check in | chapter 1- 14

[Heidi]

So far enyoying this book. Intrigued on how all the stories will unfold an tie in. Onto chapter 15 now...

[Nupsilon]

So far I agree with the couple people who mentioned Katie's unnamed older sister could be Fran (since she's not Jenny).

Not sure I trust Gabe, since he's repeatedly said he thinks he's being punished for something and that what happened to him was "karma". He's hiding something from us.

I have no idea what's going on with the kids. How many are there? Is the comatose girl Izzy? Is Alice Izzy? Is the girl in the mirror Izzy? And what's with the sand and pebbles?

[Anika]

The book is holding my interest and I am enjoying it at this point.

I'm interested to find about about the pebble thing.

My hopes are that the plot is not easy to predict and/or too simplistic, and not filled with "fluff"/drawn out.

[Anika]

I do see the appeal of the very short chapters, but I am not a huge fan of them in general. However, I do see their purpose of their usage in this book. Still not a huge fan, but I am enjoying the book.

[Samantha]

I have soooo many questions! This book has definitely peaked my interest and keeps me turning the pages.

[Kelly]

I love CJ Tudor's writing, and she just got right to it. I love being 7 pages into a book and the action already starts, definitely grabbed my attention. As soon as the father stressed the need to get home for once and then he thought he saw his daughter, I just knew where everything was headed.
I'm not sure what the waitress, Katie's, importance is yet, but she either knows something, or doesn't realize she's connected somehow. She knows "the Other People"...not sure if this is a secret group/cult? Is this the reason her dad was murdered?
I'm not understanding yet the deal with the mirrors and why Alice passes out whenever she sees one or whenever she sees something in the mirror. I did notice in one of the flashback scenes (not sure what to call those, but there are the sections in italics), the little girl has sand so there's some sort of connection there.
Also, I don't know what it is but I do NOT trust Samaritan, there is something so shady about him. He didn't want Gabe to go to the police??? Why, and how did he find the car?
Is Alice Gabe's daughter? Fran mentions she's not her mom so I'm assuming Alice really isn't dead and Gabe has been right the past few years, but who was the little girl that was killed in his home?
So far, absolutely loving this book and having trouble putting it down!

[Gisela]

Wow! I mean wow! I pretty much started this book blind. I didn't read the synopsis or anything. I started reading it today and omg I am hocked! The story is so intriguing. Also, the writing, it's on thrid person which I feel it's rare in thrillers.
My theory is that Alice is Izzy or Izzy and the girl on live support is somehow related to what happened to Izzy. I am not sure how but I feel like she has some sort of power to travel (her non physical body) and either communicate something to Izzy (Alice). I also think the Father of Jenny is hiding something because he identified the bodies and yet Gab saw his daughter in that car. I also think Fran was involved in the kidnap of Izzy and changed her mind last minute and killed the men that murder Jenny. That's why she's running away, I'm sure there were more than two people involved in the kidnapping and killing of Jenny. The waitress story is the one that I have no guesses. I literally have no clue how she can know what the other people are. Maybe it had something to do with her father but I am not sure.
Overall, I'm loving this book. I can't wait to see how everything comes together.

[Alex]

This is really interesting so far. I like the different perspectives, and I wasn’t expecting the supernatural(?) element to the story so that should be fun.

[Karina]

I’m enjoying the pacing of this book a lot, and the shorter chapters make it a much faster read for me. My thoughts so far are:
• I like that Gabe is an unreliable narrator, because it could go either way with him. Either he is driven mad by grief or on to something.
• Who is the man chasing Alice and Fran & how long has that been going on? Sooo many questions surrounding that.
• Katie clearly knew what “the other people” are and lied to Gabe about it, possibly to protect him? She seems like she actively avoids him for reasons unknown so far.

[Holly]

So far I’m enjoying it. I like how real the characters feel, particularly Katie. I also like how slowly things are being revealed such as Jenny’s passing. The author keeps us wanting to go on. I’m in a bit of a slump at the moment but I have to return it to the library in five days so I’ll have to get moving!

[Holly]

Also so many theories. I think fran is Katie’s sister she hasn’t seen in nine years. I think the girl in the coma is Izzy. I could be totally wrong ahh I have to keep reading

[Maggie]

I am absolutely loving this book so far, its been very hard to put down. I too appreciate how we were thrown into the action right away. Does the action ever stop? I love the paranormal elements that we are seeing so far. It might end up being more sci-fi? I gotta keep reminding myself I have other things I have to do today besides reading this book.

[Zahraa]

I've just read the first 14 chapters and I'm really enjoying it. I loved that the chapters are short but I don't find the writing is exceptionally good. There were a lot of quotes that had me roll my eyes so it's not really doing it for me. But regarding the story itself, I am hooked!

I don't have any theories yet, but I do think that Gabe might be an unreliable character. I think Izzy and Alice are somehow connected (I hope they're not the same person cause that would be too easy!). I think there is a speculative element in the story which I don't usually like in mysteries but hope it will work out in this one. And I think Katie might have the answers!

[Erin]

Ok, so, overall I’m into it so far and I’m keen to keep reading though a few things have pulled me out of it a bit. For example: Fran says she’s looked up narcolepsy (and it didn’t explain anything about the pebbles... like, yeah obviously, that’s a weird thing to mention), but if Fran’s perspective is to be trusted then she absolutely didn’t look up narcolepsy (or the author didn’t) because what Alice is experiencing does not sound at all like narcolepsy. I hope that gets acknowledged at some point because I absolutely hate fiction that uses medical conditions in that way.

Like a lot of people have said, I hope Alice isn’t Izzy. This is my first C.J. Tudor but I have faith she’s not going to do me like that.

So far, my only outlandish theory is that the Samaritan is actually a split personality/figment/something for Gabe (thinking along the lines of Tyler Durden). It’s claimed that he sleeps so little and has been for such a long time that it seems impossible that his narration is reliable.

[Constantine]

OK I just finished chapter 14. This is following many perspectives. I can't say I am enjoying all the stories so far, but Gabe and Alice's stories are good. Not sure about Katie so far.

[Elliot]

Can't get passed that fact that some of this is set 20 minutes down the road from me lol
But I do have some theories - Izzy is connected to Alice and Alice can communicate with the girl in the coma through the mirrors (who might be izzy??) Fran was involved with the kidnappings and I reckon it was her that killed the guy in the back of the car and I think "The Other People" are the ones that Alice sees in mirrors and maybe Izzy had that same connection??????

[Madeline]

Just finished chapter 14. This writing style is so bad. If it weren’t for this book club, I’d probably already DNF it 🤷🏼‍♀️ I have theories about how everyone is connected, but I hope I’m wrong! They just seem too obvious. The only part of the story I want to know about are those pebbles?

[Alesha]

Finally getting to start this! Just read chapters 1-14 in one sitting and so far I'm really liking it! I read The Chalk Man back in 2018 and gave it 4 stars, so I'm interested to see where this plot goes. Also enjoying the multiple POVs, glad it's not too difficult to follow along with the characters.

[Reg]

I finally picked this book up after saying I would all month. I feel I'm a bit confused about what's going on. I was thrown off at first by the multiple perspectives. I see a lot of people saying that maybe Alice is Izzy and that was my first thought as well but I really hope that's not the case cause it's too easy.

I do wonder who the samaritan is. How did they find eachother? I just saw someone said he could be made up and I love that idea. That could be possible since Gabe is constantly searching for Izzy.

Also curious about Katie and how she knows The Other People. I also wanna know what happened to her father. Who was her father? So many thoughts and questions.

[FirefliesAndFables]

I’m challenging myself to read more thrillers this year, so this book club is perfect for me. I was really excited when I picked up this book and it instantly drew me in. The mirror scenes with the pale-haired girl are so eerie. They are almost too scary for me. I’m someone who avoids true horror. The writing is so compelling there’s no way I’ll stop reading this book though.

I know at some point these characters storylines are going to connect in a deeper way, and I keep trying to figure out how that is going to be. Who is the murderer? Who is the man in the car? I have multiple theories, but I haven’t settled on one yet.

The only theory I have that I’m pretty comfortable with so far is that I think Fran has replaced a loved on with Gabe’s daughter because she couldn’t handle their death.

