Eye Spy

by C.M. Ewan

'Eye Spy is a masterclass in pace and tension that's simply impossible to put down’ – Tim Weaver, author of The Missing Family

‘A thriller writer at the very top of his game’ – Mark Billingham, author of What the Night Brings

Eye Spy is the chillingly intense original thriller from C. M. Ewan, author of The House Hunt, The Interview and Strangers in the Car. Set on a fast-moving train over three hours, this high-octane thriller combines emotional family survival with edge-of-your-seat suspense.

Waiting for the Eurostar in Paris, Mark’s four-year-old daughter alerts him to a ‘Bad Man’ during a game of 'Eye Spy'.

Things only get worse when Mark notices that the man is on their train with a suspicious-looking suitcase, and he’s sitting ominously close.

With secrets unravelling from the past, can Mark piece together the jigsaw of his life in order to save his family?

Or will their journey come to a fatal end?

Praise for C. M.

‘Fantastic’ – Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher series

‘C. M. Ewan never once drops the pace’ – Clare Mackintosh, author of Hostage

‘Totally brilliant’ – B.A. Paris, author of The Therapist

‘Nobody does heart-thumping, dry-mouth, claustrophobic thrillers like C. M. Ewan’ – Sharon Bolton, author of The Pact

Genres: Thriller

Audible Audio

Expected publication March 26, 2026

About the author

I write nerve-shredding thrillers about ordinary situations gone wrong -- the kind of thing that could happen to any of us!

My latest thriller THE INTERVIEW is about a seemingly normal job interview that turns out to be something very different and unexpected. It will be published in February 2022.

I'm also the author of A WINDOW BREAKS, a page-turning thriller that asks the question: what would you do if you woke up at 2 a.m. to hear somebody in your home?

I love to hear from readers and always respond to every email I receive.

You can contact me via:

my website www.chrisewan.com

on Twitter @chrisewan

on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chrisewanauthor

or on Instagram @c.m.ewan

Writing as Chris Ewan, I'm also the author of SAFE HOUSE, DARK TIDES, DEAD LINE and LONG TIME LOST, as well as the popular GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO ... series of mysteries about globetrotting crime writer and thief-for-hire, Charlie Howard.

THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO ... novels are warm, witty and perfect for fans of cosy mysteries. If you think you might like to try one, you can download your FREE copy of THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO MURDER, a novella set during the Cannes film festival, by visiting my website www.chrisewan.com and joining my email newsletter.

I was born in Taunton in 1976 and graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in American Studies with a minor in Canadian Literature, then later trained as a lawyer. After an eleven-year spell living on the Isle of Man, I now live in Somerset, England with my wife and two children, where I write full time.

Reviews

[Rainbow Goth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ rounded up.

This is my first book by C. M. Ewan and it was an absolute blast. The chapters are short and sharp, and the twists and turns begin almost immediately. It pulls you in quickly and doesn’t really give you a chance to catch your breath.

I can’t say I truly loved any of the characters, apart from adorable Molly, but they felt realistic, relatable and well developed. Even when they frustrated me, I was still rooting for them, which says a lot about how well they were written.

There’s a part of me that wants to say some of the storyline felt a little implausible. But honestly, given how unpredictable and chaotic the real world can be, especially right now, it didn’t feel as far fetched as it might have done a few years ago.

Overall, this was a fast paced, gripping thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC. This review is my own.

[Beth Reads Crime · Rating 5 out of 5]

'I spy with my little eye, something beginning with ... B and M.'
'Bad Man.'

Mark is travelling back from Paris with his four-year-old daughter, Molly, and fifteen-year-old step-daughter, Freya. His wife Claire had to drop out of the trip last minute due to work, so Mark has had his hands full.

They’re making their way through the Eurostar security line when Molly suddenly and very loudly, much to Mark's embarrassment, announces that she’s spotted a "bad man" during a game of I/Eye Spy. Merde!

Once they’re on board and settled, Mark tries to steal a moment to read, but that plan is quickly derailed as he notices the Bad Man taking a seat nearby. Mark’s train of thought turns back to Molly’s earlier observation. Why did she say it? What exactly does she see?

If this sounds like an interesting journey, you’re on the right track. Anyone who has read any C. M. Ewan before will know he takes everyday situations and then cranks them up to 11. With most of the story taking place on the train itself, the time frame of the short 2+ hour journey really adds to the pacing and tension.

One of my favourite parts of the book was actually the relationship between Mark and his daughters. As a step-mum myself, As a step-mum myself, I found the family’s dynamic believable and well written.

