Too Close to Home by Linwood Barclay

Published by

Sarah Ann

on

January 31, 2014

Linwood Barclay is my new favorite suspense novelist, and Too Close to Home is the spookiest, most disturbing Barclay book I’ve read so far.

In Too Close to Home, teenager Derek Cutter is at his best friend Adam Langley’s house telling the family goodbye before they go on a week-long vacation. Derek lives right next door to Adam and. He has plans to hide in Adam’s basement until the family leaves so he can turn off the alarm system and use Adam’s house as a love nest for the week.

Later that evening when Derek comes out of hiding, he hears the family come home unexpectedly. In a panic, Derek returns to his hiding spot in the basement, but moments later, before he can leave, he hears intruders murder Adam and his parents. In a state of shock, Derek goes home and doesn’t tell anyone what happens.

This all takes place during the prologue! After that, the novel switches to first-person narration from Derek’s father, Jim Cutter—an artist, chauffeur, and lawn service owner. When Jim learns his neighbors have been murdered, Derek suggests maybe the killers chose the wrong house that night. It’s then that Jim realizes his family may be in grave danger.

The prologue of Too Close to Home is the most haunting and chilling segment of the book and sets a macabre and scary tone. It’s freaky when your neighbors are suddenly and unexpectedly murdered in their home.

Compared to Barclay’s other protagonists, Jim is far tougher and way more bad-ass. I like that his character has experience working as the mayor’s driver and has no problems throwing a few deserved punches here and there.

There are lots of red herrings in Too Close to Home, and a lot going on. The end result is satisfying, it’s an all-around amazing novel.

What are your favorite books by Linwood Barclay? I love this author.

Last Updated on November 25, 2025 by Sarah Ann

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