Book synopsis:
For newcomers Chris and Zoey Hamilton, the affluent community seems like the perfect location to build a life together. Instead, history repeats itself when Zoey vanishes without a trace—just like the previous homeowner five years ago.
Enter FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin, known for her relentless pursuit of the truth. Her investigation uncovers a history of lies and betrayal festering beneath manicured gardens and picture-perfect smiles.
The more Victoria digs, the clearer it becomes: the secrets in Mountain Meadows run deep, and the greatest threats aren’t lurking in the shadows...they’re hosting dinner parties, attending parent-teacher conferences, going to yoga, and waving hello from behind their perfectly trimmed hedges. One of those polite, smiling individuals will stop at nothing to keep the past buried.
Review:
This was a great book. I plan to read more by this author ASAP. The plot keeps you intrigued and guessing at possible suspects, but the end will surprise you. 5 stars!

When Chris and Zoey Hamilton move to the picturesque Mountain Meadows community, they expect perfection—gleaming smiles, polished lawns, and friendly neighbors. Instead, Zoey vanishes, echoing the mysterious disappearance of the previous homeowner years before.

Enter FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin, whose razor-sharp instincts and dogged determination drive her investigation into the community’s dark secrets. As she peels back layers of deceit, it’s clear the true danger doesn’t lurk in shadows but stands front and center in the most unsuspecting forms—hosting dinner parties and waving from their white picket fences.

Jenifer Ruff has delivered yet another pulse-pounding thriller with The Bad Neighbor. This ninth installment in the Victoria Heslin series can be read as a standalone, making it perfect for new readers to jump right in.

I was given an advanced reader copy of this book and at the time I wasn’t aware that it was part of a series. That being said I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. The whole time I was rooting for the case to be solved and I was engaged throughout it; but I did find the history of the FBI agent being said to be a tad repetitive. I would definitely go back and read the other books in the series, though!

For newcomers Chris and Zoey Hamilton, the affluent community seems like the perfect location to build a life together. Instead, history repeats itself when Zoey vanishes without a trace—just like the previous homeowner five years ago.

Enter FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin, known for her relentless pursuit of the truth. Her investigation uncovers a history of lies and betrayal festering beneath manicured gardens and picture-perfect smiles.

The more Victoria digs, the clearer it the secrets in Mountain Meadows run deep, and the greatest threats aren’t lurking in the shadows...they’re hosting dinner parties, attending parent-teacher conferences, going to yoga, and waving hello from behind their perfectly trimmed hedges. One of those polite, smiling individuals will stop at nothing to keep the past buried.

THE BAD NEIGHBOR is book 9 in the award-winning Agent Victoria Thriller Series by USA Today bestselling author, Jenifer Ruff. Each book features a unique investigation and can be read as a STANDALONE.

I really enjoyed Chris and Zoey's story. Cannot wait to read the others in the series. Jenifer Ruff has gained a fan.

I would definitely recommend this one. I really liked the story, I was engaged and rooting for the FBI lead character to solve the crime. I didn't realize this was part of a series, but I didn't really feel like I'd missed too much by not reading the others first.

The Bad Neighbor is the ninth book in the Agent Victoria Heslin series by Jenifer Ruff. I haven’t read any of the other books but I didn’t find it difficult to keep up with this story. Victoria is a special agent with the FBI and lives with her fiancé in a upscale gated community, complete with a home owners association. For anyone who has had experiences with an HOA, you know there’s bound to be some conflict, if not some downright nastiness.

Victoria has lived in the neighborhood for several years, but doesn’t really know any of her neighbors. But, when a woman disappears she’s asked to help look for her and meeting the neighbors becomes a top priority.

The Bad Neighbor was an easy read and, for the most part, quite enjoyable. The various characters ranged from sympathetic to distasteful and some of their behaviors were a little unbelievable. But, on the other hand, these are dedicated HOA members, so there’s that.

I enjoyed the plot and how it all came together throughout the investigation. But, the repetition concerning Victoria’s reasons for joining the Agency and reminding the reader several times that’s she a highly regarded special agent of the FBI was a bit unnecessary.

The Bad Neighbor was an entertaining book and I’m definitely interested in reading the previous books in the series. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

Thoroughly enjoyed this mystery thriller where a couple move into a new community and it’s not long before the wife goes missing while walking the dog. Enter one of her neighbours who just happens to be an FBI agent currently on vacation but she soon steps in to help with the search. Didn’t guess what had happened and it was wrapped up nicely. Good characterisation and vividly portrayed with a fast pace that had me hooked until the very end.

I really enjoyed this book. Although it is a series starring the main character, I did not feel like I needed to ready the other books before diving into this one. It was a quick whodunnit and I will start reading the other books in the series now.

Thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read once again,a book by this author.
It captured my attention from the first pages, building to the end. It was a thriller and with great
characters, short chapters. I recommend this book.

I would give this book 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the twists and turns in this book. The book was believable with the threats and perceptions of the FMC. However I was not a fan of the crazy baby fever. Yea that is a part of wanting a family but it was to much of the main focus for a lot of the book.

I didn’t realize this book was part of a series, but it didn’t hinder my experience. I was able to follow along even though I hadn’t read any of the other books. It was a page turner and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I was not expecting this book to be a 5-star read! I was hooked from the beginning, and devoured this in a day! A brilliant psychological thriller with some awesome characters. The bad neighbor is a "who dunnit" style novel that will have you going back and forth trying to figure out who is guilty. We have multiple POV's in this book that are executed well. I love that we can get a glimmer into likable and unlikeable characters and their mindset. I seriously couldn't put it down.

