A carefully crafted domestic thriller with touches of dark humour which ensure the reader is both captivated and entertained from the very beginning of this sorry tale.
Gwen is a seventy something divorcee living in the decidedly upmarket Columbia Mansions. She is on the management committee and takes delight in the activities non offer in her lovely home. When her neighbour Alec, takes in young Pixie as his lodger, Gwen and Pixie form an unlikely multi generational friendship.
However as the story progresses, told in the first person by Gwen who might or might not be an unreliable narrator, some very unsavoury and indeed unsettling facts are revealed which compel Gwen to try and do the right thing and help Pixie.
The author uses a wry humour when telling the story in Gwen’s own words “ Well have you ever met a 2nd wife who was older than the first? fine Queen Camilla, but besides her?” This serves to make this dark and progressively unsavoury tale a little more light hearted and serves to break the tension.
I really liked Gwen. She seemed well meaning and the reasons for her actions can be traced back to her unfortunate past life. She seems the sort of person that would be incredibly annoying in reality but as a character in a book it makes her that much more interesting.
The neighbours in Gwen’s block are well described and Pixie herself is very cleverly depicted. Is she an innocent caught up in nefarious deeds or is she duplicitous herself.?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and raced through it in a few days.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder is a cleverly crafted and sharply observed thriller that delves into the dark secrets and simmering tensions of suburban life. Louise Candlish has a real talent for capturing the everyday in a way that feels both relatable and unsettling, and this book is no exception.

The story is gripping from the start, with a strong sense of atmosphere and a steady build-up of suspense. Candlish excels at revealing the cracks beneath the surface of seemingly normal lives, and the way the plot unfolds keeps you turning the pages. The neighbourhood dynamics are particularly well done, full of quiet rivalries and long-held grudges that make for compelling reading.

The characters are well drawn and believable, each with their own flaws and motives. While no one is entirely innocent, that’s part of what makes the story so engaging. You are constantly questioning who to trust and what might happen next.

Without giving anything away, the twists are smartly handled and the ending is satisfying. It is a novel that feels grounded in reality, yet still manages to surprise.

A solid and entertaining psychological drama that fans of domestic thrillers will thoroughly enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was interested to read this book, but it didn't quite live up to its promise. I didn't like any of the characters, and I felt that the story seemed rather forced and unbelievable. The ending seemed rushed. I wouldn't recommend this book.

This is my first Louise Candlish book, and when I looked at reviews after, it does seem to have split people. I found this one had promise, but it didn’t quite deliver for me - I can’t honestly say I liked any of the characters, which doesn’t help, but I also found that so much trouble was caused by Gwen interfering or overspeaking, without any thought for the consequences of her actions. By the end, I still wasn’t really clear who was in the wrong, and the very end of the book just felt very disjointed. I wish I had enjoyed it more, but I am glad others have.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

Really good book which I will recommend to others.

Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.

There are some memorable characters in this dark domestic suspense that takes place in a beautiful house, now apartments, that hides a multitude of often dark secrets behind its doors. It begins with a death and seems relatively benign and unassuming in the beginning, rather like its storyteller. As Gwen's story progresses, you realise that no one is trustworthy and that Gwen is an unreliable narrator with a specific agenda. It has many unexpected moments, and each one makes you question what you believe, delivering a compelling read. I appreciated the vibrant characters who are easy to imagine. The evocative setting and the contemporary ethos make it relevant and authentic.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

An unusual storyline told by the main character in her 70s. She lives in an affluent apartment block and befriends a young girl who comes to live there via a room to rent initiative. When the girl tells her about trouble she is having with the landlord she feels it her duty to sort the problem out but it turns out not as successfully as she hoped

Thanks to Netgalley for a digital of this book

A slow burn of a domestic mystery set in a plush mansion block of flats. Gwen, the protagonist, is a seventy something retiree who befriends the enigmatic young Pixie, new tenant of her neighbour Alec. There follows a series of dark incidents which spiral. I thought the pacing let the narrative down and the ending a disappointment. I enjoyed the novel but not quite up to the standard of the authors previous novels.

I liked the twists and turns in this book which kept me guessing and wanting to read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

Another good read from this author, well written, intriguing and interesting characters and a flowing storyline

‘A Neighbour’s Guide to Murser’ by Louise Candlish is an incredibly twisty domestic thriller where no character can be trusted… perfect for anyone who was glued to ‘Only Murders In The Building’.

I enjoyed the unconventional main character Gwen, and the variety of twists and turns in the story of her friendship with much younger fellow resident of the gorgeous Columbia Mansions apartment block. Some of the issues explored in the novel are very topical, making it a gripping read.

While this book doesn’t reach the heights of the darkly compelling and thought-provoking ‘Our House’, it’s another captivating domestic thriller by Louise Candlish and gets 3.5 stars from me!

