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Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard
Secrets surface, alliances crack, and the real puppeteer remains unseen.
When Savanna Casanova is allegedly declared dead during a trip to Mexico, her neighbors appear to mourn—all the while constructing alibis—but no one is completely innocent.
As days pass with two friends missing, another pronounced dead, and a husband on the run, a chilling question emerges: How well do you really know your neighbors? Are they the sweet old lady whose bake sale cakes win blue ribbons or a vigilante with a thirst for revenge? A collector of rare antiquities or a black market smuggler with a penchant for explosives?
In a dangerous revelation, Savanna, very much alive, takes her friends hostage, hell-bent on righting an intricate web of past wrongs. Her motives, however, are anything but straightforward.
As neighbors scramble to piece together the most mysterious of circumstances, each harboring a fragment of a dangerous puzzle that could destroy them all. Yet the darkest secret belongs to none other than Savanna—she didn’t fake her own death, because she isn’t the one pulling the strings.
Meanwhile, I lurk in the shadows, an elderly neighbor with my own agenda, gleefully watching and tampering with the timeline of events to come as blackmail and gossip thrusts the community into a lethal spiral of desperation.
One of us will take the fall for all of our collective sins. Consider this your warning: know thy neighbor—and "Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard".
When Savanna Casanova is allegedly declared dead during a trip to Mexico, her neighbors appear to mourn—all the while constructing alibis—but no one is completely innocent.
As days pass with two friends missing, another pronounced dead, and a husband on the run, a chilling question emerges: How well do you really know your neighbors? Are they the sweet old lady whose bake sale cakes win blue ribbons or a vigilante with a thirst for revenge? A collector of rare antiquities or a black market smuggler with a penchant for explosives?
In a dangerous revelation, Savanna, very much alive, takes her friends hostage, hell-bent on righting an intricate web of past wrongs. Her motives, however, are anything but straightforward.
As neighbors scramble to piece together the most mysterious of circumstances, each harboring a fragment of a dangerous puzzle that could destroy them all. Yet the darkest secret belongs to none other than Savanna—she didn’t fake her own death, because she isn’t the one pulling the strings.
Meanwhile, I lurk in the shadows, an elderly neighbor with my own agenda, gleefully watching and tampering with the timeline of events to come as blackmail and gossip thrusts the community into a lethal spiral of desperation.
One of us will take the fall for all of our collective sins. Consider this your warning: know thy neighbor—and "Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard".
204 pages, ebook
First published December 6, 2025
7 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin Ryan
7 books25 followersOnce upon a time, there was a military brat named Benjamin Ryan, who traveled the world and embraced every unique experience he encountered. Being the new kid in town wasn’t always easy, and as he struggled with weight issues, he also had to deal with the hardships of teasing, male friendship, and acceptance. But, he was determined to find his place in the world and used his love for writing to create adventures that would transport him to a different world, where he could see things from a new perspective.
Through his writing, Benjamin Ryan discovered his authentic self and found a way to inspire others. Armed with degrees in Art History, Education and World Religions, he became a New York City public Special Ed teacher, where he uses whimsy, creativity, and acceptance to inspire the youth of tomorrow. And thus, Benjamin Ryan was born—an author that embraces the power of storytelling to inspire and create change. With a deep understanding of the struggles that come with being different, Benjamin Ryan creates content that speaks to the heart and soul of their audience. He is active on twitter in the writing community (@BRClothwrites), hosting writing prompts, engaging with life’s unique perspectives, and inspiring others to create their truths.
Through his writing, Benjamin Ryan discovered his authentic self and found a way to inspire others. Armed with degrees in Art History, Education and World Religions, he became a New York City public Special Ed teacher, where he uses whimsy, creativity, and acceptance to inspire the youth of tomorrow. And thus, Benjamin Ryan was born—an author that embraces the power of storytelling to inspire and create change. With a deep understanding of the struggles that come with being different, Benjamin Ryan creates content that speaks to the heart and soul of their audience. He is active on twitter in the writing community (@BRClothwrites), hosting writing prompts, engaging with life’s unique perspectives, and inspiring others to create their truths.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 6, 2025
A thriller filled with surprises and unexpected happenings. If you liked the show Revenge I think you’ll enjoy this story. I definitely get that vibe from it. Cool narration, excellent world building and expect the unexpected! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 15, 2025
Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard Review
Nothing is what it seems on Midlothian Boulevard. It has the feel of “Desperate Housewives” meets ABC’s “Revenge.” The narrator immerses you in neighborhood gossip surrounding the murder of one of its residents. But that isn’t the only thing plaguing this suburban street as every deceptive turn comes with a life lesson and a growing pool of suspects for who could have murdered Savanna Casanova. But that’s just a catalyst for the mess that’s about to descend on her closest friends.
