The Night Sister ~ by Jennifer McMahon – 4.5 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Alfred Hitchcock, Familial Relationships, Horror, Mysteries, Psychological Suspense

 I received this e-Arc from NetGalley and Doubleday in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: August 4th, 2015

Synopsis: Once the thriving attraction of rural Vermont, the Tower Motel now stands in disrepair, alive only in the memories of Amy, Piper, and Piper’s kid sister, Margot. The three played there as girls until the day that their games uncovered something dark and twisted in the motel’s past, something that ruined their friendship forever.

Now adults, Piper and Margot have tried to forget what they found that fateful summer, but their lives are upended when Piper receives a panicked midnight call from Margot, with news of a horrific crime for which Amy stands accused. Suddenly, Margot and Piper are forced to relive the time that they found the suitcase that once belonged to Sylvie Slater, the aunt that Amy claimed had run away to Hollywood to live out her dream of becoming Hitchcock’s next blonde bombshell leading lady. As Margot and Piper investigate, a cleverly woven plot unfolds–revealing the story of Sylvie and Rose, two other sisters who lived at the motel during it’s 1950s heydey. Each believed the other to be something truly monstrous, but only one carries the secret that would haunt the generations to come.

“When darkness comes knocking on your door,

you’ll think you’ve seen his face before.

When he comes creeping up your stairs,

you’ll know him from your dark nightmares.

If you hold up a mirror, you shall see

that he is you and you are he.”

And so begins Jennifer McMahon’s new paranormal thriller, which like her previous novels focuses on familial relationships. In Night Sister she successfully explores the lives of two generations during three different time periods: 2013, 1989, and 1955. What ties everything together is the Tower Motel in the small town of London, Vermont. Relating the events through alternating third person perspectives, it is only at the end that you discover the horrifying truth behind it all.

Having a story unfold over three different time periods could leave a reader completely lost, especially when you add in the different voices of the characters, but McMahon uses these devices to reel you in. I thought at the very least I’d have a favorite timeline/narrative, but I didn’t because they all wind up being essential. I enjoyed reading about Rose and Sylvie during the 1950s when the Tower Motel was at the height of it’s popularity. Sylvie’s adoring letters to Alfred Hitchcock just adds to the already mesmerizing story. Equally fun is reading about Margot, Piper, and Amy in 1989, as they explore the now decrepit Tower and the mystery behind Sylvie’s disappearance. And finally, reading about Margot and Piper’s desperate attempts to discover if their childhood friend Amy could have really committed the horrific act she’s accused of, and if it could be related to the secret they’ve kept for the past fourteen years, is just fascinating. 

I also enjoyed the comparisons of the relationships of Margot & Piper, and Rose & Sylvie. This is truly where McMahon exels, and I honestly thought the dichotomy between them was as interesting as the mysteries and supernatural events that form the basis of the book.

There are just so many enjoyable things in this, especially if you’re a mystery fan. In addition to Sylvie’s letters to Hitchcock, there are references to a few of his movies including Vertigo, Marnie, Rear Window, and of course, Psycho. While there’s plenty of creepy moments, this isn’t a book that features a lot of blood and gore. Instead, the tension slowly builds until the chilling and bittersweet ending. There were a few eye-rolling moments when I’d find myself mentally scolding someone for falling into a stereotypical horror movie cliche, but overall these are relatable characters who play well off each other. After finishing this I can’t believe I’ve never read any of the author’s previous books. I’m going to have to make more room on my bookshelf!

The Murderer’s Daughter ~ by Jonathan Kellerman – 4.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Childhood Trauma, Mysteries, Suspense

 I received this e-Arc from NetGalley and Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: August 18th, 2015

Synopsis: A brilliant, deeply dedicated psychologist, Grace Blades has a gift for treating troubled souls and tormented psyches–perhaps because she bears invisible scars from her own childhood. But even as an adult with an accomplished professional life, Grace has a dark, secret side. When her two worlds shockingly converge, Grace’s harrowing past returns with a vengeance. 

An evil she thought she’d outrun has reared it’s ugly head again, but Grace fears a police inquiry will expose her double life. Launching her own investigation leads her to a murderously manipulative foe, one whose warped craving for power forces Grace back into the chaos and madness she’d long ago fled.

I’ve been a fan of Jonathan Kellerman’s since he published his first Alex Delaware book When the Bough Breaks (1985). For some reason though I dropped the series, so this is the first book by him I’ve read in several years. And I’m so happy I did, because The Murderer’s Daughter has reminded me why I fell in love with his writing all those years ago.

