What do you think?
Rate this book
The Stranger – A Dark Mystery | Through the Fading Glow, Book One: A haunting suspense novel where nothing is what it seems
An atmospheric, psychological thriller about memory, identity, and the shifting nature of reality. A haunting story where forgetting may be the only way to survive.
He wakes up on a rain-soaked promenade, with no name and no past. The city is shrouded in fog, the streets are empty, and only a woman in white appears before vanishing into the mist.
As he searches for answers, reality warps around him, and the past slips away like water through his fingers. Memories are missing, shadows seem alive, and something is watching. The deeper he digs, the more distorted everything becomes—as if the city itself is trying to erase him.
In this dark mystery novel, elements of noir fiction blend with surreal suspense, creating a haunting atmosphere where every clue raises more questions.
The Stranger is a psychological puzzle about memory, identity, and the thin line between reality and illusion. The first book in Through the Fading Glow, it invites you into a world where the truth is never what it seems… and forgetting may be the only way to survive.
He wakes up on a rain-soaked promenade, with no name and no past. The city is shrouded in fog, the streets are empty, and only a woman in white appears before vanishing into the mist.
As he searches for answers, reality warps around him, and the past slips away like water through his fingers. Memories are missing, shadows seem alive, and something is watching. The deeper he digs, the more distorted everything becomes—as if the city itself is trying to erase him.
In this dark mystery novel, elements of noir fiction blend with surreal suspense, creating a haunting atmosphere where every clue raises more questions.
The Stranger is a psychological puzzle about memory, identity, and the thin line between reality and illusion. The first book in Through the Fading Glow, it invites you into a world where the truth is never what it seems… and forgetting may be the only way to survive.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 2, 2025
"The Stranger" is a masterclass in atmospheric, psychological suspense. From the very first page, I was pulled into a fog-shrouded city that felt as disorienting and mysterious as the protagonist's own mind. The premise of waking up with no memory is classic, but this book elevates it with a genuinely haunting and surreal tone that blurs the line between reality and illusion.
What sets this thriller apart is its relentless, noir-infused atmosphere. The city itself feels like a living, breathing character, full of secrets and shadows. Every clue the protagonist uncovers seems to twist the narrative further, and the sense of paranoia is palpable. You'll find yourself questioning every detail, just as he does.
This is more than just a mystery; it's a deep dive into the fragility of identity and the nature of truth. The prose is beautiful and evocative, perfectly complementing the story's themes. I was completely hooked, unable to put it down until I reached the final, mind-bending conclusion.
For fans of dark, cerebral mysteries and surreal suspense, "The Stranger" is an absolute must-read. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you've finished, and I am already eagerly awaiting the next installment in the "Through the Fading Glow" series.
What sets this thriller apart is its relentless, noir-infused atmosphere. The city itself feels like a living, breathing character, full of secrets and shadows. Every clue the protagonist uncovers seems to twist the narrative further, and the sense of paranoia is palpable. You'll find yourself questioning every detail, just as he does.
This is more than just a mystery; it's a deep dive into the fragility of identity and the nature of truth. The prose is beautiful and evocative, perfectly complementing the story's themes. I was completely hooked, unable to put it down until I reached the final, mind-bending conclusion.
For fans of dark, cerebral mysteries and surreal suspense, "The Stranger" is an absolute must-read. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you've finished, and I am already eagerly awaiting the next installment in the "Through the Fading Glow" series.
August 29, 2025
Wow, just finished this book and I have to say it really got under my skin. It’s one of those stories that sticks with you even when you’re not reading it. The whole idea of waking up with no memory, in this creepy foggy city… it’s so unsettling but in a good way? I felt just as lost and confused as the main character, which I think is what the author was going for.
The mood is just so heavy and mysterious—the empty streets, the woman in white, everything feeling wrong and twisted. It’s not a jump-scare kind of scary, but more like a slow-building dread that something isn’t right. I kept reading because I needed answers just as much as he did.
What I really liked was how the book plays with your head. You start questioning what’s real right along with the character. The writing isn’t super complicated, but the feeling it gives you is intense. I read some of it at night and had to stop because it was just so creepy haha.
If you’re into stories that mess with reality and love dark, atmospheric mysteries, you should definitely check this one out. It’s a puzzle that doesn’t give easy answers, and I’m still thinking about it. Can’t wait to see what happens next in the series.
The mood is just so heavy and mysterious—the empty streets, the woman in white, everything feeling wrong and twisted. It’s not a jump-scare kind of scary, but more like a slow-building dread that something isn’t right. I kept reading because I needed answers just as much as he did.
What I really liked was how the book plays with your head. You start questioning what’s real right along with the character. The writing isn’t super complicated, but the feeling it gives you is intense. I read some of it at night and had to stop because it was just so creepy haha.
If you’re into stories that mess with reality and love dark, atmospheric mysteries, you should definitely check this one out. It’s a puzzle that doesn’t give easy answers, and I’m still thinking about it. Can’t wait to see what happens next in the series.
September 23, 2025
The Stranger completely drew me in from the very first page. The atmosphere is dark and eerie, with that unsettling feeling where you’re never quite sure what’s real. The main character wakes up with no memory, and you experience everything through his confused, paranoid perspective—it makes for a highly immersive and haunting read.
What I loved most was the pacing. The mystery unfolds slowly but with just enough tension and twists to keep you guessing. Every time I thought I had figured something out, the story would shift and make me question everything again. It's one of those books where nothing is what it seems, and you feel like you’re unraveling a nightmare in slow motion.
I’m usually not a big fan of psychological suspense, but this one hooked me hard. The writing has a dreamlike, almost cinematic quality that enhances the unease in the best way. I devoured the whole book in two nights because I had to find out what was happening.
If you’re into dark mysteries with a psychological edge and a surreal vibe, definitely give this a read. Just don’t plan on getting much sleep once you start.
What I loved most was the pacing. The mystery unfolds slowly but with just enough tension and twists to keep you guessing. Every time I thought I had figured something out, the story would shift and make me question everything again. It's one of those books where nothing is what it seems, and you feel like you’re unraveling a nightmare in slow motion.
I’m usually not a big fan of psychological suspense, but this one hooked me hard. The writing has a dreamlike, almost cinematic quality that enhances the unease in the best way. I devoured the whole book in two nights because I had to find out what was happening.
If you’re into dark mysteries with a psychological edge and a surreal vibe, definitely give this a read. Just don’t plan on getting much sleep once you start.
August 27, 2025
Vladi Lanin creates a fog-soaked world where an amnesiac protagonist tries to piece together his identity. The setting feels noir-influenced but with surreal elements that keep you guessing what's real and what isn't. The unnamed main character wakes up with no memory and encounters a mysterious woman in white who may or may not exist.
The atmosphere is the book's strongest element. Lanin builds tension through the empty city streets and constantly shifting reality rather than relying on action scenes. The mystery unfolds gradually as the protagonist's search for answers leads to more questions about his past and the nature of the world around him.
The writing balances psychological elements with the detective work of trying to solve the central puzzle. It's the first in a series, so some questions remain unanswered, but it works as a standalone story. Worth reading if you enjoy atmospheric mysteries or psychological thrillers with a surreal edge.
The atmosphere is the book's strongest element. Lanin builds tension through the empty city streets and constantly shifting reality rather than relying on action scenes. The mystery unfolds gradually as the protagonist's search for answers leads to more questions about his past and the nature of the world around him.
The writing balances psychological elements with the detective work of trying to solve the central puzzle. It's the first in a series, so some questions remain unanswered, but it works as a standalone story. Worth reading if you enjoy atmospheric mysteries or psychological thrillers with a surreal edge.
July 25, 2025
Deep, Mysterious and Very Readable
I am new to the genre and this book is really easy to follow along. The story has a dream like quality to it that makes everything bit off but in a very captivating way. The protagonist is a guy who could not remember anything and you are right there immersed in his world from the start. By the way, I read the whole thing in a couple of days because I just can’t put it down. Check this book out and get ready for a page turner that will ruin your weekend plans in a good way.
I am new to the genre and this book is really easy to follow along. The story has a dream like quality to it that makes everything bit off but in a very captivating way. The protagonist is a guy who could not remember anything and you are right there immersed in his world from the start. By the way, I read the whole thing in a couple of days because I just can’t put it down. Check this book out and get ready for a page turner that will ruin your weekend plans in a good way.
August 21, 2025
From the beginning this book intrigued me. There was an air of mystery around the main character, You don't even find out his name until halfway through the book! I wasn't sure what his motivation was in trying to find the missing girl, but eventually I understood. The author does a good job building the suspense. I wasn't sure what was going to happen from page to page which kept me hooked. Overall the book has a good story line and descriptive language that immerses you in the world of the book
August 27, 2025
The Stranger gripped me from the first unsettling moment and refused to let go. The author skillfully entwines noir sensibilities with surreal dread, crafting a psychological mystery that unfolds like a dream — or a nightmare. With each page, memories slip through your fingers, identities fracture, and reality warps in the most hauntingly beautiful ways.
This isn’t just a thriller — it’s a psychological puzzle that lingers long after you turn the last page. If you thrive on stories that blur the line between mind and myth, this haunting debut is not to be missed.
This isn’t just a thriller — it’s a psychological puzzle that lingers long after you turn the last page. If you thrive on stories that blur the line between mind and myth, this haunting debut is not to be missed.
September 4, 2025
This book completely pulled me in from page one. The atmosphere is eerie and cinematic, you can almost feel the fog and hear the rain as the mystery unfolds. The story blurs reality and illusion in such a clever way that I found myself second guessing everything right alongside the main character. It’s part noir, part psychological thriller, and part dreamlike puzzle, with just the right amount of unease to keep you turning the pages late at night. If you love dark, atmospheric mysteries that linger in your mind long after finishing, this is a must read.
July 2, 2025
This book is not just a thriller, but a dive into a dark, unrealistic world where everything is not as it should be. A man with no memory, a strange woman in white, a strange empty city. The main character tries to figure out what is real and what is not. I want to read it as quickly as possible to understand what is going on here. It's very scary, the plot keeps you in suspense, and the ending is unexpected.
July 30, 2025
I got this book for a friend who’s into dark, twisty stories and she read it in two days. I ended up getting curious and reading a part of it myself, and wow... it's eerie, immersive, and great written. The foggy city, the mysterious woman, the blurring of memory and reality - it pulls you in and keeps you guessing. A haunting, slow-burn mystery that really gets under your skin. Perfect if you enjoy psychological thrillers with a surreal edge.
July 27, 2025
Dieses Buch hat mir sehr gut gefallen! Es war von der ersten Seite an spannend, die Handlung ist gut geschrieben und fesselt den Leser. Ich habe das Buch in einem Rutsch durchgelesen. Es ist spannend und gruselig, sodass man es kaum aus der Hand legen kann und immer weiterlesen möchte. Ich empfehle dieses Buch allen, die gute Krimis mögen.
August 24, 2025
For fans of psychological thrillers and dark mysteries, The Stranger is a captivating read. It’s a book that demands your full attention, rewarding it with a constant stream of suspense and a stunning conclusion that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. It's not just a mystery to be solved; it's a terrifying journey into the mind's darkest corners.
October 7, 2025
I haven't finished the book yet, but I am so curious what is going to happen next. It’s one of the plots that you start reading and can't stop. The writing is moody and cinematic, like you’re walking through the fog with the main character, trying to remember who you are too. I caught myself rereading a few lines just because they felt eerie and beautiful at the same time.
October 15, 2025
A few days into this thriller, I have to say it starts to grow on me and I'm getting more and more curious about the story and how it develops. Not only the story is interesting, but also how it's written needs a special mention, as I think it really fits well the mood of the book. Looking forward to the next pages.
July 14, 2025
Interesting search and rescue with fascinating turns and twists. The darkness and shadowiness of the search and experience in the reader's eyes are catchy and spellbinding. One thing leads to the other and it never ends there. Great plot and story line.
August 8, 2025
This book drops you in right from the get go. Good plot. The ending provides a twist that reframes the narrative in an intriguing way, leaving me with more questions than answers, in a good way I guess.
August 24, 2025
The mystery unfolds like a dream - slow, layered, and unsettling. I kept thinking I knew what was going on, only for the ground to shift again. The themes of memory loss, identity, and reality twisting in on itself reminded me of Memento or The Machinist, but with a more literary, noir tone.
September 24, 2025
Love mind-bending mysteries; wondered if this debut holds up. Foggy city, memory loss plot builds tension like Coben. Solid twists, but some repetitive descriptions. Keeps you guessing—great setup for series!
November 19, 2025
Exciting and captivating!
A beautifully written book that keeps you engaged until the very end.
Very well-written, constructively written until the very end; well-done! I did miss a chapter division... at least, I can't find one on my Kindle.
A beautifully written book that keeps you engaged until the very end.
Very well-written, constructively written until the very end; well-done! I did miss a chapter division... at least, I can't find one on my Kindle.
July 23, 2025
A gripping, twist-filled mystery that keeps you questioning everything you think you know about memory and identity.
August 1, 2025
Amazing read. It really pulled me in. I've been craving and searching for a book like this for weeks! I hope this author comes out with more books like this because this was fantastic.
August 4, 2025
good book
August 13, 2025
Starting from page one, this book pulled me into the abyss. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end. Looking forward to reading book 2!
October 6, 2025
A suspenseful and emotional mystery that kept me guessing until the end. The atmosphere, writing style, and psychological depth made this story truly unforgettable. A gripping, haunting read
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews