This was a very interesting debut story. it kept me guessing right up to the end. If you enjoy mystery and suspense, I think you would enjoy reading this story.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Alexis and Sam are young professionals with one child and another on the way and they are looking for something better than their current rowhouse in Washington DC. They are looking for their dreamhouse and when they get notification of a modest 1.6-million-dollar home in the beltway of Virgina they go have a look in the morning and their offer accepted by that evening. But just maybe in their haste they did not pay attention to all the many things that need to be fixed and this just may lead them to find that not only is this a steep financial cost but there could be other non-monetary cost they did not count on. As they settle in this exclusive neighborhood and meet the various residents' stories start to reveal themselves and things take a twist when one of the prominent men of the area is found murdered. How could this be when this is supposed to be a place of little to no crime, but you will find these people have quite a few twists and many of the relationships are not as they appear. This will keep you wondering right up to the end. I did find Sam to be a major pain in the rear.

Does an affluent neighborhood harbor no secrets? Not in this quick and easy read with twists & turns that keep you intrigued. Most of the characters were unlikable and normally I don't enjoy that, but it fits perfectly in this story.

3.5 stars

What the Neighbors Saw, by Melissa Adelman

Short Take: Almost a really great book.

(*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*)

Hello Duckies! I come to you from the land of “Stinky Wildfire Haze” and, at the same time, our neighbors across the street are getting some work done to their house, and Jonesy The Dog is losing his furry little mind and barking nonstop, all day. But I really like my neighbor, so I am going to try to tune it all out and be patient. TRY.

The whole “neighbor” thing is at the heart of today’s book (I know, duh, it’s right there in the title). Sam and Alexis, an up-and-coming couple with one toddler and a baby on the way, decide to buy a fixer-upper in the most exclusive neighborhood around. Of course, the house and its many money-sucking repairs immediately put a strain on their marriage, and of course, Nothing Is As It Seems in River Forest.

Blair and Teddy are the suburb’s golden couple, like literally - both they and their three teenage children are blond, athletic, etc. They are the wealthiest, their house the most perfect, and all the other “rich people” cliches, until the unthinkable happens: Teddy is found murdered in a nearby river.

In the wake of his death, Blair and Alexis become close friends, even as Alexis’s marriage becomes ever more fraught, and more and more ugly secrets of the beautiful people emerge.

My sweet Nerdlings, with a setup like that, how could this book go wrong? Well, to be blunt, in several ways.

First, there’s Alexis. She’s awful. And I don’t mean unlikeable, or even inconsistent (although she’s both of those). She’s a woman who had a terrible relationship with her own mother, and repeats endlessly how much better she’ll be with her own kids, while at the same time, she constantly foists them off on the nanny to get drunk. Oh yeah, she has an eating disorder and refuses to eat most food, but will suck down wine by the bottle (does she have ANY idea how many carbs and calories are in that? Like, GIRL).

So OK, she has some unresolved issues from her traumatic childhood (cough cliche cough) but she’s also just stupid. Here’s an example: Alexis suspects something about Blair and Teddy’s relationship. It has no effect on their friendship at all, it’s something deeply personal and would be a terrible secret that no couple would want revealed. So what does Alexis do? She immediately runs to Blair to ask her about it. WTF.

Alexis also repeatedly runs into the woods next to their house when she thinks she sees someone out there in the middle of the night, like she’s secretly Batman or something. And when something DOES happen, nothing about it makes sense. I won’t give it away, but it’s forced and ridiculous.

And that’s a problem with most of the story involving any of the other neighbors. There are too many to keep straight (and pretty much none of them have anything to do with the story, really) and their pointless plotlines are handwaved away when no longer needed.

Finally, the true identity of the killer was painfully obvious. Had Alexis pulled her head out of the bottle and taken a good look around, this would have been a much shorter book.

I did enjoy the house descriptions, though, as I’m one of those vaguely voyeuristic types who finds other people’s houses fascinating.

The Nerd’s Rating: TWO HAPPY NEURONS (and some coffee, I feel drunk just reading this thing.)

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins press for the eARC.

This was a slower domestic drama centered around a murder in a new neighborhood for one couple. There were some twists and turns in the later sections of the book. Most of it was relationship building.

I know it was the point but I freaken hated Sam and it was so hard to read anything that involved him. He was the wooooorst.

This one just wasn't for me. This was described as "a chilling story of murder and intrigue" but was really a slow build domestic drama with unlikable characters. With underdeveloped characters and a slow moving plot, I almost didn't finish it. Not recommended

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.......The story had a great concept however I found it to be a little lackluster. I could not get into the characters, I wanted more intrigue.

I really enjoyed this book. Lots of parts to follow, IT very enjoyable. I was surprised by how it ended

The perfect suspenseful domestic thriller set in a wealthy suburb of DC. We follow two women, Alexis and Blair, as some suspicious things occur after Blair's husband's murder. This suspenseful thriller is filled with lies, cheating, murder, in a wealthy community. Perfect for mystery/thriller lovers!

This was a very enjoyable domestic suspense story. You can feel something is not right about the affluent neighborhood that Alexis and Sam move into. Everything seems to good to be true and everyone seems to be hiding something. I loved all of the twists and turns in this story.

