This is a well crafted psychological thriller that has the reader guessing right to the end the reasons behind the neighbours next door.

I love the author's books and this one is no different.
You do have to suspend belief a bit as the plot is a little far fetched but once you do it's a brilliant rollercoaster ride to the finish.

When the Morgans move in next door to Lena, her 17 year old son's recording equipment for a school project picks up their mysterious conversation, which makes it sound distinctly like they're planning a kidnap. But they're retired and respectable, so surely that can't be right? But the more she digs, the more she becomes convinced that they're up to something. Separated from her husband and preparing herself mentally for Rufus to go to university, maybe she's just bored and it's all in her head? But then she finds herself in their house, and the mystery just keeps getting deeper.

This psychological thriller is mainly told through Lena's POV, with a few chapters from her neighbour, Henry, dotted in between. It's full of twists and turns, plenty of red herrings, and lots of tension! I enjoyed the plot, not quite knowing where it was going at times with the misdirections, and although I guessed what was happening about 10% from the end, it was great when it all came together to explain it all (and I do enjoy being right!).

Another great standalone read from Claire Douglas and it certainly won't be my last.

Synopsis: When Lena helps her teenage son gather sounds for his 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.

🏘

My first Claire Douglas! I really enjoyed this book, it kept me gripped throughout and was an easy read whilst on holiday.

Every character in this book seems to have dark secrets and ulterior motives, and you're not sure who you can trust.

I really liked Lena as a main character and felt myself rooting for her throughout.

Unfortunately, I guessed some of the plot twists which is always annoying! I found the ending to be rushed, a couple more chapters could've wrapped it up nicely. Just felt a bit unsatisfying!

A fast paced, easy thriller!

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for my advance copy in return for an honest review.

Lena’s new neighbours seem like the perfect retired couple - polite, well put together, and seemingly harmless. But when she accidentally overhears a chilling conversation between them, her suspicions take root. She can’t make out every word, but what she does hear is enough to set her on edge.

Everyone around her insists she’s being nosy, reading too much into things. But the more she digs, the more unsettling the truth becomes. Just what are they involved in?!

I love a good sketchy neighbour thriller, and Claire Douglas delivers. I had no idea who to trust, how the characters were connected, or what secrets were lurking beneath the surface. The plot is brilliantly crafted, full of deception and misdirection.

The pacing is spot on - tense and compulsively readable. It’s one of those books you think about even when you’re not reading. The flashbacks were a great touch, cleverly seeding hints and red herrings throughout.

Lena was an easy protagonist to root for, even as she repeatedly put herself in danger. She was probably the only one I trusted - just about every character had their moment of doubt. The characters are all well written and their dynamics felt authentic.

This is a twisty thriller packed with curveballs and some cliffhanger chapter endings, making it hard to put down. Another great read from Claire Douglas!

Another big thanks to, NetGalley and Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read this. All opinions are my own.

DNF at 40%

I enjoyed the previous Claire Douglas novel "The Wrong Sister" and was expecting good things from this one. I went into it blind and kind of regret that. The suspicious neighbour trope has been done to death and is rarely done well.

The problem is I can't imagine a world where something random my neighbours do or say would make me suspect them of criminal behaviour. Even if I did suspect them, I'd probably forget after 2 minutes and like any other normal person because that'd be crazy. Not break into their house or obsess over it for days,

This wasn't for me, unfortunately, but I hope future books of the author will be.

Thanks to Netgalley & Penguin Random House for the e-copy.

Absolutely loved this book! From page one I was hooked and couldn’t wait to pick the book back up.

I can’t wait for more from this author!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm obsessed with Claire Douglas, and this book was amazing!  You'll be desperate to finish it because you have to know what happens next!

Lena and her 17-year-old son, Rufus, got new neighbors—a rich elderly couple.  Sounds ideal, huh?  Nope!  Total nightmare neighbors!
Lena starts noticing weird stuff. She overhears a shady conversation, but no one believes her.
Is there a connection to Lena's past?

This book is a wild ride with awesome twists that'll keep you hooked!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

The usual crime thriller from Claire Douglas. New neighbours are behaving suspiciously and Claires hiding her own secret which turns out to be linked to the neighbours.
I wasn't gripped as much as I would have liked by the story but it was an OK read.

I always enjoy Claires books. They just get better and better. I just love how she draws you in and hooks you. I devoured this in an afternoon. Thriller fans will love this twisty read.

And just like that Claire Douglas does it again! If you want a thriller that is going to keep you on the edge of your seat you need to read The New Neighbours. I read this book in less than 24 hours as I could just not put it down. I love how not only does Claire Douglas focus on her plot but also her characters. I was so invested in each and every one of their lives that I found I generally cared when something bad happened and felt like I had a connection with them. I think it takes a special skill to be able to do that with your audience as a thriller writer. At this stage I would read Claire’s shopping list and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.

Lena thinks she overhears her new neighbours planning a crime. Her friends and family tell her to forget about it but she can’t. She decides to investigate even though this could put her in danger. This was a compelling read, full of suspense and tension with a great ending. Lena is facing her own struggles with her family and work life and I loved the way these were woven into the plot.

With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK for this review copy.

I read this book over a couple of days. I felt it had a lot of potential and was in the main a gripping thriller. However, I did find the main character very frustrating and some part of the book seemed quite slow paced. I would rate this 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and the author for the chance to review.

Thrilled to receive an early copy of Claire's new book and it didn't disappoint. The pacing and the rising tension is excellent as you'd expect from Claire's writing.

I enjoyed the flashbacks and trying to work out who is who and how they fit in to this complicated story. You get a good idea of the main protagonist Lena's increasing paranoia as she overhears some very worrying snippets of conversation from her new neighbours. I suspected several different characters of being 'wronguns' before the end of the book's revelation.

A jolly good page turner of a thriller, where you will want to read 'just one more page' to race to the conclusion.

Amazing as usual for Claire Douglas. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Good twist, I saw it coming though not long before it was revealed. A quick and easy read, exactly what you want in a thriller.

Lena and her son Rufus are leading an ordinary life until Lena overhears snippets of conversation from her new neighbours. It sounds like they are plotting something criminal. Lena is intrigued and determined to find out what's happening.
Then sit back and enjoy the rollercoaster! The plot twists and turns and every time I thought I'd worked out what was going on, something new came up and changed my mind.
Lena is a frustrating main character. A seemingly normal woman who is intent on putting herself in danger. Although that doesn't matter with Claire Douglas' brilliant story telling. I've read several of Claire's books now and they are all excellent.
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.

When Lena helps her teenage son gather sounds for his 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.

Told in different time frames, The New Neighbours is a slow burn thriller/family drama that never really sets the pages alight. It started off well but then I had trouble connecting with it because Lena's obssessive behaviour stretched credulity and I felt the storyline was too far-fetched.

Would you really break into your neighbours house after overhearing a snippet of a conversation?

I know this book is receiving many 4 and 5 star reviews so maybe I was expecting more from it. I didn't love it and I didn't hate it, it was ok, so I rate it 3 stars.

BOOK REVIEW 📚✨️

The New Neighbours - Claire Douglas

Huge thanks to netgalley for this ARC. I was so excited when I got approved. 🥳

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The Blurb:
Do you trust the couple next door?

When Lena overhears a conversation between her next-door neighbours, she thinks she must have misheard.

After all, the Morgans are a kind, retired couple who have moved to a suburban street in Bristol where nothing ever happens.

But it sounded like they were planning a crime.

Her family and friends tell her she’s made a mistake.
Yet the more Lena looks into the Morgans, the darker things seem.
And the more she fears it might be linked to a secret from her own past.

Because, if her suspicions are true, then someone is in real danger.

And it might just be her…

___________


My thoughts:
Claire is a brilliant story teller and intricately weaves little bits of information throughout the plot to keep you guessing about whats happened and what could be next.

This story falls more into the phsycological thriller genre and is told from the POV of multiple characters and jumps back and forth in time.

Lena our FMC is in a time in her life where she has seperated from her husband and is counting down the days until her son leaves for university, already she is feeling lonely and lost. Good thing some new neighbours move in next door to keep her entertained! We constantly see our FMC Lena crossing the line and being nosey, and it gets her into trouble, more than once. Yet she overheard some arguements from next door and commited to finding out whats going on with her odd new neighbours...

Creepy things start happening, missing women, potential drug smuggling, job loss and a Lena gets tangles in a web of lies and mystery that surround the neighbours next door.

This one was a page turner, and surprisingly, I didnt see the twists coming which is always appreciated in this genre. I really enjoyed this one and cannot wait to dive further into the Claire's work.

A new book by Claire Douglas is a surefire way to get my attention and have me canceling my weekend.
I binged those over two evenings and it did not disappoint.
In true Claire Douglas fashion the twists keep you guessing right up to the very last chapter and every time you think you've got it worked out there's a new piece of information to throw you.

Claire Douglas is one of those amazing writers who manage to transport you straight into the setting of her books. I felt like I was living every second of the action with Lena and Rufus living next to the ominous couple Marielle and Henry. Twists and turns throughout kept me hooked and kept the action flowing! Another outstanding thriller from Claire Douglas.