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While They Were Watching
Not yet published
Expected 16 Feb 27An abduction in Beverly Hills reveals a dark underbelly of wealth, privilege, and secrets in a propulsive and twisting novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author A. R. Torre.
In the mansions of Beverly Hills, perfection is a full-time job. But on one Sunday afternoon, at the most-anticipated birthday party of the year, four children are taken—and for their four families, perfection begins to fall apart.
As the hours tick by and the investigation deepens, polished exteriors start to crack. Marriages fracture under pressure. Secrets buried deep crawl into the light. Each family responds differently to the unthinkable—some with grief, some with rage, and some with a desperation that raises more questions than it answers. Because when your child is missing, there is nowhere left to hide.
Not from the detectives. Not from the cameras. And not from each other.
But the families aren’t the only ones with something to conceal. The nannies—with their pasts, their loyalties, and their quiet desperation—are just as fractured as the families they serve. And as the detectives dig deeper, it becomes clear that understanding what happened means understanding the women everyone else chose to overlook.
In the mansions of Beverly Hills, perfection is a full-time job. But on one Sunday afternoon, at the most-anticipated birthday party of the year, four children are taken—and for their four families, perfection begins to fall apart.
As the hours tick by and the investigation deepens, polished exteriors start to crack. Marriages fracture under pressure. Secrets buried deep crawl into the light. Each family responds differently to the unthinkable—some with grief, some with rage, and some with a desperation that raises more questions than it answers. Because when your child is missing, there is nowhere left to hide.
Not from the detectives. Not from the cameras. And not from each other.
But the families aren’t the only ones with something to conceal. The nannies—with their pasts, their loyalties, and their quiet desperation—are just as fractured as the families they serve. And as the detectives dig deeper, it becomes clear that understanding what happened means understanding the women everyone else chose to overlook.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 16, 2027
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Apparently four missing children is all it takes for those glossy Beverly Hills lives to start falling apart. Before long, the secrets come out and all that polish starts to wear off.
This marks my eighth A.R. Torre novel, and by now I’ve learned to expect a bit of chaos. This one definitely delivered on that front, although I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it for a while.
There’s a decent-sized cast, but the chapter setup really helped. Most chapters open with the family name, the parents, their child, the nanny and even the follower count, so thankfully I didn’t get too lost once I got used to the format. I can see how the amount of names might be a lot for some readers, though.
Although the first half took a little longer to grab me, the high stakes around the kidnapping kept me engaged. Having detectives from Missing Persons and Major Crimes working the case meant there was an actual investigation running alongside all the family drama.
One thing that worked especially well was the almost fly-on-the-wall position the nannies had within these households. They’re trusted with the children, know the routines and see plenty of what goes on behind closed doors, but can still somehow fade into the background. Being so involved in these families’ lives while also being almost overlooked made that side of the story stand out.
By the second half, the pace had properly picked up and there were some genuinely tense stretches. A few of the reveals got a little over-the-top, but my suspicions shifted more than once, and I liked that the ending stayed messy instead of wrapping everything up too neatly.
If you haven’t already gathered, there’s plenty of rich people behaving badly in here, so if that trope tends to make you roll your eyes, you might want to skip past this one.
Not one of my favourites from Torre, but still twisty, entertaining and a pretty fun read.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for honest feedback.
This marks my eighth A.R. Torre novel, and by now I’ve learned to expect a bit of chaos. This one definitely delivered on that front, although I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it for a while.
There’s a decent-sized cast, but the chapter setup really helped. Most chapters open with the family name, the parents, their child, the nanny and even the follower count, so thankfully I didn’t get too lost once I got used to the format. I can see how the amount of names might be a lot for some readers, though.
Although the first half took a little longer to grab me, the high stakes around the kidnapping kept me engaged. Having detectives from Missing Persons and Major Crimes working the case meant there was an actual investigation running alongside all the family drama.
One thing that worked especially well was the almost fly-on-the-wall position the nannies had within these households. They’re trusted with the children, know the routines and see plenty of what goes on behind closed doors, but can still somehow fade into the background. Being so involved in these families’ lives while also being almost overlooked made that side of the story stand out.
By the second half, the pace had properly picked up and there were some genuinely tense stretches. A few of the reveals got a little over-the-top, but my suspicions shifted more than once, and I liked that the ending stayed messy instead of wrapping everything up too neatly.
If you haven’t already gathered, there’s plenty of rich people behaving badly in here, so if that trope tends to make you roll your eyes, you might want to skip past this one.
Not one of my favourites from Torre, but still twisty, entertaining and a pretty fun read.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for honest feedback.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was one heck of a page turner with a deviously clever plot! I would have finished this book in one sitting if I didn't have to go to sleep at a normal time. While this story wasn't as thrilling as many of Torre's other books, the intensity was non-stop and the suspense had its hooks in me until the very end. With four missing kids, a ticking clock, and very wealthy parents who can't afford for their secrets to be revealed, the tension was extremely high. It became obvious at a certain point who was guilty, but that did not take away any enjoyment from my reading experience. I would have liked more from the ending though. I can't really elaborate more on that as I refuse to reveal any spoilers. Maybe there will be a sequel? I just felt like things were left sort of unfinished. Still a very enjoyable read! I never once wanted to put it down. I would definitely recommend!
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for granting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for granting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Four wealthy families, four kidnapped children, four nannies & a whole lot of secrets hiding behind some VERY expensive front doors.
What starts as an extravagant birthday party in Beverly Hills quickly turns into every parent's worst nightmare when four children are abducted. And while the investigation gets underway, the supposedly perfect lives of these ridiculously wealthy families begin to unravel. Turns out money can buy you a lot of things, but a clean conscience isn't necessarily one of them!
We're given five POVs: one for each of the four families and another following the detective investigating the kidnappings. Each family's chapters are clearly labelled with the parents, their child & their nanny, which I thought was brilliantly done. There's a lot of moving parts and individual storylines, but I never struggled to keep track of who belonged to which family or what was happening.
