Always Watching: A Novel

Was a big disappointment!!! Psychiatrist becomes involved with cult. I have problems with that character..definitly has no common sense and seems to need a psych. of her own.. Ended up skimming through pages to get to end.

I chose this rating because the book was exciting and entertaining. I would have given it five stars but I was comparing it to her first novel, Still Missing, which was an over-the-top thriller with a twist ending.

I listened to the audiobook Still Missing by Chevy Stevens a couple of months ago and I was blown away (I had listened to it several years ago, but did not remember much about it). I decided that I wanted to listen to more of her books since my local library offers hers on audio. Always Watching is another good one by Chevy Stevens, but it does not live up to Still Missing.

Heather Simeon becomes Dr. Nadine Lavoie’s newest patient after a suicide attempt. As Heather tells her story, Nadine realizes they have some similar circumstances in their lives. Heather was part of a commune (a cult) which Nadine was a part of when she was younger as she, her brother, and mother joined. Heather’s story brings to light some of Nadine’s repressed memories. And because of these memories which include sexual abuse, Nadine sets out on a mission to discover if there were any other victims. This decision brings danger to into her life.

Nadine’s daughter Lisa has been on her own for a while and she has been a drug addict. She comes into the story and Nadine also tries to save her in more than one way. Lisa becomes very important to this story.

Will Nadine find out if there are other victims, and will she save herself and her daughter from the dangers that come about in the novel? You will have to read to find out.

Always Watching is written well and I wanted to know what was going to happen. Maybe I expected a lot out of it after listening to Still Missing, but I just wasn’t pulled in to the story as much as I would have thought as I find cult type stories intriguing. I think I just wasn’t as attached to Nadine’s character. Always Watching did not have as much of a shock factor as Still Missing did. There are some intense scenes in Always Watching.

Warning: If you have issues with sexual abuse of a child, you might want to stay away from this book. There are not many scenes, but enough to possibly bother some more sensitive readers. There is also a tough scene involving an animal death.

If you want to check out some of Chevy Stevens’ work, I would say read Always Watching first then read Still Missing. I don’t really like to compare books, but I think having recently ‘read’ Still Missing affected my enjoyment of Always Watching. I do plan to read/listen to more of Chevy Stevens.

I would say overall that I would recommend this book.

Lavoie works at a psychiatric hospital in Canada, where she is treating a suicidal patient, a woman from the commune. During this time, her claustrophobia has gotten worse, and her work with the patient unleashes horrible memories. A sick secret resides within the commune, known for its good works. Despite the danger and a sense of being watched, Lavoie is driven to find a way to shut the center down, to prevent it from destroying future victims, and to prevent it from attracting her adult daughter who has alienated herself from her mother.

Anyone familiar with the 1960s and some of their cults will sense authenticity in this novel of fake and real spiritual experience, especially as Nadine tells it from her viewpoint. Someone or some thing is always watching, whether it is a spy, the Light, or a potential killer.

Here is a well told tale that you won't want to put down.

Title: Always Watching

Author: Chevy Stevens

Age Group: Adult

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Series: N/A, standalone

Star Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

I borrowed this book from my local library and reviewed it.

Chevy Stevens first came to my attention with a mutual friend's recommendation. I loved the first novel I ever read by her, Those Girls--I was completely blown away by it. It awoke my love for thrillers again, and when that same friend told me she was reading Always Watching, I reserved it in my library system right away. Since then, it's been sitting in my library stack, beckoning me every time I glance at it. I had really high hopes for this book, but the result is honest one of mixed feelings. I loved the story, and the characters, as well as the breakneck pacing and the chilling twists and turns, as per Stevens's signature. But as much as I enjoyed the story, it also brought back some pretty nasty memories.

Always Watching begins with Dr. Nadine Lavoie, a compassionate and dedicated psychiatrist. The book really drew me in because of Nadine--I loved her. She was such a caring, gentle person, and that made it easy for me to relate to her. But despite Nadine's talent for helping her troubled patients, her own tumultous past has its own demons. When one of her patients begins to speak of a cult that Nadine herself was involved in as a child, she discovers that dark secrets hide in the most unexpected and frightening places.

I loved this book, for the most part. It was a solid, hefty mystery that grabbed me by the throat and didn't let go. From the moment I began, I couldn't put it down--though there were times I had to walk away because the book was so intense. My family and I were in a cult several years ago, and we are still dealing with the damage, so it was painful to see that, even though the book was a work of fiction. The cult reminded me of some scary times in our lives that left serious scars on our psyches. The bottom line: Personal feelings aside, this book was absolutely fantastic. I really enjoyed it, though not as much as Those Girls. Next on deck: The Midnight Assassin: Panic, Scandal, and the Hunt for America's First Serial Killer by Skip Hollandsworth!

