I've just finished reading Louise Candlish A Neighbour's Guide To Murder. Now I thoroughly enjoyed We Solve Murders, it was a great whodunit and I've read some great books this year but this, this is 100% 5 stars!

I knew immediately who the killer turns out to be but I don't think it was meant to be a secret and knowing didn't spoil it one bit.

Readers will be greeted by the lead female Gwen an aging and lonely divorcée, her voice consistent to the end.
I loved this character and rooted for her the entire way through.

Caught up in a 'he said, she said', where the she becomes her friend and the he is a neighbour, its understandable that eventually Gwen has doubts over who was really at fault but her instinct wasn't wrong. If only her young friend hadn't been, in my opinion, so, I'm not sure what the right word is; selfish, immature, ignorant, thoughtless, dishonest by omission.

Needless to say I didn't particularly like either of them although written extremely well.

Gwen fights for the cause and in the beginning is steadfast in her belief but as the story unfolds and one or two of her actions start her downfall it's also understandable that she might be inclined to switch sides.

If only she had the backing and support of a good friend. A good friend who she so selflessly backed and supported without any thought for how it would play out.
Because that's what friends do in times of need.

The she who became a friend, came out smelling of roses. Whilst I don't condone his behaviour it was hers that contributed to the actions Gwen takes.

Don't take my word for it, it's out now so grab yourself copy!

This was a really good book. Gwen lives in Columbia Apartments, but when Pixie moves in to another flat as a lodger, everything changes. I think it was a great subject and I’m sure it does happen, the author wrote about it very well. It keeps you engaged and was an interesting read. Highly recommend 5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

As a huge fan of this author I started this book with lots of hope for another page turner and was not disappointed. As with all her writing Louise Candlish is a master at observational crime, looking at individuals and how their choices lead to the impossibility dark places they find themselves.

Living in a community in Columbia Mansions in London are a set of relatively wealthy people and this is the backdrop to the story. Our protagonist is Gwen, who is divorced from her husband and distant from her adult children. Next door is aging one hit wonder singer Alec, who enters the story as he takes in young lodger Pixi.

The story highlights the way that ideas and concepts are misunderstood and misconstrued and then turned into something they may or may not be is a vital part of this book. The spreading of rumour, where that leads and the huge waves of devastation that ends up soon start to spiral.

The characters are mainly loathsome and so well written. I could easily imagine Gwen and Alec crossing swords verbally and enjoyed the build up to the inevitable ending.

Hugely entertaining and brilliant thriller.

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

A thrilling read!

Columbia Mansions is a much sought after address and it's rare for any accommodation to be available; however, when Pixie moves in across the hall, Gwen is pleased to make a new friend. Despite the age difference, the feeling is mutual but when a crime comes to light, Gwen cannot let it go much to the annoyance of some other residents . . .

Louise Candlish novels are always worth reading and this one had me hooked from the very start. I wasn't quite sure where it was heading but journey was very worthwhile. I couldn't have predicted the ending and I really enjoyed the read. 4.5* and one I'm very happy to recommend.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

Having never read a book by this author before I’m now a fan. I really enjoyed this book!

I found the concept really interesting, this book wasn’t what I was expecting but I think in this case that was a good thing. I also really enjoyed her writing, this writing style really worked for me and kept me engaged.

Intriguing and different.
Gwen, an elderly residentof the beautiful Columbia Mansions, befriends Pixie, a young woman, who rents a room from a neighbour.
The plot thickens, characters develop, some likeable and some not. Who to believe, many twists and turns.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for this ARC.

Candlish captures the claustrophobia of neighbourly surveillance and delivers well‑placed twists. Themes of trust, loneliness, and revenge keep the tension simmering. But pacing lagged in the middle, and Gwen’s narration sometimes drifts into overly cautious territory.

In the end, it’s a polished, intelligent read—entertaining and thoughtful, though it doesn’t quite bite deep enough for a knockout thriller.

