The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
Genre: Thriller
Release Date: 14th July 2016
Publisher: Transworld Digital
Source: Bought
Add it: Goodreads
Rating:

Fast-paced and addictive, THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR announces a major new talent in thriller writing. You never know what's happening on the other side of the wall.

Your neighbour told you that she didn't want your six-month-old daughter at the dinner party. Nothing personal, she just couldn't stand her crying.

Your husband said it would be fine. After all, you only live next door. You'll have the baby monitor and you'll take it in turns to go back every half hour.

Your daughter was sleeping when you checked on her last. But now, as you race up the stairs in your deathly quiet house, your worst fears are realized. She's gone.

You've never had to call the police before. But now they're in your home, and who knows what they'll find there.

What would you be capable of, when pushed past your limit?

I read The Couple Next Door in one sitting after weeks and weeks of battling through a reading slump. Apparently all I needed was a really good thriller. Who knew? I’m really happy with the way this turned out, so much so that I’ve pre-ordered Lapena’s next thriller so I can read it right away when it comes out later this month.

I’m not going to lie, The Couple Next Door isn’t the most original book out there. It’s your standard thriller in terms of plot. You go around suspecting everybody, you form your own theories, and then the ending comes out of nowhere and THEN there’s the second ending. You thriller fans know what I mean.

That said, Lapena’s writing is really freaking captivating. I couldn’t put the book down. I mean, I was on a plane at the time and I had nothing else to do, but I imagine if I had been sat at home reading it I would have flown through it just the same. I had such an easy time storming through the pages, and I hope that this is also true for Lapena’s next book.

In terms of how the plot and the twists turned out, I have to say that it was kind of obvious. Admittedly, I did suspect pretty much everyone in the beginning, but I wasn’t shocked at all when the big reveals happened. Thankfully, I was enjoying the book too much by that point to care.

I’d definitely recommend this if you’re looking for an easy read. Take it on holiday with you if you want something exciting to read by the pool. You’ll have fun trying to figure out what happened to the baby!