i really did enjoy the story of this one. the plot was really good. i didn’t fully love the choppy writing but i understood the need for it. i was left wanting more though.

i wanted to know about the after everything went down with everyone of the characters.

I love Joshilyn Jackson’s books. Each one is an unusual story. This one is no different although it doesn’t come together as well as some of her others. There was a twist that I enjoyed but another that didn’t quite work for me. I will always be excited for her. next one!

United States Publication: April 25, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.


When I first found Joshilyn Jackson she was writing straight-up women's fiction and I love it. So her foray into the mystery-thriller genre had me super curious. My brief summary? Nailed it. But let's go a little bit deeper than that.

Meribel Mills has just moved herself and her daughter from Hollywood to Atlanta for two reasons. One, to escape the onslaught of stalker fan mail and unwelcome visits to her home from someone out there eager to claim Meribel as his own, and two, Meribel landed a good part on a good show and needs the work. Meribel is used to fan mail, having played a popular character on a popular show a dozen years ago but the kind of mail she is getting from this one person is upsetting, to say the least, and it is escalating from romance to violence. Meribel has a tween daughter that she will go to any lengths to protect. In Atlanta, she hopes to be able to breathe easier and stay hidden from her stalker. However, Atlanta also holds her past - one she fled to Hollywood to escape. Her neighbor, Cooper, is nice and friendly and working through a recent break-up so he and Meriel find friendship as they bravely try to forge on. He's also really good with Honor, her tween-almost-teen daughter that has autism and is Meribel's whole life and world. Meribel is missing Cam Reynolds, whom she left behind in California as she fled to Atlanta. However, when Cam shows up in Atlanta, at the same time Meribel receives a gift from her stalker, her suspicions, fueled by Cooper's jealousy, threaten to take over. Is it just a coincidence that Cam appeared in her life as the stalker ramped up from romance to violence and then found her in Atlanta? Is her ex-husband the one she feels has eyes on her in Atlanta? Is Cooper someone she should pursue a relationship with? What will it take for the police to finally take her seriously, her chopped-up body?

This was very good. Very, very good. There are so many things about it that elevated it above a typical mystery-thriller. Things that, as I think about it, are hallmarks of Jackson's writing. The whole stalker story and the mystery surrounding who it might be was very good, and kind of the point of the book, but what I really liked and appreciated about the book was the character of Honor, Meribel's daughter, and the work Jackson put in researching and bringing to life someone who lives with the kind of challenges she has and how Maribel supported her. Their mother-daughter relationship was really wonderful to read. I also really liked the various turns Jackson takes the reader to arrive at the person stalking Meribel. She wove together a few storylines in a really deft way.

I am a big Joshilyn Jackson fan and was thrilled to get my hands on an ARC of "With My Little Eye." An actress who made her name playing a teen on a sitcom flees Hollywood to go home in the hopes of evading an unknown stalker who has been in pursuit. Once set up in Georgia with her daughter, Meribel the closest people in her life soon seem the most suspicious as she tries to identify her stalker.

I found Meribels young teenage daughter the most dimensional character. Enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes and her pursuit of human connection. I found Meribel's character a little tiresome. As the plot advanced it had an exciting conclusion that is worth the wait for the reader.

I was given a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

My mom has read and enjoyed Joshilyn Jackson before so I was excited to read With My Little Eye. Unfortunately, it was all over the place and I found it obnoxious and annoying. Something about it just grated my nerves! I didn’t like any of the characters. I kept reading and reading just so I could see how it ends/who the stalker is, but I finally gave in and looked on Goodreads for spoilers. I didn’t find any, but I did see some reviewers felt the same way I did and it sounds like it doesn’t get any better at the end, so I’m giving up without knowing (and at this point, caring) who the stalker is. I will give her older books a chance but I sadly couldn’t finish this and I doubt I’ll pick it up at the library for my mom.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. It hooked me and kept me turning pages until I was done. Finished it in two days! The character development was strong, and the premise was unique enough that it didn't feel like anything else I've read.

This book had a great premise about an actress moving across country with her daughter to avoid a stalker. I have to say though I was confused at the beginning of the book and couldn't tell is that was by design. As I for further into it, I couldn't figure out who was the stalker and felt compelled to keep reading. I enjoyed the character, Honor, and thought the author did a great job describing challenges some people with autism have. There were some subplots that got going as well and though interesting, they didn't all really connect at the end. The last 10% of the book was extremely fast paced and my heart was pounding, but the ending was too abrupt. I do like this author a lot, but this was not my favorite.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy of With My Little Eye by Joshilyn Jackson. I have read and enjoyed two other books by this author so I was looking forward to reading this book. This is a thriller about an actress and her adopted autistic daughter who move from LA across the country to get away from a stalker they call Marker Man whose letters include horrific drawn pictures of what he’d like to do to the actress. Unfortunately the story ended up getting too ridiculous for my taste. There were other characters thrown in to make you wonder who the stalker could be. An ex husband, a boyfriend, a neighbor? You may like this book if you like fast paced stories full of twists and turns. I sadly didn’t like it and gave it 2⭐️

