I really couldn’t put this one down, I don’t know if it was because the story was just that good, or I just that nosey. At first, I thought it was going to be a horror story, but it really turned out to be an informative story. The only creepy part to me was the how Nola felt she was being watched by the Hiding Man, that part creeped me. This was a slow put the pieces together build up story and as it progressed the speed of the story picked up and I was on edge and couldn’t stop reading.

This book was good! I stressed and pressed, it was like First 48, or trying to solve a cold case, I couldn’t stop until I got answers. No one could be trusted, and this was a roller coaster of a ride.
I appreciate the author for telling her own personal story of her mother’s sister Carol. I am going to have to check this author’s podcast out Going West.

Highly Recommended.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrators were great! They brought the book to life!

Thank you to Hachette Audio | Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Night Watcher is the debut novel from true-crime podcast producer, Daphne Woolsoncroft.

"Nola Strate is a late-night call-in host, listening to callers share haunting and creepy stories. One night a caller shares a familiar story and is murdered during the call. So much reminds Nola of that night twenty years ago when she came face-to-face with the killer known as The Hiding Man. And now it looks like he's back."

This debut feels like someone took their time with it. There's not a whole lot of characters. It's not dual-timeline, but you get some backstory. The killer is a mysterious but scary guy. There are some red-herrings but they don't overwhelm the story.

Helen Laser and Will Collyer team up for the audio. You know you're going to get a great effort from Laser and she delivers. Collyer does well as the detective.

It seems like more people are venturing into the book space from other content creation areas. This book is a worthy entry from a debut author. It'll be interesting to see what direction Woolsoncroft chooses next.

Wild ending in this one.

My kind of thriller! Loved the narrators and will definitely be recommending this to all my thriller loving book friends!

Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft completely delivered on everything I love in a psychological thriller. From the first few minutes of the audiobook, I was hooked. The atmosphere was thick with suspense, the pacing was spot on, and every chapter left me needing to know what would happen next.

As a person who has read a lot of thrillers, I can say this one stood out. The tension wasn’t just in the plot; it was in the emotions, the subtle fear, the unease that built steadily as the story unfolded. Woolsoncroft masterfully kept me guessing, while also making me care about the characters at the center of it all.

The narration was excellent and added a chilling realism that made it all the more gripping. I was completely immersed from beginning to end. If you're looking for a smart, spine-tingling thriller that will keep you up at night, this is it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this fantastic audiobook.

Night Watcher is a spectacularly creepy, atmospheric and suspenseful read or listen!

I enjoyed unraveling The Hiding Man's identity through true-crime podcaster Nola and police officer Jack, which included some flashbacks to when Nola first saw the murderer as a child. The strange things going missing and moving around Nola's house had me on edge trying to go to sleep in my own house, and I appreciated that the ending didn't feel cliche. Both narrators were great to listen to and really brought the story to life.

Fans of true-crime, serial killers, memories from the past coming back to the future and podcasting main characters will love this one!

Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft is a serviceable thriller that delivers just enough suspense to keep the pages turning, but ultimately doesn’t leave a lasting impression. In short, it's about a radio host haunted by her childhood encounter with a serial killer who may have resurfaced. The idea is a good one, if a bit predictable. But it sets up a chilling atmosphere, and the book does a decent job of maintaining tension throughout.

I didn't realize when I started, but the introduction mentions the author has a background in true crime podcasting. That shows through in the book’s radio show segments. She does an excellent job of making those believable and creepily ambiant. In fact, they are some of the novel's strongest elements.

Additionally, the main character, Nola, is relatable in her paranoia and determination. And the story’s central mystery has its moments of genuine suspense.

Character development is on the thin side, and while the dual perspectives add variety, the frequent switches can be jarring and sometimes disrupt the narrative flow. The writing style is straightforward and easy to follow, but lacks the polish or depth that might elevate the story beyond genre conventions.

Overall, it's an average read. Entertaining enough to pass the time, especially for fans of atmospheric thrillers, but not particularly memorable or groundbreaking.

4⭐
Genre ~ mystery/thriller
Setting ~ Oregon
Publication date ~ July 8, 2025
Publisher ~ Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio
Est Page Count ~ 332 (50 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 7 minutes
Narrators ~ Helen Laser, Will Collyer
POV ~ 1st & 3rd
Featuring ~ debut, present and past timeline, serial killer, murder, violence

When Nola was just a kid a serial killer took her babysitters life while she was watching her. They were never caught. Now it's 20 years later and she's sure the killer is back, but no one believes her. Her past timeline was in the 3rd and the present in the 1st, present tense.

