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Riley Wolfe #1
Just Watch Me
A masterful thief plots an impossible crime—stealing the Iranian Crown Jewels. From the author of the wildly successful Dexter series comes a new, mesmerizing bad guy we can root Riley Wolfe. He’s a master thief, expert at disguise, and not averse to violence when it’s needed. It’s no accident, though, that Riley targets the wealthiest 0.1 percent and is willing to kill them when they’re in his he despises the degenerate and immoral rich and loves stealing their undeserved and unearned valuables. In this series launch, Riley aims for an extraordinary target in a heist that will make history. Riley will try to steal the Crown Jewels of Iran. Yes, these jewels are worth billions, but the true attraction for grabbing them comes down to one simple it can’t be done. Stealing these jewels is absolutely impossible. The collection is guarded by space-age electronics and two teams of heavily armed mercenaries. No one could even think of getting past the airtight security and hope to get away alive, let alone with even a single diamond from the Imperial Collection. No one but Riley Wolfe. He’s always liked a challenge. But this challenge may be more than even he can handle. Aside from the impenetrable security, Riley is also pursued by a brilliant and relentless cop who is barely a step behind him. With the aid of his sometime ally, a beautiful woman who is a master art forger, Riley Wolfe goes for the prize that will either make him a legend—or, more likely, leave him dead.
368 pages, Paperback
First published December 3, 2019
604 people are currently reading
7019 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Lindsay
81 books4,299 followersJeff Lindsay lives in Florida with his wife, author Hilary Hemingway, daughter of Leicester Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway's brother.
Lindsay is best known for writing the Dexter series of novels. Several of his earlier published works include his wife as a co-author.
Jeff graduated from Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1975, and Celebration Mime Theatre's Clown School the same year. He received a double MFA, in Directing and Playwriting, from Carnegie-Mellon University, and has written 25 produced plays. He has also worked as a musician, singer, comedian, actor, TV host, improv actor, and dishwasher.
Lindsay is best known for writing the Dexter series of novels. Several of his earlier published works include his wife as a co-author.
Jeff graduated from Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1975, and Celebration Mime Theatre's Clown School the same year. He received a double MFA, in Directing and Playwriting, from Carnegie-Mellon University, and has written 25 produced plays. He has also worked as a musician, singer, comedian, actor, TV host, improv actor, and dishwasher.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 542 reviews
May 2, 2023
My name is Riley Wolfe & I am a genius & masterful thief I also have a huge range of disguises , that nobody knows what I look like!!
I am plotting the impossible crime stealing the Iranian Crown Jewels, on my tail is special agent Frank DelgadoFBI agent Denny Kirkaldi are hot on his trail but always one step behind , he will follow to the bitter end, but again he isn’t the nicest person, , has no qualms about killing shows no emotion.
Has Wolfe got a weakness that’s what Delgado & Kirkaldi have to find out!!
This was my first read by Jeff Lindsay & I loved every minute it’s the first in the Riley Wolfe series that I couldn’t put down it was a thrilling edgy thriller, I was on the biggest roller coaster & could not get off this was definitely a top notch cat & mouse game between all three protagonists a strong ending he attacks the rich& takes on cases that no body else will a solid 4 ⭐️
I am plotting the impossible crime stealing the Iranian Crown Jewels, on my tail is special agent Frank DelgadoFBI agent Denny Kirkaldi are hot on his trail but always one step behind , he will follow to the bitter end, but again he isn’t the nicest person, , has no qualms about killing shows no emotion.
Has Wolfe got a weakness that’s what Delgado & Kirkaldi have to find out!!
This was my first read by Jeff Lindsay & I loved every minute it’s the first in the Riley Wolfe series that I couldn’t put down it was a thrilling edgy thriller, I was on the biggest roller coaster & could not get off this was definitely a top notch cat & mouse game between all three protagonists a strong ending he attacks the rich& takes on cases that no body else will a solid 4 ⭐️
January 18, 2020
"I don't like a lot of people. It's counterproductive."
Words from Riley Wolfe. Heist master extraordinaire. Genius with disguises, to the extent that no one really knows what he looks like. He loves a challenge, and if it is clearly impossible, so much the better. He'll find a way to do it anyway. On his trail is Frank Delgado, an FBI special agent with lots of mileage on him. He plays things the old school way and he is relentless.
This is a thriller that means business. Nothing mystical going on here, no psychos hiding in the shadows. Just some fascinating forgeries and brilliant thievery. Murder isn't out of the question either, especially if you happen to have been born with a silver spoon in your mouth.
Words from Riley Wolfe. Heist master extraordinaire. Genius with disguises, to the extent that no one really knows what he looks like. He loves a challenge, and if it is clearly impossible, so much the better. He'll find a way to do it anyway. On his trail is Frank Delgado, an FBI special agent with lots of mileage on him. He plays things the old school way and he is relentless.
This is a thriller that means business. Nothing mystical going on here, no psychos hiding in the shadows. Just some fascinating forgeries and brilliant thievery. Murder isn't out of the question either, especially if you happen to have been born with a silver spoon in your mouth.
June 22, 2022
This book is the start of a new series by an author whose previous work I have not read. It features the “master thief” Riley Wolfe and (to a much lesser extent) his beautiful colleague Monique, an expert art forger. Riley is bored and looking for a new challenge, so he decides to steal a diamond jewel while the Iranian Crown Jewels are on exhibit in a small, family-owned museum in NYC. Riley’s plan involves an elaborate (and improbable) long con to get around he super security surrounding the exhibit. The plan was intricate and held my interest. My problem was that I hated the smug, sociopathic Riley and wanted him to fail. That’s not really good when you are supposed to be rooting for him. The author needs to reread “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and see how a reader can be led to root for the villain. It’s not enough to tell us that Riley is charming and engaging. You need to show it. In this book Riley is just a murdering, greedy, deceitful asshole who is perfect at everything he attempts. Unfortunately, he is still alive at the end of the book and will make it into book number two. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
January 27, 2020
Being a fan of the Dexter-series, I couldn't resist this title. I also happen to be a fan of books/movies where banks are cleverly robbed or bad people conned. This story has it all! Riley Wolfe, who was not born with this grand name, makes a living - and a very good one - by cleverly stealing from rich people, who did not earn their money in an honest way. That he has to kill someone in the process every now and then, is something he doesn't see as a problem.
In Just Watch Me he is not planning to steal any money; he is aiming for something smaller but far more valuable. We follow Riley's preparations almost in detail, but we also follow the FBI-agent that has his heart and mind set on unmasking Riley for what he is and bring him to court.
The story is being told from different viewpoints which makes it an entertaining read. Riley has a lot in common with Dexter, so do not expect him to be all that likable. The story sets off at a good pace but it is a bit slow in the middle and, sadly to say, at the end. However, if this is the start of a new series, I would surely like to read the next book.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Dutton for this digital review copy.
In Just Watch Me he is not planning to steal any money; he is aiming for something smaller but far more valuable. We follow Riley's preparations almost in detail, but we also follow the FBI-agent that has his heart and mind set on unmasking Riley for what he is and bring him to court.
The story is being told from different viewpoints which makes it an entertaining read. Riley has a lot in common with Dexter, so do not expect him to be all that likable. The story sets off at a good pace but it is a bit slow in the middle and, sadly to say, at the end. However, if this is the start of a new series, I would surely like to read the next book.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Dutton for this digital review copy.
May 7, 2024
Well, this definitely isn't Dexter, but it's not bad. The biggest struggle for me is that I wouldn't say I like Riley, but he is still interesting. The psychopathic way he can change personalities and do ANYTHING literally to get to his end game is both despicable and fascinating.
I do love that the story is told from the view of other characters, especially from the law enforcement angle. This made for a much more enjoyable experience in the book.
The ending shows just how jacked up Riley is, and his escape was good enough to make me want to continue along with the next book of the series.
3.5 stars for me
I do love that the story is told from the view of other characters, especially from the law enforcement angle. This made for a much more enjoyable experience in the book.
The ending shows just how jacked up Riley is, and his escape was good enough to make me want to continue along with the next book of the series.
3.5 stars for me
February 10, 2024
This writer started becoming known with his anti-hero Dexter who worked for the Police in the forensic departement and in his spare time hé was a serial killer.
So enter his New super thief Riley Wolfe, a thief who is challenged by the impossible. The book opens with the theft of a statue which feels a bit over the top.
Next hé feels challenged by the Iranian royal crown jewels that Will be on show. Its security is state of the art, extra security by Black Hat mercenaries and a unit of the Iranian Republican guards. So Riley comes up with a plan. At the same time hé has a FBI agent chasing him getting closer all the time.
I am generaly a fan of a good heist story, this story fell kinda apart for me with the character of the supposed main person. Dexter would certainly terminate this character who became worse through the story. Riley Wolfe lacks empathy and that takes the fun out of this story. I did buy 2 books in one go but I am not sure I Will read the second one as this one left me disappointed.
Riley Wolfe is a bigger psychopath thsn Dexter, I figured thst the writer wanten to try something different. With Dexter hé created something unique, with Riley hé created somebody with no redeeming qualities.
So enter his New super thief Riley Wolfe, a thief who is challenged by the impossible. The book opens with the theft of a statue which feels a bit over the top.
Next hé feels challenged by the Iranian royal crown jewels that Will be on show. Its security is state of the art, extra security by Black Hat mercenaries and a unit of the Iranian Republican guards. So Riley comes up with a plan. At the same time hé has a FBI agent chasing him getting closer all the time.
I am generaly a fan of a good heist story, this story fell kinda apart for me with the character of the supposed main person. Dexter would certainly terminate this character who became worse through the story. Riley Wolfe lacks empathy and that takes the fun out of this story. I did buy 2 books in one go but I am not sure I Will read the second one as this one left me disappointed.
Riley Wolfe is a bigger psychopath thsn Dexter, I figured thst the writer wanten to try something different. With Dexter hé created something unique, with Riley hé created somebody with no redeeming qualities.
December 27, 2019
The first book in a new series by Jeff Lindsay. This series features Riley Wolfe, a master thief. Riley loves a challenge, and prefers to work heists that seem impossible to pull off. In this book, Riley plans to steal the Iranian Crown Jewels.
Told using multiple points of view, this is a cat and mouse story involving a thrilling heist. Riley is charming, confident, and ruthless. He doesn't mind taking extreme measures to get what he wants, and this makes him hard to like. That said, I enjoy books with unlikable and morally corrupt characters. Riley is a criminal who lies, cheats, steals, and kills to get his way. He has attracted the attention of FBI agent Frank Delgado, who is determined to bring Riley down.
A fun read for fans of heist novels and Lindsay's Dexter series. Outrageous and exciting. I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Told using multiple points of view, this is a cat and mouse story involving a thrilling heist. Riley is charming, confident, and ruthless. He doesn't mind taking extreme measures to get what he wants, and this makes him hard to like. That said, I enjoy books with unlikable and morally corrupt characters. Riley is a criminal who lies, cheats, steals, and kills to get his way. He has attracted the attention of FBI agent Frank Delgado, who is determined to bring Riley down.
A fun read for fans of heist novels and Lindsay's Dexter series. Outrageous and exciting. I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2023
Just Watch Me is a rip-roaring heist-pursuit read in the thriller/adventure genre. As an aficionado of Jeff Lindsay's Dexter series and its television adaptation starring Michael C. Hall, I was keen to sample some of his other writing. And I wasn't disappointed.
That said, Riley Wolfe isn't Dexter - while he's ingenious and is motivated by childhood trauma, he lacks Dexter's personal insight and basic likeability. Unlike Dexter's victms, the collateral damage of Wolfe's activities doesn't always seem to fall on those who deserve it, so there isn't that delicious moral conundrum - Wolfe is a self-serving criminal and while we might have some sympathy for what's happened in his past, it's not enough for this reader to really have been cheering him on, as I did with Dexter.
