Member Reviews
Based on the blurb and the fact that typically I enjoy thrillers, I was hoping to love this book. Sadly it was not a great fit for me. I DNFed around 30%. This may be a wonderful read for many but personally I just could not get into it enough. I love a dual POV or multiple POV book but with five various ones it was easy to confuse them at times. I may pick this up again in the future but not right this minute.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Maia for the ARC
Unfortunately I DNF this book. I really liked the synopsis of the story and certain POV’s, such as Hannah. However, I reached 27% of the book and just couldn’t continue. There was a paranormal (I guess you can say) aspect to this story where two characters can communicate with inanimate objects? It just wasn’t for me, but I will still recommend giving it a chance if you think you would like it!
Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC copy the bodies next door. The cover is absolutely 😍 beautiful. For me the story was a very slow starts it did get more interest as the story infolded. The book was supposed to be a domestic thriller but was more like a supernatural thriller which was a little weird to me. I was a bit thrown in the beginning with the multiple points of view however it all comes together at the end. The book was just ok for me.
A cult mystery thriller with a touch of supernatural magic. The alternating character view point leaves you guessing at every corner. When you think you have things figured out you are surprised to find things not so clearly defined. Character introductions are a bit chunky but once you are solid with who is whom things flow nicely. I always wanted to read more at the end of my set reading time. I would love follow up story lines on the characters introduced in this book.
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing, NetGalley, and the author for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so good! My absolute favorite thing about it was the multiple POV and not knowing how each person was connected to the story until everything was slowly revealed. That really kept me invested and frantically reading so I could figure it all out! If you love a thriller with twists, turns, and cult vibes then you do NOT want to miss this one!
I absolutely loved this book! It was so gripping and suspenseful. It was everything I look for in a thriller. I also love the theme of a young beautiful bride and an older man with a perfect life and yet they both have secrets. A great book and I look forward to reading more from the author.
I’m giving "The Body Next Door" by Maia Chance a solid 4 stars! This thriller is packed with twists and turns that kept me hooked. The story follows the discovery of a buried body and how it impacts different characters' lives. There's a teenage boy in a cult, a millionaire’s wife named Hannah with a mysterious past, and lots of secrets to uncover.
The multiple timelines and perspectives made the story super engaging, and I loved how everything came together in the end. The magical realism added a cool twist that made it even more interesting. If you’re into character-driven mysteries with unexpected surprises, you’ll really enjoy this one!
The Body Next Door by Maia Chance was a gripping thriller!
This book was fantastic! It was engaging and it draws you in, you just want to settle in and rip through the pages and find out everything you possibly can about these characters. They're fascinating and damaged, slightly unhinged. There's secrets galore that you uncover, slowly and one by one.
I was totally immersed and entertained.
Thank You NetGalley and MIRA for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
Maia Chance crafts an engaging and well-paced mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The plot is full of clever twists and turns, with red herrings and clues deftly woven into the narrative. Chance maintains a perfect balance between building suspense and developing the charming, small-town setting. The pacing is steady, with enough action to keep the reader engaged without overwhelming the cozy atmosphere.
Chance's writing is crisp and witty, capturing the essence of a cozy mystery. Her descriptions of Naneda Falls are vivid and inviting, creating a setting that feels both real and idyllic. The dialogue is sharp and often humorous, reflecting the personalities of the characters. Chance's ability to create a sense of place and community enhances the overall reading experience, making the reader feel like a part of the town.
This book is a must-read for cozy mystery enthusiasts. Maia Chance's ability to blend suspense with a charming, small-town atmosphere makes The Body Next Door a thoroughly enjoyable read.
First of all, the cover of this book is what totally drew me in!! But the story itself, did not disappoint one bit!! Told in multiple POVs, which each character had something to hide and what a crazy twist! Definitely a must read!!
Thank you NetGalley & MIRA for an advance reader copy!!!
Thank you to MIRA and Maia Chance for this ARC.
An unearthed body, a cult, a wife with secrets—if you aren’t already hooked, then I don’t know what else to tell you 😅🤣 “The Body Next Door” promised some crazy twists and turns and certainly delivered.
I absolutely love books that center around cults, and lurking in the background of “The Body Next Door” was the story of a teenage boy navigating his new life in a small-town cult. On top of all this, in another timeline, we have Hannah, the wife of a millionaire and mother of two unique children, harboring many secrets.
As the timelines started to converge, I found myself on the edge of my seat and gasping out loud at some of the reveals. The characters are well-developed, so I had no issue keeping track of the multiple POVs. I was a bit confused about how all the characters fit together, but Chance’s story unfolded insanely well, leaving you very satisfied at the end.
The beginning of this book is a bit slower as Chance introduces each POV and develops the characters. At about the 30% mark, things start spiraling and picking up to where you won’t want to put this one down.
I had some major theories about these characters (some were right, and some were way off). I will say that one thing that sets this thriller apart is the infusion of magical realism. I absolutely loved it, but other people may not. Either way, the plot twists in “The Body Next Door” will leave your head spinning in the best possible way. 🤩🖤
I was drawn to the book by its intriguing cover and premise, but the actual read was a bit of a mixed bag for me.
With its mix of strange adult relationships, an island home surrounded by dense woods, mentions of a witch, a disturbing and violent kid, and a 'community' with questionable practices, this book seems like it’d pack a punch, right? Well, it had the potential to be gripping, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me.
The multiple POVs were a bit overwhelming. I usually enjoy two perspectives, but juggling five, along with trying to remember other characters within those POVs especially with shifts between past and present, made it hard to stay engaged. The beginning felt slow, and it wasn't until about halfway through that the story started to pick up. The connections between characters and timelines became clearer around the 40% mark, which helped, but it was a bit of a slog to get there.
I'm not usually into cult-related stories, so that aspect didn't resonate much with me.
I do like magical elements but in books like this, it just felt a bit out of place and didn't add much to the overall experience for me.
In the end, yes, the first half was a bit slow, with all the different points of view kind of thrown in without knowing exactly how they connected. But things definitely picked up more in the second half, and the book is very character-driven, with each character serving a purpose. However, the ending was just okay, not particularly memorable or outlandish. The plot became a bit convoluted and drawn out. Overall, it was a decent read but not one that will stick with me for long.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The over all story was good.
Many POV
Twists
Cult/God
Twists
Now/than time lines
One part of this book was not for me, I don't enjoy reading anything religious.. but looking past that it is a solid 4 star read
THE BODY NEXT DOOR
Maia Change
On sale August 6th
When a body is discovered buried next door to their summer home on Orca Island, Hannah McCullough’s world does a flip flop. She is determined it has something to do with her husband, Allan. When she is called to her children’s school because her son has bitten someone, she decides to take the two children far away from her husband who wants to send their son the a private school, that “deals with children like him”. So she takes them to the place her husband would never suspect, the summer home.
Hannah has always hated the home, she feels it is too pretentious and it sits next to the site of a cult that a few years before had been involved in an uprising which lead to the death of two of its members.
But as the police investigation progresses, Hannah is forced to confront her complicated past and it will mean her picture perfect world will come crashing down.
For lovers of thrillers that will have you on the edge of your seat.
I am definitely a cover (window shopper) and this one did not disappoint.
Personally I love multiple POVs as I feel more connected with each character. There are many different twists and definitely an Erie plot line.
I loved the different personalities and perspectives of each character and how they are portrayed.
This was a great start to my thriller/ mystery months!
This was a really interesting book. I don’t usually read cult related books but this was well done without overdoing the cult aspect into the unbelievable range. This book had multiple narrators and each of them had something to hide. I loved how well written the characters were, how much I hated Caroline, how much concern I felt for Hannah and the amount of questions I had over the different children and several side characters. The way it all came together was such a good plot. Each plot twist was perfectly executed with no cliché endings which I appreciate. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Maia Chance and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I was very surprised by the supernatural twist that the story took, but I can see why she included it into the story. I really like Hannah, I felt like she was trying her best in many difficult situations. Allan was not my favorite character, but I can also see why he was written in that fashion. Maia Chance presented some unique plot twists; some I never saw coming. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes domestic thrillers with a hint of supernatural.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC. I will definitely read Maia's future novels.
The Body Next Door by Maia Chance is a gripping thriller set in the misty, evergreen landscape of Seattle, with intriguing detours to Europe (Szia Budapest and Ciao Italy!). This multi-POV novel explores the tumultuous lives of characters emerging from an oppressive cult on a remote homestead. The narrative revolves around Kestrel and Greene, who have endured a traumatic upbringing, and their new and formidable neighbor, Allan, along with his son and aspiring violinist, Josh.
From the moment Allan moves in, tensions escalate, and the Chance really pulls you into the harrowing journey of escaping a cult’s shadow. The plot oscillates between the past and the present, revealing how Allan’s intervention in Hannah’s life—saving her from dire circumstances—has created a complicated web of gratitude and obligation. Their seemingly idyllic life is shattered when a dead body is discovered near their property, thrusting them into a whirlwind of suspicion and danger.
“When people leave cults, their brains basically have to rewire. They go through a rocky transition back into the real world. It’s like landing a damaged plane in a hurricane. Sometimes I suspect I still haven’t landed.”
The fascination with cults, particularly those involving children, provides a gripping backdrop against this unique thriller novel. Survivors grappling with identity crises, anxiety, and deep-seated trauma make for a powerful narrative. While The Body Next Door took unexpected turns that I didn’t foresee—mostly in a positive way—the novel's supernatural elements and shifting timelines occasionally left me puzzled. The recurring “voice” that speaks to Greene was particularly enigmatic. Despite these minor confusions, the book captivated me with its suspense and richly developed characters.
Overall, I rated this book five stars. If you enjoy suspenseful, character-driven stories with a hint of the supernatural, I highly recommend The Body Next Door.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
This book follows Hannah, who is married to Allen, and has two kids. Hannah and Allen both have dark pasts that they wish to remain hidden. However, they may not get what they wish for when a body is found in the lot next door to their vacation home. Dark secrets are brought to light as the investigation into the murder unfolds.
In this book, there are two separate timelines- the past and the present - and is told from multiple different point of views. Due to this, at times, it can get confusing keeping track of everything that is happening and when it is happening, especially when a new character was getting introduced, but it was also good because it filled in a new piece that was missing from the puzzle. At first, it was a lot, not going to lie. But once you found out how everyone was connected, it all made so much more sense and it was so much easier to follow.
All of the characters were well written, and had a lot of layers to them. And all of the twists and turns had me constantly wondering and incorrectly guessing how the book will end. The first half was a bit slow, with all the different point of views kind of thrown in without knowing exactly how they connected, but things definitely picked up more in the second half.
This book is released on August 6th, 2024, and I would recommend this book for anyone that is interested in thriller books, with a cult-ish/religious twist.
An engrossing thriller but for the supernatural element.
3.5 stars.
When the body of a young woman is discovered on a remote island - most likely a member of a reclusive commune that used to live there before a federal raid turned into tragedy -, the discovery sends multiple people into a frenzy, all of them somehow connected to the body - and each other.
Switching between the present and the time before the government raid, and told from multiple points of view - suburban mom Hannah and her filthy rich, horrible husband Allan; internationally acclaimed violinist player Josh; obsessive cleaner Caroline; and young Greene, living at the commune with his mother - this thriller had a lot of great elements: a quick pace, multiple suspects and motives, a great setting, and even a cult element! I was drawn in quickly and flew through the book. In fact, I would have rated it much higher if not for one major flaw.
What‘s not to like? Well, there is a big supernatural element (not a ghost story, but something much weirder/less expected in this genre) that becomes evident after a while that I personally did not care for. First I thought it was just a quirky character trait that I was willing to ignore, but then it became an integral part of the storyline until it cumulated in a frankly ridiculous epilogue (if you‘re not expecting/do not particularly care for supernatural stuff, at least), which was the final nail in the coffin and sort of ruined the book for me.
That being said, it‘s totally a „me“ problem because supernatural elements in thrillers just aren‘t my cup of tea in general, and this one felt especially weird. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book, and I‘m guessing a lot of others will, too.
Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
„The Body Next Door“ is slated to be released on August 6, 2024.