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David Staniforth

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Imperfect Strangers Kindle Edition

by David Staniforth (Author, Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition

253 ratings

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A socially inept security guard plagued by multiple personalities becomes obsessed with a young woman working in his building. Having suffered a childhood filled with cruelty and abuse, Keith Pursehouse gravitates to Sally's unplanned acceptance and friendship, wanting more than she's willing to give.

How well do you know the people you see every day?

Sally hardly knows Keith. They're practically strangers until the day she smiles at him.

Would you smile so readily if you risked losing your friends?
Would you smile so readily if you risked losing your life?

Unfortunately, you can’t begin to know a person until you let them in.

Imperfect Strangers: A psychological thriller that simmers to a dark and dramatic climax.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00JXOVKE4
Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
Publication date ‏ : ‎ 24 April 2014
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2.2 MB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 357 pages
Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: 999,694 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- 7,564 in Psychological Fiction (Kindle Store)
- 11,855 in Psychological Thrillers (Kindle Store)
- 11,927 in Psychological Fiction (Books)

Customer reviews:
253 ratings

About the author

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David Staniforth

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I guess I've been inventing stories as far back as I can remember (mostly to keep me out of trouble), but began writing seriously after finishing an English studies BA as a mature student. My writing is influenced by everything from a love of reading all genres; films; music; raising my two daughters; hill walking; and much, much more. I tend to take all I know, throw it into a fantasy setting and see what comes out.

'Fuel to the Fire' has been sitting on my hard-drive since 2005 waiting to be released. The follow up in the series: 'Ruler's desire' since 2007. They've occasionally been taken out for a polish and then put back, but now they're out there, on their own in the big-wide world. Hope you enjoyed them if you've read them. If you like my writing, look out for more releases in the near future.

Website: davidstaniforth.co.uk

Customer reviews

253 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a fantastic thriller with a great plot and lots of twists. The writing is well-executed, making it an excellent page-turner, and the main characters are very well wrought. Customers describe the story as intense and gripping, with one review noting how it maintains attention throughout.

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Story quality Readability Character development Gripping Interest

40 customers mention ‘Story quality’28 positive12 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as a fantastic thriller with a great plot and lots of twists.

"...I thought that the way that Keith’s past was woven into the story was greatly effective, often finding myself thinking “he’s not creepy, he’s just..." Read more

"...It was interesting how situations, events and even conversations were interpreted in completely different ways by the two principal characters, Sally..." Read more

"...a thriller (very bad pun there) and I can honestly say that this was a solid, nail biting and exciting ride, I will wait eagerly for his next project..." Read more

"...time at all to get bored or loose concentration, there is a steady build in the story until the last 20% or so which is very intense and gripping!..." Read more

25 customers mention ‘Readability’25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging, describing it as an excellent page turner that is totally believable. One customer notes that it is written from both sides of the story.

"...The writing flew nicely, Mr Staniforth built up such a great atmosphere and you just felt the tension, the last scenes were GENUINELY creepy again I..." Read more

"...This book is intense, clever and at times very funny (I was laughing out loud at some parts) I thoroughly enjoyed it! 5 stars!" Read more

"A creepy story, an easy read, ending was slightly rushed and parts were a little hard to believe BUT I am glad I read the book and would recommend." Read more

"...I have to say I loved it being written from both sides as you come to almost understand how a person comes to do something or make certain decisions..." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Character development’10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting that the main characters are well-wrought and realistic, with one customer highlighting how the supporting cast enhances scene setting.

"...with this book, and the fast pace of the novel, plus the characters being so well written, made me change my mind...." Read more

"...I loved how the author built the two main characters, they were both very believable. A story about two work colleagues, Keith and Sally...." Read more

"This is a well-written psychological thriller. The characters are skilfully portrayed, especially the character of Keith who I found myself feeling..." Read more

"...The whole book was cleverly written and the people in it were very real...." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Gripping’8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book gripping and intense, feeling the tension throughout, with one customer describing it as an exciting ride towards the conclusion.

"...You could see it coming but it still got quite exciting towards the conclusion, although I did think that it seemed somewhat contrived...." Read more

"...Mr Staniforth built up such a great atmosphere and you just felt the tension, the last scenes were GENUINELY creepy again I don’t want to give..." Read more

"...This book is intense, clever and at times very funny (I was laughing out loud at some parts) I thoroughly enjoyed it! 5 stars!" Read more

"...In the event, I read it in just a few sittings, it was so gripping...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Interest’6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging, with one mentioning there's no time to get bored or lose concentration.

"...have multiple books on the go at once, but this book managed to keep my attention throughout, especially the final scene...." Read more

"...It has also given me a big motivation to read his fantasy works which usually I don’t go for at all but due to the exceptional story telling I can’t..." Read more

"...This book is very fast paced with no time at all to get bored or loose concentration, there is a steady build in the story until the last 20% or so..." Read more

"...Its ending is extremely tense and exciting...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

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Katherine
Fast paced and well written
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2014
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Imperfect Strangers tells the story of Keith, a night security guard who didn’t have the best childhood. When he meets Sally, who works in the company during the day, he is infatuated. Sally isn’t interested in Keith and is having relationship trouble with her on-again-off-again live in boyfriend, Steve. Trying to let Keith down easily, Sally leads him on.Unfortunately, due to the pain suffered at the hands of his mother, Keith is broken and doesn’t understand social situations, no matter how many books he reads to try and make sense of it all. As a result, his infatuation with Sally takes a dramatic turn.

To begin with, I found myself getting rather annoyed with the phrase ‘everlasting voice’ when referring to Keith’s mother, and wanted to give this book 4 stars purely for that reason. However, this is the only fault I found with this book, and the fast pace of the novel, plus the characters being so well written, made me change my mind. I felt really sorry for Keith (the fact that the author could make me feel sympathy for this character even after the opening scene is a great accomplishment!) and really wanted him to come out of his shell and find happiness with Sally.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to read this in one sitting, mostly because this is the first piece of work I have read from this author. Usually it takes quite a lot to get my heart racing, and I often have multiple books on the go at once, but this book managed to keep my attention throughout, especially the final scene.

I thought that the way that Keith’s past was woven into the story was greatly effective, often finding myself thinking “he’s not creepy, he’s just misunderstood. It’s just because of what he’s been through” (regardless of his past, Keith is definitely creepy!!). I also found the book to be largely unpredictable, which is another great accomplishment.

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Silver Lady
Three and a half stars.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 July 2017
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Quite amusing in parts especially where the cat was concerned. It was interesting how situations, events and even conversations were interpreted in completely different ways by the two principal characters, Sally, the office worker and Keith, the night security guy.

You could see it coming but it still got quite exciting towards the conclusion, although I did think that it seemed somewhat contrived.

After initially being uncertain whether or not to continue I did read it to the end and much to my own surprise I enjoyed it.

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randompadley
A solid and creepy debut thriller!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 January 2016
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I believe that this is Mr Staniforth’s first ‘stab’ at a thriller (very bad pun there) and I can honestly say that this was a solid, nail biting and exciting ride, I will wait eagerly for his next project. It has also given me a big motivation to read his fantasy works which usually I don’t go for at all but due to the exceptional story telling I can’t help but be intrigued.

Story wise Staniforth hasn't done anything particularly new, stalker themes aren't really uncommon there are handfuls of books and movies that associate with this kind of thing, as the story opens I was instantly reminded of the film ‘P2’ Which is a creepy security guard that preys on a young woman who works in the building. So already I have that image in my head, but what David does is create such a REAL atmosphere, films can be very dramatic and unrealistic which then, for me personally reminds me that it’s just a movie and then I don’t really see it seriously. While the ending of Imperfect Strangers does get CRAZY at the end, I found the story and the lead up to be totally believable, it almost reads and ends up becoming a psychological profile in the mind of a guy who has had a messed up childhood and carries those demons and tragic memories with him and has shaped him into this monster, it reads in a tale of obsession and love and tragedy. I think Mr Staniforth has weaved and conjured up a fantastic thriller with such a realistic plot, never did I feel that it was going a little over the top, it felt entirely plausible and that for me is what made this book so unnerving and dare I say… scary? But not in a ghost and goblins sort of way, but in a ‘wow, this could actually happen’ sort of way. At the end of a horror movie you know that half of the things are fictional… werewolves… vampires… zombies… but crazy security guys, that can easily happen!!!!!

Leading into characters we obviously have Keith who is the troubled security guard who (I want to keep this review spoiler free) has had a LOT of things go wrong in his life, just think Norman Bates kind of wrong, but I definitely sympathized with Keith, his actions, his mind-set, are deeply and truly disturbing but when you learn and experience what he’s been through you understand why he is so messed up. Then we have Sally, a character who admittedly I felt different emotions throughout, whether that be, frightened, annoyed. There were a couple of times where I just felt that Sally could and probably should have made things clear and because her friends weren't all very like-able characters sometimes I felt Sally went into that category and was influenced by friends, and was giving a few mixed signals along the way, but nonetheless it was clear Sally was just a woman trying to be nice, be friendly, felt sorry for a colleague, and while she may have seemed a little naive at times, I felt she appreciated Keith’s company and wanted to be friends. We then have the ‘ex’ the guy who is a total douche, kisses other women, but who Sally is still clearly mad for, then we have Sally’s friends, who together, have a whole ‘Sex and the City’ vibe, a little mean at times I thought, and not very helpful, if anything I felt sometimes they fuelled the situations and made it worse for Sally, but typical girls together all around.

The writing for me is what truly excelled, I personally loved the switch in POV between Sally and Keith and loved where Mr Staniforth told the same scene from both Keith’s and Sally’s point of view, things being shown from each perspective put a spin on the scene and you really did see how little minor details can be shaped and changed and seen differently. The writing flew nicely, Mr Staniforth built up such a great atmosphere and you just felt the tension, the last scenes were GENUINELY creepy again I don’t want to give away anything and I certainly don’t want to ruin the experience but there were certain scenes involving Keith that made me shiver (again think Norman Bates) the kindle format was double spaced, I can’t say it annoyed me, It’s something I have never had happen before but because of the spacing it didn't feel like there was much on page sometimes, but that actually aided and added to the tension sometimes as you were scrambling for the next page button to find out what was going to happen.

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Dee Dee
Bought this book as i know David personally and was a little apprehensive to read it in case I didn't like it! A book has to "gr
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 September 2014
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Really impressed David you dark horse! Bought this book as i know David personally and was a little apprehensive to read it in case I didn't like it! A book has to "grab me" and i have very little patience/ persistence, that said I was not disappointed!! I thought I would struggle focusing on the story, knowing Mr Staniforth and knowing that it was 100% fiction (I think), I was proved very wrong, I was totally taken in by the characters and love the fact that they are easy to relate to and emphasise with. This book is very fast paced with no time at all to get bored or loose concentration, there is a steady build in the story until the last 20% or so which is very intense and gripping! I also love how the story is told the 2 main characters sides giving a great understanding to each of them and offering totally different perspectives. I am glad to finally admit I have read this and to acknowledge its brilliance! I have never read a "thriller" and will definitely broaden my reading horizons now! This book is intense, clever and at times very funny (I was laughing out loud at some parts) I thoroughly enjoyed it! 5 stars!

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Jessica P
was OK
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 November 2014
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This book was a bit strange to me, i felt sorry for Keith and i hated him at the same time, i didnt really feel close to the characters and the ending was a bit too predictible and quick. not my best book, but worth a read for the creepy factor!!

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Sunnydaze
Creepy but quite a page turner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 July 2016
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A creepy story, an easy read, ending was slightly rushed and parts were a little hard to believe BUT I am glad I read the book and would recommend.

