When books get published, I have noticed that they are often compared to one or more shows, films, or other books. One book that I read and reviewed previously claimed to be a inspired by the films Knives Out and Clue---which are both phenomenal, by the way. Sometimes these comparisons are way off the mark but as someone who is easily influenced when it comes to reading habits, I must admit that these comparisons will usually always get my attention. When I saw that the book I am reviewing today was compared to Desperate Housewives---I was eager to jump in.
What the Neighbors Saw is a thriller and is the debut novel of author, Melissa Adelman. It was released on June 20th of this year.
If you would like to purchase What the Neighbors Saw you can find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You can follow the author, Melissa Adelman, on Goodreads!
Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and the author for sending me an advanced audiobook copy of this book. As always, all views expressed throughout this review are my own.
Sometimes the darkest acts occur in the most beautiful houses…
When Alexis and her husband Sam buy a neglected Cape Cod house in an exclusive DC suburb, they are ecstatic. Sam is on the cusp of making partner at his law firm, Alexis is pregnant with their second child, and their glamorous neighbors welcome the couple with open arms. Things are looking up, and Alexis believes she can finally leave her troubled past behind.
But the neighborhood’s picture-perfect image is shattered when their neighbor Teddy – a handsome, successful father of three – is found dead on the steep banks of the Potomac River. The community is shaken, and as the police struggle to identify and apprehend the killer, tension in the neighborhood mounts and long-buried secrets start to emerge.
In the midst of the turmoil, Alexis takes comfort in her budding friendship with Teddy’s beautiful and charismatic widow, Blair. But as the women grow closer, the neighborhood only becomes more divided. And when the unthinkable truth behind Teddy’s murder is finally uncovered, both Blair and Alexis must reexamine their friendship and decide how far they are willing to go to preserve the lives they have so carefully constructed.
I gave this book 3.75 stars on Goodreads. I think the few twists in this book were enough to keep me interested. Beware, though, this is a slow burn! If you are looking for a super fast-paced read, this isn't it. It wasn't off-putting-ly slow, though. I really think this was just marketed as a thriller when in reality, I found it to be more of a contemporary fiction with suspenseful elements--not really a thriller.
I love the D.C. setting and still enjoyed it here but I kept thinking of another book I read and reviewed last year, The New Neighbor by Karen Cleveland because it had a similar setting. Not the same premise, both books separate themselves there but I unfortunately think that The New Neighbor was stronger overall than this book was. If you have read this/like this premise, I would suggest that you give both of these books a read and compare them yourself! I do think that it is important to mention that this is a debut novel----still, I think this author has serious potential and am excited to watch her progression with future works.
I have seen a lot of people complain about unlikable characters but I didn't mind it. Flawed characters are my jam---I think they are WAY more realisitic. Everyone is allowed to have their preferences but this is a thriller that has been compared to a show (Desperate Housewives) in which all of the main characters are flawed and somewhat unlikeable.
Overall, this was a solid debut! I would recommend this book to readers 17/18+. There is some adult dialogue, themes, and scenarios featured throughout this book--reader's discretion is always advised! Because this book was so promising, I will absolutely be checking out Melissa's next works. If you love domestic suspense or D.C. settings, I think you will enjoy this read!
Have you read What the Neighbors Saw? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
As always, thank you for reading!
XO,
Madison
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