This was a quick undemand8ng read for me- plenty to like such as relatable characters, teenage son, relationship difficulties, money worries, intriguing new neighbours and a fun best friend.
I was gripped until about the last third of the book when it all started to feel a bit contrived and a bit unlikely. No spoilers, but fir me the ending was ridiculous and didn't match the first part of the book at all which i found very frustrating.

I read 'The New Neighbours' in a weekend, keen to see what the mysterious overheard conversation would lead to and where the twists in the tale would take us. Lena is helping her teenage son record some audio for his media school project; her recording picks up her new posh neighbours discussing something very mysterious and quite possibly illegal.

Lena is intrigued by what she's heard and can't forget about it - she is convinced that her new neighbours aren't as squeaky clean as they first seem . She's quite bored now that her son has grown up and has his own life and she uses her suspicions about the neighbours to fill a gap in her life. In her day job, Lena is an advisor at the Citizens' Advice Bureau. I must say I found her approach to her role very unprofessional and crossed a lot of boundaries, especially when it came to one particular client.

The story is also told from the perspective of one of the new neighbours, giving a back story to how they met and what their lives were like before now. I liked the added depth this gave and the extra understanding of the characters.

Overall this was an entertaining read that I enjoyed once I suspended my disbelief about one or two things! 3.5 rounded up

What a twisty story with so many red herrings. The characters were well described, even if Claire managed to not be totally truthful about them but led the reader to differing views. It was a gripping read and as the reader I was left to feel suspicious over everyone, changing all the way through the story. It is a dark thriller depicting the suburbal life very well, however Lena came across as a slightly thoughtless type of person. She wanted to sort things out but did incredibly stupid things and did not think through her actions ever. Having said that I kept wanting her to stop and act sensiblt but it was not to be. It was a gripping read that kept me needing o stay up late to finish reding so that I knew the ending.

This was a really fast-paced and bingeable read.

This thriller was exactly what I needed in a book - I was instantly hooked when the main character overheard a … questionable … conversation between her new neighbours. I did find the main character a tad irritating at times, I just wanted to shout at her to mind her own flipping business!!!

I was so suspicious of pretty much every character at one point or another throughout the book, I couldn’t guess what was going to happen next and each development throughout the plot kept me so hooked.

The plot twist at the end was definitely a shock for me, I couldn’t have guessed it and didn’t expect it at all.

I would definitely recommend this book if you’re a fan of fast-paced and gripping thrillers, like I am!

Lena and her son Rufus have got new neighbours. A couple in their sixties who seem completely normal. That is until one day, when recording sounds for her son’s college project, Lena overhears the couple discussing something that sounds very suspicious and definitely illegal. Lena can’t leave it alone and as more and more things start to stack up against the couple, Lena is determined to find the truth. Especially when she makes links between the couple and her own past when she was training to be a midwife, before a shocking turn of events completely ruined it for her. But is all of this digging going to put her in grave danger?

Every book I read from Claire Douglas, I think this is my new favourite, and this one was no exception! I was completely gripped by the storyline. I loved how the chapters from different characters both past and present left me unsure of what was truly happening, and that I was able to figure it all out alongside Lena. I wanted to scream at her at some points for putting herself in the path of blatant danger!

Gripping, intriguing, dark and compelling - I read this book so fast because I just wanted to keep on reading and reading until I found out what was going on! Henry and Marielle were some truly dark and dangerous characters. The twists towards the end were fantastic and it was overall just a brilliant book to get your teeth into 🤩

Douglas executed the neighbour next door thriller really well, she is clearly a master of plot twists and it was rather enjoyable reading through the layers upon layers of mystery that she set up. I found the plot remarkably unpredictable which made it all the more satisfying watching the puzzle pieces fit together one by one. I loved how well rounded each character and their development was. It felt at all times that ever character was simultaneously innocent and guilty which I think is a testimony to the complexity and depth to Douglas' writing.

I loved how accurately suburban life was captured in this book. All the details from the mundane middle class small talk to the whole plot taking place on one street was so in character with the world of suburbia. In some ways Lena's character felt boring and classic middle class single mum but I also kind of liked how she wasn't trying to be this larger than life eccentric character she almost blended in to the suburban life as if she was born for it.

Charlie's POV, on the other hand, didn't feel as unique as Lena's. He felt a little like a caricature of a stereotypical music loving dad, who had issues with communication and was out of touch with his emotions. This made him feel really one dimensional and quite predictable because even though he was a 'classic dad' in ways that Lena was a 'classic mum' he didn't behave in particularly exciting ways that contradicted my perspective or assumptions of him as that role whereas Lena did push boundaries and test limits which gave her character more complexity. I felt similarly about Rufus' character, he was a classic moody teen which I didn't have a problem with, but going to his room to spend 'the next few hours, texting' felt insanely realistic. No teen just sits on his phone texting, they're probably watching Youtube simultaneously or speaking on the phone to their friends whilst also playing video games it just felt really stereotypical and once again one dimensional. He also goes to a gig with his friends AND his dad - who does that? Also, when Lena thinks 'it's only eleven and Rufus doesn't have to get up for college tomorrow' I remember thinking huh? Only eleven? I feel like eleven is still a late time for Lena to expecting Rufus to be awake enough for a chat - maybe this is just me but it felt a little out of pocket he's a teenager, not a nocturnal animal.

