Dawn Andersen and her parents are horrified when her carefree Aunt Amy is found stabbed to death on the beach, the second woman to be murdered in the small oceanside town of Manatee Beach. The police have arrested a homeless man for the murders, but is he the real killer? Dawn, 25, makes the biggest decision of her life when she decides to leave her routine existence in Ohio to move into her … aunt’s cottage a block from the ocean in South Florida.From the first night that Dawn arrives in Florida, the feeling of uneasiness never leaves her. There’s the strange man next door who always seems to be watching her. Married neighbors who were infatuated with her beautiful aunt. The nosy, too friendly mailman. A hooded figure who’s been lurking outside her house at night. As Dawn learns more about her aunt’s life in Florida, she becomes convinced that the murderer is closer than she ever imagined, that her aunt’s killer is actually somebody in the neighborhood.
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This mystery/suspense novel will have you looking at your neighbors and wondering if they are who you think they are, or if there is something evil lurking beneath the face they present.
Dawn is a character that many will relate to her desire to adventure out on her own and out from under the watchful eyes of her parents. While her parents only have her best interests at heart, sometimes they (and many parents) don’t know when to step back and let their children take a chance. Now there is more to that story between Dawn and her parents and a secret is revealed near the end, but it is one the reader will probably figure out before the announcement but the details will be unknown until the reveal.
Throughout the book, I felt like I was in Manatee Bay from the descriptions of the town, the beach, and even the neighborhood. The characters had a depth to them, even the minor characters like the mail carrier and the homeless men. I am always glad when an author does a story justice by drawing in the reader and making them feel like they are living with the characters.
The mystery is who killed Amy and another young woman in this sleepy town in Florida? The author does a wonderful job of weaving in possible motives and peppers possibilities and red herrings throughout the novel. There are several suspects but the actual killer surprised me in the end. Once I thought about it, I saw the motivation of this character but this character never crossed my mind to suspect.
This novel also reminds us that everyone is different and we should give people the benefit of the doubt before casting aspersions on their character. In this novel, it is one of the neighbors, Jerome, that had a head injury as a child and is not like everyone else. It is a shame that so many assume he is bad or evil because he is different when that couldn’t be further from the truth. I admired the way some of the neighbors stood up for him and gave him a chance.
Overall I enjoyed this book and plan to look into her other works. We give this book 5 paws up.
This is a well-written mystery with many twists and turns. Although I knew something was off with a few of the suspects I was surprised by the killer and motives behind the killings. The characters both primary and secondary are well-developed, complex, and interesting. The description of the setting helps the reader feel like they are there right along with the characters. I recommend this book to mystery fans.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
SOMEBODY in the NEIGHBORHOOD by Judy Moore is a murder mystery and the first book that I have read by this author. Dawn Anderson and her parents travel to Florida from Ohio to take care of her mother’s younger sister’s estate. Aunt Amy was the second woman in the small town of Manatee Beach to be murdered on the beach. After returning to Ohio, Dawn decides to quit her job and move to Florida and live in her aunt’s house. However, she feels uneasy with an odd assortment of neighbors and a third person getting murdered.
Dawn was definitely someone you could root for and felt read with a distinct voice and a number of flaws and virtues. Here goals were clear and she showed appropriate emotions. The secondary characters were not as fully developed and this is the reason for the four stars rather than five. The title was a great representation that depicted the storyline with all of its secrets until the well-times ending. The prose was compulsively readable, well-written, and engrossing. The plot was suspenseful, complex, twisty, and entertaining. The ending for the murder mystery part was not totally unexpected, but there was a nice twist at the very end of the book.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, entertaining, suspenseful and fabulous read. Themes include murder, family dramas, fidelity, secrets, sexual harassment, poor treatment of employees, poor treatment of those that are different from ourselves and much more. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author. If the above sounds like something you would enjoy, then I recommend that you check it out.
Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this novel and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Somebody in the Neighborhood is a stand-alone mystery that takes place in Manatee Beach, FL. Dawn Anderson, the main character, moves to Manatee Beach from Ohio after her aunt, Amy, is found murdered on the beach. Dawn moves into Amy’s house and quickly begins to suspect that the murderer is one of the neighbors.
This is an interesting mystery in which the surroundings are as much a character as the people. The author provides a lot of description, which is very vivid. I especially enjoyed a scene in which Dawn and two of her neighbors went out in a boat. The sea life (particularly the manatees), was so well described I felt like I was there.
