Kate Braithwaite’s The People Next Door is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully blends suburban suspense with a decades-old mystery. With its tense atmosphere, intricate plot, and shocking twists, this novel keeps readers on edge until the very last page.

Jen Silver appears to be just another new neighbor, settling into a picturesque Pennsylvania suburb with her partner, Dan, and their daughter. But behind the friendly smiles and margarita nights, Jen has a hidden agenda—she’s spent years searching for the truth about her sister’s disappearance. And she’s chosen this community for a reason. What starts as a quiet investigation soon turns into a dangerous game, as Jen realizes that someone in the neighborhood will do anything to keep the past buried.

Braithwaite expertly builds tension, weaving together past and present as Jen uncovers dark secrets lurking behind the manicured lawns and perfect facades. The suburban setting adds an eerie contrast to the novel’s underlying sense of danger, making every interaction feel laced with potential deception. The characters are layered and compelling, particularly Jen, whose determination and hidden past make her a fascinating protagonist.

For fans of Big Little Lies and The Girl on the Train, The People Next Door delivers a thrilling, twist-filled ride full of shocking revelations and psychological depth. Braithwaite has crafted a story that proves one terrifying truth—sometimes, the darkest secrets are the ones closest to home.

This book put Kate Braithwaite firmly on my auto read list, even though this is the first book of hers that I have come across!

Jen Silver moves to a upscale Pennsylvania neighbourhood with her daughter Nina and her partner Dan. While this provides her with an opportunity for a picture perfect suburban life, Jen's motives are somewhat more questionable - she plans to use this opportunity to investigate the decades-old mystery of her sister's death and who may have been responsible for it.

Told from multiple points of view, which really enhances the story telling in this case, the novel explores diverse themes of small town secrets, complex family dynamics, guilt, grief, and what we are willing to do for the people we love (or feel obligated to). An absorbing read and one that earns its 4 star rating.

This was a intense and suspensful read immediately, the secrets and lies were very compelling and kept me hooked.

My thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The People Next Door’ written by Kate Braithwaite in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Jen Silver wants to find out what happened to her sister Lynette twenty years ago and has intentionally moved with her daughter Nina and partner Dr Dan Burrows to the neighbourhood where Natasha Preston lives, a woman who was friends with her sister and whom she suspects knew more about her sister’s disappearance than she was saying at the time. As Jen becomes friendly with Natasha she gets her to open up on what happened and reports their conversations back to her mother Jocelyn.

The initial description of ‘The People Next Door’ encouraged me to read it and the plot hasn’t disappointed but at times I thought the pace was too slow. I couldn’t empathise with any of the characters who had their own quirks but especially Joselyn who I thought manipulative. I didn’t know what to make of Jen who was following Jocelyn’s instructions by keeping secrets from her neighbours and her partner too. Although not as gripping as I’d expected and lacking in excitement, it’s a novel that’s worth reading if only to find out more about Lynette and what did happen to her.

The People Next Door by Kate Braithwaite was so addictive I ended up reading it all day it was an excellent psychological thriller with a shocking twist at the end! Superb I did not see that coming! All the characters were very interesting and played a great part within this book which made it so addictive and a great page turner.

I highly recommend this book. Great holiday read.

I love domestic thrillers that deal with suburbia and its hidden dark secrets, and that's exactly what this is. The gradual revelations kept me hooked and guessing at the mystery of who the new neighbors were. Explosive twists and gripping suspense. I gobbled this book up.

Jen Silver just moved in to a new home in a very lovely area outside of Philadelphia with her neurosurgeon boyfriend Dan Burrows and her daughter Nina. Her neighbors are eager to meet her and her family but Jen has her eyes on one particular neighbor, Natalie Eason.

As the story unfolds, you learn that 20 years ago a young woman by the name of Lynette Knox died. The police did not care for this missing woman but her sister, her aunt and her mom never gave up. Back then, Jocelyn, Lynette's aunt had several suspects in mind. But with Jen moving into this new neighborhood, it seems like more suspects are coming up who where involved in Lynette's murder. And one of them may be living in Jen's home

The People Next Door is an exciting thriller with several suspects, liars and possible killers you just don't know who it may be. And wait for the biggest twist at the very end, I just couldn't belive it!
💫💫💫💫💫

The People Next Door by Kate Braithwaite is one of those psychological thrillers that gets under your skin and doesn’t let go. From the very first page, I was drawn into the web of secrets and lies surrounding Jen, a woman searching for answers about her sister’s mysterious disappearance two decades ago. As Jen settles into a seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood, Braithwaite masterfully builds an atmosphere of tension and unease, making you question every character and every interaction.

