I enjoyed this read, but the multiple points of view could be overwhelming at times as they didn't seem to connect to one another and were a bit confusing to follow at first.

It was entertaining and enjoyable nonetheless.

Mystery/ Thriller With Cults And Magical Realism? Yes Please. First off, if you're turned off by any discussion of cults... this book likely isn't your thing. If you're turned off by any element of magical realism... this book probably isn't your thing. If you can't handle books dealing with domestic violence and/ or sexual assault/ rape... this book probably isn't your thing. If you can't handle books with multiple POVs... this book probably isn't your thing. If you're turned off by books with dual timelines... this book probably isn't your thing. If you're turned off by books with any LGBT characters at all... this book probably isn't your thing.

With all of *that* out of the way, I thought this book was done particularly well and told a not-overly-typical (because it dealt so intrinsically with cults/ life after cults) tale in new and interesting ways (re: magical realism elements). All of the various elements work well to create a story with an admittedly slow start that absolutely heats up later in the text, particularly during a somewhat detailed account of the night everything came crashing down in the earlier timeline. The overall mystery ties both timelines together well, and while the front of the book can seem a bit disjointed at times with its POV switches, it *does* all come together quite beautifully and dramatically down the stretch.

Ultimately a fun read that is different enough to stick out in a very crowded field of similar ish (re: mystery/ thriller) books, this is definitely one to check out - even if it is a touch longer than some will be comfortable with (just over 400 pages).

Very much recommended.

I received an ARC of this book. I have to admit it wasn’t what I expected, but in a good way! It took a minute to get used to the dual POV, but once I had a grip on everything! I loved Hannah and was internally pulling for her! I was desperate to keep reading and figure out more. This book keeps you guessing! I loved it!

Twisty thriller mystery with multiple POV, a little hard to keep up with 5 in the beginning but very engaging once I understood who each character was. This bounces between past and present in all POVs, has cult and a splash of magical elements but not so much that it's a fantasy. The story really picked up in the second half and I finished this in just over a day, I enjoyed this read and was surprised at the ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC.

Hannah McCollough appears to have a perfect life as a devoted mother and wife to a wealthy husband. However, when a young girl's body is found near their vacation home, Hannah is forced to confront dark secrets from her past. As the police investigation unfolds, Hannah's seemingly perfect marriage begins to unravel, leading her on a search for answers that brings her into contact with strangers hiding shocking secrets of their own.

This was my first time reading a book by Maia, and I am eager to dive into more of her work. What a thrilling ride! As you may know from my reviews, I prefer to approach each book with little prior knowledge, allowing myself to be surprised and delighted as the story unfolds.

While this book started off slowly, it quickly captured my interest. I found myself completely engrossed and unable to put it down. The author skillfully answered all of the questions that arose throughout the story, providing a satisfying unexpected conclusion.

I particularly enjoyed the eerie setting and the subtle supernatural elements woven throughout the narrative. The characters were convincingly portrayed with the mindset of a cult, which resonated with my previous readings on the subject.

I highly recommend this book as a quick and engaging read for those looking for something a bit out of the ordinary.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for my digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I would like to thank Harlequin Trade Publishing - MIRA for providing me with a free electronic ARC of this book, via Netgalley, in exchange for an open and honest review.

Full disclosure – I’m a fan of Maia Chance’s books. Love both her “Discreet Retrieval Agency” and her “An Agnes and Effie Mystery” series. But they are of the cosy crime genre. And I knew “The Body Next Door” wasn’t going to be a cosy... but trusted Maia’s writing skills to still make it good.

And she did not disappoint! Wow! What a totally different style of writing from her. And so skillfully done. I usually don’t like using cliché terms like Spine Chilling, or Nail Biting... but I just have to here as there are no other words. It truly was just such a book.

“The Body Next Door” is a mystery thriller that honestly has you guessing from the start. Within the first few pages I honestly was getting the tingling spine. It just captured my attention - The thick, but not overdone, suspense, the interweaving of multi-character’s perspectives, the guessing at who really is the “good guy” and the “bad guy” throughout, the blend of well described scenery and believable characters. This book was an amazing modern day suspenseful thriller.

So, if you’re a fan of terrific authors such as Elizabeth Haynes, you’re absolutely going to love this book. If I can compare reading to watching television... I didn’t just read this book – I binged it! Could not put it down.

Highly recommend.

Until next time, Janis.

The Body Next Door has definitely made it to my top reads of this year. It's twisty, the setting was the perfect mix of atmospheric and creepy, culty (one of my first cult reads and now I need to read more).

I love multiple POVS and dual timelines but five POV's were kind of difficult to keep up with in the beginning but I did love how everything came crashing together in the end. Very twisty and well-done. I loved the intricate plot, complex characters, and the eeriness that gave the story a well-engaged plot.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review :)

A thriller that keeps you hanging on until the very end! Secrets, Lies, Cult vibes, so many thrills! I was hooked from the beginning and I will definitely be reading more by this author.

Based on the blurb and the fact that typically I enjoy thrillers, I was hoping to love this book. Sadly it was not a great fit for me. I DNFed around 30%. This may be a wonderful read for many but personally I just could not get into it enough. I love a dual POV or multiple POV book but with five various ones it was easy to confuse them at times. I may pick this up again in the future but not right this minute.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Maia for the ARC

Unfortunately I DNF this book. I really liked the synopsis of the story and certain POV’s, such as Hannah. However, I reached 27% of the book and just couldn’t continue. There was a paranormal (I guess you can say) aspect to this story where two characters can communicate with inanimate objects? It just wasn’t for me, but I will still recommend giving it a chance if you think you would like it!

Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC copy the bodies next door. The cover is absolutely 😍 beautiful. For me the story was a very slow starts it did get more interest as the story infolded. The book was supposed to be a domestic thriller but was more like a supernatural thriller which was a little weird to me. I was a bit thrown in the beginning with the multiple points of view however it all comes together at the end. The book was just ok for me.

A cult mystery thriller with a touch of supernatural magic. The alternating character view point leaves you guessing at every corner. When you think you have things figured out you are surprised to find things not so clearly defined. Character introductions are a bit chunky but once you are solid with who is whom things flow nicely. I always wanted to read more at the end of my set reading time. I would love follow up story lines on the characters introduced in this book.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing, NetGalley, and the author for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so good! My absolute favorite thing about it was the multiple POV and not knowing how each person was connected to the story until everything was slowly revealed. That really kept me invested and frantically reading so I could figure it all out! If you love a thriller with twists, turns, and cult vibes then you do NOT want to miss this one!

I absolutely loved this book! It was so gripping and suspenseful. It was everything I look for in a thriller. I also love the theme of a young beautiful bride and an older man with a perfect life and yet they both have secrets. A great book and I look forward to reading more from the author.

I’m giving "The Body Next Door" by Maia Chance a solid 4 stars! This thriller is packed with twists and turns that kept me hooked. The story follows the discovery of a buried body and how it impacts different characters' lives. There's a teenage boy in a cult, a millionaire’s wife named Hannah with a mysterious past, and lots of secrets to uncover.

The multiple timelines and perspectives made the story super engaging, and I loved how everything came together in the end. The magical realism added a cool twist that made it even more interesting. If you’re into character-driven mysteries with unexpected surprises, you’ll really enjoy this one!

The Body Next Door by Maia Chance was a gripping thriller!
This book was fantastic! It was engaging and it draws you in, you just want to settle in and rip through the pages and find out everything you possibly can about these characters. They're fascinating and damaged, slightly unhinged. There's secrets galore that you uncover, slowly and one by one.
I was totally immersed and entertained.

Thank You NetGalley and MIRA for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Maia Chance crafts an engaging and well-paced mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The plot is full of clever twists and turns, with red herrings and clues deftly woven into the narrative. Chance maintains a perfect balance between building suspense and developing the charming, small-town setting. The pacing is steady, with enough action to keep the reader engaged without overwhelming the cozy atmosphere.

Chance's writing is crisp and witty, capturing the essence of a cozy mystery. Her descriptions of Naneda Falls are vivid and inviting, creating a setting that feels both real and idyllic. The dialogue is sharp and often humorous, reflecting the personalities of the characters. Chance's ability to create a sense of place and community enhances the overall reading experience, making the reader feel like a part of the town.

This book is a must-read for cozy mystery enthusiasts. Maia Chance's ability to blend suspense with a charming, small-town atmosphere makes The Body Next Door a thoroughly enjoyable read.

First of all, the cover of this book is what totally drew me in!! But the story itself, did not disappoint one bit!! Told in multiple POVs, which each character had something to hide and what a crazy twist! Definitely a must read!!

Thank you NetGalley & MIRA for an advance reader copy!!!

Thank you to MIRA and Maia Chance for this ARC.

An unearthed body, a cult, a wife with secrets—if you aren’t already hooked, then I don’t know what else to tell you 😅🤣 “The Body Next Door” promised some crazy twists and turns and certainly delivered.

I absolutely love books that center around cults, and lurking in the background of “The Body Next Door” was the story of a teenage boy navigating his new life in a small-town cult. On top of all this, in another timeline, we have Hannah, the wife of a millionaire and mother of two unique children, harboring many secrets.

As the timelines started to converge, I found myself on the edge of my seat and gasping out loud at some of the reveals. The characters are well-developed, so I had no issue keeping track of the multiple POVs. I was a bit confused about how all the characters fit together, but Chance’s story unfolded insanely well, leaving you very satisfied at the end.

The beginning of this book is a bit slower as Chance introduces each POV and develops the characters. At about the 30% mark, things start spiraling and picking up to where you won’t want to put this one down.

I had some major theories about these characters (some were right, and some were way off). I will say that one thing that sets this thriller apart is the infusion of magical realism. I absolutely loved it, but other people may not. Either way, the plot twists in “The Body Next Door” will leave your head spinning in the best possible way. 🤩🖤

I was drawn to the book by its intriguing cover and premise, but the actual read was a bit of a mixed bag for me.

With its mix of strange adult relationships, an island home surrounded by dense woods, mentions of a witch, a disturbing and violent kid, and a 'community' with questionable practices, this book seems like it’d pack a punch, right? Well, it had the potential to be gripping, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me.

The multiple POVs were a bit overwhelming. I usually enjoy two perspectives, but juggling five, along with trying to remember other characters within those POVs especially with shifts between past and present, made it hard to stay engaged. The beginning felt slow, and it wasn't until about halfway through that the story started to pick up. The connections between characters and timelines became clearer around the 40% mark, which helped, but it was a bit of a slog to get there.

I'm not usually into cult-related stories, so that aspect didn't resonate much with me.

I do like magical elements but in books like this, it just felt a bit out of place and didn't add much to the overall experience for me.

In the end, yes, the first half was a bit slow, with all the different points of view kind of thrown in without knowing exactly how they connected. But things definitely picked up more in the second half, and the book is very character-driven, with each character serving a purpose. However, the ending was just okay, not particularly memorable or outlandish. The plot became a bit convoluted and drawn out. Overall, it was a decent read but not one that will stick with me for long.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.