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We Can See You
WE HAVE YOUR DAUGHTER. WE KNOW YOUR SECRETS. WE CAN SEE YOU.
You have it all. Success, a beautiful home, a happy family.
Until, in a heartbeat, it's gone.
We've kidnapped your daughter, and we know everything about you. Including the dark secrets from your past you thought were forgotten.
We tell you not to contact the police – and that we’ll know if you do. Because we can see you.
And now you know this is no ordinary abduction. It’s worse. Within hours you’re on the run, with only one thought in your head:
That you will stop at nothing to get your daughter back.
Even murder...
You have it all. Success, a beautiful home, a happy family.
Until, in a heartbeat, it's gone.
We've kidnapped your daughter, and we know everything about you. Including the dark secrets from your past you thought were forgotten.
We tell you not to contact the police – and that we’ll know if you do. Because we can see you.
And now you know this is no ordinary abduction. It’s worse. Within hours you’re on the run, with only one thought in your head:
That you will stop at nothing to get your daughter back.
Even murder...
400 pages, Hardcover
First published November 29, 2018
167 people are currently reading
868 people want to read
About the author
Simon Kernick
73 books1,158 followersSimon Kernick (born 1966 in Slough, Berkshire) is a British thriller/crime writer now living in Oxfordshire with his wife and two daughters. He attended Gillotts School, a comprehensive in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Whilst he was a student his jobs included fruitpicker and Christmas-tree uprooter. He graduated from Brighton Polytechnic in 1991 with a degree in humanities. Kernick had a passion for crime fiction writing from a young age and produced many short stories during his time at polytechnic. After graduating Kernick joined MMT Computing in London in early 1992, where a relative was the Chairman and Managing Director. Kernick was a key member of the sales team and was very highly regarded. However, he left the company after 4 years in the hope of trying to secure a publishing deal. Despite interest from a number of publishers Kernick was unable to secure a deal, so he joined the sales force of the specialist IT and Business Consultancy Metaskil plc in Aldermaston, Berkshire in 1998 where he remained until he secured his first book deal (The Business of Dying) in September 2001. His novel Relentless was recommended on Richard & Judy's Summer book club 2007. It was the 8th best-selling paperback, and the best-selling thriller in the UK in the same year
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
May 18, 2019
Brook Connor has a high profile TV show, is a best selling author and life coach. She seems to have the perfect family with her handsome husband and their 5 year old daughter. But not's all as it seems. On returning home from work late one night, she finds there is no one at home. Her daughter and her nanny are nowhere to be seen. Then she discovers a note in the kitchen informing her that her daughter has been kidnapped. After a few events happen, it's not long before Brook is on the run.
The story is told in alternating chapters between Brook and the Detectives Tyrone Giant and Jenna King. There is plenty of twists and some secrets in this fast paced read from the start. The story is action packed and I was rooting all the way for Brook to find her daughter safe and sound. With tension building from the start, this is a well written and gripping story. Loved it.
The story is told in alternating chapters between Brook and the Detectives Tyrone Giant and Jenna King. There is plenty of twists and some secrets in this fast paced read from the start. The story is action packed and I was rooting all the way for Brook to find her daughter safe and sound. With tension building from the start, this is a well written and gripping story. Loved it.
March 27, 2020
A stand alone by one of my favourite authors, Simon Kernick.
When Brook Connor’s daughter is kidnapped, she and her ex husband lives are are thrown into turmoil. The kidnappers leave a message “Remember: we can see you” leaving Brook unsure of whether to go to the police. But Brook's task to get her daughter back gets more difficult when she finds herself wanted by the police for several killings.
Like I said previously I enjoy reading this author who does write addictive novels that grip the reader but unusually this one didn't do it for me. Yes there were plenty of twists and turns and buckets of suspense but I just found the lead character annoying and struggled to connect with the book generally.
There are lots of positive reviews for this book and I am sure there are plenty of people who will disagree with my review. I have read a lot better novels by this author.
When Brook Connor’s daughter is kidnapped, she and her ex husband lives are are thrown into turmoil. The kidnappers leave a message “Remember: we can see you” leaving Brook unsure of whether to go to the police. But Brook's task to get her daughter back gets more difficult when she finds herself wanted by the police for several killings.
Like I said previously I enjoy reading this author who does write addictive novels that grip the reader but unusually this one didn't do it for me. Yes there were plenty of twists and turns and buckets of suspense but I just found the lead character annoying and struggled to connect with the book generally.
There are lots of positive reviews for this book and I am sure there are plenty of people who will disagree with my review. I have read a lot better novels by this author.
November 28, 2018
Brook Connor has what many people would call a perfect life,she has a successful career as a best selling author and life coach. A handsome loving husband,gorgeous five year old daughter and a beautiful home.
But the most perfect life can shatter in seconds.
