“It’s Deathly Hallows, Mike,” Grace replied. “Not Shallows… but thanks for having my back, babe.”
“Ah… well shit,” Mike whispered, brushing a hand through his hair. “Honestly, I did think it sounded off when I was saying it.”
Well, let me tell you - Mike not knowing the correct title to the final Harry Potter book certainly wasn't the only thing off with The Neighbour's Secret. I don't even have the energy to summarize the plot, because all the characters were so unlikable and chaotic, hardly any decent amount of suspense, cringe-worthy and slightly juvenile writing, honestly, I could go on, but I really try hard not to be too mean in my reviews.
Grace and Mike have been happily together for more than five years - however, when a new gorgeous tenant, Jade, moves into their building, their relationship is severely tested, when Grace starts to suspect that there is something dark and dangerous lurking underneath the facade of innocence and beauty Jade has going for herself.
Gosh, I'm laughing just writing this sentence, because, I just wanted this nightmare of a read to be over as quickly as possible. Fortunately, it really didn't waste any time delving right into the madness that was soon to unfold! Because, as gripping and chaotic, the opening scene was, as the story progressed and character personalities were revealed, I didn't feel any sympathy or remorse for any of them - as has I did try!
Honestly, I am ashamed at my overall curiosity to give it a shot, only to steadily grow more appalled as I continued reading. I should have walked away immediately when I saw that constant and very irksome shift between past and present tense in the story. Like, that throws me off like nothing else - especially as it's something I did have issues with in my own writing, so it's something that always grabs my attention! 😫😫
In any good mystery or suspense thriller, I always hope that there is a fair number of characters introduced that you can actually have options that can be likely suspects - but if there is such a limited number and the obvious choice is so blatantly clear, there really isn't anything to speculate about it, now is there? Rather, we get firsthand glimpses at how insanely psychotic someone can be, even before their attempted murder attempt!
I mean, 'piercing his condom' even though, they'd agreed to no children! was just so twisted and wrong - it's hard to feel any ounce of sympathy for the victim! I felt like I was watching one of those slasher films that once the killer went rampant on their killing spree, they didn't care who got in their way, except that they had to get their revenge! And well, if those types of films are one of my least favorite genres, then it's suffice to say I was one unhappy reader with this one.
The only slight saving grace of this story would have to be Grace (yes, intentional pun there!) - the lead FMC, who honestly was just caught in the bad place, bad time situation, trapped in the relationship of two twisted tools. Ah, I'll definitely think twice about ever wanting to get too close to any new neighbors now. 😅😅
Is my rating too low - mayhap, but this is me being extremely generous, especially since others may actually enjoy this frustrating train-wreck.
And Thriller, you say? Yep, I was thrilled when I finally finished this book, so I could put it behind me and forget I ever read it. 😔😔
When Jade, a new tenant moves into Grace and Mike's apartment block, Grace is quick to lend a hand with anything she needs. But who is Jade? And why is she so keen on flirting with Mike?
Holy dooly, what a ride this book was! So fast paced and unpredictable with twists aplenty. I was literally on the edge of my seat as I read this. I can't say much more with giving anything away so I will just PICK THIS UP! Dan Clark's books are all superb. If you're a thriller fan, I highly urge you to give them a go.
I thought I’d read just the start of this book to get a sense of it before going to sleep, but found myself completely sucked in and read until late in the night. This was an enticing, easy to fall into thriller that kept me reading. What I loved most was that the characters were brilliantly bought to life, the author did an impressive job! I could imagine exactly each person as they were described; their mannerisms, personalities and looks vividly seen in my mind, and therefore made this book read like a movie. Gosh this was good!!
I found the storyline exciting, shocking and action packed and it read so well that I couldn’t put it down because I needed to find out how it was going to end. Oh and let’s just say… wow, what a character one of them was! Talk about psycho dangerous! Haha!! I highly recommend this book. Thrillers are so much fun to read and this is definitely one of the really good ones. Grab yourself a copy, you’ll love it!!
