The Couple Next Door by Shari Lepena | Review

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Synopsis:

How well do you know the couple next door? Or your husband? Or even--yourself?

People are capable of almost anything...

A domestic suspense debut about a young couple and their apparently friendly neighbors--a twisty, rollercoaster ride of lies, betrayal, and the secrets between husbands and wives...

Anne and Marco Conti seem to have it all--a loving relationship, a wonderful home, and their beautiful baby, Cora. But one night when they are at a dinner party next door, a terrible crime is committed. Suspicion immediately focuses on the parents. But the truth is a much more complicated story.

Inside the curtained house, an unsettling account of what actually happened unfolds. Detective Rasbach knows that the panicked couple is hiding something. Both Anne and Marco soon discover that the other is keeping secrets, secrets they've kept for years.

What follows is the nerve-racking unraveling of a family--a chilling tale of deception, duplicity, and unfaithfulness that will keep you breathless until the final shocking twist.


** Blogger Note: I received this ARC from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.**

This is the first mystery/thriller I have read in a long time. I started this book and it immediately pulled me in. The first night, I read until 2am, I didn't want to stop but had to. The whole next day at work, I couldn't stop thinking about this book. I couldn't help but wonder, think, who did it? What happened?

Then about 60%, it kind of fell off and I found myself a little bored, but I kept reading. At like 80%, it picked up again and I flew through it, reading right to the end.

The writing could have been better. It honestly isn't the best writing I have seen. If I'm honest, I've seen better writing from a self-publishing author, but still, it didn't take away from the story. The storyline was there and held me there for 80% of the book.

It was a gripping read and you didn't know who to believe. It left you thinking, guessing, even after you've finished the book. I feel there should be a second book from the way it ended. Or at least a follow up novella. It did kind of end on a cliffhanger.

I wasn't sure how to rate this book even though the writing could be improved, it was a good ending. I give The Couple Next Door 4 stars.