The App-James-Horror-Thriller-Available Now

Plain ol’ horror is not usually my thing, but when I saw the description for The App by Stuart James, I knew I had to give it a try.

I am so glad I did. It was the perfect choice for the time of year. (This review is being written the weekend of Halloween).

Not only is it a solid horror/thriller, but it is also a searing commentary on social media and how careless people have become.

That said, it’s not preachy. The message is clear in the actions and reactions of the characters.

The setup is simple. People get a message from a friend, stating that if they want to win some money, they just have to click a link, download an app, and follow the instructions.

Sounds easy enough.

But you know from the genre that there is going to be so much more to it.

I don’t want to give anything away – look at the blurb for more info.

And while the horror aspects will satisfy any lover of the genre, I found myself more pulled in by the thriller aspect. Especially when it comes to the focus on social media.

I should probably throw in here that I currently work with people in cybersecurity. As such, my days are often spent finding the latest threats and summarizing them for shareholders and customers.

One of the most common threads of every data breach and cyberattack is human error. And that usually translates into “someone clicked a link that they shouldn’t have,” often from a text message or email.

So, when I saw that was the method for The App, I was intrigued…to say the least. Let it be a lesson to NEVER CLICK A LINK!!!

Anyway, the writing was sharp, the story was plotted well, and the action was consistent. My only complaint involves the backstory of the madman behind the misery of the app.

I thought it was plausible and quite detailed. However, it took me a while to figure out how it was fitting into the overall story. That’s a minor gripe, but still.

I don’t know that I’m a convert to the horror genre, but I definitely will be looking for the next book by Stuart James.