Description:

We live in a close-knit community. Thirty houses surrounding a square of garden that is perfect for our kids. We congregate here on major holidays, each family bringing a plate and sharing food and conversation. It’s in the garden that I first met her. The woman who would worm her way into my family and piece by piece tear it apart…

I should have known something was wrong from the very beginning. She seemed perfect in so many ways: she floated through the baby shower, a warm smile on her face, chatting to strangers with ease. At first I thought it was sweet that she offered to help me, that she made an effort to get to know us, that she brought over games and knew Luna’s favorite foods… I had no idea that I couldn’t trust another mother…

I should have known that someone would eventually discover the secret in my marriage. Why I never believe a word my husband says—and why he shouldn’t believe me. But how could a woman I only just met be the one to find it out?

If I’d known, I’d have called the police sooner.

And maybe I’d have prevented that dreadful scene. Every neighbor peering through their curtains as the sirens wailed in our street.

I could have protected my family.

I could have stopped what happened next…

Adele’s Review:

The Liar Next Door is a twisty domestic suspense novel about seemingly ordinary people who are new neighbors. The story is told from the points of view of three women, with chapters set in both current day and the past. Once I got into the rhythm of the story I was easily able to follow along, and was anxious to learn how the women’s lives impact each other.

The story is well constructed, with a tightly woven plot that keeps us mostly inside the mind of each woman, until, finally, at the three-quarter mark, we begin to understand their motivations. I would have liked a bit more action around mid-point to up the ante of suspense–a stabbing, a gunshot, a burglary or whatever, but all was revealed in the last quarter of the book and its very satisfying ending.

I enjoyed reading The Liar Next Door and will look for future releases by Nicola Marsh. Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing an ARC to read and review.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/58176003

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Liar-Next-Door-absolutely-unputdownable-ebook/dp/B095PLZ3LJ/