Shadow Play

By Sara Driscoll

Book Overview

In this timely and terrifying thriller for readers of Janelle Brown, Karin Slaughter, Stacy Willingham, and Jennifer Hillier, a woman with a side gig offering relationship advice on Twitch learns just how dangerous online anonymity can be . . .

Chicago physical therapist Krista Evans finds that her clients rely on her life and love advice just as much as on her hands-on work, so why not share it on the live-streaming platform Twitch? Her friend Hailey Swanson, an inveterate gamer, is willing to help Krista build her presence and cohost a biweekly show. A Word from the Wise is born . . .

Taking real-time questions from chat participants proves more popular than Krista thought possible, and their follower count--and income--grow. But not all attention is wanted, as she soon discovers. An account with the username Chase547 becomes enraged when Krista and Hailey suggest he stop pursuing a woman who constantly rebuffs him. He amps up his efforts, even when he's piled on by other followers, throwing their chats into chaos.

Unnerved by Chase547's obsession, Krista turns to law enforcement, but the little information she's able to give the Chicago PD isn't enough to start an investigation.

Soon, Krista notices things missing at home and feels as if she's being watched. And when Chase547 begins to leave clues in real life proving what he's capable of, she begins to fear for her safety. Chase547 has more than one way to make his presence known--and this time it won't be from behind a screen . . .

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1496748727
• ISBN13: 9781496748720
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.6" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Dark and thrilling

There are two sides to the internet and the connections made there. You can find your people there, or release your inner evil all while remaining anonymous. And this book hits both the joys and the horrors of that in a story that kept me hooked from the beginning to the end! At first you have the goodness, with Krista and her friend, Hailey, creating a a safe place on Twitch where real person advice is given and anyone can ask a question, whether it is about current relationships, or family situations and get the wisdom and encouragement from so many helpful sources. That was such a sweet and good idea, unfortunately the internet creates trolls and worse and well, this wouldn't be a thriller without a threat. Anonymity makes everything so much scarier! Plus other odd things happening which may or may not be in Krista's head. I will say, I did kinda get annoyed with how Krista always felt guilty about things that were not in her control, what with Chase547 claiming things that may or may not be true, and no way to prove anything about it. And how she blamed her friend too. But the rest of the story was great and thank goodness for understanding family and cops. I also loved how the Twitch streams/chats got added in which really added to the realness factor. I think the scariest thing about this book is that it is totally plausible and really could and does happen, at least the anonymous trolling which can ruin lives, especially for those who rely so heavily on social media! A sad fact of life and it will only get worse. So, I really had a blast reading this book, and a few nightmares and I am so happy to add this to my collection of books by Sara Driscoll and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!

When no place is safe.

I received this book as an ARC with no expectations of a positive review. WOW! This book will keep you on the edge of your seat as well as up all night. It is both terrifying and so well written. You really begin to wonder who you can really trust. The people you meet on the other end of the computer screen or in a chat may not always be who you believe them to be. One may even be a killer.