Review: The Perfect Neighborhood

The Perfect Neighborhood by Liz Alterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Perfect Neighborhood by Liz Alterman is a five star example of domestic noir. This novel lures you in, closes the door behind you and refuses to let you leave until the last page is turned.

Oak Hill is the setting for the story—an upper middle class/upper class neighborhood where children are instagram-worthy ornaments. Rumors spread like wildfire, and everyone has a secret. It is these secrets that provide the women of Oak Hill with fodder for their lurid gossip. When one of their own, Billy Barnes, a young boy full of curiosity and energy, disappears, the entire neighborhood is shaken. While some try to convince themselves that it is a family issue and that their own children aren’t in any danger, others hold their babies a little closer and trust everyone a little less. At the heart of Billy’s disappearance is Cassidy, the eighteen year old babysitter who was a few minutes late to arrive and meet Billy the day he vanished. As events unfold, Cassidy is further exposed to the uncomfortable spotlight of suspicion, and Oak Hill will never be quite the same.

Alterman has managed to create vivid characters who are as real as one’s own neighbors. In their interactions, they are portrayed as flawed beings with generally good intentions—intentions which are often unfortunately drowning in self-indulgence. Each individual in Alterman’s cast (and the cast is almost unwieldy in its numbers) is unique and imbued with traits that make them distinct individuals rather than simply cogs in a societal wheel. It is her ability to bring these characters to life that is the strength of the novel. Whilst not all are likable, they are all relatable, and this reader was invested in them as they battled their demons and the circumstances that surrounded them.

The plot of The Perfect Neighborhood is one of twists and turns that made the book in my hands disappear as I was lost in the chaos of Oak Hill. Each word on each page appeared intentional with zero page fillers or fluff. Alterman made every syllable count in much the same way a poet might. No detail was overlooked if it in any way added to the story, and no superficial, unnecessary detail was added. Even the red herrings were integral to the plot. Because of this, I found myself engaging in every sentence on every page. I have a tendency to skim when I’m bored—moving quickly through extraneous text that could have been excluded without affecting the outcome. Here, however, there was no skimming as I devoured every word.

The final chapter in this novel is the one that clinched the five star rating. It was unexpected and left me with goosebumps. Though this was the first piece I’ve read by Liz Alterman, I can guarantee it won’t be the last.

Thanks to Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to review this ARC. Publication is scheduled for July of 2022.

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Review: First Born

First Born by Will Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 



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Ugh, how I despise being a lone wolf! I know that many truly LOVED this book, but for me First Born, by Will Dean, is a akin to a rollercoaster ride that, though it leaves you nauseous and disoriented, is nonetheless an “experience”.

The novel opens with an introduction to Molly—a British woman with overwhelming situational anxiety. She fears everything, is OCD when it comes to protecting herself and lives in a state of constant angst. Molly’s identical twin sister, KT, is murdered whilst attending Columbia in New York, and is found in her bed by her parents, who are visiting her from England. The story follows Molly as she attempts to battle her insecurities in order to first get “across the pond” to her parents and deceased sister, then to help police solve KT’s murder.

The first chapters of the book reminded me of being out on the ocean in a speed boat. You know there are all these beautiful things to see just below the surface, but your boat is moving so fast, you’re lucky to skim the water. When reading, I felt as if I was missing something important and found myself retracing my steps and rereading passages to be sure I hadn’t. I wanted a deep dive to see what was lurking below and was instead treated to what felt like a cursory overview. That feeling intensified as I read, particularly in one scene in which Molly was traveling on a bus and sharing episodic flashbacks. It was like simultaneously viewing individual cells on two different movie reels—confusing and not particularly enjoyable. Additionally, I never fully understood character James Kandee, his “foundation” or his sponsorship, nor did I see the need for Bagby. His backstory added nothing to the plot, and the character development of Bagby tested the limits of just how far I was willing to stretch my suspension of disbelief. In the end it seemed like every character in some way betrayed who they had been portrayed to be: none remained true throughout to the original character as written, and some of their actions were downright ridiculous. Instead of coming across as “growth”, this lack of continuity, and the author’s tendency to step outside of what could be considered realistic, detracted from the plot in a way that nullified any attempted investment. 

Definitely a quick read, but not necessarily one that will leave you longing for any more.

I’d like to thank Atria Books and Net Galley for providing me with an ARC for review. Publication is slated for July of 2022.