Title: THE NEW NEIGHBOURS
Author: Claire Douglas
ISBN: 9781405957663
Publisher: Penguin Michael Joseph
Pages: 400
Source: NetGalley
When Lena helps her teenage daughter gather sounds for her media studies project, she doesn’t expect her boom-microphone to pick up a conversation between her neighbours, the Morgans.
And she’s certain they are planning a crime.
Her family and friends tell her that she must have misheard. After all, the Morgans are a well-respected, upstanding couple in their early sixties. They’ve never been in trouble with the law.
Yet Lena can’t stop thinking about it. Because what if she hasn’t misheard? What if she can prevent something awful happening?
After all, stopping it could help ease her conscience about her own dark past . . .
Official Summary
12 February 2025
I have not read a Claire Douglas book since 2023. I am not sure why I have not read more of this author’s books; her stories are gripping and well-plotted. I must remember to add more of her books to my TBR pile.
Claire Douglas delivers a compelling domestic thriller with The New Neighbours, a story that blends suspense, secrets, and a touch of paranoia. The novel keeps readers on edge, questioning what’s real and what’s imagined, making it a captivating page-turner.
Lena is a relatable and complex protagonist, and her inner conflict adds depth to the story. Her discovery of the suspicious conversation through the boom microphone is such a simple yet effective premise, pulling readers into her growing obsession with uncovering the truth. The Morgans, seemingly perfect neighbours, are written with just the right amount of mystery to make you second-guess their intentions at every turn.
The strength of this book lies in its layered storytelling. While the central mystery involving the Morgans is compelling, the exploration of Lena’s own dark past adds another dimension. It’s not just about uncovering the truth but also about redemption and how guilt can cloud one’s judgment.
Douglas creates an atmosphere of unease, and the tension builds steadily throughout the novel. The pacing is excellent, with twists and turns that keep you guessing. Even when you think you’ve figured it out, Douglas throws in another curveball that makes you question everything.
The only reason this isn’t a five-star read is that the ending while satisfying, felt slightly rushed. The New Neighbours is a gripping, thought-provoking thriller that will leave you questioning the seemingly normal people around you. It’s perfect for fans of domestic suspense who enjoy twists, secrets, and a protagonist struggling with her own demons.
Also by Claire Douglas
THE WOMAN WHO LIED
Emilia Ward is just an ordinary mum living happily in suburban London with her husband and two children – a teenager from her first marriage, a little boy from her second. She also happens to be the bestselling author of the Miranda Moody detective novels.
But when Emilia embarks on her tenth novel, life takes a disturbing turn: an incident straight out of the plot of one of her novels occurs in real life. Just an unsettling coincidence, she thinks.
Until it happens again – and again.
Then someone she knows dies in the same way as a victim in the book she’s currently writing . . .
Why is someone doing this?
How do they know what she is writing?
And what if Emilia and her family are next?
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Claire Douglas always wanted to write novels and, after many years of trying to get published, her dream came true when she won the Marie Claire Debut Novel Award in 2013 with THE SISTERS.
Her second and third novels, LOCAL GIRL MISSING and LAST SEEN ALIVE (Penguin), are Sunday Times bestsellers.
Thank you for visiting, are you a Claire Douglas fan? Which is your favourite book? I would love to add more of her books to my TBR, so I look forward to hearing your recommendations, please leave a comment below. Until next time, happy reading!
Great Review!
Thank you