The Silent Watcher by Victor Methos is mesmerizing. This book has the total package.

Will they find the culprit and justice for the innocent?

The Mystery
The story is like a train wreck—you can't look away. The troubled, fascinating, and realistic characters are genius. Setting the story in Las Vegas is also genius. I loved the mix of legal, procedural, mystery, and thrills. There is also a little medical element. I truly enjoyed getting to know each character and seeing how they reacted to the things thrown at them.

Piper Danes
As the guardian ad litem for children, Piper stands up for her wards. She tries hard to keep their best interests up front in the courtroom and in the real world. However, Piper also knows what these children whose parents are gone or absent are going through, as her mother's rights were taken away. Her grandmother raised her.

I like Piper. Her vulnerability is there, but her strength and fierceness are more prevalent.

Hope Dawson
Hope is a juvenile court judge. However, numerous rumors about the esteemed judge and her personal life are floating. I enjoyed getting to know her, but we haven't truly tapped into her character.

Lazarus Holloway
Lazarus is a detective with the LVPD who has recently been assigned to the newly established juvenile grant project, which Judge Dawson funds. Detective Holloway has quite a reputation. He ends up tracking down leads other detectives wouldn't have bothered with.

Five Stars
My rating for The Silent Watcher by Victor Methos is five stars. The story is wonderfully written, pulling some things from current events and adding the details that make it impossible to look away from. I was thoroughly entertained, and if you like thrillers, you will be too.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Silent Watcher by Victor Methos.

Until the next time,
~Jen

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

This was a cool start to a hot new series. I read Victor Methos's previous Shepard & Gray series earlier this year and enjoyed it quite a bit -- however, I wasn't aware it was set in Utah, as I've only seen Methos billed as a Vegas author. This one is is (hence the name of the series), and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Part crime story, part legal thriller, this had a decent amount of tension and a good amount of vibe. Both Piper's career and the Vegas setting was new to me. So many cities and professions have felt played to death, but this felt like an angle not yet explored. With Vegas being such a fast-growing economy, not to mention it's dark past, it's fun to finally see a crime series focus on it. The characters are good, but I think there's absolutely room to grow. I know there's a second book coming in 2025 and I'm interested to read that one too. It'll determine if this was a good one off, or the start of something special.

This medium-paced story kept me captivated from beginning to end. The author masterfully builds suspense that culminates in a dramatic conclusion, enriched by shocking scenes that intensify both the investigation and the trial.

This gritty thriller provides a compelling yet unsettling introduction to the series. The author’s experience as a lawyer adds an authentic touch to the courtroom scenes. While some moments can be quite disturbing, they are balanced by the thoughtful interactions between Piper and her grandmother, as well as the emotional exchanges with Sophie.

Although the book is a gripping page-turner, I did have some reservations about the ending, especially concerning a few unresolved plot threads. Overall, this thriller is intense, suspenseful, and tragic. I'm looking forward to the next installment. It’s definitely a must-read for fans of legal and crime thrillers with a dark twist.

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars!! This story follows Piper, who previously was a lawyer and now works as a guardian ad litem. Her first role as a guardian is for Sophie, a 15-year old whose mother and younger brother were gruesomely killed and she is the only survivor. Piper’s job is to make sure that Sophie is protected and looked after.

Piper works closely with Lazarus, the detective on the case who works in Juvenile Crime. Lazarus originally worked in homicide and worked a case similar to this one, which made him more intrigued with this case. They work closely trying to find who did this to Sophie’s family and why.


This story touched on so much more than this case. We learned about each of the main characters and their backstory along with other characters that made it interesting. If you like fast-paced thrillers with short chapters, and some very descriptive horrific scenes, you will enjoy this book and I highly recommend it.

5⭐️'s for me on this one. It had the complete creep factor I look for in a book. It is hard to imagine something like what happened in this book but knowing that this has happened in real life and I have seen crime shows cover it made it more surreal to read about in fiction. I actually liked all the characters in this book, their stories were done well. The ending had a great twist, you could kind of guess it but such a great ending.

Piper Danes, a lawyer working as a Guardian Ad Litem, has always had a soft spot for kids in tough positions because of her own challenging childhood, but when she's introduced to a fifteen-year-old who is the sole survivor of her family's murder at the hands of a very creepy killer, she's launched into a dark world she never expected.

