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The Neighbours
DISCOVER THE MOST UNPUTDOWNABLE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER OF THE YEAR. WINNER OF THE JOFFE BOOKS PRIZE 2023.
Love thy neighbour. Fear thy neighbour.
I thought moving to this quiet cul-de-sac was the fresh start my husband and I needed, escaping the noise of our cramped flat in Hounslow. I left India and all that was familiar for a new life with him in England.
But my husband works all hours, leaving me alone in a house that doesn’t feel like a home.
Our neighbours notice the bruises on my arms. They draw the obvious conclusions.
They seem kind, but they’re hiding something.
I just can’t shake the feeling that someone is always watching me . . . waiting.
My husband’s working late. Again. That’s when I see it.
A face pressed to the glass.
A hand waving.
It couldn’t be. Could it?
Love thy neighbour. Fear thy neighbour.
I thought moving to this quiet cul-de-sac was the fresh start my husband and I needed, escaping the noise of our cramped flat in Hounslow. I left India and all that was familiar for a new life with him in England.
But my husband works all hours, leaving me alone in a house that doesn’t feel like a home.
Our neighbours notice the bruises on my arms. They draw the obvious conclusions.
They seem kind, but they’re hiding something.
I just can’t shake the feeling that someone is always watching me . . . waiting.
My husband’s working late. Again. That’s when I see it.
A face pressed to the glass.
A hand waving.
It couldn’t be. Could it?
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2024
202 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
Renita D'Silva
21 books410 followersRenita D’Silva loves stories both reading and creating them. Wartime Comes To West India Dock Road, the second book in her historical saga series set on West India Dock Road, is out on July 23, 2025. Her books have been translated into several languages. Her short stories have been published in The View from Here, Bartleby Snopes, this zine, Platinum Page, Paragraph Planet, Verve among others, have been nominated for the Pushcart prize, the Best of the Net anthology, shortlisted for the LoveReading Very Short Story award and The Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize and longlisted for the BBC National Short Story award. Her short story, Eavesdropping Shamelessly, is published in the Arts Council England funded Bridges Not Borders anthology of prizewinning stories. Her first psychological thriller, The Neighbours, won the Joffe Books Prize 2023. Her second psychological thriller, The Dream Wedding, is out now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
August 15, 2024
Sapna and Amir's new home is far from the dream house Sapna envisioned. From the moment she lays eyes on it, a chilling sense of unease washes over her. And as time goes on, especially after encountering the peculiar neighbors, things only spiral further into disarray.
The narrative unfolds through the eyes of Edith, Gemma, and Sapna, each offering a unique perspective on life in the neighborhood. Sapna's struggles with her new environment, cultural shift, and marital challenges add depth to the storyline. The neighbors' speculations based on glimpses of Sapna's turmoil create an air of mystery and intrigue. As secrets unravel and pasts resurface, the tale delves into the hidden lives of those behind closed doors, revealing a web of complexities and concealed truths within the community.
As a die-hard fan of psychological thrillers, I eagerly picked up this book, anticipating a rollercoaster of suspense and intrigue. The premise had all the right ingredients: a foreboding house, an unsettled protagonist, and mysterious neighbors. However, the execution left much to be desired. The narrative quickly became bogged down by repetition. Sapna's longing for her old home and her persistent sense of dread were hammered home repeatedly, making the story feel stagnant.
That said, the book isn't without its merits. The initial setup is genuinely gripping, and there are flashes of brilliance that hint at the story's potential. Certain scenes did manage to capture my attention and provided glimpses of the thriller it could have been. However, the repetitive nature of the storytelling dulled the overall impact, making it hard to stay fully engaged.
In the end, while the book has its moments and a promising foundation, it ultimately fell short for me due to its lack of narrative variety. With a bit more development and a break from the monotonous repetition, it could have been a much more captivating read.
For those who enjoy a slow burn and don't mind a bit of repetition, this book might still be worth a read. However, if you're looking for a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, you might find this one a bit lacking.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the opportunity to read this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The narrative unfolds through the eyes of Edith, Gemma, and Sapna, each offering a unique perspective on life in the neighborhood. Sapna's struggles with her new environment, cultural shift, and marital challenges add depth to the storyline. The neighbors' speculations based on glimpses of Sapna's turmoil create an air of mystery and intrigue. As secrets unravel and pasts resurface, the tale delves into the hidden lives of those behind closed doors, revealing a web of complexities and concealed truths within the community.
As a die-hard fan of psychological thrillers, I eagerly picked up this book, anticipating a rollercoaster of suspense and intrigue. The premise had all the right ingredients: a foreboding house, an unsettled protagonist, and mysterious neighbors. However, the execution left much to be desired. The narrative quickly became bogged down by repetition. Sapna's longing for her old home and her persistent sense of dread were hammered home repeatedly, making the story feel stagnant.
That said, the book isn't without its merits. The initial setup is genuinely gripping, and there are flashes of brilliance that hint at the story's potential. Certain scenes did manage to capture my attention and provided glimpses of the thriller it could have been. However, the repetitive nature of the storytelling dulled the overall impact, making it hard to stay fully engaged.
In the end, while the book has its moments and a promising foundation, it ultimately fell short for me due to its lack of narrative variety. With a bit more development and a break from the monotonous repetition, it could have been a much more captivating read.
For those who enjoy a slow burn and don't mind a bit of repetition, this book might still be worth a read. However, if you're looking for a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, you might find this one a bit lacking.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the opportunity to read this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 10, 2024
Yes! This was a good one 👍🏾
November 6, 2024
The burb lead me to believe this woukd be a high action domestic physiological thriller. Whilist the start if the book shows true brilliance in setting the screen it's get itself list in a repetitive narative of the main charscter. The pov narative does give the book depth but it's a very slow burn and rhe main character Shabnab needed more she became I want to go home fir me where there was much more to explore.
The premise of setting up home in England faraway from India and dealing with racism and marital strife along with a dark secret was intriguing it wasn't cleverly executed fie me. I wanted to know more.
That said there were good stuff setting up the scene introducing the characters and telling their character arc via their own pov was great. It woukd appeal to anyone who likes a slow burn full of repetitive and in the end not completely resolved. It felt like it could do with an edit.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author this is 3.5 stars rounded up to 4
The premise of setting up home in England faraway from India and dealing with racism and marital strife along with a dark secret was intriguing it wasn't cleverly executed fie me. I wanted to know more.
That said there were good stuff setting up the scene introducing the characters and telling their character arc via their own pov was great. It woukd appeal to anyone who likes a slow burn full of repetitive and in the end not completely resolved. It felt like it could do with an edit.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author this is 3.5 stars rounded up to 4
August 18, 2024
This was an ok read but didn’t fully hit the mark for me. It centers primarily on Sapna, a young woman who moves to a new neighborhood with her husband Amir. Gemma and Edith are her neighbors on either side and both have a lot of opinions about their new neighbors. The story is primarily told from Sapna’s POV but with occasional chapters from the other neighbors’ POV.
The book tried to get the reader to relate to Samoa’s plight, but her reminiscing was a little repetitive for me and took me away from the story. I also thought the alternating timelines were a little confusing. That being said, I did enjoy the myriad creepy aspects of the story when Sapna is worried about being watched by someone. I really liked Edith and thought that the dynamic between the 2 was charming. The ending tied things up maybe a little too neatly, but it worked for me.
Overall, while I didn’t necessarily love this one, I did think it was OK, and I appreciated how it all worked out. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
The book tried to get the reader to relate to Samoa’s plight, but her reminiscing was a little repetitive for me and took me away from the story. I also thought the alternating timelines were a little confusing. That being said, I did enjoy the myriad creepy aspects of the story when Sapna is worried about being watched by someone. I really liked Edith and thought that the dynamic between the 2 was charming. The ending tied things up maybe a little too neatly, but it worked for me.
Overall, while I didn’t necessarily love this one, I did think it was OK, and I appreciated how it all worked out. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
July 7, 2024
Fantastic read. Twists and turns ask the way.
January 27, 2025
Started well, took some strange turns and fizzled out at the end. Narration was hit and miss, which is often the risk you take when there are multiple performers.
Currently free on Audible.
Currently free on Audible.
July 12, 2024
I enjoyed this book much more than I had expected to. It was very interesting to see things from the point of view of a young woman who has recently left her homeland of India and is trying to settle in the United Kingdom. Sapna and her husband didn't really know each other well, and went into the marriage with different motivations, so there was a lot of arguments and misunderstandings but I found myself rooting for this couple and really wanted them to work things out and find happiness together. There was a lot more to this story than romance though, This fast paced thriller was filled with so many twists and turns! All of the details of what family life is like in India felt very authentic to me and, while I don't know how accurate it actually was, I like to think that I got a glimpse into the fascinating culture of India. I'd love to read more from Renita D’Silva. She's a very talented writer!
September 25, 2024
I don't feel like this books has done to me as much as I hoped it would.
She escaped her obsessive rapist and moved from India all the way to UK, somehow he turns up right at her door step not long after they move into a semi detached house, starts hassling her. Meanwhile her husband is ignorant towards her and hiding his own secrets.
Some abuse/hardship later she is manless and moves into the house with her elder neighbour, has no job and a baby on the way but is talking about traveling to India and Australia together...
She escaped her obsessive rapist and moved from India all the way to UK, somehow he turns up right at her door step not long after they move into a semi detached house, starts hassling her. Meanwhile her husband is ignorant towards her and hiding his own secrets.
Some abuse/hardship later she is manless and moves into the house with her elder neighbour, has no job and a baby on the way but is talking about traveling to India and Australia together...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2024
This is nice solid thriller! The ending ties things up nicely and I was intrigued all the way through to see how it would end. I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Renita D'Silva,Joffe Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2024
Whoever described this as "THE MOST UNPUTDOWNABLE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER OF THE YEAR" needs to go to prison.
October 1, 2024
3.7🌟
At times the Indian accent was EXTREMELY questionable.
At times the Indian accent was EXTREMELY questionable.
August 15, 2024
The Neighbours is my first book by D’Silva but I don’t think it will be my last by any means. I adored this book, which might sound weird to say considering some of the dark topics it touches on and how much Sapna goes through. I do want to say I loved Sapna (and Edith) the most and while I hate spoilers I adored seeing her (Sapna) get her confidence and start of a happy ending. But I am getting ahead of myself.
