I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Killer Next Door by Alex Marwood
Published by Penguin
Publication Date October 28, 2014
Source: Netgalley
Genres: Mystery
Goodreads
Everyone who lives at 23 Beulah Grove has a secret. If they didn't, they wouldn't be renting rooms in a dodgy old building for cash--no credit check, no lease. It's the kind of place you end up when you you've run out of other options.
The six residents mostly keep to themselves, but one unbearably hot summer night, a terrible accident pushes them into an uneasy alliance. What they don't know is that one of them is a killer. He's already chosen his next victim, and he'll do anything to protect his secret.
Fond of:
In The Killer Next Door by Alex Marwood the character The Lover is creepy. Like Buffalo Bill creepy, taking embalming to a completely different level. He was a perfect villain. He has you terrified of him but not to the extent that the reader is looking over their shoulder scary. The Killer Next Door had a harrowing storyline but found the lives of the tenants just as fascinating and when needed banned together. Exhibited via Cher’s attack and really think that moment is where the shit started to hit the fan. After “the shit hit the fan” it felt a little comical, like the three stooges trying to cover their tracks. This may not have been what Alex Marwood was going for, but I enjoyed it just the same.
Not Fond of:
While I enjoyed the novel it did take me about 20% (or so says my kindle) to really immerse myself in the lives of those living at 23 Beulah Grove. When the novel began it flipped flopped from tenant to tenant and had a difficult time discerning who I was reading about at the present. In other words, a better arrangement would have been beneficial. The landlord, I could have done with less of him. Pretty much all he was good for was saying he’ll get around to it and using his hand in lewd actions. Fortunately this doesn’t last long.
Final Thoughts
I had read that The Killer Next Door was scary and gruesome. I found it to be neither, but rather a stand up suspense novel with a fun/comic spin. Although just when one felt comfortable in their light-heartiness Alex Marwood pinched your skin and reminded you that you are not reading David Sedaris but rather a thriller that needed your complete attention.
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