About the book

Joey Mullen becomes obsessed with her neighbor, Tom Fitzwilliam, a headmaster whose charisma masks a history of boundary-crossing with his students. Set in the upscale neighborhood of Melville Heights, the narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, including Tom’s teenage son, Freddie, who spends his time documenting neighbors through binoculars, and Jenna Tripp, a student convinced Tom is grooming her friend. The plot tracks a timeline leading toward a murder, utilizing police interview transcripts and non-linear chapters to reveal how accidental observations and deliberate surveillance collide when a body is discovered.

Readers who enjoy domestic noir and intricate character studies find this book useful for its examination of neighborhood dynamics and the fallibility of first impressions. It appeals to those interested in the mechanics of voyeurism and how private obsessions manifest in suburban environments. The reader walks away with a detailed understanding of how secrets erode community trust and an appreciation for a puzzle where the solution relies on connecting disparate, seemingly minor behavioral clues hidden in the mundane routines of the characters.

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