Cover Image: I See You

I See You

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

What an excellent, twisty thriller! I was caught up right from the beginning and enthralled until the very end.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book! So amazingly creepy and unnerving. This is definitely something that has the potential to happen! Little do you know, someone could always be watching you. On your daily commute, your place of work, anywhere.

Every morning and evening, Zoe Walker takes the same route to the train station, waits at a certain place on the platform, finds her favorite spot in the car, never suspecting that someone is watching her. One night, on her commute home, she sees her photo in a classified ad with a phone number and a listing for FindTheOne.com. The more she checks these listing, new women are featured in this same ad, but Zoe begins to realize that they all have become victims of violent crimes that continue to increase in severity, including murder. Zoe becomes convinced more and more paranoid as she she realizes she could be the next target.

That man smiling at her from across the train, could he simply be a friendly stranger? Or is he someone that has specifically chosen her and is prepared to make his next move?

This book fills you with paranoia. Checking over your shoulder wherever you go. Is someone watching?

Thanks to Berkley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Just as before, Mackintosh creates a story that seems unbelievably real. And the reason that this author is able to achieve this is through the way she creates such realistic characters. Every single person in this book has just the right amount of flaws and positives to make them come alive; I could easily see these people existing in my world. This is the author's strength and she uses it to full advantage to make this story come alive. And the story really got under my skin. It is all about the vulnerability of women to stalkers and predation in public areas, and the experiences that these women go through is something I myself have experienced; many times, when riding the subway to go to school or home, I would see someone staring at me, sometimes see them following me. And I felt completely helpless. I thought that if I said something, people would look at me as if I was crazy, because there was no way I would be able to prove that this was actually happening to me. The author did a great job of highlighting this issue, racking up the tension and making my heart pound with every encounter. I could understand Zoe's paranoia and her reckless desire to get to the bottom of this. The ending of this story was definitely a twist, but it wasn't as strong as it could have been; after having read I Let You Go, I was expecting something a bit more sensational. However, the novel as a whole was really engrossing and I definitely enjoyed the thrills it brought. Overall, another strong story from a rising thriller writer!

Was this review helpful?

Zoe Walker is shocked to see her photo in a newspaper advertisement in the section where escort/dating services advertise. She certainly didn’t put it there. But wait, she sees other women appearing in these ads – and these women are involved in crimes, sometimes fatal ones. Is someone watching their every move? Will she be next?

I found this book to be a suspenseful, interesting read. I can’t imagine how I would react if I were in Zoe’s shoes. I felt quite a connection with Zoe and all that she’s going through. The book alternates between Zoe’s first person telling of her situation and the third person telling centering on Kelly, the police officer investigating these crimes. The book also goes into the background of these two main characters, which brings another level to the book.

Lots of red herrings, suspects and twists kept me racing through the pages. I thought sure I was narrowing down “who done it” towards the end, but nope, the author did quite a good job of surprising me. Believable? Maybe not completely. But that’s OK – it was a fun and thrilling book.

Recommended.

Was this review helpful?

A beautifully written, engaging book with a wonderfully original plot. The ending--or near-ending--took me by surprise. It was very well crafted in that I didn't see it coming, but it did make sense. But I just had this feeling that there would be one more surprise coming; that's how much confidence I had in the author's cleverness at that point, and she definitely didn't disappoint! Just noticed that I have Clare Mackintosh's first book, "I Let You Go," still unread on my Kindle and now I can't wait to read that. Since some reviewers seemed to prefer it to "I See You," it must be really great, given how wonderful this was! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-copy of this fabulous book.

Was this review helpful?

I See You by Clare Mackintosh (2 stars)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I must admit, I gave up halfway through and just started skimming through the story to see whodunit. This is slow and plodding, yet the premise of the book could have been really exciting. There were way too many details about insignificant things which just made the book boring. When Zoe and Katie run to Melissa’s house, they spend a page talking about locking the door! Storyline had so much potential, but the story just bogs down.

Was this review helpful?

Well crafted, intense and incredibly riveting!

This is an engrossing hair-raising thriller that touches on just how much people are creatures of habit and how vulnerable that routine behaviour truly makes us. It is a story about jealousy, greed, manipulation, trust, deception, violence, and murder.

The characters are complex, multi-layered, and determined. The writing is well done. And the plot builds nicely and shifts effortlessly as it alternates between the heroine's point of view and the ongoing investigation, interspersed with the occasional perpetrator's point of view which continues to elevate the tension and creepiness throughout.

I would have to say this truly is a well written suspenseful mystery that highlights the perverse and nefarious side of human nature and has enough twists, turns and surprises to make it a definite must read in my book.

Thank you to NetGalley, especially Berkley Publishing, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

**I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**


This was my first read by Clare Mackintosh. I had heard raving reviews about her debut novel, I Let You Go, so when I had the opportunity to read I See You, I jumped at the chance. I was a little disappointed in this book though. I really liked the concept of the story, but I feel like it didn't really go anywhere. The idea of someone stalking you, knowing your every move, especially in today's world of social media is a real fear for me, but I think the author relied too heavily on that expected fear from readers and it quickly got old. I did find the book interesting, but it took me awhile to read it and I wasn't able to really connect with any of the characters. The whole book seemed to be monotonous; a lot of the same thing kept happening, nothing going anywhere, and when something finally did happen, I had already predicted it way before it came about. Even though the concept was good, the book needed more depth to it. I believe if there was more depth and/or character development in the story, it would have been a better read.

Was this review helpful?

Clare Mackintosh offers a captivating story that you will surely lose sleep over. International bestselling author, indeed! Words cannot express how fulfilling this story is. I See You has everything you would expect from a mystery, but more daring.

The story is written from three perspectives. Zoe Walker, who becomes paranoid when she finds her picture in a newspaper ad; DC Kelly Swift, who is determined to catch all the bad guys; and of course, the killer. I believe this is the first mystery I've read that mixes first person and third person perspectives in this manner. It was strange at first, but I liked believing that every chapter had its own mini cliff hanger. It made me read that much faster so that I could get back to whatever situation was just happening.

If findtheone.com was a real website I'd be just as freaked out as Zoe Walker. As much as I don't want to believe that someone could aid in the stalking of women, I could picture it happening in real life. All of Zoe's paranoia throughout the story took a life of its own. I felt just as anxious as she did and I knew to expect something terrible. The steady pacing of the novel did absolutely nothing to calm my nerves, but I love that Clare Mackintosh keeps readers in the moment. She avoids jerking you around or stringing you along. Every moment of the story is crucial and leads to a place so unlike usual mystery conclusions.

I could not contain myself by the end of the novel. Clare Mackintosh steps away from a cookie-cutter ending and gives readers something to think about. I spent the next few hours after reading wondering about scenes in the story that were not focused on, but added to the story's conclusion. The ending was a genuine surprise, but going back through the book I can see how the story leads to the jaw dropping end.
*eARC provided in exchange for an honest review*

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy.

I REALLY enjoyed this, and even better, I found its quality to be well beyond typical psychological suspense novels. I love reading them so much, but I almost always think the premise is much better than the solution. I See You delivers a great premise and a legitimately surprising ending, and the plot never took me where I thought it would. Strong characterization made it stand out even more from the pack. I'm so looking forward to her future books!

Was this review helpful?

Wow.

I SEE YOU is a slow, methodical thriller that will challenge your senses and intrigue the dark recesses of your mind. At first, I wanted to put the book down several times because I was a little bored with the mundane day-to-day tasks of Zoe and Kelly, a female cop who also has a point of view in the story. And you may want to stop reading also, but keep going! Patience is key. Every task or minute detail that may seem pointless is just one small piece in this meticulously crafted web of brilliant madness. I literally had NO clue who the bad guy(s) are/were, despite my many, many preconceptions.

Ms. Mackintosh plots an intensely diabolical story full of subterfuge, danger and disciplined chaos. I was completely entertained and literally dumbfounded when I finished the book. To find out what I found out…. I was shocked and a bit fearful. In I SEE YOU, nobody is safe from harm or from scrutiny.

This one’s a thinker. I am still sitting here trying to figure out if I missed some signs while I was reading the book. And now I’m wondering what else the author has up her sleeves 😃

10 Stars for Clare Mackintosh!

***ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***

Was this review helpful?

About: I See You is a thriller written by Clare Mackintosh. It will be published on 2/21/17 by Berkley Publishing Group (an Imprint of Penguin Random House), 372 pages. The genres are thriller, mystery, crime, fiction, and psychological thriller. The author has another book which was called I Let You Go, her debut published in 2014. Please see below for more info about the author. (Based on the author’s website, this book was originally published in the UK in July 2016).

My Experience: I started reading I See You on 1/30/17 and finished it on 2/7/17. This book is such an adrenaline rush! I love reading it even though my heart was pumping and my mind was racing with who dun it. I really like the plot. It’s so normal and everyday that we don’t think twice. Human is a creature of habit and we just plowed on everyday without second thoughts. The author takes our everyday routine and turn it into a thriller that will make us stop what we are doing and analyze if we are the same way. Most likely, we are.

“Every time I talk about what’s happening. I feel stronger. It’s secrecy that’s dangerous.” 67%

In this book, readers will follow the point of view of Zoe Walker, a mother of two adult children who still live at home, a police contact named Kelly Swift, and the mysterious bad person. I like reading all of their point of views and things that goes on in their separate lives and how it’s connected. This story takes place in London, focusing on the traffic – aboveground and underground. Zoe commutes to and from work underground using the tube, aboveground, and walk. Kelly is an officer with a past that interferes with her current life. She couldn’t move on and risk losing her job dealing with it. The bad person’s narrative is really interesting to read. It raises many good points that many of us can relate to. It makes me a bit paranoid after reading this book.

“So many cameras, so many people all around. But no one’s watching, not really. Everyone’s traveling in their own little bubble, oblivious to what’s happening to their fellow commuters.” 92%

This book is definitely worth the read. I like officer Kelly, despite her fallback, she knows how to get what she wants. I like how she pursue the job she wants. I like the suspense and so many potential of suspects that I couldn’t guess who. This book has great plot and good characters. The romance is minimal. The read is fast paced and interesting. I would for sure read this book again and I highly recommend this book to everyone. It’s a thriller comparable to The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl (books I have read). I truly enjoy this book and I can’t wait to read the author’s other book!

Pro: adrenaline rush, addicting read, page turner, fast paced, couldn’t put down, relatable, public transportation, who dun it, London

Con: none

I rate it 5 stars!

***Disclaimer: Many thanks to the author Clare Mackintosh, publisher Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read & review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com

Was this review helpful?

Zoe Walker is a busy mother of two grown (but still living at home) children. Her partner, Simon, works for a local paper, and Zoe is divorced from her kids' father, Matt. She's tired trying to always make ends meet. One day, Zoe spots an ad in the classifieds that appears to feature her photo. The ad features a website and phone number, but Zoe cannot get into the password-protected site. The next day, the same ad shows a photo of another woman, and so on and so on. Meanwhile, Detective Kelly Swift is struggling to get back in the good graces of the police force after an incident derailed her career. Kelly is working a series of tube (subway)-related incidents, but she really wants to get back into real investigating. When Kelly and Zoe's paths cross, it doesn't seem as if Zoe is in any real danger, but that all changes suddenly.

I absolutely adored Mackintosh's first novel, I Let You Go - it was one of my favorite novels in 2015. It features an amazing twist and a well-written plot. I obviously had high expectations for her sophomore novel. Unfortunately, for me, this one didn't quite live up to my expectations. It's certainly an interesting novel with an intriguing premise, but I didn't buy the premise outside of a novel. You sort of have to suspend disbelief to allow yourself to read on with the plot: even though it's rooted in technology and our society's obsession with technology and dating, the overall construct just seems to be a stretch. The beginning portion of the novel was compelling, but slow, and I kept waiting for it to pick up. I also could see a lot of the plot pieces coming.

The novel alternates between chapters from Zoe's point of view and Kelly's. I liked Kelly's chapters so much more and found myself a bit annoyed going back to Zoe at times - she was whiny and irritating for a while. Kelly was far more nuanced (though a bit too focused on the past), but her chapters were far better at adding suspense and tension. The novel certainly does pick up nearing the end, and I definitely wanted to find out what happened and who was responsible for what.

But even then, the motivation for the "bad guy" was a bit odd and poorly done. Like a lot of the plot, it seemed a bit of a stretch. It was saved somewhat by the epilogue, which offered a good twist (although I had my suspicions), but I wasn't sure it made up for the whole book, and it didn't make me gasp like her first book. (Poor author, being held up to impossible follow-on standards.) Overall, I did find this novel puzzling, though hindered somewhat but a slightly preposterous plot. I'm glad I read it, but I certainly prefer her first novel. (I'll still eagerly await anything from Mackintosh, however!)

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley (thank you!) in return for an unbiased review. It is available everywhere as of 02/21/2017.

Was this review helpful?

"Routine is comforting to you. It’s familiar, reassuring.
Routine makes you feel safe.
Routine will kill you."

I Let You Go was so freaking amazing that I knew I wanted to read Clare's next book. I couldn't wait for the American version, so I started the British one right away (thanks book depository!).

The beginning felt a little slow for me but after that 10% mark, the pages pretty much just flipped by themselves. I was on a quest to learn every detail about the mastermind behind this horrible website. I wasn't sure why the women were chosen, I just wanted to stop it before more were harmed.

I liked how the author gave us glimpses into the deranged mind of the person behind it all. Each time I felt scared as to what could happen next.

"I see you. But you don’t see me."


It all starts with Zoe Walker finding her picture in the classified sections of a newspaper advertising call girls while she is on the Tube. She's sure the picture is her but when she gets home, her family thinks it might not be. She lives with her two grown children Katie and Justin and her boyfriend Simon. She becomes more afraid when she recognizes another woman's picture from the same newspaper who's robbed a few days later. She immediately contacts the police. This is the first time she interacts with PC Kelly Swift.

Kelly was part of British Transport Police’s Sexual Offences Unit but after doing something wrong at work, she was transferred to the BTP (British Transport Police) department She is very interested in trying to help women who have been raped. Her police instinct is telling her that Zoe is right and someone is targeting women by finding out their commute. She later is able to participate in the active search and works with DI Nick Rampello under his MIT team (Murder Investigation Teams).

After finishing reading it, I'm sad I won't see more of Kelly and Nick. I thought they created a great team. He had her back and he recognized how smart she was. I wish this could turn into a series.

I liked Zoe too. She was smart and she knew she was in trouble, alerting the authorities of what was happening. She connected the dots and knew she might be next.

I See You it's a great thriller which makes you think twice about who's watching you when you don't know. Who's snapping a picture when you are not looking.

"You do the same thing every day.
You know exactly where you’re going.
You’re not alone."

I wonder what Mrs. Mackintosh would bring us next.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

Was this review helpful?

Man oh man what did I read? Let me tell you this I was so caught up in this book that when the ending came about I was thinking to myself OH NO SHE DIDN'T GO THERE!!! I loved the ending.

