There is nothing like a common foe to bring together prickly and disagreeable neighbors. Dorothy is 77 years old. She is a longtime resident who spies on her neighbors who reside in Shelley House, and she complains a lot. Kat is 25, has pink hair, is renting a room, and seems distant and aloof. She and Dorothy get off on the wrong foot before Kat even moves in. But when the old building is threatened with demolition, and the elderly man renting Kat a room is attacked in the apartment, these two decidedly different women join forces to protect the building and the residents. This tale is so much more than a mystery. Secrets in the past for all the main characters finally come to light, and affect them in ways they can’t begin to imagine. Well written with quirky and interesting characters including the dog, this book is delightfully entertaining. ( )

I enjoy reading Freya Sampson books as they are usually heartwarming. In this one, Kat has returned to the town where she has fond memories of her grandfather-before she was disowned. She arrives to let a room at Shelley House. Upon arrival, she is greeted by Dorothy with a list of violations. But, Joseph stops Kat before she gets away.
Throughout the novel, Kat just wants to leave the town, but events keep her coming back. Dorothy seems bitter and reports on everyone's comings and goings. She is rude and short with Joseph. But, after some of the tenants become hospitalized, Kat digs into what is going on with Shelley House, and finds that someone is trying to raze it, just like they did to her family farm. The story tells of the fight to save Shelley House, and the reason that Dorothy is so bitter. Or is she?
Sweet story of family and friendship. ( )

This was one of those books that I couldn’t stop reading….it grew later and later as I told myself “Just one more chapter.”

This is a story about forgiveness, grief, family, and unlikely friendships. The two main characters couldn’t be more different, yet they both have secrets with painful histories, and are determined to keep to themselves and not befriend anyone. Of course things don’t turn out the way they planned, with the two of them even teaming up together to prevent the demolition of the apartment complex where they both live. My favorite character was little Reggie, the Jack Russell terrier, who provides humor when things look hopeless.

This is actually a heartwarming novel with a bit of romance, which demonstrates the power of community.

I’ve read and liked Freya Sampson’s other two books, but I think this one is the best and I highly recommend it. ( )

Oh Dorothy - you and your notebook.

Do you really think one of your neighbors attacked Charles and do you think your tabulation of things wrong with Shelley House and neighbor violations will keep them from tearing down the historic building?

You will LOVE both Dorothy and Kat and will laugh at what Dorothy records in her notebook and her thoughts about who the attacker was. She truly felt she was doing a good deed.

Dorothy has lived in Shelley House all of her life, and Kat is the newcomer who rented a room from Charles.

Kat is also a neighbor Dorothy wasn’t fond of UNTIL they worked on saving Shelley House together, and it still was a bit on the rough side.

Will they be able to save Shelley House?

Find out in this delightful, sweet, heartwarming, as well as heartbreaking read with lovable, eccentric characters that will make you laugh and make you cry.

If you are a fan of Freya’s books, you won’t want to miss NOSY NEIGHBORS. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ( )

I was so excited when I saw that Freya Sampson had a new book out - Nosy Neighbors! (Don't you love that cover!)

I love my mystery and thriller reads, but the books that stick with me a bit longer are those that tug at my heart strings. And Freya Sampson's books are at the top of the list.

What will you find inside? A crochety, seventy seven year old woman named Dorothy Darling. She's lived in apartment two in Shelley House for over thirty years. She keeps herself busy by watching out her front window and inside the building, noting things down in her logbook - the repairs needed, when someone comes or goes from the building and much more. The latest tenant is tattooed, pink haired Kat. And the two of them clash immediately.

But, the lives of all the tenants of Shelley House are all going to change when... Yes, I'm stopping there, leaving you to find out what happens next.

Sampson keeps us guessing (and turning pages) as to what the secrets are that Kat and Dorothy have each been hiding for many years.

The characters are all wonderfully drawn and it was easy to create detailed mental images of them all. All good tales have a dog, and in this case it's Reggie - who steals the show more than once.

Uh huh, all the right elements are in place for a 'tug at your heartstrings' read. Love lost, love found, loneliness, friendship, purpose, meaning and connections. What we all need - people, not things.

Nosy Neighbors is another great read from Freya Samson and I will be eagerly awaiting her next book. ( )