What do you think?
Rate this book
A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder
'A Neighbour's Guide to Murder is fiendishly sharp, clever and gripping. Nobody captures the mores of neighbourhoods and communities, and multi-generational complexities, like Louise Candlish. She's in a league of her own' Lisa Jewell
‘Tense, clever and bitingly observed. Superb’ Claire Douglas
*A Book of the Year in the Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mail, i-Paper and the Express*
*****
Her secrets will be the death of you… When Pixie moves into Columbia Mansions, divorced Gwen is quick to take the younger woman under her wing. But as Pixie becomes entangled with her charismatic landlord Alec, the lines of friendship begin to blur.
With rumours of illicit goings-on swirling, Gwen soon realises Pixie isn’t the only one with something to hide. How well does she really know the neighbours she considers her friends?
As scandal erupts, old grudges resurface, leading to a crime that will destroy the peace of Columbia Mansions forever.
Sunday Times bestseller Louise Candlish returns with this gripping, twisted story of neighbours, secrets and murder.
*****
Praise for A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder: 'A taut, deliciously twisted tale with sting after sting… Just brilliant' John Marrs
‘Only Murders In The Building meets Miss Marple in the most juicy and twisty way’ Steph McGovern
‘Sensationally entertaining, I could not put it down’ Adele Parks
'Smart about social trends and slyly funny… naughtily subverting the Richard Osman formula' The Times
‘Our most intelligent exponent of "domestic noir" wrongfoots us again … astute characterisation and up to the minute satire’ Daily Telegraph
‘You won’t know who to trust in this tense, twisty delight of a thriller' T. M. Logan
‘So twisty and so clever!’ The Sun
‘A wicked twist in the tale. Flawless!’ Lucy Clarke
‘A terrific story, witty, engaging and a total page-turner’ Liz Nugent
'A whip-smart, razor-sharp domestic thriller… a fiendishly twisty plot. Gwen is my new obsession!' Isabelle Broom
‘A brilliant mess-with-your-mind slow burn thriller. Louise is a master manipulator and this is not to be missed’ Nikki Smith
‘A masterclass of wit and thrills. We devoured it!’ Heat
*****
Readers give A Neighbour's Guide to Murder five stars! 'Another head spinning , twisting turning domestic thriller from the Queen of the genre'
'A razor sharp, cleverly written, riveting thriller. I devoured this in a day'
'I couldn’t stop reading! I was on the edge of my seat with all the twists and turns. My favourite Louise Candlish so far'
'A fantastic book with a hilariously witty narrator …highly recommend'
'This book will demand all your attention, It is gripping, fast paced and brilliant'
'It’s tense, suspenseful and one enormous puzzle which is very well told'
‘Tense, clever and bitingly observed. Superb’ Claire Douglas
*A Book of the Year in the Daily Telegraph, the Daily Mail, i-Paper and the Express*
*****
Her secrets will be the death of you… When Pixie moves into Columbia Mansions, divorced Gwen is quick to take the younger woman under her wing. But as Pixie becomes entangled with her charismatic landlord Alec, the lines of friendship begin to blur.
With rumours of illicit goings-on swirling, Gwen soon realises Pixie isn’t the only one with something to hide. How well does she really know the neighbours she considers her friends?
As scandal erupts, old grudges resurface, leading to a crime that will destroy the peace of Columbia Mansions forever.
Sunday Times bestseller Louise Candlish returns with this gripping, twisted story of neighbours, secrets and murder.
*****
Praise for A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder: 'A taut, deliciously twisted tale with sting after sting… Just brilliant' John Marrs
‘Only Murders In The Building meets Miss Marple in the most juicy and twisty way’ Steph McGovern
‘Sensationally entertaining, I could not put it down’ Adele Parks
'Smart about social trends and slyly funny… naughtily subverting the Richard Osman formula' The Times
‘Our most intelligent exponent of "domestic noir" wrongfoots us again … astute characterisation and up to the minute satire’ Daily Telegraph
‘You won’t know who to trust in this tense, twisty delight of a thriller' T. M. Logan
‘So twisty and so clever!’ The Sun
‘A wicked twist in the tale. Flawless!’ Lucy Clarke
‘A terrific story, witty, engaging and a total page-turner’ Liz Nugent
'A whip-smart, razor-sharp domestic thriller… a fiendishly twisty plot. Gwen is my new obsession!' Isabelle Broom
‘A brilliant mess-with-your-mind slow burn thriller. Louise is a master manipulator and this is not to be missed’ Nikki Smith
‘A masterclass of wit and thrills. We devoured it!’ Heat
*****
Readers give A Neighbour's Guide to Murder five stars! 'Another head spinning , twisting turning domestic thriller from the Queen of the genre'
'A razor sharp, cleverly written, riveting thriller. I devoured this in a day'
'I couldn’t stop reading! I was on the edge of my seat with all the twists and turns. My favourite Louise Candlish so far'
'A fantastic book with a hilariously witty narrator …highly recommend'
'This book will demand all your attention, It is gripping, fast paced and brilliant'
'It’s tense, suspenseful and one enormous puzzle which is very well told'
Audible Audio
Published July 17, 2025
212 people are currently reading
1054 people want to read
About the author
Louise Candlish
39 books2,805 followersHello and welcome to my page... You may already know my domestic noir thrillers or perhaps you're curious and not sure which to try first - either way, you're in the right place!
My latest is OUR HOLIDAY, a Sunday Times bestseller, WHSmith Richard & Judy Book Club pick and Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2025 nominee. It features my favourite ever love-to-hate characters Perry and Charlotte, second home owners in the idyllic English beach resort of Pine Ridge. It's now in development for the screen - I'll share news on that as soon as I can.
Next up is A NEIGHBOUR'S GUIDE TO MURDER, published in July 2025 (UK) and 2026 (US), available to pre-order now.
Last year I celebrated my 20th anniversary as an author with the news of two prestigious awards for my 90s-set thriller THE ONLY SUSPECT: the Capital Crime Fingerprint Award for Thriller of the Year and the Ned Kelly Award for Best International Crime Fiction. Stay tuned for TV news on that one too - it will be the next of mine to hit our screens!
OUR HOUSE is the one you may know me for as it's now a major four-part ITV drama starring Martin Compston and Tuppence Middleton (watch the full series free on ITVX). This is the novel that turned my career around, winning the 2019 British Book Awards Book of the Year - Crime & Thriller and shortlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award, the Capital Crime Amazon Publishing Best Crime Novel of the Year Award, and the Audible Sounds of Crime Award. It was also longlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award and the Specsavers National Book Awards. A Waterstones Thriller of the Month, it recently received a Nielsen Bestseller Silver Award for 250,000 copies sold.
A bit about me: I live in a South London neighbourhood not unlike the one in my books, with my husband, daughter and a fox-red Labrador called Bertie who is the apple of my eye. Books, TV and long walks are my passions - and drinking wine in the sun with family and friends. Authors I love include Tom Wolfe, Patricia Highsmith, Barbara Vine, Agatha Christie and Evelyn Waugh. My favourite book is Madame Bovary.
Be the first to hear about new releases and price drops by clicking on the 'Follow' button under my pic or:
X/Twitter: louise_candlish
Instagram: louisecandlish
FB: LouiseCandlishAuthor
My latest is OUR HOLIDAY, a Sunday Times bestseller, WHSmith Richard & Judy Book Club pick and Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2025 nominee. It features my favourite ever love-to-hate characters Perry and Charlotte, second home owners in the idyllic English beach resort of Pine Ridge. It's now in development for the screen - I'll share news on that as soon as I can.
Next up is A NEIGHBOUR'S GUIDE TO MURDER, published in July 2025 (UK) and 2026 (US), available to pre-order now.
Last year I celebrated my 20th anniversary as an author with the news of two prestigious awards for my 90s-set thriller THE ONLY SUSPECT: the Capital Crime Fingerprint Award for Thriller of the Year and the Ned Kelly Award for Best International Crime Fiction. Stay tuned for TV news on that one too - it will be the next of mine to hit our screens!
OUR HOUSE is the one you may know me for as it's now a major four-part ITV drama starring Martin Compston and Tuppence Middleton (watch the full series free on ITVX). This is the novel that turned my career around, winning the 2019 British Book Awards Book of the Year - Crime & Thriller and shortlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award, the Capital Crime Amazon Publishing Best Crime Novel of the Year Award, and the Audible Sounds of Crime Award. It was also longlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award and the Specsavers National Book Awards. A Waterstones Thriller of the Month, it recently received a Nielsen Bestseller Silver Award for 250,000 copies sold.
A bit about me: I live in a South London neighbourhood not unlike the one in my books, with my husband, daughter and a fox-red Labrador called Bertie who is the apple of my eye. Books, TV and long walks are my passions - and drinking wine in the sun with family and friends. Authors I love include Tom Wolfe, Patricia Highsmith, Barbara Vine, Agatha Christie and Evelyn Waugh. My favourite book is Madame Bovary.
Be the first to hear about new releases and price drops by clicking on the 'Follow' button under my pic or:
X/Twitter: louise_candlish
Instagram: louisecandlish
FB: LouiseCandlishAuthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
May 26, 2025
“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive”.
A call to the emergency services that takes 15 seconds to answer.
Columbia Mansions, a beautifully proportioned building over four floors with mirror image flats.
A potentially sleazy and brash landlord in Alec Pedley who offers a room in the Rent a Room scheme and Pixie, offbeat, beautiful and a bit flaky, who becomes the occupant of the room.
Finally, ‘A Neighbours Guide to Murder’ as told to us by one of the flat owners, Gwen Healey, where she unburdens and tells all. Maybe. So sit back, relax, maybe buckle up as it’s a bit of a bumpy ride.
Full disclosure, I love Louise Candlish’s books and anticipate this one with relish and relish is delivered in multiple tasty morsels. There’s pinpoint characterisation meaning I can picture all the central protagonists as they’re wonderfully depicted by ‘Gwen’. It’s funny in places too as she casts her jaundiced eye on people and proceedings. So, what of our narrator? Caring or a busy body? Good intentions or malicious? One thing is for sure, Gwen makes things worse whether it’s deliberate or inadvertent, the jury is out. Certainly, the more she digs the darker the story gets and it’s not a pretty tale, unlike Pixie who certainly is. However, she’s naive and gullible. Or is she?? As for Alec Pedley, as a villains of pieces go, he’s a clever and a crafty one and definitely unlikeable.
The unsavoury and unlikeable drive this ‘horse’ and oh boy, this ‘horse’ is a thoroughbred as the plot is so well thought out. The deeper it goes into the storytelling it becomes a question of who is telling the truth? Who is the big, fat liar? It twists this way and that way, one minute, I think I know and the next another spanner hits the works with the end result of making it very hard to put this novel down. It’s tense, suspenseful and one enormous puzzle which is very well told. I love the idea of the Neighbours Guide to Murder delivering the events that occur in Columbia Mansions.
As usual in a novel by this author, there’s a lot of substance to it. For instance, there’s rent costs, landlord and tenant rights, the housing crisis, what constitutes justice, the media and this is what an excellent example of a media circus, social media and so on which is all packaged together in one cohesive hole.
Louise Candlish is a master of this genre and has another best seller on her hands. In addition this would make cracking television as well obviously being great reading. I loved it.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated early copy and return for an honest review.
A call to the emergency services that takes 15 seconds to answer.
Columbia Mansions, a beautifully proportioned building over four floors with mirror image flats.
A potentially sleazy and brash landlord in Alec Pedley who offers a room in the Rent a Room scheme and Pixie, offbeat, beautiful and a bit flaky, who becomes the occupant of the room.
Finally, ‘A Neighbours Guide to Murder’ as told to us by one of the flat owners, Gwen Healey, where she unburdens and tells all. Maybe. So sit back, relax, maybe buckle up as it’s a bit of a bumpy ride.
Full disclosure, I love Louise Candlish’s books and anticipate this one with relish and relish is delivered in multiple tasty morsels. There’s pinpoint characterisation meaning I can picture all the central protagonists as they’re wonderfully depicted by ‘Gwen’. It’s funny in places too as she casts her jaundiced eye on people and proceedings. So, what of our narrator? Caring or a busy body? Good intentions or malicious? One thing is for sure, Gwen makes things worse whether it’s deliberate or inadvertent, the jury is out. Certainly, the more she digs the darker the story gets and it’s not a pretty tale, unlike Pixie who certainly is. However, she’s naive and gullible. Or is she?? As for Alec Pedley, as a villains of pieces go, he’s a clever and a crafty one and definitely unlikeable.
The unsavoury and unlikeable drive this ‘horse’ and oh boy, this ‘horse’ is a thoroughbred as the plot is so well thought out. The deeper it goes into the storytelling it becomes a question of who is telling the truth? Who is the big, fat liar? It twists this way and that way, one minute, I think I know and the next another spanner hits the works with the end result of making it very hard to put this novel down. It’s tense, suspenseful and one enormous puzzle which is very well told. I love the idea of the Neighbours Guide to Murder delivering the events that occur in Columbia Mansions.
As usual in a novel by this author, there’s a lot of substance to it. For instance, there’s rent costs, landlord and tenant rights, the housing crisis, what constitutes justice, the media and this is what an excellent example of a media circus, social media and so on which is all packaged together in one cohesive hole.
Louise Candlish is a master of this genre and has another best seller on her hands. In addition this would make cracking television as well obviously being great reading. I loved it.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated early copy and return for an honest review.
