The Neighbor

by N.L. Hinkens, Vanessa Johansson (Narrator)

An exhilarating blend of breathtaking suspense and nail-biting tension culminates in a shocking final twist.

My husband says I shouldn't be watching Beth and Gary through binoculars. But they're not just our next-door neighbors; they're renting our property.

I know something's wrong. When I took over a chicken casserole, they told me they were vegetarians. Now Gary's barbecuing steak in the backyard.

They're liars.

I don't like the way Gary looks at me. And he keeps finishing Beth's sentences, squeezing her arm hard.

My husband says to leave them alone. But I'm sure Beth needs my help.

And when she disappears, I know he's killed her.

This psychological thriller from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author N.L. Hinkens is her most gripping book yet, with an ending you just won't see coming. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Desperate Housewives, Jeneva Rose, Valerie Keogh, Liane Moriarty, Shari Lapena, and T.M. Logan.

Genres: Audiobook, Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Mystery Thriller

Audible Audio

First published March 4, 2025

About the author

NYT and USA Today bestselling author N. L. Hinkens writes twisty psychological suspense thrillers with unexpected endings. She’s a travel junkie, coffee hound, and idea wrangler, in no particular order. She grew up in Ireland—land of legends and storytelling—and now resides in the US. Her work has won the Grand Prize Next Generation Indie Book Award for fiction, as well as numerous other awards. Join her VIP Reader Club for hot new releases, stellar giveaways, exclusive content, behind the scenes and more. https://normahinkens.com/

Pseudonym for author Norma Hinkens

Reviews

[Barbara Behring · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story and the main character, but I thought it had too many twists so it was hard to keep track of things at times.

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

Main character was insufferable

[Celeste Velocci (bookrecs_by_celeste) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author is very hit or miss for me. The last book I read I really enjoyed while this one unfortunately missed the mark for me. It had major lifetime movies vibes. As a kindle unlimited thriller reader I often read them as palette cleansers aside from some of the hidden gems. This did the trick to move along my reading goal but it fell pretty flat for me. It was fine! Another popcorn thriller that’s hit or miss.

[Helena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh my God, how can we be saved from all these deceiving reviews here??? Goodreads has to do something about this, I can't take it anymore! I'm reading bad book after bad book, this is never-ending!!!!!! And all because I'm getting tricked by the amazing reviews that are certainly paid for, I don't have any other explanation. But have some dignity people, I'm sure there are way better jobs out there for you! As well as for this writer who can't write to save his life.

[Cheryl P. (review hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow,was this filled with twists and turns! Kay suspects her new neighbor Gary of murdering his wife Beth when Beth suddenly disappears. After all,Gary seems like a very controlling husband. This novel was very fast-paced and most chapters ended with a cliffhanger If you like Freida McFadden's novels, you'll probably love this one!

[Candi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really intrigued at the beginning but then got a bit bored half way through. The ending was decent enough but I can’t say I’d recommend to others. It was a very average read for me.

[Natalia Farnham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man oh man twists and turns galore hehehhehe. I gotta say though I definitely couldn’t understand why the FMC was so freaking persistent in trying to solve certain cases in this book. It’s like dude you barely know the person. But overall good quick read that will keep you turning the pages.

[Naaila Ahmed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. I did like the fast pace of it and the short chapters, however none of the characters were likeable and the plot was just too far-fetched for me

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Neighbor by N.L Hinkens.
I really enjoyed this book. I got into it straight away. I did love Kay and Amber. I wasn't sure how I felt about Gary. I didn't trust him at all. This was twisty and gripping. Wow double twist. My jaw was on the floor. Definitely didn't expect that. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Melissa R · Rating 2 out of 5]

unhinged. similar to a freida McFadden book

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several books written by the talented N.L. Hinkens, and she never disappoints! “The Neighbor” was no exception; it was a fun twisty ride.

Though the protagonist, Kay, came off a bit strong and unpleasant, Hinkens has a way of writing her tales that makes me not want to stop reading. Kay is a character that is a bit nosy and is persistent in the thoughts she has about her new neighbors. At first, her suspicions seemed a bit far fetched, but as the story progresses, the reader can tell that something isn’t quite right with the new neighbors, Gary and Beth. It was fun seeing how everything came together in the end.

Every chapter was filled with great plot development that kept me glued to every page. Knowing this author’s writing style, I knew I’d be up late at night, wanting to finish the book and see how it all came together. True to Hinkens’ ability to capture readers, the constant question whether Kay had actual reasons to be skeptical of her neighbors or if she was letting her mind spiral in seemingly odd directions was so entertaining. There were a couple of minor loose ends when I finished the book. I’m curious to see if there will be a part two or if these loose ends are up for the reader’s discretion to decide what happens next.

Themes of trust, honesty, relying on your own hunches, betrayal, relationships, and more can be found within these pages. All of the themes helped in making this an enjoyable read.

Though Kay can be quite frustrating for a while in the book, it never deterred me for wanting to continue this fast-paced story. Its captivating plot, and the twists and turns included really made this a quick read. I can’t wait to see what N.L. Hinkens has in store next! I happily give “The Neighbor” a 5 out of 5 stars!

My opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher (Joffe’s Books) for giving me an ARC and the opportunity to read “The Neighbor”.

[Kay Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hinkens is one of my favorite authors, and this is a great example of why. I was captivated right off the bat and needed to know what would happen. Fast-paced, thrilling, full of enticing mystery, and so many great twists I did not see coming.

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh-Kay. Here goes.
When Gary and Beth move into Kay's late parents' house next door as renters, she wants to be a landlord and a friend. Kay soon suspects that all is not right and as head of the HOA, she's determined to protect the neighbourhood and rescue Beth from her controlling husband.
Suspend belief and simply immerse yourself in a fun and twisty read that will keep you guessing right to the end. This is a great escapist book with a likeable protagonist. It gets an extra star just for the ending.
My thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading and loving The Caregiver, by this author, back in July - I knew that this new release was going to be a great read and couldn't wait to dive in.

 

Once again, I was completely drawn in from the first few pages and hooked for the duration.

 

We've all done it (I really hope!), when we get new neighbours, we take a little peek at them to scope them out before actually meeting - right?

Well, the stakes are a little higher here as there are some strange vibes coming from Gary and Beth from the outset.

 

I strangely connected with Kay from the start. Ok, she's a little bit nosy and a little more overbearing at times, but I liked her commitment and determination throughout.

Gary on the other hand really made me a little uncomfortable at times.

 

The writing style and format was perfect for this kind of psychological thriller and the suspense builds nicely as we read and more of the story unfolds.

It's a little unusual to see just the one pov throughout and I do love getting into the minds of all the characters with a dual or multi pov read - but I think the single pove here really added to the tension because I couldn't get too deep with the other characters.

This really worked well.

 

This was a fast-paced read and packed with twists - which I always love.

Looking forward to seeing more from Hinkens in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

[Gena Webb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda silly

Really convoluted, horribly unrealistic plot and redundant thoughts that dragged on and on. Actually not many surprises and easy enough to figure out what was going on. Even the twists weren’t unexpected. Amazing you can write a novel filled with so many completely unlikeable, unscrupulous characters. I’d have a hard time recommending reading it, although it is a quick read.

[AGilden · Rating 3 out of 5]

To enjoy this, you need some strong reality suspension skills, because the ending is ridiculous. I also became impatient with the main character's busybody personality; maybe she's just a nicer person than me. But I remained interested in the mystery about what was going on next door, and the plot pick up some good speed towards the end.

[Deni Tipuric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow start but then slaps with twists

Really good and twisty!

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5. Started out good. The main character is just too much. It became super unrealistic which turned me off. I felt like the author had a deadline to meet and had to reveal everything quickly which affected the story negatively. This could have gone so much better and could have been fine in so many different directions to make it 4 or even 5 stars. I’m disappointed.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Neighbor is the second five star worthy book I've read from Hinkens, the first being The Caregiver.

It's tense, twisty and took me down the wrong path more than once. The pacing is constant and the compulsion to continue reading late into the night remained until I'd turned the last page.

Hinkens has crafted some incredibly real, relatable characters. Am I the only one who found Kay reminded me of a neighbour? The interfering, do-gooder who seems to appear out of nowhere, making everyone's business her own...I have one downstairs from me!

Unreliable narrators and one woman's unhealthy obsession with her neighbours certainly kept me on my toes. Who could I trust? What were they hiding?

Brilliant book and a noteworthy author.

[Nadine-Sue Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has Lapena level twists, turns and misdirection!!!

Kay drove me mad initially. I felt irritated by her need to interfere with everyone else and their business but ultimately it served her well and things would have gone very differently had she not been such a pain 🤣

This is cleverly written to throw you off the scent of what's going on and nothing is obvious or straightforward. I did wonder what secrets Kay might have that made Gary look at her questionably to begin with. Nothing that we really find out but there's so much going on that it's easy to guess that she's not an idiot and not to be underestimated.

Great book.

[Sarah Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like I shouldn't have liked this book but I did. Fast paced with many twists. I found myself making faces and arguing with the main character a few times but it was exciting and kept my interest easily.

[Alegra Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so unhinged but in a good way. lol . I was prepared to give it 4 stars until everything started falling into place. Men… lol

[Lisa Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rating is actually a negative one!
Narration was ok.
I listened to this in double speed
It still took too long to finish.
Ridiculous twists. ANNOYING MC in Kay-she was SO nosey!
She made everyone else’s business her business.
It was easy to guess her hubby would want ti get rid of her after listening to 15 minutes of this book!
How many times can an author use the phrase “gaslight” before a decent editor sats “Enough already!!”

Glad this only took a few hours if running errands and housework to finish.
Now on ti something better-basically anything else.

[Aarifah · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story feels unrealistic and rushed. It starts without any real buildup—Kay is suddenly very interested in her neighbors and deeply concerned about Beth, even though they barely know each other. She quickly becomes suspicious of Beth's husband without any solid reason, and then takes Beth out for supper, where Beth suddenly faints. The husband reacts with extreme anger, and it all feels like too much is happening too fast, with no time for natural development or believable character motivation. Also very unrealistic because nobody is that interested & concerned about their neighbors lives to keep heading over there and being overly concerned about strangers.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

SURPRISE!

I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. It was an Uncorrected Proof Copy, but it has surprisingly few errors within.

Written by N.L. Hinkens and published by Joffe Books, London in 2025, this is a psychological thriller that has a surprise ending. The first half of the story moves slowly, but it picks up substantially about halfway through.

Kay (the protagonist) and her husband Warren, live in a small community located in Orange County, California, south of Los Angeles. They used to live right next door to Kay’s parents who, unfortunately, passed away when Kay’s mother left a burner of their gas range turned on before going to bed. Now Kay and Warren Mellows own the house and are renting it out to others. Their current tenants are newcomers to the neighborhood, a man and wife named Gary and Beth Finkel. Theirs is a strange relationship and, as president of the Homeowners’ Association (HOA), Kay soon sticks her nose into their business.

It doesn’t take long for Kay to conclude that Beth is an abused woman. Her husband Gary makes her drink a vegetable juice smoothie every morning, and he keeps her secluded in the house. Kay believes that the smoothie has been drugged by Gary. Beth tells Kay that her nineteen-year-old daughter Luna has died suddenly, but Gary soon contradicts her, claiming that Luna is still alive, but has disappeared. As time goes on, Gary becomes more hostile towards Kay, and Kay increasingly probes into the couple’s affairs. Soon, Beth also disappears, and Gary reports that she has had a breakdown and is in a rehabilitation facility receiving treatment. Later, Gary reports that Beth has committed suicide at the rehab facility, but he won’t tell Kay where that is because he is intending litigation against the facility for negligence. Kay is devastated.

Soon, a young woman in a car shows up next door and knocks at the door. Gary is at work. When Kay walks over to ask if she can help, she learns that the young lady is Beth’s daughter, Luna. Kay is flabbergasted and asks Luna where she has been. Luna claims that she has just spent three years in Japan teaching English. She has come home to make amends to her mother. Soon, Luna also disappears, and so does her car. Gary claims that Luna has travelled to Portland to visit her aunt, and that he has sold the car. Kay grows increasingly nosy and soon involves her husband, Warren, in her search for the truth about the Finkel family. The story progresses from here.

This story is pretty well written, but I did find a couple of inconsistencies that I thought were a bit glaring. One was the fact that Luna, despite having just returned from three years in Japan, was not driving a rental car from the airport, but was driving her own automobile. Where did that come from? Another that I noted was that Kay has put money in her “money belt,” but two pages later the money has mysteriously transferred to her “trouser pocket.” Also, the author uses the word “jive” instead of the intransitive verb “jibe” on several occasions.

I generally do not like stories in which the protagonist is stupid, and Kay behaves stupidly in most of this story. In Chapter 38, she even admits it, exclaiming: “How could I have been so stupid”? She does seem to get a little smarter by the end of the story, however.

All in all, this is a good read, and I would recommend it to fans of the genre. I award four of the possible five stars as a rating, along with my recommendation. Give it a look. I don’t think you will regret it.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

N.L. Hinkens, THE NEIGHBOR a BRAND NEW unputdownable psychological thriller with a breathtaking twist, Joffe Books, expected publication date March 4, 2025

N. L. Hinkens delivers a riveting tale of suspense and intrigue in her latest novel, The Neighbor. Set against the backdrop of a seemingly idyllic suburban community, the story unfolds through the eyes of Kay, the determined and increasingly paranoid HOA President. When Kay and her husband, Warren, rent out the house across the street to the enigmatic couple Gary and Beth, the tranquil facade of neighborhood life begins to crack.

Hinkens masterfully captures the essence of suburban life, weaving a narrative that is both relatable and chilling. Kay’s character is brilliantly crafted; her initial warmth and hospitality quickly give way to a gnawing suspicion when Beth mysteriously disappears. The author skillfully explores themes of trust, secrecy, and the darker undercurrents that often lie beneath the surface of close-knit communities.

The pacing of The Neighbor is relentless, propelling readers through a labyrinth of twists and turns. Hinkens expertly builds tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Kay’s incredulous suspicions spiral into obsession. The dialogue is sharp and engaging, with moments of dark humor that provide brief relief from the mounting suspense. Each character is well-developed, and their interactions create a rich tapestry of motives and secrets, making it hard to discern who can be trusted.

What sets The Neighbor apart is Hinkens’ keen understanding of the psychological aspects of her characters. As Kay's paranoia intensifies, readers are drawn into her internal struggles, questioning the reliability of her perceptions. The exploration of her mental state adds depth to the narrative, transforming this thriller into a thought-provoking examination of human nature and the lengths one might go to protect their own.

The climax is both unexpected and satisfying, leaving readers with a sense of closure while also inviting them to ponder the implications of the story long after they turn the final page. Hinkens has crafted a compelling mystery that resonates with the complexities of modern life, reminding us that not everything is as it seems, even in our own neighborhoods.

Overall, The Neighbor is a five-star thriller that combines sharp writing, well-drawn characters, and an intricately woven plot. N. L. Hinkens has solidified her place as a master of suspense with this gripping novel, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. Whether you’re a lover of psychological thrillers or simply enjoy a good mystery, The Neighbor will keep you guessing until the very end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

[Patti Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Neighbor by N.L. Hinkens. I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Neighbor. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Who does not love a psychological suspense thriller with a surprise ending? Once again N. L Hinkens has shown that she is a master storyteller and continues to be one of my favorite authors to read and a must-read author for me. I love how she developed the story line and the characters. It was an incredible psychological suspense thriller and has me guessing who was behind everything that was taking place in the story. I was hooked from the first page, and it was impossible to put it down and I loved every moment on every page of this page turner. I love that the story is told from the perspective of the main character. I loved getting inside the thoughts and feelings of the character. I love all the plot twists and turns in The Neighbor. I could not determine the identity of who is behind the events in the story until it was revealed. It took me by surprise how everything and everyone was tied together in this thriller. The Neighbor is the story of Kay and Warren Mellows, and their neighbors Beth and Gary Finkel. Kay believes that Beth is either an addict or in an abusive relationship. Kay and another neighbor, Amber, want to befriend Beth, Kay’s new neighbor. After a failed lunch date between Kay, Amber, and Beth, Gary informs Kay that he admitted Beth into an inpatient rehab program, and that she eventually dies in the facility. Kay wants answers to what really happened to Beth and hires a private investigator. I kept trying to figure out what was going on with all the characters in the story, it appeared that everyone had something to hide. I loved following the exploration to determine what was really going on in their lives. I love how the story details what really transpired and who was behind the mystery. My favorite part was the surprise ending, I did not see it coming. I love how everything that was going on was all interconnected. It was an incredible thriller. Looking forward to reading more books by N.L. Hinkens. Looking for a great thriller, then I highly recommend The Neighbor. I received an advanced copy from the author.

[MoMo Book Diary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping tale of suspicion, secrets, and an overbearing neighbour!

The Neighbor is a gripping and well-written read that kept me engaged from start to finish. The vivid descriptions and unsettling atmosphere pull you into the story, making you question every character’s motives. From the outset, there’s a growing sense of unease—not just about the new neighbours, Gary and Beth, but also about Kay, the woman keeping an unusually close eye on them.

As president of the Homeowners’ Association, Kay takes her role as the neighbourhood watchdog very seriously—perhaps a little too seriously. She prides herself on being a friendly, helpful neighbour, but what she sees as kindness could just as easily be read as overbearing interference. She’s

convinced something is off about Gary and Beth, but is she picking up on genuine red flags, or is her imagination running wild? Her husband, Warren, mostly humours her suspicions to keep the peace, but Kay becomes increasingly determined to get to the truth.

Gary’s behaviour certainly raises suspicions—he’s domineering, often speaking for Beth and keeping a firm grip on their interactions—while Beth remains quiet and withdrawn, giving off ‘controlled wife’ vibes. Kay becomes convinced Beth is in danger, but as a reader, you’re left wondering whether Kay’s instincts are right or if she’s leaping to conclusions. Some of her assumptions had me cringing, but that only added to the intrigue.

The suspense builds well throughout, and just when I thought I had things figured out, an unexpected twist turned everything on its head! While some moments felt a little far-fetched, and the tone occasionally leaned towards a cosy mystery rather than a full-blown psychological thriller, I was thoroughly entertained.

Would I want Kay as my neighbour? Absolutely not.
But did I enjoy the story? Definitely!

[Elizabeth Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for an ARC of her latest book. It seems like Hinkens always manages to take me by surprise, and she does it again here. The main character, Kay, is not a particularly likable character. From the beginning, she reminded me of Mrs. Kravitz from Bewitched, peering out between the curtains of her front room (with binoculars!), spying on the neighbors. She jumps to conclusions, she’s self-important (president of the HOA rests like a crown upon her head), and she’s a busybody. Warren is her long-suffering husband who manages to pull her back down to earth when her imagination gets the best of her.

After losing her parents suddenly in a house fire, Kay and Warren invest the money in a house next door to them to use as a rental. Greg and Beth move in, and Kay finds them suspicious from the start. Warren assures her he checked on their references, but there’s reason to think he skipped over this crucial bit of due diligence. Greg is outwardly controlling of Beth, and Beth seems to be psychologically damaged (depressed, delusional, etc.). Kay immediately wants to rescue her from Gary, but then Beth disappears. She has allegedly been taken to a rehab facility for her drug addiction, but taking her away in the middle of the night has Kay’s radar going off. Warren keeps telling her that she shouldn’t get involved, but she can’t help herself.

I can’t say much about the story because I don’t want to ruin the surprise. I’ll simply say the ending is chock-full of unexpected twists and turns, and Kay turns out to be much more devious than I ever imagined. I found myself admiring her machinations. Once I got past how annoying she was, I had a grudging respect for her. I definitely recommend this book.