Liz Alterman
Author Interview - Liz Alterman
Author of The Perfect Neighborhood
Think you know your neighbors? Think again.
When actress and model Allison Langley leaves her former rockstar husband, Christopher, in the middle of the night, it’s all her Oak Hill neighbors can talk about. The gossip comes to an abrupt halt when five-year-old Billy Barnes goes missing on his walk home from kindergarten.
Billy’s mother, Rachel, blames herself for being at work and letting her only child walk alone. Cassidy, Billy’s teenage babysitter, was also late to arrive on the afternoon he disappeared and blames herself for his disappearance.
As the clock ticks down, police are unable to find any trace of Billy, forcing Rachel to ponder the enemies she’s made in their well-off suburb. Could it be one of her neighbors who stole her son? Would they abduct Billy to hurt her? How easy would it be to take a child while the parents or nannies are distracted?
When another child goes missing, the town is put under a microscope as the police try to get to the bottom of the disappearances. Will they be able to find the two children, or will it be too late? What secrets lie at the heart of this tragedy, and how far will one go to keep those dangerous secrets buried?
Author Interview - Liz Alterman
Author I draw inspiration from: I love Meg Mason. Her novel, Sorrow & Bliss, is among my favorite reads of 2021. The way she blends humor with dark topics and brings characters and relationships to life is awe-inspiring. I enjoyed the book so much, I bought her memoir, Say It Again in a Nice Voice, which I also adored.
Author Interview - Liz Alterman | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book: On my couch—especially if there's a fire going (in the fireplace, of course).
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: Blue van Meer, Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl
Author Interview - Liz Alterman | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: I can't remember a time when I didn't want to be a writer. My mom read to me constantly when I was very young, and discovering authors like Judy Blume and Paula Danziger really solidified it. So I guess you could say it's all I ever wanted to be!
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: Hardback
The last book I read: Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
Author Interview - Liz Alterman | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer: Both
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: Bridget Jones, Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding
Author Interview - Liz Alterman | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a: Baker
Favorite decade in fashion history: 1950s
Place I’d most like to travel: Greece
My signature drink: Coffee (with cream and sugar)
Favorite artist: Edward Hopper (painting) Aimee Mann (music)
Number one on my bucket list: Finishing my current work-in-progress! After that, traveling somewhere warm with great food and wine.
Anything else you'd like to add: Thank you for this opportunity! And thanks to every early reader who said, "Don't give up!"
Find more from the author:
Instagram: @LizAlterman
Twitter @LizAlterman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LizAltermanAuthor
Author Bio: Liz Alterman's work can be found in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Parents, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, and other publications. She is the author of a young adult novel, He'll Be Waiting, a memoir, Sad Sacked, and a forthcoming domestic suspense novel, The Perfect Neighborhood. Liz lives in New Jersey with her husband and three sons. When she isn't writing, Liz spends most days reading, microwaving the same cup of coffee, and looking up synonyms.
