This is a really difficult read, and therefore a really important one. A mother locked in her home with her two young children while an intruder tries to hurt them and the following events are horrific to read. And yet, they expertly express the way women are not believed. We are categorically told that we are overly sensitive, anxious, paranoid, and obsessive instead of believed. Small things matter to us, because we learn to look for things everywhere. 

I cannot recommend this enough to every person who thinks they can emotionally or mentally handle it. This book deserves way more spotlight.

made me too angry

When I caught myself thinking, “OMG, can she just stop talking?” I knew it was time to bail on this book. Sure, it’s got the tension of a horror movie, but not the good kind—more like the kind where you’re yelling at the characters for doing dumb stuff while the villain's on their tail. If that’s your jam, you’re in for a treat. But for me, it was more frustrating than fun. The endless monologues and repetitive plot had me rolling my eyes. If that’s your kind of fun, you might enjoy it. Otherwise, maybe skip this one!

I haven't read a scary book in a long time and this one creeped me out!  A mom and her two kids are home alone during a blizzard when she sees an intruder in the house.  She grabs her sleeping kids and they rush to hide in a secret room. What happens next is nothing short of nightmares, and that's just the present day plot. This book jumps around bw the past and present and really had me unsure of who to believe.  It was so suspenseful, I couldn't read parts of it fast enough! Do not recommend if you are anxious about intruders bc you may never sleep again. Also, this is the first book I've read that takes place during Covid but the pandemic ITSELF wasn't a huge character.  It was interesting to read a story where it was referenced but not focused on.

I kept seeing this debut everywhere and the premise sounded delightfully creepy, so of course I ended up giving in and decided to add Nightwatching to my priority TBR. It's true that hyped books can go both ways for me, but I'm SO glad I listened to my intuition here... Because the fact is: I was completely bowled over by this claustrophobic and simply spine-chilling story. WHAT a read! It's funny how part of me absolutely hated my time with Nightwatching, while I was also completely hooked and in awe at the same time. This sounds completely contradictory, but I think that if you have read this story you will probably know what I'm talking about. I absolutely loved the chapters set in the present, which were both intense, daunting and had that perfect ominous atmosphere. The setting itself is simple, as most of the story is set at the house... But in only worked in this story's favor for me. I initally wasn't a fan of the flashbacks at all, but as soon as you start to understand the importance of those same flashbacks all is forgiven. I absolutely loved the writing style, which I admit won't be for everyone... But if you are able to connect with it, it will truly take this debut to the next level for you. The way the plot is built up and how you start questioning everything that you are reading is also extremely cleverly done, and it only made me want to turn those pages even faster. I simply HAD to know what really happened that night! All in all a fantastic debut and I already can't wait to see what Tracy Sierra will come up with next.