Couple details nagged me slightly. Firstly, how would Lena know the exact bus times for Rufus? I know this isn't a crazy detail or plot point but it just felt unrealistic that a mum with a million things to do would remember something as insignificant as the bus times of a specific bus stop when she drives everywhere! Also another continuity point, when Lena meets Harry he is described as holding a watering can, which he then proceeds to walk into the house with when welcoming her in, which also feels unrealistic - surely you'd put down the watering can? Another minor detail that felt unrealistic was when Savannah shares with Lena that Artie was her 'paternal great grandfathers name', this felt like a plot point and otherwise quite unrealistic and a specific personal detail to tell someone during your first encounter with them.

I also wasn't crazy about Natalie's POV, it felt the weakest and least thought out of all of the POVS. I found the introduction of her POV abrupt and confusing. It also stole momentum from Lena's POV at times and as a silent character in the plot, I honestly could've done without it. After I finished the book, it was the one thing that I think brought the overall quality of my reading experience down a little as. I felt like her POV, unlike the other characters, was left loose at the end and not resolved properly. Drew and his lost sister also grated on me a little. It felt jarring that Drew's involvement in the plot didn't really contribute much to the overall conclusion and it felt like a red herring for the sake of a plot twist which I didn't really enjoy. Marielle and Henry getting a cat also felt like something that happened to push the plot because neither mentioned a love for cats and the cat kind of randomly appeared there was no scene involving the acquisition of the cat which felt like a pretty big life decision, getting a pet. The introduction of Lena's ex, Oliver, also felt random and could've been set up better. Charlie is the main man in Lena's life and it felt a little rushed that Oliver was then introduced as this important character randomly.

I'm also not sure if it was intentional, but Lena's POV being from first person perspective and Henry's being from third person felt a little clunky to read and also never seemed to make sense. There was no point at which it was revealed why the story was being told from third person for Henry and first person for Lena. There was also a couple times wording slipped me up as either confusing or nonsensical ('I'm all fingers and thumbs' - I didn't like how this read; 'also I wish we'd just rowed' read more like rowing rather than arguing).

Another thing that I found difficult was imagining Marianne and Henry as elderly. There is such a large time jump between Lena's POV in current day and Henry's POV decades before that the whole time I was picturing Marianne and Henry as a middle aged couple and had to remind myself to imagine Henry as a grandfather. I think this is partly due to the structure, the timelines ran next to each other rather than being structured as a whole section of present day and then a part two of 20 years ago so it did feel like when Henry was recalling meeting Marielle for the first time that it didn't occur that long before the present day. There were also no hallmarks or tell-tale signs of Henry and Marielle age, I never would've marked them as approaching seventy from their behaviour or POVs. For instance, a seventy year old restraining a middle age woman just doesn't feel like the most plausible image.

Ultimately a great crime/thriller with wonderful suspense building throughout. The positioning of the POVs was so clever, it created certain illusions and expectations in the plot and throughout the book I had to keep picking my jaw off the floor and saying 'no way!' It covers the theme of family and captures its complexities across a variety of perspectives and situations so there really is something for every crime reader to enjoy in it. If you like plotwist after plotwist, you'll have a hard time putting this book down!

A really good read with a cracking start. Characters are introduced early and - while you know they'll undoubtedly be linked in some way - there's no obvious connection so you're quickly engaged.

Plenty of twists and turns, but nothing ridiculously unbelievable, and a good few "oh, don't do it!" moments for the heroine Lena when you know she might just end up in big trouble!

Douglas reveals her story well and with a good tempo, and her characters are well fleshed-out without the reader being bogged down with detail. Perhaps it's not the most original story, but it's well executed. I also feel there's enough mileage in the characters for another book; it definitely leaves you wondering what they'll all get up to next!

Another excellent book by Claire Douglas, who never disappoints. The story is compelling and I almost finished it in one sitting. I loved the Bristol setting.

This twisty psychological thriller kept me up late finishing it. There are a couple of loose ends, which I always find irritating, but the writing and characters are fabulous. I especially liked the character of Charlie.

The New Neighbours is the latest psychological thriller from the Queen of Twists Claire Douglas, and it is one not to be missed. I was kept awake in the nights lying to myself with "just one more chapter" with this gripping thriller that quickly became one of my favourites.
Lena overhears a worrying conversation between her new neighbours Marielle and Henry, one which sets off a chain of events that makes Lena's present and past collide. Already going through a tough time, Lena can't help but get involved even after everyone's warnings to stay out of it. This dark thriller explores family, dark pasts and intense wants. Can you really trust your new neighbours? How far would they go to get what they want?

