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Watcher
Rear Window meets The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Teri is a watcher. Robbed of her strength and mobility, she has become a silent witness to the lives of others.When she stumbles across a crime so vicious that it forces her to choose between herself and a woman she's never met, Teri has to untangle a web of corruption in an insulated mountain town before she's the next to disappear.
271 pages, ebook
First published February 28, 2019
30 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Jason Stokes
9 books30 followersJason Stokes is an author and artist living in the mountains of western North Carolina. When he's not at work in the studio he's raising a pair of indomitable Cornish Rex cats and travelling the world with his wife and best friend, Anna.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 4, 2019
This novel is a phenomenal piece of work. I finished it in less than 2 days, and with how busy my life has been lately that is saying something. You will be pulled in as light into a black hole, and be better for the experience. Teri and Thomas are two of the best developed characters that I have come across in some time. They hop out of the page and say hello. We feel her pain, frustration, and anxiety at facing the world with, as she calls it, "Faulty equipment," brought on by MS. Her feelings keep you glued to the page, wondering what will happen next. It is with certainty that I tell you this book is worth your time and money.
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March 22, 2019Riviting... read in one night ...couldn't put down kept picking back up to finish. Excellent job...immersed you deep into the story you felt wet after the lake and stinky! Good work cant wait for the next one .....GREAT JOB really proud.
March 12, 2019
What a fun & exciting book. As a person who has lived with MS for years it's awesome to read a book with a relatable main character that's brave, stubborn and has a great sence of humor for her situation. Every chapter leaves you hanging and wanting to know what's next. Be ready to cheer for the underdog
May 27, 2019
This book made me feel as if I were dehydrated while chugging coffee on an empty stomach to survive days of sleep deprivation. And I mean that as a compliment. The characters and their circumstances are vivid, stimulating, and, apparently, capable of instigating visceral reactions. ;o)
I don't relate to female characters often, but in the first few pages I felt an immediate bond with the main character, Teri, which surprised me. We have little to nothing in common, but she grabbed me and held on tight.
Watcher is well-written and exciting.
I don't relate to female characters often, but in the first few pages I felt an immediate bond with the main character, Teri, which surprised me. We have little to nothing in common, but she grabbed me and held on tight.
Watcher is well-written and exciting.
April 22, 2019
Riveting Psychological Thriller that kept me guessing until the end. I loved that the main character was a woman with MS who exhibited such strength, courage and resilience despite her disease. All of the characters in the book were well-developed and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. Fabulous debut novel by Jason Stokes. I can't wait to read more of this author's work.
April 5, 2019
This is an edge of your seat thriller that features a woman with MS who witnesses a murder and works against corrupt authorities and her own debilitating condition to bring justice to the victim. Highly recommended!
June 8, 2019
As you all know, I read a lot, and subsequently write a number of reviews. But none have been as hard to write as this one; hence the reason it’s taken me so long to write it.
See, I’ve been friends with Jason for over ten years. I don’t mean “Social Media” friends, like I am with a bunch of the author’s I read; I mean a true, we talk often, friend. In fact, we worked together for a number of years.
That’s what makes writing this review so difficult. If I write a glowing review, it can be perceived as biased, and if I write a scathing review, it could hurt the feelings of a good friend. that being said, I am nothing if not honest - and I hope my followers realize that.
All that being said, when Jason told me he started writing (a while ago), I was a little surprised. He’s a phenomenal sculptor, but I wasn’t sure what kinds of chops he had in the literature field. He sent me some short story samples to read, and I was impressed.
Then, on September 23, 2018, he sent me a message, “Hey wanna read a really REALLY rough first chapter?” Of course I said, “Sure!, not knowing that it was the first chapter of an upcoming novel. After offering some constructive criticism, I received a second chapter. Some editing advice was offered, and then nothing - other than a, “I’d probably finish by Dec. 15th though.” And then, the release.
OK, so now you know a bunch of backstory that you probably didn’t care about - well, tough, this is my review.
WATCHER has been described as Rear Window meets The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I can honestly say it’s a fair assessment. In fact, when I read the first couple of sentences, I immediately texted Jason with, “Trying to rewrite Rear Window?” But let me say right now, that this is NOT a Rear Window rewrite.
Look, I can write a “typical” rehash of the plot, but that’s already been done. What hasn’t been said is that Jason weaves a fantastic tale, as a labor of love for his wife, who is dealing with MS. Using the character of Teri, he tells us the daily struggles, and triumphs of someone dealing with that horrible disease.
WATCHER is the epitome of “page-turner”. You feel for the characters, and become seriously vested in their outcomes. Jason understands just how to build a suspenseful murder mystery, and one that most will find hard to predict - something very unusual in a freshman novel. Most “mystery” writers try too hard to confuse, and by doing so, slip up and reveal more than they should earlier than they should. Jason covered all the angles and did a fine job of avoiding those pitfalls. My only complaint about the story will not be written here (no spoilers), but I did go ahead and send it to Jason; and being the friend he is, he basically told me, “Tough!” That’s my brother. LOL!
If you like murder mysteries, this story will be right up your alley. Can’t wait to see what Jason comes up with next - and would really like to see more stories involving Teri.
See, I’ve been friends with Jason for over ten years. I don’t mean “Social Media” friends, like I am with a bunch of the author’s I read; I mean a true, we talk often, friend. In fact, we worked together for a number of years.
That’s what makes writing this review so difficult. If I write a glowing review, it can be perceived as biased, and if I write a scathing review, it could hurt the feelings of a good friend. that being said, I am nothing if not honest - and I hope my followers realize that.
All that being said, when Jason told me he started writing (a while ago), I was a little surprised. He’s a phenomenal sculptor, but I wasn’t sure what kinds of chops he had in the literature field. He sent me some short story samples to read, and I was impressed.
Then, on September 23, 2018, he sent me a message, “Hey wanna read a really REALLY rough first chapter?” Of course I said, “Sure!, not knowing that it was the first chapter of an upcoming novel. After offering some constructive criticism, I received a second chapter. Some editing advice was offered, and then nothing - other than a, “I’d probably finish by Dec. 15th though.” And then, the release.
OK, so now you know a bunch of backstory that you probably didn’t care about - well, tough, this is my review.
WATCHER has been described as Rear Window meets The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I can honestly say it’s a fair assessment. In fact, when I read the first couple of sentences, I immediately texted Jason with, “Trying to rewrite Rear Window?” But let me say right now, that this is NOT a Rear Window rewrite.
Look, I can write a “typical” rehash of the plot, but that’s already been done. What hasn’t been said is that Jason weaves a fantastic tale, as a labor of love for his wife, who is dealing with MS. Using the character of Teri, he tells us the daily struggles, and triumphs of someone dealing with that horrible disease.
WATCHER is the epitome of “page-turner”. You feel for the characters, and become seriously vested in their outcomes. Jason understands just how to build a suspenseful murder mystery, and one that most will find hard to predict - something very unusual in a freshman novel. Most “mystery” writers try too hard to confuse, and by doing so, slip up and reveal more than they should earlier than they should. Jason covered all the angles and did a fine job of avoiding those pitfalls. My only complaint about the story will not be written here (no spoilers), but I did go ahead and send it to Jason; and being the friend he is, he basically told me, “Tough!” That’s my brother. LOL!
If you like murder mysteries, this story will be right up your alley. Can’t wait to see what Jason comes up with next - and would really like to see more stories involving Teri.
July 17, 2019
If you're looking for some good thrillers to read this summer, you won't want to miss this one. Jason Stokes delivers an excellent story you won't want to put down.
Ever wonder what the people around you do during their spare time? Ever wonder what dark secrets people are hiding? Perhaps you fancy yourself a bit of a curious cat and like to check in on your community by tapping into the cameras that they have installed in their houses. No big deal right? Well, that's not too, too bad until you catch one of your neighbors doing something they shouldn't. One thing leads to another until reaching a point where you know ya done f***ed up.
Teri has some secrets of her own, but when she sees something she simply can't ignore, she starts on a path to bring the perpetrator to justice. While Teri means well, she soon finds out that doing the right thing can often lead to some scary consequences.
Watcher is a fun book that will have you flipping page after page, wondering what will happen next. There were a few moments during the book where the only thing I could think of was RUN, TERI, RUN! You know a book is good when it stirs great emotion within you.
