New Thrillers Explore Dark Sides of Online Influence and Neighborly Secrets

This week's psychological thrillers include Liane Child's "Someone Just Followed You," which examines the pressures of child online influencers; Emma Curtis's "The Neighbour," a story of dark secrets within a close-knit street; and Mary Kubica's "It's Not Her," a tale of family tragedy and suspense.

"Someone Just Followed You" by Liane Child focuses on 14-year-old influencer Mabel Clark, whose online brand is meticulously managed by her mother, Kristen. Their luxury lifestyle in Utah is supported by Mabel's two million followers. The novel opens with Mabel's kidnapping, using the search for her abductor as a backdrop to explore the dangers of children exposed to commercial online life by overambitious parents. The book is described as a timely and gripping thriller that raises profound questions without being preachy.

Emma Curtis's "The Neighbour" follows Mia, who seeks to mend her life by renovating a house after relationship and job failures. Against her best friend Beth's advice, Mia moves to Taverner Street, where she encounters a hostile neighbor named George. As the street's secrets begin to surface, Mia regrets her decision when events take a dark turn, leading to murder and Beth's disappearance. The novel is noted for its clever, twisty plot and its study of the damage caused by troubled individuals.

Mary Kubica's "It's Not Her" is set in an isolated lakeside location in rural Wisconsin. The story begins with Courtney, a mother who discovers the bodies of her brother and sister-in-law in the neighboring holiday cottage. The teenage daughter, Reece, is missing, raising questions about her involvement in the deaths or if she herself was abducted. Courtney uncovers more secrets than anticipated in this otherwise well-constructed thriller. However, the book is noted as being let down by a disappointing conclusion.