THE NIGHT WATCHER by Tariq Ashkanani

5* Callie's coarse, uncouth, unladylike, unlikeable, and not that well educated, but she's got good instincts and street smarts. And courage and balls. And, yeah, this book wrongfooted me quite a few times. 

I wasn't expecting this, in the best of ways. I expected a stop-start novel because the cover didn't do much to hint at the contents, and maybe that's a good thing, as it didn't spoil the surprise. Though I didn't like Callie, I had to admire her strength, her grit and determination and knowing what she wanted and didn't. She treated Richard like shit, tbh, and I don't know what he saw in her. He wasn't a good guy but I think he genuinely cared about her in his own possessive way. Not a healthy way and tbh, good on her for breaking things off. 

A bit of it wasn't a shocker - Callie made a jump and the right connection very quickly although it got shut down, and the reveal was kind of 'erm, not sure I believe this', especially when an 'accomplice' killed themselves, but then the author took it further and added an extra twist. That I didn't see coming, and unfortunately explanations got cut short when someone got offed. 

Tbh I'm a bit stumped for reviewing this without spoilers, but I didn't expect the twist towards the end, nor did I (or Callie) trust the lone cop who came to her roadside rescue by then. I don't think I can be blamed, and I don't think she'll be in their good books going forward. But who cares when she's so good at what she does? 

The tale ends with a couple of shockers. Callie's now on a bit of a murky edge, associating with someone who wouldn't hesitate to off her if she displeased him. And I  think she owes him, and he's keeping count. And, her...go-to guy gets offed. Not sure how or why with his paranoia and precautions, but it certainly makes for a good cliffhanger. There's a wait but at least book 2 is coming in 2026.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for my reading pleasure. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ALWAYS YOU AND ME by Dani Atkins

5* Even though I don't believe in HEAs anymore, this book had me crying because of THAT ending. I'm going to try and review without spoilering, but ugh, I started the book almost in tears and ended it in actual tears, and with hope that sometimes love does last.  This book is so much more than a second chance at love. It's about loving, and being loved by, flawed characters whose lives with each other had their time, and when that time was gone, the love continued. Like Finn and Matt by Charlie Winters, this is a book I loved but won't ever read again. A part of me can't believe the author went there with the ending, but another part of me, the romantic-but-hurt part, wants to believe in the power of everlasting love.  ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my reading pleasure. 
Read more

HER BEAUTIFUL LIFE by Brianna Labuskes

4* What a read. Started off with something mundane, turned into something totally shocking. I wasn't sure I'd like this tale of a former roomie/bestie going to interview a trad wife, some 10/11 years after their lives diverged, following a fallout, for a celebrity piece. I was a bit surprised at the lack of awkwardness and tension between the former friends, and didn't expect the tension from the actual eventual source. I absolutely didn't expect the plot, which was really, really well done, if you can cope with the plotting, the (occasionally) flawed rationale, the not-really-likable journalist/writer, Holland, and the iceberg-type trad wife, Cat/Catriona. Add in various very, very good red herrings (staff, scared kids, a creepy teen, a domineering husband, a mysterious death - still not clarified at the end, cops that don't have big-city cop instincts or mistrust, mental health, a possible psychopath), and you have a very, very well-done, well- dovetailed tale tha...
Read more

THE FIX by Mia Sheridan

4* Wasn't prepared for that opener, but a good tale, especially as an intro to this author. The opener to this tale is brutal but leads to an ultimately happier event 11 years down the line. I wasn't expecting what I read, so it was a bit of a shocker, although it was great to see both Cami's mental strength and her physicality saving her. I think the author did well to skip the years in between, not dwelling on the pain, trauma and loss.  The tale does need a bit of a dose of suspension of disbelief that in only 2 days, Cami and Rex saved the day, but then again his past, expertise and contacts made things believable.  The ending is a big of a POW! The kind of thing that can only happen in America with their ridiculous gun laws. But, the victim deserved it. And, if only there were more hot mics IRL in 2025 USA, and if only people were prepared to find their big girl and big boy pants and speak up. Sorry, I digress, but there's just so much that's wrong with that co...
Read more