Anne wasn't brought up to create a scene, isn't one to draw attention to herself.Īll three of them-Anne, Marco, and Cynthia's mild-mannered husband, Graham-are watching her, as if fascinated. So she ignores it, quietly seething, and sips at the chilled wine. Why does Anne put up with it? Why does Cynthia's husband, Graham, allow it? Anne is angry but powerless she doesn't know how to put a stop to it without looking pathetic and ridiculous. Cynthia is flirting openly with Anne's husband, Marco. She'll have to pump and dump her breast milk in the morning.Īnne wilts in the heat of the summer night and watches her hostess with narrowed eyes. Now she has no idea how much wine she's drunk over the course of this interminable dinner party. Anne had meant to keep herself to a limit, but she'd let things slide-she didn't know how else she was supposed to get through the evening. Cynthia has been topping her up all night. ***This excerpt is from an advance uncorrected copy proof***Īnne can feel the acid churning in her stomach and creeping up her throat her head is swimming. 'synopsis' may belong to another edition of this title. What follows is the nerve-racking unraveling of a family-a chilling tale of deception, duplicity, and unfaithfulness that will keep you breathless until the final shocking twist. Both Anne and Marco soon discover that the other is keeping secrets, secrets they've kept for years. Detective Rasbach knows that the panicked couple is hiding something. Inside the curtained house, an unsettling account of what actually happened unfolds. But the truth is a much more complicated story. Suspicion immediately lands on the parents. But one night, when they are at a dinner party next door, a terrible crime is committed.

The suspense was beautifully rendered and unrelenting!” -Sue Grafton, New York Times bestselling author of XĪ domestic suspense debut about a young couple and their apparently friendly neighbors-a twisty, rollercoaster ride of lies, betrayal, and the secrets between husbands and wives.Īnne and Marco Conti seem to have it all-a loving relationship, a wonderful home, and their beautiful baby, Cora. “I read this novel at one sitting, absolutely riveted by the storyline. “Provocative and shocking.” -Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author of Find Her

“The twists come as fast you can turn the pages. Shari Lapena’s new thriller, AN UNWANTED GUEST, is available now!

The couple next door novel