Book review: The Neighbors by Ania Ahlborn

The Neighbors takes the serial killer next door trope and spins it on its head. When Andrew is invited to live with his childhood friend, he practically runs from his alcoholic mother’s home to start over. With no job and no money, he accepts a job as a handyman for the neighbors, a middle aged couple living out the 1950’s American dream. He gets sucked into their perfect life only to realize that he has been manipulated by a psychopathic housewife.

The characters are where this story shines. They are fully realized and you fall so deeply into their lives, that you don’t notice when the story becomes unbelievable. I root for Andrew, but I find myself doubting that any woman is that good at manipulating multiple men into doing her bidding. Even when Andrew knows he needs to leave, he stays. Trapped, he says. No escape, he thinks. Even though the front door is there all along.

Victim mentality? Maybe. Regardless, the book is a worthwhile read from one of the best horror writers out there. Perfect for those winter weekends that go well with cuddling up to a good book.