Perfect Neighbours, Perfect Lies…
When Viola’s new neighbours move into Number 33, everything seems picture-perfect.
But behind the manicured lawn and polite smiles, dark secrets lurk in the shadows. As Viola, a quiet retiree, digs deeper into the strange behaviour of the family next door, she uncovers a disturbing web of lies.
The father, Rhys, is hostile. The mother, Wendy, seems to be losing her grip on reality. And their daughter, Mirabelle is an eerie eight-year-old.
When Viola sneaks into Number 33, she discovers a locked room and a secret hidden inside. Soon her curiosity turns into obsession. But as she pushes closer to the truth, the family turns the tables and suddenly, Viola is the one questioning her own sanity.
Will Viola uncover the sinister truth… or is she the next victim in this twisted game of cat and mouse?
The Family Next Door is a chilling psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
My Review
I’m getting a bit worried. The house next door to us has become empty after all this time. The current owners lived there for twenty-eight years – we’ve been in ours for thirteen of those. It’s a spooky old house and we don’t yet know who’s going to move in. I just hope it’s not Rhys, Wendy and Mirabelle. If it is, I’m definitely not popping round for a cup of tea.
I don’t quite know what to make of Viola. I think we could be friends, but I probably don’t want to live next door to her either. She’s too nosy (she says she’s not) and suspicious. There is no way I would have gone into someone’s house if they left the door open – well maybe just the hall before closing the door – but not snooping around upstairs. And pretending to water the plants so I can spy on them? Maybe…
The Family Next Door is creepy as hell. They are a weird bunch and Rhys is a real chauvinist, but are they as odd as Viola thinks they are? Not having had children of her own, I think she also finds Mirabelle’s behaviour stranger than I would have done (with two sons and four granddaughters in tow). And her pre-retirement job working in social services probably makes her see stuff I might have missed.
However, things only get worse. By now I would have confided in someone and sought help. But Viola is that person in the horror film who goes down in the cellar while we are all yelling at the screen ‘don’t go down there!’.
At times her behaviour made me feel really uncomfortable, and I despaired of her most of the time. But it’s one of those stories where you have to keep turning the pages even though you want to hide behind the sofa. Thank goodness she’s gone home….oh no, she’s gone back. Viola what were you thinking! The Family Next Door is full of suspense and surprises, even though you may want to drag her back to safety and reality.
Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of #TheFamilyNextDoor blog tour.
About the Author
Charlotte Stevenson is an author born and raised in North West Cumbria. Charlotte studied Medicine in Scotland and continues to work part-time as a doctor.
Charlotte writes dark, twisty psychological thrillers with elements of psychological horror. She is fascinated by the complexity of human behaviour and the dark depths of the mind. The Serial Killer’s Son was her first novel.
Charlotte now resides in Greater Manchester with her husband, three wonderful children and two rambunctious dogs. When not writing or working, Charlotte is a voracious consumer of audiobooks and has an ever-expanding TBR pile that she has no desire to control.
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