Hey, Everyone. My reading time has decreased somewhat in the past few weeks as I’m trying to concentrate on writing. However, I recently purchased Laura Wolfe’s latest release and couldn’t wait to read it.
Blurb
You think you know the people next door… What if they know you better?
I always dreamed of moving back home to Ridgeview Pines, with its white fences and sloping lawns. I wish it had happened under different circumstances, but now I’m here I feel safe and ready for a fresh start with my little family.
The first thing I do every morning is pick up my phone and check The Neighbor List—our local message board. Maybe the people next door know a little too much about where their neighbors are and what they’re doing, but it’s safer that way, isn’t it? And my husband—he wouldn’t dare sneak behind my back with so many eyes watching.
Just when I’m beginning to relax, a woman I’ve known since I was small is found dead on the white tiles of her bathroom floor. I watch messages of condolence flood my screen. No one else suspects a thing.
But I know that among all these friendly people, watching out for one another, someone knows more than they’re sharing. And I wonder—how far back do they remember, and who’s next?
My Review
I discovered author Laura Wolfe earlier this year and have since read all her psychological fiction stories. Just when I think I’ve found a favorite, then another one comes along.
We Live Next Door is the story of Jessica Millstone, a young mother who moved with her husband Mark and daughter Isabelle back to her childhood home. For the most part, it’s a pleasant neighborhood with a few notable exceptions.
Barbara Draper is a long-time resident who complains about everyone and everything. Her grown son, who has a drug problem, lives with her. While walking her dog one night, Jessica sees Barbara in her upstairs window. At first, she thinks Barbara was shouting about the dog, but the next morning she learns Barbara died when she slipped and drowned in her bathtub. Jessica starts to wonder what really happened.
Was the noise she heard in Barbara’s shrubs a nocturnal animal or was someone lurking there? When Phil Draper tells Jessica his mother’s death wasn’t an accident, she begins to play detective. The police don’t believe Phil because he was inebriated the night his mother died, but Jessica agrees to meet him to gather an important piece of evidence. Before they can meet, Phil is killed by a hit and run driver.
Now convinced both deaths weren’t accidents, Jessica tries to persuade the police otherwise. Who is the guilty party? Was it Avery Moreno, a neighbor whose dog was killed by Barbara Draper? Or Sean Peale, another creepy neighbor who has his own secrets? Even Jessica’s friend Bree, a real-estate agent is suspect. Not to mention Jessica’s own mother is hiding secrets.
Someone doesn’t want Jessica to learn the truth. She begins to get threatening messages on a popular Neighborhood App. As with Laura’s other books, there are a lot of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. While I had my suspicions, it wasn’t until near the end that I put everything together. Kudos to Ms. Wolfe for another page-turning read.
32 Responses
There’s something so creepy about the idea of being watched by the people around you..
I totally agree, Sheri.
A Tbr for me! I tend to enjoy the dark ones. 😉
Stay safe and have a beautiful week!
I’ve grown fond of reading this type as well. I think you’d enjoy this one. Take care, Sheri!
I’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy it too, thank you!
Sounds like a story where things aren’t what they seem 🙂
Exactly, Denise. Even in one’s on household. 🙂
Sounds like a good read. Thanks for sharing your review, Joan. Happy writing!
Thank you, Jill.
I can’t see your review, Joan, but the blurb sounds intriguing! 💕🙂
Thanks for pointing that out, Harmony. Somehow WordPress decided to replace my review with another copy of the blurb. (Couldn’t be operator error, could it?) 🙂 It’s there now.
Great review! 💕😁
It sounds like a paranoia-feeling kind of read. How scary and fantastic! Good review, Joan.:-)
It was a bit of that, Priscilla. Thanks for stopping by today.
I read a book a long time ago (horror, not thriller) about the people in a subdivision. Maybe it’s one of the reasons I’ve always hated living in the subdivisions we ended up in. There’s something disturbing about a community that’s so involved in everyone’s business. This book sounds REALLY good. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Living in small towns is often that way. (Nosy neighbors.) But sometimes that can be helpful, as well. I did enjoy this book – another of my favorite reads this year.
Sounds like you really enjoyed this one. Some of these communities and homeowner’s associations are pretty invasive.
I’ve never been a part of a homeowner’s association, but I’ve heard enough to know that they can be invasive.
Thank you, Joan, for highlighting this book on your site. I downloaded it and look forward to reading Ms. Wolfe’s book.
Hope you enjoy it, Karen.
This sounds like a great read, Joan!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. This story sounds like it could easily be real life!
So true, Jan. Amazing what can happen in your own neighborhood.
An excellent review, Joan. Sounds like a great story.
It was, John. Thanks.
This sounds like a very good book, Joan. A super review.
Thank you, Robbie.
What a great review! Thank you for sharing it, Joan. I’m totally captured by the storyline.😊
Thanks, Gwen. I was particularly drawn to the storyline and it didn’t disappoint.
I love a good whodunnit. This sounds great, Joan!
Me too, Jacquie. I enjoyed this one.
Great review, Joan! You know I love these kind of books. Another one for my TBR!
I think you’d like this one, Mae.