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The Neighbors in Apartment 3D
Sometimes home is the most dangerous place to be. All Cintra Coutinho wants is to win her family back. After she tells her teenage son a despicable lie, her husband asks for a trial separation. She must go six months without a single fib. That’s harder than it sounds for a compulsive liar. Cintra moves in with an old college pal, and befriends the sociable couple next door, who have a young boy staying with them while his mother is “in Europe.” Then she spots a note on their “I’m being held” written in a childish scrawl, with a drawing of a boy with a gun to his head. Add in the eerie sounds she hears through their shared wall, and Cintra suspects they’ve kidnapped the boy. To unravel the truth of what’s happening in apartment 3D, Cintra must return to her lying ways. What she discovers proves the most dangerous people can be the ones living right next door. Fans of The Couple Next Door and Behind Closed Doors won’t see this stunning twist coming. Praise for The Neighbors in Apartment 3D :
“Mysterious sounds on the other side of a borrowed bedroom wall had me hooked from the get-go. Compelling characters, an unusual diagnosis, and a tightly-woven plot kept me glued to the story and to the protagonist, as she pushed through Brooklyn streets and through the lives of enigmatic neighbors. Twiles does an excellent job of balancing relationships, insights, and suspense, making The Neighbors in Apartment 3D one to read with your lights on and your doors locked.” —Susan Crawford, international bestselling author of The Pocket Wife and The Other Widow “Gripped me so tightly, I didn’t skip over even the most insignificant word.” —Book Rant Reviews “ The Neighbors in Apartment 3D kept me guessing throughout the story and I enjoyed the character development as well. I would definitely recommend this one.” —The Towering TBR
“Mysterious sounds on the other side of a borrowed bedroom wall had me hooked from the get-go. Compelling characters, an unusual diagnosis, and a tightly-woven plot kept me glued to the story and to the protagonist, as she pushed through Brooklyn streets and through the lives of enigmatic neighbors. Twiles does an excellent job of balancing relationships, insights, and suspense, making The Neighbors in Apartment 3D one to read with your lights on and your doors locked.” —Susan Crawford, international bestselling author of The Pocket Wife and The Other Widow “Gripped me so tightly, I didn’t skip over even the most insignificant word.” —Book Rant Reviews “ The Neighbors in Apartment 3D kept me guessing throughout the story and I enjoyed the character development as well. I would definitely recommend this one.” —The Towering TBR
380 pages, Paperback
Published September 29, 2020
439 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
C.G. Twiles
12 books62 followersC.G. Twiles is the pseudonym for a longtime writer and reporter who loves Gothic, animals, ancient history, cemeteries, traveling, and old houses.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 9, 2021
I had to get to 65% before I actually got interested, then I zoomed through to find out the ending!
September 30, 2022
Excellent book! Really enjoyed the plot! Kept me hooked right to the end.
September 1, 2021
"Money easily tore people apart. Shared outrage? The bond would be as strong as steel."
The Story: While going through a separation from her husband, Elliot, Cintra stays with her friend, Pedro, in apartment 3C. Soon after, Cintra feels that something is off with their new neighbours in apartment 3D. The more she investigates, the more she is convinced that they are not who they claimed to be.
My thoughts: I've read this author's book, The Last Star Standing earlier last month and enjoyed it! So, I was really looking forward to dive into this one! After reading her two books, I've learned that it is best to go into her books without expectations at all but let her stories WOW you. Don't even bother to figure out anything because the twists are pretzel-twisty, with many red herrings and ended up in another but way better direction! Yeah, I enjoyed this one too!
The plot is clever and creepy, and it was unputdownable! It was intense and I had to keep turning the pages! I really did not see all the twists in the plot and I liked it! I loved following Cintra in her investigations and she is a character that will grow on you. I do wish however that there was a bit more explanation given for her compulsive lying. But that is just my personal preference. It did not deter my enjoyment from reading this book.
All I can say is READ THIS BOOK!
***Thank you author C.G. Twiles for this gifted reading copy. All opinions expressed are my own.***
The Story: While going through a separation from her husband, Elliot, Cintra stays with her friend, Pedro, in apartment 3C. Soon after, Cintra feels that something is off with their new neighbours in apartment 3D. The more she investigates, the more she is convinced that they are not who they claimed to be.
My thoughts: I've read this author's book, The Last Star Standing earlier last month and enjoyed it! So, I was really looking forward to dive into this one! After reading her two books, I've learned that it is best to go into her books without expectations at all but let her stories WOW you. Don't even bother to figure out anything because the twists are pretzel-twisty, with many red herrings and ended up in another but way better direction! Yeah, I enjoyed this one too!
The plot is clever and creepy, and it was unputdownable! It was intense and I had to keep turning the pages! I really did not see all the twists in the plot and I liked it! I loved following Cintra in her investigations and she is a character that will grow on you. I do wish however that there was a bit more explanation given for her compulsive lying. But that is just my personal preference. It did not deter my enjoyment from reading this book.
All I can say is READ THIS BOOK!
***Thank you author C.G. Twiles for this gifted reading copy. All opinions expressed are my own.***
August 12, 2021
Earlier this year I read an e-ARC of The Last Star Standing (4.5⭐️) by @cgtwiles and loved the book’s unique plot! I had high expectations diving into The Neighbors in Apartment 3D and it did not disappoint!
Just like TLSS, I was sucked into this book each time I picked it back up. The writing is so good! I enjoyed the mini cliffhangers and all the twists (it gets really wild toward the end!!).🤩
Recommended to suspense lovers and fans of Behind Closed Doors! This would also be a great Halloween read. 🧙♀️ 👻 Be warned: you may not look at your neighbors the same again!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you C.G. for my copy!❤️
Favorite quote:
“…I took these small things and weaved them together into something so… out there. I might be a writer, but I’ve never become convinced my fiction was real before.”
