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Watching You Fall
299 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2026
About the author
Dreda Say Mitchell
48 books548 followersHer Majesty, The Queen appointed Dreda an MBE in her 2020 New Year’s Honours’ List. Dreda scooped the CWA’s John Creasey Dagger in 2004, the first time a Black British author has received this honour. Dreda and Ryan write across the crime and mystery genre – psychological thrillers, gritty gangland crime and fast-paced action books Spare Room, their first psychological thriller was a #1 UK and US Amazon Bestseller. Dreda is one of twelve acclaimed and bestselling international female writers contributing to a new Miss Marple anthology. Dreda is a passionate campaigner and speaker on social issues and the arts. She has been a frequent guest on television and radio including BBC Breakfast,, Celebrity Pointless and Celebrity Eggheads, The Stephen Nolan Show, Front Row and Woman’s Hour. She has presented Radio 4’s flagship books programme, Open Book. Dreda was named one of Britain’s 50 Remarkable Women by Lady Geek in association with Nokia. She was the 2011 chair of the Theakston Harrogate Crime Fiction Festival. Dreda was born and raised in the East End of London where she continues to live. Dreda’s family are from the beautiful Caribbean island of Grenada and her name is pronounced with a long ‘ee’ sound in the middle.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
YOU CAN’T CHOOSE YOUR FAMILY
In Watching You Fall, haunted by guilt over failing to save her sister, Josie welcomes her troubled nephew into her home. But as the initial shock of grief fades, unsettling questions surface. Megan wasn't alone on the night she died. Was it really her addiction that killed her, or something more sinister?
This is a family driven suspense novel that had me so uneasy throughout. Now given that I predicted the outcome very early on, it didn’t take away from my intrigue to wanting to know why.
The characters in the book read so real and raw and I found myself being so irritated by mostly all especially Josie, Trevor and Sunny!
Following Josie as a narrator was at times insufferable. I understood her urgency for wanting to find out the real reason how her sister passed, but some of her behaviour and actions were so infuriating. She was having to much inner dialogue and not taking enough action and speaking out more.
The narration was done well and always kept my interest. This is a slow burn read and at times the pacing was particularly too slow, but the narrator did a good job moving the story along.
The conclusion was satisfying as well as heartbreaking at the same time. I think both authors did an amazing job co writing this story and I am looking forward to reading what work they bring out next.
3.5 ⭐
Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for granting me an early audio arc of this book.
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⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Saw the synopsis on Netgalley and had to request!
It sounds soo intriguing and mysterious!
I hope its a winner!
🤍🤎🤎🤍
In Watching You Fall, haunted by guilt over failing to save her sister, Josie welcomes her troubled nephew into her home. But as the initial shock of grief fades, unsettling questions surface. Megan wasn't alone on the night she died. Was it really her addiction that killed her, or something more sinister?
This is a family driven suspense novel that had me so uneasy throughout. Now given that I predicted the outcome very early on, it didn’t take away from my intrigue to wanting to know why.
The characters in the book read so real and raw and I found myself being so irritated by mostly all especially Josie, Trevor and Sunny!
Following Josie as a narrator was at times insufferable. I understood her urgency for wanting to find out the real reason how her sister passed, but some of her behaviour and actions were so infuriating. She was having to much inner dialogue and not taking enough action and speaking out more.
The narration was done well and always kept my interest. This is a slow burn read and at times the pacing was particularly too slow, but the narrator did a good job moving the story along.
The conclusion was satisfying as well as heartbreaking at the same time. I think both authors did an amazing job co writing this story and I am looking forward to reading what work they bring out next.
3.5 ⭐
Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for granting me an early audio arc of this book.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Saw the synopsis on Netgalley and had to request!
It sounds soo intriguing and mysterious!
I hope its a winner!
🤍🤎🤎🤍
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First, the narration worked really well for me. Nicola Delgado’s voice fit Josie’s character perfectly, and her reading style genuinely brought the story to life. Even without physically reading the book, I felt completely immersed in the scenes and emotions. There were several moments that hit me emotionally because of how naturally she delivered them. You could really feel the grief, tension, and desperation in certain scenes, and that made the audiobook engaging from start to finish.
I also liked the pacing of the narration. It wasn’t too fast or too slow, which made it easy to stay focused while listening. My only small issue was that some of the character voices, especially the younger ones, weren’t always distinct enough from each other. She did a great job adding emotion and changing tones for different characters, but there were moments when I needed a second to figure out who was speaking.
As for the story itself, I found it very relatable and emotionally grounded. The plot development felt balanced — not overly slow but not rushed either. There was always something tense or emotional happening, so I never got bored listening. Honestly, it felt like watching a dramatic family series or telenovela unfold in audio form, and I mean that in a good way. It kept me invested the whole time and even made me want to pick up a physical copy of the book.