What really stood out to me about this novel was how it kept me constantly second-guessing what was real and what wasn’t. As the story unfolded, I found myself wondering whether I could trust any of the characters, and just when I thought I had a handle on things, the truth turned out to be darker and more twisted than I could have imagined. The way Braithwaite layered the story with clues and misdirection was brilliant, and I loved how every discovery only seemed to raise more questions. There’s a sense of dread that builds as you realize just how deep the deception runs—and how little anyone can be trusted.

The pacing of the novel was perfectly balanced, too. It’s not a fast-paced thriller with constant twists, but rather a slow burn that gradually ramps up the suspense. The steady unfolding of Jen’s investigation, combined with the eerie atmosphere of the small-town setting, created a feeling of claustrophobia that had me turning pages late into the night. I really appreciated how Braithwaite took her time with the character development and the backstory, which made the eventual revelations all the more impactful.

The characters themselves are richly drawn and incredibly complex. Jen, in particular, is a character I won’t forget anytime soon. Her emotional journey felt so real and raw, and I could feel her frustration and determination as she dug deeper into her sister’s disappearance, all while trying to navigate her new life with Dan and their daughter. The relationships between the characters—especially the tension between Jen and Dan—were nuanced and emotionally charged. I found myself rooting for Jen, even as I started to question her actions and motivations.

The book’s exploration of family trauma, especially within the context of a small-town community, was haunting. The sense of everyone knowing everyone else’s business—or pretending they don’t—added a layer of intrigue that kept me hooked. And then there’s the chilling atmosphere. Braithwaite does a fantastic job of creating a psychological thriller that feels ice-cold, even when the sun is shining in this “perfect” neighborhood. The underlying darkness in the community’s seemingly idyllic façade is palpable throughout the story, and I loved how Braithwaite used that to her advantage.

The People Next Door is a twisty, immersive thriller that will keep you on edge from start to finish. It’s a slow-burn mystery that gradually builds suspense, with richly complex characters and a setting that’s as suffocating as it is compelling. If you’re a fan of atmospheric thrillers, emotional complexity, and shocking revelations, this one is definitely worth picking up. It’s a book that lingers long after you’ve finished reading, and I’ll be thinking about it for a while.

I enjoyed this book, although enjoyed it probably the wrong word. It's well written and the characters are interesting. There's intrigue and twists and turns galore, but the actions of Jen, in particular, aren't that of a devoted mother, and I found it hard to empathise with her situation.

I liked the premise of The People Next Door but wasn't a huge fan of the story. It's told in multiple POVs (which I do love) but it was slow paced through most of the book. I also couldn't connect to the characters.

This isn't a bad book by any means. It's written well and everything. It just wasn't for me.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of The People Next Door in exchange for an honest review.

What happened exactly 20 years ago, the day her sister disappeared? This is a question that has haunted Jen all along and she does everything she can to find the answer. She didn't really make much progress yet, but that seems to be changing now. If she plays her assets correctly, chances are she can finally get closure and focus on her future.

The author writes using different perspectives and that is a style that I love.

Although some revelations were a bit predictable for me, there were also some surprising ones and that is of course what you are looking for as a reader.

Sometimes I found the pace a bit too slow and because there were pieces that, in my opinion, didn't really contribute to the story, my attention weakened a bit.

In general I thought it was an interesting book and I certainly do not regret reading it. It wasn't quite my cup of tea and that's why I give it 4 stars.

Thank you

This one was a page turner! The protagonist, Jen, lets herself (and her young daughter) get dragged far down the rabbit hole by her conniving aunt as they work to uncover what really happened when her teen sister mysteriously died 20ish years prior. Boundaries get blurry quickly, and I stayed locked in as details unfurled (with multiple POVs). Would recommend!

NetGalley/Joffe Books ARC

A good read, kept me interested. Jen is living on a very nice house with her partner Dan and daughter Nina, in a well to do cul de sac. The neighbours are all very welcoming but little do they know Jen is not who she seems and is on a mission along with her Aunt to find out who killed her sister years before.
This is a story of deceit, manipulation, friendships, lies and truth.
But what is the truth? And who can you believe?It's the people closest to who can break your heart.
A hard to put down page Turner, highly recommended.

