The crime is juxtaposed with the pastoral setting that Sedira describes in such a lovely and powerful way in the opening section of the novel. But then the peaceful and beautiful setting gives way to dark things, much like what happens in the town - the friendship (or what seems like friendship) that gives way to darker impulses that are tied into issues such as class jealousy, racism, and anti-immigration. It’s a brilliant book that does what brilliant books should do -makes you think and examine society and yourself.

The first few chapters nearly put me off but I am so glad I went back to it after a break. This short audio shows you how far you can go with bent up anger and frustration. It is completely shocking.

Apparently it is based on a true story - wow.

I was given a free copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

Disturbing account of why a man murdered a family, compelling reading from start to finish. The actual murders, the lead up to the act, the aftermath and how the family of the murderer copes with the act are al described quite concisely as this is a short book, thankfully not long drawn out straight to the point. The plot is similar to a real life mass murder and the why did he do it is still going around in my head. Thank you #NetGalley for the audiobook to review.

Interesting novel! It makes you think about the implications and the edge where envy can push you to! Really liked that the narrator was the murderer's wife and that it was narrated in second person.

I appreciated how short this was as it was an easy day's listen, but it wasn't for me. I didn't really get the point. There was little tension as we know what's happened and the book isn't long or detailed enough to make us care for the intricacies.

People Like Them is a book which seems to have slipped under most people’s radar. It deserves a wide readership as it’s incredibly well written and an incisive condemnation of racism and class divide. The translation feels sympathetic in that the narrative flows well and feels as if it’s written in English. So for that, the translator is to be thanked for an excellent job.

The opening section is visceral and graphic in describing the crime. Samira Semiramis grabs your attention and draws the reader in to a the building up to the terrible event. It’s a very clever construction and the sleepy little French village is in stark contrast to the brutal horror of the opening pages. I believe the story is based on real events, which makes the narrative even more remarkable.. it invites the reader to wonder how and why things may go so horribly wrong. What will cause a seemingly ordinary person to implode and act beyond the bounds. A remarkable story about ordinary people and it’s still haunting my thoughts. I urge you to read this and my thanks for a review copy via Netgalley. I had an audio version and the narration was spot on throughout.

I think it is especially clever when an author maintains tension in a story despite the fact that the crime you’re reading about has already been described in the first chapter or so. This is exactly what Samira Sedira does and I loved it.
The characters were so interesting and believable and the sad dark story was told to perfection.

Disturbing and addictive - I didn't want it to end'


I am a huge fan of audiobooks, as someone with a full time job it can be hard to find the time to sit down and read a full book. Today I finished 'People Like Them' by Samira Sedira.


I have to admit, I was at first concerned whether I would be able to complete the book, not because of the writing, but because I wasn't entirely sold on the narrator, however, i persevered through the next couple chapters - and i am so glad I did!


Inspired by a true story, the novel invites you into the mind of Anna Guillot during the darkest period of her life. It is beautifully written, disturbing and addictive - I didn't want it to end! 'People Like Them' questions the intricacy of the human mind, and whether people truly are who you believe them to be.