The ending really pulled this back for me - I was enjoying the slower burn cat and mouse style where you weren't sure who to trust though. Candlish always knows how to deliver a twisty and engaging story.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for an advanced copy of this excellent read. Once again Louise Candlish has written another crime hit, delivering topical issues and memorable characters. Packed with twists and turns, this would make a perfect drama on TV!

Brilliant book! The characters, setting and plot are excellent. I could not put it down, as I was so invested in this original thriller.
Superb writing and I highly recommend it.

Louise Candlish has long since become an auto-buy for me, and so I was thrilled for the opportunity to read her latest release. This thriller is amazing in the way that it brings together a generational gap in a seemingly serene setting, when it is anything but. Run and grab it!

I really enjoyed this book. I have never read a book by Louise Candlish, but cannot wait to read some of her previous books.
The book features two main characters, Pixie and Gwen. There were many twists and turns in the book which I loved. The chapters were quite short and I thought it was a fast paced book.

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, but sadly it didn't quite live up to what I expected. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. I enjoyed it but it felt a bit flat.

I did find it took me a little while to get into as it's written in first person (as Gwen) but talking to the reader like it's a letter or diary entry or story. I'm generally not a huge fan of first person (although I admit it works in thrillers), and this did take me a while to gel with.

It is definitely a slow burn, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's all about persona taste. The prologue promises murder, but then that takes a backseat for about 95% of the book, whilst we get to know the characters and whatnot, which meant to pacing felt off.

I have only read a couple of Louise's books before, but what I have figured out about all of them is how well she writes characters, no matter their age or background or position in the story.

It wasn't as twisty or turny as I was expecting. The premise and prologue suggest this thrilling crime, murdery tale, or at least a psychological thriller. But I didn't get that at all. Which makes it sound like I'm saying I didn't like it, which isn't true. I liked it. It jsut wasn't what I was expecting. It's more about the characters, their relationships, almost like a family drama more than a thriller.

As something that bills itself as a thriller and a murder mystery I suppose in a way, the actual murder part is rather anticlimactic and lackluster.

I suppose there is a twist yes, but it's one I saw coming straight away. Obviously I won't spoil it and say what it is, but I'm interested to see what other people have to say about it.

Whilst still an enjoyable books and I would recommend it, it wasn't my favourite. It's missing that thrilling spark her others have. This is more sedate and so didn't grab me like her previous books sadly.

I read this over a weekend. It was really easy to get through and the chapters were quite short. It definitely didn’t feel like a chore to read.

I didn’t expect the ending and didn’t fully understand the reason why the murderer was who they were. Also not sure on why the last chapters were about the short film.

Not my favourite crime novel but a good story nonetheless.

Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.

There are always iconic buildings in London and some are the envy of those looking for a place to live. However, all is not what it seems when Gwen meets Pixie, a new tenant of one of her neighbour’s- a 1980s one hit wonder. The nosy neighbour brigade are out in force in this page turner and Gwen is a fantastic narrator. And the twist is one that only Louise Candlish can pull off. A summer sizzler.

Another riveting read from Louise Candlish! A pure domestic thriller which challenges who to trust the whole way through. I love books that start with a bang and this one certainly does! Tackles some serious and relevant themes in today’s world. This will make a great bookclub read as I feel readers will all have different perspectives on the story.

This is just fantastic. You really are invested in the lead character Gwen and what happens to her in this story.
Her vile ex husband and two spoilt children. You want to believe her female friendships are genuine with Pixie and Dee. As always Louise Candlish adds plenty of twists and turns. As for the villain of the story. Well he does get what he deserves. Justice doesn't always prevail. Having worked in media for over 30 years I have met plenty of "Stella's" Anything for the story including embellishing the truth without a duty of care. The sex for rent storyline is powerful and shocking. Really good book. Well done! Thank you for my ARC Louise Candlish and HQ stories. Denise |

A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder by Louise Candlish is a clever and suspenseful domestic thriller set in the genteel surroundings of Columbia Mansions. When Gwen, a retired resident, welcomes new neighbour Pixie into the building, the pair quickly form an unlikely and heartwarming friendship across a significant age gap.

