The Woman Next Door

LONGLISTED FOR THE 2017 WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION Read this funny, sharp, delicately woven story of two women’s complicated relationship set in post-apartheid South Africa. Hortensia and Marion are next door neighbours in a charming, bougainvillea-laden Cape Town suburb. One is black, one white. Both are successful women with impressive careers behind them. Both have recently been widowed. Both are in their eighties. And both are sworn enemies, sharing hedge and hostility pruned with zeal. But one day an unforeseen event forces the women together. Could long-held mutual loathing transform into friendship? Love thy neighbour? Easier said than done. 'At once historical and contemporary, The Woman Next Door is charged with beauty, precision, nuance, and hope. Yewande Omotoso is a stunning, essential voice - NoViolet Bulawayo, author of We Need New Names ‘Wit, charm and playful energy... An insightful and fascinating diptych of two women, with the history of colonialism and slavery lurking in the background’ Herald

A compelling and haunting exploration of the secrets and shadows that can be hidden within a marriage from the New York Times bestselling author of Before and Again. The easy harmony that exists between three close-knit couples on a charming cul-de-sac in suburban Connecticut is shattered when a beautiful young woman, widowed and unattached, reveals she is pregnant. Rumors and questions begin spreading about the potential father. One by one, the couples turn inward, taking stock of their marriages and discover weaknesses they had previously ignored. As each wife struggles with this sudden crisis, they discover that they are being forced into making a decision—one that could result in either the strengthening or the dissolution of her marriage. An ingenious portrait of suspicion and deception, faith and love, Barbara Delinsky’s “adept and compelling exploration of the inner workings of the modern upper-class American family makes for one of her best books” (Booklist).

I suppose everyone has their reasons for living here. Who knows what lies behind the pretty curtains and the well-groomed lawns of Mulberry Avenue? Lucy has a kind and adoring husband, a job she loves as a teacher, and a house on Mulberry Avenue with floaty curtains and the softest bed linen. After her troubled childhood, she knows life will never be perfect, but it's pretty close. She's also got Amber, right next door. They never run out of things to talk about. Even if Amber's life - with her high-profile job and handsome, wealthy boyfriend - is more glamorous than Lucy's, they share a down-to-earth sense of humour. But then Amber starts to hint that her life isn't all it seems, and when she comes to Lucy, terrified, saying that she's getting threatening messages, Lucy promises to protect her. The closer Lucy gets to anyone, the harder it'll be to keep her past to herself. But Amber doesn't have anyone else, and Lucy welcomes her into her home. Lucy knows all too well that people aren't always what they seem. Sometimes they have secrets. And they'd do anything to keep them. Yet when Amber settles in a little too quickly, Lucy's still sure: she can trust her friend... can't she? Gripping and unputdownable, The Woman Next Door tells a story about the dark side of friendship, and has a final twist that will shock every reader. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Friend Request, and Clare Mackintosh. Readers love Sue Watson: 'Tense, atmospheric psychological thriller with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster. Impeccably written and a big fat 5***** from me. Awesome!' No. 1 bestselling author, Angela Marsons 'Gripping tension that builds and builds... I kept thinking I knew where she was going only to be knocked sideways... An absolute page turner of a read that sent my heart racing. Bravo to the new queen of psychological thrillers.' By the Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars 'Omg this book!!!!! Never have I felt such powerful emotions... when reading a novel... This really is such a compulsive read building the tension and a brilliant ending making it for me a real unputdownable novel... Read it you really won't be disappointed.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'What a read this was, reminiscent of B A Paris' Behind Closed Doors, with the twists of a Claire Mackintosh book... such a good read and just as I thought I had worked it out I was wrong!' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars 'Delivers an ending that will make you go WOW but you need to read it to see why! Straight into my Top 10 of the year and a really great read... Dark, disturbing and just everything you want from a psychological thriller and more.' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

Sometimes what you’re running from is exactly what you need Olivia Chevalier is perfectly happy living a quiet life of solitude with her two cats in the tempestuous countryside of Brittany. Olivia’s peace is disrupted when heartbreaker extraordinaire Marie Dievart moves in to the holiday home next door after an event at work makes her flee her everyday life. Olivia hates having a neighbour and Marie is put off by Olivia’s cranky ways. But maybe these two women have more in common than they first believe. Best-selling lesbian romance author Harper Bliss brings you a slow-burn opposites-attract story about the power of connection and opening yourself up to the possibility of love.

How would you cope if your husband disappeared? One woman discovers just that in this bestselling domestic thriller debut. Kate and Pete have been the perfect couple ever since they were teenagers. Fifteen years later they have two young daughters, live in a beautiful London townhouse, and seem like they have it all. But one day, Pete leaves for work and never comes home. In a note Kate discovers, he confesses that he’s been unhappy for a long time and that he’s met someone else. Distraught, Kate later learns that he has left everything, including his mobile phone, behind and sets out to learn the truth about her husband’s disappearance. But is she prepared for what she will learn? When nothing is as it seems, who can you trust? “There is a lot to absorb and I soaked it all up like a sponge, round each twist and turn finding myself completely engrossed in the lives of this couple, both together and apart. This is beautifully and cleverly created, different to any other book I’ve read; expertly written—especially for a debut—I was hooked from the first word right up until the very last and it’s one of those novels which has played at the back of my mind ever since.” —Grace J Reviewerlady

Includes two bonus short stories: "Do you love your wife" and "Returns"--(p. [275]- 294).

Two suburban women. Two dark secrets. The almost perfect murder.

The New York Times–bestselling author of The Millionaire Next Door reveals the spending and saving habits of financially successful women. Millionaire Women Next Door presents a variety of groundbreaking concepts involving the personality, lifestyle, motives, beliefs, and spending habits of economically successful American businesswomen. Most of these women report being raised in nurturing family environments. They were trained not only to succeed financially but also to be generous in giving to noble causes. Stanley asks, “How did these businesswomen become millionaires? They did it by doing more of the key activities and achieving better results than most of their male counterparts.” Praise for Thomas J. Stanley’s The Millionaire Mind “A very good book that deserves to be well read.” —The Wall Street Journal “Worth every cent . . . It’s an inspiration for anyone who has ever been told that he wasn’t smart enough or good enough.” —Associated Press “A high IQ isn’t necessarily an indicator of financial success . . . Stanley tells us that the typical millionaire had an average GPA and frugal spending habits—but good interpersonal skills.” —Entertainment Weekly “Ideas bigger than the next buck.” —Orlando Sentinel