The story is good, but long and there were times that the author was quite repetitive. It made reading this tedious and less than entertaining. While I appreciate some details and knowing what's going on in a character's head, I don't need to re-read the same thoughts over and over. All that said, the ending was unpredictable, which I love in a mystery. I always try to figure it out from the start and I love when an author throws me for a loop like Ms. Grand did in this book. I went back and forth, thinking everyone was guilty at one point or another. Ms. Grand is a Welsh author, so I did have to look up some of the things she mentioned that I wasn't familiar with and the writing style wasn't what I was used to. Overall, 3.5/5 stars.

This was a great slow burn atmospheric psychological thriller. I have come to really appreciate that style of writing, making this absolutely perfect for me.

After a very public rant, fueled by jealousy and alcohol, Mia accept her Aunt’s offer to house sit and flees to the Isle of Wight. At first, the neighbors on her quiet street seem friendly. Ian and Lucy, senior lifestyle influencers, are next door. Across the street are hairdressers and sisters, friendly Jade and the more reserved Ruby. Joe owns the bar down the street, veterinarian Ethan and his partner Elvira have a clinic and Ruby’s husband Richie, an artist, runs the island gallery. All, Nia soon discovers, have secrets and one of those secrets is deadly.

Nia becomes involved in an investigation to distract herself from some disturbing personal problems. Her marriage is failing, her husband has convinced her to leave a career she loves and she is not used to making decisions on her own. In fact, this visit is the first time she has traveled alone during her marriage. And what a visit it is! Mary Grand has given us an atmospheric location, characters to identify with and a fast-paced plot. Compulsively readable! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwook Books and Mary Grand for this ARC.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Good Neighbours by Mary Grand. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing an ARC to review.

Escaping a failing marriage, Nia travels to the Isle of Wright, housesitting for a beloved Aunt. The quiet island lifestyle is not what it seems as Nia's new friend dies under suspicious circumstances. And it is up to Nia to figure out who in this quiet neighborhood is a murderer.

I am usually pretty easygoing about busybody sleuths who are in search of the truth. But Nia was such an annoying character that I had to force myself to finish the book. Her bullheaded rush into everyone's business was annoying rather than charming. The mystery itself was OK, but I can't recommend this book to anyone looking for a good mystery.

Nia, who is having some marital difficulties, accepts her aunt’s request to house sit in Harbour Close, on the Isle of Wight for a few weeks. A rather small community, they are very accepting of her, but something seems a little unsettling. When Nia discovers the body of one of her new friends on the beach, she can’t resist investigating, even if it puts her in danger. There are a few viable suspects. And, what about that cultlike religion?

This book is well written, but at a pace that reflects the slow, claustrophobic life of the Close.

Quite atmospheric, the beautiful descriptions of the Isle of Wight made me want to take a walk there soon. In all, it was a satisfying read.

I found Good Neighbours to be an ok read. I liked the setting of the book but it was a bit too slow for my liking and I wasn't struck by the voodoo element as it's not something I would normally read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

I love a good mystery and although this is a mystery is a slow burn mystery, not like the fast-paced cozy mysteries I'm used to. However, the plot itself is intriguing and figuring out who the killer is was enough for me to keep going. I really enjoyed the prologue as I felt it really draws in the reader with the promise of a great mystery.

The main character, Nia, is a hairdresser living in Cardiff when she suffers what her husband describes as some sort of breakdown. Her husband Chris is a teacher at a prestigious school, and they have one daughter together, Safi, who is grown and currently traveling Europe. In an effort to clear her head and figure out what she wants, she decides to take some time to herself. Her Aunt Gwen has a house on the Isle of Wight and is off to San Francisco to be with her daughter who is about to give birth.

Right away Nia is drawn into the closeness of the quaint harbor town. She meets Ruby and Jade, owners of the local hair salon and Ruby kind of takes Nia under her wing and shows her around town and they quickly become close. However quaint the village, there are secrets that run deep. Nia starts to feel safe and she even starts to feel more like herself, more than she has in many years. Unfortunately that feeling is shattered when she discovers the body of a local woman murdered on the beach.

