The Couple Next Door

Shari Lapeña
Jul 13, 2017

At first glance, Anne and Marco Conti live a charmed life. They have an adored baby girl, a comfortable home, friends next door, and the support of Anne’s wealthy parents. This illusion is peeled away piece by piece as the story unfolds. While Anne and Marco are at their neighbor’s dinner party, their daughter disappears from her crib. Who is responsible for the kidnapping? Why did they leave their baby alone? Is the couple next door involved?

Anne and Marco seem devastated and guilt-ridden. The detective in charge is determined to find out what happened, and it is evident that Anne and Marco are suspects. Anne suffers from post-partum depression and Marco has financial troubles.

This story had me enthralled from start to finish. Rarely, does my morning commute go by so quickly. The narrator, Kirsten Potter does a good job of building up suspense.  If you enjoyed The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkes or The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware, The Couple Next Door has many of the same elements: fast pace, twist and turns, and an interesting, albeit dysfunctional cast of characters.

Reviewed by Library Staff