Overall, this is a pretty solid book. I'd recommend it to anyone who was looking for a quick, good read with decent plot twists, and a ton of adrenaline-filled scenes. Teri suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, oftentimes makes questionable decisions, and all-round feels quite human. The supporting characters are well written, and the antagonists certainly are enough to put you on edge. Stokes does an excellent job with his descriptions. There wasn't a single moment in the book where I couldn't picture what was going on. His wording matches the pace of the scenes within the book. Whether it's a tense moment, an adrenaline-fueled fight scene, or a chase scene, you can see and feel the emotion.
Ever wonder what the people around you do during their spare time? Ever wonder what dark secrets people are hiding? Perhaps you fancy yourself a bit of a curious cat and like to check in on your community by tapping into the cameras that they have installed in their houses. No big deal right? Well, that's not too, too bad until you catch one of your neighbors doing something they shouldn't. One thing leads to another until reaching a point where you know ya done f***ed up.
Teri has some secrets of her own, but when she sees something she simply can't ignore, she starts on a path to bring the perpetrator to justice. While Teri means well, she soon finds out that doing the right thing can often lead to some scary consequences.
Watcher is a fun book that will have you flipping page after page, wondering what will happen next. There were a few moments during the book where the only thing I could think of was RUN, TERI, RUN! You know a book is good when it stirs great emotion within you.
Overall, this is a pretty solid book. I'd recommend it to anyone who was looking for a quick, good read with decent plot twists, and a ton of adrenaline-filled scenes. Teri suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, oftentimes makes questionable decisions, and all-round feels quite human. The supporting characters are well written, and the antagonists certainly are enough to put you on edge. Stokes does an excellent job with his descriptions. There wasn't a single moment in the book where I couldn't picture what was going on. His wording matches the pace of the scenes within the book. Whether it's a tense moment, an adrenaline-fueled fight scene, or a chase scene, you can see and feel the emotion.
March 1, 2020
Being a die-hard old-school fan of Alfred Hitchcock, particularly Rear Window, the premise and opening of Watcher is eerily reminiscent and creepily more fascinating. Main character, Teri, is disabled and a watcher - hacking into homeowner’s security systems and staring at a myriad of ongoing people’s lives. You just know this is going to be deliciously wrong.
An innocent voyeuristic moment turns deadly as a murder is witnessed; the events that follow will chill your bones. The writing style of Jason Stokes had me on the edge of my seat holding my breath. Taut, raw and chilling.
“Once you’ve seen someone in private, you get a whole new understanding of who they really are.”
CW: 3/4 of the way through you will be desperate to flip to the end - don’t do it. Trust me.
Bone shivering delicious.
An innocent voyeuristic moment turns deadly as a murder is witnessed; the events that follow will chill your bones. The writing style of Jason Stokes had me on the edge of my seat holding my breath. Taut, raw and chilling.
“Once you’ve seen someone in private, you get a whole new understanding of who they really are.”
CW: 3/4 of the way through you will be desperate to flip to the end - don’t do it. Trust me.
Bone shivering delicious.
October 29, 2019
Wow! Just, wow... I could not put this book down...I mean I had to put this book down, it was so gripping...No hang on, I couldn't wait to get back to reading. Okay...It was all of that.
You know a book is good, when you go to bed dreaming you're the character being chase in the story.
This book kept me on my toes. At certain times I had to walk away because it got so intense, but when I did that, I craved more, and had to come back to read more. I know saying this was redundant but it's worth repeating.
I'm looking forward to reading Jason's next book Ghost Story.
You know a book is good, when you go to bed dreaming you're the character being chase in the story.
This book kept me on my toes. At certain times I had to walk away because it got so intense, but when I did that, I craved more, and had to come back to read more. I know saying this was redundant but it's worth repeating.
I'm looking forward to reading Jason's next book Ghost Story.
May 10, 2019
Really enjoyed this unique thriller from a fresh indie voice - Jason Stokes. Teri is a main character the world needs. A woman with M.S. who manages to use her skills, cunning, and bravery to solve a crime before it's too late. You find yourself rooting for Teri with every turn of the page, as you feel her frustration, spirit, and intelligence shine through. Well done, Mr. Stokes. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.
