3.5-Star Review: The Bad Neighbor by Jenifer Ruff
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

The Bad Neighbor is a suspenseful, engaging read featuring FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin, who’s quickly becoming a standout character in the thriller genre. In this installment, her investigation leads her to the seemingly quiet community of Mountain Meadows—a place hiding more than its fair share of secrets.

As Victoria digs deeper, she uncovers a tangled history of lies, betrayal, and danger lurking behind the neighborhood's perfect facades. The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, with enough twists to keep you intrigued without feeling overwhelming.

While a few moments felt slightly predictable, the overall plot was strong, and Victoria’s determination and sharp instincts make her a compelling lead. If you enjoy small-town thrillers with buried secrets and strong female protagonists, this one’s definitely worth a read.

This was a good book. I did not realize it was the ninth installment for this detective. It can definitely be a standalone. I enjoyed the way the story was told. I liked how it went back-and-forth from the past to the present. I was even surprised in the end.

The Bad Neighbor by Jenifer Ruff is a suspenseful psychological thriller set in an idyllic suburban neighborhood where things are not as perfect as they seem. When Zoey Hamilton disappears without a trace—just like the previous homeowner five years ago—FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin is called in to uncover the truth. As Victoria digs deeper, she discovers a web of lies and betrayal beneath the surface of perfectly manicured lawns and polite dinner parties.

While the premise is engaging and the mystery keeps you turning pages, the execution leaves something to be desired. The characters, particularly the suburbanites, are a bit too stereotypical—think Stepford wives with a darker twist—and the pacing slows down at times, making it hard to stay fully invested. Still, Ruff's exploration of suburban secrets and the veneer of perfection is intriguing enough to keep you hooked.

If you’re looking for a quick, suspense-filled read with a twist of dark humor, The Bad Neighbor fits the bill.

Jenifer Ruff's The Bad Neighbor is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that delves deep into the dark undercurrents of suburban life, where the idyllic surroundings mask dangerous secrets. The novel follows the disappearance of Zoey Hamilton, a young woman who vanishes without a trace shortly after moving into a picturesque, affluent neighborhood with her husband, Chris. The eerie parallel to the disappearance of the previous homeowner five years earlier sets the stage for an unsettling mystery, one that grows more tangled and sinister as the investigation unfolds.

Enter FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin, a determined and sharp investigator known for her tenacity in solving cases. As Victoria digs deeper into the mystery, she uncovers a complex web of deceit and betrayal festering beneath the surface of the seemingly perfect community of Mountain Meadows. The story cleverly contrasts the flawless exterior of the neighborhood with the deeply flawed individuals who inhabit it, all of whom are harboring their own secrets.

Ruff’s writing excels at building suspense, using the small-town setting to its full potential. The quiet streets, manicured lawns, and friendly neighbors—who smile and wave at each other in passing—take on an increasingly ominous tone as Victoria’s investigation uncovers the truth. The contrast between outward appearances and the darkness lurking underneath creates a chilling atmosphere, where the greatest threats are not lurking in shadowy corners, but rather in the daylight, disguised as ordinary, well-adjusted individuals. Ruff’s portrayal of the characters is sharp and nuanced, with each one hiding their own motivations and histories, adding complexity to the plot and keeping readers guessing.

The pacing of the book is well-executed, with Victoria’s investigation gradually revealing layers of lies and manipulation. As the truth begins to unravel, readers are kept on edge, unsure who can be trusted in this seemingly perfect neighborhood. The revelation that the greatest threats are those closest to the victims—the neighbors, colleagues, and friends—adds an extra layer of tension, making the book both a compelling mystery and a psychological exploration of trust and betrayal.

While the plot moves quickly, it doesn’t sacrifice character development. Victoria is a strong, empathetic protagonist who is dedicated to solving the case, but her own vulnerabilities are revealed over time, making her a well-rounded and relatable character. The supporting cast is equally engaging, with various characters who seem friendly on the surface but are hiding darker truths.

The Bad Neighbor is a sharp, intelligent thriller that excels at blending suburban noir with a well-crafted mystery. Jenifer Ruff has created a story that not only delivers suspense but also offers a sharp commentary on the facades we build in our communities and the lengths some will go to in order to protect their darkest secrets. Fans of psychological thrillers, particularly those with a slow-burn mystery and a strong female lead, will find The Bad Neighbor to be an engaging and thrilling read that stays with them long after the last page.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

A new couple to the neighbor- until the wife vanishes just like the previous homeowner did 5 years ago. FBI Agent Victoria Heslin will uncover the truth that lies beneath the perfect appearance of Mountain Meadows. This is book 9 in the series, but I had no trouble following along as this was the first I have read from the author. Very thrilling with well thought out characters and a plot tat connects so perfectly. Awesome read for thriller and suspense fans.

Whoa! This crime thriller book is unputdownable. I absolutely devoured this book. This book is everything a thriller book should be and then some. I was gripped from the beginning! I loved the atmospheric scenes, the twists, and the suspense. This thriller book kept me guessing. I absolutely loved it. This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone.

Book synopsis:
For newcomers Chris and Zoey Hamilton, the affluent community seems like the perfect location to build a life together. Instead, history repeats itself when Zoey vanishes without a trace—just like the previous homeowner five years ago.
Enter FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin, known for her relentless pursuit of the truth. Her investigation uncovers a history of lies and betrayal festering beneath manicured gardens and picture-perfect smiles.
The more Victoria digs, the clearer it becomes: the secrets in Mountain Meadows run deep, and the greatest threats aren’t lurking in the shadows...they’re hosting dinner parties, attending parent-teacher conferences, going to yoga, and waving hello from behind their perfectly trimmed hedges. One of those polite, smiling individuals will stop at nothing to keep the past buried.
Review:
This was a great book. I plan to read more by this author ASAP. The plot keeps you intrigued and guessing at possible suspects, but the end will surprise you. 5 stars!

When Chris and Zoey Hamilton move to the picturesque Mountain Meadows community, they expect perfection—gleaming smiles, polished lawns, and friendly neighbors. Instead, Zoey vanishes, echoing the mysterious disappearance of the previous homeowner years before.

Enter FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin, whose razor-sharp instincts and dogged determination drive her investigation into the community’s dark secrets. As she peels back layers of deceit, it’s clear the true danger doesn’t lurk in shadows but stands front and center in the most unsuspecting forms—hosting dinner parties and waving from their white picket fences.

Jenifer Ruff has delivered yet another pulse-pounding thriller with The Bad Neighbor. This ninth installment in the Victoria Heslin series can be read as a standalone, making it perfect for new readers to jump right in.

I was given an advanced reader copy of this book and at the time I wasn’t aware that it was part of a series. That being said I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. The whole time I was rooting for the case to be solved and I was engaged throughout it; but I did find the history of the FBI agent being said to be a tad repetitive. I would definitely go back and read the other books in the series, though!

For newcomers Chris and Zoey Hamilton, the affluent community seems like the perfect location to build a life together. Instead, history repeats itself when Zoey vanishes without a trace—just like the previous homeowner five years ago.

Enter FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin, known for her relentless pursuit of the truth. Her investigation uncovers a history of lies and betrayal festering beneath manicured gardens and picture-perfect smiles.

The more Victoria digs, the clearer it the secrets in Mountain Meadows run deep, and the greatest threats aren’t lurking in the shadows...they’re hosting dinner parties, attending parent-teacher conferences, going to yoga, and waving hello from behind their perfectly trimmed hedges. One of those polite, smiling individuals will stop at nothing to keep the past buried.

THE BAD NEIGHBOR is book 9 in the award-winning Agent Victoria Thriller Series by USA Today bestselling author, Jenifer Ruff. Each book features a unique investigation and can be read as a STANDALONE.

I really enjoyed Chris and Zoey's story. Cannot wait to read the others in the series. Jenifer Ruff has gained a fan.

I would definitely recommend this one. I really liked the story, I was engaged and rooting for the FBI lead character to solve the crime. I didn't realize this was part of a series, but I didn't really feel like I'd missed too much by not reading the others first.

The Bad Neighbor is the ninth book in the Agent Victoria Heslin series by Jenifer Ruff. I haven’t read any of the other books but I didn’t find it difficult to keep up with this story. Victoria is a special agent with the FBI and lives with her fiancé in a upscale gated community, complete with a home owners association. For anyone who has had experiences with an HOA, you know there’s bound to be some conflict, if not some downright nastiness.

Victoria has lived in the neighborhood for several years, but doesn’t really know any of her neighbors. But, when a woman disappears she’s asked to help look for her and meeting the neighbors becomes a top priority.

The Bad Neighbor was an easy read and, for the most part, quite enjoyable. The various characters ranged from sympathetic to distasteful and some of their behaviors were a little unbelievable. But, on the other hand, these are dedicated HOA members, so there’s that.

I enjoyed the plot and how it all came together throughout the investigation. But, the repetition concerning Victoria’s reasons for joining the Agency and reminding the reader several times that’s she a highly regarded special agent of the FBI was a bit unnecessary.

The Bad Neighbor was an entertaining book and I’m definitely interested in reading the previous books in the series. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

Thoroughly enjoyed this mystery thriller where a couple move into a new community and it’s not long before the wife goes missing while walking the dog. Enter one of her neighbours who just happens to be an FBI agent currently on vacation but she soon steps in to help with the search. Didn’t guess what had happened and it was wrapped up nicely. Good characterisation and vividly portrayed with a fast pace that had me hooked until the very end.

I really enjoyed this book. Although it is a series starring the main character, I did not feel like I needed to ready the other books before diving into this one. It was a quick whodunnit and I will start reading the other books in the series now.

Thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read once again,a book by this author.
It captured my attention from the first pages, building to the end. It was a thriller and with great
characters, short chapters. I recommend this book.

I would give this book 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the twists and turns in this book. The book was believable with the threats and perceptions of the FMC. However I was not a fan of the crazy baby fever. Yea that is a part of wanting a family but it was to much of the main focus for a lot of the book.

I didn’t realize this book was part of a series, but it didn’t hinder my experience. I was able to follow along even though I hadn’t read any of the other books. It was a page turner and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I was not expecting this book to be a 5-star read! I was hooked from the beginning, and devoured this in a day! A brilliant psychological thriller with some awesome characters. The bad neighbor is a "who dunnit" style novel that will have you going back and forth trying to figure out who is guilty. We have multiple POV's in this book that are executed well. I love that we can get a glimmer into likable and unlikeable characters and their mindset. I seriously couldn't put it down.

Going into this book I had no idea that this is book 9 in a series, that being said, it is a standalone in the series and I love that you can jump in at any point without reading the other books. I will be reading the earlier books!

This book starts with a couple that move to a very well-off area that buy a house that needs some renovations after leaving their home in California. One of our lead couples, Chris and Zoey encounter a few neighbors; Grace, a snotty woman who is the head of the community, and Faith, Grace's nicer counterpart. All is well until Chris and Zoey's dogs get loose and we are introduced to Victoria and Ned who return the pups to Chris out on their walk. Victoria is our badass, FBI agent who is supposedly on vacation with her fiance until Chris informs Victoria and Ned that he cannot find his wife Zoey, which leads to an investigation at that point. There were so many times where I thought I figured it out until I was taken down another rabbit hole.

If you are looking for a fast, can't put down, easy-flowing read, I highly recommend The Bad Neighbor!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC!

This is an unpredictable page turner filled with complex interesting characters, a twisted story that kept me guessing to the very end! Truly a must read!

This was my first read by this author, but it won’t be my last. I hadn’t realized when I started that this was book 9 in a series. I had absolutely no problems following along, so it can be read as a stand-alone (but I plan to read the others, I really enjoyed the writing & characters). It’s well-written and kept me turning the pages in anticipation of what would happen next! The characters were interesting and well developed. The storyline was engaging. I don’t usually figure out the “who” in a book, but was pleasantly surprised that my hunch was right. It’s a quick and great read. I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.