The Woman Next Door

A BRAND NEW utterly unputdownable psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist, perfect for 2026!

Penny Batchelor, TBA

• Publisher: Embla Books
• Year: 2025
• Topic: Literature
• eBook ISBN:
  9781471415913
• Subtopic: Crime & Mystery Literature
• Index: Literature

'This gripping psychological thriller hooks you from the very first scene, plunging readers into a tense, emotionally charged battle between past and present.' Reader review, 5 stars

She knows all your darkest secrets . . . Now she's the woman next door.

"It can't be. Please God, don't let it be. I left all that behind over twenty-five years ago. Didn't I?"

We've just got home after two weeks of sun, sea and relaxation when the doorbell rings. My husband answers and as soon as I hear her voice something jolts through me. It's adrenaline. My body is already in fight-or-flight mode.

It's been twenty-five years, but I'd know that laugh anywhere. I freeze. Don't let her in.

Now she's standing in my kitchen, smiling and shaking my husband's hand with her perfectly manicured nails. Stacey. She's our new next-door neighbour. What is she doing here? What does she want this time? I worked so hard to put the past behind me, to build this life for myself.

I will not let her take it from me.

An absolutely gripping psychological thriller with a killer twist you just won't see coming. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Claire Douglas, Susan Lewis, Caroline Mitchell and Becca Day.

Readers can't get enough of The Woman Next Door!

'Dark, menacing and beautifully written' Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal

'I finished it in one sitting! Talk about shocking. No, I didn't see it coming! It was clever, so clever . . . A solid 5-star read for me.' Reader review, 5 stars

'Wahooga what a book . . . so twisty and turny and had me questioning everything . . . this book was brilliant.' Reader review, 5 stars

'This book was so good! Had me hooked from the start. Very easy to read. Loved the characters. Some good twists at the end i didnt see coming.' Reader review, 5 stars

'Wow. What the heck. Those were some crazy shocking twists. I never saw it coming. Fantastic read.' Reader review, 5 stars

'An excellent thriller . . . Such great writing! I'll definitely check out more by this author - I can't wait!' Reader review, 5 stars

'A smart, suspenseful, and emotionally resonant . . . If you enjoy thrillers that offer both tension and suspense, this one should be at the top of your TBR list.' Reader review, 5 stars

'Couldn't put it down! A cracking novel with many twists & turns . . . Just the right amount of dark for me.....loved it!' Reader review, 5 stars

'Great twisty read! For lovers of domestic thrillers, this is a great read!' Reader review, 5 stars

'Read !! This book was so good! Had me hooked from the start. Very easy to read. Loved the characters.' Reader review, 5 stars

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Also By
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Prologue
• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Jen’s diary, Hawthorne High School, Year 2
• Chapter 4
• Jen’s diary, Hawthorne High School, Year 2
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6
• Chapter 7
• Jen’s diary, Hawthorne High School, Year 2
• Chapter 8
• Jen’s diary, Hawthorne High School, Year 2
• Chapter 9
• Chapter 10
• Chapter 11
• Chapter 12
• Jen’s diary, Hawthorne High School, Year 2
• Chapter 13
• Chapter 14
• Jen’s diary, Hawthorne High School, Year 3
• Chapter 15
• Chapter 16
• Chapter 17
• Chapter 18
• Chapter 19
• Chapter 20
• Jen’s diary, Hawthorne High School, Year 3
• Chapter 21
• Chapter 22
• Chapter 23
• Chapter 24
• Chapter 25
• Chapter 26
• Chapter 27
• Chapter 28
• Chapter 29
• Chapter 30
• Jen’s diary, Hawthorne High School, Year 3
• Acknowledgements
• About the Author
• About Embla Books