The Eyewitness

by Naomi Williams

Rachel Cartwright has a terrifying condition. Every 48 hours, her eyes shut tight - and stay that way for two long days. She can't work, can't go out. And, worse, when the world goes dark, she's certain someone is watching her.

She can't prove it - but I believe her. And, as her doctor, I owe it to Rachel to help. I may not understand what's happening to her, but I've made it my job to protect her. To keep watch when she can't.

But I can't help but feel there's something Rachel's not telling me. A shadow in her past she won't talk about. And now... I'm starting to feel it too.

Like someone's watching me.

A heart-stopping psychological thriller from the author of THE WOMAN IN WARD 9, with twists that will leave you breathless.

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 16, 2026

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This thriller had a slow pace that made it hard to stay interested at times. For a large part of the book, not much happens besides the main character’s daily life, which felt too drawn out. There is a watcher in the story, but those chapters were not very creepy and did not build much excitement or curiosity.

However, the ending made up for that. The twists at the end were strong and added a good surprise that improved the overall experience.

Thank you to Headline books and Netgalley for this
ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Eyewitness is an elegant, unsettling psychological thriller that takes a brilliantly original premise and turns it into a slow‑burn spiral of dread. It’s warm in its humanity, tense in its execution, and written with the kind of intimacy that makes you feel as though you’re standing right beside the characters as their world narrows into fear.

Rachel’s condition—forty‑eight hours of sight, followed by forty‑eight hours of total darkness—is such a striking hook, but what makes the story compelling is how vulnerable and isolated it leaves her. Those stretches of enforced blindness carry a quiet terror, especially as she becomes convinced someone is watching her. The book captures that claustrophobic uncertainty beautifully.

Told through the perspective of her doctor, the story gains an extra layer of emotional complexity. His determination to protect Rachel feels genuine, but there’s a growing sense that he’s slipping into the same paranoia she’s been living with for years. That shift—subtle at first, then unmistakable—keeps the tension humming. You’re never quite sure whether the threat is real, imagined, or rooted in something Rachel has been too afraid to reveal.

The atmosphere is consistently taut, with small, everyday moments turning sinister as the darkness closes in. The pacing is tight, the twists land cleanly, and the sense of being watched lingers long after you put the book down.

A gripping, clever thriller with a haunting premise and characters who feel achingly real. Perfect for readers who enjoy psychological suspense that plays with perception, trust, and the shadows we carry from our past.

With thanks to Naomi Williams, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Lovetoread2023 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naomi Williams’ The Eyewitness is a highly suspenseful and gripping psychological read that kept me hooked from start to finish. As my first book by this author, I was immediately drawn in by the unique and unsettling concept—imagining a life where you can only open your eyes for 48 hours, followed by 48 hours of darkness, is both fascinating and deeply disturbing. It adds a constant sense of vulnerability and tension that runs throughout the story.
The “WATCHERS” chapters were a standout for me, bringing an extra layer of unease and a chilling atmosphere that made me question everything. There’s a strong sense of mistrust woven into the narrative—you’re never quite sure who to believe, and the clever use of red herrings keeps you guessing all the way through.
The setting was another highlight. Knowing the area well made the story feel even more immersive, as I could clearly picture the locations and feel part of the unfolding drama. Naomi’s writing is sharp and engaging, and the pacing makes it an easy, quick read without losing any depth.
The ending was particularly well done clever, thought-provoking, and not overly tidy. I really appreciated the epilogue, which leaves just enough for readers to draw their own conclusions. It’s the kind of ending that lingers in your mind, prompting you to come up with your own theories about what might happen next.
This is a tense, psychologically driven thriller that delivers on atmosphere, intrigue, and originality. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from Naomi Williams in the future.

[Julie Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d give The Eyewitness by Naomi Williams 3.5 stars.

The first half felt like a bit of a slow burn for me. While it did a good job of setting the scene and building the characters, I tend to prefer more fast-paced reads, so it took me a little while to fully get into it.

However, after the halfway point, the story really picked up. The pacing improved significantly, and the tension began to build in a way that kept me engaged. There was a growing sense of unease and suspense that carried through to the end, which I really enjoyed.

The twists towards the conclusion were well done and kept me guessing, although I did have a slight suspicion about the ending before it was fully revealed. Still, it was an enjoyable read overall—particularly in the second half when everything started to come together.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Jennifer Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for providing me with this arc.

This was my first book by Naomi Williams.

The premise of this book was so interesting and wasn’t like anything I’ve read before. Rachel’s eyes close for 48 hours, every 48 hours but she feels like someone is watching when her eyes are closed

It seems that all of the twists were towards the end of the book. I didn’t mind this too much but I do usually prefer when there are the odd few sprinkled in

The ending felt slightly rushed to me and felt like all the twists and information were provided at once but that probably comes down to there not being many twists throughout

I loved the addition of the chapters from the watchers point of view - I think this added depth to the story and I was constantly guessing who could be behind it all

Overall I did enjoy this one and I would definitely read more from this author

[ABain · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a slow-burn read that I found easy to put down. It wasn’t quite the edge-of-your-seat thriller I expected, and the synopsis felt a bit misleading.
However, the final section really ramped up, with twists I didn’t see coming.