So Zoe is a single mom of two, who is in a relationship with Simon and trying to live day to day.
When she sees her picture in the paper it has her uneasy even though no one wants to really believe it is her. Then it starts getting a bit crazier as Zoe starts seeing others and knows that something else has to be going on, but will she be a victim as well. It seems that someone out there is playing a game with unsuspecting women.
Then in pops up Kelly an officer who is determine to investigate who is putting people in the newspaper. What they end up uncover is something that is HUGE! It just goes too show you that you can never truly trust anyone.
While Kelly is investigating she is also coming to terms with her twin sister's decision to move on with her life. It is like the two things that Kelly is dealing with go hand to hand in some way.
We go back and forth between the different P.O.V.'s of Kelly and Zoe and for me it was not confusing at all.
Can't wait to read more by this author.
Characters! Zoe is kind of plain just trying her best to make it and support her family. Though we see her start to panic and really see just how much she cares for her family when put into a situation. It made it exciting.
Kelly the police officer. I liked her she came into the story just running the show. She didn't back down when not finding answers she kept trying until she got what she needed. I hope we get more books with Kelly in it, because I think we got just a small taste of who she really is and what she can do.
I can't wait to read more by this author. I love how she is able to just pull you in and have you guessing until the end to find out who dun it.

Was this review helpful?

The premise of "I See You" is promising - we are all so caught up in our daily routines, doing things the same way, out of habit and/or comfort, that we don't recognize the possible danger in being so predictable. Zoe Walker is one such woman of habit, who one day sees a picture of herself in the advertisements of a local paper for a website called "find.the.one." Knowing she didn't sign up for a dating service, she calls the phone number listed in the ad, only to find it a bogus one.

Over the course of several days, Zoe sees other women in ads for the same website, and becomes alarmed when these women are attacked, raped and/or killed. Naturally, she becomes fearful for her safety, and Zoe's increasing anxiety is supposed to carry the book. Except that it really doesn't. The book is a bit slow and Zoe's fears become monotonous. And to tell the truth, Zoe isn't very relatable or likeable. I care about her as a fellow woman, but as a character? Not really. I found police officer Kelly to be a much more interesting and fully developed character than Zoe.

Suspenseful? Not as much as the book description and hype led me to believe. A nice twist at the end - you bet! But not enough to raise my rating higher than 3 stars. But I would gladly read another book by Clare Mackintosh; I hear her debut novel was a knock-out!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this novel.

Was this review helpful?

A debut like "I Let You Go" is a hard act to follow. Ms. Mackintosh's sophomore effort fell somewhat flat for me. The suspense did not last throughout the novel and it contrived in several spots. The premise of Zoe's stalking and her fear were well defined, but the villain of the piece did not seem realistic and the final twist at the end was one I had suspected from early on.

Was this review helpful?

Zoe Walker takes the same route to and from work everyday never suspecting she is being watched. She sees her picture in a classified ad among the escort and naughty hotline ads. Looking in past editions of the paper, she sees other women's pictures attached to the ads who have been recent victims of crime. Is she next? As the story unfolds, the tension and paranoia build as it heads for the suspenseful ending. I really enjoyed this book although it made me wonder in our distracted society, do we really know who may be watching us at any time?

Was this review helpful?

A woman commuting on a London train notices her picture in a newspaper dating website advertisement. Does she have a doppelganger or is it really her picture? And if it is her, how did they get her picture and why are they using it?

I enjoyed this book very much! The premise was really original and clever, and the telling of the story from multiple points of view was well done. I enjoyed the characters--Zoe the working mom wondering if she's being overly paranoid, Kelly the talented investigator with some hidden issues, and the snippets from the person orchestrating the advertisements. This was a 5-star, page turner all the way, definitely keeping me guessing as to "who done it." The only mar to the books perfection was the over-the-top, Harlan-Coben-style ending that didn't seem to fit with the subtle, cleverness of the rest of the book. Still, a very good, engrossing story!

Was this review helpful?

This was not as good as her first book. but it would be hard for anyone to beat, I Let You Go.
That said, it was still quite the psychological thriller.
Zoe finds her picture on a dating ad in the newspaper, but she has no idea who took the picture and how it ended up there. As she investigates, it turns out other women who's pictures were posted the same way, have ended up dead. She hopes to find the killer before she's the one killed.

Was this review helpful?