Melville Heights is a well to do neighbourhood in Bristol, England. But there are always secrets behind closed doors aren't there? And there most definitely are some in Melville Heights...
The local headmaster Tom Fitzwilliam is loved by his students, faculty and most of his neighbors. Joey, a married neighbor wants to get a little closer. Jenna, one of his students is quite sure he's nowhere near what he purports to be. Jenna's mother agrees - and watches the Fitzwilliam house. Diary entries from the past give the reader even more food for thought. As well as police interview transcripts. Inside the Fitzwilliam house, Tom's son Freddie, keeps watch as well from his upstairs bedroom window. He takes photos and keeps detailed notes.
Oh, Lisa Jewell puts a wonderful spin on the concept of Neighborhood Watch! We know there's a crime from the opening prologue. Jewell then takes us back to before the crime. Watching You is told from various viewpoints - mostly Joey, Jenna and Freddie. Despite his watching being the 'creepiest' - I enjoyed Freddie's observations the most. His outlook isn't predatory, but is instead driven by his desire to join MI5.
Jewell manipulates the reader's expectations, giving us lots of reasons to think one way, while all the while laying the groundwork for an unexpected (and clever) finale. Well played Lisa Jewell!
I chose to listen to Watching You. Gabrielle Glaister was the reader and she did a fantastic job. Her voice is expressive and changed to reflect who was speaking. Her accent suited the book and was very easy to understand. Her tone is lower and is pleasing to listen to. She was a new-to-me narrator that I would listen to again. Listen to an excerpt of Watching You.
Watching You was an excellent listen. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I always feel immersed in a story when I listen. Five stars for Watching You.
I read this in print and really liked it too.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely planning on reading this one and now that you've praised the audio - might do it that way.
ReplyDeleteI have read it yet.
ReplyDeleteWas lucky enough to get a free copy. My first book by this author & it was terrific. What an ending!
ReplyDeleteLoved this, must read some of her other books now 😊
I was gifted an advanced copy of this book. It was so good. I stayed up late to read it!
ReplyDeleteBermudaonion - glad to hear you enjoyed it as well!
ReplyDeleteWritepaper - I hope you get a chance to read it.
Icewineanne - free copy! Always a plus - even better when you really like the book. You'll enjoy the first two as well.
Dianna - lucky you as well! Yes, it was a 'stay up late' book!