What do you think?
Rate this book
Watchers in the Woods
Their race had lived among the Great Trees in peace for centuries. Then, the others came to kill animals with strange weapons and poison their sacred waters with the things they carelessly left behind. But they would soon learn to stay away. The Old Hunger would teach them. Especially the little ones.
351 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1991
86 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,049 books1,396 followersWilliam W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 4, 2022
A group of old friends, along with their children, are planning a two week camping trip in the Idaho wilderness, directly following their 30 year highschool reunion. In that group is Matt Jordan, an ex CIA member. But he's not going just to catch up with his friends; he's taken on an additional mission.
A group of subhuman beings have been living in that particular area of wilderness for a very long time - inbreeding for generations, they are borderline cretins. Known by the CIA as "The Unseen," Matt will be looking for this tribe.
"Something very strange is going on here. A few people have gone in and never come out. Some who do come out are basket cases. Babbling. Deranged."
"The people who have encountered this, these... whatever the hell it is, what do they have to say about it?"
"They all report that at first their camps were wrecked, ransacked, after a lot of strange noises in the night. When the attack comes, it is very fast, very vicious. They never see their attackers."
------------------------
This is the first book I've ever read by this author - when I first started collecting vintage horror books I was drawn to the cover and the premise and I had to have it. I think William Johnstone is a really good writer, I definitely liked the book; it wasn't exactly what I thought it would be, but that's okay. I'm really looking forward to getting to more of his work.
A group of subhuman beings have been living in that particular area of wilderness for a very long time - inbreeding for generations, they are borderline cretins. Known by the CIA as "The Unseen," Matt will be looking for this tribe.
"Something very strange is going on here. A few people have gone in and never come out. Some who do come out are basket cases. Babbling. Deranged."
"The people who have encountered this, these... whatever the hell it is, what do they have to say about it?"
"They all report that at first their camps were wrecked, ransacked, after a lot of strange noises in the night. When the attack comes, it is very fast, very vicious. They never see their attackers."
------------------------
This is the first book I've ever read by this author - when I first started collecting vintage horror books I was drawn to the cover and the premise and I had to have it. I think William Johnstone is a really good writer, I definitely liked the book; it wasn't exactly what I thought it would be, but that's okay. I'm really looking forward to getting to more of his work.
October 14, 2023
Interesting outing for Johnstone, but one that lacks his bat-shit craziness of most of his horror novels. Our lead Matt, is about to retire from the CIA. Typical of Johnstone's leads, he is a hard man, hates lawyers, journalist and politicians, but has a strong moral compass while leaving a trail of blood. His handler, the head man in the company, has one last mission for him. It seems several of his classmates from '67 (high school) are having a reunion back in Denver and then planning on going camping in a remote part of Idaho.
There are strange rumors about the area. For one, a redneck terrorist group, the Citizens for a White America (CWA) do their training there. Secondly, there appears to be some 'lost tribe' of semihumans, called the 'Unseen' living deep in the woods. People regularly go missing around there and their bodies are never found. Recently, the CIA lost an agent there, as did the FBI. So, the director asks Matt to crash the reunion and go camping with his old classmates; while there, he can try to uncover what the hell is going on deep in the woods...
The first half of Watchers is actually pretty good, even for Johnstone, but more of an action thriller than horror. The second half, however, spirals quickly into ludicrous territory, and not even bat-shit crazy ludicrousness. I will not go into the details to avoid spoilers, but it just got harder and harder to suspend my disbelief until this limped to a conclusion. Pacing errors abound along with several continuity errors made this rough going in parts. Few authors could use a good editor more than Johnstone, but at the rate he cranked out books, this was probably a first draft right to the printing press. 2.5 stars, rounding down.
There are strange rumors about the area. For one, a redneck terrorist group, the Citizens for a White America (CWA) do their training there. Secondly, there appears to be some 'lost tribe' of semihumans, called the 'Unseen' living deep in the woods. People regularly go missing around there and their bodies are never found. Recently, the CIA lost an agent there, as did the FBI. So, the director asks Matt to crash the reunion and go camping with his old classmates; while there, he can try to uncover what the hell is going on deep in the woods...
