Neil Spring is best known for his debut novel, The Ghost Hunters, which managed to capture the imagination of readers and gain critical acclaim. After this very successful debut, readers were anticipating the release of his second novel, The Watchers. In this novel, Spring has taken the theme of UFO sightings and has created a compelling story with intriguing characters and a plot full of originality.

The Watchers is loosely based on a series of UFO sightings throughout the 1970s in Wales. The novel follows Robert Wilding, whose upbringing was riddled with mysteries of the unexplained. He works as a parliamentary researcher and is tasked with the investigation of the recent unexplainable sightings.

The plot has a lot more depth than most UFO stories. The character of Robert Wilding as a parliamentary researcher allows the story to have more range, with his interactions with other characters able to reach powerful figures. Handling a character’s backstory and conveying it to the reader can also be difficult for an author, but the backstory is held just as well as the main plot.

The creation of a viable threat in a psychological thriller can be difficult to make, especially when it is of the unexplainable kind, but Spring creates an actual creepy atmosphere with the use of the unexplainable watchers. The infrequency of their use allows for the tension to build, keeping readers intrigued with the plot.

The first section of the novel can seem more of a political thriller than a psychological one, but it soon becomes clear the route the novel is taking. The novel does take time to get its readers intrigued after its initial opening. However, the novel does become another glorious read from Neil Spring. A mysterious tale of the unexplainable written from the point of view of a parliamentary researcher. Truly original, captivating and mysterious. A must read for fans of Neil Spring’s debut novel.

THE WATCHERS / AUTHOR: NEIL SPRING / PUBLISHER: QUERCUS / RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 24TH