⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨ (4.5/5)

Thanks to Hachette Audio / Grand Central Publishing for my #gifted copy of this one.

TBH, I wasn’t really expecting much with this audiobook because with horror/thrillers I usually strike out in finding decent books. IMO horror has got to be one of THE hardest genres to write. It’s just so subjective, it’s success is based on what the readers like in a horror novel and that’s tough because horror is such a unique group of readers and what people fear varies drastically from person to person. This was so good and nailed the thriller-horror vibe.

The characters were great so was the audio narration. I really enjoyed seeing this one play out.

This book could’ve ended with the
“Worst Detective Ever & Biggest
Asshole” mugs…but I liked how it ended too. I mean the mugs and what they represented, ya just don’t get much better than that. If this ever gets made into a movie and the mugs don’t make the cut I’ll rage. #chefskiss. It was such a nice touch.

Night Watcher was Sooooo good!!! Definitely had more of a serious mystery vibe, which I absolutely love. It is definitely my jam read!! This book has a really interesting premise the author in real life is a true crime podcaster and she writes her heroine Nola Strate as a podcast host. Nola witnessed a traumatic murder when she was 8 and now 20 years later the murderer might be back. And this time he might be trying to finish what he started that night. The plot, moves at a breakneck pace with a constant feeling of dread. I was in the edge of my seat listening to this book and was biting my nails from start to finish. I literally can’t wait to read it to see how it compares to the audio which is masterfully done with top notch narration thst truly brings the story to life. I was so sure I had it figured out early on but wow was I thrilled to not only find out I was wrong it tied back to twists from the beginning when Nola was questioning her sanity and memory. Let me just say masterfully played so well done! It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel although there are hints to the author having two books I couldn’t find the other one. Sad day for real but I did totally happily find her podcast which is a great listen to any true crime fans. Also just to reiterate the podcast angle was an excellent unique twist which in my opinion adds realism to the amateur sleuthing which can be overdone and border on the unrealistic. However, as a crime podcaster this did not seem out of Nola’s scope and left her with only thin threads to follow that didn’t snap together until the final battle. Another aspect I really enjoyed nothing was overdone and left you wondering how point A and B came together. Super creepy book that has you double and triple locking all the windows n doors n wondering if security cameras are a good or bad thing! And for all those things that go bump in the night let’s all find a little Nite Watcher inside of us! Definitely highly recommend this one!

Night Watcher is wonderfully scary and deeply unsettling. The story feels too real at times, which only makes it more chilling. The tension builds steadily and never lets up. I was completely hooked! If you are looking for a smart, psychological horror that gets under your skin, this one delivers.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the chance to listen to this book in exchange for my opinion.

Narrator was wonderful! I enjoyed this story, it was creepy but not super scary. I kept (wrongly) guessing who I thought the killer was and it was a fun, quick read. Thank you!

. I just read my two favorite books of the year back to back, and Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft absolutely earns its place at the top. This debut is phenomenal—the kind of thriller you cancel plans for just so you can keep reading. Out July 8, and mark my words, this will be the book everyone is buzzing about this summer.

Written by the host of the true crime podcast Going West, this book knows how to build tension. It’s fast, chilling, and deeply atmospheric, with the trifecta I look for in a perfect thriller: airtight pacing, relentless tension, and a killer twist I didn’t see coming.

We follow Nola Strate, a late-night radio host who once survived a terrifying encounter with a serial killer known as The Hiding Man. Years later, she’s rebuilt her life—until eerie things start happening again, and a chilling phone call to her show sends her spiraling back into fear. Is he back? Is someone playing games? Or is the truth even darker?

I loved the media angle, the foggy Oregon setting, and the way Woolsoncroft blends true crime podcast energy with psychological suspense. If you loved None of This Is True, this one needs to be on your radar.

I liked this. It was a fast and easy read. I definitely had times where I was creeped out. The audiobook has great narrators and they really pulled me in. I think conflict was resolved a little too easy, but overall I had a good time.

Links to come

After a near miss and a traumatizing experience with a serial killer called the Hiding Man during her childhood, Nola Strate has rebuilt her life with plenty of safeguards in place. This includes taking over Night Watch, her father's radio show, now dedicated to various creepy experiences and events.

But when she starts to believe that she has a stalker, and that perhaps her nemesis has returned to haunt her, Nola realises that she must do whatever is necessary to save herself...

Chilling, entertaining and atmospheric, Nola is an appealing protagonist, and this will appeal to fans of serial killer stories. This is worth checking out.

what a blast this book was!!! Started with a bang, I was hooked literally from the first chapter. Great narration by both narrators, this was my first audiobook ever and I was not disappointed. Skimming through the chapters I completed it very fast. Overall, the book was well written, only a few points here and there as some things were there that I was not able to make sense of. Loved the MFC and I was totally clueless about who the serial killer would be and the end was a complete shocker for me. It was just what I needed at the moment as I was going through a reading slump.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Hachetteaudio for the audiobook. All and all, a solid 4-star read for me.

oh my god this book was so good !!!! 🤩 the kill and death scenes were chilling and the mystery went in so many different directions. The vibes were just so good I felt like I was watching a slasher movie!! Def recommend this one !! And the narration was amazing too.

This was a really great listen. It has the perfect amount of eerie creepiness with an intriguing story. It’s a great combination of a the crime story coupled with a frightening psychological thriller. The narrators did a fantastic job and kept me totally immersed in the story.

I loved this book. It was creepy, fast-paced, and totally addictive from page one. The radio call-in twist was genius and made everything feel so real and personal. The suspense built perfectly and I was second guessing everyone by the end.

Nola is such a strong lead. You feel her fear, her trauma, and her determination to face the nightmare she thought she’d left behind. The Hiding Man storyline gave me chills.

Also, I’ve been a longtime listener of Daphne Woolsoncroft’s true crime podcast, so I was already a fan before this book. You can tell she knows her stuff. The way she writes tension and fear is so sharp and unsettling in the best way.

One of the best debuts I’ve read in a while. If you’re into serial killer thrillers with a chilling premise and a strong female lead, Night Watcher is a must.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 — completely hooked!
Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft was everything I want in an audiobook and more. A thriller with horror vibes, multiple POVs, and zero dull moments? Sign me upppp. I usually struggle to stay focused on audiobooks, but this one had me hooked from the very first chapter — no zoning out, no rewinding, just utter immersion.

The narrators (Helen Laser, Will Collyer, and the author herself) absolutely nailed it. The pacing was spot on, the characters were likable, the tone was easy to follow and easy to keep up with who was who, and every chapter pulled me deeper in. I even caught myself thinking about the story when I wasn’t listening — and that never happens. I honestly didn’t want it to end.

If you’re into fast-paced thrillers with just the right amount of creepy, add this to your TBR ASAP.

what an awesome debut! I could not stop listening once I started since I needed to know how it ended! I loved the dual narratives and the horrifying descriptions of the Hiding Man. I will absolutely be on the look out for this author's next book.

Creepy, twisty, and totally binge-worthy!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Daphne Woolsoncroft for the chance to listen to Night Watcher early, what a ride!

This audiobook hooked me right from the first eerie call to Nola’s late-night radio show. The Portland setting, with its foggy nights and unsettling silence, set the perfect backdrop for this slow-burning thriller. Nola Strate is a fantastic protagonist. Smart, guarded, and deeply shaped by her past trauma. Her work as a call-in radio host adds a unique twist, with listener stories that blur the line between coincidence and warning.

The real strength of Night Watcher? The twists. Just when I thought I had a handle on what was happening, something shifted. There were a few moments I had to rewind just to make sure I heard that right! The pacing is steady but picks up momentum in the last few chapters, leading to a finale that had me holding my breath.

If you’re into dark thrillers with a paranormal edge and a resilient heroine, Night Watcher should be on your radar. Just maybe don’t listen to it late at night... alone. 👀

🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 Great debut with continued twists and unfolding throughout. Loved the pace and reveal. Such a good read. Audiobook quality was good as well!

Wow, where do I even start with this? This book actually had me blocking my doors and checking my blinds to make sure that nobody was outside watching me. I am a thriller and Horror lover, and I rarely ever get scared of things, but this book in this author’s voice Made me terrified. Both of them. Did such an amazing job. I absolutely enjoyed the whole story. This was a very fast pace and an addictive read. I will definitely be posting about this one on my Instagram. I am absolutely obsessed with it. Thank you so so much to NetGallery for this wonderful audiobook you can never go wrong with a scary thriller!

