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- Title: Neighborhood
- Author: Matthew Betley
- Narrator: George Newbern
- Length: 08:45:31
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 09/08/2022
- Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Political Thriller
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
The moment George Newbern’s voice crackled through my headphones with the first tense lines of “Neighborhood”, I was transported back to a moonlit night in the Chilean desert when I first understood how a skilled narrator can transform words into visceral experience. Matthew Betley’s suburban thriller becomes something far more immersive in audio form – a midnight siege that plays out in your mind with cinematic intensity.
“The Story That Grabs You by the Throat”
Betley crafts what might be the most terrifying homeowner’s association meeting imaginable. Hidden Refuge appears to be any American subdivision – until black-clad operatives posing as police officers start rounding up residents. The premise hooked me immediately, reminding me of those Oaxacan storytelling nights where ordinary settings suddenly revealed extraordinary secrets. What begins as a contained home invasion thriller blossoms into something more complex, with Betley masterfully peeling back layers of suburban normalcy to reveal the explosive truth beneath.
Zack Chambers makes for a fascinating protagonist – a former CIA operative turned family man who must dust off old skills when his neighborhood comes under attack. Betley avoids cliché by making Zack genuinely conflicted about his violent past, and the supporting cast (particularly his hacker babysitter and military vet brother) add wonderful texture. The action sequences are brutally efficient, but it’s the small human moments – neighbors realizing they don’t actually know each other, children witnessing adult violence – that linger.
“Narration That Delivers the Goods”
George Newbern’s performance is nothing short of stellar. He captures Zack’s world-weariness perfectly, shifting seamlessly between the character’s current suburban dad persona and the lethal operative lurking beneath. Newbern handles the large cast with impressive range – I never needed dialogue tags to know who was speaking. His pacing during action sequences had me holding my breath during a layover in Mexico City, completely oblivious to the airport chaos around me.
What impressed me most was how Newbern elevates the material. Where some narrators might play the violence for cheap thrills, he finds the humanity in each confrontation. Listen to how his voice cracks slightly during a neighbor’s death scene – it’s raw, real, and reminded me why I fell in love with audiobooks during those desert nights under the stars.
“A Few Caveats Among the Praise”
The novel isn’t without flaws. Some plot twists strain credibility (would an entire neighborhood really have no cell service?), and a late-game reveal about the attackers’ motives feels rushed. Betley’s prose occasionally leans too hard on military jargon, though Newbern’s delivery smooths over these rough patches. The female characters, while well-performed, aren’t as fully developed as their male counterparts.
“Who Will Love This Audiobook?”
Fans of “Die Hard” or “Home Alone” (if John McClane had CIA training) will devour this. The political thriller elements add depth beyond standard action fare, making it perfect for long drives or sleepless nights. I’d particularly recommend it to:
– Commuters who want their drive time to feel like an action movie
– Former military/veterans who’ll appreciate the authentic tradecraft
– Anyone who’s ever looked sideways at their neighbors and wondered…
“Final Verdict”
“Neighborhood” delivers exactly what it promises – white-knuckle tension in a package that feels both fantastical and uncomfortably plausible. Betley’s tight plotting combined with Newbern’s virtuoso performance creates that rare audiobook you’ll finish in one sitting. Just maybe don’t listen to it home alone at night… unless you want to double-check your home security system halfway through.
Until our next literary adventure, keep exploring the stories hidden in plain sight.
Marcus Rivera
