The Story: Isobel and her family lives in a tight-knit small community. Six months earlier, a mysterious hit-and-run accident killed a young man in the neighbourhood but no one was charged. Linette the new neighbour recently moved into the house that once belonged to the young man's family. Soon bad things begin to happen and when another death occurred, Isobel begins to suspect all these is somehow connected to the hit-and-run accident.

My thoughts: If you're looking for a book with creepy small community and dark secrets, this may be the one for you! The author kept the suspense throughout the story and you just had to keep reading to find out what is everybody hiding?

There are quite a lot of characters in this story and I liked Isobel character the most. I was rooting for her all the way!

Although I personally feel that the ending was a bit rushed, I still ended up enjoying this book. It was a quick, fast-paced and an entertaining domestic thriller!

<i>***Thank you Inkubator Books and author Miranda Rijks for this gifted copy to read and review. All opinions expressed are my own.***</i>

The new neighbours by Miranda Rijks.
Until recently, Isobel has always loved The Close. A quiet road of large houses tucked away in the beautiful English countryside, it seemed like the perfect place to live.
I did like this book. Slow bit readable. I liked Isobel. Good read. 4*.

Isobel, married with two young children, lives in a small neighbourhood known as The Close in the English countryside. Linette, a young woman on her own, moves into a vacant house which belonged to a family whose teenage son was killed in a hit and run accident in the neighbourhood. The driver was never found and the family eventually moved away. Isobel tries to befriend Linette but gets mixed messages from her and the cold shoulder from other neighbours with whom she was previously friendly.

I've read a couple of Miranda Rijks' books and found them to be good stories and her writing to be very easy on the brain. Good characters and plot without a lot of wasted words or descriptions. The New Neighbour is no different and I really enjoyed Isobel as a character. She responds to people and events more like a real person would and not like some characters in other books who make dumb decisions that cause excessive eye rolling. There were some good reveals and a twist or two that kept me guessing. Even though I think the terms "neighbour/neighbor", "neighborhood", etc. have been overused in book titles recently, I don't hesitate to recommend this one. It's a bit different and easy to read.

My thanks to Miranda Rijks, Inkubator Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.

Available December 10, 2021

Really asks the question: do we really know who is living next door? This is the kind of mystery novel I love - super interesting without the ridiculous violence many authors think they need to add to grab their audience. Just give us characters we want to read about and a great plot and we are happy!

Well what a book - I can honestly say that Miranda Rijks again does not disappoint. Thanks NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to review. I would recommend this to anyone :)

Twisty domestic suspense - almost claustrophobic with it's focus on one small neighborhood and the intertwined, and dangerous, dysfunction and secrets. You really won't know until the end, even if you think you figured it out - will keep you turning the page.

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

I love neighbourhood thrillers. You are given a glimpse into the lives of those you think you know but really you don't and then from out of nowhere you are hit head on with a twist you very probably didn't see coming! In this case, with regards to the culprit, I did because well...now that would be telling...lol

Seriously, I cannot believe I haven't discovered Miranda Rijks before now. Well, I had...I just hadn't gotten around to reading one of her books though I have a few stored on my cloud. But what an introduction. The reader is thrown headlong into the midst of a tragedy from which the residents of the affluent area of The Close are still trying to come to grips with six months on.

The story begins with a prologue from the first person narrative of someone seemingly up to no good. They appear to be trespassing but for what reason that isn't clear at this stage. But their presence is soon noticed as they are warned off before running out into the lane...and smack bang into a car that was driving with its headlights off. The victim doesn't appear to be hurt and yet is found in a pool of blood in the road.

Six months on and the residents of The Close are still reeling from the thus far unsolved hit and run of 19 year old Wilson Walker. His family was so distraught they upped and left and their house was put on the market to let. Now a new neighbour has moved into the house and is keen to make friends with the other residents who largely keep themselves to themselves. But Linette Smith will not be swayed. She meets Isobel on the first day, afterwhich she invites all the ladies over for a kind of meet and greet, and surprisingly she appears to make friends with the other two women in the Close - Josie Abbott and the elderly Mrs Quinn. Isobel can hardly believe it particularly as the Quinns have lived in the Close for near on forty years and have never been known to mingle with anyone. Maybe Linette is the breath of fresh air the community needs.

Before settling in the house of their dreams, Isobel was an architect along with her husband Mike. That is until their son Harry was born and it became apparent that he needed extra care that as a mother she wasn't able to provide if she was working. So Isobel became a stay-at-home-mum. A couple of years later, Harper joined the family and Isobel began a nail and beauty salon business run out of the front rooms of their sprawling house. She had a steady flow of customers which helped bring in a little extra income.

But then one day, Isobel's regulars began cancelling their appointments. Some didn't even show at all. And Isobel was puzzled. But then one of her friends informed her that there was some malicious gossip about her business going around - something about not properly sterilising equipment or keeping her premises clean resulting in one of her clients now in hospital with an infection. Isobel can hardly believe it. Who would say such a thing? But that's not the only strange thing happening. Her neighbour Josie was always something of a friend now visibly snubs her in public and even ostracises her son Harry, who is on the spectrum and didn't understand why his friend didn't invite him to his Halloween party. And then when she tries voicing her concerns to her husband, he dismisses them with his interest more on his phone than his wife.

Then there are loud parties across the road at Linette's place, disruptive teenagers burning rubber down the lane, bonfires dousing them all in smoke, drones flying around their properties seemingly spying on them and then Linette gets herself a pig for a pet who promptly escapes and churns up Isobel and Mike's carefully manicured garden as well as the Abbotts' farm next door. Suddenly the residents are not so thrilled with their new neighbour and the disruption she seems to have brought with her. Isobel doesn't know where it all went wrong because Linette appeared friendly and eager to get to know everyone. But is she really?

Then when Linette has a surprising piece of information to impart on Isobel, she is so angered by her news that she denies all probability before ordering the woman off her property. Whilst on the one hand she is devastated, on the other she begins an investigation of sorts to get to the bottom of who Linette really is and what is she doing in The Close. And how does any of this relate to Wilson Walker's death six months ago? What has happened to their quiet little lane and their beautiful forever home?

And then another tragedy occurs in The Close that sends another shockwave through the residents. Another death...and this time it's murder. Who has a motive to commit these crimes? Can anyone be trusted? And how well do we really know our neighbours?

Secrets abound in this tight-knit little community as one by one they unravel revealing the truth, the lies and the deception and the link between past and present crimes.

THE NEW NEIGHBOUR was an unexpected delight that I devoured, enjoying the twists and reveals as they gradually unfolded. The narrative is primarily from Isobel's perspective apart from the Prologue, who we learn is Wilson, and a couple of chapters from Linette's viewpoint. We also learn very early on who Linette really is and why she has chosen this quiet neighbourhood. Why? Because the story takes a different and surprising direction peppered with red herrings throughout as we try to unravel the clues.

The cast of characters were a delight, if not all likeable.

First we have Isobel who is married to Mike with two children Harry and Harper. As Isobel is the main narrator we are privy to the goings on in their house from the get-go. What Isobel doesn't know is why is Mike working such long hours and withdrawn affection from her? Aside from that she has to juggle Harry's specific needs where he has decided not only will he not eat anything brown but he's also decided he no longer eats anything that is yellow after someone at school told him food that is green is better for you. So now Isobel has to cook and colour foods for Harry to actually eat.

Then there is Josie, her neighbour, who was once a relatively good friend if not a close one but now visibly and publicly snubs Isobel. For what reason, she has no idea. As farmers, Josie and her husband Jack appear to be struggling financially and surprise the residents with submitting a planning application that will most certainly disrupt Isobel and Mike's life, if not everyone else's.

The Quinns are septuagenarians who have lived on The Close for around forty years and keep themselves to themselves, never socialising with the other residents, which is why Isobel found it so surprising to find Mrs Quinn at Linette's get together and Mr Quinn's friendly acceptance of her. Mrs Quinn suffers from dementia, barely leaves her home and is closely monitored by her husband.

Thomas Adler is a bachelor with a lavish lifestyle funded by a suspected shady online business, most notably when he trades in his modest VW Golf for a Lamborghini as well as purchasing the latest Tesla. He's a little creepy particularly when he continues to fly his drone around his neighbours' properties despite pleas for him to refrain.

