The App by Stuart James - Book Tour & Review

Book Blurb

The App...

Once you're in, they'll never let you leave.

Whatever happens, don't download The App.

* It will come in the form of a link. Maybe in your DM's on a social media account, the junk folder of your emails or a WhatsApp message from a friend.

* You'll be enticed by the chance of winning one hundred thousand pounds on offer every Friday, wired straight into the winner's bank account.

* It's not a joke.

* This part is genuine.

* Someone can and will win the money.

* But at what cost?

Marty Benson gets the link sent to him by a friend. So what is the harm in looking?

He clicks it, downloads the app and enters a few basic details.

A message prompts him to wait while he's loaded onto the system.

An hour later, another message.

• Do not delete the app.

• Do not tell anyone outside of your family about the app.

• Send the link to one person who is close to you.

* Do not throw your phone away.

* Always narrate while streaming.

• If you break any of the rules, we’ll kill a member of your family. Then we’ll kill you.

Marty is sent a picture of his wife, who is shopping with her mother in Oxford Street.

As Marty struggles to breathe, he clicks the links and watches the most recent streams, realising what happens within the

app.

Every Friday morning, a person is randomly picked from social media.

They now have a bounty on their head—a death warrant. But they don't know it.

Their profile appears on the app's main page; all their details are displayed.

Every app member must play the game at least once a month or face the consequences.

Kill the person randomly selected from social media.

Win one hundred thousand pounds.

As Marty watches the terror unfold and everyone streaming the hunt within the app, he realises he has to do something.

But how do you stop a murder, when everyone could be the killer?

Buy Links - https://geni.us/ECGl2m

 
My Review
The App is the first book I've read by Stuart James, but it won't be my last. Seriously, this book was SO GOOD. But let me tell you something: Don't make the same mistake I did and start reading this late at night when you can't sleep, because once you start, you won't wanna stop. And then you won't get any sleep regardless. Also, I can honestly say that the first couple of chapters stressed me out so bad and sent my anxiety skyrocketing that I legitimately couldn't sleep because of all the fear-adrenaline (as I call it) rushing through my body. Seriously, reading about Jonathan and his friend Luke watching some weird snuff film, and then segueing into following the Carters as they head out on their vacation, only to have to deal with stopping to investigate something hanging from a tree and then being chased by a crazy man who seems to be recording them... those two scenes had my brain working overtime, and the amount of panic and fear I felt for them (the Carters) was overwhelming. That set the whole tone for the rest of the story. 
I honestly don't even know what else to say about The App, other than it's one of the best horror/thrillers I've read this year. And the amount of times I had to put the book down and walk away for a few moments to compose myself (and tell my husband about what was going on) is testament to how good it really is.
I can't even imagine being in a situation like this. It reminded me a little bit of The Purge, but different. More advanced, and with more at stake. You really get sucked in once Marty downloads the app and realizes just what he's gotten himself and his family into. It's horrifying. It's tense. It's a bit brutal. But there's also some light moments, thanks to Ethel (Marty's mother-in-law), that break up the pure insanity playing out on the pages.
The only reason I didn't give this a perfect 5 stars (trust me, it was close) was because of the ending. While the ending is pretty darn good, I was expecting something a bit...more. I wanted something a little bit bigger or crazier or darker, maybe. I guess I was expecting it to go big, and while it was satisfying, it didn't quite make it over the cliff. But don't let that stop you from giving this book a whirl. It's well worth the read, and I would highly recommend it to readers who enjoy being fully engaged, on the edge of your seat, holding your breath as you wait for the next horrible thing to happen. 
4.5 stars!

Author Bio

I have always loved scary stories, especially ones that shocked me, left me terrified, looking under my bed or in the wardrobe before going to sleep.

There was just a fantastic buzz whenever I watched or read something that took my breathe away.

I remember going to my nan’s house in Ireland as a youngster with my mother and sister, on the West Coast, staying in a cottage, surrounded by miles of fields and my family sitting around the table in the kitchen at night telling ghost stories. Going out and exploring derelict farmhouses in the middle of nowhere. I remember clearly the field at the end of the road was supposed to be haunted by headless nuns. My cousins often remind me of the great times we had, frightening each other and running for our lives whenever we’d see something that didn’t look right.

This is why I love nothing more than to tell a story.

I’m so grateful when people not only read my thrillers but also take the time to get in touch and leave a review. To me, that is the greatest feeling, hearing from people that have enjoyed my work. I know then that I’m doing something right.

I’m 49, married and have two beautiful children. Currently, I’m a full-time plumber but would love nothing more than to make a living from my writing. I hope I write stories and people continue to enjoy them for years to come. That would be completely amazing and a dream come true.

 

Follow him at:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StuartJames73

Website: https://www.stuartjamesthrillers.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stuartjamesauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stuartjamesauthor

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stuartjamesauthor