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The Girl Next Door
If her father didn’t kill her mother . . .
Then who did?
Nina Avery comes home to discover her beloved father standing over her mother’s dead body one balmy spring evening. He’s convicted of her murder and Nina’s life is torn apart.
Now, fifteen years later, he’s paroled and ready to return home.
Nina can’t wait to have her father back. Despite everything, she’s never believed that he was guilty. But her brothers want nothing to do with him.
Especially as he keeps insisting that they need to find the real killer.
Then violence overturns the Averys’ lives again. Nina no longer knows who she can trust.
Because her father is right.
The real killer is out there.
And the killer has a new target: her.
Then who did?
Nina Avery comes home to discover her beloved father standing over her mother’s dead body one balmy spring evening. He’s convicted of her murder and Nina’s life is torn apart.
Now, fifteen years later, he’s paroled and ready to return home.
Nina can’t wait to have her father back. Despite everything, she’s never believed that he was guilty. But her brothers want nothing to do with him.
Especially as he keeps insisting that they need to find the real killer.
Then violence overturns the Averys’ lives again. Nina no longer knows who she can trust.
Because her father is right.
The real killer is out there.
And the killer has a new target: her.
468 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
247 people are currently reading
676 people want to read
About the author
Patricia MacDonald
73 books557 followersLibrarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Patricia MacDonald is the author of several psychological suspense novels set in small towns. MacDonald grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut and has a master's degree from Boston College. Before writing her own novels she was a book editor and was once an editor for a soap opera magazine in New York. She is married to writer Art Bourgeau. They live in Cape May, New Jersey and have one daughter.
Her first novel, The Unforgiven, published in 1981, received an Edgar Award nomination from the Mystery Writers of America. Secret Admirer (1995) won the literary prize at the 1997 Deauville Film Festival in France, where MacDonald is consistently a number one bestseller. She’s also been awarded the prize for literature at the International Forum of Cinema and Literature in Monaco.
Patricia MacDonald is the author of several psychological suspense novels set in small towns. MacDonald grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut and has a master's degree from Boston College. Before writing her own novels she was a book editor and was once an editor for a soap opera magazine in New York. She is married to writer Art Bourgeau. They live in Cape May, New Jersey and have one daughter.
Her first novel, The Unforgiven, published in 1981, received an Edgar Award nomination from the Mystery Writers of America. Secret Admirer (1995) won the literary prize at the 1997 Deauville Film Festival in France, where MacDonald is consistently a number one bestseller. She’s also been awarded the prize for literature at the International Forum of Cinema and Literature in Monaco.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
December 14, 2024
This was an engaging and twisty psychological thriller where Nina is convinced her father is innocent.
The family dynamic was filled with tension, while the brothers were selfish and weak. The characters did suit the plot, if not all likeable.
Well written and fast-paced.
Recommended.
The family dynamic was filled with tension, while the brothers were selfish and weak. The characters did suit the plot, if not all likeable.
Well written and fast-paced.
Recommended.
October 7, 2015
I am very surprised that this book doesn't have a higher rating on here. It was very suspenseful! I really admired Nina and her loyalty to her father even at the face of everyone else doubting him. This book mostly takes place in New Jersey & the East coast in the winter time. I love to read books that are in season so it made for a great October read. I highly recommend it to my fellow fictional crime readers it has a lot of who done it mystery.
November 13, 2014
Loved the last 25% of the book but it was a serious struggle getting there. I was bored out of my mind. Had it not been an interlibrary loan book, I would have just stopped reading but I always feel guilty borrowing from another library and not finishing it. The ending was great, a nice twist, but I doubt I will read any more of her books.
September 19, 2014
Excellent book
This book was great. I couldn't put it down. I read it very quickly. This author is one of my new favorite authors. The book had a great plot and an excellent ending. I will be buying more of this author's books
This book was great. I couldn't put it down. I read it very quickly. This author is one of my new favorite authors. The book had a great plot and an excellent ending. I will be buying more of this author's books
July 29, 2012
Okay so have been away for a minute I know, with good reason my friends I am now ENGAGED and deep in wedding planning mode so its harder and harder to read books and stay focused on anything as it seems there are a million and one other things I need to be focused on..but I apologize on to the review, I thought this would be something quick and intriguing to read but found it was anything but..its the story of a family torn apart when their mother is found brutally murdered in the kitchen on night and the father is the prime suspect. With the three children divided in their loyalties it is only the daughter Nina that defends her father's innocence and proclaims to anyone that would listen that he did not murder her mother and that he does not deserve to be jailed or mistreated. There are side plots with each of the other children as one is a recovering alcoholic and the other who appears successful after marrying his doting high school tutor, having twin boys and living an outward seemingly perfect life. Discovering the real culprit behind the mother's murder, the reasons and the true events of that night were compelling and move you to finish the book to figure out the story but for me the reveal was somewhat disappointing and not well developed. You feel alittle letdown and aggravated when the person is revealed as there is not sufficient backstory to really wow you with the surprise..overall I did enjoy the way the book was written and would read more from this author but cant really say this book was enough to recommend to others for a great suspenseful mystery read...
