A review by melaniereadsbooks
When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Libro FM and Harper Collins (Harper Audio) for an ALC of this book.
Sydney's neighborhood in New York is going through a rapidly increasing gentrification process: neighbors are moving away, rich white people are moving in, and the friends and businesses she has known her entire life are disappearing. But even more nefarious things are afoot with what's going on, and Sydney will have to figure out what is happening if she wants to survive.
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I was completely hooked from the get-go and found myself trying to figure out exactly what the mystery was as Sydney did.
Sydney is such an interesting character. For one, she is an unreliable narrator, which I love. So is the other main character, Theo. You never know who is telling the truth and who is conveniently leaving out details.
The events that happen are so chilling. If you have ever been in a situation where you didn't trust those around you, you will be able to feel the skin prickle on your neck as you read this. I was particularly stricken by the scene with the uber and with the inspector at Sydney's house.
This story also viscerally shows the effects of microaggressions on people.
I thought this book was spine-tingling and informative! I absolutely loved it.
Sydney's neighborhood in New York is going through a rapidly increasing gentrification process: neighbors are moving away, rich white people are moving in, and the friends and businesses she has known her entire life are disappearing. But even more nefarious things are afoot with what's going on, and Sydney will have to figure out what is happening if she wants to survive.
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I was completely hooked from the get-go and found myself trying to figure out exactly what the mystery was as Sydney did.
Sydney is such an interesting character. For one, she is an unreliable narrator, which I love. So is the other main character, Theo. You never know who is telling the truth and who is conveniently leaving out details.
The events that happen are so chilling. If you have ever been in a situation where you didn't trust those around you, you will be able to feel the skin prickle on your neck as you read this. I was particularly stricken by the scene with the uber and with the inspector at Sydney's house.
This story also viscerally shows the effects of microaggressions on people.
I thought this book was spine-tingling and informative! I absolutely loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Terminal illness, Stalking, Racism, Police brutality, Murder, Kidnapping, Gun violence, and Grief