Liz Alterman's "The House on Cold Creek Lane"

Liz Alterman is the author of The Perfect Neighborhood, He'll Be Waiting, and Sad Sacked. Her work appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, McSweeney's, and other outlets. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and three sons where she spends most days microwaving the same cup of coffee and looking up synonyms. When Alterman isn't writing, she's reading.

Here she dreamcasts an adaptation of her new novel, The House on Cold Creek Lane:

The House on Cold Creek Lane is an unflinching examination of motherhood and the dark side of domesticity set against a suburban backdrop that’s anything but blissful. This twisty tale invites readers to a slow motion unravelling that culminates in a devastating finale

When Laurel and Rob West move into their new home in New Jersey, it seems too good to be true. But Laurel can’t shake off her old feelings of anxiety. The neighbor who pays far too much attention to the Wests’ two young children . . . Rob watching her every misstep . . . and there’s something people aren’t telling her about this house . . .

Corey Sutton is trying to outrun her past. Recently divorced and reeling from a devastating loss, she moves into her widowed mother’s retirement condo in Florida. Everyone says she just needs some time to recover and rebuild . . . but is Corey beyond saving? She wants answers. And there’s very little she won’t do to get them.

If The House on Cold Creek Lane were turned into a movie, I'd love to see Elizabeth Olsen as Laurel West. I was riveted by Elizabeth's performance in Love & Death. She has a quiet, understated strength but also the vulnerability that Laurel emodies.

Jennifer Lawrence would be fantastic as Corey Sutton, who's trying to overcome a loss and outrun her past by moving into her mom's retirement village condo in Florida. I loved her gritty but plucky turn in Joy. Jennifer is also a great comedic actor and Corey has a lot of snarky and sarcastic observations that the Oscar-winner would nail.

Addie Conroy is the stunning neighbor who befriends Laurel West and seems so much more intriguing than the rest of the suburban moms Laurel encounters. Margot Robbie would make an ideal Addie because it's impossible not to be charmed by her beauty.

As Rob West, Laurel's overbearing husband, I'd cast Scott Eastwood. He's handsome but with Dirty Harry as his dad, I wouldn't want to get on his bad side.

Jack Lowden, whom I adore in the series Slow Horses, would be perfect as Officer Mike Moffatt, a kind cop who offers Corey a lifeline when she needs it most.

I could see Zendaya as Desiree, Corey's plucky co-worker and only friend. Desiree is wise beyond her years and also adorable and fun. I think the Emmy-winner would be awesome in this role.

As meddling Marian, the neighbor Laurel suspects of spying on her, I'd cast Dame Maggie Smith, who can deliver barbs like no one else as we witnessed when she brilliantly portrayed Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey.

I'd love to see June Squibb as Mary Lou, Corey's well-meaning but misguided mom.

Visit Liz Alterman's website.

Q&A with Liz Alterman.

My Book, The Movie: The Perfect Neighborhood.

The Page 69 Test: The Perfect Neighborhood.

The Page 69 Test: The House on Cold Creek Lane.

--Marshal Zeringue