Watching Alice

by Sue Watson

Later, when she tried to remember the moment everything unravelled, she’d think of the body at the bottom of the stairs—shocking, silent, and terrifying.

After discovering her husband Jason’s latest affair, Alice knows their marriage is over. But Jason refuses to walk away from their children—or their home. So they strike a desperate deal: they’ll keep the house, taking turns living there. Half a week each. Simple.

But the arrangement quickly becomes suffocating. Each time Alice returns, her space has changed—Jason’s mess taking over, her belongings misplaced.

And Alice can’t shake the feeling she’s being watched, by someone who tracks her moments alone. Is Jason playing mind games? Or is someone else?

As her grip on reality spirals, Alice begins to wonder if the end of their marriage might be the end of her.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller

347 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 15, 2026

About the author

Sue Watson was a TV Producer at the BBC until she wrote her first book and was hooked.

Now a USA Today bestselling author, Sue has sold almost 2 million books and explores the darker side of life, writing psychological thrillers with big twists. Originally from Manchester, she now lives with her family in leafy Worcestershire where much of her day is spent writing – and procrastinating. Her hobby is eating cake while watching diet and exercise programmes from the sofa, a skill she’s perfected after many years of practice.
For up-to-date offers and news of Sue's latest books, click the 'Follow' button next to her photo on Amazon.

Sue would love to meet you on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/suewatsonbooks
And on Instagram @suewatsonbooks

Reviews

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Watching Alice
Author: Sue Watson
Publisher: | Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: June 15, 2026
My Rating: 4.3 Stars!
Pages: 342

Story starts with an overheard voice note ~
“Hey you, where are you? Ellie, I need you”
~ That is when Alice Taylor discovers her husband Jason is once again having an affair. She knows that after fifteen years, two children, Ruby twelve and Josh seventeen, Willow, their cat and a beautiful home-it is time to call it quits, as their marriage indeed is over.

Neither Alice nor Jason wants to hurt the children or leave the house. ‘Nesting’ was suggested; they keep the house, taking turns living there- half a week each. Simple!
Although Alice doesn’t really like this arrangement, she agrees.
She is hopeful of getting her interior design business ’Sundrenched’ off the ground.
When wealthy Daniel Prescott-who was a crush when she was sixteen
contacts her with a potentially remodeling offer, she is excited. This job would provide her with the money needed to divorce Jason and properly care for Ruby and Josh.

In the meantime, Alice has concerns about being watched. When Ruby has a nightmare about someone coming in her bedroom window, Alice fears it wasn’t a nightmare. Plus who is the woman who keeps driving by the house? Is it Jason’s girlfriend? Or is someone else?
Then there Daniel Prescott and wondering what he really wants.

Story was a bit slow. But I love this author and know the twists and turns are about to happen and they did!
Actually, the twists and turns became more twists and turns!

A bonus is always the Author’s Notes and/or the Acknowledgements. In this case it is Ms. Watson’s Acknowledgements. In addition to thanking the wonderful people who helped her she mentions her clever cat ‘Cosmo’. She tells us to be sure to listen to the cat in our lives because they know things! She tells us that Cosmo worked out the plot twists in the wee hours while she wrote and we slept!

This is my ninth Sue Watson- I read: “The New Wife, The Resort, The Nursery, and The Wedding Day all earned 5 stars and I give very few 5 star ratings~ “You Me Her and “His First Wife” earned 4+.
I also liked "Summer Flings and Dancing Dreams" but the genre wasn't as exciting as the others!!
I was excited and looking forward to this story as it certainly looked like my kind of a read! 🙃 (I need to find a twisty emoji!)

I want to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK | Thomas & Mercer and Author Sue Watson for granting me the pleasure of reading this GREAT eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 15, 2026.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watching Alice is a taut, unsettling domestic thriller that begins with a body at the bottom of the stairs and then rewinds, slowly and deliberately, to show you exactly how a life can unravel thread by thread. It’s intimate, claustrophobic, and quietly devastating in all the right ways.

Alice’s marriage is already fractured when the story opens — Jason’s latest affair is the final crack she can’t plaster over — but the arrangement they strike to keep their home feels like the kind of compromise that can only end badly. Half a week each, trading spaces, trading silences, trading the ghosts of what used to be. It’s a clever setup, and the author uses it beautifully to build tension. Every time Alice returns, something is off: a misplaced item, a creeping mess, a sense of intrusion she can’t quite name.

The atmosphere is where the book truly shines. There’s a slow, suffocating dread to Alice’s chapters, a feeling that someone is always just behind her shoulder. The question of who is watching — Jason, a stranger, or the shadows of her own fear — becomes the engine of the story, and the line between paranoia and danger blurs in a way that feels painfully believable.

As Alice’s grip on reality loosens, the narrative becomes sharper, more disorienting, and more emotionally charged. The author captures the psychological toll of a toxic marriage with a deft, empathetic hand, showing how easily a person can begin to doubt their own instincts when someone is determined to undermine them.

By the time the story circles back to that body at the bottom of the stairs, the tension has tightened to a near‑breaking point.
A gripping, atmospheric thriller about gaslighting, obsession, and the quiet terror of being watched in your own home. Perfect for readers who love domestic suspense that gets under the skin and stays there.

With thanks to Sue Watson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watching Alice, is a domestic thriller by Sue Watson that proved to be a page turner.

The story begins at the breaking point of a marriage. After catching her husband, Jason, in yet another affair, Alice is ready to end things. However, Jason isn’t ready to let go of their lifestyle, or their children. To keep life stable for the kids, they agree to a “bird-nesting” arrangement. They agree to keep the family home and take turns living there, each spending half a week there looking after the family. What was meant to be a “simple” solution rapidly devolves into a psychological war zone.

Problems occur when Alice feels that her personal space is violated. Each time she returns for her “half” of the week, the house feels less like her own. Jason’s mess begins to “take over,” and her belongings are subtly misplaced or moved. But it’s more than just a messy ex-husband. Alice is plagued by a “chilling feeling” that she is being watched during her moments alone. The tension builds up as the mystery heightens, is Jason playing a calculated game of mental chess to drive her out, or is there a third party lurking in the periphery of her new life?

The situation and the ongoing paranoia gets to Alice, is Jason the man she once loved continuing to betray her. The psychological weight of a crumbling marriage. is causing Alice’s life to crumble, she senses someone in the house and the paranoia is proving to be unbearable.

I really enjoyed this novel, which I struggled to put down.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Cindy Bokma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Watching Alice by Sue Watson was a quick read! I gave it three solid stars because it kept me interested, and I was engaged with what was going to happen to Alice.

Our main character, Alice, is leaving her husband after learning he's been cheating on her. She is trying to get her interior design business off the ground, so when an old classmate reaches out with a potentially lucrative remodel, she is excited. This will provide her with the money to divorce her husband and care for her two children.

While she tries to make money and get ready to leave, she and her husband, Jason, decide on nesting; they will take turns living in the family home so they don't have to be together in the same house, but the kids can stay in their environment.

But Alice is feeling increasingly scared as she is being watched, or is she imagining that? Who is the woman who keeps driving by her house? Things aren't adding up with Daniel; his wife is so cold and nasty. What's going on with her?

The story's many mysteries surrounding Alice propel the reader forward with each chapter, and the author ties up all the loose ends, making it a satisfying read.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

After discovering her husband Jason's latest affair, Alice knows their marriage is over. But Jason refuses to walk away from his children - or their home. So they strike a desperate deal: they'll keep the house, taking turns living there. Half a week each. Simple. But the arrangement quickly becomes suffocating. Each time Alice returns, her space has changed - Jason's mess is taking over, her belongings misplaced. And Alice can't shake the feeling she's being watched by someone who tracks her moments alone. Is Jason playing mind games? Or is it someone else? As her grip on reality spirals, Alice begins to wonder if the end of their marriage might be the end of her.

The pace is on the slow side. We start with a body at the bottom of the stairs, then we go full circle to find out how we get to the body. I didn't like any of the characters. I was also looking for a big reveal, but it didn't happen. There were some small reveals and twists along the way.

Published 15th June 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalleyAmazonPublishingUK #ThomasandMercer and the author #SueWatson for my ARC of WatchingAlice in exchange for an honest review.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Watching Alice has an intriguing premise, opening with Alice discovering her husband Jason’s latest infidelity. From there, the story follows her path toward separation and the complexities of ‘nesting’ while co-parenting, all delivered in a tense, suspenseful style.

Themes of deceit and trust run throughout the novel, with a cast of characters who feel consistently unreliable. Jason is particularly elusive, while Maddie and Daniel—an unexpectedly introduced figure from Alice’s past—add further layers of uncertainty. The tension builds effectively, with key details and true intentions revealed gradually, which works well.

There are plenty of surprises along the way, and the sense of observation is skilfully heightened. While it’s an engaging and enjoyable read, parts of the plot feel somewhat predictable. The family dynamic also comes across as rather cold, which makes it harder to fully invest in the characters and their journey.

Overall, a fun, fast-paced read that’s well suited for a midweek thriller fix.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Alice find out that her husband Jason Is having another affair, he knows that her marriage I over. But Jason doesn’t want to stay away from the kids and the big house they live in so they both come to an agreement they live there half a week each.
But the arrangement doesn’t run smoothly as Alice has anticipated. He come home to the house being a mess, no food in house and Jason hasn’t picked the kids up from school. There is also another problem Alice is being stalked by a woman in a green Fiat. Who I he and what does she want?
I had high hopes for this new novel by Sue Watson. I did like the basis of the storyline and found it quite unique. But I didn’t like any of the characters, especially Alice and Jason. I found them quite self-centred and a bit over the top. I also thought the things that were happening to Alice, what was the relevance to it all and it took a long while near to the end of the book to find out and I started losing interest by then and I thought it was going to be a big reveal but for me personally it was disappointing . 3 stars from me.

[A Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watching Alice by Sue Watson is an intense and suspenseful read that kept the pages turning. Packed full of secrets and lies, the pages and chapters fly.

Alice is fed up with husband Jason's lies, affairs and gaslighting. Summoning her inner strength, she tells him the marriage is over. Rather than upend her children, she proposes they each take turns living at the house. What should have been a seamless arrangement soon turns chaotic. From being stalked to always feeling like someone is in her home, Alice feels herself starting to unravel. Is she losing her mind or is Jason toying with her so she'll drop the divorce proceedings.

This jaw dropper had my stomach clenched and head spinning. Watson has kept me glued to her stories since her first book, and as soon as I finish one, I'm wondering how long until her next. Her razor sharp writing and pacing of twists never fail to suck me in.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced copy

[Bo.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

We follow Alice as she navigates her divorce and a co-parenting arrangement, while also trying to make sense of the strange things happening around her home and the unsettling feeling that she’s being watched.

The premise was intriguing, and the prologue, while short and sweet, absolutely did its job—it drew me in straight away. As a first-time reader of Sue Watson’s work, I enjoyed the fluidity of her writing and how accessible it was without feeling oversimplified. I appreciated that the dialogue between characters felt natural, especially the sharp banter between Alice and Martha, largely thanks to Martha’s sense of humour and straight-talking personality.

The pacing is more of a steady build, with things really picking up around the halfway mark. There are some slower moments in the first half; however, I still found myself fully invested in what would happen next. While it eventually became clear what some of the reveals were leading towards, the twists didn’t impact my overall experience, and I thought the ending was satisfying, with a few surprises along the way.

Perfect for fans of domestic and psychological thrillers built around secrets and deception, leaving you wondering, who the hell did I marry?

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story but not being able to read it on my kindle really ruined it for me. I struggle to use my phone and read a whole book due to screen size and blue light etc so please don’t make this a norm Avon books as I love your books!

Anyway this book follows a family trying to navigate a marriage separation with two children in the mix. When Alice suggests the two of them try nesting (splitting the time they live in the house) it seems like the perfect solution but as things start to get hard for Alice and she begins to question her sanity is she being watched and why does her son suddenly hate her! Her husband was the one in the wrong but now she is being made to feel like the bad person.

As always from this author a great read with a family you can fall in love with (apart from Jason).

[Morag Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book!! This is psychological fiction at its twistiest best!

Alice is a woman who has designed a beautiful home, so beautiful in fact, that when she and philandering husband, Jason, split up, neither is willing to move out. As a compromise they agree to a nesting arrangement where each only live in the house half of the time. Alice begins to feel watched - who is the woman in the little green fiat?! Is out coincidence that an old flame as got in touch?, and what the heck is happening with Alice's mum? So many questions and threads that seem unrelated - until they don't and the story comes together with startling clarity.

Just a really great story, really well told. Recommend 100%

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

[steph | thestackedtbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredible book. This is my first read of a Sue Watson novel & it definitely won’t be my last. From the first page, I was completely hooked. Every character was well rounded, thought out, had their own distinct personalities.
The way Sue Watson writes, is so hypnotic. She has a way of making you wary of every single character & keeps you guessing throughout the whole book. I was skeptical of absolutely everyone. The way this author writes scenes kept me awake at night. I literally couldn’t sleep because of how eerie this book reads, it had me on the edge of my seat.
Phenomenal read all in all. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys physiological thrillers. This one I will rave about for a long time.

Thank you so much to Tandem Collective UK, Sue Watson & Amazon Publishing for a copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Amazon Publishing UK and Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an early copy of Watching Alice. At first I couldn’t find where to read this since it was not downloading but then I finally found it on NetGalley Reader and I’m soooo happy I did, it was an EXCELLENT READ!!! What a Great plot, Awesome characters and Fantastic ending. Jason was definitely a winner, I’m being very sarcastic. What a horrible person he really was. Alice was a tough woman, I’m so glad how it all worked out in the end for her. GREAT GREAT GREAT BOOK!

[Trina Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice has finally had enough of husband Jason's lies and affairs and has told him to leave the family home. He counteracts by reminding her of a secret from the past they share so they decide to share the house, with one having 4 nights at home and the other 3 to keep things constant for the children Josh and Ruby.
Things spiral though when Alice constantly feels as though she's being watched and her relationship with Josh starts to fail.
This is Sue Watson at her best, my opinions changed through each chapter, I was completely blindsided by the conclusion. Fabulous

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

WATCHING ALICE BY SUE WATSON.
Release date set for the 15th of June 2026.
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s.
Sue knows what she's doing when she writes a psychological thriller 👏
Girl you got me big time... bravo.
What a belter.
Absolutely brilliant book and I can't recommend this book high enough.
The cover is 🔥
I can not wait for the next book.

[Victoria (Vicki) · Rating 1 out of 5]

No option to download to Kindle so could not read

[Maria Lavinia]

This book is one of my most anticipated book releases in 2026 ! I can't wait to read this book soon!

[karyn davies curbishley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow
This had me gripped from the start and literally was on the edge all the way through.
The theories i had thought were right were not 😂 a must read.

[Marlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

A page turner! Could not put it down and did not want it to end all at the same time. From the first pages there was so much going on, the separation, the old school friend , the mom, the children and then the twists