The Watcher

By: Caroline Eriksson, Tara F. Chace - translator

Narrated by: Teri Clark Linden, Angelo Di Loreto

Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

What is one neighbor hiding? What does the other one see? In this blindsiding thriller of paranoia, obsession, and love gone wrong, neither one will be prepared for the answer. And neither will you....

Escaping her broken marriage, successful author Elena settles into a hastily arranged sublet. Shattered, on the verge of coming unhinged, she’s unable to sleep, write, or even unpack. Then she discovers an innocent pastime to occupy her restless days and nights - watching her neighbors through the kitchen window. The Storms seem like the perfect family, but the more Elena sees and hears, the more she believes that there’s something terribly wrong in the house next door.

She’s certain she’s an eyewitness to a violent marriage that could be building to a murderous climax. It’s all a little frightening. It’s also inspiring. Elena hasn’t felt this creative in years. Now she’s imagining the worst. To confirm her suspicions, she decides to watch a little closer - by following Mr. and Mrs. Storm into their secret lives, if only to save them from themselves.

But as the dangers escalate, and the line between real and unreal threatens to dissolve, who will save Elena?

©2017 Caroline Eriksson (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Translation © 2018 Tara F. Chace.

Was that it...?

Hmm... this book fell short but it wasn't awful. It did have a barely ok “twist” that I only realized was coming as it unfolded — I’d usually pick up on this during a book but I was prevented from doing so by not being able to engage with the story. There was depth desperately missing from the characters and the whole plot in general. The narration was good and the format of the husband’s point of view was solid. But geez, overall I expected a little more complexity. This book was almost like one of those long, drawn-out dreams a friend tells you about over dinner and drinks, the kind that ends unsatisfactorily with random tidbits that the two of you try to decipher. Then you both laugh about how weak it was despite having all the elements necessary for a complete and substantial story: thrill, mystery, intrigue, relevant subject matter – but with a hollow execution. Then you and your friend continue hashing out the parts that were lacking and how and why it fell short. This is how the whole book was except I didn’t even have the pleasure of dining with a friend and a good drink. Instead, I’m left wondering why the author didn’t pull off a more comprehensive storyline with substance, or why it just didn't come together. I wouldn’t recommend it, but I wouldn’t discourage you from getting it you’re right about to hit the buy button — just so you could make your own assessments and understand my perspective.

interesting

This was an interesting listen. I liked the twist near the end I did not predict that.

What's real, what's not?

I liked this so much, I just finished listening to it a second time. A good psychological suspense novel. Really enjoyed it, interesting storyline and main character. Definitely worth the time and credit if you like psychological fiction.