👀 Book Review: The Nosy Neighbor by Nita Prose (Kindle Edition, Busybodies Collection)
A sharp, witty short story that turns suburban snooping into a suspenseful spiral—Nita Prose delivers a cozy mystery with bite, perfect for fans of quirky amateur sleuths and domestic intrigue.
🧠 Overview
Published in October 2024 as part of Amazon Original Stories’ Busybodies Collection, The Nosy Neighbor is a 29-page short story by Nita Prose, bestselling author of The Maid and The Mystery Guest. The story centers on Marge, a retired woman who spends her days spying on her flamboyant neighbor Doris and her dull husband Bob. From flamenco dancing to suspicious deliveries, Marge documents every oddity with obsessive precision—until her curiosity leads her into a situation far more dangerous than she anticipated.
🔍 Key Themes & Highlights
- 🕵️♀️ Amateur sleuthing: Marge is the ultimate busybody—armed with binoculars, a notebook, and a relentless need to know
- 🧠 Perception vs. reality: What Marge thinks she sees and what’s actually happening diverge in unsettling ways
- 💃 Character contrast: Doris’s flamboyance and Bob’s blandness create a dynamic that fuels Marge’s suspicions
- 🧩 Twisty ending: The story builds to a clever and unexpected conclusion that redefines who’s really in control
“Meddlesome Marge keeps too close a watch on her neighbor’s house across the street… Soon enough, she learns that digging into her suspicions means digging herself into a very deep hole.” — Goodreads summary
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.36/5 from over 6,000 ratings
- 📖 Readers enjoy the story’s quirky tone, tight pacing, and suburban satire
- 🧾 Some felt the ending was abrupt or wanted more depth, but most found it a fun and fast read
- 💬 “A clever little mystery with a twist I didn’t see coming. Marge is both hilarious and unsettling.” — Goodreads reviewer
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At under 30 pages, it’s a quick read—best enjoyed as a bite-sized mystery
- 📚 Part of a collection: One of six stories in the Busybodies Collection, each featuring nosy protagonists who stumble into trouble
- 🧾 Light suspense: More cozy than chilling—ideal for fans of humorous mysteries and domestic drama
🏁 Final Verdict
The Nosy Neighbor is a snappy and sly short story that showcases Nita Prose’s knack for character-driven suspense. With its suburban setting, eccentric cast, and twisty payoff, it’s a delightful entry in the Busybodies Collection. Perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building or anyone who’s ever peeked through the curtains and wondered what’s really going on next door.