This is a standalone novel so you need not have read any of the previous books although Alex Delaware does make a brief appearance. Instead it focuses on Dr. Grace Blades, a woman who on the surface looks to have everything, but underneath her cool unflappable exterior lies a murky mess. Being a survivor of a traumatic childhood has made her a renowned psychologist, with clients who fly halfway around the country to see her. Yet her colleages and clients would be shocked at what she does during her off hours. Eschewing close relationships, she enjoys wearing disguises and embarking on numerous one night stands. She’s shocked when her latest encounter shows up in her office as a patient. Shortly after, he’s murdered, and from their brief encounter Grace is convinced that he’s not the victim of a random mugging. As she carries out her own personal investigation she discovers that he’s directly tied to her childhood and an evil she thought she had put behind her. Because of her fear that her double life will be exposed if she’s truthful with the police, she decides to play Nancy Drew and winds up facing a psychopath alone.

Grace is one of the most intriguing and complex characters I’ve read about in a long time although I was initially repulsed by her. She’s cold, calculating, and manipulative. She trusts no one, and as a result is completely alone, not that she minds. I found myself wondering more than once if she’s actually sociopathic. Once I started reading her backstory which is told through alternating chapters with the present day events, I understood her much more thoroughly, and began to emphasize with her, even if I didn’t always agree with her actions.

This all makes for a fascinating story which brings together two mysteries: what created this brilliant, enigmatic woman with such intimacy issues that she only finds pleasure in nameless and faceless sexual encounters with strangers, and who murdered Grace’s latest conquest/patient and why are they now after her? Except for a few unbelievable eyebrow raising moments, this makes for an exciting read. The only real downside for me is that with all the suspenseful build-up, I found the actual confrontation between Grace and her nemesis to be rather anticlimactic. Otherwise, I think that Jonathan Kellerman (who’s a psychologist himself), has once again proven himself to be a master at delving into people’s psyches and exploring their dark sides. I’m hoping this is just the first book about Grace Blades because I’d really enjoy learning even more about her.

Serafina and the Black Cloak ~ by Robert Beatty – 4.5 Stars

Tags

Adventure, Folklore, Historical Fiction, Middle School Fiction, Mysteries, North Carolina

 I received this e-Arc from NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: July 14, 2015

Synopsis ~ “Never go into the deep parts of the forest, for there are many dangers there and they will ensnare your soul.”

Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of Biltmore Estate. There’s plenty to explore in the shadowed corridors of her vast home, but she must take care to never be seen. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa, the estate’ s maintenance man, have secretly lived in the basement as long as Serafina can remember. 

But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows who the culprit is: a terrifying man in a black cloak who stalks Biltmore’s corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of Biltmore’s owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak’s true identity before all the children vanish one by one.

Serafina’s hunt leads her into the very forest she’s been taught to fear. There she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic that is bound to her own identity. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must seek the answers that will unlock the puzzle of her past.

Book Trailer: http://bit.ly/1JVlMOq

I don’t read a lot of Middle School age fiction, but there was something about the cover of this book that caught my eye. When I watched the book trailer I was completely hooked.

Serafina and the Black Cloak takes place in the late 1800s and is set in Ashville, North Carolina. What makes this beautiful and remote setting even more interesting is that it actually exists. You can explore Biltmore House and it’s history by visiting: http://www.biltmore.com

Being extremely poor, Serafina and her “Pa” have no choice but to live in the basement of Biltmore, unbeknownst to the residents of this vast estate. Serafina is definitely not your average child. Not being able to interact with the other children who visit and live on the estate has turned her into a bit of a wild child. She amuses herself by roaming the hallways at night and catching rats. It’s during one of these nocturnal adventures that she stumbles across the Man in the Black Cloak as he corners a terrified child and makes her disappear. Swift-footed Serafina is able to escape his clutches, but she’s determined to find out who this villain is. Much to her surprise, she finally uncovers the mystery of her origins, which her protective father has always kept hidden from her.

Serafina is the type of fictional character I wish I had known when I was twelve. Despite her lack of formal education, Serafina is smart and fearless. She also will do anything to rescue the missing children, even if it puts her own life in danger. She’s funny and astute, and her observations on her surroundings and the other residents of Biltmore are perfect. The story is told from her perspective and being told in her charming dialect makes it that much more entertaining.

Braeden is the perfect partner for Serafina. An orphan, he’s had to grow up rather quickly and at times seems wise beyond his years. He’s as courageous as Serafina, yet his wisdom helps temper her impulsiveness. I had the sense while I was reading that these were two lost souls destined to find one another. 

The identity of the villain isn’t a huge surprise, but nevertheless the build-up to his unmasking is still exciting. Even while suspecting him I found myself fervently hoping I was wrong, because I actually liked him.

Except for a slightly slow start, Seraphina and the Black Cloak is exciting and full of twists and turns. It’s an imaginative and spooky tale that should have wide appeal for tweens and those of us who haven’t let go of their inner child. While the ending pretty much wraps everything up I have a feeling there will be more books detailing further adventures of young Serafina and Braeden. And, since this is being published by Disney, I also wouldn’t be surprised or disappointed if this wound up being turned into a movie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Devil You Know ~ By Trish Doller – 3.0 Stars

Tags

Mysteries, Thrillers, YA Fiction

 I received this ebook from NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA in exchange for an honest review.

~ Eighteen-year-old Arcadia Wells has given up all her dreams since her mother died. She’s become her father’s and four-year-old brother’s caretaker, and now that she’s about to graduate, all she can see is an endless road of emptiness ahead of her. But Cadie decides to commit one small act of rebellion, before she continues with her work and familial responsibilities. She has no idea that one rebellious act will take her on a journey which she may not survive.

“I am alone at the end of Florida with a boy who plans to kill me.”

Hmm. It’s hard to know where to start. I guess I’ll begin with Cadie. This is a girl who not only lost her mother at a vulnerable age, but in a way lost her father also due to his grief. It’s obvious that he loves his children but he can’t cope with taking care of them so most of the household responsibilities fall on Cadie’s shoulders. It’s not surprising that when she’s invited to a party in the woods, she insists on having the night off so she can go. Then she meets two handsome cousins; Matt and Noah, and decides to go on a road-trip with them. This is where I became a little incredulous. Cadie is a strong, smart, and self-reliant girl, and part of me had a difficult time believing that she’d go off with two strangers, even if one of her girlfriends accompanies her. Then it gets even weirder, when the friend disappears, and Cadie still continues with the trip. I tried to keep in mind that she’s only 18, and she’s basically given up everything for her family. Because she’s otherwise such a great character, I was able to tuck my disbelief away for the most part. I went back and forth between which one of the cousins was the psychopath until right near the very end. Arcadia originally hooks up with Matt, but when he winds up with her friend, she finds herself attracted to the mysterious Noah. Their romance absolutely sizzles, but once again, I felt that she was just jumping into a relationship and ignoring the red flags that were popping up everywhere. Despite the stupid decisions Cadie makes, I still found myself rooting for her. 

The story itself is intriguing and suspenseful, but in some ways also predictable. I think some of the problems might be because of the short length of the book. At only a little over 250 pages, there wasn’t much in the way of development, especially in regards to the characters. However, the psychological thrills were incredibly written and had me frantically turning the pages because I wanted to know how everything was going to play out. And, this is the second scary book I’ve read in the last couple of weeks that featured a cute dog that didn’t die. Yay! The ending was all right, but it felt a little contrived and I found myself a bit frustrated with how everything was suddenly wrapped up with a neat little bow. I find myself really conflicted about this book. I think it had so much promise that didn’t quite play out. At least not for me. I do think this will appeal to older teens who will emphasize with Cadie’s situation.

Scarlett Undercover ~ By Jennifer Latham – 4.5 Stars

Tags

Cults, Family Relationships, Jinn, Muslim Americans, Mysteries, Supernatural, YA Fiction

 I received this ebook from NetGalley and Little Brown in exchange for an honest review.

16-year-old Scarlett has lost both her parents but that hasn’t stopped her from wanting to clean-up crime in her hometown. When a little girl named Gemma begs her to find out why her older brother has been acting so strangely, her investigation leads her to a conspiracy involving cults, curses, and Jinn. When she discovers that her family has ties to this supernatural world, she realizes she may finally be able to solve her father’s murder. 

There are so many things I loved about this book starting with Scarlett. This is the first YA book I’ve read featuring a Muslim American and I thought the author did a great job detailing the Islamic religion without having it take over the story. With her father murdered, and mother having died from cancer, she and her older sister Reem are left on their own. Intertwined with the current story are Scarlett’s childhood memories which are truly touching. My favorites are the ones describing Scarlett and her father reading One Thousand and One Nights together. These memories are so precious, she still keeps the book close to her. While Reem finds solace in Islam and working long hours at an inner city hospital, Scarlett graduates high school two years early and since she’s had little luck solving her father’s murder, she takes on cases with the help of a sympathetic police detective that which she has much more success with. She may be an orphan, but with her sassy, take-no-prisoners attitude, Scarlett never gives you time to feel sorry for her. She carries a blackjack for protection, and is proficient in martial arts, yet despite her tough exterior, she has a soft spot for vulnerable children and dogs. When cute, goggle wearing 9-year-old Gemma first approaches Scarlett with her concerns about her brother Oliver, Scarlett’s first reaction is to politely rebuff her. But then she discovers that Oliver has ties to another boy who committed suicide. As she starts investigating, she finds out that Quinn’s suicide isn’t as cut and dry as it seems, and suddenly she has her hands full with murderous Jinn worshipping cultists. Adding to the intrigue is that her biggest lead is a mysterious family relic, which she and her sister haven’t paid much attention to up until now. Scarlett and Reem are very close despite Scarlett having drifted away from Islam, while Reem has begun wearing a hijab. It’s obvious that they both have a deep respect for one another. Scarlett has persuaded her sister to let her put off college for a few years while she pursues her passion for solving mysteries. While Reem sees how being a PI has saved Scarlett from getting into far worse trouble on the streets, she insists they attend Friday prayers with together, but Scarlett in no way resents her. Indeed, it’s their shared Muslim heritage that helps keep them close. The secondary characters add even more layers to this wonderful story. Her mother’s best friend Delilah, a Jewish white woman, helps keep an eye on her, and her son Decker moves from best friend status to potential love interest quite sweetly. Detective Morales who investigated their father’s murder stays involved in their lives, as does Mook, who is Scarlett’s self-described “guardian angel”. While it’s Scarlett’s strong voice that takes the forefront, the other characters bring the story together. This is one of those rare books in which I actually found the characters more fascinating than the story. It’s not obvious if this will be a series, but I hope Jennifer Latham continues with further adventures. If you’re feeling nostalgic for Veronica Mars and you enjoy a light mystery with a diverse cast of characters, I recommend you try this. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

The Forgotten Room ~ By Lincoln Child – 4.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Conspiracies, Mental Illness, Mysteries, Newport Rhode Island

 I received this e-Arc from NetGalley and Doubleday Books in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: 5/12/15

Enigmalogist, Jeremy Logan investigates mysteries that defy explanation. When he’s asked by Lux, a renowned think tank based in Newport, Rhode Island to investigate the inexplicable suicide of one of its most respected doctors, he finds a secret room with obscure scientific equipment that he soon discovers is tied to the present day events unfolding at the institution. If he can’t uncover the cause behind everything, even more lives will be lost, including his own.

The Forgotten Room is the fourth book with Dr. Jeremy Logan after Deep Storm (2007), Terminal Freeze (2009), and The Third Gate (2012). Being a long-time fan of Lincoln Child’s books written with Douglas Preston, as well as his solo books, it’s been rather fun seeing this character develop from being featured in one chapter in the first book, becoming a secondary character in the next, to finally achieving star status in the third. I found this fourth novel to be the most enjoyable to date. When Logan is asked by Lux for his assistance, he goes with mixed feelings. He was actually a researcher there before being unceremoniously shown the door because his field of expertise was considered pseudoscience. Still, he graciously accepts even though he’s faced with some of the same snobbery. The plot itself boils down to a good old fashioned mystery, which deviates a bit from Child’s previous books, which I’d describe more as action thrillers. At the center of this mystery is the question of why a distinguished professor would suddenly start behaving erratically, attack his assistant, and finally kill himself in a truly horrific manner. As Logan’s investigation progresses, he discovers a hidden room in a wing of the mansion, of which the late professor was overseeing renovations. The room is a time capsule of sorts, and has all sorts of strange equipment dating back to the 1930s. What was being done in this “forgotten room”, and why was it so studiously hidden? How is it tied to the behavior of the late professor, as well as other researchers? Child cleverly provides clues in relatively short chapters, which add up to a thrilling conclusion. Because the very nature of the institution encourages secrecy and competition amongst its residents, the villain isn’t readily apparent, which makes it even more compelling. The only thing that prevented this from being a perfect read for me was the rather long descriptions of the mansion’s architecture. While I appreciated that it was a gorgeous and massive building, I found all the technical jargon to be somewhat distracting from the central plot. Otherwise, this is a fun read and I hope the author will share even more of Jeremy Logan’s backstory in his next novel. 

