Infinite Books

Alton Road is a neighborhood where you won’t see a Honda Civic in one’s driveway but Samir’s Lexus, Brooke’s Mercedes, and Riley’s Beamer. Only 17-year-old Lettie drives a rusty Hyundai Santa Fe, but everybody knows she prefers her bike to reduce her carbon footprint. However, as much as the flashy cars are for everyone to see, the secrets of every family are carefully hidden. You may think you know when everybody is home, but discovering what happens behind the closed door is challenging.

“More is more and less is a bore” seems to be the motto for the plot. There is a double homicide, alcohol abuse, drugs, domestic violence, and sex with a minor. It turns out that beautiful wives can be tormented by their past traumas, and handsome husbands can use their good looks to cover their pathological psychological problems. Alex, the marriage counselor and Nick’s wife, clearly becomes an alcoholic, while her sister, Emily, who lives next door, tries to repair her marriage, but it seems impossible. A beautiful widow, Brooke, has her own secrets – and her own stalker. This is just the beginning.

The novel’s timeline starts with the double murder at the Memorial Day block party, but we don’t know who was killed. We go back one year and follow the story, starting when the new neighbors buy the house in this desirable community. I especially liked when the story was told from Lettie’s perspective – she had a fresh, young voice and was probably the only person who cared about others.

“The Block Party” is a fast-paced thriller, and it will definitely be compared to “Big Little Lies” or “Truly Madly Guilty.” It’s less of a psychological thriller and more of a neighborhood drama. The author does not explore the characters’ issues, just presents them, mainly through the eyes of Lettie and her mother. It would be interesting to bring other characters into focus.

On the other hand, this limited number of narrators – representing two generations – makes even more apparent how little the neighbors can know about each other and how difficult getting into other person’s shoes can be. Too often, the best intentions to help someone in need don’t evolve into real help. Crossing the street to a neighbor’s house can be the longest journey.

THE BLOCK PARTY, by Jamie Day, published by St. Martin’s Press, 2023