Literally Dead Book Club discussion
The Other People by CJ Tudor
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check in | chapter 45 - The End
So, I started and finished this book on release day - I just couldn't put it down. I'm not an avid thriller/mystery reader, so I'm not usually amazing at predicting twists or conclusions. One thing I really liked about this whole book was that I usually felt one step ahead of the plot - we'd be introduced to a new character or plot element, and I'd think "well I bet x is about to happen" and it would - but I was honestly never a single step ahead. I didn't really predict the whole conclusion until right towards the very end.
The whole book I'd been struggling whether there was going to be a supernatural/occult angle, because almost everything could be explained in a "real world" way.
But, can we talk about chapter 60? Um??
This was the only thing that bumped the book down from a 5 star read for me (My true rating is 4.5, but I marked it 5 under GR's system). I'd sort of come to the conclusion that there wouldn't be a supernatural element, but then there kind of was, and I felt like, even though chapter 60 really resolved the plot, it also brought up a lot of new questions for me that weren't answered. What do you guys think?
Hannah wrote: "So, I started and finished this book on release day - I just couldn't put it down. I'm not an avid thriller/mystery reader, so I'm not usually amazing at predicting twists or conclusions. One thi..."
Read the book from Jan ~29 to the 30th! I agree with you, Hannah regarding the whole questions of 'is this supernatural or not?'. My whole critique and feel like the main flaw I had with the whole book was because the supernatural side was only touched on. It was tied up very neatly, and very well written but would have also been a 5* read if the whole element was either addressed or...well, not used at all. I'm wondering if there will be a follow up story to try and explain the Izzy's powers, and the greater story.
It didn't quite mesh well in my honest opinion, and would have been just as good without it.
Kelsey wrote: It didn't quite mesh well in my honest opinion, and would have been just as good without it. I'm really glad I'm not the only one! I actually reread the whole chapter because I thought I'd misinterpreted it, it just didn't quite make sense.
Tbh I wouldn't mind if there was a sequel that expanded on the connection, or delved into the supernatural angle a bit more, but I just feel like the whole book might have been just that bit more satisfying if that part had been omitted.
On the other hadn't, maybe I should go back and reread the whole book, because maybe there were more supernatural things I missed or glossed over? If you took out chapter 60, the whole book could basically stay the same - the only other part was Izzy and the mirror and pebbles.
I totally agree! I was really enjoying this but ended up giving it a 3.5 because I didn’t like how it wrapped up. I loved the “is it supernatural or is it not” aspect throughout but the ending just did not mesh well for me. I also thought all the connections were a litttle too much.
The first few chapters had me hooked from the start, it was so gripping and I couldn't stop turning the pages. I was thrown off by the supernatural element cause it wasn't something that I thought the plot needed. I think the story was interesting enough (with Fran, Gabe, Katie) without adding that but I can understand how the author wanted to add something unique to the story.Is it just me or does the ending feel rushed? To me, the pacing was very inconsistent (fast in the beginning, dragged around 40%, and then fast towards the end).
In the end I gave it 4 stars, because I didn't like how the supernatural element wasn't fully explained. But at the same time I don't want a sequel because everything else feels resolved.
Sandra wrote: "The first few chapters had me hooked from the start, it was so gripping and I couldn't stop turning the pages. I was thrown off by the supernatural element cause it wasn't something that I thought ..."Yes!! Pacing felt very strange to me as well.
I completely agree, the supernatural element was so unexplained and seemed to be glossed over at the end. "Let's tie up all these loose ends and not discuss your telepathic connection with another person, mkay?"
I agree with the pacing as well. One thing I do love about CJ Tudor is that basically every single time you go "hey but what about THAT thing that happened" she'll have everything wrapped up, but basically from when they arrived at the manor to the end, it was just a little frantic. It wasn't a dealbreaker for me, but I felt like she could have made room for more narrative at the very end.
I started and finished the book yesterday as I could go into labour anytime now and wanted to make sur do got it read.I must say, I was slightly disappointed.
