The New Neighbor can be your best friend or your worst enemy - in this case, Isobel needs to make that determination on her own about Linette. In The Close, you never know if you are safe - between a hit and run accident and now a murder, the neighbors need to figure out who is bringing sugar and who is bringing death to their doors.

This book is a complete page turner that you cannot put down. Just when you think you know who did it, the story turns everything you thought upside down. Isobel must battle her need to have a career, two children and a husband who just seems plain bored. If that wasn't enough, she must figure out who Linette is and what she really wants.

So as you know I love books on neighbours especially new ones that for whatever reason intend to cause trouble, but of late was maybe thinking I had read too many as they were all a bit samey….not so with this book, yes it’s a new neighbour and yes they cause chaos but there is a unusual backstory to their arrival and many secrets on ‘The Close’ and not the usual ones, the story plays well, the characters exactly as you would want in a book like this and I didn’t guess the outcome until literally a few sentences before
I loved the main characters narration and that she didn’t constantly have dizzy do’s or palpitations or go for a run when anxious but was almost stoic in her dealings with what was turning into a nightmare for her, a great bold character to find yourself in a thriller with
A nore than fine psychological whodunit read, all bases for a great read covered and sprinkled with bits of ‘not the norm’ that made it stand out

10/10
5 Stars

The New Neighbour by Miranda Rijks was a nail bitter. This is the first book I have read by this author and I’m so glad NetGalley introduced me to her as she is a brilliant writer. If you want a fast paced, edge of your seat psychological thriller, then The New Neighbour is the book to read.

Isobel lives with her family in a quiet little town in the English Country side on a small quaint street called The Close. There are only five families that live on The Close but they rarely interact and are virtual strangers. But one day, a young man was killed in a hit and run on The Close. After a lengthy investigation, his murder was never solved and his devastated family moved away, leaving four families living on The Close. After a few months, a new woman, Linette, moved into the empty house and The Close turned into a gong show. From murders, to rampaging pigs, infidelity, wild parties and flying drones. Neighbour pitted against neighbour, The Close was turned upside.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator books for my arc in exchange for my honest review. The New Neighbour is coming out December 10th so make sure you get a copy.

And Miranda Rijks strikes again with yet another domestic thriller rife with twists, turns and a surprise ending.

The Floyds, Isobel, Mike and their two kids are one of five families that occupy the houses in the rural residential community called 'The Close,' an ironic name considering that the neighbors are anything but. Once her dream home in the perfect location, The Close has lost its charm for Isobel, ever since the unexplained death of one of the neighbors. When a new occupant moves in, the already tense relations between the neighbors are further strained, with someone starting a hate campaign against Isobel. And then another murder occurs and the residents of The Close come to the scary conclusion that they have a killer amongst them.

While I admit that of the four books of the author that has released this year, (yes, you read that right, FOUR,) The New Neighbor was my least favourite, it was in no way lacking in thrills and suspense. Right from the prologue, the narrative managed to grab me by the eyeballs, keeping me glued on till the very last page. Every time I thought I had zeroed in on the killer, the plot took another twist.

None of the characters were particularly likeable, even Isobel, who, for most of the book, had a 'woe is me' attitude. And with neighbours such as the one at The Close, one doesn't need enemies.

Overall, another smashing hit by the author, of whom I am a big fan now. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I received this copy from NetGalley/publishers! I can not wait to read more of this author books this I read other by her I loved, I heard of her through Netgalley. I may just found a new author.

The New Neighbour is a decent thriller. The story focuses on a small neighborhood (The Close) and a series of tragedies that impact those in the area. The story is fast-paced and there are a lot of twists throughout the book, all leading up to a big ending/reveal. I have seen a lot of praise for this book, and I definitely understand where that's coming from; however, there were a few things that detracted from my overall enjoyment. First, I did not think Linette's chapters were necessary. I actually thought they took away from some of the mystery. Second, while I know who/why some of the odd/bad things started happening to Isobel and the other neighbors, it was never really addressed, even at the end. I feel that some closure was needed on that aspect of the story. Finally, I couldn't really connect with any of the characters, and I found myself not really caring what happened to them.

I really enjoy Miranda Rijks books and this one was no exception. The New Neighbour was set in an idyllic area of the English countryside where things seem to be perfect. But as the community recovers from a mysterious hit and run incident it becomes very obvious that things are not as perfect as they seem. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout with the tension building dramatically to an ending I did not see coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for my ARC.

The ending! BOOM! So explosive!

This was a great read. A suspenseful whodunit set in a quiet little neighborhood after a mysterious tragedy. I devoured this tale, incapable of putting it down for a second. It got a bit wordy in places but is a gripping domestic thriller you must read.

Set in a small cosy neighborhood, it seems as if Isobel has it all ; her beautiful children, a loving husband, and her forever dream home. However all of this begins to come crashing down with the arrival of a new neighbor. Who is this person and what do they want? This quickly paced mystery kept me up way too late! This was a great book from begining to end and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Highly recommend this book! This was my first book to read by this author and I can't wait to read more! The characters and the story stay with you long after you finish the book. One of the best books I have read in a long time.

