A gripping thriller about a man’s quest for the daughter no one else believes is still alive, from the acclaimed author of The Chalk Man and The Hiding Place. An ID Book Club Selection • “C. J. Tudor is terrific. I can’t wait to see what she does next.”—Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling authorQ: Why are you called the Other People?A: We are people just like you. People to whom terrible … called the Other People?
A: We are people just like you. People to whom terrible things have happened. We’ve found solace not in forgiveness or forgetting. But in helping each other find justice.
Driving home one night, stuck behind a rusty old car, Gabe sees a little girl’s face appear in its rear window. She mouths one word: Daddy. It’s his five-year-old daughter, Izzy. He never sees her again.
Three years later, Gabe spends his days and nights traveling up and down the highway, searching for the car that took his daughter, refusing to give up hope, even though most people believe she’s dead.
When the car that he saw escape with his little girl is found abandoned with a body inside, Gabe must confront not just the day Izzy disappeared but the painful events from his past now dredged to the surface.
Q: What sort of justice?
A: That depends on the individual. But our ethos is a punishment that fits the crime.
Fran and her daughter, Alice, also put in a lot of miles on the road. Not searching. Running. Because Fran knows what really happened to Gabe’s daughter. She knows who is responsible. And she knows what they will do if they ever catch up to her and Alice.
Q: Can I request to have someone killed?
A: If your Request is acceptable, and unless there are exceptional circumstances, we fulfill all Requests.
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Well, this didn’t turn out quite as I had hoped, but I still enjoyed it. When it started out it seemed like it was going to have more of an eerie feeling to it, but then it went in a completely different direction. I definitely liked The Hiding Place better.
I had such a great time with this book! After loving this author’s previous work, I was pretty excited to give this book a try. When I started reading this book, I hoped that this would be a story that would really capture my attention and it was. I was completely swept away by this story and found myself trying to figure out what was really happening to these characters even when I wasn’t reading the book. I enjoyed this page-turner of a story from the first page until the last.
On his way home one night, Gabe sees a car covered in bumper stickers weaving in and out of traffic in front of him. It wouldn’t have been that big of a deal if he hadn’t seen the face of a little girl sitting in the backseat of the car. He knew that face because it belonged to his daughter. Years later, he cannot let it go and spends his time driving up and down the same roads looking for either the car or his little girl.
This is one of those stories where it is better to go in knowing little about the story and letting things unfold as you work your way through the book. There are tons of twists and turns during this story and sometimes a new detail would have me questioning everything I had previously thought. We see this story from several different points of view that become more connected as the book progressed. There were times that I had no idea where the story was going but I wanted so much to see Gabe find his Izzy that I couldn’t put the book down.
I would highly recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a wonderfully crafted and quite complex story filled with interesting characters. This book kept me guessing until the very end and I liked the fact that there was just a bit of supernatural worked in as well. I cannot wait to read more from this very talented author!
I received a review copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books.
On his way home from work, Gabe sees his five-year-old daughter Izzy in the car ahead. But it can’t be her because she’s at home safe with her mother. He tries to follow the car but ends up pulling over to call home to make sure. What he learns is far worse than he could have ever imagined. Three years later he is but a shadow of his former self. But he hasn’t lost hope, trolling the highway in search of his daughter.
This story was addicting from the very start. I loved the setup of a man that had his daughter so close and then lost her. The way “The Other People” came into play was very creative. Before it was explained, there was just a hint of paranormal at play. The storytelling is excellent. I liked the way the mystery unfolded, from multiple points of view to slowly come together. This is my first book by Tudor and it definitely won’t be my last.
I really liked this one… One of the things I liked about it from the beginning was the uncertainty – was this going to be paranormal? Was it horror? Was it a straightforward thriller? There were elements of all of these woven in the story, and they were crafted together into a whole that left me guessing in a way that I found maddening and enjoyable at the same time. Having your child go missing is every parent’s worst nightmare, and Tudor did an excellent job laying out the stress and the strain that would inevitably follow such an event. I found the characterizations excellent and the pacing to be spot-on.
The secret behind The Other People was presented with just enough red herrings and confusion to heighten the tension, but as things began to clarify, details were rolled out in a way that felt incredible and credible at the same time. This is the third or fourth book with a similar theme that I have read recently, and I have really enjoyed each of them. The underlying concept is a fascinating one, and I think Tudor’s handling of it was managed in an innovative and engaging way.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
The Other People is my first CJ Tudor book (I think!), but won’t be my last. The main character loses his wife and daughter in an apparent break in, but at the same time, he sees his daughter’s face in the back of a car. This starts a two year chase of him trying to find his daughter, refusing to believe she’s dead. The chase leads him to a site on the dark web called The Other People, and he discovers himself in a web of tit for tat, or an eye-for-an-eye.