So when Linette moves in as the new neighbour at Number 2, she raises merry hell that The Close have no idea what has hit them. Which begs the question amongst residents...who is Linette and why is she here?

I thoroughly enjoyed THE NEW NEIGHBOUR which I devoured in a matter of hours. It is a quick read that is engaging, thrilling and so completely absorbing you won't want to put it down either! None of the neighbours are particularly likeable as they all have something to hide...the question is what? The addition of Twiglet is amusing. I mean, she is not a cute little pot belly pig either but an actual large farm pig!! And then wreaks havoc, which was bound to happen, and did bring a smirk to my face.

Cleverly crafted and well-written, THE NEW NEIGHBOUR is a delightful read and addictive whodunnit as you try to unravel the mysteries and secrets that lay buried on The Close.

If you love a good domestic thriller sprinkled with psychological mystery, then you will love THE NEW NEIGHBOUR. And I can safely say that, although this may be my first, it will not be my last Miranda Rijks thriller.

Edit: It's actually NOT my first Miranda Rijks thriller, as I had previously read "Roses are Red" .

I would like to thank #MirandaRijks, #Netgalley, #InkubatorBooks and #ZoolooTours for an ARC of #TheNewNeighbour in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good one! Old secrets, new secrets all colliding together when the bodies start falling. Everyone in the community could be at fault and really makes you think....how well do you know your neighbors? And the who and the why were a total surprise. Loved the twist at the end.

I was keen to read this book after reading the premise and I flew through the pages. I enjoyed the community street/ neighbour setting and the characters. The twist at the end was a little predictable, but still an excellent story.

Thank you #Netgalley for the ARC of #TheNewNeighbour for an honest review**

"A small community. A deadly secret."

A thrilling story of domestic suspense, full of twists to keep you reading more!

Isobel lives in a community called The Close which consists of five houses with five different families, where the atmosphere is full of harmony with an English country setting. However, no one is truly happy, and the neighbors watch with hate and suspicion of one another.

The author does a wonderful job adding tension and twists hidden throughout the book, although some of the twists were a bit predictable, they still held my interest. I can honestly say I did not see the ending happening the way it did!

Mind Blown. Surprised. Loved it!

A new author for me and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was.

A great plot set in the beautiful countryside and characters that had some traits you love and those you love to hate.

I’ll certainly be reading more from this author

The New Neighbour by Miranda Rijks

“I really enjoyed The New Neighbour by Miranda Rijks. The characters were great, and the plot kept me guessing. And the ending was unexpected. What could be better than that in a book?”
-Books and Pens on Green Gables

About The New Neighbour by Miranda Rijks
The Close.
It is a beautiful quiet neighborhood where Isobel and Mike Floyd live with their two young kids, Harry and Harper. They have just a few neighbors, and they love where they live. The neighbors aren’t close but are typically friendly, while everyone mostly keeps to themselves.

Mr. and Mrs. Quinn are the oldest in the neighborhood. Sadly, Mrs. Quinn has dementia, and Mr. Quinn cares for her in their home. A few times, she has snuck out of the house unnoticed, but the neighbors now keep an eye out for her. Mr. Quinn comes across as a bit gruff and wants to be left alone.

Jack and Josie Abbott are Isobel and Mike’s nearest neighbors -Josie was Isobel’s good friend until recently. Confused, Isobel still doesn’t know what happened, but now Josie is like a different person. The boys don’t even play together anymore.

Thomas Adler, singe, rich, works from home, loves his Lamborghini and flying his drone.

The Walkers have just moved away after their son, Wilson, was tragically killed in a hit and run in the neighborhood. There hasn’t been an arrest made yet. And, no one in the neighborhood can understand how this tragedy happened in The Close. Linette has just moved into the neighborhood as a renter in the Walker’s home. At first, she seemed nice, having the women over for coffee and later everyone in The Close over for an evening of drinks and dancing. But now? Loud parties into the early morning hours, unkind gossip, a pet pig that destroyed backyards, and more make Isobel wonder if Linette is a good fit. It seems like there has been an unsettled feeling in The Close since shortly after she arrived. As more and more odd things happen, Isobel becomes suspicious of her neighbors and one in particular.

