May 2024 Top Novel: “The Couple Next Door” by Shari Lapena

Every once in a while, a thriller comes along that keeps me flipping pages late into the night, long after I promised myself just one more chapter. The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena is that kind of book. It is a psychological thriller that had me hooked from the very first page.

At first glance, the story feels simple enough: a young couple leaves their baby home alone next door while attending a dinner party. They have the baby monitor and check on her every half hour, but when they return, their worst nightmare has come true, the baby is gone. From that moment, the story spins into a tangled web of secrets, lies, and betrayals that made me question every character’s motives.

What I found most gripping about this novel is how quickly the facade of a seemingly perfect life can crumble. Lapena does an incredible job of showing how people can appear so put together on the outside while hiding some truly dark secrets. Every time I thought I had figured out what really happened to baby Cora, Lapena threw another twist my way. She plays with readers’ expectations, making you second-guess your theories again and again.

The characters are frustrating, flawed, and yet so compelling. Anne, the mother, struggles with postpartum depression and guilt that’s palpable. Marco, the father, is desperately trying to keep his family together but is drowning in secrets of his own. The couple’s neighbors, Cynthia and Graham, aren’t as innocent as they seem either. Everyone is hiding something, and Lapena pulls back those layers piece by piece, revealing just how messy relationships and human nature can be.

What really stuck with me was how relatable the theme of perception versus reality felt. In a world where we constantly compare ourselves to others, whether it’s the perfect family next door or strangers on social media, this book forces you to consider what people are truly capable of behind closed doors. It’s not just a story about a missing child. It’s about trust, marriage, appearances, and how quickly the life you built can fall apart.

I also loved how Lapena kept the pacing tight and the chapters short, making it almost impossible not to keep reading. There is no unnecessary fluff here. Every chapter moves the story forward, pulling you deeper into the mystery. I read most of the book in one sitting because I had to know how it ended. And when that ending came, it was just as shocking and satisfying as I hoped it would be.

This book reminded me why I love psychological thrillers so much. There is something addictive about peeling back the layers of seemingly ordinary people to reveal the darkness underneath. The Couple Next Door isn’t just about solving a crime; it’s about exploring the fragility of the relationships we depend on most.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, twisty read that keeps you guessing until the very end, I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s the perfect thriller to curl up with when you’re in the mood for something dark, suspenseful, and completely absorbing. Shari Lapena has a way of making you question everyone and everything, and that’s exactly what makes The Couple Next Door my favorite book of May 2024.