Don’t get me wrong, I liked the book. Even the slow pace worked well for me and I found it gripping enough. The characters were built well and I enjoyed the premise, BUT one thing that took this way down for me
Was the absolutely random
And unnecessary supernatural/spiritual element thrown in. It made no sense and took this book from a four star to a three star for me. Everything else was tied together so well and there was explainable reasons for why things happened, then all of a sudden, there’s a magical coma victim and her connection to a little girl and a beach?? Not only the fact that this aspect has been thrown in, to use it as a way to actually solve conflict (kill Miriam) I just couldn’t...
I genuinely enjoyed readin
I genuinely enjoyed reading the book and would still read any CJ Tudor but I can probably predict this will be my lowest rated book of hers.Plus, one other gripe....Did anyone find the “voice” of the child kind of off. This little girl was supposed to be 7/8 now obviously I don’t expect the author to fully talk like a seven year old but the inner monologues of this kid were just as introspective and deep as that of a filly grown adult and it just didn’t feel like I was reading from the perspective of a child, much less a scared child.
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Read this book in three days! So captivating. I enjoyed the quick pace, and no, I was never a step ahead, which I enjoyed. Also, I enjoyed the supernatural sprinkle here and there. It gave the story a certain edge. I think an overexplanation may have ruined its inclusion. I rolled with it.
Chelice, I found Alice's/Izzy's voice jarring too. At first, I thought she was a teen until I went back and realized she was a kid. Way mature for a seven-year-old unless it was connected to the supernatural aspect.
How about that ending with the Samaritan? I loved it.
Also, I normally don't read many epilogues, but I glad I read this one. Great way to end the story.
I just finished it, and I thought the whole way through that other than amping up the atmosphere the supernatural element could have been left out, plus Miriam dying like that felt silly (the police would have asked a million questions). But otherwise it didn't bother me. Something that bothered me more was the fact that Gabe only slept 2 hours a night and lived to tell the tale. And why wouldn't he tell Jenny about Isabella (before the inheritance I mean - and he wouldn't have had to tell her about the inheritance anyway).
I did think of Alice/Izzy as older than 8 too.
Anyway, it was a 4.5 star read for me. I really liked her writing and character building/construction (they felt like real people to me), but also the story felt a bit fresher and kept me guessing for the most part.
Chelice wrote: Plus, one other gripe....Did anyone find the “voice” of the child kind of off."Yes! I kept thinking Alice/Izzy was 13/14.
Glad it wasn’t just me that found that jarring. Who’s character did you find most believable/unbelievable?
I found all the sisters to be a little bit too...coincidental maybe?? Not sure if that’s the right word.
The father however, I found to be very believable in his journey and his mindset. Like, okay some things like only
Sleeping 2 hours could have been a bit different but I really feel like that all encompassing obsession would be exactly what some parents of missing children go through.
Another thing I really liked was that after only a short time in the book, when provided with actual evidence the police believed the main character. I find all too often in these thrillers the police tend to be totally unwilling to listen to the main character and ignore all..tbc
Reason and evidence just as a chance for the author to inject a certain amount of “conflict” or “hurdles” for the main character to face. Which ends up being overly irritating and completely unbelievable.I think the author did really well to have that conflict be there, and have that “suspicion and doubt” on the polices part but had it before the story began so that it didn’t drag on and make the reader so irritated.
It played out really well I think.
Chelice wrote: "Glad it wasn’t just me that found that jarring. Who’s character did you find most believable/unbelievable?
I found all the sisters to be a little bit too...coincidental maybe?? Not sure if that’..."
I found both Gabe and The Samaritan believable in motive. The sisters were okay (though Lou wasn't really a presence for me). I like the reveal regarding Miriam. That wasn't much of a shocker, but it was quasi-surprising.
Latanya- I also liked that reveal, like you I wasn’t overly shocked by it but it certainly made total sense to the story and explained her overall presence in the story. I agree about Lou, she didn’t really make much of an impact on the overall story. Although it could maybe be seen as a way to show the difference in grief affecting people. Especially in the way of murder.
Younger sister- bit of a mess and chases men that show her no respect and loss of self esteem that come with losing someone so important to their development.
