a stranger in the house by shari lapena

,Last year I read the Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena while on vacation at a vegan spa in Lumby, B.C. I was addicted immediately. The title itself had multiple meanings which became a highly discussed topic amongst our book club. So when I heard that Lapena had written a new thriller I immediately had to get my hands on it. After the first few pages I kept thinking, "Is this a joke? Is this written for young adults?" The sentences are short. Like. Really. Really. Short. I almost quit after 3 chapters, and I never quit a book. (That says a lot!) How can this be the same author as the Couple Next Door. I don't understand how you can completely forget how to write, develop characters, and compose a problematic storyline that goes nowhere. What's most frustrating is that this plot has potential, but then you have these characters that are tedious, desperate, and lack any form of development. I also have to criticize the female characters. Not one of them is relatable, engaging, or worth rooting for. Every chapter spent on the next door neighbour made me cringe. *Spoilers to follow* Woman is married. Woman falls for the new neighbour across the street. Woman has affair. Man breaks it off. Woman loses her mind when he has a new girlfriend. Woman befriends girlfriend. Woman wants to be girlfriend. Woman wants revenge. This whole concept is painfully outdated and needs a face lift. This entire book is composed of painfully bad writing. I skimmed the last half of the book, because I couldn't bring myself to spend any extra time on a book that appears to have missed the editing portion of publishing. Save yourself and skip this read, but do read her first book, you will not be disappointed.