In the sleepy suburb of Ivy Woods, life seems perfect--but beneath the façade, a tangled web of lies threatens to upend residents' way of life, and someone in the neighborhood knows all about it. The suspenseful, compulsively readable The Mother Next Door by Tara Laskowski (One Night Gone) centers on the weeks leading up to the area's legendary annual Halloween party--as well as the shocking truth behind a local ghost story that could have dire consequences for everyone involved.
When Theresa Pressley moves to the picturesque cul-de-sac after a lifetime of struggles, she feels like she's finally made it. She quickly befriends a tight-knit group of moms known as the Ivy Five, even though the clique is comprised of just four women--including Kendra McCaul, their delightfully sharp-tongued and overachieving leader. As Theresa begins to uncover what happened to the fifth member of the gang, she also discovers her own heartbreaking connection to a tragedy that occurred more than a decade ago.
Though certain characters' motives occasionally seem confusing or unclear, above all, Laskowski's thriller is extremely fun to read. Steeped in all the best parts of spooky season--lurking ghouls, grotesque decorations, ridiculous costumes--this atmospheric tale calls up trick-or-treat nostalgia, as well as the hard truth that behind every cheery childhood memory are hidden adult struggles. The snobby, exclusive Ivy Five will also feel familiar to anyone who ever attended high school, particularly the jealous yet fiercely loyal "Queen Bee" Kendra, who will do anything to hold on to her throne--perhaps even kill. --Angela Lutz, freelance reviewer