People Like Us

By: Dana Mele

Narrated by: Erin Spencer

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

A sharp psychological thriller that's just right for fans of Pretty Little Liars - this story will seduce, mislead, and, finally, betray you.

Kay Donovan has skeletons in her closet, but who doesn't? The past is the past, and now Kay's a star soccer player whose group of gorgeous, pedigreed friends run their private school with effortless popularity and acerbic wit. But when a girl's body is found in the lake, Kay's carefully constructed life begins to topple. The dead girl has left a memento, a computer-coded scavenger hunt, which, as it unravels, begins to implicate each of Kay's friends, until Kay herself is in the crosshairs of the murder investigation. At this school, no one is quite what they seem...even Kay.

Debut author Dana Mele has written a taut, sophisticated suspense novel that listeners will tear through and not stop talking about.

©2017 Dana Mele (P)2017 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“This juicy prep-school thriller has queen bees, super-cliques, and hints of PLL and Gossip Girl. But if you think you’ve got every plot turn figured out, think again: the drama is just getting started.” (Seventeen Magazine)

“[A] whirlwind, fast-paced YA mystery.... Not only will Mele’s gorgeous, melodic writing have you entranced, but the layered mystery of it all will have you scrambling to turn the pages to see who-dun-it.” (Buzzfeed)

"Steeped in scandal and profound tragedy, this is a dark and thrilling look at female friendships, the pressures of scholastic success, and mental health.... A classic and frightening tale of betrayal and mental illness told in a fresh and contemporary way, this book is difficult to set down for even a moment. It is an intricately designed, beautifully written, and extraordinarily chilling story." (School Library Journal)

Loved this book

Kept me wondering the whole book “who is the killer” and then when they are revealed, it still kept me reading

okay

The last chapter really drags. I would have rated 4/5 if it wasn't for that chapter. lots of unnecessary cursing.

Interesting book

It was a good story. I liked the narrator. I’m glad I didn’t figure out who did it.

Pretty good, easy listen

The book was good. I liked the story but it was pretty simple. There was a point in the story when I felt I had missed something (can’t give too much away) and had to go back only to realize I didn’t miss anything, there just seemed to be a gap. The characters are easy to get mad at but then you have to realize they’re still in high school. I would have liked for the story to start from before “the event” instead of starting there.

this book

is a cross between Pretty Little Liars and Mean Girls.
It’s a thrilling story of Who Done It and leaves you guessing until the very end.

Very predictable

the basis of the story is very good. however, I knew the "who done it " as soon as her character was introduced. if the writer would have not been so forthcoming on the killer's personality and actions then maybe it would keep you guessing but unfortunately the way she was written into the story, I knew right away she was the killer. it's too bad that it was so obvious because the basis was a great read, but it just didn't keep me entranced . I just kept listening just to see (hoping) there would be some extreme turn of events that I never saw coming. sadly there wasn't. A very predictable read. I wouldn't recommend this if you are looking for suspense and surprises. you won't find either of these in this book.

I really liked it!

I'm not usually a YA reader, but I listened to this during a business trip recently and looked forward to turning it back on every time I had to shut it off. I thought I could predict the end, and I sort of did, but then it took a real unexpected turn that I never saw coming.

wow

Holy freaking crap. I honestly don't know to think after finishing People Like Us. I just finished and I still this anxious jittery feeling because although I had some answers, the ending is very much left open to interpretation.

I listened to the audio version of People like us and the narrator did a remarkable job, she had me so entrenched in the world of an all girls boarding school that dealt with so much more than my high school did, at least that I was aware of. Their were some mean and nasty girls in this school, and I found it rather shocking to be perfectly honest with you. The things they said and the way they treated each other was truly beyond my comprehension.

I thought that People would be a lot like One of Us is Lying, but it actually ended up being more like Pretty Dead Girls by Monica Murphy. But a little more sinister, dark and psychological. When I finally made it to the end and all of the secrets were revealed I was honestly shocked! I thought that I knew Kay so well, but I feel like I had her completely misjudged the entire time I was reading.

I sit here questioning rather I would recommend People Like Us to a friend, and I think I would because quite frankly I need to talk to someone about this book and the ambiguous ending. I will be thinking of this story and slowly digest for a some time to come.

Couldn't stop listening

What did you love best about People Like Us?

It didn't end how I assumed it would, which shocked me the most, I think. With most YA "who-dun-it's" you can figure it out before the end. Not so for this one for me, which I really appreciated.

What other book might you compare People Like Us to and why?

"One of Us Is Lying" by Karen M. McManus is very similar, in good ways! Definitely pick that one up, too, if you liked this one.

Have you listened to any of Erin Spencer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

(slight spoiler? maybe?) The fact that everyone willingly turned against Kay almost immediately reminded me of some of my own high school experiences. In high school, everyone loves an easy target to hate. And anyone can become that target, even if they weren't the worst bully, and it can happen instantly. Ten years ago, I had something similar happen (without murder, of course) when I was 17 and in high school, so it hit me a little hard and made me super relieved to be out of high school.

Any additional comments?

It's an engaging listen. It's definitely one that makes you not want to put it down and to keep listening. I finished it in one sitting, partly due to fibromyalgia pain but mostly because I had to know how it ended! It totally surprised me by the ending, which was nice.

A little slow but decent

In my opinion this story takes time to set the premises and it develops very slowly. I would recommend it if you don’t have anything else in mind to listen to.