‘From the author of GO SEEK comes a dark, high-octane thriller about a tight-knit suburban community in Cork and what happens when one fearlessly protective mother is threatened by her next-door neighbour.‘
– Knock Knock (Publisher Quote)
[ About Knock Knock ]
CAN YOU EVER REALLY KNOW THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR?
Cowerworth is the picture perfect neighbourhood.
Its manicured lawns and low crime rates make it the ideal place to raise a family.
But in a quiet suburb, someone is always watching.
And all eyes are on the couple who have just moved in.
Marcus and Gina are everything you could want in neighbours: polite and friendly.
They seem to be the perfect fit.
Except Marcus has a secret.
And you’re his next victim.
[ My Review ]
Knock Knock by Michelle Teahan published June 13th with Headline and is described as an ‘irreverent, dark and addictive…a nail-biting, spine-tingling and thrilling ride, with a KILLER twist.’
I devoured Michelle Teahan’s debut Go Seek back in 2023 with its heart-pounding and fast-paced story. I loved the gangland aspect of the plot which really kept me on edge at all times so I was really looking forward to seeing where she would go next. With Knock Knock Michelle has changed tack a little, slowing it down to a less frenetic pace as she plays a more psychological game with her readers. Knock Knock is set in Cork but the city has no bearing on the novel and it could be set in any town or city near you, no matter where you live.
Visualise a cul-de-sac made up of four perfect houses with four perfect gardens. Park up some top-of-the-range cars, insert some perfect neighbours and a scattering of almost invisible children and you have Cowerworth, a luxurious estate in a quiet suburb of Cork city. Marcus and Gina are new to the neighbourhood, with Gina’s promotion resulting in them having a new beginning in a new city. Gina’s company organised the rental for them and provided her with a Mercedes as part of the deal. Marcus works from home. He’s extremely handsome and causes quite a stir among the local female population beyond the boundaries of their immediate houses. Gina is seriously attractive, making them an enviable couple. But Marcus is a shady character and from the beginning it’s clear that he is not what he seems.
He is calculated in his every move, gracefully immersing himself into the community with ease. The women all lust after him and the men are just too busy to notice. Dinner parties, drinks out, runs in the woods nearby and chats over garden fences are all part of life in Cowerworth and Marcus is delighted. Marcus observes like a predator on the savanna, watching every move and noting when it’s his time to strike. But when Marcus makes an unexpected connection his world is suddenly thrown off kilter and he has to think twice before his next move.
As Marcus seeps into your head, Michelle Teahan establishes the rest of the neighbourhood, creating a great cast of characters that perfectly fit the scene. Secrets are tantalisingly drip fed catching you off guard on numerous occasions, as the plot unravels and we get a peek into what is really going on behind the perfectly painted doors of this creepily utopian estate.
Knock Knock is very much a cat-and-mouse type of psychological thriller that most definitely keeps you guessing. There are plenty of twists and turns that, in many cases, are quite unexpected and the truth, when revealed, is downright disconcerting. I did get a little bit distracted by the repetitive use throughout of two particular words to describe a craving, but that’s very much a minor niggle.
Knock Knock is the second novel from this Cork writer. It is a slow-burner but when it ramps up you’ll be blindsided by the truth. An exciting tale that will certainly entertain all of you looking for a menacing thriller that might just have you second guessing your neighbours!!
Note: Thank you to Plunkett PR for my copy of Knock Knock in exchange for my honest review
[ Bio ]
Michelle Teahan is a qualified Medical Scientist but her passion has always been writing stories. She loves creating strong female characters, putting them in the worst types of situations and seeing how they react. She lives in County Cork, Ireland with her husband, two young daughters and a giant ginger cat.
X ~ @shellteah