As a fan of the original CSI series, I was really, really excited to see Victor Methos set this story against the backdrop of seedy side of Las Vegas. As always, Methos really sets the scene, and you feel like you're seeing the city through the eyes of longtime residents as opposed to the touristy side you so often see in stories set there. I liked Piper Danes as a main characters and Judge Dawson and Lazarus both add unique perspectives as well. I loved the contrast between the way the police stations and courthouses and described as modern steel and glass monstrosities, the humble home Piper shares with her grandmother, Lazarus' pretty pathetic office, Judge Dawson's extravagant home..... it just really did a good job of showing all the different sides of such a unique city.

The case was also an interesting, though definitely an extremely slow burn which I didn't expect from a case involving these topics. I expected a little bit more of a deep dive into the lifestyle and the types of crimes people commit surrounding it before jumping to the prosecution of the case, but overall, I thought it was a really solid story. Just as I'd hoped, this one will be a huge hit with fans of the original CSI TV series.

This is easily one of my stand out thrillers of the year, it really hooks you in from the first page & doesn’t let up!
I cannot wait to continue with this series!

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and Victor Methos for the arc!

💭𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:

This book is about woman named Piper who is handpicked by a judge to be guardian ad litem to a young 15 year old girl named Sophia Grace. Sophia sadly walked in on the murder scene of her mother and brother & escaped by jumping out her bedroom window. Piper teams up with Detective Lazarus Holloway to find out why the killer targeted these two and is he now after Sophia?

I really enjoyed this book. It started out really intense as I was immediately hooked! It was a super fast read and I liked how it had serial killer vibes written all over it. I also liked how it had a bit of genre mashup between serial killer, police procedural and legal thriller. I thought the courtroom scenes would be boring to me but I was so wrong.

I could picture the villain in this book so clearly, it actually gave me the creeps a few times. This is book one of the series and I’m really looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you to NetGalley, Victor Methos, and Thomas & Mercer for the ebook. This was an exciting, suspenseful page-turner that kept me up late into the night. A gripping detective thriller filled with twists and turns, and an ending that will leave your head spinning.

This legal thriller is a dark, atmospheric journey that hooked me from the first page. Piper Danes is a standout protagonist—driven, empathetic, and fiercely determined to protect Sophie Grace, the brave and heartbreaking teen at the center of the story. The dynamic between Piper, Judge Dawson, and Detective Holloway adds layers of tension and camaraderie, making their hunt for “the Creeper” all the more gripping.

The plot is meticulously crafted, blending courtroom drama with chilling suspense. The twists are shocking, yet believable, and the stakes feel intensely personal. The vivid descriptions of the predator’s methods sent shivers down my spine, keeping me on edge until the final reveal.

A couple of slower moments didn’t detract from the overall tension, and I couldn’t put this book down. A must-read for fans of dark, character-driven thrillers!

Piper Danes has just become a guardian ad litem (GAL), a neutral person appointed by a court to advocate for the best interests of a child or incapacitated person, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her first case involves 15-year-old Sophie Grace who is the sole survivor of a gruesome family murder. Teaming up with Judge Hope Dawson and Detective Lazarus Holloway, Piper delves into a world more sinister than she could have imagined.

A great book that I read so fast I thought there must've been a mistake in the page count. Somehow I still didn't manage to get it finished by the publication date but almost! I really liked the characters, especially Piper and her grandmother, the setting, and the short snappy chapters which made the pages fly by. A combination police procedural and courtroom drama with one of the creepiest villains I've ever run across. I've enjoyed everything by Victor Methos that I've read and if this is the start of a new series, sign me up! I have to admit that I wasn't too crazy about the ending which seemed rather abrupt, like maybe the author ran out of steam; otherwise I would've given the book 5 stars.

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: December 1, 2024

I’ve always been a big fan of legal thrillers and Victor Methos’ writing is right up my alley. I loooved “A Killer’s Wife” so I couldn’t wait to dig into this one.

Piper Danes, our main character, is a guardian ad litem, a lawyer who acts on behalf of children and vulnerable adults during court proceedings to ensure their interests are met. Her current case brings her Sophie Grace. Sophie is the lone survivor of a brutal familial slaying. Her case is eerily similar to another from a few years before.

Our story jumps between POVs and offers a few glimpses into the previous case. The pacing is perfect - the tension never recedes throughout. Though the story was plot driven, the characters were fleshed out and real. I’m really looking forward to seeing how Methos develops them over the series.

The courtroom scenes were so descriptive and accurate, I couldn’t get enough. It genuinely felt like I was in the room with the attorneys as they argued their respective positions. Those were my favorite parts of the book.

I will say the ending fell a bit flat for me. I’m not entirely sure what I expected, but it was not that. It felt a little bit rushed.

That said, I enjoyed this book a lot and am already looking forward to the second in the series!

4.5 ⭐️s!

Thank you to Victor Methos, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for my eARC!

Victor Methos’ The Silent Watcher is a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled legal thriller that combines relentless action with courtroom drama. As the first installment in the Vegas Shadows series, the book sets a high bar, delivering a gripping tale of justice, suspense, and the dark underbelly of crime.

The story follows a dedicated investigative team as they race against time to hunt down a cunning murderer and secure a conviction. Methos masterfully blends the intensity of a crime thriller with the intricacies of legal proceedings, offering readers a dual narrative that alternates between the gritty fieldwork and the high-stakes courtroom battles. The nonstop action and chilling suspense make this a compelling read, especially for those who enjoy the tension of being watched or lurking dangers in the shadows.

One of the novel’s strengths is its ability to evoke a sense of paranoia and fear, making it perfect for readers who find themselves spooked by the idea of an unseen threat lurking nearby. Methos’ detailed descriptions and atmospheric writing heighten the tension, ensuring that the fear feels palpable.

However, it’s worth noting that the book leans heavily on its legal aspects. Methos’ background as a trial attorney shines through in the courtroom scenes, which are both authentic and engaging. For readers who appreciate legal thrillers, this adds an extra layer of depth and realism. But for those less interested in legal jargon or procedural details, these sections may feel dense or slower compared to the fast-paced action scenes.

Verdict:

The Silent Watcher is an intense and engaging start to the Vegas Shadows series. Victor Methos delivers a thrilling mix of action, suspense, and legal drama that will appeal to fans of crime fiction and courtroom thrillers alike. If you enjoy stories that keep you on edge with a perfect blend of fear and procedural intrigue, this is a must-read. Just be prepared for some in-depth legal talk along the way!

The Silent Watcher
Victor Methos
Thomas & Mercer
12/01/2024

The Silent Watcher begins the Vegas Shadows series. Set in Las Vegas, Nevada, this legal and crime thriller features attorney Piper Danes and Detective Lazarus Holloway and Judge Dawson. A new grant comes into play where everyone in the juvenile justice system is encouraged to work together. Judge Dawson has picked Piper as the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) and Detective Lazarus Holloway to be on the team when a family is brutally murdered leaving a juvenile, Sophie Grace, as the only survivor.

This murder is very similar to one that the detective worked years ago. Lazarus may be hardened and cynical, and a drinker, but he wants the truth, and he wants a closed case. Piper Danes is a strong woman, a strong attorney and very empathetic to her clients. Piper truly wants the best outcome for who she was assigned to. Judge Dawson, well, she is working hard at something. I am not sure what just yet.

What I do know is that this is a legal thriller, that perfectly balances legal and thriller. The serial killer is gruesome and horrific, but very believable. The best part is that there are little easter eggs perfectly placed throughout this book. Yes, you may think you have a plot hole or an unanswered question, but the groundwork has been laid and the player board is set. I cannot wait to see what happens next.

A teenage girl is the sole survivor of a brutal attack that killed her mother and brother. Young attorney Piper Danes is acting as the girl's guardian ad item, working closely with the investigating police detective and a juvenile court judge.

The story was intense, gruesome and scary. The characters were all flawed in their own way, and had good backstories. And the killer sure was frightening. The court proceedings were really interesting. The author's legal background is evident in these descriptions. A great read.

The Silent Watcher is book one in the Vegas Shadows series by Victor Methos.
Such an entertaining legal thriller.
Very well written, and the characters were all realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself gripped, turning the pages, not knowing what was to come next.
It was suspenseful, mysterious and unpredictable.

Excitement abounds when there’s a new series from Victor Methos. The Silent Watcher begins the Vegas Shadows series. Set in Las Vegas, Nevada, this legal and crime thriller features attorney Piper Danes and Detective Lazarus Holloway. Piper was once an endangered youth who is now a court-appointed representative who acts on behalf children or vulnerable adults in legal proceedings.

Piper is good at connecting with children. She’s empathetic with victims, smart, curious, kindhearted, and driven. Lazarus is blunt, logical, sees the world as a puzzle to be solved, and passionate about his job. Judge Dawson is smart, has both a medical degree and a legal degree, and comes from a wealthy and influential family. Despite these traits, each of the main characters has flaws that make them more realistic and relatable, but not always likeable.

