The Couple Next Door is about a couple who were having a dinner party next door who left their infant daughter in her crib but took shifts checking on her. When they decided to head home, they discovered that their baby daughter, Cora, is gone.
What a roller-coaster of a ride the book was! Loved every minute of reading it. An absolute page-turner! Lapena has constructed a very intricate puzzle in which every teeny-tiny detail mattered and had colossal consequences later on. Chekhov's gun is fired and It. Is. Jaw-dropping!
The used diction isn't poetic and relies little on similes and metaphors, but in thrillers, the plot is the author's number one priority. This isn't a minus, mind you. Anyway, it isn't pretentious, and it presents its characters and settings in an accessible, straightforward way that allows readers to move forward at a super-sonic speed.
The characters felt alive and three-dimensional driven by their own motives. Yes, they can be described as foolish, dangerously reckless, or even psychopathic. For example, what could a slasher movie be any good without foolish characters running toward death? Thrillers need these kinds of fucked-up characters so we get to be entertained vicariously.
Summary:
The Couple Next Door is an enjoyable thriller loaded with twists and turns. It's really fast-paced and well-balanced in terms of length and distribution of plot points. What sets it apart from other thrillers is how realistic it is when it comes to its turning points. The twists aren't in the WTF category because if you put yourself in the character's shoes, it does make sense.
I'd recommend the book to those looking forward to spending quality time reading during the weekend.
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