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Todd Simpson
Simply Brilliant
Reviewed in Australia on 12 September 2016
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Simply Brilliant! This is such an interesting and unique story. David Staniforth has done a great job with not only the storyline, but the Characters as well. I already knew that I liked David’s writing style, as I really enjoyed another book he wrote “Void” which was also a great story and well worth a read. Maybe if your mother told everyone you were strange you would start to believe it. Growing up Keith heard this constantly, so it’s no surprise he still hears his mother’s annoying voice in his head. However he knows he has to be careful, as he has episodes where he temporarily blanks out, and finds himself back in the horrors of growing up with a spiteful and abusive mother. After his father died, his mother changed and put him through hell. Problem being that he could be in public when one of his episodes hit, and he would stand there like a ridged statue. For someone that is a bit of a loner with no girlfriend, this could be a little bit off putting for any potential new partner. So he is surprised when one day at his work Sally smiles at him in passing. Sally is just a friendly person and to her there was nothing in it, however for Keith he believes she must be interested in him. All the women at work think that Keith is weird, so they are amazed when they find out Sally has given him a key to her house. Even though it’s only for Keith to take her dog for a walk during the day while she’s at work, she really thinks this is all quite innocent and nothing in it. She just doesn’t realise how infatuated Keith is with her. Of course she is lonely after kicking her cheating boyfriend Steve out of the house, but she has no idea how hard it’s going to be, to also get Keith out of her life. The Author has done a brilliant job with Keith, and painting such a vivid picture of why he has grown up the way his has. This really made the story for me. Add this book to your reading list, you won’t be disappointed.

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Cameron Wiggins
Excellent book and I did not even like the characters
Reviewed in the United States on 28 September 2015
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David Staniforth’s previous writing has been in the fantasy genre, but with Imperfect Strangers, Staniforth has written a psychological thriller with a strong emphasis on psychological. Staniforth has presented us with a very good albeit very unique novel. Imperfect Strangers is a really good first endeavor into the psychological thriller genre.
By David’s own admission, writing style is the imperative thing with his novels. David needs the book to flow well and to be able to identify with the characters. Saniforth set out to write a character study and it developed into a thriller. David wrote the book in the first person, present tense from the perspective of the two main characters. Character development is the key to this book and David nailed this. I love character-driven stories. The character development in this book is strong enough to not only carry, but assist in developing the plot. The reader becomes totally engrossed in the story of the two characters and is involved to the point that they do not even realize what is happening to them (the reader). (Special thanks to Kath Middleton and her blog interview for some of the material above in this paragraph) And Stanforth crosses all of his t’s and dots all of his i’s so that the pages keep turning without any questions being asked by the reader. This is outstanding, too.
Staniforth has said, “I’ve read quite a few books more than once, and the reason to return has been for the characters more than for the plot. The books that really speak to me have strong characters, ones that draw me to spend time in their company again, just like visiting old friends.” This further illustrates just how important character study is to David.
As I have said, this is an unique book. I really did like the book quite a bit. However, I can honestly say this. I did not like one, single character in the book. Now, in real life, there is virtually no one that I dislike and there is no energy wasted there. But, in books and in the movies, or in the pictures as they say in England, we can dislike characters, or books, or movies. There is not one character in this book that I would want to go out with, spend the evening with, go to a cook-out with, or do anything with. I would avoid them all. Nevertheless, the characters were so strongly developed, even in their weaknesses, that the reader is totally engrossed in the book. It is a foible. One cannot explain this. Kudos to David on this.
I participate in a thriller group on the GoodReads website, www.goodreads.com. We read Imperfect Strangers as a group read like a Book of the Month. The comments varied across the spectrum, but it appeared to me that almost everyone thoroughly enjoyed David Staniforth’s psychological thriller immensely. I liked it and was in deep admiration of the writing in this book. It was just a strange experience when I did not like any of the characters but I liked the book. I would have no trouble recommending this book to readers of this genre. The writing style is definitely a 5 out of 5. The characters brought it down a bit for me and you can see the ending coming way too soon distracted a bit - this was a 3 out of 5 with averages out to a 4-star book. Great job David!

Cam

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The nordic reader
Obsession is creepy
Reviewed in the United States on 30 June 2015
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This book is about obsession, and how normal friendliness not always is good.

It is a suspenseful plot with a slightly crazy ending. I kind of love psychological thrillers, but I cannot for some reason really figure out if this book was worth the energy, time and suspense. Maybe it wasn't clever enough for my taste?

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Believer
A Terrifying Psychological Thriller
Reviewed in Canada on 23 March 2015
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"Imperfect Strangers" by David Staniforth is a chilling psychological thrill ride that begins when a socially inept security guard plagued by multiple personalities becomes obsessed with Sally Bradwell, a young woman working in his building. Having suffered a childhood filled with the cruelty and abuse of a mentally ill mother Keith Pursehouse gravitates to Sally's unplanned acceptance and friendship, wanting more than she's willing to give.

