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by L Alison Heller
L. Alison Heller, whose work has been praised by Liane Moriarty as "warm, witty…refreshingly true to life," explores the ultimate sacrifices of parenting in The Neighbor's Secret, a propulsive and juicy novel filled with gripping twists and instantly recognizable characters.
How well do you really know your neighbors?
With its sprawling yards and excellent schools, Cottonwood Estates is the perfect place to raise children. The Cottonwood Book Club serves as the subdivision's eyes and ears, meeting once a month for discussion, gossip, and cocktails. If their selections trend toward twisty thrillers and salacious murder mysteries, it's only because the members feel secure that such evil has no place in their own cul-de-sacs.
Or does it?
What happened to Lena's family fifteen years ago was a tragic accident, and she will never admit otherwise. Devoted wife and mother Annie refuses to acknowledge―even to herself―the weight of a past shame. And new resident Jen wants friends, but as always, worry about her troubled son gets in the way.
When late-night acts of vandalism target the women of the book club in increasingly violent and personal ways, they will be forced to decide how far to go to keep their secrets. At least they all agree on what's most important: protecting their children at any cost―even if it means someone has to die.
"With its imaginative plot, charismatic characters, and wealth of dramatic revelations, this addictive tale is one of those novels that demands to be gobbled up in a single sitting. Great for book clubs (whose members may or may not have their own secrets) and for domestic-thriller lovers in general." ―Booklist (starred review)
"Heller excels at the complex characterization required to engage readers, resulting in a book that's truly impossible to put down. The myriad anxieties her characters feel―fear for their children, their reputation, their community―are entirely relatable...With such a wonderful buildup and a truly surprising finish, The Neighbor's Secret is a delight to read." ―BookPage (starred review)
"Entertaining psychological thriller…Readers will relate to these appealing women, who toss off one-liners even as they wrestle with such issues as teen substance abuse, bullying, and workaholic spouses. This is perfect for Liane Moriarty fans―as well as potential book club catnip." ―Publishers Weekly
"Heller gives us a dishy tale of nosy neighbors, mysterious vandalism, family shame ― and murder…Heller places a ticking time bomb inside each character's house, and locating them is half the fun of this book. The other half comes from Heller's sense of humor, which is wicked without being unkind." ―New York Times
"Addictive, suspenseful and masterfully written, The Neighbor's Secret kept me glued to the page. This searing portrait of the suburbs, where the perfect surface conceals deadly secrets, will delight fans of Big Little Lies." ―Michele Campbell, bestselling author of The Wife Who Knew Too Much
"I love it when a thriller hits me in the funny bone, and The Neighbor's Secret did just that. Smart and darkly comedic, with nuanced characters delivering whip-smart dialogue, this story will have you grinning as you race through the pages. An absorbing tale that delivers some juicy surprises." ―Kimberly Belle, bestselling author of Dear Wife and Stranger in the Lake
This information about The Neighbor's Secret was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
L. Alison Heller is a lawyer and author of contemporary women's fiction novels The Never Never Sisters and The Love Wars.
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