I've been semi-stalking book sites ever since I heard that C. J. Tudor was releasing her third book, The Other People. If you can picture a book lover squealing and jumping up and down when an early copy became available, then you know exactly what I look like when I am over the moon happy. All I can say is that I immediately cleared my calendar and settled in to read. I didn't know beforehand that this would be an all-nighter, but it most certainly was, and I would suggest you give yourself a fair amount of time to get pulled into this compelling story.
There are several distinct POVs. Gabe, a man who has lost everything, who now relentlessly drives the highway, certain that his daughter is not dead. Fran and her daughter Alice, constantly looking over their shoulders and on the run from someone or something. Katie, a single mother who is a waitress at a roadside rest stop and whose part in this story may be more than just serving coffee and compassion. Then there are The Others, people who are only found on the Dark Web, with an eye for justice, or vengeance. Everyone has a secret and figuring out how or if these strangers fit together is revealed one chapter at a time.
This checked all my ' I loved this book' boxes. Interesting characters, a fast-paced plot, and some uncertainty about whether or not supernatural forces are at work. My favorite book by this author so far!
I received a DRC from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine through NetGalley.

Each chapter was like a drip of morphine, you could feel the chill seeping into your bones, praying that it would be enough to ease the pain.

The tightly calculated plot was executed both methodically and sparingly—there was never any need for excess. Gabe, Katie, Alice & Fran dragged the reader under with them as each tried to find their purchase. Would they finally get their answers... justice... peace?

The culmination of the story lines was a surprise in its understated manner. When juxtaposed with the rest of the story, the tone of the denouement felt subdued. This interesting contrast, along with a pitch-perfect epilogue, left the reader a bit unsettled.

This is an excellent story that I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and C. J. Tudor for an ARC of 'The Other People' in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

Creepy and amazing. Another highly enjoyable book from CJ Tudor. I think I liked this one more than The Chalkman. Great writing with amazing characters. Highly developed plot. I didn't predict anything about this book and that is always a fantastic surprise.

Gabe's life is destroyed when one night, while traveling home from work, he witnesses his daughter in the back of a beat up van mouthing "Daddy" to him. After a short pursuit he loses the vehicle and immediately calls home. Imagine his surprise when a police detective answers and demands he return home immediately. Upon arrival he is informed that his wife and daughter were murdered in a robbery. How can that be possible? He just saw Izzy in the back of that van.

When it comes time to identify the bodies Gabe becomes ill and passes out so his father-in-law insists on making the identification and he swears it is his daughter and granddaughter in that morgue.

Gabe still reeling from his loss doesn't believe his father-in-law but he can't understand why he would lie either. He insists to anyone that will listen to him that his daughter is alive but, sadly, no one believes the bereaved widow. For the three years that follow he travels the roadsides in the hope of spotting the van that got away.

And I will leave it at that in fear of spoiling any details for anyone. C.J. Tudor is such an excellent writer and I am happy to say that I enjoyed this much more than her previous book The Hiding Place. I thoroughly enjoyed this book all the way up until the last 30 pages or so. I found the ending to be the most disappointing aspect of this book. I'm still not sure I understand everything that happened and the epilogue was disappointing for me.

This is a worthwhile read and it is sure to be a big hit even if I was disappointed with the conclusion and some of the "unbelievable" aspects of this book. 3.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine books for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to C. J. Tudor, Random House - Ballantine, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital advance copy of this novel. I was so excited to read this book, as I have loved Tudor’s previous two books (The Chalk Man and The Hiding Place). I’m happy to say that it did not disappoint!

I don’t want to summarize the plot too much so as not to spoil it, but basically this is an engaging thriller that starts with a man’s frantic search to find his kidnapped daughter. There are some spooky/supernatural/Stephen King-like moments in this novel, but not quite as many as The Hiding Place (which was very Stephen King like!). The characters were well-drawn and engaging, and the plot was clever and complicated, but ultimately believable.

This novel hooked me immediately and kept me turning the pages until the end. There were some twists at the end that I did not see coming, and some of those worked better than others. Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. Tudor has become one of my favorite thriller writers and I can’t wait to read her next book!

Thank you to NetGalley for a Kindle ARC of The Other People.

I've read the author's previous books before so I was intrigued to read The Other People.

The premise is definitely intriguing; a father named Gabe sees his daughter in a strange car hours before he is told his wife and daughter have been brutally murdered.

Three years later, Gabe remains convinced his daughter is still alive, and his path toward proving his convictions will bring to light a painful truth and a shocking revelation.

The author weaves a tale filled with shady characters, complex characters and traumatic pasts quite well, interspersing POVs from three characters without losing the flow and tone of the story.

There is a moderate amount of disbelief suspension required as the plot moves forward but it is not difficult to do because the reader is engaged in the story, riding beside Gabe as he trolls the area where he last saw his daughter, and as he battles his own past and fears to see the truth he refuses to face.

The author's trademark is a tinge of the supernatural, like in her previous books, and The Other People is no exception.

My only caveat is that I wished the supernatural element had been used more, fleshed out and woven into the story to add an otherwordly touch, instead of just a dab of it.

Otherwise, this was a good read and I'd recommend it.

Enjoyed the story and the pacing kept me up late wanting to see what happened next. I felt a little disappointed at the end that some questions felt unanswered.

Wow! Creepy and powerful, Tudor has such skill in weaving plots. Several threads all build together for a powerful conclusion. Throughout, she delves deeply into each of the characters. Highly recommend, even if mysteries/thrillers aren't your usual thing.

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 NetGalley.

“The Other People:a novel” is set to publish on February 20, 2020.

(will post to Amazon upon publication)

WOW! This book was unbelievable. I read it in one day,I simply could NOT put it down. When Gabe sees his daughter in the back of a car, then gets the news that his wife and daughter have been killed, he devotes his life to finding Izzy because he knows she is still alive. There are so many layers to this story, and it's so creepy and a touch supernatural. I love the way things came together in the end, and the ending was super satisfying. Must-read!!!

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth"

A man driving down a highway sees his daughter in the back of a car ahead of him. She mouths "Daddy" and then she is gone. He spends the next three years looking for her. A woman and her daughter are running from those who hope to catch them. A waitress who frequently waits on the man who will not give up searching for his daughter. Their stories will collide as this book progresses.

"The greatest acts of cruelty are born of the greatest love."

Then there are The Other People. They know what you are going through. They might be able to help...

When I reviewed her other book The Hiding Place, I mentioned that she reminded me too much of Stephen King and I only wanted to think of her as an Author while reading her work. Well she brought it in this book. I felt this was entirely original, creative, well thought out, and perfectly paced. There is some creep factor, some paranormal, some darkness and some mystery here. There are also secrets (plenty) and full of people who have suffered loss, and those who are not willing to let go. There is desperation here, some fear, some hope and some justice.

I read this in two days as I did not want to stop until I had all the answers. She had me curious from page one, trying to figure out the connection (if any) between the characters. This was a page turner which had me guessing and second guessing what was going on. I really enjoyed how everything came together and made sense.

Captivating, engaging, creepy and dark.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I was excited to read this because I've liked C.J. Tudor's other books and I enjoyed this book mostly. I read it all in one day yesterday. But the story was a bit far-fetched and some of the storylines were not quite resolved.

Izzy's narcolepsy, her fear of mirrors and the pebbles are never fully explained. How does this tie in with Isabella? When the rest of the writing is this good, you can't leave this thread hanging. Izzy was only 9 months-old when she met Isabella. There has to be more of an explanation.

And what about the Sandman? Isabella knew that the Sandman was coming, but she also mentions the stories that Miriam had told her. And then the Samaritan introduces himself to Miriam as the Sandman.

I usually avoid horror, fantasy and sci-fi books. I made an exception for this book and I loved the writing. I really like this author, but the fantasy/supernatural aspect of the book is the part that is lacking...

C.J. Tudor has redeemed herself with me. I know she was worried about the state of our relationship so I thought it important to start off with that statement. We cool, C.J. ✌

☆
Compelling and propelling are the most legit words to describe this book.

☆
This is a bleak story full of characters that are all enduring a life filled with the worst of pains, the loss of a loved one.

