'Fear' is a first-person account of a normal situation gone bad: Randolph's neighbour becomes threatening and scary to his wife and children, however his actions aren't illegal, they're just scary. It seems like there's nothing Randolph can do to protect his family, and this is the story of what happens.

This was a quick read, and very easy to read in just a few sittings, however I found the plot to be a little dull and predictable, and the first person narrative too immersive with not enough actual action to keep me entertained - too much thinking and not enough doing from the point of view character. It was very well-written and well-structured but there just wasn't enough going on for me.

I found this book interesting, although it wasn't what I was expecting after reading the description.. The story takes place in Berlin, and is indeed about a family who are terrorised by a neighbour. The said neighbour sends letters accusing the family of sexually abusing their children. We know from early on that the narrator's father is in prison for killing the neighbour. What follows is basically an analysis of family relationships, and how they led to what happened. I found it slow going in places, and didn't particularly warm to the characters. However, thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.

Had me gripped from the very first page to the last. A five star winner for any fan of this genre.

I was expecting an exciting and suspenseful story but what I found was a bit of a dirge interspersed with a little tension but only a little. There was far too much back story which I found quite boring. Would I recommend this novel, no sadly.

This was such a good read and unlike anything I’d read before (as in nightmare neighbor plot) but tbh it was also soooooo creepy to the point I left the light on! It’s a totally freaky stalker kind of story in which you totally feel like it’s you he’s stalking! You feel so helpless and wonder how he can get away with what he does!

Won’t say too much but it totally gets out of hand and it had me literally gasping in places!

A must read for anyone who likes to be creeped out and on the edge of their seat (a lot) !!

Excellent book, serious page turner - I couldn't put it down!

Would you want to live above a man who accuses you of sexually abusing your children? This is what happens to Rudolph and his wife Rebecca. Although at times Rudolph feels he should sort Dieter Tiberius out once and for all he's not that sort of man, instead he does the right thing and goes to both the police and a lawyer. They tell him there's nothing they can do to help.
Rudolph puts pen to paper to tell you what happens with Dieter Tiberius and about his life, past and present, his doubts and fears, how although he didn't have an unhappy childhood he never felt close to his father. A man obsessed with guns and who is currently serving time for manslaughter.
Although a good story I thought it dragged on a bit at times but I must confess I didn't see the twist coming at the end. All in all quite a good read and gets four stars from me.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review

Good thriller. Solid plot. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Dirk Kurbjuweit for the copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

Randolph and Rebecca live in Berlin. They live in an apartment block and, in the apartment below them, lives Dieter. Dieter is spying on them and causing them problems by telling the authorities that they molest and abuse their children, Paul and Fay.

The problems escalate and it would be a great book if it wasn’t for the incessant ramblings and selfishness of Randolph.

Maybe something has been lost in translation? It doesn’t feel focused enough.

Fatima

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

This one is gripping, so well written and fast paced. Have you watched Nightmare Neighbors on TV, or had a nightmare neighbor. Ever wondered what you would do in that situation. Wondered what would happen if the law will not and cannot do anything to help you, become afraid to leave your family home that you cherish. This book is about one such family who are demonised by a man, a neighbour..... most people would move house..... but not this family..... no spoilers here!

Fascinating read.. but realistically, I am sure someone could have helped them!

Every so often a book draws you in, unsuspecting, then tugs you deep into its pages and doesn't let go. This book is wow worthy. I love the author's writing style, and nothing was lost in translation. I would love to see this book on the screen. It totally sank its claws into me. Would recommend highly. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book as an arc.
I thought this was an excellent book, albeit not quite what I was expecting! It tells the story of a German family who are being tormented by the man who lives in the basement flat below them. He makes accusations of child abuse and reports the parents to the authorities continually. The couple, Randolph and Rebecca, receive no help or support and become increasingly desperate to rid themselves of the tenant.
I thought this would be more of a thriller, instead it was a literary journey through Randolph's childhood, his family and his marriage. The fear alluded to in the title, was the fear he had lived with all his life, not just the fear engendered by the stalking that his family suffered. It is an excellently written book, translated from the original German, which I really enjoyed, and one which is told exclusively from Randolph's point of view. The way his childhood, and the relationships with each family member is recounted, is extremely effective and evocative.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it certainly got under my skin and made me feel uncomfortable!

I was drawn to this book for the title, storyline, & cover. However, as I began to read the book; I knew I would have a hard time connecting with the characters in the story. For myself, it was hard to stay interested in what the characters were going through. It did not keep me wanting to find out what happens next. I read this book at slower pace than I normally read because I ended up loosing interest. It wasn't for me :(

Dirk Kurbjuweit has written a well-crafted literary novel that bounces around the life of the semi-autobiographical character Randolf, his highly strung but intelligent and gorgeous wife Rebecca, and their two children. He follows their turmoil as Dieter Tiberius, the downstairs neighbour, becomes more and more sinister, appearing to threaten his wife and their children. He explores what it means to be suspected of a serious crime, of abusing your kids, how you doubt yourself and your wife, and how you overreact to compensate against those vile accusations.

This is one of those books where you’re told the ending at the beginning - the story then fills in the details that led to that conclusion. For me, I wanted to understand what made the protagonist, a self-declared middle class pacifist architect, take the action that he and his family did. Yes, I can appreciate you want to defend your property, and yes, who wouldn’t take huge steps to protect their loved ones, but, and this is a big but, other options are always available - even something as simple as moving house. Because the ending was so fatal, I wanted (needed) that build up to be so fraught, so despicable, that no other outcome would be possible.

I kept reading, hoping that some event would occur that would tie his hands and force him down that course of action but sadly, this wasn’t the case - I didn’t feel that Randolf could justify his deeds, regardless of the threat posed by Dieter, and that, for me, broke the magic of the book.

Still, this is well written, excellently translated, and thought provoking, so a solid 4/5.

Book supplied by Netgalley for an honest review.

This German book translated to English deals with a narrator whose rhythm is different than what the normal thriller reader will be used to. Saying this, it also brings something new to the table which will give readers something new to gnaw their teeth on.

The main plot deals with a man who is desperate to protect his family when he has no one else to turn to as the police and the court system proves to be no help. The story is very enriched with questions and social dilemmas that will test your views on child abuse, gun control, protection of property and family, etc. This is a very interesting and as there are different sensibilities due to the country of origin of the novel being Germany, this gives the novel a lot of food for thought.
The narrator is Randolph is trying to protect his family and he comes across as an unreliable narrator as you are seeing things from his point of view but not given a total 360 degree narrative. This lends itself for the reader to be placed into his shoes and look at the situation from his view point.

This is a gripping read and one that would very much enhance any reading group as there is enough found within the pages to start very interesting discussions. The writer really has a grip and is able to give enough background information to really immerse yourself into the story.

This is an excellent read and one that will haunt you days and even weeks afterwards. This is a mandatory must read.

I've picked up and put this down several times but I just can't get into this. Maybe I need to be in a different mindset - a winter story not a summer holiday read.

A very well done novel about what perception does to the human mind. How does unreasoning fear influence decisions about action to be taken in a stressful event. Randolf Tiefenthaler is a successful architect living and working in Berlin. He has a beautiful wife, Rebecca, and two delightful children. Due to his success he moves his family into a beautiful upscale apartment. Every thing looks wonderful. He likes his neighbors and gets along as well as could be expected with them. One of them is an older man named Dieter Tiberius who at first blush seems friendly although somewhat aloof. Unfortunately Dieter changes and his behavior becomes more malevolent.
Randolph becomes more and more disturbed by Dieter's behavior. Dieter develops a fascination for Rebecca and begins sending erotic letters to her. He also accuses Randolph's family of child molestation and files police reports against them while openly spying on them. Randolph files counter police reports against his antagonist but gets nowhere. He begins to feel himself unable to take care of his family and inadequate as a protective husband and father. Somewhat estranged from his own father he finally asks him for advice on what to do. Randolph's childhood with the man that sired him was one of apparent distance and fear of the many guns his father had in the house.
As a possible result of the consultation held with his father Dieter is shot dead in his own apartment. Randolph's father is arrested for the crime and sent to prison. Randolph goes through a period of self analysis which has him calling into question his own masculinity, the rule of law and violence in general. The meditation leads to him questioning his own inadequacy , the concept of middle class privilege and the whole spectrum of a "civilized" life.
This is Mr Kurbjuweit's seventh book, and the first one translated into English. The concepts developed in this novel are certainly cause for thought and will certainly develop a taste for more on the part of the reader.

A creepy story of stalking. The title is very apt. Well worth reading

Randolph lives in a flat with his wife and children. In the basement flat lives Dieter Tiberius who is rather strange.A good choice of name for the perpetrator(The Roman emperor Tiberius being known for sexual perversion ).He starts out being friendly to the family and then begins stalking them, creeping around the garden when Randolph is away. This is told from Randolph’s point of view as a story to his wife, and also gives quite a bit of his background. It starts from the end (if that makes sense) and then works it way towards that explaining what occurred to bring that end about. When the law of the land is unable to help you are forced to make your own decisions. This is well written albeit a slightly “weird” novel. Almost a biography with a twist (loosely based on a true experience by the author)
I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased

A neighbour drives a family to despair. The architect, who has become distant from his wife, tries to knit his family back together in the face of a nebulous threat. Very literary and introspective, and European in tone.