I really enjoyed the supernatural element of the book, and felt for the main character as well. The storyline was fast paced enough that it kept me flicking through the pages. I got a little confused at the end, about how it all tied in, but that was probably just me.
Going to try The Chalk Man now!
The Other People-people that are just like you. People to whom terrible things have happened. We’ve found solace not in forgiveness or forgetting, but in helping each other find justice. What sort of justice-that depends on the individual. But our ethos is a punishment that fits the crime. Can I request to have someone killed-if your request is acceptable, and unless there are exceptional circumstances, we fulfill all requests.
C.J. Tudor’s main character has something horrible in his past that will send him on a headlong collision with The Other People. I have read her two previous books and this is her best so far! She really draws you into a father’s struggle to find his daughter who everyone else believes is dead! Great storytelling, good characters, and action that is menacing, chilling and creepy! This is a good one and hard to put down!
Chilling, moving, and disquieting, The Other People proves C. J. Tudor is a force to be reckoned with. With nuanced characters and a satisfying, intricately braided slow-burn that builds to a heart-pounding finish, this novel gripped me, surprised me — and stuck with me long after the final page.
Gabe is driving down the road following a vehicle covered with bumpter stickers. He sees a young girl looking out the rear window who mouthes “Daddy” and realizes it is his 5-year-old daughter, Izzy, and then she is gone. Gabe does not give up hopes of finding Izzy and travels this road trying to find her for 3 years. Aother woman and her daughter, Fran and Alice, are trying flee from people who want to harm them. A waitress sees him and knows his story and nicknames him “the thin man.” This isn’t the usual type of book that I frequently read but I did enjoy it. Thank you NegGalley and Random House/Ballantine for the ARC of this very interesting and suspenseful book in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #The Other People #Random House Publishing House – Ballantine
A pale girl sleeps in a quiet room, the only sounds in the room are the machines that keep her tethered to this world.
A Woman and her young daughter killed in their home. A man sitting in traffic that sees his young daughter in the car in front of him. The man trying to convince the police that his daughter is not dead.
Another woman on the run with her young daughter.
The dark web, The Other People. The people that will do a favor for you, the catch is that at anytime you will be called upon to repay the favor. The dark web is real, are The Other People real? It’s a scary possibility.
Bravo to C. J. Tudor, what an imagination and wonderful writing! This book is a page turner, and stays with you.
Thanks, Goodreads Firstreads, for my complimentary review copy.
Your child going missing is bad enough. But, for Gabe it was even worse. His daughter Izzy was being taken right in front of him. And, he had no way of catching up to her. Then, she was gone. He told himself he was being ridiculous, seeing things. His daughter was home, of course. He would call home and confirm. He called…and a detective answered.
That was three years ago. Now the service stations he used to hate are familiar. They are home. He drives up and down the motorway, hoping to see the jalopy in which his daughter disappeared. The not knowing is excruciating. You think nothing can be worse. Even death would be better.
Then, finally, the search is over…for the car. It is found. Abandoned. In the water. With a body inside.
Perspectives alternate with the chapters, a style I prefer because it gives a thorough sense of the
characters. Although only primary characters were featured, I still found it difficult to keep track of who was who.
I was so excited when I won this book because I had heard good things about this and her previous two novels(both of which I still want to read). But, it fell short of my expectations. The blurb was intriguing, but the execution could have been better. It was unnecessarily complex. And then there was the implausible supernatural bit. Only near the end were plot points clarified.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Creepy, mysterious, loss, love, and a whole lot in between, The Other People had me hooked from the first chapter.
As Gabe is driving home, he sees his daughter in the car in front of him. Thinking that he must be mistaken, he pulls over and calls home. An officer answers and informs him that his wife and daughter have been murdered. Gabe believes his daughter is still alive. For three years he drives up and down the highway he was on when he saw her in the back of that car. For three years he dealt with no one believing him.
Young men who shouldn’t have been driving are in an accident. A young girl is hit and suffers brain injuries that keep her in a coma for over 20 years. A man is murdered during a burglary with his wife left seriously injured. Fran is on the run with a little girl she calls Alice. Her sister Katie is a waitress at the restaurant that Gabe frequents. Is there a connection? Who are the other people?
The connections are crazy, the suspense will keep you reading, and everytime you think you know how it’s going to end, you don’t. Moral of the story? Don’t ever ask for a favor without knowing in advance what is going to be expected of you in return.
This book was everything a thriller should be! Creepy, scary, and keeps you reading until the very last page! 3 years ago, Gabe was driving home from work and saw his daughter Izzy in the back of a stranger’s car. When he gets home he finds out his wife and daughter have been murdered! How can that be when he just saw Izzy? Gabe gives up his job and home and just drives around looking for the car that had Izzy. Katie is a single mom of 2 children and works at a diner where Gabe stops at frequently. Their lives are intertwined and when they realize it is quite the wild ride! This book kept me guessing until the very end! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.