May 20, 2014
I've been reading a lot of detective mysteries as of late. This one, refreshingly, was NOT told in the first-person point of view.
To avoid spoilers, I will simply say that I was kept guessing from twist to twist, and was heard to comment aloud during the read, "I was positive I'd figured that part out already..." MacDonald banks on the reader's tendency to lean a certain way, expecting the basest, jaded view most of us have - and uses this to her advantage, thereby spinning a surprising tale. The ending, while a bit abrupt, wasn't as tidy or saccharine as it could've been. And, while the book seemed to come to a sudden stop, as I sat there to digest it, it sank in that it needed to end that way. Sure, it could've gone into detail and spelled out every little tidbit that needed to be tidied up (a la Conan Doyle, or even Grafton), but that honestly would've dragged it out and bored me to tears. So, yes, a very satisfactory book, if a quick read (less than 300 pages). It's enough to interest me in her other books.
To avoid spoilers, I will simply say that I was kept guessing from twist to twist, and was heard to comment aloud during the read, "I was positive I'd figured that part out already..." MacDonald banks on the reader's tendency to lean a certain way, expecting the basest, jaded view most of us have - and uses this to her advantage, thereby spinning a surprising tale. The ending, while a bit abrupt, wasn't as tidy or saccharine as it could've been. And, while the book seemed to come to a sudden stop, as I sat there to digest it, it sank in that it needed to end that way. Sure, it could've gone into detail and spelled out every little tidbit that needed to be tidied up (a la Conan Doyle, or even Grafton), but that honestly would've dragged it out and bored me to tears. So, yes, a very satisfactory book, if a quick read (less than 300 pages). It's enough to interest me in her other books.
November 20, 2021
Nina Avery, fourteen years old, lived in a dysfunctional home. I wondered how she could turn out so normal with little love between her parents and her two older brothers had problems of their own. When her father is accused of murdering her mother, she goes to live with an aunt.
Fast forward to fifteen years later: she is the one who never believed her dad could have committed murder. Her father finally is paroled and comes to live with her, but they encounter the realistic problems that prisoners have when rejoining society again.
I don't want to give away much more; you need to read the book. Yes, there are some 'bumps'; things that I would have done differently but I'm not Nina.
If you are looking for a quick mystery to read, this is for you. I polished it off in less than two days. It’s the first time I've read something from this author and it felt like a YA story. It’s like I read an older version of a Nancy Drew book if that helps. There is a touch of romance, but the story is about solving the mystery. I can honestly say I didn't know who did it until the finish. It’s nice because I can usually solve the murderer long before the end.
Fast forward to fifteen years later: she is the one who never believed her dad could have committed murder. Her father finally is paroled and comes to live with her, but they encounter the realistic problems that prisoners have when rejoining society again.
I don't want to give away much more; you need to read the book. Yes, there are some 'bumps'; things that I would have done differently but I'm not Nina.
If you are looking for a quick mystery to read, this is for you. I polished it off in less than two days. It’s the first time I've read something from this author and it felt like a YA story. It’s like I read an older version of a Nancy Drew book if that helps. There is a touch of romance, but the story is about solving the mystery. I can honestly say I didn't know who did it until the finish. It’s nice because I can usually solve the murderer long before the end.
February 21, 2015
This was a very pleasurable read full of mystery and suspense, an enjoyable and fun ride! I was hooked from the start and would love to read more by this author.
January 16, 2015
Two nights of reading until I was too cross eyed to keep going on this page turner!
I'm making my Patricia MacDonald TBR wish list as I write this!
I'm making my Patricia MacDonald TBR wish list as I write this!
February 11, 2016
A woman returns to her New Jersey hometown, in order to try to clear her father's name in her mother's murder that took place 15 years before. In the meantime, another mystery occurs...
May 9, 2018
Pretty enjoyable book, more of a “beach read” kind of thing. Simple and easy with a lot of red herrings thrown in to throw you off the case.
January 28, 2018
My mom had this laying around after picking it up at a book sale. Finally, she started reading it and sharing with me about it, and handed it off when she was done. I've never heard of this author but ran out of books to read, and so figured why not?
Dr. Duncan Avery has spent the past 15 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Martha. His sons Patrick and Jimmy believe he's guilty and should be denied parole, but his daughter Nina firmly believes that her father is innocent and pushes for his release. When Duncan is finally granted parole, he is determined to return to the small New Jersey town where he used to live with his family, and he isn't very well-received there to say the least. Still, Nina does everything she can to support him, but this proves to be short-lived because...
My mom and I agreed on some questions and my top two are {SPOILER ALERT}
1. Why didn't Duncan call 911 and try to get help for his dying wife? I don't care if he knew she wouldn't live, wouldn't he do everything he could to save her? I know the relationship between the couple was rocky, but the man is a doctor after all.
2. Why didn't Calvin ever say anything about seeing Gemma the night Martha was murdered? I get that he was high much of the time, but obviously Gemma believed he posed a threat. Didn't he care enough about his friend Jimmy to want to speak up?
This book kept me absorbed and I finished it pretty quickly, of course, being under 300 pages helps with that. I thought that a few different characters were guilty, and it took me a while to figure out the ultimate ending, but I did before the big reveal (yay, me, doesn't happen often :) I recently started a new job which has been a stressful transition and this book, despite its grim subject matter, provided an outlet for me. I just picked up another Patricia McDonald novel and am ready to start. I guess I've got a new author to add to my reading list.
Dr. Duncan Avery has spent the past 15 years in prison for the murder of his wife, Martha. His sons Patrick and Jimmy believe he's guilty and should be denied parole, but his daughter Nina firmly believes that her father is innocent and pushes for his release. When Duncan is finally granted parole, he is determined to return to the small New Jersey town where he used to live with his family, and he isn't very well-received there to say the least. Still, Nina does everything she can to support him, but this proves to be short-lived because...
My mom and I agreed on some questions and my top two are {SPOILER ALERT}
1. Why didn't Duncan call 911 and try to get help for his dying wife? I don't care if he knew she wouldn't live, wouldn't he do everything he could to save her? I know the relationship between the couple was rocky, but the man is a doctor after all.
2. Why didn't Calvin ever say anything about seeing Gemma the night Martha was murdered? I get that he was high much of the time, but obviously Gemma believed he posed a threat. Didn't he care enough about his friend Jimmy to want to speak up?
This book kept me absorbed and I finished it pretty quickly, of course, being under 300 pages helps with that. I thought that a few different characters were guilty, and it took me a while to figure out the ultimate ending, but I did before the big reveal (yay, me, doesn't happen often :) I recently started a new job which has been a stressful transition and this book, despite its grim subject matter, provided an outlet for me. I just picked up another Patricia McDonald novel and am ready to start. I guess I've got a new author to add to my reading list.
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October 13, 2021book was very good. but still cannot figure out who was actually the girl next door. please help.
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January 11, 2009The Girl Next Door, by Patricia McDonald. A.
I like this author very much. This is the third book I’ve read by her. Each one seems to be a stand-alone. In this book, Nina was in high school, 14 years old, and asked on her very first date to a movie. She was so excited about it that she wasn’t paying too much attention to the usual arguments between her parents. Then, when she came home from the date, she found her mother bleeding to death on the floor and her dad kneeling over her. Her two brothers came home then, and they, and the police believed that her father, a doctor had murdered his wife. He was convicted and sent to prison. Then, 15 years later, he was paroled and went to live with his daughter, Nina, who had always proclaimed his innocence. After he is out of prison, he starts to investigate the murder, as he is proclaimed his innocence throughout and is now looking for the person who committed it. Then, he turns up dead. Nina believes immediately that it is murder, although the police are convinced initially it is suicide. There are times when every family member, except Nina, are under suspicion by the reader. McDonald does a very good job of throwing suspicion far and wide. It’s a page-turner and action packed as well.
I like this author very much. This is the third book I’ve read by her. Each one seems to be a stand-alone. In this book, Nina was in high school, 14 years old, and asked on her very first date to a movie. She was so excited about it that she wasn’t paying too much attention to the usual arguments between her parents. Then, when she came home from the date, she found her mother bleeding to death on the floor and her dad kneeling over her. Her two brothers came home then, and they, and the police believed that her father, a doctor had murdered his wife. He was convicted and sent to prison. Then, 15 years later, he was paroled and went to live with his daughter, Nina, who had always proclaimed his innocence. After he is out of prison, he starts to investigate the murder, as he is proclaimed his innocence throughout and is now looking for the person who committed it. Then, he turns up dead. Nina believes immediately that it is murder, although the police are convinced initially it is suicide. There are times when every family member, except Nina, are under suspicion by the reader. McDonald does a very good job of throwing suspicion far and wide. It’s a page-turner and action packed as well.
January 18, 2012
Oh god! I kind of regretted taking this out from the local library – similar to buyer’s remorse; but of course this was free and not an impulsive purchase. The description seemed interesting at first. Then, when it came time to read this, I thought this might be a depressing read. A family torn apart by the murder of the mother and the father supposedly to blame does not really seem to make an easy, enjoyable read.
Well, it wasn’t a picnic, but it wasn’t as bad as I expected either. In fact, it got pretty suspenseful and exciting at the end. It turned out to be a decent read and I did like it in the end. I’m not sure if I’ll read another. I like to read to relax and escape stress. Books like this really don’t help with that, even if they don’t add to the stress (as some books do). I’ll need to read the descriptions and judge better.
Well, it wasn’t a picnic, but it wasn’t as bad as I expected either. In fact, it got pretty suspenseful and exciting at the end. It turned out to be a decent read and I did like it in the end. I’m not sure if I’ll read another. I like to read to relax and escape stress. Books like this really don’t help with that, even if they don’t add to the stress (as some books do). I’ll need to read the descriptions and judge better.
January 30, 2012
I borrowed rhis from my Mom. Wow. This is not exactly the kind of book I would normally read but the cover and synopsis had me intrigued. It was one of those novels I didn't want to put down and had it read within a few hours. Nina and her family were torn apart when she was 14 after her mother was brutally murdered and her father sent to prison for her death. Nina Never believed her farher was guilty despite court evidence. Fast forward. 15 yrs later, Ninas father is paroled and she brings him home with her to start a new life.... But then tragedy hits again. I was not really surprised with end but I still recommend this this book to anyone that may like this genre.
August 6, 2013
I picked up this book on a whim as "something to read" while on vacation and am so glad I did. I was not aware of Particia MacDonald or her work but look forward to reading more of her material.
The story was well paced and wonderfully written with a few good twists to keep you guessing up until the end. I did read one review that stated they "knew who done it" early on, well kudos to them, I discovered it the same time the author did.
Anyway, good book and I would recommend Ms.MacDonald to any mystery reader.
The story was well paced and wonderfully written with a few good twists to keep you guessing up until the end. I did read one review that stated they "knew who done it" early on, well kudos to them, I discovered it the same time the author did.
Anyway, good book and I would recommend Ms.MacDonald to any mystery reader.
May 14, 2016
I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, entertaining and had a little twist at the end. Ms. MacDonald tricked me a bit and I thought I knew the killer, but I was surprised at who it was.
I did get a bit annoyed at Nina, the main character, as she didn't seem to be aware of her own family's feelings toward her father, who had been convicted of murder, and tried to force them to accept him back into their lives. But, she did persist until the entire story of everyone's involvement came to light.
I'd recommend this for a light and entertaining read.
I did get a bit annoyed at Nina, the main character, as she didn't seem to be aware of her own family's feelings toward her father, who had been convicted of murder, and tried to force them to accept him back into their lives. But, she did persist until the entire story of everyone's involvement came to light.
I'd recommend this for a light and entertaining read.
March 27, 2015
It has been a long time since a book made me burst into tears after reading it, but there I was crying my eyes out. This is a really sad story, it has a good ending, but nothing could ease my sadness. None of what happened should have, and it just broke my heart. I've become a big fan of Patricia MacDonald, she doesn't mess around with 400 page books with half of them being filler. She usually keeps it under 300 pages, and every word counts.
April 13, 2016
This is a very good mystery and I highly recommend it to those who like constant action, red herrings and likable characters! I thoroughly recommend this one to anyone! Lots of surprises along
the way! Enjoy!
the way! Enjoy!
July 24, 2017
POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT *** actually read a lot faster, was on vacation and read every chance I got. enjoyed the read... I had idea of what might've happened, but I was practically at the end if the book , others may be faster in their detective skills... but I enjoyed it
August 4, 2011
Plot was okay, but the writing left a little to be desired. The characters felt wooden and did not pull me in at all. :-(
May 16, 2017
Good book. Have been impressed with Patricia MacDonald as an author for awhile.
July 13, 2017
I enjoyed the book. It was fast paced and and kept you wondering who did it right till the end.
October 4, 2017
Enjoyed this book. Suspenseful and kept my interest.
July 19, 2018
Pretty good read. Lots of twists and turns.
February 23, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. Story line and characters really flowed. Recommend.
September 14, 2019
A fun read with a plot twist that was unexpected. The story was engaging and a good bedtime read.
April 8, 2020
Good read. I enjoyed this book. Kept my interest and read it in 3 days!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews