WHAT
THE NEIGHBORS SAW is a slow burn tale unfolding through dual points of view -
that of Alexis and also Blair, an influential neighbor who appears to take
Alexis under her wing guiding her through the long list of who's who including
who's cheating on whom within the not nearly so perfect neighborhood.
Before long, it's clear money cannot buy happiness, and after the birth of her
child, Alexis tries to conceal her growing uneasiness that's fueled by spying
on neighbors. The more she sees, the more she suspects all is not as it
seems in the land of the affluent. Eventually, the long, sleepless nights
with a crying newborn takes its' toll on her sanity, and those around her begin
to question the validity of her sparsely shared observations. The story
that unfolds is an intriguing domestic thriller where dark secrets begin
surfacing and masks slipping amid a hunt for the killer living among them.
Melissa Adelman has penned an intriguing story with detailed descriptions of life among the wealthy and/or wanna be wealthy. The first half of the book plays out in slow motion with the author paying great attention to individual family dynamics within the community as she strips away layers and draws aside the curtains to reveal some ugly truths to readers. At times, it feels as though the murder investigation is secondary with more time and attention being paid to the daily lives and happenings within the community. In doing so, the author emphasizes that wealth does not buy happiness or loyalty, changing location does not assure bliss and the grass is not always greener elsewhere. Even though some may find the slow pace frustrating early on, I think they'll appreciate Adelman's attention to detail in setting and characterizations as much as I did. While most characters are certainly not very likeable, they do afford readers juicy entertainment as the gossip mill runs rampant and lies and secrets pile up. With the pace increasing in the latter half of the book, questions about loyalties and betrayals arise, and I suspect many will be shocked at the big reveal and climax.
WHAT THE NEIGHBORS SAW is a warning about the many dangers in trying to keep up with the Jones, of trying to fit in at all costs. Relationships become strained within families and friendships as people are often shocked at just how far they're willing to go to protect the lifestyle to which they've become accustomed. Fans of domestic thrillers will enjoy this one as will fans of suspense thrillers.
Synopsis:
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.
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