Middle sister- grieves but in private and puts her own pain on the back burner to be the “strong” one, not expressing her own grief.
Older sister- can not get past how the death occurred and needs not only someone to blame but feels they can only move on when “justice” or “revenge had been served.
Infact it could probably be said that each character in the book in some way does reflect each stage of the grief ladder.
Apologies for not knowing the names of the characters, I’m awful at remembering them after I’ve finished the book.
Edit- I meant stages of grief, I have no idea why my brain said ladder. Haha
I thought this book was just okay. it's my first C.J. Tudor book tho. I was drawn in and wanted to know what happened and how others were connected but the paranormal aspect just wasn't well done to me. I can't wait for the live show.
4☆I flew through this book in about 4-5 hours and overall enjoyed it. However, didn't feel the need for the supernatural element (chapter 60) where it hadn't been touched on enough throughout the rest of the book.
The concept as a whole was super engaging and would have been a 5☆ for me had it not been for that.
I’ll read the above fully when I’ve finished it 😁 but I have to say😳 I got to the last page of chapter 45 and was.....omg I think I know what his secret is and where he goes👀
Looking through the comments, I seem to one in the minority in that I actually wish there was more of a supernatural twist! I really was hoping for an explanation as to why Izzy woke up with a pebble in her hands and that shell that one time. It's the only aspect of the book that I wish had more of an explanation. All in all though, I thought this book was really good and I love just how connected all these people were. I'm imagining that the author had a bulletin board with strings attaching the different characters together to keep the stories straight.
Kate- I get that. As much as I disliked the random supernatural elements thrown in, I definitely would have enjoyed it more notmonly if the author had removed it completely, but maybe also if, like you said, put more in.I think my main issue came from the fact that it was just popped in randomly and not fully followed up and didn’t seem to have a reason.
You may be right though, it could have been more enjoyable if the supernatural had more of an impact. :)
I agree with Kate. It was weird to have so little of the supernatural element in the plot. I would have preferred more or none at all. Even a small acknowledgement or explanation at the end would have been nice but at this point it feels like a convenient plot driver and not an actual piece of the puzzle. I also agree that the way that Miriam died was ridiculous. I hated knowing that the central reason for all this hurt and blood ended that quickly and easily, there was no further fight and nothing additional about her, as though she never existed.
I totally agree about the supernatural element but I don’t think that’s out of character for CJ Tudor. I haven’t read The Chalk Man but in The Taking of Annie Thorne it was a similar vibe. The supernatural element was there but never explained
(Double post but I had another thought) did anyone else feel like The Other People was a real thing? There were multiple occasions where I went to look it up and had to remind myself I was reading fiction.
I really enjoyed this book, but I’ll mirror the complaints here. I wish there was more or none at all of the supernatural element. I gave this book 4.5.
How did everyone feel about Fran? Would you classify her as an antagonist, or do you believe her actions were on some what justified.
I personally think it’s both, I totally understand the need to revenge. I guess that’s what makes the story so compelling, is that the premise of the other people that appeals to that deep part of us that naught dream about getting revenge, however, the act of taking her daughter with her to do what she was doing as her repayment, regardless of whether she believed or not it was actually going to happen, I found absolutely appalling. That diminished her in my opinion. Going forward though, I believe she ran away with “Alice” as not only a way to protect them both as she knew they were in danger but also as a way to continue being a mother in some capacity and that does lend some sympathy to her.
So what you you think?
I didn’t like Fran and I was happy when her part in the story was over. I’ve never vibed well with characters that are all gritty and on the run and mean and untrusting. It really deters me. I mean, I get WHY she was that way and it made sense, but that doesn’t mean I liked her. As for her actions, I think they were fine. She got herself into a bad situation and tried her best to get out of it. The plan wasn’t fool proof and didn’t happen the way she was hoping, but at least she was able to save one person from her mistake. I look at Izzy with Fran as Izzy in a witness protection type of thing, not a kidnapping. She WAS trying to keep her safe, even if Gabe wasn’t aware of that.
Kate- I get that, sometimes there’s some tropes that they give to a character that you just can’t stand and it makes them impossible to like. I feel that way about really enigmatic characters, like, always answering a questions with a question and being intentionally obtuse and never giving a straight answer. Feels like their always taking in riddles. That’s one that will make me automatically have trouble liking the character.I admit I do like the nitty gritty on the run trope though. That’s one I actively seek out. Cool to see how like/dislike of certain tropes and character arcs can have such an effect on our overall like of the character themselves ☺️
I can really just agree with everything that's been posted so far! I think the issue I had with the supernatural aspect is that the entire murder & "kidnapping" part is explained entirely without anything supernatural involved at all, so that the mirror & pebbles thing being left out wouldn't actually change anything about the story at all. But really, that just made it a 4.5 instead of a 5 for me, and with how well the book is crafted, I don't even mind all that much.With Fran, I was constantly torn on how I felt about her. She kept Izzy safe, and as it's pointed out toward the end of the book, if it hadn't been her, it would have been someone else at the house and Izzy would have died. I also loved that we got to see the drive when Gabe saw Izzy from Fran's perpective, how she was convinced it was The Other People following her. It makes so much sense to immediately think of the worst in a situation such as this. At the same time, though, it is kind of weird that for three years, she never considers going to the police.
My favourite, though? The Samaritan. I love how, from the beginning on, you just get this feeling that something isn't quite right about him. He helps Gabe and yet it feels like it's more than that. For the longest time, I was kind of afraid he might be the one behind The Other People, and I'm so glad he isn't. The arc he got was much more interesting and made so much sense.
And also? "It should have been driving away from your house. It was heading in the wrong direction. You never ask yourself why?"
That line killed me. Because it should have been the most obvious question from the first chapter on. Because it's true. The car WAS going in the wrong direction. And I didn't notice. Tudor somehow managed to base so much of the story on Gabe seeing his daughter that technically, the reader should notice something's off there, but I just... didn't. It didn't occur to me for a second that this is weird. Am I the only one or were y'all just as blind to it as Gabe? Because honestly, that line fucked with my brain real hard.
Theodore- SUCH a good point, honestly when he said that to Gabe I almost facepalmed myself! I’m usually really good at picking up on stuff like that and couldn’t believe I had missed it once it was said! Really good work on the authors part to throw so many scenarios at you to mill over and try and work out, that you are blind to something that should be so obvious.
I think it was definitely done on purpose, so that we as readers can truly feel the “oh my god how did I not think of that” moment that Gabe would have felt. Sign of a brilliant author that really makes you feel the characters emotions as well as empathise with them!
So, I just finished the book and I'm not sure how I feel.
Chelice - I was not a fan of Fran but I don't think the reader was meant to be. While I can sometimes appreciate a smart vigilante story line where a character seeks revenge to right a wrong, I felt that the other people almost took advantage of someone who didn't have the smarts or critical thought process to make a good decision when they lured Fran into having her father's killer murdered. Her decision was the reason that she had to save Izzy to begin with - she put the whole thing in motion. The fact that she lost her own daughter and in the end, is helping to bring down the other people helped redeem her - very slightly - in my eyes.Theodore - can only repeat what Celice said about you making such a good point about the direction the vehicle was travelling in. I completely missed it!
I finished it just the other day and I loved it, only wished there was more of the the paranormal touch to it , but what there was of it made the story enjoyable.
That was a fun ride. I enjoy how it sort of wrapped up and how each person was connected. Chapter 60. Didn’t understand the supernatural connected spirited thing. Wasn’t needed but at same time was because then Gabe would have been killed by Miriam with the gun. If you really wanted to dig deep, Izzy met Isabelle as a baby and they say kids are more open to spirits and Isabelle was a spirit that lingered and could have attached herself to Izzy. It could have made Izzy more adult like, like possession and then when Izzy showed back up to the house the spirit protected Gabe. It’s a stretch but a lot of movies and other books have done it.
To me Fran was in a touch spot, she did it out of anger and then realize that show owed a debt to them now, and she didn’t want to kill a mom and her child.
