In "The Next-Door Neighbor," Lena Little embarks on an exploration of the complex dynamics of suburban life through the eyes of her protagonist, Emily Hart. At the core of this novel is the depiction of ordinary lives disrupted by unexpected events that force hidden secrets to the surface, testing the boundaries of trust and friendship. Lena Little's narrative prowess turns an ordinary setting into a tense and intriguing drama that keeps readers glued to the pages.

Emily Hart, the central character, is a freelance graphic designer who works from her cozy, somewhat insular neighborhood. The tranquility of her life is abruptly shattered when she gets new neighbors—a mysterious couple whose odd behaviors soon become a topic of gossip in the community. With a blend of curiosity and growing unease, Emily finds herself drawn into the complexities of her new neighbors’ lives, which unfold with a suspense that is both subtle and compelling.

Little constructs her plot with a series of well-paced, escalating incidents that cleverly intertwine the lives of Emily and her neighbors, Mark and Lisa Raymond. The Raymonds' facade of normalcy slowly crumbles, revealing distressing hints of a darker backstory. Mark’s unusually quiet demeanor and Lisa’s erratic, sometimes frenetic activities fuel the neighborhood's curiosity and concern. Emily, both a protagonist and a narrator, provides a reliable yet deeply personal perspective on the unfolding drama, making her observations and reactions particularly resonant with the reader. Her initial good-natured interest gradually morphs into an obsession, driven by a mix of concern and voyeuristic thrill, a depiction that brilliantly captures the essence of suburban voyeurism.

Lena Little excels in her portrayal of complex characters. Emily, for instance, is not just a nosy neighbor; she's portrayed with depth, battling her own past filled with loss and betrayal, which colors her perceptions and actions. This personal history adds a layer of psychological realism to the story, as her involvement becomes a cathartic process for confronting her own demons. The Raymonds, too, are far from one-dimensional. As the layers peel back, their true selves—and their past—start coming to light, providing a satisfying depth to the narrative.

The author’s writing style enhances the ominous atmosphere of the story. Little’s use of descriptive language and tight, dialogue-driven scenes effectively builds tension and character development without relapsing into unnecessary verbosity. The dialogue, in particular, is sharp and realistic, often carrying the dual cargo of surface meanings and undercurrents of deeper significance, which adds to the immersive quality of the book.

Atmospherically, "The Next-Door Neighbor" is steeped in the ordinary turned extraordinary, a characteristic trait of domestic thrillers. Little's ability to transform the familiar—quiet streets, the local coffee shop, backyard barbecues—into scenes charged with potential peril is particularly noteworthy. This technique not only serves the thematic purpose of demonstrating the thin veneers of society but also materially elevates the tension, making even mundane interactions seem fraught with potential revelations.

Moreover, the novel does not shy away from exploring broader themes such as privacy, the illusion of public facades, and the human tendency towards judgment and intervention. These are skillfully woven into the plot, inviting readers to reflect on their own perceptions and biases about their neighbors and communities.

However, while "The Next-Door Neighbor" is an engrossing read, it occasionally suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the middle section where the suspense tends to plateau rather than build. Some readers might find Emily’s internal monologues—though insightful—slightly repetitive as she circles through her theories and observations about the Raymonds. Nevertheless, these moments are generally well-managed and do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

In conclusion, Lena Little's "The Next-Door Neighbor" is a compelling narrative that masterfully captures the suspense and psychological intrigue of suburban drama. With its rich character development, crisp dialogues, and a well-constructed plot, this novel is a rewarding read for fans of domestic thrillers. The story not only provides a gripping entertainment but also subtly probes the intricate dance of intimacy and privacy in modern life, making it a profound addition to genre literature.