I have read and enjoyed Cummins' series, starting with The Collector. And initially, I expected this to be a part of that. But, this is a standalone title - one that was actually published earlier in the UK under the title The Neighbour. Unfortunately, my disappointment over this not being a continuation of the series did somewhat spoil the beginning to me. But by the second half of the book, my spoiled expectations were long forgotten as I started to genuinely enjoy this quite a bit in its own right!

Set on the Avenue in Essex, this little street is surprisingly full of secrets. Just about every household on the block harbors some sort of hidden activity or past. The book shifts from various perspectives starting from the day the Lockwood family moves in - and alternates between the "Now" where a serial killer knows his spree is up and is preparing for the police to arrive.

The plot keeps the reader guessing, as there are multiple plausible possibilities for the killer's identity- there's the creepy older man who makes dolls, the vulgar one with the telescope, the postman who seems to only ever be delivering mail on their street... The sort of omniscient writing style does take a little bit of getting used to - and I definitely love the prophetic role of the Magic 8 ball here! It's an entertaining novel and one that I really did enjoy - despite my reluctance at first. I saw some of the twists coming, but there were plenty of surprises that I didn't expect, too! I am looking forward to seeing what Cummins will write next! Hopefully next time there isn't such a lag between the UK and US publications!

My first read by Fiona Cummins and it did not disappoint! A psychological thriller with elements of horror and intense suspense combine to keep you reading into the night - but not too late or you won't be able to sleep! Awaiting her next...

What secrets lie behind closed doors...?
What secrets lie behind closed doors? Dark, suspense from Fiona Cummins. The Lockwoods have a new home, one that they normally couldn’t have afforded to buy - however, the discovery of bodies in the nearby woodlands has brought the house price rocketing down. The couple are sure that this won’t pose a problem. That the crimes will be solved. That all will be well. That their house will sell for a profit. They do not foresee the secrets bubbling up around them. Tension building read, well compiled and full of misdirection.

Wow, I really loved this creepy, dark, twisted tale! I thought it was absolutely unputdownable, well written, a bit original, and full of twists and turns! I found it to be full of some amazing thrills, chills, twists & turns, and shocks! Highly recommend to those who love twisted psychological thrillers!
Will make sure I buzz it up on all the different platforms!

Garrick and Olivia Lockwood, along with their children, nine year old son Evan and teen daughter Aster, are moving in to their new home at 25 The Avenue, off the coast of Essex. Thirty seven acres of Blatches Woods borders the property.
They've gotten a great deal on the house, probably because the police have just found the fifth murder victim in the woods near them. No cause of death has been determined and their eyes have been removed and replaced with glass ones.
A serial killer is on the loose in the neighborhood and his nickname is The Doll Maker.
As Detective Sergeant Wildeve Stanton investigates to find the killer, it becomes a personal vendetta for her.
We meet a creepy cast of neighbors in the community and there are lots of sinister behaviors. This crime thriller was gripping and suspenseful. My only issue with it was I had a difficult time keeping track of the many characters.
An interesting and entertaining read.
Thank you to Kensington Books Pinnacle for the e-ARC via NetGalley.

The Family Next Door by Fiona Cummins is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Kensington Books (Pinnacle), and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)

When police pull a fifth body from Blatches Park, they are disheartened to find he is one of their own.  DI Adam Stanton was working the serial killer case.  Now he is dead.  His wife, Wildeve, who also working the case, can't step back.  Five bodies, and still no clues.  The eyes of the victims are removed (after death) and replaced with fakes.   Makeup is applied to the face.  No other marks on the bodies.  They don't even know how the victims died.  The press is calling the killer The Doll Maker.

Garrick and Olivia Lockheed and their two children move into Number 25 The Avenue, right down the street from Blatches Park.  Money has been a little tight lately, so they were relieved to find a house with 3 bedrooms and a garden at such a bargain price.  Yes, bodies are being found nearby, and the house needs upgrading, but they'll make a profit when they sell, and they desperately need a fresh start.

The Avenue is a strange name for a street, but so are the people who live there.  Secrets among the residents are numerous.  There is a real doll-maker who some think murdered his wife, a stargazer who sees more than he should,  a gardener and his wife who haven't seen their son in over 30 years, and a mailman who is a little too close to them all.  Is one of them the serial killer....or is it someone else.

 My Opinions:  

So, originally titled "The Neighbour" when it first came out, that title would still suit just as well.  I'm just not sure why the name change, although they often change it when released in the U.S.  Still doesn't make sense to me.

The book is told from different perspectives, one of them being that of the killer.  It seemed a little disjointed until I really got into the book.  Then everything came together.  It was a compelling story of secrets.  The many characters were all intriguing and all a little creepy.  They were well-defined, and the street itself seemed to take on its own personality.  The short chapters kept the reader turning the pages, and it ended up being a fast read.  Although I was correct in who the killer was, there were so many red herrings that I often questioned my judgement.

I am still trying to figure out why it took me so long to get into the book.  Once I was in, I was there for the duration....hardly put it down.

On a personal note. Although this is not a romance novel, it probably had the best love letter I've ever read, and made me think of writing one to my husband to read after my death.  Hmmm...something to ponder.

Anyway, a great read!

Combine a good sprinkling of mystery, heinous crimes, grisly secrets, despicable acts, and an astronomical chill factor and you end up with The Family Next Door by Fiona Cummins.

Not having read any of Fiona Cummins' previous work, I had no real expectations beyond the description outline. I am pleased to say that I found it completely intriguing and compelling!

Told from the perspectives of many characters, including the killer, the author leaves the reader to guess as they try to make sense of this story. While there is an abundance of people in this novel the killer is one whose presence I shall remember. Through a series of memories about events in the small Essex town, the killer tells of a simple life of children and entertaining which turned rancid and left a veil of hopelessness and death.

With the focus on the Lockwood family, who are new to the area, the killer formulates a plan, upping the ante and keeping me wondering what might be next. With the varied perspectives in this book, Fiona Cummins did not leave me short of any character development or dynamic narrative, as I attempted to analyse the crime(s), alongside the detectives. With its short, snappy chapters and great deal of effort, I managed to keep up with the wicked pace.

With the abundant misdirections and twists, I loved the sections of the book that featured DS Wildeve Stanton, with her strong personal drive to seek the truth and identify the killer. Cleverly crafted, sinister, nightmarish, and relentlessly surprising, the air of foreboding deepened with every chapter until the final exciting and fulfilling denouement.

I’m excited to read this talented author's previous novels, especially "Rattle", and as a new fan I'm curious to see what's in store, next. I have no hesitation in recommending The Family Next Door to fans of the genre.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from the publisher via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

Wow what a brilliant read and such a clever storyline! I couldn't put this book down and had to read as fast as possible to see who the culprit is!

"The power to take a life is a gift not many possess. I have always understood that. I do not have many talents and I'm grateful for it"

A beautiful home in a quiet Essex neighbourhood and hopefully a new start for Olivia, Garrick and their 2 children. BUT.......someone is watching........

"But it was Olivia who interested me more. The mother at the heart of the family. Except, it turns out, she wasn't its heart at all, but an ugly tumour that needed cutting out"

A body is found nearby in the Batches woods; the 5th victim of a serial killer called The Doll maker.
All the neighbours seem nice but can they all be trusted? Who is hiding some dark secrets.

This is 1 very twisted and sick serial killer and there's twists and turns from the beginning to the end. I can highly recommend this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was one creepy read which took me unawares.

A serial killer in a quiet neighborhood called the Dollmaker who had claimed the fifth victim. A family trying to patch up their broken family bought a new house in the same area. The cops trying to get to the murderer. Add to that a seriously creepy atmosphere, and I had a thriller which scared me completely.

My first book by author Fiona Cummins, the writing was dark and chilling as if the book dared me to read it. It seriously had some hypnotic thing going on. I read the book even when I didn't want to. The suspense built up slowly like the ooze of blood from the victim down into the crevices of the floor.

The fact that someone in the neighborhood was a killer made me so angst at the idea that I jumped up even at the slightest sound. I started the book at midnight but had to continue in the day as too many shudders coursed through me.

The initial part though scary in its writing, confused me as there were too many POV with different time lines. I had to concentrate hard to remember them. Then the book flowed and thrilled me a bit more. Nothing was graphic, but the hints of it in the setting of the book took me by surprise. The author was very talented in the way she did that.

Overall, a creepy read which progressively became scarier as the pages turned with an unexpected ending. Whew!!

The Family Next Door by Fiona Cummins is a chilling, twisty read that didn't really get under my skin until I approached the second half of the novel. Like a switch had been flipped, things really took ahold and I was all in for a very creepy ride,

When Garrick and Olivia Lockwood and their children arrive at their new home on The Avenue, it is with the knowledge that several bodies have been discovered in the woods directly behind the property. Surely these crimes will be quickly solved and the house will prove itself to be a good investment. That is until the dark secrets of The Avenue begin to surface, and the Lockwood family find themselves in the middle of a nightmare. Just how well do we ever really know our neighbours?

Fiona Cummins is a new author to me, but I will certainly keep an eye out for her work in the future.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.

Stick with this one past the early pages and you'll be rewarded with a twisty story. There's bad things afoot in Essex- a man known as the Dollmaker for how he stages the bodies of his victims-has been leaving corpses in Blatches Woods, right behind the home that the Lockwoods have just bought. Garrick and Olivia have been dealing with their own issues but thought this house, which they got at a great price, would be a new start for them. Their kids are not so happy. DC Wildeve Stanton's husband was one of the victims and she's desperate to find the killer. There are a lot of characters introduced up front but keep track of them because it will be important. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For thriller fans.

I ended up really liking this book even though it was hard to get into as so many characters were introduced at the very beginning and I had trouble figuring out who was who. It ticks all the boxes I like in a thriller though: mysterious characters, long-buried deceptions, lies, and obsessions. Five bodies are discovered in the woods, no sign of trauma, and no clear decisions about cause of death. There's no suspect and it appears everyone on the street is hiding some sort of secret--even the new family who has moved in recently. When a police officer is found murdered as well, things heat up quickly. Fortunately all the mysteries are tied up at the end--with a nice twist I enjoyed!

📖 BOOK REVIEW⠀📚
BOOK: The Family Next Door
AUTHOR: Fiona Cummins
#FionaCummins
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐

This book got me going in all kinds of ways. But hear me out…. I was SUPER confused at the beginning of this book. There are a ton of characters and the narrators jumped around. BUT the ending payoff was definitely there and it was the kind of book that made me want to re-read the beginning to see how it changed knowing what I know.

As always, you can check out my video review on Youtube for more information on how I felt. I do recommend this books if you like thrillers, especially ones with a lot of moving parts!



Short Synopsis (abbreviate from Goodreads):
If not for the bodies discovered in the woods behind their new home, Garrick and Olivia Lockwood couldn't have afforded to buy number 25 The Avenue. It's the fresh start they and their two children badly need. Soon, these terrible crimes will be solved, they tell themselves, and once Garrick has remodeled, he's confident they'll sell the house for a profit.
But the darkest secrets can reside on quiet, ordinary streets like this--behind the doors of
well-kept houses and neighbors' friendly faces. Secrets that can destroy a family, or savagely end a life, and will surface just when they're least expected . . .
*****
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Received from Netgalley.

Eeeek! Want a super creepy read? Then you must get your hands on The Family Next Door by Fiona Cummins.

For Sale: Lovely family home, ready for your updates. Friendly neighborhood setting close to park; secluded.

If not for the bodies discovered in the woods behind their new home, Garrick and Olivia Lockwood couldn’t have afforded to buy number 25 The Avenue. It’s the fresh start they and their two children badly need. Soon, these terrible crimes will be solved, they tell themselves, and once Garrick has remodeled, he’s confident they’ll sell the house for a profit.

But the darkest secrets can reside on quiet, ordinary streets like this–behind the doors of
well-kept houses and neighbors’ friendly faces. Secrets that can destroy a family, or savagely end a life, and will surface just when they’re least expected . . .

So much tension on these pages and the threat of a murderer on a suburban street gave me chills as I read this. Its a bit of horror so if you enjoy books that border on evil and sinister and dark, this is the one for you. As its stated in the story:“Nobody comes to The Avenue without death seeping through the gaps in their walls.”

This book was a little confusing, to be honest. The writing and story were good, but I wasn’t sure if we were in the past or present. It was also extremely dark, which I don't normally have a problem with. Unfortunately, I also can’t books with any animal cruelty.

I enjoyed many parts of this novel and the plot managed to keep my attention, but some other fragments were convoluted and confusing. A serial killer is preying on the neighbors of The Avenue. The dead bodies are turned into dolls, so the baddie is known as The Dollmaker. One of the victims is the husband of one of the police officers investigating the murders and every one of the neighbors is hiding something. These secrets were all great, my suspicions kept jumping from one to another and when I found out whodunit, I was surprised. My problem was getting there. The characters didn’t really have distinctive voices, so I wasn’t sure who had done what. The damaged cop who’s lost her husband and is determined to find justice is compelling enough but I can’t believe anyone would let her into the postmortem. In any case, I liked the plot which really wasn’t predictable.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Kensington Books!

4 solid stars!

Reading The Family Next Door was such a treat! I might overuse the exclamation mark but that's just how I feel about the book!

It was confusing at first, with many characters appeared at the same timeline, multiple povs, and unclear plot; but just hang on, hang tf on, because the reward would be oh-so-good!

A community full of secrets that come to light one by one because of a series of murders, a family who just moved in to start a new life amidst their troubled past. This one should be glaringly obvious that they wouldn't enjoy 'a new start', but where's the fun in telling people what they should and shouldn't do, right?

I couldn't say what my favourite parts or what works for me from the book because I really like it and I don't wanna spoil it. Just try to read it and you won't be disappointed.

I was very excited to get started in this book as I had seen great reviews from fellow reviewers on Goodreads. Unfortunately right from the start I had trouble following along. By 15% I realized I did not have any connection to the characters nor the storyline. I do not feel I can go further at this point.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book but unfortunately it was not a good fit for me.

Normally I'm not bothered with typos or other errors but they were so bad I was unable to get any further than the first few chapters.

I read this book as "The Family Next Door", though looks like it's also been released under the title "The Neighbour". I personally think the latter is a better title for the book because the story transitions from neighbor to neighbor and "the family" could be confusing to the reader since there are multiple households represented. This book has a lot of characters, but I would say that the primary characters are the Lockwood family, who move onto the street in the midst of a string of gruesome serial murders, and the police office, Wildeve, whose husband (also a police officer) was the latest victim of the killings. I had a little bit of trouble getting into the story for the first 20-25%, as the chapters alternate between the above characters, plus other neighbors, plus the unknown killer in both past and present tense. I had trouble connecting the stories together and learning enough about any one character to really care what happened. However, around that 20/25% point, it started coming together and I had trouble putting it down for the rest of the book. If you are thinking of giving up, give it a chance past that point.

This was an interesting story with some twists and a lot of mystery. I had a couple of issues, one being that there is no way WIldeve would have been able to work on her husband's case or view his autopsy in real life. The second was that I figured out the twist early (though was surprised at some of the details as the book went on), and it almost felt like the book was trying too hard to surprise you in a way that made it not that surprising after all.

All in all, I think this is worth the read and the story was unique and well put-together. I'd recommend it and plan on reading more of Cummins' books. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.