Literally Dead Book Club discussion
The Other People by CJ Tudor
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check in | chapter 1- 14
I love this authors writing. I was a fan of The Chalk Man. So eagerly looking forward to starting this one. I’m on chapter 16. I sectioned my pages out for the month but it’s so hard to put down! My empathy is going to the father at the moment, His breakdown at Identifying bodies. Then the suspicion he was under and how it’s made him an outcast. No job, friends or family.
I’m hoping I don’t live to regret my empathy 😳 but who knows.
The strangest things with those “sleep attacks” and those collection of pebbles with that young girl has my juices going at present. I NEED to get and understand what that’s about!
And just who is this Samaritan?
And that body in the trunk.
It’s all good 🥰
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Okay. I'm on chapter 45, but I'll backtrack for the board.This story's crazy good. I'm happy for the short chapters as it keeps the story fast and delirious. I can't tell what will happen next because every time I think I got a clue I end up wrong.
Latanya (Crafty Scribbles) wrote: "Okay. I'm on chapter 45, but I'll backtrack for the board.This story's crazy good. I'm happy for the short chapters as it keeps the story fast and delirious. I can't tell what will happen next be..."
Oh I never thought of that (as regards the Samaritan) fab thought!
I’m loving the short snappy chapters too
sue wrote: "I love this authors writing. I was a fan of The Chalk Man. So eagerly looking forward to starting this one. I’m on chapter 16. I sectioned my pages out for the month but it’s so hard to put down! ..."
yes, I was thinking the same thing.
Like seriously who is this good Samaritan guy? What was he doing out there in order to find the car?
I am loving the story so far though.
I started and finished the audio book yesterday. That’s why I don’t participate in book clubs... I don’t follow directions.
I've already finished, but one thing I absolutely love about CJ Tudor is how fast she'll draw you into a story. Honestly, chapter 1 absolutely had me, and I couldn't put the book down. I like that she manages to elegantly throw you into the middle of a story without either leaving you in the dark, or just making the opening chapters feel like a series of introductions - particularly in a book that has three "separate" plot lines.
So far I’m really enjoying the story. The creepiest thing to me so far is the pebbles and the little girl’s fear of mirrors. I’m wondering if the little girl is actually Izzy? It seems like she would be around the right age and it mentions she wants her mom, not Fran. That would be too easy, though, so I have no idea where the story is going.
The first chapter got me hooked. I enjoy this writing style so much. Sucked me in. So many questions.1. Who is this Samaritan?
2. Fran is not Alice mom, so who does Alice belong to?
3. Why is Alice afraid of mirrors? What’s up with the people’s?
4. The bodies that were identified, where they really his wife and daughter?
5. The ominous “the other people”.
6. Katie dad was murdered and she knows what “the other people” mean?
Is this like where people are replaced by mirror people? I watch too many movies (lol).
So many unanswered questions, this book has got me hooked. I might not be able to sleep till I find out what is going on and is 1030pm and I really need to sleep because I have a long day tomorrow.. okay just 2 more chapters then bed..
I haven’t had a first chapter suck me in so fast as this one did! I love short chapters, it makes the book go by much quicker imo. Theories; none yet! I don’t know what to think! So much has happened in these first chapters, but I’m liking the book a lot so far. I am going out on a limb and going to guess Gabe’s wife and daughter are dead like the waitress’ father. Is the cause of death going to be due to some cult that is led by the Sandman? Something more supernatural? And how does Fran and Alice play into it?? Alice I think will be the key to all of it and I am sure the four characters we are following will all meet together at some point and discuss The Other People.
This is my first Tudor book and I feel it could go two ways:1.) This is quite complex and we’ll find out more and more as the book goes on and there is this whole conspiracy happening
Or:
2.) The dad is an unreliable narrator and the bad guy and that’s it.
So far I’m really enjoying it. The characters are set up well, the story is very intriguing and keeps you guessing.
Anyone listening to the audio book? I quite like the main narrator. It’s good.
Read the first 100 pages or so yesterday and I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised. I read The Taking of Annie Thorne by CJ Tudor in January and I wasn’t a huge fan, so when it was announced that we were reading another one of her books I was sceptical. However, I’m loving this one! I’m really invested in each perspective - I love Fran’s perspective in particular. Have no idea where this is going to go and I’m super excited to get some more read today.
Jennifer wrote: "sue wrote: "I love this authors writing. I was a fan of The Chalk Man. So eagerly looking forward to starting this one. I’m on chapter 16. I sectioned my pages out for the month but it’s so hard to..."My thoughts exactly. I’m just not sure where to place this “helpful” guy yet
Jennifer wrote: "I started and finished the audio book yesterday. That’s why I don’t participate in book clubs... I don’t follow directions."You can still add your thought 😁
Hannah wrote: "I've already finished, but one thing I absolutely love about CJ Tudor is how fast she'll draw you into a story. Honestly, chapter 1 absolutely had me, and I couldn't put the book down. I like that ..."Agree! I’ve ironing, meal to cook and washing /drying today. But you bet I’ll be reading it in between. I sectioned my pages out nicely to read bit by bit through the month😁 then go back another book I’m in the middle of......it’s not happing 😂 I’m stuck to the pages!
sue wrote: "Latanya (Crafty Scribbles) wrote: "Okay. I'm on chapter 45, but I'll backtrack for the board.This story's crazy good. I'm happy for the short chapters as it keeps the story fast and delirious. I ..."
I really liked his character, while everyone else made me side-eye them. Whoo boy! With exception to the children, no one's hands were clean, which I enjoyed.
The first chapter gripped me and I knew I struck gold by buying this book. (If the first chapter stinks, I get a tad nervous about finishing.)
I’m really intrigued with Alice in particular. I wonder if the mirror people are in her head or real? I’m hoping they’re real because that would just add a supernatural layer to the book. My initial thought was that Alice is Izzy, but that seems WAAAAY too easy.
Just finished chapter 14... I am enjoying this so much!!! Next block of chapters tomorrow night after work... :D
So. Fran kills mom and kidnaps Izzy/Alice because she can travel through mirrors and she’s trying to keep her from ending up like the girl in the coma. The dead man in the trunk helped her and she killed him to cover her tracks. The Samaritan is a secret government agent/bad guys that wants Izzy/Alice for his own nefarious things. Katie was one of the mirror girls once upon a time and that’s why she knows who the other people are. I bet none of this is right, but man do I love a thriller that tells me absolutely nothing.
So far I’ve been sucked in and I really need to know what is going on because I have no guesses. I love the short chapters cause they make me read more and faster. I kept wondering what happened to his wife because it never really stated if she was missing or dead. Now we know she is officially dead. Gotta figure out who the other people are and who Fran is and why she has the little girl. I don’t think the father is involved. I might have to read the author’s other books.
I've been sucked in so far but also I am really confused and have way too many questions, so not being able to read right now because of work is just messing with me. I love the eery vibe of the book, there's such hopefulness in everyone's story and I just wanna know how they all connect. And why Gabe and his family got sucked into all of this.
Really good so far! I'm hooked. I was surprised too by Fran not being Alice's mom. This one definitely has an eerie vibe that I'm totally loving. My first by the author and I hope it stays on track this way. I found The Chalk Man at a thrift store (perfect condition) so I'm sure I'll be reading that one pretty quickly after this. :)
I don't have any guesses so far but I'm really intrigued! It's a book that you can't put down.
While I typically enjoy thrillers that follow the victim, this one is keeping my attention. I'm really loving Alice. And I love the wondering if Dad is just grief stricken and clinging to any hope or if it's actually happening. So many questions that keep me turning the pages.
I am really liking the short chapters about each character... it’s really keeping me on my toes and I want to know how all these people are linked up... I want to understand what weird crap is happening to Alice ... just a ton of questions. I have some theories but nothing fully flushed out at this time—- I am thinking that the man in the trunk of the car is the waitress’ father maybe I don’t know ... but that seems to easy. Lol I am trying really hard not to connect the dots because I feel like I reck the trill of the big reveals when I do that.
I feel a bit like the odd one out because so far this book hasn't quite gripped me. This is the first book I've read from this author so I'm not used to their writing style but I find the short chapters and multiple perspectives a bit jarring.Overall I'm interested to see where it goes but still haven't quite decided if Iike it yet or not.
So honestly, my thoughts so far are confusing. Not sure if it’s the different perspectives or the fact I’m listening to it on audio book but I get confused easily with everybody. I’m good on Gabe part and same with the Alice part (except the mirror part that lost me) but I haven’t quite figured out where the Katie girl fits in and I always get lost when her part comes up. Now that I am past 16 it’s making a little bit more sense. Still not completely gripped though and I’ll keep trying.
I’m really enjoying this book! It sucked me in right away! I need to know who this Samaritan is and where he came from. What was he doing out in the woods to find the car?? How does Katie know “The Other People”? Perhaps something to do with her father’s murder? And Fran isn’t Alice’s mom? Is Alice maybe Izzy? I’m grateful for the short chapters because I can’t go to bed in the middle of a chapter ever and sometimes I just need to read one more!
I’m a little confused, but I feel like I’m supposed to be, so I love it. I am totally hooked! I can’t wait to see how it all fits together. Is the girl in the bed Izzy? Who is the Samaritan? He was totally opposed to getting the police involved, so I’m a bit suspicious. I’m really enjoying this so far!
Jenn wrote: "I’m a little confused, but I feel like I’m supposed to be, so I love it. I am totally hooked! I can’t wait to see how it all fits together. Is the girl in the bed Izzy? Who is the Samaritan? He was..."Read on. You will find your answers. I won't spoil them for you because the discovery's so good.
okay... now I'm hooked, this is the first time I've read a thriller!first thoughts/theories/questions
1. Fran & Alice are Jenny & Izzy - well that was false :-D
2. Samaritan is key - he is a part of the other people or something major that brings everyone's storylines together
3. who is Fran running from? are they after her or Alice? was Fran part of the other people and saved Alice?
4. Girl in the coma is Izzy
I am LOVING this book so far, so intriguing!
This has been so fun! Lala, thanks for organizing this! This book is addicting. I am so invested, and one thing I really like is that I have absolutely no idea what the outcome will be- being clueless when reading a mystery is so great! Love the possible “speculative” element, and the cliffhangers at the end of every chapter. :)
I am super happy that the chapter are short. I dont know if we been introduce to izzy yet, or if she will show up later in the story. Otherwise i think The girl in the mirror eller "alice" can be Izzy.
I dont know who "the other" is, but Franny may do, and i know kate does, and i want to find out, because i think its like the "big brother" system, where everybody is watching, i think samaritan guy is part of "the other" or know about them.
I was surprise to fin out that Jenny and Izzy is kind of dead, but thats what makes is more mysterial, because are they dead dead?, or they "pretending" to be dead, and if the are not dead, then the other can be part of the police system and so on, because somebody help covering that up. So confusing, but i feel like we just been introduces.
I want to know more about the other, and how Kate know of them.
So, coming into this book, I thought that this was going to be your standard missing child thriller. I was NOT expecting these supernatural/fantastical elements. The whole thing with the pebbles, the beach, the girl in the coma, and the piano note. Totally out of left field. So excited to read more.
I am glad I am reading this one with my eyes as it makes the change in POV easier to follow. I have many theories but I really hope the Dad isn’t an unreliable narrator. I am kind of over that trope. I suspect the girl in the coma is Izzy and there is an ability there with the connection to Alice. Excited for more twists. I like the Chalk Man so I have positive expectations for this one. Now on to the next section of chapters.....
Archit wrote: "I'm loving the creepy vibe of this book. I feel like this is a speculative thriller although I haven't looked up the genre. The plot twists at the end of every chapter are so well done. Some rand..."
I've been thinking about the Izzy/girl in coma connection too. Like whoever these "other people" are, did they kidnap Izzy so that they could use her in some sort of procedure, and somehow she is connected to Alice? It's very interesting.
Tarot & Tomes wrote: "So, coming into this book, I thought that this was going to be your standard missing child thriller. I was NOT expecting these supernatural/fantastical elements. The whole thing with the pebbles, t..."Same here! Though this is my first CJ Tudor read, so I'm not sure if her previous books had supernatural elements in them as well.
I'm listening to the audiobook. I didn't read the synopsis, so I didn't realize this was multiple POV for like 10 chapters (oops). It's super interesting. I kind of don't care about Gabe, but I'm excited to see where the plot is going.
Listening to the audiobook too! Yeah I was a little confused at first, it gets right into the action asap but I'm liking how it is so far, I guess we'll get bits and pieces of what happened over time, etc I agree about Gabe, the character is flat for me, but I'm liking the rest.
I just finished chapter 14 and I’m so hooked. I love the writing style and the short chapters. I’ve not formed my theories yet but it’s fun too read everyone else’s because everyone picks up on different things. I did not expect there to be a fantastical element to the story but I love it. I’m really interested to see how the pebbles showing up and the girl in the coma are going to come into play.
Well I am hooked. I have to go to work but I rather read this book. Who is the Samaritian? I love the storytelling. I haven't read Chalk Man and I am going to read it after I finish this one. I can't wait to see what happens next.
I just finished Chapter 14 and have quite a few questions that everyone, as seen from the comments, have as well. 1. Who the heck is the Samaritian? At first I thought he/she could be some figment of Gabe's imagination but.. now I'm not so sure.
2. I love the story line between Fran and Alice. Alice intrigues me most of all. Who is her mother? What are the visions she is having and the little girl who she sees? Who is this guy chasing them around?
3. Who murdered Katie's dad? How does that tie into the whole story? Will she tell Gabe who 'The Other People' are?!
Also love the short chapters, however, the first couple of chapters it took me longer to dive in but now I'm hooked and want to keep reading - hahah!
So far I'm very confused about what the heck is going on! And I'm loving that! I've been pulled in and want to know the answers to all my questions. How is the little girl in the non-hospital related to the rest? My feeling is that this is Izzy. And is she somehow reaching through the universe to Alice? What's up with the pebbles and narcolepsy? What has Gabe done to deserve his wife being killed and child kidnapped? Who/What the heck is the Samaritan? And who are the Other People? So many questions!!
I’m loving this so far. I like how the chapters are short, and the end of each of them keeps you hanging on and wanting more. I also love how you get each characters point of view, and that each chapter is dedicated to a different character. It’s definitely easier to follow along. I’m really curious as to how they’ll all connect in the end. Also, who is this Good Samaritan? Where did he come from? Will he continue to be part of the story?
I'm trying to make myself enjoy this book and I'm just really not. Once Sandman was mentioned I more rolled my eyes instead of becoming more intrigued which was the point I think. I think Gabe's chapters are boring, and I wish it all followed Fran and Alice so far.
I normally hate starting new books but this one sucked me right in. I really love how short the chapters are and I like that it’s following multiple people. 1. Is Izzy the same as Alice and Fran saved her from the other people?
2. How did the father die? Did he somehow discover the other people?
3. And who is this Samaritan person and why is he going through dirty creeks for Gabe?
I can't decide if we're jumping around a timeline or if it's all linear yet. Really getting sucked into this story! The short chapters are keeping me interested and there's not one storyline yet that I don't want to get back to which is what usually happens when I'm following multiple characters in a book. Semi side note - I always love a character named Alice.
The first chapter sucked me in so quick; the next thing I knew I am way past Chapter 15 in a matter of an hour. I like how each chapter is kept short, and as the story goes along, more mysteries being added, which just keeps me guessing what really is up. Needless to say, I am liking the author’s writing; I am looking forward to reading their other books!* I am now on the 36th chapter, but I just wanted to share my thoughts on the book.
Please no spoilers for upcoming chapters.
Thoughts so far?
What do you think of the writing?
What's happened so far and what are your theories going forward?