BOOKISH FRIDAY: “THE NEW NEIGHBORS”

Welcome to another Bookish Friday, in which I  share excerpts from books…and connect with other bloggers, who do the same.

Let’s begin the celebration by sharing Book Beginnings, hosted by Rose City Reader; and let’s showcase The Friday 56 with Freda’s Voice.

To join in, just grab a book and share the opening lines…along with any thoughts you wish to give us; then turn to page 56 and excerpt anything on the page.

Then give us the title of the book, so others can add it to their lists!

What a great way to spend a Friday!

Today’s feature is The New Neighbors, by Simon Lelic, a Hitchcockian thriller about a couple who moves into their dream neighborhood only to discover nothing is as it seems…

 

 

Beginning:  When my hand slips from the knife, my first thought is that using it wasn’t as difficult s I assumed it would be.  I feel elated, initially, until I notice the blood.  It flows quickly, determinedly.  It stains my sweatshirt, my trousers, even the floor, and that’s when my elation turns to fear.  It’s gone wrong, I realize.

***

Friday 56:  “Look, how about we go and get a coffee or something?”Jack tested.  “A cappucino, right?  Three sugars?”

It had become our first private joke.

***

Synopsis:  The perfect couple. The perfect house. The perfect crime.

Londoners Jack and Syd found their dream home: lots of space, a great location, and a friendly owner who wanted a young couple to have it.

Everything is exactly what they hoped for when they move in–except Jack makes a disturbing discovery in the attic, and Syd begins to wonder about the girl next door. And they each keep the other in the dark.

A mistake.

Because someone has just been killed outside their back door, and now the police are watching them.

This is their chance to prove they’re innocent–or to get away with murder.

Whose story do you believe?

***

What do you think?  Do the excerpts grab you?

***