The Neighbor's Secret

A Novel

By: L. Alison Heller

Narrated by: Allyson Ryan

Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

L. Alison Heller, whose work has been praised by Liane Moriarty as "warm, witty...refreshingly true to life”, explores the ultimate sacrifices of parenting in The Neighbor’s Secret, a propulsive and juicy novel filled with gripping twists and instantly recognizable characters.

How well do you really know your neighbors?

With its sprawling yards and excellent schools, Cottonwood Estates is the perfect place to raise children. The Cottonwood Book Club serves as the subdivision’s eyes and ears, meeting once a month for discussion, gossip, and cocktails. If their selections trend toward twisty thrillers and salacious murder mysteries, it’s only because the members feel secure that such evil has no place in their own cul-de-sacs.

Or does it?

What happened to Lena’s family 15 years ago was a tragic accident, and she will never admit otherwise. Devoted wife and mother Annie refuses to acknowledge - even to herself - the weight of a past shame. And new resident Jen wants friends but, as always, worries about her troubled son getting in the way.

When late-night acts of vandalism target the women of the book club in increasingly violent and personal ways, they will be forced to decide how far to go to keep their secrets. At least they all agree on what’s most important: protecting their children at any cost - even if it means someone has to die....

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books

“The Neighbor’s Secret is the rare thriller that actually leaves you feeling better about humanity. Buoyant and big-hearted, I had zero self-control when it came to inhaling chapters to uncover each delicious new secret. This will be an easy book to recommend to everyone I know - an absolute crowd pleaser!” (Chandler Baker, New York Times best-selling author of The Husbands)

“Addictive, suspenseful, and masterfully written, The Neighbor’s Secret kept me glued to the page. This searing portrait of the suburbs, where the perfect surface conceals deadly secrets, will delight fans of Big Little Lies.” (Michele Campbell, internationally best-selling author of The Wife Who Knew Too Much)

©2021 L. Alison Heller (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Good read

However I suggest taking notes. Easy to get all the characters mixed up and was difficult to follow

So-so

This book was so highly recommended in the press but it was literally so-so. A lot of women at book club gossiping with a few minor twists very late in the book. I don’t quit books when I’m bored but I sure thought about it a few times!

Keeps You Guessing

Really great! Keeps me guessing with so many twists and turns! A very satisfying book.

Narrator ruins the book

The narrator distracts you from the plot and I had to the listen to the book twice to appreciate it at all. Overall, the plot locks depth and the narrator and is just awful.

Gave me creeps.

Was a book club selection or I would never have finished it. Reminds me too much of neighborhood where I spent some of my teenaged years and sociopaths I unfortunately have come in contact with in my life,

Rewind

I listened via audible. Although the idea behind the book was great, the book didn’t catch my attention. Often I found myself realizing that I was completely off in no man’s land and needed to rewind to my last spot.

Best Mystery Read in a long time.

The gossiping in the beginning was a bit of a turn off, but when the story came together after the first few chapters this turned out to be one of the best mysteries I've read in a long time. Brilliant author!! The narration was really good too and helped distinguish all the different characters. Make sure to really learn all the characters in the beginning since there are so many of them.

Not for Me

The author wrote a convoluted plot about clueless women who continue to prove their cluelessness with every clueless decision they made. A much better choice is DARKEST CHOICE by Catherine Kirwan. The protagonist is a young woman who takes on a
seemingly impossible case, one which threatens both her job and her life, but she refused to give up. I admired her. You will as well.

Sooo boring and pointless

The only redeeming quality was that this book was free. It droned on and on with occasionally humorous parts but just seemed to never get to a point. The narration was ok but didn't distinguish between voices well enough to follow who was talking.

sucked

I thought this was a very very strange book. I won't be listening to this author anymore