I'm not usually a spy/espionage thriller reader but I enjoyed the New Neighbor. Lost of twists and turns that kept me guessing while reading. Wished there had been a little more character development, but that's not then end of the world. Would still recommend to folks to read.

I was given a NetGalley widget for this one a year ago and I just got around to reading it and dangit it was so good. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have consumed this wildly relevant fictional tale, which felt not at all fictional, more like historical fiction, due to the times. The cover initially was what drew me in, but I'm so thankful to have stuck with it because the outcome was magical. This thriller, though it was long, kept me engaged from start to finish.

I really enjoyed this book and read it in a couple of sittings. The plot moved quickly and kept me wanting to know more. In the beginning, I found Beth's actions a bit off-putting but as the story went on I was able to root for her more. There are a lot of twists and turns, some more plausible than others. I still found myself wanting to know what would happen next though, even when things seemed a bit illogical. Overall, I found this a really fun thriller and look forward to reading more by Karen Cleveland. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Karen Cleveland has arrived with yet another high-octane CIA thriller. I needed something that hooked me in from the first page and kept the momentum going steadily through the finish. With twists I never anticipated, The New Neighbor delivered family drama, espionage, and “how well do you really know your friends” vibes in a perfectly paced novel that I’ve truly come to expect from this author but she always has a few surprises in store throughout the process. I highly recommend The New Neighbor by Karen Cleveland. A huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This twisty, deceptive story kept me on my toes! Its premise was really cool, and I couldn’t read it fast enough to figure out how things would pan out!

A tight knit group of neighbors unravels as one of their own is removed from a CIA case and starts making accusations that her own friends are working as Iranian intelligence agents. Somebody has a secret and CIA agent Beth Bradford is determined to find out who it is. This book kept me on my toes, but I did find Beth a tad annoying and a little paranoid, throwing around accusations to her friends. It seems like something a CIA agent shouldn’t or wouldn’t do until they had all the facts. She seemed to be off the rails and was letting her emotions lead her investigation, which again, doesn’t seem very CIA like. I know it’s fiction... Other than that, it was a good book and a really good story line with mostly likable characters. I also liked how it intertwined family stories with a CIA case. If you’re a fan of thrillers, you will enjoy this one!

I accidentally posted review to wrong book (the new neighbor instead of the blame game by sandy jones) ... will update when book is finished

This kept me interested and on the edge of my seat. Thrillers aren’t my usual go to but this was a good one! I’ll definitely read more from this author.

This was my first book by Cleveland and I enjoyed it for the most part. I've sadly found that thrillers are starting to become too predictable. The New Neighbor focuses on Beth Bradford, a CIA agent. She and her husband are moving to a new place, but she then finds out she has been taken off a case she thinks she finally has a break in.

Over all this was an enjoyable book, but it felt a little over the top at times with Beth and the lengths she went to. I'd recommend to those that enjoy crime/CIA focused thrillers!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review.

I loved Need to Know as it kept me on my toes. Known for her inside CIA knowledge and twists and turns, her books are a must read for me. Beth Bradford, is she on to something or just paranoid due to her jealousy? I suspected everyone and with the amount of wine Beth was drinking I even suspected she was just paranoid, but where would the book be then?

I do wish Beth was a little bit stronger of a woman. And at times I wondered how she was hired and kept on by the CIA. But she was tenacious and I do love all types of spy thrillers. I read this in two sittings and can’t wait to see what is up next for the author.

The New Neighbor is a twisty spy thriller with a compelling plotline.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

The blurb: "Idyllic neighborhood, perfect family, meaningful career. CIA analyst Beth Bradford has it all—

Until she doesn’t.

Now, facing an empty nest and a broken marriage, Beth is moving from the cul-de-sac she’s long called home, and the CIA is removing her from the case that’s long been hers: tracking an elusive Iranian intelligence agent known as The Neighbor.

Madeline Sterling moves into Beth’s old house. She has what Beth once had: an adoring husband, three beautiful young children, and the close-knit group of neighbors on the block. Now she has it all. And Beth—who can’t stop watching the woman stepping in to her old life—thinks the new neighbor has something else too: ties to Iranian intelligence.

Is Beth just jealous? Paranoid? Or is something more at play?

After all, most of the families on the cul-de-sac have some tie to the CIA. They’re all keeping secrets. And they all know more about their neighbors than they should. It would be the perfect place to insert a spy—unless one was there all along."

"Use the children." Now that's a hook. I devoured this book in one day and I'm still reeling. I guessed the first "Neighbor", but the second? Nope. That epilogue stung, I'm not going to lie. Which most of the characters do...A LOT. Enormous, life-altering lies.

An all consuming psychological thriller with espionage with writing that made this reader think she was going crazy. Sheesh. I need a drink.

The New Neighbor is definitely one of those thrillers that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Written by former CIA counterterrorism analyst, Karen Cleveland, its both well written and researched. As someone who has a passion for reading spy novels, this book is a must!

This was my first book Karen Cleaveland and it won't be ny last, this was slightly predictable but I still enjoyed it. I did think the main character, Beth was a little weak but did enjoy the storyline overall.

I struggled to finish this as the story didn’t really keep my interest. A lot of it seemed unbelievable, particularly the lengths Beth went to as she continued to follow her previous case. Glad I don’t have these characters as my neighbors.

Jaw-dropping. The author mixes the nostalgia of the empty nest, the grief of divorce, and suburban angst with a CIA thriller. An amazing achievement.

This book had lots of red herrings and misdirection that kept me guessing. I thought I had it figured out early and felt so superior for having nailed it. Then I came to find out I had it all wrong. I also loved the way it showcased the inner workings of the CIA in a way that’d I’d not found elsewhere. And it makes me glad that my job doesn’t leave me vulnerable to be targeted for information! Hahaha.

Unpopular opinion alert!

This book is a perfect example of why I'm really bored of Domestic Thrillers and really need to take a long break from them.

A CIA agent who immediately assumes that the woman buying her home is a terrorist that her unit has been searching for, for years. Because she says something in the same foreign language. Does that make her a bigot?

Then she proceeds to jump from assumption to assumption based on her gut feelings. Is this a good representation of a CIA agent? Really?

So many dumb twists that didn't rely on anything of importance.

I feel like I took a 'dumb pill' after reading this one.

Hated it!

3.25 stars, rounded down to 3.*

This is the first book by Karen Cleveland that I have read and I enjoyed the suspense. It is the story of Beth Branford, a CIA operative living on an idyllic cul-de-sac in Langley, VA surrounded by neighbors that have become longtime friends. Her children are all grown and she and her husband decide to downsize. On the day of closing, Beth learns she has been taken off the case she has been working for 15 years, and rather than moving with her to a new townhome, her husband wants a divorce.

Beth can't let go of the potential break in her case, and she becomes fixated with finding which of her neighbors is THE NEIGHBOR, the turncoat she has been tracking.

Some of the tale is clever and other aspects are just too much.

*with thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.

This book was amazing! I’ve never read anything from this author before but I will now. It kept me guessing, who was the bad guy, who was the informant. Highly recommend this suspenseful tale of a typical suburban neighborhood that’s not really as it appears.