A toxic relationship
Amy Holt’s relationship with her boyfriend Zane is anything but perfect. Apart from his total disregard for Amy’s feelings, he is also manipulative and dismissive, preferring to hang around with his obnoxious friend, Spider instead of her. Although Amy is aware their relationship is toxic, she is so in love with Zane she finds it impossible to leave, hoping he will one day change.
When Zane suddenly announces they should leave the city and move to a rented house in the small village of Bunbury, Amy is initially reluctant to leave her family. However, desperate to please Zane, she eventually agrees to his demands. Unfortunately, she soon realises she has made a big mistake, as not only does she find herself having to support Zane while he continually disappears for hours on end, but Spider now seems to have permanent access to their home.
Increasingly distressed by the situation, Amy’s only respite is the friendship she has with her two elderly neighbours, Frank and Greta Foxhall, whose relationship is the polar opposite to hers. They too see Amy as a gift, as with Greta gradually succumbing to Alzheimer’s, Amy’s visits are a great comfort to them both. However, Frank and Greta share a guilty secret, one which they have successfully guarded for the past fifteen years. Unaware of her friends’ subterfuge, when Amy finds a bag containing several thousand dollars under the couple’s bed, her disclosure to Zane inadvertently sets in motion a devastating string of events that will ultimately change all their lives.
‘Dear Neighbour’ is a well-written and compelling thriller about manipulation, betrayal and deceit, highlighting the danger of unconditional love for the wrong person. Contrasted with the Foxall’s total dedication and love for one another, the scene is then set for a gripping and tense story with surprises at every turn.
At first it is difficult to comprehend why Amy stays with Zane, after all he is a thoroughly unpleasant character and there is nothing about their relationship to indicate he returns her love. However, love is a powerful and addictive emotion, and as Amy’s insecurity and lack of self-confidence become obvious, that conundrum turns to understanding. Nevertheless, I still found myself internally screaming at Amy to wake up and smell the coffee … then get the hell out of there.
Written in the third person point of view, the story is fast-paced and engrossing, with just enough information revealed about the characters to draw the reader in and keep them guessing as to the outcome. The end when it arrives is both satisfying and explosive.
When Zane suddenly announces they should leave the city and move to a rented house in the small village of Bunbury, Amy is initially reluctant to leave her family. However, desperate to please Zane, she eventually agrees to his demands. Unfortunately, she soon realises she has made a big mistake, as not only does she find herself having to support Zane while he continually disappears for hours on end, but Spider now seems to have permanent access to their home.
Increasingly distressed by the situation, Amy’s only respite is the friendship she has with her two elderly neighbours, Frank and Greta Foxhall, whose relationship is the polar opposite to hers. They too see Amy as a gift, as with Greta gradually succumbing to Alzheimer’s, Amy’s visits are a great comfort to them both. However, Frank and Greta share a guilty secret, one which they have successfully guarded for the past fifteen years. Unaware of her friends’ subterfuge, when Amy finds a bag containing several thousand dollars under the couple’s bed, her disclosure to Zane inadvertently sets in motion a devastating string of events that will ultimately change all their lives.
‘Dear Neighbour’ is a well-written and compelling thriller about manipulation, betrayal and deceit, highlighting the danger of unconditional love for the wrong person. Contrasted with the Foxall’s total dedication and love for one another, the scene is then set for a gripping and tense story with surprises at every turn.
At first it is difficult to comprehend why Amy stays with Zane, after all he is a thoroughly unpleasant character and there is nothing about their relationship to indicate he returns her love. However, love is a powerful and addictive emotion, and as Amy’s insecurity and lack of self-confidence become obvious, that conundrum turns to understanding. Nevertheless, I still found myself internally screaming at Amy to wake up and smell the coffee … then get the hell out of there.
Written in the third person point of view, the story is fast-paced and engrossing, with just enough information revealed about the characters to draw the reader in and keep them guessing as to the outcome. The end when it arrives is both satisfying and explosive.
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