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The Perfect Neighborhood
Think you know your neighbors? Think again.
When Allison Langley leaves her former rockstar husband in the middle of the night, her sudden departure becomes the talk of Oak Hill. But the gossip comes to an abrupt halt when five-year-old Billy Barnes disappears on his walk home from kindergarten. Is there a predator lurking within the idyllic community? Or, does the child's abduction have something to do with a longtime rift between his mother and half-brother? Weeks later, three-year-old Amy-Pat Davies vanishes from her backyard. In addition to sharing a zip code, the missing children have another thing in common—their babysitter, Cassidy McLean, who has a secret of her own.
Told from multiple points of view, The Perfect Neighborhood is a twisty tale of domestic suspense, which explores the damage caused by infertility and infidelity as well as the intense pressure that stems from wanting the perfect family. Taking a voyeuristic view into marriages and modern parenting, this story will appeal to fans of Desperate Housewives and Big Little Lies.
This discussion guide was shared and sponsored in partnership with the author, Liz Alterman
Book club questions for The Perfect Neighborhood by Liz Alterman
Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.
Discuss the title in relation to the story.
Was there one character you connected with more than the others? If so, who and why?
At what age would you allow your child to walk home from school either alone or with a friend?
Discuss the various relationships—friendships, marriages, parent-and-child—within the novel. Which are the strongest and which are the most toxic?
Phil Foster is different since he returned from Afghanistan. How do you think his experiences shaped the way he behaves?
Did you suspect the villain, and, if so, at what point in the story?
If you're a parent or own a home in a seemingly “perfect neighborhood,” did this story change your perspective in any way? If so, how?
Discuss the ending. What do you think is next for each of the characters?
The Perfect Neighborhood Book Club Questions PDF
Click here for a printable PDF of the The Perfect Neighborhood discussion questions
“Fresh twists . . . Alterman is off to a promising start.” —Publishers Weekly
“Well written from start to finish . . . perfect for fans of domestic suspense!” —Manhattan Book Review
“Big Little Lies meets Everything I Never Told You in this wholly propulsive and utterly enthralling neighborhood suspense. With razor-sharp commentary and biting humor, I simultaneously howled with laughter one minute while tearing through the pages, racing toward the entirely shocking conclusion. Liz Alterman is a masterful storyteller and The Perfect Neighborhood is a devour-in-one-sitting read.” —May Cobb, author of The Hunting Wives
“In theory, The Perfect Neighborhood is the ideal place to raise a family. In reality, it’s disturbing and completely riveting. Inside every house is another fascinating character, another lie, another betrayal. Reading this book made me feel like I lived in Oak Hill, and I refused to leave until every secret was uncovered.” —Samantha Downing, internationally bestselling author of My Lovely Wife and For Your Own Good.