This book was brilliantly written, it was gripping, mysterious, full of twists and turns to keep you hooked on it.
Now who doesn't love a good thriller especially one who involves neighbours . When Grace gets a chance to help her new neighbour out and find out more about them... maybe it was better if she didn't find out after all!
A great thriller book with plenty to keep your mind busy on it, with intriguing characters, and plot twists you are bound to love this!
A new neighbour. A new friend. A new threat - if that pulled you in, well that pulled me in too!
Love a dual time line and trying to figure things out, they really pull me in! Helps to build the suspense with this thriller. . Grace & Mike get a new neighbour in their apartment block...... friend or foe? Already giving me bad vibes with the subtle ways the neighbour acts oddly. Intrigued to read on and find out more and how it links to the past. . Loved his previous books 'The boy in the well' & 'I'll find you'. .
I like to try new (to me) authors and thought I’d check this one out. As the title said, there is a quirky neighbor who seemingly wants to cause trouble. There’s also a subplot that starts 5 years before. I also enjoy having cats in my books as long as they come to no harm, and they don’t! There is an elderly cat lady (I’m quickly approaching that!) who is always spying on her neighbors and then there are also friends of the protagonists who play a pivotal role. I enjoyed this relatively short story and read it in less than a day. I’ll have to check more of this easy writing style by this author.
I was initially gripped by the prologue in this book that really does capture the reader’s attention, The Neighbours Secret is a mystery thriller novel, set from multiple perspectives, also with some time jumps between one and five years previously to the modern-day story. It is a fast paced read that has readers engaged and engrossed from the very first page, this novel was a quick read, and could easily be the script to a crime series episode or short movie.
There are a variety of characters who all have an established relationship once the shock reveal is cast. I really liked the multiple point of view and reading from different characters perspectives as it really helped them grow as characters, although some of the characters were slightly underdeveloped in my opinion. The main character Grace was lovely despite being slightly naïve, which she did chastise herself for in the book, but I really felt and established a connection for her, she was probably my favourite character in the book, and Alison that woman was something else the way that she treated Eric was abysmal and I really found myself detesting her, she was a well written character.
Now this book provided everything that the plot promises, just for me personally I felt that my suspicions throughout the book were all found to be correct so the shock reveal for me was a little bit of a let down as I had already figured out the end game, so despite the book being slightly predictable for me I still found it to be a page turner with action across each page, and wanting to finish the book to see if certain characters got their comeuppance.
I did enjoy this read and would recommend it to fans of crime, mystery and thriller novels. Although there are a number of triggers in this book such as; murder, emotional abuse, grief, violence, derogatory terms, miscarriage and kidnapping.
Absolutely loved this book! Was literally hooked from the first page, and had finished it well within 24 hours - just couldn't put it down. Very fast paced with huge bunny boiler vibes all the way through it - would highly recommend. Have read another book from this author and loved that one too, so will always be looking out for all future releases.
I’m a huge fan of Dan Clark’s books ever since I read his first book The Boy In The Well and then subsequently I’ll Find You First. His books are written in such a way that you get drawn in straight away there’s no build up you just get sucked in straightaway and hooked the whole way through and he’s the master of twists that make you spin!
The Neighbour’s Secret is Dan’s 3rd book and I’ve waited very impatiently for it to come out !!!
Grace and Mike have led a quiet life in Church place for the last 4 years but then a very attractive new neighbour, Jade, moves in next door and she befriends Grace while Mike is away on a business trip because she needs Grace’s help… but is she all she seems? And why is she so flirty with Mike? She gets Graces heckles up but Mike is oblivious to it and thinks Grace’s imagining things, but is she??
This book only came out yesterday and it literally had me up all night reading it and I finished it this morning, I just couldn’t put it down its SO dark and fruity and twisty that I had to close the book at times to process the twists!
