The Couple Next Door By Lapena Shari May 2026

A methodical, "colorless" investigator who quickly realizes neither parent is telling the full truth.

The "femme fatale" neighbor who dislikes children and harbors a secret affair with Anne’s father. The Couple Next Door by Lapena Shari

Struggling with postpartum depression, she is paralyzed by guilt and past trauma. Shari Lapena’s 2016 debut, , is a masterclass

Shari Lapena’s 2016 debut, , is a masterclass in the domestic thriller genre, built on the unsettling premise that the people we trust most are the ones we know least. The Core Premise: A Parent's Worst Nightmare After their babysitter cancels

A failing businessman whose desperation drives him to make a catastrophic choice.

The story opens with Anne and Marco Conti attending a birthday dinner for their neighbor, Graham Stillwell. After their babysitter cancels, they leave their six-month-old daughter, Cora, home alone, checking on her every 30 minutes with an audio monitor. When they return at 1:30 a.m., the front door is ajar and the crib is empty. Key Character Breakdowns 🔍