Just like TLSS, I was sucked into this book each time I picked it back up. The writing is so good! I enjoyed the mini cliffhangers and all the twists (it gets really wild toward the end!!).🤩
Recommended to suspense lovers and fans of Behind Closed Doors! This would also be a great Halloween read. 🧙♀️ 👻 Be warned: you may not look at your neighbors the same again!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you C.G. for my copy!❤️
Favorite quote:
“…I took these small things and weaved them together into something so… out there. I might be a writer, but I’ve never become convinced my fiction was real before.”
September 1, 2021
Cintra Coutinho is living with her best friend while separated from her husband and undergoing therapy for compulsive lying. She befriends the next door neighbors an outgoing woman named June and her more reserved husband Niko who invite them to dinner where she meets a young boy she is told is there nephew Leo.
Cintra is working on a new novel but works on a true crime show a few days a week and their latest episode is focusing on the recent release of Ettie Brightman, a mother of five who murdered her ex and his new wife. ( Those who remember the Betty Broderick case will notice the similarities ) A large group of women who sympathized with Ettie has formed an online support group and Cintras’’ editor wants her to find one of the supporters to appear on camera. She also believes Ettie may be in Brooklyn and despite the odds, Cintra is sure that a woman she spots with June is the infamous killer and and when she spots a note in kids writing “ I’m Being Held” she is sure something is off with her new neighbors. Cintra is going to have to break her promise to tell no more lies to figure out what is going on but will anyone believe her?
This is a must read for domestic thriller readers or anyone who enjoys a story filled with engrossing in depth characters, a quick moving plot, suspense and nail biting tension. I have read both of this authors books and both are well done and I recommend catching up with her backlist before her upcoming release “ The Little Girl In the Window”.
Cintra is working on a new novel but works on a true crime show a few days a week and their latest episode is focusing on the recent release of Ettie Brightman, a mother of five who murdered her ex and his new wife. ( Those who remember the Betty Broderick case will notice the similarities ) A large group of women who sympathized with Ettie has formed an online support group and Cintras’’ editor wants her to find one of the supporters to appear on camera. She also believes Ettie may be in Brooklyn and despite the odds, Cintra is sure that a woman she spots with June is the infamous killer and and when she spots a note in kids writing “ I’m Being Held” she is sure something is off with her new neighbors. Cintra is going to have to break her promise to tell no more lies to figure out what is going on but will anyone believe her?
This is a must read for domestic thriller readers or anyone who enjoys a story filled with engrossing in depth characters, a quick moving plot, suspense and nail biting tension. I have read both of this authors books and both are well done and I recommend catching up with her backlist before her upcoming release “ The Little Girl In the Window”.
April 18, 2021
The Neighbors in Apartment 3D by C.G. Twiles. Thanks to the author for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cintra is in recovery from being a pathological liar. After telling her son a horrible lie, she is living in an apartment away from home. She becomes suspicious of her neighbor after the child in their apartment leaves a drawing saying “I’m being held.” Who will believe her with her history?
This was a pretty engaging page turner! It was unique in the fact that the main character was a pathological liar. While I’m used to unreliable narrators, this was a completely different twist.. especially since it wasn’t in first person. The first half has a steady pace that keeps the pages turning but the end will have your heart pounding. It took a very unexpected twist for me, and while I had to suspend disbelief (which is often the case for me with modern thrillers) I enjoyed it very much.
“Green eyes and a similar name didn’t make a double murderer. Nor did a strange kid drawing and a drunk man make a kidnapping .... But it couldn’t hurt to stay alert to any other unusual happenings in apartment 3D.”
Cintra is in recovery from being a pathological liar. After telling her son a horrible lie, she is living in an apartment away from home. She becomes suspicious of her neighbor after the child in their apartment leaves a drawing saying “I’m being held.” Who will believe her with her history?
This was a pretty engaging page turner! It was unique in the fact that the main character was a pathological liar. While I’m used to unreliable narrators, this was a completely different twist.. especially since it wasn’t in first person. The first half has a steady pace that keeps the pages turning but the end will have your heart pounding. It took a very unexpected twist for me, and while I had to suspend disbelief (which is often the case for me with modern thrillers) I enjoyed it very much.
“Green eyes and a similar name didn’t make a double murderer. Nor did a strange kid drawing and a drunk man make a kidnapping .... But it couldn’t hurt to stay alert to any other unusual happenings in apartment 3D.”
February 22, 2021
My review of THE NEIGHBORS IN APARTMENT 3D
C.G. Twiles, I sincerely enjoyed your book, and hope that you continue to write excellent thrillers!
What starts as a young Mother accused of being a pathological liar, and therefore, separated from her husband and son, until she gets some serious help for this issue, turns into a jumbled disaster for all who are involved in their lives. I loved all of the characters, and the way the truth comes out in the end.
This is a well written book for all of us who can't resist a good thriller. However, I did find a few errors, and typos in the context that I wish I could fix.
Very nice job overall, C.G., for a unique storyline, and one that kept me guessing!
C.G. Twiles, I sincerely enjoyed your book, and hope that you continue to write excellent thrillers!
What starts as a young Mother accused of being a pathological liar, and therefore, separated from her husband and son, until she gets some serious help for this issue, turns into a jumbled disaster for all who are involved in their lives. I loved all of the characters, and the way the truth comes out in the end.
This is a well written book for all of us who can't resist a good thriller. However, I did find a few errors, and typos in the context that I wish I could fix.
Very nice job overall, C.G., for a unique storyline, and one that kept me guessing!
November 25, 2020
Frightening Story
I really enjoyed this book. The story was engrossing. It set a rapid pace and twisted and turned until I couldn't tell good from bad. Each new revelation led me forward but the next slapped me down. I was coasting to a five star rating, but the last couple of paragraphs left me wondering. Is the author setting up a sequel or does she just like to leave you slightly unbalanced? I almost lowered the rating to four stars, but I just couldn't do it. The story deserves five stars.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was engrossing. It set a rapid pace and twisted and turned until I couldn't tell good from bad. Each new revelation led me forward but the next slapped me down. I was coasting to a five star rating, but the last couple of paragraphs left me wondering. Is the author setting up a sequel or does she just like to leave you slightly unbalanced? I almost lowered the rating to four stars, but I just couldn't do it. The story deserves five stars.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited.
January 3, 2021
Do you remember the tale of the boy who cried Wolf? The Neighbors in Apartment in 3-D makes a play on that premise.
Cintra is estranged from her husband and son due to a problem she has—she’s a chronic liar. After one particularly heinous lie her husband kicks her out and she’s now living with a friend. Cintra is desperate to make amends and is working hard to kick her habit. Unfortunately for Cintra, she also has an overactive imagination. So when she begins imagining all kinds of strange scenarios about the neighbors in the next apartment, her roommate and her husband have a hard time believing her. For example, Cintra believes her neighbor is friends with an ex-convict who murdered her husband and his new wife, and that her neighbor is holding a child hostage. But is there any truth in these stories? Or is this the work of an overactive imagination? Or just someone spinning tall tales?
The Neighbors in Apartment 3-D kept me guessing throughout the story and I enjoyed the all the character development as well. I would definitely recommend this one.
Cintra is estranged from her husband and son due to a problem she has—she’s a chronic liar. After one particularly heinous lie her husband kicks her out and she’s now living with a friend. Cintra is desperate to make amends and is working hard to kick her habit. Unfortunately for Cintra, she also has an overactive imagination. So when she begins imagining all kinds of strange scenarios about the neighbors in the next apartment, her roommate and her husband have a hard time believing her. For example, Cintra believes her neighbor is friends with an ex-convict who murdered her husband and his new wife, and that her neighbor is holding a child hostage. But is there any truth in these stories? Or is this the work of an overactive imagination? Or just someone spinning tall tales?
The Neighbors in Apartment 3-D kept me guessing throughout the story and I enjoyed the all the character development as well. I would definitely recommend this one.
February 11, 2021
Another fun domestic psychological thriller. It was slow going for the beginning but mostly necessary as you learn who the players are and exactly how they fit.
Good writing. Good characters. Love the story! I can't say what the twist is but I was pleasantly surprised! Good one for those psychological thriller fans. Make sure to grab this one!
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
Good writing. Good characters. Love the story! I can't say what the twist is but I was pleasantly surprised! Good one for those psychological thriller fans. Make sure to grab this one!
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
May 20, 2021
Sometimes home is the most dangerous place to be.
Original, twisty and intriguing!
What a great read, it starts a little slow, but I was engaged since the first chapters, by the end I couldn’t stop turning pages.
I love complex and well developed characters and this book didn’t dissapoint.
Overall if you like thrillers with unique plots this book is for you!
Thank you C.G. Twiles for giving me this copy in exchange for an honest review!
https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...
Original, twisty and intriguing!
What a great read, it starts a little slow, but I was engaged since the first chapters, by the end I couldn’t stop turning pages.
I love complex and well developed characters and this book didn’t dissapoint.
Overall if you like thrillers with unique plots this book is for you!
Thank you C.G. Twiles for giving me this copy in exchange for an honest review!
https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...
May 23, 2021
Have you ever lued
Totally enjoyed all the twist and turns this well written plot contained. Love a mystery I can not figure out. A woman that blogs for true crime, writing a novel,separate d from her husband and son seeking help through therapy for her pathological lieing is the main character in this story about revenge and justice. A Page turner that will keep you up all night.
Totally enjoyed all the twist and turns this well written plot contained. Love a mystery I can not figure out. A woman that blogs for true crime, writing a novel,separate d from her husband and son seeking help through therapy for her pathological lieing is the main character in this story about revenge and justice. A Page turner that will keep you up all night.
July 29, 2021
I received a free copy of this one from the author herself, in return for an honest review.
I really wanted to love this one. But in the end, I didn’t. However, it did have me captivated from the start. I wanted to know how it would play out. I really appreciated that it was able to keep me captivated all the way through, not all thrillers can do this.
I struggled to like Cintra. I wanted to feel empathy for her but given her situation with her husband, I just couldn’t. She brought it all on herself. And none of the other characters we meet were much better. It felt like everyone was lying and had their own secrets. Half the time I didn’t know what to think about the plot. I didn’t trust anyone.
Speaking of the plot, it felt much longer than necessary. There seemed to be a lot of unnecessary fluff between the main events of the storyline. And when the main twist came out there was still quite a bit of story left to tell.
The ending itself was quite a disappointment for me. The ending I had built up in my head was much more involved, what we got just seemed flat in comparison.
Overall, I did expect more than we got with this one. I would say this would be a perfect read for those just getting into thrillers. I thought this was a fairly light thriller that plays with unlikeable characters. But I can see others enjoying this more than me. If you enjoy light thriller mysteries, you might enjoy this one!
I really wanted to love this one. But in the end, I didn’t. However, it did have me captivated from the start. I wanted to know how it would play out. I really appreciated that it was able to keep me captivated all the way through, not all thrillers can do this.
I struggled to like Cintra. I wanted to feel empathy for her but given her situation with her husband, I just couldn’t. She brought it all on herself. And none of the other characters we meet were much better. It felt like everyone was lying and had their own secrets. Half the time I didn’t know what to think about the plot. I didn’t trust anyone.
Speaking of the plot, it felt much longer than necessary. There seemed to be a lot of unnecessary fluff between the main events of the storyline. And when the main twist came out there was still quite a bit of story left to tell.
The ending itself was quite a disappointment for me. The ending I had built up in my head was much more involved, what we got just seemed flat in comparison.
