It’s been a while since I have posted a book review, so I am jumping back in with a doozy – Unfollow Me, by Kathryn Caraway. I received this book free as an advanced reader copy. I was intrigued and honored to read this prior to publication, as it has won the 2024 Chanticleer International Book Awards Grand Prize in the Journey Category – Non-fiction Overcoming Adversity. All opinions here are my own.
Most true crime stories relate cases of grisly murder. In those meticulously researched stories, we read about the crime. We learn about the unfortunate murder victim. And we follow how the authorities find, arrest, and convict the often narcissistic perpetrator. Justice is done, and the perpetrator pays. There’s a horror aspect to these books, and there’s a police procedural/legal system angle. There is also frequently a deep dive into the background of the twisted criminal to help the reader understand how they became a merciless killer.
Unfollow Me is different, and I can absolutely see why it rose to the top in the CIBA awards. It’s mesmerizing. I could not put it down.
Yes, it’s true crime. Yes, there’s a narcissistic perpetrator. We get an unfortunate victim that sparks our compassion and we get the law enforcement/legal system stuff so common in true crime. But Unfollow Me is unique and distinct from any of the other true crime I have read.
This story is narrated by the victim, Kathryn Caraway, a real person (though Kathryn Caraway is a pseudonym to protect her identity), and she details everything that happened to her in this case. She’s stalked relentlessly by the perpetrator, and the outcome where she’s still alive to talk about it is only due to her own tenacity in pursuing justice. This is why the narrative is so impactful. It is Kathryn’s true stalking story. It’s real. It happened. It could happen to any woman. And it happens to so many – most of whom are afraid to come forward. Kathryn’s bravery is incredible, as is her commitment to shining light on this all to frequent and downplayed crime.
Kathryn’s stalker is Todd. He seems nice at first, if a bit awkward. He’s an IT specialist who works for the police department, so he seems safe. He helps her upgrade her home security and helps her with computer issues. But as she gets to know him, she starts seeing the strange, uncomfortable, possessive side of Todd. But cutting him out of her life becomes impossible. He turns her technology against her and makes her life a living hell. Todd’s mantra? “You’re mine and I don’t share.”
Unfollow Me reads like a thriller in some ways. You’re on the edge of your seat with suspense throughout. The prose is visceral. The detail is exhaustive. The stalker sociopath in this book is terrifying in a ‘check your locks,’ ‘don’t turn out the lights,’ and ‘I’m watching you’ way. It is rough to see and feel through Kathryn’s eyes. The toll it takes on her is mind boggling. I felt like I’d absorbed a textbook on PTSD.
And the justice system piece? Where we’d expect the perpetrator to be arrested, charged, and jailed? This is what differentiates this book from a fictional thriller with a neat and tidy wrap up. Kathryn advocates for herself in a tenacious way that few could match. But justice in the real world for stalking victims is elusive. It’s eye opening.
Who is this book for? It’s for true crime readers who are interested in a unique perspective. It’s for readers who cares about whether the justice system actually helps crime victims. It is also for anyone who wants to learn the red flags and the tells of a twisted stalker and how to navigate the systemic barriers to safety.
Kudos to Kathryn for her bravery and her ability to fill in every detail in this awful account. This is an important book – one of the most important I have read in a long time. I highly recommend it.
To preorder the book, which releases on October 28, 2025, follow this link.
To read the Chanticleer review, follow this link.
To learn more about the author and her project, visit her website. Her project’s mission is to promote awareness of stalking and its impact on victims through meaningful education and action.
Of note, Kathryn has also written a fictional follow-up to her stalker story that will be released a couple of weeks after Unfollow Me. I’ll be releasing a review of that novel shortly, so stay tuned.
