The Good Neighbour, by Beth Miller

There's a woman who lives next door to me whom I find just a tad too peppy.

There's a woman who lives next door to me whom I find just a tad too peppy, too friendly - too much, in fact.

She moved in a few months ago and has been only too keen to make friends with everyone and generally be a good neighbour.

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And what's wrong with that, I hear you cry. Nothing, nothing at all. But read this book and you will see why I am suspicious.

After living next door to the neighbours from hell, Minette is overjoyed when Cath and her two children move in next door. Cath soon becomes her confidante and a close friend, even getting her to do a charity run for the organisation that supports her wheelchair-using son.

Minette confides in her that she finds one of their neighbours attractive; Cath seems to encourage it and Minette is flattered. But Cath keeps herself unusually guarded and is reluctant to speak of her past.

Then, when Minette sees something unspeakable, she begins to wonder whether she really has a friend at all.

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This is a gripping read and the plot is a clever one, with twists and turns along the way. I liked the use of emails and texts, which makes it seem instant and contemporary.

But, in reality, this is a good old-fashioned thriller. It will certainly make you look more closely at that friendly new next-door-neighbour.