🏡 Book Review: Good Neighbors by Chad Zunker (Kindle Edition, Alibis Collection)
A chilling suburban thriller that turns friendly facades into deadly secrets—Chad Zunker’s short story delivers suspense, betrayal, and a haunting reminder that curiosity can be fatal.
🧠 Overview
Published in June 2025 as part of Amazon Original Stories’ Alibis Collection, Good Neighbors is a 45-page psychological suspense short by Chad Zunker, bestselling author of Family Money and the Sam Callahan series. The story follows Kara Reed, a stay-at-home mom in the upscale neighborhood of Rollingwood near Austin, Texas. When her best friend Mindy McGregor suspects her husband Bill of cheating, Kara agrees to keep watch.
But one night, Kara sees a shadowy figure sneaking into Mindy’s house—and what she witnesses next pulls her into a deadly spiral of violence, secrets, and survival.
🔍 Key Themes & Highlights
- 🕵️♀️ Domestic suspense: The story explores how ordinary lives can unravel under the weight of secrets and suspicion
- 💔 Friendship and betrayal: Kara’s loyalty to Mindy leads her into dangerous territory, testing the limits of trust
- 🔫 Fast-paced thriller: A murder, a chase, and a desperate escape unfold in rapid succession
- 🧠 Moral ambiguity: Kara’s choices blur the line between good intentions and reckless interference
“What’s happening across the street isn’t what Kara expects. And what she sees could get her killed.” — Goodreads summary
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.63/5 from over 8,700 ratings
- 📖 Readers praise the story’s tight pacing, relatable protagonist, and twist ending
- 🧾 Some felt the plot was predictable, but most found it a satisfying, high-stakes read
- 💬 “A punchy, suspenseful short story that delivers plenty of tension in a tight runtime.” — NetGalley review
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 45 pages, it’s a quick read—ideal for fans of bite-sized thrillers
- 📚 Part of a collection: One of several stories in the Alibis Collection, each exploring lies, truth, and deception
- 🔞 Mature themes: Includes violence and psychological tension—best suited for adult readers
🏁 Final Verdict
Good Neighbors is a gripping and atmospheric short thriller that turns suburban watchfulness into a deadly game. Chad Zunker’s writing is sharp and suspenseful, making this Kindle edition a compelling pick for fans of domestic noir and psychological drama. If you enjoy stories where ordinary people stumble into extraordinary danger, this one’s worth a read.
