Status
Available
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Blue Rider Press (2013), Edition: Reprint, 784 pages
Description
Memory-challenged British private detective Jay Harper investigates a series of murders that may be the handiwork of a gang of international killers. Lausanne Cathedral, Switzerland. A man who lives in a world of shadows, in the belfry of the cathedral. A call girl who is about to discover that her real-life fairy tale is too good to be true. A private detective who wakes up with no memory, offered a job he has no choice but to accept. Three lives, one purpose: save what's left of paradise before all hell breaks loose...
User reviews
LibraryThing member JBD1
This one surprised me, in a good way. Another addition to the "supernatural beings walk among us" genre, drawing on the Book of Enoch for its inspiration. But Jon Steele's characters are extremely well-drawn, and he weaves the web of his plot at a nice leisurely pace; this book would be great for a
Our main characters here are Marc Rochat, a disabled young man who cares for the bells atop Lausanne Cathedral; Katherine Taylor, a high-priced call girl; and Jay Michael Harper, a security consultant with very little memory. Their lives converge in surprising and unexpected ways as the forces of good and evil duke it out in search of a long-held secret.
I suspect some people will say that the first parts of the book moved too slowly, but I rather liked the pace throughout. While there were some elements that I wish Steele had explained a bit more (particularly in the final portion of the book), overall I thought Steele did a fine job. Additional volumes are rumored to be in the works, and that's just fine with me.
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lazy weekend day when you can just find a comfy chair and settle down to lose yourself in a good story.Our main characters here are Marc Rochat, a disabled young man who cares for the bells atop Lausanne Cathedral; Katherine Taylor, a high-priced call girl; and Jay Michael Harper, a security consultant with very little memory. Their lives converge in surprising and unexpected ways as the forces of good and evil duke it out in search of a long-held secret.
I suspect some people will say that the first parts of the book moved too slowly, but I rather liked the pace throughout. While there were some elements that I wish Steele had explained a bit more (particularly in the final portion of the book), overall I thought Steele did a fine job. Additional volumes are rumored to be in the works, and that's just fine with me.
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LibraryThing member cathyskye
First Line: At first sight, fifty yards off, he couldn't tell who it was walking through the rain, only that the slow-moving form emerging from the shattered village of Neuville-Vitasse was a British soldier.
Just before Christmas in the town of Lausanne, Switzerland, three people will meet in the
Marc Rochat is the young man who calls the hour from the belfry of Lausanne Cathedral each night. He will tell you that he's "strong from the legs up"-- if he's not talking with the cathedral bells, responding to the mews of Monsieur Booty, his cat, or running away from the bad shadows that are gathering.
The young American, Katherine Taylor, is living the tax-free, designer label dream in Switzerland. An extremely beautiful (and extremely high-priced) prostitute, she's just about to find out that her life is indeed too good to be true.
The third person is private investigator Jay Harper, who wakes up in a hotel room with no memory, a love of watching the History Channel, and a job in Lausanne that he has no choice but to accept.
Three very different people who eventually learn that they have one objective: save what little is left of paradise before all hell breaks loose.
If you're in the mood for something in the wham, bam, thank you ma'am genre, do not pick up this book. You won't like it. However, if you're in the mood for an atmospheric work of art in which each of the hundreds of layers is painstakingly applied until you find yourself lost in the canvas and the close intimate friend of its inhabitants Marc, Katherine and Jay... well, you've picked up the right book.
Steele sets his stage meticulously, so there's not much action until the 250 page mark, but I didn't care because he was bringing the town of Lausanne, its citizens, the cathedral, and those three main characters to living, breathing life. As Harper himself says, "Bloody hell, just keeps getting better."
Steele acknowledges in his book that he wrote the first draft of The Watchers in the belfry loge of Lausanne Cathedral. His writing shows a deep love and appreciation of the ancient timbers and bells. I didn't find it odd that the character of Marc listened and spoke to them. Things that old are going to have stories to tell, and someone needs to listen.
All three characters are beautifully realized, and it's difficult for me to choose a favorite between them. The book has a strong foundation consisting of historic fact, an ancient Jewish text, and the literary classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The only thing that didn't win me over completely was the ending. I was ready for something that would knock my socks off, and it fell a bit short-- probably so there would be enough pieces left for the sequels that are to follow!
If you want to pick up a book and lose all track of time, The Watchers is for you.
Just before Christmas in the town of Lausanne, Switzerland, three people will meet in the
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ancient cathedral beneath which a secret was buried before time began.Marc Rochat is the young man who calls the hour from the belfry of Lausanne Cathedral each night. He will tell you that he's "strong from the legs up"-- if he's not talking with the cathedral bells, responding to the mews of Monsieur Booty, his cat, or running away from the bad shadows that are gathering.
The young American, Katherine Taylor, is living the tax-free, designer label dream in Switzerland. An extremely beautiful (and extremely high-priced) prostitute, she's just about to find out that her life is indeed too good to be true.
