'The Couple Next Door' by Shari Lapena is a fast-paced mystery thriller that revolves around two couples, Anne and Marco, and Cynthia and Graham, who are neighbors and friends. When the two couples get together for a celebratory evening, a terrible crime is committed, leading to a whirlwind of secrets, lies, and unexpected twists. As the narrative unfolds, the characters' deep dark secrets are exposed, blurring the lines between innocence and guilt. The story keeps the readers guessing until the near end, with a suspenseful plot that is easy to get engrossed in and reads quickly once started.
The narrative delves into the unsettling scenario of a baby being kidnapped from her crib while her parents are next door at a dinner party, unaware of the unfolding tragedy. explores themes of trust, deception, and the complexity of human relationships, as each character is revealed to have hidden motives and questionable pasts. Despite some predictable elements, the book manages to keep the readers hooked with its intense storyline and multiple twists, leading to a gripping and suspenseful read that challenges the reader's perceptions of the characters and their true intentions.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for The Couple Next Door include themes around kidnapping, postpartum depression, mental illness, and possibly triggering domestic tensions.
From The Publisher:
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Shari Lapena's new thriller, AN UNWANTED GUEST, is available now!
"The twists come as fast [as] you can turn the pages." -People
"Provocative and shocking." -Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author of Find Her
"I read this novel at one sitting, absolutely riveted by the storyline. The suspense was beautifully rendered and unrelenting!" -Sue Grafton, New York Times bestselling author of X
It all started at a dinner party. . .
A domestic suspense debut about a young couple and their apparently friendly neighbors-a twisty, rollercoaster ride of lies, betrayal, and the secrets between husbands and wives. . .
Anne and Marco Conti seem to have it all-a loving relationship, a wonderful home, and their beautiful baby, Cora. But one night, when they are at a dinner party next door, a terrible crime is committed. Suspicion immediately lands on the parents. But the truth is a much more complicated story.
Inside the curtained house, an unsettling account of what actually happened unfolds. Detective Rasbach knows that the panicked couple is hiding something. Both Anne and Marco soon discover that the other is keeping secrets, secrets they've kept for years.
What follows is the nerve-racking unraveling of a family-a chilling tale of deception, duplicity, and unfaithfulness that will keep you breathless until the final shocking twist.
Ratings (98)
Incredible (7) | |
Loved It (28) | |
Liked It (37) | |
It Was OK (16) | |
Did Not Like (9) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (140):
Read It (103) | |
Want To Read (33) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (3) |
3 comment(s)
This book was amazing. It had me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend.
Was this the most riveting, well-written, character-driven novel I've ever read?
No.
But it was sufficiently engaging to provide a distraction from my real life, and that's pretty much all I was looking for. The writing was adequate (even if I do hate present tense). The characters made sense. The twists were unpredictable enough to be enjoyable but sufficiently foreshadowed to seem inevitable.
In short, I'll probably read more of Ms. Lapena's work.
I am the type of reader that enjoys the thrill of having something to build up to, I remember I read this quickly simply because of that. Easy to read, good characters and an entertaining read. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
What can you read after
The Couple Next Door?
About the Author:
Shari Lapena is the internationally bestselling author of the thrillers The Couple Next Door, A Stranger in the House, An Unwanted Guest, Someone We Know, The End of Her, and Not a Happy Family, which have all been New York…
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