kathyintex's review
3.0
I kept asking myself, ‘Where is this going? What is this about? It was difficult to discern the trajectory of the story. Basically - meh.’
thumbetina's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
caramels's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
When you’re caught inside a dungeon, even the faintest flicker in the dark is like a promise of daylight. And if it turns out not to be, if it turns out instead to be a burning staircase… Well, you take your chances anyway.
When you’re caught inside a dungeon, even the faintest flicker in the dark is like a promise of daylight. And if it turns out not to be, if it turns out instead to be a burning staircase… Well, you take your chances anyway.
leelee77's review against another edition
3.0
"Londoners Jack and Syd moved into the house a year ago. It seemed like their dream home: tons of space, the perfect location, and a friendly owner who wanted a young couple to have it. So when they made a grisly discovery in the attic, Jack and Syd chose to ignore it. That was a mistake. Because someone has just been murdered. Right outside their back door. And now the police are watching them..."
I love a Psychological Thriller, so the description of this book attracted me as did the cover so when I got the opportunity to read it I snapped it up. However, it did take a couple of weeks to read as it just didn't grab and hold my attention the way I thought it would and I found that some of the events in the story just didn't tie together as well as they should have. I also didn't really enjoy the journal format of the book.
I liked the character of Jack but I found it difficult to warm to Sydney.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin books for copy in exchange for an honest review.
I love a Psychological Thriller, so the description of this book attracted me as did the cover so when I got the opportunity to read it I snapped it up. However, it did take a couple of weeks to read as it just didn't grab and hold my attention the way I thought it would and I found that some of the events in the story just didn't tie together as well as they should have. I also didn't really enjoy the journal format of the book.
I liked the character of Jack but I found it difficult to warm to Sydney.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin books for copy in exchange for an honest review.
kbranfield's review
4.0
The New Neighbors by Simon Lelic is a unique, chilling and suspenseful novel.
Jack Walsh and Sydney "Syd" Baker are amazed their bid on a sought after house in London was accepted. One of the major downsides of their move into their new home is they must clean out the previous owner's belongings. Although Syd is completely in love with their new dwelling, Jack cannot shake the uncomfortable feeling that all is not right with their purchase. Eerie sounds, a nasty discovery and a puzzling box soon take a backseat as they and their home fall under intense scrutiny of Detective Inspector Karen Leigh and her partner DC Granger. When their lives begin taking a sudden downward spiral, will Syd and Jack emerge from their troubles unscathed?
The first part of the novel alternates between Syd and Jack's points of view. Jack is the only child of middle class parents whose approval remains elusive. Syd has a very troubled background that has drastically improved over the four years she has been with Jack. While Jack decides to dig into the circumstances of the previous owner's decision to sell the house, Syd becomes close to thirteen year old Elsie Payne who lives with her father in the house across the way.
The second part of the story focuses more on the police interest in Syd and Jack. Both Jack and Syd have been withholding information from one another that comes out once they take their suspicions about some of the strange occurrences at their new home to the police. Jack is a little disturbed by DI Leigh's ability to accurately read him and use this knowledge to her advantage. Syd is distrustful once she receives shocking information and she is angered by the police reaction to their revelations.
The New Neighbors is a puzzling mystery with some very creepy elements and an unusual narrative style. Syd and Jack are interesting characters with very different life experiences. Simon Lelic brilliantly keeps readers guessing who (or what) is responsible for the mysterious goings on in the couple's new home. With plenty of shocking twists and unexpected turns, the tension builds to a fever pitch as the novel hurtles to a stunning conclusion. Fans of the genre do not want to miss this outstanding suspense-laden mystery!
Jack Walsh and Sydney "Syd" Baker are amazed their bid on a sought after house in London was accepted. One of the major downsides of their move into their new home is they must clean out the previous owner's belongings. Although Syd is completely in love with their new dwelling, Jack cannot shake the uncomfortable feeling that all is not right with their purchase. Eerie sounds, a nasty discovery and a puzzling box soon take a backseat as they and their home fall under intense scrutiny of Detective Inspector Karen Leigh and her partner DC Granger. When their lives begin taking a sudden downward spiral, will Syd and Jack emerge from their troubles unscathed?
The first part of the novel alternates between Syd and Jack's points of view. Jack is the only child of middle class parents whose approval remains elusive. Syd has a very troubled background that has drastically improved over the four years she has been with Jack. While Jack decides to dig into the circumstances of the previous owner's decision to sell the house, Syd becomes close to thirteen year old Elsie Payne who lives with her father in the house across the way.
The second part of the story focuses more on the police interest in Syd and Jack. Both Jack and Syd have been withholding information from one another that comes out once they take their suspicions about some of the strange occurrences at their new home to the police. Jack is a little disturbed by DI Leigh's ability to accurately read him and use this knowledge to her advantage. Syd is distrustful once she receives shocking information and she is angered by the police reaction to their revelations.
The New Neighbors is a puzzling mystery with some very creepy elements and an unusual narrative style. Syd and Jack are interesting characters with very different life experiences. Simon Lelic brilliantly keeps readers guessing who (or what) is responsible for the mysterious goings on in the couple's new home. With plenty of shocking twists and unexpected turns, the tension builds to a fever pitch as the novel hurtles to a stunning conclusion. Fans of the genre do not want to miss this outstanding suspense-laden mystery!
elijah_renz's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
shereadsbetweensips's review
4.0
3.5 stars.
I'm not going to lie, I had a hard time keeping up with the plot. There was a lot happening and a constant back a forth. A lot of crazy around. I had a hard time understanding the MC's mindset and that, "you did something bad and for that, I'm going to punish you by doing a lot of coke" had me wanting to punch her. Honestly, how dumb is that? How about acting like an adult and confronting the issue with actual words and a conversation?
The male MC was so stressed about everything that his screws started to get loose and the paranoia was palpable. Losing your friend because you don't know what's real anymore must be hard.
The family dynamic was another level of messed up. How the mother was so willing to turn a blind eye to all of the abuse that was going on in the house to the point of losing one of her daughters and still, she never did anything to stop it. That was difficult to read.
Overall the plot was interesting and kept me hooked.
I'm not going to lie, I had a hard time keeping up with the plot. There was a lot happening and a constant back a forth. A lot of crazy around. I had a hard time understanding the MC's mindset and that, "you did something bad and for that, I'm going to punish you by doing a lot of coke" had me wanting to punch her. Honestly, how dumb is that? How about acting like an adult and confronting the issue with actual words and a conversation?
The male MC was so stressed about everything that his screws started to get loose and the paranoia was palpable. Losing your friend because you don't know what's real anymore must be hard.
The family dynamic was another level of messed up. How the mother was so willing to turn a blind eye to all of the abuse that was going on in the house to the point of losing one of her daughters and still, she never did anything to stop it. That was difficult to read.
Overall the plot was interesting and kept me hooked.
laurencehebberd's review against another edition
3.0
I don’t know how to feel about this book. On the one hand, I couldn’t put it down. Simon Lelic’s writing is phenomonal and I could imagine every scene so clearly, but on the other hand, the twist didn’t feel like anything. It was a good read but I felt like I wanted more.
kateryderbooks's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5