When Brook returns home late one night after a meeting with a client,she discovers a empty house and no sign of her daughter or her daughter's nanny. In the kitchen she discovers a note informing her that her daughter has been kidnapped. She is to wait for further instructions and must not inform the police. If she has any doubts about how serious the kidnappers are then she should take a look at the gift that they have left for her in the cutlery drawer. She must obey their instructions at all times,if she doesn't,they will know because they have chillingly warned her.....We Can See You
Within hours Brook is on the run,desperately trying to stay one step ahead of the police,having no idea who she can trust but having only one thought on her mind.
She will stop at nothing to get her daughter back.
Even murder...
Told in chapters that alternate between Brook and Detectives Tyrone Giant and Jenna King,We Can See You is exactly what readers have come to expect when you curl up in your comfy chair and dive into a book written by Simon Kernick.A fast paced,roller coaster ride that holds you in a vice like grip from the very first page. His words are so enthralling and mesmerising that you sometimes forget to breath as the twists and turns unfold before your eyes. I absolutely adore Simon's stand alone thrillers in which he puts a normal,everyday person through hell. Pitting them against some very nasty villains and finding themselves in a number of life threatening,breath taking situations. We Can See You is no exception as we follow his heroine Brook's desperate quest to find out who has kidnapped her daughter and why. Brook was a feisty,likeable character who wasn't afraid to speak her mind and confront people when she needed answers from them. She was a strong willed mumma bear who was prepared to do everything in her power to get her beloved daughter back. As the story unfolded,she encountered a number of vivid,realistic characters,some likeable,some not so likeable. But who hated Brook so much that they were prepared to go to such extreme lengths to destroy her life? And what were the reasons behind their actions?
I don't usually beg for things but I was prepared to really grovel for this book and was overjoyed when I was approved by the publishers. We Can See You is a gripping,adrenaline ride that had me hooked in and frantically turning the pages from the first page right through the shocking revelations in the final confrontation between Brook and her tormentor. I absolutely love Simon Kernick`s books and cannot for the life of me understand why they haven't been adapted for tv or films yet. Definitely worth far more than five stars. Very very highly recommended.
Many many thanks to Penguin Random.House UK/Cornerstone for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
But the most perfect life can shatter in seconds.
When Brook returns home late one night after a meeting with a client,she discovers a empty house and no sign of her daughter or her daughter's nanny. In the kitchen she discovers a note informing her that her daughter has been kidnapped. She is to wait for further instructions and must not inform the police. If she has any doubts about how serious the kidnappers are then she should take a look at the gift that they have left for her in the cutlery drawer. She must obey their instructions at all times,if she doesn't,they will know because they have chillingly warned her.....We Can See You
Within hours Brook is on the run,desperately trying to stay one step ahead of the police,having no idea who she can trust but having only one thought on her mind.
She will stop at nothing to get her daughter back.
Even murder...
Told in chapters that alternate between Brook and Detectives Tyrone Giant and Jenna King,We Can See You is exactly what readers have come to expect when you curl up in your comfy chair and dive into a book written by Simon Kernick.A fast paced,roller coaster ride that holds you in a vice like grip from the very first page. His words are so enthralling and mesmerising that you sometimes forget to breath as the twists and turns unfold before your eyes. I absolutely adore Simon's stand alone thrillers in which he puts a normal,everyday person through hell. Pitting them against some very nasty villains and finding themselves in a number of life threatening,breath taking situations. We Can See You is no exception as we follow his heroine Brook's desperate quest to find out who has kidnapped her daughter and why. Brook was a feisty,likeable character who wasn't afraid to speak her mind and confront people when she needed answers from them. She was a strong willed mumma bear who was prepared to do everything in her power to get her beloved daughter back. As the story unfolded,she encountered a number of vivid,realistic characters,some likeable,some not so likeable. But who hated Brook so much that they were prepared to go to such extreme lengths to destroy her life? And what were the reasons behind their actions?
I don't usually beg for things but I was prepared to really grovel for this book and was overjoyed when I was approved by the publishers. We Can See You is a gripping,adrenaline ride that had me hooked in and frantically turning the pages from the first page right through the shocking revelations in the final confrontation between Brook and her tormentor. I absolutely love Simon Kernick`s books and cannot for the life of me understand why they haven't been adapted for tv or films yet. Definitely worth far more than five stars. Very very highly recommended.
Many many thanks to Penguin Random.House UK/Cornerstone for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
November 6, 2023
Ouch, ouch, ouch!!!!!!!
Where were my cold compresses when I needed them????
My eyes were rolling so much during this entire book that they actually began to hurt.
(I am serious!)
The premise of this "high-octane thriller" was compelling:
A celebrity life coach's 5-year-old stepdaughter and nanny were both kidnapped and the nanny's severed finger was delivered to the life coach along with a ransom demand.
Who did this and why?
Since I am not a math whiz, I lost track of the number of dead bodies in this book.
The book's celebrity life coach protagonist's defensive, investigative, and crime fighting skills were absolutely, positively implausible.