Overall a good read. Just wanted to know more about How the other people worked.
Simms wrote: "Just wanted to know more about How the other people worked."100% agree! I wish this was more focused on because I was so interested in that aspect.
am I the only person that LIKED the supernatural stuff???
Crystal (VanillaHearts62) wrote: "am I the only person that LIKED the supernatural stuff???"Nope. I liked the sprinkling throughout the novel.
As for Fran, I didn't want to see her at the end after all the trouble she caused Gabe and Katie. But, I guess it was a great wrap-up to avoid any wonder about what happened to her.
I just finished the book and I'm not quite sure what to think of it. The supernatural elements in thrillers is a huge deal-breaker for me, so that certainly did not help my enjoyment or overall rating. I really liked Fran, she was actually my favorite character and I was so sad when she got killed off (or shall I say "killed off") so early on. As others have already pointed out, I wish the other people community had been explored more, I kept waiting for one of the main protagonists to either infiltrate it or join to see exactly how it worked. I too thought Izzy's voice was too mature for a 7 year old. The thing that's bugging me the most is that we never really got much closure on Steve's storyline. Obviously, he's one of the other people, but I wish there was more to his story than just the fact that he was trying to find and kill Izzy.
Overall I think I enjoyed the story. Like most of the people here, I also wish there had either been more or less of the supernatural element and I'm still left feelilng not quite sure how or why it fit into the story; it seems it was only put there to tie both Isabelles together?My biggest problem with this book was how 'convenient' everything felt. Everything that progressed the plot forward were only a series of big coincidences; being in the right place at the right time, visiting the right cafe, knowing the right people. It was all just a bit too convenient and I thought it took away from the real fear and drama of the story.
Jennifer wrote: "Overall I think I enjoyed the story. Like most of the people here, I also wish there had either been more or less of the supernatural element and I'm still left feelilng not quite sure how or why i..."The convenient coincidences seemed a bit meh to me, too. But I'm one of those readers that can gloss over certain things and not let it ruin the whole book for me. So with that being said, I still gave it 4 stars.
I genuinely enjoyed reading this book, but I do agree with many people and felt like the supernatural element either needed to be advanced or just removed. Another thing I didn't like was the whole multi-million dollar house thing and it did the thing I hate in villains when they're pretty much been non-existent for most of the book and then they randomly come in and are like "Ha. You caught me." And I, as the reader, had no chance to even guess it was them because it's literally the first time I've met them. (I'm talking about when he finds out who attempted to kill his wife & child, for clarity.) Maybe I'm dumb and just missed the hints, but either way I really dislike it when that happens.
Crystal (VanillaHearts62) wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Overall I think I enjoyed the story. Like most of the people here, I also wish there had either been more or less of the supernatural element and I'm still left feelilng not quite ..."Hard, agree.
Crystal (VanillaHearts62) wrote: "am I the only person that LIKED the supernatural stuff???"I liked it through the book, but I just wanted more to come of it and I felt let down by it. To the point that I wish it would have either been expanded upon or left out.
Shauna wrote: "I liked it through the book, but I just wanted more to come of it and I felt let down by it. To the point that I wish it would have either been expanded upon or left out."I would have liked to see it expanded upon itself more, too. That was one of the reasons why it wasn't a 5 star read. Still, reading a book doesn't have to rely on the ending. The ride can be just as important. I wanted my ride to keep on going......
With that being said, do we need every little thing spoonfed to us? Sometimes not explaining everything makes the book more intriguing.
I really enjoyed this one! I did end up giving it five stars because it has everything I love in a book. That being said, I would have liked more explanation on the supernatural component...I think. The unanswered questions are haunting me a bit, but maybe that's why I like it so much. I also agree with the others who question the convenience of Miriam's death and the way it seemed glossed over. I wonder if her body was thrown down the cliff? Again, maybe the unanswered questions are what made this story stick with me. Overall, I'm so grateful for this group because I don't think I would have found this book without it, and I really loved it. Thank you!!
FULL SPOILERS AHEAD