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The Body Next Door
They buried their secrets, but not deep enough…
Hannah McCollough’s life is far from perfect, but you’d never know it by looking at her. Instead, you’d see a beautiful young mother wholly devoted to her two children and a docile wife utterly besotted with her self-made millionaire husband, Allan. You’d see the designer clothes she wears, the luxury car she drives, the dewy-eyed au pair she employs.
You wouldn’t see the dark secret she carries.
But when a construction crew unearths the body of a young girl near the McCulloughs’ vacation home on Orcas Island, Hannah has no choice but to confront her past. She wonders how much Allan knows about the victim and the apocalyptic cult she was connected to. Meanwhile, Allan can’t seem to understand why his beautiful young bride, as polished and pristine as the collectible artifacts in his glass case, would threaten their fairy-tale lifestyle by digging too deep, in places she knows she shouldn’t.
As the police investigation into the gruesome discovery deepens, the facade of Hannah’s picture-perfect marriage starts to crumble, and she soon finds herself on a dire hunt for answers. And Hannah’s search takes an unexpected turn after she crosses paths with three strangers with shocking secrets of their own.
Hannah McCollough’s life is far from perfect, but you’d never know it by looking at her. Instead, you’d see a beautiful young mother wholly devoted to her two children and a docile wife utterly besotted with her self-made millionaire husband, Allan. You’d see the designer clothes she wears, the luxury car she drives, the dewy-eyed au pair she employs.
You wouldn’t see the dark secret she carries.
But when a construction crew unearths the body of a young girl near the McCulloughs’ vacation home on Orcas Island, Hannah has no choice but to confront her past. She wonders how much Allan knows about the victim and the apocalyptic cult she was connected to. Meanwhile, Allan can’t seem to understand why his beautiful young bride, as polished and pristine as the collectible artifacts in his glass case, would threaten their fairy-tale lifestyle by digging too deep, in places she knows she shouldn’t.
As the police investigation into the gruesome discovery deepens, the facade of Hannah’s picture-perfect marriage starts to crumble, and she soon finds herself on a dire hunt for answers. And Hannah’s search takes an unexpected turn after she crosses paths with three strangers with shocking secrets of their own.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2024
84 people are currently reading
11883 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
August 4, 2024
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.
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.
August 18, 2024
This book had me hooked from the start. At first, I thought I was racing through the pages of a well-written domestic thriller, but then, things got a little weirder. And a little darker. I mean both of these things in the best possible way too. This is a twisty, intricate mystery involving a cult, an atmospheric island off the Washington coast, and people with a host of secrets to hide. So what was weird, you might ask? One of the most unique elements of this novel was the author's use of anthropomorphism. To me, it added another layer to what was already an intriguing story and I was happy to suspend my disbelief and go along for what turned out to a wild and extremely entertaining ride.
July 20, 2024
culty and twisty!!
Hannah plays the role of perfect wife, mother, neighbor, and friend well—very well, thank you; she’s done her research—but she’s hiding a dark past that has just been unearthed.
In this story, we have multiple different points of view and two separate timelines: past and present. All in all, readers end up following along with five different storylines that come crashing together in the end. I’ll admit… Having five storylines, with secondary characters being introduced in each one, and not always knowing how they intertwine could be confusing at times but it definitely kept me guessing. Each time one of the primary characters entered in to another’s timeline I was excited that another piece of the puzzle was clicking in to place. And while we’re on the topic of these characters, some of their relationships with one another were just so… strange. Strange in a good way though, a way that made me want to get to the root of it all.
I would be very, very surprised to learn that this book didn’t gain inspiration from Ruby Ridge and the life of Randy Weaver as there were so many pieces of this story that were reminiscent of Ruby Ridge. The author even mentions it once in the narrative, so there's that. And no, that’s not a spoiler.
Between strange adult relationships; an island home surrounded by dense woods; whispers of a witch; a creepy, violent kid; a “community” with questionable practices; and more… this book packs a lot in to a little. It is a wildly unique story that became slightly too convoluted and drawn-out for me. Because of the convolution, I don’t think this will be a book that I remember a lot about a few months down the road but it was an enjoyable reading experience overall. I also would have liked to see more in-depth backstory in the past timeline which dealt exclusively with life in the cult.
I would recommend this to thriller readers who love multiple POV, intricately woven plots, cults, storylines where the past crashes with the present, twists that are hard to guess, and stories with touches of magical realism.
3.5 stars rounded up for publishing purposes.
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review! Available 08/06/2024!
Hannah plays the role of perfect wife, mother, neighbor, and friend well—very well, thank you; she’s done her research—but she’s hiding a dark past that has just been unearthed.
In this story, we have multiple different points of view and two separate timelines: past and present. All in all, readers end up following along with five different storylines that come crashing together in the end. I’ll admit… Having five storylines, with secondary characters being introduced in each one, and not always knowing how they intertwine could be confusing at times but it definitely kept me guessing. Each time one of the primary characters entered in to another’s timeline I was excited that another piece of the puzzle was clicking in to place. And while we’re on the topic of these characters, some of their relationships with one another were just so… strange. Strange in a good way though, a way that made me want to get to the root of it all.
I would be very, very surprised to learn that this book didn’t gain inspiration from Ruby Ridge and the life of Randy Weaver as there were so many pieces of this story that were reminiscent of Ruby Ridge. The author even mentions it once in the narrative, so there's that. And no, that’s not a spoiler.
Between strange adult relationships; an island home surrounded by dense woods; whispers of a witch; a creepy, violent kid; a “community” with questionable practices; and more… this book packs a lot in to a little. It is a wildly unique story that became slightly too convoluted and drawn-out for me. Because of the convolution, I don’t think this will be a book that I remember a lot about a few months down the road but it was an enjoyable reading experience overall. I also would have liked to see more in-depth backstory in the past timeline which dealt exclusively with life in the cult.
I would recommend this to thriller readers who love multiple POV, intricately woven plots, cults, storylines where the past crashes with the present, twists that are hard to guess, and stories with touches of magical realism.
3.5 stars rounded up for publishing purposes.
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review! Available 08/06/2024!
March 17, 2024
The body next door follows the impact of shallowly buried remains being found in a building lot on the lives of several people through their different POV.
It is a little tricky at the beginning to figure out who’s who and what timeline were in and if the events being told are before or after the remains being found, but once you get comfortable with the dual POV things heat up and get really interesting from there out.
I immediately had a soft spot for Hannah, I liked her narration, she seemed like a really interesting character with a questionable past and I found myself rooting for her as time went on.
Although lots of clues are giving it’s hard to give a prediction as to what you think has happened / is going to happen until close to the end. This book definitely keeps you on your toes.
I’m a huge fan of the cover image for the book, the colours are gorgeous! I will be looking out for more of this authors work :)
Publish date: August 6th
Thank you to Maia Chance, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the EARC
It is a little tricky at the beginning to figure out who’s who and what timeline were in and if the events being told are before or after the remains being found, but once you get comfortable with the dual POV things heat up and get really interesting from there out.
I immediately had a soft spot for Hannah, I liked her narration, she seemed like a really interesting character with a questionable past and I found myself rooting for her as time went on.
Although lots of clues are giving it’s hard to give a prediction as to what you think has happened / is going to happen until close to the end. This book definitely keeps you on your toes.
I’m a huge fan of the cover image for the book, the colours are gorgeous! I will be looking out for more of this authors work :)
Publish date: August 6th
Thank you to Maia Chance, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the EARC
April 18, 2024
Let me just say, I don’t often dole out 5-star reviews. I’m a lover of the thriller genre, and find myself outguessing most stories. This one was different. The crossovers in the plot line are intense, so I could see it confusing some readers, but I loved the way Chance wove the complicated web. I absolutely recommend this for thriller enthusiasts like myself! I’m a huge fan of Gillian Flynn, and this work reminds me of her.
I will say, I received an advance copy from the publisher by way of NetGalley and there were some formatting issues on kindle. For some reason, in words that begin with the letter f there was often a space after the f (e.g., f inished). Toward the end, there were also missing headers when the narrator/POV changed. I trust these will be corrected by the time of final publication and they did not deter meaningfully from the excellent storyline.
I will say, I received an advance copy from the publisher by way of NetGalley and there were some formatting issues on kindle. For some reason, in words that begin with the letter f there was often a space after the f (e.g., f inished). Toward the end, there were also missing headers when the narrator/POV changed. I trust these will be corrected by the time of final publication and they did not deter meaningfully from the excellent storyline.
July 29, 2024
The Body Next Door had all the elements that I love in books: domestic suspense, magical realism and cults. I don’t think I’ve ever seen those three genres blended together before.
We follow multiple POVs (another thing that I love!) from past and present. In the present, a body is found next door to a couples home. In the past, we follow a boy as his mom is sucked into a cult. It was fun seeing how the POVs were going to blend together.
I liked this book, I enjoyed the ride. The characters were fun to follow. I didn’t expect magical realism from this book and that part left me wanting more. Something just felt missing when I finished the book but I can’t pinpoint what. I’ll definitely be keeping on eye out for any future thrillers from Maia Chance though!
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
3.5 ⭐️
We follow multiple POVs (another thing that I love!) from past and present. In the present, a body is found next door to a couples home. In the past, we follow a boy as his mom is sucked into a cult. It was fun seeing how the POVs were going to blend together.
I liked this book, I enjoyed the ride. The characters were fun to follow. I didn’t expect magical realism from this book and that part left me wanting more. Something just felt missing when I finished the book but I can’t pinpoint what. I’ll definitely be keeping on eye out for any future thrillers from Maia Chance though!
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
3.5 ⭐️
December 25, 2024
The Body Next Door by Maia Chance is filled with culty vibes and it is one of the few thrillers I have read with a magical realism element quite like it. I thought the two blended quite nicely (thriller + magic) and it definitely added something extra to the storyline. I did not find the characters to be all that loveable, but they are carrying plenty of secrets and there is a large cast with a few good apples in there. It’s hard for me to convey all of my feelings without giving anything away, so let’s just say the magical aspect got weird in some respects, and the point-of-views were maybe not all necessary.
To be fair, the audiobook has a full cast, and it made me appreciate all of the various viewpoints just a little bit more. Emily Lawrence, Teri Schnaubelt, Eric Yang, Pete Cross & Gabriel Vaughan all did an amazing job with their narration and I loved each and every one of them. They each fully embodied their character and made for an excellent listening experience. I thought the ending was absolutely perfect and the twists were great! Read this if you are looking for unique elements and actually like magical realism, lots of POVs and timelines, and you’re ready to expect the unexpected!
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
To be fair, the audiobook has a full cast, and it made me appreciate all of the various viewpoints just a little bit more. Emily Lawrence, Teri Schnaubelt, Eric Yang, Pete Cross & Gabriel Vaughan all did an amazing job with their narration and I loved each and every one of them. They each fully embodied their character and made for an excellent listening experience. I thought the ending was absolutely perfect and the twists were great! Read this if you are looking for unique elements and actually like magical realism, lots of POVs and timelines, and you’re ready to expect the unexpected!
I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
July 20, 2024
WOWZERS!! Easily ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I LOVED this twisty thriller. I’m constantly on the lookout for the next Gone Girl, or Behind Her Eyes, but am disappointed more often than not. Nothing ever QUITE hits the mark. But, BOY. DID. THIS. EVER!! It kept me guessing the whole time, and that twist at the end?? Pure. Gold. I don’t know what I was expecting, it definitely wasn’t this, but in the BEST possible ways! I know some found the multiple POVs confusing, but I didn’t have a hard time with it, and actually found it added to the suspense for me. This one was superbly delicious, and I devoured it in a day and a half!! It was just SO well done, I couldn’t put it down! Definitely will make my top 10 of 2024! Thriller. ✔️ Cult. ✔️ ( can never say no to anything cult-y ) Shocking Twist. ✔️ YES. PLEASE. You won’t be disappointed picking this one up!
Super big thank you to Maia Chance, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! It was an honor and an absolute delight reading this early!
Super big thank you to Maia Chance, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! It was an honor and an absolute delight reading this early!
July 30, 2024
The Body Next Door
Maia Chance
Out 7/6
This was a culty little mystery/thriller with multiple perspectives and timelines, and a hint of the supernatural. Unfortunately, due to the shifting perspectives, I was never fully invested in the overall story. I also struggled with believability. But I'm a major outlier on this one as it's getting tons of rave reviews, so definitely check out some others! ☺️
Thank you HTP for my gifted ARC
Maia Chance
Out 7/6
This was a culty little mystery/thriller with multiple perspectives and timelines, and a hint of the supernatural. Unfortunately, due to the shifting perspectives, I was never fully invested in the overall story. I also struggled with believability. But I'm a major outlier on this one as it's getting tons of rave reviews, so definitely check out some others! ☺️
Thank you HTP for my gifted ARC
September 18, 2024
I really liked this book.
Hannah lives a pampered life with her millionaire husband and two children. They own a beautiful home in Seattle and a vacation home on Orcas Island. The property next to their vacation home used to be the settlement of a cult. When a dead body is found near their property Hannah must face her past.
I loved the format of this book. It follows some very interesting and self absorbed characters. Green is traveling with his mother on a ferry in Orcas island. Josh is a world renowned violinist and Allan is a self absorbed narcissist that collects old artifacts. I’m wondering how the stories will come together.
The book involves a cult and some magical realism. I thought the plot was unique!
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book!
Hannah lives a pampered life with her millionaire husband and two children. They own a beautiful home in Seattle and a vacation home on Orcas Island. The property next to their vacation home used to be the settlement of a cult. When a dead body is found near their property Hannah must face her past.
I loved the format of this book. It follows some very interesting and self absorbed characters. Green is traveling with his mother on a ferry in Orcas island. Josh is a world renowned violinist and Allan is a self absorbed narcissist that collects old artifacts. I’m wondering how the stories will come together.
The book involves a cult and some magical realism. I thought the plot was unique!
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book!
October 14, 2024
Thank you to MIRA Books for the digital copy to review.
This was a little gem that I did not expect to enjoy as much as I did! I started this on a walk with Jaxx and found that I could not stop listening, I was hooked! It is definitely on the slower burn side, and there are different POVs as well as two timelines (current day and the past) all of which when only reading via audio can make things a little confusing. Once I got further along and once I realized this involved a cult (!!) it was a nice little thriller that I really loved. Plus, the ending had a couple of twists that really caught me off guard in the best way. This was my first read of this author and I definitely want to check out more of her works.
This was a little gem that I did not expect to enjoy as much as I did! I started this on a walk with Jaxx and found that I could not stop listening, I was hooked! It is definitely on the slower burn side, and there are different POVs as well as two timelines (current day and the past) all of which when only reading via audio can make things a little confusing. Once I got further along and once I realized this involved a cult (!!) it was a nice little thriller that I really loved. Plus, the ending had a couple of twists that really caught me off guard in the best way. This was my first read of this author and I definitely want to check out more of her works.
July 16, 2024
This book is written in multiple POVs (my favorite), switching between THEN and NOW and takes a while to really figure out everyone's connection.
It's a bit of a slow start through the first half of the book, but the second half had so much suspense that I didn't want to put it down. I definitely would've read it all in one or two sittings if I had the time.
It's marketed as a thriller, but also has cult aspects and a little bit of paranormal/supernatural instances as well.
Overall, The Body Next Door was a solid and spooky read that I would definitely recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to review this ARC.
It's a bit of a slow start through the first half of the book, but the second half had so much suspense that I didn't want to put it down. I definitely would've read it all in one or two sittings if I had the time.
It's marketed as a thriller, but also has cult aspects and a little bit of paranormal/supernatural instances as well.
Overall, The Body Next Door was a solid and spooky read that I would definitely recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to review this ARC.
August 4, 2024
I received an advance galley of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
If you've followed my reviews for any length of time, you'll know that I really love a thriller that focuses on rich people behaving badly - especially when their past mistakes begin to catch up with them; that's exactly what I got with this one.
This time around, we're taken on a journey through the seemingly perfect life of Hannah McCullough, a young mother with a wealthy husband and a dark secret that threatens to unravel her carefully constructed façade. The 'rich people behaving badly' aspect comes into play as we delve into the moral and ethical dilemmas these characters face, and how their wealth and privilege influence their decisions and actions.
The story kicks off when a body is discovered near the McCulloughs' vacation home on Orcas Island near Seattle, setting off a chain of events that will challenge Hannah and her husband Allan in ways neither saw coming. They're rich, after all, and Allan has always been able to throw money at anything that could work against him or crack his perfect veneer. But, as the police investigation deepens, they find that the victim may have been a member of an apocalyptic cult that lived near the McCullough's vacation home, and Hannah may know more about her than anyone realizes.
I have to give the author kudos for building tension and keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the mystery unravels. There were several times when I thought I had it figured out, and then the story would throw a curveball and put me on a different path, only to jerk the wheel again - all without causing "twistplash". The eerie, remote setting of Orcas Island adds to the atmosphere, making it the perfect backdrop for a story filled with twists and turns; a sense of unease and suspense permeates every page.
The novel is well-paced, and Chance's writing is engaging and accessible. This makes it easy to get lost in the story and lose track of time. I will admit that when I started the book, I had a few concerns, mainly because we flipped between several different characters right off the bat. Usually, when a book alternates between multiple characters, I get annoyed. It ended up not being a problem in the end, primarily due to Chance really knowing her characters and giving each of them a distinct voice and perspective. I never felt lost or confused.