Benjamin Ryan weaves a complex web of lies, crime, and revenge while diving deep into the hidden agendas of his vivid characters.
This story allows you to see through the eyes of the nosey neighbor, the one who notices everything and meddles where they don’t belong. But that meddling has a purpose and it’s one that keeps you guessing until the end.
Nothing is what it seems on Midlothian Boulevard. It has the feel of “Desperate Housewives” meets ABC’s “Revenge.” The narrator immerses you in neighborhood gossip surrounding the murder of one of its residents. But that isn’t the only thing plaguing this suburban street as every deceptive turn comes with a life lesson and a growing pool of suspects for who could have murdered Savanna Casanova. But that’s just a catalyst for the mess that’s about to descend on her closest friends.
Benjamin Ryan weaves a complex web of lies, crime, and revenge while diving deep into the hidden agendas of his vivid characters.
This story allows you to see through the eyes of the nosey neighbor, the one who notices everything and meddles where they don’t belong. But that meddling has a purpose and it’s one that keeps you guessing until the end.
December 14, 2025
When Savanna is murdered on vacation in Mexico (while attending a party no less), the search is on for the culprit. But nothing is that simple for the residents of Midlothian Boulevard where everyone has a secret to hide. And oh so many of these secrets are life-and-death.
If you loved the drama and humor of Why Women Kill, you'll find a similar vibe in this fast paced story.
Ryan's greatest talent may be his ability to weave together complex plots and a host of characters each with their own agenda. No one on Midlothian is as they first appear.
If you loved the drama and humor of Why Women Kill, you'll find a similar vibe in this fast paced story.
Ryan's greatest talent may be his ability to weave together complex plots and a host of characters each with their own agenda. No one on Midlothian is as they first appear.
November 11, 2025
This crime thriller breaks all the rules and comes up smiling with twists and turns in every chapter. Who knew that a street full of characters that are typical suburbanites could be so interesting. Looking forward to the next book by this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 4, 2025
Another thrilling mystery from Benjamin Ryan!
As a Desperate Housewives fan, I absolutely read the narration of this in that voice and style, which made it extra fun. I loved the mysterious narrator angle, and that alone would have kept me turning pages, but Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard is also packed with juicy gossip, unexpected twists, and revenge plots, all of which I’m totally here for.
Thanks to Conquest Publishing and Story Origin for the ARC.
As a Desperate Housewives fan, I absolutely read the narration of this in that voice and style, which made it extra fun. I loved the mysterious narrator angle, and that alone would have kept me turning pages, but Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard is also packed with juicy gossip, unexpected twists, and revenge plots, all of which I’m totally here for.
Thanks to Conquest Publishing and Story Origin for the ARC.
November 1, 2025
Surprises can come in all shapes and sizes -- Speaks the narrator.
This book is one surprise after another. Though there are many characters none are stereotypes and all these neighbors have surprising secrets. With every page I turned I was sure to be either shocked, dumbfounded or mildly aghast at what unfolded in the quiet cul-de-sac.
A fun weekend read that ranges from profound to simply entertaining. Vivid descriptions make the characters and settings seem very real. A feast for the imagination.
This book is one surprise after another. Though there are many characters none are stereotypes and all these neighbors have surprising secrets. With every page I turned I was sure to be either shocked, dumbfounded or mildly aghast at what unfolded in the quiet cul-de-sac.
A fun weekend read that ranges from profound to simply entertaining. Vivid descriptions make the characters and settings seem very real. A feast for the imagination.
October 29, 2025
I really enjoyed this as a crime thriller, it was everything that I was wanting and enjoyed figuring out what was going on and figuring out the whodunnit. The characters were so well written and thought they worked well in this universe and wanted to figure out what was happening to Savanna. Benjamin Ryan has a strong writing style and was wanting to read more from the author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 14, 2025
My review of
Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard
by Benjamin Ryan
Many novelists have taken up the very formidable challenge of writing mysteries that have the potential to feel not quite like anything a reader might have read before. And many novelists have failed.
Why? Primarily it's because so many excellent mystery stories have been told, and there comes a point where misdirection, elaborate plot twists, unreliable narrators, and predictably unpredictable characters fall prey to the hazards of the genre and reader expectations.
After all, readers can only be kept in a state of wonder for so long, and readers well-versed in the genre may have little patience for an overabundance of false leads and much-ado-about-nothing distractions that merely exist to keep the reader from guessing "who did it" and why.
I must congratulate Benjamin Ryan in his clever avoidance of the many pitfalls mystery writing poses even to the most skilled crafters of mysteries. Benjamin succeeds and excels as a storyteller in Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard, a compelling mystery full of substance by way of meaningful details and plot-twists that both serve the setup of the mystery and make delayed revelations worth anticipation.
Like most mysteries, Benjamin's story begins with word of someone gone. In this particular mystery, that someone is Savanna Casanova, who we're told met with a most unfortunate fate in Mexico. Mystery readers know what comes next: the questions, the cataloging of minor and major "facts" and details which may or may not point to persons, actions, motives, consequences, and so on.
Benjamin's debut novel, Madame Eldridge's Wayward Home for Unruly Boys, which I also had the honor of reviewing in 2023, proved to me he has a natural knack for weaving a story where every character, setting and nearly every described object or detail possesses significance. His capacity for populating and managing a complicated narrative with individuals, subplots, and elements collectively contributing to the novel and its ultimate disclosures is completely present, if not more intensely so.
Midlothian Boulevard's setting of an affluent neighborhood full of curious characters and steamy secrets establishes an unshakeable aura of uncertainty and tension that especially suits a story where we are expected to wonder and meant to care about characters and how things may play out for them.
Character emotions inform us somewhat along the way, but we are right to question them and their community when death brings them together while simultaneously threatening to tear down the curtains of suburbia to unveil darker truths at play behind windows and well-manicured facades of affluence.
Gossip, romances, rumors, manipulation, and unexpected consequences fuel the intrigue and move the story forward steadily, into and through the shadow play, and out toward the surprising light of truth, as all excellent mysteries are remembered for having done in such memorable ways. We witness this through the interplay of Benjamin's captivating cast of characters.
Lydia, Nina, Tom, and Sheri become friends through HOA meetings and their "mutual affiliation" with Savanna. Another character, Olivia, is also part of that circle of friends, though she lives outside of Midlothian Boulevard. Savanna disappearing strains their friendship with grief, and they struggle individually and together to come to terms with the grave situation.
The exploration of their relationships and personal lives becomes the window through which we see Midlothian Boulevard is a community not at all immune to dysfunctional tendencies, dark secrets, and outright dangers.
The gradual testing of those friendships offers us chances to learn how these people think and feel and cope in the midst of chaos and possible betrayals. We get to see them more clearly as each page leads us past hints, deceptions, and suspicions toward the very answers we readers need.
What really happened to Savanna? And why? I won't say here, of course, but, by the last page, let's just say we are left with more than a few sobering realizations to sort through and compare with our own world.
The fine and precarious web of connective threads of the Midlothian community glisten eerily in the daylight of the reader's awareness, even as those strands may also remind us how interconnected the lives of strangers and neighbors and friends can quickly become--and inextricably so--when calamities descend like famished spiders bent on collecting those who have become ensnared in their nearly inescapable networks of silky allure.
Book rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR ALL MYSTERY AND FICTION LOVERS.
Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard
by Benjamin Ryan
Many novelists have taken up the very formidable challenge of writing mysteries that have the potential to feel not quite like anything a reader might have read before. And many novelists have failed.
Why? Primarily it's because so many excellent mystery stories have been told, and there comes a point where misdirection, elaborate plot twists, unreliable narrators, and predictably unpredictable characters fall prey to the hazards of the genre and reader expectations.
After all, readers can only be kept in a state of wonder for so long, and readers well-versed in the genre may have little patience for an overabundance of false leads and much-ado-about-nothing distractions that merely exist to keep the reader from guessing "who did it" and why.
I must congratulate Benjamin Ryan in his clever avoidance of the many pitfalls mystery writing poses even to the most skilled crafters of mysteries. Benjamin succeeds and excels as a storyteller in Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard, a compelling mystery full of substance by way of meaningful details and plot-twists that both serve the setup of the mystery and make delayed revelations worth anticipation.
Like most mysteries, Benjamin's story begins with word of someone gone. In this particular mystery, that someone is Savanna Casanova, who we're told met with a most unfortunate fate in Mexico. Mystery readers know what comes next: the questions, the cataloging of minor and major "facts" and details which may or may not point to persons, actions, motives, consequences, and so on.
Benjamin's debut novel, Madame Eldridge's Wayward Home for Unruly Boys, which I also had the honor of reviewing in 2023, proved to me he has a natural knack for weaving a story where every character, setting and nearly every described object or detail possesses significance. His capacity for populating and managing a complicated narrative with individuals, subplots, and elements collectively contributing to the novel and its ultimate disclosures is completely present, if not more intensely so.
Midlothian Boulevard's setting of an affluent neighborhood full of curious characters and steamy secrets establishes an unshakeable aura of uncertainty and tension that especially suits a story where we are expected to wonder and meant to care about characters and how things may play out for them.
Character emotions inform us somewhat along the way, but we are right to question them and their community when death brings them together while simultaneously threatening to tear down the curtains of suburbia to unveil darker truths at play behind windows and well-manicured facades of affluence.
Gossip, romances, rumors, manipulation, and unexpected consequences fuel the intrigue and move the story forward steadily, into and through the shadow play, and out toward the surprising light of truth, as all excellent mysteries are remembered for having done in such memorable ways. We witness this through the interplay of Benjamin's captivating cast of characters.
Lydia, Nina, Tom, and Sheri become friends through HOA meetings and their "mutual affiliation" with Savanna. Another character, Olivia, is also part of that circle of friends, though she lives outside of Midlothian Boulevard. Savanna disappearing strains their friendship with grief, and they struggle individually and together to come to terms with the grave situation.
The exploration of their relationships and personal lives becomes the window through which we see Midlothian Boulevard is a community not at all immune to dysfunctional tendencies, dark secrets, and outright dangers.
The gradual testing of those friendships offers us chances to learn how these people think and feel and cope in the midst of chaos and possible betrayals. We get to see them more clearly as each page leads us past hints, deceptions, and suspicions toward the very answers we readers need.
What really happened to Savanna? And why? I won't say here, of course, but, by the last page, let's just say we are left with more than a few sobering realizations to sort through and compare with our own world.
The fine and precarious web of connective threads of the Midlothian community glisten eerily in the daylight of the reader's awareness, even as those strands may also remind us how interconnected the lives of strangers and neighbors and friends can quickly become--and inextricably so--when calamities descend like famished spiders bent on collecting those who have become ensnared in their nearly inescapable networks of silky allure.
Book rating: 5 OUT OF 5 STARS.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR ALL MYSTERY AND FICTION LOVERS.
December 23, 2025
Having read Ryan's previous book I was excited to get my hands on this one. While Madame Eldridge was endearing and mysterious geared toward children, this is dark and sinister certainly geared toward the Desperate Housewives crowd.
I liked the gossipy elderly unreliable narrator frame that the book begins with as we all seem to know the type of person that always has their nose in someone else's business. The kicker here is that instead of putting your trash on your neighbors property line, your neighbor is faking her death in Mexico.
Prose wise we have a bit of a mixed bag. There were times where you can tell Ryan spent extra time making the turn-of-phrase just right, and harkening back to key themes, and other times where the flow and cadence became almost distractingly wooden, as though some sections simply missed the editing phase. These were few enough that the story flowed without much issue.
While the ambition is certainly admirable, I felt the execution ultimately undermined the potential story. I got a lot of Lane Moriarty and Frieda McFadden vibes, and to be honest, their books are less ambitious than what Ryan tries to pull off here. The most jolting issue that I simply could not get over is the inconsistent perspective from first person to omniscient 3rd person. I understand the reason for this, but for sake of maintaining the delicious suspense and eavesdropping nature that hooks the reader, Ryan gives up that foundational trust with the reader and piece-meals key details the narrator can't have known destroying that unique voyeuristic lens.
The other major trouble is the expansion from what begins as an intimate domestic thriller which balloons into a sprawling conspiracy replete with arms dealers, mafia ties, redacted American history, smuggling, multi-national intelligence operations and political corruption. These items aren't bad in and of themselves, but it felt like a man who got a great deal on a Sherman tank, and just needed to fit it in the garage. As soon as you think you have turned a corner we get the "But wait there's more" and you are forced to really suspend belief beyond what the initial pull of the novel insinuated. As a result, many of the twists rely on withheld information rather that organically seeded details making the revelations feel contrived rather than earned.
In summation, this feels to me like a great 2nd or 3rd draft that is brimming with potential, but too many bold ideas to fit into a cohesive suburbia/mystery/thriller. I truly respect the effort as I know first hand the difficulty it is to weave so many threads together. I know the vast majority will disagree, and many simply wish to ride the rollercoaster without having to earn their enjoyment. There are the seeds of Agatha Christie here, but unfortunately I felt that the execution could not deliver on the sheer audacity of the scope.
I liked the gossipy elderly unreliable narrator frame that the book begins with as we all seem to know the type of person that always has their nose in someone else's business. The kicker here is that instead of putting your trash on your neighbors property line, your neighbor is faking her death in Mexico.
Prose wise we have a bit of a mixed bag. There were times where you can tell Ryan spent extra time making the turn-of-phrase just right, and harkening back to key themes, and other times where the flow and cadence became almost distractingly wooden, as though some sections simply missed the editing phase. These were few enough that the story flowed without much issue.
While the ambition is certainly admirable, I felt the execution ultimately undermined the potential story. I got a lot of Lane Moriarty and Frieda McFadden vibes, and to be honest, their books are less ambitious than what Ryan tries to pull off here. The most jolting issue that I simply could not get over is the inconsistent perspective from first person to omniscient 3rd person. I understand the reason for this, but for sake of maintaining the delicious suspense and eavesdropping nature that hooks the reader, Ryan gives up that foundational trust with the reader and piece-meals key details the narrator can't have known destroying that unique voyeuristic lens.
The other major trouble is the expansion from what begins as an intimate domestic thriller which balloons into a sprawling conspiracy replete with arms dealers, mafia ties, redacted American history, smuggling, multi-national intelligence operations and political corruption. These items aren't bad in and of themselves, but it felt like a man who got a great deal on a Sherman tank, and just needed to fit it in the garage. As soon as you think you have turned a corner we get the "But wait there's more" and you are forced to really suspend belief beyond what the initial pull of the novel insinuated. As a result, many of the twists rely on withheld information rather that organically seeded details making the revelations feel contrived rather than earned.
In summation, this feels to me like a great 2nd or 3rd draft that is brimming with potential, but too many bold ideas to fit into a cohesive suburbia/mystery/thriller. I truly respect the effort as I know first hand the difficulty it is to weave so many threads together. I know the vast majority will disagree, and many simply wish to ride the rollercoaster without having to earn their enjoyment. There are the seeds of Agatha Christie here, but unfortunately I felt that the execution could not deliver on the sheer audacity of the scope.
October 16, 2025
Ryan has delivered a masterclass in modern thriller writing—a novel that demands to be read, re-read, and talked about. This is not just a book; it’s a full-blown obsession waiting to happen.
Think Desperate Housewives meets Gone Girl, with riveting chapter themes such as time, karma, justice, friendship, and consequences. It’s deliciously scandalous, wickedly clever, and dangerously addictive.
At the heart of it all is Savanna Casanova, whose mysterious death on a getaway in Mexico rips the mask off a seemingly perfect suburban American enclave. What follows is a domino effect of secrets, lies, and betrayals that shakes Midlothian Boulevard to its manicured core.
Told through the lens of an enigmatic, sharp-eyed narrator, the novel spirals into a twisted web of deceit where every neighbor is a suspect, and every friendship hides a blade.
Every. Page. Drips. With. Juicy. Shattering. Drama.
Whispered confessions. Veiled threats. Social niceties weaponized like knives. The suspense doesn’t just simmer—it sizzles, crackling with slow-burn tension that keeps your pulse pounding and your mind spiraling.
Ryan’s prose is razor-sharp, laced with psychological insight and dripping with atmosphere. The characters feel disturbingly real—flawed, masked, and utterly fascinating. This isn’t just a whodunit. It’s a study in the dark art of suburban deception.
Deceit. Blackmail. Revenge. Not just plot twists, these are the veins through which this novel pulses.
With the finesse of a literary craftsman and the intrigue of a seasoned storyteller, Ryan doesn’t just write a thriller. He builds a world where appearances deceive, and trust is the most dangerous illusion of all.
Verdict: ★★★★★ / 5 stars
Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard is suburban suspense at its finest...seductive, sinister, and impossible to put down. Clear your schedule. You’ll be reading all night and gasping until dawn.
Think Desperate Housewives meets Gone Girl, with riveting chapter themes such as time, karma, justice, friendship, and consequences. It’s deliciously scandalous, wickedly clever, and dangerously addictive.
At the heart of it all is Savanna Casanova, whose mysterious death on a getaway in Mexico rips the mask off a seemingly perfect suburban American enclave. What follows is a domino effect of secrets, lies, and betrayals that shakes Midlothian Boulevard to its manicured core.
Told through the lens of an enigmatic, sharp-eyed narrator, the novel spirals into a twisted web of deceit where every neighbor is a suspect, and every friendship hides a blade.
Every. Page. Drips. With. Juicy. Shattering. Drama.
Whispered confessions. Veiled threats. Social niceties weaponized like knives. The suspense doesn’t just simmer—it sizzles, crackling with slow-burn tension that keeps your pulse pounding and your mind spiraling.
Ryan’s prose is razor-sharp, laced with psychological insight and dripping with atmosphere. The characters feel disturbingly real—flawed, masked, and utterly fascinating. This isn’t just a whodunit. It’s a study in the dark art of suburban deception.
Deceit. Blackmail. Revenge. Not just plot twists, these are the veins through which this novel pulses.
With the finesse of a literary craftsman and the intrigue of a seasoned storyteller, Ryan doesn’t just write a thriller. He builds a world where appearances deceive, and trust is the most dangerous illusion of all.
Verdict: ★★★★★ / 5 stars
Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard is suburban suspense at its finest...seductive, sinister, and impossible to put down. Clear your schedule. You’ll be reading all night and gasping until dawn.
October 20, 2025
"A deliciously dark romp through suburbia’s shiny facade!"
If Desperate Housewives, Big Little Lies, and Wisteria Lane had a scandalous love child, it would be Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard. Benjamin Ryan’s debut is a wickedly clever peek behind the manicured hedges and HOA-approved smiles of a neighborhood where everyone has something to hide—and one very nosy narrator knows all their secrets.
From the very first line (“If you should ever brag that you’re on your way to Mexico with your spouse and deranged mother…”), I knew I was in for something deliciously twisted. What starts as a neighbor’s gossip about a murder quickly turns into a tightly woven web of deceit, infidelity, friendship, and vengeance.
Every chapter feels like eavesdropping on someone’s most shameful confession—equal parts thrilling and hilariously uncomfortable.
The characters—Sheri, Olivia, Nina, Lydia, and of course, our delightfully manipulative narrator—are vivid, flawed, and frighteningly familiar. You’ll laugh, gasp, and cringe as they spiral deeper into their own lies. And just when you think you’ve figured out who’s pulling the strings, another shocking twist reminds you: no one on Midlothian Boulevard is innocent.
This isn’t just a suburban soap—it’s a sharply written social commentary dressed in gossip and glitter. A total page-turner, full of scandal, sass, and surprisingly poignant insights about time, karma, and the masks we wear.
Highly recommend if you love juicy neighborhood drama.
If Desperate Housewives, Big Little Lies, and Wisteria Lane had a scandalous love child, it would be Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard. Benjamin Ryan’s debut is a wickedly clever peek behind the manicured hedges and HOA-approved smiles of a neighborhood where everyone has something to hide—and one very nosy narrator knows all their secrets.
From the very first line (“If you should ever brag that you’re on your way to Mexico with your spouse and deranged mother…”), I knew I was in for something deliciously twisted. What starts as a neighbor’s gossip about a murder quickly turns into a tightly woven web of deceit, infidelity, friendship, and vengeance.
Every chapter feels like eavesdropping on someone’s most shameful confession—equal parts thrilling and hilariously uncomfortable.
The characters—Sheri, Olivia, Nina, Lydia, and of course, our delightfully manipulative narrator—are vivid, flawed, and frighteningly familiar. You’ll laugh, gasp, and cringe as they spiral deeper into their own lies. And just when you think you’ve figured out who’s pulling the strings, another shocking twist reminds you: no one on Midlothian Boulevard is innocent.
This isn’t just a suburban soap—it’s a sharply written social commentary dressed in gossip and glitter. A total page-turner, full of scandal, sass, and surprisingly poignant insights about time, karma, and the masks we wear.
Highly recommend if you love juicy neighborhood drama.
November 26, 2025
Benjamin Ryan takes the glossy perfection of an upper-middle-class suburb and peels it back to reveal the rot underneath — very Desperate Housewives, but with a darker, more deliberate edge.
The story opens in the pristine world of Midlothian Boulevard, where the lawns are immaculate and the secrets are plentiful. When neighbour Savanna Casanova dies, the façade cracks, and the neighbourhood’s carefully curated harmony collapses almost instantly.
Our narrator — a quietly meddlesome observer with a talent for noticing everything — guides us through the unraveling. Watching from the sidelines while nudging events from the shadows, they reveal a community built on lies, quiet rivalries, and buried truths.
The book truly takes off halfway through, when the scattered clues lock into place and the story shifts into a far more gripping gear. What begins as suburban intrigue quickly becomes a layered exploration of deception, crime, and the consequences of pretending everything is fine.
If you enjoy polished neighbourhoods hiding unpolished people, this is a captivating, twisty read that keeps its best surprises for when you least expect them.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story opens in the pristine world of Midlothian Boulevard, where the lawns are immaculate and the secrets are plentiful. When neighbour Savanna Casanova dies, the façade cracks, and the neighbourhood’s carefully curated harmony collapses almost instantly.
Our narrator — a quietly meddlesome observer with a talent for noticing everything — guides us through the unraveling. Watching from the sidelines while nudging events from the shadows, they reveal a community built on lies, quiet rivalries, and buried truths.
The book truly takes off halfway through, when the scattered clues lock into place and the story shifts into a far more gripping gear. What begins as suburban intrigue quickly becomes a layered exploration of deception, crime, and the consequences of pretending everything is fine.
If you enjoy polished neighbourhoods hiding unpolished people, this is a captivating, twisty read that keeps its best surprises for when you least expect them.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 6, 2025
3.75 stars
Desperate Housewives meets twisted thriller in this strange novel about dysfunctional neighbours on Midlothian Boulevard. At first I thought this book was really just about unhappy wives, possible affairs, nosy neighbours and sordid secrets. But it turns out all of that was a smokescreen to the larger story happening concurrently. Nothing is random and everyone is hiding something.
I will admit that it took me a while to settle into the story; there were a lot of different characters and intertwined relationships that I was having a difficult time keeping everything straight. But once the real crux of everything started happening and balls started rolling it was easier to keep track of who was doing what to whom and why. The myriad disparate ribbons of plot began to coalesce in a satisfying way towards the end of the book and I was finally able to see where everything had come from and was headed towards.
Thanks to Booksirens, author Benjamin Ryan, and Conquest Publishing for granting me access to a free digital ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.
Desperate Housewives meets twisted thriller in this strange novel about dysfunctional neighbours on Midlothian Boulevard. At first I thought this book was really just about unhappy wives, possible affairs, nosy neighbours and sordid secrets. But it turns out all of that was a smokescreen to the larger story happening concurrently. Nothing is random and everyone is hiding something.
I will admit that it took me a while to settle into the story; there were a lot of different characters and intertwined relationships that I was having a difficult time keeping everything straight. But once the real crux of everything started happening and balls started rolling it was easier to keep track of who was doing what to whom and why. The myriad disparate ribbons of plot began to coalesce in a satisfying way towards the end of the book and I was finally able to see where everything had come from and was headed towards.
Thanks to Booksirens, author Benjamin Ryan, and Conquest Publishing for granting me access to a free digital ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.
October 15, 2025
If you die, you don’t die only once!
If you’re a fan of Desperate Housewives, Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard is an absolute must-read, and even if you’re not, this book will grab you from the very first page. Far beyond domestic gossips. Benjamin Ryan masterfully combines secrets with escapes, travels with actions in a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
What sets this book apart - every chapter opens with a gripping intro, like lifting the curtain before a theatrical performance, inviting you into the drama while teasing the secrets to come. The story has the perfect balance of hidden truths with a level of intrigue and “security-level” secrets that elevate it even further.
This book deserves more than just reading, it deserves to be on the screen. It has the intensity, the drama, and the twists to rival the best TV shows. Benjamin Ryan knows exactly how to capture attention, and Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard is a shining example of storytelling at its finest.
If you’re a fan of Desperate Housewives, Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard is an absolute must-read, and even if you’re not, this book will grab you from the very first page. Far beyond domestic gossips. Benjamin Ryan masterfully combines secrets with escapes, travels with actions in a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
What sets this book apart - every chapter opens with a gripping intro, like lifting the curtain before a theatrical performance, inviting you into the drama while teasing the secrets to come. The story has the perfect balance of hidden truths with a level of intrigue and “security-level” secrets that elevate it even further.
This book deserves more than just reading, it deserves to be on the screen. It has the intensity, the drama, and the twists to rival the best TV shows. Benjamin Ryan knows exactly how to capture attention, and Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard is a shining example of storytelling at its finest.
November 20, 2025
Benjamin Ryan's Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard is markedly different from what it shows on the cover. When I picked this ARC on BookSirens, it appeared to me to be a historical fiction novel set at least 100 years ago. On the contrary, it is as contemporary as it can get.
The narration style is new and refreshing. The angle of the portrayal puts the reader in a different seating position, so to speak, and the account feels more up close and personal than it would in traditional novels. This book earns that extra star just for its new storytelling approach, and readers and students of the language should want to pick it up for this experience alone.
This book might be perfect for students of anthropology, those studying social science, and those who love their hood and want to get to know everyone who lives there and learn what makes them tick. Also, armchair sleuths and desktop warriors, lol!
The narration style is new and refreshing. The angle of the portrayal puts the reader in a different seating position, so to speak, and the account feels more up close and personal than it would in traditional novels. This book earns that extra star just for its new storytelling approach, and readers and students of the language should want to pick it up for this experience alone.
This book might be perfect for students of anthropology, those studying social science, and those who love their hood and want to get to know everyone who lives there and learn what makes them tick. Also, armchair sleuths and desktop warriors, lol!
October 27, 2025
What could be wrong with a life set in suburbia? Just boring right?
Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard is one of those quietly unsettling novels that draws you in with the promise of small-town normality before tugging at the edges until everything starts to fray.
Benjamin Ryan writes with a sharp, observant wit - there’s a touch of dark humour & surrealness that keeps the unease from tipping into bleakness, but you’re never entirely comfortable, either. It’s a deft exploration of the strange undercurrents that run beneath the surface of everyday life.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I found it thought-provoking, disquieting, and oddly enjoyable - the sort of book that leaves you mulling over its shadows long after you’ve finished. You certainly will be looking at your neighbours with different eyes….
Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard is one of those quietly unsettling novels that draws you in with the promise of small-town normality before tugging at the edges until everything starts to fray.
Benjamin Ryan writes with a sharp, observant wit - there’s a touch of dark humour & surrealness that keeps the unease from tipping into bleakness, but you’re never entirely comfortable, either. It’s a deft exploration of the strange undercurrents that run beneath the surface of everyday life.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I found it thought-provoking, disquieting, and oddly enjoyable - the sort of book that leaves you mulling over its shadows long after you’ve finished. You certainly will be looking at your neighbours with different eyes….
December 10, 2025
Imagine if Ellery Queen and Jessica Fletcher teamed up to tell of a shared adventure, but you weren't sure which side they were on - or if they were even on the same side. Benjamin Ryan's Midlothian Boulevard is written with so many intriguing twists and turns that I finally gave up trying to predict and decided to simply enjoy the ride with the ladies and gentleman who reside on Midlothian Boulevard. The way Mr. Ryan paints pictures and crafts journeys with his words helped me to break the 21st century need for instant plot satisfaction and just sit back and relish good, old-fashioned storytelling. I strongly recommend that you hop on - and hold on - as he takes you along on this adventure!
November 12, 2025
As many have said, this book does give Desperate Housewives vibes with a mix of mystery. I enjoyed the behind the scenes drama between some of the other wives within Midlothian Blvd all while still focusing on the main plot of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 11, 2025
So twisty
Firstly, what a fun point of view! I love the unique storytelling style and endless intriguing twists. A great read that checks all the boxes
Firstly, what a fun point of view! I love the unique storytelling style and endless intriguing twists. A great read that checks all the boxes
December 28, 2025
This to me is a unique story. I could not guess what would happen next, so kept turning the pages. The evil gossip was leading to something.
December 5, 2025
Throw in some Desperate Housewives, sprinkle in some Gone Girl, a dash of Revenge and a pinch of Murder, She Wrote and you've got the perfect recipe for Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard.
Set in an upscale enclave, this tale tells the story of what goes on behind closed doors of a neighborhood full of seemingly picture perfect families. When someone gets murdered the facades start to drop and people you think are your friends just might not be...
An engaging book that's pretty hard to put down, Benjamin Ryan masterfully takes a who-dunnit and turns it into something else entirely- lots of who? what? wait, seriously? and makes a compelling story.
Set in an upscale enclave, this tale tells the story of what goes on behind closed doors of a neighborhood full of seemingly picture perfect families. When someone gets murdered the facades start to drop and people you think are your friends just might not be...
An engaging book that's pretty hard to put down, Benjamin Ryan masterfully takes a who-dunnit and turns it into something else entirely- lots of who? what? wait, seriously? and makes a compelling story.
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