I found this book addictive. I literally finished it over two days because I needed to know what was happening. The characters were all well developed and believable, even the unlikable ones. The twists and turns fantastic and the epilogue had me smiling and near happy tears! This is in part because of how quickly I gelled with Sapna but also due to the writing in general. D’Silva’s style of writing is both easy to read but extremely well honed. You are kept guessing and never really know who to trust.
The depictions of life in a cul-de-sac and their prejudices were brilliant, if not a bit frustrating at times (because of how true to life they were). Learning about Sapna’s culture and how her family react to her was also well crafted and created another element to the narrative.
We know how I feel about spoilers but I will say this was one time I enjoyed the epilogue having a happy ending. Sapna deserved it. I have to say in a thriller/Psychologically thriller I can’t remember the last time I so quickly became attached to the protagonist either. Needless to say this is one to read if you love a good psychology thriller full of twists and turns and fantastic characters.
I found this book addictive. I literally finished it over two days because I needed to know what was happening. The characters were all well developed and believable, even the unlikable ones. The twists and turns fantastic and the epilogue had me smiling and near happy tears! This is in part because of how quickly I gelled with Sapna but also due to the writing in general. D’Silva’s style of writing is both easy to read but extremely well honed. You are kept guessing and never really know who to trust.
The depictions of life in a cul-de-sac and their prejudices were brilliant, if not a bit frustrating at times (because of how true to life they were). Learning about Sapna’s culture and how her family react to her was also well crafted and created another element to the narrative.
We know how I feel about spoilers but I will say this was one time I enjoyed the epilogue having a happy ending. Sapna deserved it. I have to say in a thriller/Psychologically thriller I can’t remember the last time I so quickly became attached to the protagonist either. Needless to say this is one to read if you love a good psychology thriller full of twists and turns and fantastic characters.
January 14, 2025
The neighbours, autorė Renita D'Silva. Psichologinis trileris. Bent jau taip parašyta žanro eilutėje. O iš tikrųjų tai labiau nevykusią pasakėlę primena.
Tad ką čia rasim? Sapna pagrindinė veikėja (lyg ir), ką tik su vyru atsikrausčiusi į naują kaimynystę. Namą kuris pasak veikėjų jiems vos įkandamas, tad vyras dyrba 24/7, kad vos užtektų pragyvenimui, bet čia jų kažkoks svajonių būstas tad tebūnie. Kadangi Sapna atvykusi iš kitos šalies, nieko nepažįsta, prisdeda kultūros skirtumas, iš namų ji nelenda, tad jaučiasi vieniša. Prasideda daug pykčių su vyru. Tas keliolika minučių jie matosi per dieną. Įtraukiami ir kelių kaimynių pasakojimai bei perspektyvos, bet labiau ne tai kad papasakotų jų istoriją, o dadurtų prie to koks Sapnos gyvenimas, nes tų moterų laiko ir siužeto linijos kertasi su Sapnos įvykiais (viskas su ja susiję). Tad stebim trijų moterų akimis kaip vystosi Sapnos gyvenimo drama.
O realiai ne knyga, o kažkoks nesusipratimas. Veikėjai neįdomūs iki negaliu, niekas nevystoma jų atžvilgiu. Pagrindinė herojė čia tai nuolat inkščia dėl visko, čia trapi gėlė, čia kažkokia karžygė. Jos vyras tai blogietis, tai gerietis. Kitos herojės tai supratingos ir svarbios siužetui, tai kažkokios žiežulos ir kenkėjos. Toks vaizdas, kad autorė pati iki galo neapsisprendžia kokie jos tie veikėjai yra ir ką jie čia bando duoti tai istorijai. O geriau turbūt bando jais padaryti psichologijos įtampą ir nupasakoti veiksmą. Bet gaunasi šnipštas. Knygoj logiškų siužeto vingių lygu 0.
Viena iš tų knygų kur perskaitei ir stebiesi kaip pabaigei. Tikrai neatsiminsiu. Nerekomenduojama.
Tad ką čia rasim? Sapna pagrindinė veikėja (lyg ir), ką tik su vyru atsikrausčiusi į naują kaimynystę. Namą kuris pasak veikėjų jiems vos įkandamas, tad vyras dyrba 24/7, kad vos užtektų pragyvenimui, bet čia jų kažkoks svajonių būstas tad tebūnie. Kadangi Sapna atvykusi iš kitos šalies, nieko nepažįsta, prisdeda kultūros skirtumas, iš namų ji nelenda, tad jaučiasi vieniša. Prasideda daug pykčių su vyru. Tas keliolika minučių jie matosi per dieną. Įtraukiami ir kelių kaimynių pasakojimai bei perspektyvos, bet labiau ne tai kad papasakotų jų istoriją, o dadurtų prie to koks Sapnos gyvenimas, nes tų moterų laiko ir siužeto linijos kertasi su Sapnos įvykiais (viskas su ja susiję). Tad stebim trijų moterų akimis kaip vystosi Sapnos gyvenimo drama.
O realiai ne knyga, o kažkoks nesusipratimas. Veikėjai neįdomūs iki negaliu, niekas nevystoma jų atžvilgiu. Pagrindinė herojė čia tai nuolat inkščia dėl visko, čia trapi gėlė, čia kažkokia karžygė. Jos vyras tai blogietis, tai gerietis. Kitos herojės tai supratingos ir svarbios siužetui, tai kažkokios žiežulos ir kenkėjos. Toks vaizdas, kad autorė pati iki galo neapsisprendžia kokie jos tie veikėjai yra ir ką jie čia bando duoti tai istorijai. O geriau turbūt bando jais padaryti psichologijos įtampą ir nupasakoti veiksmą. Bet gaunasi šnipštas. Knygoj logiškų siužeto vingių lygu 0.
Viena iš tų knygų kur perskaitei ir stebiesi kaip pabaigei. Tikrai neatsiminsiu. Nerekomenduojama.
February 11, 2025
3.5 stars. I really wanted to like this one more than I did! Renita D'Silva is one of my favourite authors, her historical novels are wonderful, full of colors, perfumes, and emotions. But somehow the transition to a different genre didn't work so well. This is marketed as psychological thriller, but it felt more like women's fiction, a story about violence on women, racism, and some random twisted characters. The ending was nice, a bit too nice even.
I felt like reading a debut novel, while I know the author to be a skilled and expert writer!
I will stick to her historical novels that are mostly set in India for the future, but honestly this one wasn't bad as a domestic mystery, just not on the same level with her usual work and not what I expected.
I felt like reading a debut novel, while I know the author to be a skilled and expert writer!
I will stick to her historical novels that are mostly set in India for the future, but honestly this one wasn't bad as a domestic mystery, just not on the same level with her usual work and not what I expected.
August 18, 2024
This is a slow burn thriller and is told from multiple points of view. The main focus is on Sapna, who has fled from India to start a new life in England with her husband Amir. At first, we are unclear why they left India and why Sapna seems so afraid all the time, and this slowly unfolds throughout the story. Edith is Sapna's elderly neighbour, and they form a lovely relationship - the world needs more Edith's!
I liked the mix of characters, although not all of them are likeable or as they seem. Sapna appeared very weak at times until you realise why she is the way she is towards the end of the book. Edith really added to the story, and I loved her spirit.
I really enjoyed the descriptions of food, both Indian and English, and how this brought some of the characters together.
The story has quite a claustrophobic feel as it mainly focuses on the residents of three houses on the cul-de-sac and rarely ventures outside of this setting. But I like books like this as it ramps up the tension.
I thought the book was nicely written, and I liked the twists and turns. The overall plot was good and kept me invested. It is definitely worth a read if you like a thriller that builds up with twists and turns.
Thanks to Joffe Books for a copy of the book. This is my honest opinion, which I'm leaving voluntarily.
I liked the mix of characters, although not all of them are likeable or as they seem. Sapna appeared very weak at times until you realise why she is the way she is towards the end of the book. Edith really added to the story, and I loved her spirit.
I really enjoyed the descriptions of food, both Indian and English, and how this brought some of the characters together.
The story has quite a claustrophobic feel as it mainly focuses on the residents of three houses on the cul-de-sac and rarely ventures outside of this setting. But I like books like this as it ramps up the tension.
I thought the book was nicely written, and I liked the twists and turns. The overall plot was good and kept me invested. It is definitely worth a read if you like a thriller that builds up with twists and turns.
Thanks to Joffe Books for a copy of the book. This is my honest opinion, which I'm leaving voluntarily.
August 14, 2024
I love Renita D'Silva's writing so I was really excited to read her first thriller and the premise drew me right in.
The story is told from the POV of Sapna as well as Gemma and Edith, two of their neighbours. Sapna has left her home and family in India after marrying Amir, and their new house should be the start of their future together, but Sapna is terrified and on edge. Amir struggles to understand her fear, leading to misunderstandings between them, which Edith and Gemma make assumptions about, leading to a plethora of twists and revealed secrets. When Sapna's fears become reality, everyones lives are put at risk.
My heart went out to Sapna and I was rooting for her and Amir, hoping the young newlyweds would make it. As everyone's pasts were revealed, I found myself liking Edith more and more and her bond with Sapna was so sweet. Gemma was really unlkeable, selfish and shallow, she didn't deserve to have what she did.
I really enjoyed this book, although I do prefer Renita D'Silva's historical fiction work.
4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Renita D'SIlva and Joffe for an ARC in return for an honest review.
The story is told from the POV of Sapna as well as Gemma and Edith, two of their neighbours. Sapna has left her home and family in India after marrying Amir, and their new house should be the start of their future together, but Sapna is terrified and on edge. Amir struggles to understand her fear, leading to misunderstandings between them, which Edith and Gemma make assumptions about, leading to a plethora of twists and revealed secrets. When Sapna's fears become reality, everyones lives are put at risk.
My heart went out to Sapna and I was rooting for her and Amir, hoping the young newlyweds would make it. As everyone's pasts were revealed, I found myself liking Edith more and more and her bond with Sapna was so sweet. Gemma was really unlkeable, selfish and shallow, she didn't deserve to have what she did.
I really enjoyed this book, although I do prefer Renita D'Silva's historical fiction work.
4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Renita D'SIlva and Joffe for an ARC in return for an honest review.
August 4, 2025
This book surprised me, though it took some patience to get there and I understand the negative reviews it has got.
It follows Sapna, who moves from India to a quiet English suburb with her husband, only to find herself increasingly isolated and paranoid about her new neighbours. It starts as a slow burn but eventually does build into something gripping.
The first half drags a bit. The book spends a lot of time establishing Sapna's loneliness and discomfort, but it does it through repetition rather than deepening the tension. You get multiple scenes of Sapna feeling watched, multiple descriptions of how cold and unwelcoming England feels compared to India, and it starts to feel like we're treading water. I found myself skimming some sections because the same emotional beats kept hitting without much progression.
But the slow buildup actually pays off once the story kicks into gear around the halfway point. The reason the second half works so well is because all that character work in the beginning suddenly has a purpose. When the twists start coming (and there are several good ones), they land with real impact because you understand exactly why Sapna reacts the way she does.
The cultural contrast is probably the book's strongest element. We don't just get told that Sapna misses India - we see it through vivid food descriptions, family memories, and social customs that make India feel warm and alive on the page. Then that gets placed right next to Sapna's cold, sterile life in suburban England where she doesn't understand the social rules and has no support system - you can see exactly why she's withering.
The multiple perspectives from the neighbours add a a nice texture to the story. Instead of just being mysterious figures lurking around Sapna, characters like Edith and Gemma get their own chapters that reveal they're dealing with their own problems. This works because it reinforces the book's central theme - that everyone's hiding something behind their front door - while also giving you brief breaks from Sapna's increasingly anxious headspace.
I have to mention the trigger warnings here - domestic abuse and miscarriage feature heavily in the plot. These aren't just plot devices; they're integral to understanding why certain characters behave the way they do.
The mystery itself is solid, though I figured out the main twist about twenty pages before the reveal. But honestly, that didn't bother me much because the focus is more on the psychological unraveling than trying to trick you with red herrings. The satisfaction comes from watching all the pieces click into place rather than being shocked by a gotcha moment.
If you can push through the slow start, there's a really engaging thriller here. This clearly shows someone who knows how to build tension and create authentic characters - they just need to trust the story enough to move it along faster. I'm definitely curious to check out the historical fiction backlist, especially after seeing how beautifully India is portrayed in this book.
It follows Sapna, who moves from India to a quiet English suburb with her husband, only to find herself increasingly isolated and paranoid about her new neighbours. It starts as a slow burn but eventually does build into something gripping.
The first half drags a bit. The book spends a lot of time establishing Sapna's loneliness and discomfort, but it does it through repetition rather than deepening the tension. You get multiple scenes of Sapna feeling watched, multiple descriptions of how cold and unwelcoming England feels compared to India, and it starts to feel like we're treading water. I found myself skimming some sections because the same emotional beats kept hitting without much progression.
But the slow buildup actually pays off once the story kicks into gear around the halfway point. The reason the second half works so well is because all that character work in the beginning suddenly has a purpose. When the twists start coming (and there are several good ones), they land with real impact because you understand exactly why Sapna reacts the way she does.
The cultural contrast is probably the book's strongest element. We don't just get told that Sapna misses India - we see it through vivid food descriptions, family memories, and social customs that make India feel warm and alive on the page. Then that gets placed right next to Sapna's cold, sterile life in suburban England where she doesn't understand the social rules and has no support system - you can see exactly why she's withering.
The multiple perspectives from the neighbours add a a nice texture to the story. Instead of just being mysterious figures lurking around Sapna, characters like Edith and Gemma get their own chapters that reveal they're dealing with their own problems. This works because it reinforces the book's central theme - that everyone's hiding something behind their front door - while also giving you brief breaks from Sapna's increasingly anxious headspace.
I have to mention the trigger warnings here - domestic abuse and miscarriage feature heavily in the plot. These aren't just plot devices; they're integral to understanding why certain characters behave the way they do.
The mystery itself is solid, though I figured out the main twist about twenty pages before the reveal. But honestly, that didn't bother me much because the focus is more on the psychological unraveling than trying to trick you with red herrings. The satisfaction comes from watching all the pieces click into place rather than being shocked by a gotcha moment.
If you can push through the slow start, there's a really engaging thriller here. This clearly shows someone who knows how to build tension and create authentic characters - they just need to trust the story enough to move it along faster. I'm definitely curious to check out the historical fiction backlist, especially after seeing how beautifully India is portrayed in this book.
October 27, 2024
It has all the ingredients of psychological thriller but doesn’t reach any great heights . It is a good read nonetheless the less.
April 6, 2025
The ending was good but the whole book did drag a little
October 26, 2024
Enjoyed this, good twists and turns but a lot of unnecessary paragraphs
April 13, 2025
Not a thriller.
July 18, 2024
Fabulous read. It had me gripped from the beginning - well rounded characters who were made more real with each revelation. Can't say more without adding spoilers but it really was unputdownable😊
August 20, 2024
‘The Neighbours’ is an engaging psychological thriller that is full of twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing right up to the end. This is a new author for me and her back catalogue is packed full of historical fiction which I will be looking to explore. Some of the best passages of this book were when the author was describing the main character's life in India and it was clear it was a place close to her heart, just like mine!
Sapna has just arrived in England after leaving her life in India to be with her husband. After living in a crowded flat in Hounslow, they move out of the city into a semi-detached house in a quiet cul-de-sac. As soon as Sapna enters the house she doesn't like how it feels. It's cold and foreboding. She is soon left by her husband Amir as he is working long hours to pay for the house. She feels isolated and when the neighbours introduce themselves Sapna doesn't like them. She feels as if she is being watched all the time and then one evening she sees a face in the window…one from her past!
I loved Sapna. The author has done a brilliant job of conveying her isolation and genuine terror of her surroundings. The passages about her past were filled full of colour and love, a complete contrast to the drabness of England and her lack of support. The inclusion of the neighbour's point of view broke up the text and showed that not all was happy on the street and it wasn't only Sapna that had secrets and worries. Can't say I like Gemma, but Edith was a complete darling. Can I have her as my Granny, please?
I flew through this book in a few sittings as I wanted to know what was happening! I was engrossed from the get-go and it held my attention right the way through. Some of the passages could have either been elongated or even cut short to ramp up the tension a bit more but overall it was a brilliant read. I will be keeping an eye out for what this author does next!
Let me know if you pick this one up!
Sapna has just arrived in England after leaving her life in India to be with her husband. After living in a crowded flat in Hounslow, they move out of the city into a semi-detached house in a quiet cul-de-sac. As soon as Sapna enters the house she doesn't like how it feels. It's cold and foreboding. She is soon left by her husband Amir as he is working long hours to pay for the house. She feels isolated and when the neighbours introduce themselves Sapna doesn't like them. She feels as if she is being watched all the time and then one evening she sees a face in the window…one from her past!
I loved Sapna. The author has done a brilliant job of conveying her isolation and genuine terror of her surroundings. The passages about her past were filled full of colour and love, a complete contrast to the drabness of England and her lack of support. The inclusion of the neighbour's point of view broke up the text and showed that not all was happy on the street and it wasn't only Sapna that had secrets and worries. Can't say I like Gemma, but Edith was a complete darling. Can I have her as my Granny, please?
I flew through this book in a few sittings as I wanted to know what was happening! I was engrossed from the get-go and it held my attention right the way through. Some of the passages could have either been elongated or even cut short to ramp up the tension a bit more but overall it was a brilliant read. I will be keeping an eye out for what this author does next!
Let me know if you pick this one up!
August 21, 2024
I was instantly drawn to this just from the cover and title and as soon as I'd read the first few pages, I was hooked!
This is a new author to me and having now done some searching, I see that this is the first thriller that they have written.
Normally a historical fiction writer, I could really see this from the writing style of this book.
This felt slightly different to the usual psychological thrillers that I read and there were some really great passages throughout the story.
The settings were really well described and I loved hearing more about Sapna's homeland which gave me vivid images of what she'd left behind for the drabness of the UK.
The characters were really well planned and presented and I instantly connected with Sapna. All alone while her new husband works all the hours and in a new house and country - I totally felt her fear.
Amir couldn't understand her worries and this out a strain on the marriage as well as causing issues among the neighbours.
There were some really great twists and turns in this and some shocking scenes that I really didn't see coming.
I was on edge and raced through this desperate to find out what would happen next.
A really great first read and I hope that D'Silva continues to venture into the thriller world.
I'm not a huge historical fiction fan, but loved this so much, I may grab one from this author to try out in the future too.
This is a new author to me and having now done some searching, I see that this is the first thriller that they have written.
Normally a historical fiction writer, I could really see this from the writing style of this book.
This felt slightly different to the usual psychological thrillers that I read and there were some really great passages throughout the story.
The settings were really well described and I loved hearing more about Sapna's homeland which gave me vivid images of what she'd left behind for the drabness of the UK.
The characters were really well planned and presented and I instantly connected with Sapna. All alone while her new husband works all the hours and in a new house and country - I totally felt her fear.
Amir couldn't understand her worries and this out a strain on the marriage as well as causing issues among the neighbours.
There were some really great twists and turns in this and some shocking scenes that I really didn't see coming.
I was on edge and raced through this desperate to find out what would happen next.
A really great first read and I hope that D'Silva continues to venture into the thriller world.
I'm not a huge historical fiction fan, but loved this so much, I may grab one from this author to try out in the future too.
August 18, 2024
The neighbours by Renita D'Silva.
This was a good read. I did like the cover and blurb. I did like Edith. But I wasn't sure how I felt about the other characters. I liked the writing style. I did like how Edith befriended Sapna. But I really didn't like Amir. Didn't trust him. I didn't like Gemma either. She was definitely u trustworthy. I didn't see that coming. I did like the ending. Perfect.
Blurb.
Love thy neighbour. Fear thy neighbour.
I thought moving to this quiet cul-de-sac was the fresh start my husband and I needed, escaping the noise of our cramped flat in Hounslow. I left India and all that was familiar for a new life with him in England.
But my husband works all hours, leaving me alone in a house that doesn’t feel like a home.
Our neighbours notice the bruises on my arms. They draw the obvious conclusions.
They seem kind, but they’re hiding something.
I just can’t shake the feeling that someone is always watching me . . . waiting.
My husband’s working late. Again. That’s when I see it.
A face pressed to the glass.
A hand waving.
It couldn’t be. Could it?
#theneighbours @renitadsilva #thriller #suspense #mystery #intrigued #stalking #pageturner #zooloobooktours #zbt #joffebooks #PsychologicalFiction #ad #FreeBookReview
This was a good read. I did like the cover and blurb. I did like Edith. But I wasn't sure how I felt about the other characters. I liked the writing style. I did like how Edith befriended Sapna. But I really didn't like Amir. Didn't trust him. I didn't like Gemma either. She was definitely u trustworthy. I didn't see that coming. I did like the ending. Perfect.
Blurb.
Love thy neighbour. Fear thy neighbour.
I thought moving to this quiet cul-de-sac was the fresh start my husband and I needed, escaping the noise of our cramped flat in Hounslow. I left India and all that was familiar for a new life with him in England.
But my husband works all hours, leaving me alone in a house that doesn’t feel like a home.
Our neighbours notice the bruises on my arms. They draw the obvious conclusions.
They seem kind, but they’re hiding something.
I just can’t shake the feeling that someone is always watching me . . . waiting.
My husband’s working late. Again. That’s when I see it.
A face pressed to the glass.
A hand waving.
It couldn’t be. Could it?
#theneighbours @renitadsilva #thriller #suspense #mystery #intrigued #stalking #pageturner #zooloobooktours #zbt #joffebooks #PsychologicalFiction #ad #FreeBookReview
August 21, 2024
OMG, never has a book been so easy to become addicted to! Literally everything I had planned for the afternoon was put on hold because I couldn't tear myself away! The Neighbours is my first introduction to a book by D'Silva and what a cracking book I chose for it!
The plot is brilliant, full of mystery and intrigue. The suspense doesn't let up and the twists are guaranteed leave your jaw dropping on the floor in shock. The ending, I hear you ask? That's for me to know and you to find out for yourself...enjoy!
I thoroughly enjoyed The Neighbours and it definitely won over an afternoon of housework!
The plot is brilliant, full of mystery and intrigue. The suspense doesn't let up and the twists are guaranteed leave your jaw dropping on the floor in shock. The ending, I hear you ask? That's for me to know and you to find out for yourself...enjoy!
I thoroughly enjoyed The Neighbours and it definitely won over an afternoon of housework!
July 30, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up
As for the plot, I liked the many twists in the story, but I also liked that it was not your run of the mill thriller plot. Sapna believed that relocating to a relatively calm cul-de-sac was what she and her husband required for a new beginning. Little did she realize. . . The book offered well rounded characters and a talented writing style.
Thank you to Joffe Books, Zoé from ZooLoo’s Book Tours, and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.
As for the plot, I liked the many twists in the story, but I also liked that it was not your run of the mill thriller plot. Sapna believed that relocating to a relatively calm cul-de-sac was what she and her husband required for a new beginning. Little did she realize. . . The book offered well rounded characters and a talented writing style.
Thank you to Joffe Books, Zoé from ZooLoo’s Book Tours, and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.
August 19, 2024
Here is my review for The Neighbours by Renita D’Silva
This is an easy book to get into from the start and you get the impression something is going on once the couple move into their new home. Edith and Gemma both welcome them to their new home. Gemma notices the bruise on Sapna’s arm and mentions that she is a nurse if she needs anything. Amir has to start working longer hours to afford the new home so comes home a lot later, leaving Sapna on her own all day. He tries to encourage her to go out but she is afraid. She goes out once and has a scary experience but Edith manages to calm her down over a sweet cup of tea. Gemma notices someone in her garden one night so decides to tell her, Sapna is happy that someone agrees with her but unhappy that she feels they were watching her garden in the first place. This book is a great psychological thriller. It’s told in diarised segments by Edith, Sapna and Gemma. It’s a great story and so easy to get into from the start. I found it quite chilling that someone was getting into the garden and watching her but it added to the story in a great way as Sapna has an idea who it might be but then thinks it can’t be him. The whole change to Amir and Sapna’a relationship is written well and both Gemma and Edith pick up on this and are determined to keep an eye on Sapna. I really enjoyed this book and how it was portrayed. It was very well written in my view.
Blurb :
Love thy neighbour. Fear thy neighbour.
I thought moving to this quiet cul-de-sac was the fresh start my husband and I needed, escaping the noise of our cramped flat in Hounslow. I left India and all that was familiar for a new life with him in England.
But my husband works all hours, leaving me alone in a house that doesn’t feel like a home.
Our neighbours notice the bruises on my arms. They draw the obvious conclusions.
They seem kind, but they’re hiding something.
I just can’t shake the feeling that someone is always watching me . . . waiting.
My husband’s working late. Again. That’s when I see it.
A face pressed to the glass.
A hand waving.
It couldn’t be. Could it?
This is an easy book to get into from the start and you get the impression something is going on once the couple move into their new home. Edith and Gemma both welcome them to their new home. Gemma notices the bruise on Sapna’s arm and mentions that she is a nurse if she needs anything. Amir has to start working longer hours to afford the new home so comes home a lot later, leaving Sapna on her own all day. He tries to encourage her to go out but she is afraid. She goes out once and has a scary experience but Edith manages to calm her down over a sweet cup of tea. Gemma notices someone in her garden one night so decides to tell her, Sapna is happy that someone agrees with her but unhappy that she feels they were watching her garden in the first place. This book is a great psychological thriller. It’s told in diarised segments by Edith, Sapna and Gemma. It’s a great story and so easy to get into from the start. I found it quite chilling that someone was getting into the garden and watching her but it added to the story in a great way as Sapna has an idea who it might be but then thinks it can’t be him. The whole change to Amir and Sapna’a relationship is written well and both Gemma and Edith pick up on this and are determined to keep an eye on Sapna. I really enjoyed this book and how it was portrayed. It was very well written in my view.
Blurb :
Love thy neighbour. Fear thy neighbour.
I thought moving to this quiet cul-de-sac was the fresh start my husband and I needed, escaping the noise of our cramped flat in Hounslow. I left India and all that was familiar for a new life with him in England.
But my husband works all hours, leaving me alone in a house that doesn’t feel like a home.
Our neighbours notice the bruises on my arms. They draw the obvious conclusions.
They seem kind, but they’re hiding something.
I just can’t shake the feeling that someone is always watching me . . . waiting.
My husband’s working late. Again. That’s when I see it.
A face pressed to the glass.
A hand waving.
It couldn’t be. Could it?
September 25, 2024
Newlyweds Amir and Sapna have just moved into their first house, this had always been their dream, yet Sapna is uneasy. Amir works long hours all day to afford the rent and Sapna is lonely and scared. She constantly feels as if she's being watched. Her marriage is also struggling, she and Amir fight constantly. Their neighbors also notice that all is not well with the young couple. Edith, an older woman who lives alone hears the couple constantly arguing. New mother Gemma, struggling with her newborn, can see right into the neighbor's house and has seen Sapna crying alone often late at night. Gemma has also noticed bruises on Sapna's arm. All three women have secrets of their own that they are hiding. When the truths start to come out, it ends in a death, but who's?
I have always been a huge fan of Renita D'Silva and I believe this to he her first novel in the psychological thriller genre. The premise of the story was really good, but the execution wasn't great.
The story alternates between the perspectives of the three women, which gives us a glimpse of each of their pasts. The first half of the book is extremely repetitive, especially the parts with Sapna. She was constantly whining and crying excessively. I did enjoy the sweet relationship that Sapna and Edith form. I felt Gemma's character could have been more detailed. All we know about her in the first half is that she's a sleep deprived new mom, then all this other information is revealed, but once again, the execution fell flat. I wish there had been more time spent in fine-tuning and adding depth to each character and less repetition about how miserable Sapna was. I kept expecting some sort of surprise twist at the end, but it was fairly predictable and everything was wrapped up a bit too perfectly. I think this was a good first attempt for the author in this genre and I always look forward to more by her.
Thank you to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I have always been a huge fan of Renita D'Silva and I believe this to he her first novel in the psychological thriller genre. The premise of the story was really good, but the execution wasn't great.
The story alternates between the perspectives of the three women, which gives us a glimpse of each of their pasts. The first half of the book is extremely repetitive, especially the parts with Sapna. She was constantly whining and crying excessively. I did enjoy the sweet relationship that Sapna and Edith form. I felt Gemma's character could have been more detailed. All we know about her in the first half is that she's a sleep deprived new mom, then all this other information is revealed, but once again, the execution fell flat. I wish there had been more time spent in fine-tuning and adding depth to each character and less repetition about how miserable Sapna was. I kept expecting some sort of surprise twist at the end, but it was fairly predictable and everything was wrapped up a bit too perfectly. I think this was a good first attempt for the author in this genre and I always look forward to more by her.
Thank you to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 29, 2024
Many thanks to Joffe Books for this free eARC
A fast-paced gripping read
Not all is as it seems within this cosy little cul-de-sac, or within some marriages! This story had me hooked from start to finish—so much so I felt somewhat bereft once I’d reached the final page. Right away I related to Sapna and felt for her plight.
The Neighbours is full of emotion, both uplifting and devastating, along with plenty of twists and turns. I wish I could share the one which shocked me the most and left me reading in angry disbelief, but I don’t want to spoil the plot for you.
Suffice it to say, you’ll never guess what’s behind various happenings, and the prose is so wonderfully written. The characters leap from the page and you live their lives with them. Here are some lines I loved, and oh how hard it is to show only a few!
‘She feels strangled, claustrophobic, despite this house being almost four times bigger than the little flat they’ve come from.’
And …
‘Sapna knows better than anyone that he might cry like a child but he can also hurt, plunder, destroy like a monster.’
And …
‘Loneliness clings to you too. A dress you don’t want to wear but which wears you.’
I loved this read so much I didn’t want it to end; however, the finale is lovely and leaves the reader with hope for the good in humanity … well, some of it at least.
The Neighbours gets a resounding 5 stars. Go buy this book!
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
A fast-paced gripping read
Not all is as it seems within this cosy little cul-de-sac, or within some marriages! This story had me hooked from start to finish—so much so I felt somewhat bereft once I’d reached the final page. Right away I related to Sapna and felt for her plight.
The Neighbours is full of emotion, both uplifting and devastating, along with plenty of twists and turns. I wish I could share the one which shocked me the most and left me reading in angry disbelief, but I don’t want to spoil the plot for you.
Suffice it to say, you’ll never guess what’s behind various happenings, and the prose is so wonderfully written. The characters leap from the page and you live their lives with them. Here are some lines I loved, and oh how hard it is to show only a few!
‘She feels strangled, claustrophobic, despite this house being almost four times bigger than the little flat they’ve come from.’
And …
‘Sapna knows better than anyone that he might cry like a child but he can also hurt, plunder, destroy like a monster.’
And …
‘Loneliness clings to you too. A dress you don’t want to wear but which wears you.’
I loved this read so much I didn’t want it to end; however, the finale is lovely and leaves the reader with hope for the good in humanity … well, some of it at least.
The Neighbours gets a resounding 5 stars. Go buy this book!
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
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