I know this author from the Max Wolfe books which are a good read. This book, however, was not as good.. Towards the end it became somewhat farcical with just about every plot line you can think of thrown in. None of the characters were particularly likeable. For all the killing that went on it was actually quite boring. There were a number of inconsistencies in the story line that didn't gel.
Sadly not one of Mr Parson's best

I am sorry to say that I found this a dull story. It seemed to me to be quite repetitive and nothing much happened. The main female character ran off but came straight home in spite of her assertions.
The implication that the main make character was aware of the ‘conspiracy’ seemed unlikely and not a real possibility. I felt disappointed in the story.

I really enjoyed this book. My only minor issue is that a lot of it reminded me of another book I had read recently. It was good but maybe not very original

A slow burner to start with then it becomes a fast paced and5 gripping read. A harrowing insight into the dark side of friends and neighbours in a quiet little town. Only downfall in my opinion too much time was spent getting to know all the main characters. Almost four stars.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

Exciting and disturbing psychological thriller;
Lana and Roman Wade's move to the country turns into a nightmare. The story is told alternately from the perspective of these two people and covers a few months after the move. The situation and the relationship with the neighbors gradually deteriorates and the insecurity and anxiety is well described. I could feel how Lana in particular felt increasingly uncomfortable. There is nothing wrong with the language, the book reads well and fluently. The story is exciting, I wasn't bored for a minute and always wanted to know how it will continue. I found it satisfying that everything is resolved in the end, even if I found some aspects a bit unbelievable. Nevertheless, the current zeitgeist is reflected in the resolution, nothing is impossible!

Another fantastic book from Tony Parsons, he never disappoints, his storytelling is superb.
Lana and Roman Wade have moved from their home in London, after suffering a horrific break in, to the countryside into a house in a small enclave of houses on the outskirts of a village. Life should be idyllic. Roman Ward is the village doctor and Lana is a photographer. However all is not as it seems in this picturesque area of Oxfordshire and soon Lana begins to uncover secrets her neighbours would rather remain buried. The story is full of twists and turns, you can feel the evil emanating as the story unfolds. Lana is filled with fear and dread and a terrible foreboding of menace that manifests itself. Parsons has made characters you can hear speak and the dread Lana feels is palpable. I really enjoyed the book and have no hesitation in recommending it especially if you like psychological thrillers. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

How well do you know your neighbours, and do you trust them?

The Gardens is an idyllic housing estate for the wealthy. It has its own security guard and the neighbours seem really friendly. This is the ideal home and new start for Lana and Roman Wade who have fled from the city for a life in the beautiful countryside of Oxfordshire. What could possibly go wrong?

Lana and Roman may seem like the perfect couple. Roman is the new private doctor for the area and Lana is a photographer, but their decision to move to The Gardens has been fuelled by a secret they are wanting to keep in their past. Their new neighbours are friendly, wealthy and welcoming, but they are also harbouring some secrets and it’s not long before one huge secret comes out of the woodwork. The perfect house which Lana and Roman have bought hides one of the biggest secrets of them all!

This was another brilliant page-turning psychological thriller that I devoured within a couple of days. The secrets, lies, deceit unfurl at the perfect pace which kept me turning page after page as quickly as I could. The desire to want to know the truth behind all the neighbours and get to the bottom of Lana’s anxiety and suspicions had me rooting for her throughout the book as I could not believe that she was the one losing her mind, or was she?

Roman and Lana move to a lovely house in an idyllic Oxfordshire village to escape London and remove themselves from a tragedy that occurred there. The new house is in an exclusive little enclave, four houses and a large Manor House in total. The neighbours are very friendly and welcoming. As events unfold Lana becomes aware of why their lovely home in its perfect setting was so cheap, and are the neighbours all they seem to be?

This is the latest in a long line of books with the same premise, and up to half way through I thought it was easily one of the better stories. Suddenly the book changed from being a good psychological thriller to a farce! There were many inconsistencies, baffling story line from another POV and then a switch back to the original storyteller. There were threads that led absolutely nowhere, the escape to London, the underwear in the storm drain, not to mention the oddness of the Oleander plot. Towards the end I became less and less interested, and when the ending did arrive it was dire. The characterisation was unpleasant with a poor class attitude. Not everyone who lives on a council estate is a rogue.

From what I have read, this author is much respected and highly regarded. I can only imagine that this was a blip!

Thank you NetGalley.

I really enjoyed Tony Parson's Max Wolfe series and so was looking forward to this psychological thriller. Lana and Roman have moved to The Gardens, an exclusive cul de sac in a Cotswold village, leaving their London home after the trauma of a burglary. When Lana discovers what happened to the previous occupants of their new home her suspicions are aroused and she begins to uncover the secrets of the other residents of The Gardens. The People Next Door begins promisingly, Parsons writing style and the dual narrative flows well and draws the reader in. However about half way through, the novel becomes increasingly ridiculous and unbelievable and I'm honestly surprised it got through the editing phase. I also feel that I do not want to read another novel about over privileged, dislikeable characters and felt that this novel was also a vehicle for some abhorrent classist attitudes.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

This book gets off to a gripping start with a violent burglary. Lana and Roman move to an idyllic country village, to a large house in a secluded cul de sac, complete with its own security guy. There then follow some disturbing scenes with the neighbours, including wife beating which I found to be almost gratuitous. The story becomes more outlandish during the second half of the book which I didn’t really enjoy. The author writes it from both Lana then Roman’s narrative which works well. At times I didn’t know who to believe or where the truth was.

