Watch Your Back

by Emma Christie

Your Past Is Right Behind You

Jo has always kept her head down and surrounded herself with strangers who know nothing about her Mum's murder. But when she receives a box of unopened letters written by the killer, her past creeps into her present, and Jo is forced to question the events that led to the killing.

Their message is clear: I'll find you, no matter how long it takes.

But Jo's tired of living in fear. Determined to protect her new life and loved ones from the tragic violence of her past, Jo embarks on a mission to find the killer before they find her.

A pacy, twisty thriller about secrets and betrayal, set amongst the historic streets of Edinburgh. Perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and C.L. Taylor.

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2025

About the author

Emma Christie grew up in a book-filled house in Cumnock, an Ayrshire coal-mining town.

After quitting her law degree to study English literature and medieval history at Aberdeen University, she spent five years working as a news reporter with one of the UK's top-selling regional daily newspapers, The Press and Journal.

Throughout her journalism career, she secretly wanted to be every author she ever interviewed.

When she's not writing, Emma now works as a tour director and lecturer in history, culture and politics with a US travel company, leading educational journeys across Spain, France and Portugal.

She can often been found in Portobello, Edinburgh's captivating seaside community, but lives in Barcelona with her girlfriend, María Jose, and far too many plants.

THE SILENT DAUGHTER is her first novel. More at emmachristiewriter.com

Reviews

[Emma Stoker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I adored this!

It's very unusual to read a thriller and feel so utterly heartbroken by the of it! I'm a mess. This book is so incredibly dark yet I found myself rooting for every single one of these characters.

Chapter after chapter we're left with a twist. I am not sure if I feel this way because the book was set in Edinburgh, in areas that I've very accustomed to, or whether Christie's well fleshed out characters did it for me but I know these people. There is something so comforting and familiar about each of these people. I went to school with them, I've worked with them, I'm related to them! Ok... Maybe I don't know anyone who would leather a wee boy with a bike chain BUT you get my point.

I loved the dual timelines and the plot came together so neatly.

An excellent book! I'd highly recommend you give it a read this winter. Tucked up in bed with a hot toddy... You'll blitz it.

Lastly, can we fucking protect Jean at all costs?!!! Everyone needs a Jean in their life and on that note, 'Alexa, play Oh Jean by the Proclaimers on Spotify."

[Fran McBookface · Rating 4 out of 5]

always have at least 3 books on the go at any one time - a physical an audiobook and a kindle book

I usually just use the kindle for bedtime reading but that's went out of the window with my latest ebook as I couldn't put it down

Watch Your Back by @emmachslristie was such a good read! Clever, twisty and perfectly paced. It definitely kept me up past my bedtime.

I loved the Edinburgh/Portobello setting and there's a great cast of characters. Jo in all her flawed glory was particularly compelling. 

As well as the central mystery of a box of letters which kicks off the story, Watch Your Back explores themes of poverty and addiction and there are many layers to the story to keep you turning those pages. 

This is my second Emma Christie book so will be reading the other 2 soon but I'll know better to pick them up at bedtime

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch Your Back is another terrifically fast paced read from Emma Christie. The way it’s written is so clever that I almost can’t say very much at all, as I don’t want to give anything away. We have two parts to the narrative. One is narrated by young Tink, whose father has died and who has a very difficult home life. She’s the kind of character you want to pull out of the book and give a cuddle. The second strand follows Jo, who works in a charity shop right here in Portobello and has also obviously had a difficult past. This past seems to catch up with her when a box of letters are delivered to her and just as quickly stolen, before she even gets a chance to read them. Jo knows that someone knows the truth about her mother’s murder and she’s very keen to find out who.

There are several other characters of course but I really must mention Jean here. Jean is Jo’s boss in the charity shop and is a gem of a character. She is so supportive of Jo, more like a mother to her even though Jo tries to keep relationships quite distant, always on her side and always has her back. Everyone needs someone like Jean in their lives to offer belief, support and love.

