Publication date: March 5th, 2024
Page count: 384
Genre: domestic thriller
Setting: Murray Hill, NYC

Financially struggling couple Rosie and Chad Owen inherit Chad’s late uncle’s luxury apartment in the Windermere in Murray Hill. This apartment comes with the history of its tenants previous occupants. This is presented with dual timelines- from the 60s and now.

Solid. Entertaining. Not my favorite Lisa Unger’s book, looking forward to her next one!


Thank you to author, publisher, NetGalley for advanced copy. This is an honest voluntary review.

If you loved:
•Nestlings
•Lock Every Door
•Rosemary’s Baby
…then this is the book for you!

Rosie and Chad inherit a luxurious NYC apartment but the building possesses a spine-tingling past…when a dead body is found, will they also fall under its dangerous spell?

What I loved most about this story was the creepy, haunting undertones! Both the present and past timelines/POVs were mysterious and highlighted the gothic atmosphere. Her descriptions are eerie and vivid, transporting me right to the doorstep of the Windermere building.

I’m a huge fan of paranormal elements in stories and Unger delivers it. I loved the twisty ending…just when you think it’s over, it’s not. It was a great story on audio, especially if you like to be creeped out!

In this most recent psychological thriller from Lisa Unger, a young couple inherits a luxury apartment in a historic New York building with a mysterious past. Rosie, a non-fiction author, and Chad, her charming actor husband, have been named as the heirs to his uncle’s multi-million dollar apartment in the Windemere but their windfall is not without its consequences. The will may be contested, Rosie finds the ever-present doorman off-putting, and when a neighbor is found dead under questionable circumstances, she begins to think their fortune may be ill-fated. Told from Rosie’s perspective this thriller almost reads like a modern gothic with the Windermere as a formidable, malignant presence.

✨Book Review✨
The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.
This was a pretty good thriller! If you like creepy building vibes, I would recommend this one. It reminded me a little of the Paris Apartment and Lock Every Door so if you liked either of those I think this one is for you. I read the majority of this book in two days, so the drive to know what is going to happen is strong. And I actually liked the ending, which is not always the case for me. I listened to the audio for most of the book, but I think I preferred the e-book.

How well do you really know those closest to you? That is the central question at play throughout this compelling psychological thriller. You may think that you see the twists coming, but they will keep surprising you right up through the last page. This was a real page turner with a hint of paranormal and haunting activity and will leave you wanting more from this author!

I suppose I enjoy mysteries much more than thrillers. More and more, I feel like thrillers cheat, adding convenient, impossible twists to explain events. I so appreciate books like Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone where there's no deception of the reader to explain the plot.

Certainly many of my criticisms of this book are a me problem. I don't mind stories that might have ghosts, or where a character thinks they saw something. But when a non-fantasy novel relies on spirits, I'm out. Too bad there isn't a way to have a "supernatural twist" warning so I can just avoid books with real ghosties.

I absolutely loved Confessions on the 7:45. Unger is an excellent writer, compelling without being too dramatic, fun without being too campy. I enjoyed the creepy old building with the ageless bellhop. I did figure out some of the twists, but nothing that spoiled it too much for me.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! I purchased for my library.

Many thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row, and NetGalley for an advance electronic copy of this book.

I’ve been a Lisa Unger fan for years. She’s well known for suspenseful thrillers. This one is full of twists and turns.

Rosie, a true crime writer, and her husband Chad, a struggling actor, inherit his uncle’s apartment at the Windermere. There are strange, ghostly happenings and a creepy history of the building. And a doorman named Abi… does he ever leave? Be careful what you say, you never know who might hear you…

All I can tell you is I didn’t know where this was going for a long time. The book has suspenseful, eerie vibes and a few jaw-dropping moments. Interweaving two timelines, one in the 60’s, and the current day, told from two perspectives. There’s a lot to take in, especially in the last quarter of the book, but if thrillers are up your alley, I think you’ll want to get your hands on this one.

‘I stood as a pupil of death; stood before death’s boundless knowledge and let myself be educated.
- Rainer Maria Rilke

Contains some strong profanity, not frequent. Several brief intimate scenes, light details.

I am so grateful to the author, publisher, and Netgalley, for allowing me to review this book!