Naomi’s research into optometry added credibility, and I appreciated the insight into blepharospasm and how distressing it can be. Rachel’s experiences were well connected to the condition, adding vulnerability to her character. The concept of “The Watcher” was genuinely unsettling and added an eerie edge.

Overall, while the pacing didn’t always work for me, the strong finish and well-researched details gave the story depth.

Recommended for readers who enjoy a psychological thriller.

Thank you to Headline books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawyer Rachel has a condition where every 48 hours her eyes are closed for 48 hours. During this time her other senses are heightened and she's convinced someone is watching her. Beth, an Ophthalmologist, is offered her case by her friend Max, a fellow Ophthalmologist. Rachel has specifically asked for a female doctor but gives no reason why. Beth is stumped the case but goes out of her way to help Rachel manage her condition, often going against her code of ethics. But unknown to Beth, she's also being watched and this case will affect her in ways she could never imagine.
This latest novel by Naomi Williams is an unsettling, nervy read. The sense of unease is on nearly every page. The voice of "The Watcher" follows Beth, she's vulnerable and lonely so loves to feel needed. The ending was very clever. I was hooked on the whole book

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beth is an opthalmology doctor. Her friend Max refers Rachel to Beth to find out why she can't open her eyes every forty-eight hours.
It's an intriguing case, but Beth can't help feeling that Rachel is holding something back.
Ra hello feels like she is being watched when she can't open her eyes, and someone is entering her flat.
As Beth delves into Rachel's past and getting too involved, is she putting herself at risk?
This has a slow build-up until the finale, where it gets very tense. The short snappy chapters make it easy to keep reading.
I was toing and froing as to who could be the culprit, but nothing prepared me for the ending.
A great psychological thriller.
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for the invitation to read this ARC in return for an honest review.

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Eyewitness has a genuinely intriguing concept and invites you to dive in.

It is a slow burn, the writing is fine and there are some intriguing characters here and the premise is compelling but it maybe suffers from some meandering detail that almost derails it early on.

However it is definitely worth sticking with as it ramps up in its final quarter and delivers some unexpected twists and a decent landing of the ending.

Overall entertaining enough, yet perhaps lacking in some substance that could have made it perfect.

If you are a fan of psychological thrillers this will satisfy.

[Jade Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d give The Eyewitness by Naomi Williams a solid 3.5 stars. This was my first book by the author, and I was drawn in by the description—it really intrigued me from the start. I also appreciated the short chapters, which made it an easy and engaging read.
That said, I did find it quite slow at times, and I was mostly reading on to see how it would all wrap up. While I did end up predicting the direction of the story, I was still interested to see how everything would come together in the end. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, even if not entirely surprising.

[Sarah Bloomfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for approving my request to read this book.

I found this book to be a slow burning psychological thriller that ramped up towards the end with an enjoyable ending.

I really liked the premise of this story but personally would liked to have seen it explored a bit more within the story.

Overall I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to others.

[Cheryl Bellingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story grow through the book and leaves you wanting more. Beth is introduced to a new patient by max who is experiencing puzzling symptoms. Beth is isolated in her life and wants nothing more than to help Rachel. The story from here rattles at a fast pace. There is a threat of danger unless Beth can work out what’s going on. Really enjoyable read and an author you will want to add to your authors to follow

[Mags Schofield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the suspense created by the writer, but I felt that I did have to suspend reality at times.
I don't want to add any spoilers, but fooling a Doctor isn't easy!
Some great twists but I did suspect some of the characters were not all they seemed.
However I did become engrossed in the plot, especially the finale, which wasn't quite what I expected.
With thanks to Naomi Williams, the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read a slow burn, the book focuses on Beth who is supporting a patient, Rachel whose eyes close and stay that way for 48 hours Rachel is convinced she is being watched and Beth supports her friend and patient.

The book was overall a great read i just felt the ending was a little odd

Thank you netgalley for the early release in exchange for an honest review

[Fiona Pullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was attracted to this book by the intriguing premise, a woman who can't open her eyes for exactly 48 hours at a time.

The mystery builds throughout the book at a fairly slow pace but it still kept me interested. Then just when I thought I had it all figured out there was a big unexpected twist at the end!

[Sandy memybooksandI · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a slow paced thriller!

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Private consultant ophthalmologist Beth is intrigued when her colleague and friend Max sends a referral her way for a young woman, Rachel, suffering from blepharospasm leaving her eyes closed for 48 hours every two days.  Determined to get to the bottom of what’s causing her illness and trying to understand if it’s medical or psychological lead Beth to make some questionable decisions.

Despite Max thinking she is too invested in her patient, she ploughs on, even more determined than before.  Sensing there is something in Rachel’s past that she is not sharing, Beth goes digging and is shocked by what she finds.

This was a dark psychological thriller that leaves you suspecting everyone and unnerves you wondering who is lurking and why.  The characters were unsettling, the eye condition well researched and informative. It comes with a huge twist at the end that leaves you shocked as you don’t see it coming.  A recommended read.