Book Review: The Haters | Robyn Harding
This is a spoiler-free review of the gripping new Robyn Harding novel, The Haters. If you were hoping to have spoilers or have the ending explained, I’ve got you covered over on my spoiler review (which I keep separate intentionally).
When a new Robyn Harding comes up for preorder, I will smash that button. Don’t tempt me with a good time! Harding writes books that pull me right in. A little bit domestic suspense, a little bit psychological thriller, and a few twists you won’t see coming. The Haters is a play on every writer’s worst nightmare: a cadre of online trolls have their sights setting on slandering your book…and your name.
What is The Haters about?
Camryn Lane is a high school guidance counselor and aspiring writer who has gotten the golden ticket: a publisher. Her debut novel, Burnt Orchid has just come out and she is over the moon. When an email to her newly-created author inbox arrives, accusing her of exploiting stories from her students for her own writing, Camryn is horrified. Who would accuse her of something so horrible?
It turns out this is just the beginning. Her editor waves it away, telling her to focus on the glowing reviews coming in. It isn’t long before the negative reviews come flooding in, though. All on the same theme—she’s exploited her students, she’s a child abuser, and she should be fired. The online harassment doesn’t stay online for long, and soon someone seems to have it out for her personally. They have her phone number, they know her address, and they know all of the people closest to her. Someone is intent on destroying Camryn Lane—but who?
What did I think?
This book was a train that lost control and at some point it barreled right off the tracks (in the best way). I was right there with Camryn. Not only is it upsetting to get a negative review, but this was also a personal attack on Camryn’s character—and a false one at that. Writers are told to write what they know, so I did wonder if maybe Camryn did include some things that she picked up from students. I won’t reveal the answer to that question here, though.
I loved the book-within-a-book aspect, where we got excerpts from Burnt Orchid. Given the topic of the book surrounding a homeless teen forced out of her life, I actually initially thought it might be that Camryn’s book was one half of the story from The Drowning Woman! I would have loved that, but this was better since it was a new story and I’ve already read (and loved) The Drowning Woman.
Camryn’s emotions about the harassment were relatable to me. At first she just wanted to know who this Ingrid Wandry person was. It’s a unique enough name, so she is able to find social media accounts that appear to be Ingrid. But she doesn’t recognize her. As the harassment increases, so does the tension. Someone stands up at an author panel and accuses her of exploiting her students, but Camryn can’t see past the lights to find out who it is. A number repeatedly calls and texts her. Flowers arrive at a hotel she’s at from an anonymous stranger. As the harassment escalated, Camryn gets more and more frayed.
Don’t feed the trolls, they say. But of course, Camryn does. She can’t help it! Staying silent didn’t work, and when a tiktok video comes out exposing her and gaining hundreds of thousands of views, Camryn snaps. I was covering my eyes. Don’t do it, Camryn! At the same time, I can be realistic and say I’d probably react too. These are horrible accusations that not only hurt her book sales, but are causing destruction to her professional and personal lives. I would be devastated and panicked!
As you might imagine, this only makes things worse. I have spoilers about the ending and my thoughts on it over in my spoiler review. If you already finished the book, join me over there so we can try to unpack the events of the book, explain the ending, and get into how this all came together.
If you aren’t joining me for spoilers, I hope you give this book a try! It’s a fantastic, suspenseful read. The harassment was almost scarier than a good ghost story or other supernatural horror. It felt raw and like it could happen to anyone.
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