This book was another gem in the string of absolutely standout multi-faceted and unputdownable thrillers from Kia Abdullah. A family moves into a home in the suburbs in order to secure a fresh start - but what happens when what awaits them there is even darker? In addition to being a top shelf thriller in terms of tension and momentum, the book also masterfully deals with issues of race, allyship, and neighborhood tensions in suburbia (and yet, without being overly centered on it or letting it slow down the plot, let me assure you - it really is just the foundation for the core conflict that unfolds).

Abdullah builds to the stunning finish with great skill - when the book begins, the reader almost buckles in for a typical thriller, we imagine we have an idea of who the neighbors will be, who our protagonists will be, and what the central conflict will be. And yet, as the story builds, the characters become increasingly complex and layered, their motives more grey than black and white, making it impossible to predict the shape the ending will take, or who we'll be left distrusting at that point.

I read this book in a single day, it was impossible to have free time and not be reading to figure out what happened next. The story was wonderfully written, and we even get a little bit of that classic Abdullah courtroom content to close out the story. This is the opposite of the cookie cutter domestic thriller that all blends together the moment you finish the book - you'll be thinking about the characters, the ending, and the core themes long after you've finished reading about them. An A+ from me!

Is this a thriller?
I am not sure. Was it fascinating? Yes.
I was never sure who to trust and who to believe and there were a lot of twists.
A well written story about two families in Britain, one while, one Pakistani and the unreeling of their fraught and anxious story.

You can choose your house … but NOT your neighbours 👀- “Those People Next Door” by Kia Abdullah

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

Salma and her family have moved to Blenheim in hopes of starting over and setting down new roots in a safe, upscale suburban neighbourhood.

However, the dream move does not last long as Salma witnesses her next door neighbour Tom knocking over a Black Lives Matter banner from her yard. She moves the banner to inside her front window .. and the next morning the window has been painted white to cover up the banner. Salma is taken back by this message of hatred and fears that they have moved next door to a monster … and so the NIGHTMARE begins. This story follows an ugly and devastating battle between neighbours that spirals out of control becoming dangerous and violent. This battle will change the lives of those involved forever.

This book is incredibly POWERFUL, impactful, intense and heartbreaking to its core. This story explores themes of race, class, disability, rage, bitterness, revenge and a lack of belonging.

Thank you kindly to Kia Abdullah, Harper Collins Canada and Netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases March 14, 2023 and is definitely worth reading! Bravo to Kia Abdullah on such a magnificent book that I will never forget about!

Kia Abdullah was a new author to me. This book had me guessing until the end. I felt a wide. range of emotions while reading this book. I enjoyed it!

I realized too late into this book that it’s a courtroom mystery/drama. Unfortunately those aren’t my style. I was half way through this book when I decided to DNF it. I don’t like doing this and try to avoid it. So sorry!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for and honest review.

I have only read one other book by this author and it was quite good. I'm happy to say this one was so much better. Nothing is what it seems. The characters are despicable but that is part of it. A great read and definitely a must read author.

Julie here- I shushed my husband during our drive back from out of town today and said to him “I AM AT THE MOMENT IN A BOOK THAT EVERY THRILLER READER DREAMS OF, HOLD THAT THOUGHT.” Thank you Kia Abdullah for providing me with that moment! Gosh I love advanced reading copies!
Those People Next Door by Kia Abdullah has everything:
New neighbours.
Two balcony’s, two gardens, one old dog, two teenagers.
A “disputed” Black Lives Matter flag.
Squatters
ANGER
Rules
Overt racism
A tweet
Covert racism
A hospital bed, a marriage crumbling.
This is a good one!

First l must thank NetGalley and the publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review, when two fight, are two at fault? I kept agreeing with just one side of this dispute, could anyone come out happy? The twists came as genuine shocks! I loved the honest look at neighbourly disputes. Round up to 4.5 Stars.