The Watcher

by Akil Victor

The town of Carnage has two thorns in its side. One is Terrance Walters (TW), a cunning embezzler who continues to make off with the money and goods of the town's establishments. The other, an unknown stalker who strikes discomfort and fear in the minds of Carnage's many single, attractive, women. Then enters Isabel Gonzalez, a detective who's as beautiful as she is skillful. After one fateful night, finally being able to place Terrance Walters and his accomplice in handcuffs, the trail of the so-called "Valentine's Stalker" goes cold. Not to be heard from even beyond Isabel's sudden departure from law enforcement; due to being fed up with the department's never-ending corruption.
With police work behind her, Isabel finally finds time to pursue her dream of opening a bakery in her late grandmother's name: Bella's Oven. Which to her dismal, struggles to keep its doors open. That is until, a new caterer emerges in town, taking all of her business, ran by the same ex-con she had put away years before, Terrance Walters. With no choice but to beat him or join him, against her desire at the behest of her business partner, she chooses the latter. Which surprisingly brings success and peace of mind. That is until the Valentine's Stalker reemerges, with a new target in sight...former detective Isabel Gonzalez.

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 9, 2016

Reviews

[WriteVibeMagazine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can you imagine being stalked? Can you imagine the stalker sending you notes, flowers, and candy? Can you imagine him getting into your home without you knowing? What would you do if you were being stalked? The stalker in question has been dubbed the Valentine stalker by the police. He watches his prey with keen eyes and knows there every move. He watches them and sends them notes. At first, the notes are innocent, but then they take on a weird sense. He lets the women know he's stalking them.

In the midst of the stalking is another story taking place. Terrance Walters is a thief who has been in the business for a while now. He is making a big heist and almost gets away until he is caught by Detective Isabel Gonzalez. Detective Gonzalez has been on Walters trail for a while and finally catches him.

Fast forward several years and Detective Gonzalez has left the police force and opened a bakery, called Bella's Oven. She is making ends meet and trying to keep the doors open. She is on the search for a replacement baker when she happens upon Terrance Walters, who operates a food truck. She runs into him years after arresting him and him doing time by her partner at the bakery. Her partner discovered him and thinks he will make a nice addition to the bakery. She hires him and things start to improve at the bakery. Isabel is being stalked in the midst of this and does not know who the stalker is or why he is after her.

I am rating this story three stars. The story did not flow well and seemed somewhat rushed. The time flowed very fast and not enough development of the story. This story had the potential to be more than what it was if it was fleshed out more with the development.

Reviewed By: LaLa Garrett

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay novella. It started with a very detailed setup that was a bit wordy. The story itself revolved around a detective, a criminal, and a stalker. I think the story would have packed a punch had more time been spent developing the story between Isabel and Terrence and adding some tension and a touch of drama to really bring the story to life.

[Tammy Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

[Barbra Athill · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ehhhhhh

I really didn't care for it, was too short and really didn't have enough of a plot to make a good story