The Deadly Neighbors

by: Merry Jones

Published by: Thomas Dunne

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

The Deadly Neighbors is Merry Jones third novel in the Zoe Hayes (art therapist) series. The first two books are; The Nanny Murders and The River Killings.

It’s been years since art therapist Zoe Hayes has had contact with her father. If it hadn’t been for a telephone call, she may never have seen him again. But Zoe did receive a call from her father’s neighbor Lettie–and she did venture to visit her estranged father.

Zoe and her adopted daughter, Molly arrived at Zoe’s childhood home at the appointed time. The problem was that her father, Walter, didn’t answer the door. Zoe and Molly enter the house through an alternative entrance and find themselves in the middle of a murder scene, complete with the murder victim (Beatrice) and Zoe’s father.

There’s some question about Walter murdering the woman. Walter is of no help as he appears to be in the early stages of dementia. But as Zoe (who is pregnant) begins to investigate, she discovers neighborhood secrets that could cost her, Molly and her unborn child their lives.

Detective Nick Stiles (the father of Zoe’s baby) and her fiancée, is distraught that Zoe appears to be placing her daughter and their unborn child in danger as she tries to solve Beatrice’s murder and clear her father’s name.

There is also a subplot involving Zoe’s job as an art therapist and one of the doctors that I would have loved to have seen developed more.

The Deadly Neighbors is a fast-paced and compelling story. I like the characters (having read The River Killings) and the subject matter is ”˜ripped from the headlines.’ I do have an issue with Zoe’s involving her daughter (even though it seems to ”˜just happen’) in the danger aspect. And frankly, Nick has a point when he talks about her endangering her unborn child’s life.

I’m interested to see where and how Zoe will solve murders when she is a new mother. Motherhood has a way of interfering with solving crime.

Armchair Interviews says: Merry Jones is an author who bears watching.

Author’s Web site: http://www.MerryJones.com