This is quite different from books I reafy, I enjoyed reading it tho, it's a good insight into the mind of what someone struggling with schizophrenia and drug abuse might be going through. I love that Suzie had a good support system ( her mom and her boyfriend). The book is well written, slow paced but yeah captivating

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Suzie, Suzie‘s world, Suzie‘s friends and family, these were all ripped apart because our mental health system is fractured. This story showed how not following the proper treatment can cause someone to go down the dark hole of self medicating getting to the point of addiction, homelessness, and extreme danger.
This was the part of the book I enjoyed. When the setting changed from Suzie‘s Hometown to Las Vegas, the writing seemed to change. It was difficult to pick the point of view that the story was written in. Sometimes I had to go back to see who was speaking in the story. I also would’ve liked to hear a little more about her roommate, and the twist about her mom could have been left out. It didn’t have enough meat to be a part of the story, in the end.
Thank you to #netgalley and #rylandpublishing for an advanced copy to read and review.

The Mole People provides a first hand experience of what someone struggling with schizophrenia and drug abuse may be experiencing. I found myself rooting for Suzie throughout the book and really hoped she would overcome her struggles. This book also highlights the desperation and helplessness friends and family may feel when trying to help someone in a situation such as Suzie’s. As a girl from small town Iowa I did not realize that living in storm tunnels like this was something certain people do. The author did a great job describing the setting where the mole people lived and I really felt I could picture the dark, dirty and damp environment. Would definitely be interested in checking out some other work by this author. Thank you to Kevin Landt and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

This is the first book I’ve read in a very long time that I could not put down! I was drawn in from the very first page, and led through a heartbreaking and devastating journey of mental illness and drug addiction. It really opened my eyes to a life once lived before the despair-filled darkness of addiction created a whole new life, where all that really matters is the next hit. So many different beginnings, all leading down to the same hopeless trap, leaving a trail of loved ones to panic and fear for someone once filled with promise. This book gave me a greater appreciation for the struggles other people have and the demons they fight every day. Thank you #netgalley, #kevinlandt and #rylandpublishing for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review! This book was very well-written and very thought-provoking!

3.25 stars

The Mole People is a story of hardships, addiction, and mental illness. A few triggers including suicidal ideation.

Kevin Landt brings to light many life struggles that are all too real for many people daily. As a healthcare professional I felt this story was such a realistic situation for so many out there that struggle with mental illness. The sad reality of drug addiction and homelessness that often times accompany such a situation. I love how the protagonist, Suzie, has many people who love and support her and want her to succeed. Being given snippets into her inner thoughts helps the reader to understand how one in her situation may end up running away from all the help that is being given to her.
It did read sort of YA - no major character building, not a lot of descriptive settings. I did not necessarily bond with the main character in a way that gripped me into her story. The "twist" was not very shocking and I felt the storyline did just fine without it. For this I give it 3.25 stars but overall did enjoy the book. It read quick and was entertaining.

Thank you so much to Kevin Landt for reaching out and allowing me to receive an ARC to read and give my honest opinion.

The Mole People is a very deeply emotional and intense book about a girl with schizophrenia. The story dives into her life struggles with mental illness and where it leads her into darkness.
This book is very well written and touches on the difficult topics of love, grief, addiction & mental illness. Dealing with mental illness can be scary and this story definitely brought about some bad situations that Suzie had to deal with and try to overcome.
The author did a great job with this book and I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to Kevin Landt and NetGalley for an ecopy of this book.

The Mole People by Kevin Landt was an interesting read about mental health, addiction, and the dark side of Sin City, This book hit home for me because I have family who suffers from the same condition and I know too well how hard it is to help a loved one whose mind is playing tricks on them.

Suzie Franks not only is facing all the anxiety that comes with college, but she is also battling her own mind with schizophrenia. When her boyfriend and Mom try to get her help, she is convinced that they are trying to hurt her. She runs off on her own to get out from under their control only to find herself under the control of those who really wish her harm. How will she ever know who trust when she can't trust her own mind? Eventually she finds herself a new family, the Mole People who live underneath Sin city, they see her vulnerability and take her in to protect her from life on the streets. But even there things aren't what they seem and she is alone fighting what's real and imagined.

The book had an interesting premise and I enjoyed the glimpses we see inside her mind, I only wish the book had been a little longer and focused more on what was going on inside of Suzie's mind.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kevin Landt who sent me this book to read for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Kevin Landt, for the ARC.

The Mole People is a beautifully told novel about Suzie, a young schizophrenic trying to find her way in a life ravaged by mental illness. There are several triggering concepts in this book and it can be difficult to read however I felt like the author was respectful writing about them.

As someone who struggles with mental illness, albeit not schizophrenia, I thought this was a well written book. It did a good job of showing the daily struggles of the illness and explaining why some people refuse medication.

This was a beautiful redemption story, and I liked the ending a lot.

(Trigger warnings for self harm, disordered eating, drugs, sexual assault)

As Suzie's hallucinations due to schizophrenia worsen while attending university, she copes with severe drug use. This leads her to run away from school and down a slippery slope into the undergrounds of Las Vegas. Here she finds herself trapped amongst an ensemble of outcasts that have also found a home there. They call themselves the Mole People and they all owe a debt to a mysterious man named, Wonderman. As time goes on, Suzie realizes that their debts aren't so easily paid off, and maybe the family she left behind won't give up on her an easily as she thinks they will.

Landt told a fast-paced, compelling story following Suzie's experience with schizophrenia and her descent into severe drug use. Plagued by near constant visual and auditory hallucinations mixed with paranoia, Suzie's unreliable narration was incredibly gripping. I was expecting this type of narration to be difficult to keep up with, and while it was rightfully discombobulating many times, it was very easy to follow. The characters were all unique and interesting to read about and Landt avoided some annoying character trait tropes (like having the Dean actually caring and listening to Suzie, instead of aggressively blaming her and not listening to her), which I greatly appreciate.

Overall, this was a compelling, intense, and concise read. Definite content warnings for attempted SA, drug use, and self-harm.

Thank you to Kevin Landt and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was not what I was expecting but it was still a fascinating read. There was a focus on mental health issues, portrayed in a very personal and captivating way. The author made the struggle of the main character feel very real and the reactions of the other characters feel credible. There was suspense and action mixed with relationship drama. Despite the main character making bad choices, the author was able to evoke empathy from me as a reader.

4.5 ⭐️ This was a quick read and intriguing story that followed the fractured mind of Suzie, who has schizophrenia. Suzie, in attempts to live as normally as possible, quite literally raw dogs her diagnosis because she fears medication. She begins lashing out in class and making rash decisions due to her symptoms, and that’s where this story really starts—when she leaves University, and begins traveling about strung out on drugs and doing what she can to silence the voices in her head. It’s during her travels that she meets The Mole People, a group of lost souls living in the storm drain tunnels of Las Vegas. From Suzie’s fear to her healing, this book really does paint a more empathetic picture of what people similar to her go through and how their addictions began.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Kevin, for providing this ARC for me to read and review. I really enjoyed this.

In his gripping new novel, Kevin Landt delves into the turbulent psyche of Suzie, a young woman whose paranoia drives her to flee from the people she loves. Desperate for peace and liberation, Suzie escapes to the neon-lit chaos of Las Vegas, only to find herself entangled in an even darker and more perilous world. As she navigates this treacherous underbelly, Suzie faces not only the terrifying realities of her surroundings but also the haunting voices within her own mind. The question looms: who can she trust, and does she even want to?

Kevin masterfully explores the complexities of mental illness through Suzie's harrowing journey, offering a raw and compelling portrait of a young woman grappling with both internal and external demons. The narrative vividly captures the disorienting struggle of coming of age while contending with mental health challenges, making Suzie's journey both poignant and thought-provoking.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reading copy of this intense and introspective novel.

"The Mole People" by Kevin Landt is a captivating, thought-provoking novel that delves quickly and deep into the young life of a beautifully written character, Suzie. I’ve often wondered but never knew until now what it must feel like to live with schizophrenia. I felt as though I was in her head, hearing her thoughts, and seeing what wasn’t there, which left me with a profound understanding of her actions. The authors' commitment to understanding this subject matter is clear and made it difficult for me to put this book down.

The story is driven by Suzie’s journey towards maintaining a “normal” life through her first year of college, first real friend, and first boyfriend. She tries so hard. Yet mental illness can attract cruel people, comments, and intentions. Suzie, not trusting doctors or herself experiments with drugs and alcohol to help quiet the voices in her head, keep her out of trouble, and in school…but it’s a temporary solution that creates an even bigger problem.

This soon leads Suzie on a tragic drug-fueled journey from her loved ones in Portland to the Mole People living in the deep underground tunnels of Las Vegas. Unable to enjoy the freedoms she once had, addicted to drugs, and dependent on dumpsters for food, she does find connections with some of the forgotten people living in this dangerous world.

Landt briefly touches on several 'mole people', each with their own heartbreaking backstory that led them to seek refuge in the tunnels and abandoned spaces beneath the city of Las Vegas. The characters are handled with compassion and nuance, avoiding stereotypes and bringing depth to their struggles and hopes.

The author shines a light on the systemic failures that contribute to homelessness, from a lack of mental health resources, and inadequate housing to cycles of poverty and addiction. While the book is fictional, it raises important questions about how society treats its most vulnerable members.

As for Susie, Landt's writing is vivid, painting a detailed picture of life with schizophrenia—both the dangers and the moments of unexpected beauty coupled with the love of family.

