A young girl takes a dark emotional journey into the depths of instability in her mental health in this disturbing account of her downward spiral. This book had me feeling several things. I felt the uncomfortableness that comes when you don’t know how to respond or handle someone’s mental illness. I felt the overwhelming sense of helplessness of everyone around her because they could not make the choice for her to take the steps she needed to take to get better. I felt the drenching sadness and desperation to find some kind of normalcy when she felt no one around her could truly help. And I felt the defiance and determination of her will to survive, overcome her illness, and LIVE when she realized that she had to at all cost. This was a very moving and emotional tale of the battles of mental illness. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but more so, felt like it did a great job immersing the readers into empathy when confronted with the struggles of mental illness. I received an arc copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Mole People is a fast paced absorbing read. Suzie is a bright student in college at an Oregon university. A bit of an odd duck she stands out among her peers. Perpetuating her standing are the voices she hears in her head. Battling mental health issues and not taking her medication, she flees to Las Vegas to find solace among other 'lost souls'. In the dark tunnels under the city she finds a different kind of family to support her craving for drugs and live freely. Everything comes with a price. This riveting read covers addiction, mental heath, and unconditional love.

Chopin's Ballade No. 1 was mentioned throughout. It's fitting as with the ballade, the story starts off softly, chaos ensues, and ending with a comforting conclusion. It's a beautiful analogy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the very talented Kevin Landt for a copy.

The Mole People is an intriguing and heartfelt exploration of a young woman named Suzie, struggling with the harrowing effects of schizophrenia and paranoia. The novel aptly portrays the emotional and psychological toll her mental illness takes on both her and those who care for her. Suzie is well aware of her illness and she knows that her fears are irrational, yet she cannot resist the overpowering pull of her mind’s distortions.
With an interesting setting, where we see the protagonist finding refuge in an underground society of outcasts beneath Las Vegas—the “mole people.” This vivid and surreal environment reflects the darker corners of Suzie’s psyche as she spirals further into her illness, her journey a haunting metaphor for the isolation and alienation felt by those with mental health struggles.
The author could have done better with the exploration of Suzie's inner turmoil, but nonetheless the book was quite fascinating and enjoyable.
"The Mole People" is a thought-provoking read. It discusses the lack of support systems for the people dealing with mental issues. It lets the reader explore what it would be like for people suffering from acute mental health diseases. It is an excellent book that allows readers to see what the life of a mentally sick person is like. Definitely recommended for people who enjoy thrillers and suspense filled novels.

Suzie has schizophrenia, but is functioning fairly well as an English Lit student. She has real people around her, and unreal voices in her head. There aren’t many real people who care about her; her mother, Dana, her roommate, Anthea, her boyfriend, Robbie. Her erratic behaviour and paranoia mean she has difficulty making and keeping friends, and alienates her fellow students to various degrees, including active antagonism and bullying. This can lead to violence, and her psychopathology means she is inclined to strike before she is struck. After a particular incident, and not taking her medication, she takes to the road, abandoning her life in Oregon and disappearing into the demimonde of travelling people. Dishevelled and broke she ends up in Las Vegas, where she is taken in by a cohort of misfits who live in the storm drain system in and around the city (despite being in a desert, Las Vegas experiences periodic flash floods). They call themselves “The Mole People”. At first they seem like a safe refuge, but just because you are paranoid doesn’t mean you’re not in danger, and camaraderie can quickly turn to coercion.
This is a book of two halves, the initial part focuses on Suzie in the ‘normal’ world, and is quite analytical, revealing what is happening filtered through the brain of a paranoid schizophrenic. This feel quite real, more so than similar characters explored by other authors, and bodes well for the rest of the book. However, the second half becomes quite pedestrian, a linear, routine, totally predictable plot, with standard characters behaving as type. Suzie, on the other hand, has been through a great deal of trauma and hasn’t been medicated since before she left Oregon, but isn’t behaving like such a character type. I think this was a missed opportunity; it could have been more King, Ellis, Kesey; should have been more internalised. Having said that, it’s not a bad book, provides food for thought and an easy adventure story.
I was gifted this book, through Netflix, by the author. He didn’t require me to review it, but that’s what I do.

The Mole People synopsis had me like ready for a crazy, unique ride! I mean, a college girl battling schizophrenia and somehow ending up with mole people? Total mind-bender, right? And let me just say, the author did an amazing job with Suzie and her mental health journey. Like, it was super believable, and I was totally invested in how she was processing everything. Suzie felt real, you know?