If you like psychological thrillers you’ll LOVE this !!!!!!
After reading Dan Clark’s other two books and thoroughly enjoying them, I was nervously excited to read this as I was worried it wouldn’t hit the mark that the previous books had. Thankfully, I need not have worried because this book is fabulous!! As like most of us, I love to bond with characters and I can honestly say I “felt” every single character within this story, whether it was liking them or hating them! They are all brilliantly written into the role they are portraying. The story had me gasping outloud several times with unexpected twists and turns throughout the story, and I felt like I was holding my breath due to the speed of the pace in the last chapters! I am looking forward to reading more by this author as I feel his books just keep on getting better and better. After the first few chapters of this book, by the way it hooked me and drew me in, I knew it would be a 5 star read.
I love a prologue in a book that hooks you straight away. Dan Clark managed to do that with the start of The Neighbour's Secret. Because one minute your there with a man who's not happy with his woman, that's a slight understatement but I don't want to ruin anything for you. And, then we go into chapter 1 and wonder how will the prologue be connected to the story. Really enjoy this aspect as I'm always second guessing the characters we are introduced to you, wondering if they are who we've already met 🤔
Present day narrative is from a block of flats. A new neighbour has moved in and she's ruffling a few feathers.
And we have a past narrative from five years ago, of a man and woman who meet and fall in love. Now that description is very far off the mark of what actually happens. Their chance meeting and subsequent relationship is not what I'd call a love story, but hey I don't want to go ruining this for you.
Now the first quarter of this book is relatively tame (ish) its not. It's a foundation stone of the insane journey you're going to go on. The characters we meet let's just say some of them aren't as they seem and when the truth comes out, it's a very eye opening moment.
The Neighbour's Secret is a book that shouldn't be a secret, you should all read it 😊
I would like to thank Lovebookstours for my spot on the book tour. And to Dan Clark for writing yet again a fantastic book. If you haven't yet had the joy of reading one of his books, then go on off you pop and purchase one. Then come back and thank me later.
Firstly, I just want to say a huge thank you to Dan Clark for giving me the opportunity to read and review his latest thriller novel - The Neighbours Secret.
The book follows three MC’s - Grace, Mike and Jade. All three characters were fab - they each had a unique personality that quite frankly reminded me of Marmite! You’re either going to love them or you’re going to hate them! Which, to me was a brilliant play by the author - either way, you are 100% invested.
This was for sure, a gripping and entertaining read. Fast paced and enthralling right from the opening chapter, this story leaves you constantly wanting more as it takes readers on a dark journey of revenge that at times, really gets deep into the nitty gritty.
I’d recommend this book to any thriller lovers who thrive off an action packed story. It certainly doesn’t disappoint.
This story starts off quite unexpectedly with a prologue that leaves you guessing how it will play into the story. I found myself engaged from the start making it a quick read. I thought having the dual timelines really helped create suspense and pull this story together. I loved the little community in this building and hated the new neighbour from the second she walked into the building. The author gives just enough to make you guess and then still was able to pull out some great little twists.This is my first book from this author and I will checking out the backlist.
Thank you to Love Books Tours for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.
How much can you trust your neighbors? Grace and her boyfriend Mike live in a small apartment complex where everyone knows each other. When a new neighbor moves in Grace does not trust the woman from the start.
This is the second books I’ve read by Dan Clark and I enjoy his writing style. He creates characters you can relate to and that you will love or hate. You may even feel sorry for some. This book is written written in different timelines and you don’t know how they are connected at first. After I finished reading, I thought about the book for awhile and remembered things from early in the book and how they fit into the story. It is a great read!
Happy publication day! This is the third book by Dan Clark that I have read, they’ve all been brill and I definitely recommend for thriller fans!
What a rollercoaster this book is, very fast paced and full of so many twists! It’s such a great thriller and one that you can easily become engrossed in and feel eager to know what happens
The characters were very well described, good length chapters. Different timelines which worked well and I just loved how twisty the book was!
I am beyond happy that I got the chance to read this book before its release date. It moves very fast and I instantly got sucked in. Dan has a way of creating the most likeable characters. Even with how the story started I just couldn’t believe that twist. I really don’t want to say much or give any spoilers but this really is a brilliant read.
Get this book on February 24th, you won’t regret it!
I was gifted this book by the author Dan Clark for an honest review. It will be out on the 24th of February and you can already pre-order it for only 99p/99c!
We follow Grace and Mike who live in a former church and they love it there. One day, they get a new neighbour, right across the hall. From the very first moment Grace has some mixed feelings about this new, very attractive, and also very intrusive woman. Then, things spiral out of control and even death comes around the corner.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the prologue and couldn't wait to find out more - find out what really happened to the characters from the prologue. And you eventually find out! It was quite the rollercoaster with some twists I did not see coming. I had no idea which character to trust anymore and the author has done an impressive job. The story itself is quite exciting and thrilling. That, in combination with the, whoever-should-you-trust, characters make for an utterly entertaining read!
I was super excited to receive this ARC from Dan Clark
Now, this was fast-paced! At one point, my eyes weren't reading quick enough! I read this in less than 24 hours, I knew it was going to good when I was hooked from page 1.
It's short, fast-paced, and will have you on the edge of your seat. You don't know who to trust 👀🫣
WOW!! This is the 3rd book by Dan Clark that I have read, and I absolutely loved it!! It’s extremely fast-paced, pulling me in from the very first page, and not letting me go until the last! I absolutely couldn’t put it down. It messed with my head, took me down a dark, twisting path, and kept me questioning, which I loved. The story is brilliantly plotted, extremely well written, and the characters are really vividly portrayed. Don’t want to give anything away, but this is a real page-turner of a story. If a descent into madness is your thing, then read this!! Highly recommended.
This will be one of my top reads of 2023! I sat on the edge of my seat the entire time. With so many twists and turns, it kept me gripped until the very end. Outstanding!
It jumped a little at the beginning, going back and forth, and I found myself getting confused. The writing seemed slightly off in terms of the way it was being told.
That said, it was an enjoyable read, and I liked Grace as a main character.
The story was good, and the twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. The breadcrumbs were dropped throughout the story, but I was just too stupid to notice.
I loved this book. It had such a good plot, and the characters were well written. I finished this in a day. I couldn't put it down! Highly recommend this book 📖
🌟🌟🌟.5 This was my first read by Dan Clark. His previous two books have great reviews so I was excited to try a new male author. Most of my reads are written by female authors and I’m always looking to expand my author list. Plus, I’m a sucker for gorgeous covers! This book starts strong with an exhilarating Prologue that sucks you in.
“I’ll make sure that you will never enjoy happiness ever again.”— The Neighbour’s Secret by Dan Clark
The writing is wonderful and the author kept me entertained with mysterious and well-developed characters. It made me happy my apartment living days are over. I remember those neighbors that made life difficult.
Mike and Grace are living comfortably in an apartment complex. Their neighbors are quiet and friendly, for the most part. Then a new neighbor moves in and shakes things up. Jade is beautiful, sexy, and single. She strolls around the halls in revealing outfits, flirting with Mike and other men she runs into, driving Grace mad. But it’s more than that. There’s something strange about her and Grace is determined to find out what it is.
Pros: This book starts strong. I love that! It’s a quick read that keeps a fast pace. The catty interaction between Jade and Grace adds some punch to the story. Jade is a snarky and conniving love-to-hate character!
Cons: I read a lot of thrillers and I found it fairly predictable. Hard-core thriller readers might feel the same. My review is inconsistent with the majority so take it with a grain of salt.
Thank you to Love Books Tours and Dan Clark for the gifted ARC. All opinions are my own.
