Good Neighbors

A Novel

By: Sarah Langan

Narrated by: Nicole Lewis

Celeste Ng and Liane Moriarty’s enthralling dissection of suburbia meets Shirley Jackson’s creeping dread in this “wickedly funny, unnerving puzzle box of a novel” (Dan Chaon, author of Ill Will) about the downward spiral of a Long Island community after a tragedy exposes its residents’ depths of deception.

Welcome to Maple Street, a picture-perfect slice of suburban Long Island, its residents bound by their children, their work, and their illusion of safety in a rapidly changing world.

But menace skulks among this exclusive enclave. When the Wilde family arrive, they trigger their neighbors’ worst fears. Dad Arlo’s a gruff has-been rock star with track marks. Mom Gertie’s got a thick Brooklyn accent, with high heels and tube tops to match. Their weird kids cuss like sailors. They don’t fit with the way Maple Street sees itself.

Maple Street’s Queen Bee, Rhea Schroeder—a lonely professor repressing a dark past—initially welcomed Gertie, but relations plummeted during one summer evening, when the new best friends shared too much, too soon. By the time the story opens, the Wildes are outcasts.

As tensions mount, a sinkhole opens in a nearby park, and Rhea’s daughter Shelly falls inside. The search for Shelly brings a shocking accusation against the Wildes. Suddenly, it is one mom’s word against the other’s in a court of public opinion that can end only in blood.

Riveting and ruthless, Good Neighbors is “a chilling, compulsively readable novel that looks toward the future in order to help us understand how we live now” (Kevin Wilson, author of Nothing to See Here).

Critic reviews

"Narrator Nicole Lewis delivers great dialogue voices, including convincing Brooklyn accents for protagonists Gertie and Arlo Wilde and their kids, Julia and Larry. Lewis also expressively performs the narrative. The Wildes move into a house on Long Island's Maple Street, where Gertie becomes friends with Rhea Schroeder, who has many secrets. After drinking too much one evening, Rhea reveals too much to Gertie, regrets it, turns against her friend, and helps neighbors do likewise. This is a story of broken friendships, a sinkhole, a missing child, lies, and whispers. It is funny, tragic, and compelling. Lewis captures the essence of the adults and children of Maple Street, and even the neighborhood itself. An outstanding performance."

Great read!!!

I chose this book because I am friends with the authors uncle. I enjoyed it very much, it was entertaining, and the ending was not predictable!! I recommend this book !!

would not super recommend

this is definitely a good one to have going in the background, otherwise, save ur credits for another read. i will say tho gertie’s accent is what got me through this book !

Bad Neighbor

This well-written book was one to savor. What set it apart was the character development, which is exceptional. The author seamlessly blended several interesting topics into an interesting story. There were a few parts that dragged just a smidge but for the most part, it flowed beautifully. I loved Ms. Langan's most recent book, which led me to this one. I hope she has more coming!!

The narration was exceptional.

Dark but could not stop listening

The narrator was excellent. The story was intriguing and it was hard to stop listening as the story progressed.

Remarkable storytelling

This book sucks you in from the first page. It’s a disturbing story of the power of how little lies fester and grow completely out of control.