We get some Him chapters that enhanced the plot, but ultimately left me unexcited because I did call it and the why was meh.

We, also, hear from Jack the detective back then, and still now. His investigative skills weren't super great, but I didn't mind him as a character.

At one point Nola's father is a possible suspect (in the blurb, not a spoiler) ~ really hated him and what made him one. Why does that have to be in so many books? Anyway, her mom and Harvey, the producer of the show, were great.

Overall, the suspense was great and I was on the edge of my drivers seat many times. Glad I listened or else I might have been looking over my shoulder quite a few times. You can tell the author is a true crime podcaster as she knew the ins and outs of the biz. A fab debut and I'll definitely keep her on my radar.

Author's note ~ adds an extra layer to the story since we learn it's inspired by a true story because her aunt disappeared, probably murdered, many years ago before she was born.

Narration notes:
They both did a great job. She sounded properly frantic and emotional when necessary. He did good, sounded a little young when in the present, but good overall.

This was my first time reading anything by Daphne Woolsoncroft.

The story follows Nola Strate, a late-night radio host whose world gets shaken when a caller brings up something that drags her straight back to a traumatic night in her past, the night her babysitter was brutally murdered. As new crimes start popping up around the city, Nola can’t shake the feeling that history might be repeating itself and 'The Hiding Man' is back.

There’s a good mix of mystery and some tension here. The story of the past slowly unraveled and showed parallel similarities. I read this one in a mix of audio and Kindle, both formats worked really well. The audiobook narrator added some emotional weight to the tense moments. That being said, something felt just a little off, it was intriguing, but not fully immersive for me. I wanted a bit more punch or surprise from the ending. Still, it was a satisfying read overall.

Thanks to Hachette Audio for the audiobook and Grand Central Publishing for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Night Watcher is a chilling serial killer thriller and the debut novel of Daphne Woolsoncroft, host of the hit true crime podcast “Go West.” The novel combines true-crime-style sleuthing with slasher-style horror. The story follows late-night show host Nola Strate, who was scarred by witnessing a masked killer slaughter her babysitter at age eight. When a woman frantically calls in to her show describing a similar masked figure she's witnessed outside her home—and is subsequently murdered—Nola suspects that the notorious “Hiding Man” has returned. With the police dismissive of her worries and her father’s odd behavior drawing suspicion, she sets out to confront the monster from her past and take him down.

This novel is highly original with its blending of true-crime podcast elements with classic 80s slasher-style horror, making it an addictive and highly bingeable read. The story is told from the dual perspectives of Nola and Jack, the police officer who’s been a friend of Nola and her dad for years. Nola’s palpable terror, along with her sheer determination to find and confront the killer who scarred her 20 years earlier, makes her POV extremely captivating and suspenseful. The POV of the killer also comes in intermittently, providing readers short, frightening glimpses into his demented psyche and his twisted plans!

Aside from Nola, Jack, and her father, the side characters only come for scenes that help advance the plot. Nola is a compelling and determined protagonist. As in most horror films, she makes (very obvious) poor choices that put her in danger—most notably returning home alone multiple times when she knows there’s big risk and not being completely honest with others about what’s been happening. Her amateur sleuthing efforts sometimes feel far-fetched, but her compelling dialogue and tense inner thoughts always keep readers fully engaged. Aside from Nola, Jack is the only other character who is well developed. His inner monologues portray him to be a very honorable man and a likeable character, and his shared history with Nola and her father adds additional layers of suspense to the story.

The pacing of the story is pretty relentless, with short chapters that often end in cliffhangers, keeping readers furiously turning the pages, needing to know how it’s all going to end! The constant, creepy tension, heightened by well-placed scares, will send shivers down readers’ spines! The story escalates in terror towards the end with some very graphic murder scenes that are not for the faint of heart—and it's best not to read those scenes right before bed! The author’s notes at the beginning and end of the book provide fascinating insight into the author’s family history with a suspected killer and give insight into how the novel came about—they're definitely worth a read as they make the story even more thought-provoking afterwards!

Overall, Night Watcher is a standout debut novel that will especially resonate with fans of slasher-style horror and true-crime. Readers looking for their next summer thriller with lots of psychological tension should immediately grab a copy of this book—and enjoy it with the lights on!

