Night Watcher

by Daphne Woolsoncroft

Nola Strate, a late night call-in radio host in Portland, Oregon, listens to stories of hauntings and cryptic sightings for a living. But one foggy, wet evening, when a caller describes an eerie scene that triggers memories of Nola’s escape from a serial killer years before, she becomes fearfully aware that he’s back to finish what he started.

Nola Strate is being watched, again.

After an encounter with a notorious serial killer in the Pacific Northwest as a child, Nola has grown up and tried her best to forget her traumatizing night with The Hiding Man. She installed security cameras outside her Oregon home, never spoke of her experience, and now hosts Night Watch, a popular radio call-in show her semi‑famous father used to run. When coincidences lead Nola to believe that she is being stalked, and a caller on Night Watch has a live incident with an intruder in the caller’s home—the description of whom is chillingly familiar—Nola is convinced that The Hiding Man has resurfaced and is coming for her.

With a mysterious next‑door neighbor lurking in the shadows, more people getting hurt, the police not taking her concerns seriously, and evidence pointing towards her own father, Nola decides to become, like her listeners, a Night Watcher herself, and uncover the monster behind The Hiding Man’s mask.

Genres: Thriller, Horror, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Fiction, Adult

336 pages, Hardcover

First published July 8, 2025

About the author

Daphne Woolsoncroft, a Los Angeles native, is the host and producer of the hit true crime podcast Going West, with a 150K-200K listeners per episode and over two million monthly downloads. When she's not writing or researching true crime cases, you can find her traveling to gloomy destinations, catching the newest horror film in theaters, or reading on the couch with her plump English Bulldog, Dewey.

Reviews

[Sydney Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had so much fun reading this! Total page-turner and genuinely creeped me out at times I even jump scared myself. 💀 I have mixed feelings about the ending but overall I enjoyed and recommend!

[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟
Oh my gosh…the beginning of this book was absolutely terrifying! I instantly thought, “What did I get myself into”!?🫣
But not to worry, my fellow scaredy cats. If you can get through the initial shock you’re in for a fantastic read! (Don’t give up!)

Nola is the online host for a popular radio show where callers share their own ghostly sightings. But tonight’s caller will change everything for Nola. This woman is claiming to see the figure of Nola’s 'true life' nightmare. The man who killed her babysitter in front of her all those years ago and was never caught. Can this be possible?

IS HE BACK?😱

Can Nola assist in rooting out The Hiding Man before he comes after her and finishing what he started?

Wow! A truly impressive debut.

Daphne Woolsoncroft’s writing felt polished and drew me in immediately. The storyline felt genuinely terrifying at times! The characters were all well developed and I loved Nola’s character as well as her supporting cast.

Here’s the break-down:
Writing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Character development ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Storyline ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Ending ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My only hiccup… I wanted a bit more punch from the ending, but overall it was an excellent debut! And I can’t wait to read her next!

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley

[Jayme · Rating 4 out of 5]

* FEATURED SPOOKY SEASON READ 2025*

Is HE back to finish what HE started?

At 8 years old, Nola Strate was tucked in her bed upstairs when her babysitter was murdered downstairs. She survived despite seeing the masked intruder, and was even able to draw a picture for Police.

The killer’s MO matched that of a serial killer who after murdering his FIRST VICTIM had sent a poem to Police giving himself the moniker of “ The Hiding Man”.

He was NEVER CAUGHT.

Now Nola is all grown up and hosting Portland, Oregon’s late night Paranormal call-in 📞 radio show NIGHT WATCH -inherited from her father, Chick Strate, the original host, who retired to write books on the same subject.

When a LIVE CALL seems to capture a woman being MURDERED as she called in, Nola and her producer, Harvey aren’t sure if it was another PRANK, or an actual devastating CRIME being committed, but it definitely spooks Nola as the caller’s description of her intruder sounds eerily familiar to the one that Nola saw as a child.

Could he be back after a 20 year hiatus?

When investigators don’t think so, Nola, feeling increasingly THREATENED, decides to take matters into her own hands. Her life may depend on it.

The story unfolds from the alternating POV’s (Past and Present) of Nola and Detective Jack De Lacey with occasional chapters from HIM.

Author Daphne Woolsoncroft has hosted her own true crime podcast, GOING WEST for six years, and her family personally suffered the loss of a family member, her Aunt Carol, in Florida before she was born and these experiences lend authenticity to the writing.

And, despite being a Los Angeles native, she perfectly captures the vibe of Portland, a place I have lived in and have visited frequently, as she refers to actual neighborhoods and diners, Hazy IPA beers and Marionberry pie, set under GRAY SKIES and RAIN, with Nola’s stalker LURKING in the shadows.

I had CHILLS.

I can’t wait to see what the author pens next!

This book is AVAILABLE NOW.

Thank You to Novel Suspects for sending a much appreciated finished copy my way❣️

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
Genre ~ mystery/thriller
Setting ~ Oregon
Publication date ~ July 8, 2025
Publisher ~ Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio
Est Page Count ~ 332 (50 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 7 minutes
Narrators ~ Helen Laser, Will Collyer
POV ~ 1st & 3rd
Featuring ~ debut, present and past timeline, serial killer, murder, violence

When Nola was just a kid a serial killer took her babysitters life while she was watching her. They were never caught. Now it's 20 years later and she's sure the killer is back, but no one believes her. Her past timeline was in the 3rd and the present in the 1st, present tense.

We get some Him chapters that enhanced the plot, but ultimately left me unexcited because I did call it and the why was meh.

We, also, hear from Jack the detective back then, and still now. His investigative skills weren't super great, but I didn't mind him as a character.

At one point Nola's father is a possible suspect (in the blurb, not a spoiler) ~ really hated him and what made him one. Why does that have to be in so many books? Anyway, her mom and Harvey, the producer of the show, were great.

Overall, the suspense was great and I was on the edge of my drivers seat many times. Glad I listened or else I might have been looking over my shoulder quite a few times. You can tell the author is a true crime podcaster as she knew the ins and outs of the biz. A fab debut and I'll definitely keep her on my radar.

Author's note ~ adds an extra layer to the story since we learn it's inspired by a true story because her aunt disappeared, probably murdered, many years ago before she was born.

Narration notes:
They both did a great job. She sounded properly frantic and emotional when necessary. He did good, sounded a little young when in the present, but good overall.

Road trip listened with my true, and fictional, crime loving teen. We finished it about 2 miles from home, so the timing was perfect.
Her thoughts ~ took a quick snooze, but enjoyed what happened while I was awake.

Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X

[Debra - can't post any comments on site today grrr · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

Thank you to Hachette Audio | Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

[Nikki Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
BANGER ALERT!!
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

HOLY-HELL-ON-A-PODCAST 😱
This book was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!!
Best Debut of 2025 ALERT

Before I even drop my review, you need to immediately drop what you’re doing and add this little number to your TBR! As in right now! As in pronto! This is a thriller with horror elements. So it’s a win win!

Nola Strate is a podcast host for Night Watch. One night, a caller calls in saying some frightening things. Things that sound very familiar to the serial killer, The Hiding Man. The Hiding Man stalked women and would slash their throats, leaving them to die….. twenty years ago. The only thing is, Nola was a witness to one of those murders at the age of eight.

Is he back? And who is behind the mask?

The story started with pulse pounding suspense right from the start! It never lets up! I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN! I can’t even believe this is a debut?!!!! How is this possible?

5 HUGE BRIGHT ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Massive thanks to Grand Central Publishing, Novel Suspects and Daphne Woolsoncroft for the killer copy!!

Pub Date - 7/8/2025

I’m telling you that you will be EMPTY INSIDE if you don’t read Night Watcher! I’m calling it now
TOP BOOKS OF 2025

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OHHMMMGEEE! An electric thrill ride from beginning to end, Night Watcher filled me with unbridled fear. I swear that I’m not overselling it in the least. From the palpably tense atmosphere to the chillingly sinister vibe, the instant I read the first chapter, I knew that I needed to read this one with the lights on. After all, there was no end to the creeping foreboding or the nerve-shredding dread. Believe me when I say, I checked the locks on all of my doors before reading late into the night. You see, I couldn’t put this book down thanks to the perfectly timed cliffhangers, convincing red herrings, and jaw-dropping twists, all of which led me to finish it in under twenty-four hours.

As for the characters, they were simply sublime. From the smart, intrepid podcaster to the nightmare-inducing villain, they sucked me into their world as quick as could be via their multiple POVs. True-to-life but also straight out of everyone single one of my favorite scary movies, their feelings and fears were evocatively described. In fact, I bet you money that my blood pressure likely rose right along with Nola’s. Adding to the hair-raising feel of the entire novel was the eerie setting. With the weather descending just as the heart-stopping climax reached its crescendo, I could feel my hands clenching the pages as I raced through them at speed. Bravo, Ms. Woolsoncroft, you created quite the stunner.

All said and done, I’m utterly blown away that this psychological thriller was a debut. With a relatable protagonist, propulsive pacing, and plenty of adrenaline-fueled action, this serial killer premise delivered in spades. It was, however, the way that the author tapped into all of our underlying fears that made this book into an utter home run. After all, I could easily put myself in Nola’s shoes from almost the moment I met her. Taut, unsettling, and masterfully written, there’s no doubt in my mind that this book is going to be one of the most binge-worthy, buzzed about thrillers of the year. So please, don’t be the one person to miss out on reading this blockbuster now. Rating of 5+ stars.

SYNOPSIS:

Nola Strate is being watched, again.
 
