In a taut psychological thriller filled with breathtaking twists, Joseph Souza explores the tangle of betrayal and deception between two neighbouring couples and asks how well we can really know others—or ourselves.

It all seems so promising at the start....

When Leah and her husband, Clay, move from Seattle to Maine, she envisions a vibrant new neighbourhood packed with families—playmates for her twins, new friends she can confide in and bond with. But while Clay works long hours to establish his brewery, Leah is left alone each day in a nearly deserted housing development where the only other occupants are aloof and standoffish.

Bored and adrift, Leah finds herself watching Clarissa and Russell Gaines next door, envying their stylishly decorated home and their university careers. But Leah's obsession with the intriguing, elegant Clarissa grows until she's not just spying from afar but sneaking into their house, taking small objects...reading Clarissa's diary. It contains clues to a hidden turmoil Leah never guessed at—and a connection to a local college girl who's disappeared.

The more Leah learns about Clarissa, the more questions emerge. Because behind every neighbour's door there are secrets that could shatter lives forever....

Todd Boyce

Stem