🎧 Book Review: The House Across the Street by Jill Childs

3.5⭐
Genre ~ psychological fiction, family drama
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ July 15, 2024
Est Page Count ~ 330 (p+ 53 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 18 minutes
Narrator ~ Kristin Atherton
POV ~ single 1st & multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ multiple timelines, murder, secrets

My review:

Sister and brother, Anna & Tim are living in their old house with Anna’s 10 year old daughter, Cassie.

Sister and brother, Lily & George Taylor were best friends with Anna and Tim growing up, until one tragic event caused a rift between George and Tim. Lily’s POV is the only 1st person one.

Now the beloved Dr. Taylor is found murdered. Who stabbed him and why?

I’m not a fan when a child thinks they know what’s best and doesn’t listen to their parent, even if they’re not given a good reason for why things are the way they are. There’s also a lack on police presence when it was warranted, which I found odd.

Hiding because we learn this later on and it’s definitely a (view spoiler) and it makes no sense and I’m a bit sickened by it. But I suppose that’s a twist for ya. I was originally rounding up, but the more I thought about it, I’ve gotta go with down because I just can’t get behind this type of behavior. (view spoiler), so again makes no sense.

But I was pretty engaged for most of it. I wouldn’t say it was a thriller, or suspenseful, really, but there was a little action that got my heart racing for a hot minute. Gotta love an elderly neighbor that sees and hears everything. I’ll probably be like Mrs. McKay one day. The 10 year old secret was not a surprise, but the last zinger was a nice one and I’m not sure if I like the open-endedness of it.

I have read this author before and rated it exactly the same. It seems like she might have a theme she likes for her wow factor.

Narration notes:
She did do a good job differentiating her voices, but I really wish there was a male narrator. Also, I felt like Lily’s tone sounded quite mean.

Get your copy on ~ Amazon

Add to your never ending TBR  ~ goodreads

I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read it.

Book blurb:

Perfect families have the most to hide…

I feel so lucky to live in a gorgeous house with my precious daughter on Riverside Road, surrounded by green hills and well-tended gardens. I’m just across from the Taylors, who were a second family to me when I was growing up. But late at night, I spot someone in the house across the street. Someone who shouldn’t be there…

Lily Taylor and I are best friends and closer than sisters, but life in our idyllic neighbourhood comes to a shuddering halt when I find Lily’s father murdered in his own bed. As I break the news to Lily, I swear to her that I’ll do everything I can to help her family. Who could possibly have done this?

I tell the police, but while they’re trying to find the killer, I start getting threatening notes that leave me shaking with fear. Then someone throws a brick through my eleven-year-old daughter Cassie’s bedroom window, covering her in shards of broken glass. As I stand in her wrecked bedroom, I make a choice. I am desperate to help Lily get justice, but my daughter’s safety has to come first.

Even when I stop helping with the investigation, the messages keep coming. Someone knows what I saw, and I’m terrified they’ll come for my little girl next. But they’ve underestimated me.

No matter how far I have to go, I’ll always protect the people I love…

An astonishingly gripping psychological thriller with a truly shocking twist from USA Today bestseller Jill Childs! If you love Sally Hepworth, The Woman in the Window or Liane Moriarty, you’ll adore this up-all-night, addictive thriller.

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