As Hannah's search for answers takes unexpected turns and she crosses paths with strangers harboring their own dark secrets, the stakes only get higher. The tension builds to a gripping climax that will leave readers breathless and satisfied with the resolution. My only problem with this one was the addition of the magical powers of one of the characters. While it was integral to the plot, it felt out of place to me because it seemed to shift the focus from the psychological thriller aspect to a more fantastical one. Usually, I'm okay with magical realism in books, but when it shows up unexpectedly in a thriller or mystery, I have a difficult time getting on board with it.
Overall, I found this novel to be a fast-paced, and fun read. Despite the unexpected introduction of magical elements, which initially caught me off guard, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. The well-crafted cast of characters, each of whom you either love or love to hate really made the book for me. If you are looking for a compelling mystery with a touch of magical realism, I would certainly recommend this one.
If you've followed my reviews for any length of time, you'll know that I really love a thriller that focuses on rich people behaving badly - especially when their past mistakes begin to catch up with them; that's exactly what I got with this one.
This time around, we're taken on a journey through the seemingly perfect life of Hannah McCullough, a young mother with a wealthy husband and a dark secret that threatens to unravel her carefully constructed façade. The 'rich people behaving badly' aspect comes into play as we delve into the moral and ethical dilemmas these characters face, and how their wealth and privilege influence their decisions and actions.
The story kicks off when a body is discovered near the McCulloughs' vacation home on Orcas Island near Seattle, setting off a chain of events that will challenge Hannah and her husband Allan in ways neither saw coming. They're rich, after all, and Allan has always been able to throw money at anything that could work against him or crack his perfect veneer. But, as the police investigation deepens, they find that the victim may have been a member of an apocalyptic cult that lived near the McCullough's vacation home, and Hannah may know more about her than anyone realizes.
I have to give the author kudos for building tension and keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the mystery unravels. There were several times when I thought I had it figured out, and then the story would throw a curveball and put me on a different path, only to jerk the wheel again - all without causing "twistplash". The eerie, remote setting of Orcas Island adds to the atmosphere, making it the perfect backdrop for a story filled with twists and turns; a sense of unease and suspense permeates every page.
The novel is well-paced, and Chance's writing is engaging and accessible. This makes it easy to get lost in the story and lose track of time. I will admit that when I started the book, I had a few concerns, mainly because we flipped between several different characters right off the bat. Usually, when a book alternates between multiple characters, I get annoyed. It ended up not being a problem in the end, primarily due to Chance really knowing her characters and giving each of them a distinct voice and perspective. I never felt lost or confused.
As Hannah's search for answers takes unexpected turns and she crosses paths with strangers harboring their own dark secrets, the stakes only get higher. The tension builds to a gripping climax that will leave readers breathless and satisfied with the resolution. My only problem with this one was the addition of the magical powers of one of the characters. While it was integral to the plot, it felt out of place to me because it seemed to shift the focus from the psychological thriller aspect to a more fantastical one. Usually, I'm okay with magical realism in books, but when it shows up unexpectedly in a thriller or mystery, I have a difficult time getting on board with it.
Overall, I found this novel to be a fast-paced, and fun read. Despite the unexpected introduction of magical elements, which initially caught me off guard, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. The well-crafted cast of characters, each of whom you either love or love to hate really made the book for me. If you are looking for a compelling mystery with a touch of magical realism, I would certainly recommend this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2024
2.5⭐️
So the book held my attention at first, then I took a break from it. I did want to finish to see how everything came together so I picked it up and continued on.
There were sooo many POVs at first and I had no idea who the people were. It was a bit overwhelming. Also the dual timeline added to the confusion.
At the end of the book I was just like wow, what was that? It wasn’t shocking nor climatic but I was happy to see a certain couple reunite. I wouldn’t say this is a suspenseful thriller. More like a mystery.
There was a “magical” element to the story as well so it didn’t seem entirely realistic.
I’m glad to see many people loved this one. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Pub date is 8/6/24
The Body Next Door by Maia Chance is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that will captivate readers who crave a complex, twisty mystery with a dash of dark secrets, cults, and psychological intrigue, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins.
So the book held my attention at first, then I took a break from it. I did want to finish to see how everything came together so I picked it up and continued on.
There were sooo many POVs at first and I had no idea who the people were. It was a bit overwhelming. Also the dual timeline added to the confusion.
At the end of the book I was just like wow, what was that? It wasn’t shocking nor climatic but I was happy to see a certain couple reunite. I wouldn’t say this is a suspenseful thriller. More like a mystery.
There was a “magical” element to the story as well so it didn’t seem entirely realistic.
I’m glad to see many people loved this one. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Pub date is 8/6/24
The Body Next Door by Maia Chance is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that will captivate readers who crave a complex, twisty mystery with a dash of dark secrets, cults, and psychological intrigue, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins.
April 29, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read The Body Next Door in exchange for my honest review. I would round this up to 3.5 maybe even 4 under different circumstances. I thought this was a powerful story of oppression and power. There were at least half a dozen POVs but it’s mostly handled well. My biggest distraction was that it looks like and is summed up like a domestic thriller when in fact it’s magical realism with a cult twist. It’s very good, but I was thrown off.
August 4, 2024
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
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
August 11, 2024
#TheBodyNextDoor #NetGalley
Boring.
Hannah McCullough’s life is far from perfect, but you’d never know it by looking at her. Instead, you’d see a beautiful young mother wholly devoted to her two children and a docile wife utterly besotted with her self-made millionaire husband, Allan. You’d see the designer clothes she wears, the luxury car she drives, the dewy-eyed au pair she employs. You wouldn’t see the dark secret she carries. But when a construction crew unearths the body of a young girl near the McCulloughs’ vacation home on Orcas Island, Hannah has no choice but to confront her past. She wonders how much Allan knows about the victim and the apocalyptic cult she was connected to. Meanwhile, Allan can’t seem to understand why his beautiful young bride, as polished and pristine as the collectible artifacts in his glass case, would threaten their fairy-tale lifestyle by digging too deep, in places she knows she shouldn’t.
As the police investigation into the gruesome discovery deepens, the facade of Hannah’s picture-perfect marriage starts to crumble, and she soon finds herself on a dire hunt for answers. And Hannah’s search takes an unexpected turn after she crosses paths with three strangers with shocking secrets of their own.
It was boring. I don't like these types of thrillers. Sorry. Not my cup of tea.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing Mira for giving me Tan advance copy.
Boring.
Hannah McCullough’s life is far from perfect, but you’d never know it by looking at her. Instead, you’d see a beautiful young mother wholly devoted to her two children and a docile wife utterly besotted with her self-made millionaire husband, Allan. You’d see the designer clothes she wears, the luxury car she drives, the dewy-eyed au pair she employs. You wouldn’t see the dark secret she carries. But when a construction crew unearths the body of a young girl near the McCulloughs’ vacation home on Orcas Island, Hannah has no choice but to confront her past. She wonders how much Allan knows about the victim and the apocalyptic cult she was connected to. Meanwhile, Allan can’t seem to understand why his beautiful young bride, as polished and pristine as the collectible artifacts in his glass case, would threaten their fairy-tale lifestyle by digging too deep, in places she knows she shouldn’t.
As the police investigation into the gruesome discovery deepens, the facade of Hannah’s picture-perfect marriage starts to crumble, and she soon finds herself on a dire hunt for answers. And Hannah’s search takes an unexpected turn after she crosses paths with three strangers with shocking secrets of their own.
It was boring. I don't like these types of thrillers. Sorry. Not my cup of tea.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing Mira for giving me Tan advance copy.
September 2, 2024
Coming back to finish my review. I should have trusted my instincts when I stumbled over poor writing in the first two chapters. This was a terrible book filled with unlikable characters. I don't know what the point was of this story and frankly I don't care. There was a cult, there was a raid, there were deaths, there were rescues, there are damaged people from the cult and then more deaths, though some of the people flee the US in the end. Ugh, just definitely not for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just started this book, and I never do this, pop over to Goodreads to give a reading update, but today I am. As I'm reading it, I realize this beginning to personify the type of book that is "clunky" in how it's written. There are sections that make you read, stop, reread, stop and perhaps reread again before moving on. I've never felt compelled to come here and proclaim about this until today. And want to share an example or two because it could be just me, being too literal, that it's a me problem and not an author problem. The funny thing is, I'm only about 2 chapters into the story!
So, here is example 1:
A woman picks up a phone call and a friend is telling her "they dug up a dead body on Orcas island. A woman's body they think".
Allan, I think.
~~~~~~
So, yes, that's her response to herself, "Allan, I think". And my reaction is well, that's a weird name for a woman but, well, I guess? Until I get to the next chapter and it's titled "Allan", and I realize that's her husband. So, well, I still don't understand.
Example 2 is right at the beginning of Allan's chapter. These are the first two sentences:
I see my wife walking towards me and I think, There's nothing to connect me to that corpse.
~~~~~~~~~~
And I swear I read and read and reread it because I thought Allan was referring to his wife, nastily, as a corpse?!?!
I'm continuing with the book for now but seriously, is it just me? :-)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just started this book, and I never do this, pop over to Goodreads to give a reading update, but today I am. As I'm reading it, I realize this beginning to personify the type of book that is "clunky" in how it's written. There are sections that make you read, stop, reread, stop and perhaps reread again before moving on. I've never felt compelled to come here and proclaim about this until today. And want to share an example or two because it could be just me, being too literal, that it's a me problem and not an author problem. The funny thing is, I'm only about 2 chapters into the story!
So, here is example 1:
A woman picks up a phone call and a friend is telling her "they dug up a dead body on Orcas island. A woman's body they think".
Allan, I think.
~~~~~~
So, yes, that's her response to herself, "Allan, I think". And my reaction is well, that's a weird name for a woman but, well, I guess? Until I get to the next chapter and it's titled "Allan", and I realize that's her husband. So, well, I still don't understand.
Example 2 is right at the beginning of Allan's chapter. These are the first two sentences:
I see my wife walking towards me and I think, There's nothing to connect me to that corpse.
~~~~~~~~~~
And I swear I read and read and reread it because I thought Allan was referring to his wife, nastily, as a corpse?!?!
I'm continuing with the book for now but seriously, is it just me? :-)
July 22, 2024
This book is the victim of misrepresentative marketing. The cover and the description lead readers to believe they're diving into a domestic thriller, but The Body Next Door is a bizarre foray into a cult, with an unexplainable side trip into the supernatural. I forced myself through this book, and only became interested about 40 percent in, which is when the past and present characters intersect. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
August 20, 2024
This was different.
January 13, 2025
Was a little hard to follow when I started, but once I started seeing how the characters were connected- holy moly!
August 1, 2024
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.
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.
July 26, 2024
I was excited for the cult. I was excited for the murder, but the book lost me with the magic. I’m down for reading magical books and fantasy, if that is what I choose to read and know it going in, but this book was not touted as such. I did finish reading and enjoyed the cult-y/twisty parts, but the magical part was so much a part of the book that it took away from the parts I liked.
Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 13, 2025
4.5 stars.
Hannah McCullough’s life is far from perfect, but you’d never know it by looking at her. Instead, you’d see a beautiful young mother wholly devoted to her two children and a docile wife utterly besotted with her self-made millionaire husband, Allan. But when a construction crew unearths the body of a young girl near the McCulloughs’ vacation home on Orcas Island, Hannah has no choice but to confront her past and the apocalyptic cult she was connected to. As the police investigation into the gruesome discovery deepens, the facade of Hannah’s picture-perfect marriage starts to crumble, and she soon finds herself on a dire hunt for answers.
This started like your normal popcorn thriller books. However, as the story progressed, I realise the plot wasn’t that simple and there was more to it than met the eye. I didn’t expect the cult connection but it really added depth to the story.
it was surprisingly really good in the end. I wasn’t sure how everything would tie together until around the halfway mark. I was (pleasantly) surprised throughout because of the multiple twists. What a story about disgusting power-hungry chauvinists who abused females, albeit in different settings.
Another big surprise for me was the supernatural aspect. While I initially thought it could be cringey, it was far from it. I really enjoyed this overall! I’d highly recommend checking this out.
See my bookstagram review.
Hannah McCullough’s life is far from perfect, but you’d never know it by looking at her. Instead, you’d see a beautiful young mother wholly devoted to her two children and a docile wife utterly besotted with her self-made millionaire husband, Allan. But when a construction crew unearths the body of a young girl near the McCulloughs’ vacation home on Orcas Island, Hannah has no choice but to confront her past and the apocalyptic cult she was connected to. As the police investigation into the gruesome discovery deepens, the facade of Hannah’s picture-perfect marriage starts to crumble, and she soon finds herself on a dire hunt for answers.
This started like your normal popcorn thriller books. However, as the story progressed, I realise the plot wasn’t that simple and there was more to it than met the eye. I didn’t expect the cult connection but it really added depth to the story.
it was surprisingly really good in the end. I wasn’t sure how everything would tie together until around the halfway mark. I was (pleasantly) surprised throughout because of the multiple twists. What a story about disgusting power-hungry chauvinists who abused females, albeit in different settings.
Another big surprise for me was the supernatural aspect. While I initially thought it could be cringey, it was far from it. I really enjoyed this overall! I’d highly recommend checking this out.
See my bookstagram review.
June 24, 2024
Woww!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have been intrigued by one of the main topic areas of this book recently and so that really had me engrossed in the story. Maia Chance did an awesome job of weaving together each POV and it came together masterfully in the end. As you first begin reading, it may be a little confusing as to who is who and why we are getting their POV - however, by the end, it all makes so much sense, and the ending really packs a punch! My only critique is that I was left wanting a bit more from one of the characters POV - by the end, it felt like their connection to the story didn’t make as much sense compared to the rest of the cast but that definitely did not take away from the enjoyable reading experience! I would for sure recommend this one and I would look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 7, 2024
The Body Next Door has definitely made it to my top reads of this year. It's twisty, the setting was the perfect mix of atmospheric and creepy, culty (one of my first cult reads and now I need to read more).
I love multiple POVS and dual timelines but five POV's were kind of difficult to keep up with in the beginning but I did love how everything came crashing together in the end. Very twisty and well-done. I loved the intricate plot, complex characters, and the eeriness that gave the story a well-engaged plot.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review :)
I love multiple POVS and dual timelines but five POV's were kind of difficult to keep up with in the beginning but I did love how everything came crashing together in the end. Very twisty and well-done. I loved the intricate plot, complex characters, and the eeriness that gave the story a well-engaged plot.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review :)
January 14, 2025
4.5 ✨
Wow I am shocked at how bad the reviews are. If you’re expecting a straight forward, everyday thriller, this isn’t it. It has some razzle dazzle thrown in. Give it a chance knowing about the razzle dazzle and you might be open to liking it.
Cults… check
Bad people… check
Manipulation… check
Love… check
Mystery… check
Good things happening to those who deserve it… check
This was a super unique story. Of course not realistic and a tad fantasy (I guess you’d categorize it) but I really enjoyed the change of story. And HOW COOL would it be to have Greenes power. I guess it’d be a blessing and a curse but I’d take it for both. ✨
Wow I am shocked at how bad the reviews are. If you’re expecting a straight forward, everyday thriller, this isn’t it. It has some razzle dazzle thrown in. Give it a chance knowing about the razzle dazzle and you might be open to liking it.
Cults… check
Bad people… check
Manipulation… check
Love… check
Mystery… check
Good things happening to those who deserve it… check
This was a super unique story. Of course not realistic and a tad fantasy (I guess you’d categorize it) but I really enjoyed the change of story. And HOW COOL would it be to have Greenes power. I guess it’d be a blessing and a curse but I’d take it for both. ✨
August 6, 2024
From the title you know there’s going to be a murder involved but it’s the way the author weaves the lives of the characters together that grabbed me. I don’t usually read thrillers but a friend loved it and gave me her copy since I was looking for a good summer read. I loved the way each chapter heading is the name of one of the many characters whose lives Maia Chance weaves together and then unravels in often unexpected ways, and I didn’t see the end coming! It’s a page turner with compelling characters. I read it in a day and a half! Very hard to put down.
July 23, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was so good! There were so many twists and turns! I kept thinking I had it figured out things would switch up on me. I struggled emotionally with a few parts but that’s because I can be sensitive with certain things. I do not want to give away spoilers so just make sure to check TWs.
If you’re looking for a twisty thriller with supernatural elements, then this is for you!
Thank you to NetGallery for the ARC!
This book was so good! There were so many twists and turns! I kept thinking I had it figured out things would switch up on me. I struggled emotionally with a few parts but that’s because I can be sensitive with certain things. I do not want to give away spoilers so just make sure to check TWs.
If you’re looking for a twisty thriller with supernatural elements, then this is for you!
Thank you to NetGallery for the ARC!
June 20, 2024
This cover is absolutely beautiful! I was so intrigued by this book that I read it in one day. I was a little confused in the beginning with the multiple POVs, but the characters quickly become identifiable and things started to come together. The story was woven together masterfully with just the right amount of suspense and twists. The ending did not disappoint. This is one I can highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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