If you’re looking for a tense, fast-paced thriller, then you should get all aboard and choo-choose 'Eye Spy'.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Shona · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️💫 Waiting for the Eurostar in Paris, Mark’s four-year-old daughter alerts him to a ‘Bad Man’ during a game of 'Eye Spy'. Things only get worse when Mark notices that the man is on their train with a suspicious-looking suitcase, and he’s sitting ominously close. With secrets unravelling from the past, can Mark piece together the jigsaw of his life in order to save his family? Or will their journey come to a fatal end?

Wow, this is a book that grabs your attention right from the very first page!

I absolutely loved the format of this story being told in real-time, the clock counting down to the arrival of the Eurostar train in London after leaving Paris. The events that happen in this three hour period are tense & action-packed and honestly, I felt like I was a passenger on the train with Mark, Freya and Molly, living through every experience and emotion with them.

Chris’s writing is always gripping and intriguing and this latest title doesn’t deviate from this, giving you the feeling of your heart racing throughout, not allowing you to disembark from the tense journey until the ultimate mind-blowing conclusion.

The chapters giving Claire’s POV were perfectly balanced and inserted at just the right sections to increase the intrigue and suspicion, I honestly didn’t figure out the twists at all until each reveal moment. The fast pace makes this such an encapsulating read, I can also see it making a very good film too!

Another brilliant read from Chris, if you want a high octane twisty thriller then look no further, highly recommend!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this and the setting was interesting as well, taking place mostly on a train.

I had guessed a couple of things before they were revealed but it didn't affect my enjoyment of the book.

[Bookstarreviews_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

AD-PR PRODUCT

A fast-paced, alarmingly good thriller! 😍

Brace yourself as you board this thrilling read with ascending tension and a plot that throttles with conviction. The chapters were short and snappy, the story was cleverly unwound and the book had some shocking twists.

I loved the instant wave of feeling as if something troubling to come is thrust upon you from the beginning and how this remained throughout the entire read. Ewan captures your attention with a game of Eye Spy which will never let you look at the game the same way again.

Ewan’s writing is skilful and slick and not once did my attention waver from this high-octane read. My heart was beating in parallel with the speed of the train as I grappled with the pages to steadfastly unravel the story.

I had mixed feelings about the protagonist Mark, as at times I wanted to shake him and tell him to do something about the situation, but at other times I really sympathised with the nightmare position he was in, especially with his children. Despite the book’s fast-paced nature, the train journey felt like a lifetime for Mark and I love how Ewan achieved this balance.

The book culminated very unexpectedly and I was really impressed as I didn’t know the direction it was heading in throughout. This read is a fantastically entertaining ride and the perfect book to binge.

A huge thank you @bookbreakuk @panmacmillan for this proof copy of Eye Spy which is publishing March 2026! 💛

You must check out this book! 😍

⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️

[Trina Dixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helsinki, 6 years previously Marks parents were killed in a terrorist attack. Since then, he suffers from paranoia and panic attacks so when his young daughter spots a "bad man" in a security queue before boarding the Eurostar from Paris to London his senses are heightened. Much of the story is based on the train where Mark's neurosis and paranoia becomes even greater. Unbeknown to him his wife Claire, who cancelled going on the trip to Paris, is meeting with a mystery man in a hotel.
I found this a fairly unique storyline, but my personal opinion is that it could have been condensed somewhat. I get that we're supposed to feel Mark's tension but for some reason I can't explain he annoyed me. Once the train approached London and we were on proper soil I found the book more suspenseful. A satisfying ending though

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit I am a bit of a fan of this author and he never fails to excite me with every new release. This was no exception to that and, once I opened the book, it held me captive, guessing all the way, until finally it spat me out at the end wholly satisfied. Good job I read it on a day I had nothing planned!
So... we start with a family going on holiday. I say family, I actually mean father Mark, daughter Molly, and step-daughter Freya, the mother Claire having had to bow out due to work commitments. Mark is a bit wary of having to spend time away but, when we first meet up with them, the holiday is finally over and they are just about to board the Eurostar for the journey home. And it is there where four year old Molly wants to play her current obsession... Eye-Spy (or I-Spy as it is usually known as). So... something beginning with BM turns out to be Bad Man, which absolutely shocks Mark and leaves him embarrassed and apologetic to the business man with the briefcase she was referring to. Long story short and the same man turns up in their carriage and Mark becomes obsessed with him and starts to catastrophise why Molly would think he's bad... But is he just another passenger or is he really a Bad Man!
Obviously he isn't the former - short boring book that'd be - but what happens next is a high octane fast moving cat and mouse game which has Mark trying desperately to save his family, whilst his wife, well, let's just say that she wasn't stuck at work...!
I love the way that this author takes people in a pretty normal situation and completely flips things up. Normal, or what you and they think are normal people turn out to be anything but and, well, secrets will out! And it's all set over the 2 hour Eurostar journey, and a wee bit of London action to wrap it all up! I already said it held me captive cos that's exactly what it did. It's fast paced all the way through with only a few quieter moments for a bit of reader respite before off it goes again, aided by the fact that there is absolutely no waffle or padding. Boy does that progress the story well!
I also loved the way that we occasionally dipped into what Claire was doing. That was very well teased and had me wondering what on earth she was up to. In fact, I wondered what the whole book was up to for the majority too, truth be told. But then when we eventually got there, it happened organically and I just had to sit back and applaud the author for a job very well done.
All in all, a cracking addition to an already well impressive back catalogue. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[UKDana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short break in Paris turns into a nightmare when Mark's step-daughter disappears on board the return trip via the Eurostar. A sinister figure warns Mark that he must follow his instructions if he's to see his step-daughter again.

Author C. M. Ewan has raised the stakes in the locked-room genre with Eye Spy, which takes place onboard the Eurostar train on its non-stop return journey from Paris to London.

Mark is feeling frazzled before he even boards the train. A family break in Paris was disrupted when a work emergency meant that his wife, Claire, couldn't make the trip. After an exhausting few days with his sixteen-year-old step-daughter, Freya, and four-year-old daughter, Molly, Mark just wants to get home. Things aren't helped when Molly causes a scene involving another passenger at the security gate.

Once on board, Mark is apprehensive when he notices the very same passenger from security is sitting nearby. He also notices that the man now has a completely different suitcase. We quickly learn that events in the recent past have made Mark extremely suspicious and fearful, possibly even paranoid. He's constantly on the lookout for danger, and as a result of his suspicions, decides to inform a member of train staff, but Mark's vague concerns don't seem to interest the staff. Threats follow when Mark returns to his seat. It is made clear that unless he follows a set of instructions, he'll live to regret it.

With the story told in real-time, there is a real sense of urgency, almost panic. Mark's churning emotions, his doubt in his own ability to protect his children, all add to the feeling of terror. Every so often, we get snippets of information regarding the past event which has made Mark fearful, and these really added to the blistering pace and the intrigue of the novel. When Mark's panic is combined with the sense of urgency and a non-stop train journey, you do wonder how there can be a positive conclusion.

As the end of the journey approached, I felt a sense of anger on Mark's behalf; no matter what he did, there was always one more hoop for him to jump through. I was filled with dread that survival was not an option. The dramatic ending was satisfying, and it was great to see karma making an appearance.

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

[Mana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Eye Spy to be a gripping thriller right from the start. I was immediately hooked by the story of Mark, who is returning home from Paris on the Eurostar with his daughter Molly and stepdaughter Freya.

The story creates a sense of worry early on, with Molly spotting a bad man at check-in and Mark later noticing this same man acting suspiciously on the train. Most of the story happens on the Eurostar as Mark gets more and more worried. Back in London, Mark's wife, Claire, is secretly meeting with a man whose name we don't know.

The novel focuses on a narrator who is both determined and careful. The way he sees things changes as the pressure builds. The other characters, his wife, his child, and a few of the other passengers and crew, act as reflections, bringing out themes of trust, loyalty, and what it costs to keep secrets. What happens between these people forces Mark to make tough choices and to understand strength in a more complete way.

The book often talks about things like doing what's right to keep people safe versus respecting their privacy, the moral responsibility parents have to protect their kids, and how easily normal life can fall apart when fear takes over. It feels tense, risky, and morally ambiguous, which fits well with a world where news spreads fast, but the truth is hard to find.

People who like thrillers that also make you think about society will see modern-day worries about security, tech, and family relationships in this book.

I liked that I had zero clue where the story would go next, and I was intrigued by the link to a bombing in Helsinki where Mark’s parents died. But, even though this book had everything it needed to be a good thriller, after reading a third of it, I thought it got slow and repetitive, and it lost its sense of tension and worry.

This book was dark, twisty, a little outrageous, and predictable, a mixed read.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I’d give this a strong 4 stars I think, as I had moments where I thought it was excellent and I really couldn’t stop reading* but I did think it could’ve been shorter and got to the last few chapters and climax a bit sooner. *By I couldn’t stop reading, I was so engrossed I read and then had to continue to finish it by 3:30am!

I loved the premise of this and how the story was told, it was so gripping and a real thriller. Family man Mark is returning from a trip to Paris with his two daughters (step-daughter, Freya, 15 yrs and Molly, 4 years) on the Eurostar. At the last minute, his wife, Claire, has had to pull out of the trip due to “important work issues”. One reason for how tense this is, is that we’re told the story via both Mark and Claire’s point of view and we’re given some red herrings that make us (well, me anyway!) mistrust her and her reasons for not taking the trip, as well as this connecting to a bombing in Helsinki six years earlier where Mark’s parents died and Claire’s dad. I loved how the trip starts going to security and Molly playing I/Eye Spy and spotting the “Bad Man”, Ryan, and loudly exclaiming this and Mark noticing the strange belongings in his luggage which later becomes clear (no spoilers). I really loved Molly - she was such a character and I felt I could really picture her and imagine her and Mark in their stressful train in pursuit of people and the truth. There are a good couple of twists - some unexpected - but the one at the end was very good.

I liked how there were multiple themes throughout of trust, distrust, honesty, spying, security, stranger danger, duplicity, moral dilemmas, family relationships and dynamics. It was very cleverly done and as well with the other passengers on the train and Mark - and us - not knowing who to trust.

Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[beckys_book_blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book such a fast-paced, gripping thriller that I ended up reading it in just two sittings. From the very first page, the tension is dialled up to an almost unbearable level, and it never really lets up. It’s one of those books where you keep thinking “just one more chapter” – and suddenly it’0s the early hours of the morning!!

The setting is particularly brilliant. Mark is travelling home to London with his two daughters, aged four and fourteen, after a weekend sightseeing in Paris. When young Molly innocently points out a “bad man” at the station, it initially feels like the kind of thing a child might imagine. But as events escalate and this stranger begins to follow and then interact with Mark on the Eurostar, the atmosphere turns truly sinister.

The claustrophobic setting of the train works so well. There’s no easy escape at 200mph under the Channel, and that sense of confinement amplifies every interaction. The psychological tension builds as the stranger reveals unsettling knowledge about Mark’s life. How does he know so much about their family? Why is he targeting them? And most chilling of all - is this random, or is there something in Mark’s past that has triggered it?

I also thought the dynamic between the two daughters added an extra emotional layer. The vulnerability of travelling with children, especially in such a high-stakes situation, makes every decision feel urgent and dangerous. As a parent, you can’t help but imagine what you would do in the same situation.

This would make a fantastic film. The contained setting, the escalating cat-and-mouse tension, and the twists throughout feel incredibly cinematic. Overall, Eye Spy is a compulsive, edge-of-your-seat thriller that I’d highly recommend to anyone who loves fast-paced, high-tension reads.

[Teresa Nikolic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark and his wife Claire had arranged a family break to Paris on the Eurostar with Freya, 15 and Molly, 4 but at the last minute Claire said she had to pull out due to work commitments, but insisted that Mark still go with the girls and try to bond a bit more with his teenage stepdaughter. The couple were thrown together six years ago after a tragic incident in Helsinki, an event that Mark is still struggling to come to terms with and is very cautious now whenever he travels. On the way back, during a game of Eye Spy at the station, Molly points out a 'Bad Man' and it sets Mark's nerves tingling, this is made even worse when he spots the man on the train with a suitcase different to the one he was carrying at the station. The events that follow lead Mark on a desperate chase to protect his family at all costs, but why is he convinced this all links back to Helsinki?

Eye Spy is the new thriller by this author and, with its unique premise, it's quite literally a tense and thrilling ride on board the Eurostar for this family, told from the POV of both Mark and Claire. It's a fast paced read that draws out secrets from the past and leads them into some very harrowing events. There are a few completely despicable characters in this story, I spent the whole time reading this book not knowing who I could trust, but the one person that shone throughout for me was little Molly, what a brave and adorable girl she was. This is a gripping read, quite heavy at times on the train, but it really ramped up when they arrived back in London and the pieces started to fall into place. As with all Ewan's books, there are some great twists along the way, but the final one was my absolute favourite and made for a very satisfactory ending.

I'd like to thank Pan MacMillan and Netgalley for inviting me to read this, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye Spy follows Mark, who is alerted by his four-year-old daughter to a ‘Bad Man’ during a game of Eye Spy when waiting for the Eurostar in Paris. Things then only get worse when Mark notices that the man is on their train with a suspicious-looking suitcase, sitting ominously close. With secrets unravelling from the past, can Mark piece together the jigsaw of his life in order to save his family? Or will their journey come to a fatal end?

Eye Spy is an exhilarating, gripping thriller that held me completely captive from start to finish. I went in with high expectations, but it didn’t just meet them, it exceeded them.

The premise is classic C.M. Ewan: an ordinary family on an ordinary day suddenly thrown into turmoil in a unique and emotional way. The story is intricately layered and cleverly constructed, yet it hooks you instantly, building tension from the very first pages.

The characters are expertly written. I could genuinely feel Mark’s anxiety radiating from the pages, especially in his instinct to protect his children at all costs. That emotional core raises the stakes even further, and combined with the sinister, cinematic atmosphere, it creates a constant sense of unease. The confined train setting only amplifies that pressure, making the whole experience feel intensely claustrophobic.

At times, I genuinely had to stop myself from reading ahead because I was so desperate to know how everything would connect. I also had no idea where it was heading at any point, but the relentless cat-and-mouse tension, shocking twists, and satisfying ending made for one unforgettable journey!

Eye Spy is now definitely up there as one of my favourite C.M. Ewan books so far.

Thank you so much to Pan and C.M. Ewan for sending me this copy to read and review. My opinions are my own.

[Lynsey (To read or not to read… definitely read!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A journey home that no one expected

Mark finds himself taking his girls to Paris by himself, when his wife, Claire, has to pull out for work. Mark has a busy weekend, fitting in all the sights and experiences with his 16-year-old step daughter, Freya and his 4-year-old daughter, Molly.

On their journey home, they are playing I Spy and Molly creates quite the scene at security;
‘I spy… with my little eye, something beginning with… B and M.’ ‘B M, ‘she said, loudly. Bad Man.’

This is where events take a turn and the locked room drama increasingly gathers speed. The family clamber onto the Eurostar to take them towards London, and never in your wildest dreams would you imagine the events that would come to pass.

To say more would give spoilers but as a reader you could feel the emotions of Mark and how he felt during that journey. I found him slightly weak as a character, but it was clear how this added to the story. You could feel Mark’s concern, frustration and total panic.

The chapters showed different POV including Mark, Claire and Freya. This really added depth to the story and revealed events outside of Eurostar. Initially I didn’t like Claire, but my opinion changed throughout the book as we found out more about her, and both present day and historical events of significance.

Freya, was by far my favourite character. A typical, spiky, teenager navigating a tricky relationship with her stepdad, but loving and mothering her younger sibling.

I can totally see this book being adapted to screen and in some ways, this would enhance the story. The train section was slightly overlong and a visual here would break it up slightly. That being said, I really enjoyed this read and would totally recommend.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and C.M. Ewan for access to the ARC. Due to be published on 26 March 2026.

[Emily Portman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Oh my GOD, this book does not let you pause for breath!! I know it’s going to be one of those that haunts me for a while (in the best way, I think? 😅) It is definitely the best locked-room type thriller I’ve read so buckle up. It’s claustrophobic, it’s unpredictable, it’s an anxiety-inducing nightmare. Still shocked I only discovered C.M. Ewan last year but I am genuinely a fan for life at this point.

Eye Spy is one of those books that, once you start, you won't be able to think about anything else. You’ll start dreaming about it (yes, I had a dream I was stuck on a train and couldn’t get off!) and you will be utterly traumatised by everything Mark has to go through. If you can hack that, then this is absolutely one for you.

Mark, his daughter, and his step-daughter are on their way home from a short trip to Paris. In the Eurostar security hall, his youngest, Molly spies a ‘Bad Man’ in a game of Eye Spy. If this wasn’t chilling enough, we meet the man again once on the train. And what plays out is a two-and-a-half-hour train journey of panic, of fear, of dread. A complete bloody nightmare. We know a devastating hotel bombing took the lives of his parents six years ago, and what unfolds is a complex whirlwind of uncovering the truth and how it all links to the present day. It is exceptionally well done.

This book is almost unbearable in its tension, it’s brilliantly immersive and will have you reading and reading and reading. I loved the characters, and their actions on and off the train at different points in time worked so well in giving us the whole picture. This one is a must read for crime/thriller fans. It’s going to be big, I can feel it! I look forward to being riddled with panic in whatever comes next from Chris! 😂

[Elli (Kindig Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have previous read and enjoyed The Interview and Strangers in the Car by C.M. Ewan, so I was excited to receive the ARC of his latest thriller – Eye Spy.

Mark and his daughters are getting the Eurostar back to England after a family holiday in Paris. But when young Molly is playing Eye Spy and points out a ‘Bad Man’ at security, Mark suddenly gets the feeling that something may be wrong…

Eye Spy is a claustrophobic thriller which mostly takes place on board on the Eurostar. It is interspersed with paragraphs about his wife Claire in a London hotel with a stranger and text messages from an unknown person. There are also a few chapters from other perspectives without context who are running away from someone. This did get a little frustrating at times as it takes quite a while to reveal how all the threads are related - as a reader you felt in the dark.

I thought the chapters in the Eurostar did start to drag a little – a lot of it is Mark spiralling and you get the impression he is quite a paranoid person anyway. However, the ending pulls all of the threads together in a way that is satisfying and action-packed. I also enjoyed the epilogue which further wrapped things up.

Overall, if you are looking for a spy-thriller, Eye Spy is a great choice, as long as you don’t mind being kept in the dark for a lot of it! Thank you to NetGalley & Pan Macmillan for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For more of my reviews check out Kindig Blog

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

While waiting at the station for the Eurostar in Paris, Mark’s four year old daughter alerts him to the ‘bad man’ during a game of eye spy. Things get worse when he becomes suspicious of him and his suitcase on the train. With secrets from the past, can Mark piece together the puzzle to save his family?

C.M Ewan has become a go to author for me, so I was excited to see another by him, especially when I saw the synopsis. This ended up being another fantastic thriller by this author, which was very fast paced and full of suspense. I was hooked straight away to the storyline and had a hard time putting it down, each chapter leaves you with the need to read ‘just one more’. Even though I have read a few train thrillers, I love how the author always comes with original spins on certain premises, managing to make them entertaining, while feeling fresh and innovative.

The story was action packed and high octane, however what I found worked really well was that it also had highly emotional moments, with explorations of family dynamics. The characters were all strongly portrayed and I was rooting for Mark as the main character. I had a lot of fun watching the story unravel and discovering all the turns it would take. This is one I will recommend and I could definitely see this becoming a blockbuster movie. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next. 4.5 stars rounded down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Teresa Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye Spy by C.M.Ewan
The location for most of the action on this train is on a Eurostar train and I read it whilst travelling on a Eurostar so I inevitably the entire journey thinking about the logistics of what was happening. Mark is travelling with his daughters back from Paris when his youngest daughter alerts him to a “Bad Man” in the queue near them. This same bad man then appears in their carriage only now his luggage appears different.
This is a claustrophobic thriller set as it is on board the train but interspersed with Mark’s wife meeting a stranger in a London hotel. What is going on? Is his wife having an affair or is it something much more sinister.
We know that Mark and his wife were drawn together by an explosion which affected both of their families but we do not know the details of this until later in the story. It keeps you turning the pages throughout and the way in which everything is resolved at the end is very satisfying. The reader is kept in the dark about what is going on for a large part of the book but it is a good choice as a thriller if you do not mind that.
I will be recommending it at various book groups and would like to thank the author, the publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book in return for an honest review.

[Helen Haythornthwaite · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

What a riveting read this was, and another stunning book from author C.M. Ewan!

After reading the blurb, I really had no idea that such a thrilling story was hidden within the pages of this book. I want you to discover that story for yourselves so there are no spoilers here.

The main narrative is interwoven with flashbacks to past events, phone texts, and online threads to an incident which occurred six years ago. It’s intriguing, it’s dynamic, and it’s a parent’s worst nightmare!

The layout itself reminded me of the spokes of a bicycle wheel - each chapter is a different snippet of events which are seemingly unrelated, but you know they are going to converge and eventually you’ll see how they all reach that one overlapping spot.

I loved the short chapters which had me thinking…just another one…just another one…and another hour flashed quickly by as I was caught in the clutches of this totally addictive read.

It is such a brilliant plot, and is so very cleverly woven with some ingenious twists and turns along the way. I was completely gripped from start to finish, and absolutely loved it!


With many thanks to the publishers for sending me a proof copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of ‘Eye Spy’ by C. M. Ewan, due to be published on 26 March 2026 by Pan Macmillan.

Mark finds himself travelling with his stepdaughter Freya and daughter Molly on the Eurostar from Paris on his own, after his wife Claire declares she can’t go on their planned trip as she is too busy at work. Just as they are going through security, Mark is alarmed when 4 year old Molly points at a man in the queue next to them and loudly announces him to be a ‘bad man’.