Overall, "The Mole People" is a powerful, impactful read. It challenges readers to see the humanity in those often overlooked and confront the larger social issues at play. Landt's compelling characters and thought-provoking themes make this a worthwhile, eye-opening novel. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page, making you think about the unseen lives happening just below our feet. If you're interested in urban exploration or social issues, this book is definitely worth your time.

TRIGGER WARNING: Attempted Rape, Eating Disorder, Death, Mental Health Hospitalization, Self-Harm, Murder, Drug Use, Alcohol Use

Thank you #kevinlandt for the ARC for my honest review of your book. #themolepeopleThe Mole People

This is a story that only touches on someone with a mental illness and those that become homeless for different reasons. It resonates with a society broken; that has cast out those who do not live up to others’ expectations and how we fail to help those in need. They are swept away to a different reality, dangerous ones. Many never escape, only to die one way or another to the life they now lead.

Suzie is schizophrenic. She has had trauma from the time she was little. Although Dana has been there for her, her illness hacks away at her until she believes she has no recourse but to set out on her own. What leads is catastrophe. She believes the life she has chosen is the new ‘normal’ and one she deserves.

She will find no rest, no love, only voices, turmoil, drugs, and so many more deviant and inhumane conditions. There is hope though, she is loved by others. and they are consumed with finding her among the forgotten. When they come for her though, her new found captors will refuse to let her go. What will happen? Although the book has a happier ending, it leaves you to wonder if her struggle will truly ever end! The author did a great job about writing about mental illness, homeless people, and the things that go on in a world many of us are not familiar with.

The Mole People by Kevin Landt - 4.5 stars
The Mole People by Kevin Landt is one of those books that grabs you from the start and doesn't let go. The story centers on Suzie, a girl who's battling schizophrenia and the crushing paranoia that comes with it. When she decides to stop taking her medication, her life takes a dark and difficult turn. Suzie’s struggle with the voices in her head is heartbreaking and feels all too real. When it gets too much for her to take, Suzie decides to run away from her current life.
From now, this story takes us from Oregon to the tunnels beneath Las Vegas, where Suzie ends up living among the "mole people", a community of others dealing with their own battles, like addiction, substance abuse, homelessness.
This novel powerfully portrays Suzie’s descent into a world both physically and mentally dark. The description of the mole people and the tunnels is vivid and disturbing, making you feel the weight of the darkness both in Suzie’s mind and in her surroundings.
What really stands out is the emotional depth of Suzie’s character. You feel her pain, her confusion, and her desperate attempts to hold on. The book also touches on the impact her illness has on her family, adding another layer of heartbreak. "The Mole People" opens your eyes to the harsh realities of mental health struggles, giving you a raw and compassionate look into lives that are often ignored.

My thanks to Kevin Landt and netgalley for providing me with this copy in exchange on my honest review.

What a harrowing read about a promising young college student suffering from schizophrenia and drug addiction. A cast of characters in tunnels under Las Vegas provides a fascinating setting. You may not relate to these characters, but will root for them.

The Mole People
by Kevin Landt
Pub Date: Jun 30 2024

The Mole People is about the lives of the mole people who live underground in the dangerous underbelly of Las Vegas. It covers illness's such as schizophrenia, mental illness, addiction and self harm. The main individual the author is writing about is named Suzie. The story is very sad and tragic. A must read eye opening informative subject that the public needs to be aware of.

Synopsis: Alone and tormented by her own mind, a young woman must confront her darkest fears, or be swallowed by them—forever.

Thank you to the author Kevin Landt for providing me with an E copy of his book. I truly enjoyed reading it and highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed this story of Susie! She suffers from schizophrenia and paranoia- believing that her support system (family, friends) and people she knows are out to get her. This leads to her finding herself in an even more dangerous/scary environment underground in Vegas wondering who she can really trust.

The book was well written, intriguing, and I felt excited to know more with each page. I did find myself wanting more- but honestly just more of the story- not that the book was lacking anything. It was just that enjoyable!

Well done & worth the read for sure.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review!

Kevin Landt's story is one of awe because most women aren't brave enough to do what Suzie did in this story. She fell in love with Robbie which she had her doubts about. She had met him at college at a party but she also remembered her dad who was always playing the piano, he died. But she could aways remember what he liked to play. Her mother, not her real mother, was called Dana and was always worried about her. She finally got kick out of her college and ran away from Portland to Las Vegas into the hands of Wonderman, who was the leader of the mole people. You can read about Suzie and what happened to her. It will surprise you completely and make you interested in what happens. I recommend this book as a good read.

The Mole People is a heartbreaking look at mental illness. Suzie has a mental illness, Schizophrenia to be precise. Unfortunately, she refuses to take the necessary medication which could help her function, jeopardizing everything. She finds herself in a world even darker than she could have imagined, underground Las Vegas with other homeless, illegal drugs, and very dangerous people. This book is a well-written, very believable story with realistic characters. A very good read.