THE WATCHER GIRL

Saskia Maarleveld gives a valiant narration of this predictable thriller, yet another with the obligatory word "girl" in the title. Maarleveld's crisp tone and rapid pace capture the tension that heroine Grace carries with her throughout the novel--whether the circumstances warrant it or not. The story meanders, with plotlines that go nowhere, yet Maarleveld manages to keep the frail arc of the novel afloat and the listener engaged. Grace is the stereotypical alienated narrator, an outsider in her own family. She has returned to her hometown to make peace with her ex, whom she dumped years before. A solid performance saves the story, and hard-core thriller listeners will no doubt find something to enjoy. D.G.P. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2021]