Overall, I did expect more than we got with this one. I would say this would be a perfect read for those just getting into thrillers. I thought this was a fairly light thriller that plays with unlikeable characters. But I can see others enjoying this more than me. If you enjoy light thriller mysteries, you might enjoy this one!
January 28, 2021
Excellent Read
The plot is so original, the characters were authentic, the writing was great, and the story had twist and turns, in the right places.
The plot is so original, the characters were authentic, the writing was great, and the story had twist and turns, in the right places.
February 21, 2021
Just wanted to tell you, your book was truly amazing.I couldn't put it down.Your a incredible writer.I look forward to reading another one from your collection.Loved this book..Thank you❤
May 20, 2021
Wow, what a wild roller coaster ride this one is. This story would make a good movie for Netflix. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guesing.
Read
April 6, 2021Could not put this book down! Loved it!
February 7, 2021
Fast paced and crazy fun read!
Is it true or is it false? Real or unreal? Sometimes what you think isn’t real is and what’s real is false!
Is it true or is it false? Real or unreal? Sometimes what you think isn’t real is and what’s real is false!
October 22, 2020
With never a dull moment, “The Neighbors in Apartment 3D” by C.G. Wiles is taut with suspense from the first page until nearly the very last.
When Cintra tells her son a hurtful lie, her husband Elliot asks her to move out of their family home for six months. In order to save her marriage, she must not tell another lie ever again. Despite therapy and her best attempts, that will be easier said than done when she moves in with her close friend Pedro and meets his new neighbors.
June and Niko raise the hairs on the back of Cintra’s neck from the moment she meets them. Strange noises from their apartment. A small boy who lives there, but may or may not not be their son — and could very well be a girl. June’s instant friendship and Niko’s aloofness. These things all fuel her suspicions that her neighbors are not what they seem. Her background as a true crime writer and novelist help to kick her imagination into high gear. Are they kidnappers? Murderers? Or is her mind simply lying to her now that she can no longer lie to anyone else?
“The Neighbors in Apartment 3D” by C.G. Wiles is one of the better domestic suspense novels I’ve read in years. The tension starts to build from the very first page, starting out as a whisper and building to a roaring crescendo by the time you reach the climax. Every single chapter is well written, perfectly paced, and completely engrossing. There’s not a hair out of place, so to speak. Cintra is a well-developed, likable, compelling character. Her story alone makes for an interesting read. Add in the new neighbors and her many suspicions regarding them, and you have a can’t-put-down book full of mystery and suspense that won’t let you down — not even with its final twist.
I don’t strongly recommend many books, but this one I do. “The Neighbors in Apartment 3D” gripped me so tightly, I didn’t skip over even the most insignificant word.
Thank you to author C.G. Wiles for a complimentary e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When Cintra tells her son a hurtful lie, her husband Elliot asks her to move out of their family home for six months. In order to save her marriage, she must not tell another lie ever again. Despite therapy and her best attempts, that will be easier said than done when she moves in with her close friend Pedro and meets his new neighbors.
June and Niko raise the hairs on the back of Cintra’s neck from the moment she meets them. Strange noises from their apartment. A small boy who lives there, but may or may not not be their son — and could very well be a girl. June’s instant friendship and Niko’s aloofness. These things all fuel her suspicions that her neighbors are not what they seem. Her background as a true crime writer and novelist help to kick her imagination into high gear. Are they kidnappers? Murderers? Or is her mind simply lying to her now that she can no longer lie to anyone else?
“The Neighbors in Apartment 3D” by C.G. Wiles is one of the better domestic suspense novels I’ve read in years. The tension starts to build from the very first page, starting out as a whisper and building to a roaring crescendo by the time you reach the climax. Every single chapter is well written, perfectly paced, and completely engrossing. There’s not a hair out of place, so to speak. Cintra is a well-developed, likable, compelling character. Her story alone makes for an interesting read. Add in the new neighbors and her many suspicions regarding them, and you have a can’t-put-down book full of mystery and suspense that won’t let you down — not even with its final twist.
I don’t strongly recommend many books, but this one I do. “The Neighbors in Apartment 3D” gripped me so tightly, I didn’t skip over even the most insignificant word.
Thank you to author C.G. Wiles for a complimentary e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2021
No one believes a liar even when he tells the truth” - Aesop
Cintra knows she has a problem, she is unable to stop embellishing the truth, or as her husband would say, lying. She has finally gone too far though, she and her husband have separated. If she has any hope of fixing this, she will have to learn to tell only the truth.
When she starts to suspect that her new neighbors are anything but truthful, no one believes her. Not her husband or her roommate, and they are disappointed though not surprised, that she continues to lie. What's a girl supposed to do now? Turn a blind eye and lie about what she believes or continue to believe what she sees and risk losing her family?
Talk about being between a rock and a hard place! What a dilemma! As the story unfolds, we find out which characters are straight shooters and which ones are liars.
Everything in the world is chaotic and there are so many unsettling and traumatic situations going on every single day. I find books are even more important to me than they were before the dumpster fire of a year, a/k/a 2020. I was able to forget reality for a little while and lose myself in Cintra's story.
Is she a compulsive liar or are the neighbor's bad news? No spoilers here, but if you are looking for a page-turner, The Neighbors in Apartment 3D might be a good choice. Unless I am lying! No seriously, it was an enjoyable read, I swear!
Cintra knows she has a problem, she is unable to stop embellishing the truth, or as her husband would say, lying. She has finally gone too far though, she and her husband have separated. If she has any hope of fixing this, she will have to learn to tell only the truth.
When she starts to suspect that her new neighbors are anything but truthful, no one believes her. Not her husband or her roommate, and they are disappointed though not surprised, that she continues to lie. What's a girl supposed to do now? Turn a blind eye and lie about what she believes or continue to believe what she sees and risk losing her family?
Talk about being between a rock and a hard place! What a dilemma! As the story unfolds, we find out which characters are straight shooters and which ones are liars.