Memory Man ~ By David Baldacci – 3.5 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Mysteries, Police Detectives, School Shootings

 I received this ebook from NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Amos Decker has not had an easy life. In his very first pro football game, he’s catastrophically injured and is left with a curious side effect. He never forgets anything. He uses this to his advantage and now, twenty years later, is a highly respected police detective, and happily married with a beautiful little girl. Tragically, his life falls apart when, after returning home from a stakeout, he discovers the bodies of his wife, daughter, and brother-in-law. With his family gone, the mysterious killer elusive, and the memories of that horrible night forever imprinted upon him, Decker loses everything. After being temporarily homeless, he now calls a Residence Inn his home, and scrapes out a meager living as a private investigator. Suddenly, fourteen months after the murders, a man confesses, and at the same time another horrific act rocks the community of Burlington. As Decker becomes involved in the investigation, only one thing is clear. If he’s to uncover the truth, he’ll have to use his unique talents, which could cost him what little he has left.

Memory Man is the first book in what looks to be a new series by this prolific author. Overall, I found it to be a pretty solid start with an intriguing and very sympathetic main character. Amos Decker is the type of person that your heart just aches for. His very first game with the Cleveland Browns, he’s injured so badly that he almost dies. He’s left with hyperthymesia, which basically means he remembers every single second, of every single day. And because that isn’t enough, he also has synesthesia, which makes him see colors around people and objects. While these abilities make him an excellent detective, when he comes home to find his family murdered, the gruesome scenes replay continuously in his head. It’s no wonder why he quits the force, loses his house and gains fifty pounds. He’s just somewhat getting his life back together when there’s a mass school shooting that somehow winds up being linked to the murders. At the same time, someone turns themself in and claims he killed Decker’s family. Despite this new opportunity to discover what really happened that night, Decker is initially reluctant to join the investigation mainly because he’s forced to revisit the traumatic memories he’s been trying so desperately to forget. Once it’s clear that everything is tied to Decker himself though, he stops at nothing to get to the truth. The secondary characters, in the form of an FBI agent, a tenacious reporter (is there any other kind?), and Decker’s former partner are okay, but they’re basically there as support, and not really interesting in their own right. The plot was a bit far-fetched, but mesmerizing and I couldn’t wait to see the unmasking of the villain. There is a lot of repetition in this book, which given Decker’s abilities, wasn’t a big surprise. Some of it though was unnecessary however, and somewhat annoying. For example: how many times do you have to call attention to someone’s weight? Decker was obviously a big guy as a football player and gained even more weight when he lost everything. For some reason though, David Baldacci felt like he had to keep reminding his readers of how his character’s appearance had taken a downward turn. Because I found Decker so intriguing though, I’ll definitely be picking up the next book. 

Ask The Dark ~ By Henry Turner – 4.0 Stars

Tags

Coming of Age Stories, Horror, Mysteries, Poverty, Serial Killers, Suspense, YA Fiction

 I received this e-Arc from NetGalley and Clarion Books in exchange for an honest review. Release Date: 4/7/15 14-year-old Billy Zeets has the reputation for being a troublemaker in his small town.

When he stumbles across the body of a boy he knows, and another turns up dead, Billy decides to solve the murders himself, and will do whatever it takes to bring the killer to justice and collect the reward.

“Ask The Dark” is a very quick read at 250 pages. Surprisingly, I found Billy to be quite likeable, and he actually reminded me of Huck Finn. He’s had a rough life and I couldn’t help but emphasize with him. His mother died two years previously, and now because of unpaid medical bills, and his own bad health, Billy’ s father is in danger of losing their house unless he can come up with $48,000. Because of his nightly wanderings and familiarity with the town and it’s inhabitants, Billy is in a unique position to investigate the serial killer responsible for the disappearances and murders. Despite his reputation as a juvenile delinquent, Billy is as heroic as he is tough and street smart. While his investigation is initially prompted by the reward being offered, it ultimately turns into something far more. The events that transpire are related in the first person by Billy as he lies recovering in the hospital and as he recounts his role, he insists, “I ain’t no hero, and I aim to prove it.” From there, the plot builds slowly, and I found myself wishing at times that Billy would figure things out a little faster. Also, when he finally comes face to face with the killer, some of his actions weren’t entirely in keeping with his previously common sense attitude. I found Billy’ s narrative and dialect added to the raw emotion of the story, but some readers might be turned off by it. Because of the subject matter and graphic scenes, I definitely would not recommend this to anyone under the age of fourteen, but other than that, I think a wide audience would enjoy this imaginative novel. 

