Whose story do YOU believe?

Londoners Jack and Syd moved into the house a year ago. It seemed like their dream home: tons of space, the perfect location, and a friendly owner who wanted a young couple to have it.

So when they made a grisly discovery in the attic, Jack and Syd chose to ignore it. That was a mistake.

Because someone has just been murdered outside their back door.

AND NOW THE POLICE ARE WATCHING THEM.

My thanks to Annie at Penguin RandomHouse for the chance to join the blog tour

The House should be filed under “D” for Dark. The focus is on a young couple, Jack and Syd, who seem to have found their dream home. Through an unusual (but effective) narrative we switch between Jack and Syd telling the reader through a journal of how they came to find the house, their early experiences in the new home and we realise that the dream house may not be quite so perfect.

My horror-fan antennae was twitching mightily when we learn that there is an unusual smell in the house that neither Syd or Jack can pin down. Then a trip to the attic reveals a shocking discovery – and a mystery. One evening when both our protagonists are in bed there is a suspicion that they may not be alone in the house.  Brilliant tension building from the author as you begin to question the reliability of the narrators (both Jack and Syd have differing memories of events) and there is also the question over whether the House deserves that capital letter – could it be haunted???

Well to reveal too much would be unacceptable in a review so I shall jump to the problems that Syd and Jack face when engaging with others.  Jack has a strained relationship with his parents and seldom sees them.  Syd befriends a local girl and their friendship will come back to cause problems for Jack – the young girl’s father does not like Syd speaking with his daughter and sets out to end their friendship – with a very forceful intervention. Other incidents will lead to Jack becoming increasingly isolated until he finds himself facing a crucial dilemma and realising he does not have anywhere to turn.

Much of the mystery of The House relies on you, as a reader, picking up the book and easing yourself into the lives of Jack, Syd and their friends and family. I mentioned it being a “dark” read and it certainly is that. It is also twisty, unpredictable and more than a little unsettling at times.

There is no shortage of good thrillers these days (for which we are very glad) but The House feels different and has a distinctive tone and style which made for very a refreshing reading experience. If you get the chance to read The House – Grab it.

The House is published by Penguin and is available in paperback and digital format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Simon-Lelic-ebook/dp/B01MZ6DDGL/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8