The Neighbor Two Doors Down

by H.K. Christie

Five years ago, she tried to kill the man who abducted her sister. Now she’s living next door to a psychopath hiding in plain sight.

Allison Smythe is barely clinging to sanity. After blaming and nearly killing an innocent man for her sister’s unsolved kidnapping, she’s ready to consider a fresh start. But just as she’s settled in a new city, she’s horrified to spot the villain who took her sibling residing peacefully on her street.

Arguing with the police over the need for more evidence and with her therapist about her deteriorating mental health, Allison grits her teeth and attacks the dangerous problem alone. But the more she digs, the more questions she unearths… and she fears her fragile mind could be playing nightmarish tricks.

Will her desperate attempt to deliver justice end with a tragic repeat of history?

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Suspense

237 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 24, 2023

About the author

H. K. Christie watched horror films far too early in life. Inspired by the likes of Stephen King, Jodi Picoult, true crime podcasts, and a vivid imagination she now writes suspenseful thrillers. When not working on her latest novel, she can be found eating & drinking with friends, walking around the lakes, or playing with her favorite furry pal. 
She is a native and current resident of the San Francisco Bay Area. 


The MARTINA MONROE series featuring Private Investigator Martina Monroe and her unofficial partner, Detective August Hirsch of the Cold Case Squad, is a nail-bing crime thriller series full of suspense. If you like high-stakes games, jaw-dropping twists, and embattled seekers struggling to do right, then you’ll love the thrilling Martina Monroe series.

The SELENA BAILEY series is a collection of suspenseful stories detailing one young woman's turbulent path to becoming a top-notch, kick-ass private investigator. If you like thrilling twists, dark tension, and smart and driven women, then you’ll love this new dark thriller series. A Permanent Mark is a suspenseful murder mystery featuring a grown-up Selena Bailey.

www.authorhkchristie.com

Reviews

[Kay Oliver · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this and so intrigued by the plot. But I struggled my way through because the writing was so redundant. Paragraphs and sentences repeated words, descriptions, explanations, etc. Even dialogue between characters. It drove me bonkers and pulled me out of the story numerous times and then I'd struggle to get back into it.

[Jayne · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had a strong start and a compelling premise:
A woman is present when her sister is abducted.

She saw the abductor's face and blamed herself.

Five years later, this woman almost killed a man she believed was responsible for her sister’s unsolved disappearance.

Who abducted this woman's sister? Was the sister still alive?

After Chapter 3, this book went downhill faster than an Olympic speed-race skier.

The plot quickly became contrived, predictable, and eye-rolling.

I listened to the audiobook read by Brittany Goodwin.

Although Brittany Goodwin did a superb job with the narration, a full-cast audiobook would have been preferred since the book unfolded from multiple POVs.

One star, rounded up.

[Erica Sellers · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first half of this book held so much promise, but by the end of it, I couldn’t wait for it to be over. Between the garbage dialogue and nonexistent character development, I’m actually impressed with myself for finishing it. So much more could have been accomplished with this plot line.

[Jodi KH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book despite the “what are the chances” storyline.
A sister is stolen & her sister never gives up finding her.
What are the chances that she’s move to Seattle & live 2 doors down from her kidnapped sister & her niece? Probably zero
That being said, I didn’t mind.
It’s a fast paced & interesting novel.

[Marcie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is awful. I'm supposed to buy that a 14 year old girl is kidnapped, in the middle of the day, in a grocery store parking lot, ripped out of the passenger side of the car she's in, by a man in a white van that speeds away and NOBODY but her sister witnesses this? Her sister then moves away from her home in the Bay Area (years after almost killing a man who she thought was "the monster") and just happens to buy a house 2 doors down from where her kidnapped sister has been held captive for 20 years? It was God's plan according to the storyline. The writing is juvenile, with so many grammatical errors and repetitive writing. Liam is the most annoying character I've read in any book thus far. Every time he talked to Allison, it was always "Are you okay?". I literally had second-hand embarrassment for the author. The plot was ridiculous, the writing style is boring and repetitive, I had no visions because details were non-existent (except for Ruby who we know has strawberry blond hair, blue eyes and a peaches and cream complexion, as this is mentioned several times). Just blah! I'm annoyed that I read this.
I did read from beginning to end though because I committed to it, but this is going in my never to read again pile. Junk.

[Carolyn Vandine West · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good suspense audiobook. I liked that narrator and the story. I figured out some things before it was revealed, but still liked the way it ended. I won’t say more and ruin the ending.
Losing a sister to a kidnapper was Allison’s worse nightmare and shook her world for 20 years. She is sure she has seen the man who took her sister. But she had been sure of it once before. After she attacked an innocent man, she received psychiatric help ever since.
I bought and listened to this on Chirp audio.

[Catbytheseareads ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing book kept me on the edge of my seat and sleep deprived.
I had to know what was going to happen. It was somewhat predictable but who cares, it’s a great book and well written.

Allison, 37, moves from the Bay Area of California to Seattle Washington.
She buys a house and has a brand new job at a big Tech company.
A new chapter for her life.

20 years prior her sister Ella was kidnapped and Allison is suffering from PTSD.
She meets Liam, the Nephew of her neighbor two doors down.

Oh my Liam is lovely, too good to be true? They work together and start dating.

This book is filled with emotion to touch you like you can only imagine to be in her shoes.
I loved every minute of it and did not want it to end.

[🌻Sarah Long🦋 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I called the ending and what had been going on with her sister. Also, there were a few things that aggravated me as I read this book.

[Karrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was really excited about this based on the summary and the reviews that had already been made on this book. I unfortunately didn’t have the same views.

The premise of this story was great. However, the execution was sorely lacking in most areas. The author’s writing style is basic to a flaw. It reads like an amateur writer, not a published author. The sentences are repetitive, lacking in a rhythmic flow, and have no differences in sentence structure and pattern.

The descriptions used in the book are similar to what my middle school writers use in their writing. It was lacking in imagery and realism. It seemed forced and unnatural. The character development was also lacking and cringy. The main character, who is supposed to be an intelligent capable professional twice used the phrase “suck it.” This is an example of the lack of realism.

As the plot progressed, things became more unrealistic. I was waiting for a pivotal climax and it was more akin to air slowly leaking out of a balloon. There were multiple opportunities to liven things up, like a clash between the protagonist and antagonist. Instead, they met once and that was the end of that. The denouement was ridiculously unrealistic. Police would never wait over an hour to go get a perp. They’d never release victims back to the home two doors away during a police standoff! This was absurd.

I’m glad so many enjoyed this book, but it was like pulling teeth to finish. This won’t be an author I follow.

[Morgan Hirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started today, finished today. This was such a quick read and definitely a page turner.

[Victoria Swank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but it was very similar to “Then She Was Gone”. Half way through I felt like it was so glaringly obvious what the ending was. It was helpful that it was super short.

[Brynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Saw a bunch of tiktoks about this book, so I was excited to read it. It wasn't as great as I'd hoped. The ending wasn't a surprise.

[connie marie lindenmier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't waste your time

Very predictable with no twists at the end. Many typos which should have been caught. I usually don't write reviews but this book reads like a book for the junior high crowd. I should have counted how many times Liam said "Are you ok/alright ?"

[Dafne Rohr · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had so much potential but was ruined by the redundant writing, almost zero character development, and predictability. It kinda seemed like a “Hallmark” version of a thriller…everything just played out perfectly.

[Lindsay Wiggs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well that was dumb

[Melissa (honeybee.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I want to thank @netgalley, @keekstarmedia & @hkchristie for my free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What an amazing thrilling ride. I really enjoyed this one. While reading I knew it reminded me of Jaycee Dugard, which is one of the only non fiction books I've read, and ouff her story is heartwrenching. At the end the author does mention that she was inspired by that story and wanted to show that in kidnapping cases there is hope. I loved that. Although don't get me wrong this book is painful to read.

From the start I was fully engaged and immersed in the story. Allison's attachment to her sister, how after 20 years she never gave up was so inspiring, I loved her so much. I was on the edge of my seat, bitting my nails constantly, I couldn't stop reading I needed to know what happened to Ella. The plot was very well done with the suspense building continuously. 

Keep in mind it is gut wrenching but worth it.

If you want a nail bitting, gut wrenching, thrilling, fast paced read, definitely pick this one up ! 

[Laura Wheat · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst books I've ever read😂 I only finished because I hate not finishing books. It was like reading something written by a teenager

[Stacey Garrett · Rating 2 out of 5]

So predictable 🙄

[Onna DeRenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! A fast paced thriller — it kept me on the edge and I suspected things along the way! I knew there was a connection between ruby and Ella somehow!! My heart hurt for Allison, ella & ruby! I even cried at one part towards the end when they were on the FaceTime call with their mom. ☹️🥹

I felt bad for Cora but at the same time she wasn’t innocent & could have did something to get away from “the monster” 🙃 good ending!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook, and it was such a fast read! The first half of the book was very good and intriguing and had me asking a lot of questions, but as the story went on, it seemed to fall a little flat. Also, I’m mad at the ending, but don’t wanna spoil it!

[Jaclynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️
The Neighbor Two Doors Down was my first book by this author. The story is about 2 sisters who go for ice cream, and the younger sister gets kidnapped. 20 years later, the older sister has not lost hope but is really struggling with her guilt. Until one day, everything changes.

The story was a little predictable, but overall, I did enjoy it.

[Brittany · Rating 1 out of 5]

No, you have to be kidding. This was the most predictable ‘thriller’ I’ve ever read. Anyone can guess the ending by the halfway mark. Anyone, that is, except for the main character of this book who was dumbed down just to draw the story out longer.

[Kristy Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I will definitely be reading more of this authors books! Well written and the suspense kept me wanting to read more!

[Ellen Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book and was invested in the characters. The end was indeed a little predictable but well thought out.

[Stephanie Spain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very predictable. But it was fine.

[Stephanie Hirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read but keeps you on your toes regarding a kidnapping of a young teen and a sister who refuses to accept her death after 20 years.

[Ticha Ulickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick thriller with a happy ending, predictable but I still enjoyed it!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Always kept me guessing page after page after page!!!

[Paige · Rating 1 out of 5]

There’s no thrill in a thriller’s plot twist being predictable from just the first few chapters.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

So much repetition. I was not invested in these characters at all.