Book Review: The New Neighbours by Tessa Williams
When I first picked up The New Neighbours by Tessa Williams, I was instantly intrigued. The premise—of a seemingly mundane suburban life unraveling to reveal deeper secrets—felt like a comforting yet suspenseful embrace. Who among us hasn’t stared at our new neighbors, wondering what lies behind their closed doors? Williams’ novel promised to explore this curiosity, which is exactly what drew me in.
The story revolves around Lena, a single mother to 17-year-old Rufus. As they settle into their daily lives, they welcome new neighbors, an elderly couple, into their quiet corner of the world. One evening, while helping Rufus with a recording project for school, Lena accidentally captures a conversation that suggests her new friends might not be as innocent as they seem. The resulting tension drives the narrative, leading Lena through a series of increasingly unsettling events that push her to confront her assumptions.
One of the key themes in The New Neighbours revolves around trust—both in others and oneself. Lena’s journey is marked by her gut instincts and the subsequent revelations that challenge her perceptions. It beautifully illustrates how quickly one can go from complacency to suspicion, especially in tightly-knit communities where everyone knows each other’s business—or thinks they do.
While I found the core story compelling, I struggled with the writing style. Williams has a talent for capturing the essence of suburban life, but I felt there was a tendency toward overwriting that detracted from the suspense. The narrative often felt bogged down by excessive exposition. For instance, when Lena observes a seemingly innocuous conversation between her neighbor and a client, she spirals into a series of rhetorical questions about the nature of their meeting. Instead of enhancing the moment, this removed the subtlety and suspense that could have prevailed.
I understand the intent behind conveying Lena’s thought processes—attempting to draw the reader into her psyche—but at times it felt redundant. We’re already on this journey with Lena; when she questions whether she can trust her new neighbor after catching her in a lie, it’s a powerful moment. Yet, reiterating that doubt in a myriad of questions felt unnecessary, as the emotional weight was already laid bare.
Many readers seem to love this book, celebrating its community dynamics and the slow-burn unraveling of secrets. There’s no doubt Williams has crafted engaging characters and a vibrant setting. However, for me personally, the writing style occasionally felt like it held back the exhilarating potential of the plot.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers and a dive into the complexities of human relationships, you might find The New Neighbours a worthy read. While it wasn’t completely in alignment with my tastes, I appreciate the themes and experiences it presents. My own reading adventure was a mix of fascination and frustration, but that’s the beauty of literature; each book lands differently with each reader.
Overall, Tessa Williams invites us to question how well we really know those around us. And though it challenged my patience, it also offered substantial food for thought, creating a meaningful reading experience that I won’t soon forget.