Everything in the world is chaotic and there are so many unsettling and traumatic situations going on every single day. I find books are even more important to me than they were before the dumpster fire of a year, a/k/a 2020. I was able to forget reality for a little while and lose myself in Cintra's story.
Is she a compulsive liar or are the neighbor's bad news? No spoilers here, but if you are looking for a page-turner, The Neighbors in Apartment 3D might be a good choice. Unless I am lying! No seriously, it was an enjoyable read, I swear!
June 20, 2021
Book Review
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝑰𝒏 𝑨𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 3𝑫
𝑩𝒚: C.G. Twiles
𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction
𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕: Paperback
@goodreads 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒆: 3.99
𝑴𝒚 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒆: 🔒🔒🔒🔒 / 4 𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒔
Thank you @cgtwiles for providing me a copy of your book for an unbiased review.
~ 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 ~
Cintra Coutinho is a compulsive liar and has lost his husbands & sons trust. She's now living with an old college friend Pedro, on a six-month trail separation from her husband and son. She must go the six months without telling one lie.
When neighbors move into apartment 3D next door to Cintra, she becomes eerily weary of the family. Starting off with strange noises through the apartment walls and seeing Leo the neighbor's child tape up a drawing of a little boy with a gun to his head with the words saying "𝑰'𝒎 𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒅", Cintra decides to return to her lying ways to get to the truth about her seemingly odd neighbors.
𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆.
~ 𝑴𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 ~
Wow! This book was crazy. There were many turns & so many twists. I loved everything about it. If I HAD to say one thing, I didn't enjoy it would be that there was a bit of a slow start but not too bad. It really picks up and then you'll just want to know more. This story had everything in it from an unstable relationship, to a secret fan club and lots of mysterious breakouts. I felt the writing was smoother throughout the book and I enjoyed the characters. I can't wait to read more from C.G Twiles!
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝑰𝒏 𝑨𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 3𝑫
𝑩𝒚: C.G. Twiles
𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction
𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕: Paperback
@goodreads 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒆: 3.99
𝑴𝒚 𝑺𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒆: 🔒🔒🔒🔒 / 4 𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒔
Thank you @cgtwiles for providing me a copy of your book for an unbiased review.
~ 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 ~
Cintra Coutinho is a compulsive liar and has lost his husbands & sons trust. She's now living with an old college friend Pedro, on a six-month trail separation from her husband and son. She must go the six months without telling one lie.
When neighbors move into apartment 3D next door to Cintra, she becomes eerily weary of the family. Starting off with strange noises through the apartment walls and seeing Leo the neighbor's child tape up a drawing of a little boy with a gun to his head with the words saying "𝑰'𝒎 𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒅", Cintra decides to return to her lying ways to get to the truth about her seemingly odd neighbors.
𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆.
~ 𝑴𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 ~
Wow! This book was crazy. There were many turns & so many twists. I loved everything about it. If I HAD to say one thing, I didn't enjoy it would be that there was a bit of a slow start but not too bad. It really picks up and then you'll just want to know more. This story had everything in it from an unstable relationship, to a secret fan club and lots of mysterious breakouts. I felt the writing was smoother throughout the book and I enjoyed the characters. I can't wait to read more from C.G Twiles!
August 19, 2020
A suspenseful, engrossing, and enjoyable read! The kind of book that makes you forget where you are. You’ll want to finish it in one sitting. The set up is irresistible: Cintra is a recovering compulsive liar who stands to lose her family if she tells one more lie, but when new neighbors move in and she suspects something sinister might be going on right next door, she is faced with a difficult choice. Being prone to exaggeration, she even doubts her own instincts, especially because the neighbors seem so nice and normal at first. But it soon becomes apparent that something is up, and Cintra has to keep her investigation secret from the people closest to her if she wants them to take her seriously. The twists keep coming, and nothing is as it seems. Plus, Twiles manages to bring so much wit to this genre—and make a very likable and winning protagonist out of a compulsive liar. All of the characters jump off the page and every moment is charged. Can’t recommend it enough!
August 22, 2020
We’ve all had strange neighbors but we’ve never had neighbors like these! Twiles’s protagonist carries us along with her as the mystery of the tenants next door unfolds. Unfortunately, in the past Cintra's made an unfortunate but accurate reputation for herself as a compulsive liar which forces her into having to be very careful about everything she now says. Something is very wrong in 3D and she's is determined to dig it out despite her support system treating her like she’s nuts and sometimes even questioning her own mental stability. The author’s use of “3D” in the title is perfect: This one’s full of interesting twists and turns, layers and depths that suck you in and carry you to the suspenseful climax. Recommended.
I received a copy of this book from Booksprout in exchange for an honest review
I received a copy of this book from Booksprout in exchange for an honest review
August 15, 2020
The main character of this story is an author called Cintra who has written one book, which was looking like it would be a great success, but then crashed into oblivion. She is supposed to be writing her second book, but not even her agent will speak to her. Her husband Elliot has asked her for a separation, until she addresses a serious problem that has grown out of control. She tells lies and some of them are whoppers! After a particularly despicable one that she tells her teenage son, she is told to leave their marital home and not return unless she can show she hasn’t told a lie for the next six months! Her husband has kept custody of their son Boston and she only gets to meet him once a week for a meal together.
She is a compulsive liar and this has grown from her childhood, but she is unsure what triggered her to start doing this and is now seeing a therapist to get some help to stop. She has moved in with an old college friend Pedro, in an apartment building, having moved in with him into apt 3C just three weeks beforehand. Now she meets her new neighbours at apt 3D and is unsure of her opinion of them. They are a married couple called June and Niko and until they are invited around for a meal, Cintra never knew they had a child living there. She has been hearing some odd noises, which she thinks is someone crying and wonders if she is hearing things. When a young boy walks into the dining room, she finds out the young teen is June’s sisters child Leo and that June and Niko are apparently looking after him, whilst the sister Callie is in Europe on some singing gigs!
