The Downstairs Neighbor by Helen Cooper
Mystery
2021 G.P. Putnam's Sons
Finished on August 5, 2023
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
One House. Three Families. Countless Secrets.
From her downstairs apartment in suburban London, Emma has often overheard the everyday life of the seemingly perfect family upstairs–Steph, Paul and teenage daughter Freya–but has never got to know them. Until one day, she hears something that seizes her attention: Freya has vanished and the police are questioning Steph and Paul about their life. Do either of you have any enemies? Anyone who might want to harm or threaten you?
The effects of Freya’s disappearance ripple outward, affecting not just her parents, but everyone who lives in the building, including Emma and local driving instructor Chris, who was the last person to see the teenager before she went missing. Each character’s life is thrown into sharp focus as devastating mistakes and long-held secrets are picked apart and other crimes come to light–including a child gone missing 25 years before, and a shocking murder–that make clear that the past never stays where we leave it, and that homes can be built on foundations of lies.
The Downstairs Neighbor is a solid mystery that kept me reading late into the night. The opening chapters reminded me just how much I enjoy thrillers. Gone Girl, The Woman in the Window, The Girl on the Train, and Behind Closed Doors came to mind as the lies and secrets were slowly revealed. Thankfully, none of the protagonists are drunks (with memory issues due to blackouts) or unreliable narrators, but there are several threads and backstories to keep the reader on their toes. I liked how the mystery was resolved, and how the ending didn't feel convoluted or rushed. I'm looking forward to reading more by Helen Cooper.
This one's going on the TBR list! Thank you for bringing it to our attention. It sounds like a good one to keep me on the edge of my seat as I read.
ReplyDeleteHelen, I had trouble putting it down!
DeleteI'm sold. I absolutely love Lisa Jewell and I like the setting in this one as you describe it.
ReplyDeleteTina, I've never read anything by Lisa Jewell. I'll have to give one of her books a try!
DeleteThis sounds good... especially knowing there isn't a drunk with blackout issues involved. I'm over that device, lol!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, yeah that device got old very quickly! This one is worthwhile.
DeleteI don't read as many thrillers as I used to but if i get in the right mood for one -- I'll go for it ... especially on flights :-) .... Glad you liked this one.
ReplyDeleteSusan, it's not a super intense thriller. More of a mystery, maybe... Could be a good choice for a long flight!
DeleteSometimes I say I'm over thrillers but it's really that I just want a good one and not one that copies from other successful novels. I hadn't of this title before but like the sound of it.
ReplyDeleteIliana, this was entertaining and not too intense.
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