Ever moved to a new house? That first couple of days in a new home, in a new neighbourhood, just trying to settle in. Ready for a new start, in safer suburban area, at the start of a new chapter in your life?
Moving to a new house is rated as one of the most stressful and traumatic experiences us as humans can life through. So, imagine the added tension of realising that your new neighbours are not too keen on having you around?
This is what happens to Salma, Bil and Zian Khatun within a few days of moving in. Salma sees their next-door neighbour; Tom Hutton takes down an anti-racism banner the Khatuns placed in their garden. Being new in the area, and not wanting to make a fuss, Salma places the banner in their window instead. Only to wake up the next morning, finding that the window has been painted white, thus blanking out the banner and the message.
And this is where things start to unravel at a rapid pace.
“Those People Next Door” is exhilarating, relevant and intense. It is a tense rollercoaster ride of misconceptions, escalated violence, racism, and spiraling prejudice. The role of social media was also integral to the plot. What happens when there’s a total breakdown of communications? Where is the point of no return?
I found “Those People Next Door” to be thought-provoking and had me pondering the toxicity of bigotry. Also, who are the real victims and when is it time to just say “enough is enough”, no matter what the potentially devasting effects can be?
I read a lot of crime thrillers/fiction (I see it as my ‘comfort reads’), and I always try to guess and figure what “what’s the twist”. With this book, I didn’t see it coming.
I appreciated the author’s sensitive, but honest handling of the issues of bias that plays out in the book. Also, making the effort in giving us, the readers, an alternate insight into the protagonists’ drive and perspective.
This part psychological thriller, part courtroom drama is hard-hitting and provocative.
What I liked:
- Enthralling
- Balanced messaging
- Thought-provoking
- Suspense
- Well-written
With thanks to Exclusive Books for the opportunity to read this book. “Those People Next Door” features on this month’s “Exclusive Books Recommends” list! Reading takes you places at Exclusive Books for March 2023 #BookNews
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