One thing I really appreciated was how the authors handled Sunny’s character. The story made me reflect on how adults often try to help children based on what we think is best, instead of truly listening to what they actually need. Sometimes adults act out of their own fears, guilt, or personal beliefs without realizing it. That realization hit hard for me while listening to this story. I really sympathized with both Sunny and Josie, and there were emotional moments that genuinely made me tear up.
The only thing I personally expected more from was the twist. Since it’s a mystery thriller, I was waiting for a huge shocking reveal that would completely catch me off guard. The story still kept me engaged and I definitely enjoyed it, but I think an even bigger twist could have made it more unforgettable for me.
Still, overall, this was such an emotional and gripping listen. If you enjoy family-centered mystery thrillers with a lot of tension, emotional conflict, and realistic characters, I think this audiobook is worth checking out.
I also liked the pacing of the narration. It wasn’t too fast or too slow, which made it easy to stay focused while listening. My only small issue was that some of the character voices, especially the younger ones, weren’t always distinct enough from each other. She did a great job adding emotion and changing tones for different characters, but there were moments when I needed a second to figure out who was speaking.
As for the story itself, I found it very relatable and emotionally grounded. The plot development felt balanced — not overly slow but not rushed either. There was always something tense or emotional happening, so I never got bored listening. Honestly, it felt like watching a dramatic family series or telenovela unfold in audio form, and I mean that in a good way. It kept me invested the whole time and even made me want to pick up a physical copy of the book.
One thing I really appreciated was how the authors handled Sunny’s character. The story made me reflect on how adults often try to help children based on what we think is best, instead of truly listening to what they actually need. Sometimes adults act out of their own fears, guilt, or personal beliefs without realizing it. That realization hit hard for me while listening to this story. I really sympathized with both Sunny and Josie, and there were emotional moments that genuinely made me tear up.
The only thing I personally expected more from was the twist. Since it’s a mystery thriller, I was waiting for a huge shocking reveal that would completely catch me off guard. The story still kept me engaged and I definitely enjoyed it, but I think an even bigger twist could have made it more unforgettable for me.
Still, overall, this was such an emotional and gripping listen. If you enjoy family-centered mystery thrillers with a lot of tension, emotional conflict, and realistic characters, I think this audiobook is worth checking out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There are thrillers that rely on shock. And then there are thrillers that quietly tighten the room around you until you can’t breathe.
Watching You Fall by Dreda Say Mitchell (with Ryan Carter) is the latter.
From the opening chapters, this story doesn’t scream. It whispers. And that whisper gets louder with every page.
At its core, this is a story about a promise — the kind made in love, in desperation, in loyalty. Josie vows to protect her sister’s son if anything ever happens. Three days later, that promise becomes her reality. What follows isn’t just grief. It’s suspicion. It’s doubt. It’s the slow, destabilising erosion of certainty.
What I admired most about this novel is how emotionally grounded it feels. The tension doesn’t come from over-the-top twists — it comes from the claustrophobic unraveling of trust. Objects move. Conversations stop when Josie walks into a room. Family dynamics shift in subtle, unsettling ways. And the question at the center becomes far more frightening than “what happened?”
It becomes: Can I trust my own mind?
The authors handle guilt and grief with razor precision. Josie is not a perfect protagonist — she’s fragile, reactive, sometimes frustrating — but she is painfully human. That humanity is what makes the suspense land. You’re not just watching a mystery unfold; you’re watching someone slowly question the ground beneath her feet.
There’s also something deeply clever about the way the narrative plays with perception. Every character feels slightly off-center. Every interaction carries weight. And just when you think you understand the emotional temperature of the room, it shifts.
The pacing is tight, the atmosphere suffocating, and the psychological layering is strong. This isn’t a loud thriller — it’s a creeping one. The kind that lingers after you’ve finished it.
For readers who love the domestic tension of Lisa Jewell or the family-driven suspense of Shari Lapena, this absolutely delivers.
A dark, emotionally intelligent psychological thriller about loyalty, guilt, and the dangerous weight of promises.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Watching You Fall by Dreda Say Mitchell (with Ryan Carter) is the latter.
From the opening chapters, this story doesn’t scream. It whispers. And that whisper gets louder with every page.
At its core, this is a story about a promise — the kind made in love, in desperation, in loyalty. Josie vows to protect her sister’s son if anything ever happens. Three days later, that promise becomes her reality. What follows isn’t just grief. It’s suspicion. It’s doubt. It’s the slow, destabilising erosion of certainty.
What I admired most about this novel is how emotionally grounded it feels. The tension doesn’t come from over-the-top twists — it comes from the claustrophobic unraveling of trust. Objects move. Conversations stop when Josie walks into a room. Family dynamics shift in subtle, unsettling ways. And the question at the center becomes far more frightening than “what happened?”
It becomes: Can I trust my own mind?
The authors handle guilt and grief with razor precision. Josie is not a perfect protagonist — she’s fragile, reactive, sometimes frustrating — but she is painfully human. That humanity is what makes the suspense land. You’re not just watching a mystery unfold; you’re watching someone slowly question the ground beneath her feet.
There’s also something deeply clever about the way the narrative plays with perception. Every character feels slightly off-center. Every interaction carries weight. And just when you think you understand the emotional temperature of the room, it shifts.
The pacing is tight, the atmosphere suffocating, and the psychological layering is strong. This isn’t a loud thriller — it’s a creeping one. The kind that lingers after you’ve finished it.
For readers who love the domestic tension of Lisa Jewell or the family-driven suspense of Shari Lapena, this absolutely delivers.
A dark, emotionally intelligent psychological thriller about loyalty, guilt, and the dangerous weight of promises.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Watching You Fall is a taut, intimate psychological thriller that sinks its hooks in from the very first page, not with spectacle but with the quiet devastation of a promise made in desperation. Josie’s vow to care for her nephew Sunny after her sister Megan’s death feels noble at first — an act of love, of guilt, of trying to make something right in a world that has suddenly tilted. But the beauty of this story lies in how quickly that vow becomes a trap she can’t quite see the edges of.
The novel builds its tension through atmosphere rather than shock. Grief hangs over Josie’s home like a low fog, and as she tries to fold Sunny into her life, the edges of reality begin to warp. Items vanish. Conversations shift when she enters the room. People she trusts start to look at her with a flicker of doubt. The author captures that claustrophobic slide into uncertainty with a deft, unsettling touch — you feel Josie’s world tightening, her confidence eroding grain by grain.
What makes the story especially compelling is the ambiguity surrounding Megan’s death. The official explanation is addiction, but the cracks appear early: the suggestion she wasn’t alone, the inconsistencies in her final hours, the sense that someone is shaping the narrative from the shadows. As Josie digs deeper, the line between paranoia and intuition blurs beautifully. Is she uncovering the truth, or is grief distorting everything she sees?
The family dynamics add another layer of tension. Loyalty becomes a double-edged sword, and the people closest to Josie become both her anchors and her greatest sources of doubt. The novel explores how love can blind us, how guilt can warp our judgment, and how easily a promise can become a burden too heavy to carry.
The result is a gripping, emotionally charged thriller that keeps you teetering between sympathy and suspicion, right up to the final reveal. It’s the kind of story that leaves you questioning not just what happened, but how much we can ever truly trust the people we love — or ourselves.
With thanks to Dreda Say Mitchell, Ryan Carter, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The novel builds its tension through atmosphere rather than shock. Grief hangs over Josie’s home like a low fog, and as she tries to fold Sunny into her life, the edges of reality begin to warp. Items vanish. Conversations shift when she enters the room. People she trusts start to look at her with a flicker of doubt. The author captures that claustrophobic slide into uncertainty with a deft, unsettling touch — you feel Josie’s world tightening, her confidence eroding grain by grain.
What makes the story especially compelling is the ambiguity surrounding Megan’s death. The official explanation is addiction, but the cracks appear early: the suggestion she wasn’t alone, the inconsistencies in her final hours, the sense that someone is shaping the narrative from the shadows. As Josie digs deeper, the line between paranoia and intuition blurs beautifully. Is she uncovering the truth, or is grief distorting everything she sees?
The family dynamics add another layer of tension. Loyalty becomes a double-edged sword, and the people closest to Josie become both her anchors and her greatest sources of doubt. The novel explores how love can blind us, how guilt can warp our judgment, and how easily a promise can become a burden too heavy to carry.
The result is a gripping, emotionally charged thriller that keeps you teetering between sympathy and suspicion, right up to the final reveal. It’s the kind of story that leaves you questioning not just what happened, but how much we can ever truly trust the people we love — or ourselves.
With thanks to Dreda Say Mitchell, Ryan Carter, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the E-ARC.
The author's summary does this book enough justice, so I'll skip the plot and go straight to what stayed with me.
Watching You Fall kept me hoping until the very last page that I had misread where it was heading, and I hadn't. At its core, it is a book about how good intentions can quietly become the most destructive force in someone's life. Josie spends the novel trying to save her sister: keeping her out of trouble, fighting for her to keep her son, and advancing her money. To Josie, it is love. It is penance. But what she doesn't see or refuses to see is that her intervention is only smoothing the path to her sister's ruin. The tragedy, when it comes, is one she helped build.
The book makes a similar argument about children, and it landed just as hard. We like to believe that children absorb the world without truly understanding it, that their innocence insulates them from what they witness. But Josie's nephew and, eventually, her own son destroy that idea entirely. She has spent so long casting them as innocent that she forgot she was never quite innocent herself, even as a child.
My one real frustration with the book lies in the second chances it offers. Josie extends them endlessly, to everyone, across everything, and time and again, people take them and use them against her. So when the author, even after all of that, has her extend another one at the end, I felt a quiet irritation settle in. It reads like an endorsement of the idea that people can change, and I think that is, more often than not, a comforting lie.
Still, it was an absorbing read. A few timelines don't quite hold together under scrutiny, and some scenes feel rushed, but neither flaw is serious enough to undermine the whole. I believe it is a novel you'll enjoy on a quiet day when you just need something to muse over.
The author's summary does this book enough justice, so I'll skip the plot and go straight to what stayed with me.
Watching You Fall kept me hoping until the very last page that I had misread where it was heading, and I hadn't. At its core, it is a book about how good intentions can quietly become the most destructive force in someone's life. Josie spends the novel trying to save her sister: keeping her out of trouble, fighting for her to keep her son, and advancing her money. To Josie, it is love. It is penance. But what she doesn't see or refuses to see is that her intervention is only smoothing the path to her sister's ruin. The tragedy, when it comes, is one she helped build.
The book makes a similar argument about children, and it landed just as hard. We like to believe that children absorb the world without truly understanding it, that their innocence insulates them from what they witness. But Josie's nephew and, eventually, her own son destroy that idea entirely. She has spent so long casting them as innocent that she forgot she was never quite innocent herself, even as a child.
My one real frustration with the book lies in the second chances it offers. Josie extends them endlessly, to everyone, across everything, and time and again, people take them and use them against her. So when the author, even after all of that, has her extend another one at the end, I felt a quiet irritation settle in. It reads like an endorsement of the idea that people can change, and I think that is, more often than not, a comforting lie.
Still, it was an absorbing read. A few timelines don't quite hold together under scrutiny, and some scenes feel rushed, but neither flaw is serious enough to undermine the whole. I believe it is a novel you'll enjoy on a quiet day when you just need something to muse over.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Advance copy from Netgalley
Hmm… I’m honestly a bit torn on this one.
I really liked the idea of the story. It follows two sisters, Josie and Megan, who have a very tense and complicated relationship one is successful and seemingly put together, while the other struggles with addiction. When Megan dies, Josie refuses to accept what she’s told and becomes determined to uncover the truth.
At the same time, she fights to gain custody of her nephew, Sunny, going against her family’s wishes. That decision adds a lot of emotional weight to the story, especially as things start to feel more and more uneasy in the household.
The writing itself is well-structured, though I did find it a bit slow-paced at times. The suspense is definitely there, though. There’s an underlying tension that builds steadily, especially with Sunny in the house and Josie starting to suspect that something isn’t right. That constant sense of unease really worked for me.
That said… Josie as a main character really tested my patience. I understand her intentions wanting better, believing she knows what’s best but the way she went about things often made situations worse, especially for Sunny. At times, her attitude came across as frustrating rather than sympathetic, which made it harder for me to fully connect with her.
Still, despite that, I did find the story engaging. The mystery kept me interested, and I wanted to see how everything would unfold.
Overall, it’s not a perfect read, but it’s definitely an enjoyable one with a solid premise and good suspense.
A compelling story with strong tension, even if the main character may not work for everyone.
I’d still recommend it, especially if you enjoy character-driven thrillers with a slow-burn build
Hmm… I’m honestly a bit torn on this one.
I really liked the idea of the story. It follows two sisters, Josie and Megan, who have a very tense and complicated relationship one is successful and seemingly put together, while the other struggles with addiction. When Megan dies, Josie refuses to accept what she’s told and becomes determined to uncover the truth.
At the same time, she fights to gain custody of her nephew, Sunny, going against her family’s wishes. That decision adds a lot of emotional weight to the story, especially as things start to feel more and more uneasy in the household.
The writing itself is well-structured, though I did find it a bit slow-paced at times. The suspense is definitely there, though. There’s an underlying tension that builds steadily, especially with Sunny in the house and Josie starting to suspect that something isn’t right. That constant sense of unease really worked for me.
That said… Josie as a main character really tested my patience. I understand her intentions wanting better, believing she knows what’s best but the way she went about things often made situations worse, especially for Sunny. At times, her attitude came across as frustrating rather than sympathetic, which made it harder for me to fully connect with her.
Still, despite that, I did find the story engaging. The mystery kept me interested, and I wanted to see how everything would unfold.
Overall, it’s not a perfect read, but it’s definitely an enjoyable one with a solid premise and good suspense.
A compelling story with strong tension, even if the main character may not work for everyone.
I’d still recommend it, especially if you enjoy character-driven thrillers with a slow-burn build
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One of those psychological thrillers that slowly pulls you in rather than grabbing you straight away.
At the centre of the story is Josie, who is still grieving and searching for answers after the sudden death of her sister Megan. While everyone around her seems ready to accept it as an overdose, Josie just can’t let it go. That need for truth—and for justice—becomes the driving force of the whole story, especially as she also tries to protect her nephew Sunny and keep him safe.
What I really liked is the emotional layer running through the book. It’s not just about the mystery, but also about family, responsibility, and how far someone will go when they believe they’re doing the right thing. Sunny’s character adds a lot of weight to the story too—he feels very real, and his presence quietly raises the stakes throughout.
The pacing is more on the slow-burn side, with short chapters that make it easy to read in small sittings. There’s a steady build of tension rather than big shocks, and even when some twists felt a bit predictable, it still kept me engaged and curious to see how everything would unfold.
That said, Josie as a character is quite frustrating at times. I understood her intentions, but the way she handles situations often made things worse, which did affect how much I connected with her.
Overall, it’s a solid, character-driven thriller with a strong emotional core and a constant sense of unease. Not perfect, but definitely an engaging read that kept me turning the pages.
At the centre of the story is Josie, who is still grieving and searching for answers after the sudden death of her sister Megan. While everyone around her seems ready to accept it as an overdose, Josie just can’t let it go. That need for truth—and for justice—becomes the driving force of the whole story, especially as she also tries to protect her nephew Sunny and keep him safe.
What I really liked is the emotional layer running through the book. It’s not just about the mystery, but also about family, responsibility, and how far someone will go when they believe they’re doing the right thing. Sunny’s character adds a lot of weight to the story too—he feels very real, and his presence quietly raises the stakes throughout.
The pacing is more on the slow-burn side, with short chapters that make it easy to read in small sittings. There’s a steady build of tension rather than big shocks, and even when some twists felt a bit predictable, it still kept me engaged and curious to see how everything would unfold.
That said, Josie as a character is quite frustrating at times. I understood her intentions, but the way she handles situations often made things worse, which did affect how much I connected with her.
Overall, it’s a solid, character-driven thriller with a strong emotional core and a constant sense of unease. Not perfect, but definitely an engaging read that kept me turning the pages.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“Watching You Fall” by Dreda Say Mitchell & Ryan Carter
This is my first read from both of these authors. I love me a good psychological thriller and this book was a solid read. The suspense, how we find out more and more information as we read on. One thing I will say is that I really didn’t have an oh my god gasp moment while reading this book, but also, I could not put it down either. Spent the day reading this book straight through while Wisconsin is baffling snow storm Elsa right now.
This book follows Josie, a school teacher, who recently cut her sister off from her life. You see, her sister, Megan, struggles with addiction and Josie could not handle it anymore. Days later, Megan is found dead from a self-induced drug overdose. And Josie feels guilty for not helping Megan.
So the only way Josie can think to help Megan is taking in Megan’s 13 year old son, Sunny. As Sunny comes to live with them, Josie notices Sunny displaying odd behaviors. There are things Josie starts realizing, inconsistencies, which lead Josie to go down a rabbit hole of secrets, lies, and past traumas.
Anyway, I rated this book a 4, as I felt the authors did a great job keeping readers interested.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to obtain this e-arc. The words in this review is entirely my own opinions.
This is my first read from both of these authors. I love me a good psychological thriller and this book was a solid read. The suspense, how we find out more and more information as we read on. One thing I will say is that I really didn’t have an oh my god gasp moment while reading this book, but also, I could not put it down either. Spent the day reading this book straight through while Wisconsin is baffling snow storm Elsa right now.
This book follows Josie, a school teacher, who recently cut her sister off from her life. You see, her sister, Megan, struggles with addiction and Josie could not handle it anymore. Days later, Megan is found dead from a self-induced drug overdose. And Josie feels guilty for not helping Megan.
So the only way Josie can think to help Megan is taking in Megan’s 13 year old son, Sunny. As Sunny comes to live with them, Josie notices Sunny displaying odd behaviors. There are things Josie starts realizing, inconsistencies, which lead Josie to go down a rabbit hole of secrets, lies, and past traumas.
Anyway, I rated this book a 4, as I felt the authors did a great job keeping readers interested.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to obtain this e-arc. The words in this review is entirely my own opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What an introduction to the work of Dreda Say Mitchell (along with Ryan Carter) in this well-paced thriller!
Mitchell's writing was well crafted, giving the work an easy structure, making it an enjoyable, followable read. The plot ignites a thought-provoking response to its core thematic threads of guilt and retribution, while juggling the many facets of the wider intricate family dynamics as it unfolds.
One of its most striking elements is in its toying with levels of perception, adding layers to the narrative perspective readers are forced to traverse.
While, in places, certain dialogue seemed a little contrived, often this operated in scenes where the boundaries between knowledge and deception are being explored, thus affording appropriate suspense and ambiguity for the genre. Similarly, in places where the characters appear slightly less compelling, it is mainly to facilitate the foregrounding of Josie's continued ignorance (be it willful or otherwise), which in itself must be considered alongside the legacy of guilt retained from childhood and the strive for recompense in place of logical responses to the situations.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! I highly recommend to anyone who likes this genre of book. Well written - I cannot wait to delve into more books from this author.
