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Thursday, May 31, 2018

THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR Book Review

                                                       





Did you ever lose sight of your child? I did at my local mall. I was in the women’s clothing aisle, shifting through the assorted items. Bored, my four-year-old hovered around my legs, chattering away. Suddenly I noticed the silence.  I pivoted around. My son was gone. Panicked, I yelled his name. I moved around the racks, searching the aisles. My son was nowhere in sight. I asked a woman walking by if she had seen a red headed boy. No, she hadn’t. I was sure someone abducted him. I watched Unsolved Mysteries. America’s Most Wanted. The news. Rapid scenarios rushed through my mind. I panicked, yelling his name. Then a voice called, “Mom.” The voice sounded far away and yet so near. I moved towards a clothes rack, shoved the dresses aside and there he was, staring up at me with enormous eyes. He giggled, delighted by his prank. I was furious but relieved. I wanted to choke him (not really) but you get the idea. It took a while for my heart to return to its normal beat.

Such is life with a small child. By nature, they can be pranksters. Some more than others.

But what if your child was missing from his or her bedroom, an infant who couldn’t possibly get out of their crib? And, it’s your fault because you did something dumb. You left your baby home alone. And now the police think you might’ve killed your own child.

Marco and Anne Conti try to have the perfect life, the perfect home. Married, the couple have a beautiful baby, who they both adore. But Anne is suffering from the baby blues. Her hormones are a mess and she is emotional. Marco on the other hand is trying to hold their life together. His business has issues and it doesn’t help that his wealthy in-laws despise him. The childless couple next door offers the struggling couple a night out. So, the Conti’s leave their daughter home alone and bring along the baby monitor, taking turns checking on the sleeping baby. But then the baby disappears, and the parents become the prime suspects. Everyone is hiding secrets and the lies begin to unravel in a twisted display of self-servitude. 

And the search for the baby begins…

Want a terrific book for that summer read? THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR by Shari Lapena does not disappoint. I eagerly devoured this book looking for the end in sight. I was not disappointed by the climax. Great read for those who seek suspense and mystery.

Reviewed by Author Tamera Lawrence 



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