July 11, 2019
This book is a non-stop thrill ride featuring a gutsy and flawed protagonist who lives with Multiple Sclerosis. The pace is fast, the road is windy, and the book will leave you a bit breathless. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
May 8, 2020
I was very curious to read this book for two reasons: 1) I have a sibling with MS and I wanted to see how the author portrayed the main character and 2) I read a few tweets regarding this book and it peaked my curiosity.
An intriguing story with interesting characters that had me sitting on the edge of my seat. The actions of Teri, the main character, reminded me of my sister, though in her very early days of MS and the struggle, very real.
I'm still unclear as to why Teri, was watching in the first place but it set up nicely for a murder to take place and was even a bit reminiscent of Hitchcock's Rear Window in a modern day setting. Though other than that first thought of two disabled people with not much else to do other than people watch, very different. Where Hitchcock's version was a murder across the street through the rear window of an apartment, that's pretty much where the similarities end. Stokes character is strong willed and stubborn and wants to solve most of this herself, putting herself in harms way and in danger to find the answers she seeks. As much as I like the fast pace suspense there were times where it seemed all a bit too easy. I'd go into further detail but I'd rather not give away any spoilers. Aside from that, it was well written, no grammatical errors (which drives me insane when reading), nicely edited, and well thought out.
I do recommend this book and did enjoy my experience. My rating for this book is 4.5 stars though Goodreads doesn't allow 1/2 stars for some reason.
An intriguing story with interesting characters that had me sitting on the edge of my seat. The actions of Teri, the main character, reminded me of my sister, though in her very early days of MS and the struggle, very real.
I'm still unclear as to why Teri, was watching in the first place but it set up nicely for a murder to take place and was even a bit reminiscent of Hitchcock's Rear Window in a modern day setting. Though other than that first thought of two disabled people with not much else to do other than people watch, very different. Where Hitchcock's version was a murder across the street through the rear window of an apartment, that's pretty much where the similarities end. Stokes character is strong willed and stubborn and wants to solve most of this herself, putting herself in harms way and in danger to find the answers she seeks. As much as I like the fast pace suspense there were times where it seemed all a bit too easy. I'd go into further detail but I'd rather not give away any spoilers. Aside from that, it was well written, no grammatical errors (which drives me insane when reading), nicely edited, and well thought out.
I do recommend this book and did enjoy my experience. My rating for this book is 4.5 stars though Goodreads doesn't allow 1/2 stars for some reason.
May 5, 2019
3.5 stars - I was engaged by this quirky, unexpected heroine, and as someone who struggles with chronic pain, could identify with both her desperation and determination. The fate of the world isn't at stake here, but I was rooting for Teri as she grabbed her chance to fight back against crooked cops and corrupt small-town politicos.
One specific early-on scene ran quite long, and I skimmed a bit as it took a while to get our plucky hero from point A to point B,
The text perhaps needed one more pass at editing to fix some comma splices, misplaced modifiers, etc. If you're not a die-hard grammar nerd, they won't slow you down.
Overall, a quick, easy read, action-packed, plausible, and a satisfying ending to this smaller-scale thriller.
One specific early-on scene ran quite long, and I skimmed a bit as it took a while to get our plucky hero from point A to point B,
The text perhaps needed one more pass at editing to fix some comma splices, misplaced modifiers, etc. If you're not a die-hard grammar nerd, they won't slow you down.
Overall, a quick, easy read, action-packed, plausible, and a satisfying ending to this smaller-scale thriller.
June 1, 2019
I didn't want this mystery to end and it was hard to put the book down because I was dying to know what happened next. It is an easy book to devour. I will be rereading the book because I really enjoyed the first-hand knowledge of the protagonist and her ailment. She lives with it and pushes on with her life not feeling sorry for herself and dislikes being seen as a cripple. God help the man or woman who sees her as helpless or fragile.
She is fisty, impulsive, inquisitive, and persistant. Her friend is committed, faithful, inspiring and big hearted. I want to say more but don't want to unwittingly write a spoiler.
I will be reading this novel again and soon, very soon.
She is fisty, impulsive, inquisitive, and persistant. Her friend is committed, faithful, inspiring and big hearted. I want to say more but don't want to unwittingly write a spoiler.
I will be reading this novel again and soon, very soon.
April 14, 2019
Do and don't judge a book by it's cover
The cover of this book is intriguing and gives the correct impression of a well-written mystery. However, Teri's cover(disabled) is deceiving. She's a very capable woman with strength and determination, as well as a brain she definitely knows how to use. This book had me hooked from just a few paragraphs and kept me interested all the way through. The message regarding "disabilities" only strengthens the book. Well done, Mr. Stokes. Well done.
The cover of this book is intriguing and gives the correct impression of a well-written mystery. However, Teri's cover(disabled) is deceiving. She's a very capable woman with strength and determination, as well as a brain she definitely knows how to use. This book had me hooked from just a few paragraphs and kept me interested all the way through. The message regarding "disabilities" only strengthens the book. Well done, Mr. Stokes. Well done.
July 4, 2019
Watcher is a roller coaster of a book: gentle slope up, then speed you just have to ride out. The story follows a woman who has MS and witnesses a murder, with obstacles many would find difficult even without such a debilitating disease. I felt the characters were fully formed, three dimensional- pulling you in to care about them and their success. Fans of murder mysteries will find this story a fast paced read that delivers with a punch. Enjoy!
April 20, 2019
Good Plot, But…
I like the idea of a disabled hero. But I found myself continually going back and forth between being really engrossed in the story to “No way! That’s just not believable/wouldn’t happen”. There are also scenarios described that are too convenient/predictable. I guess I’m saying the narrative is somewhat fractured.
Nothing that a more thorough editing can’t fix.
I like the idea of a disabled hero. But I found myself continually going back and forth between being really engrossed in the story to “No way! That’s just not believable/wouldn’t happen”. There are also scenarios described that are too convenient/predictable. I guess I’m saying the narrative is somewhat fractured.
Nothing that a more thorough editing can’t fix.
July 27, 2020
Good read
This was a wonderful read. I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters and the story line. This story was well written and was easy to follow. It is great when a villain gets his.
This was a wonderful read. I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters and the story line. This story was well written and was easy to follow. It is great when a villain gets his.
April 16, 2019
This suspenseful book kept me guessing - up until the very end!! It is also a celebration of the strength, power, and tenacity of women - I highly recommend it!
May 22, 2022
Interesting to read a book where the hero is a woman living with MS.
October 2, 2020
If ever a book is begging for a film version it's Jason Stokes' Watcher. Reminiscent of Rear Window, Disturbia, and The Girl on the Train, Watcher is a psychological crime thriller full of suspense. The main character, Terri, is the Watcher of the title and she is hooked on hacking security cameras and watching people live their lives the way she can't. She suffers from MS and Jason has written her with so much care and detail that what could have been a gimmick, but most certainly isn't, makes us feel what Terri feels, the frustrations, and the pain, but also shows us the strengths of her character and the life within her. A brilliant novel filled with tension.
December 13, 2019
There were two major flaws with the plot. The first time Teri jumped in the lake, she lost her cane. Then, miraculously, the cane reappeared after she got out of the lake.
Also, she had her cellphone with her when she jumped into the lake. How did it not receive damage from being under water?
Otherwise, the plot raced, there was a lot of action, and it was a unique suspense/thriller based on its concepts.
Also, she had her cellphone with her when she jumped into the lake. How did it not receive damage from being under water?
Otherwise, the plot raced, there was a lot of action, and it was a unique suspense/thriller based on its concepts.
September 6, 2019
I enjoyed the way Stokes built suspense throughout this novel, keeping me anxious to see what would happen next. His protagonist, Teri, is an unlikely main character, which I found refreshing. After she witnesses a murder, she's determined to find justice at her own risk, but didn't count on putting the lives of others at risk as well. Stokes does an excellent job of demonstrating Teri's impulsive nature, along with her increasing strength and resilience. A great read!
December 1, 2019
If you’re looking for a page turner that draws you in and tosses you around, this is the book! Clean writing, twists to die for, and a fatally new pastime! Stokes uses everything he’s learned about living with MS and makes you feel every symptom. Don’t miss the acknowledgement to his wife, also well written.
August 28, 2019
Interesting central character with MS in this mystery/thriller. Ending was a bit abrupt.
March 13, 2021
Super fun, exciting read that keeps you guessing. Mysterious and thrilling, with relatable characters and an intriguing arc.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews