What the Neighbors Saw by Melissa Adelman

This seemed to be a dream neighborhood for Sam and Alexis. Huge homes on huge lots, they'd own the least of the homes in the area that they wanted to see as the place they would raise their children. But once in the house and with the second baby born, we see that the marriage leaves a lot to be desired. Sam is quick to criticize and demean Alexis, he seems to be the cruelest of a book full of unlikeable characters.

Alexis spends hours looking out her "front of the house" kitchen window, spying on whatever is happening outside. She covets the happy family of Blair, a woman about ten years older with an already successful husband and three teenagers. The other neighbors seem a bit standoffish or weird so she stays pretty lonely for the first few months after moving into the new to them house. But, Alexis's past, a life of living with a mother who worked non stop to feed herself and her daughter while they lived in dangerous apartments and dangerous areas, has Alexis grateful to finally live in a safe and secure neighborhood, even if they had to put themselves close to the financial brink just to buy this house which they can't afford to furnish.

Then the mirage of a safe haven is blown to smithereens when Blair's husband is murdered on the neighborhood trails. No longer feeling safe in this neighborhood they can barely afford, Alexis wants to know more, wants the killer to be found. At least this murder gives Alexis and Blair a reason to become friends, to bond. But too many secrets can destroy everything. How will these women deal with what they learn?

As a reader who doesn't mind slow burns this story came close to burning too slowly for me. It certainly took way too long for me to figure out where it was going or even if it was going anywhere. We get hints that there might be secrets and/or hidden pasts while getting bogged down in Alexis's dissatisfaction with her "miserable" life. Alexis is on a six month maternity leave while having the luxury of a live in nanny residing in the basement of her 1.5 million dollar fixer upper. Yes, I'd panic at having to fix up a house I bought for 1.5 million if I was short on funds, too, and I'd more than bristle a little at having such a horrible husband, but surely Alexis can find something to enjoy with this life of hers. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for this book and decided to go with 4 stars although I do think the story could be tightened up a bit. It's almost like everything we learn is a red herring for something and most of that something never happens. Still, there is a payoff at the very end which rated the 4 stars from me.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you for allowing me to read this book as an ARC.
This book captured me from the start. While I thought I had things figured out in the beginning, I was quite a bit off and definitely did not see this ending coming at all! I loved the story written from alternating view points. The story was captivating and kept everyone guessing but definitely felt like some parts were a little weak in explaining the background. I also felt that the protagonist, Alexis, seemed entitled and unlikable especially with her nanny, just leaving her with the kids even though she stressed so often that she didn't seem to really care for her. That part seemed a very unrealistic, I know I would never leave my kids with someone I don't care for. The entire situation also with her eating only once a day and the background behind that seems very unclear. Was she trying to lose weight or was she bulimic? What was the purpose of that part in the story? I never figured out what role this was supposed to play.
Also, even though Sam is Alexis' husband, it seems a strange way that she all of a sudden started disliking and hating him. It seemed brought up out of the blue. Was she suffering from postpartum depression or did something else happen that wasn't mentioned? She seemed too focused on how he called her an old lady and I don't understand why she put up with that?
The sudden interest of Alexis into Blair's background and life was strange and came all of a sudden. The ending felt rushed and not well thought out.
Even though with these questions and unknowns, the story line is a good one and I enjoyed it. Since this is an advanced readers copy. I would think that some additions and edits will still be made to clear up or take out some of these parts. I also hope the ending won't be rushed.

What the Neighbors Saw by Melissa Adelman is a twisty, fun read. I enjoyed being led along and each time a new twist came, I was surprised. This was a slow burn with two different POV’s. I agree that there was a Desperate Housewives vibe.

This was such a fun read! It was also super easy and quick to read which I love with thrillers. I was fully invested in this story at the 10-15% mark. There was so much drama between the neighbors and I loved every second of it. The only reason I'm giving this a 4 stars is because based on the blurb of the book, I was expecting there to be more happening with the muder case than there actually was. I still loved the book for the drama and learning the secrets of all the neighbors and seeing things unfold, but I just wish we got ot dive more into the murder case besides the few moments we saw with some of the characters talking to the detectives. This was a great debut novel and I can't wait to see Melissa Adelman writes next!

