"Best House on the Block" by T.R. Ragan is an intriguing psychological suspense novel following aspiring investigative journalist Shannon Gibbons as she tries to untangle the web of lies and secrets around her. This was my first book by the author, but it will not be my last.
Told in the third person, the book starts with a bang - a kidnapping of a toddler - and then jumps forward four years. Shannon Gibbons is an orphan, a mother, and a housewife who has dabbled in true crime stories online for years. When 65-year-old renowned journalist Rosella Marlow offers to be her mentor, she eagerly agrees and moves with her family to Rosella's neighborhood, the Fab-Forties of East Sacramento.
She quickly befriends her new neighbors and feels at home there, but Rosella is another kettle of fish. Rosella is bitter, resentful, and hated by all, and she is sure someone is after her. She asks for Shannon's help with this. The plot thickens when someone is found murdered, and that's when things get interesting.
The start of the book is very slow, and it took me a while to get into it. Things liven up after the murder, and from that point on, I was engrossed in the book. There are several plotlines woven into a mostly consistent whole. While I guessed early on the identity of the culprit, other twists caught me by surprise. There may have been one or two loose ends, but they weren't significant to the plot.
There is a large cast of characters, but I had no problem differentiating between them or keeping up with the story. With themes of trauma, loneliness, grief, infidelity, and the need for belonging, the author has woven a tale that I enjoyed reading.
I gave the book 4 out of 5 stars due to the slow start and some predictable and far-fetched turns. A tighter edit would have given the book a more polished look, but I still enjoyed it. It is a delightful read with engaging, multifaceted characters that will keep you enthralled. Despite the minor flaws, it is still worth reading. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys psychological suspense novels with a punch and a satisfying conclusion.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* For more info about the book: "Best House on the Block" by T.R. Ragan
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