Over these past several weeks, I haven’t ventured much outside my neighborhood. As I’ve wandered the tree-lined side streets, I’ve waved to neighbors who were also out and about, either digging in their gardens or walking their dogs. I’m still relatively new to my neighborhood and I’ve come to realize how few of these folks I recognize, let alone know. This, of course, sparks my active imagination, getting me wondering about who they might be — what kind of lives are lived behind closed doors? This has certainly inspired my reading choices, directing me towards several books that have provided a look into the deep, dark secrets of many seemingly safe neighborhoods. Each of these titles can be found on our downloadable and streaming services.
Lisa Jewell’s “Watching You” is a book that I found nearly impossible to put down. Newlywed Joey returns to Bristol with her husband, Alfie, after several years spent avoiding the place. She soon finds herself drawn to her neighbor, Tom Fitzwilliam, who is a teacher at the local school. Tom’s teenage son Freddie dreams of working as a spy and spends his day watching his neighbors moving about their business. He sees just about everything that goes on, including single mother Frances Tripp, who is convinced she is being watched. Frances’ teenage daughter, Jenna, is worried these delusions signal the deteriorating mental health of her mother, particularly now that Frances’ paranoia has found a specific target in Tom Fitzwilliam. Ultimately, the actions of all of these individuals culminate in a tragedy no one saw coming. Jewell expertly weaves the narratives of these characters together to create a twisty domestic suspense, which demonstrates how important a person’s perspective on something is. It can, in fact, make all the difference.
Shari LaPena’s “Someone We Know” is a novel with a nicely paced plot filled with red herrings and dead 
ends that kept me guessing. The story revolves around two families, the Sharpes and the Pierces, who live in a safe, suburban neighborhood. Olivia Sharpe discovers her son Raleigh has been breaking into local houses at nearly the same time that Amanda Pierce disappears and then is found brutally murdered. Olivia, upset regarding her son’s transgressions, decides to write anonymous notes of apology to a couple of the neighbors whose homes he broke into. In the meantime, Amanda’s husband, Robert, looks to deflect suspicion from himself for her murder. This story unfolds through the multiple narratives of several neighbors, capturing the secrets these various individuals hold and the dangerous gossip these secrets inspire.
Louise Candlish’s “Our House” opens with Fiona Lawson returning to her home, which is located in a desirable London suburb. She finds a moving van outside her house — only she’s not supposed to be moving out of her house. She’s soon hit by the realization that someone else is moving their furniture in. She also discovers that her estranged husband Bram and her two children have disappeared. What has happened? Candlish uses a storytelling format that combines the “present moment” with a pod-cast reflection on what happened and a written confession. This led to a story that was quite layered, offering multiple perspectives. I never knew just which story was the “true” one. The story is delightfully twisty, and, oh, what an ending! I loved the subtle way this one just hit me in the gut.
Riley Sager’s “Lock Every Door” takes place in a different sort of neighborhood — an exclusive highrise 
in Manhattan. Jules is adrift after simultaneously losing her job, boyfriend and apartment when a seemingly perfect job opens up. She is hired to live in the ultra-glamorous Bartholomew highrise, with its beautiful views of Central Park and exclusive membership. Upon getting the job she discovers it’s pretty simple, if she follows the rules: do not disturb the other residents of the Bartholomew, no overnight visitors and you must spend every night in your apartment. She soon makes friends with another apartment sitter named Ingrid, and gradually discovers that the glamorous building has a rather creepy history. When she begins to hear strange noises at night and then Ingrid goes missing, it becomes clear that Jules has gotten herself into a bad situation. She sets out to search for her missing friend, and in the process learns why getting this job may have not been the opportunity of a lifetime.
