Alexis & Sam buy a fixer-upper in an exclusive DC suburb. Things appear to be looking up for them. Alexis is pregnant with their second child, and Sam is set to make partner at his law firm. But their neighborhood’s picture-perfect image is shattered when their neighbor Teddy – a handsome, successful father of three – is found dead on the steep banks of the Potomac River. As the police begin interviewing all of the neighbors, secrets start coming out. Meanwhile, Alexis and Teddy's widow Blair develop a burgeoning friendship, which becomes tested when the unthinkable truth behind Teddy’s murder is finally uncovered.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was good, but the storyline seemed to drag off and on all throughout the story. Most of the time, it felt more like just a fiction novel versus a mystery/suspense novel. It did end on a good twist, so it gets bonus points for that. Overall, this debut novel is worth the read.

3.5 stars. Well this is definitely a drama-filled thriller. Some of the twists could be seen very early on (the author did leave clues along the way), and that took away from some of the excitement of the book. And one of the twists.....well.....if you've read it you know what I'm talking about and hmmmmmm. I thought the characters all could have been a bit more developed - I think that author was trying to show that people are morally gray at times, but the development was not very nuanced and it made me struggle to like or identify with any of them. This one is entertaining at times, and I will check out more from this author.

One infant and another on the way, her husband Sam expected to make partner at his law firm and a new home in an affluent DC suburb – everything seems to be going well for Alexis and her family. The house is a fixer-upper and will need quite a bit of work but Alexis is up for the challenge though money might be a bit tight with her on maternity leave from her Consultant job, Alexis is hopeful that this move will usher in a new beginning for her and her family.

Alexis eventually moves into her new home with her husband, two children and live-in nanny and slowly gets to know her new neighbors, the first of whom is Blair who has lived in the neighborhood for over fifteen years. Tragedy rocks the community when Blair’s husband Teddy is found dead at the bottom of a trail near their home on the banks of the Potomac and all evidence points to the fact that it was indeed murder. An investigation ensues and Alexis befriends Blair, spending a lot of time in each other’s company. As the narrative progresses, Alexis begins to notice strange occurrences in the neighborhood, and if the rumors and gossip making rounds is has even an ounce of truth to them, her perfect neighbors have a lot going on under the veneer of the perfect image they strive to maintain. Could any of them be responsible for Teddy’s murder? Is the neighborhood really as safe as it looks to be? Can Alexis trust her neighbors?

"Every house has skeletons in the coat closet. Maybe in every closet. In this neighborhood that’s for sure.”

I struggled with What the Neighbors Saw by Melissa Adelman. The story is presented through a dual narrative in alternating chapters. Initially, I was intrigued by the mysterious death of and was looking forward to an intricately plotted domestic suspense thriller but what followed was a long-drawn description of the lives of the affluent, their lies and secrets, bad marriages and infidelities, pettiness and more of the same with the mystery and the investigation taking a backseat. The plot progression was slow, tedious and repetitive. The characters were mostly unlikable, but that did make the story somewhat interesting. Only in the final 20% of the novel was my interest resurrected. I didn’t see the end coming which is always a good thing. Overall, while the premise of the novel held promise, I was a tad disappointed with its execution. Overall, too much drama and too little intrigue!

I paired my reading with the audio narration by Hillary Huber and Sarah Hollis both of whom did a wonderful job of voicing the characters and making the story come to life. The audio certainly helped me get through this novel.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Book and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A domestic thriller that is a slow burn. It is dual POV's, Blair and Alexis. Alexis is a mom with another on the way, always wanting to be on the finer things in life. Blair is rich and seems to have it all, great job, great house, great husband and money.

Alexis gets Sam, her husband, to buy a house in an enfluent neighborhood. She thinks this will be the perfect place to raise their kids. Soon after moving, things in their life start falling apart. The best thing to happen to Alexis, since moving, is Blair.

Blair makes it seem like everything is grand in her family. She's hiding a secret though. Soon she meets her new neighbors and things start changing in her life. What actually is she hiding?

For a first novel this was good. I didn't care for the slow burn of the book. It just moved to slow for me. It kept my interest when I was reading it, but was something I could put down and not worry about it. I did figure out part of the mystery of the book early, and the other mystery with about 15% left in the book. I like when I am completely caught off guard, and this one just didn't surprise me.

Tentative Publication is June 20, 2023

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

🙂 Happy Reading 🙃

#netgalley
#stmartinspress
#melissaadelman
#whattheneighborssaw

This was fun! It’s a slow burn, character driven thriller. So it took a bit for me to warm up to it but then I was curious of how it was going to play out.

I loved that this one had short chapters! And with the dual alternating perspectives, it was a quick read.

Alexis’ husband, Sam was so rude to her the entire time. Always belittling her. He made me so mad during the book. But yet, there was so much drama with everyone in the neighborhood! Rich people behaving terribly..

I didn’t see some of the twists but I had a feeling about one. The end was quick to wrap up but was satisfying.

Overall, this debut had it all — secrets, drama, lies, and murder!

