I have always wondered what it would be like to stumble upon my doppelganger, but it would be pretty crazy to do so while on a hiking trail. Annie Neugebauer takes the doppelganger possibility to an entirely new level in The Other where it becomes far more terrifying than just finding someone who resembles you.
A couple on an outdoor retreat meet their doppelgangers on a hiking trail and are soon tested on how well they truly know each other.
What I thought was going to be a fairly straightforward thrilling story about a couple running into their doppelgangers on their hiking trip turned into a horrifying tale with twists and turns that had me picking up my jaw up off the ground. The surprises I didn’t see coming which made the experience all the more better.
The Other is an eerie and unsettling story where one couple’s fun getaway is more about how much they know about each other and the mystery behind what is going on. Making me sit back in think about how I would handle the situation if it was my wife and me on this trail. Something sinister is afoot and takes us by surprise. The quick and gripping read had me rapidly turning pages.
Being part of The Outsiders Sequence is great for those who have read The Extra as well as planning to read The Spare next year. However, The Other also reads as mostly a standalone story, only referencing the event that took place in the previous book. It’s the overall eerie mystery of the location that connects these stories together. Either way I recommend reading The Extra.
The Other by Annie Neugebauer is a quick, eerie and unsettling read that sneaks up on you in the best way possible. The story blends psychological tension with shocking twists and turns that you won’t see coming. I am eagerly awaiting The Spare which is on the horizon.
The Other hits bookstores everywhere on June 9, 2026 from Shortwave Publishing.


