The Watchers

By: Jon Steele

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 21 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Beneath Lausanne Cathedral, in Switzerland, there is a secret buried before time began, something unknown to angels and men, until now....

Marc Rochat watches over the city at night from the belfry of the cathedral. He lives in a world of shadows and "beforetimes" and imaginary beings.

Katherine Taylor, call girl and daydreamer, is about to discover that her real-life fairy tale is too good to be true.

Jay Harper, private detective, wakes up in a crummy hotel room with no memory. When the telephone rings and he's offered a job, he knows he has no choice but to accept.

Three lives, one purpose: save what's left of paradise before all hell breaks loose.

©2012 Jon Steele (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A seductive cosmic thriller stoked by historic fact, an ancient Jewish religious text, and a literary classic... Steele’s lavishly atmospheric, witty, bloody, and swashbuckling tale of age-old struggles for dominion between angels and demons is the propitious first book in an ambitious series.” (Booklist, starred)

“An imaginative metaphysical thriller… Steele keeps his tale tantalizingly ambiguous, casting it with fey characters and skillfully concealing until the climax whether apparent weird events haven’t been manipulated to make them seem so. This solidly plotted tale, the first in a trilogy, will appeal to readers who like a hint of uncanny in their fiction.” (Publishers Weekly)

“A first novel (and first in a series) from Steele, for years a master cameraman for Independent Television News and author of War Junkie, an underground classic; really smart work for serious thriller readers.” (Library Journal)

Great Book!

Love this book. Characters are well described and all you want to do is know more about them. Could not stop listening. Great book!

A Mixed Fantasy

Would you listen to The Watchers again? Why?

No. It was a very long book. Story was engrossing at times but not enough to re-read.

Would you be willing to try another book from Jon Steele? Why or why not?

Yes, U would try another. This is his first book, it will be interesting to see how his writing matures.

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Davis – was your favorite?

He did a great performance as a cat. I also enjoyed his performan of the lead 3 characters, Marc, Harper, and Catherine.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Much to long to read in one sitting. It took me three days to complete the book.

Any additional comments?

This book was a very mixed experience. The characters were well-written and unforgettable; very endearing. The mystery story is intriguing. It was the fantasy part of the story that seemed to be a mishmash of fantasy and multiple religions lumped together. The story probably could have been better without the fantasy element. I also was not fond of the ending; it was not satisfying to me at all.

A really great read; has all the elements & more

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I listened to this as an audiobook and the narration was 1st class. The story was unique in that it contained multiple genres - detective mystery, supernatural, religious and perhaps a bit of satire - and consequently unexpected plot development. I was sorry when the book ended.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There could only be one favourite character and he would be Marc Rochas, the bell-keeper. Marc is the epitome of innocence, guilelessness, gentleness and love who also has a very vivid imagination. The story plays with our concepts of good and evil with Marc taking the leading role as 'good.'

What does Jonathan Davis bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Jonathan Davis' narration is excellent - five star. He quickly draws you into the book and before long you are really not aware that someone is reading a book to you, as you, the narrator, and the story become intrinsically one.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, all of the above. The book was well designed to bring out just about every emotion a human being can experience.

Any additional comments?

Listen to it soon.

Well worth the effort to get into the story

What did you love best about The Watchers?

This was a difficult listen initially. There were three stories going on at the same time. But the quality of the performance was extrordinary so I kept listening. Once the three stories started coming together, I was hooked. The story line was extraordinary, especially since the beginning of the book gave no clue as to the true nature of ... (better stop at that so as not to give away the story line). ;-) By the end of the book, I was disappointed to leave the three characters. My recommendation - work your way through the beginning. You'll be glad you did.

What did you like best about this story?

The performance was outstanding! Davis handled the various voices and the French sections seamlessly. His voice disappeared into the background as the story progressed. I effortlessly got lost in the story, easily telling one character from the next.

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Davis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first Davis performance for me. But I will check out his other performances.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was just very sad to say goodby to the characters when the book was over. I cried at one point but to say where would give away too much of the story.

Any additional comments?

Listen to this book.

Not What You'd Expect

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend it as an excellent story with a spiral staircase of a plot. Fun reading.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Watcher....because he was one big mystery from the very beginning of the story to almost the end of it.

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed the whole story....

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Some myths are truer and scarier than you'd believe...

Any additional comments?

Yes, pick up the book or the audio and get ready for an excellent mystery story with a surprise ending.

Beautiful story!

Would you listen to The Watchers again? Why?

Yes. It's one of those books that stays with you, and no matter how many times you read it, you feel like you're reading it for the first time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Watchers?

Being able to write one memorable moment is very difficult. I loved how Mark spoke to the bells, and when he didn't understand what someone said, he would say simply, "I don't know what that means."

What about Jonathan Davis’s performance did you like?

He didn't change his voice for the characters. His voice was gentle and clear. I would listen to anything he narrated.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The Hero and the Bells.

Any additional comments?

I can't say it enough, READ THIS!

A great story and great narrator.

I read the first two books about a year and a half ago. I loved the story so much I decided to buy the audio and recap before the third book comes out in August. I'm glad I did because Jonathan Davis gives an amazing performance bringing the characters to life for me. Looking forward to listening to Angel City with the same narrator. Hope he performs book three.

Slow then great

The First half a 2, 3rd. Quarter a 4, end a 5, enjoy the book.

Very slow for me.

The Authors does draw a picture of everything. It is a well written book but you must be patient.

boring read

Could not get past the first chapter. Nothing holding my interest and hard to follow.