What did the neighbors see... well if you are nosey you will see alot.

If you like neighborhood drama, nosey people and lots of mystery this one is for you. Easily binge worthy
This had alot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming but just overall not my favorite.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a character study of people living in one neighborhood as they get to know one another in the middle of the tragedy of one of them being murdered. The characterization is amazingly complex and intricate yet so compelling. Alexis and Sam are the newest addition to the wealthy neighborhood. Alexis is trying to fit in while Sam is busy working on becoming a partner in his law firm. The first to welcome them are Blair and Teddy and they welcome the new couple with enthusiastic good cheer. However, Alexis is soon confronted with the reality of huge bills for their fixer-upper house and even worse, the murder of Teddy. The plot moves along at a good pace with secrets being revealed methodically at just the right time to keep the story moving. I did not particularly like any of the characters but they were well-developed to represent just what they were meant to. The writing was sharp, with a sensitive exploration of trying to fit in. This is a multi-layered and cleverly written novel that crackles with tension and page-turning twists. I especially enjoyed the intricacy of the plot and the realism of the characters. It’s definitely not a neighborhood I would like to live in, but this book would make a great television show!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This was not what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it all the same. I really enjoyed this domestic drama and will be looking for more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley, Melissa Adelman and St. Martins Press & Minotaur Books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very entertaining domestic drama about rich, affluent families. I was hoping for more of a suspenseful thriller but this was still a very easy, and entertaining read and kept me engaged the entire way through. This book follows two neighbors, Blaire and Alexis and I definitely enjoyed Alexis' chapters more but I think you were supposed to ;)

This was a great debut and I'm looking forward to Melissa Adelman's next book!

I enjoyed this book from Melissa Adelman. This was a good domestic thriller that kept me engage with the characters to the very end. The end of the book was an excellent way to tie up the book and I enjoyed the alternate points of view while reading the book. I look forward to what Melissa writes next. 4/5! Highly recommend for the readers who enjoy domestic thriller novels!

Thank you Net Galley,St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for my advance reader copy!

I love a good domestic mystery/thriller and What the Neighbors Saw really hit the sweet spot. There’s something about the atmosphere of this slow burn domestic suspense that gives it an edge.

Alexis and Sam, along with their two small children, move into their dream home; hopefully, their forever home. Then they meet the friendly yet not so friendly affluent neighbors – the kind who have that way of making you feel unwelcome all while telling you they’re so pleased you’re here.

When one of their neighbors, Ted, is found murdered, the story begins in earnest. Alexis has watched Blair, Ted’s wife, now widow, with a bit of envy, in the past. Her life seemed so together, so perfect but as Alexis and Blair become friends, secrets are revealed and Alexis learns that things aren’t always what they seem, especially with those that have a lot to lose.

While I love a good red-herring, there were more than a few but the satisfying conclusion of What the Neighbors Saw more than made up for this.

My thanks to @StMartinsPress for this gifted DRC.

Alexis and Sam move into fixer-upper in an affluent neighborhood. When one of the neighbors is murdered, secrets and lies are uncovered about all the couples. No matter where you come from or how much money you have or pretend to have, the drama is the same. People with money are better at covering it for a while. I did not like any of the characters and I was disappointed that the story took a while to capture my interest. The twist toward the end flabbergasted me, I was not expecting that. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy domestic thrillers. I received an advance copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

Overall i thought this was a pretty decent "rich people drama" (but not so much of a thriller)

We follow the perspective of two neighbors, Blair and Alexis. I definitely preferred the storyline of Alexis more, but I think that's a given. There were a couple of red herrings that threw me off, and I definitely didn't guess the twist at the end.

Solid debut! I'll definitely read whatever Melissa Adelman writes next.

What the Neighbors Saw by Melissa Adelman is an exhilarating, highly compulsive, tension-filled debut novel. This book seriously kept me guessing throughout the story, and was completely shocking at the end. A huge thank you to Minotaur Books, the author and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of the book.

The premise of this enthralling novel is about Alexis and Sam, young married professionals who are looking to move into a very wealthy, exclusive community in a DC suburb. Alexis is pregnant with their second child and Sam is working to make partner at his law firm. When the opportunity to buy a Cap Cod fixer upper comes up that they are excited, and grab the chance to be apart of this ideal neighborhood.

Being new to the community Alexis wants for nothing more than to leave her troubled past behind her, to get a fresh start and be accepted. As her prestigious neighbors welcome them into the community all is not quite what it seems. The neighborhood’s impeccable image is fractured when their neighbor Teddy – an attractive, successful father of three is found dead.

The bedrock of the community is shaken to its foundation. And with increasing tension, neighbors grow hostile, become divided and long held secrets are revealed. However, in spite of the trouble throughout the neighborhood Alexis kindles a new friendship with Blair, queen bee of the community and the widow of the deceased. The two women bond and become close.

While a murder investigation ensues the police struggle to determine the identify of the killer. Finally when the inconceivable truth about what really happened to Teddy surfaces Alexis and Blair have to figure out how far they are willing to go to maintain the facade of their meticulously curated lives.

If you love reading books or watching shows with morally dubious characters such as Big Little Lies or Desperate Housewives then this a book that you definitely want to read. A fantastic read for summer vacation!