The story is full of intrigue, from Voo-doo dolls to a super religious cult and way too many secrets for a tiny harbor village. Any one of the people involved could be the murderer. There's not clear answer until the end. The location is idyllic, a place that I have always wanted to visit. I liked the main character, but I could feel myself yelling in my head every time she interacted with her husband, so I was glad about her story ending, All in all its a slow burn kind of read but a good mystery none the less. I received this book free from NetGalley for an honest review.

I’m not the biggest fan of this book I’m afraid. The story was weak and the characters forgettable . There wasn’t as much suspense as i usually like but the story did develop throughout the book . I couldn’t understand why she would be so interested in solving the murder of someone she’d only know a couple of days . The police were hardly involved deciding it was a suicide too quickly. The story with her husband wasn’t able to develop . All in all it was a bit strange probably fine if you enjoy Nancy Drew .

Whilst staying at her Aunt's house, Nia makes new friends, but one of them dies on the beach. Nia investigates, determined to discover who was involved and what happened.
Secret upon secret is discovered as Nia and her trusty dog search for clues.
I really couldn't guess the ending and loved the rich, descriptive text and also learning about the characters.
Excellent mystery book!

A delightful trip to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight as Mary Grand takes us to the island once again. This time to discover that not all neighbours are good neighbours and can fast become deadly enemies. The "close" in the harbourside community is a place where everyone lives in close proximity so, in true Agatha Christie form, only a handful could therefore be the culprit.

The prologue opens with something of a promising start with a voodoo doll and a curse on a woman named Ruby. Then enter Nia, who steps off the ferry on her way to house-sit for her aunty Gwen who has flown off the San Francisco and the imminent birth of her grandchild. The visit for Nia was the perfect opportunity to reflect on her own life and reassess the train wreck that is her marriage. Her husband Chris is a head teacher at a prominent school in Cardiff, Wales, whilst their grow up daughter Safi is taking a year off to travel and is currently in Spain. Nia is looking forward to these quiet few weeks on the island.

It doesn't take her long to meet the everyone in the close and they soon become friends. Nia can see why her aunt loves this little community as she begins to feel an element of safety here. They invite her for their weekly drinks at the local brasserie and it is here that Nia gets to know Ruby. But Ruby discloses to her that all is not as it seems in the close and she soon discovers that every one of them have their own secrets.

And then one morning, Nia discovers Ruby's body on the beach. Police are inclined to believe it to be a suicide but Nia believes otherwise. Ruby knew things and maybe someone wanted to silence her forever. She is determined to uncover the truth of what really happened on the beach after Nia left her that night...and who it was that wanted Ruby dead.

Who sent her that twisted voodoo doll? Who hated Ruby that much they wanted her dead?

Nia soon becomes embroiled in mystery, intrigue and secrets of the island community but her delving into things she doesn't understand are not welcomed and soon Nia finds herself being threatened and the possible target of a killer. Meanwhile, Nia's is forced to face her own personal issues when her husband turns up on the island with the intention of bringing her home.

Can Nia uncover the truth about what happened to Ruby and unmask a killer whilst laying her own demons to rest?

There is plenty of tension and suspense in this atmospheric thriller that is am engrossing whodunit that will have you turning the pages and trying to piece together the clues yourself. Mary Grand has done a fantastic job of piecing everything together in true Christie style with only a handful of suspects and each of them having a motive or opportunity for wanting Ruby dead. Each piece of evidence in turn implicates almost everyone in the close-knit community! Added to that, are the secrets, the voodoo doll and an unsettling religious cult of which Ruby had been a member.

However, there is a downside...and that is that the story itself is not fast paced. In fact there are times it feels almost stagnant and glacial. In some ways I felt some of it could have been shortened to make for a pacier read and yet most of it was integral to the story as a whole. But still there were parts I felt as if I was going round in circles and Nia was just blowing hot air. I didn't care for her husband, the narcissistic arrogant twat who wasn't responsible for anything he did as it was all in Nia's head. But despite this, GOOD NEIGHBOURS did make for an interesting atmospheric read that did keep me glued to the pages throughout regardless. I was so hoodwinked I wanted to know who had done it!

I thought Nia a little naive at times, particularly when she gave her name when trying to remain undercover. The characters were an interesting bunch and they each brought something to the story that made them a little bit suspect. There were plenty of twists and everyone at some point was suspected and yet I couldn't decide which one of them was the villain. It twisted me into knots just trying to figure it out. And then when Nia had a light bulb moment...I was screaming at her for not sharing it with us too!

This is the second book I've read by Mary Grand with "The Island" being the first, also set on the Isle of Wight which certainly makes for an incredibly atmospheric setting. GOOD NEIGHBOURS is certainly vastly different from "The Island" and is just as skillfully written. Despite its slow pace, Grand still draws us in and has readers turning the pages to uncover the truth and find out "whodunnit".

An atmospheric thriller that is also a whodunnit that would make Christie proud, GOOD NEIGHBOURS is an intense read where the tension is palpable right up to the end.

I would like to thank #MaryGrand, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #GoodNeighbours in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

When her aunt asks her to house-sit her cottage on the Isle of Wight Nia does not hesitate to accept. She needs some time away from her marriage and spending some time on the island seems to be the perfect escape. The house is in a small close and all of the neighbours know each other in and out. They welcome her in their small circle. But one of them turns up dead on the beach one day Nia is sure that it was not a suicide. Someone in the close is a killer and she is willing to find out who it is.

I visited the Isle of Wight two years ago and I enjoyed going back to it by reading this book. Unfortunately the story did not work for me. The plot itself is not the problem. I found everything around it a bit weird. Let me start to explain. Nia arrives in the close and immediately everyone acts like she is their best friend. Sure, she is the niece of one of their friends but she is still a stranger. Everybody seems to open up to her and tell her their deepest secrets which they kept from all the others. That seems a bit odd to me. After the suspicious dead of one of the neighbours Nia begins to spy on everyone in a quite clumsy manner. She follows people around and when she gets caught she lies about what she is doing. But still nobody gets cross with her. The sister of the victim even encourages her to keep digging and I asked myself why on earth the sister does not look for answers herself or keeps nagging the police to do their job. The point is I found it hard to believe that Nia would be accepted in this close circle of people when she acted like this. Especially after this short amount of time she spends there. And Nia really is a bad spy. She gets caught all the time and some situations are quite embarrassing and humiliating but Nia does not learn anything and keeps on going in the same clumsy way. She is just a weird person. . I often cringed in behalf of her and I just could not take her seriously. And don’t get me started about the business with her absolutely a***hole of a husband. I could have done without his whole thing about Nia’s marriage problems. It was one layer too much.

The book dragged for me and I never got that invested. The whole situation felt not very natural and realistic. Although I found the writing style ok and I never considered abandoning it I would not read another book from the author. The story was too fabricated and the characters were all very weird and unlikable.

Book: Good Neighbours
Author: Mary Grand
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Pub Date: May 18, 2022

This book was very slow to me. I never could make any connections and get into the story. I didn’t really enjoy the voodoo aspect of it. Just not the book for me.

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is May 18, 2022.

wasn't keen on some themes in the book but it was a well written whodunit read with plenty of secrets and lies and twists - good characters

Good Neighbours by Mary Grand was a very good read. At the beginning, I did have my doubts on if I would like it but I liked how it turned out. His is trying to get away from a difficult time in her marriage so she ends up house sitting at her aunt's house on the Island of Wight for a month.

She slowly integrates herself in the culture and lives of the residents. I love the imagery Mary Grant wrote. It made me feels as if I was on the island myself. Unfortunately, one of the residents ends up dead and Nia finds herself trying to figure who did it.

In all I enjoyed this book. Thank you Net galley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

3.5 rounded up to 4.

Good Neighbours draws you in slowly as you follow Nia arriving at the Isle of Wight to house sit for her aunt.

You know everything is not all right with Nia's life but just not what.

There is the old age saying love your neighbour as yourself but that does always work out.

Nia discovers a body on the beach and things start to heat up.

Secrets and lies with twists and turns.

Nia grew on me. She became her own person, genuinely cared about her neighbours and wanted this murder solved.

I did stay up late to read the final chapter as I just had to know what happens to everyone.

I will definitely be checking out and reading Mary Grand's other books.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for a page turning read.

After her divorce, Nia house sit her aunts house on the Isle of Wight. While she is at her aunts cottage, the body of her new friend is found on the beach. She is frightened and wonders what her neighbors are keeping secret. Is she in danger? I enjoyed this psychological mystery; it is my first time reading by this author. It has so many twists and I couldnt wait to see the ending. It had me on the edge of my seat; I could not get enough.

Good Neighbours
The BRAND NEW page-turning psychological mystery from Mary Grand for 2022
by Mary Grand

The book was slow going for me. I just saw it as the normal kind, except the voodoo.I did get thru it, and felt it was an ok read. Not one I will remember next week.

An atmospheric and tense read, I enjoyed this ‘whodunit’ style thriller. It caught my attention and I found I wanted to keep reading to find out who was behind it all.

This story is set on the Isle of Wight where, upon first impressions they are a close group of friends/neighbours but beneath it all secrets, resentments and arguments mean someone has become a killer and will do all it takes to keep their identity from every being revealed.

Nia, has left Cardiff and her husband, Chris, of 20 years and is seeking refuge in her Auntie Gwen’s vacant property on the island. It isn’t long before she’s part of the group, but a tragic discovery leaves her feeling unsure of who to trust and their motives for wanting to keep her close.
It’s full of red herrings, but the clues are there. You will read along as Nia tries to eliminate each neighbour whilst being under the spotlight herself. As secrets start coming to light, you will not know who she can trust or whether she will be the next victim.
This book will grab you attention and fill you with suspense. It was very well written and moved along at a good pace, which I like with this genre. Very enjoyable for fans of this genre.

GOOD NEIGHBOURS by Mary Grand
Published date - 18 May 2022
BOOK - 394 pages - Publisher - Boldwood Books
Rating: 3 stars

Not sure where to start writing this review as I can't make my mind up whether I enjoyed the novel or not. BUT, the first few pages caught my attention in a good way. The storyline blur sounded intriguing and I was looking forward to the book. After an amazing start, things went downhill and I was losing interested. The characters and their lifestyles really, really irritated! The protagonist, Nia was annoying, I wanted to shake her! Other readers may connect with Nia's life choices. I did ask myself what would I do in Nia's place. The dialogue between characters was too gossipy (what does that even mean?). The story picked up in the middle and got my attention again but I can't say I enjoyed the ups and downs of the novel.

I WANT TO THANK NETGALLEY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF READING AN ADVANCED COPY OF THIS BOOK FOR AN HONEST REVIEW

This was definitely an... interesting thriller I will say. I really tried to like it and give it my all but it just kept falling flat for me in a lot of ways. The length of the book and some un-necessary things made it difficult to keep and hold my attention. It had promise and potential but the synopsis made it seem almost better than what it was? I hate rating a book low but this is the best I could give it.
A chance to get away and try to restart her life, Nia accepts the invitation from her Aunt Gwen to house-sit in a small village while Gwen goes to visit with her daughter. As Nia gets to know the close neighbours and friends, she'll find not everyone is as they seem and something sinister and brewing amongst the others. After finding her friends body on the beach, she can't help but believe that someone in the close group, is after others and Nia can't help but wonder if she'll be next?
I will say the writing was good, excellent flow & unveiling of the secrets & characters & most of the plot kept me going and I truly did enjoy the neat dark, cult-like whodunnit! I will admit cult-like books aren't really my jam & jelly, but I didn't mind this particular one as it didn't solely focus on it & it was great to try outside my comfort zone. And I felt the ending was quite good! If you like that kind of premise I feel you'll enjoy this book more than I did.

Thank you to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for this ARC.
Release Date: May 18, 2022

I give this 2 / 5 Bouquets! 💐