This was not what I was expecting from Tony’s new read but I am here for it! The Wades, Roman and Lana, have opted for a quieter, more peaceful life in Oxfordshire, firmly putting their previous London existence in the past. Now living in The Gardens, a well maintained residential close, this is their time to properly get bedded into country life. Just as soon as they understand what happened in their new home. Despite making friends – neighbours who are almost too good to be true – Lana feels uneasy while her husband settles into his GP role. But everyone has secrets, even the Wades, even their perfect neighbours and behind the veneer, everyone is desperately trying to ensure they won’t be exposed. Throughout the novel, the tension is palpable as the plot builds and builds. At first I wasn’t sure that it was taking the direction it was but it did, and I’m impressed. It feels very current in terms of what’s going on in the world but also reminiscent of a Stepford Wives style living. The sort of psychological thriller that you could read again and again and still find little nuggets.

I had high hopes for this book but it let me down. It didn’t feel fresh or different to others in the same genre. It started off well but unfortunately soon ran out of steam.

This starts off well. Lana and Roman have moved to an idyllic Cotswold village following an attack on them in their London home. Their new house is beautiful, the neighbours are friendly and they even have a security guard in their gated community. It's not long before it all goes downhill however. Lana discovers that their house holds a tragic secret and she is convinced there is more to it. There's also the fact that one of the neighbours is a wife beater and another one has a missing wife. As Lana finds out more about her new neighbours she starts to unravel and so, unfortunately, does the plot.

This book wasn't for me, I'm afraid. As I say, it started well with an interesting premise but the characters were so horrible and so self obsessed that I soon lost interest. The underlying premise of the plot (which I won't reveal so as not to spoil it for other readers) was in my view, somewhat unbelievable. But it was the ending that did it for me. Over the top to say the least.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A gripping, page turning read, which keeps you guessing. An idyllic country setting turns to a nightmare. Interesting characters and a suspenseful plot. Somehow, conspiracy theories are fears of impending doom seem very relevant. I found the ending slightly unconvincing, hence 4 rather than 5 stars.

3.5 stars

I've read many variations on this story, and this seems to be one of the better ones. The old move out to the country and then wonder if your main character is going mad line has been done a lot.
This book is fast paced, and has a few twists that add surprise along the way.
I read it in one sitting.
A lot happens in this book, and then it has an action packed ending.
I was very happily entertained.

A deeply dark and disturbing look at neighbours and friends and how you never really know the people next door. A gripping read.

A gripping psychological domestic mystery thriller. A smart young couple escape the city and their memories of a traumatic event, to live in the country. Their idyllic retreat appears to be the safe place they crave, but their new neighbours are creepy and have deadly secrets.

This is a rollercoaster ride as Lana tries to discover the truth about her new environment against constantly surmounting odds. I really enjoyed this exciting page-turner. Another great read from the creative mind of Tony Parsons.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

#ThePeopleNextDoor #NetGalley
A twisty tale of murder.
Lana and Roman Wade have fled the city for a little corner of paradise, exchanging their flat with its unhappy memories for a small honey-coloured house among the rolling green hills of Oxfordshire. Their new home, set in a residential Close known as The Gardens, is their dream and their new neighbours are charming. So why is Lana feeling so uneasy? Lana and Roman may seem like an attractive, popular couple. But they are also a couple with a secret; a secret buried in the life they have left behind, a secret they have shared with no-one.
I really loved the way it was written and narrated. Loved it's ending but the characters could be written in more depth.
Overall it's a good novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and Cornerstone for giving me an advance copy.

I’ve been fortunate to have a holiday recently so binged on a couple of Tony Parson’s books, this included. I enjoyed this. Something’s happened to Lana and Roman causing their move to rural Oxfordshire .. you’re not entirely sure what that was initially but something clearly traumatic. They move to what appears on the surface to be idyllic gated community, super friendly and welcoming – perhaps a little too friendly? There’s an edge that you can’t quite put your finger on that makes you feel uncomfortable and this feeling grows as you read more. Lana’s deteriorating mental health isn’t acknowledged by her Dr husband and you start to question whether he’s more involved with this downward spiral than you really want to believe. I felt it got a little far-fetched towards the end but on the whole, an entertaining read.

ps the other Tony Parson’s was #taken – loved it!

Unsure what to make of this one. City couple Lana and Roman move to an idyllic rural Oxfordshire village, to a closed area of 4 houses and a Manor House known as 'The Gardens'. They have suffered some sort of trauma in the past, but we're not privy to that. We meet their kind, friendly neighbours who welcome them heartily; but Lana misses city life and her former occupation as a professional photograper. Lana starts to find out strange things about the house, its former occupants, the neighbours - and bit by bit things start to become rather dark. Roman, now the local private Doctor refuses to acknowledge these things.
This book made me feel really uncomfortable (can be a definite plus in a thriller!) but although it made compulsive reading, I never really 'enjoyed' it. I don't know what happened at the end either, it stopped so abruptly plus an ambiguous sentence threw me from my logical conclusions. I'm left feeling confused, and quite irritated. It definitely caused a reaction, just an unpleasant one and not in a good thriller-type way... I normally love Tony Parsons' fiction but this was a 'miss' for me.