I loved the setting and spotting familiar places that I know well whether that was in Portobello High Street or on the beach, in the city centre or out at Queensferry. Cramond Island plays a pivotal role in some scenes too. I love a book set somewhere I know and the author really brought Edinburgh alive on the page for me. It’s a place of contrasts and that’s very evident in the book.

I was gripped by this book and found both Tink and Jo’s stories to be really compelling. I liked the exploration of growing relationships, betrayals and second chances. Just when I thought I had everything worked out, the author hit me with yet another twist! The two narratives were brought together beautifully, and the tension and sense of danger were high throughout. Another gripping read from Emma Christie that kept me guessing right to the end!

[Jo_Scho_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo has kept a quiet life since her mum’s murder fifteen years ago, but when she’s sent a box of unopened letters from the prison, she realises her past has come back to haunt her. But before she’s had a chance to read any of them, the letters are stolen. Why? Who else would want them? Determined to protect this new life of hers, Jo goes on a quest to uncover the truth, and soon realises that her past isn’t that far away from her present..

This is a book that grabbed me straight from the start. Easy to read, interesting characters and an intriguing plot meant that before I’d even realised, I’d read fifty pages and was engrossed. Don’t you love it when that happens? No getting muddled up with many characters, or jumping back and forth with different timelines (although there are two here, the past and the present) and different points of view. Nope I was straight in, fully immersed and eager to find out more.

The story is set in Edinburgh, focusing on the less affluent areas, where poverty and hardship is rife. Jo has had a tough life and the book doesn’t shy away from the adversity she’s suffered. It can make for a bleak read but this just enhances the grittiness of the story.

Compelling and clever. If you want a fast paced and edgy read, then this is for you.

[Lynsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Watch Your Back’ is a brilliant thriller that was utterly engrossing! I am a big fan of Emma Christie’s and this book hasn't changed that, more consolidated that fact. Plus, she has been doing so much work with the Brain Tumour charity around the publication of this book. She has been running, donating for any copies sold, etc. Lovebookstours has also chosen the charity as their final charity for 2025 and has waived the fee for this tour!

Written with a dual timeline, Jo in the present and Tink in the past, made the story compelling and frankly utterly addictive. This story was devoured in one sitting and was packed full of meaty twists and turns. The two differing voices and their stories seamlessly came together to form a nuanced and emotional narrative.

Both Tink and Jo were brilliant characters and you really rooted for them. In fact, all the characters were well-drawn, with shades of grey and realistic backgrounds. The standard of writing was top-notch and all the separate plot points were considered and meticulously in driving the story forward.

Let me know you pick this one up!

[Leigh Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Emma Christie and wow! Absolutely loved the writing style and how she really has you thinking. It is full of twists and tugs on those emotions which I actually don't think many crime writers can pull off!
It is a slow burner, but it worked for me.
I love a good crime thriller and Christie delivered!
Will it pick up another book of hers, Absolutely!

[Catherine Hirst · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy thrillers with twists round every corner, then Watch Your Back should be your next read.

Jo has always been very careful to keep her past to herself and has forged a new life for herself after her mum’s murder. However, this all changes when a box of unopened letters written by the killer arrives from the prison her life is thrown into turmoil, as they’re stolen again before she gets a chance to read them.

I don’t want to give anything away, as I never saw some of the twists coming and that’s part of the beauty of this book. I loved the dual timeline aspect of the story and how this brings the plot together.

All the characters were well thought out , especially Jo’s boss at the charity shop, Jean. She is such a loveable character, who really looks after Jo and provides hers ome of the motherly support she is missing.

I was gripped by this story from the beginning and whizzed through the last few chapters as it all fell into place. This is the first Emma Christie book I’ve read, but I will definitely be adding more to my TBR list.

Thanks to Mountain Leopard Press for the digital copy of this book.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a real fondness for Scottish crime fiction, or Tartan Noir as it is often named, especially at various crime fiction festivals. Emma Christie sets her stories in Edinburgh, with lead characters who always appear to be the man, or woman next door.

Jo has done her best to keep her past quiet: her mother was murdered when Jo was younger, and she’s built a new life with people who don’t know that history. Then she receives a box of unopened letters from prison addressed to her, and before she can open them they’re stolen. Suddenly Jo realises someone must be hiding a very dark secret. Now the past is rushing back. And rather than let the past define her, Jo resolves to unearth the truth before that someone unearths her.

