Londoners Jack and Syd are saving for a home together. They attend all the open houses and have a list of what they really want and need in a "forever" home. They decide to look at another house, where there is a long line of people waiting to get in. This house is more than they need, the location in London perfect, and it's definitely out of their price range. Jack is not comfortable in the house, but he sees Syd is in love with it. But with such an impressive crowd, Jack believes there's no way they will get the house even if they put in an offer. They are astonished when the agent tells them the owner picked them because he wants a young couple to live there. They move in and begin to get rid of the massive amount of strange things left by the previous dweller, starting with the stuffed birds hanging on the walls.

Odd noises begin, along with a foul odor emanating from the attic. Jack climbs a ladder to reach it and once inside the almost empty room, he finds a dead cat with two broken legs and a shoebox filled with a child's keepsakes and the name "Jessica" written on it. Jack does not tell Syd about anything about his findings. He buries the cat in the yard and hides the box in his closet. Who is Jessica? Who or what is entering their privacy and why?

THE NEW NEIGHBORS is a dark and chilling tale of secrets, family dysfunction, child abuse, lies, and betrayals. Narrated in alternating chapters by Jack and Syd, readers are brought into the complex and frightening childhood faced by Syd with an evil father who terrorizes her, as well as her sister and her mother. His abuse is worthy of nightmares; this book is not for the faint of heart. Mr. Lelic writes an intricate, tricky, emotional page-turner that will keep you captivated until the last page. Just keep the lights on and look under the bed to make sure you are safe and alone! Good job, Mr. Lelic.