Following a dramatic opening scene in which an audacious criminal steals a valuable statue from literally under the noses of Chicago's great and good, the main plot of the novel gradually evolves. Master thief Riley Wolfe feels the need of a challenge - despite constantly raising the stakes with ever-more daring schemes to separate the über rich from their possessions, he's finding it all a bit too easy. Then he sees and advertisement that sparks his interest - the fabulous crown jewels of Persia (modern-day Iran) are going to be visiting the USA, to be displayed at the boutique Eberhardt Museum in New York City. The centrepiece of the collection is the priceless Daryayeh-E-Noor, a massive pink diamond in an intricate setting that calls to mind the fictional "Pink Panther" of movie fame.
The lengths that Wolfe goes to in setting up a daring robbery are somewhat mind-boggling, and at times stretch credibility (). As his plans unfold, the body count rises, the range of clever disguises expands and Wolfe edges closer to his target.
Meanwhile, FBI Special Agent Frank Delgado has taken personal leave to concentrate on pursuing Wolfe, such is his personal obsession with the wily criminal. He traces Wolfe through his juvenile record to upstate New York, then to his roots in the south. Will he catch up with his quarry before the heist at the Eberhardt Museum is complete, or will Wolfe slip through his fingers again?
The two-strand plot is enthralling, with plenty of twists and turns, misdirection and dramatic developments. While it's predominantly a plot-driven story, the characters are intriguing and generally well-drawn, although (perhaps by necessity) some seem fairly caricatured.
Just Watch Me is an entertaining and at times thrilling ride through the upper echelons of New York society and the world of fine art. I'd recommend it to readers seeking a fast and exciting read and/or those who enjoy complicated and daredevil heist narratives.
That said, Riley Wolfe isn't Dexter - while he's ingenious and is motivated by childhood trauma, he lacks Dexter's personal insight and basic likeability. Unlike Dexter's victms, the collateral damage of Wolfe's activities doesn't always seem to fall on those who deserve it, so there isn't that delicious moral conundrum - Wolfe is a self-serving criminal and while we might have some sympathy for what's happened in his past, it's not enough for this reader to really have been cheering him on, as I did with Dexter.
Following a dramatic opening scene in which an audacious criminal steals a valuable statue from literally under the noses of Chicago's great and good, the main plot of the novel gradually evolves. Master thief Riley Wolfe feels the need of a challenge - despite constantly raising the stakes with ever-more daring schemes to separate the über rich from their possessions, he's finding it all a bit too easy. Then he sees and advertisement that sparks his interest - the fabulous crown jewels of Persia (modern-day Iran) are going to be visiting the USA, to be displayed at the boutique Eberhardt Museum in New York City. The centrepiece of the collection is the priceless Daryayeh-E-Noor, a massive pink diamond in an intricate setting that calls to mind the fictional "Pink Panther" of movie fame.
The real life Daryayeh-E-Noor (alternatively written as Daria-i-Noor (Persian: دریای نور)
The lengths that Wolfe goes to in setting up a daring robbery are somewhat mind-boggling, and at times stretch credibility (). As his plans unfold, the body count rises, the range of clever disguises expands and Wolfe edges closer to his target.
Meanwhile, FBI Special Agent Frank Delgado has taken personal leave to concentrate on pursuing Wolfe, such is his personal obsession with the wily criminal. He traces Wolfe through his juvenile record to upstate New York, then to his roots in the south. Will he catch up with his quarry before the heist at the Eberhardt Museum is complete, or will Wolfe slip through his fingers again?
The two-strand plot is enthralling, with plenty of twists and turns, misdirection and dramatic developments. While it's predominantly a plot-driven story, the characters are intriguing and generally well-drawn, although (perhaps by necessity) some seem fairly caricatured.
Just Watch Me is an entertaining and at times thrilling ride through the upper echelons of New York society and the world of fine art. I'd recommend it to readers seeking a fast and exciting read and/or those who enjoy complicated and daredevil heist narratives.
March 5, 2020
2 stars
I'm not sure if it's the writing style or the way the "heist" was constructed but I found the book to be tiring and a bit boring to read. I switched to an audiobook half way through which helped slightly but didn't really change the feel of the story for me.
There were so many things that he made happen that felt over the top I found myself rolling my eyes for most of the story. It also made the heist unbelievable. That sentiment ruined the planning and execution for me because at the end of a great heist you want to believe, yes, that can be done, Yes that makes sense, yes that can work.
With every twist that happened here it became such a exaggeration of luck and stupidity that I stopped paying attention.
Unfortunately all the characters were manly unlikeable and very cliche, especially those against him (don't want to give anything away).
By the end, I only had one reaction - 1 book was enough.
I'm not sure if it's the writing style or the way the "heist" was constructed but I found the book to be tiring and a bit boring to read. I switched to an audiobook half way through which helped slightly but didn't really change the feel of the story for me.
There were so many things that he made happen that felt over the top I found myself rolling my eyes for most of the story. It also made the heist unbelievable. That sentiment ruined the planning and execution for me because at the end of a great heist you want to believe, yes, that can be done, Yes that makes sense, yes that can work.
With every twist that happened here it became such a exaggeration of luck and stupidity that I stopped paying attention.
Unfortunately all the characters were manly unlikeable and very cliche, especially those against him (don't want to give anything away).
By the end, I only had one reaction - 1 book was enough.
July 23, 2021
I'd give this a little over a 4 star rating. I don't get why this has a 3.5 rating. Having read the Dexter series I know that the author can be a little long winded in parts. I thought the story was well executed and well paced with a surprise scheme that works out for the "Hero".
November 29, 2019
I have never read the Dexter books but I did watch the television series. This might be a good thing as I have no prior experience with this author to compare his books too.
Riley Wolfe is a man of mystery. He has many different layers. Readers have just barely been exposed to everything about Riley. Which I did find him to be interesting. Yet, the story was not as strong and therefore, it took away from the overall vibe of the story and making Riley a strong lead.
The beginning was strong and hit me in the face. It was great and grabbed my attention. After that, I was good for a little while but than the story slowed down. There were moments that were good but few and far between. The latter half of the story is where it shined the most. There were enough good things about this book that I would consider reading the next one.
Riley Wolfe is a man of mystery. He has many different layers. Readers have just barely been exposed to everything about Riley. Which I did find him to be interesting. Yet, the story was not as strong and therefore, it took away from the overall vibe of the story and making Riley a strong lead.
The beginning was strong and hit me in the face. It was great and grabbed my attention. After that, I was good for a little while but than the story slowed down. There were moments that were good but few and far between. The latter half of the story is where it shined the most. There were enough good things about this book that I would consider reading the next one.
December 10, 2019
I was very lucky to receive an ARC of this book from a giveaway the publisher hosted. I was super excited about it, even though I never read the Dexter series that the author is famous for. I had hoped to read it before it was published and get my review out then…but I didn’t like it and it took me a while to finish it. I mean, it was alright, but it kind of read like a debut novel in its 1st draft. The writing was so incredibly repetitive. It could have easily been a novella without all of the redundant lines. The characters are all pretty unlikable, and not really in a good way (at least in my opinion). They all have some really awful, offensive views that were consistently brought up for no reason at all. Over 3/4’s of the book didn’t even seem to be about the heist. I was just very underwhelmed over all. I highly doubt I’ll be continuing with any sequels.
Want to read
August 16, 2019Giveaway win!
December 12, 2019
Nope. Not for me. The writing style, the story-telling, character development... just nope.
••••••••
Ummm sign me the eff up.
••••••••
Ummm sign me the eff up.
September 28, 2021
TW: Toxic relationships,
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book: Comes a new, mesmerizing bad guy we can root for: Riley Wolfe. He’s a master thief, expert at disguise, and not averse to violence when it’s needed. It’s no accident, though, that Riley targets the wealthiest 0.1 percent and is willing to kill them when they’re in his way: he despises the degenerate and immoral rich and loves stealing their undeserved and unearned valuables. In this series launch, Riley aims for an extraordinary target in a heist that will make history. Riley will try to steal the Crown Jewels of Iran. Yes, these jewels are worth billions, but the true attraction for grabbing them comes down to one simple fact: it can’t be done. Stealing these jewels is absolutely impossible. The collection is guarded by space-age electronics and two teams of heavily armed mercenaries. No one could even think of getting past the airtight security and hope to get away alive, let alone with even a single diamond from the Imperial Collection. No one but Riley Wolfe. He’s always liked a challenge. But this challenge may be more than even he can handle. Aside from the impenetrable security, Riley is also pursued by a brilliant and relentless cop who is barely a step behind him. With the aid of his sometime ally, a beautiful woman who is a master art forger, Riley Wolfe goes for the prize that will either make him a legend—or, more likely, leave him dead.
Release Date: December 3rd, 2019
Genre: Crime drama
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
• I love this author and his books
• Felt like an easy going crime drama
• The audiobook was nice
What I Didn't Like:
• Sometimes the book felt like it could ramble and ramble on.
Overall Thoughts: Omgosh this was a fun read! Riley Wolfe is such a fun character. When he circles through all the different costumes it's a real fun treat. I found it very fun, an easy read, and just kept the story flowing. I was so eager to find out if he got away with it and was able to steal the jewels that the time just flew. Reading about Frank chasing Riley down to catch him and always getting so close builds up and keeps your interest.
Final Thoughts: I would recommend this book to someone who loves crime novels or TV shows. If you are a fan of books like Catch Me if You Can & The Talented Mr Ripley then check this one out.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book: Comes a new, mesmerizing bad guy we can root for: Riley Wolfe. He’s a master thief, expert at disguise, and not averse to violence when it’s needed. It’s no accident, though, that Riley targets the wealthiest 0.1 percent and is willing to kill them when they’re in his way: he despises the degenerate and immoral rich and loves stealing their undeserved and unearned valuables. In this series launch, Riley aims for an extraordinary target in a heist that will make history. Riley will try to steal the Crown Jewels of Iran. Yes, these jewels are worth billions, but the true attraction for grabbing them comes down to one simple fact: it can’t be done. Stealing these jewels is absolutely impossible. The collection is guarded by space-age electronics and two teams of heavily armed mercenaries. No one could even think of getting past the airtight security and hope to get away alive, let alone with even a single diamond from the Imperial Collection. No one but Riley Wolfe. He’s always liked a challenge. But this challenge may be more than even he can handle. Aside from the impenetrable security, Riley is also pursued by a brilliant and relentless cop who is barely a step behind him. With the aid of his sometime ally, a beautiful woman who is a master art forger, Riley Wolfe goes for the prize that will either make him a legend—or, more likely, leave him dead.
Release Date: December 3rd, 2019
Genre: Crime drama
Pages: 320
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
• I love this author and his books
• Felt like an easy going crime drama
• The audiobook was nice
What I Didn't Like:
• Sometimes the book felt like it could ramble and ramble on.
Overall Thoughts: Omgosh this was a fun read! Riley Wolfe is such a fun character. When he circles through all the different costumes it's a real fun treat. I found it very fun, an easy read, and just kept the story flowing. I was so eager to find out if he got away with it and was able to steal the jewels that the time just flew. Reading about Frank chasing Riley down to catch him and always getting so close builds up and keeps your interest.
Final Thoughts: I would recommend this book to someone who loves crime novels or TV shows. If you are a fan of books like Catch Me if You Can & The Talented Mr Ripley then check this one out.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 8, 2019
As a fan of the Dexter show but not necessarily the book series, I thought I’d check out Jeff Lindsay’s new series. I liked the main character, but I what made me put this book down was the improbability of it all.
The main character just happens to see a magazine article and fix all his depression about what to do next. The cop in pursuit doesn’t know why, but he’s going to the exact city to look for the exact guy because he’s going to steal the exact thing he’s actually going to steal. It’s all a little on the nose and completely took me out of the story. It’s as if the writer knew where he wanted them to be but couldn’t figure out how to get them there.
DNF at Chapter 9
The main character just happens to see a magazine article and fix all his depression about what to do next. The cop in pursuit doesn’t know why, but he’s going to the exact city to look for the exact guy because he’s going to steal the exact thing he’s actually going to steal. It’s all a little on the nose and completely took me out of the story. It’s as if the writer knew where he wanted them to be but couldn’t figure out how to get them there.
DNF at Chapter 9
March 12, 2022
While I didn’t enjoy it as much as Dexter, this is a promising start to a new series. Lindsay is a master at writing darkly funny dialogue and thoughts, and it comes through here. I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
February 21, 2020
A fun, fast paced heist book that has some quality issues but ultimately wins you over with its entertainment value.
The good: The heist itself is loads of fun, clever and complex, and packed with good surprises. The pacing is excellent, there are no plot holes, and some of the humor is on point.
The bad: The writing is pretty awful. Even by action thriller standards. The main character is surprisingly unlikable (unusual for a heist book, where generally we easily root for the thief). And the author’s clear misunderstanding of women—evident in his female characters—is laughable. Whenever I read these types of books (presumably tailored largely for a male audience) I’m stunned by how often the male author fundamentally misunderstands what women think, feel, and want.
I should clarify so there’s no misunderstanding that when I say this I don’t mean to suggest that the book is disrespectful toward women. I didn’t find it offensive or upsetting, just worthy of a lot of eye rolls.
In all, I found the writing and character development to be lacking, but the story is fun and the heist itself is nearly perfect, so I consider the book well worth reading.
The good: The heist itself is loads of fun, clever and complex, and packed with good surprises. The pacing is excellent, there are no plot holes, and some of the humor is on point.
The bad: The writing is pretty awful. Even by action thriller standards. The main character is surprisingly unlikable (unusual for a heist book, where generally we easily root for the thief). And the author’s clear misunderstanding of women—evident in his female characters—is laughable. Whenever I read these types of books (presumably tailored largely for a male audience) I’m stunned by how often the male author fundamentally misunderstands what women think, feel, and want.
I should clarify so there’s no misunderstanding that when I say this I don’t mean to suggest that the book is disrespectful toward women. I didn’t find it offensive or upsetting, just worthy of a lot of eye rolls.
In all, I found the writing and character development to be lacking, but the story is fun and the heist itself is nearly perfect, so I consider the book well worth reading.
January 23, 2020
Another book I'm giving a 1, not because it's all that terrible, but simply because GR defines 1 as "did not like it." I had hopes for Lindsay's first non-Dexter book, despite the fact that the premise didn't sound all that spectacular. The story was like some 70s Thomas Crown Affair or smaller scale 2000s Ocean's Eleven plot, about a master thief who goes after the inaccessible for the challenge of it. If you really enjoy that type of story line, you may like this book. I only sometimes enjoy that type of tale, providing it's really different and very well done. This book just never took off for me. Riley Wolfe isn't particularly charming or deep or anywhere near as hilarious as Dexter is. Which is a huge disappointment because Lindsay's dark humor is what makes his prior writing so incredible. This book, when I found myself already bored and skimming after 100 pages, I just threw in the towel and skipped to the end. I won't bother with any further books in this series.
March 23, 2020
This was okay. Sort of in line with James Patterson + coauthors mystery thrillers. If that is your thing you may like this one as well. It's fast paced and light.
December 4, 2019
“ 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚒𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚢 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙸𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚊𝚗 𝚌𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚓𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚜, 𝚙𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖 𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚘𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚝, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚌𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚗 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚎 𝚏𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚜. 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝’𝚜 𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚣𝚢? 𝚂𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚒𝚍𝚊𝚕? 𝙸𝚖𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚎? 𝙸𝚝 𝚒𝚜. 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚒𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚗’𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚎? 𝚆𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚖𝚎.”
-𝙹𝚎𝚏𝚏 𝙻𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚜𝚊𝚢, 𝙹𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚆𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝙼𝚎
This was such a fast paced read for me! I couldn’t see what tricks that Riley Wolfe would pull out next. He’s in a mission to break in and steal the Iranian Crown Jewels. If anyone gets in his way, Riley just finds a way to move forward, not caring whether he kills them in the process or not!
While reading I couldn’t help but be reminded of Oceans Eleven, and thinking how this would play out in a tv series! Excited for the next book.
*Thank you Dutton for this gifted book for review. All opinions are my own.
-𝙹𝚎𝚏𝚏 𝙻𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚜𝚊𝚢, 𝙹𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚆𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝙼𝚎
This was such a fast paced read for me! I couldn’t see what tricks that Riley Wolfe would pull out next. He’s in a mission to break in and steal the Iranian Crown Jewels. If anyone gets in his way, Riley just finds a way to move forward, not caring whether he kills them in the process or not!
While reading I couldn’t help but be reminded of Oceans Eleven, and thinking how this would play out in a tv series! Excited for the next book.
*Thank you Dutton for this gifted book for review. All opinions are my own.
October 11, 2020
This book kept me mildly entertained, but the flaws were overwhelming.
The author's claim to fame is 'Dexter.' I don't know Dexter. I've never read Dexter. I've never seen Dexter. I was coming into this book with no preconceived notions. But now I'm pretty sure I could recognize Dexter from a great distance, because this is the kind of genre that, in my lexicon, appeals mostly to men who have dreams of being the kind of macho character that, poor dears, they THINK women will drool over and other men will admire, but...no. Just...no. The MC is, of course, an antihero, so shadiness comes with the territory, but I found nothing to admire or intrigue me. And it's the author's fault.
Redundancy, thy name is Jeff Lindsay. So much of this book was the same sentence restated over and over and over. It read like a first draft, not a finished product.
Details are crucial to the kind of tale that lays claim to mastermind-type plotting and execution of said plot. But the details were barely sketched in. For instance take Monique, the character who is an art forger. It is mentioned in passing that she is a dab hand at different kinds of false creations from makeup and costumes to paintings and sculpture. But suddenly she reproduces a world-class replica of a giant, pink diamond. And the only mention of how she achieved the hitherto unknown art of stone-cutting, faceting and polishing is that she stayed up really, really late and worked and retouched a piece of moissanite until she attained perfection. Sorry...it just didn't work for me. So much more would have been involved, like acquiring the proper expertise, machinery, and raw, yet flawless, rock. In fact, just about every amazingly fortuitous turn that enabled the MC all along the way went no deeper than a lot of really late nights and exhausting marathons of unspecified 'work.' All I can say is, 'Meh.' Things that were sketched in needed to be fleshed out.
Then there's this genre's misogyny. The author tries to atone and explain for the main instance involving the character Katrina. I get the sense that we're supposed to accept the treatment of women as the MC's character flaw and applaud the writer for attempting, in this instance, to separate himself from it, but throughout the story the attitude, description, and characterization of women is enough to set your teeth on edge and to remind you that this is a literary male wet-dream. So many of the male characters display this that you have to conclude that the author doesn't even realize his own failure to see women as people.
And last, as well as least, when a writer uses 'fuck' and 'shit' and a plethora of other supposedly taboo words without the ability to empower them, then to me it's just a sign of someone laboring through a poverty of imagination. In writing as in life, swearing used properly has power. This didn't. And that's where I leave it: the imagination is stunted as seen in the incomplete detailing, trite stereotyping, and inability to use language to its greatest effect.
This book is labeled as #1 in a series. I doubt I'll revisit it. I might pop in if it makes it to #7 just to see if there's been any growth in the areas I find wanting.
And I fully expect the self-described "wildly successful" Dexter to usher this new MC onto TV screens. 'Just watch me'? No thanks.
The author's claim to fame is 'Dexter.' I don't know Dexter. I've never read Dexter. I've never seen Dexter. I was coming into this book with no preconceived notions. But now I'm pretty sure I could recognize Dexter from a great distance, because this is the kind of genre that, in my lexicon, appeals mostly to men who have dreams of being the kind of macho character that, poor dears, they THINK women will drool over and other men will admire, but...no. Just...no. The MC is, of course, an antihero, so shadiness comes with the territory, but I found nothing to admire or intrigue me. And it's the author's fault.
Redundancy, thy name is Jeff Lindsay. So much of this book was the same sentence restated over and over and over. It read like a first draft, not a finished product.
Details are crucial to the kind of tale that lays claim to mastermind-type plotting and execution of said plot. But the details were barely sketched in. For instance take Monique, the character who is an art forger. It is mentioned in passing that she is a dab hand at different kinds of false creations from makeup and costumes to paintings and sculpture. But suddenly she reproduces a world-class replica of a giant, pink diamond. And the only mention of how she achieved the hitherto unknown art of stone-cutting, faceting and polishing is that she stayed up really, really late and worked and retouched a piece of moissanite until she attained perfection. Sorry...it just didn't work for me. So much more would have been involved, like acquiring the proper expertise, machinery, and raw, yet flawless, rock. In fact, just about every amazingly fortuitous turn that enabled the MC all along the way went no deeper than a lot of really late nights and exhausting marathons of unspecified 'work.' All I can say is, 'Meh.' Things that were sketched in needed to be fleshed out.
Then there's this genre's misogyny. The author tries to atone and explain for the main instance involving the character Katrina. I get the sense that we're supposed to accept the treatment of women as the MC's character flaw and applaud the writer for attempting, in this instance, to separate himself from it, but throughout the story the attitude, description, and characterization of women is enough to set your teeth on edge and to remind you that this is a literary male wet-dream. So many of the male characters display this that you have to conclude that the author doesn't even realize his own failure to see women as people.
And last, as well as least, when a writer uses 'fuck' and 'shit' and a plethora of other supposedly taboo words without the ability to empower them, then to me it's just a sign of someone laboring through a poverty of imagination. In writing as in life, swearing used properly has power. This didn't. And that's where I leave it: the imagination is stunted as seen in the incomplete detailing, trite stereotyping, and inability to use language to its greatest effect.
This book is labeled as #1 in a series. I doubt I'll revisit it. I might pop in if it makes it to #7 just to see if there's been any growth in the areas I find wanting.
And I fully expect the self-described "wildly successful" Dexter to usher this new MC onto TV screens. 'Just watch me'? No thanks.
November 12, 2019
If you loved the Dexter books as much as I did, then you must meet Riley Wolfe, Lindsay's newest...uh we can't really call him a hero as he's a thief and a con-man but I found myself cheering him on anyway! He's a master of disguises, clever, and snarky as they come, but what a great ride! His latest caper is a plan to steal the crown jewels coming to America for a museum tour. Who could pull off this heist as there will be armed guards from both countries and a better than state-of the-art security system? Don't underestimate Riley! With the help of his friend Monique, a talented art forger, the plan is in motion and you can't get off this roller-coaster! So glad to know it's #1 in the Riley Wolfe series as I'm waiting on pins and needles for the sequel!
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC!
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC!
December 2, 2019
Y’all. I hyped this book up so much in my head and let me tell you that it did not disappoint me at all
Just Watch Me is an intricate and fairly fast paced story that will keep you guessing what Riley Wolfe’s next move is going to be. I loved this book from the very beginning, the layers of the cons and heists that Riley pulls off are smart and unexpected. I found myself really attached to his character regardless of the questionable life choices he makes throughout the book
I flew through this book and didn’t want to look away and I think you will too.
See more reviews on Instagram @UnshelvedEdition
Just Watch Me is an intricate and fairly fast paced story that will keep you guessing what Riley Wolfe’s next move is going to be. I loved this book from the very beginning, the layers of the cons and heists that Riley pulls off are smart and unexpected. I found myself really attached to his character regardless of the questionable life choices he makes throughout the book
I flew through this book and didn’t want to look away and I think you will too.
See more reviews on Instagram @UnshelvedEdition
October 17, 2019
3.5 stars
Having read some of the Dexter books and being a fan of the show, I was excited to try out the new book by this author. One of my favorite things about this book is that it actually reads like a heist movie. I thought it was really well done!
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I felt like it dragged in places and I am not sure if I would be interested in a series. This was a fun “one off” book, but I think a whole series reading about Riley’s heists could get a little boring.
Thank you to Penguin Publishing Group for my copy of this book via Edelweiss
Having read some of the Dexter books and being a fan of the show, I was excited to try out the new book by this author. One of my favorite things about this book is that it actually reads like a heist movie. I thought it was really well done!
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I felt like it dragged in places and I am not sure if I would be interested in a series. This was a fun “one off” book, but I think a whole series reading about Riley’s heists could get a little boring.
Thank you to Penguin Publishing Group for my copy of this book via Edelweiss
February 15, 2020
I loved this book! Jeff Lindsay is definitely one of my favorite authors. The character of Riley Wolfe is so cool for a bad guy. I loved when he was using parkour to fly around the rooftops and streets of NYC at night. I also loved his tenacity to look for ways to do the impossible crimes. Great story and great characters.
December 3, 2019
WOW. This is an incredible heist story - it drew me in right from the start and didn’t let go until the final page. If you love Ocean’s Eleven or Alias - you have to pick this book up immediately!!
Riley Wolfe is a master thief - who targets those he thinks are undeserving of their riches. But lately it’s all started to feel a little *too* easy. He’s worried he will start to lose his edge and get caught. So what can he do? Take on the craziest, most impossible challenge yet - find a way to steal the Crown Jewels of Iran - worth billions.
I absolutely loved trying to figure out what Riley would do next. This would make an incredible movie or tv series as well - it was written so well and I could really see it playing out in front of me as I read. I’m so excited this is the first in a series and I can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you so much to Dutton Books for the free copy to read and review.
Riley Wolfe is a master thief - who targets those he thinks are undeserving of their riches. But lately it’s all started to feel a little *too* easy. He’s worried he will start to lose his edge and get caught. So what can he do? Take on the craziest, most impossible challenge yet - find a way to steal the Crown Jewels of Iran - worth billions.
I absolutely loved trying to figure out what Riley would do next. This would make an incredible movie or tv series as well - it was written so well and I could really see it playing out in front of me as I read. I’m so excited this is the first in a series and I can’t wait for the next one!
Thank you so much to Dutton Books for the free copy to read and review.
December 16, 2020
3.5 stars. Good read. But, I found it somewhat predictable and a bit loose in its plot.
The ending, well, I was expecting more than what it did.
Overall: “Just Watch Me” by Jeff Lindsay has its highs and lows a 50/50 ratio. Entertaining none the less.
The ending, well, I was expecting more than what it did.
Overall: “Just Watch Me” by Jeff Lindsay has its highs and lows a 50/50 ratio. Entertaining none the less.
September 11, 2021
Well, where should I start?
* The characters: it felt like they had no character, no personality, they were not easy to connect with, on the contrary, they made me hate them.
- Riley: the modern "Arsène Lupin"? Don't think so, he's full pf himself, his ego is huge, he knows it all and can do it all. He's charming, handsome, and super intelligent. He really is a fictionnal character and a despicable one.
- Monique, well, she was barely there, her character was very undevelloped? She might look like a badass woman, but in reality, she's super cliché.
- The rich family owning the museum: on a second thought, I'm not gonna mention them (I have only bad things in mind).
* The plot: could've been explosive if Riley had a crew, because pulling all the strings, while playing a an almost full-time part and getting ahead of everyone? Nah, that is just too much! Unrealistic even for a fictional character. This particular detail blew the whole thing.
So, how was the read?
Intense eye-rolling for almost the first 50% of the book, then things started to move and I caught the pace as well.
Why 1 star?
To be honest, it was going to be a 3 stars, it's the first book in the series and sometimes it gets better with the following ones but the way women were treated and described, through the whole book and especially in the very last page was so infuriating, it changed my whole point of view, it really was degrading and humiliating and, for God's sake, it was written in 2019, I can't believe people still think that way..
At least Monique didn’t ask me to take her home. She stayed on with me on my island. That gave me a little hope. I mean, as long as she was right there, hanging out with me every day, who knows? She could get over it, decide I was okay after all. It might be that a whim would take her over, or she’d have a couple of drinks and say what the hell. Or maybe even just change her mind, which women have been known to do?
So she stayed. I guess we even had some fun, just not the kind I’d been counting on. And when the money came in, I got hopeful again. The insurance company paid, and fast. Partly because I only asked for a fraction of what the Daryayeh-E-Noor was worth—but mostly because I knew the government would put the screws to them to get the thing back before the Iranians found out.
So they paid fast, and Monique and I watched the money come in. We watched it together, as it jumped via wire transfer from the Caymans, to Switzerland, to Hong Kong—maybe thirty-some transfers in all, impossible to trace. And I really thought that maybe seeing all that cash might loosen her up. I learned a long time ago the effect that money can have on a woman. It’s even a law—Riley’s Seventh Law: The only real aphrodisiac is money.
I will be reading the second book because my all time partner in crime recommended it to me, and I trust his taste in books, otherwise, this would've been the first and last time I hear about this author.
* The characters: it felt like they had no character, no personality, they were not easy to connect with, on the contrary, they made me hate them.
- Riley: the modern "Arsène Lupin"? Don't think so, he's full pf himself, his ego is huge, he knows it all and can do it all. He's charming, handsome, and super intelligent. He really is a fictionnal character and a despicable one.
- Monique, well, she was barely there, her character was very undevelloped? She might look like a badass woman, but in reality, she's super cliché.
- The rich family owning the museum: on a second thought, I'm not gonna mention them (I have only bad things in mind).
* The plot: could've been explosive if Riley had a crew, because pulling all the strings, while playing a an almost full-time part and getting ahead of everyone? Nah, that is just too much! Unrealistic even for a fictional character. This particular detail blew the whole thing.
So, how was the read?
Intense eye-rolling for almost the first 50% of the book, then things started to move and I caught the pace as well.