Her next meeting with June is at her own best friends sudden engagement and party, where she is surprised with her friend’s fiancé’s strange mood at such a time and her close friendship to her new neighbour June! Another person June introduces her to is an old woman called Liz, whose eyes seem strikingly familiar. She has just been researching a woman just released from prison after some twenty years, after killing her ex-husband and his replacement, much younger new wife. She didn’t get a longer sentence due to the harsh treatment she received from her husband during the divorce and the fact he kept custody of all five of their children. The woman is called Ettie Brightman! The eyes definitely have it and it seems this woman could be the newly released murderess, who she is supposed to be researching for her part time blogging job with True Crime.
Added to the odd occurrences, is the young boy next door taping pages of paper on his door, which spell out, ‘I’m Being Held’, in a child’s handwriting and with a hand drawn picture showing a boy with a gun being held to his head. Has the boy been kidnapped by her strange new neighbours? Is that what the strange noises relate to? Cintra has a big problem now, as if she tries to tell anyone, she will just be thought to be telling lies, like normal, so it’s going to be difficult to convince anyone that she is telling the truth this time! A lot like the boy who called wolf. It gets more intricate, as she is accosted in the hallway by a drunken man accusing her of something nefarious about the ownership of the apt. Her husband doesn’t want to believe her and thinks it is nothing, but it just raises more questions about her new neighbours and the absent owner of both apartments 3C and 3D by June’s sister Callie, the opera singer.
What Cintra finds out next, will reveal that danger definitely lurks in the apartment next door, but not of the type she first imagined, but even more sinister and widespread! There are lots of twists and turns in this storyline and the fact the main character is a pathological liar makes it so much harder for her to get anyone to even believe her. She has to start telling lies again, to cover up what she is trying to do, as she uncovers more clues and facts about what is really happening next door, something she had promised her husband she wouldn’t do, so they could be a family again! Looks like that is going to be difficult to keep to now! Lots of suspense and a great read! I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
She is a compulsive liar and this has grown from her childhood, but she is unsure what triggered her to start doing this and is now seeing a therapist to get some help to stop. She has moved in with an old college friend Pedro, in an apartment building, having moved in with him into apt 3C just three weeks beforehand. Now she meets her new neighbours at apt 3D and is unsure of her opinion of them. They are a married couple called June and Niko and until they are invited around for a meal, Cintra never knew they had a child living there. She has been hearing some odd noises, which she thinks is someone crying and wonders if she is hearing things. When a young boy walks into the dining room, she finds out the young teen is June’s sisters child Leo and that June and Niko are apparently looking after him, whilst the sister Callie is in Europe on some singing gigs!
Her next meeting with June is at her own best friends sudden engagement and party, where she is surprised with her friend’s fiancé’s strange mood at such a time and her close friendship to her new neighbour June! Another person June introduces her to is an old woman called Liz, whose eyes seem strikingly familiar. She has just been researching a woman just released from prison after some twenty years, after killing her ex-husband and his replacement, much younger new wife. She didn’t get a longer sentence due to the harsh treatment she received from her husband during the divorce and the fact he kept custody of all five of their children. The woman is called Ettie Brightman! The eyes definitely have it and it seems this woman could be the newly released murderess, who she is supposed to be researching for her part time blogging job with True Crime.
Added to the odd occurrences, is the young boy next door taping pages of paper on his door, which spell out, ‘I’m Being Held’, in a child’s handwriting and with a hand drawn picture showing a boy with a gun being held to his head. Has the boy been kidnapped by her strange new neighbours? Is that what the strange noises relate to? Cintra has a big problem now, as if she tries to tell anyone, she will just be thought to be telling lies, like normal, so it’s going to be difficult to convince anyone that she is telling the truth this time! A lot like the boy who called wolf. It gets more intricate, as she is accosted in the hallway by a drunken man accusing her of something nefarious about the ownership of the apt. Her husband doesn’t want to believe her and thinks it is nothing, but it just raises more questions about her new neighbours and the absent owner of both apartments 3C and 3D by June’s sister Callie, the opera singer.
What Cintra finds out next, will reveal that danger definitely lurks in the apartment next door, but not of the type she first imagined, but even more sinister and widespread! There are lots of twists and turns in this storyline and the fact the main character is a pathological liar makes it so much harder for her to get anyone to even believe her. She has to start telling lies again, to cover up what she is trying to do, as she uncovers more clues and facts about what is really happening next door, something she had promised her husband she wouldn’t do, so they could be a family again! Looks like that is going to be difficult to keep to now! Lots of suspense and a great read! I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
February 25, 2021
C.G. Twiles is a pseudonym for an author who claims to be a "longtime writer and journalist who loves Gothic, mysteries, cemeteries, animals, ancient history, and old houses," and has been "determined to write a Gothic romantic thriller" set in the present since having read Jane Eyre at the age of twenty-one. Twiles' first novel was The Best Man on the Planet and it has been followed up by The Neighbors in Apartment 3D. Twiles acknowledges that the second book "was heavily influenced by Ira Levin’s Rosemary’s Baby" and, indeed, that source of inspiration is evident.
As the book opens, Cintra welcomes Niko and June, a couple in their forties, to the Brooklyn apartment building in which she resides when she encounters them in the hallway, and relates to Pedro that Niko seemed to have glared at her. She observed that Niko had dark eyes, a shaved head, and a suntan, but appeared to glower at her. Pedro has agreed to be Cintra's "accountability partner," a person who will challenge her when she appears to be exaggerating or, worse, outright lying. So when Pedro does just that, Cintra decides she should try to befriend the new neighbors because it would be nice to have friends who are not aware of her issue and circumstances.
But that night, Cintra is awakened by a long, low whine that she hears coming from the other side of the wall behind the headboard in her bedroom. She's convinced it's the sound of someone crying. But who? And why?
That's the genesis of Cintra's quest to learn what is happening next door in Apartment 3D. She is suspicious that something is amiss, and is highly observant when invited, along with Pedro, to dinner and interacting with June and Niko. She comes up with creative, ingenious, and downright reckless ways to solve the mystery, walking a tightrope because she wants badly to get back together with Elliott. Does she just have an overactive imagination that is destined to get her into trouble and derail her efforts to reunite the family she loves? Or is there really something nefarious happening behind the door with the odd combination lock? Twiles keeps readers in suspense as Cintra obsessively explores the possibilities.
But Cintra is very much in the same position as the mythical little boy who cried wolf. Because she has told so many lies over the years, no one takes her words at face value and Elliott shows no subtly when expressing his doubt about Cintra's veracity. So she has to stealthily investigate in order to determine if her theory -- that young Leo, June's purported nephew, has actually been kidnapped by the couple and is being held against his will. Leo is supposedly the son of June's sister, from whom Pedro is subletting the apartment, an opera singer performing in Europe.
Twiles has concocted a wild and complex tale, at the center of which is a surprisingly empathetic protagonist. Yes, Cintra is a demonstrated liar, but she is neither malicious nor mean-spirited. With that one horrific exception, her lies have been calculated to evade the truth, including about her lack of progress on her second novel -- she is stymied about the genre and plot. Or exaggerations designed to make her appear successful or popular. She deeply and genuinely regrets the words that caused Elliott to demand that they separate. She wants to be a full-time mother to Boston again, and knows that Boston misses her and wants that, too. And she is making a genuine effort to stop lying, and prove to Elliott and Boston that she is worthy of their trust and love so that she can return to their home.
The book's pace never lags as Cintra follows one clue after another, accelerating as she moves closer to the answers she seeks until it reaches a feverish speed when, on Halloween, no less, there is a Rosemary's Baby-ish confrontation that sends her on the run across Brooklyn's Prospect Park. With her life on the line and her son in grave danger, Twiles reveals how complicated the story really is and delivers several surprising developments, not all of which are entirely plausible or logical. Those details can be overlooked, however, because Cintra is endearing and, as a mother, relatable. Readers will find themselves cheering her on as she races to save herself and her son, and learns the devastating extent to which she has been deceived and betrayed.
The Neighbors in Apartment 3D is an ambitious second novel that overcomes the lack of polish that would be expected from a more seasoned novelist with enthusiasm, suspense, and a unique premise. It's an entertaining mystery that will leave readers wanting to read more from a talented new voice.
Thanks to author C.G. Twiles for a copy of the book.
As the book opens, Cintra welcomes Niko and June, a couple in their forties, to the Brooklyn apartment building in which she resides when she encounters them in the hallway, and relates to Pedro that Niko seemed to have glared at her. She observed that Niko had dark eyes, a shaved head, and a suntan, but appeared to glower at her. Pedro has agreed to be Cintra's "accountability partner," a person who will challenge her when she appears to be exaggerating or, worse, outright lying. So when Pedro does just that, Cintra decides she should try to befriend the new neighbors because it would be nice to have friends who are not aware of her issue and circumstances.
But that night, Cintra is awakened by a long, low whine that she hears coming from the other side of the wall behind the headboard in her bedroom. She's convinced it's the sound of someone crying. But who? And why?
That's the genesis of Cintra's quest to learn what is happening next door in Apartment 3D. She is suspicious that something is amiss, and is highly observant when invited, along with Pedro, to dinner and interacting with June and Niko. She comes up with creative, ingenious, and downright reckless ways to solve the mystery, walking a tightrope because she wants badly to get back together with Elliott. Does she just have an overactive imagination that is destined to get her into trouble and derail her efforts to reunite the family she loves? Or is there really something nefarious happening behind the door with the odd combination lock? Twiles keeps readers in suspense as Cintra obsessively explores the possibilities.
But Cintra is very much in the same position as the mythical little boy who cried wolf. Because she has told so many lies over the years, no one takes her words at face value and Elliott shows no subtly when expressing his doubt about Cintra's veracity. So she has to stealthily investigate in order to determine if her theory -- that young Leo, June's purported nephew, has actually been kidnapped by the couple and is being held against his will. Leo is supposedly the son of June's sister, from whom Pedro is subletting the apartment, an opera singer performing in Europe.
Twiles has concocted a wild and complex tale, at the center of which is a surprisingly empathetic protagonist. Yes, Cintra is a demonstrated liar, but she is neither malicious nor mean-spirited. With that one horrific exception, her lies have been calculated to evade the truth, including about her lack of progress on her second novel -- she is stymied about the genre and plot. Or exaggerations designed to make her appear successful or popular. She deeply and genuinely regrets the words that caused Elliott to demand that they separate. She wants to be a full-time mother to Boston again, and knows that Boston misses her and wants that, too. And she is making a genuine effort to stop lying, and prove to Elliott and Boston that she is worthy of their trust and love so that she can return to their home.
The book's pace never lags as Cintra follows one clue after another, accelerating as she moves closer to the answers she seeks until it reaches a feverish speed when, on Halloween, no less, there is a Rosemary's Baby-ish confrontation that sends her on the run across Brooklyn's Prospect Park. With her life on the line and her son in grave danger, Twiles reveals how complicated the story really is and delivers several surprising developments, not all of which are entirely plausible or logical. Those details can be overlooked, however, because Cintra is endearing and, as a mother, relatable. Readers will find themselves cheering her on as she races to save herself and her son, and learns the devastating extent to which she has been deceived and betrayed.
The Neighbors in Apartment 3D is an ambitious second novel that overcomes the lack of polish that would be expected from a more seasoned novelist with enthusiasm, suspense, and a unique premise. It's an entertaining mystery that will leave readers wanting to read more from a talented new voice.
Thanks to author C.G. Twiles for a copy of the book.