The Stranger ~ By Harlan Coben – 4.5 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Conspiracies, Mysteries, Suspense

 This e-ARC was provided to me by NetGalley and Penguin Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: 3/24/2015

Adam Price is living the American Dream. He’s happily married to his college sweetheart, has two wonderful sons, the perfect house, and a job he loves. When he’s approached by the Stranger who tells him a devastating secret about his wife. Adam’s perfect life turns in a nightmare. Corinne disappears, leaving only a brief message on his cell phone, and he soon realizes that there is far more at stake than her deception. If he doesn’t untangle the web of lies and betrayal exactly the right way, this far-reaching conspiracy will not only destroy all their lives, it will finish them, permanently.

What I truly enjoy about Harlan Coben’s standalone novels is that they’re always based on a premise that could actually happen and then given a totally unique twist. This results with me staying up into the wee hours of the morning feverishly reading and biting my nails. The Stranger is no different. This is a warning regarding the information about ourselves that we leave behind every time we’re online, which is pretty much available to any so-inclined hacker. Can you imagine what you would do if a complete stranger walked up to you and gave you credible information that one of the people you trust implicitly may have actually been deceiving you about one of the most major events of your life? This is what happens to Adam, and when he starts to investigate he discovers his life may actually be built on a house of cards. And it’s not just his wife that may have been deceiving him. Neighbors, friends, and other loved ones could be part of the conspiracy. This is classic Coben which why I never tire of reading his books. There are so many twists and turns in this book that I really didn’t start to figure out what was going on until right near the end, and even then the conclusion still caught me by surprise. If you like mysteries with nail biting suspense and you haven’t tried Harlan Coben, I highly recommend him. He also writes the Myron Bolitar series and it’s YA spin-off series.

Someone Is Watching ~ Joy Fielding – 4.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Family Relationships, Female Investigators, Mysteries, Rape, Thrillers

  I received this e-Arc from NetGalley and Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review. It will be published 3/24/15.

Twenty-nine year old Bailey Carpenter seemingly has it all. She’s gorgeous, wealthy, and loves her job as the special investigator for a respected Miami law firm. During a routine investigation she’s the victim of a horrifying attack and Bailey’s life begins to unravel. Suffering from PTSD, Bailey is trapped in her own home and finds herself spying on some of the neighbors in a nearby apartment building. When she fixates on one particular neighbor she becomes suspicious of his actions and with increasing fear, wonders if he could actually be the man who attacked her. When no one will believe her she launches her own investigation, but will she survive when her credibility and sanity is being questioned by nearly everyone, including herself?

First, I have to warn you that there is a graphic rape scene which is really difficult to read. I actually found myself skimming it. It’s brief though, and it’s the set up for the rest of the book. Also, you need to suspend disbelief, because some of the things Bailey does in her quest to bring her rapist to justice will have you shaking your head. That said, this was a really enjoyable read. It’s 384 pages, but I finished it in one sitting. This was mainly due to the fact that I stayed up until almost 2:00 in the morning because I was so riveted. Bailey is a flawed, yet likeable character who simultaneously made me want to hug and shake her. She’s one of those people for whom her greatest strengths can also be her greatest weaknesses, but can’t you say that about us all? What she’s been through is truly horrible, but then Joy Fielding slowly reveals that her life before the attack wasn’t quite as perfect as it seemed. It’s only when she starts seeing a therapist after the attack, that she realizes she’s needed help for quite awhile. The best part of the novel though is her snarky and cynical teenage niece Jade, whose observations of people and life in general are hysterical. The relationship between her and Bailey is absolutely priceless. The plot itself is an obvious homage to Gaslight and Rear Window, and once you start reading I challenge you to try putting it down. As to the identity of the actual attacker, I had pretty strong suspicions before I was halfway through the book, but this didn’t lessen the impact when he is actually unmasked. I’ve had mixed feelings regarding some of Joy Fielding’ s books, but Someone Is Watching is actually one of my favorites. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that she writes another book featuring the dynamic duo of Bailey and Jade.