A powerful and tense read showing just how deep certain beliefs run and just how dangerous they be to our society. The two neighboring families at the center of this book are the perfect example of how quickly the damage can be done when racism is involved.

Wow! I tore through this page-turner in one (very late-night) sitting. - and am paying for it the next day. Excellent structure, convincing (if sometimes over-the-top) characters and, unlike most thrillers I have read, good quality and grammatically correct writing.

I highly recommend this book, although I would say that "Next of Kin" by the same author is even better. Whilst I wavered between 4 and 5 stars for this one, ultimately I felt it fell just short of the full 5 due to the farfetchedness of some of the characters, and the ending which felt rushed (the pacing throughout the rest of the book was perfect).

I received an arc kindly provided by HQ via NetGalley. The above is my own, unbiased view.

Followers of my blog and reviews will know that I absolutely LOVE Kia Abdullah’s books and have recommended them everywhere, so when I received an ARC copy of her latest book THOSE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR which is being published mid-January 2023 I was delighted and excited.

This latest standalone thriller is another clever, thought-provoking and topical story which is guaranteed to keep the readers gripped and shocked throughout.

Can you imagine moving your family to a new neighbourhood, desperate for a new start, hoping this new home gives you, your husband and teenage son the opportunity to escape a difficult past, open up new possibilities and finally feel secure and peaceful in the knowledge your dreams and aspirations can finally start to come true?

Salma Khatun and her husband Bil and teenage son Zain have moved into a “nice” suburban development and are looking forward to a new chapter in their lives. When they are invited to a neighbourhood bbq they are desperate to “fit-in”, but when they return home they find their “BLM banner” has been removed from their front garden. Is this a racist attack or just a misunderstanding?

What follows is simple horrific – it appears that their next-door neighbours Tom and Willa are responsible for this act and when confronted things turn from bad to bloody awful.

This book takes toxic neighbours to a new level and Those People Next Door kept me absolutely captivated. You could cut the tension with a knife (obviously a paper knife) and the underlying feeling of simmering violence left me constantly feeling stressed.

Another brilliant book and one I would highly recommend.

This book had me hooked from the beginning. It almost feels like two books as without there being any spoilers, its split into "the before" and "the aftermath"
I couldn't have predicted the ending, and I was surprised right till the end.

It was an interesting topic but I felt at times it almost felt like an essay, like there were bits put in as an opposing view, or devils advocate but were shoehorned in clumsily in order to be impartial.

I enjoyed it overall.

If I am not granted approval for any further books on NetGalley this year I won't mind after receiving Kia Abdullah's latest novel. She is in my top 3 favourite authors, One of those I don't even need to read the description as I just love her writing. Always topical with the subject material, there is always a sting in the tail which the reader is unlikely to see coming. This book doesn't let us down.
Young family Salma, Bil and Zane are new arrivals in Blenheim, a nice area which is away from the dangers of the previous estate they lived on. The initial welcome from the neighbours is positive with an invitation to a barbecue at the neighbour's house but it's not long before the cracks start to show when the BLM banner which Zane puts up in the garden is knocked down, then an act of vandalism on their property makes it obvious that someone isn't quite as nice as they first appeared.
The second part of the book covers the court case which investigates events leading up to the tragedy which befalls one of the residents. Whose actions were the trigger? Who is responsible and were they justified in reacting to provocation or have they misinterpreted the other person's intentions? This is a book which really gets you thinking about the two opposing stand points and what constitutes racism in a civilised society. Something which might initially seem innocent can turn toxic when you switch places with the person on the receiving end. There's plenty to mull over without the book ever being preachy, just thought provoking - but to make the correct assessment of a situation, we need to be in possession of ALL of the facts...

A story that perfectly encapsulates a tense suburban neighbourhood that's conformity and picture-perfect housing hide a maelstrom of deceit, discrimination and drama bubbling behind the seemingly perfect facades. Through its compelling characters, it illustrates how easily neighbours can become enemies with devastating consequences. At its core, it explores racism in Britain through the experiences of Salam, Bilal and Zane and their neighbours Tom, Willa and Jamie. The first part of the story leads to an emotionally charged and disturbing event, and the resultant court case in the second part of the story is convincingly written. Still, readers familiar with this author await the unexpected twist, which it delivers in the final part of the story in a way that resonates.

'Those People Next Door' is an emotional, insightful, and intelligent read.

I am a big fan of this author, particularly her books featuring Zara Kaleel, and although I really didn't get on with her last book, I am so pleased to say that she has really excelled herself with this, her latest offering.
We start with a new family - Salma, Bilal, and son Zain - moving into a well established neighbourhood. They start off well when they attend a neighbour's barbeque but things start to degenerate when another neighbour knocks down an anti-racist banner Zain had displayed. Not to be deterred, Salma moves the banner indoors, to a window. Next morning "someone" has painted over the outside of the window.
And so begins a pattern of behaviour that escalates very quickly and spirals way out of control, upping the stakes as things hot up. I could wax lyrical about all the stuff that happens but you really need to discover it all as the author intends for maximum impact. But I will say that it is scary how it all evolves and, with the benefit of hindsight, how easily it could all have been avoided, or at least, tamed.
As well as the "neighbours at war" thread, we also have the thing that this author really excels at - the courtroom drama. Again I can't talk about that in detail as the whys and wherefores would spoil things for you.
It's uncomfortable to read in parts but that's probably because the author has really hit the nail on the head with regard to the themes that run throughout the book. It's also very believable. You only have to open the tabloids to see neighbours at war over relatively trivial things that have spiraled.
It also kept me guessing all the way through as to where on earth we were going, where would we eventually end up? I had many thoughts along the way but I really wasn't expecting that!
Characters were excellent, as always, easy to connect to and sympathise/empathise with. I felt for them along the way, in different ways, but there was a strong emotional connection with most.
The story also got on with itself very well. With no superfluous waffle or padding. Ramping up as it reached its conclusion, and leaving me wholly satisfied.
All in all, a cracking book from an author who has now fully redeemed herself after a minor blip. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

When Salma and her family move to a new neighbourhood, the residents seem to be welcoming, but cracks start to appear soon after they move in when their new neighbour takes down a BLM banner from in their garden. Seemingly just as it was 'against the rules', but after a confrontation the racist connotations are very apparent and it then quickly escalates to levels nobody would have expected.

This was a fast-paced, compelling and frighteningly realistic read. You can definitely see something similar playing out in neighbourhoods across the country.
Highly recommended!

Salma Khatun is extremely hopeful about Blenheim, the safe suburban development to which she, her husband and their son have just moved. Their family is in desperate need of a fresh start, and Blenheim feels like the right place to make that happen. Not long after they move in, Salma spots her neighbour, Tom Hutton, ripping out the anti-racist banner she out in her front garden. She chooses not to confront Tom because she wants to fit in. It's a small thing really. No need to make a fuss. So, Salma takes the banner inside and puts it in her window instead. But the next morning she wakes to find the window smeared with paint.

What made this book a five-star review was the courtroom scenes. We get both sides of the story. The characters have been well fleshed out. Relationships are strained. This story shows how a minor disagreement between neighbours can quickly turn ugly and change lives. I thoroughly enjoyed this compelling, well written and though provoking read. The second half of the book was the better half. There are some surprises along the way. The story is told from several points of view.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQ and the author #KiaAbdullah for my ARC of #ThosePeopleNextDoor in exchange for an honest review.

After reading Next of Kin, the jury was still out for me with regards to Kia Abdullah’s books, as I enjoyed the story but didn’t like her writing style. As courtroom thrillers are one of my preferred genres, I was looking forward to reading Those People Next Door,
but it turned out to be more of a domestic drama, with elements of a legal thriller. The premise was interesting (whilst not a particularly original one as there are currently so many books with a similar theme of warring neighbours ), and the issues raised, unfortunately are all very current and familiar. I still didn’t like the contrived writing style and the implausible ending. Overall, the book was readable but not a memorable one.

I feel so lucky that I got to read an ARC if this incredible book.

What a twisty, grippy read from the get go.

I flew through this one and was not left at all disappointed. Some thriller reads can be quite predictable bit this one was well abke to stand on its own two legs and hold its own in a tough genre.

The plot was fast paced and characters were so well developed - you really felt connected to them.

I was on the edge of my seat at timrs reading this one! If you lime twisty, wow factor reads then look no firther and addthos one to your must read list asap! You will not be dosappointed.

Looking forward to the authors next one already.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the author for the chance to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'm totally breathless after reading this in one sitting.
Salma husband Bilal and son Zain move to Blenheim to start over after their son is expelled from college.
They are invited to a neighbours bbq and meet their next-door neighbours, Tom, Willa, and their son Jamie.
Battlelines are soon drawn after a banner is knocked down in Salma's garden.
The escalation is quick and terrifying as both sides suffer.
Kia is an excellent writer, and I can't praise her enough.
I knew who's side I was on, but it's never that simple. There are always surprises in Kia's books, and this one was no exception.
Absolutely recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC in return for an honest review.

An absolutely outstanding courtroom drama. With so many twists and shocks. It's a frightening realistic story. Amazing and clever and very well written xx

I thoroughly enjoyed Kia Abdullah’s last novel, a courtroom drama, so I was superbly happy to be granted an ARC of her latest work to review. As in her previous work, ‘Those People next Door’ introduces us to a seemingly ordinary neighbourhood where racism, prejudice and subconscious bias all fester under the pristine covers. The family at the heart of this novel is made up by Salma who works as a geography teacher, her husband Bilal who owns a restaurant, and their young son Zain. Having recently moved into the suburbs, it initially looks as if their immediate neighbours Tom, Willa and son Jamie will make them welcome, but neighbourly relations disintegrate fast once Tom Salma’s support for the BLM campaign becomes known, and a shocking incident leads the characters along with us as readers straight into the courtroom … an absolutely riveting, eye-opening read that deserves full marks. Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for the free ARC I received in exchange for this honest and unbiased review. I cannot wait to read what Kia Abdullah will write next!

Another wonderful, thoughtful, exciting and topical psychological thriller by a writer who has firmly established herself as being in the top drawer.

Brilliant characterisation and a plot that grabs your attention topped off with mesmerising court scenes.

You will never look at your neighbours in the same way after reading this exceptional book.

Highly recommended. .

Wow
the entire time i was reading it (i flew through it in roughly 4 hours) my heart was pounding and i had so many theories and questions. if you love insanely well written and fast paced books with crazy plot twists and well developed, shady, and secretive characters - PLEASE READ THIS !!!!! Especially loved the court room scenes!!! Fantastic!!!!

Those People Next Door by Kia Abdullah is a totally gripping contemporary crime drama that consumed me from the start.
Kia Abdullah is a marvelous author whose novels are always top notch. She writes gritty fiction that is always heart breaking.
In Those People Next Door we witness, with horror, the lengths that some people will go to in order to destroy others. Instead of offering olive branches, it is bitter barbs. These barbs sink in, destroying characters from the inside out as we see the damage that hurt and bitterness can do. Characters lose their morality incredibly quickly.
Once more Kia Abdullah introduces the reader to an urban neighbourhood. It is supposed to be a safe haven but proves more deadly than the estates the family left behind.
The reader sees the tensions that simmer and boil over, as tolerance is a thing of the past. There appears to be a role reversal as we witness teens acting more grown up than the adults, as they unite over common ground.
Racial tensions are high as characters try to score points off each other. Criminal activity abounds, but who is behind it all?
Kia Abdullah instils fear into the reader as we read with baited breath, a scene between the police and a young BAME teen. The reader is aware of what could potentially happen.
There are some superb courtroom scenes. We read, hoping that justice will prevail.
As the novel rose to its climax, I gasped out loud, almost unable to believe my eyes and ears.
Kia Abdullah writes top notch fiction that is unequalled in her field. She holds the reader’s attention and she breaks our hearts as we realise – no one has learnt from the lessons of the past. History is doomed to repeat itself.
Those People Next Door was an excellent read.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Salma and Bilal, along with their son, Zain, move to a new house to make a better life for the whole family. It comes with the added bonus of removing Zain from the estate he grew up on, and from under the influence of undesirable friends. Zain has had a few problems, not least being asked to leave his college course under alarming circumstances. Salma has high hopes that the new house will bring the family nothing but security and peace. Sadly Tom and Willa, their new neighbours have other ideas!

This is the first book I have read by this author, and after reading reviews of her other books was really expecting great things. The start of the book is good, getting to know the family and their neighbours, with all the events that brings. However, getting towards halfway through the book the plot really dragged, with a fair bit of repetition, and nothing happening. Then when the court scenes appeared it was very tense and so well written, I was definitely absorbed. The result could easily have gone either way, so exciting. The twist at the end was very good and totally unexpected.

The storyline was thought provoking, and at times made it a difficult read. The attitude towards the Khatun family were dreadful and unacceptable, but the media postings of Salma referring to “WW” were also unpleasant. The last paragraph of the book was sad, Salma was better than that.

I did like this book, though at times the subject matter made it far from enjoyable, but it was not the wow I had expected.

Thank you NetGalley.

Oh Blimey.
I'm finding myself in awe of the way this lady writes.
I'd read all her previous novels so was really looking forward to this one. It has turned out to be not only up there with the rest but possibly her best yet.
From the very off, you will find yourself wondering two things:
How on earth did this get so out of hand? and Which character(s) is the bad guy here?
Like watching two incredibly clever lawyers pitched against each other in a court case, I found myself switching backwards and forwards with alarming regularity and still wasn't sure until the last few pages.
Absolutely superb novel and I will be talking about this and recommending it for months to come.
I really hope the next one is on the horizon.
Many, many thanks to Kia Abdullah for an incredibly entertaining weekend.

Fantastic writing once again!

This was not necessarily my favourite book by this author. It was a solid three stars until the courtroom scenes. Those were really great and that's where the pacing started to pick up and the story was enjoyable to read.

I really enjoyed how the flaws of both sides were highlighted yet how each side felt they deserved vindication.