num_pages: 304
description: Celeste Ngs enthralling dissection of suburbia meets Shirley Jacksons creeping dread in this propulsive literary noir when a sudden tragedy exposes the depths of deception and damage in a Long Island suburbpitting neighbor against neighbor and putting one family in terrible danger.Welcome to Maple Street a picture-perfect slice of suburban Long Island its residents bound by their children their work and their illusion of safety in a rapidly changing world. Arlo Wilde a gruff has-been rock star whos got nothing to show for his fame but track marks is always two steps behind the other dads. His wife beautiful ex-pageant queen Gertie feels socially ostracized and adrift. Spunky preteen Julie curses like a sailor and her kid brother Larry is called Robot Boy by the kids on the block. Their next-door neighbor and Maple Streets Queen Bee Rhea Schroedera lonely community college professor repressing her own dark pastwelcomes Gertie and family into the fold. Then during one spritzer-fueled summer evening the new best friends share too much too soon. As tensions mount a sinkhole opens in a nearby park and Rheas daughter Shelly falls inside. The search for Shelly brings a shocking accusation against the Wildes that spins out of control. Suddenly it is one moms word against the others in a court of public opinion that can end only in blood. A riveting and ruthless portrayal of American suburbia Good Neighbors excavates the perils and betrayals of motherhood and friendships and the dangerous clash between social hierarchy childhood trauma and fear.
language: English
title: Good Neighbors
publisher: Atria Books