Interesting and well written I just personally couldn’t get into the story. Difficult to follow at times and a little slow. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Well that was sufficiently creepy. Good storyline, excellent characters, and it kept me guessing up to the end. Alexis isn’t crazy, but since buying a house in a posh neighborhood and having a new baby, she wonders. You get the gamut of neighbors with big personalities and plenty of intrigue. I did have to go back and reread a couple sections to see if I missed something when a twist came, but it didn’t detract from the book. Good read.

Hmmm. This one kept my attention but I kind of feel like the last half fell flat, or just didn't live up to my expectations. It was okay. I don't think it'll be one I will remember in time. I just don't think the plot and ending was worth the trip to get there, maybe.

When Alexis and her husband Sam purchase a rundown Cape Cod house in an upscale DC suburb, they're filled with excitement. Sam's career is on the rise as he nears a promotion at his law firm, Alexis is expecting their second child and their new neighbors appear glamorous and welcoming. With a fresh start on the horizon, Alexis hopes to leave her troubled past behind and embrace a brighter future.

The idyllic image of the neighborhood is shattered when Teddy, a handsome and successful father of three, is discovered dead on the banks of the Potomac River. As police investigate the crime and the killer remains at large, the once-peaceful community is filled with tension and hidden secrets begin to unravel.

Amidst the chaos, Alexis finds solace in her growing bond with Blair, the captivating and charming widow of Teddy. However, as their friendship deepens, the neighborhood becomes increasingly divided. When the shocking truth about Teddy's murder is revealed, Blair and Alexis must confront the realities of their friendship and make difficult choices to protect the lives they have worked so hard to build.

I was completely engrossed in the story, and I particularly enjoyed the dual perspectives of Alexis and Blair. What I loved most about this book is that all the secrets were kept hidden until the very end, and the plot remained grounded and believable. The author did a fantastic job with characterization, as I could vividly imagine each character, despite there being many of them. The beginning was a bit slow-paced, and it took a while for the excitement to kick in.

This is a fast-paced story even though the setup was too long. The revelation of Teddy's killer was satisfying, although not entirely surprising. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel and eagerly anticipate more works from this author.

Thank you to Victoria with St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for reaching out to me with the ARC!

What the Neighbors Saw by Melissa Adelman
Published: July 20, 2023
Minotaur Books
Genre: Domestic Thriller
Pages: 291
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Melissa Adelman was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, a first-generation American with parents from Haiti and Chile. When she is not traveling the world for her job as an international development economist, her favorite place to be is at home, an old house full of surprises just outside D.C. Melissa lives with her husband, two energetic little boys, and long-suffering shih tzu. She holds a Ph.D. and B.A. in economics from Harvard University and has authored several policy papers and research volumes.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it won’t last!”

Alexis and Sam move into an exclusive, high-end neighborhood, thinking it will be the perfect place to raise their family, to put down roots. The neighbors aren’t as perfect as appearances would seem, however. As secrets start being revealed, the truth begins to be exposed.

THE TWIST IN THIS BOOK. Holy moly. I enjoyed this story. I liked the alternating narrators and perspectives. The pacing was engaging, without being fast or slow. The build-up was dramatic but not over the top.

I liked Alexis. She has some skeletons in her closet, secrets she holds inside. But she wants what most of us want, to be accepted. I liked Blair, too. She was intelligent, kind, and seemed to be a good friend.

The way the characters all added to the plot was clever. The dynamic was intense, and the relationships were superficial. This is a perfect summer read- intense, twisted, and terrifyingly unique.

Melissa Adelman’s exciting debut ,”What the Neighbors Saw” tells the story of Alexis and Blair. Alexis moves into a posh Washington suburb where Blair reigns as its queen bee. Not long after Alexis moves in, Blair’s husband, Teddy, dead body is found. Alexis goes to offer her sympathies to Blair which begins their unexpected friendship. Alexis begins her own investigation into Teddy’s murder where she learns not only more about Blair’s marriage, but about her own as well.