Thanks to the publishers and net galley for an advance ecopy in exchange for a review.
This isn’t the first Claire Douglas book I have read and certainly won’t be the last.
The book is well written and very suspenseful with a dark undertone throughout.
We begin by meeting Lena in the present day who meets new neighbours Marielle and Henry. As the book continues we discover all seem to have a past with secrets gradually coming out.
This was a page turner and I really enjoyed reading this thriller. I enjoyed the plot storyline as well as the characters. I will be recommending to others.

This is a dark creepy tale about Lena who is struggling with the reality that her son is about to fly the nest and getting over her marriage breakdown. When new neighbours move in next door she finally has something else to think about but when she overhears a conversation from next door she thinks they are up to something illegal. Alongside all the intrigue from the new neighbours she is starting to wonder about her past life and the reason she gave up her training all those years ago are the neighbours linked to her past and if so why. A great edge of your seat read.

When Lena accidentally overhears a conversation between the new neighbours she's convinced they are about to commit a crime. Everyone around her is skeptical; why would two elderly, well-off, professionals do anything wrong? Lena is determined to find out more about her new neighbours.

In The New Neighbours author Claire Douglas has written a suburban thriller that anyone could identify with, after all, we've probably all listened in to conversations we shouldn't have and let our mind run wild.

From the intriguing opening pages, your interest is piqued; there are hints at an intense relationship and wrong-doing. An obsession that has become impossible to control anymore. From this provocative opening, we then meet Lena and her new neighbours, Marielle and Henry. Lena is recently separated, a separation of her own doing and something she's still unsure about. Lena lives with her seventeen-year-old son, Rufus, in a leafy suburb of Bristol. The new neighbours seem perfect until Lena overhears a conversation between them and convinces herself they are going to kidnap someone - and not for the first time.

Determined to learn more, Lena begins to take risks and sneaks into the neighbours house. What she discovers reinforces her belief the the couple are up to no good. When she begins to uncover links to both her current job and her life twenty years ago fear sets in.

As I read on I could feel my own apprehension increasing, uneasy about what was about to happen. Lena's son is doing a media studies course and at regular intervals throughout the story, the author cleverly uses references to iconic film noir movies where neighbours act suspiciously. These references increased the suspense and I found my pulse racing and my heart pounding as Lena puts her life at risk to expose the threat posed by her new neighbours.

A gripping psychological thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. With plenty of twists and turns, I eagerly followed the mystery, even though I had a few suspicions along the way—none of which dampened my enjoyment.

Lena is a fascinating character, with her nosy nature and vivid imagination reminiscent of a Scooby Doo episode. I was especially intrigued by her backstory, including her complicated marriage and hints of her dark past.

The Morgans never quite sat right with me, and I was fully on Lena’s side when she wanted to uncover their secrets. Their relationship was far more complex than it seemed, showing how things aren’t always what they appear on the outside.

This is my first book by Claire Douglas, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story was well-paced, the characters compelling, and the suspense kept me turning the pages. Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House, and Michael Joseph for the ARC in exchange for this honest review. The New Neighbours is due for release on March 13th, 2025, and I’m eager to read more of her work.

I was so excited to get this arc from NetGalley, I’ve been a huge fan of Claire Douglas and particularly loved the couple at No9.

I thought the new neighbours just as good!

The web of intrigue is never ending, she always dangles just enough info to make your imagination go whirring and then slaps you from a different direction. The amount of times I tried to put it down just to end with another cliffhanger at the end of the chapter meaning I was reading into the early hours.

It’s in typical Claire Douglas style and I loved it. She’s amazing and I feel so lucky to get the early opportunity to read and review it.

Do you like dark, tense, suspenseful psychological thrillers? Then you absolutely need to read this book. I was hooked! I didn't want to put this book down. It was so full of suspense and mystery, and I actually found myself quite scared in parts. The character development (or rather unmasking..?) was brilliant. Incredibly well written to keep you guessing, leading you down the wrong path many times! This is everything I want from a psychological thriller and more. Love!

More twists the classic Alton Towers Corkscrew roller coaster! Lena suspects her neighbours are hiding secrets and not as nice as they seem. You'll be hooked and wanting to read on as Claire Douglas is on top form in this novel.

Good story. Lena is convinced there is something very odd going on with her new next door neighbours. Despite their veneer of respectability.
She gets drawn in to trying to find out what’s going on, despite warnings from those around her.
Are they really criminals? Is it all a facade?
Lens is determined to find out!
Recommended.

The only thing that’s predictable about a Claire Douglas book is the fact that you’re in for a twisty ride. She takes a domestic situation, new neighbours, a nosey neighbour…and then it all escalates. A LOT. To the point where I have new neighbours and I’m staying in my own lane. Preach! I love a book where no one is morally right, there are shades of grey everywhere. Another fast paced ride from one of the best thriller authors out there.

I think it's impossible to dislike a Claire Douglas novel! Absolutely fantastic and a great binge read. I look forward to more.