by Kia Abdullah
- Mystery
- Thriller
Those People Next Door is a short story at just 144 pages, following Salma and her family, the Khatuns, as they move into a new home hoping for a fresh start. After their son is expelled from school due to what they believe was a misunderstanding, they’re looking for a chance to leave the past behind.
However, it isn’t long before tensions begin to rise with their neighbours. When Salma puts up a Black Lives Matter banner in her front garden, one of her neighbours tears it down. Refusing to be intimidated, she moves the banner into her front window, only to wake the next morning and find the window splattered with paint, obscuring the banner. What starts as a neighbourhood dispute quickly escalates into something far more sinister.
This is a gripping thriller that explores how easily neighbour can turn against neighbour. As with many of Kia Abdullah’s books, there’s a courtroom drama at its heart, but with plenty of twists along the way. Abdullah has a talent for keeping you hooked, and just when you think you’ve worked everything out, she throws in another twist that makes you question everything you thought you knew.
I’ve really come to enjoy Kia Abdullah’s writing and always look forward to picking up her latest books. She isn’t afraid to tackle difficult and thought-provoking subjects, and in this novella she explores themes of racism, prejudice and the assumptions we make about others. She has a way of encouraging readers to examine their own beliefs without ever feeling heavy-handed.
Despite its short length, this packs a real punch. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery and thriller novels, especially readers who appreciate thought-provoking stories that aren’t afraid to challenge perspectives.
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