I loved CJ Tudor’s other two books so I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this one. What I like about this author is that you have to pay attention as a reader to follow the story and The Other People was no exception. Twist after twist after twist and I loved each one because they all took me by surprise. The characters were also brilliant, especially Gabe the main character – I felt his pain acutely. A five-star read and my only question is how did the author manage to keep track of so many events!
Who doesn’t love reading bumper stickers when you’re stuck in traffic?
”He noticed the stickers first, surrounding the car’s rear window and lining the bumper:
Honk if you’re horny.
Don’t follow me, I’m lost.
When you drive like I do, you’d better believe in God.
Horn broken—watch for finger.
Real men love Jesus.
Talk about mixed messages. Although one thing did come through loud and clear: the driver was a dick.
All he could do was sit, fighting the urge to press his foot on the accelerator and barge the rest of the traffic out of the way, tapping his fingers aggressively on the steering wheel, staring at bloody Sticker Man in front.”
The premise of “The Other People” could resemble “The Chain”…if you take “The Chain”, add a large extra shot of darkness and a slight twist of horror and paranormal…and leave out the dash of romance!
“Vigilante justice. Quid pro quo. An eye for an eye—”
Tudor became an instant favorite after I read “The Hiding Place”. Her execution of paranormal elements to her thrillers makes them the perfect combo of mysterious, dark and eerie!
Although I admit, I was offended by this statement in the book. Eight-tracks and Cassettes are old…not CD’s! Right?
“Yep, her car was so old it still had a CD player and she was so old she still had CDs.”
The complex plot and long list of characters were a bit overwhelming at first, but eventually mesh into a tangled web of OMG and WTH???
This was another hit with me! I will never look at mirrors the same way again. Parts of the story were so convincing, it was scary. Other parts were just scary! But the entire story was mesmerizing and unputdownable.
The UK has the better book cover. It’s simple, but so eye catching…especially the creepy little stick people!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and C.J. Tudor for this digital ARC, in exchange for my honest review!
My Rating: 5 Mysterious, Eerie and Dark ’s
Published: January 28th 2020 by Ballantine Books
Pages: 288
Recommended: YES! If you enjoy dark thrillers with a touch of horror and paranormal.
#TheOtherPeople #NetGalley #MustRead #BestThriller2019
You can find this amazing author at:
Facebook.com/CJTudorOfficial
Twitter: @cjtudor
My review can be found on: Goodreads, Twitter, Pinterest and BookBub.
It will be added to Amazon and BN.com when published.
This is definitely one of those books that you will want to set aside a long stretch of time to read. Not only is it enthralling but there are lots of characters to keep track of in the beginning, but hang in there and you will be rewarded with a great story.
C.J. Tudor is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This novel combines three separate points of view that will come together later in the book. There is also a supernatural element to this book as is Ms.Tudor’s signature style. It is relevant to the story and enhances the “thriller tension” that I love to feel!!
Gabe is a troubled, tired soul. Ever since his wife and daughter were murdered years ago he has spent his time in a camper/van driving up and down the motorways. On the day of the incident he is sure that he saw his daughter in another person’s car driving close to him as he is heading home, but he loses sight of the car. He never believes that his daughter is dead and is convinced that someone took her even though her body is identified in the morgue by his father in law.
Fran is on the run from someone or something that we have no knowledge of. She and her daughter Alice have spent years moving from one place to another. When Alice questions this Fran’s answer is always that she is trying to keep Alice safe from “a bad man”. Alice suffers from what she calls “falls” where she will fall asleep for a period of time but she doesn’t remember anything that she “saw” while in this state, but she is always left with a pebble . . . . .
Katie is a single mother working at an all night service station, she works these hours so that her sister Lou can babysit for her two children. She has met Gabe, whom she calls “the thin man” because he looks tired, sad and lonely. She never talks with him except to take his order, etc. but she does watch for him because she is curious as to what it would take to make a man spend his nights driving back and forth along the same stretches of roads.
To make things even more tense and atmospheric we learn about “The Others”, those who believe that justice should be delivered in the “eye for an eye” manner. Gabe will become obsessed with trying to find out who these people are and what they have to do with his wife’s death.
Everyone seems to have a secret “Secrets, he thought. It’s not the big lies but the small ones, the half-truths–those are the ones that mount up, one on top of another, like a giant, stinking fatberg of deception”.
I hope I have given you enough of an enticement to give this book a try, it’s a great thriller with well developed characters and prose that flows from present to past seamlessly.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
“The Other People:a novel” is set to publish on February 20, 2020.