The third person is private investigator Jay Harper, who wakes up in a hotel room with no memory, a love of watching the History Channel, and a job in Lausanne that he has no choice but to accept.
Three very different people who eventually learn that they have one objective: save what little is left of paradise before all hell breaks loose.
If you're in the mood for something in the wham, bam, thank you ma'am genre, do not pick up this book. You won't like it. However, if you're in the mood for an atmospheric work of art in which each of the hundreds of layers is painstakingly applied until you find yourself lost in the canvas and the close intimate friend of its inhabitants Marc, Katherine and Jay... well, you've picked up the right book.
Steele sets his stage meticulously, so there's not much action until the 250 page mark, but I didn't care because he was bringing the town of Lausanne, its citizens, the cathedral, and those three main characters to living, breathing life. As Harper himself says, "Bloody hell, just keeps getting better."
Steele acknowledges in his book that he wrote the first draft of The Watchers in the belfry loge of Lausanne Cathedral. His writing shows a deep love and appreciation of the ancient timbers and bells. I didn't find it odd that the character of Marc listened and spoke to them. Things that old are going to have stories to tell, and someone needs to listen.
All three characters are beautifully realized, and it's difficult for me to choose a favorite between them. The book has a strong foundation consisting of historic fact, an ancient Jewish text, and the literary classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The only thing that didn't win me over completely was the ending. I was ready for something that would knock my socks off, and it fell a bit short-- probably so there would be enough pieces left for the sequels that are to follow!
If you want to pick up a book and lose all track of time, The Watchers is for you.
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LibraryThing member hashford
The Watchers by Jon Steele – ask not for whom the bell tolls
This unusual thriller by Jon Steele is set in Lausanne, Switzerland; the action centres around Lausanne cathedral, or more specifically, around the belfry of Lausanne cathedral.
Marc Rochat is “the guet” – the watcher of the bells;
Katherine Taylor is a high class prostitute, earning tens of thousands of Swiss Francs a night, and hiding in Switzerland from the US IRS. She enjoys the high life – luxurious flat, expensive jewellery & clothes – but does it never occur to her to wonder where her good fortune comes from and whether there might be a price to pay?
Lastly, meet Jay Harper, private detective. Harper knows a great deal about cathedrals, recognises references from ancient texts and speaks many languages – but he can’t remember the number of his London flat; indeed he has no memories at all beyond the last few days.
When Harper is tasked with finding Alexander Yuriev, a Russian athlete gone bad, these three people come together in a desperate fight against the forces of evil.
What can I tell you about this book? I am struggling to review it, because I have never read anything quite like it! Well for a start, it’s long. What’s more, it’s complicated and it jumps about from person to person. And it has a significant fantastical element (celestial goodies & baddies, and a time warp). So if any of this is going to irritate you, then don’t even get started!
On the good side, it is a compelling read. It took me over a week (which is quite a long time for me), but I always looked forward to picking it up again and never found myself other things to do instead of reading. The three main characters are decidedly odd, but they do come real on the page, and I always cared about what was happening to them. The plot has various twists and turns, and has you trying to figure out whether the people on Harper’s side really are on his side and what the baddies are up to (as a good thriller should). It also builds up to an exciting finish (even if I didn’t quite understand all of the plot twists!).
Overall, this makes a different and very interesting read; one that I will be recommending to my friends.
This unusual thriller by Jon Steele is set in Lausanne, Switzerland; the action centres around Lausanne cathedral, or more specifically, around the belfry of Lausanne cathedral.
Marc Rochat is “the guet” – the watcher of the bells;
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he spends his nights in the belfry marking the hours. Marc came to Switzerland from Canada as a 10 year old boy, after his mother died; he is not quite normal (“there was an accident at my birth”) – he talks to the bells, and to his cat, Mr Booty, - but he understands he has an important job to do; his mother told him so before she died.Katherine Taylor is a high class prostitute, earning tens of thousands of Swiss Francs a night, and hiding in Switzerland from the US IRS. She enjoys the high life – luxurious flat, expensive jewellery & clothes – but does it never occur to her to wonder where her good fortune comes from and whether there might be a price to pay?
Lastly, meet Jay Harper, private detective. Harper knows a great deal about cathedrals, recognises references from ancient texts and speaks many languages – but he can’t remember the number of his London flat; indeed he has no memories at all beyond the last few days.
When Harper is tasked with finding Alexander Yuriev, a Russian athlete gone bad, these three people come together in a desperate fight against the forces of evil.
What can I tell you about this book? I am struggling to review it, because I have never read anything quite like it! Well for a start, it’s long. What’s more, it’s complicated and it jumps about from person to person. And it has a significant fantastical element (celestial goodies & baddies, and a time warp). So if any of this is going to irritate you, then don’t even get started!
On the good side, it is a compelling read. It took me over a week (which is quite a long time for me), but I always looked forward to picking it up again and never found myself other things to do instead of reading. The three main characters are decidedly odd, but they do come real on the page, and I always cared about what was happening to them. The plot has various twists and turns, and has you trying to figure out whether the people on Harper’s side really are on his side and what the baddies are up to (as a good thriller should). It also builds up to an exciting finish (even if I didn’t quite understand all of the plot twists!).
Overall, this makes a different and very interesting read; one that I will be recommending to my friends.
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LibraryThing member MikeFinn
In a market flooded with novels dealing with supernatural themes, “The Watchers” stands out for strength of its characters, the originality of the plot and Jon Steele’s remarkable ability to make magic visible in the familiar.
“The Watchers” is set in the part of Switzerland that I know
The three main characters in this book strongly engaged my emotions: the American who sells her beauty for the use of rich men, who loves to watch herself in the mirror but cannot push aside the glamour she casts to see what she has become; the Brit detective who cannot sleep but is not yet truly awake; the Québécoise cripple with with a damaged mind, brilliant imagination and the heart of a lion. Each of them is imperfect. Each of them sees a different Lausanne. Each of them has a distinctive voice. Together they light up this book.
The plot and the world that it imagines, puts a twist on ancient legends that is original, plausible and intriguing. Jon Steele is brave enough to slow the pace of the storytelling so that comprehension dawns slowly but is all the more deeply felt for that.
In a story of good versus evil Jon Steele takes the time to show how blurred the boundaries are between the two, nor does he shy away from depicting the cruel violence that evil produces. He doesn’t glorify it but he doesn’t look away either. He uses it to cast the shadows that emphasises the light.
This is Jon’s Steele’s first novel. As Marc Rochat might say, I am very sure it should not be his last.
“The Watchers” is set in the part of Switzerland that I know
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very well. The locations Jon Steele describes: the ancient wooden steps of the Escaliers du Marché, the Lausanne Palace Hotel, the building that Marc Rochat lives in in Ouchy, the orange warning lights on Lac Leman and of course Lausanne Cathedral, are all places that I recognise. Jon Steele not only brings them to life, he evokes their inner magic, lighting them up in my imagination so that I see them afresh and know them for the first time.The three main characters in this book strongly engaged my emotions: the American who sells her beauty for the use of rich men, who loves to watch herself in the mirror but cannot push aside the glamour she casts to see what she has become; the Brit detective who cannot sleep but is not yet truly awake; the Québécoise cripple with with a damaged mind, brilliant imagination and the heart of a lion. Each of them is imperfect. Each of them sees a different Lausanne. Each of them has a distinctive voice. Together they light up this book.
The plot and the world that it imagines, puts a twist on ancient legends that is original, plausible and intriguing. Jon Steele is brave enough to slow the pace of the storytelling so that comprehension dawns slowly but is all the more deeply felt for that.
In a story of good versus evil Jon Steele takes the time to show how blurred the boundaries are between the two, nor does he shy away from depicting the cruel violence that evil produces. He doesn’t glorify it but he doesn’t look away either. He uses it to cast the shadows that emphasises the light.
This is Jon’s Steele’s first novel. As Marc Rochat might say, I am very sure it should not be his last.
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LibraryThing member Sensory
I have a short list of books that I love and always keep a copy of. It includes The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, Drood and The Black Hills, both written by Dan Simmons, and The Lord of the Rings. These books are characterized by great story-telling abilities by the author. They are not the kind
I loved this book from the first beautifully written and haunting chapter to the last heart-pounding one. Its exotic locale (Lausanne, Switzerland), its clever plot twists and turns and the revelation about two-thirds of the way in of what exactly is going on. Though it’s a relatively large book at more than 570 pages, I devoured it in just a few days.
I was besotted with Jay Harper, one of the main characters. I think it was his sense of humor (that gets me every time) and his sure-fire way of seeing through to the heart of any matter. His relentless pursuit of the bad guys didn’t hurt either. Another main character, Marc Rochat, tugged at my heart and I cheered for him the whole book through. This book isn’t for the faint-at-heart, however. There are a few scenes that are difficult to read so if you don’t like to read anything violent, I suggest you skim those few short paragraphs and keep reading – it’s worth it!
It was a happy surprise to discover that The Watchers is just the first book in a new trilogy. It’s definitely a must-read for the literary thriller crowd and just about anyone who enjoys great writing and a fabulous story.
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of books (that shall remain nameless, the worst written by an author also with the first name of Dan) that have a cliff hanger at the end of a two page chapter. They are the sort that weave a story so cleverly and rich with story that it takes the reader into another world that is not soon forgotten, long after the characters names can’t be recalled. The Watchers by Jon Steele is now on my list.I loved this book from the first beautifully written and haunting chapter to the last heart-pounding one. Its exotic locale (Lausanne, Switzerland), its clever plot twists and turns and the revelation about two-thirds of the way in of what exactly is going on. Though it’s a relatively large book at more than 570 pages, I devoured it in just a few days.
I was besotted with Jay Harper, one of the main characters. I think it was his sense of humor (that gets me every time) and his sure-fire way of seeing through to the heart of any matter. His relentless pursuit of the bad guys didn’t hurt either. Another main character, Marc Rochat, tugged at my heart and I cheered for him the whole book through. This book isn’t for the faint-at-heart, however. There are a few scenes that are difficult to read so if you don’t like to read anything violent, I suggest you skim those few short paragraphs and keep reading – it’s worth it!
It was a happy surprise to discover that The Watchers is just the first book in a new trilogy. It’s definitely a must-read for the literary thriller crowd and just about anyone who enjoys great writing and a fabulous story.
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LibraryThing member justabookreader
Lausanne, Switzerland, gothic cathedrals, talk of angels, a man in the belfry calling the hour, a hooker, and a man with no memory. The Watchers is a book full of strange people and places but somehow they all work beautifully together.
In the first part of The Watchers, we get to know the
Katherine Taylor is a high priced hooker hiding out in Switzerland. She enjoys her life, the money, and has let herself feel safe in all her choices up till now. Even though she’s convinced herself that she’s made the right move, some things about her life do bother her when she looks past the fancy clothes and money but she carries on wanting to get the most out of the situation believing she can go back at any time. Marc Rochat is the last of a dying breed --- he calls the hour at the Lausanne Cathedral spending his days talking to the bells, shoeing pigeons out of the way, and unintentionally spying on the city and its inhabitants. One night Marc sees Jay Harper standing on the bridge and in his own innocent way, believes him to be some sort of investigator out looking for clues. He gets into his head that he too should be on watch with all the strange happenings around the city, including several gruesome murders no one seems to be able to explain.
This book has a lot going on but don’t let that deter you. The mix is odd, but the setting, which is dark but familiar, makes it work. I started out thinking this was a thriller and was sure I was going to see every character die a gruesome death and in at least one case that does happen. All the problems the characters face are real even if they might have an extraordinary/paranormal explanation. For instance, Marc Rochat may be a simple man with very little ambition and naïve in the ways of the world but he seems to see and understand more of what’s going on than most of the people in town. Katherine Taylor, hooker extraordinaire, was annoying but sympathetic and other than learning some humility, I’m not sure she learned much of anything but I wasn’t expecting that to happen. Now, Jay Harper. Is he a detective or a paid spy? He’s a man with no memory of his life before a phone call a few weeks back. He remembers nothing before coming to Lausanne and meeting an odd group of people for a job he doesn’t know if he’s qualified to complete or not. You know he’s part of a bigger plan.
I’ll admit that the ending was not what I was expecting but I went with it and found I liked where it led even if I wasn’t so sure about it. It didn’t ruin anything for me and I sometimes like it when an author tests my ability for the realities I expect. There is some graphic violence in this book but I wasn’t particularly bothered by it mostly because it fit with the story and I didn’t feel it was added for show.
Bottom line --- The Watchers an interesting book from a new author I’d like to read more of. Steele took the elements of an old city, made them feel even older, darker, sadder, and topped it with characters that made me unable to stop reading. My copy of The Watchers topped out at 574 and felt like a mere 200 pages to me.
In the first part of The Watchers, we get to know the
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characters, peek in on their lives, and in the second part, we watch all of the characters’ lives collide in some way or another. Katherine Taylor is a high priced hooker hiding out in Switzerland. She enjoys her life, the money, and has let herself feel safe in all her choices up till now. Even though she’s convinced herself that she’s made the right move, some things about her life do bother her when she looks past the fancy clothes and money but she carries on wanting to get the most out of the situation believing she can go back at any time. Marc Rochat is the last of a dying breed --- he calls the hour at the Lausanne Cathedral spending his days talking to the bells, shoeing pigeons out of the way, and unintentionally spying on the city and its inhabitants. One night Marc sees Jay Harper standing on the bridge and in his own innocent way, believes him to be some sort of investigator out looking for clues. He gets into his head that he too should be on watch with all the strange happenings around the city, including several gruesome murders no one seems to be able to explain.
This book has a lot going on but don’t let that deter you. The mix is odd, but the setting, which is dark but familiar, makes it work. I started out thinking this was a thriller and was sure I was going to see every character die a gruesome death and in at least one case that does happen. All the problems the characters face are real even if they might have an extraordinary/paranormal explanation. For instance, Marc Rochat may be a simple man with very little ambition and naïve in the ways of the world but he seems to see and understand more of what’s going on than most of the people in town. Katherine Taylor, hooker extraordinaire, was annoying but sympathetic and other than learning some humility, I’m not sure she learned much of anything but I wasn’t expecting that to happen. Now, Jay Harper. Is he a detective or a paid spy? He’s a man with no memory of his life before a phone call a few weeks back. He remembers nothing before coming to Lausanne and meeting an odd group of people for a job he doesn’t know if he’s qualified to complete or not. You know he’s part of a bigger plan.
I’ll admit that the ending was not what I was expecting but I went with it and found I liked where it led even if I wasn’t so sure about it. It didn’t ruin anything for me and I sometimes like it when an author tests my ability for the realities I expect. There is some graphic violence in this book but I wasn’t particularly bothered by it mostly because it fit with the story and I didn’t feel it was added for show.