After an encounter with a notorious serial killer in the Pacific Northwest as a child, Nola has grown up and tried her best to forget her traumatizing night with the Hiding Man. She installed security cameras outside her Oregon home, never spoke of her experience, and now hosts Night Watch, a popular radio call-in show her semi‑famous father used to run. When coincidences lead Nola to believe that she is being stalked, and a caller on Night Watch has a live incident with an intruder in the caller's home—the description of whom is chillingly familiar—Nola is convinced that the Hiding Man has resurfaced and is coming for her.
 
With a mysterious next‑door neighbor lurking in the shadows, more people getting hurt, the police not taking her concerns seriously, and evidence pointing towards her own father, Nola decides to become, like her listeners, a Night Watcher herself, and uncover the monster behind the Hiding Man's mask.

Thank you to Daphne Woolsoncroft and Grand Central Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: July 8, 2025

Content warning: stalking, murder, knife violence, home invasion, mention of: infidelity

[Norma ~ The Sisters · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ Spine tingling and totally absorbing! Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft had me spooked right from the start. I actually had to stop reading it at night. It creeped me out that much. Lol!

Okay, let’s just pause for a second. A late night radio show all about hauntings and eerie sightings? I was already in. But then a caller triggers a traumatic memory from Nola’s past, and it turns out the serial killer she escaped as a child might be back and watching her again?? I was clutching my Kobo reader with wide eyes before I even hit chapter two!

Nola Strate is the host of Night Watch, and when one chilling call stirs up the nightmare she’s long buried, she becomes convinced The Hiding Man has returned. She’s lived quietly for years with security cameras, silence, and secrets, but this time the fear is louder than ever. And when the police won’t take her seriously and those closest to her seem shady at best, Nola decides it’s up to her to uncover the truth.

This was exactly the kind of chilling, fast paced thriller I love. The atmosphere was so well done: dark, shadowy nights, subtle noises that made my skin crawl, and the constant feeling that someone’s always watching. I was totally drawn in by Nola’s character. She’s cautious, a little paranoid (rightfully so), and so easy to root for. Her radio show added such a clever and immersive angle. It gave everything a pulse of dread I could feel.

I listened to the audiobook via Libro.fm (huge thanks for the ALC!) and alternated between that and the digital copy from NetGalley, flipping back and forth every spare minute I had. The narration pulled me right in and worked so well with the eerie, suspenseful tone of the story.

I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Between the mysterious neighbour, the haunting memories, and a rising panic that no one could be trusted, not even her own family, I was fully invested. The Hiding Man is one of the most unnerving villains I’ve come across in a while. Dark, relentless, and packed with tension. I didn’t want to look away, but I had to know how it ended.

Three words: Dark. Gripping. Sinister.

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley for the digital copy, and Libro.fm for the audiobook ALC!
A must read for thriller fans who love a good scare and a twisty, atmospheric ride.

[Evie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just straight out crime thrillers aren’t a genre I tend to read a lot of, but I picked this one for the spooky season based off some positive reviews from accounts that read more from this niche and all I can say is that I want a refund on my time.

This book is in such desperate need of an editor, or just some sort of charm and vibrancy. The writing felt simultaneously lacklustre and amateurish, whilst also feeling so unnecessarily over written with pointless detail that it hurt my soul. I understand that this is a debut, however it clearly has had some money put into it, being picked up by an imprint of Hachett Publishing, so why they didn't invest more into the editing is just beyond me.

I made a commitment to a friend I was reading this with that I wouldn’t DNF this book so my coping mechanism has become noting down inconsistencies so I could ask the book questions at the end except I couldn’t keep it up cause there was just too much…

Dear Book,

- Do you realise you wrote the MC as black out drunk and driving and just never addressed or acknowledged it?
- “I push my chair back and walk over to my kitchen sink, painting the white porcelain pink with tomato sauce as I rinse the bowl. My mind is blank, my eyes still fixed outside as I return to the table to finish drinking my apple kombucha.” why are we getting random facts about the flavour kombucha the MC is drinking with her spaghetti? This seemed so weird….
- Why did you spend two pages telling us how the MC is so paranoid she has cameras all over her large house and pathologically locks all her doors, only for her best friend to surprise her by coming in the house cause she left the door unlocked? This best friend is mentioned in passing literally twice in the whole book.
- Why are you suddenly making tea when you just spent half a page describing making a pot of coffee?
- Why did the MC, who has been on a popular radio shows for years, which she inherited (?) from her father, who also ran it for decades, just find out, from a seconds long google search, that her home address is publicly available on the internet?
- Why after a panicked drive to her fathers house, where she feels like she’s being followed, does she go and stand on the balcony to breathe deeply with her eyes closed?
- Why do you suddenly start talking about ‘The Strates House’ when you have literally never mentioned that the MCs surname is Strates and that this is their family house??
- “A killer doesn’t usually return and pick up from where he left off after nearly two decades. Has it happened across history? Surely. But I’m no expert on the subject, so that answer remains a curious mystery.” Except you kind of are? Because you run a popular radio show with a focus on stuff like this?
- Why did you spend two pages talking about how you know no one at the function, only to immediately then say that there are a handful of people in the room you have known for years through your father.
- Why did the MCs father use his book signing for his new release book to launch his upcoming book and take questions on that? That seems like a terrible marketing decision?

