Book Description
*** THE THRILLING RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK *** *** THE BBC TWO BETWEEN THE COVERS BOOK CLUB PICK *** 'I haven't read anything this exciting since Gone Girl' - STEPHEN KING 'One of the most extraordinary thrillers of the year' - DAILY MAIL 'A dark, audacious highwire act of a novel' - GUARDIAN ________________________________________ This is the story of a murderer. A stolen child. Revenge. This is the story of Ted, who lives with his young daughter Lauren and his cat Olivia in an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. All these things are true. And yet some of them are lies. An unspeakable secret binds the family together, and when a new neighbour moves in next door, the truth may destroy them all. Because there's something buried in the dark forest at the end of Needless Street. But it's not what you think... From the multiple award-winning author of Little Eve and Rawblood, this extraordinary tale will thrill and move readers. A work of incredible imagination and heartbreaking beauty.
Book Review
Review for 'THE House On Needless Street' by Catriona Ward.
Publication date 18th March 2021.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its interesting cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. I also read a load of fantastic reviews on various book clubs on social media and was recommended the book personally by a friend.
This novel consists of a 51 chapters and an Afterword. The chapters are medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is written in a mix of third and first person perspective and the protagonists are Ted, Olivia, Lauren and Dee. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of both first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.
'The Last House On Needless Street' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Catriona discusses/includes abuse and mental health.
OMG JUST WOW! THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE MOST HEAD MESSING BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!
I wasn't actually sure whether to write a review on this book as once I had finished I realised that I have to be extremely careful with what I write without giving anything away and I most certainly do not want to do that!! However, in the end I decided that it was such an amazing book that I couldn't not write a review. However, this review will not be as long as my usual ones as I cannot discuss certain things without giving anything away so I am going to stick really with the writing itself. The book is extremely well written and the descriptions are so vivid that it really feels that you are in the storyline. Catriona leaves you feeling the trees brushing past your skin and hearing the birds in the trees. I was absolutely sucked into this book and I lost Count how many time I said OMG and WTF!!! The setting and atmosphere Catriona has chosen for her storyline is perfect, it's gothic, creepy and everything you want in a good horror. This however isn't the type of horror you may expect, that is all I will say about that. Without giving anything away I definitely want to congratulate Catriona on her research and I personally believe she portrayed certain things perfectly although I have no experience myself. Eurgh!!! It is soooo hard trying to talk to you about this absolutely fantastic read when I am very aware of how one wrong word may spoil it. In that respect I think I will have to just sum up this book with how it left me feel. There was absolute tension and suspense throughout and I was left on the edge of my swatt and my heart was pounding, the hairs on my arms were on edge and I must have made my partner jump countless times with the amount I shouted things out. There is heartbreak, loss, fear, tension, suspense and so much more, everything you could want in a horror/psychological thriller. I read through the following reviews given by publications and authors and I completely agree with every single one of them!!! These sum this book up perfectly without giving anything away:
The buzz building around Catriona Ward's The Last House on Needless Street is real. I've read it and was blown away. It's a true nerve-shredder that keeps its mind-blowing secrets to the very end. Haven't read anything this exciting since Gone Girl -- Stephen King This spectacular gothic fantasy is one of the most extraordinary thrillers of the year so far... Splendidly sinister and twisty, it comes to a magnificent Grand Guignol finale ― Daily Mail A truly captivating Gothic-thriller novel - a champion of the genre, it hooks you in from the very first page... a rare work of fiction that explores the human will to endure ― Independent Ward's superlative novel - part psychological thriller, part Gothic horror - plays countless tricks on the reader and rewards close attention ― Financial Times A chilling masterpiece in suspense... This unsettling yet deeply moving novel is a modern classic, and a major contender for book of the year ― Sunday Express This is Stephen King country, and Catriona Ward's novel is at the horror end of the thriller scale. But this is not horror as you know it... for all the deliberate echoes of Psycho and The Shining, Ward's ambition is closer to William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. The reader is in her hands but never feels manipulated - this is horror with integrity ― The Times
This is the most gloriously complex, shifting story, deeply disturbing yet also, somehow, heartwarming ... Ward has created something exceptionally unsettling here, as many-layered and sinister as the Russian doll that sits on Ted's mantelpiece ― Observer The book sits in that twilight margin between psychological thriller and Gothic horror, with Ward, twice the recipient of the August Derleth Award, beautifully wrongfooting the reader every step of the way ― Financial Times This psychological thriller about a recluse and a missing girl has been praised by Stephen King and compared to Shirley Jackson. Unmissable ― The i Ward's gothic thriller unfolds secrets within secrets until its devastating denouement ― Daily Mail Full of twists and turns, this high-concept gothic horror is going to be huge ― Guardian An upmarket horror thriller with shades of Stephen King and William Faulkner ― The Times A truly captivating Gothic-thriller novel - a champion of the genre, it hooks you in from the very first page.... a rare work of fiction ― Press Association Books like this don't come around too often. An intelligent, well-written, stylish psychological thriller... with a perfectly structured plot arc and a perfectly satisfying whammy at the end. I would say I inhaled this in one, but I think I was too busy holding my breath throughout. Bravo -- Joanne Harris, bestselling author of Chocolat
The new face of literary dark fiction -- Sarah Pinborough, bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes
A sleek thriller, a horror tale in the dark-blooded vein of Shirley Jackson, and a story of a makeshift family that cracks like ice, like a broken heart, when you look closely. I can't recall another novel in recent years that dares so much and succeeds so wildly -- A.J. Finn, bestselling author of The Woman in the Window
This page-turner is an absolutely gripping tale ― Closer
Believe the hype. The Last House On Needless Street is not only a masterclass in horror, but in storytelling full stop. Up there with the best I've ever read. The most unsettling, beautiful, sad and wise book, it'll stay with me a long time. I'm in awe -- Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies
A chilling and beautiful masterpiece of suspense, cunningly plotted and written with the elegant imagination of a Shirley Jackson or a Sarah Waters. I was completely enthralled -- Joe Hill, author of NOS4R2
This book is tender rather than terrifying. Playful and sweet as well as sinister and thrilling, the creeping dread is tempered beautifully with humour and it ends being extremely emotionally impactful -- Emma Healey, author of Elizabeth is Missing
A masterpiece. Beautiful, heartbreaking and quietly uplifting. One of the most powerful and well-executed novels I've read in years -- Alex North, author of The Whisper Man
THIS IS THE BEST HORROR NOVEL I HAVE EVER READ. Even Shirley Jackson, her Majesty, would have to concede to this one -- Natasha Pulley, author of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street Keeps readers deliciously off-balance throughout this multifaceted tale... This masterful horror novel packs an emotional wallop that lingers ― Publishers Weekly (starred review) I was glued to my sofa until I finished it. Such a clever book with two things I appreciate - horror and compassion -- Francine Toon, author of Pine How can a book be utterly terrifying and filled with kindness at the same time? Just brilliant. What a book -- Elizabeth Haynes, author of Into the Darkest Corner Brilliant. This is a book everyone is going to be talking about. Dark, clever and utterly page-turning -- Cass Green, author of In a Cottage in a Woods I didn't think it was possible but The Last House on Needless Street is even greater than the hype suggests. Clever, devastating, beautiful, terrifying, poignant, how often can you say that about one book? There's not enough stars in the world for Catriona Ward -- Chris Whitaker, author of We Begin at the End This immersive modern gothic reads like a timeless classic as it lures you hook and sinker into its world -- Essie Fox, author of Somnambulist Both harrowing and compelling. As soon as I finished it I wanted to read it all over again. An absolute masterpiece -- Katerina Diamond, author of The Heatwave My favourite book of 2021. I loved every page -- Alice Feeney, author of Sometimes I Lie
One of the most original and exciting books I've read in years. Prepare to be immersed in this chilling, thrilling, emotional read -- Jo Spain, author of Dirty Little Secrets
A breathtakingly ambitious book, gorgeously written, and never once shies away from showing you its fangs and its beautiful blood-filled heart. Stop reading this blurb already and open the damn book -- Paul Tremblay, author of A Headful of Ghosts
New, inventive - even groundbreaking... A brave and challenging piece where Ward's superior writing skills shine through like a beacon ― Guernsey Press
There's a well deserved buzz surrounding this novel, it's a bold, clever piece of storytelling. There's a dexterity and sleight of hand to Ward's tale that is breathtakingly clever. Poignant and thought provoking ― NB Magazine
If you like your thrillers full of twists and tinged with the Gothic then you're going to love The Last House On Needless Street. Expect the unexpected and also don't expect to take a breath until you've finished this chilling but gripping story ― Red Magazine
This extraordinary tale will thrill and move readers ― Grazia
Gripping ― Bella
Absolutely brilliant. This is extraordinary, high-wire-act horror, audacious as hell -- Christopher Golden, author of Red Hands
The most extraordinary book. It's mesmerising, original, and challenging. A work of genius
-- Mark Edwards, author of The House Guest
The creepiest, saddest-but-funniest, most mesmerising book I've read in a long time. Psychological thriller and horror writers beware: Catriona Ward just raised the bar skyward -- Tammy Cohen, author of When She Was Bad
As mad as a snake but all the better for it. A story that slinks deeply into uncomfortable places in the tradition of Fowles' The Collector. An enigmatic story of trauma -- Adam Nevill, author of The Ritual I thought The Last House on Needless Street would be good but I didn't know it would be THAT good. It's a book of the year. For any year -- Martyn Waites, author of The Old Religion Breathtakingly brilliant. Dark and relentlessly twisty, the best thing I've read this year -- Lisa Hall, author of The Party Incredible. Absolutely creep-inducing, skin-crawling, even agonising; and also so beautiful, both in writing and heart. One of my favourite things in ages -- James Smythe, author of The Explorer Not only edge of the seat, terrifying suspenseful horror, but it also broke my heart into tiny pieces. Such exquisite writing -- Muriel Gray, author of The Ancient A taut, dark, twisting exploration of the human condition. At once gripping and heartbreaking -- Rebecca F. John, author of The Haunting of Henry Twist A risky, gleeful descent into a house without windows or doors. It's Straub meets Chaon, and is a must-read for horror fans -- Sarah Langan, author of The Keeper Wow. What a journey this book takes you on. A unique, cleverly plotted and compelling read that left me lost for words. Dark, disturbing, devastating. You'll want everyone you know to read this book just so you can talk about it! -- Sam Carrington, author of Bad Sister A haunting novel, beautifully conceived and written, that will have you in pieces from the beginning to the surprising and audacious end -- Tim Lebbon, author of Eden An extraordinary, disturbing, original and powerful book. A bloody marvel -- Anna Mazzola, author of The Story Keeper Astonishing - terrifying, tragic, mind-bending, heart-breaking and bleakly beautiful. Everything about it shines -- Kate Griffin, author of Kitty Peck and the Music Hall Murders Jaw-droppingly original, deeply disturbing and one hundred percent heartbreaking. Psychological horror at its very best -- SJI Holliday, author of Violet
There are many, many reviews like this and each one I have read perfectly sums up my feelings for this book.
It is set over/includes multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
Congratulations Catriona on writing not only the best horror I have ever read but the most psychologically, head messing, mind blowing!! Here is to many more like this!!
Overall an absolutely mind blowing, must read, hair raising, page turner!!
Genres covered in this book include Horror, Thriller, Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Mystery and Psychological Thriller amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'Gone Girl' and just anyone looking for a book that will mess with your mind and leave you talking and thinking about it for a long time!!!
352 pages.
This book is just £2.84 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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@CatrionaWard @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
About the Author
Catriona Ward was born in Washington, DC and grew up in the US, Kenya, Madagascar, Yemen, and Morocco. Her debut Rawblood won Best Horror Novel at the 2016 British Fantasy Awards, and was a WHSmith Fresh Talent title. Little Eve won the Shirley Jackson Award, was a Guardian best book of 2018 and won the Best Horror Novel at the 2019 British Fantasy Awards. She lives in London and Devon.
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