Library Journal
Sixteen-year-old Shaley O'Connor is on tour with her rock-star mother when she discovers the corpse of her mother's hairstylist backstage. Determined to solve the mystery, Shaley becomes an amateur sleuth. Coauthored by best-selling suspense novelist Brandilyn Collins (Dark Pursuit), three-time winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers Award, and her daughter Amberly, this solid teen mystery, the initial entry in a new series, will appeal to young girls and adults who enjoy a good yarn. The mother-daughter sleuthing team is appealing, making this a solid choice for mother-daughter book clubs. Recommended for public libraries.
—Tamara Butler
Kirkus Reviews
Backstage drama and murder in this series opener. Touring is part of life for 16-year-old Shaley, whose mom is the lead singer in a rising rock band. After Shaley finds the body of a murdered tour staff member, she decides to solve the mystery, especially as the clues seem to lead to her absent father. The authors waste no time with character development but leap straight into the semi-glamorous life of a rock star's child. Shaley reads like a watered-down conglomeration of the pop celebrities of the 2000s, to the point that the premise seems dated already. The Collinses (a mother-daughter team) divide the narrative between Shaley and the serial killer, using the split views to give insight into the (pallid) motivation for the murders. One interesting note is the almost complete absence of religion from the text, which is surprising for a Zonderkidz book. Shaley's deceitful and creepy unidentified father figure creates an uncomfortable parallel with the concept of a watchful God instead of acting as an intended foil. Readers will have to keep looking for well-written, cutting-edge teen Christian fiction. (Mystery. YA)
Youth Worker Journal
'It is incredibly refreshing to read fiction for young women that does not have a vampire or a morose, moody, teenage girl as the hero... This is a great one to hand off to your book-obsessed junior-high girls.' -- Youth Worker Journal
The Suspense Zone.com
'With a satisfying ending, Always Watching leaves enough of a cliffhanger to make you want to finish the tour!' -- The Suspense Zone.com
Focus on the Family
'Shaley and Rayne are not believers. However, Shaley has a clear sense that she is missing something valuable in her life. Carly Sanders, one of the band's back-up singers, is a Christian. She is a solid lifeline in the midst of the tragedy, offering prayer and comfort when Shaley is on the brink of despair. Carly speaks openly with Shaley about her Father in heaven and assures Shaley that she is not alone in her grief. Shaley asks why bad things happen, and Carly admits that she doesn't know everything. Instead, she shares her own story of redemption and encourages Shaley to rely on God for strength. Although Shaley does not immediately accept God's salvation, Carly's gentle and persistent faith stirs her to contemplate the truth behind the claims of Christianity.' -- Focus on the Family
The Christian Manifesto
'... a fast paced whodunit set against the intriguing backdrop of rock star celebrity. [Brandilyn's] adult fans will find much to rave about, while new teen readers will love the youthful voice and perspective that Amberly Collins brings to the table ... Mother and daughter have stormed onto the YA scene in exhilarating style.' -- The Christian Manifesto