I particularly enjoyed how this pulled back the curtain on the lives of the wealthy, especially the influencer family whose carefully curated online image is VERY different from what's actually happening behind closed doors. There's something fascinating about the lengths people will go to maintain appearances, and this family takes that to a whole new level of disturbing.
And of course, there's A.R. Torre's signature short chapters and ridiculously addictive writing style. I kept turning the pages, needing to know how everything was going to play out as more secrets came to light.
Not my favourite A.R. Torre, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this nonetheless. She's one of my favourite authors, and I think by this point I'd happily read her shopping list. There's just something about the way she writes that gets me every single time!
What starts as an extravagant birthday party in Beverly Hills quickly turns into every parent's worst nightmare when four children are abducted. And while the investigation gets underway, the supposedly perfect lives of these ridiculously wealthy families begin to unravel. Turns out money can buy you a lot of things, but a clean conscience isn't necessarily one of them!
We're given five POVs: one for each of the four families and another following the detective investigating the kidnappings. Each family's chapters are clearly labelled with the parents, their child & their nanny, which I thought was brilliantly done. There's a lot of moving parts and individual storylines, but I never struggled to keep track of who belonged to which family or what was happening.
I particularly enjoyed how this pulled back the curtain on the lives of the wealthy, especially the influencer family whose carefully curated online image is VERY different from what's actually happening behind closed doors. There's something fascinating about the lengths people will go to maintain appearances, and this family takes that to a whole new level of disturbing.
And of course, there's A.R. Torre's signature short chapters and ridiculously addictive writing style. I kept turning the pages, needing to know how everything was going to play out as more secrets came to light.
Not my favourite A.R. Torre, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this nonetheless. She's one of my favourite authors, and I think by this point I'd happily read her shopping list. There's just something about the way she writes that gets me every single time!
September 3, 2026
This started out really exciting for me. I thought the idea of a rich kid’s birthday party turning into a kidnap party (kinda) would make for an interesting set up. And it did for a while. I was happy that you were reminded at every chapter which family you were dealing with and who was part of it. That was really helpful in such a crazy story. The ending kind of fell apart though and too many reveals were being thrown at you. It seemed like too much at once.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While They Were Watching
AR Torre
Pub date: Feb 2027
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love this author. At this point, I would read her grocery list if she published it!
She just keeps getting better because While They Were Watching was SO good!
When four children are abducted during a birthday party in Beverly Hills, the investigation starts pulling back the curtain on the seemingly perfect lives of their wealthy families. & when the secrets, lies, and the nannies who know far more than they’re letting on start coming to light… 👀
This was everything I like in a thriller.
It had me on the edge of my seat and constantly needing to know what was going to happen next. The short chapters made it SO easy to fall into the “just one more chapter” trap. 😆
👏🏻 Short chapters
👏🏻 Edge of your seat suspense
👏🏻 Likable AND unlikable characters
👏🏻 Rich people doing terrible things
👏🏻 Secrets, lies & plenty to keep you guessing
I had such a good time with this one, and it’s another reminder of why A.R. Torre is an auto read author for me!
Thank you to A.R. Torre, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader! ❤️📚
#BookReview #Bookstagram #ARCReader
AR Torre
Pub date: Feb 2027
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love this author. At this point, I would read her grocery list if she published it!
She just keeps getting better because While They Were Watching was SO good!
When four children are abducted during a birthday party in Beverly Hills, the investigation starts pulling back the curtain on the seemingly perfect lives of their wealthy families. & when the secrets, lies, and the nannies who know far more than they’re letting on start coming to light… 👀
This was everything I like in a thriller.
It had me on the edge of my seat and constantly needing to know what was going to happen next. The short chapters made it SO easy to fall into the “just one more chapter” trap. 😆
👏🏻 Short chapters
👏🏻 Edge of your seat suspense
👏🏻 Likable AND unlikable characters
👏🏻 Rich people doing terrible things
👏🏻 Secrets, lies & plenty to keep you guessing
I had such a good time with this one, and it’s another reminder of why A.R. Torre is an auto read author for me!
Thank you to A.R. Torre, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader! ❤️📚
#BookReview #Bookstagram #ARCReader
October 12, 2026
A.R. Torre does it again! This book had me hooked from the beginning and kept me guessing until the very end. I loved how the story explored the secrets, lies, and complicated relationships hiding behind the seemingly perfect lives of wealthy Beverly Hills families. There were so many twists and suspicious characters that I never knew who to trust!
The multiple perspectives added another layer of suspense, and I especially enjoyed how the nannies played such an important role in the story. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another secret was revealed.
Fast-paced, addictive, and full of surprises! Definitely a five-star read for me!
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a digital ARC.
The multiple perspectives added another layer of suspense, and I especially enjoyed how the nannies played such an important role in the story. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another secret was revealed.
Fast-paced, addictive, and full of surprises! Definitely a five-star read for me!
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a digital ARC.
September 2, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. It kept me intrigued. There is so much I would love to say about this book but can't because it would give too much away. The story is about 4 kids who are kidnapped and how each of the families goes about getting them back. The book tells the stories of the lives of the families and the nannies that work for them. Some parts of the book did seem a bit unrealistic to me, but what do I know about living a rich, powerful life? Overall, the book was a great and easy read
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you very much Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!
I am always a little.... conflicted when it comes to A.R. Torre books. I usually like the premise and the writing, but often struggle with too many characters and POVs to keep up with while reading (and it seems I am not the only one actually having this issue).
With this one, the premise was GOLD, and the short chapters and fast pace the story was moving in kept me hooked. I can really recommend it and even managed to keep track of all the involved people somehow. 4 out of 5 stars from me!
I am always a little.... conflicted when it comes to A.R. Torre books. I usually like the premise and the writing, but often struggle with too many characters and POVs to keep up with while reading (and it seems I am not the only one actually having this issue).
