Told via multiple timelines, this novel was creepy and compelling. It was a haunted house story, a romantic suspense story, and a crime story all wrapTold via multiple timelines, this novel was creepy and compelling. It was a haunted house story, a romantic suspense story, and a crime story all wrapped up into one.
The frightening cellar with its unusual metal door was very well described and easy to visualize. The characterization was well rendered, and it was easy to identify with the various people in the book. I really liked Clare, the protagonist of the modern day timeline, and I felt the deepest sympathy for the now elderly Ben, whose life was shattered by the Octagon House.
The book held my interest, but I thought it could have been a tad shorter as it seemed to drag and be repetitive in places. That being said, the story was mostly well wrought, and it was an impressive and very atmospheric debut novel.
A story of a psychopathic man, childhood friendship, and youthful bravado, all with an element of supernatural creepiness that would be perfect for a late autumn read. Well done Jennifer Fawcett. I'm eager to see what you will come up with next....more
What a wild ride! Anyone who enjoys original thrillers with unreliable narrators have hit the mother-lode with this novel. You get four for the price What a wild ride! Anyone who enjoys original thrillers with unreliable narrators have hit the mother-lode with this novel. You get four for the price of one!
The nature of the plot makes it almost impossible to review the book without giving too much away. On that note, this review is going to be short and sweet. Just let it be said that this novel has myriad plot twists, and it deals with how the human mind finds different ways to deal with pain, fear, and emotional distress.
I can understand that this would not be to everyone's taste. The cat co-narrator, the dark subject matter, the unreliability of all the narrators. Yet, somehow, I loved it! "The Last House on Needless Street" is probably one of the most unique, original, twisted, and riveting reads I've had for quite some time.
Well folks, I had such great expectations of this book. The blurb states that readers will want to begin again after the last page was turned. I cannoWell folks, I had such great expectations of this book. The blurb states that readers will want to begin again after the last page was turned. I cannot imagine a scenario in which I would ever read this again.
Although the first third of the novel was very enthralling, with the gothic atmosphere and historical medical scenes, once the book moved to Lindridge Hall, I quickly began to lose interest. The scenes turned to the fantastical, with magic spells, strange occurrences, and plot devices which seemed almost a drug-fueled delirium.
I was okay with the alternate England. I was okay with the haunted house, but when it came to the fantastical meanderings of Jane's mind while in the house, the blood and the gore of her newfound reality, I found myself skimming toward the end.
I really liked Jane's character in the beginning of the book, but found her personality quite changed and distorted by the end.
Someone more versed in twisted horror and the historical fantasy genre will no doubt cherish this novel. However, I am not amongst their number. I found it to be a weird and confusing book which didn't live up to it's premise....more
I couldn't have picked a more perfect October read. Filled to the brim with atmosphere and gothic overtones, this novel was creepy without being unbelI couldn't have picked a more perfect October read. Filled to the brim with atmosphere and gothic overtones, this novel was creepy without being unbelievable.
Though it is a novel, filled with fictitious people, it is set in a very real setting. Overtoun House and bridge near Dumbarton, Scotland. A place that genuinely has a macabre reputation and spooky history - albeit a different one from what this book has to offer.
The character of Constance was pitiable. You feel so sorry for her loneliness and ill health. Marion's character was also one to feel sorry for. Her situation was utterly wretched. Ava's present day character was a character that I had mixed feelings about. I wanted to yell at her to stop ignoring Fraser and leave the past - and Overtoun House - alone. But silly me, she couldn't do that as then there would be no story.
In addition to the unsettling location, this novel spoke to the complicated nature of family, and the only too real condition of Munchausen by proxy.
As Overtoun gradually revealed its secrets to Ava, the story came together in a way that made sense.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and recommend it highly to those who enjoy an atmospheric story jam-packed with family secrets....more
Anyone who enjoys gothic fiction with more than a few paranormal elements will surely enjoy this novel by Rebecca James. That being said, there were fAnyone who enjoys gothic fiction with more than a few paranormal elements will surely enjoy this novel by Rebecca James. That being said, there were few surprises within its pages and I found the narrative quite predictable. Not always a bad thing, depending upon your mood.
The ambiance and atmosphere of the creepy old house Winterbourne, high atop a Cornish cliff was aptly and deftly described.
Alice Miller was a more than interesting character. She was sympathetic, but devious, and damaged with a criminal past. She coveted everything that once belonged to the beautiful wife of Captain de Grey - to her detriment.
Rachel's story, in the modern day, was compelling as well. Her search for her genealogical roots was well portrayed and her character easy to empathize with.
The ending of the novel was creepy - as would be expected. As I said, nothing really surprised me. However, I did enjoy the read and it was perfect book for a chilly autumn night.
This horror thriller was quirky, macabre, and at times... morbid. The characters were eccentric in both appearance, manner, habits, and at times thought.
Told from several points of view, this is a crime novel steeped in history, yet with a modern subject overlying it. A problem specific to the multicultural segment of a lot of large cities, in particular, London - namely the abduction of young immigrant girls. The disappearance of 'expendable' people.
The setting, Whitechapel, London was very atmospheric and perfect for a novel such as this one. It has a long, dark, and rich history, for it is the location of the infamous Jack the Ripper's crimes. The pub in the novel, "The Jolly Bonnet" is a treasure trove, with morbid memorabilia and medical curiosities displayed throughout. The wardrobe of the pub staff puts the reader in mind of a steampunk type story.
I learned a lot about the history of blood transfusions while reading this book. Maybe even more than I wanted to. LOL I was also introduced to the legacy of Jean Denys.
The writing was accomplished and absorbing, though I must warn potential readers that this is a story that is not for the squeamish or faint of heart.
I've read some of David Mark's crime fiction and absolutely, thoroughly enjoyed it. This novel, as with the last novel of his I read "The Mausoleum" are more in the vein of horror thrillers than crime as such. Although I prefer his crime novels, I did enjoy "A Rush of Blood", but would probably not read any more of his work in this genre. I can heartily recommend his Aector McAvoy crime series.
Anyone who enjoys a crime novel showcasing the very depths of madness, with quirky, unconventional detectives will appreciate this novel. But beware it is both gruesome and tragic.
Fictionophile
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