This book is an engaging psychological thriller with an intriguing premise, but, for me, I felt that it didn’t fully stick the landing. The story effectively built up the suspense as a couple moves into a new home, and the protagonist finds themselves caught in a web of secrets and paranoia. The author created an intriguing premise which lent itself well to providing an unsettling atmosphere, which did ultimately deliver some solid twists, however the execution felt a bit uneven at times.
One of the main drawbacks, I felt, was the tendency to over-explain key plot points through the use of rhetorical questions posed through the thought processes of the main character, rather than letting the reader piece things together themselves, additionally the narrative often reiterated some details unnecessarily. While some of the twists were surprising, I felt that some did feel a bit far-fetched - I mean would you sneak into your neighbour’s house if you were a bit suspicious of them?
Despite these issues, I did find this book a pretty decent read with moments of real tension.

There are some authors whose new books I drop everything for - Claire Douglas is one of those authors!!
This one has it all, suspense, paranoia and secrets. There are a good few “sitting at the end of your seat” moments, even in the first few chapters.

The story jumps between the past and present, with plenty of twists along the way. The mystery surrounding the Morgans kept me hooked until the very end - who needs sleep anyway! That said, some parts are perhaps, a little bit unrealistic. However, the ending, for me, was completely unexpected!

The “New Neighbours” is a must-read for 2025

While helping her son with a project Lena picks up a conversation between her new neighbours and it sounds like they are planning a crime.They re well respected and in their sixties so her family and friends think she is blowing things out of proportion but Lena is sure there is something not right with her new neighbours can she prevent something bad from happening is she putting herself in danger in the process.

This is a fast paced thriller and full of twists it does take a while to pick up but it's well worth it and the ending I did not see that coming at all ! Definitely would recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley, Michael Joseph Publishing and Claire Douglas for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a reasonably pacy domestic mystery with some interesting characters, I liked the fact that the 'new neighbours' were older than in previous booms I have read in this style.

Initially quite slow to get going, it did pick-up from around half-way and, if you are willing to suspend belief slightly and overlook that amount of coincidences, this is a solid read.

I’ve really enjoyed every one of Claire Douglas’s books and this one was no exception. The story does have multiple points of view, although it is mainly Lena’s ,and is spread over two time lines which makes it easy to follow. The story starts of with Lena overhearing a conversation between her new neighbours which starts her thinking they might be up to something they shouldn’t . There are multiple layers to the story but it is so clever how they are all interweaved with the plot. The story was a little convoluted at times but it didn’t stop me turning the pages, eager to find out what was going on. A very enjoyable read with a very unexpected twist!!
Many thanks to Netgalley and publisher for giving me the opportunity to toreador read this book.

Lena has some new neighbours and when she overhears a strange conversation she can’t help herself but to get herself involved incase they are upto no good.
After every thriller I read I say these aren’t for me . . . the anxiety I feel from them, however I give myself a day or two to reflect and find that I actually quiet like them even if they do scare me at the time. This was no different, I had to have a break and read a “happy” book before bed but once again on reflection the storyline was faultless even tied up with a big neat bow at the end. I’ve been collecting Claire’s books for a while but haven’t ever got the courage to read one before so I’m please I have finally done that and I will deffo be back for more!
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Release Date - 13th March 2025

WOW what an amazing and exciting suspense thriller The New Neighbours is.

Lena is a doting Mum to her only son Rufus and has recently separated from her husband Charlie.

One evening she overhears a sinister conversation between her new neighbours Marielle and Henry which in turn leads Lena to do a bit of sleuthing.

What she discovers involves her past job as a trainee midwife aged only nineteen when her mentor Simone and Doctor Hugh were covering up a mistake that they both made and the result will be astounding for Lena and her new neighbours Marielle and Henry.

The book draws you in straight away with the tone and ypu want to read on to find out more. An intriguing and fascinating read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

Another must read book from Claire Douglas.
In this book she ticks all the boxes for a good thriller.
When new neighbours move into the house next door, Lena did not realsie the unusual and scary things she would come across. SHe was just a mum, living alone with her son after the breakdown of her marriage. She is doing her best to make ends meet and looking after her son who is starting to get ready to leave for uni and then suddenly her past starts catching up with her, all the secrets held back that she didn't know at the time start unravelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Claire Douglas for an advanced reader copy in return form an honest review.

Claire Douglas delivers another compelling thriller with this gripping read! The story follows Lena, a newly single mother preparing for her son's departure to university. When she meets her charming new neighbors, Henry and Marielle Morgan—a seemingly lovely retired couple—she's immediately taken with their warmth and elegance. But after overhearing a suspicious conversation, Lena’s curiosity gets the best of her. Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks on a dangerous journey that not only unravels her neighbors' secrets but forces her to confront her own past mistakes.

This book is packed with the signature twists, turns, and red herrings that Douglas is known for, keeping the suspense high without becoming overly complex. I found myself completely hooked, flipping pages late into the night as I tried to piece together the mystery.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for the advanced reader copy—this is my honest and unbiased review!

You can control many things, but not who moves into the house next to you…

Thank you NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

We follow Lena, living with her teenage son Rufus, who accidentally overhears her new neighbours plotting a crime. She just does not know what exactly. Her neighbours, The Morgans, are an upstanding, elderly couple, who do not look like a couple capable of crime. However, as time progresses, Lena, finds herself increasingly suspicious and cannot help herself from investigating.

This book gets off to a great start and is a page turning read for the first half of the book. So good in the early stages that it had me on the edge of my seat. The second half for me, lost some believability which was such a shame. I did not buy into Lena, entering her next-door neighbours house to assuage her suspicions. I did also guess the ending, although this did not detract from the overall story.

I would recommend this as a good, easy 3 star read. My first and not my last Claire Douglas.

Another cracking read from Claire Douglas!

Lena has noticed her new neighbours and looks forward to meeting them but then she overhears their conversation - and it sounds like they are planning - well, something unsavoury. Already suspicious, Lena finds nothing to make her feel any easier about them; quite the contrary, in fact. Newly separated from her husband and with her son soon heading off the university, Lena has enough on her plate but her unease just won't go away . . .

From the very start, I liked Lena and empathised with everything she has going on in her life. New neighbours are always a tricky one; you wonder what they're like, will they fit into the neighbourhood, will they share your values? I coould easily put myself in Lena's shoes, although I don't think I'd have been as brave as her! A thrilling read, guaranteed to get your heart rate up! Highly recommended and definitely worth all five stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

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I love a Claire Douglas book - she never fails to disappoint me and when this came up on Netgalley, I jumped at the request button!

The story follows Lena as she accidentally overhears a snippet of her neighbours conversation and spirals from there. The story really makes you think about who might be living next door - there's plenty of drama, and suspense throughout and I also love the dual timeline and multiple POV that there's a little bit of.

definitely one I'd recommend!

This is a complicated story, which makes for an excellent read. You won’t know half the obstacles until you reach towards the end of this novel. It’s well written; it’s a page turner as you wonder how Lena thinks as she veers from one disaster to another, while trying to solve a problem; but was it all miscommunication? She tries to trust her friends with knowledge and information, but they don’t all believe her and with good reason. Why are the neighbours friendly, then dismissive then a variety of other emotions and attitudes reach the surface? As you turn the pages you may change your mind about whether a crime was committed or who did it. Has it been completed yet? I’ll certainly seek out other books by this writer, Claire Douglas, because this book is good. Which side of the fence will you take? I was almost more concerned about her teenage son, until those outcomes were explained. Phew!

I’ve really enjoyed Claire Douglas’ previous books and this is another great read.
Lena is keen to meet her new neighbours, but after overhearing a conversation between them, she’s a bit wary of them.
There’s a few things that happen that seem pretty unrealistic and unlikely, but if you put that aside, this book will have you hooked.
I can’t say too much more in case of spoilers, but I would recommend this book if you enjoy a good thriller.
Thanks to Michael Joseph Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.

What do you do when you are sure your new neighbours are planning to commit a crime, however no one believes you? This is the dilemma facing Lena who overhears part of a conversation between Henry and Marielle Morgan, a lovely retired couple who have moved to Bristol to be close to their new grandchild. Everyone Lena tells says she must have imagined it, or there must be a simple explanation for what she heard. Lena is not convinced and the more she thinks about it, the more certain she is that something is very amiss with Henry and Marielle. Lena is determined to find out what is going on, and with little regard for her own safety, sets out to uncover their secrets. In doing so, Lena must confront her own past mistakes.

The is an entertaining thriller with all the numerous twists, turns and red herrings you expect from Claire Douglas, but not so complicated that you loose track of who is who and who might have done what. There was plenty to keep me captivated, page turning well into the night as I tried to unravel the plot. I did eventually work it out, shortly before the reveal, however the ending still managed to surprise me. The characterisations are excellent, although I did find some of Lena's escapades a touch unrealistic.

If you enjoy fast paced, easy to read thrillers I can highly recommend The New Neighbours.

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review.

Absolutely loved this! It's well written and sucks you in. It has short chapters and they always end on little cliff hangers so you have to read just one more chapter so you're not kept wondering lol. I felt the characters were well written, the plot was well paced out and it felt like there wad always something happening so it never dragged or because boring. This was everything I'd want from a dark, domestic noir

Lena lives with her teenage son in a Bristol neighbourhood. Reeling from the breakdown of her relationship with her husband and unsatisfied with her work, she feels cast adrift. When immaculate Marielle and Henry Morgan move next door, Lena is discomforted by their presence. Lena plays a risky game trying to find out the truth about her new neighbours.

This is the second Claire Douglas book I’ve read. I love her writing style. I found it really easy to get into. Chapters are short and punchy, propelling the plot forward and giving mini cliff hangers after each one. I found Lena as a character pretty annoying, but enjoyed learning about the Morgans. Definitely recommended for thriller fans. You’ll find it hard to put it down.

Lena and teenage son Rufus live alone in a boring, suburban road in Bristol. Until their new neighbours move in and things start becoming a lot less boring. Whilst recording ambient nature sounds for Rufus' school project, Lena happens to record a conversation between the neighbours which is anything but surburban. In fact, Lena thinks they might be planning a crime....

What's great about the storytelling in this book is the characterisation; with the view point moving between the main players. You're never sure who you can really trust, and whether it's just Lena's imagination running away with her.

This is my first Claire Douglas book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't wait to devour her other books!

I absolutely love Claire Douglas and was super excited to read her new book. The New Neighbours is another dark, domestic, twisty thriller that is intriguing and intricately woven that it will blow your mind. Highly recommended xx