I was really excited about this book as I have enjoyed some of author’s previous work, but unfortunately this fell a bit flat for me. I think the premise was really strong but for me the execution just wasn’t there. The characters were fairly enjoyable to read about, in particular the character of Honor was written quite strongly in my opinion. However, I didn’t feel much suspense throughout and the ultimate conclusion felt rushed and unsatisfying.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for my e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Every had a stalker? Meribel is an actress receiving creepy letters from a man, also known as "The Marker Man", since he writes these letters with a fruit scented marker. She is scared for herself and her adopted autistic daughter, Honor. So, in an effort to escape The Marker Man, Meribel take an acting gig in Georgia with the hope that she can lose the stalker. But it does not work out as she continues to receive the letters. She feels like she is being watched as well. Who is this Marker man and what does he want?

I thought the concept of the novel intriguing as what would you do if you ha a stalker that you did not know but he was getting closer day by day? However, I found that the story dragged a bit in the middle. I really wanted to know who The Marker Man was so I powered through. Perhaps the characters could have been more developed?

Definitely a good, scary read, especially with the mystery of who was the stalker. I did enjoy the book and do recommend it.

3.5 stars rounded up

Summary
Meribel Mills is an actress and single mother living in LA when “fan” mail from an anonymous person starts to become more and more concerning. The “Marker Man” addresses his letters in sickly sweet scented marker, making his letters identifiable. Meribel has dealt with obsessed fans before, but Marker Man is different. Marker Man is escalating and despite increased security measures and police involvement, he remains anonymous. When it becomes clear that Marker Man has been in her home, Meribel makes the decision to uproot her and her daughter’s lives and move them to Atlanta.

The decision was tough for various reasons but nothing will stop Meribel from ensuring her daughter, Honor, is safe from Marker Man. Moving to Atlanta meant tearing Honor away from her known stable routine and starting over, which would stress any child but Honor is also on the spectrum and needs stability. But when letters from Marker Man continue to arrive with post marks getting closer and closer to Atlanta, it seems they have not eluded him. He’s on his way and what ensues will put everyone in peril.

Review
The book starts a little slow but the context is definitely important for character development throughout. Honor’s character is beautifully done and seemed very authentic. The insights into the twisted male characters added suspense and drama that I really enjoyed. Even though the reader does not get any indication as to which character is narrating at the start of a chapter, it was easy to identify whose head we are in. This speaks volumes about the character development and cast management (not too many characters to cause confusion).

There were some twists and turns that I really enjoys and an entire subplot among the tween characters. The plots merge seamlessly at the end but then end did feel rushed and abrupt. I was left wanting more of an explanation at the end. I think the book could’ve been a five star for me if there had been an epilogue, but still a great read.

This is one of the psychological thriller books that had not much very likeable characters? There were a lot of confusing parts about this book which was the multiple POV and catching up with the story. The ending in this book was not satisfying...

This was my third Joshilyn Jackson book, and it is definitely my favorite so far.

I don’t know how to summarize the plot without giving a lot away, so I’ll keep it vague. Meribel is an actress who has relocated to Atlanta with her daughter, Honor (who is on the spectrum), to escape a stalker. I’ve listened to enough true crime podcasts to believe the way her reports of her stalker are handled is unfortunately accurate — there’s not much the authorities can do until the stalker has already hurt the person, or worse. Moving across the country to get away is completely reasonable.

There are a whole lot of moving parts and people involved in the webs being woven throughout this book. Reveals kept happening the further along I read, and it kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to come next.

It did get slightly confusing at times when perspective would shift from one character to another at the start of a new chapter, but once they were all introduced it was easier to recognize their ‘voices’. There were also some parts that the jumping around disrupted the flow of the story for me. It would eventually get back on track, it would just take me a few pages.

Now to the important part — THE ENDING. It was so abrupt and I have so many questions. I’m curious if there is an epilogue out there somewhere that may be in the finished copy or if it’s an active choice to leave so many things left to the reader to decide. I’m not sure which scenario is the one I’d like better. I’m an ‘I want answers’ person, but it is bold to end it the way it is. It will lead to great book club discussions.

Ms Jackson can do no wrong! Moving us away from the small souther town tale and into a cautionary tale about the price of fame in the technology age. It’s a wild ride watching what this protagonist go through heck and back to protect herself and her daughter from her kooky stalker, and I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow this Advanced Reader Copy, in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the premise for this book. The description is a perfect psychological thriller trope. I have to say that I that it seems that it might also be a bit if a drama.

The story revolves around an aging B-List actress, Meribel Mills. Meribel escapes L.A. because of a stalker, “Marker Man,” that is sending her letters. Meribel and her teenage, adopted daughter, Honor, find themselves back in Atlanta, where Meribel has roots. Honor is on the Spectrum, and Meribel is a very protective mother.

Along the way, Meribel is making new friends in her building, dealing with an ex from L.A and thinking about her ex-husband from years ago. But soon she learns that “Marker Man” has followed her to the South.

I will admit that the suspense was at times lost on the drama and the large cast of characters. Each of the main characters seems to have their own issues that are brought into the story. This was a bit distracting. I was not sure that I was actually enjoying the book for a section of it, as the individual drama outweighed the thriller categorization. The story did come around in the end. My only other criticism is that an epilogue would have been greatly appreciated, as it was a very abrupt ending.

I would rate it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

3.5 stars for this psychological thriller about an actress who can’t escape an escalating stalker.

Meribel has just uprooted her entire life to Atlanta to outrun a stalker who sends her disturbing & violent letters. But moving into a new apartment building in Atlanta brings new people into her life — and not all of them have good intentions.

What I liked about this book: I loved Meribel’s 13 year old autistic daughter, Honor. Her wit & honesty were such a strong addition to this book. I also loved how the book constantly changed POVs, where true intentions were revealed piece by piece. It had me constantly doubting and flipping pages to try to put it all together.

What I didn’t love: Parts of Meribel’s past were obvious red herrings that added little to the plot. And the book ended so abruptly I didn’t get a true feel for the motivation for the stalking — which the story feel unfinished and disappointing.

Right from the start, this book takes you on a ride. There are so many twists and turns that you never see coming. The story is well developed and told from a few points of view. The narrative from the mother and daughter are my favorite. My only disappointment is that I have questions about how it all turned out, but I use my imagination very well.

This is an exciting, action-packed story about actress Meribel Mills, her autistic daughter, and her stalker. I have to say this story had me stumped as to who the “bad guy” was. Definitely entertaining!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the opportunity to read and review Joshilyn Jackson’s, With My Little Eye. I have read and enjoyed a few other works from this author and was looking forward to this latest thriller.

Meribel Mills is an actress and single mother to Honor, her neurodiverse twelve year old daughter. When Meribel begins receiving threatening notes from a stalker, she picks up and moves her daughter across the country to her hometown full of painful memories.

The only reason I finished this novel is because a DNF would hurt my NetGalley feedback ratio. (Anyone know a work around for this!?) I found this book unbelievably far fetched, a weird mashup of what appeared to be two different novels, and contained one of the most unlikeable main characters I’ve read in a long time. It’s possible Meribel maybe the most self absorbed, problematic and painful character I’ve read to date. Please look at other reviews before writing this off, but it was not for me.

With My Little Eye releases April 2023.

⭐️

Actress Meribel Mills has had a stalker for a year. First came the letters. Then the perverse, gruesome drawings, etched in fruit-scented markers. Then the objects mysteriously displaced in her home, the smell of unfamiliar men's cologne on her sheets. As the threats escalate, Meribel takes drastic action, moving herself and her preteen daughter Honor across the country, from Los Angeles to Atlanta. But even that doesn't deter her stalker, because the letters don't stop, each postmark bringing the danger closer to Atlanta and closer to everything Meribel holds dear.

I love Joshilyn Jackson's novels and always look forward to a new one, and With My Little Eye definitely doesn't disappoint. Jackson's writing has such an easy, breezy quality, but it's also textured and insightful. With My Little Eye raises interesting, complex questions about privacy, inner lives, emotional growth, motherhood, and how well we really know the people closest to us, all wrapped up in a propulsive, entertaining plot injected with just the right amounts of suspense, humor, and heart.

By far the best part about this book, though, is Meribel's daughter, Honor. Thirteen-year-old Honor is autistic, and the chapters written from her perspective are perfectly executed. From misunderstanding social queues, to her lack of emotion, to coping with overstimulation, Jackson paints a nuanced, endearing portrait of an individual on the spectrum -- but also of an ordinary teenage girl who just wants to hang out with her friends and rebel.

I will say that this novel does require some suspension of disbelief at parts, but I was happy to just go along for the ride. Also, everything ends too abruptly -- this is one case where I really wanted an epilogue to wrap up a few things in a more satisfying way. But overall, With My Little Eye was a compulsively readable thriller that I think fans of Joshilyn Jackson will be very happy with. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advance reading opportunity.