Title: Watch Me
Author: Brenda Novak
First published July 29, 2008
427 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780778325260 (ISBN10: 0778325261)
Rating: 4.2
Overview
Prepare to be on the edge of your seat with Brenda Novak’s gripping novel, Watch Me. After a devastating shooting left Sheridan Kohl with physical and emotional scars, she’s never been able to shake the trauma. When she returns to Whiterock, hoping to find closure, she’s once again targeted by the unknown assailant.
With the help of Jason’s stepbrother, Cain Granger, they work to uncover the killer’s identity. But as the taunting messages escalate, it becomes clear that the killer is someone they know.
Can Sheridan and Cain unravel the mystery before it’s too late, or will they be the next victims of a chilling game of cat and mouse?
About the Author
Brenda Novak’s journey to becoming a bestselling author began with a shocking incident. When Brenda discovered that her day-care provider had been drugging her children with cough syrup and Tylenol to make them sleep while she was away, she decided to find a way to work from home.
Although Brenda had never considered writing as a profession, she pursued it after abandoning her academic scholarship to Brigham Young University at the age of 20 to start a family. She had dabbled in commercial real estate and worked as a loan officer before teaching herself the craft of writing and finishing her first book after five years of hard work.
Brenda’s advice for aspiring writers is simple: read as much as you can. She learned how to write by reading what others had written.
Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Brenda continues to publish two or three novels annually in various genres. She lives in Sacramento with her husband and is the mother of five children.
When Brenda is not spending time with her family or writing, she’s usually raising money for diabetes research. Her youngest son, Thad, has diabetes, and Brenda has raised almost $2.6 million to help him and others like him.
She also enjoys traveling, watching sporting events, and biking – she rides an impressive 20 miles every day!
Editoral Review
Watch Me by Brenda Novak is a heart-wrenching and gripping novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Novak is a New York Times bestselling author who has written over 60 books, including romance, suspense, and women’s fiction.
In Watch Me, Novak takes a departure from her usual genre to write a fast-paced psychological thriller that delves deep into the human psyche. The story is set in a quiet and idyllic town in California and is told from the perspective of three women: Danae, a young and ambitious news reporter; Tessa, a mother struggling with grief and addiction; and Avery, a high school student with a dark past.
The plot kicks off with the disappearance of a local girl, and the three women find themselves entangled in a web of lies, secrets, and betrayals. As they each try to uncover the truth behind the girl’s disappearance, they are forced to confront their own fears, demons, and past mistakes.
Novak’s writing is impeccable, and her characterization is nuanced and realistic. Each character is fully fleshed out, and their motivations are believable and relatable.
Danae is driven and ambitious but is torn between her desire for success and her conscience. Tessa is fragile and vulnerable but is determined to get her life back on track.
Avery is rebellious and troubled but is desperate for redemption. The pacing of the novel is spot on, with just the right amount of tension and suspense to keep the reader engaged.
Novak skillfully weaves together the different plot threads, and the twists and turns are both surprising and satisfying. One of the strengths of Watch Me is the way it addresses important issues such as mental illness, addiction, and trauma.
Novak does not shy away from the complexities of these issues but tackles them head-on with compassion and sensitivity. However, there are some aspects of the novel that fall short.
The ending feels rushed and somewhat contrived, and some of the plot twists are predictable. Also, the novel does have some graphic and disturbing content that may not be suitable for all readers.
Despite these flaws, Watch Me is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that is well worth the read. It’s compelling characters and tight plot make it a standout in the psychological thriller genre.
In conclusion, I highly recommend Watch Me to fans of novels like Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, and Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers that are both suspenseful and insightful.
Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
