Watch Me is the sequel to Follow me and as I hadn't read the first book was this my first introduction to DS Nasreen Cudmore and journalist Freddie Venton. I optioned to listen to the audio version of the book and it was in hindsight perhaps not the best thing, Now both Nasren and Freddie are quite young, in the early twenties, and there is nothing wrong with that, it's just that Imogen Wilde made them sound like they were much younger than that. And, I'm sorry to say I just had some trouble taken them serious as a DS and an (ex)journalist. It's interesting how a narrator can affect the book in that way. I just want to stress that there is nothing wrong with Imogen Wildes voice. I just felt it didn't really suit this book.

As for the story. It was OK. The media angle, hacking, Snapchat, Facebook the constant awareness where you are through updates. That makes you an easy target. And, it's a perfect instrument for a crime plot. Nasreen and Freddie both know the effect of bullying and that makes this case very personal for them. It also gets a lot more personal when a colleague's sisters get kidnapped and they got 24 hours to find her.

I found the last part of the book the best when the pace started to increase when things started to both unravel and be revealed (keeping secrets is never good). As I wrote before I found the narrator not perfect for the characters, however, I did like Nasreen and Freddie and their friendship. It's a perfectly alright book and it's a series I would definitely read more from. ( )

Watch Me – Another Stunning Social Media Thriller

Angela Clarke debuted with Follow Me which followed police officer Nasreen Cudmore and her journalist friend Freddie Venton in the Twitter Hashtag Murders. She returns to the theme of social media with her latest thriller Watch Me, which is an absolutely stunning thriller that keeps you on edge all the way through the story.

Since the Hashtag Murders DS Nasreen Cudmore has moved to the newly set up ‘Gremlin’ unit which targeted cyber and e-crime, could even be looked as a team of geeks. When the younger sister of her detective chief inspector is snatched from the street, and it is linked with a suicide of a young girl in the Watford/St Albans area, Nasreen realises is that she is the link.

When Nasreen and her fellow members are informed by snapchat about the snatching of the latest girl, and that they have just twenty-four hours to find her, the pressure is on. As they grasp at straws they seem to be going nowhere fast she asks for permission to bring Freddie Venton to act as a consultant, little did she know that Freddie has been sent the same snapchat.

As the investigation continues at a pace, competing with the clock, the snapchat messages keep coming and taunting the police, even more so when they are hacked and put out at to the press. So, with the press watching, a killer taunting them and seemingly untouchable they need to go back to wherever the beginning is. None of this makes for easy reading for Nasreen who is trying to keep it together and Freddie, is a blow-up away from speaking her mind and upsetting everyone including whoever the murderer is.

As the clock turns and the pressure is on the big question is can they find the killer and more importantly save a life in the process. Little did the cool and calm detective sergeant Nasreen Cudmore realise that there would be more twists and turns as she and Freddie race to solve the mystery.

Once again Angela Clarke has written a compelling read, that is fast pace with style and an eye for detail. Watch Me is a slick and clever thriller, that is both disturbing and chilling as this scenario could be being played out right now. Clarke is down with kids as she is using social media murders, bringing the concept in to the twenty-first century so if you are a technophobe this will put you off current trends even more. Angela Clarke is a writer we need to watch as she knows how to keep the reader entertained and turning the page and wanting more, she is getting better with every new book. ( )

3.5 stars

This is book #2 in the Social Media Murders series & picks up where “Follow Me” left off. DS Nasreen Cudmore is now part of the elite cyber & e-crimes task force & struggling to find her place. Her boss DCI Jack Burgone & colleague DI McCain are ok but DI Pete Saunders never misses a chance to let her know she’s only there because she’s female & decorative.

The team gets news that a teenage girl has committed suicide after being bullied online via a new app. No one is more shocked than Nasreen. She & pal Freddie Venton have a history with the girl’s older sister that she would prefer her colleagues didn’t know. Then an already bad day gets worse.
The unit gets a message that the sister of one of the cops has been snatched & they have 24 hours to find her. They recognize the app as the same one that virtually attacked the first girl.

In the ensuing panic, Nasreen begins to suspect it’s related to her previous case. She & Freddie were responsible for putting away the Hashtag Murderer but at great cost. Nasreen is no longer the confidant woman she was & Freddie is struggling with PTSD. Is it possible there is an accomplice still out there or is this a copycat?

The story takes place over a 24 hour period as the unit races to find the girl alive. It’s a well paced read that delves into the shadowy world of hacking & cyber shaming. There’s a small cast of central characters so we get a sense of what makes them tick. The one exception for me was Saunders. His vitriolic & misogynist comments are off the charts, especially given his personal history which you’d think would make him more tolerant. But maybe he’s just an ass.

Some suspension of disbelief is required. That a cop would be allowed to enlist the help of her civilian bestie to crack such a high profile case was a bit tough to believe. And at times I wondered about some of Nasreen’s decisions & had to remind myself she’s an inexperienced 24 year old. I think it depends on the type of police procedural you enjoy reading & is just a matter of taste.

It’s full of romantic suspense & picks up speed for the last third leading to a bloody showdown between Nasreen & the killer. But it also shines a light on the sad reality of cyber bullying & the tragic consequences that we hear about too often in our hyper-connected world. Should appeal to (and scare the pants off) Twitter addicts & other avid users of social media.

My sincere thanks to Harper Collins/Avon UK for sending a copy my way. ( )