Gripping, shocking, thrilling, and mesmerizing, the Night Watcher was an addictive read! This one had the hair standing up on the back of my neck! Nola Strate is the host of Night Watch, a late-night radio show in Portland, Oregon. Callers to her show discuss hauntings and sightings. One night a woman called in and said an intruder was in her home, and it scared the daylights out of Nola. The eerie phone call brought back memories of the frightening and deadly night that a man entered her home and killed her babysitter while she called for help upstairs. Since then, Nola has tried to forget the horrific night when The Hiding Man killed her babysitter.

Whew! This book was awesome! I loved the tension; the mounting sense of dread and danger were off the charts. As Nola begins to feel that she is being watched and her concerns that The Hiding Man is back and after her, her fear was oozing from the pages. She becomes hypervigilant and with strange sighting at her next door neighbors home, she is beyond frightened. She turns to her father for support while others look at him as being a suspect!

I loved not knowing who could be trusted! I tried my best to figure out the identity of The Hiding Man but never guessed it! This was so hard to put down! I was glued to the pages and on the edge of my seat! What a thrilling and shocking roller coaster ride this book became!

Mysterious, pulse pounding and hard to put down! Highly Recommend.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrators were fantastic! They did an amazing job of bringing this book to life!

Nola Strate works at a late-night radio show called Night Watch, following in her father's steps before her. She listens to callers retell their stories of hauntings and cryptic sightings. One stormy night a caller describes a scene that triggers memories Nola has stored away from when she escaped a serial killer as a girl. Unfortunately, her babysitter that long ago night was not as lucky and became a victim of The Hiding Man. As the caller anxiously is telling of an intruder in her home real time, Nola can't help but feel it is The Hiding Man back to stalk her again. With a mysterious neighbor lurking in the shadows, more people getting hurt, and the police not taking her concerns seriously Nola decides that she needs to uncover the masked face that has haunted her for years. Evidence is pointing to someone all too close to her, but she has to know the truth of The Hiding Man.

I have been seeing quite a bit of buzz building about this one and was excited to get the audiobook from NetGalley for review. Told with dual timeline from Nola's past and present as well as multiple POV from Nola, The Killer, and a detective investigating the case, the book keeps you on your toes as the mystery unfolds. It delivered the creepy stalker vibes that have you feel like someone could be hiding around any corner and I was hooked. I would label it a thriller/horror read. It is written by Daphne Woolsoncroft, who hosts a true crime podcast and while I haven't listened to her show before, I will be checking it out. This book was well written and I'm sure that same writing is carried over from her experience writing for her podcast. A great debut novel and I can't wait to see future books from her!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the audiobook for review.

I am thankful to have been able to receive this arc as an audiobook and it was a good mystery. The story had me both intrigued and at other times confused as it talked about so many extra things. Overall the book was really good and I enjoyed listening to it. The ending had me shocked.

Night Watcher follows Nola, a radio host, who escaped from a notorious serial killer as a child. When a strange call comes into her studio leading Nola to believe that the killer is back, she takes it upon herself to track down the killer before he strikes out at her family again.

This book was fine. I say that with kind ambivalence. Night Watcher is a book I've read before - only surviving (woman) to ever see a serial killer is targeted later in life by the same killer. While there's nothing wrong with this premise, it has been done before. The thing about this book that left me feeing so bland towards it is that it does nothing to separate itself from the crowd.

At the time of writing, there are still a few months until the release of the book. I won't make severe judgements or spoil anything in this review as there is still time for things to change.

Narration in this audiobook is nicely done and I enjoyed the different voices that the narrator used to differentiate characters. Nothing over-the-top happening here, but a pleasant voice doing a perfectly good narration. There isn't much to dislike here.

The biggest pitfall here, in my opinion, is that I never felt connected to or interested in the characters. I felt like I barely knew anything about them and wished that they developed more over the course of the story. Nola felt exactly the same at the end as she did at the beginning and Jack (who also gets a few chapters from his perspective) was barely there. Frankly, I felt his perspective could really have been left out altogether in favor of Chick's instead. The only purpose of his chapters was to get the reader into the interview room, and I think writing from Chick's perspective instead would have built the tension a bit more.

The plot of this was perfectly fine and the scene where the caller rings into the radio station and sets off the events of the book is definitely chilling and he writing didn't have me tripping up or questioning the dialogue at any point. I just simply wasn't enamored with this one.