Summary:
In this neighborhood, everyone keeps to themselves. Until Linette moves in - into the house whose former residents' teenage boy was killed by a hit-and-run. Suddenly, there's gossip about everyone, and strange things start to happen. And when Linette is found murdered, everyone from the community could have had a reason to kill her.

My opinion:
Wow, I did NOT expect that ending! This was such a fast-paced, clever domestic whodunnit, and I just loved it. The story kept my interest the whole time, so I just couldn't put it down. It was the perfect mix of mystery, rumors, and rivalry. The conclusion felt a bit rushed, to be honest, but otherwise, this is a great thriller!

This was my first book by Miranda Rijks, and it won't be my last!

Parts of this book reminded me of:
- Those People by Louise Candlish
- We Live Next Door by Laura Wolfe
- Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚

The New Neighbour by Miranda Rijks
Publication Date - 10th December 2021

This I think, the 3rd book I have read by this author. She is becoming one of the authors that I keep an eye out for new book releases!
I really enjoyed this book and kept me guessing to the very end!!

The story is told by Isobel, who lives with her husband and 2 children. The live on The Close which is around 6 houses I think it was.
There was a death On the close and the family then left the area. A new neighbour has moved into the house and is a bit forward for Isobel’s liking and she become suspicious of some of her actions. Her husband is constantly tired and overworked. Other information about the person that does comes to light. Which makes Isobel take a closer look at all her neighbours..... including her husband!!

Thank you Netgalley & Miranda for allowing me to read an Advanced Copy, in return for my honest at book review 📚❤️

#mirandarijks #thenewneighbour #thriller #guessing #bookstagram #bookstagramshaz

Unexpected Neighbourhood Noir…
A small community reeling from a tragedy perhaps? Or are secrets being hidden in this seemingly perfect place? Neighbourhood noir with twists aplenty, a credible cast and a, perhaps, unexpected denouement. Enjoyable, solid suspense.

Interesting story. The small few houses in the neighborhood give a good look into the dynamic of neighbors. Isobel's character is confusing. She contradicts herself quite a bit. All the characters are not fully developed. Just a touch on the surface just enough to push the story forward. The ending of unexpected and that was a nice touch.


Thank you to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This wa ssuch a good read and I read it quickly because I just couldnt put it down. It was well wriiten, had a good storyline and good characters that all added something to the book. It was fast paced and tensely atmospheric and so unpredictable. I couldnt figure out the twist which is a big plus for me. I really enjoyed it.

I enjoyed reading this book. It had a good story to it. I liked the variety of characters in it. I have read other books by this author and liked them too. It was a well written book.

What a tangled web of secrets this author has woven into latest book. A hit and run leaves a young man dead. This is just the start. One of my favourite authors who has written some of my favourite psychological thrillers. This author has the knack of surprising and even shocking the reader with her stories. I can't wait to read more from this very talented author.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

This is definitely one of the better neighborhood thrillers that I've read. It's about a small group of neighbors living in The Close, a quaint English lane. Contrary to the name, these people generally keep to themselves. There was a tragic event several months back when a teenage son of one of the families was killed in a hit and run accident. Now, a new resident is renting the house of the victim's family - they had moved away soon after they lost their son. This woman, Linette, seems to be just what the neighborhood needs. She's outgoing and vivacious but also wants to foster a sense of community among these residents - even after she learns of the accident. Isobel, the main narrator of the story, is happy to have a possible new friendship but she also feels something is a bit off with Linette.

She also has sensed that her neighbor and former good friend, Josie, is being particularly cold to her, for no reason she can think of. Sure, they are farmers and money is tight lately, but why would that make her push away her friendship with Isobel and her family? It's extra hard on her young son, Harry, who is on the autistic spectrum and is friends with Josie's son. Harry feels the rejection keenly, and he makes a heartbreaking Christmas wish when the family goes to visit Santa.

It's revealed to the reader early on who Linette is and why she has moved in. Why do we learn this so early in the story? Because everything starts moving in a different direction, that's why! Just when you think it's going one way, everything veers off course. Now there are a whole new set of questions and more mysteries to solve. Although Isobel was right about Linette, she has no idea what else she's about to discover. This is a neighborhood full of secrets - how many residents will survive once they are all exposed?

I love all of the twists sprinkled through the story. So much better than one big shocker that the whole book leads up to and would probably be guessed early on. And I also have to mention the inclusion of the adorable pet pig, Twiglet. An actual large farm pig, not a typical smaller pet-sized one. Don't be fooled, Twiglet is not just for laughs, she plays an integral part in the story. It's just one of the reasons this was a delightful read and a clever whodunit.

The New Neighbour by Miranda Rijks is another page-turner from an author who has become a fast favourite. Thank you, Ms Rijks, for bringing to us these compelling, twisty, and virtually unputdownable tales of psychological domestic suspense.

Isobel has always loved her idyllic neighbourhood, The Close. But something changes when a hit and run accident that leaves a young man dead goes unsolved, and nothing is as innocent as it once seemed. Suspicions begin to take root, and aspersions are cast, and when another murder takes place in the midst of the small community, Isobel is certain that the two incidents are somehow connected. As tensions and fears mount, nothing will ever be the same on The Close.

I cannot wait to read whatever comes next from the talented Ms Rijks.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for an ARC.

Another tense and thrilling book by this author. I have truly lobed and read everyone. An easy read bit bever predictable.