I loved that this book sucked me in right from the beginning. I sometimes have issues getting into books if they’re too slow, this was not a problem at all with this book! The more I read this book, the more the secrets and the darkness unfolded. The characters were written really well and the author exceeded my expectations. I also really liked that the book alternated between characters, sometimes this can make it confusing, but that was not an issue with this book. I look forward to reading more from this author.

An astounding read, this book has everything.

My recommendation idea was plaguing me throughout the book, is this about trauma and loss, secrets and parenthood? It’s about many things and a large part of that is a missing sister but this book is so much more and I can’t think of anyone I won’t recommend this too.

I will be looking out for further novels by this author.

If you're seeking a novel that will grip you from the first page and leave you questioning everything by the end, this is the book for you. From the moment you start reading this book, you'll find yourself immersed in a story full of twists, tension, and revelations that linger long after you've turned the final page.

The narrative masterfully weaves together themes of family trauma, small-town dynamics, and the weight of a damaged reputation — one that haunts a family for generations. As the plot unfolds, you may find yourself wondering what exactly is happening beneath the surface, only to discover that the more you uncover, the darker the truth becomes.

What makes this book especially compelling is its richly drawn characters. Each one is carefully developed, with their own complexities and motivations, creating a deeply layered story that invites reflection. The moral of the story is particularly striking — reminding us that truth and perspective are never as simple as they seem, and that the past has a way of shaping both our present and future.

The novel also explores powerful themes of parenthood — how our experiences, for better or worse, influence the way we raise our children. As one memorable quote beautifully puts it:

"Who can have a child without looking back at the past? Don't we tend to parent as we were parented? Or as we wish we'd been parented?"

This poignant reflection underscores the story's emotional depth and highlights its timeless relevance.

With its gripping plot, emotional complexity, and unforgettable characters, this book is sure to resonate with readers long after they've finished it. It’s a thought-provoking journey that will stay with you — a story that will truly live rent-free in your mind for a long time. I highly recommend adding this unforgettable read to your list.

such a gripping read! The suspense and tension build up perfectly, with twists and secrets that totally caught me off guard. The characters are well-developed and feel real, especially with their flaws and messy lives, which makes the drama all the more addictive. I loved how the author kept me guessing about who to trust right up until the end. If you enjoy thrillers with complex characters and unpredictable plotlines, this one’s definitely worth picking up!

This was an interesting read. We meet Jen who moves into a new neighborhood all with the intention of finding the culprit of a past crime. The gradual introduction of characters through multiple POV's kept the story engaging.

As readers we are able to connect the dots pretty early but the POV of each character keeps you hooked. None of them are particularly likeable but it's their unlikeability that draws you in. A lot of other storylines are introduced which is primarily done to give you insight into the character rather than solve a problem.

Jen and Jocelyn are great protagonist/antagonist. I did feel that the story dragged on a bit much and that there would be more justice for the victim. But since that doesn't hold true in real life at all, this book is spot on.

I give this book 4 stars for the intriguing plot interwoven with a good old romance.

I thank NetGalley and Joffe books for the E-Arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Release: April 2, 2025
-Kate Braithewaite
Publisher: Joffe books

Rating: 3.75★ 

In this gripping psychological thriller, Jen Silver relocates with her partner, Dan, and her daughter to an upscale neighborhood in suburban Pennsylvania. On the surface, it’s an idyllic community where neighbors gather for casual get-togethers, but Jen harbors a hidden agenda. Driven by the unresolved disappearance of her sister two decades earlier, Jen has chosen this neighborhood deliberately, suspecting that the truth she’s been seeking might be concealed among her new neighbors. As she delves deeper into the community’s secrets, Jen discovers that some residents are determined to keep the past buried, leading to a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers guessing until the shocking final twist.
Braithwaite masterfully crafts a tense atmosphere, intertwining Jen’s personal quest with the seemingly tranquil suburban setting. The characters are well-developed, each with their own complexities and hidden motives, adding depth to the story. The pacing is steady, gradually building suspense as Jen uncovers layers of deception. While some plot points may feel familiar to avid thriller readers, the execution and unexpected revelations make this novel a compelling read. Fans of domestic thrillers and stories about long-buried secrets resurfacing will find The People Next Door both engaging and satisfying.

Favorite Quote:
"my own thoughts became kind of a poison. I didn't deserve happiness when all day every day I pretend to be someone I wasn't. I felt unworthy."

This book is fantastic! I was gripped from the beginning and the twists and turns kept me really engrossed. If thoroughly recommend!