The Couple Next Door | FAQ & 13 Books Like It

The Couple Next Door | FAQ & 13 Books Like It

February 28, 2024
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Written by: the NextBook team
Hey there, bookworms! If you love a good psychological thriller that will make your heart race and your mind spin, then you're in for a treat. Today, I want to dive into a gripping novel called "The Couple Next Door" by the talented author, Shari Lapena. If you haven't read it yet or are curious about what makes this book so captivating, then keep on reading because I've got you covered. In "The Couple Next Door," we follow the lives of Anne and Marco, a seemingly ordinary couple. But when they leave their baby daughter alone for just one night, the tranquility of their existence is shattered in the most heartbreaking way imaginable - their baby goes missing. Talk about a nightmare scenario! What follows is a rollercoaster of suspense, as secrets are spilled, lies are uncovered, and suspicions arise. Full of unexpected twists and turns, this page-turner will have you on the edge of your seat, devouring each chapter to get to the truth. Now, if you've finished reading "The Couple Next Door" and are itching for more thrilling reads, don't worry, I've got your back. In future posts, I'll be sharing recommendations of other adrenaline-pumping books that are sure to satisfy your craving for suspense. So stay tuned, fellow book lovers, because there's plenty more thrilling adventures to come!
The Book Cover Image for The Couple Next Door
The Book Cover Image for The Couple Next Door
Thriller
Mystery
Suspense

Gone Girl

"Gone Girl" is a gripping psychological thriller that takes the reader on a twisted journey through the disappearance of Amy Dunne. With unpredictable plot twists, complex characters, and a suspenseful atmosphere, this book will leave you questioning everything until the shocking conclusion.
Author
Gillian Flynn
Year Written
2012
Gone Girl
Thriller
Mystery
Psychological

The Girl on the Train

"The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins is a gripping psychological thriller that follows Rachel, an alcoholic who takes the same train every day and becomes entangled in a mysterious disappearance. Told through multiple perspectives, it explores themes of addiction, manipulation, and the blurred lines of truth and perception.
Author
Paula Hawkins
Year Written
2015
The Girl on the Train
Suspense
Mystery
Amnesia

Before I Go to Sleep

Before I Go to Sleep is a suspenseful thriller about a woman with no memory who wakes up each day with no recollection of the past, relying on journal entries to piece together the truth. As she starts to uncover shocking secrets, she realizes that the people around her may not be who they seem.
Author
S.J. Watson
Year Written
2011
Before I Go to Sleep
Thriller
Mystery
Psychological

The Silent Patient

"The Silent Patient" follows the gripping story of Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who inexplicably stops speaking after shooting her husband multiple times. As a psychotherapist works to unravel the truth behind Alicia's silence, the book navigates through twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the shocking conclusion.
Author
Alex Michaelides
Year Written
2019
The Silent Patient
Thriller
Relationships
Psychological

The Wife Between Us

"The Wife Between Us" is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With a complex and twisty plot, it explores the intertwined lives of two women and the secrets that bind them.
Author
Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen.
Year Written
"The Wife Between Us" was written in 2018.
The Wife Between Us
Thriller
Suspense
Psychological

The Woman in the Window

"The Woman in the Window" is a suspenseful psychological thriller by A.J. Finn. It follows an agoraphobic woman who believes she witnessed a crime in her neighbor's house, leading to a gripping and intense exploration of her unstable reality.
Author
A.J. Finn
Year Written
2017
The Woman in the Window
Drama
Mystery
Suspense

Big Little Lies

"Big Little Lies" is a gripping novel by Liane Moriarty that delves into the secrets and lies of a group of women living in a wealthy coastal town. With a dash of humor and a lot of suspense, this page-turner will keep you guessing until the very end.
Author
Liane Moriarty
Year Written
2014
Big Little Lies

The Lying Game

"The Lying Game" is a gripping psychological thriller about four women who share a dark secret from their past and are forced to confront it years later. As they unravel the truth, their loyalty is tested, and they question who they can trust.
Author
Ruth Ware
Year Written
2017
The Lying Game
Thriller
Psychological
Suspense

Behind Closed Doors

"Behind Closed Doors" is a chilling and suspenseful psychological thriller that explores the dark secrets and manipulative behavior within a seemingly perfect marriage. The story will keep readers on the edge of their seats, with unexpected twists and a disturbing glimpse into the human psyche.
Author
B. A. Paris
Year Written
2016
Behind Closed Doors
Thriller
Psychological
Suspense

The Last Mrs. Parrish

"The Last Mrs. Parrish" is a gripping psychological thriller that follows a woman named Amber who infiltrates the seemingly perfect life of a wealthy couple, determined to take it for herself. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, the novel delivers a captivating tale of obsession, manipulation, and revenge.
Author
Liv Constantine
Year Written
2017
The Last Mrs. Parrish
Thriller
Kidnapping
Psychological

The Good Girl

"The Good Girl is a gripping psychological thriller that follows the abduction of a young woman and the unexpected twists that unfold as her captor and the detective assigned to her case search for answers."
Author
Mary Kubica
Year Written
2014
The Good Girl
Thriller
Psychological
Mystery

The Girl Before

"The Girl Before" is a gripping psychological thriller that follows two women who have both lived in a minimalist house controlled by an enigmatic architect. As they unravel the mysteries of the house, their lives become intertwined in a web of deceit and danger.
Author
J.P. Delaney
Year Written
"The Girl Before" was written in 2016.
The Girl Before
Thriller
Mystery

I Let You Go

"I Let You Go" is a gripping psychological thriller about a woman haunted by her dark past and desperate to escape it. With unexpected twists and an emotionally charged narrative, it explores the depths of secrets, betrayal, and the power of forgiveness.
Author
Clare Mackintosh
Year Written
2014
I Let You Go

FAQ

Overview

"The Couple Next Door" is a riveting psychological thriller written by Shari Lapena. The story begins with Anne and Marco, a young couple who leave their infant daughter at home while attending a dinner party next door. However, when they return, the unimaginable happens - their baby is missing. As the investigation unfolds, dark secrets are unveiled, leading to a rollercoaster of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. With its fast-paced narrative and unpredictable plot, "The Couple Next Door" is a gripping read that will leave you guessing and questioning everything until the shocking truth is finally revealed. In this book, Shari Lapena masterfully explores themes of trust, deception, and the lengths people will go to protect their own. The characters are complex and flawed, adding depth to the story and keeping the reader emotionally invested. Lapena's writing style is concise, making each chapter a quick and thrilling ride as the tension builds. If you're a fan of suspenseful page-turners that will keep you guessing and engrossed from start to finish, "The Couple Next Door" is a must-read.

Length of Read

6h24m

Main Characters

- Anne: A young mother who is devastated when her baby daughter goes missing, she is determined to uncover the truth and will stop at nothing to find her. - Marco: Anne's husband, who is wracked with guilt and secrets, making him a prime suspect in the disappearance of their child. - Cynthia: Anne's best friend and neighbor, who seems to have a perfect life but may be hiding something crucial that could shed light on the mystery. - Detective Rasbach: The lead investigator on the case, he is relentless in his pursuit of the truth and uncovers shocking revelations along the way. What makes these characters distinct and important to the story is that each one holds secrets and motives that keep the reader guessing and questioning their involvement in the disappearance. Their actions and decisions drive the plot forward, adding layers of complexity to the narrative and keeping us on the edge of our seats as we try to piece together the puzzle of what really happened.

Ending & Meaning

Hold onto your hats, folks, because the ending of "The Couple Next Door" is a whirlwind of shocking revelations and unexpected twists. As the truth unravels, we discover that Anne and Marco's baby was never actually kidnapped. Instead, it turns out that Marco orchestrated the whole thing as a desperate attempt to alleviate their financial troubles. But wait, there's more! It's revealed that Cynthia, Anne's best friend and neighbor, was in on the scheme too, using the baby as a pawn to manipulate the couple. Now, when it comes to the themes and meaning of this jaw-dropping conclusion, one of the most prominent is the lengths people will go to protect themselves and their loved ones. "The Couple Next Door" explores the dark side of human nature, delving into the depths of deception and the consequences it can have on relationships. It also raises questions about trust and the facade of perfection that people often present to the world. This book serves as a reminder that things are not always what they seem, and that even those closest to us may harbor secrets that can change everything. So buckle up and prepare for a wild ride of suspense and moral complexity!
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