Q&A with Sheila Roberts

Photo by John Tait Photography

 

 

Sheila Roberts is the author of the new novel The Man Next Door. Her many other books include The Best Life Book Club. She lives in Washington state and in California.

 

Q: What inspired you to write The Man Next Door, and how did you create your characters Zona and Louise?

 

A: I’m a big classic movie buff, and Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window is right up there in my top 20. I got to thinking it might be fun to write my own version of Rear Window. What would happen if that new neighbor who looks so perfect at first starts looking a little less perfect, even … scary?

 

To have a Rear Window rewrite, you need an observer, and my character of Louise, true crime addict and meddling mother, stepped into the spotlight and said, “Pick me.”

 

Of course, Louise needs motivation for checking out the neighbor (although she’s so nosy she would have checked him out no matter what). So, enter her daughter Zona.

 

Like the hero in the movie, Louise has a broken leg. Zona has gone through a divorce and needs to save money. Louise needs help, so Zona moves home. A win-win. Maybe not for their neighbor though.

 

Q: How would you describe the dynamic between them?

 

A: I love that Louise and Zona have a great relationship. They are two adult women, offering support to each other when life gets difficult, not just a mother and daughter, but friends. Their relationship is very like the one I had with my mom – only my mom didn’t interfere in my life quite so much. :)

 

Q: The Publishers Weekly review of the book says, “In this spunky nod to Rear Window, Roberts infuses a charming domestic comedy with a soupçon of suspicion. . . . a heartwarming diversion.” What do you think of that description?

 

A: Honestly, I love that description, and I think it sums up the book beautifully – a fun diversion and a little bit of suspense was what I wanted to write. Thank you, Alfred Hitchcock for the inspiration!

 

Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?

 

A: First and foremost, a smile. But also, as with most of my novels, I hope readers will also come away encouraged. We women are strong enough to overcome whatever life hands us, and that includes husband fails and financial challenges.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m excited to be polishing up a battle of the sexes between a misogynist radio personality and a romance bookstore owner. He’s got a lot to learn about women and love, and she’ll be just the one to teach him. Love on the Shelf should come out sometime in spring of 2026.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Only that I love interacting with readers. There’s always a contest on my website and plenty of fun on my Facebook and Instagram pages. I’m all about fun, food, and, of course, books, and hope readers will hang out with me.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Sheila Roberts.