But beneath the charming exterior of their blossoming bond lies a simmering darkness. When a crime disrupts the tranquillity of the building, Gwen’s need to protect Pixie takes a sinister turn. What starts as kindness spirals into something far more dangerous, and soon Columbia Mansions is hiding secrets that threaten to explode.

Tense, twisty and full of sharp observations about appearances and morality, this is a compelling tale of loyalty, vengeance and the lengths people will go to for the ones they care about.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

The story is told by Gwen, a retired woman who lives in the fancy Columbia Mansion apartments in London. She’s your stereotypical nosy neighbour who believes that her new neighbour, Pixie, who has moved in under a rent-a-room arrangement, is being taken advantage of and is perhaps, a victim of a “sex for rent” situation.

Some parts of the story are slow, but there’s plenty of twists and a surprising ending.
Whilst it is not what you expect from Louise Candlish books, it’s well worth a read and would make a great mini-series!

I've read and loved Louise Candlish's previous novels so was keen to get to this one. I enjoyed reading A Neighbour's Guide to Murder but found it very different to the author's previous novels. It was much slower and it didn't keep me gripped in the way I was expecting. I did find the story intriguing and liked the idea of it being written by a resident of Columbia Mansions, the rather nosey Gwen. She was an interesting character, one who I didn't like and didn't trust but still wanted to know more about. She sticks her nose into people's business and makes her own mind up about what's going on, she's very forthright but she doesn't always listen very well or take in what is being said to her. I didn't expect the novel to go exactly where it did so I did enjoy the ending.

'A Neighbour's Guide to Murder' by Louise Candlish is a very clever, slow-burning psychological thriller. Set in a London mansion block and told from Gwen's point of view we meet some fascinating characters. All through the book the twists and turns keep coming and keep you guessing right until the end. Who's telling the truth? No spoilers from me, just a recommendation that you make time to read this well written novel -one that would be perfect for book groups. Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an arc.

I’ve read quite a few of Louise’s books now and this one felt very different to me as a reader - in a good way of course.

Gwen lives in a recognisable block of flats in London. Her peace and quiet has recently been shattered by the arrival of her adult son after the breakdown of his marriage. She learns that Alex, her next door neighbour, is looking for a lodger, when she encounters Pixie who later becomes the new tenant next door. But is all as it seems?

This book kept me guessing throughout. Would recommend.

I wasn't sure about this in the beginning - the "quirky" voice of Gwen, the cast of characters who take a while to get used to, and a lot of, well, mundane details about rents and rules. But I'm so glad I stuck with it because nothing is without meaning. As we slowly realise what's going on, the reader is well and truly sucked in. Gwen and her actions are really intriguing. She's unreliable as a narrator but also we can see why she gets involved so much with Pixie. A great thriller for fans of the genre. Recommended for your summer holiday reading!

I love Louise Candlish and think she is criminally underrated as an author. Ever since I read [book:Our House|35924499] I have been a massive fan and she has never disappointed.

This was another brilliant read. In this book, we meet Gwen who lives in the beautiful, iconic Columbia Mansions which is every bit as posh as it sounds. Gwen is the typical busybody, always involved, always knows everyone's business and very little ever gets past her.

When young Pixie starts to rent a room in one of her neighbours houses, she strikes up an unlikely age-gap friendship and becomes very protective of her, and when a crime comes to light, Gwen goes into overdrive....

I adored this book. Although it appears (and is) a domestic, thriller with many twists and turns, it also speaks to social issues about the housing crisis, men's behaviour, power and many more. Although we probably all know a 'Gwen' (and will usually cross the road to avoid being caught in a conversation with her), I actually felt quite sorry for her. There is a definite sense of loneliness in her and her difficult relationship with her children appears to be why she latches onto Pixie so quickly and so strongly.

I can't say too much more for fear of spoilers however I would definitely recommend to all.

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m never sure how Candlish manages to turn a hot button social issue into an unputdownable novel but here we are again!

In NGTM Gwen narrates us through meeting Pixie, a woman hoping to live in Columbia Mansions. Gwen is an active, intelligent woman who has started to relax in to retirement and keeps a busy calendar of Gail’s coffee and older bodies Pilates in the palatial beauty that is Colombia Mansions. Gwen is a member of the resident’s board and clearly fits in perfectly, that all changes when Pixie shows up, to move in with Alec in a room for rent scheme.

In beautifully described detail we learn that Pixie is embroiled in a Sex for Rent scheme and Gwen involves herself so very deeply that Pixie ends up living with her.

I am blessed to be able to write this review, because you simply cannot do spoilers for a Candlish novel, and while all of these things happen, there’s not a chance you will see what’s coming.

The pace in this novel has a slightly sleepy feel, which is completely contrasting to the deep dark grumble of spiralling anxiety that I experienced while reading .

An absolute gem of a novel (as are all her others).

For those that want to experience some startling reality in their thrillers and for those that want to see how you mix injustice, reality and fiction - this is your next read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC, in return for an honest review, which this is.

“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive”.

A call to the emergency services that takes 15 seconds to answer.
Columbia Mansions, a beautifully proportioned building over four floors with mirror image flats.
A potentially sleazy and brash landlord in Alec Pedley who offers a room in the Rent a Room scheme and Pixie, offbeat, beautiful and a bit flaky, who becomes the occupant of the room.
Finally, ‘A Neighbours Guide to Murder’ as told to us by one of the flat owners, Gwen Healey, where she unburdens and tells all. Maybe. So sit back, relax, maybe buckle up as it’s a bit of a bumpy ride.

Full disclosure, I love Louise Candlish’s books and anticipate this one with relish and relish is delivered in multiple tasty morsels. There’s pinpoint characterisation meaning I can picture all the central protagonists as they’re wonderfully depicted by ‘Gwen’. It’s funny in places too as she casts her jaundiced eye on people and proceedings. So, what of our narrator? Caring or a busy body? Good intentions or malicious? One thing is for sure, Gwen makes things worse whether it’s deliberate or inadvertent, the jury is out. Certainly, the more she digs the darker the story gets and it’s not a pretty tale, unlike Pixie who certainly is. However, she’s naive and gullible. Or is she?? As for Alec Pedley, as a villains of pieces go, he’s a clever and a crafty one and definitely unlikeable.

The unsavoury and unlikeable drive this ‘horse’ and oh boy, this ‘horse’ is a thoroughbred as the plot is so well thought out. The deeper it goes into the storytelling it becomes a question of who is telling the truth? Who is the big, fat liar? It twists this way and that way, one minute, I think I know and the next another spanner hits the works with the end result of making it very hard to put this novel down. It’s tense, suspenseful and one enormous puzzle which is very well told. I love the idea of the Neighbours Guide to Murder delivering the events that occur in Columbia Mansions.

As usual in a novel by this author, there’s a lot of substance to it. For instance, there’s rent costs, landlord and tenant rights, the housing crisis, what constitutes justice, the media and this is what an excellent example of a media circus, social media and so on which is all packaged together in one cohesive hole.

Louise Candlish is a master of this genre and has another best seller on her hands. In addition this would make cracking television as well obviously being great reading. I loved it.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated early copy and return for an honest review.

It took me a while to get into this book, Gwen is not really a likeable character. However, it soon had me gripped! I think it would provide a lot of material for discussion at book clubs, as the way many characters behave could be interpreted differently by different people. It also deals sensitively with with issue of homelessness and lack of affordable housing.