When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole masterfully blends psychological thriller and social commentary, creating a suspenseful narrative with strong, relatable characters. The pacing is often praised, though some felt it lagged in the middle. Overall, it effectively raises important themes of gentrification and systemic racism, making it both engaging and thought-provoking.

A reader captivated by suspenseful, socially conscious thrillers like The Girl on the Train and Get Out will enjoy When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole. With themes of gentrification, racial tension, and mystery, it appeals to those who love gripping narratives with a strong underlying social commentary.

In Alyssa Cole's psychological thriller When No One Is Watching, Sydney Green returns to her Brooklyn neighborhood, only to find it dramatically altered by gentrification and increasingly hostile white neighbors. As she starts a tour focusing on Black residents' history, alarming disappearances and tensions arise. Sydney's collaboration with Theo, a troubled new neighbor, uncovers deeper, sinister forces at play amid escalating racial and socio-economic strife. The novel includes themes of structural racism, pharmaceutical abuse, and psychological struggle.

Suspenseful / Mysterious / Unnerving / Dark / Gritty

Alyssa Cole

Adult

Novel

Fiction

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Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore When No One Is Watching reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read When No One Is Watching | SuperSummary

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Overview

Cole’s novel balances thriller elements with explorations of race and gentrification. Dive in with this summary of When No One is Watching.

When No One Is Watching Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 7

Get ready to explore When No One Is Watching and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

When No One Is Watching Prologue-Chapter 7 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 8-15

When No One Is Watching Chapters 8-15 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 16-Epilogue

When No One Is Watching Chapter 16-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

When No One Is Watching Character Analysis

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Themes

When No One Is Watching Themes

Symbols & Motifs

When No One Is Watching Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

When No One Is Watching Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

When No One Is Watching Essay Topics

When No One Is Watching

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