21 August 2024

I have been loving Shari Lapena’s books and slowly adding more of her books to my TBR. I have not had any blog tours this month and it has allowed me some time to focus on the backlist books waiting on my physical pile. *The Couple Next Door* is a masterclass in domestic suspense. From the moment I picked up this book, I was hooked, drawn into a world where trust is fragile, and the line between friends and foes blurs with each turn of the page.

The premise is both simple and terrifying: a couple, Anne and Marco Conti, leave their six-month-old daughter, Cora, at home while they attend a dinner party next door. They check on her regularly, equipped with a baby monitor, but when they return home, their worst nightmare becomes a reality—Cora is missing. What follows is a dreadful investigation that peels back the layers of secrets and lies that surround not only the Contis but also their seemingly perfect neighbours.

Lapena excels at creating an atmosphere of unease, where every character is a suspect, and every motive is questioned. The plot moves at a brisk pace, with each chapter ending in a cliffhanger that makes it nearly impossible to put the book down. The writing is gripping and efficient, keeping the focus on the unravelling mystery without unnecessary distractions.

Anne and Marco are portrayed with a depth that makes their pain and desperation profound. Anne’s struggle with postpartum depression adds a layer of tension, making her an unreliable narrator at times, while Marco’s financial troubles and secrets add to the complexity of their relationship. The dynamics between the couple are strained and volatile, which only heightens the sense of dread as the story progresses.

One of the most compelling aspects of this book is how it plays on the fears and insecurities that come with parenthood. The thought of losing a child is every parent’s worst nightmare, and Lapena taps into this fear with chilling precision. The idea that something so horrific could happen in the safety of one’s own home, and in the care of someone you trust, is what makes this book so unnerving.

The twists and turns in the plot are well-executed, though some may find a few of the revelations to be somewhat predictable. However, Lapena’s ability to maintain suspense and keep the reader guessing until the very end makes up for any predictability. The final twist is particularly satisfying, leaving you with a sense of lingering unease that is hard to shake off.

*The Couple Next Door* is not just a thriller; it’s a commentary on the fragility of relationships and the secrets we keep, even from those we love the most. It’s a reminder that you never really know what’s happening behind closed doors, even with those closest to you.

If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that will keep you on edge and make you question the very nature of trust, *The Couple Next Door* is a must-read. It’s a fast-paced, gripping novel that explores the dark side of suburban life, and it will leave you thinking long after you’ve finished the last page.