When Lynette says something about a neighbor and someone Isobel is close to, Isobel doesn’t believe her; at least she doesn’t want to believe her. But, yet it tugs at her thoughts. Soon she goes on a search, and she can’t believe what she finds. Can it be true?

I was given The New Neighbour to read and review. Thank you to the author, Inkubator Books and NetGalley.

So I've read quite a few new neighbour domestic noir books aaaaaand I have to say that I did really enjoy this one. I liked the fact that there are so many twists and turns, the characters are well written and you can relate and empathise with them. You can imagine these people being your neighbours and so understand why people are doing the things they're doing. I love books where the plot isn't too out there so it gives it that sense of realism and this one has that going for it. Granted.... id hope none of my neighbours were ever like this but hey, I could understand if they were lol! I really enjoyed ot and would recommend

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and an easy ready, however I just felt like it somewhat under delivered. The twist wasn't that shocking even though it was someone I hadn't expected it just sort of fell flat. Maybe I'm just expecting too much out of my thrillers haha.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic read! First read by this author but I will be looking out for more. Thanks to publisher and NetGalley for opportunity to read this ARC.

Miranda Rijks Is one of my go-to dependable authors for when I need a quick, but twisty, domestic thriller. It’s all here in the Close, a middle class cul-de-sac in suburbia. When it comes to choices, neighbors are the ones we have no real control over - noisy or nosy ones come to mind but manifest as murderers in most of my favorite novels. A fast read with a couple of major twists lead to a surprising final reveal.

The Close is a private road with just a handful of houses, and has always felt like a safe place to live. But when a teenage boy is killed in a hit and run accident, suddenly everyone is on edge. When Linette moves in to The Close shortly after, initially she seems like the breath of fresh air The Close needs. But soon she is fraying nerves left and right/ It seems more than one neighbour has a secret to hide - and Linette seems determined to expose them...

I have enjoyed previous Miranda Rijks books, so was excited to receive an advance copy of this one. It's well written with lots of twists and turns. I would have preferred more of reveal later in the novel rather than having so much exposed so quickly, and some of the character's were a little sketchily drawn for me, but I did enjoy the premise and the plot, and thought it was a fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley, and to the publisher, who sent me a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The New Neighbour is one of those books with a great premise and promising start that doesn’t entirely deliver but is still a good read.
If you got through that sentence, and it makes sense, I’ll try to explain better.
The book starts with an incident in the past (just a few months prior) then jumps to present day. The plot is linear and easy to follow and has good bones.
But with psychological thrillers, the devil is in the details, and that is where The New Neighbour gets bogged down. There are a lot of details and not all of them are pertinent to the plot.
Green burials, autism, affairs, potential domestic abuse, secrets…there is just a lot going on.
Additionally, and not to give a major plot point away, there is an event that occurs roughly halfway through. It could definitely be considered a “twist,” but it sent the book in a totally different direction.
Almost like there were two different stories and the author couldn’t decide which one to actually write, so they got mashed up into one.
Again, without giving anything away, I kept expecting that twist to be the catalyst for more. And it was…just nowhere near in the way I thought it would be.
In retrospect, maybe that is all because I expected more out of the initial story. But because of the choices, it almost seems as if the first half was a waste of time because the pieces put in place are (for the most part) not followed through upon.
I am getting twisted up, but I guess that’s what the book did to me. I have a hard time separating because it really does feel like two different stories to me.
I like where the author was going in the first half and would have been happy if that had panned out. I like the twists in the second half. There were enough that the story was redeemed.
I just wish that either one had been a complete story. I think it would have been more linear and there would have been more meat in the plot.
But that is all personal opinion. Other readers may have a completely different experience. That is why I ultimately recommend The New Neighbour.

I was not expecting the ending! A pacey read that keeps you engaged with well thought through characters. very enjoyable.

How do you feel about your neighbors? Do you take them a housewarming gift and invite them over for coffee one day? The families in The Close get a new neighbor, and no one wants to be the one to tell her that she is moving into a house where someone died. Not that the neighbors are really close, anyway. But this one seems to stir up all kinds of trouble and wants to pit everyone against each other. Why? Kind of reminds me of my neighborhood, we all live in a rural area and the houses are not close. Neither are the neighbors, although we all know each other. This book was fast paced and kept me reading, and I could see things occuring the way they did.