Bottom line --- The Watchers an interesting book from a new author I’d like to read more of. Steele took the elements of an old city, made them feel even older, darker, sadder, and topped it with characters that made me unable to stop reading. My copy of The Watchers topped out at 574 and felt like a mere 200 pages to me.
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LibraryThing member novelgoddess
GoodReads Synopsis: Meet Marc Rochat, a man-child who has devoted his life to being the bell ringer at the Gothic Lausanne Cathedral, one of the greatest architectural structures in the world. Eerie things have been going on in and around his church, including tremblings in the underground crypt
My Thoughts: OK…I have to say that this was very slow starting. I can honestly say I fought to get through the first 1/3 of the book. But once we had all the back story out of the way, the real story really picked up. Also I can see where this could become a series…although I can’t find any indication that is to be the case. At almost 600 pages, this book can stand alone.
Jon Steele spent a lot of time building the world of the Cathedral…where most of the story takes place. I must admit after reading this book, seeing this cathedral is now on my bucket list. Equally fascinating was the references to the Book of Enoch which was part of the Dead Sea Scrolls and it is the framework for the angelic part of the storyline.
Mark Rochat is, in my opinion, the main character. He is one of those people who are often referred to as “slow”. He is aware of his limitations, “I’m not so good with words and numbers” he says, but more importantly, he is the type of person who only sees the good in others and fosters that goodness.
Jay Harper is our intrepid investigator. He seems a little slow on the uptake, like he’s operating in a fog, but nothing gets past him. He is our “hero”, though he would be the last one to think so. Eventually he is able to shake off the fog and figure out what is truly going on. I found him snarky and sarcastic…LOVED him!
Kathryn Taylor is our “Damsel in Distress” and she is a “Hot Mess” and then some. On the lam from the IRS, she is cashing in on her Playboy “fame” and working as a high-class call girl in Switzerland. And like most literary call girls, she finds herself in a mess of her own making and can’t quite figure out how to get out of it. Kathryn is a shallow twit who thinks of no one but herself. That is until Rochat and Harper enter to save the day.
If you can stick it out through the first 150 pages or so, I think the book is worth the time and effort. Most of the info from that beginning does come full circle and is necessary by the time you come to the ending. You just have to decide if the writing and storyline engages you enough to hang on. Personally if there is a possibility of angelic involvement, I will usually stick it out…and since Steele is a gifted writer and storyteller, I’m glad I hung in there.
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and a variety of gruesomely murdered bodies showing up in nearby streets. Across the square from the cathedral lives Katherine Taylor, a beautiful young American woman who is making phenomenal money as one of the highest-priced call girls in Switzerland; she's a bit too introspective for her own good and, unfortunately, much too observant of her clients' peccadilloes. Rochat's and Taylor's lives collide with Jay Harper, a British private eye who has been sent to investigate the killings and other strange doings; alas, he has no memory of who hired him or precisely why he was chosen for the job. And now all the clues are pointing skyward, where fallen angels are said to haunt Lausanne.My Thoughts: OK…I have to say that this was very slow starting. I can honestly say I fought to get through the first 1/3 of the book. But once we had all the back story out of the way, the real story really picked up. Also I can see where this could become a series…although I can’t find any indication that is to be the case. At almost 600 pages, this book can stand alone.
Jon Steele spent a lot of time building the world of the Cathedral…where most of the story takes place. I must admit after reading this book, seeing this cathedral is now on my bucket list. Equally fascinating was the references to the Book of Enoch which was part of the Dead Sea Scrolls and it is the framework for the angelic part of the storyline.
Mark Rochat is, in my opinion, the main character. He is one of those people who are often referred to as “slow”. He is aware of his limitations, “I’m not so good with words and numbers” he says, but more importantly, he is the type of person who only sees the good in others and fosters that goodness.
Jay Harper is our intrepid investigator. He seems a little slow on the uptake, like he’s operating in a fog, but nothing gets past him. He is our “hero”, though he would be the last one to think so. Eventually he is able to shake off the fog and figure out what is truly going on. I found him snarky and sarcastic…LOVED him!
Kathryn Taylor is our “Damsel in Distress” and she is a “Hot Mess” and then some. On the lam from the IRS, she is cashing in on her Playboy “fame” and working as a high-class call girl in Switzerland. And like most literary call girls, she finds herself in a mess of her own making and can’t quite figure out how to get out of it. Kathryn is a shallow twit who thinks of no one but herself. That is until Rochat and Harper enter to save the day.
If you can stick it out through the first 150 pages or so, I think the book is worth the time and effort. Most of the info from that beginning does come full circle and is necessary by the time you come to the ending. You just have to decide if the writing and storyline engages you enough to hang on. Personally if there is a possibility of angelic involvement, I will usually stick it out…and since Steele is a gifted writer and storyteller, I’m glad I hung in there.
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LibraryThing member wbwilburn5
Great book, story is a little violent at one part, but I could not put the book down.
LibraryThing member thejohnsmith
A well written noir featuring angels, an apocryphal gospel and a struggle for the future of humankind – what could be better! This is a well written tale with strong characters caught up in a fascinating, and often dark, plot where the line between good and evil is not always clear. It doesn’t
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rely on fast pace but instead, draws you in and holds you with quality storytelling. One of my favourite reads in recent years. Show Less
LibraryThing member jeremyfarnumlane
Almost like two different books, a halfway-hard-boiled mystery that turns into a fantasy novel at the end. I don't know that switch worked for me, but I did find the story surprisingly affecting. The character of Marc Rochat really is something. Plus, the story's set in Lausanne, Switzerland. I
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love Switzerland. Show Less
LibraryThing member sj2b
Narration is in the third person via Marc Rochat, Katherine Taylor and Jay Harper. The first book in a trilogy but could be stand alone. The sequels are Angel City and The Way of Sorrows.
The Watchers immediately grabbed my interest with the opening prologue which is set during the First World War.
The Watchers main story shifts to present day Switzerland. The first 200-300 pages were spent introducing the main characters, Mark with an intended Quasimodo similarity; Katherine, an intensely dislikable character to begin with, a tart with a heart; and Jay the 'detectiveman' who has no memory of how he arrived in Switzerland, only that he remembers waking up and accepting a job, he cannot refuse, working for the IOC.
Unfortunately I very nearly gave up reading at this point. I really couldn't see where it was going and was becoming irritated at nothing happening. Then ***BAMM*** did it start ! I was on a roller coaster ride from there on in. I really could not put the book down. This is not to say that I believe there should be editing here, as once into the meaty part of the story I realised that I'd gained a depth and wealth of knowledge about the character's personalities and psyches, enough to make me care too much to give up on them.
I grew to love the main characters and one, Katherine in particular annoyed me immensely to begin with but as her character developed I became accustomed to her personality and came to like her a great deal.
Mark, a charming child like 21 year old with a limp, is the guardian of Lausanne Cathedral. He lives in an imaginary world watching over the city, waiting or the Angel that his mother said would come to him for help. Mark believes that Katherine is that Angel.
Jay, my favourite, was an intreaging character. A loner, or man with a mission, a man who likes a drink, with a dry sense of humour and acerbic quip. Who is he ? Where did he come from? Where is he going ? I looked forward to finding the answers.
Mystery, crime/detective noir, sci fi elements, magical fantasy ... I really couldn't categorise this one with any one label as it delves into many genres. Once the supernatural element finally reveals itself however, all the mystery and intrigue was over and I felt a little flat. The surprise was over and I wondered if I would lose interest. It just didn't feel that I was reading the same novel and that it had drifted off into a totally different field. Think Matrix, Dan Brown and Jason Bourne with the battle against good and evil. A little over the top from what had come before. Again though, I kept 'with it' because I had faith in the author by now, and it righted itself. I guess there's more explanation and character development to come in the sequels.
Even with the slight disappointment, Jon Steele is an amazing writer creating an intreaging, atmospheric and magical world with characters I cared, and enjoyed, reading about.
I look forward to reading 'Angel City' very soon.
Thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review 'The Watchers'.
The Watchers immediately grabbed my interest with the opening prologue which is set during the First World War.
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It is so beautifully written creating an haunting, ethereal atmosphere to the start of the novel. I wondered, once into the main story, where this fitted in and connected with the main characters. It was not until I finished the book that I understood and re-read the prologue which then had another meaning and was just as magical. The Watchers main story shifts to present day Switzerland. The first 200-300 pages were spent introducing the main characters, Mark with an intended Quasimodo similarity; Katherine, an intensely dislikable character to begin with, a tart with a heart; and Jay the 'detectiveman' who has no memory of how he arrived in Switzerland, only that he remembers waking up and accepting a job, he cannot refuse, working for the IOC.
Unfortunately I very nearly gave up reading at this point. I really couldn't see where it was going and was becoming irritated at nothing happening. Then ***BAMM*** did it start ! I was on a roller coaster ride from there on in. I really could not put the book down. This is not to say that I believe there should be editing here, as once into the meaty part of the story I realised that I'd gained a depth and wealth of knowledge about the character's personalities and psyches, enough to make me care too much to give up on them.
I grew to love the main characters and one, Katherine in particular annoyed me immensely to begin with but as her character developed I became accustomed to her personality and came to like her a great deal.
Mark, a charming child like 21 year old with a limp, is the guardian of Lausanne Cathedral. He lives in an imaginary world watching over the city, waiting or the Angel that his mother said would come to him for help. Mark believes that Katherine is that Angel.
Jay, my favourite, was an intreaging character. A loner, or man with a mission, a man who likes a drink, with a dry sense of humour and acerbic quip. Who is he ? Where did he come from? Where is he going ? I looked forward to finding the answers.
