone (or something) with the power to affect the buying habits or quantifiable actions of others.
The chapters of this chilling page turner were written from the perspectives of Nathan who's chapters were set in the present day and Skye who's story started in the past and eventually caught up with the present day. Nathan was the father of two girls, Isla who was fifteen and Chloe who was twelve and he was engaged to Marie who had been the families Au pair when Nathan's beloved wife Sacha was alive. Nathan had set up a charity that raised money for the homeless called Sacha's Sanctuary and it is after his office is approached and asked if they would like Skye to be the figurehead for the charity that beautiful Skye enters their lives like a whirlwind bringing with her sunshine and success but also darkness and destruction. As the story unfolded, I struggled to feel any sympathy for Nathan as his life fell apart around him, I thought he was quite irritating and a bit of a wimp. He kept putting himself in situations where he could be taken advantage of, yes, his dedication to his charity was admirable but it very often came across as if the charity was more important to him than his own family.
Isla was fifteen and her character appeared to have no independence, she wasn't permitted to walk home from school like her friends or stay in the house in her own and the way that Marie overreacted after Skye sent the girls a gift each. Skye was someone new and different in their lives, someone who added a bit of glamour and excitement at a time when many girls are struggling with their hormones and identities. I expect many readers will label Isla an obnoxious brat but I could fully understand how she was so easily manipulated by a mega star such as Skye.
At the beginning of her story, Skye is seventeen years old and living in the streets after running away from the care home she had been placed in by her social worker. She didn't exactly come across as a likeable individual but when you took her tough upbringing into consideration, it was easy to understand why she had such a mistreating and cynical attitude. She can't believe her luck when rich girl Tiffany Larkin befriends her and and makes the mistake of taking Skye back to her lavish home in the country. Skye swiftly integrates herself into the lives of Tiffany and her parents, making herself at home and using her powers of manipulation to ensure that she stays as long as possible or at least until she has squirrels away enough money to support her if she did find herself homeless again. But how did homeless Skye from the past become the mega rich, darling of the media who is hell bent on destroying Nathan's life in the present day? How and why did she chose him to be her victim? What Was Skye's end game? After the dust settles, will Nathan and his families ever be able to return to relative normality?
The Influencer is a intricately plotted, smartly written, topical and current tale of manipulation, coercion and the power and influence of ordinary people in the internet. It's very well written, has some unexpected twists and turns and a genuinely spine chilling conclusion.The relatively small cast of characters were vivid, well rounded and realistic. A very enjoyable, captivating read and very very highly recommended.
About Miranda Rijks:
Miranda Rijks is a writer of psychological thrillers and suspense novels. She has an eclectic background ranging from law to running a garden centre. She’s been writing all of her life and has a Masters in writing. A couple of years ago she decided to ditch the business plans and press releases and now she’s living the dream, writing suspense novels full time. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband, musician daughter and black Labrador.
Miranda is the author of The Arrangement, Roses are Red and many other psychological thrillers. THE INFLUENCER will be her eleventh novel published with Inkubator Books.
Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MirandaRijks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MirandaRijksAuthor/
Website: https://mirandarijks.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirandarijksauthor/
Publishing Information:
Published by Inkubator Books on 25th April 2021
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3dBB0Mq
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3tBEkwU
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