This book follows Rosie, who with husband Chad have recently inherited an apartment in a beautiful, historic building with a harrowing history. As time goes on, murders and ghostly sightings begin to make Rosie question everything about her relationships and her own safety. It is one of the more gripping thrillers I’ve read in a while, and overall, I enjoyed it immensely! In some ways this book has everything: mystery, horror elements, a very cool and creepy setting, and interesting characters. However, I did have one major issue that kept me from giving a five star review.

The author was clearly trying to draw inspiration from, and even pay homage to, Ira Levin’s classic Rosemary’s Baby. Unfortunately, for the first third of the book, the author sticks so closely to that plot line (Rosie’s name, her actor husband, their move into the creepy but glamorous apartment, their suspicious elderly neighbors who gift them charm necklaces for luck, their attempts to have a baby) that the story takes far too long to feel original. At one point I told my mom (my forever reading buddy!), “This book is great, but I’ve read it before.” The similarities in the plot even made me feel convinced that I knew who the villains would be in the end- no spoilers, I won’t tell you what I thought or if I was right :-). But that feeling took the fun out of guessing.

Eventually, the plot takes off in a new direction, and gets very hard to put down! I’m glad I kept going with it and I think others will enjoy it as well!

I have never felt so conflicted on how I feel about a book. This story started out slow and a little hard to follow. I also wasn’t really interested in the ghost/spirits. Then by the middle, I didn’t want to put the book down and wanted to know more! The end was a little too “explain-y” for me but I’m glad it didn’t feel super rushed.. Unfortunately , I overall just felt like I didn’t jive with this one but it wasn’t a complete dud.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

I had a really hard time getting into this. I don't quite understand how the two storylines were connected. They just didn't seem to be, in my opinion. It felt a bit forced. And the motivation behind the villains here just wasn't super believable. Overall, I wasn't a huge fan, but if you like a thriller, you might enjoy this one. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

"The New Couple in 5B" by Lisa Unger is a gripping tale that effortlessly weaves together dual timelines, offering readers an immersive journey through past and present. Unger masterfully crafts a narrative that will captivate readers who crave ghosts, seamlessly blending elements of the supernatural with a compelling murder mystery.

From the moment you step into the world of 5B, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat, engulfed in relentless suspense that keeps you guessing until the very end. Unger expertly builds tension with each turn of the page, drawing readers deeper into a labyrinth of secrets and deceit.

But what truly sets this novel apart is its literary rollercoaster ride of emotions. Unger skillfully explores the complexities of relationships, both past and present, while keeping the pulse-pounding mystery at the forefront. As the layers of the story unravel, you'll find yourself emotionally invested in the characters and their intertwined fates.

"The New Couple in 5B" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking thriller that delivers on every level. Unger's masterful storytelling will leave you breathless, eagerly turning pages late into the night. This is a book that lingers long after the final chapter, a testament to Unger's talent for crafting unforgettable tales.

She does it again! The master of twists and turns and just when you have it figured out…just kidding! I loved this NYC based novel by Lisa and she kept me guessing until the last pages of who done it! She always had well developed characters and takes the readers on a roller coaster ride, so hang on! 5 star read!

Rosie and Chad Lowan are barely making ends meet in New York City when they receive life-changing news: Chad’s late uncle has left them his luxury apartment at the historic Windermere in glamorous Murray Hill. With its prewar elegance and impeccably uniformed doorman, the building is the epitome of old New York charm. One would almost never suspect the dark history lurking behind its perfectly maintained façade.

Definitely thought this would be more of a domestic thriller than a ghost story, but really liked it anyway! "666 Park Avenue" meets "Rosemary’s Baby" with spine-tingling supernatural vibes. Lisa Unger takes us on a heart-throbbing journey into the paranormal and psychological thriller realm, transporting us to a claustrophobic residence in Manhattan. Here, murders, suicides, and jaw-dropping scandals haunt the place along with its creepy occupants, including an extra-creepy doorman who seems like he never sleeps, always watching and listening.

Rosie and Chad inherit a condo from Chad's uncle Ivan, who disinherits his daughter Dana at the last minute. The condo is in a very expensive NYC neighborhood in a very historic building named the Windermere (it gave me The Dakota vibes). I really liked the setting. The novel actually seemed very similar to Lock Every Door by Riley Sager on the face of it; however, its plot did divert.

Like many thrillers, you're not going to get a ton of character development. There are a lot of characters, though, so I was having a hard time keeping everyone figured out because it was a lot of names with little in the way of personality.

For much of the novel, you're wondering what's really going on because Rosie is a fragile main character, and there is a LOT going on in the periphery. Much of it seemed over the top.

I was taken aback by the acknowledgments because the author did a lot of research for this book. I wish that research permeated the book more because it did feel like a standard thriller with the "is the main character out of her mind or something is legitimately going on?" trope and the high body count.

I was a bit thrown by some things. In a fifth floor walk-up, doesn't that mean it's on the fifth floor so there would be four sets of stairs? It was said twice that a fifth floor walk-up had five sets of stairs, which will hopefully be fixed before the final version. And the timeline on these dates with Charles and Ella and their daughter Lillian a bit far-fetched. The novel is dual timeline, and one of the timelines is in 1963, and the other is present day (2023ish?). That's 60 years in between the two timelines. Charles and Ella have a 7 year old son in the 1963 timeline. Doesn't that mean they have to at least be in their late 20s? So that means they are almost 90 in the present day timeline, but most likely both over 90 in the present day? And their daughter Lillian would be 60ish? There is an allusion to Chad and Lillian, but I think Lillian would be double Chad's age?

The timeline made me really think this book had a completely different bent (not revealing because I don't want to spoil), especially when the same doorman worked there in 1963 and 2023. (I know being a doorman isn't a super high paying job, but wouldn't one aim to retire before age 85?!)

I think my timeline confusion inhibited me enjoying this as much as I wanted to. It did have creepy gothic vibes, so please pick this one up if you like atmospheric vibes.

Wow! What a read!!! At first I was hesitant to read this one because I’m not really a fan of gore/paranormal activity. However, I got so sucked in, that I was able to overlook the paranormal parts. There were so many twists and turns, just when I thought I had things figured out more twists hit me. Very suspenseful!!

NYT bestselling author (a long-time favorite) and the master of suspense, Lisa Unger returns following Christmas Presents, Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six, The Last Girl Ghosted, and Confessions on the 7:45 with her latest smashing nail-biting psychological thriller THE NEW COUPLE IN 5B.

Inspired by the author's late aunt, her love of NYC, the buildings, and Rosemary's Baby, a couple inherits a historical New York apartment and turns into a haunting Gothic-vibe spine-chilling suspense thriller!

Rosie and Chad Lowan barely get by financially in New York City when they receive some grand news. Her book money is running out, and Chad has a low-paying gig in an off-Broadway production. It takes all they have to live here, and their rent just went up in the East Village. They have been married less than a year.

Chad's Uncle, Ivan, whom they had been caring for, has passed and left them his luxury apartment at the historic Windermere in glamorous Murray Hill. He died penniless, and this is his only asset. They assumed it would go to his daughter Dana.

It has lots of history, pre-war elegance, and a uniformed doorman with Old-world New York charm. However, the building is almost like a character—its history is dark and mysterious.

Rose is an author, estranged from her family, and still riding on her last book when she meets with her editor, Max. Her first book was a true crime about a young Manhattan woman, her fight with justice, and a wrongly convicted man. It has been a year since that book with the paperback about to be released.

She is writing a new book about an iconic Manhattan apartment building on Park Avenue. She is home to famous residents, a bestselling novelist, a celebrated sculptor, and a young stage and screen star.

It has dark secrets, grisly murders, suicides, and terrible accidents. From history, architecture, how it was built on the site of an old church that burned down and, she wants to focus on the crimes, the colorful, diverse cast of characters that reside there, and the stories of the ones who died there, including Chad's Uncle Ivan, a renowned war photographer.

His daughter Dana has not been around or interested in Ivan or his final days. Rose has befriended the doorman, Abi, a wealth of knowledge. He has said some folks do not get to leave the Windermere. He said some were destined to die there.

She needs to focus more on the darkness of the building, its crimes, and the people. Are they cursed or haunted? What about the energy and encouraging the dark happenings? She will rewrite and focus less on the architecture and the building.

During their lunch discussion, a biker is killed right outside the restaurant window. Is it a dark omen of dark things to come?

Chad lost his parents in a car accident, and now that the Uncle is gone, they are alone. They must make it work. He will get a commercial, and she will rework her book proposal, and Max, her editor, will love it.

They are shocked when they find out Dana did not inherit the apartment. Dana says he was a monster, drunk, and abused her mother. However, the entire world praised him for his art. It turns out Dana gets nothing. Ivan had admitted his failings as a father and husband to them. He was a war photographer with lots of images of mayhem and gore. War criminals.

Rosie and Chad cannot believe their luck. It is worth five million, and what a view! Can they afford the taxes? What if Dana sues? They can always sell, move to the suburbs, and raise a family. A new home and a new book!

With a well-appointed marble lobby infused with rich details. The neighbors, the doorman, the security cameras, the storage units. All looks good in the beginning. UNTIL...

What has taken place between all the horror inside the walls? Soon, Rosie becomes unsettled by everything surrounding her in the building. Everything is chilling and scary: suspicious murders, suicides, the neighbors, the doorman, the cameras, etc.—the secrets of the past and present. CREEPY!

Then, she begins researching the famous yet mysterious people who lived there previously. She is determined to find the truth before she falls under its dangerous spell. Then she sees ghosts...

Wow! THE NEW COUPLE IN 5B is atmospheric, spine-tingling, eerie, intense, tense, twisty, and unsettling! It perfectly blends domestic suspense, Gothic, supernatural, and murder mystery with ghostly, classic horror. With the chapters broken out in Acts, it gives a Shakespearian and Agatha Christie vibe as well.

The dual timelines keep you glued to the pages, and the author carefully peels the layers back, keeping you on the edge of your seat. I particularly enjoyed the timeline of past generations, which was mysterious and intriguing.

I also enjoyed that Rosie was a true crime writer, and I have always been fascinated with haunted buildings with a past and all the lives that have come and gone over the years. I have lived in some high rises similar to this.

If you have been a fan of the author as long as I have, you will enjoy mentions of Beautiful Lies and The Hollows. No one could have written it better. #CoverCrush

Unger fans will devour and also fans of Riley Sager, Jennifer McMahon, Jennifer Hillier, Ruth Ware, and Carol Goodman. Lisa also includes other book titles significant to her research and her inspiration in the Acknowledgements. I LOVED this one, as all her books! Get this one on your TBR list now.

UPCOMING INTERVIEW: Stay tuned for March 5 for my #AuthorElevatorSeries Interview with Lisa, where we go behind the scenes of The New Couple in 5B and this multi-talented author.

Thanks to Park Row Books, the author, and NetGalley for a gifted digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Mar 5, 2024
March 2024 Must-Read Books

Unfortunately the E-ARC file would not load on the Netgalley app, but I look forward to reading this title in the future.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing, Netgalley, and Lisa Unger for the ARC!

I’ve never been one for paranormal books, but this book nailed it! I really enjoyed the twists and turns, but I especially enjoyed the creeps and chills I got while reading! Unger did a great job making this story into a suspenseful thriller that kept me wanting more! An absolute page turner!

While our main character seemed a tad whiney and little bit like a push over, she ultimately followed her gut to uncover the secrets of her haunted apartment building. I was able to follow the plot easily and I did not see the ending coming! I love how Unger brought in Rosie’s upbringing with “seeing the future”, tarot cards, and an eccentric father who can heal all people, and tied it into the current plot of the people who reside in the building. The plot flowed really well throughout the story and I found myself absolutely entranced!

Thanks to the publisher for this ARC of The New Couple In 5B through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a suspense thriller with some paranormal throughout. I enjoyed the twists even if I found some things a little too easily wrapped up. The story flows well and easy to keep track of. The mystery makes you turn the pages wanting answers.

Could. Not. Put. It. Down. I love a good thriller- especially one in which the setting is so capturing and descriptive. This is the story of Rosie and Chad, newlyweds in New York City. When they unexpectedly inherit Chad's uncles luxury apartment in an old (and probably haunted) building filled with a murderous past, the story twists and turns. I had no trouble following the plot, but didn't know 'who done it'. It was an exciting read all the way to the end. I loved Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six and was easily transported to the North Georgia Mountains, and once again, I was swept up into the tortured history of one of New York's skyscrapers.