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Callie Munro Thriller #1
The Night Watcher
In this tense thriller from the winner of the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, PI Callie Munro is hunting a serial killer on the streets of Edinburgh. But he’s already found her…
As private investigators go, Callie Munro is tougher than most. She’s had to be. Abandoned as a baby and raised by a succession of strangers, she knows a thing or two about surviving…
…but she never expected to find herself hunting a serial killer.
After uncovering a string of missing women―women no one seems to care about―Callie refuses to look away. With police ignoring the evidence, her only ally is an organised crime boss with his own agenda.
The deeper Callie digs, the more dangerous the hunt becomes. Every clue exposes another lie. Every step brings the killer closer.
She’s fighting for the forgotten. But if she’s not careful, she’ll be next.
As private investigators go, Callie Munro is tougher than most. She’s had to be. Abandoned as a baby and raised by a succession of strangers, she knows a thing or two about surviving…
…but she never expected to find herself hunting a serial killer.
After uncovering a string of missing women―women no one seems to care about―Callie refuses to look away. With police ignoring the evidence, her only ally is an organised crime boss with his own agenda.
The deeper Callie digs, the more dangerous the hunt becomes. Every clue exposes another lie. Every step brings the killer closer.
She’s fighting for the forgotten. But if she’s not careful, she’ll be next.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2025
2474 people are currently reading
6265 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
November 10, 2025
Yes, this is a thriller all right. No lapses in action, nor any filler to speak of. Not my favorite genre as I usually reach for a good police procedural and I'm not a big fan of guts or gore if you know what I mean. For thriller fans this will deliver. For me, however, I found Callie Munro just a little too much of a renegade - throwing caution to the wind, putting herself in harm's way, and taking the law into her own hands. I'm going to pass on future releases in this series.
November 5, 2025
Okay, so the kindle First Reads are usually, shall we say, crap. But this one was excellent. I actually don’t particularly like thrillers, but I really liked this one. And my friend who loves thrillers, loved this. The twists weren’t broadcast in neon lights, the characters were interesting and fleshed out, and I didn’t get bored. I would definitely read other books by this author and in this series.
November 2, 2025
Set in Edinburgh, Scotland, “The Night Watcher” is a well-written mystery/police procedural about the hunt for a serial killer who has tortured and then murdered a number of women. It is the first in a series starring private investigator Callie Munro. I enjoyed it and look forward to author Tariq Ashkanani’s next offering.
Callie Munro was orphaned early in life and grew up in Scotland’s foster care system. She knows little about her beginnings, but remembers a lot about her unpleasant experiences as a foster child—experiences which helped to make her strong and independent, but also aloof and mistrustful. After a series of unsuccessful employments, she’s found her calling as a P.I.
Hired by a husband to investigate and document his wife’s possible infidelity, Callie uncovers evidence that several murders may be the work of one person. It’s a theory that Edinburgh police are reluctant to look into, leaving Callie to investigate on her own. The story of that investigation is filled with twists and turns, not to mention several red herrings, and ends with a surprise. You'll think you know who the killer is, but you won't.
Mr. Ashkanani has given us a solidly constructed, believable mystery, a main character we can root for and care about, and well-drawn supporting characters, all portrayed through clear prose and credible dialogue that can be read quickly. I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t more about the city of Edinburgh and Scottish life, but maybe there will be time and space for that in future Callie Munro thrillers.
A solid 4-star performance.
Callie Munro was orphaned early in life and grew up in Scotland’s foster care system. She knows little about her beginnings, but remembers a lot about her unpleasant experiences as a foster child—experiences which helped to make her strong and independent, but also aloof and mistrustful. After a series of unsuccessful employments, she’s found her calling as a P.I.
Hired by a husband to investigate and document his wife’s possible infidelity, Callie uncovers evidence that several murders may be the work of one person. It’s a theory that Edinburgh police are reluctant to look into, leaving Callie to investigate on her own. The story of that investigation is filled with twists and turns, not to mention several red herrings, and ends with a surprise. You'll think you know who the killer is, but you won't.
Mr. Ashkanani has given us a solidly constructed, believable mystery, a main character we can root for and care about, and well-drawn supporting characters, all portrayed through clear prose and credible dialogue that can be read quickly. I was a little disappointed that there wasn’t more about the city of Edinburgh and Scottish life, but maybe there will be time and space for that in future Callie Munro thrillers.
A solid 4-star performance.
November 14, 2025
Hmm…
Wasn’t sure what to expect from this novel, but all I can say is that I didn’t care for the writing. The characters did not engage me, and the violence was over the top.
