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Happy #PubWeek to 𝑵𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻 𝑾𝑨𝑻𝑪𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝒃𝒚 𝑫𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒏𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒕, graciously #gifted to be by @grandcentralpub & @hachetteaudio via @netgalley!

I am not a call-in or podcast listener, however, I am discovering that I find it utterly entertaining to read about them. The writing format seems to explore the reasons people begin them, why they listen, and how they can both help and hurt. I find this all fascinating.

In this tale, Nola is a late-night host of a radio program and gets a very unnerving call. She is immediately flashing back to a childhood trauma and is sure she is being stalked after even more unsettling events. She is beginning to look at everyone suspiciously as evidence begins to point toward her father. She has to get to the bottom of it before a past ghost strikes again.

I am finding my favorite combo of hearing and seeing the words I read to be ideal for this. Helen Laser and Will Colyer expertly navigate the perspectives and portray the growing tension well.

I did enjoy this suspenseful read, and had no idea when the reveal came. It felt a bit anticlimactic to me for some reason, but I appreciated the motives behind it and how this book explored that a bit, giving a teeny bit of humanity to the villain. I loved the red herrings, especially one of which I cannot speak, lest I spoil it. The old adage of not judging a book (which makes everyone a possibility! ).

I would definitely recommend this story in either format for fans of suspense.

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The main character, Nola, hosts a true crime radio/podcast called "Night Watcher."
Nola witnessed her babysitter's murder by a masked man when she was eight years The killer is known as "The Hiding Man" and wears a mask. He leaves a note saying he'll be watching her.Nola feels like she's being watched and believes the killer has returned.Murders start occurring that mirror the cases Nola covers on her show.
It's chilling, creepy, and completely addictive.if you want a good thriller please pick this book up! Thank you NetGalley !!

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Wow! This book really spooked me even if I was listening to it during daytime. The narrator did a really great job with the story.

I was glad I requested this book because I really enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher Hachette Audio.

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Honestly spooked me a little which never happens! So far this is my thriller of the year and honestly, the best thriller I can remember reading in YEARS. Nola is a compelling main character, the podcast element works well, and The Hiding Man is legitimately scary. It's kinda found footage, it's kinda home invasion, and it's kinda quiet stalking; all horror elements that I love and are more popular in film than in literature but here... it's pure cinema*! (*no really I would watch this movie so fast)

Also, the narration for the audiobook is SO GOOD. You really have to walk a fine line narrating thrillers to convey the right amount of tension without becoming melodramatic and both of the narrators hit the nail on the head.

ALC received from Netgalley and publisher

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ARC REVIEW- *posing late* (7/8/25): night watcher by daphne woodsoncroft 🔪 the only surviving victim of a long-dormant serial killer who becomes shockingly aware that he has returned to her hometown in the pacific northwest.

being so honest, when I learned this was written by a podcaster, I wrote it off… I quickly realized I should've NEVER done that. night watcher was CHILLING 👀 I made the mistake of starting this audiobook at night. as a girly who lives in a house alone, just like our fmc, you best believe I was double checking my locks & looking behind my doors as soon as the sun went under.

🩸 there were multiple murders in this foggy small town, suspicious neighbors who lurk in the shadows, a small budding romance between a radio host/producer and a serial killer who fancies a riddle. my only want was getting a bigger punch from the ending.

the audiobook was fantastic! the narrators had me SO immersed in this thriller you would've found me cowering under my covers. I want to get my hands on a physical copy to see the spooky illustration talked about in the acknowledgments!!

thank you hachette audio for the alc! do you know the hiding man? 💓 4.5 stars!

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Nola was a child when her babysitter was viciously murdered by a serial killer. Nola is forever haunted by the event and the terrifying message that the killer left for her. Twenty years later Nola is the co-host of a popular podcast. Then one evening, a strange call into the podcast, unnerves Nola, who then fears that the serial killer is back.

The premise of the novel reads like a generic thriller, yet due to the excellent characterization of Nola, it made me engage with the story and I found it an entertaining read.
I liked the narrative technique of having Nola’s past timeline in the third person and her present timeline in the first. This helped show the distinction between the two timelines and stopped confusion for the reader/listener.

I have listened to Daphne Woolsoncroft’s podcast ‘Going West ‘ that she both hosts and produces. I have always respected her ability to tell a true crime story, in a away that both captivates the listener, but respects the victims of those crimes.

I really appreciated the inclusion of Daphne’s note, as I was unaware of the disappearance (and believed murder of her Aunt). Hearing from the perspective of someone who has been directly affected by crime, added an extra layer to the narration and story.

I enjoyed that the story focused on Nola and those affected by crime, rather then the perpetrator. The perpetrator was nothing special, just a psychopath with a desire to kill. I enjoyed the odd chapter being from his perspective, but I am glad that his narrative did not saturate the story. The main focus was the protagonist Nola, whose story of survival was what I was invested in. Sadly, the reality is that a victims of a crimes are often overshadowed and immortalized by their perpetrator. I respected that the book didn’t delve a great detail in to the perpetrator and he was almost a background character in Nola’s story.

I consumed the novel via audiobook and it was a most enjoyable to listen to. The narrator’s did an excellent job and gripped me by conveying the emotions of the characters in a believable manner.

My only critiques are that the ending was somewhat anticlimactic and the length of the story could have been shortened. Apart from that, I have no complaints about the book.
I would like to thank NetGallery, Grand Central Publishing, Hatchet Audio and the author, Daphne Woolsoncroft, for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy.

I thoroughly recommend reading/listening to ‘Night Watcher’, it will grip you and may even cause you to have a few sleepless nights!

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After seeing some glowing reviews, I decided to request Night Watcher. It wasn't for me for a few reasons, but take it with a grain of salt since a lot of folks loved it.

I'm not as into serial killer thrillers anymore, so that's a me problem. I think it will have to be something special and really unique for me to get back into that sub-genre. This one felt like others I've read. Friends said it was super creepy. I could see that in some scenes. Nola's childhood experiences as well as the final scene were intense. Otherwise it felt pretty normal.

I don't mean to nitpick writing since I'm not an author and appreciate people putting books out into the world. And typically, I don't even really notice writing styles or know how to put my finger on what I like or dislike. However, here I felt like someone consulted a thesaurus to use bigger words and added clunky extra descriptions like when I needed to write longer papers in school.

Helen Laser is great, so I knew if I was going to try it that it would via audio. I do recommend that format for audio fans.

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3.5 STARS

Impressive debut. A little slow in the middle but the ending was well done. I would recommend the audio book as the multiple narrators have great presence.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for my arc in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

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This is the one time where I’m glad that I listened to peer pressure and requested this audiobook but I loved it so much! I’m a huge true crime junkie, so knowing that the author hosts a true crime podcast and has such a strong connection to a true crime herself sold me as well.

This story gripped me from the very beginning. I love a good thriller story, especially one that keeps me on my toes and guessing about who the killer could be. I’m usually really good at figuring out who the villain is, but this one had me questioning everyone, including myself (not as the killer just my judgement lol).

The narrators were A1! Both of them embodied the characters and gave each one their own unique personality and voice. The production was clear and well executed. I had an amazing experience listening to this story and so glad I went the audiobook route because it elevated my experience with the story.

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I received an advance copy of this audio book for review. It’s a quick read/listen and I loved it! I must admit, for a moment, I was questioning if several of the folks we knew were the killer. I loved how it was framed, drawn out and wrapped up.

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All hail Queen Daphne!! 👑 This is how you write a thriller! Was this really your debut? And what are you working on next because I will read it. Grocery list? Celeb crushes? Let me hit that preorder button.

This was a thriller with just enough horror elements to make me thoroughly creeped out without being too gory. From beginning to end, this book just gave me this sense of unease like entering a dark room and not knowing who (or what) is inside. I also appreciated that it wasn’t full of unnecessary details or fluff- every detail mattered in the ultimate reveal of who The Hiding Man really was.

I went the audiobook route and it was absolute perfection! In whatever format you prefer, just add this banger of a thriller to your TBR and don’t forget to lock your doors 👀

Thank you so much NetGalley and Hatchette audio for this ALC!

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Solid mystery thriller debut with a strong element of true crime and psychological suspense.

A late night radio host in Portland, Oregon, Nola Strate, experienced a terrifying event as a child. Her babysitter was murdered in front of her by a notorious serial killer dubbed "the Hiding Man." He was never caught. Even though 20 years has passed, it all comes back when a woman calling in to Nola's show is actually killed while on air with her show. Is the killer active again after all these years? And most concerning to Nola -- has he returned to get her?

This was fast paced and I read it this evening in one sitting. The characters were an interesting mix and the plot was fairly predictable with some red herrings and additional threats. The detective and the investigation seemed rather inept as was the focus on a particular suspect (who was a loser but not a killer). I think the most disappointing part was the revelation of the identity of the killer -- what a stretch and a let down. I definitely would have enjoyed more elements that featured Nola working on her actual radio show and other callers. This really wasn't particularly scary and it was never really fully explained how the perpetrator managed to elude law enforcement all those years.

One of the most interesting aspects of the book was when the author talks about herself, her own true crime podcast, and her Aunt Carol. This was not included in the e-book ARC but only on the audio as an introduction. She also discusses ethics and the societal impact of crime and those who investigate it while also expressing true concern for the victims and their families.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrators are the talented duo of Helen Laser and Will Collyer. They both brought great dramatic flair to the production and definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

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Read it in a day! NIGHT WATCHER was a gripping, fast-paced thriller.

It's a whodunit while also giving the reader the suspense of feeling like Nola might be the next victim (or might be framed for murder).

Narrator Will Collyer brought me into the story right away, and then Helen Laser kept me going throughout. No notes for them.

I also appreciated the author's note, written and read by Daphne Woolsoncroft.

One critique: I really did not like one of the last sentences. Sometimes a sentence rubs me the wrong way here or there, but it always sticks out when it's in the final few sentences of the whole book! I do feel like it goes against the espoused values of the author - not only did I personally not like it, I didn't think it made sense after reading the author's note.

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I had to turn the audio off at night because it was so scary!! If you love true crime/crime podcasts/90s scary movies, I think you would love this book!

I loved the babysitter scene, the generally creepy atmosphere and that call-in scene!!! Goosebumps throughout.

I loved the narration for both the female & male characters. The prologue by the author had me instantly hooked! The real life inspiration definitely came across in the emotion throughout the story.

Thanks to Hachette Audio and Grand Central Publishing for the audio arc! Highly recommend trying this on audio.

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Nola Strate is a late-night radio host. But years ago, she was the only victim of the Hidng Man to survive his killing spree. Now she gets a call from someone who makes her think that the killer is back and has a score to settle with her.

This was one creepy story! It was well-written, and the audio narration was fantastic. I highly recommend this story.

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The audiobook narration for this one was great! It sounded like an actual podcast host speaking and the different characters didn’t feel overdone. I especially enjoyed the portions from the killer’s perspective and having those only in the last section of the book really upped the tension.

The character of Nola was pretty well fleshed out, but I didn’t find her particularly sympathetic. However, she was balanced by the other victims and witnesses, creating a mass of counterpoint to the killer. I was changing my mind up until the very end on who the masked villain was! With the popularity of true crime and podcasts, I think this will be very popular!

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Night Watcher is a terrifyingly immersive debut that will keep listeners on edge. With stellar narration and a plot full of twists, it’s a must-listen for fans of true crime, psychological thrillers, and suspenseful storytelling. Woolsoncroft is definitely a new voice to watch in the genre.

The climax had all the tension, but the resolution felt like it came a little too quickly. With a bit more story building toward the end, especially around the fallout for Nola and the final confrontation, it could’ve added more emotional payoff and wrapped things up with a punch. Maybe even a deeper look into the killer’s psyche or more twists about her father's past would’ve given it that extra layer of suspense. The story builds such a rich web that you expect more closure—and when it doesn’t fully land, it leaves you itching for answers. Maybe that's part of the tension Woolsoncroft was going for... or maybe we’re due for a sequel???

Helen Laser and Will Collyer really bring Night Watcher to life. Both narrators switch moods and pacing seamlessly depending on the scene, pulling listeners deeper into the psychological drama. They don’t just read the lines—they inhabit the characters, making the tension and fear feel immediate. Great narration can transform a solid thriller into an unforgettable experience, and these two absolutely nailed it.

I truly enjoyed this audiobook start to finish.

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Thank you to @hachetteaudio and @netgalley for my gifted audiobook!

So right off the bat, this cover just really gives off the creepy vibes, and this book immediately captures that same feeling. After getting mayyybe 10% into this book, I decided it was a daytime-only listen. The creepy feeling was really creepin’ in this one.

I’m a huge true crime fan, though, and didn’t know before reading that the author is the host of a true crime podcast, but it definitely shows in the best of ways. She knows how to write a story that feels like it could actually be real, with an investigation that likewise feels real and not greatly fabricated for the enhancement of the story.

I was definitely on the edge of my seat and full of anxiety while listening and had no idea how it would end. Ultimately, I was definitely surprised but was wanting just a little more out of the ending. I felt like there was a lot of buildup to a relatively short resolution.

Just the concept of a serial k*ller watching (as the title boldly declares), and then intentionally trying to freak out their victims led to lots of heart-pounding moments. This was a true thriller and a very well done one at that!

I highly recommend to anyone who loved a pulse-pounding thriller, and not only to true crime aficionados, but I think there’s an extra level of enjoyment if you do like true crime.

🎧I’ve loved Helen Laser’s narration since The Wedding People, one of my all time favorite audiobooks. She does not disappoint here and is the perfect female narrator. The male narrator was just okay for me, but overall I think this is a great one to listen to and really amps up the adrenaline!

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Thank you netgalley and Hachette Audio | Grand Central Publishing for the arc for my honest opinion.

Night Watcher was an enjoyable listen, I just couldn't get enough of this book. I think that the creepiest part of this book is know that some of these things could really happen. Nola and all the other characters were well developed. The narrators did a great job with this audio book! I can't wait to see what other books Daphne Woolsoncroft will write.

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This is a debut novel written by the True Crime Podcast Host of Going West. I have read a few Thrillers by current True Crime podcasters, and they have been hit or miss. Maybe it's because Daphne has a true crime case in her own personal life or maybe she can just tell a great story, but this novel is fantastic.

I was about a third of the way into the book when I realized that I may have to sleep with the lights on for the night. Everything about the current and past (dual timelines but minimal) was terrifying, you truly felt the fear. The descriptions are so wild and vivid.

The end was not completely predictable but if you are looking for this major plot twist that you never see coming, you are not going to find it. That's what makes this book so good, it's realistic. Most crimes and killers do not have a dramatic flair at the end.

I had the audio version of this book, and I highly recommend it. The fear construed from the narrator had me looking over my shoulder.

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