September 22, 2021
I loved the other two books I read by this author. She was kind enough to offer me a free copy of this book.
I didn’t love it. It didn’t knock me off my feet. It’s fast-paced, that’s for sure (it only took me so many days to read it because it’s September and #teacherlife).
Most of the characters in this book are forgettable. They don’t evoke any kind of emotion at all. Cintra herself is a frustrating character. Usually these are my favorite characters: those that make you simultaneously root for them while also enticing you to wring their neck. But Cintra is not likable in many ways. She’s a liar. She has lost the trust of those around her. Her only real redeeming quality is her focus on her son.
The plot is so unbelievable. Again not a deal breaker—some of the best books are fantastical books that might you go “no way this could ever happen!” but are so good you’re willing to let that incredulous feeling slide.
It’s hard to do that with this one. Too many “fantastical” elements make it hard to stick with it and can cause a reader to get a bit lost.
Alas I liked the book well enough to finish it, it just didn’t quite get me excited the way the other books I’ve read from this author did.
I didn’t love it. It didn’t knock me off my feet. It’s fast-paced, that’s for sure (it only took me so many days to read it because it’s September and #teacherlife).
Most of the characters in this book are forgettable. They don’t evoke any kind of emotion at all. Cintra herself is a frustrating character. Usually these are my favorite characters: those that make you simultaneously root for them while also enticing you to wring their neck. But Cintra is not likable in many ways. She’s a liar. She has lost the trust of those around her. Her only real redeeming quality is her focus on her son.
The plot is so unbelievable. Again not a deal breaker—some of the best books are fantastical books that might you go “no way this could ever happen!” but are so good you’re willing to let that incredulous feeling slide.
It’s hard to do that with this one. Too many “fantastical” elements make it hard to stick with it and can cause a reader to get a bit lost.
Alas I liked the book well enough to finish it, it just didn’t quite get me excited the way the other books I’ve read from this author did.
August 18, 2021
I had really high hopes for this novel because I really loved Twiles' Last Star Standing. I hate to admit how disappointed I am. I stuck it out because I kept thinking a big reveal was right around the corner. With that in mind, I will say that the author did a great job of holding the tension throughout the book.
It really felt like every trope from the psychological thriller genre was thrown at this one. There was the habitual liar who no one would believe, a bevy of wronged women and the men who wronged them, over-the-top revenge schemes, and more. The whole thing was just over the top. I don't need fiction to be completely believable. That's what makes it fun, after all. But I had to suspend disbelief an awful lot while reading this. I was just too fantastical.
I want to thank C.G. Twiles for gifting me with an advanced reader copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. I urge everyone to grab a copy of Last Star Standing, but I just cannot recommend t The Neighbors in Apartment 3D.
It really felt like every trope from the psychological thriller genre was thrown at this one. There was the habitual liar who no one would believe, a bevy of wronged women and the men who wronged them, over-the-top revenge schemes, and more. The whole thing was just over the top. I don't need fiction to be completely believable. That's what makes it fun, after all. But I had to suspend disbelief an awful lot while reading this. I was just too fantastical.
I want to thank C.G. Twiles for gifting me with an advanced reader copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. I urge everyone to grab a copy of Last Star Standing, but I just cannot recommend t The Neighbors in Apartment 3D.
November 24, 2021
I received a free digital copy from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
This was an interesting read that does a great job at keeping you captivated and wanting to know how it ends. I did a buddy read with a bookish buddy and we both found certain plot holes and twists that didn't line up for us. We were still pretty eager to keep going.
Going we did. As the plot twists and turns it tended to go on linger than needed in many different areas. The big reveals weren't a huge as I would've hoped with how strong the lead ups were.
There are tons of readers who adored this novel and I'd still recommend it since this genre isn't always my personal cup of tea. Twiles did an excellent job of building anticipation which I highly enjoyed. Overall, my rating is a 2.5/5 rounded up for Goodreads.
This was an interesting read that does a great job at keeping you captivated and wanting to know how it ends. I did a buddy read with a bookish buddy and we both found certain plot holes and twists that didn't line up for us. We were still pretty eager to keep going.
Going we did. As the plot twists and turns it tended to go on linger than needed in many different areas. The big reveals weren't a huge as I would've hoped with how strong the lead ups were.
There are tons of readers who adored this novel and I'd still recommend it since this genre isn't always my personal cup of tea. Twiles did an excellent job of building anticipation which I highly enjoyed. Overall, my rating is a 2.5/5 rounded up for Goodreads.
August 14, 2020
If you've ever lived in close proximity to your neighbors, you can't help but wonder what goes on behind their doors (and you know they're asking the same questions about you). We all invent the private lives of those around us, we can't help ourselves. But in "The Neighbors in Apartment 3D," there's a twist as our protagonist is a helplessly pathological liar and everybody from her husband to her children to her best friends all know it. Cintra may be able to unravel the mysteries of 3D, but who could possibly believe her? By the way, she's rendered with incredible likability and identifiability despite her flaw. This is a fun novel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 20, 2021
This was an exciting thriller that had some unexpected twists that I loved! There are some stories that I really submerge into, and it's easy to forget that I'm sitting my chair reading, and this was one of those stories!
The main character, Cintra, is a path logical liar, trying to recover after a very serious lie to her son. Living in an apartment by herself, she receives a child's drawing that cries out for help. What should she do? I loved that we know Cintra is a liar from the beginning. It gave the whole book an interesting twist, then add on all the surprises as the story unfolds, and it's just an exciting thriller that I think people will enjoy!
I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
The main character, Cintra, is a path logical liar, trying to recover after a very serious lie to her son. Living in an apartment by herself, she receives a child's drawing that cries out for help. What should she do? I loved that we know Cintra is a liar from the beginning. It gave the whole book an interesting twist, then add on all the surprises as the story unfolds, and it's just an exciting thriller that I think people will enjoy!
I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
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