Mitchell's writing was well crafted, giving the work an easy structure, making it an enjoyable, followable read. The plot ignites a thought-provoking response to its core thematic threads of guilt and retribution, while juggling the many facets of the wider intricate family dynamics as it unfolds.
One of its most striking elements is in its toying with levels of perception, adding layers to the narrative perspective readers are forced to traverse.
While, in places, certain dialogue seemed a little contrived, often this operated in scenes where the boundaries between knowledge and deception are being explored, thus affording appropriate suspense and ambiguity for the genre. Similarly, in places where the characters appear slightly less compelling, it is mainly to facilitate the foregrounding of Josie's continued ignorance (be it willful or otherwise), which in itself must be considered alongside the legacy of guilt retained from childhood and the strive for recompense in place of logical responses to the situations.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! I highly recommend to anyone who likes this genre of book. Well written - I cannot wait to delve into more books from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m always down for a psychological thriller, and so I was excited to preview this, Watching You Fall by Dedra Say Mitchell and Ryan Carter. Throughout the story, we follow Josie as she’s determined to uncover what really happened to her sister, Megan, despite their tumultuous past. Given the company Megan kept, along with other twists and turns, this becomes no small feat, and Josie is left wondering whether her crusade was all a mistake and whether she’s ruined the lives of those she’s loved forever. What we uncover is that home is not always where the heart is and while we may think we’re helping those in need, we could really be sentencing them to death.
I rated this book a three because while this was a psychological thriller, I found myself uncovering the suspect and secrets way before the story was ever over, which unfortunately made the rest of the book a slow read for me, who loves it when I don’t uncover what’s going on until the very end. Some of the characters were hard to connect with, and I wish there had been more back stories or development, but despite that, this is a solid read and a great book for anyone looking to get into the psychological thriller genre.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC.
I rated this book a three because while this was a psychological thriller, I found myself uncovering the suspect and secrets way before the story was ever over, which unfortunately made the rest of the book a slow read for me, who loves it when I don’t uncover what’s going on until the very end. Some of the characters were hard to connect with, and I wish there had been more back stories or development, but despite that, this is a solid read and a great book for anyone looking to get into the psychological thriller genre.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC.
March 5, 2026
★★★★☆ A tense psychological thriller that keeps you guessing
Some promises change your life forever—and Watching You Fall explores just how heavy those promises can become.
This psychological thriller pulls you into a story filled with grief, guilt, and the unsettling feeling that something isn’t quite right. When Josie steps in to care for her young nephew after her sister’s tragic death, what should be an act of love slowly becomes something much more complicated. Strange moments, mounting tension, and growing doubt create a deeply unsettling atmosphere that keeps the story moving at a steady, suspenseful pace.
What I enjoyed most about this book is the constant sense of unease. The authors do a great job building psychological tension and making you question what’s really happening beneath the surface. The emotional weight of family loyalty and unresolved grief adds depth to the story while the suspense keeps the pages turning.
This is the kind of thriller that plays with perception—making you wonder who can be trusted and what the truth might actually look like. Fans of twisty psychological suspense will definitely find plenty to enjoy here.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
Some promises change your life forever—and Watching You Fall explores just how heavy those promises can become.
This psychological thriller pulls you into a story filled with grief, guilt, and the unsettling feeling that something isn’t quite right. When Josie steps in to care for her young nephew after her sister’s tragic death, what should be an act of love slowly becomes something much more complicated. Strange moments, mounting tension, and growing doubt create a deeply unsettling atmosphere that keeps the story moving at a steady, suspenseful pace.
What I enjoyed most about this book is the constant sense of unease. The authors do a great job building psychological tension and making you question what’s really happening beneath the surface. The emotional weight of family loyalty and unresolved grief adds depth to the story while the suspense keeps the pages turning.
This is the kind of thriller that plays with perception—making you wonder who can be trusted and what the truth might actually look like. Fans of twisty psychological suspense will definitely find plenty to enjoy here.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a book about how family-of-origin values motivate a woman to make difficult decisions, and the conflict she experiences between those values and her nuclear family values. I appreciated how diversity was woven in throughout and that the protagonist was not a cis white female, I will I love books that capture my attention and build suspense right away, so this book was tough to get into in the beginning. I almost DNF, but I read some reviews that talked about how it's sort of a slow burn and decided to continue. Once I got far enough in, I wanted to know what would happen. I wanted to keep reading because I wanted to find out what happened to Megan and what was going on with Sunny. I've seen some reviews that have judged the protagonist, but I personally think the author did a great job articulating the struggle that the protagonist was experiencing and found her relatable. You get to see what her thought process is like, and I felt it was very believable.
There is quite a bit of child physical abuse, so a trigger warning there.
If you enjoy thrillers or suspense books with a slow ramp up and a satisfying ending, then this is a book for you.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the privilege to review this ARC.
There is quite a bit of child physical abuse, so a trigger warning there.
If you enjoy thrillers or suspense books with a slow ramp up and a satisfying ending, then this is a book for you.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the privilege to review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Josie's sister Megan may have been a junkie, a liar and deeply hostile towards her, but when she dies unexpectedly Josie seems to be the only one convinced that she may have been murdered. Both the police and her own husband feel that she is deluding herself, given Megan's history of drug use, but Josie is adamant that her sister was scared of needles and would never have overdosed that way.
She is also determined to keep her promise to Megan, to look after her teenage child Sonny, in the event of anything happening to her, and not to allow his deadbeat ex-con father to get custody. But to what extent is Josie willing to disrupt the lives of her own family to do so?
This team of writers invariably delivers a dark and suspenseful story, and this book is no exception. But it does require a major suspension of disbelief, and I found one particular element somewhat farfetched. It earns a solid 3.5 stars and will surely appeal to Mitchell's fans.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
She is also determined to keep her promise to Megan, to look after her teenage child Sonny, in the event of anything happening to her, and not to allow his deadbeat ex-con father to get custody. But to what extent is Josie willing to disrupt the lives of her own family to do so?
This team of writers invariably delivers a dark and suspenseful story, and this book is no exception. But it does require a major suspension of disbelief, and I found one particular element somewhat farfetched. It earns a solid 3.5 stars and will surely appeal to Mitchell's fans.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was given to me in advance by NetGalley ARC with the trust of an honest review in return:
I would give this book a solid 3/3.5 .
The book was a fun/strange read; but it was also very clear to me who the “bad guy” was, and where the motivations are coming from very early on.
It was deeply intricate book, if someone had not been looking for answers or had not grown up as the main characters had, I believe they would’ve had a better time. I enjoyed how every asset of the system was treated as its own beast (family custody, parental custody, state custody); and I do like the bittersweet irony that the only true solution was the one that the main characters most didn’t want, but also turned out to be the most useful.
A study on personal anxieties, how we carry guilt, and what we do to try to help that child inside of us and the child inside us that we see in others.
This is a good book to read in a weekend; but if you’re a sleuth, you’ll likely know the answer before it’s given to you.
I would give this book a solid 3/3.5 .
The book was a fun/strange read; but it was also very clear to me who the “bad guy” was, and where the motivations are coming from very early on.
It was deeply intricate book, if someone had not been looking for answers or had not grown up as the main characters had, I believe they would’ve had a better time. I enjoyed how every asset of the system was treated as its own beast (family custody, parental custody, state custody); and I do like the bittersweet irony that the only true solution was the one that the main characters most didn’t want, but also turned out to be the most useful.
A study on personal anxieties, how we carry guilt, and what we do to try to help that child inside of us and the child inside us that we see in others.
This is a good book to read in a weekend; but if you’re a sleuth, you’ll likely know the answer before it’s given to you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I cannot say I liked this book. Josie infuriated me!! Every single decision she made was the wrong one, and she only thought of redeeming herself - to assuage her almost life long guilt.
She couldn't see her sister was playing her.... and her nephew... and never mind her husband. She was a teacher - surely she should know that the way her sister lived would have a profound effect on Sunny? He was an intelligent, but broken child, although I don't condone his intentional actions in his foster home.
The only normal people - and I feel so much sympathy for them - were Josie and Trevor's children.
Josie disregarded all advice, and I am actually disgusted that she didn't see fit to discuss anything with her husband.
I spent the whole time reading this with a sense of tension and disgust, it certainly is an emotional book.
I don't think that I have revealed anything that isn't in the blurb - no spoilers.
3/5 stars
She couldn't see her sister was playing her.... and her nephew... and never mind her husband. She was a teacher - surely she should know that the way her sister lived would have a profound effect on Sunny? He was an intelligent, but broken child, although I don't condone his intentional actions in his foster home.
The only normal people - and I feel so much sympathy for them - were Josie and Trevor's children.
Josie disregarded all advice, and I am actually disgusted that she didn't see fit to discuss anything with her husband.
I spent the whole time reading this with a sense of tension and disgust, it certainly is an emotional book.
I don't think that I have revealed anything that isn't in the blurb - no spoilers.
3/5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Watching You Fall is a psychological thriller told through short, fast-paced chapters that make it an easy and quick read. I have to admit, Josie really frustrated me at times, which made it difficult to fully connect with her as a character. In fact, I found most of the characters quite hard to warm to, which took away some of the emotional impact of the story. While the book was enjoyable enough to keep me turning the pages, I found it quite predictable and was able to work out what was going to happen fairly early on. Because of that, I felt it was missing a bit of tension and surprise—I just needed something more to really make it stand out. Although it was a decent read, it’s not my favourite from Dreda Mitchell. I personally much prefer her gangland novels, which I find more gripping and full of drama. Overall, this was an okay psychological thriller, but it lacked that real “wow” factor for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
I read this book within one and a half day. It has short chapters and is very fast paced.
We start off with Josie who has an unhealthy codependence with her sister Megan. Megan is a junkie who basically loots Josie because of something that Josie did as a kid. After Megan dies and her death is ruled an accidental overdose, Josie sets out to figure out why and how Megan died. She takes in Sunny, Megan's troubled son. And then things start happening.
The book keeps wanting you to "read one more chapter" because it is that good.
Josie doesn't learn from her mistakes and isn't ready to let things go, and that's why her life goes into shambles. That's the underlying theme of the book.
I was slightly disappointed that the book cover doesn't match the story. I kept waiting for someone to be pushed down the stairs.
I read this book within one and a half day. It has short chapters and is very fast paced.
We start off with Josie who has an unhealthy codependence with her sister Megan. Megan is a junkie who basically loots Josie because of something that Josie did as a kid. After Megan dies and her death is ruled an accidental overdose, Josie sets out to figure out why and how Megan died. She takes in Sunny, Megan's troubled son. And then things start happening.
The book keeps wanting you to "read one more chapter" because it is that good.
Josie doesn't learn from her mistakes and isn't ready to let things go, and that's why her life goes into shambles. That's the underlying theme of the book.
I was slightly disappointed that the book cover doesn't match the story. I kept waiting for someone to be pushed down the stairs.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5/5 ⭐
I genuinely enjoyed Watching You Fall. The book starts off a little slow, but like any good mystery the twists begin creeping in and suddenly you’re hooked. I was a bit disappointed that I guessed the ending, but there were still plenty of moments that made me question myself along the way. The story slowly unpacks what happened to Josie’s sister and the events leading up to her death. As the pieces start coming together, you get a clearer picture of what really happened that night. You really never know what is going to happen, especially when you want to believe the best in a child who comes from a rough background. Overall it was a really engaging read and I’m glad I picked it up.
I genuinely enjoyed Watching You Fall. The book starts off a little slow, but like any good mystery the twists begin creeping in and suddenly you’re hooked. I was a bit disappointed that I guessed the ending, but there were still plenty of moments that made me question myself along the way. The story slowly unpacks what happened to Josie’s sister and the events leading up to her death. As the pieces start coming together, you get a clearer picture of what really happened that night. You really never know what is going to happen, especially when you want to believe the best in a child who comes from a rough background. Overall it was a really engaging read and I’m glad I picked it up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars
A slow burn-build psychological thriller packed with secrets, complicated relationships and hidden truths.
I liked reading about Josie and her sister Megan, and was a bit sad to see how different they were as sisters, had different lifestyles and the motive behind choosing their lifestyles.
I liked Josie's determination to find out the truth but I didn't like some of her actions regarding her family.
The suspense in the book made the reading more enjoyable even though it is a slow-paced at times.
If you are new to psychological thriller, this book it's an easy one to get you into the genre.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy.
A slow burn-build psychological thriller packed with secrets, complicated relationships and hidden truths.
I liked reading about Josie and her sister Megan, and was a bit sad to see how different they were as sisters, had different lifestyles and the motive behind choosing their lifestyles.
I liked Josie's determination to find out the truth but I didn't like some of her actions regarding her family.
The suspense in the book made the reading more enjoyable even though it is a slow-paced at times.
If you are new to psychological thriller, this book it's an easy one to get you into the genre.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When Josie’s sister Megan spirals into addiction, she makes a sacred vow: if anything happens to Megan, Josie will take care of her young son, Sunny. Three days later, Megan is dead—and Josie’s promise becomes a life sentence.
Wow! This book draws you in and slowly tightens its grip. The suspense and secrets will continue to surprise you. I enjoyed the many layers of characters and their stories. Definitely recommend getting your copy on the release date of May 15 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Wow! This book draws you in and slowly tightens its grip. The suspense and secrets will continue to surprise you. I enjoyed the many layers of characters and their stories. Definitely recommend getting your copy on the release date of May 15 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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February 28, 2026Watching You Fall byy new to me authors Dreda Say Mitchell and Ryan Carter is published by Thomas & Mercer.
A story of secrets and betrayal, sorry not sorry no spoilers here, only so much, I really really disliked some of the characters, couldn't connect with them at all, on the other hand I didn't agree with some decisions of the fmc.
Don't get me wrong, the book is well written, but being a doormat just isn't complelling to me. 3,5 stars.
A story of secrets and betrayal, sorry not sorry no spoilers here, only so much, I really really disliked some of the characters, couldn't connect with them at all, on the other hand I didn't agree with some decisions of the fmc.
Don't get me wrong, the book is well written, but being a doormat just isn't complelling to me. 3,5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
While Watching You Fall isn’t the kind of high-speed, 'can't put it down' thriller I usually reach for, it was still a solid read. The pacing is definitely more deliberate, but the story is well-constructed and kept me engaged until the end.
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