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While No One's Watching: Shocking True Stories of Murder, Corruption, Greed and Cover-ups in Kentucky
- GenresTrue Crime
196 pages, Paperback
Published July 9, 2025
2 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 10, 2025
Why do we have a government and various authorities? Because the public wants protection on a macro level—so they can focus on their daily lives, the micro level. Why do we have laws? So everyone knows the rules and behaves accordingly. Why do we have authorities watching authorities?
Oh, wait…
This is exactly the issue here. The author is a real-life Marvel superhero—she uncovered not one, but many, many serious problems in Kentucky. When no one is watching, people run red lights, blow past stop signs, and veer off course. On a larger scale, that means authorities can feed you toxic waste, steal evidence, defraud the public, and even take lives.
The truth is, none of this is new. It didn’t happen overnight. It will happen again—and it is happening somewhere else right now.
We need more people like the author. But just as importantly, we need the public to care.
Oh, wait…
This is exactly the issue here. The author is a real-life Marvel superhero—she uncovered not one, but many, many serious problems in Kentucky. When no one is watching, people run red lights, blow past stop signs, and veer off course. On a larger scale, that means authorities can feed you toxic waste, steal evidence, defraud the public, and even take lives.
The truth is, none of this is new. It didn’t happen overnight. It will happen again—and it is happening somewhere else right now.
We need more people like the author. But just as importantly, we need the public to care.
August 22, 2025
I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but the non-fiction that I do read tends to be true crime related so this should have been right up my alley. The topic was interesting enough, but the presentation just wasn't a hit for me.
Noting all of her qualifications was very interesting, but also went a long way to believing in her credibility. With that being said, the first chapter was boring and in general felt unnecessary. Going into a lot of detail about how much she respects police, when saying it once was enough, then about the fact that Kentucky is super sketchy, again fine but I don't need to hear it 5 times over, and then the definitions of psychopathy, sociopathy, and narcissism, none of which actually matter in the book but rather used as a way to slam corrupt cops (which I am all for, but do it based on their actions, not what mental illnesses they may or may not have).
Why do we need fake names? I get that they want to be anonymous, but just omit the name entirely? She said my crew mate "Fake Name" but then doesn't use said fake name until a separate chapter??? Same thing with the director "Diana West" she used "West" one single time, but just says "she said" the rest of the time. Why was the fake naming necessary?? Even more unnecessary were the fake names intermixed with real names. If you tell me the criminals real name, what the case is about in detail, where and when it happened, then why would you give a fake victim name?? I get wanting to protect victims or people involved but the guy was murdered, and I could easily look up the whole case, so just cut out me having to look this stuff up and tell the whole story.
The ORR thing was confusing too. I understand what it is, and why she was using it, but when "Stan" was wanted for a fake car theft, she told him to go into the station with an ORR to request documents on the case so far... That's not how it works as far as I know. You can't request documentation on current cases, as the details are privileged until the case is settled or dropped. This is so information can't be leaked that might affect the investigation, or those involved (witness or suspect).
What had me cracking up was her saying "the good ol' US of America"... ma'am, it's US of A. not America, that part is implied with the A.
Editing issues I found- Several sentences needed spaces between periods and the start of the next sentence, it was rather prevalent throughout the whole book. 41% of the way into the book (sorry no page number, I was reading via Net Galley Reader) it says "Sheriff Keck"- it should have said Sheriff Speck. Also not a fan of links in books, put them at the end of the book, where you can compile sources and what not, but don't bog down the middle of a page with links (that I can't even click if I owned a paper copy).
I did really like the real 911 call transcript, that was super interesting. The interview transcripts were cool, but really confusing. With both types of transcripts there has to be some level of descriptions because the words get lost and confusing incredibly quickly, especially when the person is speaking in broken half sentences. Like is he crying? hyperventilating? gesturing? just having the words does nothing when it's disjointed or just plain gibberish without physically hearing what was being said and how it was being said.
Overall, I did not love this book. I like the idea, and having someone with actual credentials present this information is great. However, I think that the presentation was just lacking with this one. I was truly bored and had to resist the urge to skim pages as I went. I would recommend to a select few people but not a whole.
Noting all of her qualifications was very interesting, but also went a long way to believing in her credibility. With that being said, the first chapter was boring and in general felt unnecessary. Going into a lot of detail about how much she respects police, when saying it once was enough, then about the fact that Kentucky is super sketchy, again fine but I don't need to hear it 5 times over, and then the definitions of psychopathy, sociopathy, and narcissism, none of which actually matter in the book but rather used as a way to slam corrupt cops (which I am all for, but do it based on their actions, not what mental illnesses they may or may not have).
Why do we need fake names? I get that they want to be anonymous, but just omit the name entirely? She said my crew mate "Fake Name" but then doesn't use said fake name until a separate chapter??? Same thing with the director "Diana West" she used "West" one single time, but just says "she said" the rest of the time. Why was the fake naming necessary?? Even more unnecessary were the fake names intermixed with real names. If you tell me the criminals real name, what the case is about in detail, where and when it happened, then why would you give a fake victim name?? I get wanting to protect victims or people involved but the guy was murdered, and I could easily look up the whole case, so just cut out me having to look this stuff up and tell the whole story.
The ORR thing was confusing too. I understand what it is, and why she was using it, but when "Stan" was wanted for a fake car theft, she told him to go into the station with an ORR to request documents on the case so far... That's not how it works as far as I know. You can't request documentation on current cases, as the details are privileged until the case is settled or dropped. This is so information can't be leaked that might affect the investigation, or those involved (witness or suspect).
What had me cracking up was her saying "the good ol' US of America"... ma'am, it's US of A. not America, that part is implied with the A.
Editing issues I found- Several sentences needed spaces between periods and the start of the next sentence, it was rather prevalent throughout the whole book. 41% of the way into the book (sorry no page number, I was reading via Net Galley Reader) it says "Sheriff Keck"- it should have said Sheriff Speck. Also not a fan of links in books, put them at the end of the book, where you can compile sources and what not, but don't bog down the middle of a page with links (that I can't even click if I owned a paper copy).
I did really like the real 911 call transcript, that was super interesting. The interview transcripts were cool, but really confusing. With both types of transcripts there has to be some level of descriptions because the words get lost and confusing incredibly quickly, especially when the person is speaking in broken half sentences. Like is he crying? hyperventilating? gesturing? just having the words does nothing when it's disjointed or just plain gibberish without physically hearing what was being said and how it was being said.
Overall, I did not love this book. I like the idea, and having someone with actual credentials present this information is great. However, I think that the presentation was just lacking with this one. I was truly bored and had to resist the urge to skim pages as I went. I would recommend to a select few people but not a whole.
November 10, 2025
📚While No One's Watching
✍🏻Darlene F. Price
Blurb:
2025 The BookFest Fall Awards Second Place in True Crime
While No One's Watching is a shocking exposé of government corruption, greed, cronyism, and abuse of authority in Kentucky, based on investigative reports from former special agent turned investigative journalist Darlene Fitzgerald Price. Drawing from her extensive work on the TV, radio, and internet series, Truth or Politics, Price uncovers a troubling pattern of misconduct and cover-ups that have gone unchecked for years.
From a mayor's scheme to dump millions of gallons of toxic waste through a defective wastewater treatment plant into public waterways, to law enforcement evidence rooms where drugs, cash, and crucial case materials disappear without a trace, Price exposes a system designed to protect the powerful at the expense of the public. She details brazen abuses—police officers manipulating evidence, state agencies burying environmental crimes, and officials profiting from negligence—all enabled by a lack of oversight and accountability.
With over 14 years of fearless reporting and meticulous documentation, Price delivers an unflinching account of corruption hidden in plain sight. While No One's Watching reveals how public officials manipulate the system for their own gain, while those entrusted to uphold the law operate with near-total impunity. This eye-opening account challenges readers to question what really happens behind closed doors when there is no accountability—and no one watching.
My Thoughts:
The author is a real-life Marvel superhero—she uncovered not one, but many, many serious problems in Kentucky. When no one is watching, people run red lights, blow past stop signs, and veer off course. On a larger scale, that means authorities can feed you toxic waste, steal evidence, defraud the public, and even take lives. The stories in this book are absolutely maddening, but also hopeful and inspiring.I was engaged from beginning to end. I would recommend to those who enjoy thrillers.
Thanks NetGalley, While No One's Watching Publisher and Author Darlene F. Price for the complimentary copy of "While No One's Watching" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#WhileNoOne'sWatchingPublisher
#WhileNoOne'sWatching
#DarleneF.Price
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Darlene F. Price
Blurb:
2025 The BookFest Fall Awards Second Place in True Crime
While No One's Watching is a shocking exposé of government corruption, greed, cronyism, and abuse of authority in Kentucky, based on investigative reports from former special agent turned investigative journalist Darlene Fitzgerald Price. Drawing from her extensive work on the TV, radio, and internet series, Truth or Politics, Price uncovers a troubling pattern of misconduct and cover-ups that have gone unchecked for years.
From a mayor's scheme to dump millions of gallons of toxic waste through a defective wastewater treatment plant into public waterways, to law enforcement evidence rooms where drugs, cash, and crucial case materials disappear without a trace, Price exposes a system designed to protect the powerful at the expense of the public. She details brazen abuses—police officers manipulating evidence, state agencies burying environmental crimes, and officials profiting from negligence—all enabled by a lack of oversight and accountability.
With over 14 years of fearless reporting and meticulous documentation, Price delivers an unflinching account of corruption hidden in plain sight. While No One's Watching reveals how public officials manipulate the system for their own gain, while those entrusted to uphold the law operate with near-total impunity. This eye-opening account challenges readers to question what really happens behind closed doors when there is no accountability—and no one watching.
My Thoughts:
The author is a real-life Marvel superhero—she uncovered not one, but many, many serious problems in Kentucky. When no one is watching, people run red lights, blow past stop signs, and veer off course. On a larger scale, that means authorities can feed you toxic waste, steal evidence, defraud the public, and even take lives. The stories in this book are absolutely maddening, but also hopeful and inspiring.I was engaged from beginning to end. I would recommend to those who enjoy thrillers.
Thanks NetGalley, While No One's Watching Publisher and Author Darlene F. Price for the complimentary copy of "While No One's Watching" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#WhileNoOne'sWatchingPublisher
#WhileNoOne'sWatching
#DarleneF.Price
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 21, 2025
I don’t really rate nonfiction, but I feel that this is important.
Now I live nowhere near Kentucky, but this makes me wonder… what is happening in my state because no one is keeping the ones holding power in check? What is being swept so far under the rug that no one can vacuum it back up again? This book made me so distrustful of those in power in my county, and rightfully so! Innocent people died in and around Pulaski County, and it is simply because of politician’s ignorance, as well as (unfortunately) police ignorance, and a general unwillingness to take accountability from either parties. Darlene Price dares to speak up about a multitude of issues in this rather short volume. However she packs in as much information as possible onto a page, which props to her! Even though a lot of these issues she’s written about are in the past, that doesn’t mean they should be so easily forgotten. What happened in Kentucky could happen in any state if we the people aren’t watching. This wasn’t just informational, this was a blaring warning.
Same vibes as:
“And remember kids, the next time that somebody tells you “the government wouldn’t do that”, oh yes they would.”
Now I live nowhere near Kentucky, but this makes me wonder… what is happening in my state because no one is keeping the ones holding power in check? What is being swept so far under the rug that no one can vacuum it back up again? This book made me so distrustful of those in power in my county, and rightfully so! Innocent people died in and around Pulaski County, and it is simply because of politician’s ignorance, as well as (unfortunately) police ignorance, and a general unwillingness to take accountability from either parties. Darlene Price dares to speak up about a multitude of issues in this rather short volume. However she packs in as much information as possible onto a page, which props to her! Even though a lot of these issues she’s written about are in the past, that doesn’t mean they should be so easily forgotten. What happened in Kentucky could happen in any state if we the people aren’t watching. This wasn’t just informational, this was a blaring warning.
Same vibes as:
“And remember kids, the next time that somebody tells you “the government wouldn’t do that”, oh yes they would.”
July 18, 2025
This is one for the good guys. The heroes who may or may not wear capes. The ones who are unafraid to stand against evil.
The stories in this book are absolutely maddening, but also hopeful and inspiring.
At the end, the author mentions how she is not a wordsmith.. but she absolutely is. I was engaged from beginning to end.
Witty, passionate, inspiring, and may I say, kick ass.. now you can add "wordsmith" to that list.
One of my favourite books of the year.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
The stories in this book are absolutely maddening, but also hopeful and inspiring.
At the end, the author mentions how she is not a wordsmith.. but she absolutely is. I was engaged from beginning to end.
Witty, passionate, inspiring, and may I say, kick ass.. now you can add "wordsmith" to that list.
One of my favourite books of the year.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews