The Neighbors [Mass Market Paperback]

Carol Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2001

Fleeing from a violent relationship, Kate Ashenberry arrives in London and finds sanctuary in a vast Victorian apartment building which will, she hopes, give her the anonymity and security she seeks. Gradually, she gets to know her new neighbors who become Kate's best friends. As their lives grow closer, Kate revels in her newfound friends...yet something is not right. Some of the residents seem almost too friendly, and, occasionally, Kate feels she is being watched. It is only when the killing starts that the cozy camaraderie of Kensington Court collapses, for no one, not even Kate, can foresee which friendly neighbor may be the next victim...or the killer.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Reprint edition (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446609269
• ISBN-13: 978-0446609265
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,558,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Suspense filled murder mystery, October 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Neighbors (Paperback)

Always a bit frightened about life, Kate Ashenberry returns to her English home after suffering through an abusive relationship in New York City. Her family does not welcome the prodigal daughter home. Instead, Kate leases an apartment in a Victorian house in the Kensington area that she believes is safe.

As Kate begins to know her neighbors, she finds herself feeling even more secure by the welcome of most of the residents. However, her safe harbor changes when someone murders one of Kate's neighbors. This is not the first killing in recent times as someone was killed just before Kate moved into the building. Kate begins to feel paranoid as she thinks someone is watching her every movement. The once friendly residents all turn frightened victims wondering who amongst them is the killer. Kate's worse nightmare engulfs her in a phobia that she will be the next victim.

THE NEIGHBORS is an exciting suspense filled murder mystery that will provide much pleasure to the audience. The story line is filled with tension highlighted by Kate's fears of everything. Though the personalities of the secondary characters are fully developed, the sheer number somewhat overwhelms the reader. The building seems more like one of the main characters as Carol Smith breathes much life into it with her loving description. Though Kate is not an empathetic protagonist, the audience will feel for her current predicament. This is an entertaining novel that will bring new FRIENDS FOR LIFE to Ms. Smith.

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent suspense novel, August 2, 2000

By 

Moe811 (New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Neighbors (Paperback)

When Kate escapes from her abusive boyfriend home to England, at first she doesn't find the home she thought she remembered. She has no friends, her mother is senile, her brother's a boor married to a witch,and her job keeps her isolated. Before long she starts making friends with her neighbors and a woman at the health club she joins. One problem, someone is killing them off. Everyone is not what they seem. It seems that every neighbor has a secret, especially the killer.

This is a well written and suspenseful novel for the most part. I would have preferred it if the author had tied up some of the loose ends, but other than that, I really enjoyed this book.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The London Murders, August 12, 2001

By 

Alice Kingsbury (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Neighbors (Mass Market Paperback)

This was a very interesting plot. The characters were each different and well described. However, I can't believe that one man, Gregory Hansen, no matter how charming, could really have so many women all falling for him at the same time. Are women really as stupid as Jacintha, to pursue the same man for 15 years when he has had numerous women friends?It seems that some of these characters should be in a teen romance rather than an adult novel. Kate Ashenberry was a likable character. I enjoyed her relationship with her cat,Horatio. This is not really a mystery but more of a supense story. A fun plot.

Alice Kingsbury