The People Next Door by Tony Parsons

 

Following a home invasion Lana and Roman Wade leave London and set up home in the countryside. With friendly neighbours and an idyllic setting everything seems perfect until Lana discovers that a murder/suicide took place in their new home. Lana is convinced that something sinister is happening among her neighbours.

The opening chapter is terrifying and really grips the reader. The thought that intruders have broken into your home during the night fills you with dread. The author does not go into graphic detail, leaving that for the reader to imagine.

Following the disturbing opening we then move to Lana and Roman moving into their new home. The descriptions of the rural setting, the beautiful houses and the friendly neighbours make this seem like an idyllic place for anyone to set up home and make a fresh start.

Affluence is on display, from the top of the range cars to the swimming pools in the gardens. When Lana and Roman meet two other couples who live nearby they discover that the wives have given up successful careers to become homemakers. This, along with the beautiful setting, gave me a sense of "Stepford Wives" and had me wondering what secrets were lurking under the glossy veneer.

While Roman settles well into his new surroundings, Lana becomes ever more doubtful that things are as perfect as they seem. This brings tension between the couple and we are given subtle hints as to what happened during the home invasion in the opening chapter. 

As secrets are revealed we discover the truth behind what brought the couple to their new home, along with the terrifying situation they have put themselves in.

The People Next Door by Tony Parsons will be published on 31st March 2022 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My tanks to NetGalley and Century Books UK for a review copy.