Wasn’t sure what to expect from this novel, but all I can say is that I didn’t care for the writing. The characters did not engage me, and the violence was over the top.
November 14, 2025
The plot was decent and I would have rated it a 4 star, but a few things about the story drove me crazy. I don't need to know about every time Callie Munro lights a cigarette or has no time to eat. It adds nothing to the story, it's just filler.
November 6, 2025
An exceptionally unlikable character
I want back the few hours I spent on this book. The PI, Callie, is an unlikable rogue. She is hired by a man to find out if his wife is having an affair (she is) but refuses to pay Callie because his wife confessed before Callie gave him the report. They get into a fight which Callie wins although he's professional security and twice her size. And we're off to one improbable plot point after another. I really tried to follow along but at 50% I simply skipped to the last 2 chapters. Low and behold, a cliffhanger.
I knew going in I would probably give this at most 3 stars when Callie bemoans how broke she is and might not make the rent, has paying jobs to finish, but goes off following a serial killer for no credible reason or remuneration. This is a very poorly written woman PI.
I want back the few hours I spent on this book. The PI, Callie, is an unlikable rogue. She is hired by a man to find out if his wife is having an affair (she is) but refuses to pay Callie because his wife confessed before Callie gave him the report. They get into a fight which Callie wins although he's professional security and twice her size. And we're off to one improbable plot point after another. I really tried to follow along but at 50% I simply skipped to the last 2 chapters. Low and behold, a cliffhanger.
I knew going in I would probably give this at most 3 stars when Callie bemoans how broke she is and might not make the rent, has paying jobs to finish, but goes off following a serial killer for no credible reason or remuneration. This is a very poorly written woman PI.
January 3, 2026
Finished reading: December 11th 2025
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
December 26, 2025
Quite thrilling with lots of suspense. Loved it.
The US military “inadvertently” shot-down an alien vessel. Now the government must cover-up the incident even if it means erasing a rural Missouri town.
Living in MO, it was rather fun to see KCMO and WAFB in a story. I’m fairly certain this was written by a young adult for the YA community. Lots of typos, spelling errors, incorrect homonyms, capitalization, etc. A criminal level overuse of the exclamation mark and the word “ruinous” makes the text distracting from the story, but even so, this is a fantastic book and worthy of the time.
Can recommend.
The US military “inadvertently” shot-down an alien vessel. Now the government must cover-up the incident even if it means erasing a rural Missouri town.
Living in MO, it was rather fun to see KCMO and WAFB in a story. I’m fairly certain this was written by a young adult for the YA community. Lots of typos, spelling errors, incorrect homonyms, capitalization, etc. A criminal level overuse of the exclamation mark and the word “ruinous” makes the text distracting from the story, but even so, this is a fantastic book and worthy of the time.
Can recommend.
December 13, 2025
I’ve had such a lucky little run with my ALC’s and to think I was getting so fed up of samey detective series. This isn’t samey at all. Smart, fast paced jammed with twists that weren’t glaringly obvious, I really enjoyed this to the point i was fuming when my listening was interrupted.
A great start to a Scottish PI story, the type that has you wondering if you might like to take a quick career change. Callie Munro has had a tough past but it’s left her with the dogged determination that’s needed to always uncover the truth. This is a series I’ll watch out for, gritty, punchy and smart.
Excellent dual narration, available now and you’ll want it on your reading list!
Huge thanks to Brilliance publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook 🎧
A great start to a Scottish PI story, the type that has you wondering if you might like to take a quick career change. Callie Munro has had a tough past but it’s left her with the dogged determination that’s needed to always uncover the truth. This is a series I’ll watch out for, gritty, punchy and smart.
Excellent dual narration, available now and you’ll want it on your reading list!
Huge thanks to Brilliance publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook 🎧
November 3, 2025
I recieved this book via Amazon first reads
This book has everything going for it, tension and suspense, which kept me turning the pages, just couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this book to everyone looking for a good read
This book has everything going for it, tension and suspense, which kept me turning the pages, just couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this book to everyone looking for a good read
December 23, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
December 9, 2025
"The lamb was dry as f**k, you silly, stupid c*:t!" - This quote early on made me laugh so hard and it gives an early insight to the no bullshit attitude Callie has.
Wow what a bloody book! This is the first book I have read by the author and I already have another lined up. I love his style of writing and the pace of the book is exactly what I go for.
The Blurb....
"As private investigators go, Callie Munro is tougher than most. She’s had to be. Abandoned as a baby and raised by a succession of strangers, she knows a thing or two about surviving…
…but she never expected to find herself hunting a serial killer.
