The novel begins with a prologue set in July 2003. Eloise is in hospital with her six-year-old grandson Josiah (Jed), after he was in a car crash with his mother Kirsty. (We catch up with their story later.)
Then we move forward in time to September 2022. We meet Clare Staines, who is 53 years old and lost her husband John eight months ago. She has two daughters – Sara (married to Greg) and Grace (partner – Megan).
Clare is surprised to find that instead of feeling devastated by losing her husband, she finds it liberating and has already settled into her new life, living by herself and doing things her way, without John suggesting better ways of doing everything. But while cleaning out his office, Clare finds something that could change so much…
Clare’s best friend is Vicki ‘Vic’ Dolan who lives over the road with her husband. But her marriage to Rob has been going downhill lately. One day, she turns up at Clare’s house to say Rob hit her and she’s leaving him. But a few days later, she finds him murdered.
It was easy to get into the book, I liked Clare straight away and was interested in her story. (It helps that she’s the same age as me!) The chapters are a really good size for ‘just one more’ and you want to keep reading to find out what happens. The story is very well-paced and there are plenty of twists and turns to hold the reader’s interest.
I liked how the story was set last year and the references to the late Queen’s death. I always feel that mentioning news events of the time helps books feel authentic and connects you to the timeline.
I was interested in all the characters and finding out more about Jed’s story and how that connects with everyone else. All the characters felt very authentic and it was a very well-written story that held your interest from start to finish.
I highly recommend The Couple Across the Street and definitely hope to read more of her books in the future.

A story told as two very different ones, first is a murder and the second a young man trying to track down his biological dad but both having a centre core. Set in and around the late Queen's funeral, this adds a poignancy to the story as most people's emotions were high at that time. It is cleverly written in that I was not sure who was guilty until the end and even then there is a great twist !!

I received this e-book to give an honest opinion.

When this author comes out with a new book everything goes out the window, all house cores stopped and I put my kettle on make a cup of coffee and open my kindle!
WoW.......The Couple Across The Street by Anita Waller was another brilliant book from start to finish. Anita has a way of bringing her audience into all her book; which to me makes one of the best authors around.
The Couple Across The Street was a brilliant book, and had lots of crazy twists and turns throughout. It was sad and dark in places but with a humour which balanced it out, made this book another 5 star read.

I highly recommend this latest book by Anita. However, it should come with a Big trigger warning, that your house cleaning, Sleep will stop until you finish her books as they are so addictive from start to finish!!!

Big thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood books and Anita Waller the author for my copy of her latest book.

The title and book description held out the promise of a thrilling read.
Recently widowed Clare discovers her husband's secret while clearing out his desk. She is also helping her friend Viv who is leaving her abusive husband. Meanwhile Jed is searching for answers about his father.
The book has 2 plots that never quite came together.
An easy read but not as gripping as I had expected
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I tried to get into this book but could not connect with the story and did not continue with it.

This is a fast paced book with a lot going on. Firstly there is the death of Clare’s husband and when she is moving his desk she finds evidence that he might have fathered a child from another woman. Then neighbour Rob is found murdered and Clare and her children and their partners are all under suspicion of his death. There are some more shocks along the way as when being investigated by the police some skeletons are certainly hiding in the closet. Will the police get to the bottom of this case. Read it to find out.

I’ve read a number of this authors books and this was a little different, more descriptive, less violence, slower paced, definitely more of a family drama - not a bad thing. As always it’s very well written with a good plot, in fact two main plots and a few minor threads, and told from multiple POV’s. Quite an emotional story at times although I thought Clare seems quite a cold unemotional woman despite having a good life and a loving family.

Briefly, following the death of her husband Clare Steen is clearing his study when she finds a secret drawer in his desk; what it contains was a big shock. Her closest friend Vic Dolan lives across the street with her abusive husband and following a physical attack on her she has left him. Returning to pick up more of her belonging she finds him dead. Murdered. The police are investigating but the case is moving slowly and Clare and Vic plus Clare’s children and their partners are all under suspicion.

I thought the inclusion of the death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the explanation about how this affected policing levels, thus impacting the investigation was an excellent ploy. Little red herrings worked to keep you guessing on the killer but as secrets were revealed I found myself changing my mind more than once. A good psychological thriller with a bit of a shock ending.

Fast paced psychological thriller with multiple things happening. Very good book! Thank you for net galley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

This is my first book by Anita Waller. I enjoyed reading it. Lots of twists and turns to keep you. guessing.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

Thank you to #Netgalley and #BoldwoodBooks for my copy of #TheCoupleAcrossTheStreet by #AnitaWaller.
I think this is Anita’s best book yet. I read it in one sitting as I just couldn’t put it down.
Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive.
Secrets always come back to catch us out.

The Couple Across the Street by Anita Waller

Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 4/5
Plot: 5/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
Total stars: 5/5

Waller has taken a great story plot and turned it into an even better book with great characters and a pace that at times felt slow but overall it was a ride that when I finished, I could not stop thinking about.
Clare Steen has lost her husband and instead of dismay she feels relief. While dealing with trying to move forward with her life, her very close friend, Vic comes to her with news that her marriage is in trouble. She is all in with helping Vic leave her husband, Rob but when they enter the home of Vic and Rob they find something shocking. Rob’s body. Someone wanted him dead and it sure looks like on the surface it could have been Vic. But things are not always as they seem. While cleaning out the desk of her husband, Clare finds an envelope with a picture of a child that is not hers but she suspects could be her husbands. Now Clare has two things to contend with, deceit and murder. Who is it that has the axe to grind and could that person be closer to Clare than she suspects?