The novel is set in the historic streets of Edinburgh and uses its setting to amplify the mood of tension and the creeping fear of being watched.

The idea of past trauma resurfacing in an everyday, 'normal' life is used effectively, and that contrast between the calm surface and the under-currents of menace works beautifully.

Jo is a compelling lead character: we sense the weight she carries, her need to keep things safe, and the fear that someone else might upset the quiet life that she’s created. That emotional tension draws you in.

The sense of place adds so much atmosphere, as is the norm with this author's books. Edinburgh becomes more than backdrop: its historic streets and hidden corners mirror the themes of hidden pasts and things being uncovered.

If you enjoy a thriller that combines emotional depth with a strong mystery, built on character and setting rather than just things that make you jump, then Watch Your Back is a very good choice. Emma Christie has crafted a story where you feel the weight of the past, the fragility of the present, and the danger of what lies ahead. I found it engaging from beginning to end, and the ending is really satisfying.

It's solid, engrossing, and will leave you looking over your shoulder long after you finish. Recommended by me.

[Beth Reads Crime · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We waste half our lives wondering how other people judge us and the other half judging ourselves”

Watch Your Back is a crime novel set across two undeclared timelines, though we can make a good guess that the first takes place around 2005–2006, thanks to a few cultural clues, while the other lands fifteen years later.

It’s my first Christie, though it’s actually her fourth book and like the others it’s set in Portobello, Scotland. I loved the touches of local flavour from the mentions of macaroni pie and the occasional Scottish vernacular. However, we need to talk about “skelf”… what’s up with that? It sounds more like an ’80s Jim Henson creation than a splinter!

With its working class, housing estate setting the novel doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of life. The attitudes can be bleak at times and there’s a lot of homophobia mentioned. However I did find the book invites us to look beyond people’s behaviour and ask why they are the way they are. At one point, the teenagers in the earlier timeline are rebelling and being antisocial, and an adult snaps, “You not got a home to go to?” They find this infuriating because of course they do. But they would prefer to be out late in the cold rather than in, so what does that say about their homes? About their lives? The book teaches us to be kinder to others and ourselves, like the quote I opened this review with.

There are a few mysteries to be solved across the two timelines: who stole the unopened letters? What did the letters say? What happened to Tink’s mum? Christie reveals information with just the right pacing, keeping you guessing until the end when everything clicks satisfyingly into place.

Honestly, I didn’t expect Watch Your Back to make me think as much as it did. A deeply human crime story that will stay with you.

Thank you so much to Emma Christie and Mountain Leopard Press for sending me a copy of the book to review.

[Bookshortie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jo thought that she had left the past behind, that is until the box of letters arrives. Before Jo can open the box it is taken. Can Jo uncover who took the letters and why?

I read this book very quickly. The prologue caught my attention immediately and I wanted to know more. The storyline included mystery, drama and an unexpected plot twist which took the story in a completely different direction than I was expecting.

The story is told in a dual timeline format. In the present Jo is going about her normal life when the box of letters arrives and then disappears. Then the threatening messages start. In the past the reader follows Tink and Spider, how they met and their friendship. To begin with I didn’t understand how Jo, Tink and Spider’s timelines were connected because they seemed standalone and completely separate. But as the story unfolded everything started to fit together and the connection between them became clearer. I did have an idea of how the past narrative fitted into the present narrative but the more I read I realised I couldn’t have been more wrong. Essentially in order to understand what is happening in the present Jo has to revisit the past, specifically her past.

Jo was a character I found quite interesting. I got the impression that no one really knew the real Jo and that she was keeping a part of her life hidden from those around her. What I thought I knew about Jo changed as the story progressed. The arrival of the box really flustered Jo especially when as quickly as it arrives it is taken away. So Jo finds herself on a mission to work out what is actually going on but that means that she starts to view people in her life with suspicion. Then things become complicated when the person that delivered the box is attacked. I found myself invested in Jo’s journey to find the box but also to learn more about what was written in the letters.

This is a book that I would recommend if you enjoy mystery thrillers.

[janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who's read my previous reviews knows that I love a strong female lead and this one most definitely delivered.

Full transparency, this did take me a while to get into, I picked it up and put back down quite a few times before it fully grabbed my attention, but once it did, it didn’t let go.

Set within Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, especially Portobello, the story is centred around Jo Hidalgo, aka Tink and her best friend Spider.

Told through dual timelines of Then and Now, Then takes us back to the murder of Tinks mother. Living through poverty in the dark underbelly of the city, Tink is desperate to escape.

The Now has Tink living a quiet, solitary life. Nobody knows her as anything but Jo, nobody knows her past, so when a box of letter arrives at her work, postmarked from the prison not only is she shocked, she's scared.

She takes them home to store them unsure if she'll read them but she never gets the chance. Her flat is broken into and the letters stolen.

Jo has been running from the ghost of her past and her mothers murder all her adult life and now it's come back to haunt her she's decided to tackle it head on.

The characterisation was executed brilliantly. The strong female protagonist who is flawed but formidable and the dark shadows of people from her past resurfacing.

The setting was dark, creepy and a character of its own!

Edgy, dark and fast paced... exactly what a thriller should deliver.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Headline, Mountain Leopard Press for the ARC.

[Jacob Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma Christie’s Watch Your Back is an emotionally charged, absolutely gripping psychological thriller. Emma’s main character, Jo, has already suffered from immense trauma in her life, particularly when her mother was murdered fifteen years ago. But for Jo, as she pursues her quest to get to the truth about what really happened that day, things are about to take an even darker turn.

There is an intriguing set-up when Jo is posted a mysterious box of letters, which then vanish from her flat. She knows what the letters are about and who they must be from. After they’re stolen, she knows now she must confront her past, and she will stop at nothing in her efforts to uncover the truth, including putting herself in danger.

I really liked how Emma Christie took us back in time to 2005, where we meet Tink, a teenage girl, who is suddenly faced with the sudden death of her father. Tink’s mother isn’t exactly the most supportive person in her life, so Tink finds solace in her new friend, whom her mother doesn’t exactly approve of. And this is where a rebellious streak burns bright in Tink. I loved these scenes, and I loved how Emma Christie delved into the friendship between the two girls, making them both feel real and utterly compelling.

I was wondering how the past scenes were going to connect to the present. The way how Emma Christie reveals this is so well done. It really did feel immersive, and I really did feel as though I was in the character’s shoes in this moment.

The emotion shines through in Emma Christie’s writing, which brings her world and her characters to life. There is real tension right the way through this book, which kept my eyes glued to the page. Watch Your Back is an incredibly tense read, and it’ll make you feel as though you’re stepping right into the lives of the characters. I really enjoyed it.

[Amanda Felton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to LBT end everyone else involved in this book tour. What a great cause. As someone who lost their mom to cancer this is really amazing. Thank you for sharing this and for my epub.

Holy cow what a book. I was sucked into this read and I didn’t get out well I don’t think I’m out yet. This book was so good. I haven’t read a book like it before. I haven’t. I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what was gonna happen next. I was seriously just going for all the characters. I felt like I knew the characters. I have never been to Edinburgh, but still I felt like I knew some of them throughout my life. Some worse than others too. I loved the dual time line and how it eventually came together and how they talk about the not so nice areas and how Jo grows up the author doesn’t hold back and I like that it’s relatable and real. This whole book I just was on the edge of my seat. The end of each chapter had me going umm what ?! I couldn’t put it down. I actually jumped at some parts not sure why but I did. The writing is so good and it flowed and I wasn’t confused on characters or anything just good straight reading. I loved Jean like she was my favorite I just loved how protective she was. I just couldn’t get enough of this read I really couldn’t. I need more. I have to have more. Like for real!!!! I loved Jo too I totally related to her. I really did.

Yall go and get this book !!! You won’t regret it I promise!!!

[Veronika Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was brilliant. I really couldn’t put it down. I was so out of my comfort zone as I have no experience of this kind of life.

