The Bad Neighbor

Agent Victoria Heslin #9

by Jenifer Ruff

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Brilliantly written twists and turns had me completely glued to this story until the end." - NetGalley Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "It's everything a thriller should be and unputdownable!" - BookishgirlUK on TikTok

In the idyllic Mountain Meadows neighborhood, a fresh start can quickly become a fatal ending.

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 say this every time I read a new Agent Victoria Heslin thriller, but this is the best one yet! The Bad Neighbor is a highly addictive read. Layers of mystery continue to unfold, keeping you guessing until the last page.” - USA Today bestselling author Audrey J. Cole

“The Bad Neighbor by Jenifer Ruff is a gripping domestic thriller that kept me hooked and had me guessing until the very end. Highly recommend!” - H.K. Christie, Author of the Martina Monroe Thriller Series

“The Bad Neighbor is a real page-turner. Great, nail-biting suspense, excellent writing, and a heart-pounding conclusion." – Addison Michael, author of the Mak and Wilton Thriller Series

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Fiction

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Jenifer Ruff writes dark and twisty mystery thrillers, including the award-winning Agent Victoria Heslin Series. Jenifer spends her days writing with the goal of keeping her readers eagerly turning the pages and putting the clues together. She adores peace and quiet, animals, and exercise, especially hiking. If she’s not writing, she’s probably out exploring trails with her dogs. Sign up for her Reader's Newsletter at Jenruff.com and never miss a new release.

Reviews

[Priskah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,0 ✨✨✨

(Audiobook)

[Rachel Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested this book because it was recommended by JE Rowney, one of my favorite authors. This story is about a husband and wife who move to a new place to start over, but just like the home owner before them, Zoey disappears. Good thing one of the neighbors is a heroic FBI agent who will stop at nothing to find out what is happening in their neighborhood. This story is full of suspense and thrill. It’s very well written and if you like a good suspenseful, thrilling mystery, then this one’s for you!

[Amy Bradley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Should have DNF’d this. Lackluster and a very intro to “thriller” book. The whole time I kept thinking “WHO CARES?!?” lol.

I thought the cover looked cheesy along with the name of the book. I need to learn to trust those thoughts!!!

[Susan Belman · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kate Cedras · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a new neighbor vanishes without trace in her neighborhood Veronica uses her skills as an FBI agent during a planned vacation to help locate her. Is this new case commented to a prior missing persons case from the same neighborhood (and home owner, too)?!

I really loved this well written suspenseful story! It’s always exciting when thrillers or mysteries don’t have the same ole format and plot and this book did not disappoint! I HAD to know what happened and was determined to finish the story ASAP to find out!

A great read and definitely worth a recommendation if you’re a fan of suspenseful thrillers!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest opinion!

[Christina Rothfusz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not realize that this was part of a series when I started listening to it, perhaps had I started at the beginning I would've cared a little more about some of the characters.

Zoey and Chris move into a new neighborhood. Zoey struggles to settle in and make friends and, equally difficult, she and Chris are struggling to start the family they desperately want. Then Zoey disappears. But she is not the first one in the quite Mountain Meadows to disappear without a trace.

Her neighbor, FBI Agent Victoria Heslin happens to be on holiday and becomes involved in the search for Zoey and quickly realize that it is not all dinner parties and arguments over garden ornaments in their sleepy estate.

There is not much new here, not bad, just not memorable.

[michelle ࣪ ִֶָ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for having this available to read!

I really liked this! It was my first book from this series and it was a really easy, fun read. The characters were all so well-developed, even the minor ones. Some plot points, at first, didn't seem like they'd end up being all that relevant and I thought they were mentioned to throw the reader off, but then everything came together so thoughtfully. I definitely plan to check out more of this series next time I need a quick thriller read.

[Natalia Farnham · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars will totally have to go back and start the series at book one because totally didn’t know this was a series. With that being said it did a great job being a standalone mystery that wrapped itself up perfectly by the end of the story. I think they did a great job with the multi povs and really like the detective in this story.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent audiobook, but was a little lack luster for me. I feel like the characters could have had more depth and the storyline was a little cheesy.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. Jenifer Ruff books never disappoint.

[Phyllis Jones Pisanelli Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bad Neighbor by Jennifer Ruff is definitely a must read! It is the ninth book in the Agent Victoria Heslin Series. If you haven’t read this series yet, never fear. Each of the books in her series read as standalones. That is really nice. In fact I started the series on book 3 and own one and two. I hope to find time this winter to go back and read them. The perk of reading them in order is that you learn Victoria’s past and get to know her as she excels with her career with the FBI.

I have to say that out of the seven books I’ve read of this particular series, I’ve enjoyed every one of them. The cases are all so different and they hold your interest from the very first page. I love a book that grabs your interest and won’t let you go. Don’t you?

This book was very different because it takes place in her own exclusive neighborhood. She doesn’t often spend a lot of time at home. She is on the road a lot solving cases and looking for criminals. Consequently she doesn’t know her neighbors that well. A new couple moved in down the street recently and the wife went missing. Victoria is on vacation and immediately lends a hand in the search. All of the neighbors and even the husband are looked at as the culprit.

I have to say she kept me guessing. I had a hint of where she might be and I also thought it might be the teenage son of one couple. She kept me reading and I had a hard time putting this page-turner down. I even dreamed of this book at night. That is always a good indication to me that this is an exceptional book. I don’t dream about every book that I read. It has to be one my mind is working on in the background.

If you love a good mystery and one that just happens to include an old murder that was thought to be a disappearance then this book should be your next engrossing read. It certainly needs to be on your nightstand. I highly recommend this book for your reading pleasure. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the #Jenifer Ruff. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Supriya K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author name: Jenifer Ruff @author.jenifer.ruff
Book name: The Bad Neighbor (Agent Victoria Heslin Series Book 9)
Publisher: Greyt Companion Press
Pub date: October 1, 2024
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Summary:
In the idyllic Mountain Meadows neighborhood, a fresh start can quickly become a fatal ending.
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.

My thoughts:
Thank you, @NetGally for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

My October started with a BAM!!! I found a new author to crush on again, and Jenifer Ruff didn’t disappoint! The Bad Neighbor is gripping and so interesting that I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the first page until the very last.

A missing case in the perfect neighborhood, and FBI Agent Victoria Heslin is on the hunt for the truth. Everyone in the neighborhood is suspicious, including Zoey’s husband. The deeper the investigation goes, the more layers of betrayal and lies are uncovered—leading back to past secrets that refuse to stay hidden.

This book is a feast for crime thrillers and mystery lovers. It’s nail-biting suspense with so many twists, it’ll have you guessing until the end. I absolutely loved the strength of Victoria as a detective, and characters like Ned and Sullivan added so much to the plot.

This is a must-read for crime, thriller, and suspense fans! Trust me, it’s totally worth it.

Book released today—go get it!

[Amanda Dingman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Jenifer Ruff book, but I could easily tell why she has such loyal readers!

This is a quick and easy thriller following Chris and Zoey Hamilton, a couple who just moved across country into a new neighborhood. While initially settling in, things take a weird turn when Zoey's dogs keep getting sick from the neighborhood pond. Zoey demands that the homeowners' association drains and treats the pond, and with that demand, an unraveling of sorts occurs. Is Zoey safe? Why is the homeowners' association refusing to drain the pond and resolve this issue? It turns out that everyone has something to hide in Chris and Zoey's new neighborhood, and some are not what they seem.

While some aspects of the book were predictable, the author did a great job with the plot and overall structure of the book. Ruff's writing style and diverse characters made me want to continue reading to find out if Zoey was okay and who was behind it all along.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Wanna thank NetGalley for having this book available to read!

this one was a heck of a page turner! I loved the short chapters which kept me reading faster and faster to get to the end and figure out who did all of this! Some parts in the book were eerie. I loved the feelings when Zoey would be left alone and she would feel that chill down her spine of being watched. That makes me even more interested. With the different point of view chapters made it also interesting and easy to understand everyone. What I didn’t like was the ending.. just felt way to rushed and to predictable! Otherwise a not bad read!

[Cara Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Tish · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️s

When I saw the opportunity to read this book, I ran to read what it was about and immediately knew that I needed to read it ASAP! And thankfully I was given that chance because it was so good.

I really love discovering new authors and getting the chance to brag about them and their work. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends.

It was thrilling and kept me guessing the entire time. I would have never guessed how it was going to end.

[Jenn Smaglick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed after spending the time to read the entire book. I wish I would have stopped reading it early on. The story dragged on, the characters were not very captivating and the ending was easy to figure out. I would have given it 2.5 🌟

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read that took me a while to pick back up after not being intrigued originally. Decent read and was quick once I got going. I may check out other works by this author, just not at the top of my list.

[Ashlee Padgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this book. I did not realize it was a series until after I started but it can definitely be read as a stand alone. I did get hooked into the book at around 60% in! I liked the way it ended but it was very predictable.

[Eva Edge · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What a good book to end the year! Suspense and questions all the way through! Definitely page turner!

[Zizi · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Imagine moving into a neighborhood, only to be abducted by your neighbor, a murderer.”

[Amy Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was so good! Jenifer did a great job of keeping the reader on our toes. I changed my mind as to what I thought would happen over and over again. I can’t wait to continue to read more of her books! If you haven’t read a Jenifer Ruff book, I’d highly recommend.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read by this author and I am hooked! 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. When I thought I had it figured out, something else happened to make me think a different way. It’s a quick and great read. I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Summer Bendle · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Becky V · Rating 1 out of 5]

If LMN wrote a book.

[Stephanie Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I spotted this title, it piqued my interest and I did a little further investigating. I love a good mystery thriller and it has been a while since I’ve come across a modern day one, I really enjoyed. There are a few factors I consider as a praise worthy read. Everyone is a suspect; motives are running rapid; opportunity is the icing on the cake. Those things are easily contrived but not always easily blended in with the flow of the story. Too much misdirection can make things a bit chaotic and before you know it the plot is lost to say the least. There is also the “it factors” when it comes to the right amount suspense, pacing, trickery and well-drawn out characterization. Most of all, a solid plot to keep the readers interest.

Did this book meet all the requirements? Yes, and more! I came into this series with the ninth book. To be honest, I’m a bit taken back I have not heard of this series before or the author. I made the right decision to choose this book to read and can’t wait to read the others!

Ruff assembles a great cast of characters and the pacing, suspense, the crime, the victims, the neighbors, the neighborhood and the brilliantly written twist and turns had me completely glued to this story until the end. When I thought I knew who had done it, other developments would happen that made the suspense all the more intriguing. There was a detail in the end about one of neighbors and her family that wasn’t fleshed out and I’m hoping it is because it will be included in the next book in the series. I do hope Ruff is continuing the series. I’m hooked!

I like Victoria Heslin no nonsense attitude when finding out Zoey was missing. She could have easily shrugged it off as a couples spat but she had a good head on her shoulders about the situation and reacted the way all law enforcement should. Victoria has good instincts and Ruff does a great job in portraying that attribute. Ruff also does an amazing job at making you really dislike a character(s). There was this one character who thought the worse of everyone and everything it seemed and it was great to see her come to the realization of just how wrong she was and her reaction to it figures with people like that. You’ll just have to read the book to find out more about what I’m talking about. I would also like to add that It was so refreshing to read a story without profanity and explicit scenes.

A great stand alone and an intriguing mystery with all the right elements!

Stephanie Hopkins
Layered Pages

I received and ARC from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.

[LindaPf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ninth book about FBI Agent Victoria Heslin, but there’s no need to have read the previous eight. Well, unless you want to know how Victoria met the hunky veterinarian, Ned, who is now her fiancé.

Victoria and Ned are lucky enough to live in an upscale Virginia subdivision (thanks, grandpa!) called Mountain Meadows (which in Utah is a creepy name since there was a massacre named just that). Mountain Meadows is a bit more than a cul-de-sac within a larger HOA, with a newly sold home where the previous owner went suddenly missing 5 years; a loner guy collecting unfinished home-improvement projects; a vicious Karen who is the self-appointed “neighborhood president”; and two or three maybe normal couples. The newcomers (who, my goodness, dared to install colorful bird feeders out front) are not feeling very welcomed. Victoria worries about being a “bad neighbor” since she’s a bit of an introvert and reticent about her well-known FBI reputation, but she and Ned spring into action when they find a pair of wandering dogs without their owner. Their owner, the female half of the new couple, Zoe, has suddenly gone missing, unexpectedly leaving her dogs’ leashes behind on a gazebo near a nasty pond.

I love this series and this one was one of the best! You can always rely on and root for Victoria, there’s usually a few adorable dog moments, and the mystery will keep you guessing. As soon as I finish one of the Victoria Heslin books, I want a new one! 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): SORT OF Author Ruff doesn’t ever have characters with green eyes, but this time there’s a cat!
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): Grace, there was no need to replace the yellow mums for an “autumnal” display! They are autumn flowers. That’s perennial abuse. Also, I totally get the fear of my dogs getting poisoned in a pond without proper maintenance….maybe the HOA should have addressed that sooner (like 5 years ago),

Thank you to Books Go Social/Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bad Neighbor by Jenifer Ruff is a highly recommended investigative thriller. This is the ninth book in the series featuring FBI Agent Victoria Heslin but can easily be read as a standalone novel.

Chris and Zoey Hamilton have just moved from California into their dream home, a fixer-upper in the affluent Virginia community of Mountain Meadows. The house was the home of a notorious embezzler Steve Johnson who disappeared without a trace five years and his wife decided to sell it. The two are trying to fix it up while building a new life together when Zoey suddenly disappears.

FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin and her fiancé veterinarian Ned Patterson also live in Mountain Meadows. When out running early one morning they discover two dogs running free without an owner around. The dogs belonged to Zoey and while returning them Victoria learns that Zoey is missing. She and Ned help look for her on the trails and then Chris contacts the police. It appears that something happened to Zoey, leaving her dogs to run loose. Since Victoria and Ned were taking the week off, they become involved in the search for Zoey.

This is a nightmare neighborhood full of people who are potential suspects, with the exception of Victoria and Ned. The narrative moves back and forth in time through mainly three different viewpoints, with a fourth added later. Chapters follow Zoey's story leading up to her disappearance, the opinions of a snobbish neighbor named Grace, and Victoria in the present day investigation. All of the characters are delineated as individuals and it is easy to distinguish between them.

The investigation moves a quick pace with short chapters alternating the points-of-view and time periods. This choice helps keep interest high as clues are discovered in both timelines and it introduces all the suspicious neighbors. The pages flew by quickly as both timelines are equally compelling. Thanks to BooksGoSocial for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/0...

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Bad Neighbor: Agent Victoria Heslin Series Book 9 by Jenifer Ruff is a gripping and intricately woven domestic thriller that plunges readers into the seemingly idyllic yet sinister world of Mountain Meadows. This latest installment in the Agent Victoria Heslin series showcases Ruff’s talent for creating suspenseful narratives filled with unexpected twists and deeply buried secrets.

The story begins with newcomers Chris and Zoey Hamilton moving into the affluent community of Mountain Meadows, hoping to build a peaceful life together. However, their dreams quickly turn into a nightmare when Zoey vanishes without a trace, eerily mirroring the disappearance of the previous homeowner five years earlier. Enter FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin, known for her relentless pursuit of the truth.

Ruff’s writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the tension and unease that permeates Mountain Meadows. The plot is meticulously crafted, with layers of mystery that keep readers guessing until the very end. The setting of the affluent community, with its manicured gardens and picture-perfect facades, adds a chilling contrast to the dark secrets lurking within.

Victoria Heslin is a compelling protagonist, driven by a strong sense of justice and a keen intuition. Her interactions with the residents of Mountain Meadows reveal the complexities and hidden depths of the seemingly perfect community. The supporting characters are equally well-drawn, each with their own secrets and motivations that add to the suspense.

Ruff excels in creating a palpable sense of danger and urgency. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, as Victoria navigates the treacherous waters of deception and betrayal. The climax is thrilling and satisfying, tying together the various threads of the story in a way that is both surprising and inevitable.

The Bad Neighbor is a must-read for fans of domestic thrillers and suspenseful mysteries. Jenifer Ruff’s expert storytelling and intricate plotting make this novel a strong addition to the Agent Victoria Heslin series. 

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, even if it did keep me reading well past my bedtime. I love trying to piece the clues together to workout who the killer is and you certainly got to try that with this book. It's another one of those books that you want to skip to the end to see if you are right but at the same time you don't want to in case you miss something. The story is told from multiple characters perspectives and at different times in the story, so it does jump about a bit but that actually really works for this story, as it gets you suspecting everyone and keeps you not quite sure who to trust. The only ones you don't suspect are Victoria and Ned, because with this being book nine in the series we know there is no way everybody's favourite FBI agent is on the wrong side of the law. The story is cleverly crafted and is weaved in such a way that you are not sure if Victoria is investigating one or two cases. I can't wait for audio book version to come out or the next book.
For the first time in for ever Victoria is forced to take her vacation and she plans to do absolutely nothing for the whole week. Instead she finds two dogs running loose, which leads her to getting involved in looking for a missing neighbour. Zoey and her husband haven't long moved into the neighbourhood and are the new owners of a property that has stood empty for years, after the last owners husband also disappeared. While looking for Zoey, Victoria realizes how little she actually knows about her neighbours and the place she calls homes. Could her quite street not be the idyllic place she thought? Can she find Zoey before it's to late and will looking in to the past give her zoey her future?
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.