Girl Watching You is a riveting suspense-thriller that grabs you on page one and doesn’t let go until those words, “The End,” appear on the final page.

Ava Beck, an out of work actress, is haunted by the death of her sister, Kim, who fell down the stairs at her boyfriend’s place. Ava is convinced that Kim’s boyfriend, film producer Brett Moore, murdered her. Moore, however, is able to escape justice when the death is ruled to be accidental. Ava, not satisfied, pursues a civil suit against him with the help of her soon-to-be ex-husband, a lawyer. Black-balled by the entertainment industry at the instigation of Moore, Ava finds work in a florist shop. However, the needless death of her sister, leaves her obsessed with powerful men who she believes take advantage of younger, naïve women. Enter Peter Greer, a successful hedge fund manager, who is estranged from his wife and is often cited in gossip columns for being in the company of younger women. Greer and his latest girlfriend purchase a bouquet from the shop where Ava works and during the transaction, she spies bruises on the girl’s wrists. Convinced something bad may happen, Ava follows the couple to the girl’s apartment, climbs the fire escape and peers in the window. An argument is taking place and Ava sees Greer raise his hand as if to hit the young woman. The woman’s cat, who has been let outside, jumps at the window gaining Greer’s attention. Does he see Ava? She hopes not. The following morning, Ava discovers the girl in question has been killed – murdered. Is Greer responsible? 

Girl Watching You moves at a fast pace, author Schneider constantly ramping up the tension which keeps the reader enthralled. There are twists, turns, and a red herring or two that keep you guessing as to who is actually the murderer. The characters are fully developed and the reader feels Ava’s sorrow, her confusion, her anger, and, most of all, her need to do something. The character of Peter Greer is also multi-dimensional and the reader is tossed back and forth trying to determine if he is a vicious murderer or a victim himself.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is my second J.A. Schneider (Cry to Me), but won’t be my last. I highly recommend Girl Watching You to fans of thrillers, psychological thrillers, romantic suspense, novels situated in New York, and mystery. Actually, I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t enjoy this novel. I absolutely loved it!