The Perfect Neighbors

Book excerpt: The New York Times bestselling coauthor of the “creepy-crawly tale” (The New York Times Book Review) An Anonymous Girl and The Wife Between Us questions just how well we really know our neighbors in this “deliciously fun beach read” (People) about an idyllic neighborhood whose sublime façade hides shocking secrets. Newport Cove, where spontaneous block parties occur on summer nights and all of the streets are named for flowers, is proud of being one of the safest neighborhoods in America. It’s also one of the most secret-filled. After a decade as a stay-at-home mom, Kellie Scott is back to work in an office. She’s adjusting to high heels, scrambling to cook dinner for her family, and—following years of feeling invisible—soaking in the dangerous attention of a handsome colleague. Kellie’s neighbor Susan Barrett begins every day with fresh resolutions: She won’t eat any carbs, she’ll go to bed at a reasonable hour, and she’ll stop stalking her ex-husband and his new girlfriend. Gigi Kennedy’s husband is running for political office, which means her old skeletons, ones she wants to keep hidden at any cost, are in danger of being dragged into the light. Then a new family moves into this peaceful cul-de-sac. Tessa Campbell seems pleasant enough, if a bit quiet. But soon it becomes clear that Tessa is hiding the most explosive secret of all—one with deadly consequences. Written in Sarah Pekkanen’s signature “gripping” (People) style, The Perfect Neighbors “transforms clichéd suburban troubles—from adolescent drama to infidelity—into a compelling, suspenseful tale” (Kirkus Reviews).