Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: July 8, 2025
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Source: Publisher
Genre: Thriller / Suspense
In what Jeneva Rose declares a “chilling and atmospheric” tale, Nola Strate, a late night radio host in Portland, Oregon, listens to stories of hauntings and cryptic sightings for a living. But one foggy evening, a caller describes an eerie scene that triggers memories of Nola’s childhood escape from a serial killer, and she fears he’s back to finish what he started.
Nola Strate is being watched, again.
After an encounter with a notorious serial killer in the Pacific Northwest as a child, Nola has grown up and tried her best to forget her traumatizing night with the Hiding Man. She installed security cameras outside her Oregon home, never spoke of her experience, and now hosts Night Watch, a popular radio call-in show her semi‑famous father used to run. When coincidences lead Nola to believe that she is being stalked, and a caller on Night Watch has a live incident with an intruder in the caller's home—the description of whom is chillingly familiar—Nola is convinced that the Hiding Man has resurfaced and is coming for her.
With a mysterious next‑door neighbor lurking in the shadows, more people getting hurt, the police not taking her concerns seriously, and evidence pointing towards her own father, Nola decides to become, like her listeners, a Night Watcher herself, and uncover the monster behind the Hiding Man's mask.
Nola Strate is being watched, again.
After an encounter with a notorious serial killer in the Pacific Northwest as a child, Nola has grown up and tried her best to forget her traumatizing night with the Hiding Man. She installed security cameras outside her Oregon home, never spoke of her experience, and now hosts Night Watch, a popular radio call-in show her semi‑famous father used to run. When coincidences lead Nola to believe that she is being stalked, and a caller on Night Watch has a live incident with an intruder in the caller's home—the description of whom is chillingly familiar—Nola is convinced that the Hiding Man has resurfaced and is coming for her.
With a mysterious next‑door neighbor lurking in the shadows, more people getting hurt, the police not taking her concerns seriously, and evidence pointing towards her own father, Nola decides to become, like her listeners, a Night Watcher herself, and uncover the monster behind the Hiding Man's mask.
Daphne Woolsoncroft’s creepy debut thriller Night Watcher hits the sweet spot between current trends: the fascination with podcast/talk show hooks and the resurgence of demand for serial killer novels. She combines these two elements in a compulsive tale that will have thriller fans at the edge their seats. Daphne Woolsoncroft is the host of the popular true crime podcast Going West, with 1.6-2.3 million monthly listens and 145k-215k new episode listens per episode, the experience of which lends her authenticity, develops storytelling skills, and builds an enthusiastic and loyal fan base.
Night Watcher centers on Nola Strate, a late-night call-in radio host in Portland, Oregon, who runs Night Watch, a show inherited from her semi-famous father, Chick Strate. The program invites listeners to share eerie stories of hauntings and cryptic sightings, creating an intimate, voyeuristic atmosphere. Nola’s life, however, is haunted by a real-life horror: at age eight, she witnessed the murder of her babysitter by a masked serial killer known as “The Hiding Man” and narrowly escaped.
Two decades later, Nola has buried the trauma, equipping her home with security cameras and focusing on her career. But one foggy evening, a frantic caller describes an intruder whose chilling familiarity triggers Nola’s suppressed memories, convincing her that The Hiding Man has returned to finish what he started. As coincidences pile up—new murders mirroring The Hiding Man’s past crimes; and evidence pointing toward her own father—Nola grapples with paranoia and distrust.
The police, including Detective Jack De Lacey, who investigated her childhood case, dismiss her concerns, forcing Nola to become a “Night Watcher” herself, investigating the killer’s identity. The novel alternates perspectives between Nola, Jack, and the enigmatic “Him” (the killer), weaving a dual timeline that connects past and present in a tense, unraveling mystery. Nola is a standout protagonist, portrayed with psychological realism as a survivor of trauma who is neither fully healed nor permanently broken.
Her journey from victim to proactive investigator feels earned and authentic. Supporting characters, like Detective Jack De Lacey, burdened by past failures, and Harvey, Nola’s producer and love interest, are well-rounded, with their own arcs that enhance the narrative. The complex, fractured relationship between Nola and her father, Chick, forms the emotional core, exploring how trauma ripples through families. Some plot points, such as the rapid connections between past and present cases, stretch credibility.
The killer’s elaborate frame-up of Chick, while clever, occasionally feels contrived, which may frustrate readers who prefer airtight plotting. Daphne Woolsoncroft leverages her true crime expertise to craft a thriller that feels both entertaining and authentic, with a compelling protagonist and a narrative that keeps readers guessing. While minor flaws like pacing hiccups and underdeveloped subplots exist, they don’t detract from the novel’s overall impact.
Two decades later, Nola has buried the trauma, equipping her home with security cameras and focusing on her career. But one foggy evening, a frantic caller describes an intruder whose chilling familiarity triggers Nola’s suppressed memories, convincing her that The Hiding Man has returned to finish what he started. As coincidences pile up—new murders mirroring The Hiding Man’s past crimes; and evidence pointing toward her own father—Nola grapples with paranoia and distrust.
The police, including Detective Jack De Lacey, who investigated her childhood case, dismiss her concerns, forcing Nola to become a “Night Watcher” herself, investigating the killer’s identity. The novel alternates perspectives between Nola, Jack, and the enigmatic “Him” (the killer), weaving a dual timeline that connects past and present in a tense, unraveling mystery. Nola is a standout protagonist, portrayed with psychological realism as a survivor of trauma who is neither fully healed nor permanently broken.
Her journey from victim to proactive investigator feels earned and authentic. Supporting characters, like Detective Jack De Lacey, burdened by past failures, and Harvey, Nola’s producer and love interest, are well-rounded, with their own arcs that enhance the narrative. The complex, fractured relationship between Nola and her father, Chick, forms the emotional core, exploring how trauma ripples through families. Some plot points, such as the rapid connections between past and present cases, stretch credibility.
The killer’s elaborate frame-up of Chick, while clever, occasionally feels contrived, which may frustrate readers who prefer airtight plotting. Daphne Woolsoncroft leverages her true crime expertise to craft a thriller that feels both entertaining and authentic, with a compelling protagonist and a narrative that keeps readers guessing. While minor flaws like pacing hiccups and underdeveloped subplots exist, they don’t detract from the novel’s overall impact.
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