Bad Neighbours

 Bad Neighbours

Reviewed By  Grasshopper2       August 18, 2026

 

Author  Joanna Jenkins

Distributor:      Alan and Unwin
ISBN:                 978-1761474019
Publisher:         Allen and Unwin
Release Date:   4 August 2026  

   Website:   https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Joanna-Jenkins-Bad-Neighbours-9781761474019

FaceBook:   https://www.facebook.com/AllenandUnwinBooks/ 

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/Allenandunwin 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/allenandunwin 

X Formally Twitter:   https://x.com/AllenAndUnwin 

There are many aspects of a novel which need to be covered to meet the standards of a “Murder mystery genre.” Joanna Jenkins has done this elegantly in Bad Neighbours, and the result is an immensely interesting and complex story. However, the reader never gets lost in the plot. Chapters are narrated by the main characters, so there is never confusion, and multiple factors are discussed to clarify back stories of the people who live in the apartment.

Bad Neighbours is set in Sydney and the descriptions of that city and harbour are a good backdrop to this tale. Ruth is the main character. She has been given an opportunity (by a work colleague) to purchase an apartment near Potts point, a wealthy location. Being a litigation lawyer, she has a curiosity about her new residence, and the people who own the other apartments.

She gradually meets these people, and they have their own stories to tell. In the lightwell in the basement of the building lives Ben. His father owned an apartment but sold it. Ben is waiting for the money since his father died and has been let in by one of the residents. His swag stays there and he sits in the garden for a while during the day. Most people avoid him and many want him gone from the building.

We learn about Ruth’s work and her friends. She is investigating a bank’s attempt to give misleading information for a housing development. One of the culprits is living in Ruth’s apartment building, which causes concern over conflict of interest.

Then one day, while Ben is lying in his swag, a woman comes by who helped his father sell his apartment. The following day, Ben is found dead. Forensics show he was poisoned, and a bottle is found in Ruth’s garage which matches the poison.

The building of tension which is reflected in Ruth’s workplace, her home and neighbours begin to mount up. As she starts to investigate, with the help of two friends, a huge deception is uncovered. This is a truly clever read!

Crime, Fiction, Thriller