LocalLit book review: ‘The Neighbor’s Wife’ is a psychological thriller with a heart

I recently finished “The Neighbor’s Wife” by Jeanne Meeks, and I have mixed feelings about it.

It’s part thriller, part friendship, part budding romance and part heroism and overcoming challenges. Then again Meeks, a New Lenox author, did pick a challenging topic.

Amazon didn’t list a description for the print book, but I found this one on Google Books: “Henry Peale (an elderly World War II veteran) fell in love with Maggie 60 years ago and loved her until the day she died. On a bright summer day, he sees her gardening in the yard next door – her golden hair, her long braid, her straw hat. Excited to join his wife, he calls out to her but is disappointed when the vision turns out to be the new next door neighbor.

“From afar, Anna Croft brightens Henry’s days. He gardens when she gardens and is rejuvenated and content to be alive. Long after Henry puts his garden to bed for the winter, Anna shows up at his door barefoot on a snowy night. Her nightgown is torn, her face is battered, and she holds a bloody knife in her hand. Henry decides to take the blame for the stabbing.

“Though he knows he was a coward all his life, he makes it his mission to protect the young woman. With the support of Maggie and despite his children’s objections, failing health, and violent nightmares, Henry becomes the hero he was meant to be.”

Here’s what I thought.

“The Neighbor’s Wife” has “thriller” moments but another local mystery writer, Helen Ostermann, called the book “a cozy” on Goodreads, so maybe that’s a better genre. But if you’re looking for gripping tension from start to finish, then “The Neighbor’s Wife” might not be for you.

The romance that’s starting to form in the background is not between Henry Peale and Anna Croft. But I did like the development of their friendship. While the initial attraction between the pair may have been gardening, they really come together by Henry’s need to feel like a hero and Anna’s need for guidance and safety.

But through this friendship, both of them work through their longstanding post-traumatic stress disorder. For Henry, the PTSD is from his military service. For Anna, it’s breaking free from domestic abuse, not just the physical part of the abuse, but the mental and emotional parts, too.

The story is told through multiple points of view (including Henry, Anna and Henry’s daughter Kate) and through flashbacks and present time.

Some of the characterization and plot is predictable, but that didn’t really spoil the story for me.

Devotees of thrillers, mysteries and romance might be a little disappointed because “A Neighbor’s Wife” doesn’t fit neatly into any of those slots.

However, if you are a sucker for a good hero story (and I am one of those people), that is where this novel ultimately shines. Henry and Anna not only confront their own issues, they ultimately become each other’s hero.

I absolutely loved watching that unfold.

Buy “The Neighbor’s Wife” on Amazon.

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