This book isn’t at all what I anticipated from the blurb. I was expecting a gradual unraveling of secrets related to a family on a suburban street. Instead, I got a heinous situation pretty much right off the bat, and one that escalated as the book progressed. The entire storyline plays out during the course of a single day, the scenes conjuring a heightened sense of claustrophobia along with escalating danger. She opened her arms and I showed her the gun. I could have made a different choice. I could have stepped into those arms and changed my life.” I think you’re safe on passing on these, Kim. They were okay, but nothing I can jump up and down about. In a normal family, in a normal house, on a normal street, everything is about to go horribly wrong… Everybody wants to live on Hogarth Street, the pretty, tree-lined avenue with its white houses. The new family, The Wests, are a perfect fit. Katherine and John* seem so in love and their gorgeous five-year-old twins race screeching around their beautiful emerald-green lawn.

And, from inside the home, we are told what is actually going on from Katherine, and the “monster” with the gun.

Additionally, the unforgettable characters and their haunting journey reminded me that secrets may reside behind every closed door, and the power of empathy and vigilance can make all the difference in uncovering the truth and protecting those in need. This one ended up being a big disappointment. It was interesting and well written, telling the story of a day in Sydney from different viewpoints about a home where things just aren't right. It kept my interest even though it dragged through this long hot day, but by the end it became a dogs breakfast.

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Everybody wants to live on Hogarth Street, the pretty, tree-lined avenue with its white houses. The new family, The Wests, are a perfect fit. Katherine and Josh seem so in love and their gorgeous five-year-old twins race screeching around their beautiful emerald-green lawn. The story revolves around the Wilson family, who move into their dream home on Maple Street. They are immediately welcomed by their new neighbors, the seemingly perfect and friendly Crawford family. However, as the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that there is something sinister lurking beneath the surface of this picturesque neighborhood. Nicole Trope went to university to study Law but realised the error of her ways when she did very badly on her first law essay because, as her professor pointed out, ‘It’s not meant to be a story.’