Review: Someone is Always Watching by Kelley Armstrong

*I received a copy of this book from Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.

Someone is Always Watching

by Kelley Armstrong

April 11, 2023

Goodreads Summary:

Blythe and her friends—Gabrielle, and brother and sister Tucker and Tanya—have always been a tight friend group, attending a local high school and falling in and out of love with each other. But an act of violence has caused a rift between Blythe and Tucker . . . and unexpected bursts of aggression and disturbing nightmares have started to become more frequent in their lives.

The strange happenings culminate in a shocking event at school: Gabrielle is found covered in blood in front of their deceased principal, with no memory of what happened.

Cracks in their friendship, as well as in their own memories, start appearing, threatening to expose long-forgotten secrets which could change the group’s lives forever. How can Blythe and her friends trust each other when they can’t even trust their own memories?

Review

Mystery/thrillers are usually not my thing (because I'm too impatient to wait for the grand reveal :P) but occasionally one catches my eye. Someone is Always Watching is one such book and it did not let me down.

Someone is Always Watching was atmospheric and thoughtful. It was so satisfying watching the mystery unfold. I was kept on the edge of my seat as clue after clue led to more questions than answers. But I did not have to wait long. One truth after another led to a regretful moment and a climatic reveal. I was shocked. "We are the sum total of our life experiences." (p. 171) It's scarily easy to picture this story in real life.

I loved the friendship dynamics in Someone is Always Watching. Blythe and Gabrielle did all the girly things together while Blythe found comfort in Tucker and strength from Tanya. Each one of them is a little misunderstood but that doesn't stop them from being fiercely loyal to one another. Heartwarming despite what they end up uncovering about each other.

Fast-paced and absorbing, Someone is Always Watching is a book to look out for. Come for the mysterious secrets, stay for the unpredictable characters.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the copy I received.