[ Thank you to the publisher & netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]

WOWOWOWOW. What a MINDFUCK. I def did not see that twist coming. You spend the whole novel bouncing btwn the two different perspectives of Alexis and Blair and by the time the conclusion comes around, you have no idea what is even going on anymore. I was super disappointed when this awesome tale came to an end. It was a super great story and pulled me in. HIGHLY recommend!!

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
*
What do we really know about our neighbors? We can see their houses, their yard work, maybe speak to them occasionally, but do we really know what goes out behind closed doors? This book was advertised as Desperate Housewives meets The Couple Next Door and let me tell you I JUMPED on this book!! I was so excited to get an eARC along with a physical copy. I absolutely LOVED Desperate Housewives when it was airing.
*
Alexis and her husband Sam bought a house in the perfect neighborhood in DC. However, their house, a little neglected and needs a LOT of work. With Alexis being pregnant with their second child, they start the process of renovations and begin moving into their new neighborhood. However, soon after they move in, one of they neighbors, Teddy, is found dead near the river in the neighborhood. Alexis starts to build a relationship with his widow, Blair, and as their relationship grows they have to figure out how much they are willing to protect each other and their lives.
*
Okay I really enjoyed this book! I also love neighborhood dramas, especially when authors have a way of telling their stories and captures the readers attention. Adelman does such a great job at telling their stories and getting the readers to care so much about the characters in the book. She gives you so much background of the characters and the growth that they experience throughout the novel. Some parts of the novel were a little slow burn, but overall definitely one that I enjoyed reading!

Who doesn’t love a solid neighborhood drama? Adelman delivers an excellent birdseye look into a wealthy neighborhood filled with juicy secrets and a mysterious murder.

The story is told through alternating narratives from our main characters, Blair and Alexis. I loved how different these women were and how their lives collided. The secondary characters are largely other neighbors we get the chance to meet. They’ve all got secrets and skeletons in their closet and make for quite entertaining reading. There are so many unlikeable or cringe worthy characters introduced throughout that I couldn’t help but hate and yet still want to know more about them.

This book is being compared to Desperate Housewives, which I think is an excellent comparison. The story doesn’t deliver in the traditional murder mystery thriller style, as the murder really isn’t the center of attention. While this may be off putting for some readers, I think knowing this comparison in advance helps to set expectations. Adelman packs a lot of great twists and revelations throughout this story and keeps the pacing fairly quick to hold your attention and keep you coming back for more.

A huge thank you to Minotaur Books for my gifted copy!

This book was not for me. I despised all of the characters and found the twists to be predictable. The premise was promising, but I do not feel like it was well executed or developed. I'm sure there will be people who love this book, unfortunately, that was just not me.

Thank you for allowing me to read this book ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

Alexis and her husband Sam purchased a Cape Cod house in need of some TLC in an exclusive DC neighborhood. Their interesting and glamorous neighbors welcome them with open arms. They feel as if they have finally arrived. Sam is on the cusp of making partner at his law firm and they are growing their family.

This is not Mr. Rogers neighborhood!

Their neighbor, Teddy is found dead, the police are investigating and trying to find his killer. The perfect neighborhood is left reeling and shocked.

How well do you know those in your life? How well do you know your neighbors? Who would want to kill Teddy?

I had both the book and audiobook versions of this book. I was intrigued by the blurb: "Desperate Housewives meets The Couple Next Door in a chilling story of murder and intrigue set in a well-to-do DC suburb." This drew me in. But Desperate Housewives wasn't slow. This book is a slow burn, and I am not the slow burn kinda girl. I love my books to grab me from the beginning. This one dragged for me. The second half of the book was better than the first, but it wasn't until the last 15% that I was fully invested in the plot.

This book has secrets, lies, deception and murder! It was enjoyable but a slow a burn for me. I can't fault the writing, but I struggled with the slowness of the book. Things do come together in the end in a satisfying way. That was enjoyable.

Others are enjoying this book more than I did, please read their reviews as well.

Melissa Adelman's "What the Neighbors Saw" is a captivating exploration of a seemingly idyllic neighborhood that harbors a host of secrets. Set against the backdrop of an exclusive DC suburb, this book delves into the intricate lives of Alexis and Sam as they navigate the dark underbelly of their picture-perfect community.

The author's masterful storytelling weaves an engrossing narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Adelman skillfully builds suspense, expertly layering the plot with tantalizing revelations and twists. As the investigation into Teddy's untimely demise unfolds, the tension in the neighborhood escalates, and long-held secrets gradually come to light.

One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its well-developed characters. Alexis, a woman yearning to leave her troubled past behind, is a relatable and empathetic protagonist. Her evolving friendship with Blair, Teddy's widow, adds an intriguing dynamic to the story. Adelman skillfully explores the complexities of their relationship, forcing both women to confront their own demons and make difficult choices.

The author's vivid descriptions paint a vivid picture of the exclusive DC suburb, with its elegant houses and charming facade. However, beneath the surface, the author skillfully exposes the darkness lurking behind closed doors. Through skillful prose, Adelman skillfully captures the dichotomy between appearances and reality, inviting readers to question the true nature of the world we perceive.

"What the Neighbors Saw" excels in its ability to keep readers guessing until the final pages. The unveiling of the unthinkable truth behind Teddy's murder is both shocking and thought-provoking, challenging the characters and readers alike to question the lengths they would go to protect their carefully constructed lives.

In conclusion, Melissa Adelman's "What the Neighbors Saw" is a riveting psychological thriller that skillfully combines suspense, intricate characterization, and a compelling exploration of the dark side of suburban life. This book is sure to leave readers eagerly turning pages, pondering the profound questions it raises long after the final word.

A good mystery about what really is going on in an old established Potomac neighborhood.
If something sounds too good to be true it always is.
I loved the description of the house but knew it was a money pit.
Alexis fully emerges herself in the neighbors happenings.
Some of the revelations were beyond even my my expectations.
A character I felt sorry for turned out to not be worth my empathy.

I'm kind of on the fence about this one. While I initially found the book very interesting, by the end I didn't really care for any of the characters. And actually liking at least some of the people in the book is an important part of having a good one. While i thought the characterization was top notch, every single person seemed to have an issue with others, bad childhood/parents, fixation on someone other than the person they married or sense of entitlement so strong they felt they could get away with anything.

So for the first half of the book or so, I found the plot somewhat interesting, but when all the bad behavior came in with almost everyone, the story went downhill in my opinion.

I was excited for this book, but it just didn't cut it for me. I DNF it at 15%. If you like domestic thrillers with horrible rich people then this book is for you!

Well, I semi hated this book. Did I read in very quickly? Yes. Was it well written and engaging? Yes. Did I hate every single character? Also, yes.

If you like a good domestic thriller, this is the book for you!

This is just not my genre, I can't seem to put this sort of book down once I get started, but if I know in advance, I won't read it.

I will read more from this author, just checking the description a bit better in advance.

3 1/2 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

What happens when you buy the worst house in the best neighborhood? Alexis and Sam are about to find out. Things seem great, although the house is quite a fixer upper and they may not quite be able to keep up the lifestyles of their neighbors… Then suddenly one of the neighbors, Teddy, is found dead. The neighborhood is shook and the rumors fly. But who really killed Teddy?

This book had mild reality tv show vibes. As the reader, you sit back and watch catty women discuss their theories during cocktail hour, while Teddy’s wife is right there. Not to mention the affairs and other drama swirling around.

Alexis is an easy character to like. She’s just had her second child, she’s not going in to her job, and she’s dealing with a house that’s more than she bargains for. She’s lonely and her body feels different, you just want to root for her. Especially when she begins to be friendly with the other neighborhood ladies.

In the end, I gave this book 3 stars. I felt like I needed a little more thrill rather than drama. I kept waiting for some big twist, but I felt like it was fairly easy for me to guess. And probably Alexis should have pieced it together, too, if she was paying attention. If you’re a Bravo girly, this would be a good summer read to pick up.

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review! This book comes out June 20th!

Moving into your dream home in a great neighborhood should be the best thing to happen in your life. But, what if it isn’t? There seems to be some drama going on and secrets abound. Then……a neighbor ends up dead. Are the neighbors hiding something?
There are LOTS of twists and turns within the story that keeps you reading on.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book drew me in but once I started reading it, I just couldn’t get into it at all.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

Thanks to Netgalley, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for the gifted eARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review!

This domestic suspense novel was an okay read. It was pretty typical for a neighborhood-with-secrets plot. Lots of characters, a suspicious death, and marriages on the brink of disaster. Overall, I found it to be pretty one-note. The big twist wasn’t very exciting and I found Sam and Alexis’s toxic marriage to be depressing. It wasn’t terrible, but I won’t be remembering it for very long.

“𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒕. 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒕. 𝑰𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆.”

Described as “Desperate Housewives meets The Couple Next Door,” combined with a gorgeous cover, I couldn’t wait to dive into this debut from Melissa Adelman.

Adelman’s writing is intriguing; she develops the atmosphere of the neighbourhood really well. The opening chapter reminded me of House Hunters, with the real estate agent describing 51 Shadow Road. I immediately could picture the house and the neighborhood. Rich neighbours always make for juicy storylines, and I could definitely see the parallels to Desperate Housewives: the scandals, the neighbours gathering around in the middle of the night after an event, and the parties where everyone gathers. The question “do we ever really know our neighbours” definitely applies here! I found Blair to be an intriguing character; between her point of view and Alexis’, I was more interested in Blair’s. I’m not sure if it was because we spent so much time with Alexis and there was a shadow of mystery surrounding Blair, or the fact that I found Alexis and her husband, Sam, to be extremely unlikeable. They are both obsessed with wealth, they seemed to hate each other and I found it really hard to know why they were even together. The story is definitely a slow burn and I found myself skim reading parts. It felt like there just needed to be more: more tension, more scandal, and an ending that wasn’t hinted at so many times throughout the book.

What the Neighbors Saw is a story of secrets, scandals, greed, and gossip. Its slow burn and unlikeable characters may not be for some, but Adelman’s writing shows promise and I’d read something else from her in the future. Thanks to Minotaur Books for the ARC!