The book is written in two timelines. Jo is working in a charity shop with the lovely Jean, who looks after her wellbeing. Jo’s mum was murdered fifteen years earlier and Jo watched her die. Noew everything is going as well as can be expected until a box of old letters is delivered to the shop. On the side the box is stamped HMP. Jo has a good idea who sent it but doesn’t open any of the letters. And then they are stolen before she can read them. Someone wants to make sure she doesn’t see the contents. That same night Jo is at the pub with the staff and volunteers from the shop when she bumps into Ali from her previous life. What is the connection?

The other timeline revolves around Tink and Spider, two young teenage girls. Spider has a bad reputation and is a bit older than Jo. When her father dies in an accident, Tink finds refuge with Spider. But Tink’s mother has spiralled out of control into an alcoholic fugue and treats Tink appallingly. She hates Spider and numerous arguments follow.

There are two twists in the story – one is pretty obvious from the start – while the other is devastating and I would never have guessed. I felt so sorry for Jo, though sometimes it was hard to like her as she is not the most sympathetic character. I felt she needed to shed her guilt and find salvation, but it was very hard for her and she is often defensive and unapproachable. But Jean is always her biggest supporter.

The book is a triumph of survival against adversity. I would highly recommend it.

Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of the #WatchYourBack blog tour.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a solid mystery thriller that kept me engaged from start to finish. I found myself constantly looking for clues and trying to piece together the puzzle. The dual timelines, following Tink and Spider in the past, and Jo in the present, were well-balanced and added depth to the story.

Tink and Spider’s childhoods were heartbreaking. Growing up in poverty and dealing with the loss of their fathers gave them a shared bond, and watching their friendship grow was one of the more tender aspects of the book. Their struggles were tough to read at times, but they were portrayed with empathy and realism.

Jo’s present-day storyline was equally compelling. Her emotional journey and the mystery surrounding her past made for a gripping narrative. Being from Glasgow myself, I loved seeing familiar places woven into the story, their character and flaws were captured beautifully, which made the setting feel especially vivid and personal.

As the plot began to unravel, I found myself racing through the final chapters. I read the last 30% in every spare moment I had, I just had to know what happened next and what secrets were about to be revealed.

The writing was smooth and easy to follow, and despite a fairly large cast of characters, each one had a clear purpose and added something meaningful to the story. This was my first read by the author and I’m keen to explore more.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a compelling story. A dual timeline story with Jo the main character in the present and Tink and Spider in the past. Set in Edinburgh where Jo is working in a charity shop managed by Jean, a wonderful lady who seems to have taken Jo under her wing. But Jo has a dark secret she is hiding from everyone.

Briefly, in a pub with her colleagues she is shocked to see a face from the past, one she was not happy to see. Then a mysterious box is delivered to the charity shop for her, she sees it contains letters from this same person and after taking it home her home is broken into and the box stolen before she has time to read them. In the past Spider and Tink become friends after Spider helps Tink when she is being bullied. They have much in common, both have lost their fathers and are living in poverty and their friendship runs deep, they only have each other.

These are great characters. I felt quite emotional watching the friendship of Tink and Spider bloom although the reason for it was sad, two lonely children looking for someone who will care about them. Similarity with Jo she has been hurt and is afraid of getting close to anyone but she’s strong enough that she is going to get to the bottom of the mystery. The two stories worked so well and the plot was perfect, a very enjoyable read.

[Elizabeth Currie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into Watch Your Back by @theemmachristie hoping for a gripping thriller that kept me guessing - and whilst it very much delivered, what I didn’t expect was to feel quite so emotional as I reached the end. It’s a thriller but it is also a very human story, with a cast of complex but compelling characters, not least protagonist Jo.

Set in the less salubrious side of Edinburgh, so vividly brought to life by the author, we meet Jo whose mother was murdered she was a child. She has built herself a new life amongst people who know nothing of her past - but she is confronted with that past when she is delivered a box of unopened letters addressed to her, and before she has a chance to read them they are stolen from her. And in her mission to get to the truth we learn more about Jo’s past.

