🚪 Book Review: The Other Side of the Road by Andrea Bartz (Kindle Edition, Never Tell Collection)
A taut, unsettling domestic thriller that turns suburban bliss into creeping dread—Andrea Bartz delivers a compact psychological punch in this eerie short story about secrets, surveillance, and the cost of a dream.
🧠 Overview
Published in March 2024 as part of Amazon Original Stories’ Never Tell Collection, The Other Side of the Road is a 31-page suspenseful short story by Andrea Bartz, bestselling author of We Were Never Here and The Spare Room. The story follows Lauren and Kelsey, a married couple expecting their first child, who move into their dream home in the Hudson Valley. Everything seems perfect—until they notice their elderly neighbor across the street watching them a little too closely.
As the tension builds, the couple begins to question whether their new home is a sanctuary or a trap—and whether the real danger lies outside their walls or within their relationship.
🔍 Key Themes & Highlights
- 🏡 Suburban paranoia: The idyllic setting becomes increasingly claustrophobic as surveillance and suspicion creep in
- 👀 Voyeurism and control: The neighbor’s constant presence raises questions about privacy, boundaries, and hidden motives
- 💔 Marital tension: Beneath the surface of domestic bliss, Bartz explores subtle fractures in Lauren and Kelsey’s relationship
- 🧠 Psychological suspense: The story leans into unease rather than overt horror, making the final twist all the more chilling
“A couple preparing for the future discovers that their dream house will cost them far more than the mortgage…” — Goodreads summary
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.68/5 from over 4,800 ratings
- 📖 Readers praise the story’s creepy tone, tight pacing, and unexpected ending
- 🧾 Some felt the characters were underdeveloped due to the short format, but most found it an entertaining and eerie read
- 💬 “A fun quick read! In less than 30 pages, Bartz packs a little (or big) extra punch at the end.” — StoryGraph reviewer
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 31 pages, it’s a fast read—best enjoyed as a psychological snapshot rather than a full mystery arc
- 📚 Plot-driven: Focuses on atmosphere and suspense more than deep character development
- 🧾 Part of a collection: One of several stories in the Never Tell series, each exploring secrets and mind games
🏁 Final Verdict
The Other Side of the Road is a moody and suspenseful short story that turns the comforts of home into a source of dread. Andrea Bartz’s sharp writing and knack for psychological tension make this a satisfying read for fans of domestic thrillers and bite-sized mysteries. Perfect for a late-night chill session when you’re wondering what your neighbors are really up to.
