AUTHOR: Stuart R. West
PUBLISHER: Muse It Up Publishing
PUBLISHING DATE: February 7, 2014
FROM GOODREADS: It used to be such a nice neighborhood. Derek and his wife Toni were content living in the quiet suburbs of Barton, Kansas. Until the new neighbors moved in. Rude, brash, loud, but there was something more to them. Something Derek couldn't put his finger on. And the older neighbors were dying off at an alarming rate. Are Derek’s past mental issues resurfacing or is he on to a darker truth? And just what is in the basement of the house on Pawnee Lane?
MY THOUGHTS: So a little backstory. Stuart has been a featured guest on my blog and he's a fun person to touch base with from time to time. Also, I LOVED LOVED LOVED "Dread & Breakfast" and had been meaning to make some time for more of his titles (this is now my third). Stuart and I were chatting last week and I mentioned having neighbor problems and I'm sure a light bulb went off in his head that was all "Have I got a book for her." So he kindly sent me "Neighborhood Watch" and I droppped everything and spent last weekend devouring it.
Derek and his wife Toni live in a quiet suburb of Kansas. She is a college professor and Derek works from home, with is trusty dog Patch keeping him company. Many people in the suburb are elderly retired individuals with Derek and Toni basically being the youngest around. However, a young couple and their friends move in just as the older people start dying. Not to mention that these young individuals are rude, mean and LOUD! Derek starts watching and with some help from his elderly neighbor, begins to see that he might just be stuck with the neighbors from hell.
This book was a fun read from start to finish. Derek and Toni have a wonderful relationship, but when he starts finding faults with the new kids on the block, his wife Toni starts doubting his sanity. In fact, she wishes he would leave well enough and was all too quick to suggest he start therapy. I also have to give a special nod to Patch. Patch is basically Stuart's dog Zak in fiction form. And because Stuart shared with me his recent loss of Zak, the character of Patch took on a special importance to me. I loved his loyalty and courageousness.
So if you love horror, you might want to consider giving this book a go. It has everything from action, dogs, neighbors from hell and even some Native American lore thrown in for a dash of excitement. I want to thank Stuart for providing me a copy of "Neighborhood Watch" to help me get through my own bad neighbor experience in exchange for an honest review. It now way affected my love of the book, even if I do think he's a pretty awesome guy! This was like watching an awesome 80's horror flick - in book form.
RATING: 5 PAWS
This sounds fantastic! Neighbors are perfect fodder for horror stories, you're basically stuck with them unless you move😐
ReplyDeleteYep. In the past we've actually had cops tell us we should consider moving. Ticks me off because our house is paid off. At least it's a rental which is bad because you tend to get a different kind of neighbor but good because you can often wait them out.
DeleteTo be honest I've been put off this author by his publisher offering me a review copy of one of his books then saying they'll only send it if I promise the author a good review!
ReplyDeleteYikes! Chuckles, I've been through about five publishers and in no way do I agree with this practice. Frankly, it's the first I've heard about it. Could you reply to me via email, let me know who the publisher is? (And I'm more than happy to send you a book with no such stipulation attached.) texthewitchboy@gmail.com
DeleteChuckles. Stuart has emailed me several times because he's really upset about this. I'll be sending you an email as well.
DeleteOh no! Apologies I'm just seeing this post today which is why I haven't responded yet! Reassure Mr West that I was not blaming him-it was the publisher through Netgalley that I had the issue with. I honestly can't remember the publisher now. It was the Demon With A Comb Over book early this year through Netgalleyy. I've had this from publishers before, and I know the authors have little to do with it. Oh dear, I'm really sorry if I upset him! I'll be emailing him today.
DeleteUpdate: I've sent him an email now. Poor guy! I feel guilty now!
DeleteOh yeah. From the title I already wanted to read it and your review put the dot on the I.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
You should. It's such a good read.
DeleteI love horror and I love dogs. Count me in!
ReplyDeleteYES!
DeleteSometimes the right books shows up at just the right time. This fits in nicely with your neighbor issues. This sounds like a really great read and there is a dog. I would totally pick this one up.
ReplyDeleteI know. I was so happy when Stuart sent it my way.
DeleteThis sounds great! :)
ReplyDeleteYou'd like it!
DeleteAH! I need to get my hands on a copy of this one soon!!
ReplyDeleteYes you do!
DeleteI haven’t heard of this one before, but it does sound good!’ Great review. 😀
ReplyDeleteThanks, glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteOh man, Barb, I hope you guys get some peace now from your neighbours -- though, you know, there's probably a book of your own in that experience, and you'd get to do anything you wanted in it! (to the neighbours, which yes, that's mean but still -- would be therapeutic!)
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...that's pretty tempting.
Deletehaha for a moment I though this was a post about your neighbors! Glad this one helped you though that experience ad THAT BYE BYE)! Gone!
ReplyDeleteYep, reading it was perfect timing.
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