She made Wonder Woman look like a wimp.
IMHO, each chapter was more outrageous and unbelievable than the next.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Richard Goulding, who did a brilliant job with the narration.
I especially enjoyed the different voices Richard Goulding used throughout the book.
2 stars, rounded up.
Where were my cold compresses when I needed them????
My eyes were rolling so much during this entire book that they actually began to hurt.
(I am serious!)
The premise of this "high-octane thriller" was compelling:
A celebrity life coach's 5-year-old stepdaughter and nanny were both kidnapped and the nanny's severed finger was delivered to the life coach along with a ransom demand.
Who did this and why?
Since I am not a math whiz, I lost track of the number of dead bodies in this book.
The book's celebrity life coach protagonist's defensive, investigative, and crime fighting skills were absolutely, positively implausible.
She made Wonder Woman look like a wimp.
IMHO, each chapter was more outrageous and unbelievable than the next.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Richard Goulding, who did a brilliant job with the narration.
I especially enjoyed the different voices Richard Goulding used throughout the book.
2 stars, rounded up.
November 28, 2018
I'm a massive fan of Simon Kernick's novels but I have to admit I was more than a little apprehensive about reading this given I have decided to stay away from many domestic noir titles due to predictability. I shouldn't have worried though, and although this is part family drama it has many of the thrilling characteristics of proper crime fiction too. The pace gallops along, the author is one of the best in the business at creating a tension you can feel in your bones for the entirety of the story and action-packed. I was surprised every time a twist came around and blindsided me and I found this incredibly refreshing given that I seem to be able to predict many developments in crime fiction ahead of time. Not here and that illustrates exactly why I love this author so much.
Full of high-octane thrills and spills it had my adrenaline-pumping throughout as it's impossible to know who to trust in a cast of characters that are fabulously shady. The author plays on the notion that most parents would go to great lengths to protect their child, and Brooke certainly does everything in her power to retrieve her daughter from the kidnappers. She is a likeable and strong character who you really get behind in her search for answers. Kernick has cleverly written a standalone novel here that will not only please those who enjoy thrillers but also fans of domestic noir and more generally crime fiction as there are elements for everyone. From the moment I opened the book to reaching the truly explosive conclusion, I was glued to my Kindle. Superb!
Many thanks to Century for an ARC.
Full of high-octane thrills and spills it had my adrenaline-pumping throughout as it's impossible to know who to trust in a cast of characters that are fabulously shady. The author plays on the notion that most parents would go to great lengths to protect their child, and Brooke certainly does everything in her power to retrieve her daughter from the kidnappers. She is a likeable and strong character who you really get behind in her search for answers. Kernick has cleverly written a standalone novel here that will not only please those who enjoy thrillers but also fans of domestic noir and more generally crime fiction as there are elements for everyone. From the moment I opened the book to reaching the truly explosive conclusion, I was glued to my Kindle. Superb!
Many thanks to Century for an ARC.
May 26, 2019
Menacing, twisty, and meticulous!
We Can See You is a highly suspenseful, character-driven, domestic thriller that brings a mother’s worst nightmare to life and explores the terror, chaos, and distress a ruthless kidnapper with forensic savvy and eyes everywhere can wreak.
The writing is taut and sharp. The characters are tenacious, consumed, and multifaceted. And the high-intensity plot quickly unfolds into a tangled web of danger, angst, fear, manipulation, panic, instinct, jealousy, deception, kidnapping, violence, and murder.
Overall, We Can See You is an intricately woven, vengeful, cunning mystery that has a nice sense of urgency, palpable anguish, great pace, and enough twists to keep you guessing until the very last page.
Thank you to Penguin Random House UK – Arrow Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
We Can See You is a highly suspenseful, character-driven, domestic thriller that brings a mother’s worst nightmare to life and explores the terror, chaos, and distress a ruthless kidnapper with forensic savvy and eyes everywhere can wreak.
The writing is taut and sharp. The characters are tenacious, consumed, and multifaceted. And the high-intensity plot quickly unfolds into a tangled web of danger, angst, fear, manipulation, panic, instinct, jealousy, deception, kidnapping, violence, and murder.
Overall, We Can See You is an intricately woven, vengeful, cunning mystery that has a nice sense of urgency, palpable anguish, great pace, and enough twists to keep you guessing until the very last page.
Thank you to Penguin Random House UK – Arrow Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2020
I’ve been trying to work my way through Simon Kernick’s work, finding them to be fast paced thrillers that keep me addicted. Thus, I went into We Can See You with high hopes. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by this one.
We Can See You was filled with clichés and had more predictable elements to it than I care to admit to. Sure, it was gripping. However, my desire to see how things ended was not the same as being invested in the story. Although it does not do well to compare an author’s work, this one just didn’t live up to the standard I expected – this felt more like a first book, rather than a book written by an author that has gripped me in the past. In fact, I was generous in rounding my rating of this one up – by the end, I just wanted it over with, but my curiosity at the start ensured I finished this in a single sitting.