July 31, 2025
I love Louise Candlish books, she always has such great characters in such normal situations that get out of control. A Neighbours Guide to Murder is slower burning mystery with an elderly woman at the centre of it all. There were some dark moments and there were some very funny moments. The residents of Columbia Mansions were not the kind of neighbours that I would want, so much drama!!
Gwen was a frustrating character but she had a big heart. When she sees a young woman in trouble she tries to help, but she makes a lot of assumptions and finds herself neck deep in hot water, and sinking fast. It shows the divide in the generations, of what is happening in the world today with the housing crisis and cost of living crisis skyrocketing. Of course, there is the social media side of things, how much damage it can do so fast.
Fantastically written, this author never disappoints. The ending was wild and crazy, just as I like them!!
Thanks so much to HQ for my copy of this book to read. So entertaining
Gwen was a frustrating character but she had a big heart. When she sees a young woman in trouble she tries to help, but she makes a lot of assumptions and finds herself neck deep in hot water, and sinking fast. It shows the divide in the generations, of what is happening in the world today with the housing crisis and cost of living crisis skyrocketing. Of course, there is the social media side of things, how much damage it can do so fast.
Fantastically written, this author never disappoints. The ending was wild and crazy, just as I like them!!
Thanks so much to HQ for my copy of this book to read. So entertaining
May 28, 2025
I love Louise Candlish and think she is criminally underrated as an author. Ever since I read Our House I have been a massive fan and she has never disappointed.
This was another brilliant read. In this book, we meet Gwen who lives in the beautiful, iconic Columbia Mansions which is every bit as posh as it sounds. Gwen is the typical busybody, always involved, always knows everyone's business and very little ever gets past her.
When young Pixie starts to rent a room in one of her neighbours houses, she strikes up an unlikely age-gap friendship and becomes very protective of her, and when a crime comes to light, Gwen goes into overdrive....
I adored this book. Although it appears (and is) a domestic, thriller with many twists and turns, it also speaks to social issues about the housing crisis, men's behaviour, power and many more. Although we probably all know a 'Gwen' (and will usually cross the road to avoid being caught in a conversation with her), I actually felt quite sorry for her. There is a definite sense of loneliness in her and her difficult relationship with her children appears to be why she latches onto Pixie so quickly and so strongly.
I can't say too much more for fear of spoilers however I would definitely recommend to all.
Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was another brilliant read. In this book, we meet Gwen who lives in the beautiful, iconic Columbia Mansions which is every bit as posh as it sounds. Gwen is the typical busybody, always involved, always knows everyone's business and very little ever gets past her.
When young Pixie starts to rent a room in one of her neighbours houses, she strikes up an unlikely age-gap friendship and becomes very protective of her, and when a crime comes to light, Gwen goes into overdrive....
I adored this book. Although it appears (and is) a domestic, thriller with many twists and turns, it also speaks to social issues about the housing crisis, men's behaviour, power and many more. Although we probably all know a 'Gwen' (and will usually cross the road to avoid being caught in a conversation with her), I actually felt quite sorry for her. There is a definite sense of loneliness in her and her difficult relationship with her children appears to be why she latches onto Pixie so quickly and so strongly.
I can't say too much more for fear of spoilers however I would definitely recommend to all.
Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 14, 2025
Dreadful, borderline-pointless book and a waste of 10 hours of my life 🤦🏻♀️
I had to persevere as I thought something good *may* eventually happen. It picked up briefly for a while at 80% but it really didn’t get any better and I am not sure I see the point to the whole thing. Storyline was a mishmash mess.
There were some laugh out loud, dryly humorous moments and it was narrated really well. But those are the only pluses to what was essentially an uneventful and unenjoyable book.
I had to persevere as I thought something good *may* eventually happen. It picked up briefly for a while at 80% but it really didn’t get any better and I am not sure I see the point to the whole thing. Storyline was a mishmash mess.
There were some laugh out loud, dryly humorous moments and it was narrated really well. But those are the only pluses to what was essentially an uneventful and unenjoyable book.
July 6, 2025
Do we have any idea what happens in our neighbour’s houses? 🤔
This was such a great read! Gwen is your stereotypical nosey, elderly neighbour. She lives in a prestigious block of flats, Columbia Mansions with her sponging and selfish son. These desirable residences host a range of personalities, but all keen on maintaining their esteemed address. Our main protagonist, Gwen, reminded me of Miss Marple as there appeared to be nothing that escaped her attention.
With the recent agreement to allow residents to rent a room, Gwen gets to know Pixie who is moving into Alec’s flat. Gwen has known Alec, a one hit wonder musician for years, and has always got on with him well. However, as Gwen and Pixie’s friendship deepens, she becomes aware of issues relating to Pixie’s tenancy at her neighbour’s flat.
As events spiral, the reader sees how far Gwen will go to protect her friends/neighbours and herself, but also, we find out what lengths they will go to as well. Every story comes with a question and the reader tries to ascertain each truth as we progress through each twist and turn.
This story is extremely clever, thought provoking and topical. Very worthy of a book club read as much to discuss. I loved the pace and vibe of this book, and Gwen was a character that had a familiarity about her, both likeable and annoying. I could easily see this book as being made into a television series.
The ending was a little stop start with some twists but a thoroughly enjoyable read. Well recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley, HQ and Louise Candlish for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Due to be published on 17 July 2025.
This was such a great read! Gwen is your stereotypical nosey, elderly neighbour. She lives in a prestigious block of flats, Columbia Mansions with her sponging and selfish son. These desirable residences host a range of personalities, but all keen on maintaining their esteemed address. Our main protagonist, Gwen, reminded me of Miss Marple as there appeared to be nothing that escaped her attention.
With the recent agreement to allow residents to rent a room, Gwen gets to know Pixie who is moving into Alec’s flat. Gwen has known Alec, a one hit wonder musician for years, and has always got on with him well. However, as Gwen and Pixie’s friendship deepens, she becomes aware of issues relating to Pixie’s tenancy at her neighbour’s flat.
As events spiral, the reader sees how far Gwen will go to protect her friends/neighbours and herself, but also, we find out what lengths they will go to as well. Every story comes with a question and the reader tries to ascertain each truth as we progress through each twist and turn.
This story is extremely clever, thought provoking and topical. Very worthy of a book club read as much to discuss. I loved the pace and vibe of this book, and Gwen was a character that had a familiarity about her, both likeable and annoying. I could easily see this book as being made into a television series.
The ending was a little stop start with some twists but a thoroughly enjoyable read. Well recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley, HQ and Louise Candlish for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Due to be published on 17 July 2025.
April 23, 2025
Another compulsive domestic thriller from the queen of community crime!
It’s no secret that Louise Candlish is one of my favourite authors and I lap up everything that she writes. What that does mean though, is I have incredibly high expectations for her latest release. A NEIGHBOURS GUIDE TO MURDER met - and exceeded - all of these! For me, Louise is the master when it comes to creating characters whose lives she can unravel in the most devastatingly shocking, yet completely believable ways. In this book, she returns to do what she does best and I simply couldn’t put it down. Aided by the wonderfully short but impactful chapters, I genuinely struggled to stop reading. It’s a cliche, but I really couldn’t help myself and had to just keep reading one more chapter! I was desperate to know the truth of the situation, who was the lying, and ultimately which neighbour was revealed to be dead in the prologue. There were so many different paths this novel could take and I thoroughly enjoyed trying to piece together the direction it would ultimately take. Needless to say, Candlish takes us on a journey that twists spectacularly and reveals some heartbreaking truths. Another aspect that I enjoy about Candlish’s books is how the crime (or challenging incident) sits right at the heart of a community. Here, it’s the residents of the hallowed corridors and luxury apartments of the coveted Columbia Mansions that are affected. There’s a brilliant cast of characters, all of whom are intriguing to read, if not wholly likeable. I never quite knew who to trust, which really had me invested in the goings on. Candlish really knows how to explore unsavoury behaviour from both the personal and community angle, which I was completely captivated by in this book.
Candlish always tackles incredibly topical issues as well, which makes her books feel relevant and on the pulse. In A NEIGHBOURS GUIDE TO MURDER, she was explores the UK housing crisis (and anyone who has read her books will know how prominently property features in her plots), the legal system (and where it lacks), generational conflict, ageism, privilege, wealth, cancel culture, and trial by media. It’s a veritable melting pot of cultural issues and hot topics that is both highly entertaining and extremely thought provoking. It never ceases to amaze me how Candlish can take social critique and develop a complex and exhilarating suspense/crime narrative from it. A NEIGHBOURS GUIDE TO MURDER is an absolute masterpiece of tension, cultural commentary, and exquisite storytelling. I can’t recommend it enough!
It’s no secret that Louise Candlish is one of my favourite authors and I lap up everything that she writes. What that does mean though, is I have incredibly high expectations for her latest release. A NEIGHBOURS GUIDE TO MURDER met - and exceeded - all of these! For me, Louise is the master when it comes to creating characters whose lives she can unravel in the most devastatingly shocking, yet completely believable ways. In this book, she returns to do what she does best and I simply couldn’t put it down. Aided by the wonderfully short but impactful chapters, I genuinely struggled to stop reading. It’s a cliche, but I really couldn’t help myself and had to just keep reading one more chapter! I was desperate to know the truth of the situation, who was the lying, and ultimately which neighbour was revealed to be dead in the prologue. There were so many different paths this novel could take and I thoroughly enjoyed trying to piece together the direction it would ultimately take. Needless to say, Candlish takes us on a journey that twists spectacularly and reveals some heartbreaking truths. Another aspect that I enjoy about Candlish’s books is how the crime (or challenging incident) sits right at the heart of a community. Here, it’s the residents of the hallowed corridors and luxury apartments of the coveted Columbia Mansions that are affected. There’s a brilliant cast of characters, all of whom are intriguing to read, if not wholly likeable. I never quite knew who to trust, which really had me invested in the goings on. Candlish really knows how to explore unsavoury behaviour from both the personal and community angle, which I was completely captivated by in this book.
Candlish always tackles incredibly topical issues as well, which makes her books feel relevant and on the pulse. In A NEIGHBOURS GUIDE TO MURDER, she was explores the UK housing crisis (and anyone who has read her books will know how prominently property features in her plots), the legal system (and where it lacks), generational conflict, ageism, privilege, wealth, cancel culture, and trial by media. It’s a veritable melting pot of cultural issues and hot topics that is both highly entertaining and extremely thought provoking. It never ceases to amaze me how Candlish can take social critique and develop a complex and exhilarating suspense/crime narrative from it. A NEIGHBOURS GUIDE TO MURDER is an absolute masterpiece of tension, cultural commentary, and exquisite storytelling. I can’t recommend it enough!
June 26, 2025
I’ve said probably in every review of this author’s work that I would read a shopping list written by her such is my love of her books and her writing
I still would
Now, this is different from previous books,not in its brilliance or the ease the author has at writing about people, places where people live and the relationships between neighbours in these places, more the way it is presented, it took me a few chapters to feel the story and the characters and to understand the dynamics but once I did it was an explosive yet at times intricate story that had me reading….and reading and I knew there was nothing else to be done except keep reading until the finish
A rare look into a subject not yet illegal but affecting many, and how one neighbours misjudged ( possibly ) warcry to resolve it and make friends with the victim and an enemy of the perp caused her life to cascade to, well, hell, and then back
Such feasible yet fascinating characters tied to such a toxic tale and written by the best could mean it could only turn out to be as electrifying as it was
I make no apology for the love for this and the others authors books, her work is stunning and makes my hobby ( maybe a bit more than a hobby 😎) a truly exciting one
Loved it
I still would
Now, this is different from previous books,not in its brilliance or the ease the author has at writing about people, places where people live and the relationships between neighbours in these places, more the way it is presented, it took me a few chapters to feel the story and the characters and to understand the dynamics but once I did it was an explosive yet at times intricate story that had me reading….and reading and I knew there was nothing else to be done except keep reading until the finish
A rare look into a subject not yet illegal but affecting many, and how one neighbours misjudged ( possibly ) warcry to resolve it and make friends with the victim and an enemy of the perp caused her life to cascade to, well, hell, and then back
Such feasible yet fascinating characters tied to such a toxic tale and written by the best could mean it could only turn out to be as electrifying as it was
I make no apology for the love for this and the others authors books, her work is stunning and makes my hobby ( maybe a bit more than a hobby 😎) a truly exciting one
Loved it
June 10, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, but sadly it didn't quite live up to what I expected. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. I enjoyed it but it felt a bit flat.
I did find it took me a little while to get into as it's written in first person (as Gwen) but talking to the reader like it's a letter or diary entry or story. I'm generally not a huge fan of first person (although I admit it works in thrillers), and this did take me a while to gel with.
It is definitely a slow burn, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's all about persona taste. The prologue promises murder, but then that takes a backseat for about 95% of the book, whilst we get to know the characters and whatnot, which meant to pacing felt off.
I have only read a couple of Louise's books before, but what I have figured out about all of them is how well she writes characters, no matter their age or background or position in the story.
It wasn't as twisty or turny as I was expecting. The premise and prologue suggest this thrilling crime, murdery tale, or at least a psychological thriller. But I didn't get that at all. Which makes it sound like I'm saying I didn't like it, which isn't true. I liked it. It jsut wasn't what I was expecting. It's more about the characters, their relationships, almost like a family drama more than a thriller.
As something that bills itself as a thriller and a murder mystery I suppose in a way, the actual murder part is rather anticlimactic and lackluster.
I suppose there is a twist yes, but it's one I saw coming straight away. Obviously I won't spoil it and say what it is, but I'm interested to see what other people have to say about it.
Whilst still an enjoyable books and I would recommend it, it wasn't my favourite. It's missing that thrilling spark her others have. This is more sedate and so didn't grab me like her previous books sadly.
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, but sadly it didn't quite live up to what I expected. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. I enjoyed it but it felt a bit flat.
I did find it took me a little while to get into as it's written in first person (as Gwen) but talking to the reader like it's a letter or diary entry or story. I'm generally not a huge fan of first person (although I admit it works in thrillers), and this did take me a while to gel with.
It is definitely a slow burn, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's all about persona taste. The prologue promises murder, but then that takes a backseat for about 95% of the book, whilst we get to know the characters and whatnot, which meant to pacing felt off.
I have only read a couple of Louise's books before, but what I have figured out about all of them is how well she writes characters, no matter their age or background or position in the story.
It wasn't as twisty or turny as I was expecting. The premise and prologue suggest this thrilling crime, murdery tale, or at least a psychological thriller. But I didn't get that at all. Which makes it sound like I'm saying I didn't like it, which isn't true. I liked it. It jsut wasn't what I was expecting. It's more about the characters, their relationships, almost like a family drama more than a thriller.
As something that bills itself as a thriller and a murder mystery I suppose in a way, the actual murder part is rather anticlimactic and lackluster.
I suppose there is a twist yes, but it's one I saw coming straight away. Obviously I won't spoil it and say what it is, but I'm interested to see what other people have to say about it.
Whilst still an enjoyable books and I would recommend it, it wasn't my favourite. It's missing that thrilling spark her others have. This is more sedate and so didn't grab me like her previous books sadly.
August 9, 2025
Louise Candlish is one of my favourite authors and I am always interested in reading her books. But unfortunately this one just didn't work for me.
Right from the start I struggled to get into the story. The main reason for this I think was that never once liked the MC Gwen. And as the story is told through her perspective, that made the whole thing a bit of a slog.
I also didn't find the plot to be thrilling, exciting or even that interesting. In fact I thought the whole book was pretty dull and boring.
This is very much a slow burn, that I didn't think, had any pay off by the end. Not a lot actually happens.
However that doesn't mean the writing was bad. I just never connected to the story and I wasn't invested in the characters, which is unusual for me for a book by this author.
The only thing I did like about the story was the setting of Columbia Mansions. In fact I would have liked some of the other characters in the building to play a bigger part in the story. This book I think could have benefitted from multiple POV's.
I do think that this book is definitely more domestic fiction than anything else. It definitely isn't a thriller in my opinion. And I'm sorry to say that I was completely bored throughout.
This wasn't my favourite by this author but I would read from her again.
Thanks to HQ for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
Right from the start I struggled to get into the story. The main reason for this I think was that never once liked the MC Gwen. And as the story is told through her perspective, that made the whole thing a bit of a slog.
I also didn't find the plot to be thrilling, exciting or even that interesting. In fact I thought the whole book was pretty dull and boring.
This is very much a slow burn, that I didn't think, had any pay off by the end. Not a lot actually happens.
However that doesn't mean the writing was bad. I just never connected to the story and I wasn't invested in the characters, which is unusual for me for a book by this author.
The only thing I did like about the story was the setting of Columbia Mansions. In fact I would have liked some of the other characters in the building to play a bigger part in the story. This book I think could have benefitted from multiple POV's.
I do think that this book is definitely more domestic fiction than anything else. It definitely isn't a thriller in my opinion. And I'm sorry to say that I was completely bored throughout.
This wasn't my favourite by this author but I would read from her again.
Thanks to HQ for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
January 17, 2026
This slow burn mystery had me hooked from page 1 as told by Gwen a resident of an apartment who befriends Pixie who applies for a room to rent scheme. This is so carefully crafted you are never sure who is telling the truth , there are so many twists and turns . It deals with issues that arent widely known in a real and sensitive manner ,it also reveals things from gwen's perspective and takes you on her journey with her to its brutal conclusion. It was entertaining and tugged at my heart strings as i wrestled trying to work out where the truth lie and if Pixie was being total on record. All the side characters were well written and i loved hearing the interactions from gwen;s pov. This was 5 star quality and the ending was dynamite. Thank you netgallery, publisher and author for this 5 star read
July 15, 2025
Very different to other books I’ve read by this author but still a really good riveting read. Columbia Mansions is a well run and organised apartment building. Gwen a resident befriends a new tenant who is renting a room from her neighbour. Gwen suspects something not quite right. Some great characters and obviously some not so great.. I wasn’t sure who to believe with revelations and denials. Several twists and shocks in this psychological thriller
December 6, 2025
Told from Gwen’s perspective, this is a dark, domestic tale that plays on how far we trust our neighbours, regardless of how well we think we know them. The opening scene is shocking and the rest of the novel is Gwen’s account of the events leading up to this dramatic moment. Her narrative voice is one that is equally entertaining and frustrating as readers learn that Gwen’s life irrevocably changes from a series of unfortunate decisions.
I couldn’t decide if I loved or loathed this book and I think this was due to Gwen’s character. She has some very dry observations which I found highly entertaining but, the way the story develops felt a little far-fetched and like a pendulum. Gwen struggles with resting on who is being honest with her and, as a result of her actions, alienates everyone around her. On that basis, I felt increasingly sorry for Gwen because she is treated appallingly by her children and is taken advantage of frequently.
As Gwen’s loyalties to tenant Pixie are being challenged, she is forced to confront her sworn enemy and neighbour, Alec, to try and determine more of the facts – especially when Gwen’s way of life is being threatened. However, this back and forth of blame meant that I found the ending rather anti-climatic and, seeing as I had predicted part of the ending from the beginning, didn’t find it as shocking as intended.
I thought the issues raised in this book were interesting and Candlish certainly draws attention to the highly competitive rental market in London. Gwen’s comfortable lifestyle is the antithesis of Pixie’s desperation of having a roof overhead, whilst Gwen’s son has boomeranged back home and Gwen is struggling to motivate him. Gwen epitomises comfortable living and this stark contrast with her immediate tenants creates a difficult atmosphere in her flat. Should we sympathise with Gwen for having to pick up their pieces, or criticise her for her comfortable living circumstances?
This was a different sort of thriller, aided by Gwen’s unique narrative voice. I think this book is better than some of the more recent reads I have read by this author, but it definitely wasn’t one of my favourites.
With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn’t decide if I loved or loathed this book and I think this was due to Gwen’s character. She has some very dry observations which I found highly entertaining but, the way the story develops felt a little far-fetched and like a pendulum. Gwen struggles with resting on who is being honest with her and, as a result of her actions, alienates everyone around her. On that basis, I felt increasingly sorry for Gwen because she is treated appallingly by her children and is taken advantage of frequently.
As Gwen’s loyalties to tenant Pixie are being challenged, she is forced to confront her sworn enemy and neighbour, Alec, to try and determine more of the facts – especially when Gwen’s way of life is being threatened. However, this back and forth of blame meant that I found the ending rather anti-climatic and, seeing as I had predicted part of the ending from the beginning, didn’t find it as shocking as intended.
I thought the issues raised in this book were interesting and Candlish certainly draws attention to the highly competitive rental market in London. Gwen’s comfortable lifestyle is the antithesis of Pixie’s desperation of having a roof overhead, whilst Gwen’s son has boomeranged back home and Gwen is struggling to motivate him. Gwen epitomises comfortable living and this stark contrast with her immediate tenants creates a difficult atmosphere in her flat. Should we sympathise with Gwen for having to pick up their pieces, or criticise her for her comfortable living circumstances?
This was a different sort of thriller, aided by Gwen’s unique narrative voice. I think this book is better than some of the more recent reads I have read by this author, but it definitely wasn’t one of my favourites.
With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2025
I devoured this book over two days—only slowed down by the demands of real life and the food shop. Truthfully, I could have read it in one sitting. I don’t quite have the words to sum up the emotional rollercoaster Louise Candlish sent me on. Having read many of her books, I dare say this might just be her best yet.
In the iconic Columbia Mansions, retiree Gwen is delighted when Pixie, a charming and lively young woman, moves into a vacant apartment. Their unlikely friendship blossoms, with Gwen finding purpose in assisting Pixie. However, when a crime surfaces, Gwen’s protective instincts intensify, leading her down a path of vengeance that threatens to disrupt the peace of the entire building. As secrets unravel, the residents of Columbia Mansions find themselves entangled in a web of suspicion and danger.
Candlish has masterfully woven a suspenseful, pacey thriller with real-world issues such as the cost-of-living crisis and the UK’s housing struggles at its core. These elements add a rich layer of realism to a tale that is deliciously twisty and utterly unputdownable.
A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder is unpredictable in the most satisfying way—constantly pulling the rug out from under you and not letting you up for air. Louise has her foot on your neck throughout and has you second-guessing everything and everyone until the final act, where the truth unfolds like a beautifully chaotic puzzle.
Louise Candlish once again proves she is a master of the suspense and crime thriller genre. This book is sharp, clever, topical, and compelling—an absolute must-read. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the ARC. A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder publishes on July 17th—mark your calendars.
In the iconic Columbia Mansions, retiree Gwen is delighted when Pixie, a charming and lively young woman, moves into a vacant apartment. Their unlikely friendship blossoms, with Gwen finding purpose in assisting Pixie. However, when a crime surfaces, Gwen’s protective instincts intensify, leading her down a path of vengeance that threatens to disrupt the peace of the entire building. As secrets unravel, the residents of Columbia Mansions find themselves entangled in a web of suspicion and danger.
Candlish has masterfully woven a suspenseful, pacey thriller with real-world issues such as the cost-of-living crisis and the UK’s housing struggles at its core. These elements add a rich layer of realism to a tale that is deliciously twisty and utterly unputdownable.
A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder is unpredictable in the most satisfying way—constantly pulling the rug out from under you and not letting you up for air. Louise has her foot on your neck throughout and has you second-guessing everything and everyone until the final act, where the truth unfolds like a beautifully chaotic puzzle.
Louise Candlish once again proves she is a master of the suspense and crime thriller genre. This book is sharp, clever, topical, and compelling—an absolute must-read. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the ARC. A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder publishes on July 17th—mark your calendars.
July 31, 2025
Rating: 4.0/5
Novels by Louise Candlish invariably seem to be described in the accompanying blurb as "thrillers", but I tend to view them more as gripping dramas that are always very well constructed. "A Neighbour's Guide to Murder" is no exception. Narrated in the first person by Gwen, a 70 year old retired lady, this story is set in the desirable residences that make up Columbia Mansions. However, the peaceful world that she inhabits is about to be upset when one of the other residents, Alec, sublets a room to a young woman called Pixie. Something about the arrangement doesn't seem quite right to Gwen, but when she investigates further, it leads to a chain of events that she could never have anticipated.
I have very much become an admirer of Louise Candlish's work and there are certain traits that are regularly apparent in her novels. They do tend to be slow-burners, which won't appeal to all readers, who may consider that to be a polite euphemism for dull or boring, but that is not the case with this author. Instead, it is merely a well-executed technique to draw the reader in and to build a sense of anticipation and intrigue. The author is also adept at incorporating contemporary social issues into her writing, which adds to its credibility and relevance. As if that weren't enough, her work also has a filmic quality that makes it very easy to imagine her novels being adapted for television - and I am surprised that this has, so far, only happened with one of her books, as far as I am aware.
"A Neighbour's Guide to Murder" is a fine addition to Louise Candlish's catalogue of work and I am looking forward to her next book already.
Novels by Louise Candlish invariably seem to be described in the accompanying blurb as "thrillers", but I tend to view them more as gripping dramas that are always very well constructed. "A Neighbour's Guide to Murder" is no exception. Narrated in the first person by Gwen, a 70 year old retired lady, this story is set in the desirable residences that make up Columbia Mansions. However, the peaceful world that she inhabits is about to be upset when one of the other residents, Alec, sublets a room to a young woman called Pixie. Something about the arrangement doesn't seem quite right to Gwen, but when she investigates further, it leads to a chain of events that she could never have anticipated.
I have very much become an admirer of Louise Candlish's work and there are certain traits that are regularly apparent in her novels. They do tend to be slow-burners, which won't appeal to all readers, who may consider that to be a polite euphemism for dull or boring, but that is not the case with this author. Instead, it is merely a well-executed technique to draw the reader in and to build a sense of anticipation and intrigue. The author is also adept at incorporating contemporary social issues into her writing, which adds to its credibility and relevance. As if that weren't enough, her work also has a filmic quality that makes it very easy to imagine her novels being adapted for television - and I am surprised that this has, so far, only happened with one of her books, as far as I am aware.
"A Neighbour's Guide to Murder" is a fine addition to Louise Candlish's catalogue of work and I am looking forward to her next book already.
Read
November 4, 2025I’ve read a few Louise Candlish books by now, and have had mixed experiences. Overall I think she’s a decent thriller writer who often deploys the use of an interesting twist, which is always fun. That said, I’m still not really sure what to make of her latest, A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder.
Gwen is retired and happily ensconced in the much sought after Columbia mansions; a London apartment building with a desirable address and a very elitist residents committee. Gwen is trilled then when fresh blood in the form of the young and seemingly naive Pixie rents a room from Alec, an older and somewhat sleazy man in the apartment directly across from Gwen. The two women soon form an unlikely age-gap friendship and it isn’t long before Gwen is dragged into Pixie’s very dramatic life, with potentially terrible consequences for Gwen and everyone around them.
This moves along at a good pace, but the actual thriller element of it is quite a slow burn. It works well on audio. Gwen is our narrator and it becomes evident as we read on that she’s fairly unreliable; we’re definitely getting her skewed version of things, but who is actually telling the truth? It’s hard to tell.
Trial by social media features heavily, as does the escalating costs of the housing market crisis, which made it feel quite a modern read.
All of that said; every single character is insufferable, which I struggled a bit with. It’s hard to root for any of them, and so I didn’t care as much as I should have about the outcome. Speaking of which; the ending felt a little flat and disjointed to me.
That said, I will definitely read more from this author, and I still think her novel Our House was a cracking thriller.
Have you read this one? What did you think?
Gwen is retired and happily ensconced in the much sought after Columbia mansions; a London apartment building with a desirable address and a very elitist residents committee. Gwen is trilled then when fresh blood in the form of the young and seemingly naive Pixie rents a room from Alec, an older and somewhat sleazy man in the apartment directly across from Gwen. The two women soon form an unlikely age-gap friendship and it isn’t long before Gwen is dragged into Pixie’s very dramatic life, with potentially terrible consequences for Gwen and everyone around them.
This moves along at a good pace, but the actual thriller element of it is quite a slow burn. It works well on audio. Gwen is our narrator and it becomes evident as we read on that she’s fairly unreliable; we’re definitely getting her skewed version of things, but who is actually telling the truth? It’s hard to tell.
Trial by social media features heavily, as does the escalating costs of the housing market crisis, which made it feel quite a modern read.
All of that said; every single character is insufferable, which I struggled a bit with. It’s hard to root for any of them, and so I didn’t care as much as I should have about the outcome. Speaking of which; the ending felt a little flat and disjointed to me.
That said, I will definitely read more from this author, and I still think her novel Our House was a cracking thriller.
Have you read this one? What did you think?
October 25, 2025
I love the way Candlish writes about neighbourhoods – it makes you want to move into a cave somewhere away from humanity! A NEIGHBOUR’S GUIDE TO MURDER is a bit like watching a train wreck: you know that Gwen is headed towards disaster but you can’t do anything to stop it. Whilst Gwen may be a difficult character and easy to judge as unlikeable, her heart seemed to be in the right place, which allows the reader to have some empathy for her plight. Parts of the story were difficult to read because I could imagine a real life person getting sucked into this type of drama even though she had good intentions. As the story neared its finale, it became a lot crazier but to my relief the ends were neatly tied up. Well plotted, dark and wicked, it hooked me from start to finish.
September 8, 2025
3.5 stars
A slow burn thriller that focuses spectacularly on characterisation. Gwen is presented as the stereotypical nosey, elderly neighbour in an exclusive apartment complex, but she is a woman of substance an many secrets. She undercover a sex for rent scandal in the neighbouring apartment. Candlish wonderfully pinpoints a key issue in the rising rent crisis across the UK and the soaring costs in London. This makes fornbrilliant book club discussion. As the central character digs into the secrets of her neighbours, danger lurks. whilst alownpaced, the final chapters unleash the secrets, and twists. #aneighboursguidetomurder #louisecandlish #thriller #murder #urbancrimethriller #septemberreads
A slow burn thriller that focuses spectacularly on characterisation. Gwen is presented as the stereotypical nosey, elderly neighbour in an exclusive apartment complex, but she is a woman of substance an many secrets. She undercover a sex for rent scandal in the neighbouring apartment. Candlish wonderfully pinpoints a key issue in the rising rent crisis across the UK and the soaring costs in London. This makes fornbrilliant book club discussion. As the central character digs into the secrets of her neighbours, danger lurks. whilst alownpaced, the final chapters unleash the secrets, and twists. #aneighboursguidetomurder #louisecandlish #thriller #murder #urbancrimethriller #septemberreads
August 3, 2025
This is my first Louise Candlish book, and when I looked at reviews after, it does seem to have split people. I found this one had promise, but it didn’t quite deliver for me - I can’t honestly say I liked any of the characters, which doesn’t help, but I also found that so much trouble was caused by Gwen interfering or overspeaking, without any thought for the consequences of her actions. By the end, I still wasn’t really clear who was in the wrong, and the very end of the book just felt very disjointed. I wish I had enjoyed it more, but I am glad others have.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
July 14, 2025
Gwen is thrilled when a delightful new tenant moves into her apartment block Columbia Mansions, which is a sought after place to live. Quickly forming a close friendship, Gwen makes sure to support her new friend. But when a crime comes to light it sets up a chain of revenge and scandal.
I am a long term fan of Louise Candlish so was excited to read her new book. The concept of this one sounded like it would be a fun read and it ended up being another enjoyable story. I’ll have to admit it took me a while to warm to it as it felt quite different to her other books, format wise and being a bit slower paced. The slow burn aspect however helps to build up the characters and the backstory. I always enjoy how the author creates a set of interesting, yet flawed character’s who you can’t help but be intrigued by.
Another thing that I appreciate by this author is how she focuses on a serious, lesser known yet current subject and builds a narrative around this. Raising these issues in a way that makes you think and would be great for a book club discussion. I enjoyed the twists once they started coming and was satisfied by the ending. This was another clever, dark domestic thriller by this author and one I would recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
I am a long term fan of Louise Candlish so was excited to read her new book. The concept of this one sounded like it would be a fun read and it ended up being another enjoyable story. I’ll have to admit it took me a while to warm to it as it felt quite different to her other books, format wise and being a bit slower paced. The slow burn aspect however helps to build up the characters and the backstory. I always enjoy how the author creates a set of interesting, yet flawed character’s who you can’t help but be intrigued by.
Another thing that I appreciate by this author is how she focuses on a serious, lesser known yet current subject and builds a narrative around this. Raising these issues in a way that makes you think and would be great for a book club discussion. I enjoyed the twists once they started coming and was satisfied by the ending. This was another clever, dark domestic thriller by this author and one I would recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
July 27, 2025
page turner but I've read better
September 15, 2025
3.5 🌟 rounded up to 4 🌟 because it came good at around 80%. The rest of it was so slow.
July 6, 2025
This book kept me guessing all the way through, and even at the end I’m still unsure on some things 😂 I’m still questioning who was the bad person or were they all just terrible people in their own way? I don’t think I had a favourite character in this as I disliked everyone!
I love the way the book was written from the POV of one character a bit like a diary and it moved between past and present smoothly.
The book highlights the housing issues that people face at any age and brings to light issues that aren’t really talked about. This was done in a clever way.
Overall, it could have had a bit more murder but I still loved it!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC
I love the way the book was written from the POV of one character a bit like a diary and it moved between past and present smoothly.
The book highlights the housing issues that people face at any age and brings to light issues that aren’t really talked about. This was done in a clever way.
Overall, it could have had a bit more murder but I still loved it!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC
June 24, 2025
I finished this book in 24 hours as I could not put it down.
Gwen lives in Columbia Mansions and is a nosy neighbour who spends her time involving her self in her neighbours business. I suppose we all know someone like that so it was easy to begin to understand her as a character and I did feel for her at times.
There are few characters in the book which I felt was good as it is easier to immerse yourself into the story. They were well written and I really felt like I knew them all.
I felt the way the story was written really added to the suspense and had me gripped.
The book had twists and turns and I thought the ending was excellent and I world definitely recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley, Louise Candlish and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Gwen lives in Columbia Mansions and is a nosy neighbour who spends her time involving her self in her neighbours business. I suppose we all know someone like that so it was easy to begin to understand her as a character and I did feel for her at times.
There are few characters in the book which I felt was good as it is easier to immerse yourself into the story. They were well written and I really felt like I knew them all.
I felt the way the story was written really added to the suspense and had me gripped.
The book had twists and turns and I thought the ending was excellent and I world definitely recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley, Louise Candlish and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
May 22, 2025
I’m never sure how Candlish manages to turn a hot button social issue into an unputdownable novel but here we are again!
In NGTM Gwen narrates us through meeting Pixie, a woman hoping to live in Columbia Mansions. Gwen is an active, intelligent woman who has started to relax in to retirement and keeps a busy calendar of Gail’s coffee and older bodies Pilates in the palatial beauty that is Colombia Mansions. Gwen is a member of the resident’s board and clearly fits in perfectly, that all changes when Pixie shows up, to move in with Alec in a room for rent scheme.
In beautifully described detail we learn that Pixie is embroiled in a Sex for Rent scheme and Gwen involves herself so very deeply that Pixie ends up living with her.
I am blessed to be able to write this review, because you simply cannot do spoilers for a Candlish novel, and while all of these things happen, there’s not a chance you will see what’s coming.
The pace in this novel has a slightly sleepy feel, which is completely contrasting to the deep dark grumble of spiralling anxiety that I experienced while reading .
An absolute gem of a novel (as are all her others).
For those that want to experience some startling reality in their thrillers and for those that want to see how you mix injustice, reality and fiction - this is your next read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC, in return for an honest review, which this is.
In NGTM Gwen narrates us through meeting Pixie, a woman hoping to live in Columbia Mansions. Gwen is an active, intelligent woman who has started to relax in to retirement and keeps a busy calendar of Gail’s coffee and older bodies Pilates in the palatial beauty that is Colombia Mansions. Gwen is a member of the resident’s board and clearly fits in perfectly, that all changes when Pixie shows up, to move in with Alec in a room for rent scheme.
In beautifully described detail we learn that Pixie is embroiled in a Sex for Rent scheme and Gwen involves herself so very deeply that Pixie ends up living with her.
I am blessed to be able to write this review, because you simply cannot do spoilers for a Candlish novel, and while all of these things happen, there’s not a chance you will see what’s coming.
The pace in this novel has a slightly sleepy feel, which is completely contrasting to the deep dark grumble of spiralling anxiety that I experienced while reading .
An absolute gem of a novel (as are all her others).
For those that want to experience some startling reality in their thrillers and for those that want to see how you mix injustice, reality and fiction - this is your next read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC, in return for an honest review, which this is.
June 17, 2025
A Neighbours Guide to Murder by Louise Candlish ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a very clever book. Keeps you guessing and guessing who is telling the truth. Pixie is homeless and rents a room in Columbia Mansions. Her landlord is Alec and the neighbour is Gwen. This is a domestic thriller told through Gwen. Really enjoyed this and so much content in it for a good book club discussion
This is a very clever book. Keeps you guessing and guessing who is telling the truth. Pixie is homeless and rents a room in Columbia Mansions. Her landlord is Alec and the neighbour is Gwen. This is a domestic thriller told through Gwen. Really enjoyed this and so much content in it for a good book club discussion
November 2, 2025
2.5 stars.
I was disappointed with this book. I didn't like any of the characters and found them annoying. So many people doing or saying things with no thought of the possible consequences. The story dragged on for me and I considered abandoning it a few times but ploughed on in the hope it would improve.
I was disappointed with this book. I didn't like any of the characters and found them annoying. So many people doing or saying things with no thought of the possible consequences. The story dragged on for me and I considered abandoning it a few times but ploughed on in the hope it would improve.
August 14, 2025
Disappointed with this, like other reviews thought MC was a bit gullible and got on my nerves. Story felt never ending even though it had short chapters.
Luckily borrowed from local library.
Luckily borrowed from local library.
January 24, 2026
This wasn’t my favourite Candlish book.
It had a different recipe than the other Candlish books, I think part of what had me struggling to connect with it was the age and role of Gwen potentially, which feels ageist so I do apologise for that but it’s the truth.
It did not go where I expected it to, I did not expect it to be about sex for rent. That surprised me. I did feel for Gwen, but also felt exasperated by her at times even though her motives seem to be good generally speaking.
Fuck Alec though. And Daniel. And Dee.
And especially Brian, you toad.
It had a different recipe than the other Candlish books, I think part of what had me struggling to connect with it was the age and role of Gwen potentially, which feels ageist so I do apologise for that but it’s the truth.
It did not go where I expected it to, I did not expect it to be about sex for rent. That surprised me. I did feel for Gwen, but also felt exasperated by her at times even though her motives seem to be good generally speaking.
Fuck Alec though. And Daniel. And Dee.
And especially Brian, you toad.
February 2, 2026
This was an enjoyable but not entirely gripping read. None of the characters are particularly likeable or redeemable, and if I were Gwen I’d have gone psycho as well with so many useless dependents upon her. The first two thirds were fairly slow paced and not that engaging, but the final hundred or so pages really ramped up the energy. The complete decimation and manipulation of the narrative at the conclusion feels horrifically relevant, given the persistent remaking of so many books into films which completely fail to capture the essence of the book and the writer’s spirit.
November 7, 2025
This was a very slow burn of a novel. Whilst none of the characters were likeable, I did feel sympathetic to the main character at times, which I think shows good writing.
I found there were some parts at the end which needed some clarity - suggesting changes to the personal lives / relationships of some of the characters, it would have been nice to have had a sentence or two to explain further what had happened.
I found there were some parts at the end which needed some clarity - suggesting changes to the personal lives / relationships of some of the characters, it would have been nice to have had a sentence or two to explain further what had happened.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews