Terrifying, Nail biting, and Fast-paced, this story opens when THREE gunshots are heard from the home of John and Katherine West, where they live with their 5 year old twins, George and Sophie-a family of FOUR.

Logan was a parcel delivery driver and happy to have the job, given to him by his brother-in-law. He had to prove himself – which he was determined to do – but the morning he pulled up in front of Katherine West’s home on Hogarth Street to deliver a computer – which needed a signature – and Katherine wouldn’t open the door, his instincts told him something was very wrong. He continued his deliveries but couldn’t get the house and its residents from his mind. If there's a prevailing theme to this book it is that outward appearances can be deceiving and you never know what is happening behind closed doors. Katherine and John West and their five-year-old twins appear to be the perfect family. Until one day when their nosy neighbor, Gladys, feels that something is not right next door - John seemed to leave in a huff and the twins have not left for school at their usual time. Then a delivery driver, Logan, attempts a deliver at the West house, and Katherine refuses the delivery, giving off a disturbing vibe. When the day ends, the quiet friendly neighborhood will never be the same again. Her journey from studying Law to pursuing a career in writing emphasizes the importance of following one’s creative instincts. Nicole Trope taught us that indeed, sometimes, a change in direction can ultimately lead to the discovery of our true passions.Set in Sydney, The Family Across the Street (formally named Home Sweet Home pre-publication) by Aussie author Nicole Trope is an intense psychological thriller that I couldn’t put down! I read it in a matter of hours, unable to stop until I’d finished. And the twist near the finish blew me away; I had NOT seen that coming!! One thing though – the blurb is misleading and incorrect in a number of places, which of course I didn’t realise until I had finished, and then read the blurb. But for fans of psychological thrillers, this one is a must! Highly recommended.

Meanwhile, a delivery man named Logan knows something is not right. However, he is an ex-con covered with violent tattoos and resists the urge to push for what he knows he should do because he is in fear of how he will be looked upon. Then there is the Gladys, who is pretty much the neighborhood watch. She notices everything going on in her neighborhood, even though she is fairly well overwhelmed caring for her invalid husband Lou. She just knows something is wrong, but she is pretty certain the police won't take her seriously. She is desperate to do something, but what can she do? All the while, Katherine and her children are terrified. The man holding the gun is literally a hair trigger away from bringing absolute devastation. This was one of my favorite domestic thrillers this year-so GRIPPING and UNPUTDOWNABLE that I read it in a day!! And, you can grab a copy today-it just published!! Nicole Trope went to university to study Law but realised the error of her ways when she did very badly on her first law essay because, as her professor pointed out, ‘It’s not meant to be a story.’Home Sweet Home by Nicole Trope is a psychological thriller novel. The story in this one is told from multiple points of view as a hostage situation is unfolding in a quiet neighborhood. Gladys and Lou lived across the street from Katherine and John West and their five-year-old twins George and Sophie. Early one hot summer morning, Gladys noticed the house was still closed up, when Katherine always had the blinds open, with the children getting ready for school, and she started to get a bad feeling. Lou was suffering with Parkinson’s Disease and Gladys cared for him, apart from days Peter, the carer, arrived and Gladys was free to do her usual chores. But Peter hadn’t been able to come that day, leaving Lou in Gladys’ hands. Molly Forster was the sole survivor the night her older sister and her parents were murdered. Only twelve at the time, she witnessed the killings and immediately went into hiding. Since then, she has lived under the radar through false identities. Now, her past has caught up with her in the form of a new podcast “Missing Molly,” which vows to discover what really happened to “little Molly.” Dan has been working online since 2011, gaining extensive experience in various publications and industries throughout the years. With a versatile skill set, he has contributed to several blog publications, covering an array of topics ranging from technology and entertainment to home and lifestyle.

And, from inside the home, we are told what is actually going on from Katherine, and the “monster” with the gun. From the description, I’d also had the same expectations you did about The Family Across the Street, but it sounds like a very different story. I love the premise of the second book – talk about tension. Too bad the ending was a disappointment. Discover the chilling secrets hidden in a seemingly perfect family. Uncover the Darkness in The Family Across the Street Summary Logan is beginning his day as a delivery driver when he pulls up to the quiet home on Hogarth Street. The box Logan takes to the door seems to be a computer and needs to be signed for so he patiently waits an answer at the door. When a lady does answer she refuses to open the door and seems off to Logan so as he goes about the rest of his day he can’t forget the home on Hogarth Street. The plot keeps you guessing throughout as you are trying to piece together how the storylines are related. I liked how it all came together. The ending felt satisfying with everything resolved. There was one main twist that was interesting and connected the characters together. However, the reveal was missing that “but wait there’s more” aspect that adds layers.I think you have to take a break from a genre every now and then. At least I do, Diana, so I fully get where a domestic violence thread can be tiring. I love domestic thrillers, but I don’t like domestic violence in the plot which probably seems like a contradiction, but it’s not. The Family Across the Street is an intense and gripping psychological thriller that delves into the depths of domestic violence. It serves as a stark reminder that even families projecting an image of perfection can conceal unimaginable horrors. Nicole Trope masterfully explores the theme of abuse, shedding light on the devastating consequences it inflicts on victims and the community at large. This thought-provoking narrative confronts readers with the profound impact of violence within the home and emphasizes the importance of vigilance, empathy, and support in combating it. Lesson We Learned This is how you do thrillers. OMG, this story was amazing… Edge-of-your-seat-nail-biting read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NT: In this book, The Family Across The Street, the heroine Katherine West has a wonderful new start. Yet, she does not want to be cut out of her older child’s life. She is very much a mother who is trying to do her best.

With that being said, I did enjoy this domestic thriller. I probably would have rated this book higher but I felt that there was a bit of redundancy with two of the characters, Gladys and Logan. She opened her arms and I showed her the gun. I could have made a different choice. I could have stepped into those arms and changed my life.” Before going into the detailed summary of The Family Across the Street, you may want to read about the author, maybe it can be helpful for understanding the book. About The Author Katherine thought today was going to be a normal day. Reeling from a fight with her husband, she gets her twins dressed for school. The doorbell rings. A man she knows all too well has a gun and is determined to have his voice heard. As the day plays out, we meet the nosey neighbor and delivery man. Both know something is wrong at Katherine's house. Both books were good, just not on par with what I’ve been reading lately. They certainly kept me entertained despite some glitches overall.

For those who love to lose themselves in fantastical worlds, there are plenty of science fiction and fantasy novels to choose from. Imagine traversing alternate dimensions, battling mythical creatures, or saving the future with a band of rebels. NT: Looking at Facebook, I saw a post by an American photographer who took pictures of gang members’ and their tattoos. One guy had a very emotional reaction after seeing his picture where the tattoos were photoshopped out. He felt without them he looked like an average person. I thought about someone who might not have had a good start and wanted to change their life. Yet, they are marked forever. In this book, Logan, the delivery driver was like that and after he entered my head along came the story. But now the small newspaper where she works wants to produce a podcast on a cold case: the disappearance twelve years ago of young Molly Forster. I think my expectations were definitely high for both of these books. The first because of the blurb, and the second because of the other books I’ve read by this author. To be fair, I think Missing Molly was one of her earliest works. As you said, they can’t all be home runs!