3.8!
Thanks to Netgalley, Victor Methos & Thomas & Mercer for providing this digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

Set in Vegas Strip, this is a first in a new series by the author. This legal thriller follows attorney Piper Danes who works as a guardian ad litem (GAL) for vulnerable youth as she is assigned to a 15-year-old victim, Sophie. Sophie is the sole survivor of a gruesome attack on her family.

Working together with the sharp and formidable Judge Hope Dawson and enigmatic Detective Holloway, Piper comes face to face with an evil called the Creeper. Their hunt for the truth leads them to dark depths.

Having always been a die-hard thriller fan, usually from the perspective of either a soon-to-be victim or a grizzled detective, The Silent Watcher was quite the eye-opener. Turns out, lacking knowledge of the law can mess you up more than forgetting your spouse's birthday. This story made me appreciate attorneys so much that I almost sent a thank-you card to my local law firm. Lawyers are often portrayed as obstacles to justice, but this book showed they're more like the unsung heroes, in the quest for legal redemption.

It’s amazing how courtrooms can make or break a case. Turns out, words can indeed be mightier than a gun or a fist—unless you're really bad at Scrabble, then all bets are off.

The characters? They didn’t develop much because this story was more plot-driven than a GPS navigation system. Yet, it didn’t break the flow. The characters were sketched well enough to make me care about them. Since this story is part of a series, I’m banking on character development unfolding like a slow-cooked stew across the books.

The author juggles multiple POVs like a pro circus performer, making it feel like I was binge-watching an episodic drama. The chapters were Goldilocks-perfect—not too long, not too short, just right. But sometimes, the dialogue got as tangled as my earphones after a run. Especially with same-gender conversations, it was tricky to figure out who "she" was. And speaking of earphones, I’m more of a practical listener than a theoretical one, so occasionally the pacing slowed down for some info-dumping, which was like hitting the brakes too hard on a road trip.

Overall, this book turned out to be an enjoyable read, kind of like finding out your plane seat actually has extra legroom—unexpected and delightful.

Authentic! Another good one by Victor Methos; he doesn't disappoint. The setting, the prose, the dialogue everything rang true in this one. The Silent Watcher is a real haunting legal thriller that will make you question your own safety; in the place you're supposed to be the safest.... your own home. Sophie (a minor) is the sole survivor of the brutal murder of her family. While detective Holloway is a good guy to have on her case (he's haunted by a previous case and driven to close this one), her biggest supporter is her guardian ad litem, Piper Danes. Piper uses her unique upbringing and experience to become a fierce advocate for her charges, undaunted by the detectives or any law enforcement she has to work with; Sophie's wellbeing is her focus, and she goes to great lengths to protect her. The eccentric nature of the villain Owen Whittaker, and his ability to live an "invisible" life added an unexpected layer to this novel. Owen's upbringing may garner some sympathy, but there is no mistaking the evil that lurks within him. The book is a great first in what promises to be an exciting series. I wasn't too thrilled about the ending, but I guess it sets up the opening for the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARc. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Silent Watcher by new to me author V. Methos, published by Thomas & Mercer, is a full length stand alone. An unputdownable thriller of its finest. Gripping, bloodthrilling full of unexpected twists and turns, this is hands down one of my few fav reads in 24.
Blurb: Far from the neon glare of the Vegas strip, attorney Piper Danes walks away from a hotshot law firm to work as a guardian ad litem (GAL). Piper was once a vulnerable youth herself, and a GAL gave her hope when she needed it most. Now she’s committed to paying it forward.
Her first case is unlike any fifteen-year-old Sophie Grace is the sole survivor of a family murder. Teaming up with the formidable Judge Hope Dawson and enigmatic Detective Lazarus Holloway, Piper delves into a world more sinister than she could have imagined.
Their hunt for the truth leads to a predator who hides. But as the team inches closer to unveiling him, they find themselves in the crosshairs. Trapped in a web of lies, Piper will do anything to protect Sophie and stop the killer…before she becomes his next victim.

The Silent Watcher is a top notch crime thriller. Author Victor Methos takes us to Las Vegas, where the interesting characters he has created work to solve multiple murders. My favorite was Detective Lazarus. The plot unfolds in a credible fashion and keeps drawing the reader in.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

"The Silent Watcher" by Victor Methos is a captivating legal thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story follows attorney Piper Danes, who leaves a high-powered law firm to become a guardian ad litem. Her latest case involves fifteen-year-old Sophie Grace, the sole survivor of a horrific family murder. Teaming up with Judge Hope Dawson and Detective Lazarus Holloway, Piper embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind the elusive serial killer known as "the Creeper."

Methos masterfully blends suspense and legal drama, creating a narrative that is both intense and deeply engaging. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the plot is expertly paced, with twists and turns that keep you guessing. This book is a must-read for fans of legal thrillers and suspenseful mysteries.

Incredible! It’s been awhile since I read a book as gripping as The Silent Watcher. This is the first book I’ve read by the author and it certainly won’t be my last. I was so engrossed in the story, I couldn’t put it down once I started. The main characters were complex, but interesting, likable.and believable. A true suspense novel. I look forward to reading the author’s other works!

Piper and Lazarus work together, in different capacities, during a brutal crime that left one survivor, Sophie. Pipers is appointed Sophie’s legal guardian and Lazarus, while fighting his own demons, works to find the killer and bring him to justice. Can he find the killer before he strikes again?

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

Summary of the plot:

Piper is a guardian ad litem for Sophie, a girl who just survived almost being murdered and also witnessing the death of her mother and bother. The suspect is thought to have some sort of mental problems and might have a thing for cannibalism based on a pig tattoo on his leg. Sophie works with Lazarus, a detective, to find out who the killer is.

Thoughts on the book:

I’ve read a few of Victor Methos’s books before, so I am familiar with his writing style. The crime scenes are a bit graphic and there’s a decent portion of this book that takes place in court. I love how Methos focuses both on the solving crime and the court trial because it really shows how gray the whole judicial system can be. Winning a court case is really about telling the best story and discrediting the other side, not about finding out who the truth is. Methos’s background with the judicial system is apparent throughout the book.

Overall, I quite enjoyed this one. I flew through it and wasn’t bored at any point. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, so I’m curious to know if there is a second book or if Methos plans on leaving it up to the readers for interpretation.

The plot is compelling, the characters are well-developed, and the suspense never dulls. The only critiques I had will likely be edited by the time the novel is published in December, with the exception of the cliff-hanger ending that leaves the reader begging for more. Cannot wait for the second installment!

Thank you to both #NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me an advance copy of Victor Methos’s latest #legalthriller, The Silent Watcher, in exchange for an honest review.

#TheSilentWatcherVegasShadowsBand1 is the first book in Victor Methos’s new series, Vegas Shadows. The first installment follows attorney Piper Danes, who is working as a GAL for vulnerable youth when an opportunity to test a new grant proposal catering to reforming the juvenile justice system arises. Engaging, thought-provoking, and at times, utterly horrifying, this series deserves a spot on your #mustread list.

The story opens with a gruesome prologue that sets the tone and pace of the novel, which incorporates stronger elements of horror than found in many of the author’s previous standalone legal thrillers. The action and entertainment never slowdown from this moment onwards. Dear readers, take note because you will not be sleeping until the final page.

Although the first book does not delve into the details surrounding the grant, it does connect the protagonist to the prominent Judge Dawson who has mysteriously tapped Piper to handle a ward from a case involving a double homicide that is somehow tied to the new grant program.

Unbeknownst to Piper, the Judge has also hand-selected Lazarus Holloway, an attractive, brooding detective for the LVPD, to lead the investigation. The two must work together to ensure justice is served for all parties. An intriguing premise indeed.

From the seedy strip to the remote desert; the courthouses, precincts, shelters, and sewers in-between, the unlikely pair are forced to stare down demons from their separate pasts and to confront the new ones spawning from a case that becomes their shared, nightmare reality.

The plot is compelling, the characters are well-developed, and the suspense never dulls. The only critiques I had will likely be edited by the time the novel is published in December, with the exception of the cliff-hanger ending that leaves the reader begging for more. Cannot wait for the second installment!

A suspenseful mystery thriller; loved the plot and characters, The ending was shocking and I’m looking forward to the next in this new series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A engaging legal thriller with a gripping plot. This book has great character development and flowed well to the final intense ending. The lawyer (GAL), Piper and the rogue detective, Lazarus were strong protagonists and their different personalities meshed well together. Lazarus has a fascinating mentality and is my favorite character. I really enjoyed this and believe Vegas Shadows will be a compelling series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fantastic start to a new series!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one! This book had great suspense, intrigue, action packed, murder, mystery, fantastic characters, a great who done it and some very chilling moments! The storyline was very interesting and had me glued to my kindle! I highly recommend reading this book! I can’t wait for more!!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of The Silent Watcher by Victor Methos. I always look forward to books by Methos because they never fail to meet my expectations and this one completely blew me away! Lazarus and Piper are amazing from the start and Dawson is intriguing so I want to know more about her. While this had amazing courtroom scenes that characterize a good legal thriller, it was also a straight up thriller, with so much heart-stopping action I’m embarrassed to say what I put off to keep reading to the end.