After uncovering a string of missing women—women no one seems to care about—Callie refuses to look away. With police ignoring the evidence, her only ally is an organised crime boss with his own agenda.
The deeper Callie digs, the more dangerous the hunt becomes. Every clue exposes another lie. Every step brings the killer closer.
She’s fighting for the forgotten. But if she’s not careful, she’ll be next."
I thought I had this one figured out early on but then I was floored with twist after twist.
Callie's character is amazing and I hope to learn more about her in upcoming books (I really hope there is more. We need more).
I started this book then had to put it down due to other commitment's but then I pretty much read the last 80% in a few hours last night. It’s one of those books you pick up “just for a chapter” and suddenly you’re done. If you’re into mysterious, slightly dark stories about serial killers, this one’s definitely worth checking out.
The ending had me like 😳😳
4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Wow what a bloody book! This is the first book I have read by the author and I already have another lined up. I love his style of writing and the pace of the book is exactly what I go for.
The Blurb....
"As private investigators go, Callie Munro is tougher than most. She’s had to be. Abandoned as a baby and raised by a succession of strangers, she knows a thing or two about surviving…
…but she never expected to find herself hunting a serial killer.
After uncovering a string of missing women—women no one seems to care about—Callie refuses to look away. With police ignoring the evidence, her only ally is an organised crime boss with his own agenda.
The deeper Callie digs, the more dangerous the hunt becomes. Every clue exposes another lie. Every step brings the killer closer.
She’s fighting for the forgotten. But if she’s not careful, she’ll be next."
I thought I had this one figured out early on but then I was floored with twist after twist.
Callie's character is amazing and I hope to learn more about her in upcoming books (I really hope there is more. We need more).
I started this book then had to put it down due to other commitment's but then I pretty much read the last 80% in a few hours last night. It’s one of those books you pick up “just for a chapter” and suddenly you’re done. If you’re into mysterious, slightly dark stories about serial killers, this one’s definitely worth checking out.
The ending had me like 😳😳
4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
December 19, 2025
Callie Munro is a private investigator, working the usual icky jobs like stalking cheating spouses and taking pictures of them doing the dirty. One husband doesn't take the news all that well, and when this particular person's wife goes missing, alarm bells go off in Callie's head. Especially when she realises this woman isn't the first one to just disappear from one moment to the next. There are others, but the police don't seem to be all that interested in figuring out what happened to them.
Shall we get the bad out of the way first? Main character, Callie. She was somewhat of a struggle for me. Having had a childhood that saw her move from foster home to foster home, you obviously expect her to have a truckload of baggage. I would also expect her to be a lot better at reading people and situations. But more often than not, she tends to jump to conclusions and point fingers in the wrong direction, putting people - and herself - in danger. She seems a bit of a loose canon, to be honest, and I couldn't warm to her at all.
The murders she's investigating, on the other hand, held my full attention. I was worried the outcome would be unforgivably predictable but I was wrong about that. There are twists and turns, red herrings, and well, some parts where you really just have to go with the flow and not overthink things. I'm sure not everyone is just randomly approached by a crime boss in the middle of Edinburgh.
'The Night Watcher' was a quickie read with an interesting serial killer angle. But in all honesty, if you're familiar with Ashkanini's previous book "The Midnight King', then like myself you might find yourself slightly disappointed. While enjoyable, 'The Night Watcher' feels somewhat mediocre in comparison. It's the beginning of a new series so there are a questions that will probably not be answered any time soon, and I'm afraid the cliffhanger ending didn't quite entice me enough to continue this series so the answers will always remain a mystery to me. A fast paced story with a decent plot, but unfortunately also with a main character who couldn't convince me at all.
Shall we get the bad out of the way first? Main character, Callie. She was somewhat of a struggle for me. Having had a childhood that saw her move from foster home to foster home, you obviously expect her to have a truckload of baggage. I would also expect her to be a lot better at reading people and situations. But more often than not, she tends to jump to conclusions and point fingers in the wrong direction, putting people - and herself - in danger. She seems a bit of a loose canon, to be honest, and I couldn't warm to her at all.
The murders she's investigating, on the other hand, held my full attention. I was worried the outcome would be unforgivably predictable but I was wrong about that. There are twists and turns, red herrings, and well, some parts where you really just have to go with the flow and not overthink things. I'm sure not everyone is just randomly approached by a crime boss in the middle of Edinburgh.
'The Night Watcher' was a quickie read with an interesting serial killer angle. But in all honesty, if you're familiar with Ashkanini's previous book "The Midnight King', then like myself you might find yourself slightly disappointed. While enjoyable, 'The Night Watcher' feels somewhat mediocre in comparison. It's the beginning of a new series so there are a questions that will probably not be answered any time soon, and I'm afraid the cliffhanger ending didn't quite entice me enough to continue this series so the answers will always remain a mystery to me. A fast paced story with a decent plot, but unfortunately also with a main character who couldn't convince me at all.
November 13, 2025
As many have said, this is a decent First reads offering from Amazon. The triller genre is like a guilty pleasure for me. I keep reading them but tend to regret it when I'm finished. Authors, this one included, tend to put too much that just don't seem believable.
Here you have short chapters, lots of action (perhaps too much), a main character that I don't really understand, and lots of hints as to what to wait for in future books in the series. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be continuing the series.
Here you have short chapters, lots of action (perhaps too much), a main character that I don't really understand, and lots of hints as to what to wait for in future books in the series. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be continuing the series.
December 12, 2025
(4.5 Stars)
Thank you #NetGalley for making this book available to read and review
I really liked this book. There were great characters, and the story was easy to follow. The author does a good job giving insight into the character's motivations, and lets you feel their emotions with them.
There are enough clues and hints to keep you guessing, and enough misdirection to make you feel frustrated... at least as frustrated as the main character :)
While the story ties up nicely, there is a definite cliff-hanger at the end. So, I am looking forward to more from this author/series.
Thank you #NetGalley for making this book available to read and review
I really liked this book. There were great characters, and the story was easy to follow. The author does a good job giving insight into the character's motivations, and lets you feel their emotions with them.
There are enough clues and hints to keep you guessing, and enough misdirection to make you feel frustrated... at least as frustrated as the main character :)
While the story ties up nicely, there is a definite cliff-hanger at the end. So, I am looking forward to more from this author/series.
December 14, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for The Night Watcher by Tariq Ashkanani in exchange for an honest review. I randomly chose this book after looking at the cover, yes, I judged it by it's cover, and it was as good as it looked! Ashkanani sets up a mysterious and captivating story about a serial killer who is torturing and killing women. There is almost constant pulse pounding events happening throughout the whole book in the search for the killer. This was a fun read.
November 30, 2025
An Amazon First Reads. A serial killer is terrorizing Edinburgh. Women are disappearing, but no one seems to be overly concerned. One of the missing women is connected to a case that Callie Munro has been investigating and she’s compelled to find what’s happened to those missing women. This is a quick, action packed, tense thriller that keeps your interest until the end.
January 5, 2026
Never read anything by this author before. Pleasantly surprised. So many twists, I thought I’d solved it and I had but then a twist and another one !! It was such a good read. Ending always bore me tho cause they seem so anticlimactic and I’m always like ?? Is that it.
Rouge ending. Solid storyline. Great twists = 3.5 ✨
Rouge ending. Solid storyline. Great twists = 3.5 ✨
December 6, 2025
Unputdownable!
December 10, 2025
3.75 or 4
December 20, 2025
Decent thriller. A couple good twists in the plot.
December 27, 2025
3.5 stars due to cliffhanger at end. Solid read. Felt lots of inconsistencies but still kept my interest.
P.s. love Amazon First Reads
P.s. love Amazon First Reads
December 12, 2025
Overall a delightful thriller that kept me intrigued, though sometimes I did get annoyed with how much Callie was willing to throw herself into danger
November 23, 2025
Really enjoyed this thriller! Bit of a slow start but I was hooked after the first few chapters. Will definitely read the sequel when it's published
November 22, 2025
Great suspense but dragged out in a few places.
Loved the suspense but I felt it slowed down in a few spots. I thought it was done halfway through when the “killer” was revealed. Great twist in the plot. It really led me to believe it was an early suspect. Then I kind of figured out who it was and how all the pieces fit together. The ending was a little abrupt but good setup for the next book.
A solid 4 stars for this ARC review from Amazon Prime First Reads.
Loved the suspense but I felt it slowed down in a few spots. I thought it was done halfway through when the “killer” was revealed. Great twist in the plot. It really led me to believe it was an early suspect. Then I kind of figured out who it was and how all the pieces fit together. The ending was a little abrupt but good setup for the next book.
A solid 4 stars for this ARC review from Amazon Prime First Reads.
December 15, 2025
There’s something delightfully unhinged about an audiobook that opens with a PI cussing out a client over lamb and adultery, then casually pivots into serial murder. The Night Watcher by Tariq Ashkanani doesn’t ask if you’re ready. It throws you in the back of a sketchy car in the rain and floors it. You’ll white-knuckle your way through Edinburgh’s back alleys, puffing metaphorical cigarettes right alongside Callie Munro, who is absolutely a chaos demon of a protagonist... and I loved every second of it.
Callie is what happens when trauma gets bored and decides to start a detective agency. Abandoned at birth, bounced around the foster system like a cursed ping-pong ball, and now eking out a living tracking cheaters and liars, Callie is not exactly the warm-and-fuzzy type. She's abrasive, reckless, allergic to authority, and so street-smart she probably makes Google Maps feel insecure. And yet, somehow, when women start going missing and the police shrug like it’s not that many bodies, she’s the only one willing to follow the trail.
What starts as a garden-variety cheating scandal spirals into a grim hunt for a serial killer who’s been quietly preying on Edinburgh’s invisible women. And listen, I love me a grizzled police procedural as much as the next True Crime™️ gremlin, but the fact that this story is told through a PI’s lens? Chef’s kiss. The danger feels more personal. The stakes are raw. No badge, no backup, just vibes and very questionable life choices. Honestly, I respect the hell out of it.
Let’s talk about the audiobook for a second, because Elle Newlands and Maxim Reston absolutely ate. Newlands’ Scottish accent is so good it made me want to dig out a trench coat and start solving cold cases in Leith. Her Callie is sharp, weary, and weirdly magnetic. Reston, who voices the killer’s POV, delivers that second-person narration with such icy menace that I had to pause the audiobook at one point just to go turn on more lights. It’s creepy. It works. And it makes the tension in this story feel like a rubber band stretched to its limit.
Now, is the plot a bit overstuffed? Yes. Did I sometimes scream “WHY WOULD YOU GO THERE ALONE?!” at my headphones? Also yes. Callie makes reckless decisions like it’s her love language. She forms an alliance with an actual crime boss, which is either brilliant or deeply stupid (maybe both?). And every time she lights another cigarette instead of calling for help, you can practically hear the Final Girl gods placing bets on her survival.
Still, there’s something wildly compelling about her. She’s the definition of a walking contradiction: brutal but empathetic, guarded but emotionally raw in these little knife-sharp glimpses. You don’t like her, necessarily, but you get her. And when the final twist hit, and I mean twist, like the book reached out and smacked me with a crowbar, I was fully sold on sticking around for book two. Even if Callie probably won’t.
This one isn’t for the cozy crowd. It’s dark, gritty, and soaked in atmosphere. But if you like your thrillers mean, fast, and narrated by a protagonist who fights dirty and drinks her feelings, you’ll be chain-smoking chapters too. Solid 4 stars.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Trust Absolutely No One, Including the Narrator, the Police, and My Own Judgment
Oh and shoutout to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for slipping this grimy little Scottish fever dream into my earbuds. Thank you for the access to the audiobook. My blood pressure and trust issues will never recover, but I regret nothing.
Callie is what happens when trauma gets bored and decides to start a detective agency. Abandoned at birth, bounced around the foster system like a cursed ping-pong ball, and now eking out a living tracking cheaters and liars, Callie is not exactly the warm-and-fuzzy type. She's abrasive, reckless, allergic to authority, and so street-smart she probably makes Google Maps feel insecure. And yet, somehow, when women start going missing and the police shrug like it’s not that many bodies, she’s the only one willing to follow the trail.
What starts as a garden-variety cheating scandal spirals into a grim hunt for a serial killer who’s been quietly preying on Edinburgh’s invisible women. And listen, I love me a grizzled police procedural as much as the next True Crime™️ gremlin, but the fact that this story is told through a PI’s lens? Chef’s kiss. The danger feels more personal. The stakes are raw. No badge, no backup, just vibes and very questionable life choices. Honestly, I respect the hell out of it.
Let’s talk about the audiobook for a second, because Elle Newlands and Maxim Reston absolutely ate. Newlands’ Scottish accent is so good it made me want to dig out a trench coat and start solving cold cases in Leith. Her Callie is sharp, weary, and weirdly magnetic. Reston, who voices the killer’s POV, delivers that second-person narration with such icy menace that I had to pause the audiobook at one point just to go turn on more lights. It’s creepy. It works. And it makes the tension in this story feel like a rubber band stretched to its limit.
Now, is the plot a bit overstuffed? Yes. Did I sometimes scream “WHY WOULD YOU GO THERE ALONE?!” at my headphones? Also yes. Callie makes reckless decisions like it’s her love language. She forms an alliance with an actual crime boss, which is either brilliant or deeply stupid (maybe both?). And every time she lights another cigarette instead of calling for help, you can practically hear the Final Girl gods placing bets on her survival.
Still, there’s something wildly compelling about her. She’s the definition of a walking contradiction: brutal but empathetic, guarded but emotionally raw in these little knife-sharp glimpses. You don’t like her, necessarily, but you get her. And when the final twist hit, and I mean twist, like the book reached out and smacked me with a crowbar, I was fully sold on sticking around for book two. Even if Callie probably won’t.
This one isn’t for the cozy crowd. It’s dark, gritty, and soaked in atmosphere. But if you like your thrillers mean, fast, and narrated by a protagonist who fights dirty and drinks her feelings, you’ll be chain-smoking chapters too. Solid 4 stars.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Trust Absolutely No One, Including the Narrator, the Police, and My Own Judgment
Oh and shoutout to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for slipping this grimy little Scottish fever dream into my earbuds. Thank you for the access to the audiobook. My blood pressure and trust issues will never recover, but I regret nothing.
December 28, 2025
Hugest of thanks to Tandem Collective for inviting me to be a part of a readalong for the first Callie Munro thriller, 'The Night Watcher', which was published by Thomas and Mercer in December 2025.
It clearly has an Edinburgh setting, which provides context as well as geography for the tale Tariq is telling, and becomes a part of the narrative which Callie is telling.
A substandard relationship with the boring Richard, a flat which she has just the way she likes it and a job as a private eye which leads her into uncomfortable situations, Callie is a woman living by her nerves and observational skills alike.
She keeps her own flat -thank CHRIST! But no spoilers why!-to maintain her own space after having a past in care, whose scars she carries with her in the form of a flashback memory to 4 boys , beating another to death.
There are seeds planted about her past, something which Callie does not dwell on but you, as a reader, pick up and store away as you picture her as a fully realised person (flaws and all. I became extremely concerned about her cholesterol intake by the end of the book thanks to her frequent fry-ups).
She spends the majority of her time following people to prove their guilt in breaking vows and promises made ,with her friend Martin supplying her with the equipment she needs to track down /provide information about those she is looking into.
Her first case in this novel involves breaking the news of a wife's infidelity to her husband who, having already found this out, refuses to pay Callie and to boot, assaults her.
On reporting this to the police due to concerns that Grant may take his anger out on Amy, his wife, she becomes embroiled in a murder mystery going back several female victims, but currently being kept from the public.
When Grant begs her to look into Amy's disappearance, Callie finds herself crossing paths with local gangsters, investigating historic abuse of children and also leads her close to finding out just who her parents were...
If she survives the case of the 'Night Watcher', she just might be able to work out who she is, and what she is doing with her life.
Callie's unresolved trauma is, I feel, going to be examined in future instalments in the series, Tariq teases you with clues but does not reveal his hand fully, compelling the storyline to keep up the frantic pace whilst placing Callie at the heart of it.
An engaging and very real protagonist with a race against time to save the missing women abducted by the Night Watcher, this is a taut and suspenseful thriller which will keep you guessing!
It clearly has an Edinburgh setting, which provides context as well as geography for the tale Tariq is telling, and becomes a part of the narrative which Callie is telling.
A substandard relationship with the boring Richard, a flat which she has just the way she likes it and a job as a private eye which leads her into uncomfortable situations, Callie is a woman living by her nerves and observational skills alike.
She keeps her own flat -thank CHRIST! But no spoilers why!-to maintain her own space after having a past in care, whose scars she carries with her in the form of a flashback memory to 4 boys , beating another to death.
There are seeds planted about her past, something which Callie does not dwell on but you, as a reader, pick up and store away as you picture her as a fully realised person (flaws and all. I became extremely concerned about her cholesterol intake by the end of the book thanks to her frequent fry-ups).
She spends the majority of her time following people to prove their guilt in breaking vows and promises made ,with her friend Martin supplying her with the equipment she needs to track down /provide information about those she is looking into.
Her first case in this novel involves breaking the news of a wife's infidelity to her husband who, having already found this out, refuses to pay Callie and to boot, assaults her.
On reporting this to the police due to concerns that Grant may take his anger out on Amy, his wife, she becomes embroiled in a murder mystery going back several female victims, but currently being kept from the public.
When Grant begs her to look into Amy's disappearance, Callie finds herself crossing paths with local gangsters, investigating historic abuse of children and also leads her close to finding out just who her parents were...
If she survives the case of the 'Night Watcher', she just might be able to work out who she is, and what she is doing with her life.
Callie's unresolved trauma is, I feel, going to be examined in future instalments in the series, Tariq teases you with clues but does not reveal his hand fully, compelling the storyline to keep up the frantic pace whilst placing Callie at the heart of it.
An engaging and very real protagonist with a race against time to save the missing women abducted by the Night Watcher, this is a taut and suspenseful thriller which will keep you guessing!
