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hywar's review
4.0
A really quick read that got me back into the swing of things after a stall. There's a lot going on in the story, but not too much where it gets confusing or hard to follow at all, and piecing together the clues was fun but not challenging.
Told from the perspective of five different characters, The Downstairs Neighbor takes place after a young girl named Freya mysteriously disappears. The different characters are all interesting and engaging. Chris Watson, her driving instructor and downstairs neighbor. Emma, her other neighbor whose business has just failed. Freya's parents, Paul and Steph, both with secrets of their own to hide. And finally, Kate - a girl from 25 years ago, who is desperately trying to protect her mother from her new boyfriend after she starts to notice bruises appearing on her. I loved reading about all the characters, and none of them fell particularly flat or seemed weak. I wasn't thrilled with the ending, and there were some holes in the story, but it's a fun read all the same.
Told from the perspective of five different characters, The Downstairs Neighbor takes place after a young girl named Freya mysteriously disappears. The different characters are all interesting and engaging. Chris Watson, her driving instructor and downstairs neighbor. Emma, her other neighbor whose business has just failed. Freya's parents, Paul and Steph, both with secrets of their own to hide. And finally, Kate - a girl from 25 years ago, who is desperately trying to protect her mother from her new boyfriend after she starts to notice bruises appearing on her. I loved reading about all the characters, and none of them fell particularly flat or seemed weak. I wasn't thrilled with the ending, and there were some holes in the story, but it's a fun read all the same.
alittlemixofvix's review against another edition
3.0
This is a pretty good read that was let down by the ending. There's a lot of jumping between characters, but I like how that was done here.
There are two key stories - the past with Kate and the present with Freya's disappearance. I actually preferred the past story as I felt there was more emotion, and it truly was a shocking twist. I did enjoy figuring out how everything intertwined - some I guessed, but others were revelations.
With the present-day story, I felt that I didn't really care Freya was missing. I actually didn't warm to any of those characters either - except for Emma. I also was very annoyed by the ending; it was quite unbelievable and didn't tie in with the rest of the tone - plus, I'm still angry that someone didn't get the punishment they deserved. There are quite a few unanswered questions.
Overall, a good mystery, and I liked the way it weaved together. But the ending was just too neat and not in keeping with the rest of the story.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from InstaBookTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
There are two key stories - the past with Kate and the present with Freya's disappearance. I actually preferred the past story as I felt there was more emotion, and it truly was a shocking twist. I did enjoy figuring out how everything intertwined - some I guessed, but others were revelations.
With the present-day story, I felt that I didn't really care Freya was missing. I actually didn't warm to any of those characters either - except for Emma. I also was very annoyed by the ending; it was quite unbelievable and didn't tie in with the rest of the tone - plus, I'm still angry that someone didn't get the punishment they deserved. There are quite a few unanswered questions.
Overall, a good mystery, and I liked the way it weaved together. But the ending was just too neat and not in keeping with the rest of the story.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from InstaBookTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
henrymarlene's review against another edition
3.0
Five different points of view slowly weaving themselves together in order to find out where Steph and Paul's daughter, Freya is. Five different versions of the truth. Two self-centred parents who seemed more intent on keeping secrets than helping to find their daughter. The added drama is the fact that two timeliness, more than 20 years apart are also knitted through this story. A lot of the storyline seem scrambled. It is hard to keep track of a plot that seems to change like the wind as soon as another lie surfaces, and another story is told.
I was worried that noone really seemed worried about Freya. Even before Freya's disappearance, you get a sense of the deep awkwardness between the neighbours, and her parents. It feels a little sinister and confusing. Who is lying, and about what? Who knows more than they let on, and why so much trouble to cover it up? Why is it so malicious? Why is the past so important, and why does it seen to matter to those that you think shouldn't be involved? You are only fed information when Cooper wants you to know something. You are only made aware of something when you need to be. Sometimes there is so much going on, and at other times, it is like nothing has happened at all. Can anyone be trusted at all?
I was worried that noone really seemed worried about Freya. Even before Freya's disappearance, you get a sense of the deep awkwardness between the neighbours, and her parents. It feels a little sinister and confusing. Who is lying, and about what? Who knows more than they let on, and why so much trouble to cover it up? Why is it so malicious? Why is the past so important, and why does it seen to matter to those that you think shouldn't be involved? You are only fed information when Cooper wants you to know something. You are only made aware of something when you need to be. Sometimes there is so much going on, and at other times, it is like nothing has happened at all. Can anyone be trusted at all?
shereads2296's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing book, very well written I basically read it cover to cover
imworthyandenough's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately this one was a DNF for me. Made it to 20%, but it was so slow, and all the character jumping was just too much for me. No connection.
thejessiejoy's review against another edition
3.0
Convoluted. But also more entertaining than 80% of the thrillers out there. Messily written and mostly implausible, but it will keep your attention. So.
oliviamschmid's review against another edition
3.0
Very suspenseful, kept me guessing the whole time… but a lot of characters and a lot going on. The ending was anticlimactic and I was disappointed that several of the characters’ plots weren’t addressed more.
leighanne's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0