Mystery, crime/detective noir, sci fi elements, magical fantasy ... I really couldn't categorise this one with any one label as it delves into many genres. Once the supernatural element finally reveals itself however, all the mystery and intrigue was over and I felt a little flat. The surprise was over and I wondered if I would lose interest. It just didn't feel that I was reading the same novel and that it had drifted off into a totally different field. Think Matrix, Dan Brown and Jason Bourne with the battle against good and evil. A little over the top from what had come before. Again though, I kept 'with it' because I had faith in the author by now, and it righted itself. I guess there's more explanation and character development to come in the sequels.
Even with the slight disappointment, Jon Steele is an amazing writer creating an intreaging, atmospheric and magical world with characters I cared, and enjoyed, reading about.
I look forward to reading 'Angel City' very soon.
Thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review 'The Watchers'.
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LibraryThing member AuthorMarion
In a throwback to beforetimes, Marc Rochat goes about his nightly duties of calling out the time when the bells of Lausanne Cathedral ring. C’est le guet. Il sonne l’heure! He repeats the words to the four directions every hour – they are the same words of comfort that have been spoken for
Katherine Taylor is a beautiful young American girl who, thanks to her carnal talents, was recruited to come to work in Lausanne. Thanks to her high prices and her extremely generous clients, many of them heads of state and powerful men of business, she lives in an expensive garden penthouse with a view of Lac Leman, dresses in only the finest of clothes, drinks only the best wines and champagnes, and commands attention wherever she goes.
Jay Harper is a man with no past – at least he can’t remember a past. He wakes up in Lausanne with a hangover and only knows that his business card describes him as a security expert for the International Olympic Committee. Whatever he knows, he believes he’s learned from sleepless nights of watching The History Channel. Try as he might, he can’t remember even his London telephone number or the address of his flat there.
But the time has come for all three of these unlikely comrades to form a small army to fight the cosmic evil that is about to be unleashed on not only the city of Lausanne but on our entire world as well. Can these three defend the Cathedral around which the fight will ensue? Will all three come out on the other side of the battle?
In a satisfyingly long book (over 700 pages) Jon Steele takes us on a wild, thrilling adventure of cosmic proportions. Each of our three main characters has special powers that will affect the battle between good and evil. I simply could not put this book down. It went everywhere with me, even in the car on short trips. The story is fast-paced and the characters are finely drawn and complex. Twists and turns leave the reader wanting more. The conclusion to this first book in The Angelus Trilogy was satisfying to me and I look forward to the next book in the series.
CAUTION: Not for the faint-of-heart!!
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centuries to tell the citizens of Lausanne, Switzerland that all is well and that Marc is watching for any approaching evil. Marc himself is a special young man – he talks to the bells and to the ancient statues; his appearance is special as well because he has a deformed leg due to an accident at birth. He waits for the day when his mother’s prediction will come true: Marc, you will one day save a lost angel at the Cathedral.Katherine Taylor is a beautiful young American girl who, thanks to her carnal talents, was recruited to come to work in Lausanne. Thanks to her high prices and her extremely generous clients, many of them heads of state and powerful men of business, she lives in an expensive garden penthouse with a view of Lac Leman, dresses in only the finest of clothes, drinks only the best wines and champagnes, and commands attention wherever she goes.
Jay Harper is a man with no past – at least he can’t remember a past. He wakes up in Lausanne with a hangover and only knows that his business card describes him as a security expert for the International Olympic Committee. Whatever he knows, he believes he’s learned from sleepless nights of watching The History Channel. Try as he might, he can’t remember even his London telephone number or the address of his flat there.
But the time has come for all three of these unlikely comrades to form a small army to fight the cosmic evil that is about to be unleashed on not only the city of Lausanne but on our entire world as well. Can these three defend the Cathedral around which the fight will ensue? Will all three come out on the other side of the battle?
In a satisfyingly long book (over 700 pages) Jon Steele takes us on a wild, thrilling adventure of cosmic proportions. Each of our three main characters has special powers that will affect the battle between good and evil. I simply could not put this book down. It went everywhere with me, even in the car on short trips. The story is fast-paced and the characters are finely drawn and complex. Twists and turns leave the reader wanting more. The conclusion to this first book in The Angelus Trilogy was satisfying to me and I look forward to the next book in the series.
CAUTION: Not for the faint-of-heart!!
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LibraryThing member jamaicanmecrazy
I don't usually like this kind of book. I tried reading Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness and could not get interested, so I was surprised to zip right through The Watchers. It had a bit too much violence & f bombs for my taste, but it kept my attention & I would highly recommend to
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LibraryThing member stephanie_M
I found this novel in my local supermarket, while bored to death. The tiny blurb on the back intrigued me, but I almost put it back three times... I am SO glad I didn't, and took it home! What an atmospheric work of art, for a novel. Jon Steele is my new favorite author.
In a market flooded with
In this age of instant gratification that drives the two page chapter, it is refreshing to see that one author is not afraid of long, drawn out character building and the slow, tension filled ascent to what you know will be a stunning end of the novel. Richly atmospheric and surprisingly tender amid all the gathering gloom, this is a beautifully written book to savior and enjoy, especially when all of the action finally does get going. I have NO problem with waiting for 100 pages for the characters to develop, figure out what the HECK is going on in this novel, or find out what happens next. And quite frankly, I don't understand why others do. If you want instant gratification, go read some short stories!! (And quite frankly, 500 pages gets me hot. More? I'm there!! I had no problem being hooked from the second chapter.)
Steele created three solid characters in Jay Harper, Marc Rochat and Katherine Taylor. You will find yourself cheering for Marc (who reminded me of Quasimodo), as le guet of the Lausanne Cathedral as he helps Taylor find redemption. Steele keeps you wondering about Harper until far into the story. Each of them is imperfect. Each of them sees a different Lausanne. Each of them has a distinctive voice. Together they light up this book. The portrayal of Marc Rochat and his adorable cat Monsieur Booty is in particular evocative and memorable. I was never quite sure if that cat understood what was being said or not... and that's ok, too.
The plot and the world that it imagines, puts a twist on ancient legends that is original, plausible and intriguing. Jon Steele is brave enough to slow the pace of the storytelling so that comprehension dawns slowly but is all the more deeply felt for that. Be ready for twists and turns, as Steele weaves a masterful story around you. There are four parts to the story, and people have to actually follow the threads of the story. I was never sure where this ride was going, and I enjoyed every minute of this feeling.
Angels in a mystery novel is new to me, but they fit perfectly. But don't expect wings or halos. Do expect a murder mystery, a supernatural thriller, and beautiful writing.
In a story of good versus evil Jon Steele takes the time to show how blurred the boundaries are between the two, nor does he shy away from depicting the cruel violence that evil produces. He doesn't glorify it but he doesn't look away either. He uses it to cast the shadows that emphasizes the light. (Some sexual situations, if you don't like that, don't read this novel. They are integral to the plot.)
This is Jon’s Steele’s first novel. As Marc Rochat might say, I am very sure it should not be his last. This novel was difficult to put down, and rejoin everyday life. I can barely wait until the 2nd part of the series is out, in June. And I am telling everyone I know that they HAVE to read this book. I loved that I had to constantly guess where the book was going, and that rarely happens, anymore... not after reading SO many books in my lifetime. :D
In a market flooded with
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novels dealing with supernatural themes, “The Watchers” stands out for strength of its characters, the originality of the plot and Jon Steele’s remarkable ability to make magic visible in the familiar.In this age of instant gratification that drives the two page chapter, it is refreshing to see that one author is not afraid of long, drawn out character building and the slow, tension filled ascent to what you know will be a stunning end of the novel. Richly atmospheric and surprisingly tender amid all the gathering gloom, this is a beautifully written book to savior and enjoy, especially when all of the action finally does get going. I have NO problem with waiting for 100 pages for the characters to develop, figure out what the HECK is going on in this novel, or find out what happens next. And quite frankly, I don't understand why others do. If you want instant gratification, go read some short stories!! (And quite frankly, 500 pages gets me hot. More? I'm there!! I had no problem being hooked from the second chapter.)
Steele created three solid characters in Jay Harper, Marc Rochat and Katherine Taylor. You will find yourself cheering for Marc (who reminded me of Quasimodo), as le guet of the Lausanne Cathedral as he helps Taylor find redemption. Steele keeps you wondering about Harper until far into the story. Each of them is imperfect. Each of them sees a different Lausanne. Each of them has a distinctive voice. Together they light up this book. The portrayal of Marc Rochat and his adorable cat Monsieur Booty is in particular evocative and memorable. I was never quite sure if that cat understood what was being said or not... and that's ok, too.
The plot and the world that it imagines, puts a twist on ancient legends that is original, plausible and intriguing. Jon Steele is brave enough to slow the pace of the storytelling so that comprehension dawns slowly but is all the more deeply felt for that. Be ready for twists and turns, as Steele weaves a masterful story around you. There are four parts to the story, and people have to actually follow the threads of the story. I was never sure where this ride was going, and I enjoyed every minute of this feeling.
Angels in a mystery novel is new to me, but they fit perfectly. But don't expect wings or halos. Do expect a murder mystery, a supernatural thriller, and beautiful writing.
In a story of good versus evil Jon Steele takes the time to show how blurred the boundaries are between the two, nor does he shy away from depicting the cruel violence that evil produces. He doesn't glorify it but he doesn't look away either. He uses it to cast the shadows that emphasizes the light. (Some sexual situations, if you don't like that, don't read this novel. They are integral to the plot.)
This is Jon’s Steele’s first novel. As Marc Rochat might say, I am very sure it should not be his last. This novel was difficult to put down, and rejoin everyday life. I can barely wait until the 2nd part of the series is out, in June. And I am telling everyone I know that they HAVE to read this book. I loved that I had to constantly guess where the book was going, and that rarely happens, anymore... not after reading SO many books in my lifetime. :D
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Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2011
ISBN
0451416791 / 9780451416797