With this one, the premise was GOLD, and the short chapters and fast pace the story was moving in kept me hooked. I can really recommend it and even managed to keep track of all the involved people somehow. 4 out of 5 stars from me!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for providing the copy of While They Were Watching by A. R. Torre. If you enjoy the problems of rich people, this is the book for you! I loved having the chapter headings list who (or which family) the chapter was about. It helped learn who the characters were: who was married to whom, which child was theirs, who the nanny was, and what their status was after the incident. The truth about the characters' lives is revealed in some interesting ways — I won’t spoil anything for you, but there are some doozies! I didn’t like any of the characters, and I don’t think I was supposed to! Once you start his book, it will be impossible to put down! 4.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow! What a great story! Rich kids live streamed bday party gone wrong.
I was hooked from the beginning all the way till the end. I loved how the chapters were labeled with the Parents/Nanny/Kids/Follower Count. It was really well written and definitely worth the read!!! Highly recommend.
Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC!!
I was hooked from the beginning all the way till the end. I loved how the chapters were labeled with the Parents/Nanny/Kids/Follower Count. It was really well written and definitely worth the read!!! Highly recommend.
Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Omg the dramaaaaaaa of it all was crazy. I love reading about insanely rich people!!!!!! So bingeable I could not stop reading, I love the way AR Torre leaves every chapter off with a cliffhanger so you just cannot put it down. Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed reading this.
We read the story in five different POVs. Four different super rich Los Angeles families and their nannies and the cops. Each chapter starts with the names - which is super for me - because #Bookalzheimers!
It all starts at little Madison's fifth birthday extravaganza. Which is being thrown by her social media superstar parents at their Holmby Hills super mansion - and costs around two million dollars.
In the middle of the day's planned activities four of the kids and one of the nannies are kidnapped by a group of masked men.
What follows are long hours of fear, suspicion, danger, hope, mystery, and so much more.
Every family struggles with things in different ways and so many secrets come to light - it's one plot-twist after the other.
This would make an amazing movie or TV show.
If you can't click the buy-links
from your phone - click ► HERE!
💜
💜
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4/5
Fast-paced, tight plot, and an entertaining popcorn thriller. It’s not my favourite of her work, but I still had a great time reading it. I also think this would be a good book for non-readers who want to get into reading more because there’s a lot of dialogue, and every chapter starts with a reminder of the family names, the missing children, and the nannies. I initially thought this was pretty unnecessary, but my husband, who is a non-reader, reminded me that it’s actually great for him because he can never remember characters’ names, especially after putting a book down for a day or two.
I was on the edge of my seat during the later chapters dealing with the ransom demands. I found myself tightening my grip and chewing on my fingernails along with the parents. I could really feel their desperation and the love they had for their kidnapped children. Although I’d say this book has a slightly lighter tone compared to her previous work, it’s still gripping and intense when it needs to be.
Aside from the kidnapping, there are plenty of twists and turns that I enjoyed, but I won’t be mentioning them in this review. One twist was pretty obvious, but there was another one I genuinely didn’t see coming. And the red herring? It was PERFECTION!
Another thing I really liked was the different families and their dynamics. Each family has its own unique and strong personality, and I especially enjoyed reading about the Tanayuka family. They were a scary family and honestly, scarier than the kidnappers. But their villainous charm was definitely there. None of the families were innocent, and each had their own secrets and dirty laundry behind closed doors. I loved seeing how each of them dealt with their problems, the family dramas, and some families definitely had more character growth than others.
The nannies, played a very important role in the story, but they were relatively dull as characters compared to the families and the police. Although the way they behaved made sense within the story, the more interesting characters were definitely the family members rather than the nannies.
Overall, I really liked this book. It’s one of those thrillers that I had a great time reading in the moment, but I have a feeling I’ll completely forget the plot a few months from now. Still, sometimes you just need a fun, fast-paced popcorn thriller, and this definitely delivered.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Fast-paced, tight plot, and an entertaining popcorn thriller. It’s not my favourite of her work, but I still had a great time reading it. I also think this would be a good book for non-readers who want to get into reading more because there’s a lot of dialogue, and every chapter starts with a reminder of the family names, the missing children, and the nannies. I initially thought this was pretty unnecessary, but my husband, who is a non-reader, reminded me that it’s actually great for him because he can never remember characters’ names, especially after putting a book down for a day or two.
I was on the edge of my seat during the later chapters dealing with the ransom demands. I found myself tightening my grip and chewing on my fingernails along with the parents. I could really feel their desperation and the love they had for their kidnapped children. Although I’d say this book has a slightly lighter tone compared to her previous work, it’s still gripping and intense when it needs to be.
Aside from the kidnapping, there are plenty of twists and turns that I enjoyed, but I won’t be mentioning them in this review. One twist was pretty obvious, but there was another one I genuinely didn’t see coming. And the red herring? It was PERFECTION!
Another thing I really liked was the different families and their dynamics. Each family has its own unique and strong personality, and I especially enjoyed reading about the Tanayuka family. They were a scary family and honestly, scarier than the kidnappers. But their villainous charm was definitely there. None of the families were innocent, and each had their own secrets and dirty laundry behind closed doors. I loved seeing how each of them dealt with their problems, the family dramas, and some families definitely had more character growth than others.
The nannies, played a very important role in the story, but they were relatively dull as characters compared to the families and the police. Although the way they behaved made sense within the story, the more interesting characters were definitely the family members rather than the nannies.
Overall, I really liked this book. It’s one of those thrillers that I had a great time reading in the moment, but I have a feeling I’ll completely forget the plot a few months from now. Still, sometimes you just need a fun, fast-paced popcorn thriller, and this definitely delivered.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬—𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫.
Four children disappear during a birthday party in Beverly Hills, and suddenly the picture-perfect lives of their wealthy families begin to crack wide open. As the investigation unfolds, marriages start falling apart, secrets come crawling out, and the detectives realize the nannies may know far more than anyone initially suspects. I’ll admit, the large cast of characters overwhelmed me a little at first. I kept thinking, "Wait, who is this again?" But eventually I settled into a rhythm because each family was so distinctly different, and once I had everyone sorted out, I was able to sink into the story.
