Review | Watching You by Lisa Jewell

In an exclusive neighbourhood, everyone keeps to themselves but watches each other. Joey lives with her new husband in her brother’s house but fantasizes about her neighbour, Tom. Jenna, a high school student, worries about her mother whose paranoia causes a disturbance in their lives. And Freddie spends his time spying and recording everyone around him, including his own parents. When a murder happens, the suspicion falls on Joey. But she is not the only one with a secret.

Because that’s the thing with getting what you want: all that yearning and dreaming and fantasizing leaves a great big hole that can only be filled with more yearning and dreaming and fantasizing.

Fast paced and addictive, I read Watching You in one sitting! The story takes place in the past where we first meet the characters and in the present during a police interview in the aftermath of a murder. The interviews are short and leaves you wanting more, especially as the identity of the victim isn’t revealed at the beginning.

The main characters are Joey, who has an intense crush on her neighbour, Tom; Tom’s son Freddie who spies on his neighbours; and Jenna, a student of Tom’s. Everyone is connected to one another with and without them realising. It’s like watching a train wreck!

The character I liked most is Jenna. She has to be responsible for her mother whose deteriorating mental health makes her believe she is being stalked by strange men. Jenna also feels responsible for her friend, who might be having an inappropriate relationship with a teacher. I didn’t find the other characters likeable; Joey acts worse than a girl with a crush and Freddie’s behaviour is disturbing. But despite my aversion to them, I found myself understanding why they behave the way they do. And their various transgressions make the mystery more compelling as any of them could be guilty – or dead.

It’s a twisty and entertaining ride to uncover the victim and subsequently the killer. Watching You deals with voyeurism, secrets, revenge and manages to juggle everything well. The writing is sharp and the dialogue feels natural. Even when the mystery is solved, it leaves you wanting more. I was left thinking about the last reveal for a long time! I look forward to reading the author’s other works.

About the author: Lisa Jewell

Photo by Christian Vasile