Going into this book I had no idea that this is book 9 in a series, that being said, it is a standalone in the series and I love that you can jump in at any point without reading the other books. I will be reading the earlier books!

This book starts with a couple that move to a very well-off area that buy a house that needs some renovations after leaving their home in California. One of our lead couples, Chris and Zoey encounter a few neighbors; Grace, a snotty woman who is the head of the community, and Faith, Grace's nicer counterpart. All is well until Chris and Zoey's dogs get loose and we are introduced to Victoria and Ned who return the pups to Chris out on their walk. Victoria is our badass, FBI agent who is supposedly on vacation with her fiance until Chris informs Victoria and Ned that he cannot find his wife Zoey, which leads to an investigation at that point. There were so many times where I thought I figured it out until I was taken down another rabbit hole.

If you are looking for a fast, can't put down, easy-flowing read, I highly recommend The Bad Neighbor!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC!

This is an unpredictable page turner filled with complex interesting characters, a twisted story that kept me guessing to the very end! Truly a must read!

This was my first read by this author, but it won’t be my last. I hadn’t realized when I started that this was book 9 in a series. I had absolutely no problems following along, so it can be read as a stand-alone (but I plan to read the others, I really enjoyed the writing & characters). It’s well-written and kept me turning the pages in anticipation of what would happen next! The characters were interesting and well developed. The storyline was engaging. I don’t usually figure out the “who” in a book, but was pleasantly surprised that my hunch was right. It’s a quick and great read. I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.

The Bad Neighbor by Jennifer Ruff is a wonderful book. It kept my attention from the very beginning. It is very well written. The characters are described wonderfully as I could picture them perfectly. It even has that one person you just don’t like that never has anything nice to say about anyone. The twists and turns that the story takes is exactly what I like in a book. When you think you have it figured out you realize that you don’t! I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a day. I didn’t know that it was the 9th book in a series until I was finished but it didn’t make a difference as they are all standalone novels. I highly recommend this book and will be reading others by this author.
Thank you NetGalley, Jennifer Ruff and BooksGoSocial for the advanced copy.

3.5 stars

The writing style of this book leads to a fast paced read. I enjoyed the book, but it’s probably not one that would stay with me.

This was my first book I’ve read in the series. It honestly had a Frieda McFadden vibe about it. Short chapters that draw you in, and keep the story humming along at pace. I liked the different perspectives between then and now, and felt the author did a good job bringing them together to form a cohesive plot.

I wish the stakes had been higher. I know they were for Zoey but everyone else seemed to be coasting along. I really disliked Grace, and well karmas a b*tch.

Not only did I devour this book I'm beyond delighted to find it is the latest in a series, number nine in fact. This feels like I've had coffee at the end of a meal with the meal still to look forward to.

The novels all feature a standalone premise with Victoria's back story running through so this is actually a great place to start, it is often how I discover new series.

This really held my attention. Characterisation was excellent with enough information to allow you to develop your own idea of the folk without every little detail being fed to you. The pace is cracking and I liked the shorter chapters so that you rapidly move on.

I hugely reccomend you add this to you autumn reading pile as it has just been released the timing is perfect.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC which as you can tell I really enjoyed.

I requested this book because it was recommended by JE Rowney, one of my favorite authors. This story is about a husband and wife who move to a new place to start over, but just like the home owner before them, Zoey disappears. Good thing one of the neighbors is a heroic FBI agent who will stop at nothing to find out what is happening in their neighborhood. This story is full of suspense and thrill. It’s very well written and if you like a good suspenseful, thrilling mystery, then this one’s for you!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Bad Neighbor: Agent Victoria Heslin Series Book 9 by Jenifer Ruff is a gripping and intricately woven domestic thriller that plunges readers into the seemingly idyllic yet sinister world of Mountain Meadows. This latest installment in the Agent Victoria Heslin series showcases Ruff’s talent for creating suspenseful narratives filled with unexpected twists and deeply buried secrets.

The story begins with newcomers Chris and Zoey Hamilton moving into the affluent community of Mountain Meadows, hoping to build a peaceful life together. However, their dreams quickly turn into a nightmare when Zoey vanishes without a trace, eerily mirroring the disappearance of the previous homeowner five years earlier. Enter FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin, known for her relentless pursuit of the truth.

Ruff’s writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the tension and unease that permeates Mountain Meadows. The plot is meticulously crafted, with layers of mystery that keep readers guessing until the very end. The setting of the affluent community, with its manicured gardens and picture-perfect facades, adds a chilling contrast to the dark secrets lurking within.

Victoria Heslin is a compelling protagonist, driven by a strong sense of justice and a keen intuition. Her interactions with the residents of Mountain Meadows reveal the complexities and hidden depths of the seemingly perfect community. The supporting characters are equally well-drawn, each with their own secrets and motivations that add to the suspense.

Ruff excels in creating a palpable sense of danger and urgency. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, as Victoria navigates the treacherous waters of deception and betrayal. The climax is thrilling and satisfying, tying together the various threads of the story in a way that is both surprising and inevitable.

The Bad Neighbor is a must-read for fans of domestic thrillers and suspenseful mysteries. Jenifer Ruff’s expert storytelling and intricate plotting make this novel a strong addition to the Agent Victoria Heslin series.

This installment in this series and it had a lot of suspense and who did what vibes all through the book. I think it was well written so you were pushed one way and the story took a great turn making it even better.