Overall, this book was an interesting look at the downfall of a woman suffering from paranoia and schizophrenia who, after feeling like she has no choice, runs away from her problems only to end up in a worse situation

. She feels abandoned by her family and friends. She flees to Las Vegas, where she immerses herself with the wrong sort of people who live in underground tunnels, plagued by drugs and trapped in the lifestyle of "Wonderman," who promises freedom and safety but who is a villain himself. Overall, this shows an important view of what life can be like for those who believe they don't have support and highlights the need for the taboo view on mental illness to go away.

The Mole People
By: Kevin Landt

5 Stars

This was a book that will stick with me. It paints a very vivid picture of what living with schizophrenia is really like. Suzie is diagnosed with schizophrenia and now she has that to explain the voices in her head. It explains so much about why she is not "normal." This book follows Suzie as she tries to work through college, relationships, and family while dealing with the constant noise in her head. At least now, it can be explained, named. Soon, she finds herself among an infamous group known as The Mole People. Suzie finds herself on a life changing journey of change and redemption.

This was a book that was brought to me by the author, and I am so glad to have read it. It is a colorful and emotional story that left me shocked and understanding. It was a grim look at the hard sides to mental illness and addiction. It was compelling and complex. It is one that reached deep into my psyche to alert me to the darker side of life. The things that may be hidden, the people who may be hidden.

This story is one that needs to be read and understood. It is a book that presents the journey as well as maybe the reward at the end.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Mole People by Kevin Landt is a dark, heavy and gripping story about mental health struggles and the devastating influence of street drugs.
This book will show how easy is to move from shiny stability to dark addiction that results in living on streets and doing everything to survive or get the next dose!

The main character Suzie suffers from schizophrenia and is trying to deal with it as well as she can. It's a challenge to go to college as it is and then imagine doing it with schizophrenia! Suzie is trying hard to fit in but it's challenging. And when things are too much she runs and finds herself on the streets to face heavy reality.

This is a sad read but was right up to my street as I am working in a homeless team and helping people like Suzie get back to stability and normality!

I am happy that I chose this book, it's well-written, realistic and emotional. This book provided deep insights into the daily challenges faced by those less fortunate or at some point made a bad decision and fell into the hands of addiction.

Thank you, NetGalley and publisher for this copy!

Mental illness is and always has been stigmatized. This is the dynamic story of Suzie, who suffers from schizophrenia. She knows the voices she hears are not real, but sometimes she can’t help but listen to them. When life becomes too much for her, she runs away to Las Vegas and becomes one of the thousands of homeless people who live in the underground tunnels. Lines are constantly blurred between real and imagined for Suzie, yet she refuses the medication that can help her believing it is poison.

The parallels between mental illness, homelessness and drug addiction are extremely well characterized and make for a very poignant story. I have been thinking about this book ever since I finished it. It is heartbreaking what Suzie endured, yet her resilience held strong.

I highly recommend this book.

This book was ok. I enjoyed the beginning and really enjoyed getting to know Suzie, the main character, and how she battles with schizophrenia. She tries to have a normal life and goes to college, but she hears many voices in her heads which get her in to trouble.

The book then takes a complete 180 turn and Suzie ends up leaving her mom and her boyfriend because she thinks they’re trying to put her away in the insane asylum… so she runs away from her life and heads to Las Vegas, getting addicted to drugs and becoming homeless.

She stumbles into Wonderman, who is the leader of the Mole People. I’m not sure if Mole People are actually a real thing, but they live underground in Vegas and it was a little creepy. It becomes the main problem, and Suzie’s schizophrenia isn’t really an issue anymore.

It was an ok story, but it was just all over the place to me.

A poignant narrative showcasing the complexities of mental illness from multiple perspectives. Suzie, a sufferer of schizophrenia, is plagued by persistent auditory hallucinations. Despite accepting assistance from her mother, Dana, boyfriend, Robbie, and prescribed medication, she repeatedly rejects their aid, feeling overwhelmed and trapped. Meanwhile, both Robbie and Dana tirelessly endeavor to provide Suzie with the necessary resources and support to aid in her recovery. However, their efforts are met with constant resistance and hostility from Suzie, leading to understandable feelings of frustration, helplessness, and even anger.

What an eye-opening book! Its unique plot makes it a must-read. This beautifully written yet tragic story centers on Susie, who has battled various mental illnesses since childhood and is now grappling with schizophrenia. Struggling to function in mainstream society, she becomes homeless and finds herself living in the tunnels beneath Las Vegas, alongside others who share their own harrowing stories.

The book is deeply emotional, offering profound insights into the daily struggles of those who fight for basic necessities while coping with mental illness. It gave me a new perspective on the challenges faced by those with mental health conditions.

I found myself rooting for Susie's survival and for the friends she made in the tunnels. The story is tough to read, challenging and engaging, with moments that are dark, eerie, sad, and even humorous. Overall, it's fantastic.

The tunnels themselves are an unexpected and haunting backdrop, stretching for miles beneath the city known for its glamour and glitz. These dark, damp passageways are a stark contrast to the bright lights above, home to hundreds of forgotten people who seek refuge there. The book vividly describes life in this underground world, where makeshift communities form and every resident has a story of hardship and survival.

I had no idea these tunnels existed and was compelled to research them afterward! This book will stay with you long after you've finished it, and it's not one to miss!

Loved it 🥰

The Mole People was not a very interesting book in my opinion. I slugged my way through it. I was expecting much more of a narrative about the "mole people" and Susie. I learned more watching Vegas Tunnels.

The story was interesting and the farther into the story you get the crazier it gets! However, it just felt like it jumped around and made me feel like a schizo with how it was all over the place. just felt strange that one minute Suzie is at school and then the next she’s with the mole people like wait a minute that happened way too fast. I did enjoy how it portrayed someone as a schizophrenic and what their everyday life is probably like, which you don’t see very often, but there wasn’t really any reason to care for any of the characters, sympathize or root for them. Overall, the story was a great concept it just wasn’t as interesting for me and just felt like it was lacking something.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In the glittering city of Las Vegas, where fortunes are won and lost on a toss of the dice, there is a world unseen by those above. Beneath the neon lights and towering casinos a community of outcasts called the Mole People reside.

Kevin Landt’s novel,“The Mole People,” delves into this hidden realm, where survival becomes a high-stakes game, and escape is the ultimate prize.

Suzie Franks, plagued by schizophrenia and alienated from her loved ones, abandons her college life in Oregon and finds herself in this dark underworld beneath Sin City. Her struggle for survival takes center stage, as she battles adversaries real and imagined. Suzie’s mind constantly plays tricks on her—distorting reality and blurring the lines between friends and enemies.

Landt skillfully explores themes of resilience, courage, and the enduring human spirit. Suzie’s journey—from the brink of despair to the heights of determination—tests the boundaries of what can be endured.

Suzie’s internal conflict is heart-wrenching. She refuses to take the medication prescribed by her doctors, grappling with the voices in her mind that lie to her and tell her the medicine is "poison". As readers, we witness her vulnerability and strength, rooting for her as she fights to recognize reality.

Landt’s prose is evocative and haunting. He paints a vivid picture of the underground world, where shadows move and secrets fester. The pacing keeps us on edge, mirroring Suzie’s own frantic quest for freedom from both the life she has mired herself in and the voices in her own head.

The Mole People is a gripping story and Landt’s exploration of mental illness and survival is one you won't soon forget.

If you seek a novel that challenges your perceptions and is unique, well-researched, yet compassionate, venture into the tunnels with Suzie Franks—you won’t regret your journey.