Told in dual timelines, both past and present, it is an often heartbreaking story of individuals whose pasts, and the emotional baggage they bring, very much dictate their present. With a number of unanswered questions across both past and present, Christie does a great job of keeping the reader guessing before bringing everything together very cleverly.

Don’t go into this expecting it to be action-packed from the off - but if you like your thrillers atmospheric, gritty and with real heart then it is definitely one I would recommend.

[Susan (Purplegalaxyreads94) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thank you to Emma Christie and to LoveBooksTours for the gifted e-copy in exchange for my honest and spoiler free review!

This is my very first read by Emma Christie and I’m honestly very impressed! Watch Your Back is a pacy, twisty thriller about secrets and betrayal, set amongst the historic streets of Edinburgh. I absolutely love any sort of twisty or psychological thriller books because they have the ability to make you think one way before something changes and throws you completely off track. That’s what I love in a thriller and Emma Christie was able to do that with this book!

I don’t want to spoil anything for other readers but I will say that this book is a great book that will truly make you stop and think about your views on life and the actions that you take. I love a book that makes you reflect on your core values and how you treat people especially when a book or characters in a book feel so relatable or personal. It teaches you that everyone chooses what they show to others and that we all tend to wear a mask to hide parts of our lives from others especially if we fear what others might think or say about us. Everything that you think you know about a person may only be the tip of the iceberg and you have no clue who a person truly is. This book did a great job at creating the impression of this and I absolutely enjoyed it.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo has always kept her head down and surrounded herself with strangers who knew nothing about her mum's murder. But when she receives a box of unopened letters written by the killer, her past creeps into her present, and Jo is forced to question the events that led to the killing. Their message is clear: I'll find you, no matter how long it takes. But Jo is tired of living in fear. Determined to protect her new life and loved ones, from the tragic violence of her past, Jo embarks on a mission to find the killer before they find her.

Set in Edinburgh's cobbled streets, this is an atmospheric read. Jo has spent most of her life trying to escape the clutches of her mother's killer. Fifteen years have passed and Jo has been sent a box of unopened letters from the prison. But before she can read them, the letters are stolen.

Jo is a strong but complex character. The story is told from multiple points of view. There were a few twists, it was gripping and tense in this well-written book. This was my first read by the author, but it won't be my last.

Published 23rd October 20225

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Headline #MountainLeopardPress and the author #EmmaChristie for my ARC of #WatchYourBack in exchange for an honest review.

[Susie Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifteen years after her mum’s murder, Jo has built a quiet life and learned to keep her past buried. But when she receives a mysterious box of unopened letters sent she’s forced to confront the secrets she’s spent years trying to escape. What follows is a tense, emotional journey to uncover the truth before the past catches up with her.

Emma Christie is so good at writing thrillers that feel real. Her characters are messy and human, her plots layered but never confusing, and she balances emotional depth with proper page-turning tension. Every revelation makes perfect sense in hindsight, which is so satisfying in a psychological thriller.

What stood out most for me was the character development. Jo isn’t the typical heroine you find in this genre, she’s flawed and sometimes frustrating, but that’s what makes her so believable. The supporting cast all have their own shadows too, and as the story deepens you’re left questioning everyone! By the end of the book, I’d not only been surprised by the twists, I also genuinely cared about how things would turn out for Jo.

If you like thrillers with heart and stories about guilt, identity and the past refusing to stay buried Watch Your Back is well worth adding to your list!

[Angi Plant · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cracking read. It crackles with tension from the beginning and carries on in the same vein, throughout.
Emma Christie is an extremely talented writer and she certainly knows how to twist and turn the story so that you’re totally believing one thing and then her sleight of hand changes everything.
I flew through this story in a oner, as it was dark, gritty and thoroughly addictive. I felt for the characters and they were people anyone could know. Perhaps without being aware. These are the best type. They make you look twice at people and not only see what secrets do, but that we all have them, however small and harmless. I loved Jean. She was a lovely character. Everyone knows a Jean. Kind, unassuming, understanding and generally great. I’m not saying more or I’ll spoil it. Do read this book it’s a great read on so many levels. It shows relationships and obsession, love and hatred. It’s a book to make you stop and think. If you treat people differently because of who they love this book might make you think twice. Not in a way that preaches but in a realistic sense.
With thanks to Anne Cater, the publisher and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book. Posting a day early as I’m unable to post tomorrow.

[Amorina Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always excited to help out with a good cause, and in this case, I get to do something I love while doing it! Not only does reading/reviewing a book help raise awareness for an awesome organization, but the book is a thriller, one of my top two genres! I'm pleased to say that this tour is supporting the Brain Tumor Charity, which is one close to the author's her

The full blurb is on slide 5, but the gist is that a woman who usually keeps herself to herself receives a box of letters from the prison. The letters get stolen before she reads them, sending her life into a fast-paced, thriller of an adventure from start to finish.

I always love a good thriller, and this one really delivered. I was on the edge of my seat right up until the end of the last page. I really liked the characters, especially Jo and Aly. I also really appreciated the LGBTQ representation in the book. From page one, there is an established lesbian, and we continue to see at least that relationship dynamic explored. There was also some conscious exploration of different class structures. I enjoy how most genres are now exploring different social mediums in almost all genres now.

The twists and turns were amazing. It made me want to rush through to find the answers to my burning questions.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Christie doesn’t just write thrillers—she engineers them. Watch Your Back is a taut, atmospheric ride through Edinburgh’s cobbled streets and shadowy pasts, where secrets don’t stay buried and trust is a currency no one can afford.

Jo, our quietly haunted protagonist, has spent years outrunning the ghost of her mother’s murder. But when a box of prison letters—unread and unopened—resurfaces only to be stolen, the past doesn’t just knock. It kicks the door in. What follows is a spiraling chase for truth, layered with deception, misdirection, and a twist so audacious it practically winks at you.

Christie’s prose is lean but evocative, her pacing relentless without ever feeling rushed. The city of Edinburgh isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right, steeped in history and menace. And Jo? She’s no cardboard heroine. She’s flawed, fierce, and utterly compelling.

If you like your thrillers with emotional depth, razor-sharp turns, and just enough darkness to keep the lights on, this one’s for you. Christie doesn’t just watch your back—she makes sure you’re looking over it.

With thanks to Emma Christie, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gripping and emotional thriller that hooks you from the very first chilling revelation. Jo has built her life on anonymity—keeping her past buried deep where no one can reach it. But when a box of unopened letters arrives, written by the person who murdered her mother years ago, everything she’s worked so hard to protect starts to unravel. The tension escalates quickly as Jo refuses to run any longer and instead decides to hunt the killer before they can find her.

Christie excels at creating an atmosphere thick with unease. Jo’s fear feels palpable, yet so does her determination and resilience. The story weaves between past trauma and present danger in a way that keeps you invested, always wondering what truly happened and who can be trusted. There are some brilliantly crafted twists—just when you think you’ve figured it all out, the truth hits even harder.

While a few pacing moments felt slightly drawn out, the emotional depth and suspense more than make up for it. Jo is a protagonist you can root for, flawed but fiercely brave, and the ending delivers a satisfying payoff that lingers long after you turn the final page.

[KathVBtn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Christie writes about an Edinburgh that isn't often seen in books, there's not much of the Royal Mile or Arthur's Seat. Emma's characters inhabit the grittier side of the city with run down council estates, depressing shopping malls, alcoholic families and overworked police forces.

This is Jo's world - she grew up in Edinburgh's suburbs, living in a single parent household after her dad tragically died, watching her mum spiral into alcoholism and addiction, and then being brutally murdered when Jo was still a teenager.

15 years later, Jo is sent a box of letters that she's never seen before, sent from the prison. But before she can open them and find out what they mean, the letters are stolen from her and she is dragged into a mess that she can't escape. Faces from the past start appearing as well - it must all be linked but can Jo find out before she ends up embroiled in something bigger than she can handle.

It is a pacey exhilarating read with twists and reveals galore. I will definitely be back for more!

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a gripping read, and I found myself completely drawn into Jo’s story. Fifteen years after her mother’s murder, Jo has built a quiet life, but everything changes when she receives a box of letters from prison. Before she can even open them, they’re stolen, and that moment sets off a chain of tension and mystery that kept me hooked.

I really liked how the book moved between two timelines the past, when Jo was known as Tink and growing up in poverty with her best friend Spider, and the present, where she’s trying to keep her past hidden. The way the two threads connected was clever.

Jo is a strong lead character. She’s flawed, cautious, and sometimes scared, but she’s also determined to face the truth head-on.

The Edinburgh setting, darker corners of the city, the sense of being watched, and the atmosphere of unease all made the story even more compelling.

The book wasn’t just about solving a mystery, it was about trauma, secrets, and how the past can shape the present.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of ‘Watch Your Back’ by Emma Christie, due to be published on 23 October 2025 by Headline, Mountain Leopard Press.

Jo is shocked when a box of mystery letters arrive at her workplace - she didn’t think anyone knew who she really was. Seeing they are from a prominent figure from her past, she debates whether or not to read them. Before she gets a chance to open the letters, her flat is broken into, and the letters stolen.

Struggling with her memories of the death of her father in a car accident, and the murder of her mother 15 years ago, Jo searches for answers to what was in the letters, and who knows what happened in her past.

Jo is a strong female protagonist in the story, her past is pieced together throughout the book, sharing the heartbreak she has suffered together with the new path she has forged in her current life. There are some twists and turns along the way and revelations that tie the story up nicely at the end. A recommended read.

[kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting.

The writing style is engaging and hooked me right from the first sentence. The story line is compelling and utterly gripping. I loved the dual timeline aspect of this book because I think it worked really well and helped the story come together absolutely seamlessly. It was full of tension, supense and mystery and the twist floored me I didn't guess it at all.
The characters are all really well developed and I loved watching the individual stories unfold.

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by the author.

Also side note but one that is very close to my heart, I love that the author is collaborating with The Brain Tumour Charity, I lost my Gramps to a brain tumour in 2023 and it was the hardest thing to have to sit by and watch. It is such an important Charity and such an important cause so please get a copy if you can and support - i know i will be

[The Book Elf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh, what a dark powerful read this was . No matter which way you look at it ,this is a sinister and at times gut wrenching book. As you turn the pages you are there with Jo as she is caught up in the past whilst trying to keep it a secret from the present. When the past resurfaces, after all she has done to keep it hidden, she finds herself in the unenviable position of having to find out who is behind it and why.

You will find yourself turning the pages at an alarming rate as you embark with Jo on her race to find out who is behind this resurfacing of her past and why.

Emma’s narrative is all encompassing and it draws you to its depths with its vivid descriptions that take you to the different settings and into the persona of each character. This is a story that definitely takes you into the seedier side of life in Edinburgh.

I haven’t read any of Emma’s previous books but I will now be looking out for them.

[Lisa_and_her_library · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I picked up a thriller and the fact that I was reading for part of a campaign to raise awareness for the @braintumourcharity and their work was just the nudge I needed. Doing some good by reading - sign me up, I said 😂

I’m so very glad I did. @theemmachristie has written an absolute belter of a book. It is a dual timeline, fast paced thriller set on the coastline near Edinburgh with some rather shady characters indeed and some rather secretive characters thrown in too for good measure. Both timelines were equally as interesting to me. The chapters were quite short which I find very helpful as I don’t always have large chunks of time to dedicate to reading. I did find that I was flying through the pages as I desperately wanted to know the next twist in the tale. And there were plenty of them! I think I managed to read this in less than 24 hours as I literally could not put it down. There was a huge curveball towards the back of the book which turned the whole thing on its head, as it turned out. I had been barking up completely the wrong tree. I loved the final twist and I did finish the book reading with my mouth open like a goldfish as it caught me completely off guard.

I have rated this book ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ and I think it’s one of my favourite thrillers I have read for a long time. I will read Emma Christie again.

Thank you very much to @lovebookstours for their gifted e-copy of the book and having be on this very special tour.

Thank you Emma for a fantastic book and campaign. I hope that you are pleased with what you have achieved over the last few weeks. Well done 👏