My thoughts: wow! I couldn’t stop reading this book! It was so fast-paced, great characters-some you love and some you love to hate plus all the suspense! Grace and Mike were such a cute couple and Jade was 😝crazy ! I loved this thriller full of twists and turns & I highly recommend! Go pick it up today!
Blurb
A NEW NEIGHBOUR. A NEW FRIEND. A NEW THREAT. At first it was exciting to see the new neighbour move into the vacant apartment across the way... then it quickly changed. Grace and Mike have lived in Church Place for almost four years. It's their home, they're settled and are extremely content. When the new tenant asks for Grace's help during a time of need, she's happy to assist as it gives her an opportunity to learn more about the woman. It isn't long until Grace and Mike discover who she really is. Only now it may be too late...
I first discovered Dan's books back in April 2021, with The Boy in the Well. And it was such a brilliant read and I really couldn't wait for more from the author.
Since then Dan has given me another fantastic read with I'll Find You.
The neighbour's Secret is exactly what you want for a deap down twisted psychological thriller.
Grace and Mike have the perfect flat, great jobs, lovely neighbours and not forgetting the perfect Ragdoll cat Willow!
But when a new neighbour Jade arrives in their block things don't seem so perfect after all.
Jade is very forthcoming with Mike but is hostile towards Grace but for what reason?
When a explicit photo of Grace was shared with all her work colleagues, supposedly from Mike's personal email address whilst he was working away. Things got very heated and put a stain on their relationship.
Jade always seems to be there at the right time for Grace's problems!
When Mags an elderly neighbour is found dead on the flats stairs, just before she slipped a note into Grace's door saying that she needed to talk about their new neighbour. Grace immediately knows that something is disturbingly wrong with their new neighbour Jade.
I don't want to give out spoilers for this book but it's hard not too.
You will either love or hate Jade and that's the way Dan has written her character. Absolutely fantastic book.
‘The Neighbour’s Secret’ is a compelling and addictive thriller that will keep you up late at night. This was the first book of Dan’s that I have read but I will be keeping a look out for his new releases as I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
When a new neighbour moves into the flat across from Grace and Mike they are initially pleased as they look like they will be a good addition to the block of flats. When the new neighbour asks for help one evening as her electrics have failed Grace invites her in and they spend the evening getting to know one another over a few bottles of wine. But Grace wakes up very hungover and late for work and this marks a downward spiral for the young woman. Who is targeting her and Mike and why? Grace suspects her neighbour but is it paranoid delusions or is there a hint of truth there?
This was a fast-paced story from the get-go to the very end and I read it in one sitting. It was full of twists and turns and really keeps the reading guessing. I managed to work out a far bit of the story but enjoyed reading the reveals as it progressed to it's conclusion. I really enjoyed Grace’s character as I could resonate with her love of Harry Potter and Paramore and it made her a very relatable protagonist.
If you are a thriller fan you will love this book! Let me know if you pick it up!
“What person in their right mind could live a normal life thinking they’ve murdered someone?”
The neighbour’s secret follows Grace and Mike who are content in their relationship, their lives and their apartment. When their new neighbour, Jade, moves in opposite them, Grace and Mike do their best to welcome her. But when they finds out who Jade really is, it might be too late to stop the danger..
This was my first book by this author, and it didn’t disappoint! It was told from multiple perspectives across a dual timeline which combined in the end with a lot of intensity! I really felt myself rooting for Grace’s character, and there weren’t too many names so that it got confusing which is a massive bonus as it allowed the plot to shine.
The neighbour’s secret is fast paced, thrilling and tense until the very last page. I was hooked by the story and enjoyed the different tropes. I did guess the twists, but I enjoyed the psychological aspect of the plot so this more than made up for that. The prologue is exceptionally written and immediately pulls you in, and this made it a quick and gripping read for me.
Thank you to Dan Clark for messaging me in regard to reviewing this book, this is my honest review, and I will definitely be reading more of his books. I can see why this is his bestseller!