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher HQ via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Another brilliant book by Louise candlish. No one could predict the goings on in a highly desirable residence. Where rental prices are at an all time high. Alec is accused of offering an alternative method of payment. Gwen is a huge figure throughout the book and the writer really brings her to life through the pages. At times I felt Chen and at others you are left wondering what she would be like as a neighbour. Full of things you don’t see coming. Very easy to get lost in this book 💜

Fantastically written, such great characters. Louise never disappoints - such topical subject matter in today's housing crisis. I was completely hooked from the opening pages.

This book will appeal to fans of Richard Osman’s Thursday murder club series. It is told from the POV of an older lady Gwen who becomes involved when she believes her new neighbour Pixie is being taken advantage of by her landlord Alec.

It starts out with a murder and the reader is taken back by Gwen by the vents leading up to it.

The book was really well plotted and had a few twists in it that I wasn’t expecting. I loved the character of Gwen and felt quite sorry for her as she was obviously lonely.

I really enjoyed this and would recommend.

I love Louise Candlish books, she always has such great characters in such normal situations that get out of control. A Neighbours Guide to Murder is slower burning mystery with an elderly woman at the centre of it all. There were some dark moments and there were some very funny moments. The residents of Columbia Mansions were not the kind of neighbours that I would want, so much drama!!

Gwen was a frustrating character but she had a big heart. When she sees a young woman in trouble she tries to help, but she makes a lot of assumptions and finds herself neck deep in hot water, and sinking fast. It shows the divide in the generations, of what is happening in the world today with the housing crisis and cost of living crisis skyrocketing. Of course, there is the social media side of things, how much damage it can do so fast.

Fantastically written, this author never disappoints. The ending was wild and crazy, just as I like them!!

Thanks so much to HQ for m copy of this book to read. So entertaining

A well written but disappointing read.

Whilst I enjoyed the way in which this book was scripted I have to say that the storyline itself was just awful. Gwen, the main character is exactly what she claims not to be… an old busy body with enough problems of her own that she really shouldn’t have stuck her nose into others problems.

I felt like there was an important message that Louise wanted to highlight and discuss throughout this novel - however it just felt clumsy, un-researched and therefore became no more than a point of change within the book.

The way the book ended and the ‘mystery’ resolved was underwhelming and a bit far fetched. I was waiting for Pixie to step up but instead she just drifted around in the background of her story.

Very disappointing and I’m wondering why it was rated so highly.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

A Neighbours Guide To Murder was a different type of read from this author for me and one I enjoyed.
Gwen is a typical nosey old woman living in Columbia Mansions, a few flats too tightly knitted together with a community of different characters in their own flats. Gwen gets wind that her neighbour across from her home is renting out a room in exchange for sex. She brings it upon herself to get friendly with the girl and help her out as much as she can. But little does she know how this will play out and it’s not the way she thinks it will.
This book is told predominantly from Gwens POV which worked well, the range of characters, don’t worry there aren’t that many that you’ll get confused, are so widely apart it makes the book solely on that. The storyline was different and one I didn’t instantly gel with but the more I got to know the characters the more I loved it. The dilemma Gwen gets herself into over who is right and who is wrong made me wonder what I’d do in that situation. The ending was great and left nothing unanswered.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HQ for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

A compelling story about Gwen, an elderly resident of an apartment in an exclusive mansion block of flats who befriends a new neighbour in her twenties called Pixie. A friendship develops between the two neighbours and all seems to be well until a revelation emerges over the rental arrangement that Pixie has agreed with her live-in landlord. This leads to media interest and a series of calamities placing Gwen’s comfortable retirement in jeopardy. The story is well-written, with engaging, if not always likeable characters and the stifling social set-up of the mansion block and its management committee is well-observed and skilfully portrayed.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is an intriguing storyline that kept my interest. The main character Gwen is a complex individual and as time went on my view of her changed from initial impressions! It is well written and fast moving. I loved the setting of the building where Glen and the other main character, Alex, live. Although in an expensive and no doubt beautiful area and surroundings, the management committee seem to rule the residents lives rather and everyone likes to know what their neighbours are doing. There are many plot twists and turns along the way and some quite unexpected moments. Definitely one to recommend for a really absorbing read.

I hoped to love this book but was left a little flat

I’ve read three previous books by the Author and was quite excited about reading this once, hoping for the usual little twists and periods of excitement. I didn’t find this book quite as thrilling and found myself skim reading the odd sentence.

It’s not to say it’s not a good book but I needed a little more buzz!

I was able to have imagine the characters well and had a particular feel for each of them. The description of the characters helped and I enjoyed the storyline and how well the book was written.

I would recommend the book to my friends but more as a easy read
Thank you for the opportunity to read it and I will still be working my way through her other books