Book: When No One Is Watching

Author: Alyssa Cole

“Now she feels…real, I guess. All of the neighbors I spoke to do.

I hadn’t thought of them as real people. Even when I’d chatted with Mr. Perkins, even when I’d watched from my window or observed people during my walks, I hadn’t really been seeing them. It’s a startling realization, but to be fair, I’ve spent most of my life having to quickly categorize people as either threat or…something else. That doesn’t leave much room for having to think about their past or their feelings, or whatever.”

When No One Is Watching ~ Alyssa Cole

BLURB

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?

REVIEW

When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole is a darkly enthralling tale about an unlikely pair of neighbors who take on the horrifying, forced gentrification in their neighborhood. Sydney, while dealing with her grief around her mother, gaslighting scars from her ex, is trying to prove to herself and neighbors that their community has so much important history. The stories about the past are tough nuggets that aren’t always talked about in school. The way that Sydney and Theo interact with each was engaging to watch as they slowly form a very friendly relationship. I liked the little postings from the OurHood App. They helped give you a sense of the people living in the neighborhood and encouraged you to become more invested in the characters. While the end was more action packed and a bit far fetched than the rest of the story, I really enjoyed it! This was such a thrilling read and I loved every second!

Book Club 2022