When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole - Jan. 2021 - Spoiler Zone

[Sandra]

Our January 2021 Book of the Month Poll winner is When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole. We'll plan on opening discussion on the 15th. Everyone is invited to join in.

The gentrification of a Brooklyn neighborhood takes on a sinister new meaning…

Sydney Green is Brooklyn born and raised, but her beloved neighborhood seems to change every time she blinks. Condos are sprouting like weeds, FOR SALE signs are popping up overnight, and the neighbors she’s known all her life are disappearing. To hold onto her community’s past and present, Sydney channels her frustration into a walking tour and finds an unlikely and unwanted assistant in one of the new arrivals to the block—her neighbor Theo.

But Sydney and Theo’s deep dive into history quickly becomes a dizzying descent into paranoia and fear. Their neighbors may not have moved to the suburbs after all, and the push to revitalize the community may be more deadly than advertised.

When does coincidence become conspiracy? Where do people go when gentrification pushes them out? Can Sydney and Theo trust each other—or themselves—long enough to find out before they too disappear?

[Jonetta]

I'm definitely in!

[Jo Ann]

Just borrowed from library so I'm in!

[Amrita]

I have this one from Netgalley, so I’m in too!!

[Susan]

waiting for my library

[Sharon]

I'm in

[Susan]

Anyone doing yet? This book was so good.

[Susan]

meant to say anyone done yet

[Sandra]

I listened to an arc audio of this book late last year. I'll open this thread for discussion as it's past the 15th.

This is now a Spoiler Zone. Feel free to openly discuss When No One Is Watching.

[Susan]

I really liked this book finished in one sitting as wanted to find out what was going to happen. One question why did Kim move in with Theo and when at the end her father asked her I thought you had killed him was the whole point? Did Kim in the beginning actually have feelings for Theo was it because he lied and cheated at the job and could not succeed in her world? I was so very happy when Theo shot her. The book was written so well and really kept me entertained. I also learned a lot about Brooklyn history

[Jonetta]

Late start but I’m beginning now. Should be able to finish by tomorrow.

[Jonetta]

Susan wrote: "I really liked this book finished in one sitting as wanted to find out what was going to happen. One question why did Kim move in with Theo and when at the end her father asked her I thought you ha..."

Susan, Theo and Drew looked very similar and he commented that she had a “type.” I think she just liked slumming and when Theo didn’t share her point of view about the residents of the community, she had no more use for him. Kim probably had plans of using him the way she used Drew. I’ll bet she really knew about his troubled past. Daddy would have run a background check.

I don’t believe she ever had feelings for you him as she was incapable of that. Look at her reaction when her father was killed. She could have cared less.

[Jonetta]

I finished this earlier and it turned out to be more than I had expected. Gentrification is a social justice issue for many neighborhoods and the author took this to a sinister level. While most plots don’t include murderous actors, their behavior is just as insidious. I’ve witnessed coordinated efforts involving corporate entities, realtors and elected officials that create situations that undermine the residents.

This story made me really sad because it’s born out of reality. While I had some issues with the pacing, I thought she did a great job of illustrating how these things start and the attitudes of new residents toward the older ones. I also liked how she made it seem like it could be Sydney’s paranoia.

I figured out her mother was dead about midway through the story. When she kept accessing her voice mail, I got suspicious.

[Charlene]

Jonetta wrote: "I finished this earlier and it turned out to be more than I had expected. Gentrification is a social justice issue for many neighborhoods and the author took this to a sinister level. While most pl..."

I had much the same thoughts as I read this one, Jonetta...very sad, and so close to reality. I kept thinking, how far do we have to stretch for this to be a real situation? Not really that far at all.

[Jonetta]

That’s what was scary, Charlene. The lack of respect was so hard to take, their superiority beliefs so easily worn.

Chilling.

[Sandra]

I listened to this book last year, and recall having some issues with the pacing also. However, that didn't distract from the issues spotlighted in this book. I've long felt our elderly are treated atrociously in this country and often denied the respect and honor they deserve. I feel that the author was able to pull off taking it to a deeper later with a sinister tone and unreliable narrator raising questions in readers minds. And yes...there was no doubt in my mind the mother was dead.

[Jonetta]

Oh, Joy, I’m so glad you decided to try again with our group read. This was a tough one and there were a few times I wanted to stop listening but decided the author was deliberately trying to make me uncomfortable so I pressed on. I’m glad I did, too.

Yes, I also lived through similar neighborhood “conversions” in the 90s. One was a model to use and the others were similar to the one in this book.

[Jonetta]

Thank you, Joy! That means a lot.

[Lynne]

Joy wrote: "Thanks Jonetta. I have been vetting different groups and I find you, Sandra and the other members make this a great group. I'm looking forward to what's next."

Keeps me coming back!