Every now and then you come across a book that’s exactly what you needed at exactly the right time. A palate cleanser, of sorts that pulls you out of the funk of reading some deep and depressing stuff. Nosy Neighbors is one such book. It’s refreshing, heartfelt, and makes you believe that at least some sector of humanity is worth saving.

Synopsis

Despite being plagued by bad memories of the place, Kat Bennett is drawn back to her hometown. When she answers an ad for an open room at the crumbling and historic Shelley House, all she remembers about the place is the story of the creepy old witch that lives in the house and preys on children. What she finds is an eclectic mix of tenants, most notably of which is Shelley House’s longest resident, seventy-seven-year-old Dorothy Darling (Ms. Darling, to you). Dorothy keeps to her flat watching any and all comings and goings and ensuring everyone abides by rules. When Kat’s landlord, Joseph, is attacked in his apartment, it just might be Dorothy and her notebook of offensive happenings that can crack the case. While Dorothy finds Joseph to be completely odious, she’s willing to aid in the investigation lest the culprit strike again. Is the attack related to Joseph’s campaign to stop the mass-eviction of Shelley House’s residents in preparation for its imminent demolition or is something else sinister at play? As unlikely a duo as they may be, Kat and Dorothy may be the only ones who can solve the mystery, and hopefully with the help of the other residents, save Shelley House in the process.

Review

The last thing I want to do to a talented author is compare them to someone else, but I can’t help but feel a very Fredrik Backman vibe with this novel. Of course, Sampson lends her own special voice and special touch to this book, and it’s a unique and lovely story. While the “cranky old person meets jaded millennial” theme is far from new, Sampson managed to make it feel fresh. Each and every character is valuable to this story, playing an important part in not just building a narrative but in building the portrait of a beautiful and diverse community. So often we all exist in our own separate spheres, never forming connections with the people who orbit our spheres. It shouldn’t take brutal attacks to bring us all together, but sometimes that’s what happens. Opening your heart to someone else’s pain can act as a balm for our own festering wounds and scars, and as readers it can be so beautiful to watch characters we’ve grown to love so much begin to heal one another and heal themselves.

I’m not going to go into anything in regard to plot, because there’s really a lot going on here. It’s a twisty mystery with a wonderful and refreshing dose of humor and heart. Thematically, it does drop into some really dark places surrounding grief and abuse. The audiobook narration is positively divine as performed by Sarah Lambie who managed to accentuate the personalities of both Dorothy and Kat just perfectly. And with Sampson’s expert storytelling, we are gifted a highly satisfying conclusion that’s at once exciting and touching. It might just bring on some tears if you have the capacity for feeling human emotion. I highly recommend.

P.S. – There’s a charming dog. Need I say more?

Published April 2, 2024 by Penguin Audio. ISBN 9780593550526. Runtime 11 hrs, 9 mins. Narrated by Sarah Lambie.