The fact that the lawyer (Piper) was neither the prosecutor nor a defense attorney added a different twist on the usual legal thriller. Additionally, a grant allows for a different way of approaching cases involving juveniles. Juvenile court judge Hope Dawson, Piper, and Lazarus team up on a case. Sophie Grace is the sole survivor when her family is murdered. The hunt for the truth and the murderer leads the trio on a suspenseful journey.

This medium-paced story gripped me from beginning to end. The author does a great job building suspense until it culminates in a volatile conclusion. Shocking scenes and information provide a counterpoint to the suspense, investigation and trial. It’s a story with plenty of layers, some of which are quite dark and disturbing.

This gritty thriller is a fantastic, but disquieting and scary-to-think-about start to the series. The author’s experience as a lawyer added to the authenticity of the courtroom and other legal aspects of the plot. Gripping scenes and a well-crafted and riveting plot hooked me from the very beginning. It is unsettling at times, but this is balanced with thoughtful moments of Piper with her grandmother and with Sophie as well as some emotional scenes. The book was a page-turner that kept me engaged throughout the storyline. My only quibble was with the ending. While the case is resolved, I didn’t like some aspects of it and there were a couple of loose threads.

Overall, this thriller was uncomfortable at times, suspenseful, tragic, and intense. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. Combining a police procedural, child advocacy, a mystery, charged and intense courtroom scenes, and an action-packed ending makes this novel a must read for those who enjoy legal and crime thrillers with a dark twist.

Thomas and Mercer and Victor Methos provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for December 01, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

The Ghost Did It

Ave Mitchell, her brother, and his girlfriend are enjoying some time in an isolated family cabin on a lake shore. Ave goes into the cabin to take a shower. She checks on her brother's girlfriend. She is not moving. Ave is worried that she may have taken too many anxiety pills because she believes that the cabin is haunted. The girlfriend rolls over and tries to talk, but half of her neck is missing. Ave runs out of the cabin with the intruder just missing her. Soon, the girlfriend runs out also. Ave and her brother try to stop the bleeding. The brother decides to drive the truck to get help. When he doesn’t return, Ave goes looking for him. She finds him near the garage, dead with most of his throat missing. She takes off running for the nearest campground two miles away. It’s empty. The next one has some tents, but no one is around. He hides in one of the tents. Someone approaches that tent.

This novel has two threads. The first is the investigation of the murder of Emily Grace and her son. Her daughter, Sophie, survived the attack. Ave’s murder is added to this investigation. A local influential juvenile judge has obtained grant funding to have a Guardian Ad Litem join an investigation to protect a juvenile victim of a crime. The judge persuades the Robbery/Homicide Captain to transfer the murder investigation to the Juvenile Crimes. This introduces an aspect of the novel where the two main characters do not have the same goal. When the suspect is arrested at 60% point of the novel, I knew another main thread was starting. This thread begins with the defendant’s competency hearing. The first main character is the juvenile officer, Detective Lazarus Holloway, who was the detective for the Ave Mitchell murders. Soon after, he transfers to Juvenile Crimes. The second main character is the assigned Guardian Ad Litem, Piper Danes. From Holloway’s perspective, he did work with her, but she would not let him question Sophie Grace, the only eyewitness. This duo needs to overcome many difficulties in addition to their cross purposes. Danes insists that she participates in most of Holloway’s interviews. Holloway, at the start, doesn’t often tell Danes what he is doing. Despite the inefficiencies, progress is made, and a partnership is built. Tension is maintained because if Sophie regains her memory, she could identify the killer. Plenty of twists, turns, and rabbit holes helped keep my interest to the novel's end.

As the first novel in the series, the background of the two main characters is extensive. As this is the first interaction between these characters, much is revealed naturally as they work the case, drive to interviews, and relax while eating or winding down. At the start, Detective Holloway is a little more secretive. Another source for Piper Dane’s character is her conversations and actions with her grandmother, with whom she lives. Deep into the novel, Holloway's surprise friendship reveals much deeper details about his character—an interesting revelation in his past. Overall, the background enhanced my reading enjoyment of this novel.

Except for using one mildly rude word, this novel is remarkable in its lack of vulgar and rude words. There are no intimate scenes. Only violence manages to have a presence in this novel. At first, the descriptions of the violence that was inflicted upon the victims can be disturbing. Then, in the latter part of the novel, the violence is described as it is occurring. It was not excessive for me and should not be for most readers. Also, as the first novel in the series, the reader will not have to worry about what occurred in the previous novel.