I really enjoyed watching the facade of perfection slowly fall apart. These families had spent years carefully constructing their lives, and suddenly there was nowhere left to hide. I especially liked the attention given to the nannies because their stories added another dimension to the mystery and showed just how differently the people in these households experienced the same world. Everyone seemed to have something they desperately wanted to keep buried, and I had fun digging through all those secrets right alongside the detectives. There were a lot of moving parts, but Torre did a good job keeping me curious about where everything was headed.
This was a solid, entertaining thriller for me. It didn't quite reach favorite territory, but I was invested enough to keep turning the pages and enjoyed watching these seemingly perfect families implode under the pressure. Give me a bunch of wealthy people with something to hide and a whole lot of secrets waiting to surface, and I’m probably going to stick around to see just how messy things get. This one definitely kept me watching. Many thanks to Thomas and Mercer for this early copy that will publish February 16, 2027.
Four children disappear during a birthday party in Beverly Hills, and suddenly the picture-perfect lives of their wealthy families begin to crack wide open. As the investigation unfolds, marriages start falling apart, secrets come crawling out, and the detectives realize the nannies may know far more than anyone initially suspects. I’ll admit, the large cast of characters overwhelmed me a little at first. I kept thinking, "Wait, who is this again?" But eventually I settled into a rhythm because each family was so distinctly different, and once I had everyone sorted out, I was able to sink into the story.
I really enjoyed watching the facade of perfection slowly fall apart. These families had spent years carefully constructing their lives, and suddenly there was nowhere left to hide. I especially liked the attention given to the nannies because their stories added another dimension to the mystery and showed just how differently the people in these households experienced the same world. Everyone seemed to have something they desperately wanted to keep buried, and I had fun digging through all those secrets right alongside the detectives. There were a lot of moving parts, but Torre did a good job keeping me curious about where everything was headed.
This was a solid, entertaining thriller for me. It didn't quite reach favorite territory, but I was invested enough to keep turning the pages and enjoyed watching these seemingly perfect families implode under the pressure. Give me a bunch of wealthy people with something to hide and a whole lot of secrets waiting to surface, and I’m probably going to stick around to see just how messy things get. This one definitely kept me watching. Many thanks to Thomas and Mercer for this early copy that will publish February 16, 2027.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
THE PLOT:
👨👩👧👧 4 Rich Families
🧒 4 five-year-old Kids
🤵♀ 4 Nannies
🎂1 Extravagant Birthday Party
⏳️1 Carefully Planned KIDNAPPING
📞4 Ransom Calls
💰20 Million Dollars in Bitcoin
🕵♂️2 Detectives
🪙Does the plan succeed?
🪙Are all the kids returned safe & sound?
🪙Was this an inside job?
🪙Are the nannies innocent?
I guess you will have to read WHILE THEY WERE WATCHING to find out.
In a quiet, luxurious neighborhood live 4 families (amongst others), the Hortons, the Decaturs, the Tanuyakas, & the Rockfields. The Hortons plan an exclusive Birthday extravaganza for their daughter, Madison, who is also a child influencer. Unbeknownst to these ultra-rich families, a plan to kidnap 4 of these Rich kids is being cooked for a year now, in exchange for 5 million dollars in bitcoin for each child. Is the year long 20 million dollars plan successful? Do the families get their children back safe&sound?
Each family harbors a secret.
Each nanny has a dark past.
Who survives & who perishes forms the rest of the story.
MY 2 CENTS:
Much like A. R. Torre's previous books, this story is also gripping & tense. However, it's not enough. At the end of this book, you are left wanting more with various unresolved story lines. Some things just don't make sense & the author just kept it for the sake of convenience. That feeling of satisfaction you get after reading a great or good thriller... that was somewhat diminished. I wish the author had spent some time in the nannies' backstories... which are half baked at best. Also, it felt like the author was confused whether to reveal the kidnapper(s) in the beginning itself or not... she should have made a solid decision regarding that.
Nevertheless.. I enjoyed reading WHILE THEY WERE WATCHING & would highly recommend it to anyone who loves short & fast thrillers.
Let me know which is your favorite A.R. Torre book!
##NetGalley #WhileTheyWereWatching
👨👩👧👧 4 Rich Families
🧒 4 five-year-old Kids
🤵♀ 4 Nannies
🎂1 Extravagant Birthday Party
⏳️1 Carefully Planned KIDNAPPING
📞4 Ransom Calls
💰20 Million Dollars in Bitcoin
🕵♂️2 Detectives
🪙Does the plan succeed?
🪙Are all the kids returned safe & sound?
🪙Was this an inside job?
🪙Are the nannies innocent?
I guess you will have to read WHILE THEY WERE WATCHING to find out.
In a quiet, luxurious neighborhood live 4 families (amongst others), the Hortons, the Decaturs, the Tanuyakas, & the Rockfields. The Hortons plan an exclusive Birthday extravaganza for their daughter, Madison, who is also a child influencer. Unbeknownst to these ultra-rich families, a plan to kidnap 4 of these Rich kids is being cooked for a year now, in exchange for 5 million dollars in bitcoin for each child. Is the year long 20 million dollars plan successful? Do the families get their children back safe&sound?
Each family harbors a secret.
Each nanny has a dark past.
Who survives & who perishes forms the rest of the story.
MY 2 CENTS:
Much like A. R. Torre's previous books, this story is also gripping & tense. However, it's not enough. At the end of this book, you are left wanting more with various unresolved story lines. Some things just don't make sense & the author just kept it for the sake of convenience. That feeling of satisfaction you get after reading a great or good thriller... that was somewhat diminished. I wish the author had spent some time in the nannies' backstories... which are half baked at best. Also, it felt like the author was confused whether to reveal the kidnapper(s) in the beginning itself or not... she should have made a solid decision regarding that.
Nevertheless.. I enjoyed reading WHILE THEY WERE WATCHING & would highly recommend it to anyone who loves short & fast thrillers.
Let me know which is your favorite A.R. Torre book!
##NetGalley #WhileTheyWereWatching
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🎈 A $2 million birthday party, a masked heist, and a dark secret...
I just finished this fast-paced 4-star domestic thriller! The high-society drama, ultra-wealthy family secrets, and high-stakes kidnapping plot kept me turning the pages until the very end. 4/5 stars! 🎈💸
The Setup: The ultra-rich Horton, Decatour, Rockfield, and Tanuyaka families share the same elite social circles, busy career-driven lifestyles, and full-time nannies for their five-year-olds. Lyle and Nadia Horton, famous social media influencers, throw a lavish $2 million birthday bash for their daughter Madison—putting on a warm front for the cameras while hiding a massive, dark secret behind closed doors. 📸🤫
The Plot: During the party, disaster strikes. Four masked gunmen storm the estate, stripping the parents of their valuables, zip-tying them in the library, and locking the fire doors. Simultaneously, the intruders raid the kids' playroom, gassing four specific children and stuffing them into duffel bags alongside one desperate nanny before making a clean escape. 🚪💥
The Catch: The kidnappers demand an eye-watering $20 million ransom in Bitcoin ($5 million per child). As private security firms and police race against the clock, it quickly becomes clear that not every family has the liquidity to pay. With suspicions rising of an inside job and the Horton family's hidden truth threatening to spill, time is rapidly running out for the children. ⏳⚡🩸
A addictive, twisty 4-star thriller that exposes the dark underbelly of wealth, influence, and family secrets! 4/5 stars! 👏✨
⭐ Rating: 4/5 stars
📌 Tropes: High-Stakes Kidnapping, Wealthy Elite Drama, Secrets and Lies, Race Against Time, Multiple POVs, Inside Job
My full review on this book can be found here; https://cindieslibrary.com/while-they...
I just finished this fast-paced 4-star domestic thriller! The high-society drama, ultra-wealthy family secrets, and high-stakes kidnapping plot kept me turning the pages until the very end. 4/5 stars! 🎈💸
The Setup: The ultra-rich Horton, Decatour, Rockfield, and Tanuyaka families share the same elite social circles, busy career-driven lifestyles, and full-time nannies for their five-year-olds. Lyle and Nadia Horton, famous social media influencers, throw a lavish $2 million birthday bash for their daughter Madison—putting on a warm front for the cameras while hiding a massive, dark secret behind closed doors. 📸🤫
The Plot: During the party, disaster strikes. Four masked gunmen storm the estate, stripping the parents of their valuables, zip-tying them in the library, and locking the fire doors. Simultaneously, the intruders raid the kids' playroom, gassing four specific children and stuffing them into duffel bags alongside one desperate nanny before making a clean escape. 🚪💥
The Catch: The kidnappers demand an eye-watering $20 million ransom in Bitcoin ($5 million per child). As private security firms and police race against the clock, it quickly becomes clear that not every family has the liquidity to pay. With suspicions rising of an inside job and the Horton family's hidden truth threatening to spill, time is rapidly running out for the children. ⏳⚡🩸
A addictive, twisty 4-star thriller that exposes the dark underbelly of wealth, influence, and family secrets! 4/5 stars! 👏✨
⭐ Rating: 4/5 stars
📌 Tropes: High-Stakes Kidnapping, Wealthy Elite Drama, Secrets and Lies, Race Against Time, Multiple POVs, Inside Job
My full review on this book can be found here; https://cindieslibrary.com/while-they...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another fantastic read from A.R. Torre. This novel definitely falls under the category of a 'popcorn thriller' and I absolutely devoured it.
The novel closely follows four nannies and their respective families after their four children are kidnapped from a birthday party. I enjoyed the process of slowly getting to know each of the families, and I appreciated that the author made each one distinctive from the others. This made it much easier to keep the different storylines straight. At the start of each family’s chapter, the author lists the parents’ names, the child’s name, and the nanny’s name, which I thought was a great addition, especially for readers who read more slowly. This book does have a large cast of characters, and when I first started reading, I fully expected to be confused trying to keep everyone straight. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the author handled it.
I thought the pacing, the twists and family secrets added to the plot were perfect. I am slightly confused on the authors goal for the 'whodunit.' To avoid spoilers, I'll leave that there. I will just say that this novel was fairly predictable overall, and while that can be ok, I just felt like there should've been something extra to add to the plot to make up for it. It may of been more interesting to have more POV from the parents vs. the nannies, for example.
Overall a very solid 3.5-4 star read. Not my favorite from A.R. Torre, but I did enjoy reading it and watching events unfold. I also thought how the kidnapping resolved was riveting, but I have a darker pallet when it comes to thrillers.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
The novel closely follows four nannies and their respective families after their four children are kidnapped from a birthday party. I enjoyed the process of slowly getting to know each of the families, and I appreciated that the author made each one distinctive from the others. This made it much easier to keep the different storylines straight. At the start of each family’s chapter, the author lists the parents’ names, the child’s name, and the nanny’s name, which I thought was a great addition, especially for readers who read more slowly. This book does have a large cast of characters, and when I first started reading, I fully expected to be confused trying to keep everyone straight. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the author handled it.
I thought the pacing, the twists and family secrets added to the plot were perfect. I am slightly confused on the authors goal for the 'whodunit.' To avoid spoilers, I'll leave that there. I will just say that this novel was fairly predictable overall, and while that can be ok, I just felt like there should've been something extra to add to the plot to make up for it. It may of been more interesting to have more POV from the parents vs. the nannies, for example.
Overall a very solid 3.5-4 star read. Not my favorite from A.R. Torre, but I did enjoy reading it and watching events unfold. I also thought how the kidnapping resolved was riveting, but I have a darker pallet when it comes to thrillers.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fun story that I tore through in one sitting. Several children of the most affluent families in Beverly Hills are attending a birthday party when a kidnapping occurs. Four of the children and one nanny are taken, despite all the security measures in place. The reader is introduced to the four families and their respective nannies ahead of the party, along with the detectives in charge. So there are several narratives to keep track of, and it’s not confusing because the names of each group are listed at the beginning of each chapter to assist.
