Looker by Laura Sims centers around an unnamed narrator who lives with her recently divorced husband’s cat, in what seems like a charming neighborhood . What could possibly go wrong?

I originally put this book on hold from my library because I read a handful of reviews saying that it was a new, refreshing thriller. By the time my hold came in, I wasn’t really in the mood to read a thriller, but dived into Looker anyway. It’s a good thing I wasn’t looking for a plot with twists and turns, because that’s not what this book delivers.

No, I wouldn’t say that Looker is a thriller. At least, not in the same vein as books by Ruth Ware or Megan Miranda. If you’re looking for a new thriller to read, check out The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley. If you’re looking for a story that focuses on a woman’s downward spiral, read Looker.

As I said, the unnamed narrator is recently divorced (after many failed rounds of IVF treatment) and lives with her ex’s cat, but she’s also working as a professor at a second-rate college, is very tight on money, and slightly obsessed with her neighbour, who happens to be a famous actress. Everything in her life has fallen apart, and now she too is spiraling, with her fascination of her neighbour fueling the fire.

The entire time I was reading this book, I wanted to jump into the pages and tell the main character to go see a therapist. She’s clearly not in a good place, and lets her life slip away from her (although whether or not she is aware is up for debate). Reading this book was like seeing a train wreck: the character’s loss of control was heart-wrenching, but I couldn’t stop reading it.

At only 182 pages, Looker is a quick read. There are no traditional chapters, just page breaks. I found myself pulled into the narrator’s life, and always wanted to know what she was going to do next. Yes, I wanted her to get better and gain control of her life again, but I also knew that was in the author’s control, not mine, and I was just there for the ride.

I really enjoyed this book, even though it wasn’t what I was expecting. It was a quick read, and the writing was wonderful. I found the story to be unique, and enjoyed the look inside this character’s mind and everything that she was experiencing. The ending also takes a dark turn, which was a bit shocking, but considering everything that happens, not surprising.

I’d recommend Looker to anyone who is looking for a quick read involving serious themes. This book isn’t light or fluffy, and it has some intense scenes. Overall, I’d give it a solid 3.5/5 stars.