What the Neighbors Saw is Adelman’s debut domestic suspense novel set in the posh suburbs of D.C. Alexis and Sam can barely afford to move into the neighborhood until a dilapidated cape cod home becomes available. Despite the need of expensive renovations, the couple thinks they are on their way to living out their dream lives until a neighbor is found dead behind their house. Told between two POVs, Alexis and Blair, the deceased man’s widow, the two women begin to dig into the murder mystery. This slow-burn, page-turner thriller is executed with just enough paranoia and doubt to keep readers guessing until the end. Fans of domestic mysteries with deception, unfaithfulness, dark family secrets, and duplicity should pick this up as their next read! Congratulations to the author for a fantastic debut.

This was a good story of what goes on behind closed doors. It wasn't the tightly knit suspenseful story that I expected. In fact, it dragged quite a bit between the actual murder and the resolution. In addition, I felt like little pieces that the reader should have had were left out. Sure you don't want to give away the story, but I'd like more hints along the way instead of a huge unforeseen at all big ol' left turn at the end. Twists are good when you don't see them coming but can look back and figure them out. If there is nothing to see in hindsight that you had previously missed, then it isn't a twist that makes me ooh and aah. So maybe for me, it was a good story with a lot more potential than what the finished book delivered on.

🏘Plenty of strange goings on in a Virginia suburb: unpredictable, with good storytelling😊

4.5🌟 stars
This one snuck up on me and got better as it unfolded until I really could not stop reading. Alexis, one of the two main characters who narrate the story, had a lot of insecurities and hang-ups, but this plot that revolves around her family's move to an affluent Northern Virginia suburb was full of surprises. I had no inkling of who had murdered her popular neighbor until the big climax.

The neighborhood secrets, jealousies and rivalries kept the tension high and Alexis' problems with her fixer upper house and her status-loving husband kept me on edge, reading on to discover how their marriage would fare. The mystery of Teddy's murder on a nearby nature trail ebbed and flowed but seemed almost forgotten for a time. For me, that made it all the more shocking when Alexis finally figures it out.

A good story all around. Though I wouldn't say most of the neighborhood characters were all that likable, this was an excellent plot and I thought it was well executed, too. I would like to read more by the author.

Thanks to Minotaur Press and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

I'm a fan of Desperate Housewives, so I had to check this out. This had plenty of drama, a little mystery, a little suspense, and some nice twists, all coming together to make one unforgettable read. I was happy we got to hear the story from two different POVs - Blair and Alexis. Not all the characters are likable, but they are unique, and feel real. I thought Adelman did a great job of bringing the story to life, drawing the reader in and surrounding them with the story. It was so easy to get caught up in the story, and I read this within a few sittings. Definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys the drama of Desperate Housewives!

WHAT THE NEIGHBORS SAW by Melissa Adelman is a chilling novel of domestic suspense set in an affluent suburb of Washington, DC. Alexis and her husband, Sam, are successful young professionals with one child and another on the way. Sam is poised to make partner at his law firm and Alexis is on maternity leave. They decide to take a chance on buying a fixer-upper in an exclusive neighborhood. Even though the house needs costly repairs they will barely be able to afford, they go ahead with the purchase and renovations, hoping to fit in with their affluent neighbors. But when their neighbor, Teddy, is found dead on a riverside path near their home, they will soon be drawn in to an intense police investigation to find his killer. As the investigation continues, secrets and lies are revealed that pit neighbors against each other. Alexis becomes friends with Teddy’s widow, Blair, but is Blair who she seems? Who would want Teddy dead? Who can be trusted? This was an enjoyable and twisty story and I thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

Just when you're so sure you're on the right track, you discover that you're flying off the rails even though everything looks hunky dory and the way you dreamed life could be in Melissa Adelman's WHAT THE NEIGHBOR SAW. For Alexis and Sam, the fantastic find of a fixer-upper in an upscale DC neighborhood feels like the ultimate confirmation of their high-stakes, high-pressure life with Sam's legal career taking off and Alexis about to give birth to their second child. And for some time, that seems to be exactly the case. Then a neighbor is murdered, a new friendship between Alexis and the murdered man's widow Blair raises hackles, and the twists and turns of the perfect place wreck the fantasy. Both Blair and Alexis face their pasts and what it take to achieve the dream lives. I didn't expect to like the story as much as I did, pushing myself past the saggy parts and numerous unlikeable characters, but still found myself staying up way too late to find out what really happened. I received a copy of this novel and these thoughts are my own, unbiased opinions.

I love a good neighborhood drama. This one started a bit slow, but once it got going I was invested.

Many of the characters were unlikeable and unreliable. And it seemed everyone had a secret or something to hide.

Alexis and Sam are a young couple with a child and one on the way. They find a fixer upper in a lovely DC neighborhood. IT needs work, but it's the only way they can afford this area.

Shortly after they move in, Teddy - one of their neighbors - is found murdered along a wooded path along the river. Alexis has met his wife, Blair, earlier, and goes to offer her condolences. They becom friends and she gets to know other neighbors. Meanwhile the investigation goes on.

I wasn't totally shocked by who the murderer was, but leading up to that was fast and interesting.

Solid debut and I look forward to more from this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Alexis and Sam are about to become second-time parents and he’s on the fast-track to making partner at his law firm. It seems like the perfect time to find the right home to raise their family in, and when they see a large Cape Cod home in an affluent suburb of D.C., it doesn’t take them long to decide they’ve found it. Their optimism and dreams silence the reality that it’s an older house in serious need of renovation that will cost them in ways they haven’t even imagined yet.

And then there’s the issue of their new neighbors …

This neighborhood boasts money, success and a host of individuals who’ve climbed to the top in one way or another. At the summit are Blair and her politician husband Teddy. When Teddy is found murdered near an exclusive jogging trail by the river, the whole neighborhood gets drawn together to support Blair. It sounds lovely, but soon the perfect veneer on all these people’s lives start crumbling, and it’s clear to see that Sam and Alexis don’t have the only messy “house” in the neighborhood!

The story is narrated alternately by Alexis and Blair, both of whom had less than stellar upbringings and seemed to find a kindred spirit in the other. I enjoyed their interactions the most. Blair was my favorite. She’s flawed … yes, but she’s also kind of fascinating! As a reader, I wanted to know more about her and get inside her head. She oozed confidence but also had an air of mystery around her, and that made her chapters fun for me. If the whole book had been told from her perspective, I’d have been all in. Then there’s Alexis …

Here’s where things fell apart for me a little. I found Alexis to be neither likeable nor unlikeable - somehow as a character, she just existed. For such a major character to be so forgettable is a problem for me. She’s supposed to be very smart and on leave from a high-paying consulting job, but she reads as mousy, insecure, whiny and given to foolish decisions. Added to that, Sam is an unbearable and emotionally abusive douchewad, and neither of them seem to ever be paying attention to their two young children. Her chapters weren’t bad … just not as enjoyable.

Throw into the mix a hodge-podge of interchangeable dysfunctional neighbor couples who I could never keep straight and a plethora of “neighbors gone wrong” scenarios, and the story got bogged down in too much unbelievable silliness. I thought the motivation for the murder was pretty unique and creative, but the actual whodunnit and why they were involved was a bit mundane and anti-climactic.

Despite the flaws, I was fairly engaged in the story, and I think it’s a decent debut. The writing is very good, and with a more nuanced, less predictable plot, this author has the potential for a really stellar book in the future!

★★★ ½

Thanks to Minotaur Books, NetGalley and author Melissa Adelman for this digital review copy to honestly review. The book is out today!

WHAT THE NEIGHBORS SAW, Melissa Adelman’s debut novel, is a well-written mystery. Alexis and Sam bought their dream house in the exclusive River Forest neighborhood, right outside Washington D. C. Trouble starts before the moving van is even out of sight. I loved the setting and the unique characters. Mark me as “hooked from the start.” Alexis, raised to be tough, is a standout, kick-butt protagonist. There are also characters who are so distasteful that the reader begins to side against them. What a great domestic thriller, one that must be read until the last page in order to put all the pieces together. There’s murder, intrigue, infidelity, and a prowler creeping through the woods. Read this one with all the lights on! The plot packs a punch and the writing is quick and clear. Well done, Melissa. Write us another one!

Domestic suspense seems to be the hot subgenre at the moment. How many moody house covers have you seen lately?

Personally I like a little more intensity/darkness in my thriller reads, BUT I do enjoy a suburban whodunnit.

What The Neighbors Saw introduces us to Alexis, she’s just moved into a bougie DC suburb with her husband, son and a bun in the oven. They have just bought a fixer upper and are keen to fit in with the local elite. Alexis quickly meets her new posh neighbor, Blair. Shortly after the two connect, Blair’s husband is murdered near the woods by their houses. The book alternates between these two women’s POV.

Alexis feels that there is something off with Blair. Is Alexis’ troubled past spidey sense tingling?? She turns into a bit of a down low sleuth (after she gives birth), which puts her in peril and at odds with her husband.

This is a slow burner without a lot of twists and turns. It does get a bit sleepy in the middle, BUT the reveal is worth it 👏 I was like, what’s that? Come again???? We are getting into Alice Feeney territory here!

Along with the digital copy from Minotaur and NeGalley, I also received the audiobook from Macmillan Audio, which is narrated by Hillary Huber and Sarah Hollis. I love multiple narrators!! Hillary is an amazing narrator, she does Riley Sager and Elena Ferrante’s novels. You really feel like you are listening to these two women’s stories.

Get ready for some neighbor drama in this Desperate Housewives meets The Couple Next Door! Alexis and Sam move their growing family into an upscale neighborhood where everyone seems to hold secrets and no one can be trusted, especially after a murder takes place.

These characters are bad, rich people that you’ll love to hate. It’s a thriller so suspend your disbelief for this one. I found the ending to be predictable but overall was an entertaining read. The major plot twist was a bit out there but also less predictable than the rest of the story.

Chapters switch between Blair, whose husband was murdered, and new neighbor Alexis. Both characters helped build the mystery. They’re both a little un-likable but yet you kind of root for their budding friendship.

The audio had great narrators that perfected their characters. I was easily able to switch between audio and e-reader which made for a quick read. Thanks for the invitation to read this early copy @minotaur_books and thank you @macmillan.audio for the audio copy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Available today! HAPPY PUB DAY!

Debut thriller

I really enjoyed this thriller set in the affluent suburbs of Washington DC. The characters were very interesting, each with their own challenges and the atmosphere of the book kept getting a little darker each chapter. Definitely diverting!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time limited e-arc via netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

I was provided both a print and an audio arc of this book via Netgalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I enjoyed that this had two narrators to distinguish between Blair and Alexis' perspectives. I enjoyed both narrators performances and felt they did a good job.

This follows Alexis after she and her husband Sam move in to a dilapidated house in the DC suburbs. The house is in their dream neighborhood and perfect for their growing family. Unfortunately the house came with a hefty mortgage, and at every turn they are sinking more and more into repairs just to make it safe to live in. Alexis has just given birth to their second child and with the financial burden and stress of the new house that strains her marriage even more. When their neighbor turns up dead a few weeks after they move in, Alexis begins to notice that her neighbors have strange night time behaviors as she is up for nighttime feedings with her little one. Her husband is growing more and more irritated by the house and trying to make partner at his law firm and thinks she is just being paranoid. As she begins to befriend some of the women in the neighborhood she finds that some of her paranoia is warranted.

Our other perspective comes from Blair, whose husband has just been murdered. She quickly befriends Alexis and is happy to have someone to lean on after such a tragedy. As the women begin to grow close, strange things continue to happen in their luxurious neighborhood. Things aren't always what they seem in the carefully constructed neighborhood of wealth and priveledge.

I found this to be pretty predictable. I kind of had the whole thing figured within a few chapters. There weren't very many red herrings to mislead the reader, you just weren't clear on the motivations which aren't revealed until much later. This is pretty low on the thrill and suspence aspects, which is not my type of thriller. I prefer heart pumping fast paced action. This is slow burn and follows the characters through their day to day lives until the truth about what happened is revealed. I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters. They were all self absorbed and shallow, I didn't like any of them and that makes it hard for me. Alexis made alot of questionable decisions, but she was supposed to be a very intelligent woman. I'm not a fan of the domestic thriller where the female character is supposed to be really smart but she keeps doing dumb things.

I believe the author was trying to make a statement about motherhood, body image and marriage and how that changes a woman and her relationships. While that is accurate, it didn't really work for me. While this book didn't work for me, I think there is an audience for this book. There is no gory crime scene and there isn't alot of police procedural stuff going on. I you enjoy a slower burn domestic thriller this is a good one to check out, it isn't what I'm looking for.

When Alexis and Sam find a fixer upper in a neighborhood they never thought they could afford they jump at the chance to buy it. But shortly after moving in a man dies in the woods behind their home. As they meet more of their neighbors they find that each of them has something to hide. There they find that even the most beautiful of places can be ugly when you look past the surface.

This one is a slow build thriller. Much of the story focuses on Alex as a new mother and meeting the neighbors - some experiences being more pleasant than others. As you learn more about the neighbors it becomes more unclear why or who could be a suspect. I enjoyed the build of this one but found the revelations to be unrealistic.

Melissa Adelman's highly entertaining debut, WHAT NEIGHBORS SAW, is a fresh new domestic suspense cat-and-mouse thriller that uncovers a shocking twisty secret in an affluent, upscale neighborhood where appearances are essential and dirty secrets are to be kept behind closed doors.

Set in an affluent DC suburb neighborhood, River Forest, we meet Alexis and Sam, and baby Caleb who are buying a 1927 Cape Cod Revival house that needs a lot of repairs; however, they are delighted to get into this sought-after neighborhood.

It has room for a pool and an excellent walking trail. Alexis is excited about meeting the neighbors, even though they do not have the money for designer clothes, cars, and renovations like their neighbors. They have a Honda and a live-in nanny that will be living in the basement.

Alexis is pregnant, a consultant, and is on maternity leave. Sam is an attorney. (I disliked Sam). Later she gives birth to a baby girl, Carter.

Blair and Teddy are neighbors with a beautiful home with three children. Alexis wants to get beyond her past and is excited when glamorous Blair befriends her.

But the neighborhood's picture-perfect image is shattered when their neighbor Teddy – is found dead on the trail behind Alexis/Sam's house.

The neighborhood is stricken and shocked, and an investigation is underway. Tensions are high among the residents, and long-buried secrets are slowly unraveled.

Told from alternating POVs of Blair and Alexis, we learn the dark secrets behind closed doors. Alexis is more competent than others give her credit as she begins sleuthing to learn more about Blair and Teddy. How far will they go to protect their secrets?

The ongoing mystery—who murdered Teddy and what motive? Inside or outside the neighborhood?

I LOVED the audiobook narrated by (favorites) Hillary Huber (Blair) and Sarah Hollis (Alexis) for a hilariously wickedly evil performance with a Desperate Housewives vibe blended with dark humor for a superb listening experience.

A chilling tale of deception, DNA, dark family secrets, duplicity, and unfaithfulness that will keep you reading/listening into the wee hours of the morning until the final shocking twist.

For fans of Shari Lapena's The Couple Next Door, Nora Murphy's The Favor, Lisa Unger's Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six, Sally Hepwoth's The Family Next Door, and BA Paris, The Therapist.

In WHAT NEIGHBORS SAW, the characters are mostly misbehaving, manipulative, and selfish, with a lot of backstabbing and jealousy; however, the TWIST is unexpected and jaw-dropping and an entertaining popcorn thriller!

I can't wait to see what's coming next from this talented new author. Highly recommend the audiobook!

Thanks to #MacmillanAudio for a gifted ALC and #MinotaurBooks for an ARC via #NetGalley for review purposes. #MinotaurInfluencers

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: June 20, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars
June 2023 Must-Read Books

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5/5 STARS

This is a neighborhood mystery/thriller

Similar Books:
The New Mother
Speak of the Devil

Synopsis:
Alexis is pregnant with her second child when her and her husband move into a high end DC neighborhood they can barely afford. When one of their neighbors is murdered, multiple secrets get uncovered within the cul de sac.

This was a good neighborhood thriller. I like a nosy neighbor mystery and this did not disappoint. It was a little predictable and there was a lot of foreshadowing but I still liked it. It is told from the POV of two neighbors each with very different backgrounds. The chapters were short and it was an easy,fun read. Great debut novel!

Thank you Minotaur Books for the ARC! 🏡🖤👀