Book Review - The Neighbours by Emma Babbington

First of all, I'd like to thank HQ Digital for the advanced reading copy of The Neighbours by Emma Babbington. Books like this always capture my interest. Maybe it's because I'm a naturally curious person and so, if I lived on this neighbourhood, I'd absolutely want to know what was going on with my neighbours. There is something so interesting about normal people going about their day to day lives, all the while the craziest things are going down behind closed doors. So, when I realised my request had been accepted, I couldn't wait to get started.

You're almost certain your daughter didn't kill the neighbour. But what if she did?

Richard Wellington is one of the country's most recognised doctors. A morning TV regular, surgeon to the elite, and scandal-proof despite a malpractice case that should have ruined him. 

But when his body is found sprawled in a harborside park on a sweltering Sydney morning, the façade shatters. His murder dominates the headlines, and the normally quiet cul-de-sac he called home becomes a media circus, seething with speculation and unease.

For Liv Elliot, none of that matters - except for one detail: her daughter, Gracie, was at the park that morning. As the investigation heats up and dark secrets about Richard begin to surface, Liv takes steps to shield her daughter from the storm - steps that could destroy them both if the truth comes out.

How far would a mother go to protect her daughter?

From beginning to end, The Neighbours by Emma Babbington was a dark and deceitful delicious little thrill-ride. Secrets hid in the alleyways weaving between the homes of this tale and each character presented me with a new sensation of unease and uncertainty. Beneath the steamy Sydney sun, witnessing this tale unfold was exhilarating, and I think Babbington did an excellent job of tugging me in and refusing to let go. 

In this story, readers are introduced to a host of interesting characters, though I feel Liv and Meredith take centre stage. Now neighbours, it becomes clear to readers that these women knew each other when they were younger, and there is a strange tension between them, though the reasoning behind this tension remains unclear. Chapter by chapter, the author takes us back and forth in time, switching between narratives also, allowing us a complete 360 view of the history between the women. I love this structure and Babbington achieves it beautifully. 

As the plot thickens, and news of the murder of Richard Wellington begins to surround everyone and everything, the pace quickens and suspicions begin to arise. Tension becomes even tighter when Liv realises that her daughter Gracie potentially may have crossed paths with the murder victim on the morning he was killed. 

From here, an intricate and perfectly woven tale begins to unravel and the discovery of the truth of what really binds these women slowly begins to surface. I loved the mystery of this story, the intrigue that held me captive throughout, the constant anxiety that spread throughout the pages. With so many twists and turns, I was forever on the edge wondering where the author would take me next. I loved the depth of the characters, the hidden history between Liv and Meredith, the secrets, the vividness of the Sydney setting. It was all so brilliantly constructed and from chapter to chapter, especially towards the finale, the tension was enough to make me combust! I could not wait for the truth to be revealed, and I enjoyed every second of build-up to that moment. 

The ending, too, was incredibly satisfying. Babbington tied up her tale with a neat little bow, and I could finally take a breath of relief that all had been dealt with. 

Overall, this was highly satisfying and exciting story from Emma Babbington. Gripping, addictive, and fast-paced, and poses the question, "How well do you know your neighbours?" Bravo, Emma. I'll definitely be looking forward to reading more of your work in the future.