From the Bookshelf of Around The World…

[close] The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
4.5★'s

From The Book:
Anne and Marco Conti seem to have it all—a loving relationship, a wonderful home, and their beautiful baby, Cora. But one night when they are at a dinner party next door, a terrible crime is committed. Suspicion immediately focuses on the parents. But the truth is a much more complicated story.

My Thoughts:
The dinner party was only next door and the hostess had specifically expressed that there be no children. When their babysitter cancelled at the last minute due to her grandmother's death, they were stuck and seeing as how they were the only guests at the small birthday celebration dinner for one of the hosts...Anne saw no reason why six-month old Cora wouldn't be an exception. Marco, her husband disagreed...Cora was a child. Anne said she's just stay home but Marco said that would also be unacceptable. After arguing the pros and cons they said they would leave Cora asleep in her crib and take turns checking on her every 30 minutes....it was only next door after all. All went well until...it didn't. Anne took her turn at 11:00 and stayed to feed and change the baby. Marco missed his turn at 12:00 since he was up to no good with the sexy, slightly intoxicated, hostess. When Anne talked Marco into leaving the party shortly after 12:30 they were faced with a parents worse nightmare...no baby. Cora was GONE.

This was Shari Lapena's first attempt at a suspense novel and I have to say she wrote a dozy. There are so many scenarios that make perfect sense. So many times that you think you know exactly what happened and who is responsible...only to have it take a different turn. You love the parents, the police detective, and the grandparents one minute and hate them the next. The story shows how one small bad decision can turn your world upside down in a heartbeat. Believe me when I tell you you won't figure it out...but you will have a blast trying.