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Safer
In Safer, a young couple moves into an idyllic little cul-de- sac—and ignites a harrowing journey into darkness as a shocking accusation is made, a family is shattered, and the mystery of a long-ago crime begins to unravel.
For Paul Callaway and his wife, Sara, moving from the East Coast to a quiet midwestern town was a major adjustment. But right from the start, Paul has tried to fit in. He’s played golf with the guys. He’s even joined the Neighborhood Patrol, grabbing a flashlight and a walkie-talkie to make these neatly tended streets even safer. Then Paul makes one mistake—and now they want him gone. But nothing could have prepared Paul and Sara for the quarrel that has erupted between Paul and a neighbor—the self-appointed leader of the Neighborhood Patrol. Or for the next outrage, as police arrest Paul for a sordid crime he didn’t commit. Suddenly Paul’s life, university career, and marriage are at risk, as he finds himself locked in a desperate fight with an angry man, a dark conspiracy, and a secret that began with a child’s disappearance ten years before.
For Paul Callaway and his wife, Sara, moving from the East Coast to a quiet midwestern town was a major adjustment. But right from the start, Paul has tried to fit in. He’s played golf with the guys. He’s even joined the Neighborhood Patrol, grabbing a flashlight and a walkie-talkie to make these neatly tended streets even safer. Then Paul makes one mistake—and now they want him gone. But nothing could have prepared Paul and Sara for the quarrel that has erupted between Paul and a neighbor—the self-appointed leader of the Neighborhood Patrol. Or for the next outrage, as police arrest Paul for a sordid crime he didn’t commit. Suddenly Paul’s life, university career, and marriage are at risk, as he finds himself locked in a desperate fight with an angry man, a dark conspiracy, and a secret that began with a child’s disappearance ten years before.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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670 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
April 2, 2014
I stumbled across SAFER while looking for another book online- and the bright snazzy cover jumped out at me- after reading the synopsis I completely forgot about the one I was looking for, bought this one and dived right in. I had never heard of the author and not many people on my friends list had read it- so I wasn't sure if it was going to be money well spent or not. It was!
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Paul Callaway and his wife -Sarah- move from Boston to Ponca Heights in the sleepy little college town of Clark Falls, Iowa. On their first night- a burglar breaks into their new home and tries to attack Sara- but is scared off when Paul enters the scene.
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That a crime would occur at all in this "safe" town is unusual. But the fact that the break-in happened under the careful watch of their neighbor -Roger Mallory- a retired police officer and head of Ponca Heights neighborhood patrol is puzzling to say the least.
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The break-in is only the beginning of Paul's troubles- when a few months later he and Sarah's world spirals out of control. Paul is accused of a crime- and must clear his name before time runs out.
It is the private quandary of all untested men- How would I handle a wolf at the door?
How well do you know your neighbors?
How trustworthy are the people who have sworn to protect you?
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...and how much SAFER are you really- when you move away from the big bad city to the shelter of a small community?
SAFER by Sean Doolittle sucked me in from the very beginning. I always love story lines that have an "every-man" main character scrambling around to save himself or protect his family- and I will definitely be searching out other books by this author in the future!
Paul Callaway and his wife -Sarah- move from Boston to Ponca Heights in the sleepy little college town of Clark Falls, Iowa. On their first night- a burglar breaks into their new home and tries to attack Sara- but is scared off when Paul enters the scene.
That a crime would occur at all in this "safe" town is unusual. But the fact that the break-in happened under the careful watch of their neighbor -Roger Mallory- a retired police officer and head of Ponca Heights neighborhood patrol is puzzling to say the least.
The break-in is only the beginning of Paul's troubles- when a few months later he and Sarah's world spirals out of control. Paul is accused of a crime- and must clear his name before time runs out.
It is the private quandary of all untested men- How would I handle a wolf at the door?
How well do you know your neighbors?
How trustworthy are the people who have sworn to protect you?
...and how much SAFER are you really- when you move away from the big bad city to the shelter of a small community?
SAFER by Sean Doolittle sucked me in from the very beginning. I always love story lines that have an "every-man" main character scrambling around to save himself or protect his family- and I will definitely be searching out other books by this author in the future!
May 22, 2019
Sean Doolittle is, for me, a new author, but if this piece is indicative of his work, I foresee a long relationship in our future.
Safer is set in stereotypic suburbia, where all the neighbors know one another, where one’s personal business is suddenly EVERYONE’S business, and where safety is a dangerous illusion.
When Paul and Sara relocate from Boston to Clark Falls, Iowa for Sara’s job, their initial impressions are positive...unless, of course, you count the intruder who broke in and attempted to sexually assault Sara the first night in their new home. Not exactly the Welcome Wagon they had anticipated. The immediate neighbors, however, rally around the couple, led by Roger, a retired police officer. Roger’s past is fraught with horror, as his son was brutally murdered, after which his wife took her own life. In response, Roger has made it his mission to ensure the safety of those around him—at whatever cost necessary. Paul tries to make the best of the neighborly relationship, though it isn’t long before he begins to question Roger’s motives. As Paul pushes back against Roger’s intrusions, his own life begins to unravel at the seams. How much is coincidence? How far will Roger go to maintain the sanctity of his inner circle? And how far will Paul go to keep from drowning in Roger’s wake? Secrets, lies and betrayal all have starring roles, and the curtain of suburban bliss is pulled back to reveal what lies at the heart of Clark Falls.
There are many positive aspects of this novel, not the least of which is the superb dialogue. It is gritty and wholly believable, used sparingly for effect, and incredibly insightful. In addition to the brilliant conversation, Doolittle utilizes a plethora of literary references. From Bronte to Nabokov, the allusions are rich and varied, allowing for a sense of intimacy between the reader and the story.
The only seeming hiccup in this novel was one of racial stereotypes. From the socioeconomic commentary that supported the geography of prejudice, to the use of a black man as the “villain”, this treatment of race was at once distasteful and unnecessary. Whilst it may be my own heightened sensitivity to contemporary racism that caused such a negative reaction, it is still worth mentioning.
All in all, and in spite of the negative, this is a must-read novel that will make the reader wonder exactly what is going on behind their own neighbor’s closed doors. Definitely recommended.
Safer is set in stereotypic suburbia, where all the neighbors know one another, where one’s personal business is suddenly EVERYONE’S business, and where safety is a dangerous illusion.
When Paul and Sara relocate from Boston to Clark Falls, Iowa for Sara’s job, their initial impressions are positive...unless, of course, you count the intruder who broke in and attempted to sexually assault Sara the first night in their new home. Not exactly the Welcome Wagon they had anticipated. The immediate neighbors, however, rally around the couple, led by Roger, a retired police officer. Roger’s past is fraught with horror, as his son was brutally murdered, after which his wife took her own life. In response, Roger has made it his mission to ensure the safety of those around him—at whatever cost necessary. Paul tries to make the best of the neighborly relationship, though it isn’t long before he begins to question Roger’s motives. As Paul pushes back against Roger’s intrusions, his own life begins to unravel at the seams. How much is coincidence? How far will Roger go to maintain the sanctity of his inner circle? And how far will Paul go to keep from drowning in Roger’s wake? Secrets, lies and betrayal all have starring roles, and the curtain of suburban bliss is pulled back to reveal what lies at the heart of Clark Falls.
There are many positive aspects of this novel, not the least of which is the superb dialogue. It is gritty and wholly believable, used sparingly for effect, and incredibly insightful. In addition to the brilliant conversation, Doolittle utilizes a plethora of literary references. From Bronte to Nabokov, the allusions are rich and varied, allowing for a sense of intimacy between the reader and the story.
The only seeming hiccup in this novel was one of racial stereotypes. From the socioeconomic commentary that supported the geography of prejudice, to the use of a black man as the “villain”, this treatment of race was at once distasteful and unnecessary. Whilst it may be my own heightened sensitivity to contemporary racism that caused such a negative reaction, it is still worth mentioning.
All in all, and in spite of the negative, this is a must-read novel that will make the reader wonder exactly what is going on behind their own neighbor’s closed doors. Definitely recommended.
March 25, 2009
This book is an entertaining crime fiction novel about a couple, Paul and Sara Callaway, who move to a little midwestern town from the Northeast. They reside on a seemingly quiet cul-de-sac in a suburban neighborhood where everyone knows everybody else. One of the other major characters is Roger Mallory, a retired cop, who seems to know just about everything about all his neighbors. Very creepy!
Within a short period of time, Paul and Sara find out about the neighborhood's secrets, which include multiple murders, both past and present.
Unfortunately, the ending is a bit confusing and cramped, but it was a good, quick read.
Within a short period of time, Paul and Sara find out about the neighborhood's secrets, which include multiple murders, both past and present.
Unfortunately, the ending is a bit confusing and cramped, but it was a good, quick read.
May 9, 2010
This book jumps back and forth over several months. It opens with the main character being arrested and goes on to explain how he's been set up (or so he says) by a neighbor of his, Roger, who is (of course) the most beloved man in town.
It's a very suspenseful book and I had a hard time putting it down. I wasn't crazy about the ending, but I may have just been exhausted from not ever wanting to put it down to do things like, say, sleep. :)
I'll see how I feel about it after a re-read. :)
It's a very suspenseful book and I had a hard time putting it down. I wasn't crazy about the ending, but I may have just been exhausted from not ever wanting to put it down to do things like, say, sleep. :)
I'll see how I feel about it after a re-read. :)
March 1, 2017
Sécurité renforcée, c'est avant tout une idée brillante et dans l'air du temps : celle de l'obsession sécuritaire et ses dérives, transposée à l'échelle d'un petit quartier américain sans histoires. Faut-il renoncer à une partie de ses libertés pour avoir un minimum de sécurité en plus. Le sujet prête à débats et Sean Doolittle, fort heureusement, ne sombre pas dans le pamphlet réactionnaire où la démonstration lourdasse pour nous exposer son point de vue. Cela ne l'empêche pas non plus d'avoir un avis précis sur la question. De ce fait, Sécurité renforcée s'inscrit dans une veine sociétale qui le place dans la lignée d'un Harlan Coben, fait assez rare chez Rivages pour être mentionné. (La maison d'édition cite d'ailleurs l'auteur dans le bandeau promotionnel de ce livre).
Mais une idée brillante suffit-elle à faire un bon roman ? Assurément non. Et c'est là que Doolittle démontre un talent certain pour le storytelling : Maîtrisant la grammaire du polar sur le bout des doigts, l'auteur opte d'abord pour une narration éclatée qui commence par le point d'orgue de l'intrigue, l'arrestation sans finesse du protagoniste, au beau milieu d'un dîner mondain. La confusion du lecteur se mêle bien vite à celle du héros puisque la narration est à la première personne, une vue subjective loin d'être fortuite puisqu'elle ne nous laisse pas le choix, on devra le croire sur parole. Et ce n'est pas toujours évident.
Venons en donc au vrai point fort du livre. Pour donner corps à son propos, Doolittle articule son histoire atour d'un duel entre deux personnages principaux que -forcément- tout oppose. Paul Callaway, le héros, est un type tout ce qu'il y a de plus banal, à mille lieues du héros ricain à la mâchoire carrée et aux couilles en acier. Paul est un prof universitaire qui faire preuve d'une belle ouverture mais qui peut aussi se comporter comme un connard et monter vite sur ses grands chevaux. Autant dire que l'identification avec lui est aisée et immédiate et l'on s'attache rapidement à cet homme ordinaire qui se fait lentement broyer par un système qui le dépasse. Face à lui, le vrai coup de maître, c'est l'antagoniste : Roger Mallory. Un ancien flic marqué par la mort brutale de son fils et de sa femme des années auparavant et qui depuis, s'occupe de la sécurité du voisinage via une compagnie qu'il a créé et qu'il chapeaute. Mallory a tous les arguments pour convaincre. Avec son air affable et prévenant et le drame personnel qui l'a touché, il est facile d'éprouver de l'empathie à son égard. Mais comme souvent, les apparences sont trompeuses et l'auteur, par d'habiles indices disséminés ici et là, révèle peu à peu ses déviances et dénonce à travers elles le fascisme ordinaire qui guette toutes les bonnes intentions. Le temps que Callaway découvre ce qui se trame réellement il est trop tard : le piège s'est déjà refermé sur lui, d'autant plus que Mallory semble avoir toute la police à sa botte.
L'autre point fort de Sécurité renforcée, est son ambiance paranoïaque qui monte en puissance jusqu'à un final d'un beau cynisme. Le talent de Sean Doolittle est de ne jamais être trop démonstratif et de laisser la mécanique implacable de son récit prendre son cours. Il n'est pas rare de sourire très souvent au fil des pages, surtout dans la première moitié. Les accusations qui pèsent sur lui sont d'autant plus invraisemblables qu'elles sont cousues de il blanc et qu'il serait facile de les mettre en échec. Mais Paul est tellement borné, maladroit, et impulsif qu'il foire systématiquement toutes les chances de s'innocenter, au grand désespoir de son avocat. Au fil des pages cependant, la tension monte à mesure que les événements prennent une tournure de plus en plus dramatique et qu'il y va de sa propre vie.
Avec Sécurité rapprochée, Sean Doolittle signe un roman prenant et maîtrisé de bout en bout. Loin des gros blockbusters du polar aux twists qui vous arrachent la tête, son roman respire la force tranquille et s'offre au passage le luxe d'adresser en finesse un message sur un sujet polémique. Un auteur à suivre assurément et un roman à découvrir sans tarder.
Mais une idée brillante suffit-elle à faire un bon roman ? Assurément non. Et c'est là que Doolittle démontre un talent certain pour le storytelling : Maîtrisant la grammaire du polar sur le bout des doigts, l'auteur opte d'abord pour une narration éclatée qui commence par le point d'orgue de l'intrigue, l'arrestation sans finesse du protagoniste, au beau milieu d'un dîner mondain. La confusion du lecteur se mêle bien vite à celle du héros puisque la narration est à la première personne, une vue subjective loin d'être fortuite puisqu'elle ne nous laisse pas le choix, on devra le croire sur parole. Et ce n'est pas toujours évident.
Venons en donc au vrai point fort du livre. Pour donner corps à son propos, Doolittle articule son histoire atour d'un duel entre deux personnages principaux que -forcément- tout oppose. Paul Callaway, le héros, est un type tout ce qu'il y a de plus banal, à mille lieues du héros ricain à la mâchoire carrée et aux couilles en acier. Paul est un prof universitaire qui faire preuve d'une belle ouverture mais qui peut aussi se comporter comme un connard et monter vite sur ses grands chevaux. Autant dire que l'identification avec lui est aisée et immédiate et l'on s'attache rapidement à cet homme ordinaire qui se fait lentement broyer par un système qui le dépasse. Face à lui, le vrai coup de maître, c'est l'antagoniste : Roger Mallory. Un ancien flic marqué par la mort brutale de son fils et de sa femme des années auparavant et qui depuis, s'occupe de la sécurité du voisinage via une compagnie qu'il a créé et qu'il chapeaute. Mallory a tous les arguments pour convaincre. Avec son air affable et prévenant et le drame personnel qui l'a touché, il est facile d'éprouver de l'empathie à son égard. Mais comme souvent, les apparences sont trompeuses et l'auteur, par d'habiles indices disséminés ici et là, révèle peu à peu ses déviances et dénonce à travers elles le fascisme ordinaire qui guette toutes les bonnes intentions. Le temps que Callaway découvre ce qui se trame réellement il est trop tard : le piège s'est déjà refermé sur lui, d'autant plus que Mallory semble avoir toute la police à sa botte.
L'autre point fort de Sécurité renforcée, est son ambiance paranoïaque qui monte en puissance jusqu'à un final d'un beau cynisme. Le talent de Sean Doolittle est de ne jamais être trop démonstratif et de laisser la mécanique implacable de son récit prendre son cours. Il n'est pas rare de sourire très souvent au fil des pages, surtout dans la première moitié. Les accusations qui pèsent sur lui sont d'autant plus invraisemblables qu'elles sont cousues de il blanc et qu'il serait facile de les mettre en échec. Mais Paul est tellement borné, maladroit, et impulsif qu'il foire systématiquement toutes les chances de s'innocenter, au grand désespoir de son avocat. Au fil des pages cependant, la tension monte à mesure que les événements prennent une tournure de plus en plus dramatique et qu'il y va de sa propre vie.
Avec Sécurité rapprochée, Sean Doolittle signe un roman prenant et maîtrisé de bout en bout. Loin des gros blockbusters du polar aux twists qui vous arrachent la tête, son roman respire la force tranquille et s'offre au passage le luxe d'adresser en finesse un message sur un sujet polémique. Un auteur à suivre assurément et un roman à découvrir sans tarder.
May 12, 2021
I had this book on my shelf for quite a while without remembering why I had it. (Working at a bookstore as I did for a long time, you tend to accumulate a certain number of advanced reading copies of books rather impulsively. Or I did.) The title and cover, which on the ARC has a lot of publisher blurbs, made me think it was a public service kind of book, maybe talking about some public health hazard. It was only when I was straightening up around here one day that I looked at it more closely and realized that I had picked it up because it was by a mystery writer whose name I already knew.
"My wife Sara and I are hosting a faculty party at our home when the Clark Falls Police Department arrives to take me into custody."
That, my friends, is what's known as a hook.
I've been trying to think since I read it about what book or category of books it reminds me of. Today I realized that one story it shares a little in common with is the television version of Pretty Little Liars. There's the same kind of feeling of trouble brewing in a tight, somewhat isolated community. One thing that's brilliant about the book is that it takes place on a cul-de-sac. So the feeling of everybody being crammed together and watching each other is doubly reinforced.
I really enjoyed the escalating tension between Paul Callaway and his creepy, overbearing neighbor. As an outsider from an urban setting, our narrator is in a fine position to notice all the little power moves and enforcement of conformity going on in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, Paul is also his own worst enemy and there's a dark humor in the way that he actually assists in getting himself caught deeper in the web.
Doolittle is a talented writer and I will be reading more.
I'm really glad this book didn't turn out to be about the dangers in our drinking water.
"My wife Sara and I are hosting a faculty party at our home when the Clark Falls Police Department arrives to take me into custody."
That, my friends, is what's known as a hook.
I've been trying to think since I read it about what book or category of books it reminds me of. Today I realized that one story it shares a little in common with is the television version of Pretty Little Liars. There's the same kind of feeling of trouble brewing in a tight, somewhat isolated community. One thing that's brilliant about the book is that it takes place on a cul-de-sac. So the feeling of everybody being crammed together and watching each other is doubly reinforced.
I really enjoyed the escalating tension between Paul Callaway and his creepy, overbearing neighbor. As an outsider from an urban setting, our narrator is in a fine position to notice all the little power moves and enforcement of conformity going on in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, Paul is also his own worst enemy and there's a dark humor in the way that he actually assists in getting himself caught deeper in the web.
Doolittle is a talented writer and I will be reading more.
I'm really glad this book didn't turn out to be about the dangers in our drinking water.
August 4, 2018
I was expecting more from this novel, it's well-written but lackluster, maybe due to me not liking the main character very much. It's a very quick read but the book seems to fall apart about three-quarters of the way through. I did not like the ending, it was like everyone in the small Iowa town was corrupt.
May 30, 2011
Pretty decent page turner. Just goes to show that you really don't know your neighbors.
October 21, 2022
Read in 2009. A terrifying portrait of suburban paranoia. One of my favorites that year.
March 26, 2010
Author Sean Doolittle sets his hook with the very first sentence: "my wife, Sara, and I are hosting a faculty party at our home when the Clark Falls Police Department arrives to take me into custody." In very quick fashion, we learn the following: Paul Callaway has no idea that he’s about to be arrested, even after he greets the police on his front stoop. He's a college English professor. He and his wife only recently moved to this small Midwestern town. He's being charged with the sexual exploitation of a minor. And his accuser is not one of his students, but instead is his next-door neighbor's 13-year old daughter.
We then learn who the Callaways are, how Paul came to find himself in jail, and who he thinks is really responsible for him being there (hint: it’s not the 13-year old girl). He has apparently gotten himself on the bad side of one Roger Mallory. Mallory is an ex-cop with a tragic past, and he comes across as someone beyond reproach. He is a civic leader, a pillar of the community, and, most importantly, the head of Clark Falls' volunteer citizens-on-patrol brigade.
There’s a significant back-story, beginning with the Callaways very first day as residents of Clark Falls. Doolittle effectively uses a first person narrative to parse out just a few of the relevant facts at a time, revealing hidden connections and dirty secrets worthy of Wisteria Lane. There are some nice twists here, yet I was still able to suspend disbelief. Then things go a little off the rails at the very end, as characters start doing things that make no sense at all, and the story almost stumbles to a finish. But Doolittle manages to rescue the whole affair with a pretty convincing sort-of-epilogue, in which two of the central characters hash out what just happened.
Safer is a smart little thriller, but take my review and rating with a grain of salt. I always have a soft spot for a thriller that doesn't rely on any of the old stand-bys for its protagonist. Namely, cop, ex-cop, detective, lawyer, or my personal favorite: ex-Special Forces drifter.
We then learn who the Callaways are, how Paul came to find himself in jail, and who he thinks is really responsible for him being there (hint: it’s not the 13-year old girl). He has apparently gotten himself on the bad side of one Roger Mallory. Mallory is an ex-cop with a tragic past, and he comes across as someone beyond reproach. He is a civic leader, a pillar of the community, and, most importantly, the head of Clark Falls' volunteer citizens-on-patrol brigade.
There’s a significant back-story, beginning with the Callaways very first day as residents of Clark Falls. Doolittle effectively uses a first person narrative to parse out just a few of the relevant facts at a time, revealing hidden connections and dirty secrets worthy of Wisteria Lane. There are some nice twists here, yet I was still able to suspend disbelief. Then things go a little off the rails at the very end, as characters start doing things that make no sense at all, and the story almost stumbles to a finish. But Doolittle manages to rescue the whole affair with a pretty convincing sort-of-epilogue, in which two of the central characters hash out what just happened.
Safer is a smart little thriller, but take my review and rating with a grain of salt. I always have a soft spot for a thriller that doesn't rely on any of the old stand-bys for its protagonist. Namely, cop, ex-cop, detective, lawyer, or my personal favorite: ex-Special Forces drifter.
March 9, 2011
When I picked this up, I thought it would be very similar to Caught by Harlan Coben. Though there were some similarities, I feel like this was a much stronger book.
In both books, an otherwise good upstanding citizen is accused of sexual crimes against a child. In both books, the accused vehemently denies said allegations. That's where the parallels end.
Unlike the tough, me-against-the-world, Jason-Bourne-lite characters that populate the Coben novels, Paul Callaway is a real person... a mild-mannered literature professor at the local college. The protagonist is even honest enough to mock himself when he realizes he's nothing like the modern day hero that he reads about in his trash novels late at night.
I'd say that 80% of this book was worth 5 stars. The rapid-fire opening spilling into various flash-backs and flash-forwards really developed the characters and made them more three-dimensional. Doolittle is much better at the foundation laying and story telling than others in the suspense genre. Unfortunately, it felt like the author hit a wall when the climax was approaching. The resolution was unexpected almost to the point of absurdity. Still, this was just a poor ending to an otherwise very strong novel.
In both books, an otherwise good upstanding citizen is accused of sexual crimes against a child. In both books, the accused vehemently denies said allegations. That's where the parallels end.
Unlike the tough, me-against-the-world, Jason-Bourne-lite characters that populate the Coben novels, Paul Callaway is a real person... a mild-mannered literature professor at the local college. The protagonist is even honest enough to mock himself when he realizes he's nothing like the modern day hero that he reads about in his trash novels late at night.
I'd say that 80% of this book was worth 5 stars. The rapid-fire opening spilling into various flash-backs and flash-forwards really developed the characters and made them more three-dimensional. Doolittle is much better at the foundation laying and story telling than others in the suspense genre. Unfortunately, it felt like the author hit a wall when the climax was approaching. The resolution was unexpected almost to the point of absurdity. Still, this was just a poor ending to an otherwise very strong novel.
February 5, 2017
I thought this story had a lot of potential and the style of the narration was a bit different and worked quite well, IMHO. You got the impression there were layers to the events being described.
Paul and Sara Callaway are new arrivals in a cup-de-sac in a smallish town. On the first night in their new home they are confronted with an intruder in the bedroom. This serves as a catalyst to increase membership of the local Neighbourhood Watch committee, and Paul and Sara are urged to get involved.
Self appointed community safety spokesperson, Roger Mallory, a former policeman, is very active in jollying along his neighbours but Paul start to find his interventions a bit over the top and not altogether welcome. It seems that Mallory has an unhealthy interest in the very intimate goings on of all his neighbours. After Paul calls him out on some of his behaviour, things start going not so well for the Callaway household and eventually Paul is arrested on child pornography charges.
For the most part this book was quite chilling because it was all so plausible. It fell away for me (and lost a star) because I thought the ending was a bit rushed and lacked plausibility. A shame really as I could otherwise imagine such a thing actually happening somewhere. We've all heard of neighbourhood feuds but this was so much more subtle - until the slightly mangled ending. Overall a good story.
Paul and Sara Callaway are new arrivals in a cup-de-sac in a smallish town. On the first night in their new home they are confronted with an intruder in the bedroom. This serves as a catalyst to increase membership of the local Neighbourhood Watch committee, and Paul and Sara are urged to get involved.
Self appointed community safety spokesperson, Roger Mallory, a former policeman, is very active in jollying along his neighbours but Paul start to find his interventions a bit over the top and not altogether welcome. It seems that Mallory has an unhealthy interest in the very intimate goings on of all his neighbours. After Paul calls him out on some of his behaviour, things start going not so well for the Callaway household and eventually Paul is arrested on child pornography charges.
For the most part this book was quite chilling because it was all so plausible. It fell away for me (and lost a star) because I thought the ending was a bit rushed and lacked plausibility. A shame really as I could otherwise imagine such a thing actually happening somewhere. We've all heard of neighbourhood feuds but this was so much more subtle - until the slightly mangled ending. Overall a good story.
November 13, 2011
An Ex-cop with a Fresh Spin
Paul’s neighbor Roger who lives across the street takes the liberty of spying and keeping tabs (yes, files) on the neighbors but little does he know someone knows something about him. Roger has the dirt on those around him and manipulates it to the max, making stuff up to fit his needs. He’s an ex-cop whom the community has come to trust making it all the more sinister. I think of a man with his hand extended for a handshake while in the other, a stiletto behind his back.
After Paul is arrested on a bogus felony charge compliments of good ol’ Roger, and spends the night in jail, much to his chagrin, his attorney shows up late in court smelling like a brewery and can’t get Paul’s name right as he addresses the judge. And this is the guy who’s going to represent him on this bogus charge? Things aren’t looking too good for Paul.
Is it just me or did somewhere around ¾ of the way in, the story start to unravel and fizzle? I was kind of “Huh? What? Am I missing something?”
Paul’s neighbor Roger who lives across the street takes the liberty of spying and keeping tabs (yes, files) on the neighbors but little does he know someone knows something about him. Roger has the dirt on those around him and manipulates it to the max, making stuff up to fit his needs. He’s an ex-cop whom the community has come to trust making it all the more sinister. I think of a man with his hand extended for a handshake while in the other, a stiletto behind his back.
After Paul is arrested on a bogus felony charge compliments of good ol’ Roger, and spends the night in jail, much to his chagrin, his attorney shows up late in court smelling like a brewery and can’t get Paul’s name right as he addresses the judge. And this is the guy who’s going to represent him on this bogus charge? Things aren’t looking too good for Paul.
Is it just me or did somewhere around ¾ of the way in, the story start to unravel and fizzle? I was kind of “Huh? What? Am I missing something?”
June 1, 2010
Paul Callaway and his wife Sara have moved to a town in Iowa where Sara has taken a job at a regional university. Police show up and arrest Paul for sexual exploitation of a minor. Paul is not guilty, but it takes 334 pages to explain why he is suspected of the crime.
April 13, 2014
I liked it a lot until the end. My big question is "WHY?" I can't give it 4 stars because I'm confused about the ending. I'd appreciate someone telling me why "THEY" did what they did.
July 24, 2014
Wonderful. Tense. Intense. Enthralling. I will be checking out more of Mr. Doolittle's work.
December 12, 2020
Hard to put down! Loved this book. Super suspense! Wish he would publish something new. Such a talented author.
July 15, 2018
Tijdens een feestje bij hem thuis wordt Paul Callaway door de politie van het kleine plaatsje Clark Falls, waar hij en zijn vrouw Sara een paar maanden eerder zijn komen te wonen, gearresteerd. Paul wordt beschuldigd van misbruik van zijn minderjarige buurmeisje. Terwijl hij weet dat hij onschuldig is.
Om zijn onschuld te bewijzen gaat Paul, ondanks dat hij wel een advocaat heeft, ook zelf op onderzoek uit. En ontdekt tot zijn verbijstering dat een van zijn buren, de bij alle andere buren zeer gerespecteerde oud-politieman Roger Mallory, een nogal dubieuze 'liefhebberij' heeft.
In principe zijn dit gegevens voor een spannende en daardoor boeiende thriller. Sean Doolittle is daar met De perfecte buren helaas niet in geslaagd. Ondanks het veelbelovende begin in het eerste hoofdstuk zijn de daaropvolgende hoofdstukken een lange opsomming van oninteressante wetenswaardigheden over Paul en Sara's buren.
Ongeveer halverwege het boek begint het verhaal wat boeiender te worden en komt er een heel klein beetje spanning om de hoek kijken. Veel te laat, en ook nog eens niet voldoende om er een echt goed boek van te maken.
Toch is er nog wel iets positiefs te melden over De perfecte buren. Het boek leest namelijk redelijk makkelijk. En het is Doolittle gelukt om de lezer toch nieuwsgierig te maken naar de afloop. Maar daar is dan ook alles mee gezegd.
Om zijn onschuld te bewijzen gaat Paul, ondanks dat hij wel een advocaat heeft, ook zelf op onderzoek uit. En ontdekt tot zijn verbijstering dat een van zijn buren, de bij alle andere buren zeer gerespecteerde oud-politieman Roger Mallory, een nogal dubieuze 'liefhebberij' heeft.
In principe zijn dit gegevens voor een spannende en daardoor boeiende thriller. Sean Doolittle is daar met De perfecte buren helaas niet in geslaagd. Ondanks het veelbelovende begin in het eerste hoofdstuk zijn de daaropvolgende hoofdstukken een lange opsomming van oninteressante wetenswaardigheden over Paul en Sara's buren.
Ongeveer halverwege het boek begint het verhaal wat boeiender te worden en komt er een heel klein beetje spanning om de hoek kijken. Veel te laat, en ook nog eens niet voldoende om er een echt goed boek van te maken.
Toch is er nog wel iets positiefs te melden over De perfecte buren. Het boek leest namelijk redelijk makkelijk. En het is Doolittle gelukt om de lezer toch nieuwsgierig te maken naar de afloop. Maar daar is dan ook alles mee gezegd.
July 28, 2020
Wow talk about having the whole world against you. All it takes is one crazy ex-cop, friends with everyone and neighbors too scared to say or do anything. Into this walk Sara and Paul, she to a new job, him to a break until he is called in to work at the same school as Sara. The day they move in it all starts to go downhill as he leaves to get something at corner store and during this time an intruder comes in, and is about to rape her when Paul returns.
This is only the beginning. You will not believe until you read just how manipulating one man can be, and just how convincing as well. I could not believe what I was reading, and yet, you can see and read things to some extent in the news every day. This was a book I could not put down. Pick it up and see if you agree.
This is only the beginning. You will not believe until you read just how manipulating one man can be, and just how convincing as well. I could not believe what I was reading, and yet, you can see and read things to some extent in the news every day. This was a book I could not put down. Pick it up and see if you agree.
May 14, 2020
I'm giving this book 2 stars instead of one because it did have a good plot …
but … could the cast of characters have been any longer?
I listened to this with my husband and neither one of us had a clue what the heck happened.
I'm going to try to get this book from the library so I can make a Who's Who list to try to keep everybody straight and maybe then understand what happened to the little boy who disappeared and who the old man in the hospital bed was and … just so many things!
but … could the cast of characters have been any longer?
I listened to this with my husband and neither one of us had a clue what the heck happened.
I'm going to try to get this book from the library so I can make a Who's Who list to try to keep everybody straight and maybe then understand what happened to the little boy who disappeared and who the old man in the hospital bed was and … just so many things!
May 7, 2019
Hard to follow. Couple move into a new neighborhood and are immediately greeted by neighbors on culdsac. Husband goes on an errand and comes back to a guy pinning his wife to the bed.
Neighbor comes over and ask him to be part of the neighborhood watch program.
Nothing is what it appears.
Neighbor comes over and ask him to be part of the neighborhood watch program.
Nothing is what it appears.
May 6, 2020
I thought that this book might be pretty predictable but it wasn't at all. First half of the book seemed to move rather fast to me. Kept my attention. Then it started to plod. All in all this guy is a good writer. Story had some real interesting parts. It just wasn't sustained.
April 18, 2020
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May 9, 2020Not for me. Could not get and keep my attention. Boring and did not care for the writing style. Did not get very far at all.
July 20, 2020
Quick, entertaining read. I’ll definitely read more by this author.
December 21, 2021
This was one of those rare instances when I did not love the book but did finish it. The story was compelling but it just lacked what it needed to be great.
August 26, 2023
Good premise. Gated community
May 5, 2024
The time jumps in the book are easy to follow, but the book quickly tries to cram a lot into it’s ending. It’s a fairly predictable book with a rather boring setting.
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