🎙️Narrator Performances🎙️:

The audiobook of Night Watcher is a thrilling listen narrated by seasoned narrators Helen Laser and Will Collyer. Helen Laser portrays protagonist Nola using a tone infused with tension, unease, and unwavering determination, perfectly capturing a character who’s rattled to the core but intent on confronting her worst fears. A constant stream of psychological tension and creepy atmospheric tension shines through Laser’s words—especially as Nola actively investigates the murders, constantly looking over her shoulder—and listeners will be glued to their headsets, addicted to finding out how it all ends! Nola’s relationships with Jack, her father, and co-host Harvey are all portrayed uniquely, with distinct voices and emotional intensity for each character. Laser’s delivery of the dialogue between Nola and her father towards the end of the story, when family secrets are revealed, is extremely compelling and gives the authentic sentiment that the father-daughter bond is still present despite their fractured relationship. Laser‘s performance in the thrilling climax is also noteworthy—her portrayal of the villain and all the terrifying drama will put listeners on nerve-wracking edge!

Will Collyer portrays (police officer) Jack with an articulate, commanding voice to accurately capture this strong, compelling character. Jack’s inner monologues, where he mulls over what he’s learned from Nola and his suspicions of her father, are perfectly executed and very convincing, adding suspense and intrigue to the story. Collyer also narrates a few chapters from the villain’s perspective, and the performance couldn’t be more different from his portrayal of Jack—the true sign of an accomplished voice actor who’s able to convincingly portray vastly different characters. The exchanges between Jack and Nola’s father, late in the story, are some of the most captivating scenes—here Collyer shifts his performance of Jack using faster pacing with elevated anger and frustration in his tone for great dramatic effect!

If you’re drawn to dual narration audiobooks where both narrators give strong performances of their characters and provide distinct, emotionally resonant voices for the side characters, then this audiobook will definitely impress you! It’s a must-listen for fans of true-crime podcasts and fast-paced, bingeable thrillers that leave a lasting impression. If you haven’t listened to either of these narrators before, you’ll immediately discover why they’re both some of the most talented & sought-after narrators in the industry!

You ever answer a call you know you shouldn’t? The kind that makes your stomach flip before you even say hello? That’s "Night Watcher." Daphne Woolsoncroft didn’t just write a debut, she dialed into your deepest fears and left a message you can’t delete. This book doesn’t knock. It slinks in through the back door, barefoot, breathing on your neck. It’s eerie. It’s intimate. It’s the kind of thriller that hijacks your sleep schedule and makes you side-eye your window. And I absolutely devoured it.

We meet Nola Strate, late-night radio host and minor emotional disaster, running "Night Watch," a paranormal call-in show in Portland, Oregon. People call in about ghosts, UFOs, shadows in the corner of their eye... you know, normal insomnia stuff. But then someone calls to report a break-in while it’s happening. And they describe the mask. His mask. The one Nola saw twenty years ago when The Hiding Man murdered her babysitter and left her alive as a souvenir.

This isn’t a metaphor. This isn’t trauma acting out. This is a serial killer back from the presumed dead with a flair for drama, a new list of victims, and one very specific loose end to tie up... Nola.

The tension here is an electric blanket set to “you’re probably not safe in your own house.” You’ve got multiple POVs (including the killer’s), dual timelines, and a Pacific Northwest setting that feels like rain-soaked dread. Woolsoncroft knows her true crime. You can feel the podcast bones in how she builds suspense, tracks the investigation, and layers grief with suspicion. It’s got that steady investigative burn, but somehow still screams. Loud.

Nola is so good as a protagonist it hurts. She’s not a final girl, she’s a first responder to her own trauma, constantly picking at the scab while trying to stay ahead of the nightmare. Her dynamic with her father (an old-school broadcaster with more red flags than a flag football game) adds depth without slowing the plot. And her simmering distrust of the cops? Deeply relatable. These men are giving “I’ll get to it when I finish my donut” energy while women keep dying.

The audiobook is fire. Helen Laser captures Nola’s steady unraveling so viscerally I felt secondhand insomnia. Will Collyer plays the neighbor slash detective wildcard with enough quiet menace to keep you guessing. And Daphne herself slips into the mic like she’s never left. It’s a true-cast horror blend that works... no overproduction, just enough unease to make you glance over your shoulder during every chapter.

Also, can we talk about the romance subplot? Because yes, I liked it. I wanted more of it. Give me two emotionally damaged people finding comfort in each other while tiptoeing through serial killer drama like it’s a trust fall exercise with knives. The tension was there, the moments were tender, but I needed just a few more beats to really sell it. Let them kiss in a closet while the world burns. I support it.

Let’s talk about the big reveal. Was I shocked? Not really. Was I satisfied? Mostly. But I wanted it to slice deeper. I craved that gut-punch twist, the kind that ties everything back to Nola so tight it bruises. The clues were there, the setup was solid, but when the mask finally came off... I wanted a scream, not a sigh. That said, this book still slapped. Four stars, no question. It had me doom-refreshing my security cam app and flinching at shadows in my hallway. It’s fog-drenched, grief-laced, tension-loaded dread. The kind of creepy that lingers like something left unsaid.

Whodunity Award: For the Masked Maniac Who Refused to Stay Dead (Or Subtle)

Huge thanks to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for letting me eavesdrop on this nightmare early. And to Helen Laser, Will Collyer, and Daphne Woolsoncroft... you delivered goosebumps, chaos, and dread in surround sound.

For a debut thriller, this was pretty good. The plot was engaging & the MC was likable. I also think think killer's description was done well, giving the book a creepy vibe. I wish I could rate it higher, but the "big reveal" was far too bland. I kept thinking of fun scenarios of who it could be, but, once I found out, I thought "Oh, that's it?" 😒 There wasn't enough development of that character, who didn't really feel like a character at all, for them to matter. We got a few chapters from the killer's perspective. If there had been more of those throughout the book, I think it would've made the ending more exciting. So, while not one of my favorites, I would absolutely check out the next book by this author.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for my ARC of this story.
It's rare that I like a thriller nowadays, but the premise of Night Watcher sounded perfect for me, and I wasn't disappointed. I flew through this audiobook in less than a day. It was written in a way that kept me wanting to just listen to one more chapter. The late-night, spooky radio show element was what drew me in, and I'm happy to say that it really delivered. Along with a satisfactory delivery of what was promised in the synopsis, Night Watchers has likeable characters across the board, genuinely unsettling scenes, and a mostly satisfying conclusion to the mystery. The reveal of the killer was slightly anticlimactic to me, but again, that's how I feel about a lot of thrillers.
I highly recommend the audiobook. Having dual narrators and the author narrate the forward and afterward made the listening experience very immersive and entertaining. This was a great debut, and I'm looking forward to what Daphne Woolsoncroft puts out in the future.

Daphne please keep writing books!!

Nola is a late night radio host. When she was younger, a serial killer killed her babysitter. From then one, she was traumatized by the hiding man.

Nola feels like she’s being stalked. After someone calls in to the radio show about an intruder in their home, she believes the hiding man is back and is coming for her. Who is behind the hiding man’s mask? Nola decides to find out.

This story was so addicting. I couldn’t put this book down. There were so many twists and so much going on! I was SHOCKED by the ending. I honestly had no idea who the hiding man was!

Daphne really knows how to keep readers attention and pull you into the story. I did want the book to end! If you want a chilling and addicting read, I’d definitely recommend this book!

I was so excited when I received the eARC! I knew I needed to listen to audiobook!

Rating: ✨✨✨✨ ✨
Publication Date: July 8 2025

Thank you NetGalley, Daphne and Hachette Audio for the ALC!

4.25🌟

A late-night radio show, a chilling mask, and a killer on the hunt. This dark little treat of a debut thriller was an absolute blast.

Right from the opening chapter, I was intrigued. The tension and unease were really well done, and I feel like the audiobook totally elevated the experience on this one.

Told in dual POVs with dual narrators and across dual timelines, Night Watcher keeps you guessing the whole way through. At around 70 percent, I was feeling pretty smug, thinking I had the big twist all figured out but nope. I will say the reveal didn’t completely shock me, but the story definitely took a turn I wasn’t expecting and I’m not sure I was completely sold initially on it, but it grew on me and the more I thought about it, the more I liked it.

I really liked Nola, she’s smart, relatable, and easy to root for. The serial killer’s “hiding man” perspective added the perfect creepy touch. And those total Scooby-Doo vibes with the whole “Who’s under the mask?” energy. I was absolutely here for it. Great tension.

This book also serves as a little life reminder that a little kindness goes a long way. 👀Mwahahahahaha

Daphne Woolsoncroft you are officially on my watchlist.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and Daphne Woolsoncroft for this advance listen copy in exchange for my honest review.

It’s a yes for me! 🖤

DeAnn @deannsreadingriot

This one was CREEPY and I loved it. The audio was perfection and totally added to the vibe of the story. I found that I was legitimately freaked out and it’s been the longest time since a thriller has done that her me. I also absolutely loved the true crime aspect and the fact that the storyline traverses both Nola’s job as its host and her personal life.

This was mind blowing and SO SCARY! Night Watcher will definitely be in my top reads of this year.

Nola Strate is the host of Night Watch, a popular radio call in show that she inherited from her author dad. When she was eight years old, Nola discovered her babysitter murdered in her house. The suspected killer was notorious serial killer, The Hiding Man. The monster left a note for Nola, mentioning that he would be watching her. Now she is an adult and has put that trauma and fear behind her. But someone is killing young women again and the murders resemble the Hiding Man’s method. Is he back?

Daphne Woolsoncroft is the host of the popular true crime podcast Going West and you can tell she knows what she’s talking about inside the pages of this book. This was an expertly crafted horror novel that creeped me out while reading at night. It was dark, chilling, and twisted and I highly recommend all thriller and horror readers add this one to their TBR. In her acknowledgements, the author promises to write another book and I can’t wait for it!

The audio narration was fantastic performed by Helen Laser, Will Collyer, and Daphne Woolsoncroft.

Thank you Netgalley, Hachette Audio, and the author for this ALC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on July 8, 2025

If you're looking for a spooky, creepy, stalker/serial killer vibe, this book is for you!

Nola Strate came close to losing her life when she was a child. Now, 20 years later, events are happening that point to the serial killer, who they've dubbed The Hiding Man, and Nola doesn't feel safe at all. Is he coming for her? How can she stop him before he hurts someone else?

This one draws you in quickly and doesn't release its hold until the end. I would say this is more thriller than horror, but overall, it's a great read, especially for a debut novel.

Thank you to Hachette Audio, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for this great audiobook, which was really well done/narrated.

I would totally read the next novel by this author!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft, narrated by Helen Laser, Will Collyer, and Daphne Woolsoncroft

Daphne Woolsoncroft’s Night Watcher is a taut, atmospheric thriller that blurs the line between true crime obsession and personal reckoning. Set in rain-soaked Portland, Oregon, the novel follows Nola Strate—a late-night radio host who listens to other people’s ghost stories for a living—until one call dredges up her own. Years after surviving an encounter with a serial killer known as The Hiding Man, Nola begins to suspect he’s returned. And this time, he’s not just a voice in the dark—he’s watching her.

What makes this audiobook stand out is its layered performance. Helen Laser brings a grounded vulnerability to Nola, capturing the tension between her public persona and private paranoia. Will Collyer adds texture as the mysterious neighbor and potential ally—or threat—lurking next door. And Woolsoncroft herself steps in with chilling precision, voicing excerpts that echo the eerie intimacy of her true crime podcast roots.

The narrative is steeped in dread, but it’s not just about the fear of being hunted—it’s about the fear of not being believed. Woolsoncroft deftly explores themes of trauma, media spectacle, and generational secrets, all while keeping the plot tightly coiled. The pacing is cinematic, the dialogue sharp, and the setting—foggy, wet, and full of shadows—feels like a character in its own right.

For fans of The Night Swim or Home Before Dark, Night Watcher is a haunting listen that taps into our collective fascination with the monsters we think we’ve left behind. And with this trio of narrators guiding the way, it’s a story that lingers long after the final call.

*3.5 Stars*

Nola Strate is the radio host for the late-night show, Night Watch. Callers give their stories of hauntings or UFO sightings, but when a caller believes that a ghost haunts her and abruptly disconnects, the caller's description of the "ghost" brings back memories for Nola. When Nola was a teen, she narrowly escaped a serial killer known as The Hiding Man. After the show, Nola believes that she is being followed and might be The Hiding Man's next victim. When the detective in her old case doesn't take her concerns seriously, Nola is determined to find out who this serial killer is before it's too late.

Night Watcher is a fantastic debut. This story immediately drew me in and was full of suspense. I enjoyed listening to Nola's story as she tried to figure out the identity of The Hiding Man and why he was back after all these years. Although there were several twists and turns throughout this book, the conclusion was somewhat predictable. Overall, this was a captivating thriller, and I am excited to see what Daphne Woolsoncroft writes next.

Night Watcher is out on July 8th.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the opportunity to review Night Watcher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wooowee! Looks like we have a perfect book for Summerween! In all seriousness, it was suspenseful and thrilling! It did slow down with such a promising build up but it didn't take away from the overall plot.

Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for an arc!