I really enjoyed this book. @louisecandlish never disappoints. #ANeighboursGuideToMurder is such a brilliant read. Totally gripping and full of twists. I couldn’t put it down.
The story is told from the POV of Gwen, an elderly resident living in Columbia Mansions. When Pixie, a new tenant moves in they form an unlikely friendship despite the age gap. But when a crime comes to light Gwen’s protective instincts go into overdrive, and end with a murder.
The story is very cleverly written and is thought provoking. It keeps you guessing all the way through. You don’t know who is telling the truth which adds so much intrigue to the story.
The characters are all very well drawn and Gwen is such a likeable and annoying but fun character.
Definitely recommend this witty, engaging tense twisty domestic thriller. It’s well worth the read especially if you enjoy this genre.
With thanks to #NetGallery #HQ @hqstories for an arc in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 17 July 2025

I always enjoy Louise's books, so I knew this was going to be good, but it still surprised me. I love how she writes older characters trying to right wrongs and solve mysteries...and shows them getting it all twisted and revealing themselves (mostly) as not very nice and more than a little self-serving. It's like the opposite of The Thursday Murder Club (in a good way, I love those books), and that was so much fun to read. These people aren't wise and friendly; they're just as clueless and flawed as younger people, and our narrator, Gwen, is more than a tad unreliable.
The plotting is great, you're never quite sure what are facts and what are misunderstandings/red herrings, so that made me want to keep reading way past bedtime, just to unravel it all. There's a whole ecosystem within the walls of Columbia Mansions, with its own hierarchy and rules, and the depictions of that in the book made me determined to never move to an apartment block and have to navigate that for myself.
I thought that the first-person perspective worked very well for the way Louise has chosen to shape the story; it definitely helped to hide the twist from me until right as I was reading it. I know that some people don't enjoy reading first-person, but I think if it's done well, and it is here, then it can be really effective.
As with other books by the same author, there is social commentary woven into the story too - the vulnerability of renters, especially female ones, in particular, but also the effect that busy lives and distance have on parent/grown-up child relationships, where older people find their value, privilege, and cancel/influencer culture. It's a fascinating look into how these things impact lives.

This is quite a different book from Louise Candlish, focussing on an older group of characters in a gorgeous and desirable mansion block. These women are bored and protective of their surroundings, so when it appears that there may be a scandal that needs intervention they are quick to dive in without much thought.
It's a clever novel which manipulates the reader as the book progresses - who to believe, and why? Even as the book enters its final pages another deception is revealed. There are few pleasant characters, and some are downright nasty, most are just out for themselves. Even Gwen, our narrator and the heart of the story, makes some very bad decisions.
Great fun and a real page turner, A Neighbours Guide to Murder is Louise Candlish on to form.

I am a huge Louise Candlish fan, having read all her books in chronological order and having head the pleasure of hearing her read several times. In this, her latest novel, she draws once more on the familiar canvas of a contemporary middle-class London neighbourhood to set out the underlying tensions between the highly-strung members of what is a privileged community. This time, the main character through whose eyes the developments are presented is elderly “do-gooder” Gwen, who is disillusioned with her role in the neighbourhood committee and the lack of professional ambition exhibited by her adult son who still lives with her. When young female Pixie arrives to rent a room from one of Gwen’s neighbours who appears to make sexual demands in return, Gwen springs into action as her self-appointed protector and guardian. But is Pixie being exploited or has she got deeply-concealed ulterior motives of her own?

Several earlier reviewers of this novel have commented on the slow pace of the “mystery” or investigation, but this is hard to criticize when a slice of contemporary society is so adeptly and skilfully laid out in front of us. This is a well-written novel that raises all sorts of questions about modern-day relationships, entitlement, privilege and societal equality and it goes far beyond the realms of the “domestic thriller” category. Another five-star offering from Louise Candlish that I was able to review thanks to the free ARC gifted to me by the publishers and NetGalley.

I absolutely adored A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder. This might be my favourite Louise Candlish book yet!

Gwen is just the best character; her naivety, flaws and humour made her feel so real and I really enjoyed reading a book with an older main character. Gwen really tried to understand and support the younger generation who surround her in the book, yet no one seemed to have the same empathy and understanding for her. I really liked that the majority of the story was told from Gwen’s POV, I felt very much emerged in the unfolding events and even felt like I needed to intervene at points 😂

The luxury apartments were described beautifully and I found it fascinating that not everyone who lived in the apartments lived in luxury!

I enjoyed how the story challenges assumptions and explores peoples real intentions and how people can be incredibly selfish.

I was so surprised and a bit heartbroken by the ending and did not see it coming at all, but when I reflected on the story I realised there really couldn’t be any other outcome!

A truly fantastic book by Louise Candlish which had so much depth. I couldn’t recommend more.

Thank you so much for my ARC ❤️

The fifth Louise Candlish book I have read and I have seven more waiting to be read. Another cleverly crafted slow burner that had you gripped from first page to last. I looked forward to reading this book and discovered recently that several authors I follow were equally excited by this book. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

Once again, Louise Candlish asserts herself as the Queen of domestic noir. No one writes nosey neighbours like her. Gwen is an elderly resident of the affluent Columbia Mansions. When she takes young Pixie under her wing, her life not only becomes interesting, but will her new friendship destroy everything and who will Gwen learn to trust. A neighbours guide to murder is a one-sit reading that will leave you turning pages until that dramatic ending

Very different to other books I’ve read by this author but still a really good riveting read. Columbia Mansions is a well run and organised apartment building. Gwen a resident befriends a new tenant who is renting a room from her neighbour. Gwen suspects something not quite right. Some great characters and obviously some not so great.. I wasn’t sure who to believe with revelations and denials. Several twists and shocks in this psychological thriller

Candlish delivers a slow-burn unravelling with sharp wit and creeping dread. Full of secrets, manipulation, and one friendship that maybe got too close.

A really clever book that is written and constructed so well I couldn’t put it down.

I am a fan of this author and this one is no exception. She is so good at using hot topics in her books and even though they are fictional they offer insightful commentary.

The characters are so relatable and the situation easily one that you could experience and yet it’s not mundane, it’s brilliant.

Gwen is thrilled when a delightful new tenant moves into her apartment block Columbia Mansions, which is a sought after place to live. Quickly forming a close friendship, Gwen makes sure to support her new friend. But when a crime comes to light it sets up a chain of revenge and scandal.

I am a long term fan of Louise Candlish so was excited to read her new book. The concept of this one sounded like it would be a fun read and it ended up being another enjoyable story. I’ll have to admit it took me a while to warm to it as it felt quite different to her other books, format wise and being a bit slower paced. The slow burn aspect however helps to build up the characters and the backstory. I always enjoy how the author creates a set of interesting, yet flawed character’s who you can’t help but be intrigued by.

Another thing that I appreciate by this author is how she focuses on a serious, lesser known yet current subject and builds a narrative around this. Raising these issues in a way that makes you think and would be great for a book club discussion. I enjoyed the twists once they started coming and was satisfied by the ending. This was another clever, dark domestic thriller by this author and one I would recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

It's rare for a room to rent comes up at Columbia Mansions, London. When landlord Alec agrees to rent it to Pixie, little do we know that there will be shenanigans afoot in no time especially when Gwen meets Pixie. All is not right as we soon discover when Gwen learns of Pixie's plight early in their friendship. Secrets, lies and deception give Gwen a chance of protecting Pixie against the wrong doer. It was well written and there were a few moments of hilarity.

A neighbour’s guide to murder was not quite what I was expecting. For a book with murder in the title it barely touches on the murder itself!

The book is mainly written by Gwen, an elderly resident of Columbia Mansions. She is a great character and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and following her story.

She becomes embroiled with a young woman called Pixie who moves in next door. She starts an unlikely friendship with Gwen but this turns sour after a while.

The story focuses on the theme of a sex for rent scandal, and I enjoyed the way it explores a difficult subject and makes you question what you would believe.

A thought provoking and uniquely written book, I think the title could do with being reworked as it suggests a book focused on murder which is not really the case. A great read otherwise.