You Watched in Silence
- Judith D Collins
- Nov 18
- 7 min read
By: H. Lee Justine
Narrator: Brittany Pressley
ISBN: 9798874899158
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Puiblicaiton Date: 11/18/2025
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 4 Stars (ARC)
“Bewitching: a dark-hearted, full-blooded thriller, the sort of potent potion Riley Sager and Stacy Willingham might brew. Part psychological suspense, part is-it-or-isn’t-it horror … and altogether likely to spook you right off of social media. You might watch in silence, but you’ll do it through your fingers.”—A. J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window
In this shivery blend of queer psychological thriller and horror, evocatively set in the secluded islands of the Pacific Northwest, You Watched in Silence combines the bite of Jessica Knoll with the twists of Verity and the atmospheric tension of The Haunting of Bly Manor.
Caitlyn believes her world is falling apart when her best friend cuts her off—until she gets a message from the only person who can put it back together. Family vlogger Bella Greene—the celebrity influencer she and her ex-best friend were obsessed with—offers Caitlyn a job as nanny to her twins.
Like millions of others, Caitlyn knows that Bella’s life is in pieces, too. Canceled over perceived indifference to a tragic suicide by one of her fans, Bella fled with her family to a remote island off the coast of Washington. For Caitlyn, the opportunity to help Bella will also help her to heal; a way to honor the past while creating a new future.
Caitlyn can’t believe how easily she bonds with the twins. She also feels an instant connection with the family’s flirtatious chef, Hannah Zhou, who soon stirs romantic impulses that Caitlyn never imagined having again. It feels like magic … until she catches a glimpse of a mysterious girl that nobody else can see.
Before she knows it, Caitlyn descends into constant terror, unable to tell if she is losing her mind or being haunted by a past she’d rather forget. Worse, there is magic here, a dark force that manifests in mysterious pentagrams, animal sacrifices, and scrawled threats right in Bella’s backyard, and increasingly close to her home.
But who’s behind it? Is it a disgruntled employee? A scorned lover? Or someone out for unjust revenge? Because Bella didn’t do anything wrong … right?
My Review
H. Lee Justine's captivating debut, YOU WATCHED IN SILENCE, takes readers on a thrilling journey with an obsessed fan-turned-nanny who embarks on a new chapter in her life. She begins working for her beloved yet recently canceled influencer on the charmingly remote Salmon Island in Washington State.
As she settles into her new role, she finds herself entangled in a web of mysterious supernatural occurrences and looming dangers, making for an unforgettable experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat, while exploring themes of influencer culture, grief, and hidden pasts.
About...
Caitlyn, a resilient young woman navigating the profound grief of losing her best friend, finds herself presented with a unique opportunity: a nanny position for the twins of the renowned celebrity influencer, Bella Greene.
Bella, seeking refuge from the overwhelming backlash of being "canceled" due to her perceived insensitivity following a fan's tragic suicide, has retreated to a secluded island off the coast of Washington.
As Caitlyn immerses herself in this new role, she forges a deep bond with the twins and experiences an undeniable romantic spark with Hannah, the family's talented chef. This newfound sense of hope and renewal, however, is soon overshadowed when Caitlyn begins to witness the eerie presence of a mysterious girl—an apparition unseen by anyone else.
What initially feels like a fresh start quickly spirals into a nightmare as Caitlyn grapples with her fading sanity, questioning whether she is losing her grip on reality or truly being haunted. Dark forces gather around the island, manifesting through unsettling pentagrams, ominous animal sacrifices, and menacing threats scrawled in the shadows.
Who, or what, is behind these haunting occurrences and sinister threats?
My thoughts...
YOU WATCHED IN SILENCE is a blending of influencer culture, psychological suspense, Gothic, supernatural, queer romance, and horror. The novel captivates readers with its haunting Gothic atmosphere, skillfully immersing them in the psychological complexities of its characters.
Set against the backdrop of a secluded island off the coast of Washington, the novel masterfully evokes feelings of isolation, paranoia, and claustrophobia, which resonate deeply with the psychological suspense woven throughout the narrative.
The author artfully delves into profound themes such as guilt, grief, revenge, obsession, and the dark realities of mommy bloggers and online bullying. This exploration not only highlights personal struggles but also critiques the very fabric of influencer culture.
The island's physical remoteness serves as a powerful metaphor for the characters’ psychological captivity, ensnared by their past decisions and the toxic online environment they sought to escape. Here, the characters cannot simply log off or flee; they are compelled to confront the consequences of their actions and the truths lurking beneath the surface. Central to the tension is the unsettling question of accountability for the haunting experiences and menacing threats.
The narrative intricately weaves together the toxic underbelly of influencer culture, online harassment, and the complexities of guilt and grief, while simultaneously introducing a romantic subplot that adds depth to the story.
As the plot builds to a gripping climax, the revelation of buried secrets forces Caitlyn to confront both the dark forces at play and the hidden truths of the Greene family's history.
This novel compellingly illustrates the real-world impacts of online cruelty, portraying it as a pervasive and insidious force. The blend of supernatural suspense and psychological turmoil creates an atmosphere of dread that lingers long after the final page is turned.
A significant and unsettling theme addressed is the exploitation inherent in family vlogging and the world of "mommy-bloggers." The narrative poignantly reveals how influencers can prioritize notoriety and content creation over the privacy and well-being of their children, effectively robbing them of their childhoods for public consumption and financial gain.
The polished, curated online persona of the Greene family starkly contrasts with the chaotic and secretive reality of their lives on the island. This juxtaposition invites readers to reflect on the vast chasm between the pristine image presented to the public and the hidden truths that lie behind closed doors.
The story culminates in a surprising conclusion that explores the unsettling repercussions of social media, the allure of voyeurism, and the lengths they go to achieve fame. This novel posits that the most insidious threat may not be a supernatural entity, but rather the harmful influence of the internet intertwined with human nature.
Throughout the characters' tumultuous journeys, they confront the complex notion of genuine justice, especially in the often faceless and harsh landscape of online interactions.
In this gripping tale, the author invites us to reflect on the complexities of modern life, urging us to consider the consequences of our actions in both the digital and real worlds.
I look forward to more from this talented new author! Coming from Blackstone in October 2026, Nothing Even Happened, a post-apocalyptic horror novel also set in the Pacific Northwest
Recs...
For those who adore "The Haunting of Bly Manor" or have a penchant for psychological thrillers, there's a world of captivating narratives awaiting you. If you find yourself drawn to the masterful storytelling of authors such as Riley Sager, Stacy Willingham, Rachel Hawkins, and Jessica Knoll, prepare to be enthralled. The novel also reminded me a little of Greenwich by Kate Broad.
Numerous intriguing thrillers explore the more sinister sides of social media, influencer culture, and our ever-evolving digital existence, offering a thought-provoking journey into these modern themes.
Consider exploring these captivating reads:
- The Personal Assistant by Kimberly Belle
- People Like Her by Ellery Lloyd
- You by Caroline Kepnes
- Pretty Things by Janelle Brown
- Follow Me by Kathleen Barber
- Shame on You by Amy Heydenrych
Each of these titles offers a unique perspective on the complexities of modern existence and will undoubtedly keep you on the edge of your seat. Happy reading!
Special thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for graciously sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Day: Nov 28, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
Praise
“Bewitching: a dark-hearted, full-blooded thriller, the sort of potent potion Riley Sager and Stacy Willingham might brew. Part psychological suspense, part is-it-or-isn’t-it horror … and altogether likely to spook you right off of social media. You might watch in silence, but you’ll do it through your fingers.”
--A. J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window
“H. Lee Justine has crafted a deliciously eerie Pacific Northwest gothic, bringing together the isolated setting, tumultuous family, and tantalizing glimpses of the supernatural with the fraught world of family influencers. A gripping story of guilt, grief, and buried secrets—I loved it.”
--Kate Alice Marshall, USA Today bestselling author of What Lies in the Woods and No One Can Know
“An atmospheric page-turner that explores the toxic underbelly of mommy-bloggers, online bullying, obsession, and revenge. Perfect for readers who like their thrillers pitch dark, with a touch of horror and the occult.”
--Robyn Harding, internationally bestselling author of The Drowning Woman
“A taut labyrinth that explores the dark side of human nature and the secrets that can hide behind the perfection of social media. Eerie and calculating, in the best possible way.”
--A. R. Torre, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Lie
“You Watched in Silence is influencer culture as gothic horror. This brilliant debut isLuckiest Girl Alive meets Verity—a biting satire and a haunting fever dream.” -
-Mary Dixie Carter, author of Marguerite by the Lake and The Photographer
“Tenderly romantic and devastating, lusciously bone-chilling in its creeping atmospheric dread. You Watched in Silence lured me deep into its shadowy rain-damp woods—where secrets, lies, obsessions and past loves haunt the mind and distort the truth. With keen insight and compassion, Justine examines the warped world of an influencer—and her illusory queendom crafted for consumption—through the lens of voyeurism, vengeance, parasocial toxicity, and guilt-ridden paranoia across a broken landscape of stolen childhoods, lost souls, and the obliteration of self and reality. Told by an unforgettable narrator whose sly and sensitive voice convinces, charms, and ultimately breaks your heart—while sending shivers down your spine.”
--Angela Mi Young Hur, author of Folklorn
About the Author
H. Lee Justine is a career ghostwriter who has been featured in NPR for her work with celebrity clients. She began her TikTok journey talking about her career and analyzing books, movies, an television shows. She’s amassed a following of over 125,000 and averages 5-15 million views monthly.
Her debut novel You Watched in Silence is a haunting psychological thriller following an obessed fan-turned-nanny as she starts work for her favorite (recently cancelled) influencer on cozy Salmon Island nestled in Washington State. Inspired by The Haunting of Bly Manor written with the bite of Jessica Knoll, You Watched in Silence will have readers at the edge of their seat until the very last sentence.
You Watched in Silence debuts Fall 2025 from Blackstone Publishing, repped by Courtney Paganelli of Levine Greenberg and Rostan. Click below to follow H. Lee Justine on TikTok to get updates and tidbits about You Watched in Silence. WEBSITE