The competency hearing was my least favorite part of the novel. Dr. Brown’s lengthy testimony was a little high-level for me. The only saving grace of this section was the defense attorney, as she tried to disqualify Dr. Brown as an expert witness. A minor irritant for me was the ending. Most readers probably will not have a problem with it, as it hints into the next novel. This novel provided me with my first glimpse of a guardian ad litem. I have not had any experience in life with one, nor have I seen them as a character on TV, in movies, or books. I also enjoyed Dane’s examinations of witnesses.

Overall, I could not stop reading this novel, my seventh, and I have purchased five others. He is a Must-Read Author for me. I look forward to the next novel in this series because of Judge Dawson’s remark at the end. If this genre interests you, I strongly recommend reading it. As I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, I rate this novel with five stars.

Headline: Victor Methos once again enthralls - educates too!

Book Review: The Silent Watcher, Vegas Shadows #1, by Victor Methos
Featured in Amazon First Reads, November 2024
Published by Thomas & Mercer, December 1, 2024

★★★★★ (5.0 Stars!)

// "Guardian ad litem (GAL)".
A person appointed by a court to look after and protect the interests of someone who is unable to take care of themselves, typically a minor or someone who is determined to be legally incompetent. Guardians ad litem are quite common in family law cases, particularly when there are significant disputes, making them a fairly prevalent part of the legal system in most jurisdictions. //

"GAL" legal advocacy for minors is highlighted in Victor Methos' new novel "The Silent Watcher".

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What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas! As with his recent bestselling 3-book "Desert Plains" series (2020-21), the author keeps his latest novel staged under the neon glitz and glamor of "The Strip", with a brief detour to the lesser known Vegas tunnels, the abode of the so-called "mole people".

// "The Silent Watcher", Vegas Shadows #1, by Victor Methos (2024) //

The Creeper.
A Las Vegas area serial killer lives in the shadows and "...exhibits almost supernatural patience, and would stake out homes, hiding within walls or basements, before emerging with malevolent intent..." The "Creeper" is eventually apprehended.

The Minor.
Fifteen-year-old Sophie Grace is the sole survivor of a home invasion massacre. Under the aegis of a juvenile court judge, Hope Dawson, a "Juvenile Grant" provides the traumatized teen with support and protection. Two detectives team up with a "Victims' Rights Act section 11" GAL (Guardian ad litem).

The GAL.
Enter Piper Danes, GAL, along with LVPD Detectives Lazarus and Riley. Danes had quit her job at a top law firm to do what would tantamount to pro-bono work as a shielding shepherd.

The Defense.
Equally formidable, enter Clark County Public Defenders Office director Russo Bianchi, defense attorney, designated public defender of the "Creeper", now identified as Owen Whittaker.

Escape!
Just then the "Creep", with his body greased, snakes his way out of a custody cell, through, wait for it — the air vent in his jail cell.

What ensues is pure chaos, ...as Danes finds her own life, and those of her loved ones, upended!

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// "Every legal novel I've written is based on a case I actually had." - Victor Methos //

Victor Methos enthralls - educates too!
Methos' unique writing style and deep legal experience seamlessly blend to cut incisively to the bone with precise applications of federal and state statutes, nomenclatura included; portray realistic plots broadly based on case files, with intricacies forged over courtroom battles over a lifetime's experience as a criminal and civil rights defense attorney, as well as a prosecutor earlier in his career.

A must-read!

Review based on an advanced reading copy courtesy of Thomas & Mercer, Amazon First Reads, and NetGalley.

Victor Methos’s The Silent Watcher is a gripping legal thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. Piper Danes is a compelling protagonist, and her dedication as a guardian ad litem adds a heartfelt layer to the intense and chilling storyline. The partnership between Piper, Judge Hope Dawson, and Detective Lazarus Holloway creates a strong dynamic as they work together to uncover the identity of “the Creeper,” a dangerous and elusive serial killer.
The story is packed with twists, unexpected revelations, and moments that had me on edge. The way the team pieces together the clues to find the culprit was clever and well-paced. Sophie Grace’s tragic situation adds emotional depth to the plot, making the stakes feel personal and urgent.
If you love dark, twisty thrillers with strong characters and unpredictable outcomes, this book is a must-read. Methos delivers another fantastic addition to his series.

Very grateful to the publisher for this copy, opinions are my own