These questions all occurred to me before the 25% mark and I am so tired……..

I feel like all that needs to be said is that by the end of this book, I ended up with 100 highlights. These included passages that were inconsistently written to previously established facts, words used incorrectly for their context or just incredibly lacklustre passages. Honestly it reminded me of writing essays at uni when I needed to meet a word limit and was struggling so started throwing extra words in as a Hail Mary…

I have no idea what book other people read that they rated it 4+ stars but i feel bad for them and I hope they find better books to read.

I didn’t like any of the characters and I am sad more of them didn’t die…..

[NZLisaM · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Nola was 8 years old, she witnessed her 21-year-old babysitter’s murder.

The serial killer, dubbed The Hiding Man, left behind a chilling message:

‘I’ll Be Watching’.

He was never caught.

Twenty years later Nola is still haunted by the events of that terrible night, imagining The Hiding Man lurking around every corner. And she’s right to be worried, because when a distressed caller phones Night Watch (the name of the radio show/podcast Nola hosts) claiming an intruder is outside her home, and then is subsequently attacked on the air, the description she gives is eerie similar to the masked man Nola saw all those years ago. Is The Hiding Man back?

Nola has felt powerless for the past twenty years. This evil man has taken enough from her. It’s time he was unmasked and punished for his crimes. And Nola’s going to be the one to do it!

PROS:

1. Nola was a strong, empathetic, resilient, resourceful character. Her emotions, fear, and trauma were spot on. The exact kind of narrator you want.

2. The descriptions of Nola’s surroundings – her current home, childhood home, neighbourhood and Portland, Oregon in general were all vividly drawn and immersive.

3. I had no issues with the writing.

4. The narrators, Helen Laser (Nola) and Will Collyer (HIM and Jack) were excellent. I have no hesitation in recommending the audiobook.

5. The Foreword and Afterword voiced by the author, Daphne Woolsoncraft, were both raw, honest, and heartbreaking. I commend her reasons for writing Night Watcher.

CONS:

1. The identity of the serial killer was anticlimactic.

2. The only thing that crept me out was the description of the mask the killer wore. In comparison to other novels I’ve read involving serial killers, Night Watcher didn’t scare me. To be fair it takes a lot to scare me, and having read so many I’m hard to surprise.

3. Second narrator Jack was not only a boring character, but an inept detective. Glad there were more chapters from Nola’s POV.

4. Some scenes dragged, following Nola around almost in real time didn’t work for me when nothing was happening.

5. Shouldn’t it have been called Night Watch rather than Night Watcher since that was the name of the radio show? Or The Hiding Man?

An okay read, but one that didn’t leave much of an impression. Don’t take my word for it though, the 5-star reviews have been pouring in.

I’d like to thank, Netgalley, Hachette Audio, and Daphne Woolsoncroft for the audio-ARC.

Publication Date: 8 July 2025.

[ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was scary as shit from page one😭I had goosebumps, heart palpitations, and a sudden urge to triple check every door lock. The atmosphere is thick with dread, the pacing never lets up, and the villain? Straight nightmare fuel.

This kept me guessing the WHOLE👏TIME👏 I had at least 6 people in mind of who the killer was and I was still wrong

And then I flipped to the author bio and realized this is a debut? Absolutely floored, babe. Daphne Woolsoncroft did not come to play🤭

Also, I was reading it at like 2-3 AM, so that definitely didn’t help with the creep factor.

Huge thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook, listening in the dark made the whole experience even creepier. If you want a thriller that grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go, add Night Watcher to your tbr ASAPPP

[megs_bookrack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nola Strate is a late-night radio host in Portland, Oregon. Her show, Night Watch, features listeners calling in to share stories of hauntings and other creepy happenings.

One evening, a caller, seemingly in present distress, strikes a special cord with Nola, reminding her of her own escape from a serial killer years before.



It's after this disturbing call that Nola begins to feel like she's being watched. Could it possibly be The Hiding Man, the serial killer from her past, back to finish the job, or is there a new threat looming just outside her sight?

Nola is convinced it is The Hiding Man, but will she be able to figure out who it actually is before it's too late?



Y'all, this was really good. I listened to the audiobook and felt like the narration fit the story to a tee. It legit had some moments that got under my skin, playing into some of my own real life fears. Nola was also quite believable as an MC with an intriguing backstory.

I also loved the overriding True Crime feel. Nola's show, Night Watch, gave it a podcast vibe that I thought was really well done. At times, I felt like a real-life listener.

It was compelling from the start, and I found myself completely invested very early. I think it was that call that's mentioned in the synopsis, that Nola receives at the show, it would be impossible to walk away after that.



The mystery was super intriguing. Had Nola's past truly come back to haunt her? I wasn't sure, but I loved sticking around to find out.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys intense Thriller stories, perhaps with a podcast, or serial killer element. Also, this is just Horror enough to appeal to true Horror fans. Don't believe me? You'll have to check it out for yourself.



Thank you to the publisher, Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I'm looking forward to more from this author, especially if she remains in this lane.

[Rachel Hanes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Add this book to your list for the spooky season! I’m so glad I saw all the many great reviews for this book, or I might have bypassed this little gem. The cover alone even drew me in- I love it!! The setting for this story takes place in Portland, Oregon, so it’s dark and raining (my favorite type of weather), and it just made the story that more unsettling.

Our main character in this story is Nola Strate. Nola runs a late night call-in radio show that she took over from her father, Chick Strate. People call in to this radio show to report eerie hauntings and incidents that they have encountered. One night Nola receives a phone call from a woman who is experiencing strange circumstances that Nola witnessed when she was an eight year old girl. Is someone playing games with Nola, or is the man known as “The Hiding Man” back to get Nola as promised?

This story goes back and forth between the present day (mostly present day), and twenty years earlier. We get Nola’s story of what she witnessed as a young girl when the “Hiding Man” warned her that he would be watching her, and be back for her. The Hiding Man was a serial killer from Northern Oregon in the early 2000’s, who murdered seven people. No one can believe that the Hiding Man would be back after two decades, and why?

This story had me turning the pages so fast, and I kept pointing my finger at every male that entered the pages as to who the “Hiding Man” might be. I was pleasantly surprised with the conclusion, because there are so many loose cannons walking around out there- you just never know who you might encounter one day.

This was the author’s debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daphne Woolsoncroft's NIGHT WATCHER is in the running for my favorite book of 2025. I SAID WHAT I SAID! Woolsoncroft is the host of hit true crime podcast, Going West, and you can totally see that her career with Going West inspired her to write this incredibly dark and twisted story!

Nola Strate hosts Night Watch, a late-night call-in show where listeners share eerie tales of hauntings and cryptic sightings. But when one caller describes something disturbingly familiar, Nola realizes her past is catching up with her. In a dual timeline, we have Nola's experience 20 years ago when she survived a close encounter with a serial killer known as The Hiding Man. She’s stayed quiet ever since—until now. The man who once hunted her may be back, and this time, he’s not alone. With the police dismissing her fears, neighbors acting strange, and her own father under suspicion, Nola must step out from behind the mic and into the dark. If she wants to survive, she’ll have to become the hunter.

This book was a perfect score when it comes to thrillers and mysteries. I would have never suspected that this was a debut novel, as I was hooked line and sinker from the very beginning. This book is S-C-A-R-Y with a capital S! I kind of suspected how this book would end, but there were plenty of turns throughout the book to keep me guessing from time-to-time. This book holds nothing back and will even give us seasoned thriller aficionados a run for their money. Nola is a great protagonist and NIGHT WATCHER is fully compelling from start-to-finish. If you take one book review from me seriously this year so far, it should be to read NIGHT WATCHER!

[JaymeO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, I succumbed to glowing early reviews of a book I was on the fence about reading. Kudos to the reviewers whose enthusiasm persuaded me to request Night Watcher!

Here’s the deal. I am typically not a fan of books about serial killers. However, sometimes audiobooks can elevate my experience with them. This was the case with Night Watcher.

Nola Strate is a late-night call-in radio host of Night Watch in Portland, Oregon who listens to stories about hauntings for a living. One night, a caller describes a scene that is reminiscent of The Hiding Man, the serial killer she escaped from as a child. Then the caller is murdered, and she feels as if she is being watched. Is the serial killer back to finish what he started?

I listened to the audiobook, which is read by Helen Laser, Will Collyer and Daphne Woolsoncroft. I really enjoyed this format and recommend it.

Night Watcher is Woolsoncroft’s debut novel, inspired by the real disappearance and presumed murder of her Aunt Carol, whom she mentions also inspired her popular podcast, Going West. I was not familiar with Woolsoncroft or her podcast prior to reading this book.

My thoughts:
1. Cliché...It’s a book about a serial killer. Nothing new here.
2. There was a little too much telling instead of showing the reader what was happening, causing a lack of suspense and fear.
3. The reveal of the serial killer was uninspiring.
4. Jack is the world's worst detective...such unbelievably shoddy police work!

Overall, this is a promising debut author, and I would be interested in reading more from her!

3.5/5 stars rounded up

Expected publication date: 7/8/25

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ARC of Night Watcher in exchange for an honest review.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while) · Rating 4 out of 5]

EXCERPT: The creak, the squeak, from in the night, Is quite enough to cause a fright.

But when you see his wielding knife, It’s far too late, he’ll take your life.

He lurks from deep beyond the gray, He thrives as loose among the prey. Like a fox, to his hen,

This “He” is called the Hiding Man.

His first victim’s stifled scream echoes in his ears as he composes each line, acting as background noise to his typing. Mere hours ago, while he drew his blade across her throat, her lips pressed against his gloved hand, the woman wrestled for mercy. Mercy, compassion, pity that would never come. It now forms as an unforgettable memory in his mind, one he has been replaying repeatedly since its recent genesis.

In clean gloves, he tugs the poem from his aged typewriter and settles it delicately into a manila document mailer.

His breath is heavy against the mask, with only thin slivers of air available through the mouth slit he cut out himself. But wearing it completes his transition like new skin, letting him embody the man of his choosing—his making. He’s finding it loathsome to remove the newly created mask from his head, nearly wishing it would melt into his flesh and become his authentic face.

With his nondominant hand, he scribbles the Portland Police Department’s address on the front of the mailer and thinks still of the screams, and the sirens approaching the dead woman’s house, and the pigs finding his slaughtered hen. A tight smile forms beneath the fabric.

He knows this is only the beginning. He’s just getting started.

ABOUT 'NIGHT WATCHER': Nola Strate, a late night call-in radio host in Portland, Oregon, listens to stories of hauntings and cryptic sightings for a living. But one foggy, wet evening, when a caller describes an eerie scene that triggers memories of Nola’s escape from a serial killer years before, she becomes fearfully aware that he’s back to finish what he started.

Nola Strate is being watched, again.

After an encounter with a notorious serial killer in the Pacific Northwest as a child, Nola has grown up and tried her best to forget her traumatizing night with The Hiding Man. She installed security cameras outside her Oregon home, never spoke of her experience, and now hosts Night Watch, a popular radio call-in show her semi‑famous father used to run. When coincidences lead Nola to believe that she is being stalked, and a caller on Night Watch has a live incident with an intruder in the caller's home—the description of whom is chillingly familiar—Nola is convinced that The Hiding Man has resurfaced and is coming for her.

With a mysterious next‑door neighbor lurking in the shadows, more people getting hurt, the police not taking her concerns seriously, and evidence pointing towards her own father, Nola decides to become, like her listeners, a Night Watcher herself, and uncover the monster behind The Hiding Man's mask.

MY THOUGHTS: A thrilling and suspenseful debut!

Probably best not to be read at home, on your own, late at night . . . you know, when the house is creaking, shifting and settling, and there's a branch tap-tap-tapping on the window . . .

Night Watcher was very easy to become immersed in from the very start. There's nothing worse than that feeling of being watched, and Daphne Woolsoncroft has picked up this ball, run with it and scored.

Told from multiple povs including Nola, Jack - the detective, and The Hiding Man himself, Woolsoncroft will have you on your toes and glancing nervously over your shoulder.

Nola is a great character - she has put her past behind her until the call in to her radio show which, understandably makes her anxious. But she is also determined and gutsy and does the prerequisite dumb things occasionally which had me yelling at her, 'Don't do that! What are you thinking?!'

Harvey is a treasure.

Jack left a little to be required as a detective and I don't feel his character was developed as fully as it could have been.

Nola's dad - Chic Strate - made a great suspect (and there's not many of them). There was something just 'off' about him from the start. He's certainly dodgy, but a killer?

The reclusive neighbor . . . hmmm . . . certainly had me thinking.

I felt a little let down at the denouement but, hey, I know people have been killed for less. It just felt a little flat for me. I kept expecting something more to happen . . .

Woolsoncroft kept up the suspense throughout the story and I was listening every opportunity I had. The audio was superbly narrated by author Daphne Woolsoncroft, Helen Laser and Will Collyer. The author's note at the end is informative and interesting.

⭐⭐⭐.8

#NightWatcher #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR - DAPHNE WOOLSONCROFT a Los Angeles native, is the host and producer of the hit true crime podcast Going West, with a 150K-200K listeners per episode and over two million monthly downloads. When she's not writing or researching true crime cases, you can find her traveling to gloomy destinations, catching the newest horror film in theaters, or reading on the couch with her plump English Bulldog, Dewey.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Hachette Audio, Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley for providing an audio ARC of Night Watcher written by Daphne Woolsoncroft and narrated by the author herself and Helen Laser and Will Collyer. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft is scheduled for publication July 08, 2025.

https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely one of those bookstagram made me do it type of reads. After seeing so much hype surrounding this one, I had to give it a go myself

Without giving anything away, The book has one of those beginnings that immediately pulls the reader in. Full of suspenseful and tense moments, I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat. Also this one is high on the creepy scale, I mean the killer is called The Hiding Man.

I love playing detective while reading books like this and the Night Watcher had me questioning every character as a suspect. When the big reveal came, I was completely blindsided!

Believe the hype with this one!
Daphne has crafted a completely original and unique work in her debut Night Watcher and I look forward to reading whatever else she publishes.

I listened to the audiobook format which was read by one of my favorites, Helen Laser and Will Collyer also did a fantastic job!

night Watcher by Daphne Woolsoncroft was published on July 8 so it’s available now. Many thanks to Libro.FM and Hachette Audio for the gifted audiobook!

[Michelle (Murder Books and Wine) · Rating 5 out of 5]

**CATCHING UP ON REVIEWS**
I've updated this review to 5 STARS!

A fantastilly suspenseful and a tad bit of make you jump out of your chair, scary, but soooo well done! After the first couple chapters I was a bit concerned this book was not for me. I will preface that with, I do not like "scary" and I do not like "horror". With that said, yes, this was a bit out of my comfort zone, but MAN AM I GLAD I DIDN'T QUIT!!! Mama didn't raise no quitter! haha!!

I am so happy I stuck this one out, because holy serial killer, this was a BANGER!!!

The story draws you in at the beginning and does NOT stop!

Nola Strate is a podcast host for her show, Night Watch. Callers usually want to talk about "ghosts" they've encountered. But when a woman calls because she sees a man outside her window and hears noises, she's not sure if he's real or a ghost, and then the call goes cold. UH OH. Nola knows she just witnessed a murder live on her show.

Backstory. When Nola was young, her babsitter was murdered in her home by the "Hiding Man". Only Nola survived. So when this woman calls and describes what she is seeing, Nola knows immediately that he's back, after all these years.

This was a FANTASTIC debut from this author and I can tell you, she will be an auto-buy author from me from here on out! I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next! Yep, scary or not, I'm hooked!

Do not sleep on this story, add this to your TBR RIGHT NOW!!!

5 SCARY STARS!!!

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing, Novel Suspects and NetGalley for the digital copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Jamie Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 🎧 read ❤️💚🖤

[Jan Agaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audiobook narrators are REALLY good at their job

[Lackof_shelf_control · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright this one spooked me BAD in the beginning and it takes a lot to get me spooked. It very much has true crime vibes and deals with home invasions which is literally the scariest concept. I had to read it during the day because I kept thinking the Hiding Man was everywhere at night. 🫣 I thought the pacing of this story was the right amount of haunting and storytelling. There are a few POVs and a few different timelines, but very easy to follow along. It was a very enjoyable read and I was convinced I had it figured out. However, I will say the ending was not my favorite. I felt it was a little rushed in resolving and the “twist” was just okay (DM me if you read this one)! Overall, I was very happy with this read and look forward to more from this author. I’m always hesitant when podcasters become authors because it can go either way, but this one did not disappoint!

[Nevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished my 2025 Reading Challenge with this fast paced thriller! Yay 🥰

The story starts by a woman frantically asking for help from a podcast host, whose interests are dealing with the paranormal/ghosts/UFO’s etc… The caller is screaming about a ghost in her house that is out to get her. All of a sudden the phone call drops… The story unfolds from there on.

Was it a ghost? Or was it something even more sinister, like a serial killer who has been dormant for decades. The Hiding Man… ?!?

It was pretty creepy at times, which added to the tension. Character development was great. A great fun time over all.

Happy Reading 🍷

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was a chilling, suspenseful book that isn’t set to be published until July 8th, but today, on April 1st, I very desperately want to see made into a movie.

As a child, Nola Strate’s babysitter is murdered in her home while babysitting her. It is later found out that the murderer is a serial killer who will become known as ‘The Hiding Man’ due to the mask that covers his face and the fact that he stalks his victims before murdering them. Nola comes face to mask with the man, but he leaves her unharmed and with an eery message left behind for her. She spends the rest of her life hiding in plain sight, trying to leave this terrifying incident from the past behind her. But one night, a scary and eerily reminiscent phone call comes into the late night radio show she runs. It seems that after many years of silence, The Hiding Man is back, and Nola fears he will be fulfilling the promise of the message he left for her so long ago.

This was an extremely easy read with no twists or crazy subplots. It was simply a solid mystery/suspense with an engaging story and a reasonable conclusion. I could fully picture The Hiding Man’s mask and felt Nola’s terror at the description of this faceless killer. This would make a fantastic movie and I’d be first in line to buy a ticket if it was ever made into one. In the meantime, I’m so happy I had the opportunity to read this book.

With thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing and Daphne Woolsoncroft for the opportunity to preview this fantastic book in exchange for my honest review.

[Debbie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ I really liked this fast paced, page turner thriller!

Written from multiple POV of Nola, Jack and “Him”. The story spans over 20 years from Nora’s childhood to present day. Nola has recently taken over for her father Chick’s very successful radio show, Night Watcher. We learn Nola escaped a serial killer years before when her babysitter Mia was murdered in her home. Dubbed The Hiding Man, Nola has never forgotten his words to her “I’ll be watching you”.

Now it seems his murders have resumed and Nola, her cohost Harvey and police detective Jack race against time to stop him!

The writing is good in this one and the twist a little predictable but I enjoyed it til the end!

Thanks Grand Central publishers and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Misha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I won't say this was the worst mystery/thriller book I have ever read because there are worse books, for sure. It was, however, unfathomably boring, the characterisation was non-existent, and the characters behaved in incredibly weird and stupid ways.

First up, we have Jack, who is possibly the worst police officer I have ever come across in fiction. This man lets his friendships prevent him from solving a serial killer case, let multiple people he is friends with personally have access to the evidence boxes for an unsolved serial killer case (one of these people steals the evidence because Jacko could not be bothered to even take the boxes back and put them securely away again and just took his mate's word for it). I'm not a lawyer, but I'm pretty sure having the boxes of evidence stolen breaks the chain of custody for this evidence, which means it can't be used to put the killer away in a court of law when they are eventually caught. Good job, Officer Jack. What does Jack do when he finds the boxes missing and thinks back to who could have taken them and lands on his mate? He completely forgets to go see his mate and even get them back, or arrest him for stealing police evidence.

Nola is just as stupid. This woman is being vaguely stalked by a serial killer whose signature is stalking women in vague ways so that they think they're losing it, and then murdering them. She sees evidence in her house, has cameras set up, sees someone watching her and records or documents none of it and decides to report none of it to her buddy, Jack, the worst police officer in the world.

"Chick" is Nola's dad, and their relationship feels weirdly underdeveloped, and clearly he's just included for one reason: as a potential red herring for the killer. His role in the conclusion of the story/mystery is underwhelming and a bit silly.

All in all, the whole thing was boring and underwhelming so I would definitely not recommend this one.

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun propulsive thriller!! I was at the edge of my seat start to finish! Go in blind!

(Not a spoiler, but not 5 stars due to the way it ended)

[Tara — on semi-hiatus for health reasons; will check in when possible.]

I decided to switch books at 30% into my current read because I just wasn't connecting with it. I’ll pick it up again later; it’s really about the timing, not the book itself. I also picked up my library hold, “The Man From Smoke” by Alex North, and I couldn't wait to read it. I’m a huge fan of his writing—Alex North is the master of thrillers; nobody writes them quite like he does. His work is atmospheric, dark, and utterly gripping. I devoured both “The Whisper Man” and “The Shadows” in one sitting, and I know this new book will be just as compelling.

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not been this creeped out from a book in a long while. Literally, every sound outside got into my head and I had to put it down long before bedtime. While I was a little let down by how the story was resolved, this is really such a fun read overall for this time of year. Also, the hiding man know lives in my head 😱. Fuller review to come soon.

Thank you Grand Central Pub and Hachette Audio for the advanced copies.

[Krissi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-audio arc in exchange for an honest review.

I needed a little more from this story. I needed it to feel thrilling, creepy, heart-pounding, and it just fell flat. I realize that the author is a true crime podcaster and I have listened to the audiobooks from true crime podcasters before, but the narration really threw me off and I believe a proper narrator could have saved the book a little. It had more of a William Shattner-esque tone to it to where it was very dry and disnegaging.

The premise was interesting with a true crime podcaster being stalked by a serial killer from her childhood, but it just didn't live up to the interesting premise. It was very slow paced, and there was not much character development (which I know in thrillers it is not particularly heavily needed, but you at least like to have some). Give it a try if you find it interesting, but my ultimate opinion is to pass.

I would like to note and appreciate the fact that the author has had a true crime experience happen within her family and although she was not alive for it she saw the impact that it had on other family members and her dedication to show the trauma of these experiences should be commended.

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

the setup…
Twenty years ago when Nola Strate was eight years old, she experienced the trauma of a lifetime when she came face to face with the serial killer known as The Hiding Man in her home in Portland, Oregon. She’s the only one to have seen his frightening, eerie mask. Now she’s the late night radio host of Night Watch where callers relate their experiences with paranormal events. Her father Chick previously originated and hosted the show before turning it over to her. While she’s come to terms with her childhood experience, lately Nola’s feeling like someone is watching and stalking her. Then a woman calls in, terrified that someone is in her house, the description so similar to Nola’s it brings all of the memories back to the present. She’s convinced that after all these years, The Hiding Man has resurfaced.

the heart of the story…
We get the points of view from Nola, Detective Jack De Lacey who investigated the murder twenty years ago and The Hiding Man. Nola’s instincts are dead on and even though she’s surrounded by well meaning people who tell her she’s imagining things, she never lets her guard down. I was trusting no one and my list of suspects kept shifting as well as my theories.

the narration…
Helen Laser and Will Collyer are wonderful storytellers and this one needed all their skills. Laser kept the tension high and Collyer kept me off balance. They delivered a great performance.

the bottom line…
The hype was earned here and I was uncomfortable from start to finish. It’s creepy and highly atmospheric. Nola made some risky moves, the kind where you want to scream, “no, don’t go in there!” which I found nerve wracking. While the ending wasn’t as twisty as I would have liked, it still was exciting. I’m now an instant fan. 4.5 stars

Posted on Blue Mood Café

(Thanks to Hachette Audio and Libro.fm for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)