Watching You

By: Michael Robotham

Narrated by: Sean Barrett

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best-selling author Michael Robotham brings us face-to-face with a manipulative psychopath who has destroyed countless lives and is about to claim one final victim.

Marnie Logan often feels like she's being watched: A warm breath on the back of her neck, or a shadow in the corner of her eye that vanishes when she turns her head.

She has reason to be frightened. Her husband Daniel has inexplicably vanished, and the police have no leads in the case. Without proof of death or evidence of foul play, she can't access his bank accounts or his life insurance. Depressed and increasingly desperate, she seeks the help of clinical psychologist Joe O'Loughlin.

O'Loughlin is concerned by Marnie's reluctance to talk about the past and anxious to uncover what Marnie is withholding that could help with her treatment. The breakthrough in Marnie's therapy and Daniel's disappearance arrives when Marnie shares with O'Loughlin her discovery of the Big Red Book, a collage of pictures, interviews, and anecdotes from Marnie's friends and relatives that Daniel had been compiling as part of a surprise birthday gift.

Daniel's explorations into Marnie's past led him to a shocking revelation on the eve of his disappearance: Anyone who has ever gotten close to Marnie has paid an exacting price. A cold-blooded killer is eliminating the people in Marnie's life, and now that O'Laughlin is a part of it, he is next in line.

©2013 Michael Robotham (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Now I'm Hooked!

Robotham blew me away with Bombproof, a novel I will never forget, so I was determined to keep trying to find one similar. This one delivered on many accounts. It's well written, wonderfully performed, and features a superb mystery that kept me guessing all the way.

I admit I'm a sap for characters I can either identify with or admire. This features a great heroine, a crusty retired detective and of course Joe O'Laughlin. There's great synergy between the characters and the mystery itself.

I flew threw this one....

28 of 29 people found this review helpful

Chilling, Suspenseful, Well Done!

When trying out a new author, there is always a risk of wasting time and credits, and getting very annoyed. Not with this one!

It was an enjoyable listen from the beginning--the narrator has a great voice and really brings on the creepiness when needed. About 3/4 of the way through, I was pretty proud of myself for figuring out who the killer was, and how it all tied together. I put the iPod down and left if for a few hours thinking "well I've solved this one"

NOT EVEN CLOSE!

If you are looking for a good mystery that keeps you guessing until the end-this is it. I now will try other books by this author, and hope they are just as well written as this one.

22 of 23 people found this review helpful

Wow!

This is the first book I've read by this author - just finished a few minutes ago and I am downloading another of his books as I type this. Had me in suspense until the very end and I don't think there was any "advance guessing" that you could do and be correct. Really liked the narration, he is a good story teller but not one that puts you to sleep. Great Book!

20 of 21 people found this review helpful

Robotham's Best Book By Far for Me!

Would you consider the audio edition of Watching You to be better than the print version?

Although I didn't read the printed version, the audio kept me engaged from the beginning to the end. I love the narrator's voice and it was a very good story line.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Joe O'Laughlin. I enjoy his analysis of things and his interesting battle with "Mr Parkinson".

What does Sean Barrett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love his voice and how he brings life to each of the characters. Although I am not crazy about his female voice impression.....I really like Joe and Ruiz.

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

I could have but it was much better listening a little each day on my way to and from work as it gave me a sense of anticipation to look forward to each day. There were a few days I actually sat in my garage listenting because I didn't want to turn it off at that point.

Any additional comments?

I have listened to almost all of Robotham's Joe O'Laughlin books and this is my favorite. I truly liked all of them though. He has become one of my favorite authors.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Wow. With an asterisk.

This is my second Robotham novel, having just finished Bombproof. Like that novel, "Watching You" is very well written and tightly plotted. Characters are three-dimensional, natural and interesting. Very little was predictable and the usual cliches avoided. Both books kept me turning the pages right to the end.

So, intelligent thrillers for readers who appreciate having their own intelligence respected. What's not to like?

For me, it's characters who don't control their own destiny and are instead buffeted around by circumstances or victims of a relentless string of poor choices. This was particularly true of Bombproof, but also largely the case with the chief protagonist in this novel, and while all this behavior is well supported by the plot, I find it frustrating. "Weak but interesting" just isn't enough for me.

I'm probably going to give Robotham another go because he's such a good writer and storyteller and those are all too thin on the ground. But if, again, I get repeatedly knocked around by circumstances as I follow the protagonist through the book, I'm done.

But that's me. Maybe you won't mind.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Don't get complaisant when you listen....

If you could sum up Watching You in three words, what would they be?

Don't get complaisant.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Watching You?

The very, very end.

What does Sean Barrett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Excellent narrator, though he really can't sound like a four-year-old boy and shouldn't try.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The final lines gave me chills.

Any additional comments?

I'm going right back for another book by this author!

13 of 15 people found this review helpful

Yes Yes Finally a Good Book!

After listening to too many so -so books that were not even worth reviewing, finally I've come across a book that I loved. This book held my interest throughout. The mystery was engaging and kept me thinking and the characters were well rounded. Yes this is a goodie, a real good mystery that will surprise you right to the end; and I didn't want it to end.

15 of 18 people found this review helpful

Twists and Turns Galore

MR's Joe O'Loughlin series continues to entertain and give the brain a good workout trying to figure out who the villain is. I've thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series.

11 of 13 people found this review helpful

A Great Mystery

This was certainly one heck of a psychological mystery book. Hail to the author & the narrator. And I will admit I was stumped on every single turn. As a psychologist I tried to figure it out, was successful in some cases others not so well. But I wasn’t expecting such a plot. This book is well written & Barrett (narrator) pushed it over the top for a stellar listen. The only problem I can see now is how do you top this? I especially like the fact Michael Robotham had me cheering for the hero(s) & hollering at the villains. Bravo. And I won’t reveal the pop up ending. Do read & be pulled in like me.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Held My Interest...

I enjoy the books of Michael Robotham; well-written with good character development. This one really held my interest, although I found it a bit over the top. Regardless, I've recently had problems finding a good read so this came along at an opportune time. I will continue to read this author.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful