I really struggled with this book, as I found the premise completely implausible, once I had read what had been overheard. It just seemed completely over the top to me, possibly because I have recently moved house myself, and could not relate this crazy theory to any of my lovely new neighbours.
The actions of the main character are bizarre and unbelievable, to say the least. She is not a likeable protagonist.
I’m afraid I lost interest very quickly, and DNF.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

It held my attention, but I didn’t find it thrilling enough. The plot and the perpetrators' motives didn’t feel believable or plausible.

There is much to enjoy in this psychological thriller, but it suffers from a lack of plausibility at times, especially in the second half of the story. The main character is Lena, who is going through a tough time in her life after the breakdown of her marriage. When an older couple moves in next door and Lena overhears a suspicious conversation between them , she becomes somewhat obsessed with finding out what they are planning. Lena’s behaviour isn’t always rational but the story is engaging throughout, with effective characterisation and plenty of suspense to keep the reader engaged.

This is the first book I have read from this author and I really enjoyed it.

Lena is recently separated from her husband and lives in her family home with her son Rufus in Bristol. One night when she is helping her son with his project she overhears her neighbours conversations.

This book is in 3 parts and you hear from a few characters. I really enjoyed the twists to this book and would definitely be reading more from this author. This book is definitely addictive, gibe it a read.

A dark domestic psychological thriller set in Bristol. Slightly unbelievable characters especially the "new neighbours" and plot but I was drawn into the story and the twist at the end was satisfying .

Wow I haven’t read a book by this author for a while and has forgotten how good there books are. This book has me gripped from the first page and read in almost one sitting.

This was a gripping domestic thriller which makes you question do you really know what goes on behind closed doors and are your neighbours really who you think they are.

This story would make a good premise for a tv drama series

I have read a few books by the author and this was horny favourite. However there was still plenty of suspense and twists throughout. It seemed there were confusing characters at times which affected my rating. If you want to try a book not this author don't start with this one.

I have read a couple of Claire Douglas’ books before, so I was looking forward to her latest novel, The New Neighbours. The cover appealed to me as I like purple, but it doesn’t really stand out from other novels in the genre.

Lena lives with her teenage son, Rufus, following separation from her husband. When a well-to-do, retired couple move in next door, Lena doesn’t think much of it. That is until she overhears a snippet of a conversation between them that makes her suspicious of them, especially the husband. What’s really going on behind closed doors?

The story is mainly set in the present day but does feature flashbacks so you understand more about the characters and their motivations. The characters are quite well done, but I didn’t really feel much of a connection with them.

Easy to read, the short chapters keep you reading to find out what happens. I enjoyed the first half with the build up to the suspicious behaviour of the neighbours and the speculation about what was going on. The second half was a bit predictable and too far fetched for me. The ending was quite underwhelming.

Overall, I liked the book, but the latter part was too far fetched and predictable for me. I would still read more books by this author.

This book is an engaging psychological thriller with an intriguing premise, but, for me, I felt that it didn’t fully stick the landing. The story effectively built up the suspense as a couple moves into a new home, and the protagonist finds themselves caught in a web of secrets and paranoia. The author created an intriguing premise which lent itself well to providing an unsettling atmosphere, which did ultimately deliver some solid twists, however the execution felt a bit uneven at times.
One of the main drawbacks, I felt, was the tendency to over-explain key plot points through the use of rhetorical questions posed through the thought processes of the main character, rather than letting the reader piece things together themselves, additionally the narrative often reiterated some details unnecessarily. While some of the twists were surprising, I felt that some did feel a bit far-fetched - I mean would you sneak into your neighbour’s house if you were a bit suspicious of them?
Despite these issues, I did find this book a pretty decent read with moments of real tension.

There are some authors whose new books I drop everything for - Claire Douglas is one of those authors!!
This one has it all, suspense, paranoia and secrets. There are a good few “sitting at the end of your seat” moments, even in the first few chapters.

The story jumps between the past and present, with plenty of twists along the way. The mystery surrounding the Morgans kept me hooked until the very end - who needs sleep anyway! That said, some parts are perhaps, a little bit unrealistic. However, the ending, for me, was completely unexpected!

The “New Neighbours” is a must-read for 2025

While helping her son with a project Lena picks up a conversation between her new neighbours and it sounds like they are planning a crime.They re well respected and in their sixties so her family and friends think she is blowing things out of proportion but Lena is sure there is something not right with her new neighbours can she prevent something bad from happening is she putting herself in danger in the process.

This is a fast paced thriller and full of twists it does take a while to pick up but it's well worth it and the ending I did not see that coming at all ! Definitely would recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley, Michael Joseph Publishing and Claire Douglas for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a reasonably pacy domestic mystery with some interesting characters, I liked the fact that the 'new neighbours' were older than in previous booms I have read in this style.

Initially quite slow to get going, it did pick-up from around half-way and, if you are willing to suspend belief slightly and overlook that amount of coincidences, this is a solid read.

I’ve really enjoyed every one of Claire Douglas’s books and this one was no exception. The story does have multiple points of view, although it is mainly Lena’s ,and is spread over two time lines which makes it easy to follow. The story starts of with Lena overhearing a conversation between her new neighbours which starts her thinking they might be up to something they shouldn’t . There are multiple layers to the story but it is so clever how they are all interweaved with the plot. The story was a little convoluted at times but it didn’t stop me turning the pages, eager to find out what was going on. A very enjoyable read with a very unexpected twist!!
Many thanks to Netgalley and publisher for giving me the opportunity to toreador read this book.

Lena has some new neighbours and when she overhears a strange conversation she can’t help herself but to get herself involved incase they are upto no good.
After every thriller I read I say these aren’t for me . . . the anxiety I feel from them, however I give myself a day or two to reflect and find that I actually quiet like them even if they do scare me at the time. This was no different, I had to have a break and read a “happy” book before bed but once again on reflection the storyline was faultless even tied up with a big neat bow at the end. I’ve been collecting Claire’s books for a while but haven’t ever got the courage to read one before so I’m please I have finally done that and I will deffo be back for more!
🌟🌟🌟🌟

Release Date - 13th March 2025

WOW what an amazing and exciting suspense thriller The New Neighbours is.

Lena is a doting Mum to her only son Rufus and has recently separated from her husband Charlie.

One evening she overhears a sinister conversation between her new neighbours Marielle and Henry which in turn leads Lena to do a bit of sleuthing.

What she discovers involves her past job as a trainee midwife aged only nineteen when her mentor Simone and Doctor Hugh were covering up a mistake that they both made and the result will be astounding for Lena and her new neighbours Marielle and Henry.

The book draws you in straight away with the tone and ypu want to read on to find out more. An intriguing and fascinating read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

Another must read book from Claire Douglas.
In this book she ticks all the boxes for a good thriller.
When new neighbours move into the house next door, Lena did not realsie the unusual and scary things she would come across. SHe was just a mum, living alone with her son after the breakdown of her marriage. She is doing her best to make ends meet and looking after her son who is starting to get ready to leave for uni and then suddenly her past starts catching up with her, all the secrets held back that she didn't know at the time start unravelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Claire Douglas for an advanced reader copy in return form an honest review.

Claire Douglas delivers another compelling thriller with this gripping read! The story follows Lena, a newly single mother preparing for her son's departure to university. When she meets her charming new neighbors, Henry and Marielle Morgan—a seemingly lovely retired couple—she's immediately taken with their warmth and elegance. But after overhearing a suspicious conversation, Lena’s curiosity gets the best of her. Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks on a dangerous journey that not only unravels her neighbors' secrets but forces her to confront her own past mistakes.

This book is packed with the signature twists, turns, and red herrings that Douglas is known for, keeping the suspense high without becoming overly complex. I found myself completely hooked, flipping pages late into the night as I tried to piece together the mystery.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for the advanced reader copy—this is my honest and unbiased review!

You can control many things, but not who moves into the house next to you…

Thank you NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

We follow Lena, living with her teenage son Rufus, who accidentally overhears her new neighbours plotting a crime. She just does not know what exactly. Her neighbours, The Morgans, are an upstanding, elderly couple, who do not look like a couple capable of crime. However, as time progresses, Lena, finds herself increasingly suspicious and cannot help herself from investigating.

This book gets off to a great start and is a page turning read for the first half of the book. So good in the early stages that it had me on the edge of my seat. The second half for me, lost some believability which was such a shame. I did not buy into Lena, entering her next-door neighbours house to assuage her suspicions. I did also guess the ending, although this did not detract from the overall story.

I would recommend this as a good, easy 3 star read. My first and not my last Claire Douglas.

Another cracking read from Claire Douglas!

Lena has noticed her new neighbours and looks forward to meeting them but then she overhears their conversation - and it sounds like they are planning - well, something unsavoury. Already suspicious, Lena finds nothing to make her feel any easier about them; quite the contrary, in fact. Newly separated from her husband and with her son soon heading off the university, Lena has enough on her plate but her unease just won't go away . . .

From the very start, I liked Lena and empathised with everything she has going on in her life. New neighbours are always a tricky one; you wonder what they're like, will they fit into the neighbourhood, will they share your values? I coould easily put myself in Lena's shoes, although I don't think I'd have been as brave as her! A thrilling read, guaranteed to get your heart rate up! Highly recommended and definitely worth all five stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

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