Theresa Ragan

T.R. Ragan's "Best House on the Block" is a twisty, suspenseful thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. This novel dives into the seemingly perfect lives of a group of neighbors living in the "Fabulous Forties" neighborhood of Sacramento, revealing the secrets and hidden resentments simmering beneath the surface.

The story begins with Rosella Marlow, a retired journalist, who decides to write a story about the secrets of her neighbors. She recruits Shannon Gibbons, a show more stay-at-home mom with a hidden passion for true crime and a desire to become a journalist, as her assistant. What starts as a seemingly simple project quickly spirals into a dangerous investigation as Rosella begins receiving threatening notes and becomes convinced that someone in the neighborhood is out to get her.

As Shannon begins working for Rosella, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies involving infidelity, financial wrongdoings, and long-held grudges. The neighbors, who initially appear friendly and welcoming, reveal themselves to be complex and often flawed individuals, each harboring their own dark truths. Tensions escalate as Rosella's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and paranoid, and she begins to suspect everyone around her.

When Rosella is found murdered in her home, Shannon, along with a new friend, Chloe Leavitt, finds herself drawn into a dangerous quest to uncover the truth. Shannon and Chloe take on the roles of amateur detectives, gathering clues, interviewing neighbors, and working to expose the secrets that led to Rosella's death. They find themselves navigating a tangled web of relationships, lies, and hidden motives, each step forward bringing them closer to danger.

Ragan masterfully creates a sense of unease and paranoia, making the reader question everyone's motives. The story is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat and challenging your assumptions. As Shannon delves deeper into the lives of her neighbors, she is forced to confront her own past and question the nature of truth and justice. The author creates an atmospheric and suspenseful narrative, making it difficult to put the book down.

The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional, each with their own strengths, flaws, and hidden agendas. Shannon is a relatable protagonist who is thrown into a world of danger and deceit, forcing her to evolve and discover her own capabilities. Chloe is equally compelling, balancing a kind and welcoming persona with fierce determination to find the truth. The supporting characters, from the seemingly perfect families to the gossipy neighbors, all add to the complex and intriguing world that Ragan has created.

* **Themes Explored**
* The novel explores the theme of secrets and their destructive power.
* It also touches on themes of motherhood, ambition, and the search for identity.
* The book examines the complexities of human relationships and how easily they can be fractured by lies and deceit.
* Revenge is a strong theme that pervades the actions and motivations of several characters.
* The exploration of the nature of truth and how it can be manipulated is integral to the plot.

* **Writing Style**
* Ragan's writing is fast-paced and engaging, keeping the reader hooked from beginning to end.
* The author uses vivid descriptions and carefully crafted dialogue to create a sense of realism and immersion.
* The plot is intricate, with multiple layers and surprises that keep you guessing until the final page.
* The narrative is suspenseful, with a sense of impending danger that permeates the story.
* The story contains multiple points of view, providing the reader with a holistic and complex picture of the characters and events.

"Best House on the Block" is more than just a thriller; it is a compelling exploration of human nature and the dark underbelly of seemingly perfect lives. It is a story that will stay with you long after you turn the final page and is highly recommended for fans of suspenseful and twisty thrillers, especially those with strong female leads. This book showcases Ragan's skill as a storyteller and will keep readers guessing until the very end. It's a must read for those who enjoy delving into complex characters, chilling secrets, and shocking reveals, with a special emphasis on strong female characters. This novel also has elements that will appeal to fans of true crime as well as psychological thrillers. show less

I feel like I need to begin this review with ALL of the trigger warnings! This book is dark and not always easy to read so it may not be for all readers. But it was also such a suspenseful read that kept me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next the entire time. I just think that because this book was so dark that readers will want to go in knowing that ahead of time as it isn't always easy to read - Sawyer has been through some horrific things in her childhood as have both show more of her sisters. If you can handle all of that, this book was a very compelling read! Sawyer is a prickly character for very good reason. She is also someone that I was instantly rooting for especially after we learn about everything that she has been through. This book also gave me some serious Sharp Objects vibes thanks to the town Sawyer grew up in and all of the darkness that seemed to be contained within it. Another interesting aspect to this book is that there is vigilante storyline (that's the best way I can describe it) that is interspersed throughout the book. I was curious and guessing how it related to Sawyer's storyline while I was reading but my guesses weren't confirmed as correct until the end. I'm very curious to see how this will play out in future books as this book is the first in a series. I will definitely make sure that I'm ready for a darker read when I pick up the next book. I'm looking forward to that next book though as well as checking out what else this author has written!

Overall, it feels kind of wrong to say I enjoyed this one when it had such difficult subject matter but I really did. It wasn't always easy for me to read but it was a very compelling book. I'm eager to read more about Sawyer and to see what other kinds of trouble she will find herself in next. Make no mistake, I'm 100 percent sure that she will find herself in other trouble - that is just the type of person she is. I'm rooting for her though and looking forward to future books because of it. I would recommend this book to readers that don't mind darker reads, those who enjoy a good mystery, and those who like suspenseful reads that they don't want to set down. I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone though because it could be very triggering - please message me if you need specific trigger warnings. In the end, I'm excited to have found this new to me author and looking forward to checking out what else she has written!

Bottom Line: A very dark, suspenseful and compelling read - but be warned that it may not be for everyone!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher as part of a Great Escape Virtual Book Tour. Honest thoughts are my own. show less

Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

T.R. Ragan, I am not speaking to you. Not until you go to your room or garage or coffee shop or wherever it is that you write and give me book #5. Cliffhanger endings are mean. MEAN! I need to know what happens next. I need to know like yesterday. It's a life or death situation. I mean, not my life or death but the people in your book who are hanging on that cliff!! Won't you think of your characters T.R.?!?!

All that aside, I still show more love this series and was happy to see Lizzy and Hayley and Jared back for another round. I'm worried about them all, of course and that was before I read this book! Keep up the amazing work and can't wait for more. show less

Elizabeth Gardner (Lizzy) is the one that got away... from a perverted kidnapper/killer when she was 17. Fourteen years later, it seems that the bad guy is back.

Lizzy is now a P.I. and works with teens to teach them how to avoid being abducted. Her personal life is a bit of a shambles, since she has never fully recovered from her earlier experience. Enter FBI Special Agent Jared Shayne, who was her boyfriend at the time she was abducted, and is now working on ending the criminal career of show more 'The Spiderman'.

I found this book to be a page turner as the story of the bad guy is revealed, and as Lizzy works through her personal issues. Mostly a suspense book, but enough 'romance' in there to satisfy.

Not sure how the series will go, but will put #2 (Dead Weight) in my want-to-read list. show less