The Ladies Next Door

by Jacqui Singleton

Young Nathan Anzalone is excited when new neighbors move into the mansion next door. Awkward, sheltered and geeky, he holds out hope that the neighbors include a new friend with whom he can play. That was not to be, however. Diana Renoir and the formidable Cleo Damien have moved into the sleepy town of Silver River in hopes of finally being able to lead a "normal" life. When the gawky kid from next door is caught spying on them as they play by their pool, Cleo takes Nathan under her wing and all three lives are changed forever. In the midst of a murder mystery, Diana and Cleo find that life in the small town is anything but normal. Under Cleo's tutelage, Nathan sheds his awkwardness, the ladies discover a mortal enemy in the boy's cruel and neglectful father, Diana becomes the target of a madman, and the ladies next door learn that a colorful cast of characters can sometimes be found where you least expect it.

236 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Candace · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's very hard to know how to rate or review this book. I gave it two stars ("It was okay"), which is appropriate if the author is judged as an amateur writer. The characters were inconsistent cardboard cut-outs, the plot was both unbelievable and utterly predictable, factual details were so off that disbelief could not be suspended, and the book included both grammatical errors and inappropriate usage of words. (It was also not well edited.) So, judged on a professional level, it deserves, maybe, a half-star.

But if we consider it as the work of an amateur writer, it was more or less okay for a first, non-published outing.

[Mary]

Will recommend to book club