Buuuut (and here's the tea), the other characters were kind of... meh. Like, flat as a day-old soda. And the plot had this super awkward jump from Suzie's college life to her living with mole people?! Girl, what? I was like, how did we get here? I needed more of the in-between, more of the "wait, what just happened?" moments. This book could have been longer!

And I hate to say it, but the story was just a little snoozy in parts. There were times I was like, "Okay, let’s spice this up a bit!" But you know what? Despite all that, I did keep reading because I had to know what happened to Suzie - was she going to be okay?! So yeah, not a total page-turner, but it kept me curious enough to finish. Three stars from me.

I really enjoyed this book.
Suzie is challenged throughout her life but college has her tortured. The stress of that, growing up & life just gets too much.
Her boyfriend and Mam try to help but as we do she thinks she can do it all herself.
The story takes a darker turn when she decided to run away. Ending up in a hole and with people she wouldn’t usually meet up with.
Dark and mentally challenged story that’s handled well.

Kevin Landt, writes this story, about Suzie Franks, who is plagued by schizophrenia which is part of her journey. I have to say, when I was asked to read this, I wasn't sure I would understand it, But I found myself saying yes. His writing to details, and the flow, kept me reading, and helped me understand her journey. All the things she was going through, the struggles, the difficulties of being who she is., the not understanding why things were happening to her, and sometimes, I found myself on the edge of my seat, just hoping she would hang on and make it through.
I received an ARC from Kevin Landt through NetGalley. I am glad I said yes to reading this book, because it gave me an understanding of what her life was like, felt like to her, and the things she had to face and go through. It gave me insight to a life I knew nothing about, and didn't think I would understand, but Kevin wrote it, so I understood her journey which is so different from mine.

The Mole People is an intriguing dive into the complex world of schizophrenia, substance abuse, and the profound impact untreated mental illness can have on both the individual and their loved ones.

The story presents a powerful and compelling concept that keeps you turning the pages. While I found some of the dialogue a bit repetitive and wished for more descriptive narration to bring the emotions to life, the overall experience was still engaging. Despite these minor quibbles, the book offers a unique perspective and is definitely worth the read.

A captivating and compelling storyline surrounding Suzie her downfall with schizophrenia. From the opening pages the reader is sucked into the world of voices, anger, mayhem and hurt. With a sometime hard to read storyline Kevin Landt introduces you to the underground of Las Vegas and the disease and drug use that plagues those involved. And that ending will make you wonder what exactly you just read and will leave you withe the need to start over and read it again. I read it all in one sitting - yes - it was that good!!

Amazing, impactful and gripping. I couldn't put it down. Can't wait for more by this author. Definitely got trigger warnings though

The Mole People by Kevin Lindt was too short of a read but a great read. Make sure to check your trigger warnings because this book deals with self harm, schizophrenia, eating disorders. drug use, and thoughts of unaliving oneself.

Suzy Franks is a college student who suffers from schizophrenia. The voices in her head won’t let her live a normal life and causes issues for her. Her mom wants to help her and threatens to have her committed. After some trouble in school and threats of being committed she decides to leave school and home. She finds herself in the flood tunnels under Las Vegas where she finds some outcasts called the Mole People.

This book is so different from anything I’ve read. I thought the story line and plot were really good and I like Kevin's writing style. I really like the mental health representation, I haven’t read too many stories about schizophrenia. Kevin knows how to pull you into the story and keep you hooked until the end. I do wish it were longer. Suzie’s struggles with schizophrenia and the voices in her head making her feel like she wasn’t lovable, was heartbreaking. It’s sad that she didn’t see how loved she truly was by her mother Dana, boyfriend Robbie, and college roommate Andrea. I cannot recommend this book enough. Thank you Kevin Landt and NetGalley for letting me read a copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

A short but impactful story of the people who live on the fringes of society. In this case, we have our main character, Suzie, who is living with schizophenia and ends up living underground with the Mole People in Las Vegas. We really get so much wrong when it comes to mental health. I think 80% of the population is dealing with some sort of depression, PTSD, and a whole host of mental health issues. This is a story about those who select few who suffer from extremely troubling and debilitating mental health conditions, and how they are forced to slog through life. Life is hard enough when you are "normal" (whatever that is), but these serious mental health conditions lie. And we don't do enough for those people who suffer from these conditions. We think it is enough to diagnose them and then expect them to just take their medicine like good little patients and all will be well. But that is not the case. Their minds are too loud and the lies they hear inside their brains are too troublesome, so they don't take their medications and end up spiraling downward. Cast out of society, they find the only places where they feel accepted out on the streets and away from the help they truly need. We have got to do find a way to do better as a society. The Mole People should not exist and it is frightening to think that they do.

Looking for a twisted coming of age story from the perspective of a young woman with schizophrenia? Look no further. The Mole People follows Suzie, a troubled individual trying to wind through life without knowing whether what she’s experiencing is based in reality. When we first meet Suzie, she is teetering on the edge of stability while attending college with her boyfriend, Robbie, and her friend Andrea. As she progresses, Suzie begins to go down a dark spiral that leads her to Las Vegas, where she meets the Mole People, a group of unfortunate men and women who have fallen victim to addiction, mental illness, etc. It’s then we see Suzie begin to fight for her physical and mental wellbeing.

As a healthcare professional, I have met several individuals that have schizophrenia. I will be the first to say it is hard to understand and comprehend what they are witnessing at any given time. Kevin Landt does a decent job of putting us in the head of Suzie and describing what she is seeing, feeling, and hearing. Because of my experience, I feel like some of the hallucinations and voices are a little oversimplified, but again, there are varying degrees of schizophrenia, so anything goes. I particularly liked the sense of paranoia we get from Suzie throughout her story. That is one thing that makes her character feel relatable and real. I also have dealt with a number of people suffering from addiction, and in this book, the mannerisms and personalities are spot on. The Mole People definitely represent a large portion of our society that most people turn a blind eye to. Overall, this book is a good read for anyone wanting a story with some raw realism. It’s not a feel-good story, but it’s not meant to be. The best way to bring awareness to mental illnesses of all kinds is to submit yourself to the discomfort of acknowledging what it’s like. I would recommend it.

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this book more than I actually did, that being said, the book wasn't bad but I had a lot of trouble garnering sympathy for the main character, which made it harder care as much what happened to her. Perhaps that is the nature of her mental illness that it made it harder to connect with her. I felt that she brought a lot of what happened to her on herself. That said, it was an interesting look at mental illness and addiction, how the two can work hand-in-hand against the person suffering from them and how a person can end up at rock bottom.

Never, and I mean this, NEVER trust a dude in a fedora.

The author reached out to me and offered me an advance copy of this book. And after reading it, I’m glad he did.

So. I’m from Las Vegas and I absolutely love my city, all of its beauty and flaws and all. So fun fact about me, every time a film, show, or book is set here, I judge how accurate it is. I can’t help it, I just do. It’s not a thing the helps or hinders my enjoyment of the piece, it’s just a little separate compartment that goes “yup that’s right” or “pffffft not even close” the whole time.

Clearly the author is either from Vegas or has done his research because this is well written, which makes my neon heart glow.

With that bit out of the way, what a fascinating read. This book is such a gripping depiction of mental illness and addiction, I could not put it down. Susie is written as a complex character, she has depth and was written with care and empathy, where people with these afflictions in books and movies are so often treated as one note “crazies” or “junkies”.

Make no mistake, the book is haunting and uncomfortable at times. The subject matter is uncomfortable and it should be. This book may be fiction but these people exist, shoved underground by people who don’t want to see them. And they have a right to survival too.

Going into act 2 and beyond, when the mole people are introduced, we get into these people that society has cast aside, led by a charismatic cult-like figure in - you guessed it - a damn fedora. And the rollercoaster ride continues.

This author has a solid, decisive voice and this book will grab you and won’t let go. Highly recommend!

Special thanks to the author, Kevin Landt for the copy of the book.

This was a powerful read. I've never had to deal with schizophrenia, but I have had major depressive disorder and the descriptions of utter despair in the book were genuine. (I won't say triggering, but let's say I needed a minute.) For that alone, this book gets 4 stars.
I had a couple issues with the book overall--the atmosphere on college seemed more high school than college to me. Maybe things are different now, but high school had cliques, college didn't. And I rarely had lots of classes with the same people. Also, it's suggested that the MC's schizophrenia began in early childhood (grade school at least), but the NIMH says this disorder typically develops in women in the late 20s-early 30s (certainly not saying there aren't cases of it starting sooner, it's just not typical).
I would definitely read more from Mr Landt in the future!

In The Mole People, Kevin Landt crafts a haunting narrative that plunges readers into the shadows of Las Vegas, a city renowned for its glitz and glamour yet hiding a gritty underbelly filled with struggles and despair. The story centers around Suzie Franks, a young woman grappling with schizophrenia and personal turmoil, who finds herself abandoned by the life she once knew and thrust into an underground community of outcasts. Landt’s portrayal of Vegas as a duality of light and darkness is powerful and immersive. The reader can almost feel the stark contrast as Suzie ventures from the shimmering surface world into the damp, eerie tunnels inhabited by the "Mole People." This setting serves not only as the backdrop for her survival but also as a metaphor for her mental state—confusing, chaotic, and fraught with danger. Landt deftly intertwines the city’s two worlds, establishing an atmosphere of claustrophobia and tension that mirrors Suzie’s internal battle.
Suzie's character is richly developed, painted with layers of complexity that invite empathy while also highlighting her vulnerabilities. As her world spirals further into chaos, readers are given a front-row seat to her psychological struggles. Landt’s sensitive exploration of mental health, particularly schizophrenia, is commendable. It challenges the stigma surrounding mental illness by presenting Suzie not solely as a victim of her condition but as a resilient individual fighting for her survival. The narrative oscillates between her perceptions of reality and the threats posed by both the underground dwellers and her own mind, leaving readers questioning what is real and what is imagined.
The supporting characters in the underground community, each with their unique backstories and flaws, add depth to the narrative, providing a reflection of society's outcasts. These characters challenge Suzie in various ways, forcing her to confront her fears and delve deeper into her own psyche. Landt effectively uses these interactions to demonstrate the importance of connection and belonging, even in the most unwelcoming environments.
Overall, "The Mole People" is a compelling exploration of survival in both literal and metaphorical darkness. Kevin Landt's skillful storytelling and deep character development make this novel a thought-provoking read that sheds light on the often-ignored lives of society's marginalized. Through Suzie's harrowing journey beneath the glamorous facade of Las Vegas, the novel prompts reflection on mental illness, resilience, and the human condition. It is a stark, poignant reminder that beneath the surface, stories of struggle and strength await to be uncovered.

Thank you so much to Kevin Landt for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Mole People released on June 30, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The author actually reached out to me and thought I would be interested in reading his book, so I was really appreciative of that. I love getting books and was excited to check it out. I think it’s a quick read, but it definitely has a lot of plot. I loved the writing. I thought it was quick-paced and a gritty story. Suzie has had a rough life due to her schizophrenia. She gets into some trouble in Las Vegas, which can be a dangerous place. I thought the mole people were pretty creepy. I enjoyed the mystery and suspense. Some of the plot points weren’t the usually things I read, but overall, I enjoyed it. I would definitely read another book by this author!

The Mole People is an intense, heart-wrenching read, one that will make you feel for the main character as we take a deeper look into mental illness and drug addiction.
In this book, we follow Suzie Franks, a college student who struggles with schizophrenia and paranoia. Suzie has the support of her mother and boyfriend, however, it isn't enough. Every day for her is a battle, as she struggles to cope with her illness, and her environment doesn't make it any better. She is teased at school for her differences and, as a result, turns to drugs as a temporary release. Eventually, as things worsen, Suzie finds herself running away from her life and everyone she knows in Oregon. She ends up in Las Vegas amongst the mole people, an underground community that promises to protect her. Her life starts spiraling further downhill, and it soon becomes apparent to Suzie that if she wants to live, she's going to have to fight.

This book broke me. I felt for Suzie in so many ways. Although we did not get Suzie's very beginnings, we do get flashbacks which give us an idea of the life Suzie has lived. We meet Suzie at a vulnerable time in her life, and it is heartbreaking to see her fall into a very dark place. I was rooting for Suzie the entire boom through, and the ending gave some sort of comfort, although it was a very rough journey getting there. I appreciate the author for touching on sensitive topics in today's society and shining light on the internal battles that many people are silently fighting.

Thank you NetGalley, Kevin Landt, and Ryland Publishing for this read.

This is not a book I’d typically pick up, but I’m glad I did. The main character's struggle with schizophrenia was heart wrenchingly written. It made my heart hurt for those actually living with this. The cycles of substance abuse and dangerous living situations due to mental illness were highlighted and expressed in a way that I feel could be all too real.

Thank you to Kevin Landt for encouraging me to read his book, as well as NetGalley.