The Room Next Door
- Judith D Collins
- Oct 23
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 23
Narrators: Julia Whelan, Elizabeth Evans, Bebe Wood, full cast
Publisher: Audible Originals
Pub Date: 10/09/2025
Format: Audio
My Rating: 5 Stars
From the bestselling author of Mad Love and American Girl comes a propulsive new thriller with a spectacular twist and an acclaimed cast.
They were best friends forever. Until the night one of them disappeared.
In 2010, Brooke Lowry, Carrie Hollis, and Eve Shay were inseparable. But on the Fourth of July, Eve vanished—her case never solved. Brooke moved away, but Carrie couldn’t let go, her obsession driving her to become the Chief of Police.
Now, fifteen years later, just as Carrie is about to close Eve’s case for good, an anonymous call provides a chilling new lead. And–within days–a man’s body is hauled in by a fishing boat. His murder is linked to a hotel a few miles away–where the guest in the room next door was none other than Brooke Lowry.
Brooke was there that night—with her lover. They heard something through the wall. Something violent. But they couldn’t say a word without revealing their affair.
As Carrie digs deeper into both cases, Brooke scrambles to cover her tracks, and Eve’s own voice begins to rise from the past. Together, their stories unravel a web of lies, betrayals, and long-buried secrets that lead to the shocking truth of what happened to Eve Shay.
This story contains mature themes. Listener discretion is advised.
My Review
Wendy Walker's gripping new thriller, THE ROOM NEXT DOOR, an Audible Original that follows a police chief, Carrie Hollis, as she reopens the cold case of her best friend's death 15 years prior, when a new murder may be connected.
This captivating crime thriller unfolds as a whodunit mystery, skillfully navigating through multiple perspectives and timelines. The narrative intricately weaves a tapestry of deception and betrayal, all centered around a tragic incident that keeps readers on the edge of their seats
About the book...
Three friends.
Two timelines.
One DEADLY truth.
Three Friends:
The narrative revolves around three inseparable friends: Carrie Hollis, Brooke Lowry, and Eve Shay.
2010 Eve's Disappearance:
During a vibrant Fourth of July celebration, Eve mysteriously vanishes from a pier. Weeks later, her body is discovered on the shore, and the authorities declare her death an accidental drowning. However, Carrie steadfastly rejects this conclusion.
The Present (15 Years Later):
Now serving as the East Bay Chief of Police, Carrie remains deeply invested in uncovering the truth behind Eve's mysterious death. Just as she is poised to close the case indefinitely, an anonymous caller emerges, alleging that Eve was murdered.
A New Murder:
The discovery of a man's body near a fishing boat prompts an investigation that links his murder to a local hotel.
The Room Next Door:
The guest occupying the hotel room adjacent to the crime scene is none other than Brooke Lowry, an old friend of Carrie’s.
Brooke's Secret:
Brooke confesses that she was present with her clandestine lover, who is very mysterious (she is also married), on the night of the murder. They overheard a violent altercation in the adjoining room but chose to remain silent to protect their affair.
Tangled Investigations:
As Carrie delves deeper into the new murder case, Brooke grapples with concealing her own buried truths.
The novel intricately weaves together present-day investigations with Eve's chilling voice from the past, unraveling long-hidden deceptions.
My thoughts..
Riveting, suspenseful, and atmospheric, THE ROOM NEXT DOOR is filled with wicked twists, dark secrets, and a deadly past. How far will someone go to keep their secrets?
The narrative skillfully unfolds through multiple perspectives, shifting between Carrie, Brooke, and Eve, ultimately unveiling the shocking truths surrounding Eve's death and its aftermath.
This gripping thriller delves into how entrenched lies, betrayals, and long-hidden secrets among friends not only contribute to the initial tragedy but also continue to haunt their lives 15 years later.
Cleverly interwoven with flashbacks from Eve, the story offers tantalizing glimpses into the past. The convergence of timelines and viewpoints intricately unravels a complex web of deception, revealing the true story of Eve's fate.
While I anticipated the identity of the murderer, I was completely unaware of how the events would unfold, which only enhanced my overall enjoyment of the narrative.
As a long-time admirer of Wendy Walker, having read all her works, I can confidently say she is an international bestselling author renowned for her psychological thrillers. Her intricate plots, dark themes, and suspenseful twists are a testament to her skill. Walker's diverse background as a lawyer, financial analyst, and former competitive figure skater significantly enriches her storytelling and character development.
The Audiobook...
Designed specifically for audio, THE ROOM NEXT DOOR is a mesmerizing and immersive experience, featuring a talented ensemble of narrators who breathe life into the story. Enhanced by sound effects and an original score, this production elevates the narrative to new heights. Walker’s dark and electrifying tale is brilliantly brought to life, ensuring an unforgettable listening experience.
Performed by the acclaimed, award-winning narrators Julia Whelan, Elizabeth Evans, Bebe Wood, and a full cast, this audiobook also includes an insightful note from the author, Wendy Walker. She shares details about her upcoming release on February 1, 2026, titled Blade. Inspired by her own journey as a former competitive skater, this chilling psychological thriller delves into the ruthless world of elite figure skating.
Recs...
Recommendations for enthusiasts of the author and audiobooks, particularly those who appreciate the works of Ruth Ware, Mary Kubica, Shari Lapena, Michele Campbell, Alex Finlay, Lisa Jewell, Liv Constantine, and Kimberly Belle.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 09, 2025
About the Creator
Wendy Walker is the internationally bestselling author of suspense novels, including the Audible Originals Hold Your Breath, American Girl, and Mad Love. Her novels have been translated into 23 foreign languages, topped bestseller lists both nationally and abroad, and have been optioned for both television and film. Wendy holds degrees from Brown University and Georgetown Law School. Prior to her writing career, Wendy trained for competitive figure skating, worked as a financial analyst at Goldman, Sachs, and practiced both corporate and family law. She resides in Connecticut. WEBSITE
Meet the Cast
Meet the leading ladies of THE ROOM NEXT DOOR, who join a full cast of 33 actors and voice performers!
Julia Whelan plays Brooke Lowry, the magnetic storyteller, best friend, and occasional liar, who (with her lover) hears the incident in the room next door. Julia has won numerous awards for her audio performances and has been called the Adele of Audiobooks. She has narrated over 600 audiobooks, with iconic credits such as Educated and Gone Girl. Julia brings her acting and writing talents, and her lifelong love of books, to her celebrated narrations!
Elizabeth Evans plays Carrie Hollis, the consummate rule-follower, loyal friend, and now the Chief of Police investigating the incident in the room next door. Elizabeth is an award winning voice actor and audiobook performer with over 300 credits that include the #1 NYT Bestselling Sarah J. Maas novels. Elizabeth is also a talented actress and screenwriter, with an incredibly distinctive voice and style that has made her a fan favorite!
Bebe Wood plays Eve Shay, the genuine, wise, and irresistibly sensuous friend who went missing fifteen years ago. Bebe is a rising star, known for her roles in The New Normal, Love, Victor and the film adaptation of Mean Girls. Using her acting experience, she brings emotional resonance, impeccable timing and magnetic flair to her unforgettable audiobook performances