I initially thought I was reading yet another suburban thriller, but I was surprised to read a fresh spin on a popular theme. First, there isn’t the usual adversarial relationship between Alexis and Blair. They have a complicated relationship, but they are not spiteful. I also enjoyed how the story takes its time developing the characters and plot. There isn’t a lot of twists and turns, but there are relevant issues and themes that kept-up my interest.

“What the Neighbors Saw” is one of those rare thrillers that doesn’t try to imitate other popular domestic thrillers instead it presents Melissa Adelman as a bold new voice in the Thriller genre.

What the Neighbors Saw is about a young couple that buys a run-down house in an affluent neighborhood that they can't afford.

There's a murder, a crew of rich people acting poorly and a whole lot of trying to keep up with the Joneses.

I found the plot to be a little slow until about 75% of the way through when it started to pick up and there was a twist that I didn't see coming at all!

If you like dual point-of-view, neighbourhood-drama type stories, then you may like this one. This would be a good summer read if you're looking for something quick and light.

Overall, this one was ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me.

Thanks to @minotaur_books for the #gifted e-book in exchange for my honest opinions.

This was a stunning debut! WHAT THE NEIGHBORS SAW is set in a DC suburb and follows and Alexis and her husband Sam after they buy a fixer-upper in a nice neighborhood. Everything is on the up and up for the couple and their new neighbors are awesome. This is all shattered when one of the neighbors is murdered and the culprit remains unidentified. Suddenly none of the neighbors are as wonderful as Alexis thought because their secrets start to emerge and Alexis has her own she’s afraid of coming out. This was a domestic suspense novel with very strong plot development and great characters. There were no dead spots and I felt engaged throughout this entire story. This new author is one to watch!

Melissa’s Adleman’s debut novel What the Neighbors Saw is a slow burn mystery thriller. It takes too long to get into the book. The characters are unlikable, I feel that it takes too long to get to where it had to go to get the twist in the end.
Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Minotaur Books, Netgalley, and Melissa Adelman for a copy of What the Neighbors Saw in exchange for an honest review. This was such a fun read- the tagline (Desperate Housewives meets The Couple Next Door in a chilling story of murder and intrigue set in a well-to-do DC suburb) peaked my interest and provided me with an excellent read. As I have stated a million times over, I love reading about the wealthy and all their "problems". Adelman did a great job keeping us guessing with throughout the whole story about what the heck was going on in this neighborhood. This one can be picked up now and would make a great gift for the suspense lover in your life!

Just what did the neighbors see in this Washington, DC suburb, what are the secrets that keep the neighbors guessing, and what is everyone hiding is portrayed in this enjoyable story that Melissa Adelman weaves in What The Neighbors Saw. Alexa moves into a fixed supper Cape Cod house with her husband, Sam. She soon starts a friendship with the neighbor across the road, Blair. This begins a domestic, murder mystery with characters so complex that kept me turning the page to see what happens next in the neighborhood. And the ending, WOW! This is the first book I've read of Melissa Adelman, but sure won't be my last!

I read this very quickly, in less than 4 hours! Less of a mystery than I prefer, but I didn’t want to put it down. I liked the neighborhood drama aspect, and also the domestic drama happening. I guessed some of what was coming, and other things were a surprise. Great for a quick read!

I hate to say it, but I was kind of disappointed with this book. I liked it but also didn’t…? I don’t know. There was a lot that was missing for me.

A murder happens within the first few chapters, and then there’s almost nothing related to it for the next three quarters of the book. It went from potential thriller to a ton of drama from a bunch of rich neighbours that I didn’t like.

The reveals near the end were pretty cool concepts, but the execution was lacking. And by that point, I just really wanted to be finished with the book and I didn’t really care what happened.

I also felt that the writing was…strange. I liked it overall, but I felt that the author went off on random side plots with no warning and it made for a bit of a confusing reading experience. But that could just be me.

I would still recommend this if you’re in the mood for a light thriller/drama, but I wouldn’t jump up and down over it.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for my gifted copy!

If the author's mission was to write a book where not one single character was likeable, she has succeeded. I could not come close to finding any redeeming qualities for any of them. Alexis, the main character was what I consider to be some kind of a reverse snob. I finished the book, but would not recommend it to anyone. Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this early.