All in all, this isn’t the best example of Simon Kernick. Not only was it filled with clichés, it also had far too many errors in it that should have been fixed before publication. I feel like this one was released just to get another book out there, to meet an obligation, and doesn’t have the same feel as the author’s other work.
We Can See You was filled with clichés and had more predictable elements to it than I care to admit to. Sure, it was gripping. However, my desire to see how things ended was not the same as being invested in the story. Although it does not do well to compare an author’s work, this one just didn’t live up to the standard I expected – this felt more like a first book, rather than a book written by an author that has gripped me in the past. In fact, I was generous in rounding my rating of this one up – by the end, I just wanted it over with, but my curiosity at the start ensured I finished this in a single sitting.
All in all, this isn’t the best example of Simon Kernick. Not only was it filled with clichés, it also had far too many errors in it that should have been fixed before publication. I feel like this one was released just to get another book out there, to meet an obligation, and doesn’t have the same feel as the author’s other work.
January 9, 2019
I actually finished this book, wondering mostly why I was bothering.
Simon Kernick has apparently written a bunch of successful thrillers, and even has Lee Child commending his books. But quite honestly, this book is TOSH.
Practically every character gets bumped off by some other character until there's hardly anyone left by the end. When I say 'character' I mean the cardboard cut-outs that inhabit the pages and mouth interchangeable dialogue.
Coincidences abound, the heroine leaps improbably into every dangerous situation imaginable and comes out virtually unscathed. After a while you know she's going to get out of every situation she gets herself into, whereas any normal person would wind up dead by about chapter three.
The plot consists mostly of new revelations about someone's connections to someone else, each one more absurd than the last. The characters happily fill in the backstories as they go, reducing all suspense. Half the them have had an affair with one of the other characters.
The police seem extraordinarily inept. Inept with a capital I.
I'm assuming that Kernick's previous books were a lot better, and that this one was written on an off-day...
Simon Kernick has apparently written a bunch of successful thrillers, and even has Lee Child commending his books. But quite honestly, this book is TOSH.
Practically every character gets bumped off by some other character until there's hardly anyone left by the end. When I say 'character' I mean the cardboard cut-outs that inhabit the pages and mouth interchangeable dialogue.
Coincidences abound, the heroine leaps improbably into every dangerous situation imaginable and comes out virtually unscathed. After a while you know she's going to get out of every situation she gets herself into, whereas any normal person would wind up dead by about chapter three.
The plot consists mostly of new revelations about someone's connections to someone else, each one more absurd than the last. The characters happily fill in the backstories as they go, reducing all suspense. Half the them have had an affair with one of the other characters.
The police seem extraordinarily inept. Inept with a capital I.
I'm assuming that Kernick's previous books were a lot better, and that this one was written on an off-day...
December 1, 2018
I cannot believe that I wasted my time on this book! It is insanely ridiculous. The abduction of their daughter, We Are Watching! This incredibly expensive home; did not have an adequate Security System? We live in a Gated Community, apparently with a better Security System; as do our neighbors, and we do not live in Carmel! The other major problem for me is, why all of these extraneous details of Brook's clients; when her child is missing? Why didn't they search the house for all these supposed cameras? I would have! Of course, this book has been written for feminist; Brook has to be the hero. If she had gone to a store, picked up a Trac phone, she could have called the FBI! I am sorry, there are too many overly contrived scenarios which make this book a waste of time. I probably should have given it a two.
I do not recommend! Thank you Netgalley!
I do not recommend! Thank you Netgalley!
June 25, 2019
Simon Kernick doesn’t do subtle. He doesn’t gently ease his readers into the action of his novels. Instead, here we are immediately plunged into the brutal abduction of five-year-old Paige and the murder of her nanny, Rosa.
Paige is the daughter of Brook Connor, an industrious and highly driven “lifestyle coach” and her handsome but feckless husband, Logan Harris. Initially, to the police, it appears as if Brook herself could have engineered the abduction and she finds herself a fugitive from the law whilst trying to discover the real abductors and recover her daughter. Could it be a wealthy local businessman with links to the Mexican mafia or could the solution be more personal? As the action proceeds and Brook's life becomes ever more endangered, she finds that it's essential to practice what she has preached in her self-help books.
This is a wonderful thrills-a-minute action drama by a writer doing what he does best.
Paige is the daughter of Brook Connor, an industrious and highly driven “lifestyle coach” and her handsome but feckless husband, Logan Harris. Initially, to the police, it appears as if Brook herself could have engineered the abduction and she finds herself a fugitive from the law whilst trying to discover the real abductors and recover her daughter. Could it be a wealthy local businessman with links to the Mexican mafia or could the solution be more personal? As the action proceeds and Brook's life becomes ever more endangered, she finds that it's essential to practice what she has preached in her self-help books.
This is a wonderful thrills-a-minute action drama by a writer doing what he does best.
June 14, 2024
Yeah nah very average. Started out with intigue, took a few twists, but average writing, lack of credible characters, and a boring reveal in the final pages meant it fizzled into a sack of damp fish. 🥱
April 15, 2020
Wow! Absolutely loved this book from the first page up until the last - I literally could not put it down.
Reminded me why Simon Kernick is one of my favourite authors.
Reminded me why Simon Kernick is one of my favourite authors.
August 29, 2022
I read this in 24 hours. Most have been good
December 1, 2018
Wow, what a far-fetched bunch of cliches and stereotyped cartoon characters!
Really, terribly predictable. It was just a compilation of very bad, unimaginative cheap police novels from the sixties. Ugh, what a waste of time.
Oh, and why on earth did the narrator of the audiobook felt the need to try to impersonate a British accent every time it was Brooke speaking?? The accent sounded more like an Australian trying to imitate a Scottish than British, it was this awful, and totally unnecessary since it was hard to believe she would have such a strong accent.
Really, terribly predictable. It was just a compilation of very bad, unimaginative cheap police novels from the sixties. Ugh, what a waste of time.
Oh, and why on earth did the narrator of the audiobook felt the need to try to impersonate a British accent every time it was Brooke speaking?? The accent sounded more like an Australian trying to imitate a Scottish than British, it was this awful, and totally unnecessary since it was hard to believe she would have such a strong accent.
May 4, 2020
I sort of enjoyed this book, but only because I read it very quickly and did not let myself think about the preposterous elements of the plot. The writing itself is quite compelling but the characters are a bit one-dimensional and suspension of disbelief ie essential to any enjoyment.
July 5, 2025
We Can See You was a book that had been on my TBR for quite some time and right off the bat I was hooked and by the end, it more than met the long-awaited expectations I had for it. The type of thrillers I tend to find myself enjoying are the ones that catch me off guard with their uniqueness and how their story can build chapter after chapter and this is one that kept me on my toes the entire way through. The female lead was an absolute badass and I loved how she rose to the occasion time after time as she found herself in some truly dangerous situations. The plot was both fast-paced and intricate and managed to bring together a slew of characters, most of whom you were suspicious of but all of whom added a certain level of tension to the proceedings. The climax of this one truly had my head spinning and at the final page turn, I found myself completely satisfied with how we got there. This was damn good thriller from beginning to end.
November 30, 2018
Kernick Delivers a Solid Thriller
Simon Kernick is one of those authors whose name on a book is akin to a near guarantee of a certain level of quality. He has produced a consistent stream of good or very good books over the years. This one is an adrenaline-fuelled thriller that marches on at a very decent pace. The blurb which doesn't really describe the start scenario very accurately about our lead Brook Connor having a happy family makes it sound like a family noir but it really does become more than that. I don't think it's exactly genre-busting but it is an exciting story and although you'll probably have to put on your beer goggles to believe in some of the scenes it makes for a very entertaining listen.
Richard Goulding puts in a very credible narration performance, he put me in mind to some extent of a mild-mannered RC Bray in some ways. He certainly gets the key things right being clear and easy to listen to and has a good enough selection of voices to give each character their own identity.
So, if you want a psychological whodunnit and whytheydunnit type of thriller with a good action content overseen by an author who is ruthless enough with his characters to make you feel that just about any kind of ending could possibly result this probably isn't a bad choice.
Simon Kernick is one of those authors whose name on a book is akin to a near guarantee of a certain level of quality. He has produced a consistent stream of good or very good books over the years. This one is an adrenaline-fuelled thriller that marches on at a very decent pace. The blurb which doesn't really describe the start scenario very accurately about our lead Brook Connor having a happy family makes it sound like a family noir but it really does become more than that. I don't think it's exactly genre-busting but it is an exciting story and although you'll probably have to put on your beer goggles to believe in some of the scenes it makes for a very entertaining listen.
Richard Goulding puts in a very credible narration performance, he put me in mind to some extent of a mild-mannered RC Bray in some ways. He certainly gets the key things right being clear and easy to listen to and has a good enough selection of voices to give each character their own identity.
So, if you want a psychological whodunnit and whytheydunnit type of thriller with a good action content overseen by an author who is ruthless enough with his characters to make you feel that just about any kind of ending could possibly result this probably isn't a bad choice.
May 8, 2019
Brook Connor is a self-help star, writing books and appearing on local TV shows, but her marriage to ex-actor and part-time tennis pro Logan is in trouble. One day, Brook comes home to find her step-daughter Paige and the nanny missing and that’s just the start of a nightmare that sees her wanted by the police, implicated in several brutal killings.
A neat mix of domestic noir and pacey thriller, this hits the ground running and even if the pace sags slightly towards the last act, it runs well otherwise. The characters are nicely defined, Brook is hard without being unbelievable and her quest - to find Paige and ensure her safety - is realistically portrayed. Kernick has a good grip on the US locations, the plot is solid, the writing is brisk (though quite a lot’s in passive voice, oddly) and the violence is well used. A smart thriller that keeps you guessing, I’d recommend this.
A neat mix of domestic noir and pacey thriller, this hits the ground running and even if the pace sags slightly towards the last act, it runs well otherwise. The characters are nicely defined, Brook is hard without being unbelievable and her quest - to find Paige and ensure her safety - is realistically portrayed. Kernick has a good grip on the US locations, the plot is solid, the writing is brisk (though quite a lot’s in passive voice, oddly) and the violence is well used. A smart thriller that keeps you guessing, I’d recommend this.
July 15, 2019
Slightly shocked that it took me a month to get through this book! Not because I didn’t enjoy it, but because love island has taken over my reading time 🤦🏻♀️
This book a twisty thriller that kept me guessing till the very end! I enjoyed the storyline and I didn’t guess the plot.
I think I would of enjoyed it a lot more had I actually focused on it and got through it quicker, but I would recommend it!
This book a twisty thriller that kept me guessing till the very end! I enjoyed the storyline and I didn’t guess the plot.
I think I would of enjoyed it a lot more had I actually focused on it and got through it quicker, but I would recommend it!
August 20, 2023
A fast paced thriller. Their daughter is missing and so is the nanny. They have been told not to contact the Police and for the kidnappers to know all they do, the house must be bugged. A final twist at the end.
October 5, 2019
Thrilling
October 8, 2019
A good read but not one of his best. Didn’t have me on the edge of my seat like a lot of his other books
April 10, 2023
A fast paced action adventure that makes you not want to put the book down. Lots of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.
October 10, 2023
We Can See You By Simon Kernick
Do you ever wonder if the Author actually writes all his books?
We can see you bears absolutely no resemblance to anything Kernick has ever wrote.
It has none of his style, I would even go as far to say it feels more like a Shari Lapena novel.
The question is it any good? For a Kernick book no its dreadful but as a book its just about ok.
Cartoon characters silly plot unbelievable story boring.
Wasn't for me.
Do you ever wonder if the Author actually writes all his books?
We can see you bears absolutely no resemblance to anything Kernick has ever wrote.
It has none of his style, I would even go as far to say it feels more like a Shari Lapena novel.
The question is it any good? For a Kernick book no its dreadful but as a book its just about ok.
Cartoon characters silly plot unbelievable story boring.
Wasn't for me.
February 21, 2024
I have to start by saying that I am a big fan of Kernick especially books such as Relentless and The Last Ten Seconds however this....not so much. The synopsis felt like a departure from my expectations of a Kernick novel so I was excited to try something a little different. Brook Conner is on her way home and is excited to see her daughter Paige. When she arrives she just knows something is off as her housekeeper Rosa is not there with Paige but her car is. Confused she calls Rosa to no reply followed shortly thereafter to her husband. It becomes all too clear that her daughter has been kidnapped.
Now right out the gate I admit I did not warm to any of the characters in this book. Brook, her husband, her lawyer, literally everybody! The storyline also bordered on the ridiculous. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against stretching the realms of reality for a story, but it has to be a good story for me to be on board with it! I managed to trudge my way through this but it felt like a chore. Every now and then you can read a book by an author you love and just not gel with the book and this is one of those times.
Now right out the gate I admit I did not warm to any of the characters in this book. Brook, her husband, her lawyer, literally everybody! The storyline also bordered on the ridiculous. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against stretching the realms of reality for a story, but it has to be a good story for me to be on board with it! I managed to trudge my way through this but it felt like a chore. Every now and then you can read a book by an author you love and just not gel with the book and this is one of those times.
October 26, 2019
Loved the twists and turns in This book did not see that end coming. Well worth a read! Loved it so much I’ve hunted down others by Simon Kernick!
December 15, 2020
Kept me turning the pages.
May 29, 2019
We Can See You. In a normal context, this sentence can fit in with different situations. Parents warning their kids they are watching them so they better not keep pulling at the flowers. A teen rolling her eyes because she spotted her parents snogging in the kitchen. Friends laughing at someone who tried to hide and give them a scare.
Simon Kernick gives We Can See You a darker, spine-chilling meaning. Rarely had a title been so openly threatening!
I had no idea what to expect when I began reading, as this was my first book by Simon Kernick. Well, he definitely knows how to lead his readers by the nose!! What better to turn a life upside down than an empty house, a missing child, and an alarming note?
In a matter of hours, Brooke’s seemingly perfect picture as a life coach and famous writer shatters and it is not long before she finds herself alone, fighting against time and the police to retrieve her daughter Paige. I truly enjoyed the narrative format, going back and forth between the present and the previous days, from different POVs. The feeling of urgency never left me as I was racing along Brooke to find answers, only to be met with secrets, lies, and people I wasn’t sure I could trust. Imagine a ball in a maze. It bounces on a wall, violently gets sent a different way, to be slapped again on another hard, cold surface. That ball is Brooke! Every step she takes seems to add more complexity to her task. Everywhere she looks, a surprise is waiting for her. No respite for brave people! We Can See You associates a parent’s worst fear, one of the strongest case of resilience I’ve ever seen, and a relentless sense of urgency. This is an explosive mix!
