NEIGHBORHOOD WATCHED

Kenealy’s novel explores the long-lasting aftermath of an out-of-control neighborhood watch.

“She’s back. Sue Ellen’s back, Peter,” Josephine “Joe” Barnes announces to her father, Peter Barnes. But Peter is already well aware that his maniacal ex-wife has been released from prison and returned to Ridgeport, Illinois. As recounted in the author’s novel Neighborhood Watch (2022), 18 years earlier, “The Band” of Joe, Scott (now her husband and the father of her infant son), and Matt (Sue Ellen’s biological son) had helped send Sue Ellen to jail after she used the neighborhood watch to turn Ridgeport into an idyllic American suburb by torturing and brainwashing any possible deviants within a secretive reeducation center straight out of A Clockwork Orange. Sue Ellen is determined to exact her revenge and bring the citizens of Ridgeport under her thumb once again—this time by running for mayor. After a shocking death, The Band must come back together, leave the lives they have been building elsewhere behind, and try to find evidence that will send their nemesis back to prison once and for all. Sue Ellen easily steals the show, earning sympathy just as easily as provoking shock or outrage from one page to the next. It sometimes feels like The Band simply can’t compete—neither in the election nor for readers’ attention. Kenealy admirably depicts the depth of The Band’s trauma, but troubled adults facing an upsetting election and a laborious murder investigation just doesn’t pack the same narrative punch as the preceding novel’s tale of teenagers unearthing a conspiracy. There’s a lot of exposition and dreary ground to cover, and the story drags as it strives to ensure readers are up to speed on everything happening in Ridgeport. Still, when the author leans into his pulpy narration, Ridgeport—filled with shadowy figures, seedy motels, political machinations, and bold Sue Ellen surprises—is actually a very fun town to revisit.

A mostly satisfying sequel with a clever concept and a stunning villain.