Point of View

Lapena writes The Couple Next Door in third person point of view. The focus of the narrator varies between the characters. This means that the narration is limited to the thoughts and knowledge of the character that the narrator is following during that section. This is important because the characters learn and reveal insightful information regarding the kidnapping at different times throughout the novel. The novel is also in present tense, which implies that the actions and events that occur in the novel are currently happening. This give the thriller more urgency and an added feeling of anticipation. In terms of the perspective, the use of present tense makes it seem like the narrator is telling the story to the reader as it is unfolding.

An example of this limited perspective is in Chapter 17, when the narrator focuses on Marco as he thinks about his...