With twists galore and a woman who will not let anything or anyone stand in her way, We Can See You offers many heart-stopping moments. I particularly enjoyed a detail in the novel about Brooke and her daughter Paige (you need to read to know what I’m talking about! No spoilers here!) It kept me rooting for Brooke when I sometimes felt she was getting on my nerves or when I started doubting the number of situations she got herself out of. I could feel myself rolling my eyes whenever she mentioned her self-help books, but hey, when you’ve got nothing left, you cling to what you know, right? Anyway, despite Brooke sometimes appearing as a superwoman and not a regular mom, I couldn’t help but being 1) freaked out by the whole situation 2) completely addicted by the chase 3) in dire need to know who could have eyes everywhere!
Simon Kernick brilliantly portrays a desperate but resourceful woman who encounters many obstacles but never gives up. She meets a very diverse cast of characters, each of one adding spice and turns to the plot. I liked some, pitied a few, utterly loathed others.
Isn’t it unfair to fight faceless monsters who seem to always be one step ahead? As the title suggests, Paige’s kidnappers watch Brooke, and they seem to have no boundaries. I was so frustrated to see Brooke’s tries to save her family go to waste as every door was slammed to her face. Who has such power? ARGH! The closest you get to the end, the more claustrophobic this novel becomes, as the trap set to destroy Brook closes in on her. Every time I thought I knew where the book was leading me, I found myself proved wrong as more people added their own story to the plot. Without ever forgetting the core of the chase – Paige’s abduction – Brooke must deal with jealousy, deceit, people you should not cross path with, violence, and a ruthless tension.
There is no coincidence in this book. All the threads lead one a final moment you won’t see coming. I know I didn’t!!!
Suspenseful, We Can See You is a powerful rollercoaster with an explosive ending!
Simon Kernick gives We Can See You a darker, spine-chilling meaning. Rarely had a title been so openly threatening!
I had no idea what to expect when I began reading, as this was my first book by Simon Kernick. Well, he definitely knows how to lead his readers by the nose!! What better to turn a life upside down than an empty house, a missing child, and an alarming note?
In a matter of hours, Brooke’s seemingly perfect picture as a life coach and famous writer shatters and it is not long before she finds herself alone, fighting against time and the police to retrieve her daughter Paige. I truly enjoyed the narrative format, going back and forth between the present and the previous days, from different POVs. The feeling of urgency never left me as I was racing along Brooke to find answers, only to be met with secrets, lies, and people I wasn’t sure I could trust. Imagine a ball in a maze. It bounces on a wall, violently gets sent a different way, to be slapped again on another hard, cold surface. That ball is Brooke! Every step she takes seems to add more complexity to her task. Everywhere she looks, a surprise is waiting for her. No respite for brave people! We Can See You associates a parent’s worst fear, one of the strongest case of resilience I’ve ever seen, and a relentless sense of urgency. This is an explosive mix!
With twists galore and a woman who will not let anything or anyone stand in her way, We Can See You offers many heart-stopping moments. I particularly enjoyed a detail in the novel about Brooke and her daughter Paige (you need to read to know what I’m talking about! No spoilers here!) It kept me rooting for Brooke when I sometimes felt she was getting on my nerves or when I started doubting the number of situations she got herself out of. I could feel myself rolling my eyes whenever she mentioned her self-help books, but hey, when you’ve got nothing left, you cling to what you know, right? Anyway, despite Brooke sometimes appearing as a superwoman and not a regular mom, I couldn’t help but being 1) freaked out by the whole situation 2) completely addicted by the chase 3) in dire need to know who could have eyes everywhere!
Simon Kernick brilliantly portrays a desperate but resourceful woman who encounters many obstacles but never gives up. She meets a very diverse cast of characters, each of one adding spice and turns to the plot. I liked some, pitied a few, utterly loathed others.
Isn’t it unfair to fight faceless monsters who seem to always be one step ahead? As the title suggests, Paige’s kidnappers watch Brooke, and they seem to have no boundaries. I was so frustrated to see Brooke’s tries to save her family go to waste as every door was slammed to her face. Who has such power? ARGH! The closest you get to the end, the more claustrophobic this novel becomes, as the trap set to destroy Brook closes in on her. Every time I thought I knew where the book was leading me, I found myself proved wrong as more people added their own story to the plot. Without ever forgetting the core of the chase – Paige’s abduction – Brooke must deal with jealousy, deceit, people you should not cross path with, violence, and a ruthless tension.
There is no coincidence in this book. All the threads lead one a final moment you won’t see coming. I know I didn’t!!!
Suspenseful, We Can See You is a powerful rollercoaster with an explosive ending!
April 19, 2020
I’ve read many Simon Kernick books over the years, so was looking forward to this one. It is based in America, which was a surprise initially as most of the books I had read were UK based. This book takes us on the twisted tale of Brook Connor. She has, what appears, to be the perfect life – husband, child and success career. One day, she returns home and finds her daughter is missing, along with the nanny, Rosa. She has been left a note and a shocking present, with the note giving instructions not to involve the police and they will do if she does as they can see her. Hours later, her life is turned upside down and she finds herself being accused of murder. Who is trying to set her up, and why?
The book began with a shocking start of Brook returning home and finding her daughter missing. Told from, not just Brook’s point of view, but of the detectives investigating her. I found the switching between the characters and different timeframes a little confusing at times, and I found I really needed to concentrate to work out where I was in the story. I couldn’t quite work out what to make of Brook, at times liking her character and at others didn’t! Similarly, with some of the other characters, you start off believing in them because of who they are, but then swapping and changing your opinion of them as the story moves on.
As usual with this author, we are treated to plenty of twists and turns, high suspense and lots of tension. Personally, for me, I struggled to keep my attention focussed on the storyline due to the changes in characters. I would have enjoyed it more if I could have cheered on at least one of the characters, but found it difficult to connect with any of them. It was a book which I had to read because I’ve always enjoyed this author’s writing, but for me it wasn’t one of the best books he’s written.
The book began with a shocking start of Brook returning home and finding her daughter missing. Told from, not just Brook’s point of view, but of the detectives investigating her. I found the switching between the characters and different timeframes a little confusing at times, and I found I really needed to concentrate to work out where I was in the story. I couldn’t quite work out what to make of Brook, at times liking her character and at others didn’t! Similarly, with some of the other characters, you start off believing in them because of who they are, but then swapping and changing your opinion of them as the story moves on.
As usual with this author, we are treated to plenty of twists and turns, high suspense and lots of tension. Personally, for me, I struggled to keep my attention focussed on the storyline due to the changes in characters. I would have enjoyed it more if I could have cheered on at least one of the characters, but found it difficult to connect with any of them. It was a book which I had to read because I’ve always enjoyed this author’s writing, but for me it wasn’t one of the best books he’s written.
June 26, 2019
I’ve been a Simon Kernick fan for many years now and every single book he brings out is cause for celebration for me! I’ve enjoyed all the standalone books and the series (Tina Boyd was a particular favourite of mine!) but I was a little unsure when I read the blurb for We Can See You as it sounded a more commercial and lightweight read than I’m used to. But I needn’t have worried! We Can See You is an adrenaline fuelled race against time with some unexpected twists that blew me away and I loved every minute of this blood pressure raising thriller!
Brook Connor returns home one night expecting her daughter Paige and housekeeper Rosa to be there to greet her. When she discovers an empty house, her panic turns to sheer terror when she realises Paige has been kidnapped. What follows is a mothers determination to bring back her child, fighting against unknown perpetrators and never knowing who to trust. We meet Brook as she faces a present day police interrogation and then flashback to the days leading up to her arrest. There are plenty of shocks in store for both Brook and the reader as we gradually become aware of why Paige has been kidnapped but I have to admit to not having had a clue, until it slapped me soundly in the face, who was behind everything.
I’ll warn you now, don’t start this book unless you can give it some serious attention as it’s one of those that completely sweeps you along from chapter to enthralling chapter. The characters aren’t always that likeable to be fair and they make some really stupid rookie mistakes at times but that just encouraged me to gleefully enjoy their downfalls even more once they came! There’s not a lot of time for detailed character development due to the book moving at such a speedy pace but I still managed to get a feel for their personalities, gaining plenty of clues along the way.
We Can See You is a gripping crime thriller with a cleverly crafted storyline. A fantastic read from start to finish.
Brook Connor returns home one night expecting her daughter Paige and housekeeper Rosa to be there to greet her. When she discovers an empty house, her panic turns to sheer terror when she realises Paige has been kidnapped. What follows is a mothers determination to bring back her child, fighting against unknown perpetrators and never knowing who to trust. We meet Brook as she faces a present day police interrogation and then flashback to the days leading up to her arrest. There are plenty of shocks in store for both Brook and the reader as we gradually become aware of why Paige has been kidnapped but I have to admit to not having had a clue, until it slapped me soundly in the face, who was behind everything.
I’ll warn you now, don’t start this book unless you can give it some serious attention as it’s one of those that completely sweeps you along from chapter to enthralling chapter. The characters aren’t always that likeable to be fair and they make some really stupid rookie mistakes at times but that just encouraged me to gleefully enjoy their downfalls even more once they came! There’s not a lot of time for detailed character development due to the book moving at such a speedy pace but I still managed to get a feel for their personalities, gaining plenty of clues along the way.
We Can See You is a gripping crime thriller with a cleverly crafted storyline. A fantastic read from start to finish.
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