November 14, 2025
Private investigator Callie Munro has been hired by Grant Miller to find out if his wife is having an affair. Shortly after providing the evidence, Grant's wife disappears, and everyone assumes he's responsible. Callie isn't so sure and soon uncovers a possible serial killer lurking around the streets of Edinburgh.
I first heard about Tariq Ashkanani in 2024 when absolutely everyone was talking about The Midnight King, a twisted tale about an author who is a serial killer. When I saw that his latest novel, The Night Watcher, was available as part of the Amazon First Reads program, I didn't hesitate in downloading it.
The Night Watcher is the first book in the Callie Munro series, and I'll certainly be reading the rest of the series as they are published. Callie is such a likeable figure, despite her flaws. Being raised in the foster system has moulded Callie into a loner, she's tough and independent, she has no regard for authority and hates being told what to do. Woe betide anyone who thinks she's a pushover because she's female.
The story moves at a brisk pace. The writing is sparse, which adds to the momentum and reinforces the fact that Callie is a woman of action; she'll worry about the consequences later. This impulsive nature does cause problems as Callie finds herself straddling two very distinct worlds as she hunts for a serial killer. Finding an ally in the police force proves to be extremely beneficial, but this has to be carefully balanced with the support she gets from the leader of Edinburgh's largest criminal gang, support that Callie knows will, eventually, carry a cost.
Throughout the novel, we hear from the killer; these sections are chilling and haunting. When it becomes obvious that he knows that Callie is hunting him, you begin to worry for her safety, and begin to question who he is. I was surprised by the final reveal in this hard-hitting, gritty thriller, and it has left me wanting more.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on:-
Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
Instagram; @reading_for_leisure_blog
I first heard about Tariq Ashkanani in 2024 when absolutely everyone was talking about The Midnight King, a twisted tale about an author who is a serial killer. When I saw that his latest novel, The Night Watcher, was available as part of the Amazon First Reads program, I didn't hesitate in downloading it.
The Night Watcher is the first book in the Callie Munro series, and I'll certainly be reading the rest of the series as they are published. Callie is such a likeable figure, despite her flaws. Being raised in the foster system has moulded Callie into a loner, she's tough and independent, she has no regard for authority and hates being told what to do. Woe betide anyone who thinks she's a pushover because she's female.
The story moves at a brisk pace. The writing is sparse, which adds to the momentum and reinforces the fact that Callie is a woman of action; she'll worry about the consequences later. This impulsive nature does cause problems as Callie finds herself straddling two very distinct worlds as she hunts for a serial killer. Finding an ally in the police force proves to be extremely beneficial, but this has to be carefully balanced with the support she gets from the leader of Edinburgh's largest criminal gang, support that Callie knows will, eventually, carry a cost.
Throughout the novel, we hear from the killer; these sections are chilling and haunting. When it becomes obvious that he knows that Callie is hunting him, you begin to worry for her safety, and begin to question who he is. I was surprised by the final reveal in this hard-hitting, gritty thriller, and it has left me wanting more.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on:-
Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
Instagram; @reading_for_leisure_blog
November 10, 2025
5* Callie's coarse, uncouth, unladylike, unlikeable, and not that well educated, but she's got good instincts and street smarts. And courage and balls. And, yeah, this book wrongfooted me quite a few times.
I wasn't expecting this, in the best of ways. I expected a stop-start novel because the cover didn't do much to hint at the contents, and maybe that's a good thing, as it didn't spoil the surprise. Though I didn't like Callie, I had to admire her strength, her grit and determination and knowing what she wanted and didn't. She treated Richard like shit, tbh, and I don't know what he saw in her. He wasn't a good guy but I think he genuinely cared about her in his own possessive way. Not a healthy way and tbh, good on her for breaking things off.
A bit of it wasn't a shocker - Callie made a jump and the right connection very quickly although it got shut down, and the reveal was kind of 'erm, not sure I believe this', especially when an 'accomplice' killed themselves, but then the author took it further and added an extra twist. That I didn't see coming, and unfortunately explanations got cut short when someone got offed.
Tbh I'm a bit stumped for reviewing this without spoilers, but I didn't expect the twist towards the end, nor did I (or Callie) trust the lone cop who came to her roadside rescue by then. I don't think I can be blamed, and I dont think she'll be in their good books going forward. But who cares when she's so good at what she does?
The tale ends with a couple of shockers. Callie's now on a bit of a murky edge, associating with someone who wouldn't hesitate to off her if she displeased him. And I think she owes him, and he's keeping count. And, her...go-to guy gets offed. Not sure how or why with his paranoia and precautions, but it certainly makes for a good cliffhanger. There's a wait but at least book 2 is coming in 2026.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for my reading pleasure.