So of course, multiple families start losing it almost immediately, and that’s before the kidnappers make some unique demands. The readers mostly know who’s responsible early on, but with enough missing info to keep the reader invested in the story. No surprise that the families are mostly terrible people hiding some horrifying secrets. In fact, I found it more of a stretch that there wasn’t more fallout for the worst couple than that a secret like that could have been kept in the first place. Honestly, those people would have been condemned nationwide with some serious vigilante justice. There really should have been more of a reaction to that, in my opinion.
The very end hinted that any unfinished business would still be pursued by the detectives, and I would love a sequel showing the ramifications several years down the line for all the characters. My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the free advance reading copy of this book.
So of course, multiple families start losing it almost immediately, and that’s before the kidnappers make some unique demands. The readers mostly know who’s responsible early on, but with enough missing info to keep the reader invested in the story. No surprise that the families are mostly terrible people hiding some horrifying secrets. In fact, I found it more of a stretch that there wasn’t more fallout for the worst couple than that a secret like that could have been kept in the first place. Honestly, those people would have been condemned nationwide with some serious vigilante justice. There really should have been more of a reaction to that, in my opinion.
The very end hinted that any unfinished business would still be pursued by the detectives, and I would love a sequel showing the ramifications several years down the line for all the characters. My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the free advance reading copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I knew I was in trouble when I told myself I’d read just one more chapter—and suddenly, it was hours later. A.R. Torre delivers a relentlessly suspenseful, fast-paced thriller packed with twists, secrets, and characters I couldn’t trust for a second.
The story follows a group of wealthy families living in the same neighborhood, each with children and a nanny. During a birthday party, four children from four different families are kidnapped at gunpoint, along with one of the nannies. As the families wait for a ransom call, hidden tensions and long-buried secrets begin to surface, making it clear that this case is far more complicated than it first appears.
With short chapters, nonstop momentum, and twist after twist, this book is impossible to put down. Every revelation raises new questions, and just when I thought I had a theory figured out, the story pulled me in another direction.
The multiple points of view—including those of the nannies and the detectives—add even more depth to the suspense. Nearly every character, aside from the detectives, is deeply unlikeable, and I mean that as the highest compliment. They’re messy, manipulative, complicated, and hiding plenty of secrets, which made trying to determine who could be trusted incredibly entertaining.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with this review copy in exchange for my honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this gripping thriller and will definitely be looking forward to reading more of A.R. Torre’s work!
The story follows a group of wealthy families living in the same neighborhood, each with children and a nanny. During a birthday party, four children from four different families are kidnapped at gunpoint, along with one of the nannies. As the families wait for a ransom call, hidden tensions and long-buried secrets begin to surface, making it clear that this case is far more complicated than it first appears.
With short chapters, nonstop momentum, and twist after twist, this book is impossible to put down. Every revelation raises new questions, and just when I thought I had a theory figured out, the story pulled me in another direction.
The multiple points of view—including those of the nannies and the detectives—add even more depth to the suspense. Nearly every character, aside from the detectives, is deeply unlikeable, and I mean that as the highest compliment. They’re messy, manipulative, complicated, and hiding plenty of secrets, which made trying to determine who could be trusted incredibly entertaining.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with this review copy in exchange for my honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this gripping thriller and will definitely be looking forward to reading more of A.R. Torre’s work!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this title.
A.R. Torre consistently delivers sharp, high-stakes suspense, and While They Were Watching is no exception. The short chapters keep the narrative moving at a fast pace, and the overall vibe stays tense given the urgency of four missing children. There is a large cast of characters, but everyone feels distinct, making them easy to track as the story unfolds. While the characters feel relatable, my emotional investment stayed tied directly to the safety of the kidnapped kids. Instead of relying on an endless trail of red herrings, the plot builds a steady, pervasive sense of mystery right up until the central secret comes to light. The main twist lands with a satisfying punch, accompanied by a seemingly separate subplot that is equal parts shocking and deeply entertaining in how seamlessly it ties back into the main storyline. The overall structure and clever execution keep the narrative grounded throughout. If you like fast-paced mysteries, multi-POV suspense, and unexpected side plots, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #WhileTheyWereWatching
Spoilers drop on release day at www.spoiltheplot.com. Until then, explore the site to find your next great thriller!
A.R. Torre consistently delivers sharp, high-stakes suspense, and While They Were Watching is no exception. The short chapters keep the narrative moving at a fast pace, and the overall vibe stays tense given the urgency of four missing children. There is a large cast of characters, but everyone feels distinct, making them easy to track as the story unfolds. While the characters feel relatable, my emotional investment stayed tied directly to the safety of the kidnapped kids. Instead of relying on an endless trail of red herrings, the plot builds a steady, pervasive sense of mystery right up until the central secret comes to light. The main twist lands with a satisfying punch, accompanied by a seemingly separate subplot that is equal parts shocking and deeply entertaining in how seamlessly it ties back into the main storyline. The overall structure and clever execution keep the narrative grounded throughout. If you like fast-paced mysteries, multi-POV suspense, and unexpected side plots, then you will enjoy this book.
#NetGalley #WhileTheyWereWatching
Spoilers drop on release day at www.spoiltheplot.com. Until then, explore the site to find your next great thriller!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
👀 📸 💰 ARC REVIEW 💰 📸 👀
PUB DATE: Feb 15th 2027
My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫 3.8 Intense Influential Kidnapped Stars
Y’All have I got a page turner for you !! This was the perfect book serotonin I needed to feed my brain- Crime Drama galore !!
Set in Beverly Hills , it’s go time for the birthday party of the year and the whole world will be able to watch Madison’s 5th birthday celebration live as her parents steam EVERYTHING and are rolling in the cash 💵….
Quickly things escalate and hooded men show up and kidnap the children and a nanny and all hell breaks loose .
The clock 🕰️ is ticking away and time is running out to find the children and bring them home safely . On top of the stress of losing their child they are faced to pay a $5 million dollar ransom each or else their child will die 😱
Told from many POV’s this was a fun crime drama that had me flying through the pages and every chapter ended with a cliffhanger and every one had a motive 👀!!
This is the perfect pallet cleanser when you’re needing something light and fun to read that’s full of tension, especially the last 30% what A suspenseful ending !
Thank you NetGalley Thomas & Mercer and A.R. Torre this addictive ARC 🤳
PUB DATE: Feb 15th 2027
My Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫 3.8 Intense Influential Kidnapped Stars
Y’All have I got a page turner for you !! This was the perfect book serotonin I needed to feed my brain- Crime Drama galore !!
Set in Beverly Hills , it’s go time for the birthday party of the year and the whole world will be able to watch Madison’s 5th birthday celebration live as her parents steam EVERYTHING and are rolling in the cash 💵….
Quickly things escalate and hooded men show up and kidnap the children and a nanny and all hell breaks loose .
The clock 🕰️ is ticking away and time is running out to find the children and bring them home safely . On top of the stress of losing their child they are faced to pay a $5 million dollar ransom each or else their child will die 😱
Told from many POV’s this was a fun crime drama that had me flying through the pages and every chapter ended with a cliffhanger and every one had a motive 👀!!
This is the perfect pallet cleanser when you’re needing something light and fun to read that’s full of tension, especially the last 30% what A suspenseful ending !
Thank you NetGalley Thomas & Mercer and A.R. Torre this addictive ARC 🤳
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Four kids were kidnapped during the most anticipated birthday party of the year held by social media influencers Lyle and Nadia Horton. For the two detectives working the kidnapping their main priority was finding the children and the kidnappers.
…
Torre separated the story by four individual families. Each family is identified by the parents names, the child’s name, and the nanny. This helps give each family perspective into their livelihood and the relationship between parents and child as well as nanny and child. Torre is a fantastic storyteller who creates original content that’s not formulaic. The process was exceptional beginning with preparations and ending with the motive.
…
While They Were Watching is about the parents of these four children who were hand picked by masked men. This story was cleverly written leaving readers to question who-dunnit. This situation exposes the secrets and lies of these four families who pride themselves on wealth, image, status, and fame. It was interesting to get four different perspectives and methods of attack. While it was fascinating learning about the families secrets it didn’t compare to not knowing what happened to the children.
…
Torre separated the story by four individual families. Each family is identified by the parents names, the child’s name, and the nanny. This helps give each family perspective into their livelihood and the relationship between parents and child as well as nanny and child. Torre is a fantastic storyteller who creates original content that’s not formulaic. The process was exceptional beginning with preparations and ending with the motive.
…
While They Were Watching is about the parents of these four children who were hand picked by masked men. This story was cleverly written leaving readers to question who-dunnit. This situation exposes the secrets and lies of these four families who pride themselves on wealth, image, status, and fame. It was interesting to get four different perspectives and methods of attack. While it was fascinating learning about the families secrets it didn’t compare to not knowing what happened to the children.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Four young children and a nanny are abducted from a birthday party. The parents extremely well-to-do.
Everyone is a suspect.
This is a tense novel. Extremly tense. The line between extreme wealth and entitlement and poverty is clearly drawn.
I am just so pleased that the author saw fit to head each chapter with the names of the parents, the children and the nannies!! I don't know if I would have remembered them all.
I had my suspects, but wasn't correct - but I wasn't wrong either.
Every person had their secrets. Desperate for the secrets not to be revealed.
The characters weren't all likeable. The Influencers were particularly odious.
The truth with what is now known as 'Influencers' is that not everything is seen by the camera. What is shown is what they want you to see. The perfection - not the flaws.
The Detectives are dogged in their hunt for the children. Whether they would be harmed was a concern for me.
Dark and emotional, the book is good. I enjoyed it and can recommend it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Everyone is a suspect.
This is a tense novel. Extremly tense. The line between extreme wealth and entitlement and poverty is clearly drawn.
I am just so pleased that the author saw fit to head each chapter with the names of the parents, the children and the nannies!! I don't know if I would have remembered them all.
I had my suspects, but wasn't correct - but I wasn't wrong either.
Every person had their secrets. Desperate for the secrets not to be revealed.
The characters weren't all likeable. The Influencers were particularly odious.
The truth with what is now known as 'Influencers' is that not everything is seen by the camera. What is shown is what they want you to see. The perfection - not the flaws.
The Detectives are dogged in their hunt for the children. Whether they would be harmed was a concern for me.
Dark and emotional, the book is good. I enjoyed it and can recommend it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2026
This was an intense, gripping read that I seriously could not put down! There was something so addictive about watching the secrets of each family and nanny slowly unravel. The reveals came to light so effortlessly that I found myself constantly thinking, okay… but what else are they hiding?!
One thing I really enjoyed was seeing the darker side of influencer family life and the cost that comes with constantly living for appearances. Watching reputation, money, and maintaining the “perfect” image take priority over family added such an interesting layer to the story.
The ending did leave me feeling like there could be the possibility of a sequel, as a few things were left a little up in the air.
Overall, this was a fast paced, twisty, addictive thriller that kept me turning pages and questioning just how much these families were willing to hide to protect their perfect image. Definitely one that kept me watching until the very end.
Huge thanks to NetGalley for providing an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
One thing I really enjoyed was seeing the darker side of influencer family life and the cost that comes with constantly living for appearances. Watching reputation, money, and maintaining the “perfect” image take priority over family added such an interesting layer to the story.
The ending did leave me feeling like there could be the possibility of a sequel, as a few things were left a little up in the air.
Overall, this was a fast paced, twisty, addictive thriller that kept me turning pages and questioning just how much these families were willing to hide to protect their perfect image. Definitely one that kept me watching until the very end.
Huge thanks to NetGalley for providing an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
August 26, 2026
I would like to thank Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I actually really enjoyed this!
This is a must-read for fans of Criminal Minds because honestly the whole thing reminded me of a Criminal Minds episode. It was incredibly tense. The presentation of the novel contributed to this thrilling atmosphere. Each chapter heading was a reminder of what was at stake, which was great for the reader as there's quite a few characters to keep track of but it was the follower count that I couldn't keep my eyes away from. Watching it increase and decrease dependent on each situation.
This book is not a murder mystery. It doesn't take much for a murder mystery/thriller fan to work out who are the culprits but I think this book is more than that. It's these families and how they work. It's their lifestyles. It's the relationship between families and nannies.
A truly thrilling read.
I actually really enjoyed this!
This is a must-read for fans of Criminal Minds because honestly the whole thing reminded me of a Criminal Minds episode. It was incredibly tense. The presentation of the novel contributed to this thrilling atmosphere. Each chapter heading was a reminder of what was at stake, which was great for the reader as there's quite a few characters to keep track of but it was the follower count that I couldn't keep my eyes away from. Watching it increase and decrease dependent on each situation.
This book is not a murder mystery. It doesn't take much for a murder mystery/thriller fan to work out who are the culprits but I think this book is more than that. It's these families and how they work. It's their lifestyles. It's the relationship between families and nannies.
A truly thrilling read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A. R. Torre does it again in this twisty thriller of a ride where four kids are abducted and held for ransom.
It's a big, beautiful birthday party gone wrong. Madison is the little birthday girl celebrating with a curated group of friends in one room and the parents in another. Almost a million dollars has been spent making this the perfect day.
But the parents get robbed and locked in one room while four children and one nanny are taken from another. The kids are carried out in backpacks and taken to a hidden location. The ransom calls come soon after for 5 million each.
Who could have carried out such a horrific act to kidnap 5 year olds and threaten their little lives in the pursuit of money? Was it one of the parents? One of the nannies? Was it the nanny who was taken alongside the children?
Families unravel and secrets come out in this multi-POV thriller. You won't be able to put it down once you start it!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
It's a big, beautiful birthday party gone wrong. Madison is the little birthday girl celebrating with a curated group of friends in one room and the parents in another. Almost a million dollars has been spent making this the perfect day.
But the parents get robbed and locked in one room while four children and one nanny are taken from another. The kids are carried out in backpacks and taken to a hidden location. The ransom calls come soon after for 5 million each.
Who could have carried out such a horrific act to kidnap 5 year olds and threaten their little lives in the pursuit of money? Was it one of the parents? One of the nannies? Was it the nanny who was taken alongside the children?
Families unravel and secrets come out in this multi-POV thriller. You won't be able to put it down once you start it!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
During a birthday party for a group of ultra-rich children, four of them are kidnapped, and the secrets of the four families are about to be exposed. While They Were Watching is a suspenseful, tension filled thriller that will have you furiously flipping the pages in this taut novel. The four sets of parents of the kidnapped children are ridiculously wealthy, and are immediately unlikable, balanced by their down to earth nannies who bear the brunt of their employers wrath as the over the top birthday party descends into chaos. What follows is a chilling portrait of four families torn apart and the lengths they’ll go to recover their children, and the police investigation that dissects their lives, as well as their afterthought caretakers. Extremely interesting plot, characters that you’ll both love and hate, and plenty of surprises make this a sure winner. Highly recommended! I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2026
3.75 ⭐️. This one was extremely hard for me to rate because it was honestly a 4 star for me the whole time UNTIL the very end and then I sort of felt disappointed with it. I can’t really say without spoilers but I just felt like “okay, that’s it”?! I definitely expected a more exciting ending since the whole book kept me wondering what was going to happen. There are a lot of characters to follow but I really liked how the author reminded who was in each family at the beginning of the chapters. I never got confused on who belonged with who. As far as the conclusion of the book, you know that phrase “let the punishment fit the crime”….I don’t feel as though it did for several characters. I just wish the ending would have been different. For that reason I feel like I have to go below 4 stars in my overall rating even if I did enjoy the book for the most part.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My new favorite by this author! I could not put it down.
Four children disappear from an exclusive Beverly Hills
birthday party, and what follows is a twisted investigation into the families, their secrets, and the nannies who may know more than they're letting on. As detectives dig deeper, the picture-perfect lives surrounding the children begin to fall apart.
A.R. Torre hooked me right away with this one. The pacing is quick, the chapters fly by, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, another secret surfaced and sent me in a completely different direction. I loved how the nannies were woven into the mystery and how every character seemed to have something to hide. The twists kept me guessing, and the ending definitely delivered. A fast, messy, addictive thriller with plenty of secrets hiding behind those perfect Beverly Hills doors.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
Four children disappear from an exclusive Beverly Hills
birthday party, and what follows is a twisted investigation into the families, their secrets, and the nannies who may know more than they're letting on. As detectives dig deeper, the picture-perfect lives surrounding the children begin to fall apart.
A.R. Torre hooked me right away with this one. The pacing is quick, the chapters fly by, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, another secret surfaced and sent me in a completely different direction. I loved how the nannies were woven into the mystery and how every character seemed to have something to hide. The twists kept me guessing, and the ending definitely delivered. A fast, messy, addictive thriller with plenty of secrets hiding behind those perfect Beverly Hills doors.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This author writes such gripping and nail-biting stories! While They Were Watching took hold of me from page one and didn't let go!
In a super-wealthy California neighborhood, the nannies gather as a birthday party begins. With the hustling staff and vendors in and out, the house is a hive of activity. So, when a masked man locks the kids and nannies in a room and abducts several of them, anyone could be responsible.
As things unfold, a demand is made: $2 million for each child taken, and they will be returned to the parents. We follow the journey of each family as they get the money together, try to find out who did this, and questions are asked of everyone who attended the party.
Surely SOMEONE knows something, right?
This kept me on the edge of my seat, guessing at who could have pulled this off, and why. If you havent read anything by this author before, do it now!
In a super-wealthy California neighborhood, the nannies gather as a birthday party begins. With the hustling staff and vendors in and out, the house is a hive of activity. So, when a masked man locks the kids and nannies in a room and abducts several of them, anyone could be responsible.
As things unfold, a demand is made: $2 million for each child taken, and they will be returned to the parents. We follow the journey of each family as they get the money together, try to find out who did this, and questions are asked of everyone who attended the party.
Surely SOMEONE knows something, right?
This kept me on the edge of my seat, guessing at who could have pulled this off, and why. If you havent read anything by this author before, do it now!
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