Watch Your Back

By Author / Illustrator

Sue Wallman

Genre

Suspense & Thrillers

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

Scholastic

ISBN

9780702332920

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

13-03-2025

Synopsis

Award-winning author Sue Wallman is back with a nail-biting story of manipulation, friendship and trust. Keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer....

Kara has started a new school year without her best friend by her side. Eden has a new boyfriend and doesn't have time for her. Instead, Kara finds herself drawn to a friendship with Romilly, a girl from her year with no friends. The trouble is, the more Kara hangs around with Romilly, the more unsettling things start to happen. There's the break in to her locker... the silent cold calls... and more. But can Kara be sure it's Romilly who is derailing her life? One thing is for sure. Someone is targeting Kara, and if she doesn't work out why, who knows what they will do next ...

One of the UK's top teen thriller writers, Sue Wallman is the award-winning author of I Know You Did It, Such a Good Liar and Lying About Last Summer Perfect for fans of Karen McManus, Holly Jackson, and We Were Liars

Such a Good Liar 'A nail-biting YA thriller of impersonation, iron nerve and revenge, for fans of Karen M McManus and Holly Jackson.' - The Guardian. Lying About Last Summer "Lying About Last Summer is everything that's amazing about a thriller novel. I really loved it." - Zoella. Your Turn to Die "A chilling thriller with an almighty twist at the end that you won't be prepared for." - South Wales Evening Post. Dead Popular - "Wallman's writing is sharp, her teenagers are well-drawn, and the plot is enough to make the parents of any teens at boarding school blanch. 'Dead Popular is an excellent YA mystery that kept me very happily entertained as I attempted to uncover whodunit.' Crime Review UK. "I've enjoyed every single Sue Wallman book I've read since her debut, Lying About Last Summer. With each new release, she proves herself an absolute master at crafting YA thrillers that are impossible to put down!" - Maddie, Good Reads

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Reviews

Sue

Starting the new school year has been a challenge for Kara. Her best friend, Eden, has a new boyfriend and has completely cut her off, leaving her friendless. When the year 'freak', Romilly, comes to her aid, Kara finds herself drawn into a friendship which she is unsure about and when unsettling things start to happen, Kara can't help but suspect Romilly is behind them…

I love a book by Sue Wallman and I think this might be the best yet! Watch Your Back is both thought-provoking and compelling, an absolute one-sitting read…and it took me almost to the conclusion to work out what was going on!

The story is cleverly plotted with plenty of clues, red herrings and twists, making it a very satisfying mystery. A sense of uneasy tension mounts as Kara starts to doubt all those around her, losing trust in them and feeling betrayed when her suspicions are not taken seriously. As she finds the tables turned so that she appears to be the aggressor rather than the victim, Kara's sense of panic is all too real as she struggles to prove her innocence.

Kara is a really likeable, flawed, genuine character, with a loving family, living a messy, 'real' life which many readers will be able to relate to. When her close relationship with her one best friend suddenly ends, she is completely derailed and confused. Her sense of bewilderment and hurt at this sudden rejection and at Eden's apparent enjoyment of being part of the 'cool' group is really well captured as Kara circles through feelings of anger, confusion, loss and self-doubt.

Romilly is also really well captured. Ostracised by her peers, she is desperate for friendship and finds the muddy waters of how she is expected to behave difficult to navigate. The casual, thoughtless unkindness she faces is a harsh reminder that our school system is not kind to everyone.

Manipulation, control, deceit and true friendship are all explored in this engrossing story. One not to be missed!

352 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher