Review: The Stalker by Paula Bomer

Some novels are designed to entertain, others to comfort—but then there are books like The Stalker, which pull you in, unsettle you, and dare you to keep reading. Paula Bomer’s latest work is a pitch-black exploration of narcissism, manipulation, and the quiet horror of living in someone else’s delusion. Equal parts disturbing and darkly funny, it’s the kind of story that lingers in your mind like a shadow you can’t quite shake.

Plot & Emotional Core

At its center is Robert “Doughty” Doughten Savile—a man overflowing with self-confidence and utterly devoid of self-awareness. In early-1990s New York, Doughty drifts between schemes, convinced of his own brilliance despite having no tangible skills or accomplishments. When he fixates on two women—a middle-aged book editor and an aspiring bartender—his attention is a toxic mix of obsession, manipulation, and ego. As the story unfolds, Bomer peels back the layers of his delusion, showing the unsettling emotional toll of his presence.

Themes & Resonance

The Stalker digs deep into themes of entitle

ment, gaslighting, and the exhausting realities of navigating life around a narcissist. It’s also a sharp commentary on gender dynamics, the invisibility of subtle emotional abuse, and the ways society minimizes or dismisses those who speak up about it. Beneath the dark humor, there’s a sobering look at the long-term emotional costs of surviving these encounters.

Voice & Style

Bomer’s prose is lean, sharp, and darkly comedic. She inhabits Doughty’s twisted worldview with unsettling precision, giving readers front-row seats to his grandiose self-image and trivial obsessions. The humor is pitch-black, the pacing deliberate, and the dialogue so sharply observed it feels overheard in real life. Every scene has an undercurrent of tension—sometimes funny, sometimes threatening, often both.

What Makes It Shine

• A Relentless Antihero: Doughty is unlikeable in every way, yet Bomer makes him magnetic enough that you can’t look away.

• Dark Humor with Bite: The comedy comes from absurdity, but it’s laced with menace that never lets you relax.

• Layered Social Commentary: Beyond the individual story, the novel examines how charm and ego can mask harm in everyday life.

• Unflinching Realism: There’s no neat redemption arc here—just the raw, uncomfortable truth of who Doughty is and the damage he leaves behind.

In Summary

The Stalker is not a comfortable read—and that’s exactly the point. It’s sharp, daring, and disturbingly believable, told with a mix of wit and precision that makes every page feel like a guilty thrill. Paula Bomer doesn’t flinch from the ugliness of her subject, and as a result, she’s created a novel that’s both unnerving and unforgettable. If you’re looking for a story that challenges you, unsettles you, and makes you think twice about the people who cross your path, this one belongs on your list.