I wasn't expecting this, in the best of ways. I expected a stop-start novel because the cover didn't do much to hint at the contents, and maybe that's a good thing, as it didn't spoil the surprise. Though I didn't like Callie, I had to admire her strength, her grit and determination and knowing what she wanted and didn't. She treated Richard like shit, tbh, and I don't know what he saw in her. He wasn't a good guy but I think he genuinely cared about her in his own possessive way. Not a healthy way and tbh, good on her for breaking things off.
A bit of it wasn't a shocker - Callie made a jump and the right connection very quickly although it got shut down, and the reveal was kind of 'erm, not sure I believe this', especially when an 'accomplice' killed themselves, but then the author took it further and added an extra twist. That I didn't see coming, and unfortunately explanations got cut short when someone got offed.
Tbh I'm a bit stumped for reviewing this without spoilers, but I didn't expect the twist towards the end, nor did I (or Callie) trust the lone cop who came to her roadside rescue by then. I don't think I can be blamed, and I dont think she'll be in their good books going forward. But who cares when she's so good at what she does?
The tale ends with a couple of shockers. Callie's now on a bit of a murky edge, associating with someone who wouldn't hesitate to off her if she displeased him. And I think she owes him, and he's keeping count. And, her...go-to guy gets offed. Not sure how or why with his paranoia and precautions, but it certainly makes for a good cliffhanger. There's a wait but at least book 2 is coming in 2026.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for my reading pleasure.
December 18, 2025
This book drops you into Edinburgh without warning. Wet streets. Bad lighting. Worse intentions. The story centers on Callie Munro, a private investigator who survives on surveillance jobs and stubbornness. A simple case involving a cheating partner cracks open something far more violent.
Synopsis
Callie accepts routine work following an unfaithful spouse. The trail connects to missing women the police dismiss. As the pattern grows harder to ignore, Callie pushes forward alone. She moves through criminal circles, damaged relationships, and her own unresolved past. Every step raises the risk. Walking away stops being an option.
Why it stands out
• Callie feels raw and unfiltered. She is impatient, sharp-tongued, and driven by instinct.
• The PI angle keeps the focus tight. No institutional safety. No clean exits.
• Edinburgh adds weight. The setting feels claustrophobic and unforgiving.
• The story highlights how easily certain victims get overlooked. That theme stays front and center.
Audiobook notes
Elle Newlands brings grit and fatigue to Callie’s voice. Her delivery sells the character’s edge and exhaustion. Maxim Reston handles the alternate chapters with chilling control. Those sections raise tension without leaning on shock.
Weak spots
• The plot stacks multiple elements at once. Some threads crowd each other.
• Callie’s risk tolerance borders on reckless. Her choices test credibility.
• A few reveals arrive fast and would benefit from more buildup.
Overall take
This is a dark, fast-moving crime story anchored by a difficult lead. Callie is not written to be likable. She is written to be honest. The final stretch hits hard and leaves enough unanswered to support a follow-up.
Best for readers who want sharp characters, uncomfortable themes, and momentum over polish.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for providing access to the audiobook.
Synopsis
Callie accepts routine work following an unfaithful spouse. The trail connects to missing women the police dismiss. As the pattern grows harder to ignore, Callie pushes forward alone. She moves through criminal circles, damaged relationships, and her own unresolved past. Every step raises the risk. Walking away stops being an option.
Why it stands out
• Callie feels raw and unfiltered. She is impatient, sharp-tongued, and driven by instinct.
• The PI angle keeps the focus tight. No institutional safety. No clean exits.
• Edinburgh adds weight. The setting feels claustrophobic and unforgiving.
• The story highlights how easily certain victims get overlooked. That theme stays front and center.
Audiobook notes
Elle Newlands brings grit and fatigue to Callie’s voice. Her delivery sells the character’s edge and exhaustion. Maxim Reston handles the alternate chapters with chilling control. Those sections raise tension without leaning on shock.
Weak spots
• The plot stacks multiple elements at once. Some threads crowd each other.
• Callie’s risk tolerance borders on reckless. Her choices test credibility.
• A few reveals arrive fast and would benefit from more buildup.
Overall take
This is a dark, fast-moving crime story anchored by a difficult lead. Callie is not written to be likable. She is written to be honest. The final stretch hits hard and leaves enough unanswered to support a follow-up.
Best for readers who want sharp characters, uncomfortable themes, and momentum over polish.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for providing access to the audiobook.
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