I’m loving this book so far! Great pick!

I am fa

[Jasmin]

I just started the book today and I have to say I really like it so far.
I'm mostly interested in Alice's and the Samaritan's story because both of these characters have kind of a creepy vibe.
I don't think Alice is Izzy, but I had the thought that maybe she was the sleeping girl in the hospital (?) room and Fran was actually Mariam, who maybe decided to save her from whoever was holding her captive.

Anyways, I'm excited to see where the story is going and how everyone's background stories are going to be explained!

[Lala, owner]

okay I finally finished chapter 14. CEO of being the last person to read her own book club book.

I was NOT expecting the paranormal vibes! I don't think it is paranormal, but it's more ominous than expected.

I figured right away that Fran wasn't Alice's mom because I kind of just assumed Alice was Izzy from the jump. can't wait to see if that's true.

My theory at this point is that Fran had a daughter who died (maybe her husband or boyfriend or someone killed her...or I suppose Fran herself) and somehow she swapped children? Like stole Izzy and left the real Alice behind (but probably unrecognizable so she was ID'd as Izzy).

I'm trying to figure out Gabe's storyline. This mysterious past, unless I missed some reveal. Maybe he was having an affair or had another family?

"The Other People" I dunno, must be some secret society or cult, right?

Gonna try finishing this in 24 hours, wish me luck.

[Boring Brielle]

I'm powering through this hopefully today and tomorrow because I waited to try and get my hands on the audiobook.

I think I would have benefitted from physically reading it because it takes me some time to remember who's who and what back story applies to who. I don't think this is the fault of the main Narrator (because his voice is gorgeous) I just think that the characters are only distinct when you're reading the scene they're in, and aren't sticking in my brain for how they differ from one another.

I definitely am enjoying the feeling this book is giving me although I don't get why some people are calling it horror.

If anything I'm expecting that Fran had a full psychotic break after accidentally killing her daughter and family, managed to steal another girl who is now suffering from a shared psychosis and The Other people turn out to be the attendants caring for them.

If this turns into Inception where it was all a dream I'm gonna be mad.

[teresa]

I just finished chapter 14 and the story is really intriguing me so far! It’s been so long since I’ve read a thriller so I’m excited to be reading one again and I’m really interested to see where the story goes and what’s going to get revealed.

[Gay]

Thank heavens for this book. I have read some real duds this year but this book is quickly becoming my favourite of the year so far. I love the writing, the short chapters, the characters and how it hooked me in, right from chapter 1. I can't wait to keep reading and see how these characters stories intertwine

[Ana]

Just finished chapter 14! I'm gonna try to finish this tomorrow, which I don't think will be difficult since I really like the pacing and the writing. This is the first book I've picked up by this author (and the first thriller I read in quite a while) and I'm definitely enjoying it! Didn't expect this to be paranormal, though, and I hope it turns out not to be.
I'm definitely intrigued by most of the characters, specially The Samaritan, even though I have the impression he's not gonna play a big part in the story and not much is gonna be revealed about his character.

[Angel]

Ok ... sooo definitely was not expecting narcolepsy by way of ghosts or spirits .... I also think the paranormal vibes are a charade ... can’t wait to find out what they are hiding.

My theory from the start was that Alice was Izzy .... I also thought for a while that maybe Fran was Jenny and Gabe is actually a sociopath hunting down his escaped family but Jenny’s death has somewhat been confirmed so I might have to let that go....

Second theory is that the abduction of his daughter and death of wife is a vigilante act performed by “the other people” (because that’s what they do???) because he’s the one that killed Katie’s dad.... idk???


Really loving the pacing !!! And that each character leaves me wanting to know more with every chapter... really excited to find out what happens next !!!

[Rina]

Angel wrote: "... I also thought for a while that maybe Fran was Jenny and Gabe is actually a sociopath hunting down his escaped family but Jenny’s death has somewhat been confirmed so I might have to let that go....."

Wow, I had so many theories, but didn't think of this one. Nice one!

