This is a dark creepy tale about Lena who is struggling with the reality that her son is about to fly the nest and getting over her marriage breakdown. When new neighbours move in next door she finally has something else to think about but when she overhears a conversation from next door she thinks they are up to something illegal. Alongside all the intrigue from the new neighbours she is starting to wonder about her past life and the reason she gave up her training all those years ago are the neighbours linked to her past and if so why. A great edge of your seat read.

When Lena accidentally overhears a conversation between the new neighbours she's convinced they are about to commit a crime. Everyone around her is skeptical; why would two elderly, well-off, professionals do anything wrong? Lena is determined to find out more about her new neighbours.

In The New Neighbours author Claire Douglas has written a suburban thriller that anyone could identify with, after all, we've probably all listened in to conversations we shouldn't have and let our mind run wild.

From the intriguing opening pages, your interest is piqued; there are hints at an intense relationship and wrong-doing. An obsession that has become impossible to control anymore. From this provocative opening, we then meet Lena and her new neighbours, Marielle and Henry. Lena is recently separated, a separation of her own doing and something she's still unsure about. Lena lives with her seventeen-year-old son, Rufus, in a leafy suburb of Bristol. The new neighbours seem perfect until Lena overhears a conversation between them and convinces herself they are going to kidnap someone - and not for the first time.

Determined to learn more, Lena begins to take risks and sneaks into the neighbours house. What she discovers reinforces her belief the the couple are up to no good. When she begins to uncover links to both her current job and her life twenty years ago fear sets in.

As I read on I could feel my own apprehension increasing, uneasy about what was about to happen. Lena's son is doing a media studies course and at regular intervals throughout the story, the author cleverly uses references to iconic film noir movies where neighbours act suspiciously. These references increased the suspense and I found my pulse racing and my heart pounding as Lena puts her life at risk to expose the threat posed by her new neighbours.

A gripping psychological thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. With plenty of twists and turns, I eagerly followed the mystery, even though I had a few suspicions along the way—none of which dampened my enjoyment.

Lena is a fascinating character, with her nosy nature and vivid imagination reminiscent of a Scooby Doo episode. I was especially intrigued by her backstory, including her complicated marriage and hints of her dark past.

The Morgans never quite sat right with me, and I was fully on Lena’s side when she wanted to uncover their secrets. Their relationship was far more complex than it seemed, showing how things aren’t always what they appear on the outside.

This is my first book by Claire Douglas, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story was well-paced, the characters compelling, and the suspense kept me turning the pages. Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House, and Michael Joseph for the ARC in exchange for this honest review. The New Neighbours is due for release on March 13th, 2025, and I’m eager to read more of her work.

I was so excited to get this arc from NetGalley, I’ve been a huge fan of Claire Douglas and particularly loved the couple at No9.

I thought the new neighbours just as good!

The web of intrigue is never ending, she always dangles just enough info to make your imagination go whirring and then slaps you from a different direction. The amount of times I tried to put it down just to end with another cliffhanger at the end of the chapter meaning I was reading into the early hours.

It’s in typical Claire Douglas style and I loved it. She’s amazing and I feel so lucky to get the early opportunity to read and review it.

Do you like dark, tense, suspenseful psychological thrillers? Then you absolutely need to read this book. I was hooked! I didn't want to put this book down. It was so full of suspense and mystery, and I actually found myself quite scared in parts. The character development (or rather unmasking..?) was brilliant. Incredibly well written to keep you guessing, leading you down the wrong path many times! This is everything I want from a psychological thriller and more. Love!

More twists the classic Alton Towers Corkscrew roller coaster! Lena suspects her neighbours are hiding secrets and not as nice as they seem. You'll be hooked and wanting to read on as Claire Douglas is on top form in this novel.

Good story. Lena is convinced there is something very odd going on with her new next door neighbours. Despite their veneer of respectability.
She gets drawn in to trying to find out what’s going on, despite warnings from those around her.
Are they really criminals? Is it all a facade?
Lens is determined to find out!
Recommended.

The only thing that’s predictable about a Claire Douglas book is the fact that you’re in for a twisty ride. She takes a domestic situation, new neighbours, a nosey neighbour…and then it all escalates. A LOT. To the point where I have new neighbours and I’m staying in my own lane. Preach! I love a book where no one is morally right, there are shades of grey everywhere. Another fast paced ride from one of the best thriller authors out there.

I think it's impossible to dislike a Claire Douglas novel! Absolutely fantastic and a great binge read. I look forward to more.

I absolutely devoured this book and I could not put it down. I am a huge fan of this author and was delighted to be able to read the new offering and was certainly not disappointed.

Lena is adjusting to life as a single parent to her nearly adult son when new neighbours move in next door who from the outset fascinate her. They seem friendly but something is just not right, leading to Lena becoming almost obsessed with finding out more about them.

The plot is so cleverly woven with lots of characters and timelines involved, which keeps the suspense and interest going throughout. Towards the ending I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen and was surprised at some and proved correct in my thinking in others.

Definitely one for those who enjoy a great thriller.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lena has new neighbours, the Morgans, and they seem such nice couple, however the same day they moved in, Lena overhear bits of a conversation. They are taking of taking someone, and Lena is worried they are planning something illegal.
After that day, she becomes obsessed with uncovering what they are planning.

This is such a page turner, impossible to put down. Great book!!

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

I really enjoyed this book, I was soon immersed when I realised the setting was in Clifton, a suburb of Bristol, somewhere I am familiar with. This book was a thriller, a real page turner. Lena the protagonist seemed an everyday person, coping with the usual challenges of life. She had recently separated from her husband and is raising their teenage son. They had lived happily in their house for years when new neighbours move in. a friendly retired couple. Lena could have been anyone we know and the neighbours the average couple but it all evolves into something quite sinister. I needed to get to the end and quickly, almost thinking that would change the outcome. I have enjoyed other books by this author and look forward to more.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a page turner, like Claire Douglas’s other novels, and I couldn’t wait to get back to it when I had to stop reading. Lena, the main character, is easy to relate to, even when she takes risks that made me worry for her. I could understand her ‘mama bear’ feelings for her teenage son Rufus. She’s a warm, resourceful heroine and I enjoyed spending time with her. Lots of twists and intrigue here. Glad I don’t have new neighbours like Henry and Marielle! Five stars.

Claire's books are always highly anticipated reads for me. I do wonder if each book is going to be as good as the last, and she never disappoints me! I loved the mystery of this book, and genuinely could not work out what the twist was so it hade gripped from start to finish. I loved that the majority of her books are set in the West Country too! A gripping read, you won't be disappointed

A great thriller with so many twists! I’m a big fan of Claire Douglas and have loved her previous books - this one was good, but not quite up to her usual standard (in my opinion). A great, easy to read thriller though and I would 100% recommend for those who love this genre.

Another great novel by author Claire Douglas. I love her previous novels and have come to have quite high expectations when I start one of her new books and The New Neighbours did not disappoint.

I read this novel within a few days, which for me is great. We meet main character Lena, whilst helping her teenager with some sound equipment she picks up her neighbours having a discussion about something that Lena takes quite seriously and it sounds like her new neighbours are plotting a crime. This is when the story really takes off, she feels like she needs to figure out was it a misunderstanding or are they actually plotting something.

I liked the pace of The New Neighbours, the storyline and characters were enjoyable to read.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have read every single Claire Douglas book and I have to say, I thought it would be tough to beat The Wrong Sister!

Don’t expect a terrifying, keep-you-up-at-night thriller but do expect the kind that keeps you thinking about this book for a while afterwards!

I loved this story, another hit from Claire Douglas in my opinion. I find what I enjoy most about her novels is the way they are so very ordinary and you can relate to the main character- I certainly felt this way with Lena. Don’t expect a terrifying, keep-you-up-at-night thriller but do expect the kind that keeps you thinking about this book for a while afterwards!

I love a thriller and mystery and this book did not disappoint. I went round the houses with the whys and whos and the rest and didn't get all of them right. Kept you gripped and wanting to know how it would all end and if there would be any happiness!