Mark further feels tension when the ‘bad man’ turns up in the same train carriage as him, with a completely different suitcase to the one he previously had. Freya then disappears, with Mark issued with a chilling warning to do as he is told or she will be killed.

The storyline weaves through the timeline that the family are on the train, interspersed with Mark’s painful memories of his parents death in Helsinki some 6 years previously, and Claire’s clandestine meeting with a mystery unknown man in London.

Characters are well developed, Molly tugs at your heartstrings and Freya’s plight injects fear into the storytelling. This was a tense and wild ride, it gets its hooks into you on the first page and has you firmly held in its grip until the very last page.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark has just spent a short break in Paris with his 4 year old daughter Molly and 15 year old stepdaughter Freya. Unfortunately his wife Claire had had to cry off due to a work commitment. The book is set largely on board the Eurostar train on its less than 3 hour journey from Paris to London, and you don’t get more locked room than a fast moving train!

Briefly, the family are going through security and Molly wants to play I Spy. Everything is going ok until Molly choses BM then stares at a man and shouts out “Bad Man”. This becomes the train ride from hell, bad man is sitting close to them on the train, Mark discovers secrets he has been trying to unearth on the quiet and then Freya vanishes. Meanwhile, back in London Claire has been hiding a secret which forces both herself and Mark back to the event that brought them together, a car bomb blast in Helsinki 6 years earlier which killed both of Mark’s parents and Claire’s Dad.

This is a taut, fast paced thriller and is probably not best read whilst travelling on Eurostar! A good original plot and a positive mass of secrets to unravel where nothing is what it seems and the story becomes more and more claustrophobic as the journey continues. A tense and entertaining read.

[Lovetoread2023 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not usually a fan of stories that take place mostly in one location, but Eye Spy proves just how well it can work when done right. This is a fast-paced, gripping thriller that keeps up its momentum throughout and constantly keeps you guessing.
Set mainly on the Eurostar, the tension is immediate and unrelenting. You’re left wondering who the real villains are, why a father and his daughters are being targeted, and why Mark’s wife, Claire, isn’t where she said she would be. There’s always something happening, and the twists keep coming without ever feeling overdone. Alongside the action, the story has real emotional depth. The chapters that revisit the explosion in Helsinki six years earlier — where people close to Mark and Claire were killed — are woven in perfectly and add weight to the present-day events. I also loved the countdown at the start of each chapter, which adds urgency and makes the book incredibly hard to put down.
This is a strong, well-executed thriller that balances pace, suspense, and emotion beautifully. Another winner from C.M. Ewan, and definitely one of my favourites.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly a locked room mystery, Mark and his daughters are on the Eurostar train between Paris and London when the older (step) daughter, Freya, disappears. Mark is frantic with worry but is being controlled by different people on the train. The reasons for this are unclear, but the tension builds up as Ryan and Valerie, who know where Freya is, dictate what he does. Molly, the 4 year old is fractious and frightened. Mark has a tragic history as his parents were killed in a terrorist attack 6 years ago in Finland and this has affected his life since, continually thinking about safety and possible dangers.
I liked the build up of suspense in this book, perhaps the train journey was too long with repetition,but it does portray the awful situation Mark finds himself in. There are also some passages told from the point of view of his wife, without too much explanation about who she was meeting and why which made for a very twisty plot. Lots of different scenarios going through my head when I was reading, especially in the last 25% of the book.
A good read , thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

[Jessica Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Firstly, thank you so much to Pan Mac for an early copy of this book!

If you are looking for a fast paced thriller then look no further as this is the PERFECT book for you. In Eye Spy we are following our main character Mark, he is in Paris with his 2 daughters Freya and Molly and we are joining them at the end of their trip at Gare De Nord whilst they wait to board their train back to Paris.

While going through security Molly asks her dad to play eye spy, after a lot of confusing and frustration Molly spy’s a ‘bad man’, Mark has a small altercation with this man but moves on to board the Eurostar. Once seated he discovers this bad man is actually a few seats down, surely it has to be a coincidence?

And I will say no more so I don’t spoil it, but oh boy, my hands were sweating throughout the entirety of this book. Did I also read this in one sitting? Yes. Yes I did. The book is on the lengthy side of a thriller, however, don’t be put off by that as the chapters are mostly 1-2 pages long, and you can’t stop halfway through 👀

Publishing 26th March and you do not want to miss it!!

[Chris Scotland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Ewan has, in recent years, become a master at taking ordinary people and putting them into extraordinary situations and, with Eye Spy, he's achieved another absolute page-turner. It's a race against time tale of Mark, Claire and their two daughters, with most of the action taking place over the three hours it takes for the train to travel from Paris to London. Youngest daughter Molly, sees a "bad man" before they board the train, and not much will improve on the subsequent journey to London, where Mark's wife, Claire, is engaged in a secret meeting with another unnamed man...