Why 1 star?
To be honest, it was going to be a 3 stars, it's the first book in the series and sometimes it gets better with the following ones but the way women were treated and described, through the whole book and especially in the very last page was so infuriating, it changed my whole point of view, it really was degrading and humiliating and, for God's sake, it was written in 2019, I can't believe people still think that way..
At least Monique didn’t ask me to take her home. She stayed on with me on my island. That gave me a little hope. I mean, as long as she was right there, hanging out with me every day, who knows? She could get over it, decide I was okay after all. It might be that a whim would take her over, or she’d have a couple of drinks and say what the hell. Or maybe even just change her mind, which women have been known to do?
So she stayed. I guess we even had some fun, just not the kind I’d been counting on. And when the money came in, I got hopeful again. The insurance company paid, and fast. Partly because I only asked for a fraction of what the Daryayeh-E-Noor was worth—but mostly because I knew the government would put the screws to them to get the thing back before the Iranians found out.
So they paid fast, and Monique and I watched the money come in. We watched it together, as it jumped via wire transfer from the Caymans, to Switzerland, to Hong Kong—maybe thirty-some transfers in all, impossible to trace. And I really thought that maybe seeing all that cash might loosen her up. I learned a long time ago the effect that money can have on a woman. It’s even a law—Riley’s Seventh Law: The only real aphrodisiac is money.
I will be reading the second book because my all time partner in crime recommended it to me, and I trust his taste in books, otherwise, this would've been the first and last time I hear about this author.
December 8, 2019
How does one follow a franchise like Dexter, the sympathetic serial killer featured in a series of novels that spawned a successful television series? Jeff Lindsay, Dexter’s creator, has the answer. JUST WATCH ME introduces a brilliant thief named Riley Wolfe, who has a penchant for planning incredibly difficult heists with big payoffs. The more complicated they are, the better that Wolfe likes it, and the book features one that seems all but impossible --- a caper for the ages.
Wolfe is an enigmatic and complex character. We learn fairly early in the proceedings that he is a master of disguise. It is also revealed that “Riley Wolfe” is not his original government name, either. He is a shadowy figure, indeed. What little we do know about Wolfe comes to light through the efforts of FBI Special Agent Frank Delgado, who is obsessed with hunting down Wolfe and bringing him to justice. A decent portion of the book is devoted to Delgado’s investigation into Wolfe’s past. It is his belief that what he uncovers will serve as a means of predicting Wolfe’s future actions, thus enabling him to be on the scene when Wolfe appears so he may be brought to justice. The resulting information, as presented by Lindsay, creates a subtle picture that makes Wolfe a bit more of a sympathetic character in the eyes of the reader, if not in Delgado’s.
Meanwhile, Wolfe is planning a heist that is breathtaking in its audacity. The Crown Jewels of the Persian Empire are going to be displayed at the Eberhardt Museum in New York, under the watchful eye of the Revolutionary Guard of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a security force comprised of former active-duty members of the United States Special Forces. Wolfe isn’t greedy. He doesn’t want all of the jewels; he’s just eyeing the Daryayeh-E-Noor, the largest pink diamond in the world, which is worth billions. He recruits a brilliant art forger into the game, a woman who represents the only chink in his emotional armor.
Lindsay gives the reader a breadcrumb revelation of the plot as it unfolds, even as Delgado, being a step or two behind Wolfe, closes in on his target. It’s great fun watching Wolfe execute his plan, which works with varying degrees of success. There are plans, and there are plans. One can’t always get entirely what one wants. Seeing what he gets (and what he doesn’t) constitutes the entertainment here.
JUST WATCH ME succeeds on all levels. While one cannot think of Lindsay without Dexter coming to mind, his latest almost immediately erases any disappointment one might feel as the result of Dexter’s apparently permanent absence. While both characters share meticulous planning skills and a psychopathic worldview (as well as a smart, dogged pursuer), this book is different enough from the Dexter series to prevent it from coming off as a copycat. I can’t wait for the next installment.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
Wolfe is an enigmatic and complex character. We learn fairly early in the proceedings that he is a master of disguise. It is also revealed that “Riley Wolfe” is not his original government name, either. He is a shadowy figure, indeed. What little we do know about Wolfe comes to light through the efforts of FBI Special Agent Frank Delgado, who is obsessed with hunting down Wolfe and bringing him to justice. A decent portion of the book is devoted to Delgado’s investigation into Wolfe’s past. It is his belief that what he uncovers will serve as a means of predicting Wolfe’s future actions, thus enabling him to be on the scene when Wolfe appears so he may be brought to justice. The resulting information, as presented by Lindsay, creates a subtle picture that makes Wolfe a bit more of a sympathetic character in the eyes of the reader, if not in Delgado’s.
Meanwhile, Wolfe is planning a heist that is breathtaking in its audacity. The Crown Jewels of the Persian Empire are going to be displayed at the Eberhardt Museum in New York, under the watchful eye of the Revolutionary Guard of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a security force comprised of former active-duty members of the United States Special Forces. Wolfe isn’t greedy. He doesn’t want all of the jewels; he’s just eyeing the Daryayeh-E-Noor, the largest pink diamond in the world, which is worth billions. He recruits a brilliant art forger into the game, a woman who represents the only chink in his emotional armor.
Lindsay gives the reader a breadcrumb revelation of the plot as it unfolds, even as Delgado, being a step or two behind Wolfe, closes in on his target. It’s great fun watching Wolfe execute his plan, which works with varying degrees of success. There are plans, and there are plans. One can’t always get entirely what one wants. Seeing what he gets (and what he doesn’t) constitutes the entertainment here.
JUST WATCH ME succeeds on all levels. While one cannot think of Lindsay without Dexter coming to mind, his latest almost immediately erases any disappointment one might feel as the result of Dexter’s apparently permanent absence. While both characters share meticulous planning skills and a psychopathic worldview (as well as a smart, dogged pursuer), this book is different enough from the Dexter series to prevent it from coming off as a copycat. I can’t wait for the next installment.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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