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When No One Is Watching
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when no one is watching | pg 1 - 108
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what has happened so far and what do you think?I am not really getting much thriller vibes from this apart from the uber ride. I will say I find the relationship between kim and theo to be strange. I hope that the story will pick up soon.
where do you think the storyline is going?
I assume the story line will go along some way that there is an outside conspiracy that is finding creative ways to get the people of color out of the neighborhood without drawing too much suspicion.
any theories to share?
I think there will be a twist around theo, like he is in on it/mastermind of it or something. I could also see whatever happened in Seattle somehow having something to do with what is happening to the people in the neighborhood. I also think there could be medical experiments being done in the old hospital and that is what was happening with that man and theo.
is there a POV you are preferring?
I don't have a strong opinion between either of them, but I think theo is annoying because he is just letting kim get away with stuff even though he clearly doesn't support her. I hope he will grow a spine soon and say something to her.
I’m not sure how I’m feeling about this book yet. I feel like it has so much potential, I really hope they run with it. I’m wondering if we are gonna have a “get out” situation. I have an extreme hatred for Kim, Josie and Terry. They are stuck up, privileged individuals. I hope this picks up soon.
when i first started this book i wasn’t sure how i felt about it, but as time goes on and i read more i’m definitely seeing more and more potential with the storyline and characters and i find myself wanting to read it more and more. i think as we go on this will turn more into a thriller since it doesn’t really feel like one right now except for that uber part. i feel like we’re going to get more things like that and i’m honestly excited! i have a theory that they’ll do the tour and something scary will happen.
as for the povs, i like them both for their own reasons. i like sydney’s pov because the mysteriousness of what happened to her mom and her pov really shows all of the strange changes happening in the town. i also like reading about theo because of his cluelessness but curiosity, and i would really like to see him leave kim!
I struggled. So far not a thriller, I’m holding my breath.I like the dialogue and the writing (although a bit disjointed in places) keeps me on my toes I guess.
Sydney’s secrets are holding my attention
I find it surprising gripping thus far (maybe partially because I've adjusted my expectation with all the lukewarm reviews), and the depiction of gentrification feels disturbingly authentic. It's definitely a timely release, especially with the real world racism bubbling to the surface throughout the year 2020 (George Floyd, Central Park 'Karen'—which could've been the inspiration for the Kim and Sydney 'attack' scene), the story so far feels particularly unsettling because we now know 100% these microaggressions are happening all around us, and are not just made-up fiction. That theme park concept mentioned in the beginning is just plain gross.
When No One is Watching is definitely not a 'fun' thriller in the traditional sense. but I think it might be the most appropriate genre label for it, with its overall dread and the impending White invasion. I'm intrigued to see how it will develop.
The neighborhood app/chat interludes are a great touch; my friend uses one in real life, and thing can definitely get quite passive aggressive and toxic on those platforms.
I watched a movie this year with a similar plot except the realtors were vampires so I cant stop thinking that something super natural will happen. especially during that scene when the guy with had an "incident" with Theo, makes me feel like something super natural is going on.
what has happened so far and what do you think?Not much has happened so far, we've been introduced to all the key players in the neighbourhood. I'm liking the writing style, but waiting for something interesting/thrilling to happen, based on all the review I thought it would be more surprising.
where do you think the storyline is going?
I think someone is messing with the Black members of the community to drive them out. Planting drugs, creepy uber rides, etc.
any theories to share?
No solid theories but definitely suspicious feelings about Bill Bill - the real estate agent.
is there a POV you are preferring?
I'm liking them both at the moment, their perspectives on the neighbourhood are both so different.
what has happened so far and what do you think?Not too much has happened yet but i'm enjoying how the author is building anticipation. I'm finding the gentrification plot line interesting and the white characters in this book are so cringe. Kim feels like a bit of a caricature of a "Karen" which makes it even more depressing that there are actually real people like that in this world.
where do you think the storyline is going?
I think that more POC residents will either start to go missing or being driven out of their neighbourhood and Sydney and Theo will start investigating it as part of their research for the tour. I have a horrible feeling that something bad is going to happen to Mr Perkins :( was anyone else really shook up when Sydney thought she had found him dead in his sleep?! My god that scared me. I'm not sure how much we are supposed to rely on Sydney as a narrator. She seems quite erratic and even she is questioning whether things happened or not so what are we supposed to think?
any theories to share?
I think Sydney's mum is dead but she is hiding it, maybe because of the case she is fighting with the lawyers? I'm not sure but the amount of times that her Mum is mentioned seems very intentional and the voicemails she leaves feels like when people call the phones of loved ones who have passed to hear their voice again. It seems weird that she hasn't visited her in the assisted living home once in the 108 pages so far.
is there a POV you are preferring?
I like both POV's equally and i'm glad that there are only two because i don't usually like flitting between a lot of POV's because it can take me out of the story a bit. I also like the Ourhood segments after each chapter and they give us a good idea of the dynamic between the old and new residents. I find it so funny that Josie keeps moaning about people not picking up their dog shit when it's her husband that is doing it :')
what has happened so far and what do you think?I am enjoying it so far. I like the two different perspectives of the neighbourhood.
where do you think the storyline is going?
It seems like the black members of the neighbourhood are being driven out or possible missing, maybe. I don't like the realtor guy he gives me the creeps, and Kim, Josie and Terry seem like truly dreadful people.
The bit with Theo and the big black guy gave me creepy feelings, then the police just turning up. Like the guy was maybe trying to escape something terrible. I linked it maybe with the old hospital, like something was being done to him there?
any theories to share?
Not sure just some thoughts about the weirdness around Sydney's mum something is very strange there. Why is she not going to visit her? and why is she lying to people around her about the mum?
I also feel like the realtor and maybe Kim, Josie and Terry are somehow responsible for driving black people out of the area.
is there a POV you are preferring?
No, I like them equally, but I have doubts about how reliable they may be. Theo is a little annoying in relation to his relationship with Kim. It seems like a really strange situation and he is letting her walk all over him. But overall I like them both.
So far, I think there is a conspiracy to push people who are black out of the neighborhood (and probably also poorer people, seems like stores are closing as well). the scene with Sydney and Kim was so uncomfortable and I could feel panic imagining Sydney in that situation. I felt so stressed out about Preston and it feels like the police are in on this conspiracy to drive people out and are ruining lives in the process.I'm not sure how far into the Get Out sort of vibe this is going yet. the guy Theo saw who was taken by the police made this feel creepy.
While I like both POVs, I'm enjoying Sydney's more because I can feel more and pick up more from her POV. Overall, I feel a lot of panic and stress when we're seeing her POV.
I wasn’t sure after the first chapter or two but I’m interested now at page 110. I would disagree with some though that don’t think this is thriller so far. I think it’s almost borderline horror. The way Sydney’s anxiety is portrayed even when it may be nothing. What IS making the bed shake? What ARE causing her bites? Who was that man that picked her up in the crown Vic? And I think there’s something up with “Mommy”. On the verge of get out style where there’s an underlying creepiness and too many loose ends. I’m interested! Can’t wait to keep going.
I don't know about others but I'm getting the thriller-borderline-horror vibes. there's not much plot till here but the tone is solid and I'm looking forward to where this book goes.
I’m not sure how to feel about this book and what has happened so far.Has much happened? I don’t really know. I mean, yes. It’s very realistic to life and it’s though provoking and deep, but not in a thriller sense. I guess I’m just used to fast paced, in your face, outlandish thrillers.
As someone who is white, I feel like an outsider looking in - kind of like those tourists looking at history through the neighborhood.
Our downtown area is full of low income residents. It’s where the old homes are and there has been talks of people buying up the houses and flipping them and this became far more real. Where will those people go just as where will these people go here?
So it is definitely making me think about how I interact with my world.
From a reader standpoint - I really want to know what exactly happened in Seattle.
1) It seems like these last 100+ pages have set the stage for what’s to come. We’ve now been introduced to all the characters and have an understanding that there’s something sinister going on. The story feels like a slow burn, but IMO that’s not a bad thing. I’m also really liking the writing style; I find I easy to get into. 2) I’m never good at predicting endings but assuming there’s no plot twists, (which there very well could be since this is a thriller), I think Kim, Terry and Josie are racist and are conspiring to evict people of colour from their homes. Sydney and Theo will figure this out and work together to raise awareness and put a stop to it. There might be a romance between them as well?
3) I’m enjoying both POVs as they both feel necessary to plot development.
Audrey wrote: "I watched a movie this year with a similar plot except the realtors were vampires so I cant stop thinking that something super natural will happen. especially during that scene when the guy with ha..."I'm pretty sure I know which movie you're talking about...it's also set in the Bronx and some kids had to save the day? I can definitely see the parallels.
As it is I don't have any theories, I'm going in with no preconceived notions...just along for the ride
Something sinister is happening beyond the gentrification. I don't quite know if I'm ready to claim supernatural yet but I don't trust that alternate group that Kim and her friends set up.
I prefer Sydney simply because we get less time with/thinking about Kim that way.
I feel like this first part is setting the stage. I do not mind though ince I like the characters. Kim, Terry and Josie are obviously made to be dislikeable. I like the book being divided in Sidney - Theo chapters since their POVs together complete the general view of the issue that will be coming.
Even though not much has happened, I smell romance and I live for that!
1. What has happened so far and what do you think?I think the first third was an introduction of the neighbourhood/characters, so I'm guessing that the story will pick up from now on. So far I don't know how I feel about this book, I'll just wait to see what happens next.
2. Where do you think the storyline is going?
I believe the main storyline Will be about someone who's trying to force all the indigenous people to get out of the neighbourhood. Also I think we will find out what happened in Seattle.
3. Any theories to share?
I totally agree with Lucie above! I also think Sydney's mother is dead and she's hiding it, but also am I the only one who’s sensing some unreliable narrator's vibes regarding Sydney?
4. Is there a POV you are preferring?
Yes. I prefer Sydney's POV because I don't like Theo, especially his relationship with Kim.
I wanted to let everyone know that if you havnt started yet or havnt bought the book and want to. it's $2.99 on kindle daily deals right now in the U.S. kindle.
So many unanswered questions going on here. I am liking the slow burn of this. It's not heart pounding thrilling, but it is surprising thrilling. Some questions I have: what happened to Sydney's mom, what happened between Kim and Theo? What happened in Sydney's marriage? It is interesting to read this book of displacement and gentrification and to see how tense things can be, especially living in a big city that suffers from this problem so much.
I am liking both of the narrators, and am wondering if there is some unreliable narration happening for both Sydney and Theo. I also really hate Kim and her "them" statements, it is so gross.
The real estate agency being introduced is interesting and think they (with other new people to the neighbourhood) are working to systemically evict POC from their community to gentrify it. I don't know if they are using nefarious things to do it or not.
Honestly I didn’t really got thrilled vibes, however I do like the writing style, and this is Cole’s first thriller, so I’m gonna cut her some slack. It took me FOREVER to get through the first three chapters because I was annotating the shit out of this book. I have learned so much so far which I know is what Cole said she wants; to start a conversation, to help people see injustices we often overlook. Like the slavery theme park, that was a real thing, and it has been my weekly fun fact for everyone I talk to! I don’t remember if this was from my research or the book, but they had an acre of cotton for the “performers” to demonstrate how happy a slave would pick and process cotton. Apparently they paid their workers alright, but that isn’t confirmed. But don’t worry, they didn’t have to worry about housing because they had SLAVE HOUSES for the preformed to stay in.
I would also like to point out how much I loved the symbolism in the prologue!!! Zephyr the tour guide in particular. Now I’m pagan so as soon as I saw her name I knew there was something thereZephyr is the Greek god of the west wind. That much I knew. But if we go into just what the west wind is, it is said to bring about spring, change, and financial gain.
NOW LETS GET INTO WHO ALL ZEPHYR WAS WOOHOOING WITH
He had many wives, most popular is iris the goddess of rainbows. I like her, I’m not going to diss her, but I wanted to include her just because Iris is under appreciated. Who else was he with? A FREAKING LITERAL HARPY. Harpies are ugly creatures who are known for their greed and are commonly associated with plague and famine. Either this is a huge coincidence or Alyssa Cole is really good at her job.
What has happened so far and what do you think?- not a lot has happened to be honest... The only time I barely had to hold my breath was during the whole uber thing. So far I've been feeling a bit meh and bored... Kim is so unlikeable that you actually wish someone would prove her right and jump her. I mean, she's racist, she's a snob, she's a cheat, is there anything nice about her? Same goes for Terry and Josie...
Love Mr. Perkins and Count, hope they don't get hurt in the process!
Theo and Sydney are definitely going to be more than neighbours........
Where do you think the storyline is going?
- There will be more violent incidents and unlawful arrests to keep pushing the residents out of the neighbourhood. It seems like someone has a lot in stake with the sales of these houses and they are not afraid to play dirty to get them...
Something is suspicious about Sydney and her mother situation, is she dead? What is going on there? Why would she listen to her mum's voicemail instead of talking or visiting her? I don't know, it just sounds dodgy...
Also, Bill Bill is sus as hell!
Any theories?
-Bill Bill has something to do with people leaving Gifford Place, maybe that's how he went from office staff to realtor so fast!
There is something dark in Sydney's past, the whole Seattle/Marcus thing, the nightmares, how weird the whole mum situation is...
Favourite POV?
-meh, not really. Theo means I have to read about Kim being horrible; with Sydney I feel like I'm being lied to somehow... We'll see...
I honestly have no idea where the storyline is going so far, but I also haven't put a lot of thought into it. I'm just kind of along for the ride with this one. I'm interested in learning more about Sydney's history, especially with her mom.I don't think I have a strong preference towards one POV over the other, I guess I like Sydney's slightly more solely due to the absence of Kim.
Right now, I'd give this around 2-2.5 stars, so I'm hoping I get more enjoyment out of it as the story progresses.
I am late to the party, but I just finished the first part of this book. I agree that there’s not a lot of plot action that has happened so far, but the tone is pure dead and horror at what it going to happen or be revealed. I feel like all the pieces are in place and have been revealed, but we just can’t see the whole puzzle picture yet. I also think there’s a plot to force people of color from their homes and neighborhood. While I think Preston shows us that they’re using the “law” to do so—since his parents are potentially using the house as collateral to get him out of jail—I also worry about the implications of Sydney’s mom’s absence. I worry that she might have been the victim of some sort of chemical or medical “attack” (for lack of a better word) or that she’s been abducted for medical reasons. Or that she has since died and Sydney is trying to keep that secret until she can secure the house in her name. I don’t know, but the dread is real.
I don't hate Theo's POV because I think there's some interesting things going on with him, but I also feel a bit like the narrative is excusing him for sort of "turning a blind eye" with Kim. And it's not making me want to root for him and Sydney to potentially get together. But we'll see. I do love Sydney's POV so, I'm glad I get to enjoy that.
((Sorry about the edited comment. It posted before I was finished!))
what has happened so far and what do you think?
where do you think the storyline is going?
any theories to share?
is there a POV you are preferring?