What the Neighbors Saw

A Novel

By: Melissa Adelman

Narrated by: Hillary Huber, Sarah Hollis

Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Desperate Housewives meets The Couple Next Door in a chilling story of murder and intrigue set in a well-to-do DC suburb.

Sometimes the darkest acts occur in the most beautiful houses…

When Alexis and her husband Sam buy a neglected Cape Cod house in an exclusive DC suburb, they are ecstatic. Sam is on the cusp of making partner at his law firm, Alexis is pregnant with their second child, and their glamorous neighbors welcome the couple with open arms. Things are looking up, and Alexis believes she can finally leave her troubled past behind.

But the neighborhood’s picture-perfect image is shattered when their neighbor Teddy–a handsome, successful father of three–is found dead on the steep banks of the Potomac River. The community is shaken, and as the police struggle to identify and apprehend the killer, tension in the neighborhood mounts and long-buried secrets start to emerge.

In the midst of the turmoil, Alexis takes comfort in her budding friendship with Teddy’s beautiful and charismatic widow, Blair. But as the women grow closer, the neighborhood only becomes more divided. And when the unthinkable truth behind Teddy’s murder is finally uncovered, both Blair and Alexis must reexamine their friendship and decide how far they are willing to go to preserve the lives they have so carefully constructed.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.

©2022 Melissa Adelman (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Shocking."—Kirkus Reviews

“In the armful of suburban domestic thrillers publishing this summer, this debut—with its wild, super-spin of a plot, in which everything is turned upside down—is one not to miss.”—Brian Kenney, First Clue

"A fresh new voice!"—Shari Lapena, bestselling author of The Couple Next Door

loved it!

this was an incredibly good book, it had a great plot. loved both narrators they did a great job.

Bait and switch

The other reviews and the summary made it sounds so enticing but couldn’t be further from them. Took over 20 chapters to get any plot going and then the rest of the storyline crammed into the last few chapters. Annoyingly unrealistic, with all terrible characters. Would not recommend.

Great book with a twist

This was a well-told story that had a couple of twists. An easy summer read.

Good Read

Listened in 2 days. Enjoyable book while cleaning up after Thanksgiving dinner & drive back from Black Friday Shopping. ****Spoiler Alert…I was disgusted by MC allowing husband to verbally abuse. Author could have fleshed out character growth BUT she did not. Also the author does not explain the aspects of genetics & how medically speaking part of the storyline could be true. Forgive me for giving away some of the storyline but you will understand when you read/finish the book. I do not want to give to much away but the part that was lacking was frustrating bc I like loose ends tied up. I did give 4 stars bc it kept my interest & the plot twist was interesting even if predictable. Also the narration was superb loved the 2 narrators.

Great Read

I enjoyed this novel, from the storyline to the DC suburb setting to the character development and the choice of narrators. While slow-building for the first half, the surprise that awaited me at its conclusion was worth the read. At its roots, this is a tale of the pursuit of both belonging and truth, sprinkled with the delight of characters that seem unreachable and relatable at the same time. Look forward to the author’s next novel.

Held my attention, BUT....

I'm not sure how this book held my attention, because it was mostly about awful people who drink way too much and argue way too much, and honestly, the narration did nothing to help. But there was enough of a mystery to keep me listening .
I finished it, and I don't want my credit back, but I don't think I can recommend it either.

Captivating

From the very beginning, this book was captivating. Three areas stood out: one the author superbly described “ the house”, the neighborhood and the characters. I felt that I knew each well. 2. The character development throughout the book was remarkable. 3. The surprise ending was unique and unsuspected. I highly recommend this book.

Susan Jackowitz.

I loved the beginning

but it felt to drag on after a certain point. plus was too far fetched for my liking. I didn't see the twists coming..one of the main character was annoying she had no back bone. her husband was also a POS. Domestic thrillers regarding neighborhood drama is usually my favorite type of book but this was a little too much.

Boring

Started OK and interesting premise, but after about six chapters, I could not have cared less what happened to these people.

Should have been titled Rotten

There was not one redeeming character ( except the babysitter)?in this story. Everyone was rotten.