Personal Note: I typically avoid fictional books related to mental health issues like the plague - historically I have found them far too depressing, especially with everything presently occurring in the US political and climate arenas. I originally did not request this book for just this reason, however I was interested in the mole people aspect. I am glad I ended up selecting this book, as it proved to be unlike previous novels I have read where the mental health issue is prevalent. If you have a similar aversion, take a chance on this book; it is entertaining, exciting, and ultimately, it focuses on hope and renewal.

Suzie has schizophrenia and leaves her college life behind to find a new one in Vegas. Not the normal Vegas, the one no one sees. The one that lurks in the shadows. The deadly one where everyone is on their own and battling their own demons. Is what Suzie experiences real or all in her mind. That's the unique question that is at the heart of this book.

A dark, sad tale as seen from both sides of the mental illness coin. There's Suzie, who suffers from schizophrenia. Who can't escape the voices in her head. Who accepts the help offered by her mother (Dana), boyfriend (Robbie) and medication, only to then reject it over and over again because she feels like Dana and Robbie are ganging up on her, trapping her, and the medication makes her 'fat'. Then there's Robbie and Dana. Both do everything they can to help Suzie, get her treatment, be supportive. Only to have Suzie throw it back in their faces time and time again. Their frustration, feelings of helplessness, and even anger, understandable.
A well written tale showcasing the difficulties of dealing with mental illness. The ending is beautiful.
Thanks to Netgalley, Ryland Publishing and Kevin Landt for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'll just say it: this book didn't work for me. I cannot pinpoint anything essentially wrong with it. It just isn't for me.
I personally do not like horror stories about mental illness as a big part, or even the whole thing, of the reason as to why a character is behaving the way they are. I don't feel comfortable with it and it also triggers me, so...not cool for myself.
The mole people themselves 'arc' was fairly interesting to me. But not enough to truly pull me in to the storyline. In my opinion, this story is disturbing in a more realistic way, and I don't tend to enjoy realistic horror. I'm much more of the "unrealistic/ludicrous/fantasy/impossible to happen in real life kind of horror reader.
I see that some readers are enjoying this book, so it's clear that it has its audience. I'm just not part of it.
Thank you, anyway, to NetGalley and the author, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel.

Intense story about mental illness and inner demons. Having family members with mental issues, this was an eye opener for me. Author shows the tortured life of a young woman with schizophrenia. Her struggle with running away and being led into the life of the Mole People of Las Vegas..

I was caught by this book because of the title, I saw some documentaries about the Mole People and so far never saw it covered in a novel. The author really mixed three big and sensitive topics here, Schizophrenia, drug addiction and the society of the Mole people, this gives you a lot of ground to work with and cover. Due to the length of the book though, it felt a bit rushed mixing it all and giving it proper attention, I would've liked the book to be longer and go more into detail. Some endings just got tied too fast and too convenient.
The main character was quite flat, her Schizophrenia was tangible in the beginning, it drizzled out towards the second half and became less relevant, same as she became less relevant as a character, her point of view lessened and got replaced by overall description and views of other characters. I found that a missed opportunity, not making her the full unreliable narrator. To me, it was always too clear what was her illness and what was reality, for a topic like this, I would've loved some more mix and twirl and guessing. She also barely takes action, and it's mostly the people around her doing things. One last 'twist' at the end felt unnecessary, and I would've liked the characters of her mom and boyfriend to be more developed, maybe even switching the pov to them at times.
Overall, it is a quick read that sadly just brushes very interesting and complex topics. 2.5 - 3 stars from me.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Ryland Publishing for the copy!

I want to thank Ryland Publishing and the author for providing me a copy of this ARC.

Suzie is our main character. She seems troubled, avoids her peers and hears voices in her head. After a few “anger control issues” the College and her Mom wants her to take medication to calm down the voices in her head. She also develops a relationship with a blonde athletic type and can’t understand why he likes her.

Through a series of unfortunate turns, Suzie runs away and end up in Vegas. She has no money, she hasn’t slept for days, she needs a fix and Wonderman just happens to find her and gives her a place to live-in the flood tunnels. The residents in these tunnels are the Mole People. It’s gritty and dark and everyone has a price on their back.

You’ll have to read the book for the ending. Suzie was a lovable character and the author gives you a great look into someone that has schizophrenia. I certainly will carry Suzie with me

I gave this book 4⭐️‘s. I wished the book had just been a little longer. I would certainly read more from this author.

It takes a bit of reading to get to the part about The Mole People that eventually encompassed Susie. After doing an internet search, I was surprised to learn that there is an actual population living beneath the streets of Vegas. Kevin Landt writes in such a way that I was down in those putrid and dangerous tunnels, strangely, a place of refuge for some folks. As I came to know Susie, Jazz, Judy, Lady and the other characters, I felt it read more like a documentary. A documentary of folks trapped in a life where your only thoughts are where and how you can get your next fix, not caring what you might sacrifice to get it.

The first part of the book tells us of Suzie's home and college life as she attempts to apply herself to her studies while battling her rapidly degenerating mental illness. She is being treated with medication that helps her, but she stops taking it because it causes her to gain weight. Without the meds, she spirals downwards into a world far removed from reality and filled with paranoia.

She abandons college, family and friends in exchange for the drug life. Now, homeless and at the mercy of unscrupulous people, she finds her way to Las Vegas and becomes one of The Mole People living under the brightness, and excitement of the luxury above her.


Cities have communities in which the unfortunates and forgotten homeless population take up residence. In Las Vegas these are the Mole People existing in the flood control tunnels.

This book is an enlightening page turner with a solid storyline that reaches into your heart.

Short but full of feelings. I’m not sure if this is an authentic presentation of schizophrenia but lovs, you *must* take your medication. I have real life experience with that at least.

I don’t want to knock on “The Mole People” as it carries its message & the situations Suzy experiences get pretty harrowing.

My further life experience tells me the devil’s lettuce isn’t going to satisfy addicts, sorry. Worry about opioids & fent—that’s what’s killing people at tragedy level.

This story was very interesting. The character is schizophrenic, and the reader is quickly learning how that condition affects the person every day. Health is taken very lightly in this country sometimes and it’s clear that resources are very limited I enjoyed the story because I learned more about the condition from the perspective of a schizophrenic, but it was very uncomfortable because it rang very true based on what I have come to see happen in my work. There are trigger warnings for sexual assault and drug use. Very raw and very well explained, but probably not for younger readers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This one’s been in my NetGalley shelf for a while! WHY, did it take me so long to get to this one!

I read this in a few days, it was a fast paced page turner! Trigger warning, this one hits on a run away young adult who gets herself mixed up on the streets, so some details (although not super detailed) may be bothersome to some. Drugs and abuse talk.

This story line was unlike most thriller books I have read recently and it was soooo nice to read a book that felt/read different to me.

I really, really enjoyed this one a lot! I think part of it was that I went with our church youth group to L.A. and walked the streets to reach out to the homeless. So this one felt kinda special like I got a peek into how and/or why someone might end up on the streets.

This was an advanced readers copy and I appreciate having the opportunity! My first read by this author and I know I’m a fan already!

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

In the glittering city of Las Vegas, where fortunes are won and lost on a single roll of the dice, there exists a world unseen by the pleasure-seekers above. There, a community of outcasts can be found. They dwell in the shadows, beneath the thin veneer of glamor, far from the twinkling lights and towering casinos.

Plagued by schizophrenia and alienated from her loved ones, Suzie Franks abandons her college life in Oregon, ending up in this dark world beneath Sin City. Here, amidst the threats underground, her struggle for survival becomes its own high-stakes game, with escape the ultimate prize.

But the odds always seem to be stacked against her, or perhaps that's just her troubled mind playing tricks. Faced with adversaries both real and imagined, can Suzie find a way out of the tunnels and overcome her demons? Or will she succumb to the crushing darkness of her new world among The Mole People?

#read #netgalley