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The Couple Next Door summary
Brief summary
The Couple Next Door is a gripping thriller by Shari Lapena. It follows the story of a couple whose baby goes missing while they attend a dinner party next door, uncovering a web of secrets and deception.
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The Couple Next Door
Summary of key ideas
The Perfect Crime
In The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena, Anne and Marco Conti are a young couple who are invited to a dinner party at their neighbor's house. The couple decides to leave their six-month-old daughter, Cora, at home alone. They take the baby monitor with them and agree to check on her every half hour. When they return home, they find the front door ajar and their worst nightmare comes true - Cora is missing.
The police are called, and Detective Rasbach is assigned to the case. As the investigation unfolds, it is revealed that Anne has been suffering from postpartum depression and Marco is in financial trouble. The couple's relationship with their wealthy and controlling neighbor, Cynthia, also comes under scrutiny. The police are suspicious of the Contis' story, and the media portrays them as irresponsible parents.
Twists and Turns
As the investigation progresses, secrets and lies begin to surface. Anne's parents reveal that she had a baby before Cora, but the child died of sudden infant death syndrome. Marco's business partner, Richard, is revealed to be having an affair with Cynthia. The plot thickens when a ransom demand is made for Cora's safe return, and the Contis are instructed to follow a set of instructions to ensure her safety.
Despite the police's warnings, the Contis decide to take matters into their own hands. They follow the kidnapper's instructions and deliver the ransom money, but the exchange goes wrong, and they are left with more questions than answers. The police begin to suspect that the Contis are involved in Cora's disappearance, and their marriage starts to unravel under the pressure.
The Shocking Truth
As the story reaches its climax, the truth about Cora's disappearance is revealed. It turns out that Marco orchestrated the kidnapping to solve his financial problems. He had been embezzling money from his business partner, Richard, and needed a large sum to cover his tracks. He planned the kidnapping with Richard, who was in on the scheme to extort money from Cynthia, his lover.
However, things went awry when Richard double-crossed Marco and kidnapped Cora for real. In a desperate attempt to save his daughter, Marco followed the kidnapper's instructions, leading to the failed ransom exchange. The truth comes out when Richard confesses to the police, and Cora is found unharmed. Anne is devastated by Marco's betrayal and the loss of their daughter, and the couple's future is left uncertain.
Aftermath and Redemption
In the aftermath, Anne decides to leave Marco and start a new life. She moves in with her parents and begins to heal from the trauma. Marco is arrested and faces the consequences of his actions. The story ends with Anne visiting Marco in prison, where he expresses his remorse and begs for her forgiveness.
In conclusion, The Couple Next Door is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the lengths people will go to protect their secrets and the devastating consequences of their actions. Lapena's narrative keeps readers on the edge of their seats, with unexpected twists and turns that lead to a shocking conclusion.
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What is The Couple Next Door about?
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the secrets and lies of seemingly ordinary people. When a couple's baby goes missing during a dinner party at their neighbor's house, dark truths and hidden motives are revealed. With unexpected twists and a tense atmosphere, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
The Couple Next Door Review
The Couple Next Door (2016) is a thrilling novel that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Here are three reasons why this book is worth reading:
- With its twists and turns, the story will make you question everything and keep you on the edge of your seat.
- The book delves into the complexity of relationships and the secrets that lurk beneath the surface, providing a captivating exploration of human nature.
- Through its fast-paced plot and suspenseful atmosphere, the book ensures that boredom is out of the question, providing an exciting and gripping reading experience.
Who should read The Couple Next Door?
- Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers and mystery novels
- People who are interested in exploring the complexities of marriage and parenthood
- Those who like plot twists and unexpected turns in a story
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The Couple Next Door FAQs
What is the main message of The Couple Next Door?
The main message of The Couple Next Door revolves around the consequences of secrets and the lengths people will go to protect what they value most.
How long does it take to read The Couple Next Door?
The reading time for The Couple Next Door varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Couple Next Door a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Couple Next Door is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's definitely worth reading!
Who is the author of The Couple Next Door?
The author of The Couple Next Door is Shari Lapena.
How many chapters are in The Couple Next Door?
The Couple Next Door has 37 chapters.
- The Dinner Party
- Right Next Door
- Disobedient
- A Simple Favor
- She'd Kiss You on the Lips, Then Bite You
- Nobody at the Door
- Marco has Dropped Dead
- Her Bed is Empty
- Keep Your Cards Close
- Sex, Lies, and Videotapes
- I Know Something
- I Know What's Best
- Christmas Morning
- A Present in the Closet
- What Time Should We Take Him To The Hospital
- Every Single Saturday Night
- That Which Doesn't Kill Us
- The Sound of Music
- Running Through the House
- I Wish I Knew then What I Know Now
- A Heart's Desire
- They know Now
- Where's Karen
- She's Just Being a Diva
- Cristal Clear
- For Whom The Bell Tolls
- That's Not Our Child
- All the Love in the World
- Never Dichotomies
- The Lion's Mouth
- Radiation Exposure
- Good Runs in Our [F]amily
- The Cat and The Mouse
- There's Always Another Screen
- Silver and Gold
- The Last Supper
- Fallen Arches
- Nicki
- Road to Ruin
How many pages are in The Couple Next Door?
The Couple Next Door contains 308 pages.
When was The Couple Next Door published?
The Couple Next Door was published in 2016.
What is the main message of The Couple Next Door?
The main message of The Couple Next Door is that appearances can be deceiving, and secrets can have deadly consequences.
How long does it take to read The Couple Next Door?
The reading time for The Couple Next Door varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Couple Next Door a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Couple Next Door is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
What to read after The Couple Next Door?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Couple Next Door, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
- A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
- Theory U by C. Otto Scharmer
- The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
- The Innovator ’s Dilemma# by Clayton M. Christensen
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
- Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda