Man, this book was crazy! But in a really good way. What are you supposed to do when you can't trust anyone, in a place where you're supposed to be able to trust everyone? That's the major question this book answers, and I love a good Alphabet Agency thriller. 4 stars!

Oh I really liked this!! I read a ton of thrillers and can't ever recall reading something with a premise quite like this - a woman spending decades of her career in Intelligence searching for an elusive enemy target only to uncover friends in her own neighborhood may be leaking info and she must figure out who before it's too late. I was hooked from page 1 and quite enjoyed how the author wove in stories from the past as a way to move the plot and keep the reader guessing. I did feel like Beth, the main character, did some wildly outrageous and unethical things in order to uncover the truth and that bothered me a bit. Seemed kinda odd for people who work in highly classified areas of intelligence would be so loosey-goosey but I suppose it is fiction.
Again, loved the different take on a thriller and was very invested in finding out who was The Neighbor! Solid 4 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest review.

I did read this. I have no notes though but gave it 4 stars on goodreads. Must have been a good twisty thriller.

Catching up on some old arc. I was assuming this book would be your typical neighborhood suspense story. Boy was I wrong, lots of twist and turns with this CIA thriller. Beth Bradford, CIA analyst, wow! I throughly enjoyed this book.

Thank you #NetGalley, #BallantineBooks, #KarenCleveland and #TheNewNeighbor was the ebook for my honest review.

This was an interesting and intriguing book. I liked the CIA plot mixed with the others for a cohesive story that kept me entertained.

Captivating, very well written (and well researched novel). Author is skilled at turning up the intrigue steadily and skillfully in stages, and before you know it you are dying to find out how an apparently impossible precarious situation (threatening the safety, freedom and well-being of each US citizen) reaches a resolution. I enjoyed not only the primary CIA plot, but also (being a techno junkie) the Info security subplot. Will look for more from this author! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the Advance copy!

I just did not connect with this book. I can't say much more about it other than it was just not enjoyable for me.

This review was also posted on Goodreads.

I got this book as a ARC a while ago and just got around to reading it and omg it was so so good i wish i would have read it sooner! Favorite book of 2024, so far!

What a great book! It is a page turner for sure, one that you should pick up and read for sure! It has more twists and turns than any mountain road! Enjoy the ride! Thank you Karen for writing such a great book!

Beths life is straight out of a a true crime CIA movie and she has set it up that way. Beth lives and breathes the CIA, hangs out with members of intelligence community almost exclusively. When her life is turned upside down and she feels close to closing the case, her life falls apart and all she can do is watch as her friends and community embrace her suspect. It's filled with mystery along the way.

I received a free copy of this book, but the review is my own.

Karen Cleveland skillfully navigates a web of suspects, challenging readers to discern the trails that genuinely lead nowhere. Beth Bradford, leading a seemingly quiet life in a suburban cul-de-sac while employed by the CIA, finds her world upended as her eldest son heads to college, and her marriage unravels. As she reluctantly relocates, tracking an Iranian intelligence agent named The Neighbor, Beth becomes entangled with her new neighbors, questioning their choice of her former home and discovering unsettling connections that might have been right under her nose.

Having not delved into a Karen Cleveland novel in quite some time, I found this one reminiscent of my last read from her—a spy-infused thriller. While not my preferred sub-genre, the book maintains its allure with short chapters, just enough CIA jargon, brisk pacing, and poignant moments, especially in the initial stages where Beth grapples with the loss of her old life and familial bonds slipping away.

However, for a supposed CIA operative, Beth displays a surprising lack of savvy, consistently landing herself in imprudent situations and feigning astonishment when caught red-handed. Yet, the paradox arises as she adeptly navigates the world of burner phones, leaving readers puzzled about her inconsistent sharpness.

Cleveland introduces the somewhat overused trope of a Female Protagonist Who Can’t Be Trusted Because She Loves Wine, a narrative element that initially grated on my nerves as Beth constantly oscillated between potential suspects. However, with eventual revelations, Beth’s character becomes more tolerable.

This book emerges as the ideal summer spy thriller—a cinematic, action-packed escapade providing a dose of mindless enjoyment. While Beth’s occasional lack of foresight might test your suspension of disbelief, embracing the narrative for its popcorn-worthy entertainment value proves to be the key.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The story development and twist were amazing. It is just the book I needed at just the right time

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I give this book 3 stars.
I wasn't interested in the CIA details that seemed to keep going on and on.
Did have many twists and turns, some of them not very believable.
I have read better books by this author.

Was an awesome quick read. Would recommend to others. Will be reading more from this author. Definitely has some twists and turns I was not expecting.

Beth Bradford, a CIA analyst, appears to have the perfect life – an idyllic neighborhood, a loving family, and a fulfilling career. But her world crumbles when her children leave the nest, and her marriage falls apart. She's not only saying goodbye to the cul-de-sac she's called home for so long but also to the CIA case she's been dedicated to, tracking an elusive Iranian intelligence agent known as The Neighbor.

As Beth faces these life-altering changes, a new neighbor, Madeline Sterling, moves into her old house. Madeline seems to have everything that Beth once cherished – an adoring husband, three beautiful children, and a tight-knit group of neighbors. Beth can't help but watch the woman who's stepping into the life she used to have and begins to suspect that the new neighbor may have ties to Iranian intelligence.

"The New Neighbor" explores elements that held great potential. However, the choice of a weak and unbelievable central character in Beth somewhat tarnishes the story. Beth's portrayal as a CIA intelligence agent lacks credibility, and her actions and excuses appear flimsy and unconvincing. The narrative's attempt to depict Beth as unreliable and unstable might keep the reader guessing, but the big reveal at the end was surprising, though the book concluded somewhat abruptly without providing the complete resolution many readers might have anticipated.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a wild over the top ride and really exceeded my expectations. This story follows Beth a CIA agent searching for an Iranian spy trying to infiltrate the CIA and FBI called the Neighbor. Beth who has been on this case for over 15 years is mysteriously taken off the case she becomes suspicious as the clues seem to be coming closer and closer to home. Beth convinced not to let this search die starts trying to investigate on her own.

Im not going to lie I requested this book because of the cover and the title it felt like a domestic thrillers that I normally enjoy. I was completely surprised when CIA , FBI and spies started showing up in this book but OMG was this book fun. This book was really fast paced and I was able to finish in one afternoon. The writing was cinematic and made me gasp a few times when things happened. The ending too was pretty wild. I will say if you enjoy more realistic thrillers this may not be for you but if you can just go with it you will be in for a crazy ride! I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

Twists and turns that keep you guessing! From dream life to nightmare, it falls apart pretty quickly and keeps you guessing.

i had a hard time deciding if this was a domestic thriller pretending to be espionage or the demonizing of empty-nest syndrome.

whatever the case, having a spy who is so frustratingly incapable, both in spycraft & just, you know, communicating at all with other human beings made this a book i was just trying to get through.

there was a seed of a good idea here as far as plot but getting there was a lot of repetitive paranoid shoe leather.

Karen Cleveland has again written a page-turner that will keep you up all night! The reader will stay right beside the main character, Beth, as she tries to beat the clock by unraveling the threads in this espionage-domestic thriller. How well do you really know your neighbors? Wonderfully paced, well-written, what a journey!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Karen Cleveland for the privilege of reading and reviewing this superb novel!

The New Neighbor by Karen Cleveland is going to the top of my favorite book list! I received an ARC a while back and for some reason kept putting it off. I’m sorry I did. Beth is a CIA agent. She lives in a cul de sac with her husband. Beth and Mike’s neighbors are all connected with the CIA in some way. Beth and Mike have just become empty nesters. As they start their next chapter, Beth learns that Mike is reading a different book. He is leaving her. Beth has spent her career looking for The Neighbor. Now that her children are adults, she is looking forward to immersing herself in the search. When Beth is suddenly removed from her department and sent off to Kent School, she is convinced it has something to do with her being too close to the truth. Beth decides to keep investigating. Her search leads her to make assumptions about the woman who bought their house and about her entire neighborhood. The ending was entirely unexpected. I’m off to find more books by Karen Cleveland!