Always Watching, Rayne Tour Series #1

The daughter of a rock star, 16-year-old Shaley O'Connor has everything---until she discovers her friend's body backstage. Is Tom Hutchens's death connected to her? Soon, frightening messages appear and paparazzi begin to stalk her. Can Shaley find Tom's killer before he strikes again? Where's God when she needs him? Ages 13 to 16. 224 pages, softcover from Zonderkidz.

This daughter of a rock star has it all—until murder crashes her world. During a concert, sixteen-year-old Shaley O’Connor stumbles upon the body of a friend backstage. Where is God at a time like this? Can she find out who the killer is before he strikes again?

The daughter of a rock star, 16-year-old Shaley O'Connor has everything---until she discovers her friend's body backstage. Is Tom Hutchens's death connected to her? Soon, frightening messages appear and paparazzi begin to stalk her. Can Shaley find Tom's killer before he strikes again? Where's God when she needs him?

Always Watching by Brandilyn and Amberly Collins is a great story told in a believable young adult voice. There is just enough intrigue and suspense to keep you reading. The typical Collins “ick” factor is present when the first body is found, but it's not overly done. Some description is distinctively in Brandilyn’s style, but this story had a combined voice that was well done. The spiritual tone is a bit stiff at times, yet remains relevant to the plot. The first-person point of view also added a unique presentation. The missing dad element was a bit cliché, but it does make for a great underlying mystery.

When the chase is on, it leaves the reader a bit breathless with its intensity. It won’t be difficult for readers to figure out who dunnit, but the pieces fall together later on in the story, which makes for good storytelling. The ending wraps up some--but not all--of the elements of the story. This works well for a series, but the cliffhanger ending may not satisfy all readers. I would recommend Always Watching for those who enjoy mysteries from a young adult perspective. – Michelle Sutton, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

“This solid teen mystery, the initial entry in a new series, will appeal to young girls and adults who enjoy a good yarn.” — Library Journal



“… 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



“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



“With a satisfying ending, Always Watching leaves enough of a cliffhanger to make you want to finish the tour!” — The Suspense Zone.com



“…this book turns into a suspenseful read for teens, complete with a cliffhanger ending.” — Living with Teenagers Magazine, September 2009



“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

Average Rating:

6 of 6 Reviews Showing:

Reviewed by Darla (Tustin, CA), January 04, 2010

It is a very enticing read!!!! I couldn't stop and put the book down. If you're a fan of mystery books, this is a good pick. This is a great book for the jr. high genre.

Reviewed by Sharon A Lavy (New Carlisle, OH), October 12, 2009

Most of Brandilyn's books cannot be read by the BFHCC (Big Fat Honkin Chickin's Club) But this one co-written by her daughter is milder, but still full of suspense. I found it a page turner and could not turn out the light until I had read every last page. At the end of the book I was a bit disappointed to be left hanging and I am eager to read the next book Last Breath. It was supposed to release in Sept so I will have to search for it. I look for the family relationships in the books I read. And this one focused on a young woman who lives with a single mother. She yearns for knowledge about her father. This is what motivates her to act as she does throughout the story. I have daughters, granddaughters and greats. Brandilyn and Amberly have developed a believable character in Shaley.

Reviewed by brittany (glenn dale MD), August 30, 2009

i'll put it this way it got so good to the point that i read 20 chapter's in one day.i think that brandilyn and amberly collins did amazing on the way they put each incident just right and ended the chapter's perfectly.

Reviewed by Olivia (Coeur d' Alene, Idaho), June 17, 2009

Always Watching was AMAZING! I have read other murder mystery books before and I can usually figure out who the murderer is, but this one I couldn't. I thought it was very well written, and the charachters were good. I've recommended Always Watching to all of my friends!

Reviewed by Jill Williamson (Oregon), May 20, 2009

As her mother’s concert wraps up, Shaley O’Connor gathers her things backstage to head off to the airport to pick up her best friend. Shaley is so excited that Brittany’s mother granted her permission to come on the tour for a few days. As fun as the band and crew are to hang out with, Shaley misses her home and friends. Brittany’s visit will be just the thing she needs. But before Shaely makes it to the limo, she stumbles upon the dead body of her friend Tom. Everything falls apart. Shaley struggles to understand secrets she never knew about Tom while the paparazzi watches her every move, hoping to snap a picture of the mourning teen. Brittany’s mom threatens to send her home, and Shaley gets a few mysterious, anonymous gifts. If the killer is a member of the band or crew, he’s still out there, and, as the messages in Shaley’s gifts say, he’s always watching. Brandilyn Collins is a master of the murder mystery. She crafts a story that makes it nearly impossible to guess who the murderer might be. How exciting to have her storytelling in the young adult genre. Brandilyn and her daughter cowrite this series and create a smart and realistic character in Shaley. I’m looking forward to Rayne Tour, book 2 to discover more about Shaley and her past. Recommended.

Reviewed by Christy Lockstein (Oconto Falls, WIsconsin), May 08, 2009

Always Watching by Brandilyn and Amberly Collins is the first in The Rayne Tour series. The mother and daughter authors write about a mother and daughter in the midst of a terrifying murder mystery. Sixteen year old Shaley O'Connor is the daughter of Rayne, a top rock star, and along with a large crew they are touring the US. Shaley has learned to make the best of life on the road, especially by bonding with Tom, her mother's makeup artist. But her world suddenly spins out of control when she finds Tom's body in a dressing room, and the search for his murderer turns up secrets that Rayne would rather keep hidden. Someone is stalking Shaley, and there's far more to this murder than meets the eye. The authors keep the pages turning briskly with a plot full of twists and turns; I think my jaw dropped on every other page. They've created a realistic teenage girl in Shaley. She alternately loves and hates her mother, stresses about her body image, and wants security more than anything in her life. I don't think she'll be finding any of that soon in the ongoing series; the authors have set up lots of subplots and mysteries that will keep Shaley running for a long time.

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