I have to confess that I totally 'guessed' this book within the first 20 pages or so, however that did not detract at all from my enjoyment of the story.
I didn't feel as if there was enough of a true background story on Cath to give a truly three-dimensional picture of her character. I certainly didn't have any sympathy for her. Whether this is a result of the secrecy the character herself holds her family and past in, or as a result of the writing style, I'm unsure.
The opposing character of Minette seemed much more of a rounded portrayal, so in turn I warmed to her much more. I admired her feistiness, liked her desire to help and her mothering style, and I understood her betrayal and the frustrations in her life. I'm not usually a great fan of open endings, but I didn't mind it at all here. It seemed more fitting almost that we don't know the next chapter of the story, and I'm glad that Miller didn't feel the urge to wrap it all up in a big bow.
I'm not sure I totally got the relationship between Liam and Minette, but again maybe that was the point; that Minette had her character influenced greatly by her relationship with Cath, certainly that seemed to be the case with the other two main female characters.
I also didn't like the references to "troubletown" - it just felt like Miller didn't want to come up with a real place; but retrospectively again this was probably a result of the secrecy - certainly we find out later the true location of "troubletown". (Even writing it gives me the shudders!)
I did certainly enjoy The Good Neighbour. It felt more like a comfy pair of pyjamas rather than a racy negligee, but that really is no bad thing. I'm all for comfort most of the time!