☆
"Missing is different to being dead. In a way, it’s worse. Death offers finality. Death gives you permission to grieve. To hold memorials, to light candles and lay flowers. To let go. Missing is limbo. You’re stranded; in a strange, bleak place where hope glimmers faintly at the horizon and misery and despair circle like vultures."

☆
The star of this book is Tudor's writing.

This is one of those stories that you have to fight with yourself to stay on task because your eyes keep trying to roam ahead to see what's going to happen at the end of the scene. I wasn't always successful on this front.

☆
I COULD NOT READ IT FAST ENOUGH.

☆
I HAD to know the answer to the mystery. Tudor doesn't waste a word so I couldn't even skim! Aaaarrrrgghhh!

☆
Two things kept this from being a 5 star review for me.

First, it ended with too many ambiguous and unanswered questions. I still haven't completely wrapped my head around the chain of events.

Second, the epilogue. So predictable. After such gripping drama, I expected more. It was a real letdown for me.

☆
"We’re all capable of good and bad. Very few of us show our real faces to the world. For fear that the world might stare back and scream."

Ain't that the truth...


** Thank you Kathleen at Random House for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **

Wow! I have read C.J. Tudor's first two novels and really enjoyed them. I think this novel, The Other People is his best by far! As I started the book, I was a little confused as to what was going on...I didn't know how the characters that were introduced would fit together. C.J. Tudor does a remarkable job of having the reader question and wonder as he weaves a story that all comes together at the end.

This mystery is unlike any I have read before. It was not at all predictable. I see this book being made into a big screen movie. Wow!

Gabe lost his wife and daughter 3 years ago and now lives in his van as he travels the same roads looking for leads because he believes his daughter is still alive.

We meet Katie who is a single mother working at a service station and waits on Gabe once a week. I didn't understand how a connection was going to be made between Gabe and Katie until later on in the book and thought the development was genius.

This is a fantastic read! I would recommend this to all mystery and suspense genre fans.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy of the book for my honest review.

Having adored Tudor's first two novels, I jumped at the chance when offered this latest one and moved it to the top of my queue; it's now my favorite of the three! It's a little reminiscent of The Chain but even more chilling and creepy--almost a bit gothic in its atmosphere. Told from multiple viewpoints, the novel centers on Gabe, a grieving father who lost his wife and young daughter, Izzy in a home invasion and murder and yet the same night, believes he saw her in the back of a car mouthing, "Daddy." Katie, a waitress in a cafe sees Gabe frequently and wonders what his story is. Fran and her daughter Alice are on the run from something and Alice has frequent meltdowns and a backpack full of pebbles. And somewhere a comatose girl on life support is cared for by Miriam. Yes, these stories are all connected but you can't begin to imagine how or why. And yes, the Dark Web is involved which is fascinating on its own. Proceed with caution and know you won't put this book down once you pick it up! My brain is still reeling with the many twists and turn up to the very last page!

Gabe has been through a parent’s worst nightmare. He saw his daughter’s face appear in the rear window in an old car in front of him on the highway, calling for him. Three years on, he’s still looking for his missing child, driving the highway where he last saw her, refusing to give up hope that she is still alive. When the car he saw that night turns up at the bottom of a lake with a body inside, Gabe begins to believe he will never see Izzy again. But there is a witness to what really happened to Izzy, and she and her own little girl are on the run, knowing that if they’re caught, they will be the next ones to disappear. Scary good!

Wow is all i can say, one hell of a wild ride!
It couldnt be possible could it? A Chance sighting, one moment of not believing your own eyes was all it took to change Gabes life in an instant. When Gabe daughter is supposedly murdered he cant believe the news, not because he cant accept that but because he is certain he saw her in t he back of a strange car at the very time she was to have been dead. His whole life becomes focused on finding some answers, he can not stop blaming himself if only he had reacted differently that day when he thought he saw her.
But why did this happen? Who are the mysterious Other People he hears whispers of.
Hold on tight this book if full of twists and turns as you catch glimpses of a web that finally comes together in a crazy ending that will leave you speechless.
Edge of your seat suspense, amazing characters, fantastic writing and one heck of a plot make this unique story one you do NOT want to miss. I literally could not put this one down.