A gripping novel about friendship, secrets, misjudgments, and redemption among women by the USA Today bestselling author of The Weight of a Piano. Martha Hale is an affable wife and mother who lives in an affluent neighborhood of well-tended lawns and high expectations. If only her clumsiness at penetrating the social circles of her neighbors weren't making Martha so lonely. That's why she's thrilled when the glamorous Minnie Foster, a former high school classmate, moves in next door. Despite Martha's determination, picking up where they left off is trickier than anticipated--especially when their memories of the past don't always align. But Martha is undeterred. In fact, her preoccupation with Minnie's life, her success, and her marriage is becoming an obsession. When she sees a darkness and shame hiding inside Minnie's perfectly deceptive home, Martha realizes that not even Minnie's secrets are what they seem. Visceral, sharp-witted, and deeply empathetic, A Gracious Neighbor explores the judgments women pass on one another and the ills of a society curated to keep them on the outside looking in.
Chris Cander Book order
Chris Cander is a talented author known for exploring poignant themes in her novels. Her distinctive narrative style and ability to craft emotionally resonant stories make her work stand out. Readers are drawn to her unique perspective and the depth she brings to her characters and their journeys.






- 2022
- 2019
The Weight of a Piano
- 304 pages
- 11 hours of reading
A dazzling exploration of how the human heart can both break and be restored.
- 2015
Whisper Hollow
- 400 pages
- 14 hours of reading
In a small coal-mining town, the narrative unfolds around two courageous women navigating a landscape filled with secrets, love, and betrayal. The influence of Catholicism looms large, shaping their decisions as they confront suspicious accidents and moral dilemmas. This debut novel invites readers to reflect on their own convictions while exploring the complexities of faith and personal choice in a tightly-knit community.