Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the free digital ARC.
I first heard about "The Other People" by C.B. Everett last summer at the Old Peculiar Crime Writing Festival and was given a free sample of the book. I have been anticipating it ever since and really enjoyed reading it!
"The Other People" by C.B. Everett is a thriller that is both chilling and suspenseful. It follows 10 strangers who wake up in a secluded mansion and have no memory of how they arrived or why they're there and they now have to solve the mystery of a missing woman within twelve hours in order to leave. this was a really interesting storyline and I really enjoyed it!!

I read the reviews for this before I read it, and I honestly wish I hadn’t. In fact, I urge everyone to go into this book with an open mind. It’s a great book, but I think a lot of people were just too willing to DNF based on the reviews of other people, creating a snowball effect. Either that, or it was review bombed. I seriously don’t think it deserves the hate it’s getting! You really have to go into reading this knowing that every single thing has a purpose, even though it doesn’t seem like it at first.

With that being said, I’ll get into my review, but this one is going to be hard to do without some spoilers. First, it is a multi POV book, which is CRUCIAL to the storyline. If you hate multi POV, this is not the book for you. Personally, I liked the format, and I don’t think it would have worked with just a single POV. I knew within the first two chapters exactly what was going on, so maybe that was why the things other people complained about didn’t bother me. In fact, I enjoyed watching it all play out.

The only thing I wasn’t stoked on was the Beast in the Cellar’s POV. I liked the humor don’t get me wrong. But I did feel like those chapters pulled me out of the story. Personally, I probably would have rated it higher if not for those chapters. I understand the point of them, but I think the pacing would have improved without them. Those chapters do break the fourth wall though, so do with that what you will. Some people are ok with that, some aren’t. As far as the characters, you won’t like most of them. And yes, there is a reason for that! The last, and biggest, spoiler is the issue of comps. On that, I’ll agree with other reviewers. It’s not Shutter Island meets Agatha Christie. It’s more like Split as a locked room murder mystery. I’m guessing they couldn’t use that for a comp because it gives it all away.

I love a good locked room mystery, and I really enjoyed this one. I absolutely disagree with people that it was too gory. It wasn’t. It’s a murder mystery. I thought some of the murders were tamer than I expected. But that’s just me! Overall, I think this book had far more good qualities than bad. Is it perfect? No. But it sure as hell is entertaining.

Huge thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

C.B. Everett’s "The Other People" delivers an intriguing premise that sets the stage for a tense and mysterious read.

The story’s concept—ten strangers trapped in a locked house with no memory of how they arrived—is compelling and establishes an atmosphere of suspense. The ticking clock and the looming danger of a hidden killer create some engaging moments, though the execution doesn’t always maintain the same level of intensity throughout. The characters offer varying levels of depth, with some standing out as compelling while others feel underdeveloped. The diverse viewpoints add complexity to the narrative, but not all of them feel fully realized.

The pacing is steady, but at times the momentum dips, with certain twists feeling more predictable than surprising. While the confined setting effectively heightens the sense of claustrophobia, the narrative occasionally leans too heavily on this aspect, which can make the story feel repetitive. Nevertheless, there are moments of genuine intrigue that will keep readers invested in uncovering the mystery.

Overall, "The Other People" has a creative concept and some notable strengths, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. It’s an enjoyable read for those who appreciate a contained mystery, even if it might leave others wanting more.

Thanks to Atria and Netgalley for the pre-release copy of The Other People. Below is my honest review.

I very much enjoyed this locked room weird-as-heck mystery, as it definitely takes inspiration from Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None - and anyone who follows my reviews know I'm a huge Christie fan.

The characters were decently fleshed out, and the setting was sufficiently intriguing.

But - and that's a huge but - I was worried as the book went along that it would end up stealing bits and pieces from the ending of a movie I loved when it came out back in 2003, Identity. Unfortunately, it wasn't just bits and pieces that ended up in the climax and denouement, but an extremely similar story - to the point that I'm left wondering if there's even the slightest chance it wasn't pulled straight from that movie.

C. B. Everett’s 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 is a locked room mystery set in the middle of the night at a dark, ornately decorated manor. Ten strangers wake up in separate bedrooms and—after coming downstairs for dinner—learn they must help solve a crime within twelve hours to find a way out of the house. The premise is very interesting, however I found the characterization lacking and did not feel a connection to any of the people. Without that emotional investment, the story was sluggish for me. This may be a better read for those who enjoy straightforward murder mysteries. Thank you to Atria Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you love a book that keeps you teetering on the edge of your seat, questioning everything and everyone, The Other People is the perfect psychological thriller for you. It’s creepy, it’s chilling, and it masterfully balances mystery and suspense with just the right amount of psychological dread.

The premise is already nightmare fuel: ten strangers wake up in a decrepit old house with no memory of how they got there. Each one has a strange device strapped to their wrist, and the only way out? Solve the mystery of a missing girl—or be picked off one by one by an unknown murderer. No pressure, right?

What makes this book so gripping is how it plays with perception. Just when you think you’ve cracked the case, think again. The twist hits like a punch to the gut, turning everything on its head. The setting only adds to the unease—it’s eerie, atmospheric, and vividly described. Some of the death scenes are so cinematic and dramatic that they linger in your mind long after you turn the page.

The one thing that kept me from giving it five stars? The sheer number of POVs. We bounce between at least five or six different perspectives, and while it eventually makes sense, it took some determination to get used to. At first, I struggled to connect with all the shifting viewpoints, but once I settled in, the payoff was absolutely worth it.

Overall, The Other People is a mind-twisting, paranoia-inducing thriller that keeps you second-guessing everything. If you’re a fan of books that mess with your head and deliver shocking twists, this one is a must-read. Just be prepared—you might not trust anyone (or anything) by the time you’re done.

As someone who enjoys the Saw movies and locked room mysteries, this plot sounded great to me. While this was a different kind of story, I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it.

I don’t always need to love the characters in a book, but I like having someone to root for if possible. All of these characters were pretty unlikable to me, and I also found them not that deep. No one seemed very concerned at first about the situation at hand, and some of the choices they made just had me frustrated.

I also didn’t love how the narrator would step in and go over everything that happened to guide the reader in a certain direction. It felt a little unnecessary and took me out of the story a little bit when it happened.

That said, there were things I liked about this book. The death scenes were written well and I liked the drama of it all. I did kind of see the twist at the end coming, but it was still interesting to see the repercussions after the reveal.

I just don’t think this was a book for me, but I could see other people enjoying it. I also think it being so similar to the movie Identity bothered me as well.

Well, I will say I liked the ending, and it certainly will catch most readers off guard. Beyond that, I struggled with this novel.

Ten strangers wake up in an old English estate, tasked with saving a young woman’s life, without any kind of explanation, and only a Fitbit-type watch to tell them how much time they have left to solve the mystery. The biggest problem I have with this story is that I disliked every one of the characters in the house. Every. One.

When the characters lack the depth and the ability to act in a way that feels genuine, especially in a high stakes setting like a locked room mystery, the story unravels. I realized their moral compass wouldn’t exactly point due north, because one is a killer right? But they were all terrible.

This mystery was less engaging, despite the plot having potential, and a good twist can sometimes even save a story. These characters and their behaviors irked me too much to enjoy the plot as a whole. Perhaps this was just the case of the wrong book at the wrong time for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author C.B. Everett for the advanced copy of the book. The Other People is out on March 25th. All opinions are my own.

This was an exciting locked room murder plot with 10 unsuspecting people. It’s gross, horrific, and has you questioning who the culprit is.
In some ways it made me think of Clue. If you’re an Agatha Christie fan I would recommend this book. It did not disappoint.

4 stars
Publishing date March 25, 2025

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this audio ARC copy for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Although the premise of people waking in a room with strangers and a killer picking them off one by one was intriguing, I did not find the writing engaging or well done.

If the description intrigues you, give it a read, but comparing this writer to Agatha Christie is at the very least, highly ambitious.

I love a good locked in murder mystery. Especially one like this that has commentary on the genre itself. There’s definitely surprises along the way, some of the first victims are ones you wouldn’t think would happen so quickly. At first the chapters interspersed with the beast in the cellar were intriguing & motivated me to read more to find out what/who it really was. As the body count rises & the paranoia does as well, I wasn’t really sure what was going on. This has a very “out there” ending, I can’t honestly say if I liked it or not. It’s absolutely been done before, in film (I won’t mention which one as it will completely give the ending away). It may shock some readers, it may seem a bit of a stretch to others. I may lean a tad more to the latter. No character is really likeable so it’s hard to root for anyone. And the missing girl they’re supposed to be looking for is never developed enough to feel like an actual character so the urgency doesn’t feel real. I’m sorry to say that I didn’t enjoy the book.

🗝️

Read if you like:
* Ernest Cunningham series by Benjamin Stevenson
* The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel
* And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

I enjoyed The Other People by C.B. Everett. With a premise that hooks you from the start and a narrative that joyously toys with your expectations, this novel delivers a wild ride—though it doesn’t always sustain the suspense throughout the novel.

The setup is irresistible: ten strangers wake up in a locked country house with no memory of how they got there. They’re given a chilling ultimatum—solve the mystery of a missing girl within twelve hours or die. As if that weren’t enough, a killer begins picking them off one by one, and that is when it really gets going. I liked the premise of this book and without giving too many details I believe it delivers on the suspense it builds. In the middle of the book, it does take a bit to get through, but I think you will be happy at the climax of the novel.

I am looking forward to what is next for this author!

DNF @ page 75+some skimming to see the end

As much as I usually love a fourth wall break character, the Beast in the Cellar popping up every few chapters to review had happened and make sure we were thinking what the author wanted us to be thinking was almost offensive. I promise you, the average reader has enough reading comprehension that we don't need that level of hand holding.

It was also wild that even though a woman's life was at risk and the whole group's safety depended on finding her in a set amount of time that several characters decided they were just going to go to bed. Where is the urgency?

And lastly, you can't market this as being similar to a movie with a known twist. Even if the twist wasn't exactly the same, it certainly wasn't surprising when the marketing team has already spoiled it.

Thanks Netgalley and Atria Books for providing this ARC to me!

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. The premise was interesting and why I wanted to read this book.
The character switching was distracting and not well done.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.

Ten total strangers, trapped in a gothic old house with just 12 hours to find a missing girl. Oh, and did I mention one by one a silent predator is eliminating them?
You'll encounter ten distinct characters. Some are instantly off-putting, others are likable, and a select few radiate an air of mistrust. The narrative is expertly woven from multiple perspectives, each character's unique voice shining through, ensuring you never lose track of who's unraveling their piece of the tale.
This is definitely a page-turner. Each page turn revealing a new surprise, a new twist. Although, interruptions(?) from the 'Beast in the Cellar' occasionally disrupt the rhythm of the story for me.
Now, I’d love to spill the beans, but spoilers are a no-no! This book is compared to 3 iconic murder mystery works but having not read/seen any of them, I had no idea what to expect. Let’s just say, I had my suspicions about the killer around 80% in, and I had inklings about where the plot was headed early on, but the ending, oh the ending, I was not prepared for. I did enjoy the book, and the conclusion made all the little quirks I didn’t like suddenly make sense. A second read would provided an entirely new perspective on the story.

Thank you to Atria Books for offering this book for review via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own. There was no obligation for a review in exchange for an advance copy, and no commitment to provide one.

This just wasn't for me. First off this is more of a thriller/horror than mystery/thriller. While the locked room mansion does harken to a Christie novel, there were many gruesome moments that leaned toward "horror" instead of "whodunnit".

That said, the premise was incredibly intriguing and I had to continue to read and find out what happened. I will say the sacrilege was disturbing, forced and so very distracting. I understand a writer bringing in experiences to share but personally for me this was too far and didn't add to the story at all.

The end does indeed have a big twist but to me it wasn't satisfying. Again, I think if this was marketed towards more the horror genre than mystery alone, it could have found its correct audience.

Ugh. The writing is not good. There's no flow. I had a hard time connecting with the story. This book was not good and not for me.

Agatha Christie comparison? Not even remotely similar. This was the quickest DNF I have ever experienced. The locked room premise and synopsis sounded like my wheelhouse but wow, was I wrong. Seldom do I actually dislike a book this much. This is akin to horror, not a mystery in the traditional sense, and the sacrilege is truly disturbing. Not a book for me, unfortunately.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I tried but just could not get into this book. The constant character switching and different writing style for each was distracting and not well done. The premise was interesting and I was excited but barely got into it before I lost interest. Definitely not at all like Shutter Island or Agatha Christie. Disappointing. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one though.

I couldn’t get as into this one as some of the others. Im still glad I read it! A nice locked room mystery with Agatha Christie vibes!