The Intruder by Freida McFadden

 

Casey lives in the woods. It is her choice to be away from active civilization and after what happened in the school she was teaching, she just wanted to get away from it all. 

She has a kind neighbour, Lee seems to be a nice guy. 

Her sleazy landlord has a cameo in the story. So it does not matter that I can't remember his name!

One night there is news that a storm was approaching. Casey's roof needs some repair. While Lee has offered to fix it for her many times, she does not want to be stuck in some kindness obligation and constantly wards off that offer. Now, Lee and Casey both pray that the storm does not really blow off her roof. Of course, Lee offers her his house and promises to be decent and assures hers that he would keep safe distance and respect their friendship. I already like Lee. 

Casey refuses Lee's offer and declares that she would manage just fine. As Casey is getting ready to hit the sack and making sure she has latched her windows and bolted the door shut, she notices a faint light in her toolshed outside in the woods. Now who could possibly be in her toolshed? Middle of this storm? Curiousity and safety measures get the best of Casey and she goes to investigate. She finds a little girl, sitting in the corner, sheilding herself from the cold. Casey offers Ella [name which she gets to know in due course] some place to stay warm till the storm passes. 

Now Ella has a lot of issues, which we get to know in this dual story line. I actually did feel a little sad for Ella. You would need to listen or read the book to get acquainted to this part of the story.

What I need to actually know is why was Ella in the woods? Especially in Casey's toolshed? On some further investigation, Casey found some drawings in her bag which shocked her out of her wits. And then Ella was also behaving in a spooky manner. Why would Ella be threatening Casey? 

Does Casey help Ella? Does Ella need help in the first place? How do these two people's lives fit into each other's scheme of things? Listen to The Intruder to get to know what happened. 

As for me, I think I have forgotten or just erased from my memory how Ella and Casey were connected. The ending was unrealistic ... but it was an okay read overall. Apart from that, the narration by Patricia Santomasso, Tina Wolstencroft, and Joe Hempel was good. I am quite particular to listen to a good narrator or host of narrators - it is such a make or break thing for an audiobook. You can finish listening to it this weekend.