Dr. Nadine Lavoie is a respected psychiatrist who has recent moved into a new home, a new job with a hospital, and has decided to leave her quiet life in private practice behind. When she meets a young woman who has attempted suicide while working at the hospital, she brings with her experience that causes Nadine to recover memories from her own past. A person who suffers from claustrophobia without knowing why, she begins to recover more and more suppressed memories as she interacts with Heather the patient with whom she feels a strong connection. When tragedy strikes, Nadine is confronted with her own struggles with family, emotions, and fears. This will take more courage than she knows she has as she is threaten verbally and physically.

I loved this book by Chevy Stevens. It seems like most people's opinions are either black or white on this book. People love it or they do not. I loved it. I was hooked from the very beginning and was kept on the edge of my seat. There was enough of a creep factor to keep you nervous, and this great energy throughout. Finally, when I thought it was over, I just about cried at the end. I give this book 5 big fat gold stars! Wonderful read for anyone looking for an interesting thriller.

Stevens' third novel follows the story of Dr. Nadine Lavoie. This psychologist has treated both of the protagonists from Stevens' previous novels (Still Missing and Never Knowing), but here the focus is all on the good doctor in her new home and in her new hospital position. Other than Nadine's presence, the books are not connected, though some references are made to Never Knowing (but no plot is given away, so though recommended, it is not necessary to read these in order). Stevens' adds another thrilling, fast-paced novel to her canon with this one, though it lacks some of the immediacy and intensity of her previous books. This is, in large part, due to the bulk of the action having taken place many years earlier and working through Nadine's reactions to resurfaced memories. But the climactic last quarter of the novel really amps up the action making the book all in all an impossible one to put down!

It is certainly a fast read and the cult aspect adds a fascinating layer to both Nadine's past and present. The plot takes some surprising turns, though at times the stranglehold of the cult defies belief just a bit. Nadine herself is not always the most likable of characters, and it the novel would perhaps have been a bit stronger had Stevens chose to write about a new woman rather than the calm professional seen in her first novels. Her behavior here detracts somewhat from the authority, work ethic and skill shown previously. Still, it's an entertaining read with a downright gripping conclusion. I am already looking forward to reading Steven's future novels.

ALWAYS WATCHING is Chevy Stevens's third stand-alone novel, though there is a tenuous connection that cleverly links all three. More on that in a moment. This latest work is somewhat different from its predecessors in both pacing and tone. While the first two books presented a protagonist-in-peril situation fairly early on in the proceedings, ALWAYS WATCHING is a bit more nuanced, wherein the events of the past slowly but inexorably intrude into the present with unexpected and dangerous results.

Nadine Lavoie is a psychiatrist who treated the protagonists featured in STILL MISSING and NEVER KNOWING. As the third book begins, Nadine is employed in the lockdown ward of a psychiatric hospital; as is frequently the case with those in the "helping" occupations, Nadine has issues of her own. Tragically widowed and estranged from her drug-addicted adult daughter, she also has the repercussions of an extremely unstable and troubled childhood with which to deal. Her early experiences come roaring back to the forefront of her consciousness when she is assigned to treat a new patient named Heather Simeon following a suicide attempt.

Now a patient in the hospital's psychiatric care unit, Heather, with Nadine's prompting, reveals that she and her husband have recently left a New Age-type community with a charismatic but controlling leader. Nadine is horrified to learn that Aaron Quinn, the leader of the community, is the same man who led a back-to-nature cult commune to which her mother fled with Nadine and her brother in tow in an effort to escape the violent mood swings of Nadine's father. The knowledge that Aaron is still utilizing his forceful personality to control others causes Nadine a great deal of distress, which in turn unleashes memories she has been suppressing for far too long. The narrative alternates between Nadine's memories of her time with Aaron's cult and the present. When Heather falls victim to a tragic event, Nadine abandons the limits of professional duties and begins a journey that is short geographically but nonetheless takes her to her past.

Determined to confront the childhood demons that have affected her for decades --- some without her knowledge --- Nadine soon finds to her horror that what she holds most dear is in the grip of what she fears most, and that it will take all of her professional skills and personal strength and courage to save herself and at least one other.

ALWAYS WATCHING somewhat defies the conventional wisdom that thrillers must always begin with a major event within the first few pages in order to hold reader interest. Stevens takes some time setting up the dominoes of her story, but the narrative remains compelling from beginning to end without flagging, even if events are somewhat slow-going, particularly within the first third of the book. However, Stevens demonstrates a level of skill craft that exceeds the quantity of her output thus far, and, as a result, this change of pace is ultimately anything but disappointing.

The common link among these three novels is also a nice touch, which establishes a relationship among the works without requiring that they be read in any particular order. Those who have picked up a Chevy Stevens title at an earlier stage will discover her versatility and will be impressed.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

After reading Stevens' first two novels back to back, I was eagerly awaiting this one. All three of her works are more psychological suspense than they are necessarily thrillers, but the previous two books also had a sense of imminent danger that kept me on the edge of my seat. I didn't have the same experience with this book. I thought it was a pretty good book, but it didn't reach out and grab me in the same way the other two did. Some spoilers to follow.

Part of what tempered my enjoyment of this book was my inability to connect with Nadine as I did with the characters in the previous books. I don't know if this is because Nadine comes across as colder than the other two, or if it's because this book lacks a sense of present danger. I think it was probably a combination of both. It's not that Nadine is unlikeable, it's that I thought she was rather bland as a character. I was sympathetic to what she had gone through, but it didn't affect me in the visceral way that the situations of the characters in Stevens's previous two novels did.

Another thing that detracted from the novel is that I think it's a little predictable. I could see where it was going long before Nadine got there, and that killed the suspense of the revelation. I know the flashbacks were told in small snippets because they were meant to show how they interrupted Nadine's life, and how her recollections came in small flashes, but I think it would have been better had the novel been told in alternating chapters, one set in the present and the next set in the past. I didn't get enough of a feel for the commune where Nadine lived, which is a shame because it's a premise that might have really filled me with dread, had it been done differently.

The complicated relationship between Nadine and her daughter is interesting, but there's a revelation in there that I didn't think added to the narrative. It sets Nadine and her daughter up as foils for one another, but it felt too much like a plot device and not enough of an organic occurrence within the context of the book. I wouldn't go so far as saying it felt contrived, but it was pretty close.

I'm disappointed in this book because I found the previous novels so gripping. Still, Stevens is a talented author who has a knack for psychological suspense, and I do plan on reading her next book when it comes out. If you can only read one Stevens book, though, this is not the one I'd recommend. You'd be better off with Never Knowing or Still Missing. And, on another note, I just realized that Nadine is a character in both of those novels, but I'd completely forgotten. That I found her forgettable most likely did not bode well for this book from the get go.

This one is about a Psychiatrist, Nadine, whose bad childhood memories are stirred up when she gets a patient who left the same commune she was in, although it has a new name and advertises as a spiritual retreat place. Nadine feels the need to report what happened to her in the commune and hope the cops will arrest the leaders and get “The River of Life Spiritual Center” shut down to keep others from being hurt. Nadine also has a teenage daughter who ran away, got into drugs, and lives on the streets. All Nadine wants is for her daughter, Lisa, to be happy and longs for her to come back home. Her biggest fear is that the cult-like commune will get her daughter comes true.

I liked this book, but not as much as I liked this author’s other books. It just moved a little slow for my taste and was pretty predictable. Mostly was sad with what I thought was an unrealistic ending. It has a lot of flashbacks showing the memories Nadine had buried from her past. Nadine’s relationship with her daughter was heartbreaking. The last quarter of the book has the most action and suspense which I liked the most.

When I read Chevy Steven’s first book Still Missing I was instantly a fan. That book would ensure that I would be on the look out for any book Chevy wrote in the future. I have read her two other books Never Knowing and the most recent one Always Watching.

Still Missing and Never Knowing are books that revolve around the protagonist relaying her story to her psychiatrist. The shrink is never named but is clearly an important part of the story. In Always Watching things change, the psychiatrist is the central character the one who’s story we get to enjoy.

Nadine is a complex character with her own difficulties in life. She now works at a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit instead of her own private practice, here she meets a young woman who has attempted suicide, where the woman has recently been spending time opens up memories of the past for Nadine.

The first book by Chevy I loved. It was easy to read and I know I use that a lot but what I mean is you start reading and next thing you know 50 pages have flown by. Some books you just read and reread a page or passage to get it to register not Still Missing I devoured it. I loved the protagonist, the story I just loved that book period.

I liked Never Knowing and Always Watching, I didn’t love them though. Maybe its that magic is hard to replicate but they didn’t feel the same. Good yes but not great. The protagonists were much harder to like. I thought they were okay, the story good and entertaining. In Always Watching Nadine a shrink sure said the wrong thing a lot of the time when it came to her daughter. This made it frustrating at times however mothers tend to try too hard and push too much with their children its the nature of things but it and other moment those were not the only ones would make me put the book down often.

I didn’t sit there wanting to turn the page and turn the page. I did pick it up and continue on but stopped and put it off often. I highly recommend Still Missing it is a great book and if you read it then you’ll want to check out the second and third book by Chevy, if you’ll like them as much is the question.

I was provided with a review copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

In her recent novel, Always Watching, Chevy Stevens tackles an interesting topic, cult life. I have always been intrigued by cults and the reasons why people join them and this book provides a great insight, albeit fictional, into the world of cults.

Goodreads provides this description of Always Watching:

She helps people put their demons to rest.

But she has a few of her own…

In the lockdown ward of a psychiatric hospital, Dr. Nadine Lavoie is in her element. She has the tools to help people, and she has the desire—healing broken families is what she lives for. But Nadine doesn’t want to look too closely at her own past because there are whole chunks of her life that are black holes. It takes all her willpower to tamp down her recurrent claustrophobia, and her daughter, Lisa, is a runaway who has been on the streets for seven years.

When a distraught woman, Heather Simeon, is brought into the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit after a suicide attempt, Nadine gently coaxes her story out of her—and learns of some troubling parallels with her own life. Digging deeper, Nadine is forced to confront her traumatic childhood, and the damage that began when she and her brother were brought by their mother to a remote commune on Vancouver Island. What happened to Nadine? Why was their family destroyed? And why does the name Aaron Quinn, the group’s leader, bring complex feelings of terror to Nadine even today?

And then, the unthinkable happens, and Nadine realizes that danger is closer to home than she ever imagined. She has no choice but to face what terrifies her the most…and fight back.

Sometimes you can leave the past, but you can never escape.

I have only read two novels by Chevy Stevens and this one is pretty interesting. Stevens takes on and interprets the “cult” life pretty well in Always Watching. The story kept my interest but it did not captivate me as much as the other novel of hers I read called That Night. Perhaps because the plotline was drawn out a bit, as the main character Nadine tries to wrestle her own demons about her experience in the cult life. Or perhaps the ending was too predictable? I gave this book a solid 3-stars on Goodreads. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a Chevy Stevens fan or a fan of mystery.

A copy of the book was provided and there was no monetary compensation

I was so excited to find the newest Chevy Stevens' novel. That was until I read it. It was a letdown for a variety of reasons. Nadine, a shrink who has appeared successfully in the authors' previous two books was a one dimensional, uninteresting main character. As stated in another review she was totally clueless in the ways to deal with personal problems such as a drug addled daughter,a semi estranged brother and a dysfunctional early family life. The plot line relies too heavily on a cult leaders and followers. If the members could function in the outside world would they need to be in a cult? The book dragged, which her other books did not, and required several attempts to finish. At times the scenes were totally unbelievable which made it even more difficult to interest me.

Although I enjoy reading books with connecting threads and messages (this author has a real talent for creating survivors that endure and surmount incredible odds set in a fast paced in your face drama) Ms. Stevens' heart did not seem to be in this one. Was this book part of a contractual agreement?

Having said all that I will read her next work while keeping my fingers crossed that the author of "Still Missing" has returned.

As is the usual preamble, I received this book for free via the courtesy of a GoodReads giveaway. Despite that kind consideration, I will proceed to be abundantly honest about it.

The story is told from the viewpoint of a respected psychiatrist who didn't have such great luck with raising her daughter. Early in life our protagonist barely escaped the influence of a vicious spiritual cult and now must struggle to bring the leaders of that cult to justice while balancing the needs of her drug-addicted and exceedingly remote daughter.

First and foremost with any book is to attempt to categorize it into a handy bin so that readers know whether they have any interest in the concepts at all. In general, suspense novels fall into two major categories. The first is the forensic bin, all about blood splatters and footprints. The second is more emotional, in which we hear in detail how the characters feel and react to situations. This book is a subtle blending of the two, but the forensic side, rather than being focused on the physics of the crime scene, delves into the psychology and motivations of the characters involved. While many thrillers are "ripped from the headlines", this novel is "ripped from the DSM" (DSM = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders for those among the uninitiated.)

Steven's characters, and her protagonist especially, are vivid and touching. One can easily imagine a mother, a thousand mothers, going through the same heart-breaking disconnect that her main character does as she tries to balance her professional life, her search for justice and her love for her daughter all at once. All in all it's a brilliantly rendered episode in this character's life.

The only remotely negative thing I would say is that it does tend to go on a bit. About three quarters of the way through I found my mind wandering. The real power of the novel peters out after a while and only the hope for a conclusion can bring the reader back around. On the whole though this is a rather weak complaint and one that I make only in the attempt at SOME sort of balance between positive and negative.

In summary, "Always watching" is ... well, I'll dispense with the usual cliched terms. It grabs your attention well and keeps it quite thoroughly. The author obviously did her homework and it shows in this well-written and true-to-life novel of life in a oppressive spiritual cult and one woman's quest to stop the abuse. Top notch!