The first half of Watchers is actually pretty good, even for Johnstone, but more of an action thriller than horror. The second half, however, spirals quickly into ludicrous territory, and not even bat-shit crazy ludicrousness. I will not go into the details to avoid spoilers, but it just got harder and harder to suspend my disbelief until this limped to a conclusion. Pacing errors abound along with several continuity errors made this rough going in parts. Few authors could use a good editor more than Johnstone, but at the rate he cranked out books, this was probably a first draft right to the printing press. 2.5 stars, rounding down.
October 29, 2016
This was, by far, my favorite of all of Mr. Johnstone's work that I have read so far.
It involves a CIA operative who is retiring, but given one last mission to find out about some murders going on in Idaho wilderness that could be the work of a racist group operating out of the area. As he has friends who are going there for a camping trip as a sort of school reunion, he takes the case and stumbles onto a primitive tribe.
So it has a cryptozoological element, which I love, and backward country racists, the government, stupid reporters, and beings that have been around in secret for hundreds of years, but hiding in plain site. I thought the story was very well done.
This one was a fun and very enjoyable read for me and I definitely recommend it.
It involves a CIA operative who is retiring, but given one last mission to find out about some murders going on in Idaho wilderness that could be the work of a racist group operating out of the area. As he has friends who are going there for a camping trip as a sort of school reunion, he takes the case and stumbles onto a primitive tribe.
So it has a cryptozoological element, which I love, and backward country racists, the government, stupid reporters, and beings that have been around in secret for hundreds of years, but hiding in plain site. I thought the story was very well done.
This one was a fun and very enjoyable read for me and I definitely recommend it.
May 1, 2023
Less horror and more of a conspiracy/action book. The constant politics got exhausting but the crazy action, gore, and general wackiness made up for it.
December 15, 2014
So, I judged a book by its cover. My bad.
November 1, 2016
This was the latest read in my exploration of William Johnstone's horror fiction.
When you start reading the book, it feels very different from the usual Johnstone horror fests. Instead of the small town where evil lurks, you get a group of old friends going camping in the woods for a reunion. One of their companions works for the government and is along with them for his own reasons - reasons that soon become violently clear.
But fear not, parts of the Johnstone formula are still there. Our main character is very much a warrior. He's man willing to kill when necessary, but who also respects life. He respects nature immensely and is sick and tired of big government and their manipulations - even when he's got to work for them.
Also in line with the formula, you've got people who need to choose sides between what's inherently right and wrong.
What's missing? Satan.
If you're familiar with Johnstone's horror, you're used to getting an epic battle of good and evil, with God and Satan playing pretty active roles. This is more the horror that man can do when it comes to the environment, other species, and government interference.
I did really enjoy this one. It's a departure, but it's got a lot of depth, political statements which were surprising from such a conservative source (this book definitely reminds you that conservatives aren't cookie cutter, just as liberals aren't), and it's still a gory, scary read!
When you start reading the book, it feels very different from the usual Johnstone horror fests. Instead of the small town where evil lurks, you get a group of old friends going camping in the woods for a reunion. One of their companions works for the government and is along with them for his own reasons - reasons that soon become violently clear.
But fear not, parts of the Johnstone formula are still there. Our main character is very much a warrior. He's man willing to kill when necessary, but who also respects life. He respects nature immensely and is sick and tired of big government and their manipulations - even when he's got to work for them.
Also in line with the formula, you've got people who need to choose sides between what's inherently right and wrong.
What's missing? Satan.
If you're familiar with Johnstone's horror, you're used to getting an epic battle of good and evil, with God and Satan playing pretty active roles. This is more the horror that man can do when it comes to the environment, other species, and government interference.
I did really enjoy this one. It's a departure, but it's got a lot of depth, political statements which were surprising from such a conservative source (this book definitely reminds you that conservatives aren't cookie cutter, just as liberals aren't), and it's still a gory, scary read!
September 16, 2018
the sheer number of monologues against the political climate of the time -- lots of "criminals should be put to death as soon as possible to make the rest fear for their lives" speeches -- reveal more about johnstone as an author than they do for the characters themselves.
gory deaths, definite political agenda, and a strange hybrid of spy thriller and backwoods mutants leave watchers in the woods feeling very unique, if not particularly polished. it's definitely got something for everyone, including a nice tinge of conspiracy, so the book's decidedly intriguing on that front.
the couple of false endings take a bit of the oomph out of the book's finale, but the rest of the ride's fun enough.
gory deaths, definite political agenda, and a strange hybrid of spy thriller and backwoods mutants leave watchers in the woods feeling very unique, if not particularly polished. it's definitely got something for everyone, including a nice tinge of conspiracy, so the book's decidedly intriguing on that front.
the couple of false endings take a bit of the oomph out of the book's finale, but the rest of the ride's fun enough.
November 5, 2019
Maximum Johnstone! This is the third book I've read by William W. Johnstone and by far the best. By now, his proclivities are to be expected: ex CIA, Nam Vet etc tough as nails guys reunites with his old friends and fights against an evil of unbelievable proportions. This time, though, Johnstone surprises with a much more nuanced story. There is crazy right wing stuff, as there is in everything else I've read by Johnstone, but here its balanced with very nuanced and progressive views on the treatment of Native Americans by the US Government, hunting, pollution, animal welfare etc. It really made me scratch my head here and there, and that is refreshing. William W. Johnstone, blood n guts hack extraordinaire actually presents, and I hate to overuse this word, a NUANCED worldview here, where crass, liberal cause exploiting corporate newscasters are shown as villains along with Neo Nazi militia members and animal torturing trappers and hunters. It has all that and gore. Its really quite an amazing read. It blew my mind even more than "Bloodland" and "Toy Cemetery" by the same author and that is saying something. This novel is pure pulp, but it works on many levels and feels like something of an accomplishment for its author. One of the best books I've read this year, seriously!
February 10, 2021
At the beginning of this book, I thought--could people be any dumber? The answer is YES! After multiple warnings from a CIA operative, several families decide to go camping deep in the woods that are surrounded by survivalist racists and half-human/half-animal killers. Even when they are attacked viciously by the racists on their way into the woods, they decide to continue on their camping trip. What?? Then the mixed beings are divided into really nice ones, scheming ones and murderous bigfoots. The wacky story line continues after they get out of the woods with more killings on all sides. And a love story! Some points are made about environmental issues, but they get buried in all the weirdness. And people die right and left without blinking an eye. Do these people have no connections in the world that anyone would not notice literally hundreds of people not coming home? Don't even get started on the mixed beings taking over the world in secret.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2024
When I started compiling a TBR pile of vintage horror books Johnstone was everpresent. I looked forward to getting around to one of his books, if for no other reason than that his covers were among the most intriguing. I'm not sure if I chose the wrong place to start or was just destined for disappointment when it came to reading in 2023. Watchers was not so much a horror story as a heavy-handed political commentary couched in a masturbatory celebration of conservatism and machismo. The only thing that could have been considered frightening was the way the 'monsters' had infiltrated society, but after 2016 that's not so much horror as current events. The fact that Watchers' narrative and conflict are firmly rooted in the culture war which is still raging 35 years later was both disheartening and sickening. Seriously considering swearing off male authors unless their queer.
June 8, 2021
Who’s Watching?
I can understand Watchers is referred to as horror, but Johnstone’s style renders his novel in a very realistic manner, and his characters appear as naturally and humanely as they would appear in life. Just as in life the majority of his characters do not value the life of others any more than one might value the life of an annoying insect. Consequently the horror which should be realized is simply rendered as normal behavior. In other words the evil is understandable and not horrible. The plot offers few surprises while the editing is sometimes humorous. « …all the bedrooms were upstairs. Matt takes the downstairs bedroom. ». The novel has potential just not in this reading.
I can understand Watchers is referred to as horror, but Johnstone’s style renders his novel in a very realistic manner, and his characters appear as naturally and humanely as they would appear in life. Just as in life the majority of his characters do not value the life of others any more than one might value the life of an annoying insect. Consequently the horror which should be realized is simply rendered as normal behavior. In other words the evil is understandable and not horrible. The plot offers few surprises while the editing is sometimes humorous. « …all the bedrooms were upstairs. Matt takes the downstairs bedroom. ». The novel has potential just not in this reading.
March 5, 2017
A ten all the way, one of the most action packed,edge of my seat books I've ever read!
The action in this book was nonstop from the first chapter to the last.
This book puts a whole new perspective on the way we look into the world of cryptids and the possibility of what is out there!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone with a passion for the unknown.
The action in this book was nonstop from the first chapter to the last.
This book puts a whole new perspective on the way we look into the world of cryptids and the possibility of what is out there!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone with a passion for the unknown.
January 27, 2022
The characters are flat, the plot is silly and the messages are clumsy. I rolled my eyes at this book several times. It is not a fun horror mystery romp or an engaging CIA thriller. It has CIA agents, romance, nazis, cannibal tribes and plots with high government aspects and it still manages to be boring and preachy.
September 2, 2024
2.5 ⭐️ My first Johnstone, and it's not at all what I expected. It's more of a survivalist thriller with some odd, even outlandish happenings. The first half was pretty solid and enjoyable with some good action, violence, and gore, but in the second half, the wheels come off, and Johnstone never manages to get it back on course.
September 14, 2017
This book has it all...CIA, werewolves (sort of), sasquatch, white supremacists, a lost tribe, old high school buddies...and not in a good way. Parts of the book were interesting and flowed while other parts did not.
September 30, 2017
Unusual Story
This is the first book I've read by William Johnstone. It was well written and had a fascinating premise. I don't usually read horror stories but I just admit I enjoyed this one.
Kari
This is the first book I've read by William Johnstone. It was well written and had a fascinating premise. I don't usually read horror stories but I just admit I enjoyed this one.
Kari
October 30, 2024
I genuinely loved this book. it was my firsh non-western Johnstone read. The characters were great, the suspense was great, the action superb. I feel like Matt had a little Preacher, Smoke, Matt, Frank, and MacCallister in him. Nicely done
August 2, 2017
This was a great novel. It had a good depth to it. I loved the story line. it was very easy to read and flowed along to a satisfying ending... A must read. My favorite by this writer.
August 11, 2017
I liked it at first but it got really weird...I did finish it but basically skimmed it at the end. Not a bad book...just not my kind of book
January 7, 2018
Will the savages prevail ?
This is a wonderful series very suspenseful. You cant put it down,it is a real page turner and will keep you guessing untill the end.
This is a wonderful series very suspenseful. You cant put it down,it is a real page turner and will keep you guessing untill the end.
August 18, 2019
It was good. It wasn't what I was expecting, but it was very good
May 15, 2022
Terrible...I quit reading halfway through
March 11, 2017
Scary
Reading this book almost caused me a heart attack. I was driving down a backroad, thinking about this book. Something was along side the road. The darn phone in car rang thru the radio. Scared me bad. Lol
I didn't want to put this book down. I had to know what was going to happen next. I will never look at the backwoods the same.
If you get that itchy feeling of being watched. Take heed and leave.
Reading this book almost caused me a heart attack. I was driving down a backroad, thinking about this book. Something was along side the road. The darn phone in car rang thru the radio. Scared me bad. Lol
I didn't want to put this book down. I had to know what was going to happen next. I will never look at the backwoods the same.
If you get that itchy feeling of being watched. Take heed and leave.
March 5, 2017
Highly Entertaining
A thought-provoking gallop of a tale by a master writer. It doesn't get much better than this book. I loved it !!!!
A thought-provoking gallop of a tale by a master writer. It doesn't get much better than this book. I loved it !!!!
April 20, 2016
Possibly the worst book ever written. Certainly among the worst I've ever read. There's too much wrong with it to go into detail: suffice to say that whatever you can think of - characterization, plot, writing style - it's crap in this book. On the up side, it's a wonderful resource for writers who want to learn how not to write well.
February 4, 2016
This book is a cross between, mens/military adventure, anti-establishment, with anthropological fiction and a little bit environmental conservatism. My absolute favorite book of all time, I have read this book so many times I have had to buy new copies 3 times, due to wear and tear.
May 15, 2025
This book had quite a few action scenes. It was also somewhat suspenseful.
But the characters were not developed, and meh.
I wouldn't would recommend. But I wouldn't discourage someone from reading it either.
The creature themselves should have a book.
2.5 stars
But the characters were not developed, and meh.
I wouldn't would recommend. But I wouldn't discourage someone from reading it either.
The creature themselves should have a book.
2.5 stars
November 28, 2016
It was good
When I started Reading did not think I would like it was not what I thought but was a good book
When I started Reading did not think I would like it was not what I thought but was a good book
January 28, 2017
Read this book
This was an awesome story and I would feel sorry for anyone who missed it. I will now have to read the rest of this author's books.
This was an awesome story and I would feel sorry for anyone who missed it. I will now have to read the rest of this author's books.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews