🕯️ Book Review: People Like Them by Minka Kent (Kindle Edition, Obsession Collection #3)
A sharp, unsettling short story that peels back the polished veneer of suburban perfection—Minka Kent delivers a psychological snapshot of envy, deception, and the dark truths that lurk behind closed doors.
🧠 Overview
Published in July 2023 as part of Amazon Original Stories’ Obsession Collection, People Like Them is a 56-page psychological thriller by bestselling author Minka Kent. The story centers on Veronica and Ryan Hartley, the “it” couple of Auburn Drive—beautiful, successful, and seemingly flawless. Their neighbors are obsessed with them, especially during the annual progressive dinner party where their home becomes the centerpiece of admiration.
But beneath the surface, something is off. As the evening unfolds, cracks begin to show in the Hartleys’ perfect façade, and the story takes a chilling turn that reveals just how far people will go to maintain appearances—or destroy them.
🔍 Key Themes & Highlights
- 🧠 Suburban envy: The story explores how admiration can morph into obsession and resentment
- 🎭 Facade vs. reality: Kent masterfully contrasts outward perfection with inner dysfunction
- 🔥 Slow-burn suspense: Tension builds through subtle clues and shifting perspectives
- 🕵️♀️ Twist ending: A final reveal reframes everything, leaving readers questioning what’s real
“Nobody’s perfect—although one beautiful couple certainly comes close. Discover the cracks beneath the polished surface in this unsettling short story…” — Goodreads summary
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 4.06/5 from over 13,000 ratings
- 📖 Readers praise the story’s tight pacing, eerie tone, and unexpected twist
- 🧾 Some felt the short format left them wanting more depth, but most found it addictive and satisfying
- 💬 “A perfect bite-sized thriller. You think you know these people… until you don’t.”
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 56 pages, it’s a quick read—ideal for fans of compact psychological fiction
- 📚 Part of a collection: Works as a standalone, but complements other Obsession Collection stories exploring extreme emotional states
- 🧠 Dark undertones: Includes themes of manipulation, emotional abuse, and moral ambiguity
🏁 Final Verdict
People Like Them is a taut, atmospheric short story that delivers a satisfying dose of psychological suspense in a compact package. Minka Kent’s writing is crisp and evocative, making this Kindle edition a great pick for readers who enjoy domestic thrillers, twisted relationships, and stories that reveal the rot beneath the roses.
