The Other People by C. B. Everett

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?

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This book is a masterclass in atmosphere - creepy, chilling, and perfectly balanced between mystery and psychological thriller. It keeps you guessing, and just when you think you have a handle on what’s happening… think again. The twist changes everything, and while some might claim they saw it coming, I have my doubts!

As is often the case with stories like this, there are a lot of characters to keep track of, but it’s always clear who the most important ones are. One of my favorite elements was the narrator breaking the fourth wall - an intriguing choice that makes perfect sense once all is revealed.

If you love closed-circle mysteries with a dark and surreal edge, this one is for you. I thought I'd be recommending an Agatha Christie novel as a match, but the tone and structure remind me more of The Way Up is Death, with just a touch of the supernatural woven in. A gripping read, and I’d love to see what this author does next!

Book Recommendation: The Way Up is Death by Dan Hanks. A chilling mystery where a group of strangers must navigate an eerie, shifting reality to uncover the truth before it’s too late. Perfect for those who love unsettling twists.

Movie Recommendation: Identity (2003). A tense, psychological thriller where ten strangers trapped in a motel are picked off one by one—until the truth changes everything.

The Other People publishes on the 25th of March. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.