Good Neighbors

A Novel

By: Sarah Langan

Narrated by: Nicole Lewis

Celeste Ng and Liane Moriarty’s enthralling dissection of suburbia meets Shirley Jackson’s creeping dread in this “wickedly funny, unnerving puzzle box of a novel” (Dan Chaon, author of Ill Will) about the downward spiral of a Long Island community after a tragedy exposes its residents’ depths of deception.

Welcome to Maple Street, a picture-perfect slice of suburban Long Island, its residents bound by their children, their work, and their illusion of safety in a rapidly changing world.

But menace skulks among this exclusive enclave. When the Wilde family arrive, they trigger their neighbors’ worst fears. Dad Arlo’s a gruff has-been rock star with track marks. Mom Gertie’s got a thick Brooklyn accent, with high heels and tube tops to match. Their weird kids cuss like sailors. They don’t fit with the way Maple Street sees itself.

Maple Street’s Queen Bee, Rhea Schroeder—a lonely professor repressing a dark past—initially welcomed Gertie, but relations plummeted during one summer evening, when the new best friends shared too much, too soon. By the time the story opens, the Wildes are outcasts.

As tensions mount, a sinkhole opens in a nearby park, and Rhea’s daughter Shelly falls inside. The search for Shelly brings a shocking accusation against the Wildes. Suddenly, it is one mom’s word against the other’s in a court of public opinion that can end only in blood.

Riveting and ruthless, Good Neighbors is “a chilling, compulsively readable novel that looks toward the future in order to help us understand how we live now” (Kevin Wilson, author of Nothing to See Here).

Critic reviews

"Narrator Nicole Lewis delivers great dialogue voices, including convincing Brooklyn accents for protagonists Gertie and Arlo Wilde and their kids, Julia and Larry. Lewis also expressively performs the narrative. The Wildes move into a house on Long Island's Maple Street, where Gertie becomes friends with Rhea Schroeder, who has many secrets. After drinking too much one evening, Rhea reveals too much to Gertie, regrets it, turns against her friend, and helps neighbors do likewise. This is a story of broken friendships, a sinkhole, a missing child, lies, and whispers. It is funny, tragic, and compelling. Lewis captures the essence of the adults and children of Maple Street, and even the neighborhood itself. An outstanding performance."

Great read!!!

I chose this book because I am friends with the authors uncle. I enjoyed it very much, it was entertaining, and the ending was not predictable!! I recommend this book !!

Great To Have Sarah Back

This novel is definitely a slow burn. There where times at the beginning I thought I might pull the plug. I'm glad I didn't. Set in an environmental dystopia, this story centers around mental illness and the gullible nature of the common American community. Stick with this and you'll be glad you did.

Five Stars *****

Wow

I loved every second of this book. It’s a story of humanity and you cheer for the good guy and you feel for the bad guys.

Don’t miss this very crazy ride!

What a interesting storyline! Wow wow wow’ Get this book and it will take you in.

Yep... I LOVED this one 👏 ⭐️🤩😍

VERY WELL DONE ... thank you for tackling current issues without going after low hanging 🍎🍉🍌 of the current social and political climate. A combination of elitism, privilege, emotional and mental illness were still very clearly the theme, but in a unique, compassionate and thought provoking way. Honesty, the reason I listen to at least 3 audiobooks a week is so that every now and then I can find a little 💎 like this one.

No real spoilers, but here is a little more...
In terms of likable characters, I’m not sure there has ever been one who fits the bill more than Julia.... what an absolutely beautiful & mature pre-teen. As for unlikeable characters, I’m not sure there has ever been one more-so or more nasty than Reah. As a mom, I think about the mistakes I make, but I sincerely hope my children never describe me on the same spectrum as 90% of the judgmental or willingly blind parents showcased in this neighborhood disaster scenario. You can certainly see how the social snowball rolls and builds, and I think we can learn important life lessons, even from fiction.

Narration was stellar, and I wasn’t sold on it right off the bat, so give her a hot minute to win you over.

To those who have said this should be a Netflix series, YES PLEASE!!! I can soooo visualize this!!!