The Other Couple by Jack Dane
Release: March 28, 2025
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Back Alley Press
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Amazon , GoodReads
It was supposed to be a nice family weekend. If only it had been.
When new parents Lainey and David arrive at their rental cabin late at night, they get a surprise to find another couple already there. Looks like there was a double-booking…right?
As the weekend progresses and the house’s dark past comes to light, the pair begin to wonder if it was coincidence at all.
Another young family had lived there prior.They had a young son, too. All of them vanished.
Then Lainey discovers a journal, and what it reveals about the past moves her from wondering to flat-out worry.
Deep in the forest in all isolation, Lainey and David will need to tread very carefully with the other couple if they want to survive the weekend.
Fans of Freida McFadden, Daniel Hurst, and Kiersten Modglin will love this twist-filled psychological thriller that will have you turning pages late into the night.
About the Author:
Jack Dane is the author of twisted psychological thrillers, many of which are set in New York City, where he lives. When not writing, Jack enjoys getting lost in the Park, going to jazz clubs, and people watching for new ideas.
The Other Couple Review:
This is the fifth book I’ve read by Jack Dane, and I can confidently say it’s one of my favorites. Dane takes a seemingly simple premise and turns it into a tense, claustrophobic psychological thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish.
David and Lainey, along with their young son Jonah, head out on vacation .They discover that their booking got double-booked. Enter Kyle and Heather, another couple who also claim the cabin. With a storm rolling in and the road blocked, the two families are forced to share the isolated space. What begins as an awkward inconvenience quickly spirals into something far more unsettling. And David and Lainey realize their new cabin-mates aren’t what they seem.
I loved the composition of the story within such a small cast—just four adults and a child—yet it never once felt dull. On the contrary, the intimate setup heightened the tension. The atmosphere was eerie and oppressive, and I found myself holding my breath alongside Lainey as she tried to make sense of the increasingly bizarre behavior of Kyle and Heather. Jonah added a touch of innocence that made the stakes feel even higher.
The journal entries sprinkled throughout the book were another clever touch, deepening the mystery and keeping me guessing. While I did anticipate part of the twist—likely because I’ve read my fair share of thrillers—the execution was still satisfying and added to the chilling atmosphere.
Dane excels at creating characters that feel real, and Lainey’s emotional journey was particularly vivid. This book had me feeling as if I were right there in that cabin, with the walls closing in.
A gripping, atmospheric thriller—easily one of my top Jack Dane reads. ★★★★½
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