I did guess from early on that Alice = Izzy, but everything else is still a mystery to me. Like Lala, I also didn't expect to get paranormal vibe. The first time the pebble made an appearance, my heart did a minor jolt.

The first 14 chapters were so fast to get through. I'm sure the next 14 will be the same.

[Alysia]

So I’m barely getting into the book. The writing style is ok. I’m not likening the set up of the different chapters being deferent perspectives. I kind of just want it to go on for a longer time.

I agree about Gabe’s chapters are boring. The only one that I’m enjoying are Alice’s.

Who’s the girl in the mirror? That’s creepy as heck. I’ve always been scared of Bloody Mary growing up so that hits one of my fears.

Theory 1: dead man in trunk is Katie and Lous father.
Sandman is the Samaritan and part of the Other People.

Theory 2: Lizzy is the girl in the mirror, and Alice’s mother is a part of The Other People. Also the ones tracking them down.

Theory 3: Gabe is an unreliable narrator and he killed daughter, wife and the man in the trunk.

[RennyWest]

After 3 weeks of waiting (yes, seriously) I finaly got my copy of The Other People yesterday (I guess that I'm the last person in this club reading this book). Now after 14 chapters I must say I'm not sure if I enjoy this book - I don't hate it, though, but I was a bit confused about those paranormal hints, but only because I didn't expect them. Still it's intriguing and I want to keep reading so I know what'll happen next.
The biggest mystery do far for me is where in the world are Gabe and Fran getting money to fund their unusual livestyles. Also how can someone just casually get several credit cards with fake names?
Ok, crazy theories incoming: The comatose girl is Izzy. Girl in the mirror is also Izzy. Alice either is Izzy (I'm not sold on that one yet, so it's probably right, because I'm often wrong) or she knew Izzy since both of them were subjects to whatever their kiddnapers where up to. This also could be some paralel worlds - acccessible through mirors - and Alice is paralel world version of Izzy. Or something. I also think that the dead man in a car might be Katie's dad.

[Kate]

So far I am really enjoying the book. The writing style is engaging and I think much like a more serious contemporary book, there are provocative statements here that make you think and question the motivation of the characters. If I weren't so riveted by the story and wanting to see what happens next, I would have taken the time to write down some examples, I am wondering if Alice is Izzy and how Katie will tie into the overall plot as I am particularly intrigued by her storyline.

[Jacky]

I know I’m late to the discussion, but I wanted to read the book right before the live show. Here are some thoughts and questions I have.

At first I thought Alice was Izzy, but I don’t think that’s true. So then I thought maybe Alice has contact with Izzy. She is the girl she sees during her episodes.

I just assumed that Fran was Alice’s mom, but she is not. So who is she??? How does Fran have money to keep moving? She says she has several credit cards under different names, and she says they are easy to get. Ummm, is it really that easy??

Who is the Samaritan? Can we trust him??

Is the man in the trunk the same guy that took Izzy?

I think “the other people” killed Katie’s dad, but why?

I need answers!!! I’m definitely intrigued, and will be reading all night!!

[Louise]

my first book my this author, finally reading this after waiting a month for it be back from on loan, loved the first chapter, got gripped instantly, the panic attacks are very strange , who's the girl in a coma, there clearly linked right , fran and alice are obviously linked to gabes wife and daughter , don't believe his daughter is dead if he saw her in the car , driving same way as him , not quite sure how that happened thou

[Melanie]

I just received my copy from the library yesterday; better late than never! I’m really liking the book so far- all of the story lines are very intriguing and I’m interested to see how they’ll all come together. I love that there’s some seemingly supernatural things happening too! I’m never good at guessing where things are going, but I’m thinking that Gabe’s right and Izzy isn’t actually dead. Or maybe Izzy is the “sleeping girl” that Alice sees in the mirrors?

Can’t wait to read more tonight!

[Simply Arden]

Melanie wrote: "I just received my copy from the library yesterday; better late than never! I’m really liking the book so far- all of the story lines are very intriguing and I’m interested to see how they’ll all c..."

I also got this on loan from the library just a couple days ago too. Didn't think it was going to make it to me in time to read for the live show tomorrow but it did. I'm loving this so far too! Can't wait to finish it today and see how it ends.