Nosy Neighbours by Freya Sampson

 

Dorothy Darling is the longest resident of the flats within Shelley House. The residents of the other flats just about tolerate her busybody antics. When everyone receives an eviction notice they have to decide whether to fight together or simply give up and leave.

Nosy Neighbours by Freya Sampson is one of those uplifting books that will have you siding with the characters against the greedy arch-villain. The story centres around seventy-seven-year-old, long-time resident of Shelley House, Dorothy Darling, and twenty-five-year-old newcomer, Kat Bennett. These are two women who have nothing in common apart from the place where they live.

Dorothy, or Ms. Darling as she keeps correcting everyone, has lived in flat two of Shelley House for over thirty years. Her days follow a strict routine, with many of the hours sitting in a chair at the window watching everything that is happening. If anything is unusual, suspicious, or unacceptable it is committed to a notebook. Each day Dorothy also takes the time to carry out an inspection of the Victorian building itself, sorting the mail from the junk, noting any rule violations by other residents, watching for minor repairs, but, mainly checking on the fire escape door which gives access to the roof. Dorothy prides herself on not being nosy, she's simply keeping an eye on everyone for safety reasons.

Kat Bennett has recently returned to the area after fifteen years. She has lived a nomadic lifestyle for a decade, never putting down roots for long, hence her interest in sub-letting a room in flat one at Shelley House. Kat doesn't want to get involved with anyone, particularly as she doesn't plan on staying long. She's not even sure why she was drawn back to the place she spent much of her childhood until her grandfather disowned her.

The remaining residents of Shelley House are a mixed bunch, simply getting on with their day-to-day lives, although some have personal issues they are dealing with. When they all receive an eviction notice they initially accept their fates are sealed. Dorothy, however, is adamant she's not leaving and some of the other residents take strength from this and decide to fight. Kat, along with a local journalist, digs into the background of the landlord, a shady property developer who uses underhand tactics to get what he wants.

As the battle between the residents and the property developer continues we learn about both Dorothy and Kat's background. We begin to understand why Kat is constantly on the move and why Dorothy refuses to move. 

Mistrust makes it almost impossible for either woman to accept the help they are offered and difficult for them to change their ways, they've spent a lifetime protecting themselves and keeping their hurt a secret. Dorothy and Kat are as stubborn as each other but through the support they offer each other and the wider community, they realise that forgiveness exists. I was pleased that this story didn't have a magical happy ending where everyone got what they wanted, the ending felt realistic and this made for a much more believable story.

Author Details

Freya Sampson is the USA Today bestselling author of The Last Chance Library and The Lost Ticket/The Girl on the 88 Bus. She studied history at Cambridge University and worked in television as an executive producer, making documentaries about everything from the British royal family to neighbours from hell. She lives in London with her husband, children and cats. Nosy Neighbours is her third novel.