Sally, the object of Keith's infatuation has her own problems. Having broken up with her boyfriend and clinging to the generosity, help and consideration of her odd friendship with Keith, Sally suddenly finds herself at odds with her conscience and her friends. What she doesn't suspect is that she may be trapped by a deadly fascination that could endanger her life.

Told from Keith and Sally's perspectives, David Staniforth takes the reader on a journey into the mind of a mentally ill young man who was tortured as a child, wants to forget the past and find love and acceptance with the attractive but vacillating Sally who ignores the sage advice of her friends and her boyfriend's pleas for reconciliation. The events of this captivating plot progress smoothly and quickly as Sally ignores her sixth sense and becomes friends with a man her friends dislike and distrust. In a unique and imaginative encounter between a troubled and broken young man and his victim, the mood is dark and frightening especially when they collide in a sinister and dramatic conclusion.

The characters are well-developed and complex especially Keith who struggles for normalcy in a life shattered by pain and violence. He's highly intelligent, but awkward, quiet and unassuming; disliking people who ridicule his peculiar behaviour and nervous stammering. Childlike, he reaches out to Sally after she smiles at him, becoming neurotic in his need to please her. Sally is the trusting, open and kind-hearted object of Keith's affection. Feeling betrayed by her boyfriend she succumbs to his generosity and consideration, wanting for once to be the center of a man's attention.

Among the other characters who add drama, passion and power to this story are Steve the untrustworthy boyfriend who seems controlling and narcissistic; Kerry the critical and blunt friend; and Mrs. Sewell, the sympathetic and caring old neighbour.

"Imperfect Strangers" is a frighteningly realistic story that grabs your attention and doesn't let go until the startling conclusion. I liked it and highly recommend it.

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Mel | Mel's Bookshelf
I really enjoyed this one. I always love a good thriller!
Reviewed in Australia on 16 September 2015
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I really enjoyed this one. I always love a good thriller!

Imperfect Strangers focuses on two characters, Keith and Sally. Keith, is in no uncertain terms, a stalker. And Sally, his victim. However this isn’t your usual stalker-victim story, as the author delves deep into Keith’s life and thoughts and gives us glimpses of WHY he behaves the way he does. And Sally, just trying to be nice, finds herself in deep trouble.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the different perspectives of the same situations. I loved how Keith and Sally would have an encounter together, in the street for example, and take TOTALLY different things away from it. It really made me think that we all do this. We all make assumptions based on a persons perceived behaviour. I may have a totally wonderful encounter with a person, yet their perception could be completely different. Human relationships man… They are so freaking complicated!!

It also made me reflect on people’s behaviour when they are attracted to someone. Behaviour is in the eye of the beholder. And all in the delivery. Say a man came up to me and sleazily brushed something off my shoulder. I would probably think it was a bit weird, a bit of an invasion of personal space, and I probably wouldn’t be too happy about it. But if it was someone I was physically attracted to, I would be much more less likely to have a problem with it. Might even be happy about it. This is Keith’s main problem. He doesn’t get appropriateness. He has an extremely child-like innocence about him. In his mind all the things he is doing are sweet and lovely. But his delivery is all wrong. And very creepy.

I pretty much hated every character in this book. But it wasn’t a bad thing. I absolutely hated Sally, I thought she was a HUGE bitch. A self absorbed STUPID woman. And Steve, what a tool! Although Keith was incredibly creepy, I really enjoyed that you have empathy for him. It was certainly a different take on the stalker story. The voices he heard in his head, his mother and himself as a child were well done and gave an indication of just how messed up he was.

There wasn’t too much action in the book until the final scenes, and they were done really well and were really enjoyable. Otherwise it was mainly about Keith and the way his mind worked.

Would I recommend it?

Yes it was a very different take on the mind of a stalker, and overall a very enjoyable novel. Even though all the characters annoyed me, I think they were supposed to!

For more reviews visit my blog
www.booksbabiesbeing.com

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David Staniforth