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I See You
Hannah, Adam and adorable young Sydney Wickes are living under assumed identities in West Philadelphia. Although she s found it hard to adjust to life in the city, at least Hannah and her family are safe and slowly beginning to build new lives for themselves. But all that changes when an unexpected tragedy throws the harsh spotlight of publicity onto the Wickes family, putting them in serious danger. Because Hannah and those she loves are hiding a dark secret in their past, a secret that has torn their lives apart. For what do you do when the person you should love the most poses the greatest threat? The Wickes sinister family secret is destined to catch up with them with terrifying consequences.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2014
3078 people are currently reading
1878 people want to read
About the author
Patricia MacDonald
72 books557 followersLibrarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Patricia MacDonald is the author of several psychological suspense novels set in small towns. MacDonald grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut and has a master's degree from Boston College. Before writing her own novels she was a book editor and was once an editor for a soap opera magazine in New York. She is married to writer Art Bourgeau. They live in Cape May, New Jersey and have one daughter.
Her first novel, The Unforgiven, published in 1981, received an Edgar Award nomination from the Mystery Writers of America. Secret Admirer (1995) won the literary prize at the 1997 Deauville Film Festival in France, where MacDonald is consistently a number one bestseller. She’s also been awarded the prize for literature at the International Forum of Cinema and Literature in Monaco.
Patricia MacDonald is the author of several psychological suspense novels set in small towns. MacDonald grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut and has a master's degree from Boston College. Before writing her own novels she was a book editor and was once an editor for a soap opera magazine in New York. She is married to writer Art Bourgeau. They live in Cape May, New Jersey and have one daughter.
Her first novel, The Unforgiven, published in 1981, received an Edgar Award nomination from the Mystery Writers of America. Secret Admirer (1995) won the literary prize at the 1997 Deauville Film Festival in France, where MacDonald is consistently a number one bestseller. She’s also been awarded the prize for literature at the International Forum of Cinema and Literature in Monaco.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 367 reviews
July 14, 2024
Let me leave it at four stars for now! I need a moment!
February 5, 2015
Lisa is a brilliant young medical student who is the single mother of a baby girl, Sydney. She lives with her parents, Adam and Hannah, who are devoted to her and their granddaughter. The parents support Lisa financially and emotionally when she is put on trial for the murder of a nurse she was dating. Lisa is acquitted, but her parents discover that Lisa is seeking out men who are willing to have sex with her baby daughter. Lisa's parents come to the realization that their daughter is a psychopath (it turns out Lisa actually was quilty of the murder of the nurse, who was so horrified by what Lisa wants him to do with her daughter that he threatened to reveal her depravity to the hospital where she works). Adam and Hannah run off and hide with their granddaughter after Lisa threatens to falsely accuse her father of sexually abusing her if her parents try to obtain custody of Sydney.
I enjoyed this dark tale immensely until close to the end. Patricia MacDonald is a skilled author who can tell a good story. In some of her books the interactions between the characters are superbly well done. In this book, though, I just couldn't believe the plot twist at the end. Lisa tries to murder her mother by pushing her onto train tracks. Hannah realizes her assailant was her daughter which means Lisa has found where Hannah, Adam and Sydney now live. So Hannah sends Adam and Sydney away while she waits for her Lisa to, what, find her and finish the job. I could understand Hannah's anquish that the child she raised was so monstrous. But I could not understand her willingness to leave her husband and granddaughter and her acceptance of the likelihood that she would soon be killed by the psychopath that was her daughter. A mother's love has its limits, but not in this novel. And that is my major problem with this book.
I enjoyed this dark tale immensely until close to the end. Patricia MacDonald is a skilled author who can tell a good story. In some of her books the interactions between the characters are superbly well done. In this book, though, I just couldn't believe the plot twist at the end. Lisa tries to murder her mother by pushing her onto train tracks. Hannah realizes her assailant was her daughter which means Lisa has found where Hannah, Adam and Sydney now live. So Hannah sends Adam and Sydney away while she waits for her Lisa to, what, find her and finish the job. I could understand Hannah's anquish that the child she raised was so monstrous. But I could not understand her willingness to leave her husband and granddaughter and her acceptance of the likelihood that she would soon be killed by the psychopath that was her daughter. A mother's love has its limits, but not in this novel. And that is my major problem with this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2021
Great thriller ! For those who have children you never know how they can turn 😳
February 24, 2015
I always have to commend Patricia MacDonald for writing short books and cutting down on all the humdrum filler that so many other writers love to throw in to stretch a 200 page story to 400 pages.
Though this book was good, I'm not going to be saying too many favorable things about it. The reason why Hannah and Adam go on the run is quite icky, and I wasn't expecting the story to take such a disgusting turn.
Hannah and Adam are 39, yet they seem more like 60. Their daughter is 21, so maybe that's why they didn't seem like they were in their 30's.
There isn't much I can say about the book without giving things away, so I'll just say that Hannah and Adam were well-meaning idiots and move on to some other issues.
I have read many Patricia MacDonald books, and there is something she does that I haven't been able to figure out whether it is a positive or a negative or a bit of both.
She ALWAYS mentions race in her books. It's always the black woman did this, or the black man did that, or she had pretty mocha-colored skin. She does it with other non-white racial groups as well, and it gets to the point of being annoying because she feels the need to describe the race or complexion of every character, even some guy just walking down the street.
I like that she tries for diversity, but I don't need to know that some random dude standing at the bus stop eating potato chips was black or Asian. I also don't need to know that the main character passed a Hispanic teen on her way to work, or the woman fixing her sandwich at the sub shop was black with cornrows. It's so annoying!
Though this book was good, I'm not going to be saying too many favorable things about it. The reason why Hannah and Adam go on the run is quite icky, and I wasn't expecting the story to take such a disgusting turn.
Hannah and Adam are 39, yet they seem more like 60. Their daughter is 21, so maybe that's why they didn't seem like they were in their 30's.
There isn't much I can say about the book without giving things away, so I'll just say that Hannah and Adam were well-meaning idiots and move on to some other issues.
I have read many Patricia MacDonald books, and there is something she does that I haven't been able to figure out whether it is a positive or a negative or a bit of both.
She ALWAYS mentions race in her books. It's always the black woman did this, or the black man did that, or she had pretty mocha-colored skin. She does it with other non-white racial groups as well, and it gets to the point of being annoying because she feels the need to describe the race or complexion of every character, even some guy just walking down the street.
I like that she tries for diversity, but I don't need to know that some random dude standing at the bus stop eating potato chips was black or Asian. I also don't need to know that the main character passed a Hispanic teen on her way to work, or the woman fixing her sandwich at the sub shop was black with cornrows. It's so annoying!
May 11, 2021
Well written but super depressing
I really cannot understand why this book was written. For what purpose? I read for pleasure. This book can only bring depression, not pleasure. It is well-written and draws a person in. Only in that way is it a good book. The subject matter is dark, twisted, sad, depressing, etc. It didn’t have a particularly good, happy ending. It couldn’t, really, but I don’t enjoy stories that don’t turn out well and leave me depressed and wondering why I wasted my time reading a book like that. I cannot fathom anyone but maybe a psychotic person liking this book. I would be scared to read another by this author, and quite honestly, a bit afraid of the author herself! Who would write this stuff, and WHY? It’s not like it even educates a person in any needed way. Totally useless.
I really cannot understand why this book was written. For what purpose? I read for pleasure. This book can only bring depression, not pleasure. It is well-written and draws a person in. Only in that way is it a good book. The subject matter is dark, twisted, sad, depressing, etc. It didn’t have a particularly good, happy ending. It couldn’t, really, but I don’t enjoy stories that don’t turn out well and leave me depressed and wondering why I wasted my time reading a book like that. I cannot fathom anyone but maybe a psychotic person liking this book. I would be scared to read another by this author, and quite honestly, a bit afraid of the author herself! Who would write this stuff, and WHY? It’s not like it even educates a person in any needed way. Totally useless.
January 22, 2019
quand je termine cet roman,je suis bouleversée entre deux émotions soit je donne 5 étoiles pour l'analyse psychologique bien lucide de l'ecrivienne et tous les questions que je pose après cet roman:
le rôle des patents dans l'éducation de l'enfant?
Être un psychopathe est une question d'éducation ou c'est innée ?
lorsqu'on donne des excuse au comportement de nos enfants c'est bien pour eux ou non?
et entre 3 étoiles car on ne trouve réellement pas une vraie crime et on cherche le meurtre mais la crime est déjà subi et on est en face aux conséquences .
roman très bouleversant,que je ne trouve plus les mots pour bien decrit et surtt.
j'ai besoin d'une tasse de café noir et de discuter du cet roman avec mes amies.pour que je puisse calmer mes émotions bouleversées.
le rôle des patents dans l'éducation de l'enfant?
Être un psychopathe est une question d'éducation ou c'est innée ?
lorsqu'on donne des excuse au comportement de nos enfants c'est bien pour eux ou non?
et entre 3 étoiles car on ne trouve réellement pas une vraie crime et on cherche le meurtre mais la crime est déjà subi et on est en face aux conséquences .
roman très bouleversant,que je ne trouve plus les mots pour bien decrit et surtt.
j'ai besoin d'une tasse de café noir et de discuter du cet roman avec mes amies.pour que je puisse calmer mes émotions bouleversées.
November 29, 2021
OK.. here goes... I chose this book to read with my online bookclub because it sounded fab and was only 99p.
Trigger warnings: paedophilia and child abuse are heavily themed in this story.
I started the book and thought "ooooh, interesting" and was quite enjoying it until we got to Part Two - this is the part of the book which explains what has led us to Part One. This is where the book just fell down for me.
It's difficult to review without spoilers - basically Part One introduces us to a couple and their toddler daughter living under the radar having run away from something or someone as their lives are in danger. Part Two takes us back to the past leading up to why the couple fled.
As a mother I just could NOT relate to Anna and Alan and their blinkered and often ostrich approach to their daughter and her behaviour. They literally stuck their heads in the sand and excused everything because she was intelligent.
I found the descriptions of child abuse unnecessary and gratuitous and in my opinion, sometimes hinting at things is preferable for a reader than minute details of abuse.
There were lots of times during this book I felt I was reading a book written by someone who hadn't written before, the writing was amateur and the dialogue unbelievable in places.
I only finished it because I chose the book with the 40 other members and felt obliged to read it so we can discuss it online next week.
Trigger warnings: paedophilia and child abuse are heavily themed in this story.
I started the book and thought "ooooh, interesting" and was quite enjoying it until we got to Part Two - this is the part of the book which explains what has led us to Part One. This is where the book just fell down for me.
It's difficult to review without spoilers - basically Part One introduces us to a couple and their toddler daughter living under the radar having run away from something or someone as their lives are in danger. Part Two takes us back to the past leading up to why the couple fled.
As a mother I just could NOT relate to Anna and Alan and their blinkered and often ostrich approach to their daughter and her behaviour. They literally stuck their heads in the sand and excused everything because she was intelligent.
I found the descriptions of child abuse unnecessary and gratuitous and in my opinion, sometimes hinting at things is preferable for a reader than minute details of abuse.
There were lots of times during this book I felt I was reading a book written by someone who hadn't written before, the writing was amateur and the dialogue unbelievable in places.
I only finished it because I chose the book with the 40 other members and felt obliged to read it so we can discuss it online next week.
September 4, 2014
This is my first novel from this author and I found it to be an excellent psychological thriller with some very dark themes, handled well in an extremely readable fashion that kept me turning the pages long into the night.
Hannah, Adam and Sydney are in hiding, under assumed identities, due to a problem in their past. When an unexpected event throws them into the spotlight, the past comes back to haunt them in a terrifying fashion.
This was intelligently constructed, the past event that lead them into hiding is not what you might think and the characters are all well drawn, complicated in some ways, but eminently intriguing. There is a strong undercurrent of menace that runs through the narrative keeping you on edge and the story flows along with a perfect flow, understanding of the true nature of the danger facing them unfolding in thought provoking fashion.
Overall a terrific read, one that has encouraged me to try some other novels from Patricia Macdonald.
Happy Reading Folks!
Hannah, Adam and Sydney are in hiding, under assumed identities, due to a problem in their past. When an unexpected event throws them into the spotlight, the past comes back to haunt them in a terrifying fashion.
This was intelligently constructed, the past event that lead them into hiding is not what you might think and the characters are all well drawn, complicated in some ways, but eminently intriguing. There is a strong undercurrent of menace that runs through the narrative keeping you on edge and the story flows along with a perfect flow, understanding of the true nature of the danger facing them unfolding in thought provoking fashion.
Overall a terrific read, one that has encouraged me to try some other novels from Patricia Macdonald.
Happy Reading Folks!
March 29, 2015
Meh. This book has all the makings of a great story, but it just never quite clicked. Sound premise, weak execution- the writing felt a bit choppy, the characters lacked depth and cohesion. Just didn't work for me.
June 21, 2021
This book is really badly written.
It is completely unbelievable.
The police arrest a woman for murder but apparently do absolutely no investigating, because they don't check her computer or post office box.
Lisa is a heartless psychopath, but nobody notices for 21 years.
Lisa wants to molest children, but she holds off on her daughter for the first several years of her life (?) then it's completely game-on ?!
And the parents can't have their grandchild removed regardless of their proof of her pedophile mother because she might make a false accusation against them?!? Really? That's all it takes?
And in the end, Hannah cares more bout her lying, conniving, heartless, psychopath, pedophile murderer of a child than the people who are risking their lives to save her.
It is completely unbelievable.
The police arrest a woman for murder but apparently do absolutely no investigating, because they don't check her computer or post office box.
Lisa is a heartless psychopath, but nobody notices for 21 years.
Lisa wants to molest children, but she holds off on her daughter for the first several years of her life (?) then it's completely game-on ?!
And the parents can't have their grandchild removed regardless of their proof of her pedophile mother because she might make a false accusation against them?!? Really? That's all it takes?
And in the end, Hannah cares more bout her lying, conniving, heartless, psychopath, pedophile murderer of a child than the people who are risking their lives to save her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2016
I honestly didnt know who I liked the least, the Mother or Daughter. Not one of her finest books.
April 4, 2022
Strangely plotted. A terrific narration. Clean but with references to child molesting (yuk!). The author hit a homer on this one — I won’t sleep soundly for days.
December 3, 2024
This was the most disturbing story in this series so far. It highlights the possibilities of human behaviour, not necessarily due to upbringing. The argument between genes and experiences is posed.
The tension forces a balancing act and impossible situations. I was hooked from the start - certainly a page turner.
Well written, fast-paced and engaging...a brilliant psychological thriller.
Recommended but be aware of disturbing themes.
The tension forces a balancing act and impossible situations. I was hooked from the start - certainly a page turner.
Well written, fast-paced and engaging...a brilliant psychological thriller.
Recommended but be aware of disturbing themes.
February 9, 2017
Sometimes I do the most interesting things late at night, half asleep while attempting to download e-books. This time I accidentally downloaded I See You: Assumed Identities and Psychological Suspense instead of I See You. Very different books indeed and I'm rather glad for my mistake.
MacDonald's book is a suspense novel about a couple on the run from someone who wants to harm them. The who and why are what make the book very intriguing. The details are so perfect that I felt like I was watching a person unravel right in front of my eyes. To say anything more would completely spoil the book; however, if you enjoy suspense or psychological thrillers, I think you really will like this book.
MacDonald's book is a suspense novel about a couple on the run from someone who wants to harm them. The who and why are what make the book very intriguing. The details are so perfect that I felt like I was watching a person unravel right in front of my eyes. To say anything more would completely spoil the book; however, if you enjoy suspense or psychological thrillers, I think you really will like this book.
July 18, 2018
Great
Though this was a good book I feel there should be a warning.
***TRIGGER WARNING***
REFERENCES AND DESCRIPTIVE SCENES OF PEDOPHILIA
Though this was a good book I feel there should be a warning.
***TRIGGER WARNING***
REFERENCES AND DESCRIPTIVE SCENES OF PEDOPHILIA
April 25, 2021
I have recently found this author, so I’m reading quite a few of her books right now. I enjoyed reading this very much but was shocked when I realized the subject matter when I was part way through. Although I found it disturbing, she did not dwell on it page after page. Hannah and Adam are on the run with their granddaughter, Sydney, from someone they know very well. This person will do whatever they have to, to get to Sydney and her grandparents will do anything to stop them. I really like her writing style and loved reading this story. On to another one now.
April 25, 2021
Great Book
This was a tough read, that I almost put down. I couldn’t. Very compelling and sad. The love a parent has for their child was tested to the breaking point. But the love for a grandchild is on a whole different level. Believe me, I know.
This was a tough read, that I almost put down. I couldn’t. Very compelling and sad. The love a parent has for their child was tested to the breaking point. But the love for a grandchild is on a whole different level. Believe me, I know.
May 7, 2022
Another buddy read with @whatkelreads and after seeing the reviews we couldn’t wait to read it. But it took a dark turn quickly and some chapters left me feeling physically sick.
The book starts with Hannah and Adam who are on the run with their young daughter Sydney. I was intrigued as to what happened for them to go on the run so I kept reading. Part two told the back story and this is where the book got dark. This book covers paedophilia and child abuse. I couldn’t understand Hannah and how she had this blinkered view of her daughter, almost excusing the behaviour because of her intelligence and the fact she was training to be a doctor. I wanted to shake Hannah as the story unfolded. There were parts of the book that were so unbelievable. The only good part of the book was the ending where Lisa got shot and died. 2 🌟
The book starts with Hannah and Adam who are on the run with their young daughter Sydney. I was intrigued as to what happened for them to go on the run so I kept reading. Part two told the back story and this is where the book got dark. This book covers paedophilia and child abuse. I couldn’t understand Hannah and how she had this blinkered view of her daughter, almost excusing the behaviour because of her intelligence and the fact she was training to be a doctor. I wanted to shake Hannah as the story unfolded. There were parts of the book that were so unbelievable. The only good part of the book was the ending where Lisa got shot and died. 2 🌟
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2023
I See You is a very intense story written by Patricia MacDonald. This story really runs the gamut of who to believe and who not to. The characters were absolutely perfect for this story. Every page brings new light into the real suspect. I really had to keep changing my mind as to what was happening which is a great sign the author is spinning a very good story. When the truth starts getting revealed it will more than shock you but also encourage you to keep reading to get all the answers. It left me happy that none of my children were considered genius. Normal is a good thing after reading this story.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
May 9, 2021
License to Parent
I've heard some people lament that it's ridiculous that you need a license to fish, but they let anybody become a parent. I'm not suggesting we open the door to the nightmarish possibilities of what could happen if the government tried to control procreation, but it's sad to see some people who clearly shouldn't have children, who abuse and do damage to their children. There are examples of good parenting in this book, and bad parenting, and then crazy psychological crap that shouldn't be called parenting. It's a rough read, but a good one, and hard to put down once you start reading.
I've heard some people lament that it's ridiculous that you need a license to fish, but they let anybody become a parent. I'm not suggesting we open the door to the nightmarish possibilities of what could happen if the government tried to control procreation, but it's sad to see some people who clearly shouldn't have children, who abuse and do damage to their children. There are examples of good parenting in this book, and bad parenting, and then crazy psychological crap that shouldn't be called parenting. It's a rough read, but a good one, and hard to put down once you start reading.
May 5, 2021
Wow, fast read
I absolutely assure you this IS one of those books you can't put down. It was interesting and twisted and I really enjoyed it. I'm not going to write about the book because I don't want to give anything away. The characters were well fleshed out, the story made you question things and it really kept my attention. I just really recommend this book. Enjoy! Remember, I did mention it is a bit twisted.
I absolutely assure you this IS one of those books you can't put down. It was interesting and twisted and I really enjoyed it. I'm not going to write about the book because I don't want to give anything away. The characters were well fleshed out, the story made you question things and it really kept my attention. I just really recommend this book. Enjoy! Remember, I did mention it is a bit twisted.
March 22, 2023
What the …
I actually enjoyed the book in the beginning. Until pedophilia was described in great detail. There should be a trigger warning as I literally couldn’t sleep after the nasty details I read. I’m all for psychological thrillers but this was just brutally disturbing and not in a fun to read way
I actually enjoyed the book in the beginning. Until pedophilia was described in great detail. There should be a trigger warning as I literally couldn’t sleep after the nasty details I read. I’m all for psychological thrillers but this was just brutally disturbing and not in a fun to read way
March 18, 2017
This was a spill binding book, at times I didn't want to see what was going happen. I wanted everyone to be alright. To be grandparents and a parent of a crazy women, it must have been hard to write. I love the suspense in this book.
December 31, 2022
I really wasn’t sure how to rate this book. On one hand, it started out very intriguing, and you want to keep on reading to find out why the protagonists are hiding. On the other hand, this book deals with a very sensitive topic. If I had known the direction it was heading, I probably never would have read it. But, I will say that she is a good writer and does keep your interest. Due to this, I will probably seek out another of her books.
March 12, 2022
This book was unnecessarily disturbing, which I can appreciate :’)! I enjoyed the unexpected twist, however the book became a little boring afterwards. Writing style wasn’t for me either unfortunately!
February 1, 2022
What an absolutely fantastic book. I cannot wait to read more of hers. It was so fast paced with lots of twists and turns and so well written. Gutted it came to an end.
February 26, 2022
Great storyline well written..... little difficult to read at some points...... long time since a book nearly made me cry
April 2, 2022
I don't think I can write much of a review that wouldn't contain spoilers. Suffice it to say that this is a very chilling thriller worthy of 4 stars.
October 7, 2023
check trigger warnings before reading. this was a dark one. it was entertaining and i almost felt like i was reading a lifetime movie. super dramatic at some times. overall it was just meh
March 19, 2025
3.75 Stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 367 reviews