Wednesday, August 17, 2016

The Couple Next Door; Shari Lapena

The Couple Next Door; Shari Lapena
Pamela Dorman Books -2016

How well do you know the people closest to you? You just may ask yourself that question after reading this book.

Anne and Marco Conti are a nice young couple who seem to have it all; a good marriage, nice home, and now a 6 month old daughter named Cora.  One evening they are to have dinner with their neighbors next door (picture attached brownstones).  At the last minute the Conti's babysitter cancels and, their neighbor had told them earlier that it was an adults only party.  Against their better judgement,  they go to the party, taking the baby monitor with them and then checking on the sleeping Cora every 30 minutes. Of course in the course of the evening things go horribly wrong.

Without giving any spoilers the couple comes under suspicion regarding what had transpired but, as the police dig deeper it seems as though not only the Contis but, their family and the neighbors have plenty of secrets of their own.

This is one of those psychological thrillers that sucked me in immediately and never let go.  The writing felt pretty simplistic but, the twists make the story interesting and fast paced. For a while I wasn't sure who was the guilty party but, eventually figured it out.  There was also a stunner of an ending which felt weird and thrown in for extra effect.  This wasn't perfect but, I loved it for the quick read it was.

4/5 stars
(review copy)


24 comments:

  1. I agree. I liked this one a lot but thought the ending was a little odd.

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  2. This does sound good but it always drives me crazy when an ending feels like it's added simply to provoke a reaction and doesn't fit the story. I am looking forward to reading this one!

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  3. I've added this one to my TBR list. I keep seeing it and it looks good.

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  4. This sounds like a good thriller. I don't think I would leave a baby in the house and take a baby monitor with me to a party! I'm glad you enjoyed this Diane.

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  5. This sounds like a gripping story. Terrific review!

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  6. I have this on my Kindle ready to read!

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  7. This sounds deliciously twisty. I do want to read this one. You aren't the only one who felt the ending was a bit off. Something for me to keep at the back of my mind when I read it.

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  8. That sounds really good. I'm not too sure about those next door to me, and maybe that's good too.

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  9. I'm adding this one to my TBR despite the ending.

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    1. Very enjoyable, kept me interested all the way through. enjoy

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  10. I know - I didn't have a baby monitor in the 1970s LOL

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  11. I just downloaded the audio. I couldn't resist yet another psychological thriller.

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    1. I had the audio, but once I started into my arc I was hooked and read this one so quickly. I hope you enjoy it.

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  12. I'm going to have to get this one soon - I've been having a reading slump but thrillers/whodunits really seem to get me reading.

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