The main event behind the story is the explosion that killed members of their family six years ago and ultimately brought them together. But, of course, there is so much more than this playing out, with tendrils of fallout from this disaster affecting players far and wide.

I thoroughly enjoyed being able to suspend my disbelief and go along for this very bumpy ride, and trying to stay ahead of Mark and Claire as they (and the reader!) hurtle towards a denouement that will leave their lives changed.

[Angela Mellor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye Spy is a tense and well written thriller.
Mark is on a train from Paris to London with his young daughter and teenage stepdaughter, Claire his wife couldn’t make the trip away due to work commitments. Mark is hoping to have a quiet read but notices a man sit over the aisle from them that his young daughter earlier on going through security had shouted “bad man” too. What happens next is a cat and mouse game involving all of Mark’s family and him trying to keep all of them safe. Where is his wife is she really at work or is she with a man in a hotel like the bad man says she is?
This was a book I read in a day, yes it’s slow in parts but I think that elevates the tension, yes the characters aren’t very likeable but this also adds a different dynamic to the book. The storyline was unique in the layout and setting for me and I enjoyed it from start to finish. The book is aptly named and the ending is well executed.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

[Maddie Weeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Read for a book tour, below is my honest review**

Eye Spy has been one of my most anticipated releases for a while and it has 100% lived up to my expectations!

Mark is travelling back from Paris on the Eurostar with his daughter and step daughter after his wife has had to unexpectedly drop out of the trip. The story unravels from there in twists and turns that I was not expecting!

I really love Chris’ writing style and I enjoy the fact that he takes something so typical or day to day and makes it intense and terrifying.

There was a twist that made my jaw drop and that ending?! Chefs kiss! It’s fast paced and had me feeling all sorts of emotions - angry, sad, nervous and more!

I loved this book and I can’t wait to yap about it to everyone, you’ll love it too! 😉

If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a gripping thriller!

Thank you Random Things tours and Chris for letting me read and review.

I give this 5 stars!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that wrongfooted me from the get go…..as Mark and his 2 daughters alight the Eurostar and a suss man appears I thought it was an easy guess as to the content of the story…wether I was right or wrong didn’t matter as the story explodes with a main and other interlinked stories in short bursty chapters that once started just had to be read….the only thing I did find annoying was me racing to the end of the chapter too quickly at times to see what had happened

Nothing is as it seems in this book,really craftily and cleverly written so the reader thinks they know but it couldn’t be more wrong,well when I say it I mean me….

There was no time to breeze gently into the book as it started immediately and carried on right to the last sentence with no filler,every chapter and sentence mattered and was pulling me nearer to getting the answers I and the other Mark needed

Really well written and presented and got to say addictive,serious yet fun for a reader to try and work it out and fit all the pieces together in this elaborate puzzle

Loved it

[A Bookworm Crafts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye Spy takes place largely over the course of a Eurostar journey from Paris to London. Mark is travelling home with his four-year-old daughter Molly and his teenage stepdaughter Freya when Molly innocently points out a “bad man” during a game of Eye Spy.

This was a gripping read that I didn't want to put down! The confined train setting creates that claustrophobic feeling that something is badly wrong and there is nowhere to escape to and the tension keeps building throughout. The short chapters and real-time structure make it very easy to keep reading (I would have read this in one sitting if life hadn't actually required me to put the book down!). The family dynamic also added an emotional layer to the thriller plot, and I particularly liked how Mark was trying to protect the girls while also trying to deal with his past trauma.

A recommended read for fans of the Hijack TV series and Hostage by Clare Mackintosh.

Thank you to Random Things Tours and Pan Macmillan for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye Spy by C. M. Ewan is an edge of your seat thriller, which I read in one sitting.

The story begins with Mark returning back to London after a break in Paris with his teenage step-daughter Freya and his four year old daughter Molly. Going through Security Checks at Gare de Nord, Molly points out a man and shouts out “Bad man” whilst playing Eye Spy. Mark doesn’t think much of it and apologies to the man in question.

On the train journey back to London, Mark’s world is turned upside down on the train journey back to London. Adding to the tension is the countdown on the arrival time back to St Pancras and the simple fact he and his daughters are trapped on a high speed train.

This is a taut thriller with twists and turns and doesn’t disappoint.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Pan Macmillan, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.