The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
Why?
You may remember that I follow a book club on facebook called BOOKWORMS: Leeds Book Club. The brilliant lass who runs it published a list for the year and so I started my usual search through the Leeds Library App (I've used it to borrow an audio book but I'm not sure that they are for me. I just seem to fall asleep). The Couple Next Door was the first one I found available so yes, I can hear your enthusiasm to know, I picked it up from the faithful yellow van. I felt quite smug about it. Walked out of my door and picked up the book I wanted to read. Sheer brilliance from Leeds City Council. Anyway, back to the book....
What?
Otherwise known as amazon spiel:
Fast-paced and addictive, THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR announces a major new talent in thriller writing.
You never know what's happening on the other side of the wall.
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.
What would you be capable of, when pushed past your limit?
'How well do we ever know those around us? THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR will keep you glued to the pages in search of the answer. Even then, you'll never guess the truth...until it's too late' LISA GARDNER
You never know what's happening on the other side of the wall.
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.
What would you be capable of, when pushed past your limit?
'How well do we ever know those around us? THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR will keep you glued to the pages in search of the answer. Even then, you'll never guess the truth...until it's too late' LISA GARDNER
Rusty words ☕ ☕
This book started really well. I had read the spiel so knew what was going to happen but still felt the suspense. And the horror. And, I am terrible, I was judging them from the first minute (seriously, how can a dinner party swept up in your own insecurities be more important than your baby?) but I also did not want them to experience what is one of the worst things that a parent can suffer or even imagine. It was gripping. It was enjoyable seeing how Lapena would take us to the very predictable ending. It was an easily digestible book; would be a brilliant holiday read as no thought was required.
Then I got to The Final Three Chapters. I am not sure if there was a rush to finish the book but perhaps a different edit would have given better results. I genuinely enjoyed The Couple Next Door until this point. And then. The Final Three Chapters. Unfortunately for me, I stopped believing in the characters and the plot lost its credibility. I am trying to bring myself back to the positive because despite being a predictable book, it still had the potential to be good.
I have rewritten the above paragraph so many times. This is someone's hard work. It is something that I could never achieve. I am allowing myself to dislike it whilst trying very hard to remedy the slight anger that was evoked by The Final Three Chapters (yes, they have capital letters - it was that serious).
This was quoted as " The unputdownable Number 1 bestseller and Richard & Judy Book Club pick" and I would agree that it is difficult to put down, I finished it in two sittings, but I was more than disappointed. Please do let me know if I am being harsh.
And seriously, does anyone know why it is called "The Couple Next Door"?
Then I got to The Final Three Chapters. I am not sure if there was a rush to finish the book but perhaps a different edit would have given better results. I genuinely enjoyed The Couple Next Door until this point. And then. The Final Three Chapters. Unfortunately for me, I stopped believing in the characters and the plot lost its credibility. I am trying to bring myself back to the positive because despite being a predictable book, it still had the potential to be good.
I have rewritten the above paragraph so many times. This is someone's hard work. It is something that I could never achieve. I am allowing myself to dislike it whilst trying very hard to remedy the slight anger that was evoked by The Final Three Chapters (yes, they have capital letters - it was that serious).
This was quoted as " The unputdownable Number 1 bestseller and Richard & Judy Book Club pick" and I would agree that it is difficult to put down, I finished it in two sittings, but I was more than disappointed. Please do let me know if I am being harsh.
And seriously, does anyone know why it is called "The Couple Next Door"?
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