Definitely, definitely worth the read if you enjoy psychological thrillers and mysteries that are full of twists and turns. I cannot wait to read more by this author nor can I wait for the book to be released.

June 20 2023 is going to be a great day for readers everywhere!

While cleaning out the antique desk of her deceased husband John, Claire Steen stumbles upon a secret compartment she knew nothing about. When she finds a Father’s Day card from 2004 she first thinks it’s from one of their daughters Sarah or Grace but when she opens the card and sees a little boy in front of a birthday cake shaped as a Thor she knows this is an any of her children but she also knows it just may possibly be one of her husbands. Although finding the Card rocks her world she can’t focus on that too much because she is helping her friend Vic get away from her abusive husband Rob. Rob and Vic has been Claire’s neighbors for years and thought Rob was a lovely man or at least she did until recently he has been coming over wanting to know where his wife is at and he doesn’t ask in a friendly tone but with curse words and an intimidating flair.when they go over, thanking he has left for work and want to get the rest of Vic’s things; vic goes in as Claire gets the car ready but quickly rush us out in faints in the driveway. She has found Rob dead in his living room when detective Brett and detective rose show up they focus on a couple of good suspects but who is actually the murderer. While this is gone on Jeb is mourning the loss of his beloved mother Kirstie and lives with his granny Elsie and when he ask her who his father could possibly be but she really has no clue so when she goes away for a couple days he scours the house in search of any information that could help him. Like with all reviews the summary doesn’t tell half the story and I can honestly say Anita Waller is one of my favorite authors and although this didn’t live up to the family at number 12 it is still a really good read and one I would definitely recommend. There is always multiple things going on in her books and although this one has a bittersweet ending the last page leaves you with questions and their questions I hope she answers in a future book. As for this one I would definitely read it if you love women’s Fiction thrillers and or mysteries you not be disappointed with The Family Across The Street by Anitta Waller I received this book from NetGalley and Boldwood books but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Page-turning after page-turning, could not put this book down.

Twists and turns abound for this family where everything on the surface looked idyllic. Revenge is sweet they say, but how long down the line before it is delivered?

Easy reading highly enjoyable.

This book will leave you guessing how a murder could happen on a quiet neighbourhood. However it reveals many twists and turns and deceit along the way. Definitely worth a read, you won't regret it.

When Clare becomes a widow, her response is something that shocks her - relief. All she wants to do is move on and figure out how to continue her life, alone, no matter the guilt that brings. So when Vic, her closest friend, comes to her showing signs of trouble in her own marriage, she is more than supportive in helping her leave Rob. But Vic doesn't get the chance to do that, Because as they go over to Vic's house to collect her things, they find a body, Rob's.

This book has a great pace. I've never read the author before, so I didn't really know what to expect, but I was pulled in after reading a couple of chapters. There is more than one crime going on in this book. The characters are well rounded. This is a well written whodunit. My first read by the author but it won't be my last.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #AnitaWallen for my ARC of #TheCoupleAcrossTheStreet in exchange for an honest review.

The Couple Across the Street is another hit for Anita Waller! Well told, evenly paced with lots of goings-on to keep you fully engaged to the very end!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC!

I throughly enjoyed this book. I found myself getting a bit confused with there being quite a few characters. That’s more on me though.

It did keep me guessing until the end I have to say.


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The Couple Across The Street
by Anita Waller
Pub Date: 20 Jun 2023

The Couple Across The Street is definitely a page turner at best. This book has two stories going on at the same time that involve the same main characters. If you like stories with murder, revenge, mystery and suspense I highly recommend this. It kept me hooked from start to finish!

Short Synopsis:

When Clare becomes a widow, her response is something that shocks her – relief. All she wants to do is move on and figure out how to continue her life, alone, no matter the guilt that brings.

So when Vic, her closest friend, comes to her, showing the signs of trouble in her own marriage, she is more than supportive in helping her leave Rob.

But Vic doesn’t get the chance to do that. Because as they go over to Vic's house to collect her things, they find a body. Rob’s.

It appears someone else had an axe to grind. But for Clare, already reeling from secrets from her own late husband’s dark past, she’s about to find out this murder isn’t as straightforward as it may appear…

Many thanks to #NetGalley, #BoldwoodBooks for the chance to review an ARC of #TheCoupleAcrossTheStreet.

Clare has recently become a widow and she’s learning to live with both her grief and a new way of living .
One of the ways she decides to move forward is rearranging her husbands office in to a sewing room , whilst doing this she finds a card that changes the way she views her marriage and her husband.
Vic lives across the road from Clare and is her closest friend always there to support each other. Vic’s marriage to Rob is not a happy one and she decides to leave him , and then he is found dead in suspicious circumstances.
All of the characters are suspects in Rob’s death .
There are lies and secrets abound in this story and it shows that no one really knows what goes on behind closed doors.
The writing makes it easy to read although I thought the story had a slow start it soon gained pace .
An enjoyable and easy read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.

this was such a fun thriller! i'm still somewhat new in adult thrillers but i had so much fun! it kept me on edge wanting more and more! i loved that it was fast paced so there was always something coming and keeping me intrigued. learning more about the secrets that their husbands had had me GASPING.