Arts & Entertainment

Love thy neighbor

Creepy new mystery catches speed after difficult intro

Published

14 years ago

September 5, 2012

The crime rate was just too much.

Oh, it wasn’t anything violent. Nobody got killed, it was nothing like that. But petty thefts happened too often in your area and minor vandalism was on the rise, so your neighbors organized a Crime Watch. Just thinking they’re being seen has chased away a lot of mischief makers and you feel safer.

(Image courtesy Viking)

Keeping an eye on your neighbor’s house is a courtesy as old as civilization. But in the new book “Thy Neighbor” by Norah Vincent, one man takes “neighborhood watch” a bit too far.

There was something particularly loathsome about Dave.

Nick Walsh could barely bring himself to call Dave a friend. Dave was more like a parasite, acting like he cared after Nick’s parents’ murder-suicide when he only cared about himself.

That’s why Dave was the first of Nick’s spying projects.

After all, what else did Nick have to do but watch his neighbors? Avoid ghosts that skulked around the house, out-of-sight but not out of smell? Yeah, Nick was sure he could smell his parents, 13 years after their deaths.

It was easy to spy on Dave: Nick bought a kit from the Yellow Pages, installed cameras in a DVD player and made it a present. Spying allowed him to verify that Dave was a fat jerk.

The next victim was Dorris, the divorcee across the road. She and her ex had some explosive fights. It was no wonder he left her.

Then there was the Gruber family. Nick felt sorry for the wife and boys, especially the youngest one. His dad was some piece of work.

The only person Nick didn’t watch was Mrs. Bloom, who’d lost her daughter and granddaughter. She was harmless. He felt a strange kinship with her.

So between monitoring the neighbors, drinking down at the Swan and spending time with Monica, a woman he’d met there, Nick’s pathetic little life was full.

And then the pink notepaper started appearing in his mailbox.

Someone was sending him poetry, written in his handwriting but it wasn’t anything he’d ever penned.

Somebody was playing games. Suddenly, Nick knew he had to watch himself.

Not quite a thriller, not exactly a mystery, “Thy Neighbor” turns out to be a little of both, and a twist.

With his sardonic words and deep self-loathing, it’s obvious that author Norah Vincent’s main protagonist, Nick, is damaged. I got that, but I didn’t get much else from this book for several pages in. There are a lot of drink-hazy scenes, dialogue that goes in circles and confusion that made it hard to stay focused.

But then Vincent lets us see what Nick is seeing. When that happens, it’s hard to look away and it’s hard to feel sorry for Nick anymore. That he’s a voyeur becomes as reprehensible as what he sees and what happens is a big surprise.

Ultimately, I liked this book enough, even if it was hard to get into. If you can deal with that and some harsh language, then missing “Thy Neighbor” could be a crime.

Related Topics:Norah Vincent Thy Neighbor Viking Press

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Curl up with a good book this fall

New releases include mysteries, biographies, religion, and more

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The fall books season offers lots of options so curl up and get ready to read.

FICTION

For the mystery fan who likes a sprinkle of thriller, look for “The Longest Death” by Kevin Jagernauth (Soho Crime, December). Richard Cobson hates his small town, he’s bored and desperate to get away. Stealing from his employer is the only thing that makes life bearable. That all changes when Marlon Montgomery comes to town and the two fall in love because if one guy can steal so easily, what can two do?

If you like graphic novels, try the “Tripping Over You” trilogy by Suzana Harcum and Owena White. Milo and Liam are finally able to be open about their relationship, no more hiding their love. They’re living together now, but can it last? “Tripping Over You Book 3” (First Second Books) is in stores in early November.

Also try “Diana: The Punk Singer Who Ripped Through Time” by Nate Powell (Abrams ComicArts, October). It’s about a young woman who’s trying desperately to escape her past, until a mysterious murder sidetracks her plans.

So you say you’re a romantic at heart? Then look for “Unspeakable Things: A Novel” by Elizabeth Hand (Little, Brown & Company, October). It’s a story set in the 1920s, when two young women arrive in the English Countryside to a dark and ancient manor. But, of course, nothing in a Gothic novel is easy, right? And you’ll love this tale.

NONFICTION

So this upcoming year is going to be one of exploration, right? Then look for “Free Love: Adventures in Marriage and Polyamory” by Michelle Tea (HarperOne, November). It’s a well-researched, personal, and interesting look at the lives of polyamorous couples and what it’s like to live what used to be called an “alternative” lifestyle.

If “fall” says “biography” to you, then look for “Showbiz! My Life as a Middle-Aged Man” by Murray Hill (Gallery Books, October). For decades, Hill has been making audiences laugh with his signature humor, but getting laughs hides his past all too well. He grew up in an abusive family and learning to hone his talents took some ingenuity. If you’re not a Hill fan yet, you will be, once you read this book.

For the reader who’s searching for a spiritual place, “Reading the Bible Through Queer Eyes: Good News for LGBTQ+ People from Genesis to Revelation” by podcasters Brian G. Murphy and Shannon T.L. Kearns (HarperOne, December) might help. Here, the authors look deeply at Scripture to find the queerness that’s there, proving to readers that the Word is not always what it seems.

Young readers may want to check out “Bitter Pill: Randy Shilts and the Dawn of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic” by Clement Xavier, illustrated by Heloise Cochois, foreword by Michael Lee (Abrams ComicArts, November). It’s a highly researched true story of activist Shilts, but also of Harvey Milk, and the earliest days of the AIDS crisis, when gay men needed a loud voice to advocate for them.

And finally, if you want a fun book for your kids or a child you love, look for “Good Night, Break a Leg: Life with Broadway Dads” by Bret Shuford, illustrated by Elena Hager (Penguin Workshop). What do parents do when they go to work? A little boy learns that his dads have very special jobs by day – and by night! It’s a cute book for kids, but a special tale for lovers of Broadway.

Be aware that publication dates change, titles change, books can be canceled, and your librarian or favorite bookseller can help you find what you need. Season’s readings!