Alexis is a new mom who decides to move into a fixer-upper in a nice neighborhood. Shortly, after moving in one of her neighbors husband gets murdered. Quickly this widow, Blair, befriends Alexis. Soon Alexis realizes everyone is suspect…

I did not like how Alexis’ husband treated her and she still kept swearing they were a team…. Like, don’t call me old lady. 🫰🏽🫰🏽🫰🏽Don’t be rude after I just had your child. The author kept hinted she wasn’t rich and white and she didn’t look like everyone else… fine. But if someone is looking at me sideways because of my skin, I don’t need them near me or my house. So basically I didn’t like the main character, she had no backbone… and I’m not about that life. The rest of the story was pretty wild. Just when you think you can trust someone… they fold.

thrillers/mysteries are some of my favorite books. they’re not always done right for various reasons like premise or ending or even the journey to the end but this book has be on the edge of my seat turning the page in search of answers. really enjoyed this one!

WHAT THE NEIGHBOR’S SAW is a domestic suspense novel about a couple that buys a rundown house in an affluent DC neighborhood, the death of one of the residents and the drama surrounding that. This debut novel was full of unlikeable characters and nosy neighbors. Everyone was unreliable and I didn’t figure out the twists before they happened or anything. I found it to be a slow burn in the middle and just thought it was fine overall.

If you like books that involve neighborhood drama, you will love this book. You get to meet a cast of characters that live on a swanky street together. There is a mysterious death. There are lots of secrets. People feel like they don’t fit in. Everyone seems guilty. And then the plot twists occur. I would have given the book 5 stars, but there were parts about the ending that just didn’t fit for me. Otherwise, a great, enjoyable read that will keep you guessing!

Thank you so much to Net Galley and Minotaur books for the gifted e-copy of this book!

What The Neighbors Saw by Melissa Adelman

My rating:
4/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Alexis and her husband Sam recently purchased a fixer upper in a small affluent neighborhood. What they did not expect, was for a man to be murdered in said neighborhood, or the other things that start to happen after this event.

This book was quite a ride. I really enjoyed it! I did think at times the pace was a little slow, but I was so invested around halfway through, I ended up reading it in 24 hours.

Told in both Alexis and Blair, a neighbor Alexis meets when they were looking at the house initially, you get to see the story told from two totally different perspectives. I actually enjoyed Blair’s character & loved her parts of the book!

I did figure out a few things that were going on but I did not expect the huge twist in this book 👀 I don’t think anyone could guess that one 😅

This was Melissa Adelman’s debut novel. I would definitely give it a read if you liked the show Desperate Housewives. At times this book reminded me of The Hunting Wives by May Cobb and Just The Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica.

Thanks netgalley for the ARC! You can read this one now!

What the Neighbors Saw, by Melissa Adelman, is a slow-burn domestic thriller rife with unlikable, badly behaved characters and dark secrets, all set behind a prestigious facade. The story begins by introducing us to Sam and Alexis who have just toured, and then impulse-purchased a million dollar fixer-upper home in a highly sought after neighborhood. Alexis is pregnant with her second child and things seem to be ideal for the couple, but behind closed doors, things are far from perfect.

As an escape from her domestic trouble and financial worries over their money-pit home, Alexis watches the neighbors who seem to have it all. Blair, her husband and teenage kids seem to have the safe, secure, serene life that Alexis craves, but when Blair’s husband is found dead on a neighborhood trail, that illusion vanishes. In the aftermath, Alexis and Blair form a close friendship and resolve to find answers where the police have come up empty. But while Alexis is up through the night with her newborn, she sees shocking, disturbing things out her bedroom window; things that obliterate her notion of the perfect neighborhood.

What the Neighbors Saw is a neighborhood suspense story filled with self-serving, gossipy, rather detestable characters. The unreliable narrators keep you guessing, and though its a slow burn, it ends with a twisty, shocking conclusion. I could have done without some of the coarse, crude descriptions, but I guess it suited the tone of the story. Though not my favorite, this darkly dramatic thriller will appeal to many.