Member Reviews

I really wanted to like this one, but I just couldn't get into it. The story just felt like one I've seen too many times.

Was this review helpful?

Too slow paced for my liking. Predictable plotlines and one dimensional characters leave on disappointed, close the book and say, "not for me"

Was this review helpful?

This was an interesting, fun premise. I always love reading about these “neighborhood” books! They play on my own fears of what goes on next door to me. This was a decent thriller, but unfortunately, it just missed the mark for me. It didn't hold my attention as much as I would have liked, but it still kept me somewhat intrigued to see what was going to happen next.

Was this review helpful?

"Those People" by Louise Candlish is a well-written, character-driven novel that explores the relationships and dynamics of a close-knit neighborhood. The plot revolves around the tensions that arise when newcomers move into the neighborhood and start to shake things up.

The characters in "Those People" are well-developed, with a range of personalities and motivations that make them believable and relatable. The relationships between the characters are complex and nuanced, and the portrayal of the neighborhood dynamics is well-observed.

However, the pace of the book can be slow at times, and some may find that the storyline lacks the dramatic tension they expect from a novel in this genre. The writing style is detailed and descriptive, which can be both a strength and a weakness, as it slows down the pace of the story.

"Those People" explores the complexities of human relationships and the dynamics of a close-knit community. While it may not be the most thrilling or fast-paced book, it is worth reading for those who enjoy character-driven novels and insights into human behavior.

Was this review helpful?

Those People by Loose Candlush was the first book I read by this author. It started out letting you know there was some type of crime and the police were interviewing the residents of Lowland Way as to what they had done, heard, and witnessed on the day of the crime and leading up to that time. Each chapter is about a different character and you need to read a ways into the story to find out what actually occurred. This crime noted in the beginning is not the only crime in the story, there are a few others

I liked the way the characters were written as it made the story more personal. The telling of the story through different eyes, also greatly enhanced it. I was a little disappointed by the way the book ended.

Was this review helpful?

A suspenseful page-turner. The new neighbor is perfectly creepy and unsettling; very uncanny. Characters are well drawn. It was easy to be a fly in the wall watching it all unravel and, at the same time, it felt like I was one of the neighbors.

Was this review helpful?

3.5/5

This author is the queen of super slow burns, I’m talking slow to the point of annoyance and I’m not sure the payoff is always worth it in the end for me but I’m the sucker who keeps picking up her books so what do I know?

Was this review helpful?

Ah, the joys of neighbors. In Those People by Louise Candlish you see the lengths to which people will go for some peace and quiet. While not entirely likable, the characters in this book all have something to say, and it's helpful getting their perspectives as the story goes along. Just an okay read for me though.

Was this review helpful?

Received a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.

I love a good mystery/thriller and a good neighborhood drama! This had the best of both. It had me on my toes trying to sort out who did what to who and why. I don’t know what I would have done if we had such obnoxious neighbors. I would love to see a sequel for how the neighborhood fairs after the house is sorted out.

Was this review helpful?

Nobody nails the plight of wealthy suburbanites quite like Louise Candlish. After all, it's not just "keeping up with the Jones'" that causes them so much angst, it's also making sure the Jones' are holding up their end of the bargain. So what happens when someone who thumbs his nose (and another notable digit) at money and status invades your exclusive domain? Well, there's frantic texts and emails debating what to do about the interloper, hand wringing, back stabbing, spying, crying, and a whole bunch of stupendously impulsive decisions that make a difficult decision that much harder. When Darren Booth inherits his aunt's house on tony Lowland Way, he upends its peaceful tranquility from the moment he arrives. No Audi or BMW for Darren-he drives a dilapidated Toyota, blasts loud music at all hours, performs his own home repairs, and appears to be running a used car business from his driveway. You know from the first page Darren does not survive the backlash from his neighbors, but which one has the most to gain by having him gone? The quiet divorcee whose B&B is tanking because of poor reviews from guests who can't stomach the eyesore across the street; the young couple and their baby who haven't had a decent night's sleep since Darren moved in; the arrogant "know it all" and his equally pompous wife who appointed themselves judge and jury as to who is worthy enough to live on their street; or the social climbers who can never quite grasp the brass ring? Those People is Murder on the Orient Express without the train. But unlike the Agatha Christie classic with its methodically planned execution, Those People features a bumbling group of amateurs who are more concerned with property values than principle. You feel for Darren despite his flaws. Those People scorches with sarcasm and irony-the only ones not in on the joke are the people telling them. It's no easy task to infuse wit into somber subjects like death, segregation, and income inequality, but Miss Candlish does it with aplomb. Told from multiple points of view-each section begins with police interviews with Lowland Way residents where they implicate themselves and each other with their entitlement and disdain for those they perceive to be beneath them. At least a few feel some remorse for their reckless behavior. Those People makes a great case for ditching suburbia and finding a place where the closest neighbor is out of sight-and hopefully not out of his mind.

Was this review helpful?

I did enjoy Our House but I’m sad to say I didn’t particularly like this book.

This was a very slow read, and too slow for my liking.

There are some unexpected plot twists, but nothing mind-blowing. Honestly, I just dislike most characters, especially the Booths, so much that I had a hard time being invested in the story.

The story was told by multiple POVs, which I enjoyed more since I could see the different perspectives on what was going on the street, and what certain characters were thinking, or hiding.

If you like slower-paced books and books about suburbia and what lengths people will go to, I recommend this novel. If not, I suggest skipping this one.

Was this review helpful?

Louise Candlish is incredibly talented--she manages to take relatable everyday life and twist it into an irresistible story. Full of suspense, emotion and deception, and with a surprise around every corner--this is a riveting and chilling look at the people next door, and the deadly powers of gossip, suspicion and lies. Such a terrific book!

Was this review helpful?

I currently have a neighbor that blares music late at night, so right off the bat I could relate to this one. But it escalates quickly and I was captivated at how much these folks despised the 'newbies' and the lengths they went to in order to ensure that their lives were not disrupted. And I was here for it. Lives were lost, revenge was taken, police were involved, I mean it was great. My only issue was I did not really care for any of the characters so I wasn't as vested to what happened to the lot of them, but I thought this was such a great premise, the dgaf neighbor and the residual effects on a community, good, bad, and all.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for the e-galley to review.

Was this review helpful?

A fun read and it is true everyone has a secret. Reminded me of the new neighbors that moved in next to me, loud, messy and not our "typical" neighborhood neighbor. I will for sure check out the authors other books.

Was this review helpful?

A huge fan of Candlish's last thriller, Our House, I was excited to see what came next. Those People is set in a seemingly idyllic neighborhood, full of friendships and harmony...until THAT family moves in. The new element throws a wrench in utopia with an incident. The incident is not explained until we take a winding, slow paced journey through the pages. I just wanted someone to root for and a quicker pace. An okay read as a domestic suspense but, mostly fell flat.

Was this review helpful?

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY: What's a neighborhood of seemingly peaceful people to do when the new people on the block disrupt that friendly mix?

BRIEF REVIEW: Someone has died in a terrible accident as this novel opens, was it an accident or something more sinister? As the police begin to interview the neighbors as to what transpired leading up to the tragedy, readers begin to learn more about each neighbor as well as the newbies: Darren & Jodie Booth who inherited the house next door eight weeks earlier.

Haven't we all had an annoying neighbor at one time or another? It was easy to dislike the new couple, at least early on. The Booths turned the lovely street into what looked like a used car lot out front. The place was construction zone with extensive renovations happening and, they liked to play loud music to name a few of the annoyances. When neighbors try to voice their issues in a civilized manner, nothing changes.

This is a story where class divide comes into play. Some neighbors seemed to feel they were better than the new people, especially when they saw their unwritten rules to conform ignored. The story was pretty good and had a lot of potential but, I thought it could have been better. I found it hard to keep all of the neighbors, as well as their various issues and secrets straight. It would have been nice to have a feel where each of them lived on the street in relationship to each other. If you enjoy domestic thrillers/suspense stories, you might want to add "Those People" to your list.

RATING: 3.5/5 stars

Was this review helpful?

This story of bad neighbors didn’t work for me. These new neighbors play loud music, do sketchy renovations, and operate an illegal used car lot in the yard. The friends and neighbors on this upscale south London block don’t know how to fix it. The characters were not particularly likeable, but there were no devious plotters in the group either. They were not an interesting group. I finished the book because I did want to know the fate the the bad neighbors.

I think the problem is the approach that Americans would take to bad neighbors. We tend to be more vocal and more pushy, as the English would tell you. While reading the book I thought of a number of ways to put the hurt on those neighbors. These characters were too wimpy to make the book interesting.

Was this review helpful?

I liked this but the plot takes some time to unfurl. You know from the beginning something has happened to the new neighbor, but not what, and it felt like that reveal took forever. There's a mystery but it's most definitely not a thriller.

Was this review helpful?

Having just purchased a new home in a dream neighborhood, this was an easy book for me to relate too. The neighbors all were friends, and they even received awards for a program they developed for the children in the neighborhood.

The serene environment was quickly interrupted when a new neighbor moves in. His loud construction work, and even louder music quickly drew complaints from the neighbors.

Then the deaths come, and EVERYONE seems to be a suspect.

Lots of twists in this one!

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a decent mystery about bad neighbors and the drama that can come from having issues with the people who live near you. Honestly, this was just okay. The people who I thought we were supposed to be rooting for were pretty terrible themselves. There are definitely better mysteries out there, but this was all right and decently written. 2.5 stars.

Was this review helpful?