The Couple Next Door (Shari Lapena)

The Couple Next Door 28261171.jpg
Shari Lapena
Transworld
2016
Buy Here

Your neighbour told you that she didn’t want your six-month-old daughter at the dinner party. Nothing personal, she just couldn’t stand her crying. Your husband said it would be fine. After all, you only live next door. You’ll have the baby monitor and you’ll take it in turns to go back every half hour. Your daughter was sleeping when you checked on her last. But now, as you race up the stairs in your deathly quiet house, your worst fears are realized. She’s gone. You’ve never had to call the police before. But now they’re in your home, and who knows what they’ll find there.

☼

This book wasn’t what I expected at all. I thought it would be more like The Swimming Pool (Louise Candlish) or The Woman Next Door (Cass Green): a psychological thriller about toxic relationships. Instead, this was more of a mystery, as the story revolves around the kidnapping of a baby and focuses solely on the investigation. No flashbacks or alternate chapters (and you know I absolutely love them, but it felt refreshing, haha)

As for the title, I think it’s a bit misleading, since the neighbors aren’t that important after all (unless “the couple next door” is meant as a general phrase, I don’t know…) Still, I couldn’t stop reading this book and thought it was super twisty and fun. Everyone had something to hide and almost all of them were awful parents or friends, in one way or another. I absolutely loved that. They were just terrible and fascinating.

Anne and Marco Conti are a young couple whose baby has just disappeared from their home. They were at a party at the neighbors’ house and thought everything would be OK. Except it didn’t. We soon discover that Marco is hiding things and Anne can’t remember what she did… In addition, the neighbors might know more than they’ve told the police. And could it all be related to money?

I found this to be a rather strange novel: the investigation was the central part of the book but the main characters were still Anne and Marco, not the police (the cop was pretty smart, I liked him). Also, I believe that the decision to feature a third person narrator made it harder to connect with Anne and Marco or any of the other characters. However, I think this suited perfectly because of everyone being so cold and cunning. Does it make sense? Definitely a book I’d recommend to all fans of thrillers and mysteries. It’s super addictive.

You know those stories where you think you have it all figured out but the secrets never seem to stop coming? That’s exactly what it felt while reading The Couple Next Door. And the ending was so powerful and clever that I was left smiling and deeply satisfied.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

16 thoughts on “The Couple Next Door (Shari Lapena)”

  3. Diana says:
    Reply

    They didn’t approve my request for this one 😦 Sounds like an interesting read though so I will definitely try and get a copy. The fact that you enjoyed this one makes me want to read it soon. Great review!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Annie says:
      Reply

      Ohhh 😥 I hate when that happens, I actually emailed them and asked for a proof. You should!! Thank you as usual Diana 😘

      Like

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