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The Other People
A group of strangers gathered at a mysterious country house are in a race against time to stop a serial killer in this twisty, high-concept thriller that combines Agatha Christie with Shutter Island.
Ten strangers.
An old dark house.
A killer picking them off one by one.
And a missing girl who’s running out of time…
And then there was one.
Ten strangers wake up inside an old, locked house. They have no recollection of how they got there. In order to escape, they have to solve the disappearance of a young woman. But a killer also stalks the halls of the house and soon the body count starts to rise. Who are these strangers? Why were they chosen? Why would someone want to kill them? And who—or what—lurks in the cellar?
Forget what you think you know.
Because while you can trust yourself, can you really trust The Other People?
Ten strangers.
An old dark house.
A killer picking them off one by one.
And a missing girl who’s running out of time…
And then there was one.
Ten strangers wake up inside an old, locked house. They have no recollection of how they got there. In order to escape, they have to solve the disappearance of a young woman. But a killer also stalks the halls of the house and soon the body count starts to rise. Who are these strangers? Why were they chosen? Why would someone want to kill them? And who—or what—lurks in the cellar?
Forget what you think you know.
Because while you can trust yourself, can you really trust The Other People?
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 25, 2025
About the author
C.B. Everett
4 books12 followersC.B. Everett is the pen name for author Martyn Waites. He trained at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama and worked as an actor for many years before becoming a writer. His novels include the critically acclaimed Joe Donovan series, The Old Religion, and The White Room. In 2013, he was chosen to write Angel of Death, the official sequel to Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black, and in 2014 won the Grand Prix Roman Etranger for Born Under Punches. He has been nominated for every major British and French crime fiction award and has also enjoyed international commercial success with eight novels written under the name Tania Carver.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 9, 2024
Mind blown.
What a heck of a locked room murder mystery! I couldn’t put it down and had to put my life on hold to finish it as I had no idea how it was going to end! I was not disappointed.
We have a ‘And Then There Were None’ Christie set up. 10 guests, all strangers, having dinner in an old mansion. None have any memory of how they got here. The doors are locked. The windows are shuttered. They must find an abducted girl before she dies and each have a countdown timer attached to their wrist.
10 very different personalities. With hidden secrets.
A ‘Beast in the Cellar’ who pops up now and again to discuss the progress and pose questions.
The book is narrated from the POV’s of each ‘guest’. Very very clever!
And the Hispaniola! Omg I remember that at Scarborough!
Fasten your seatbelts for a heck of a ride in April 2025!
Thank you so much to Jamie-Lee Nardone for a super early e-arc to review.
The Other People is available to pre-order now.
What a heck of a locked room murder mystery! I couldn’t put it down and had to put my life on hold to finish it as I had no idea how it was going to end! I was not disappointed.
We have a ‘And Then There Were None’ Christie set up. 10 guests, all strangers, having dinner in an old mansion. None have any memory of how they got here. The doors are locked. The windows are shuttered. They must find an abducted girl before she dies and each have a countdown timer attached to their wrist.
10 very different personalities. With hidden secrets.
A ‘Beast in the Cellar’ who pops up now and again to discuss the progress and pose questions.
The book is narrated from the POV’s of each ‘guest’. Very very clever!
And the Hispaniola! Omg I remember that at Scarborough!
Fasten your seatbelts for a heck of a ride in April 2025!
Thank you so much to Jamie-Lee Nardone for a super early e-arc to review.
The Other People is available to pre-order now.
October 31, 2024
I'm very torn. While I was entertained for hours with 'The Other People', the feeling I'm left with isn't exactly positive.
This book is much darker than the cover suggests. (Recommend checking tw's, really.) All around polarizing, with a make or break ending that wasn't what I wanted and rarely enjoy. I can appreciate it for being different from my usual thriller, at least. I particularly liked the earlier 'beast' chapters but felt the women were written ....oddly.
This book is much darker than the cover suggests. (Recommend checking tw's, really.) All around polarizing, with a make or break ending that wasn't what I wanted and rarely enjoy. I can appreciate it for being different from my usual thriller, at least. I particularly liked the earlier 'beast' chapters but felt the women were written ....oddly.
October 30, 2024
Yikes! The second book I’ve read this year that almost takes it’s an entire plot from a film. Here it’s a 2007 movie that I won’t mention because it will spoil the entire book. Sadly, the publisher gives away a huge chunk of the plot by mentioning the book is similar to Shutter Island, what a terrible marketing idea. If you’ve read that book, then you already know everything that’s taking place here. This is also my second book of the year with at least 10 first person narrators, all tell no show. Clunky, inauthentic dialogue, a plot that drags, packed with info irrelevant to the story, dreadful characters and no reason at all to care whodunit.
Thanks to Atria and NetGalley for an early review copy.
Thanks to Atria and NetGalley for an early review copy.
October 30, 2024
This was an interesting and gripping read with a good old-fashioned whodunit told from multiple POV.
I disliked the beginning and was wondering where it was going, but thankfully, I didn't stop reading because it was a really cleverly written story with Agatha Christie vibes going on and an ending that was not expected
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK for the ARC.
I disliked the beginning and was wondering where it was going, but thankfully, I didn't stop reading because it was a really cleverly written story with Agatha Christie vibes going on and an ending that was not expected
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK for the ARC.
October 17, 2024
Wow wow wow !!
I have no words
What an incredible masterpiece
Like nothing I’ve read before.
Blew me away the ending WHAT!!!!
Can’t wait for more people to read this so they can be as surprised as me as this really was amazing
Love love love it !! A must read
A book like no other, Twists you just don’t see coming, characters so well written they feel real,
Could not put this down.
I have no words
What an incredible masterpiece
Like nothing I’ve read before.
Blew me away the ending WHAT!!!!
Can’t wait for more people to read this so they can be as surprised as me as this really was amazing
Love love love it !! A must read
A book like no other, Twists you just don’t see coming, characters so well written they feel real,
Could not put this down.
October 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, although I believe it may be one of those where people love it or hate it because of the ending. If that's the case, I'm definitely in the love category. A house that's locked from the inside with a group of strangers that begin dying one by one. Yes, it's an homage to Agatha Christie, but it's so much more than that. Each person has a distinct personality to help you keep them straight as you read about them and also from their point of view. There's also a narrative by another person involved in the story that is sprinkled throughout. They act as a sort of omnipotent being who ties it together, provides feedback on what you've read so far, and disperses hints throughout. That narrative is by far the funniest and quite clever if you're paying attention.
What kicks off the action is when they're informed that a girl is missing and they need to find and free her, leading to their own freedom. But they only have one night to do so. They're left confused and frightened with no idea how they got there and why they are tasked with this mission. And how will locating her automatically free them? Are they being watched as they move about the house? Are there other people and/or traps to hinder their success? Is the killer one of them or the person behind them all? So many questions and no time for answers.
I raced through the story, reading it in one sitting because I just had to see how it would end. Things happen throughout that make you feel there's no way to adequately explain all that you've read. You keep thinking it doesn't make sense and will never make sense, but just keep going. I urge you not to give up on the story and wait until the end to give it a fair chance.
I loved the style of the book, and I wish there were more stories this engaging and thought-provoking. It's so much more than you expect and well worth the journey.
What kicks off the action is when they're informed that a girl is missing and they need to find and free her, leading to their own freedom. But they only have one night to do so. They're left confused and frightened with no idea how they got there and why they are tasked with this mission. And how will locating her automatically free them? Are they being watched as they move about the house? Are there other people and/or traps to hinder their success? Is the killer one of them or the person behind them all? So many questions and no time for answers.
I raced through the story, reading it in one sitting because I just had to see how it would end. Things happen throughout that make you feel there's no way to adequately explain all that you've read. You keep thinking it doesn't make sense and will never make sense, but just keep going. I urge you not to give up on the story and wait until the end to give it a fair chance.
I loved the style of the book, and I wish there were more stories this engaging and thought-provoking. It's so much more than you expect and well worth the journey.
October 24, 2024
Dang, if this author doesn’t have big issues with God and Christianity.
This is fine, you don’t have to be a Christian if you don’t want to, but why was it necessary to constantly bring it up? It didn’t add anything to the plot, in my opinion. I do see why the characters would feel that way, but it just seemed a little extreme to the point it felt like the author's opinion and not the character's opinion.
Anyways!! It started off promising. I thought it was a quirky kind of murder mystery. Kind of like Knives Out. Not super serious, but still a murder mystery. The Beast chapters were fun to read for the most part.
There were a lot of different characters. I worried it would be hard to keep up with them, but it wasn’t that bad once it got started.
But then as you went on, it got a little repetitive. I did enjoy that we got to go inside each of the minds of the characters and see what they were each feeling and thinking.
I thought the way/reason they died was a unique-ish idea. I don’t want to explain that part so to not spoil anything.
I can honestly say I didn’t really see the twist coming. Everything wrapped up well enough.
So, I give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.
This is fine, you don’t have to be a Christian if you don’t want to, but why was it necessary to constantly bring it up? It didn’t add anything to the plot, in my opinion. I do see why the characters would feel that way, but it just seemed a little extreme to the point it felt like the author's opinion and not the character's opinion.
Anyways!! It started off promising. I thought it was a quirky kind of murder mystery. Kind of like Knives Out. Not super serious, but still a murder mystery. The Beast chapters were fun to read for the most part.
There were a lot of different characters. I worried it would be hard to keep up with them, but it wasn’t that bad once it got started.
But then as you went on, it got a little repetitive. I did enjoy that we got to go inside each of the minds of the characters and see what they were each feeling and thinking.
I thought the way/reason they died was a unique-ish idea. I don’t want to explain that part so to not spoil anything.
I can honestly say I didn’t really see the twist coming. Everything wrapped up well enough.
So, I give it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.
October 29, 2024
Locked room mysteries are some of my favorites and this book did not disappoint. It was so much fun that I just wanted to sit down and devour it all in one setting, and thankfully I was able to do just that. All ten of the guests have secrets, and no memory of how they got to the mansion. It is rather intense. There are a lot of pov’s but it was okay, I ended up rather liking hearing the story from so many perspectives. It added spice and flavor. This is one of those books that you might want to have a notepad handy for notes, because you will want to use it. It helped me get through it with everything straight. Then the twists started coming, and they were great. The final twist was amazing and just made the whole book.
If you’re looking for a uniquely done mystery, then check this one out.
Thank you to @atriabooks and @netgalley for the e-arc. All thoughts are my own.
If you’re looking for a uniquely done mystery, then check this one out.
Thank you to @atriabooks and @netgalley for the e-arc. All thoughts are my own.
October 31, 2024
This was unlike any murder mystery I've read, and I thought it was incredibly well done. It had everything it needed to grip the reader, and then some. The unexpected ending was fabulous, too.
The first point I enjoyed was the way each chapter was focused on a different character and presented from their POV. It made for interesting reading and meant that the reader got to understand the person's hidden thoughts and feelings.
Secondly, the narrators voice makes up the other chapters in between and poses questions, clues if you like, and gets the reader to think what might be happening. A brilliant piece of writing, I think it was this that glued it all together.
It was a bit gruesome, and there are several murders, but that's what we want from a book of this genre.
Halloween is the perfect time to read this story and adds to the excitement.
The first point I enjoyed was the way each chapter was focused on a different character and presented from their POV. It made for interesting reading and meant that the reader got to understand the person's hidden thoughts and feelings.
Secondly, the narrators voice makes up the other chapters in between and poses questions, clues if you like, and gets the reader to think what might be happening. A brilliant piece of writing, I think it was this that glued it all together.
It was a bit gruesome, and there are several murders, but that's what we want from a book of this genre.
Halloween is the perfect time to read this story and adds to the excitement.
November 6, 2024
Ten strangers find themselves in a mysterious country house. In order to escape, they must find a deft killer and save his most recent victim without being added to his list of quarries.
The plot was a brilliant twist to the book by Agatha Christie. Each character is distinct, with hidden motives that keep readers guessing. Suspicion mounts, alliances shift, and the characters' desperation to solve the mystery before it’s too late gives the story a thrilling pace. The stakes were kept high till the startling conclusion in Part Three. I loved the character of the beast and his commentary on the events unfolding in the book. It softened the sense of anticipation and offered a breather from the tense and engaging plot.
The plot was a brilliant twist to the book by Agatha Christie. Each character is distinct, with hidden motives that keep readers guessing. Suspicion mounts, alliances shift, and the characters' desperation to solve the mystery before it’s too late gives the story a thrilling pace. The stakes were kept high till the startling conclusion in Part Three. I loved the character of the beast and his commentary on the events unfolding in the book. It softened the sense of anticipation and offered a breather from the tense and engaging plot.
October 22, 2024
I really, really wanted to love this. Based off the description/ blurb, it felt like this was exactly the type of book I needed this October. It started off super interesting but about 1/2 through I felt it was just static. No progression of the story or mystery.
The Beast parts were fun though. After the mystery "reveal" there is another mystery that was better but also a bit drawn out and underwhelming. I dunno. I just really wanted more from the ending but less from the redundancy, I hope that makes sense.
Anyway, 2.5 stars rounded up. Solid enough for me to finish.
This ARC was provided by Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
The Beast parts were fun though. After the mystery "reveal" there is another mystery that was better but also a bit drawn out and underwhelming. I dunno. I just really wanted more from the ending but less from the redundancy, I hope that makes sense.
Anyway, 2.5 stars rounded up. Solid enough for me to finish.
This ARC was provided by Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
October 24, 2024
With many thanks to Netgalley for this free arc and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.
This debut novel by CB Everett could have been just another predictable locked room mystery but surprisingly, it was refreshingly unique and highly original. A plethora of interesting characters get picked off one by one, so nothing unusual there - or so you think! Different POV narrate the story with the ingenious addition of ‘the beast in the cellar’ posing the questions. This is a very clever, well written story culminating in a twist that was quite simply brilliant. A wonderful 5 star read
October 27, 2024
This book has an Agatha Christie set up with ten strangers finding themselves in a house with no idea how they got there. Then a killer begins picking them off one by one as they race to solve a mystery.
I loved how we got different POVs of each of the strangers, plus the POV of “the beast in the cellar”. Such a refreshing take on a standard thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the scene through each character as they processed what was happening.
The ending was something I did not even remotely see coming. I feel like you’ll either love it or hate it, but I absolutely loved it. The ending tied everything together and is so shocking! I highly recommend this book.
I loved how we got different POVs of each of the strangers, plus the POV of “the beast in the cellar”. Such a refreshing take on a standard thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the scene through each character as they processed what was happening.
The ending was something I did not even remotely see coming. I feel like you’ll either love it or hate it, but I absolutely loved it. The ending tied everything together and is so shocking! I highly recommend this book.
November 3, 2024
In this gripping psychological thriller, ten strangers wake up in a mysterious house with no memory of how they got there. With cryptic details scattered around them and a shocking death right from the start, the strangers are thrust into a deadly game of survival, suspense, and discovery. Each must confront their hidden fears and secrets as they race against time to unmask the killer lurking among them—and to find the missing girl who may be the key to their survival.
Drawing on an Agatha Christie-esque atmosphere reminiscent of And Then There Were None, this story delivers tension and intrigue in spades. The characters’ personal explorations add depth to the mystery as they grapple with what drives them and who they truly are. This high-stakes, edge-of-your-seat thriller keeps you guessing until the final, surprising twist.
A must-read for mystery fans—I highly recommend it! Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in return for my honest review!
Drawing on an Agatha Christie-esque atmosphere reminiscent of And Then There Were None, this story delivers tension and intrigue in spades. The characters’ personal explorations add depth to the mystery as they grapple with what drives them and who they truly are. This high-stakes, edge-of-your-seat thriller keeps you guessing until the final, surprising twist.
A must-read for mystery fans—I highly recommend it! Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in return for my honest review!
October 20, 2024
DRC from Edelweiss and Atria Books /Simon & Schuster
Mystery story that has a good twist or two towards the end. An unreliable narrator, nine adults and one child are trapped in a gothic style house. They are tasked with finding a girl before she runs out of air, but the implication is that one of them is responsible for her capture. One by one, the bodies start piling up, but then disappearing. Who is the murderer and will they be able to solve it and escape? Told in various POVs so we learn about each character and what they fear.
Mystery story that has a good twist or two towards the end. An unreliable narrator, nine adults and one child are trapped in a gothic style house. They are tasked with finding a girl before she runs out of air, but the implication is that one of them is responsible for her capture. One by one, the bodies start piling up, but then disappearing. Who is the murderer and will they be able to solve it and escape? Told in various POVs so we learn about each character and what they fear.
Want to read
October 23, 2024ARC received! Thank you, Atria Books!!
This sounds like a lovely set-up for an intense Locked Room Mystery and I'm here for it!! I can't wait to get to it.
This sounds like a lovely set-up for an intense Locked Room Mystery and I'm here for it!! I can't wait to get to it.
November 5, 2024
I didn't expect this to be so dark and the reveal at the end was shocking. However, I encourage everyone to read the trigger warnings before picking this up. "The Beast" was hands down the best character and those chapters were entertaining. If you are a fan of whodunit books with dark twists and turns, then I think you will enjoy this.
November 5, 2024
Mostly this was fun.
In a shocking brutal murders kind of way.
The voice of the beast gave it the fun element.
It took me a while to work out EXACTLY what was going on, but I got there.
I enjoyed the multiple pov for the chapters, and each character was distinctive enough to stand out.
A little gruesome at times, but it works for the story.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this one.
In a shocking brutal murders kind of way.
The voice of the beast gave it the fun element.
It took me a while to work out EXACTLY what was going on, but I got there.
I enjoyed the multiple pov for the chapters, and each character was distinctive enough to stand out.
A little gruesome at times, but it works for the story.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this one.
October 28, 2024
The first 80% of this book is unputdownable. I didn’t enjoy the ending, but enjoyed the reading experience enough to recommend. 3.5/5 stars, rounded up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for letting me read an ARC of this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for letting me read an ARC of this book.
November 4, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc! This book was great at the beginning, fantastic ending, but the middle 75%was TOUGH to get through. Many characters and unclear where the story will go.
Want to read
October 21, 2024Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC! The Other People by C.B. Everett comes out on March 25, 2025.
October 23, 2024
Review coming when I can gather my thoughts..
Want to read
October 26, 2024A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
October 29, 2024
well
i somewhat saw that coming
due to the synopsis y’know?
some things are best left unsaid, not compared to
was quite a ride
but…. as said, some things are best left unsaid
i somewhat saw that coming
due to the synopsis y’know?
some things are best left unsaid, not compared to
was quite a ride
but…. as said, some things are best left unsaid
October 31, 2024
Interesting read. Twists and turns. Didn't see the end coming at all.
November 7, 2024
I appreciate the originality in the classic whodunnit, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters’ dialogue.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews