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A review by tessa_talks_books
The New Neighbor by Karen Cleveland
5.0
What's it about (in a nutshell):
Practically overnight, Beth Bradford's life has completely changed. She's newly an empty nester. She recently sold the home she's lived in for the last 17 years. Her husband is leaving her. The CIA has demoted her to their training facility. But of all the things changing, the one thing she cannot let go of is her work towards finding the people recruited by an Iranian to infiltrate the CIA's system. She knows she's close, and the country is at risk. How can she possibly let that go?
Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
The title, The New Neighbor, sounds like this will be a domestic thriller. Still, the blurb talks about spies and the CIA, which sounds more like a political thriller. The cover shows a neighborhood street, so it offers no insight into what I'm about to read. Whatever kind of thriller this is, it sounds like it will be an excellent thrill ride.
Actual Reading Experience:
Wow, this story had so many twists and turns that I could barely keep up. However, I'm not sure what kind of thriller I would classify it as. It is like a political thriller mashed up with a psychological thriller in a domestic thriller setting. But I do know that I loved all the twists, turns, and shocking revelations. I became frustrated with and worried for the main character throughout the mid-portion of the book. Still, other than that, I wouldn't change a thing about this incredible thrill fest.
The pace stays fast for most of the story, which is just the speed I enjoy. The story is told mainly in first-person narration, with Beth telling it. It changes to third-person narration for the concluding chapters. The switch didn't confuse me, and I appreciated a more omniscient perspective to conclude the story, so nothing is left open. Well, nothing immediately in the story, that is. One shocking revelation springs up at the very end that left my jaw on the floor and my brain thinking about the implications. I could easily suspend disbelief and buy-in to the conclusion and the story. I believe it is best when experienced that way.
The fact that I was well ensconced in the world of CIA and FBI did not impede my understanding of the situation. Even though I do not know anything about the inner workings of these agencies, the needed aspects are detailed in a way that left me feeling like I did have a clue.
Characters:
Beth Bradford is developed flawlessly, with all her layers, strengths, and weaknesses unveiled at the right time. I felt so much empathy for her situation, and I also both loved and hated her determination. Typically, determination is a quality that I unequivocally admire. Still, Beth takes it to a whole new level, and I found myself telling her to stop on more than one occasion. She frustrated me to no end as I worried that she was becoming her own worst enemy. The only point where I struggled with the story was at the pinnacle of her unsanctioned investigation. But, I must admit, she ended up taking me on the thrill ride of all thrill rides.
And, I really can't say anymore because this is one of those thrillers that are best experienced with little knowledge going in.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you love thrillers with plenty of twists, turns, and shocking revelations, you won't want to miss The New Neighbor this summer.
Practically overnight, Beth Bradford's life has completely changed. She's newly an empty nester. She recently sold the home she's lived in for the last 17 years. Her husband is leaving her. The CIA has demoted her to their training facility. But of all the things changing, the one thing she cannot let go of is her work towards finding the people recruited by an Iranian to infiltrate the CIA's system. She knows she's close, and the country is at risk. How can she possibly let that go?
Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
The title, The New Neighbor, sounds like this will be a domestic thriller. Still, the blurb talks about spies and the CIA, which sounds more like a political thriller. The cover shows a neighborhood street, so it offers no insight into what I'm about to read. Whatever kind of thriller this is, it sounds like it will be an excellent thrill ride.
Actual Reading Experience:
Wow, this story had so many twists and turns that I could barely keep up. However, I'm not sure what kind of thriller I would classify it as. It is like a political thriller mashed up with a psychological thriller in a domestic thriller setting. But I do know that I loved all the twists, turns, and shocking revelations. I became frustrated with and worried for the main character throughout the mid-portion of the book. Still, other than that, I wouldn't change a thing about this incredible thrill fest.
The pace stays fast for most of the story, which is just the speed I enjoy. The story is told mainly in first-person narration, with Beth telling it. It changes to third-person narration for the concluding chapters. The switch didn't confuse me, and I appreciated a more omniscient perspective to conclude the story, so nothing is left open. Well, nothing immediately in the story, that is. One shocking revelation springs up at the very end that left my jaw on the floor and my brain thinking about the implications. I could easily suspend disbelief and buy-in to the conclusion and the story. I believe it is best when experienced that way.
The fact that I was well ensconced in the world of CIA and FBI did not impede my understanding of the situation. Even though I do not know anything about the inner workings of these agencies, the needed aspects are detailed in a way that left me feeling like I did have a clue.
Characters:
Beth Bradford is developed flawlessly, with all her layers, strengths, and weaknesses unveiled at the right time. I felt so much empathy for her situation, and I also both loved and hated her determination. Typically, determination is a quality that I unequivocally admire. Still, Beth takes it to a whole new level, and I found myself telling her to stop on more than one occasion. She frustrated me to no end as I worried that she was becoming her own worst enemy. The only point where I struggled with the story was at the pinnacle of her unsanctioned investigation. But, I must admit, she ended up taking me on the thrill ride of all thrill rides.
And, I really can't say anymore because this is one of those thrillers that are best experienced with little knowledge going in.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you love thrillers with plenty of twists, turns, and shocking revelations, you won't want to miss The New Neighbor this summer.