Dawn is a likable protagonist, somewhat naive but good hearted. The naivete is understandable since she is 25 and away from home for the first time. She has a couple of moments of self-awareness and also comes out of her shell and stands up for herself in the course of the story.
The mystery is engaging and has plenty of suspects. I was on the right track but didn’t quite figure it out. The beginning of the story does move a little slowly as things are getting set up, but once Dawn moves into her aunt’s house and meets her neighbors, things move more quickly. The neighbors are for the most part well drawn characters, and some are delightfully quirky.
I did like this story and recommend it for readers who like traditional mysteries.
I was lucky to be given a copy of this book by the author. From the first page it held my complete attention-I read the entire book in one sitting, including sitting at the dinner table, reading while I ate. The author created characters that could have easily been from your own neighborhood. But one was a murder and you couldn’t tell which one, because they all seemed to be hiding something. It was the characters that carried the book. Yes the mystery was there, and solved in an unexpected way, but the interactions between the main character and her neighbors were what kept the pages turning. Ms. Moore also did a great job with the creation of the neighborhood. Her descriptions were so clear, it was easy to picture yourself as part of the book, looking on as the event unfolded. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
Judy Moore’s novel challenges the reader to question assumptions everyone makes about their neighbours. As Dawn soon learns when she moves into her recently murdered Aunts home, just because a person is different doesn’t mean they are the ones to be afraid of. This Book twists and turns and in the end it is the most unlikely person who threaten to ruin the new life Dawn is creating for herself.
I found this to be a quite enjoyable read. From the moment I turned onto page 1 until the very end I was engaged and curious to see who the murderer might be and how the main character, Dawn, would adjust to her new surroundings. The relationships between the neighbours grew and changed over the course of the novel. I was pleasantly surprised at the end and was glad that everyone involved in the novel got everything they deserved. It was a great cozy mystery I am sure to read again.
Somebody in the Neighborhood was an incredible thriller! This book had me entranced from the first page, and I had trouble putting it down! Murder, crime, and thrills with plenty of twists, this is one of the best suspenseful novels I’ve read in a while! I’ve never read Judy Moore before, and I can’t wait to read another of her novels! I lost definitely recommend this book!
Somebody in the Neighborhood by Judy Moore is a murder mystery. Dawn Andersen decides to move from her home in Ohio to Florida to start anew in the home of her recently murdered aunt. Is her aunt’s murder a random murder or someone who was someone closer to her? This is a good read that kept me reading from beginning to end. I enjoyed the characters and the story. It reminded me of a good whodunit. The characters get narrowed down as Dawn starts to narrow down if they could have murdered her aunt. A good fast read for anyone who enjoys a murder mystery.
In this thrilling tale of a woman trying to find out who she is, and what she wants in life, and who she can trust, Judy Moore delivers you an adventure! From the beginning of this book till the very last page you’ll be wondering what Judy is going to give you next. Dawn, a 25 year old who just wants to find somewhere to belong and feel closer to her tragically murdered aunt, is a character you’ll love from start to finish. All of the cast in this novel are memorable with each being developed so well! Enjoy this tale of Someone In The Neighborhood.
Somebody in the Neighborhood by Judy Moore
5-Stars
Somebody in the Neighborhood by Judy Moore was an excellent suspense and mystery read. I absolutely loved this book and the main character Dawn. She was developed well and realistic. I loved the detail the author put into this novel. I felt that it was easy to picture each scene as I read along. I was easily swept away in this novel. It had an easy flow and excellent climax. I had a difficult time putting this book down. I highly recommend it!
5 Star
Somebody in the Neighborhood by Judy Moore is a thrilling mystery that once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what happens next. Dawn is a kind yet very intelligent woman who finds herself living at Manatee Beach after her aunt is murdered. She finds herself out amongst those in her neighborhood. Who would have murdered her aunt and why? Is the person from the neighborhood? Find out what happens next in this thrilling must read. I can’t wait to read more from this Author.
This book starts off slow and can take a bit to get into the plot line. This is essentially a murder mystery after Dawn moves from home into her Aunts old house. Dawn wants a fresh start but when bodies start piling up Dawn starts to think is her Aunts killer not the person they arrested. Each character has thier own story and development in these and the relationship with Dawn is written very well.
This book is right up my alley. Kept my guessing throughout. There are a few conjoined words but nothing to bad. I will most certainly be keeping an eye for more books from this author.
There is a lot to say about Somebody in the Neighborhood by Judy Moore, that follows the story of Dawn’s life after suffering the loss of her aunt, Amy. Dawn, much like her aunt, is an eccentric, “born to late”, wild card. Seeking independence from a her seemingly suffocating parents, Dawn moves to florida.
This book is honestly ranked in my top 10 reads, Judy doesn’t miss a single detail! Her story unfolds beautifully from beginning to end, and is a definite must read! A five star rating for a 5 star book!
“It’s just a different way of livin’ your life. Who says you gotta spend it workin’ for the man?”
Somebody in the Neighborhood by Judy Moore
4 Stars
Somebody in the Neighborhood is a murder mystery. I don’t usually read these types of books but I enjoyed this one. Dawn’s Aunt Amy gets murdered and needing a change, she decides to move down to Florida into her aunt’s home. It might not have been the smartest decision seeing as Dawn fits the description of the victims, pretty and blonde. Dawn loves the sun and the beach is nearby but she has to deal with her strange new environment. Her next door neighbour keeps watching her, some of the others seem too interested in her aunt and she has a creepy mailman who is way too friendly for her tastes. After doing a little investigating on her own, Dawn realizes that she’s in trouble, the killer is someone in the neighborhood.
The thing I liked best about this book was that the author kept me guessing until the grand reveal. The story was well written with enough twists to keep you interested. Suspense, drama and quirky characters made this a wonderful read.
Somebody in the Neighborhood by Judy Moore
5 stars
Ok this author has done it again! I think I know the answer and I’m wrong. This book had me hooked. Dawn feels a connection to her aunts house in Florida so she makes the decision to move there after she’s murdered. Things start to happen and she come to the conclusion that the suspect they have in custody isn’t the right person. I couldn’t put this down as I just had to know and boy was I wrong on my first guess.
Great book!
I give Somebody in the Neighborhood by Judy Moore, 4 stars.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought Dawn was a great main character and I understood her thoughts and needs perfectly. She needed to get away and start over, and her aunt’s house was the perfect place. The neighborhood had the type of people you would expect in a small town type atmosphere. While you don’t always agree with them, they do really exist. I liked how each person was different too, not just cookie cutter placements.
The whole book is shrouded in suspense as you try to figure out who is killing and why. There are things happening throughout the book to keep you involved too. The list of suspects is quite long, and so many people could be the suspect. I was pleasantly surprised by the actual killer, it wasn’t one of my top suspects.
This is a great whodunit suspense set in a small Florida cul-de-sac that offers an interesting story and unique characters. If this is your type of book, I highly recommend that you pick this book up.
Somebody in the Neighborhood by Judy Moore
5 Stars
I am so glad I added this book to the many I’ve already read by this author. This was such a simple read yet full of so much to keep you thinking all the way till the end. It was a one sitting read for me because I could not make myself put it down.
This author does a great job weaving a mystery with great characters and great storylines. This one had me all messed up jumping from one scenario to another and finally figuring it all out but loving how it played out, then thinking it was all cupcakes and unicorns from there on only to have another twist thrown in that for me personally came out of left field, never even occurred to me I guess because I was so focussed on the other part of the story. Loved it!! Well Played Miss Moore!
I loved Dawn, and her reactions to things were alot like I imagine mine would have been..but I think my favorites in the book aside from her would definitely have to be Jerome and Dorothy, and of course Scratch-off, he made me smile.
If I had one negative I would have loved another epilogue that included David, but I’ll just have to let my imagination figure that one out 🙂
Awesome and I highly recommend!
Somebody in the Neighborhood by Judy Moore is a book full of mystery, suspense and interesting characters. This book is well written and the amount of detail will make you think you are actually inside the book.
Somebody in the Neighborhood is about a young woman Dawn who moves to Florida into her recently deceased Aunt’s house. Dawn’s Aunt Amy is the 2nd murder victim in the small Florida community. With the killer still unknown Dawn finds suspicious characters all around her. While reading this book I thought I knew who the killer was until the next chapter and I would think it was someone else. This author did a fantastic job writing this book. I liked her characters and found myself turning pages as fast as possible so I could figure out who the killer was.
This book is more than just a murder mystery it is also a story about a young woman growing into her own. Watching Dawn grow throughout the book was beautiful and inspiring. Dawn becomes an independent, strong woman ready to take on the world. I enjoyed reading this book and reading Dawn’s story.
And you will never guess who the killer is..